Liam gets ready for bed. He is four. He plays with his car. The room grows dim. The sun says bye. Liam frowns a little. The dark comes in slow. He feels small in the big room.
His mum sits on the bed. She tucks his sheet. She smiles. "It is time to rest," she says. Liam looks at the corner. The chair makes a soft shape. The toy box looks like a small hill. The dark feels new.
Mum brings a small lamp. It gives a warm dot of light. "This is your night light," she says. Liam likes the light. The dot is like a tiny sun. He holds his soft bear. The bear is warm and calm. Liam hugs him.
They breathe slow. Mum says, "Breathe in. Breathe out." Liam copies. In. Out. His heart gets soft. He listens to the hum of the fan. It sounds like a far wave. His eyes blink slow.
Mum shows him the stars on the ceiling. "They are painted," she says. Liam touches the paint. It is cool and smooth. He smiles. He counts the stars. One, two, three. He whispers to the bear. The bear answers with a squeeze.
They walk the room with a small torch. The beam is tiny. It finds the toy car. It finds the shoe. It finds the small night plant. Liam laughs. The dark is not empty. It holds toys and books and his small bed.
Mum tells a short tale. It is about a brave shoe that hides under the bed. The shoe tickles the dust with a soft toe. Liam giggles. The laugh is like a bell. It makes the room warm.
Mum sings a calm song. The song is slow and soft. Liam yawns. He drinks a sip of warm milk. The milk is sweet. He climbs in. The night light glows. The dark feels like a quilt.
Mum kisses his brow. "I am here," she says. Liam thinks of the stars and the soft bear and the light dot. He feels safe. He closes his eyes. He sleeps.
A small lamp and a hug can make the dark feel kind.
