Every night, Mia brushed her teeth with her blue toothbrush. She put on her soft pajamas with pink polka dots. Mama tucked her in, giving her Bunny, her favorite soft toy, to cuddle. The room was quiet, except for the little clock ticking.
But when Mama turned off the big light, the whole room became dark. Mia felt her tummy flutter. The dark felt big and quiet and full of “maybe” things. Mia pulled her blanket up to her chin and held Bunny close.
“Mama, can you stay a little bit?” Mia asked in a small voice.
Mama smiled and sat on the bed. She stroked Mia's hair. “Of course, sweetie. I'm right here. The dark can feel different. But let's look together. Want to see what's here with us?”
Mia nodded. Mama turned on Mia's special night-light. It glowed softly and made a gentle, golden puddle on the wall. Mia looked around. Her bookshelf was still there. Her shoes were still by the door. Her teddy bear sat on the shelf, smiling.
“See?” Mama said. “Everything is just the same. It only looks a little different in the dark.”
Mia peeked under her bed. “Hello, Teddy!” she whispered. Teddy didn't move, but Mia giggled.
Mama whispered, “Let's listen. What can we hear?”
Mia listened hard. She heard the soft tick-tock of the clock. She heard the wind say “whoosh” outside the window. She heard her own breathing go in and out.
“The dark is quiet,” Mia said.
Mama nodded. “Yes. The dark is like a soft blanket for our house. It helps everyone get some rest.”
Mia looked at the ceiling. “But what about shadows?” She saw one on the wall that looked big and wiggly.
Mama got up and waved her hand in front of the night-light. The shadow on the wall danced.
“See? Shadows are just shapes,” Mama explained. “They cannot hurt you. They are made by things blocking the light. Like my hand, or Bunny, or your chair.”
Mia held up Bunny. The shadow of Bunny made a funny shape on the wall. Mia laughed. “Bunny has a big nose!”
“Bunny has a silly nose!” Mama agreed.
Mia felt a little braver. She looked around her room again. She could see her books, her shoes, her chair, her pillow, and Bunny's funny shadow nose. Everything was still here.
Mama tucked the blanket around Mia's chin. “Darkness comes every night, just like morning comes every day. The dark helps our eyes rest. It helps us sleep. When we wake up, the light will come back.”
Mia snuggled under her blanket. She felt soft and warm. She looked at the night-light. It made her room look gentle and quiet. She could hear the tick-tock, the whoosh, and Mama's calm breathing.
“Can you leave the door open a little bit?” Mia asked.
Mama nodded. She opened the door a crack. Light from the hallway made a small golden line on the floor.
Mia smiled. She felt safe. She was not alone. Mama was nearby. Bunny was here. The night-light glowed. The dark was soft and quiet.
Mama kissed Mia's forehead. “Goodnight, my brave girl. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Mama,” Mia whispered, feeling sleepy.
She closed her eyes. She heard the wind and the tick-tock. She felt Bunny's soft fur and the cozy blanket. The night-light was like a gentle moon in her room.
As Mia drifted off, she thought, “The dark is not scary. The dark is just nighttime. The dark is full of quiet things I know.” She smiled in her sleep.
In the morning, the sun would shine, and the dark would go away. But for now, Mia was safe and warm. The dark was soft, and the night-light glowed, and Mia dreamed happy dreams.
