bedtime stories

growling at them. On reaching home, the fox was laughing and chiding the lion cubs for their coward ness. Mamma lioness watched all this with concern. Late in the night, as the children slept peacefully she told the Lion, I dont think our fox child should stay with us. Today he was teasing them but as they are children they will forget and play. As they grow, the lions will eat up the fox. The Lion nodded in agreement. Early in the morning Mamma lion told the fox, Though you are my child you are not a lion. For your happiness you must go to your fox family. Be happy and live with them. The fox was sad to leave but understood the matter. He suddenly noticed some fox cubs in the bushes and quickly raced with them. At night, the fox howls and Mamma Lion knows that he is safe somewhere in the forest. And everyone sleeps peacefully.

Bed time is a perfect time to bond with the child. As the body needs rest, their mind needs to be relaxed. This is the best time to get imaginative and narrate stories and also indirectly teach them a few notes on discipline and good behavior. Teaching through stories is a soothing time for children. Reading becomes a habit and they also would love to point out the characters in the book. Use this time to explain about God, friends and other things about school.

The fox cubs and the lion cub One chilly evening, the lion returned to his den with a baby fox cub in his hand. Mamma lion was waiting for dinner to be served. She was quite disheartened to see the tiny fox and said, I dont have the heart to eat him. He is so much like my kids. The lion agreed and from then on they raised him with their other two cubs. The fox child learnt to romp, play and eat like the lions. As they grew, they started wandering on their own. It was fun to just be together. One day the elephant came along. Elephants are very much an enemy of the lion. The cubs were scared and they whimpered back to the den. But the fox stayed back Jacky- The shy Hippo Jacky Hippo was too lazy to run and play. He was happy to be sitting all day in water and day dreaming. All he did was eat some grass and sit in water. All the animals we were worried about him. Chikki would peck on him to keep him clean and push away the annoying bees. But all Jacky would do was smile at her. The annual festive season was nearing and all the animals geared for the fancy dress competition. The theme was about games and champions in sports. There was a nice party and dance after the competition. When Jacky heard the

same, he was not even excited. He showed no interest to participate or talk about ideas he had. Jackys mother was upset and told Chikki to do something about the same. Chikky told him, Jack, Would you like to be a part of the fancy dress theme? and all Jack said was a No. Chikki told him, You know Shera is going to judge on us and there is a prize for the runner up too. But Jacky just moved to another spot and continued munching the grass. The rehearsal was on and the animals decided to practice in front of Jacky. On seeing so much excitement, colors and props, Jackys eyes showed a glint of happiness. He came out of water and almost smiled. Jackys mom gave him a costume of a goal keeper of a football team. All the animals cheered him to wear the gear. Jacky was shy and put his head down. Chikki clapped and tweeted and all the animals joined in. Jacky changed into his costume and emerged from the bush. All the animals clapped and Partha the fox taught him a few tricks on how to behave like a goal keeper. Jacky felt confident and practiced each day. He spent less time munching or being idle. Chikki was happy for him. On the day of the event, Jacky was shy to go on stage but all the animals cheered him. He gave a good performance and also won the prize. Jacky was happy and showed the prize to his mother. He was no more shy or idle. He played and chased butterflies. He exercises and remains fit. Jacky is now happy as he is selected for the football team which has regular matches each year.

Sun and Moon One day God was giving jobs to all animals, humans, trees and planets. He saw the nine planets and wondered. The Earth is the most beautiful planet and it has so much responsibility as many people live here. Let me allot the Sun and the Moon to help Dear Earth. The Sun was told to shine on earth for the entire day and then the moon was to come to keep her company during the dark. The Sun God and Moon God met in Heaven and greeted each other. They were excited but the moon said, Let us play the hide and seek game from now on. This is what happens as when the moon goes the sun comes bright and shining to help the human beings begin the day. We go to school, elders go to office and the day is a busy time. While it gets to be dark, the sun hides and up comes the moon and with it comes the stars. The moon is the satellite of the earth and is very close to where the earth is. When the moon comes up, we begin to rest as rest is important for our body. One day there was confusion and the Moon and Sun accidentally met and then there was Eclipse. Everyone said it is when the sun, moon and earth talk to each other there is eclipse. Though this is rare, the scientists are finding out new ways to know more about the eclipse. The Sun was proud of his job as he was the life giver to many living things. The plants needed him, kids loved him and many humans worshipped him. The moon was sad and yet did his job dutifully. As the routine was set, one hot day, the Sun was tired and was waiting for the day to get over. The Moon decided to play truant and did not want to come. The Sun pleaded, Cmon Moon, You know I have had a tiring day so why dont you help me. The fairy for the twilight came and pleaded to the moon, Oh Moon. Please come over. All of us need you equally. The Moon came smiling. The Sun was relieved. He apologized to the moon and from then on God sent Evening so that the Sun and Moon can work happily during the day and night.