A Dinosaur Bedtime Story for 3-Year-Olds

Dot was a little dinosaur. She had a long neck. She had soft, slow feet. She liked to walk with Mama.

One day, they went to the pond.

Step, step, step.

Dot saw a red leaf. She saw a round rock. She saw a tiny bird on a low branch.

The bird looked down.

"My nest fell," said the bird.

A small nest lay in the grass. It was empty. A soft bit of moss hung from its side.

"We can help," said Mama.

Dot bent her long neck. She looked at the nest. She did not step on it.

"It needs a bed," she said.

Mama found a wide, flat branch. It was low and easy to reach. Dot picked up some soft moss with her mouth.

She set the moss down.

Pat, pat, pat.

The bird took one little twig. Mama moved the old nest onto the branch. Dot added a leaf.

"Is that good?" asked Dot.

The bird hopped in. He turned once. He turned twice. Then he sat very still.

"Just right," he said.

Dot smiled. Her tail made a slow swish.

The sky grew pink. It was time to go home. Mama and Dot walked past the pond. They saw their shapes in the still water.

Step, step, step.

At home, Dot had a bed of soft leaves. She put one new leaf beside her pillow. It was round and green.

"The bird has a good bed," she said.

"And so do you," said Mama.

Mama lay close. Dot could hear her slow breath. In and out. In and out.

Dot tucked in her feet. She rested her long neck on the leaves. The air was warm. The moon was small and bright.

Dot thought of the bird in his snug nest. Then she closed her eyes and slept.

The End ✨