A Train Bedtime Story for 3-Year-Olds

Ari had a small red train. It ran on a track around the playroom rug.

One evening, Ari sat beside it.

"Where shall we go?" Ari asked.

Dad sat down too. "Let us see."

Ari put a toy bear in the first car. A toy duck sat in the next car. The last car had a soft blue bed.

The train went slowly.

Chug, chug, chug.

It went past the block house. It went past the tall book. Then it stopped at a little bridge.

A woolly sheep stood on the track.

"Sheep needs a ride," said Ari.

But the first car was full. The next car was full too.

Ari looked at the blue bed. "This car can be for Sheep."

Ari tucked Sheep into the soft bed. Then the train went on.

Chug, chug, chug.

At the block house, Bear got off. Ari set Bear by the door.

"Good night, Bear."

At the little pond, Duck got off. The pond was a round blue cloth. Ari put Duck on its edge.

"Good night, Duck."

Now the train came to a hill. Sheep's home was on top. But there was no path from the track to the house.

Ari found two flat blocks. Dad held one steady. Ari set the other beside it.

There was a path now.

Sheep went up the path and into the house.

"Good night, Sheep."

The red train had one last stop. Ari rolled it into its box. All the wheels were still.

"Good night, train," Ari said.

Dad held out a hand. They walked to the bedroom. Ari's bed was soft, just like the bed in the last car.

Dad pulled up the blue quilt. Ari put a cheek on the pillow.

No more stops. No more track. Just a warm room and a quiet hug. Ari closed both eyes and rested.

The End ✨