Tag: animal adventure story for kids

  • Clues in the Claws – How Mateo and the Talking Parrot Uncovered the Jungle’s Hidden Legend

    Clues in the Claws – How Mateo and the Talking Parrot Uncovered the Jungle’s Hidden Legend

    In the lush green jungles of Belize, where waterfalls roar and monkeys swing through the trees, a curious boy named Mateo spent his days helping his grandfather, a jungle guide.

    One afternoon, while sketching butterflies near an ancient tree, Mateo heard something unusual.

    Gold in the roots… whisper in the wind…” squawked a parrot from a branch above. Mateo looked up at the colorful bird. “What did you say?”

    The parrot tilted its head. “Stone eyes! Hidden cave!” it repeated in a singsong voice.

    Mateo’s heart raced. These weren’t just random words, they sounded like clues. His grandfather had once mentioned an old legend about a hidden treasure guarded by animals.

    “Are you trying to tell me something?” Mateo asked. The parrot flapped its wings and flew off slowly, glancing back to make sure Mateo followed.

    Symbols in the Sand

    The parrot led Mateo through twisting jungle trails to a wide, sandy riverbank. There, the boy noticed something odd, symbols carved into a fallen log: an eye, a pawprint, and a sun.

    Mateo quickly copied them in his sketchbook. The parrot landed beside him and squawked, “Stone eyes watch the sun!

    “Maybe that’s what the symbols mean,” Mateo murmured. They crossed the river on stepping stones and followed a narrow path until they reached a rocky cliff covered in vines. Etched into the stone was a face with eyes made of shiny green gems.

    “Stone eyes!” Mateo whispered.

    As sunlight filtered through the trees, it hit the gem eyes and bounced off, casting a glowing line of light into the jungle.

    The parrot chirped excitedly and flew toward the glowing path. Mateo followed.

    The Jungle’s Hidden Heart

    Deeper in the jungle, the air grew cooler. Birds chirped softly, and tree frogs sang like tiny flutes. The glowing beam of light finally stopped at a thick cluster of ferns.

    Behind them, Mateo found a hidden cave entrance shaped like a jaguar’s mouth. He hesitated, then the parrot swooped in and landed on his shoulder, giving him courage.

    Inside, the cave sparkled with crystals and ancient carvings. At the center stood a stone pedestal with an empty bowl and a riddle etched beside it:

    “To wake the past, pour from the sky.
    One drop of truth will tell no lie.”

    Mateo thought for a moment, then took out his canteen and poured a drop of clean rainwater into the bowl.

    The ground rumbled. A panel in the wall slid open, revealing a hidden chamber filled with carved animal statues, golden feathers, and old scrolls wrapped in leaves. “You were right,” Mateo whispered to the parrot. “You led me to the legend.”

    The Legend Lives On

    Mateo returned home just as the sun began to set. His grandfather listened in awe as he shared the story, and showed the scrolls and symbols he’d found.

    “This confirms the legend,” Grandpa said with wonder. “And you, Mateo, have uncovered it.”

    The parrot, now nicknamed Clue, stayed with Mateo, repeating bits of the legend to visitors who came to learn about the ancient jungle secrets.

    From then on, Mateo and Clue were known as the Jungle Story Keepers, the boy and the bird who brought a forgotten legend back to life.

    The End !

  • Jungle Secrets with Jaya and the Jaguar – How a Girl and Her Feline Friend Rescued Her Brother in the Amazon

    Jungle Secrets with Jaya and the Jaguar – How a Girl and Her Feline Friend Rescued Her Brother in the Amazon

    Deep in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, where parrots sing and the air smells like wild orchids, a brave girl named Jaya lived with her family in a small research camp. Her older brother, Kiran, loved exploring the jungle trails, but one morning, he didn’t return from his usual hike.

    “He knows the jungle better than anyone,” Jaya said, worried. “Something must have gone wrong.”

    While the adults searched near the river, Jaya grabbed her backpack, compass, and her slingshot. Just as she stepped into the dense green maze, she heard a soft rustling, and out from behind a tree stepped a sleek jaguar with golden eyes.

    “You again,” Jaya whispered with a smile. It was the same jaguar she had seen before, always watching curiously but never threatening. “Can you help me find my brother?” The jaguar blinked slowly and padded ahead, leading her into the wild.

    Tracks in the Mud

    Following the jaguar’s quiet steps, Jaya noticed signs: broken vines, a dropped water bottle, and a piece of Kiran’s red scarf tangled in the branches.

    “He came this way,” she whispered.

    Suddenly, they heard a low growl, not from her jaguar friend, but from deeper within the trees. A group of howler monkeys scattered, warning of danger. Jaya crouched behind a log as a jaguar-sized shadow moved through the underbrush. But her companion stood firm, growling back with a protective snarl.

    After a tense moment, the shadow disappeared. “You scared it off,” Jaya said in awe. “Thank you.”

    They pushed on, crossing a wobbly log bridge and ducking under giant leaves until they reached a clearing where the ground was torn and muddy. Then she saw it, Kiran’s boot prints leading toward a hidden cave.

    The Cave of Echoes

    Jaya and the jaguar stepped carefully into the dark cave. The air was cool, and the sounds of the jungle faded behind them. Drip. Drip. Every step echoed like thunder.

    “Kiran?” she called. A faint voice answered, “Jaya?”

    She ran deeper and found her brother sitting beside a wall of stone, his ankle wrapped in a torn shirt. “I fell,” he explained. “I couldn’t walk far, so I waited.” The jaguar nuzzled Kiran’s hand gently, as if to say, You’re safe now.

    Jaya shared her water and snacks, then used vines to make a stretcher. With her jungle friend’s help, they slowly guided Kiran back toward camp, using stars and moss-covered trees to find the way.

    Return of the Rainforest Heroes

    By sunrise, they reached the edge of the camp. Researchers and family ran to greet them, astonished at the sight: Jaya, her injured brother, and a calm jaguar beside them.

    “You led them home,” one of the scientists whispered, amazed.

    The jaguar gave one last look, then slipped back into the jungle without a sound.

    From that day on, stories spread across the Amazon about the brave girl and the guardian jaguar. Jaya had not only rescued her brother, she had uncovered one of the jungle’s most magical secrets.

    The End !

  • The Spider Who Wove Webby Blankets – How Silvie Gave Rest to the Tired and Small

    The Spider Who Wove Webby Blankets – How Silvie Gave Rest to the Tired and Small

    High in the corner of a quiet attic, where moonlight peeked through wooden beams, lived a tiny spider named Silvie.

    Silvie wasn’t like the spooky spiders in stories. She was gentle and shy, with silver legs as light as whispers and a heart full of kindness.

    While the world outside buzzed and rushed, Silvie took her time. She loved weaving more than anything, but not just ordinary webs. Silvie wove webby blankets, soft and shimmering, for those who needed a gentle place to rest. And when the stars blinked open and the house fell silent, Silvie got to work.

    Blankets for Sleepy Friends

    One night, a tired ladybug wandered into the attic. “I can’t find my way home,” she sighed.

    Silvie spun a blanket just for her, thin as air, soft as silk, and glowing like morning dew. The ladybug curled beneath it, yawned once, and fell fast asleep. Word spread slowly through the attic and garden below. A shivering moth, a baby mouse, even a sniffling beetle came looking for rest.

    Silvie didn’t mind. She wove each blanket with quiet care, adding tiny loops of moonlight and threads of sleepy thoughts. Each blanket was different, but they all brought the same feeling: safe, soft, and still.

    The Blanket Made of Stars

    One special night, Silvie noticed a tiny child’s toy, an old teddy bear missing one ear, left forgotten in the attic corner.

    She scurried over and gently touched his paw. “Even you might need a little comfort,” she whispered.

    And for him, she spun her finest webby blanket yet, threaded with specks of starlight, soft shadows, and memories of bedtime hugs.

    That night, a hush deeper than silence filled the attic. Silvie looked around at all the sleeping creatures tucked beneath her blankets and smiled. Even the wind paused, not wanting to wake the dreams.

    Wrapped in Webs and Wonder

    As the moon climbed higher, Silvie spun one last thread for herself, a tiny corner blanket, just big enough to rest her eight sleepy legs.

    She tucked herself in, curled gently, and closed her many eyes. Outside, the stars sparkled softly, and inside, everything was warm and still.

    So if you ever feel like you need a little extra comfort, just imagine a tiny spider named Silvie, weaving a silky soft webby blanket just for you, stitched with care and a touch of sleepy magic.

    Goodnight, little dreamer. May you always be wrapped in warmth, wonder, and the gentlest dreams.

    The End !

  • The Rabbit Who Built a Bed from Leaves – How Remy Found Peace in a Nest of Autumn Gold

    The Rabbit Who Built a Bed from Leaves – How Remy Found Peace in a Nest of Autumn Gold

    In the heart of a quiet forest, where the trees whispered secrets to the sky, lived a small gray rabbit named Remy. Remy was a thoughtful little bunny with soft ears, curious eyes, and a heart full of gentle ideas. As autumn rolled in and the winds turned cooler, the animals all began to settle into their warm, cozy dens.

    But Remy didn’t have a nest yet. Not the kind he wanted. “I don’t want just any bed,” he whispered to the trees. “I want a bed made of things the forest loves.” And so, with the wind carrying golden leaves all around him, Remy had an idea: he would build a bed from leaves.

    Gathering the Softest Pieces of the Forest

    Each evening, as the sky turned purple and the moon peeked over the hills, Remy would hop gently through the forest.

    He searched for the softest leaves, the ones that had drifted down like feathers. He chose golden oak leaves for warmth, scarlet maple leaves for color, and tiny silver birch leaves to make it all sparkle in the moonlight.

    Birds watched from branches, and squirrels chattered curiously.

    “Why not sleep in a burrow?” they asked. But Remy only smiled. “Because I want to dream in something I made with love.”

    A Bed Fit for a Gentle Dreamer

    By the third night, Remy had made a beautiful nest beneath a low branch, a circle of rustling leaves with a tiny mossy pillow and curled-up twigs at the edge. When he finally lay down, the leaves cradled him like a lullaby.

    Above him, the stars twinkled through the branches. The wind sang quietly in the trees. And Remy, feeling safe in the bed he built, let out a tiny yawn.

    His eyes fluttered closed, and he drifted into dreams of leaf boats on quiet rivers, of clouds shaped like carrots, and of dancing in sunlit meadows.

    Morning in the Leafy Nest

    As the sun rose, lighting the forest in gold, Remy slowly woke. A few leaves had blown gently onto his back, and he stretched with a happy sigh.

    All the forest felt quieter, softer, as if it had slept peacefully with him.

    And from that day on, whenever the wind rustled through the leaves at night, the animals would smile and think of the little rabbit who built his bed with love.

    So if you ever lie in bed and want to feel close to nature, just imagine Remy’s leafy nest, rustling softly beneath the stars. Goodnight, little dreamer. May your dreams be warm as leaves, and your sleep as quiet as the forest.

    The End !

  • The Giraffe Who Curled Up Like a Sock – How Luma Found Rest by Folding Into Herself

    The Giraffe Who Curled Up Like a Sock – How Luma Found Rest by Folding Into Herself

    In a golden savannah filled with acacia trees and whispering winds, lived a tall and gentle giraffe named Luma.

    Luma wasn’t just any giraffe, she was the tallest in her herd, with spots like golden cookies and eyelashes long enough to sweep the stars.

    Every day, Luma reached high into the treetops to munch the tastiest leaves and watched birds build nests above the clouds. She stretched so tall that even the sun seemed to give her a friendly nod. But when the day faded and the sky turned pink, Luma had a nighttime secret. Even the tallest giraffes need to curl up sometimes.

    The Cozy Curling Ritual

    The other animals would rest in nests, burrows, or cozy caves. But Luma had her own bedtime dance.

    First, she’d walk in a slow circle three times under her favorite tree. Then she’d bend her long legs gently, folding herself like a ribbon.

    And finally, with one big giraffe sigh, Luma would curl her long neck around herself, soft and snug, just like a rolled-up sock. The stars twinkled in amazement. “How can something so tall become something so small?” they whispered.

    And Luma would smile sleepily, because bedtime isn’t about being big or small, it’s about feeling safe, warm, and ready to dream.

    Dreaming in Loops and Spirals

    As she lay in her gentle curl, Luma’s dreams came in shapes, spirals of wind, loops of light, and cozy round clouds.

    In one dream, she twirled through the sky like a ribbon tossed by the wind. In another, she snoozed inside a giant teacup carried by butterflies, her neck coiled gently like steam.

    And sometimes, she dreamed of being a sock for a giant, soft, spotted, and hugging a gentle foot through a moonlit walk. Whatever the dream, Luma always felt wrapped in comfort and calm.

    Uncurling with the Morning Sun

    As the first light stretched across the horizon, Luma would slowly, gracefully uncurl herself. One leg, then another. Her long neck would rise like the sun, loop by loop, until she stood tall again, ready for a brand new day.

    The animals would blink awake and yawn.
    “Did you sleep well, Luma?” they’d ask. And she’d smile. “Like a sock in a drawer,” she’d say.

    So if you ever feel too small in a big world, or too big in a small bed, just remember the giraffe who curled up like a sock.

    No matter your size, there’s always a perfect way to rest. Goodnight, little one. Curl in close. Sleep soft and dream tall.

    The End !

  • The Hamster Who Dreamed in Tiny Movies – How Hugo’s Nightly Reels Helped a Room Fall Asleep in Wonder

    The Hamster Who Dreamed in Tiny Movies – How Hugo’s Nightly Reels Helped a Room Fall Asleep in Wonder

    In a cozy little house, nestled on a bookshelf in a child’s bedroom, lived a fluffy golden hamster named Hugo. Hugo was small, round, and full of gentle energy. He spent his days nibbling seeds, shuffling soft bedding, and spinning on his wheel.

    But when the stars came out and the room grew quiet, Hugo would curl up in his tiny nest and close his eyes for something very special. You see, Hugo didn’t just sleep, he dreamed in tiny movies.

    Not just flashes or fuzzy thoughts, but full, colorful adventures that played behind his eyelids like films in a theater just for him.

    The Popcorn-Sized Pictures

    Each night, when the moonlight touched the edge of his cage and the child snuggled deep beneath the blankets, Hugo’s dreams would begin.

    In one dream, he was a brave pirate sailing a peanut-shell ship across a sea of spilled milk. In another, he wore a tiny cape and flew through a city of talking toasters. Sometimes, his movies were slow and sweet, like rolling through a sunflower field in a matchbox car. Other times, they were silly and bright, with dancing carrots and moon-cheese mountains. And just like real movies, Hugo’s dreams always ended with a soft fade to black… and a happy sigh.

    A Theater of His Own

    Hugo’s dream movies were so vivid that even the stars seemed to blink slower when they watched from above. Sometimes the child in the room would stir in their sleep, as if they felt the warmth of Hugo’s little dreams drifting across the night.

    Though Hugo never made a sound, his dreams glowed gently around him, like little projectors casting light onto the dark. His whiskers twitched, his paws wiggled, and his tiny heart beat calmly to the rhythm of imaginary music only he could hear.

    The Night Ends, the Dreams Rest

    When the first morning light peeked through the curtains and the birds began to chirp, Hugo’s tiny movies came to an end. He’d stretch his little legs, give a sleepy squeak, and settle into the softest part of his nest.

    And though no one could see his magical movie reels, they left a little glow in the room, like kindness and imagination lingering in the air. So if you ever wonder where dreams go when they’re small, quiet, and kind… they might be spinning in circles, just like Hugo, the hamster who dreamed in tiny movies. Goodnight, little dreamer. Let your dreams roll softly, scene by scene.

    The End !

  • The Kingfisher Who Dipped Dreams in Water – How Kiko Helped Children Sleep with Moonlit Dream Ripples

    The Kingfisher Who Dipped Dreams in Water – How Kiko Helped Children Sleep with Moonlit Dream Ripples

    In a quiet corner of the world, where the river ran smooth like silk and the trees whispered lullabies, lived a small, shimmering kingfisher named Kiko.

    Kiko wasn’t like the other birds who sang bright songs in the morning. He preferred the quiet of evening, when the sky turned rosy and the stars tiptoed in. Every night, Kiko flew low above the water, wings brushing the breeze, carrying something invisible yet precious: children’s dreams.

    You see, Kiko had a gift, he dipped dreams in water to make them shine.

    Dreams That Needed Dipping

    Before children fell asleep, their dreams would flutter in the air, soft, glowing shapes full of ideas, wishes, and wonder. But sometimes, they were cloudy or tangled, not quite ready for dreaming.

    That’s when Kiko would glide in with the quietest whoosh, gather up the dreams, and carry them to the river. He would dip each one carefully, splash! into the cool, moonlit water.

    Some dreams came out sparkling with stars. Others shimmered with colors no one had ever seen. The water gave each dream a glow, a gentle flow, and a little hush, like a lullaby floating on a breeze.

    The Ripples of Sleep

    As Kiko worked, the river rippled softly, and the forest listened. Owls blinked slowly. Fireflies floated like sleepy lanterns. Even the frogs croaked in a quieter tune. And in homes all around, children began to sigh and turn under their blankets.

    The dipped dreams returned to their owners, drifting through windows, curling around pillows, and settling gently into sleepy minds.

    One child dreamed of flying whales that sang songs in the clouds. Another dreamed of walking through gardens made of starlight. Each dream was special, dipped in peace and ready to bloom.

    When the World is Quiet

    Once all the dreams had been dipped, Kiko rested on a smooth stone by the river. His feathers shimmered in the moonlight blues and greens like deep water. He watched the last dream drift across the surface like a paper boat and smiled.

    So if you ever wonder where your sweetest dreams come from, just remember the quiet wings of Kiko, the kingfisher who dips each dream in water, so it arrives soft, glowing, and ready to carry you far away. Goodnight, little dreamer. Let the river carry your thoughts to somewhere beautiful.

    The End !

  • The Monkey Who Swung Into Dream Branches – How Miko Found Dreams in the Sky and Shared Them with the Jungle

    The Monkey Who Swung Into Dream Branches – How Miko Found Dreams in the Sky and Shared Them with the Jungle

    A young monkey named Miko lived in a quiet jungle, where the leaves rustled like lullabies and the stars peeked through the treetops.

    Miko was energetic during the day, swinging from branch to branch, playing with butterflies, and racing the river breeze. But when night came and the world grew still, Miko had a little secret.

    He didn’t climb into a nest or lie on a branch like the other monkeys. Instead, every night, Miko swung into something truly magical, the Dream Branches. These branches didn’t grow on just any tree. They appeared only when the sky turned purple and the crickets began to sing.

    The Tree of Dreams

    As the moon rose, Miko would close his eyes, take a deep breath, and leap into the air, right toward a glowing vine that only he could see.

    Up and up he’d go, into the tallest part of the jungle, where the Dream Tree grew.

    Its branches sparkled like stardust and stretched into the clouds. Each one held a different dream, soft, colorful, and warm, like hammocks made from clouds and music.

    One night, he swung into a branch filled with flying kites that carried him across candy coloured skies. Another night, he landed in a dream of floating bananas that sang lullabies as they twirled. Miko never knew which dream branch he’d reach, but he always felt safe, peaceful, and free.

    A Gentle Journey to Sleep

    Sometimes, jungle animals watched Miko from below. “Where does he go each night?” the owl wondered aloud.
    “I think he’s dreaming while he swings,” whispered the tortoise. But Miko didn’t need to explain. He only smiled, curled up on his magical branch, and let the dreams carry him wherever his heart wished to go.

    And as the jungle hushed, the wind carried whispers of Miko’s dreams through the leaves, sharing bits of magic with every sleeping creature.

    Until the Morning Light

    When the first sunlight touched the treetops, the Dream Branches gently lowered Miko back down to his favorite resting spot, a soft patch of moss near a quiet stream. He’d yawn, stretch, and blink up at the morning sky, his dreams still fresh like morning dew.

    So, if you ever lie in bed and wonder where dreams come from, just imagine Miko swinging high into the stars, grabbing hold of a glowing dream branch just for you. Goodnight, little dreamer. May your dreams be soft, sweet, and swinging with magic.

    The End !

  • The Polar Bear’s Arctic Journey – How Nanuq Helped Save the Winter Camp and Found New Friends Along the Way

    The Polar Bear’s Arctic Journey – How Nanuq Helped Save the Winter Camp and Found New Friends Along the Way

    Far in the icy north, where the wind whispers across snowy plains and the sky glows with dancing lights, lived a young polar bear named Nanuq. He was curious, kind hearted, and always dreamed of exploring beyond his family’s snowy den near Glacier Bay.

    One winter morning, after a shimmering snowfall, Nanuq spotted something unusual in the distance, dark smoke rising from across the frozen sea. With a brave heart and a backpack full of supplies, he set off to find out what was happening.

    A Trail Across the Ice

    Nanuq padded across the frosty tundra, careful to follow ice paths his mother had once shown him. Along the way, he met Sura the snowy owl, circling high above.

    “Where are you going, Nanuq?” Sura hooted. “I saw smoke near Seal Rock. Something might be wrong,” Nanuq replied.

    Sura decided to join him, flying ahead to guide the way. They crossed icy ridges, saw seals sliding into the sea, and even stopped to help a baby fox stuck in a snow drift. “You’re like an Arctic helper!” the fox squeaked as they freed her. Nanuq smiled. “We take care of each other out here.”

    The Fire at the Fishing Camp

    As the sun dipped low, Nanuq and Sura reached the source of the smoke—a small fishing camp used by Arctic animals in winter. A fire had sparked in one of the storage huts, and the air was filled with worry.

    “We tried to put it out,” cried Tika the reindeer, “but the wind keeps blowing it!” Without hesitation, Nanuq ran to the nearby stream, grabbed chunks of snow, and helped the animals smother the fire together. Sura flew back and forth with messages, and the others formed a snow line.

    Finally, the fire was out. Everyone cheered, and Nanuq’s white fur was dusted in soot and snow. “You saved the camp!” said an old walrus, patting Nanuq on the back.

    A Night Under the Stars

    That night, the animals gathered around a circle of glowing ice lanterns. They shared warm kelp soup, stories of winter storms, and songs passed down through generations.

    Sura perched beside Nanuq. “You were very brave today.” “I was scared at first,” Nanuq admitted, “but helping made me strong.” He looked up at the sky, where the northern lights danced like ribbons of magic. “This journey showed me the Arctic is even more beautiful and full of friends, than I imagined.”

    The Arctic Hero Returns

    The next morning, Nanuq said goodbye and began the long journey home. Word of his courage had already spread across the snowfields.

    When he returned to Glacier Bay, his family and neighbours were waiting. They lifted him onto their shoulders (as much as you can lift a polar bear!) and cheered, “To Nanuq, our Arctic hero!”

    From that day forward, Nanuq was no longer just a dreamer, he was an explorer, a helper, and a friend to all in the frozen north.

    The End !

  • The Mysterious Cat Who Left Dead Flowers – What Her Silent Visits Taught Me About Grief and Release

    The Mysterious Cat Who Left Dead Flowers – What Her Silent Visits Taught Me About Grief and Release

    It started in late October, the kind of season when everything feels like it’s about to end. I found the first one on my doorstep: a wilted marigold, browned and broken at the stem, curled like it had held something too long.

    Next to it sat a cat. Black as spilled ink, with a single white streak on its chest like a smudge someone had tried to rub away. It didn’t meow, didn’t approach, just watched me with the calm of something older than it looked. Then it vanished. No sound. Just the flower left behind.

    A Pattern of Mourning

    The flowers kept coming. Always dead. Sometimes daisies, sometimes roses stripped of their petals. Once, a cluster of lavender, crumbling to dust before I could pick it up. The cat was always there, always silent, always gone before I could reach for it.

    I didn’t tell anyone. It felt too strange, too specific, like the kind of omen people mock until it’s about them. At first, I tried to make sense of it. Was it a gift? A warning? A joke from the universe? But the truth settled in more quietly: it felt like grief. Not mine exactly, but something near it. Something watching the shape of my sorrow and answering with its own.

    Things I Never Buried

    The cat reminded me of someone I used to know. Someone who left without saying goodbye, who gave me closure in the form of silence. They had a way of arriving when I needed them and disappearing just as suddenly, like a ghost who believed they were doing me a favor by leaving.

    The flowers, brittle and quiet, became mirrors. I started seeing myself in them, the parts of me I’d let go of too late, the relationships I’d stayed in too long. The promises I made in desperation and never kept.

    Every dead bloom felt like a confession I hadn’t made out loud.

    The Last Visit

    One morning, it stopped. No flower. No cat. I stood there, coffee cooling in my hands, waiting longer than I needed to. Not because I missed the strangeness, but because part of me had come to rely on it, on that soft ritual of mystery, that unspoken understanding between a broken creature and whatever part of me had gone quiet.

    The absence didn’t ache. It just felt… acknowledged. That night, I threw out the last brittle bouquet I’d been saving on the windowsill. And for the first time in months, I dreamed of nothing.

    Sometimes, the dead things we keep aren’t haunting us. They’re reminding us it’s okay to let go.