Bedtime Stories for Kids

by Kaizen Mindfulness Meditations

  “Bee, what type of brother would I be if I didn’t know what made my sister smile?” he says. And then he pats my head and ruffles my hair. I don’t like it when people touch my hair, but I don’t mind when he does. What really bothers me is that he always knows what to get me for Christmas, and I can’t ever get him anything. I’m little. I can’t get a job. Nobody wants to give me money.

  But this year is going to be different. I wrote to my parents, and they sent me fifty cents to get my brother a gift. Can you believe it? A whole fifty cents. I didn’t even know where I’d spend it all. Even though I had the money, I still didn’t know what gift to get my brother. So, I watched him closely, doing a little spying. I tried to hear if he talked about his Christmas list on the phone. He didn’t. I looked through his room to find some stuff to give me ideas, but his room was always a mess. Clothes lying all over the place. And then it was Christmas Eve, and I still didn’t know what to get him.

  I figured my best bet was just to hop on a cable car and see what I could find. Brother was busy cooking dinner for us. He didn’t even hear me slip out the door. Riding downtown, watching the people, I thought of what I could get him with my fifty cents. A new poster, or maybe a new record? Oh, what about a book? He loved books. Big books with pretty covers and lots of words. Ones about aliens or elves were his favorite. Or maybe a new guitar?

  I thought of at least a hundred gifts by the time I got to downtown. Hopping off the car, the first thing I noticed was how busy the market was. Packed like sardines in a can, that’s what brother would say. It was still a nice place to be, with all the fried fish and wontons. Whenever Brother and I came down to the market, he bought me lots of food. My stomach growled, and I reached in my pocket to feel the fifty cents, eyes locked on a fresh plate of zeppole.

  “No, I can’t! This money isn’t for food. It’s for brother’s gift. And it’s gotta be a good one. Snap out of it.” I told my belly while biting my lip. Then I turned and began my hunt.

  Turns out finding a good gift for fifty cents isn’t easy. Especially on Christmas Eve. I walked around all day long, going from store to store. Each one was sold out or told me that fifty cents just weren’t enough to buy anything! I was starting to get worried. The sun was going down, and the stores were closing. Brother was probably angry with me by now, but I couldn’t go home. Not without a present of some kind.

  “This is it. The last store.” The sign said something in Japanese. I don’t know what. But through the frosted glass, there were rows upon rows of books. “This is it. It has to be it.”

  I put my hand on the door and pushed. Nothing. It didn’t budge. I pushed again. Nothing.

  “What’s going on here?” I whispered, rattling the doorknob. And then I got my answer.

  “We’re closed! It’s Christmas. Come back tomorrow, kid.” An old man shouted at me, appearing from behind the door.

  “Please, sir. I need to buy a gift for my big brother. Anything. I have fifty cents. What can that get me?”

  “A toy from that machine. Goodnight, kid. Merry Christmas.”

  The old man shut off the lights, and I was left standing under a night sky, all alone, with no idea of what to do next. I slumped against an old toy machine and looked at the stars. There was no snow, and I could barely see the sky through the city lights. But the first star, the brightest star of the night, came out. All I could do now was wish.

  “Oh, Christmas Star. Please, hear me. I need your help. I want to get my brother something he really wants. No, something he needs. He’s always been there for me, but I can’t help him. If only there was someone who he could rely on too.”

  Suddenly the machine I was leaning on started humming and buzzing, making me jump. Turning around, I realized it was glowing. The lights on it were green and red. Christmas themed. On the front were all these cartoon characters, posing and saying things in Japanese.

  “Brother likes to watch shows like these. If I can’t get him anything else, maybe I can get him a toy. I hope he likes it.”

  I put my fifty cents into the coin slot and turned the nob. Cranking it once, twice, three times, I wondered what type of present Brother would get. And then the machine started shaking back and forth. Lights glowed even brighter, green and red sparks started to shoot out. Christmas music started to play. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” I think. The lights and sparks got so bright, like a Christmas themed firework. Thinking the machine was going to explode, I backed away and closed my eyes.

  And then it stopped.

  “Uh, excuse me? Little Girl? Can you tell me what day it is?”

  I opened my eyes, confused. It looked like the lights and music, and even the sparks had all stopped. The machine had gotten quiet and standing in front of it was a pretty lady with bright purple hair. She looked like she was Japanese and even had an accent.

  “Yeah... sure... It’s Christmas Eve.”

  “Christmas Eve? Oh boy! My first Christmas Eve! What a great first day. What are the chances that I’d get picked on Christmas?”

  “Picked? What do you mean, lady?”

  “I don’t really know, Bee! All I know is that it’s Christmas, and your brother is probably worried sick. Come on, let’s go home.”

  The lady was dressed in some sort of robe, with pretty flowers on it. White and red, just like Santa! I didn’t say that though. I didn’t say anything. I just stared at her and wondered where she came from. And then she took my hand, smiling at me. She was so pretty!

  “My name is Sakura. I’m here to help you and your brother. Come on.”

  Sakura and I rode the cable car back to the house. When we got home, Brother was sitting on the stairs. Probably waiting for me.

  “Oh no...”

  “What’s wrong, Bee?”

  “My big brother... He’s probably angry.”

  “I don’t think so. Your brother loves you very much.” Sakura said, petting my head softly.

  “How do you know?”

  “I’m not sure. I just do.”

  “Bee?! Bee! Thank God. Bee, are you okay?” Before I realized it, Brother was picking me up off the ground and spinning me around. His arms squeezed me tight. “Where were you? I was so worried! I thought you got lost. I was going to call the cops. Never mind that. Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m okay. I just wanted to get you a Christmas gift. But nobody would take my fifty cents... And then-”

  “And then she found me,” Sakura said softly, standing at the bottom of the steps.

  “Oh. Hi. You found my sister? I really owe you one. Thank you so much, Miss-”

  “Sakura. My name is Sakura.”

  “Big brother. Sakura doesn’t have any family, or friends, or anywhere to go for Christmas. Can she stay here?”

  “I don’t know, Bee. We don’t have much space...”

  “Please, brother! She’s my pre-”

  “I don’t want to be any trouble,” Sakura said, turning to walk away.

  “Wait. Miss Sakura? It’s okay. You can stay in my room. I’ll take the couch. Why don’t you come upstairs? You too, Bee.” My brother put me down on the steps, and he held the door open for both of us.

  “Thank you,” Sakura said, smiling at my brother and tucking her purple hair back.

  In the distance, someone started singing Christmas carols. We all went upstairs into the warm and shared a big dinner. Brother made ham, pie, and even pudding. Between the three of us, we ate it all. Which was nice, because we always have leftovers. After that, we sat around the living room and watched old Christmas movies. Sakura changed into a pair of my brother’s pajamas, even though they were too big for her. During the Polar Express, Brother fell asleep on the couch. He snored loudly, and I started to tease him. But then I saw something that made me smile. Sakura was sleeping on the couch too, laying on top of my brother. And they were snoring together.

  I love Christmas with my brother. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Sometimes I miss Mom and Dad,
and the big Christmas parties we’d have. And sometimes it got a little lonely. It was just Brother and me, after all. But for the first time in a long time, I felt like I had a whole family. Sakura was a part of the family. And we were happy. I fell asleep wondering if Brother and Sakura would get married. Maybe they’d even get married on a Christmas like today.

  And that’s the story of how I gave my brother the Christmas gift of Love.

  THE END

  Chapter 5: The Christmas Forest

  You can find magic anywhere. Especially during Christmas. That’s the time of year where Christmas is everywhere. Written in the stars, dancing on the moon, swinging through the trees, and even in your own home. During Christmas time, you should look for magic wherever you can. Under the bed, in your shoes, and especially in your backyard. Because that’s where I found it. Magic! Real magic.

  It was Christmas Day. My whole family was at the house, exchanging gifts and talking about what nice toys they got. It was super warm inside my little home, and the fire was crackling. The whole living room smelled like ham, and cinnamon, and cookies. It was nice and cozy, but I didn’t want to be inside. Not on Christmas Day. And that’s because it was snowing out!

  I asked all my brothers, sisters, and cousins if they wanted to go outside. But nobody listened. There was too much shouting and laughing, and banging of toys. They only cared about their presents. But I wanted to play in the snow. So, I went to the door, and I pulled on my socks. And then I pulled on the second pair of socks. I put on my boots. They were really tight and really warm, with two pairs of socks on.

  I wrapped my face up in a fuzzy scarf that made my nose itch and pulled on my gloves. They had big red snowflakes on them, they’re my favorite pair. And then I pulled my jacket on over my red-and-green Christmas sweater. Nobody looked at me. They were too busy eating some tasty ham and laughing at what was on TV. So, I got ready and opened the big wooden door that led to my backyard. A blast of snow hit me square in the face, and a cold wind pushed me back. But that wasn’t going to stop me. I took my first steps into the Christmas blizzard.

  Nobody called my name. I didn’t see anyone come out the door after I shut it. The house was loud and warm, and now I was out in the cold. The only sound I could hear was my breath, coming out in big clouds in front of me. The cloud was grabbed by a sudden gust of wind and carried away towards the woods. Now all I could hear was the snowy breeze whistling in my ears. It was at my back, pushing me away from the front door. Deeper into the backyard.

  I took my first step and walked straight into a pile of snow. I couldn’t believe it! The blizzard was so strong. Strong enough that the snow was already up to my knees. It felt like I was walking through a sea of marshmallow fluff, or whipped cream. But the wind kept pushing me forward. Like the hand of a friend, cheering me on. So, I trudged through the snowy tundra, towards the woods in my backyard.

  I live on the edge of a small town. Since my house is the very last house in the area, we have a big forest behind us. And I mean a BIG forest. There are so many trees that you can’t see through them. Trees as far as the eye can see! And they are all pine trees, which makes it really beautiful in the winter. The branches get heavy with snow and start to hang low. Snowbanks form between the trees, like small mountains. It becomes a winter wonderland. And today was one of those days.

  So, I kept marching on towards the winter wonderland. The loose snow swirls and dances in spirals. It looked like stardust when it hits the sun. The world is so quiet, but my boots make the snow crunch under me. I try to walk softer, on top of the snow, but I’m too heavy. I fall through with every step. And then, something moves. I see it in the corner of my eye, a blur of red. When I turn my head, the snowflakes start to pile up on my scarf. The little red thing, it’s sitting there. Right in front of me. A red fox, fur bright as a flame against the white snow. It was completely still, little brown eyes staring at me. It was almost as if he was asking me something.

  “What are you doing out here? Don’t you know it’s snowing?” Mister Fox says.

  “Yes. But I love the snow, Mister Fox.” My voice is muffled by the scarf, and my breath fills the clearing in little clouds. The wind blows them away.

  “I love the snow too.” Mister Fox says, tilting his head to the side. His ears big ears twitch at the sound of my voice.

  “But aren’t you cold, Mister Fox?”

  “No,” he answers with a wiggle of his nose. “because I have a fur coat. But you don’t have any fur, child. Aren’t you cold?”

  “Well I have this big fluffy jacket, and my scarf, and my hat. They’re kind of like fur. They keep me warm.”

  “It’s a very silly looking fur then.”

  “Yes, I know. Not as pretty as your fur. But I like it. My mom gave it to me for Christmas.”

  “So you could come out in the snow?”

  “Yes, so I could come play in the snow. Did your mom give you your fur, Mister Fox?”

  “Well I have my mother’s fur, but my father’s eyes.”

  “You have very pretty eyes too, Mister Fox.”

  “Thank you.” The fox bowed his head and pawed at the ground, before looking at me again. “Well, silly child, I came out here to play too. Would you like to play a game?”

  “Sure, Mister Fox! What type of game?” I love playing games with critters and animals. They’re always so happy and fun. And they don’t care about toys, because the world is their toy.

  “We can play tag. Follow me, silly child. See if you can catch me!” Flicking his tail, Mister Fox turned and started bouncing through the snow. He moved so quick and light, that his little fox paws didn’t break the snow. He just skipped across the snow like dancing ember.

  I chased Mister Fox as fast as I could, jumping through snowbanks and climbing over small hills. It was a race through the epic tundra of my backyard. A chase through the winter wonderland. The little flame that was Mister Fox danced over the snow and darted behind the pure white landscape. When he’d leap, I’d leap. And when he’d dive, I’d dive. If he jumped into a pile of snow, I leaped in after him. As we raced through the sea of whipped cream, waves of white would fly everywhere.

  “Ha! Keep up, silly child. Your long legs are too slow.” Mister Fox called, teasing me from up ahead.

  “It’s not my fault. I’m big, and you're small. You can run on top of the snow and I just fall through.”

  “Have you tried being lighter?” He said with a grin.

  “Being lighter? How can I do that?”

  “Why it’s easy!” Mister Fox declared. “You just have to think light thoughts.”

  And that’s exactly what I tried to do. I thought of light things. Feathers floating in the breeze, seafoam on the show, snow whipping in the winds. The lightest things I could imagine. And then, when I opened my eyes, I wasn’t beneath the sea of white anymore. Now I was walking on top of it. And as I took my first step, I thought of fairies flying about on silver wings. Of Santa tiptoeing through the house to deliver gifts.

  I chased Mister Fox, the orange flame, straight into the forest. His tail whipped back and forth, a candlelight that guided the chase when I lost sight of him. But when I reached a grove of pine trees with red bark, I realized I couldn’t see Mister Fox anymore. I couldn’t see the dancing flame of his tail or his fiery body. All that was around me were big wooden giants, with pale blankets wrapped around them. The tops of the pine trees swayed, and the branches brushed against one another. It was like the wooden giants were whispering to each other.

  “Mister Fox? Are you here, Mister Fox?” I called.

  “Mister Fox?” A small voice squeaked from the lowest arm of a pine tree. “You followed that scoundrel here? Oh, silly child. You should know better than that. He loves to play games and trick people!”

  I spun about to face the tree and look for the speaker. And then I saw her. A squirrel, black as night, bouncing on the pine branch with an acorn in her little hands.

  “What a mean thing t
o do. We were playing a game, but why would he trick me like that?”

  “Oh, he doesn’t mean anything by it! It’s just in his nature. He’s a fox after all.” The black squirrel said, tapping her acorn against the bark of the tree.

  “And I’m a human, and you’re a squirrel. That doesn’t mean anything. Being nice is being nice. And tricking people isn’t nice! Nothing can change that.” I said, upset with the missing Mister Fox.

  “You’re right. And now you’re here, silly child. And nothing can change that. I bet you let that silly fox get you lost too.”

  And when I looked around, I realized that the squirrel was right. I was lost. I didn’t know which direction home was. My footprints had been filled by the falling snow. All I could see was trees everywhere. A wall of them surrounded me.

  “You’re right, Miss Squirrel. I am lost. Can you help me find my way home?”

  “Me! Oh no. I’m far too busy. I have nuts I have to eat, you see. I hid them away just for today. Christmas is a special day. A day for feasting with family. I’m going to bring all my nuts back to my tree and my family. We’re going to have a big acorn dinner. I’d invite you, but I don’t think you’d fit.”

  “That’s okay. I have a family I have to eat with too. They’re making pie later! I wonder if they know I’m gone yet.”

  “Well then, we have to get you back to your tree too, silly child. I know just the animal for the job. Follow me!”

  And then, Miss Squirrel stuffed her entire acorn in her mouth and leaped off her tree. For a second, I thought she’d start flying. Her arms spread apart and she floated through the air. But then she landed on another tree branch and started scrambling across the tree. I followed her on the ground, leaping on the top of the snow. Now my light thoughts were of Miss Squirrel, jumping out of a tree.

  She led me through the woods, flying through the trees. I’m pretty sure we were going deeper into the forest though. And a little voice in the back of my mind told me I was going on an adventure that would take me even longer to get back home. Still, who knows the forest better than Miss Squirrel?