One night, little Mira lay in her bed. Her round black glasses sat on the table next to her. Her dark curly hair spread on her pillow. The night light glowed soft and warm in her room. But wait - did it just move? Mira sat up in her blue overalls. She had been too excited to change for bed. The light twinkled and danced. Then, a tiny voice spoke. "Hello Mira," it said. "I am your night light friend." Mira rubbed her eyes. Was she dreaming? "I keep the shadows nice and friendly," the light said. "Would you like to see how?"
Mira nodded slowly. "Yes, please," she whispered. The night light grew a bit brighter. "Watch this," it said with a happy tone. A shadow on Mira's wall began to move. But it wasn't scary at all. It looked like a bunny, hopping and playing. "The shadows are my friends," the night light explained. "I help them make fun shapes for good kids like you." Another shadow formed. This one looked like a butterfly, flying around the bunny. "Would you like to help me make more friendly shadows?" the night light asked. "I can teach you how."
"I want to meet the shadow bunny!" Mira said softly. The night light twinkled happily. "Of course! Shadow Bunny, come say hi to our friend Mira." The shadow bunny hopped off the wall. It became a soft, fuzzy shape in the air. Its ears wiggled as it bounced near Mira's bed. "You can pet Shadow Bunny," the night light said. "Don't be scared." Mira reached out her hand. The shadow felt warm and soft, like a cloud made of silk. Shadow Bunny nuzzled her palm. "Shadow Bunny helps me check under beds," the night light explained. "Would you like to see what else we do to keep your room happy at night?"
"Yes, please teach me!" Mira whispered excitedly. The night light sparkled with joy. "First, hold up your hands like this," it showed Mira how to make a simple shape. Mira copied with her small hands. The night light glowed a bit brighter, and suddenly, her shadow turned into a tiny bird! "You did it!" the night light cheered softly. "The shadows love to play. They just need a friend to show them how." Shadow Bunny hopped around happily as Mira's bird shadow flew above it. "Would you like to try making more friends?" the night light asked. "We can make a whole shadow garden, or we can go on a special shadow adventure around your room!"
Mira smiled big. "Let's make a garden!" she whispered. The night light danced with joy. "Perfect! First, let's make some flowers." Mira moved her hands like the night light showed her. Soon, pretty shadow flowers grew on her wall. They swayed as if in a gentle breeze. Shadow Bunny hopped over to help. It used its nose to make round shadow berries pop up between the flowers. "Look what I can do!" Mira said softly. She moved her fingers like leaves in the wind. New shadow vines grew up the wall. The butterfly shadow came back too. It flew from flower to flower, making them glow a little. "Our garden needs something else," the night light said. "What if we add a little pond? Or should we make a shadow tree house?"
"A tree house!" Mira whispered with excitement. She watched as the night light showed her how to make her hands look like branches. On the wall, a big shadow tree began to grow. Its branches spread wide and strong. Shadow Bunny helped by making little steps going up the trunk. "Now, let's build the house part," the night light said softly. Mira moved her hands like a tiny roof, and there it was - a cozy shadow tree house! The butterfly flew up and added pretty curtains to the windows. Shadow Bunny hopped up the steps to peek inside. "It needs something more," the night light twinkled. "Every tree house needs fun things to do."
Mira had an idea. She made shadow swings hang from the tree branches. Then she added a slide that curled around the trunk like a ribbon. Shadow Bunny bounced with joy, trying out the new swing. The butterfly fluttered down the swirly slide, leaving sparkles in its path. More shadows came to play in their special garden. They all danced and played together under the twinkling light. Mira yawned and smiled. Her eyes felt heavy now. "Time for sleep," the night light whispered kindly. "Your shadow friends will be here tomorrow night." Shadow Bunny gave Mira one last soft nuzzle. The butterfly landed on her pillow, sprinkling sweet dreams. As Mira closed her eyes, she saw her beautiful shadow garden glowing softly. The tree house stood tall and friendly, watching over her room. The night light dimmed to a gentle glow. "Sweet dreams, Mira," it whispered. "Thank you for helping make the shadows happy." Mira drifted off to sleep, knowing her room was filled with the friendliest shadows anyone could wish for.
