Unicorn bedtime story: Luna and the little lights

Ages 3 to 7 · 4 min read aloud

Luna and the Lost Hedgehog

Beyond the hills, where the grass grows soft and tall, there was a quiet meadow. A small white unicorn lived there. Her name was Luna. Her mane was pale pink and her tail had every colour of the rainbow.

Luna’s horn was special. When she closed her eyes and thought of something kind, it began to glow. It gave off a soft light in whichever colour she liked: yellow like a candle, blue like the water or green like a leaf. That was Luna’s superpower.

One evening, as the sky turned purple, Luna wandered through the meadow. The flowers were closing their petals. The butterflies were settling down to sleep in the grass. Everything grew a little quieter.

Then Luna heard a tiny snuffling sound. Sniff, sniff. Under a bush sat a hedgehog, his little nose twitching. "I’ve lost my way," said the hedgehog softly. "I can’t remember where my home is."

"Where do you live?" asked Luna. "Under a big pile of leaves," said the hedgehog. "Next to a tree with white blossom." Luna nodded. "Come along with me. I’ll make some light."

Luna closed her eyes and thought of something kind. Her horn glowed yellow, warm and soft. The light fell across the path, so the hedgehog could see every stone and every twig. Together they walked on. Slowly, because hedgehogs have short legs.

At the stream, the hedgehog stopped. "The water is so dark," he said. Luna let her horn glow blue. Now they could see the flat stepping stones in the water. Hop, hop, hop. The hedgehog stepped carefully across.

A little later they spotted a tree with white blossom. Underneath it lay a big, round pile of leaves. "My home!" cried the hedgehog happily. Two more hedgehogs peeped out from the leaves. They had been waiting for him.

"Thank you, Luna," said the hedgehogs. They burrowed deep into the leaves together. For a moment you could hear them rustling, and then all was still.

Luna walked slowly back to her meadow. Her horn still glowed a little, a gentle pink now. The stars came out one by one, like tiny lights wishing her goodnight.

Beneath the big willow tree, Luna lay down. She tucked her legs underneath her and rested her head on the soft grass. The willow’s branches hung around her like a curtain.

Her horn grew softer and softer, until the light went out completely. Luna breathed slowly in and out. The hedgehog slept in his home. The flowers slept in the meadow. And Luna slept under the willow. Goodnight, Luna. Goodnight, little sleepyhead.