Sometimes, at night, I get scared of the dark. I don't like it when Mummy turns out the light. I'm scared in case there's monsters.
Hiding in the dark.
Waiting to eat me up.

I don't like it when I'm outside at night. I don't like the noises. Owls go "WHOOO WHOOO'
And I get scared.

Mummy says, 'Don't be scared, Lee! The dark won't hurt you."
But I still get scared. And I cry.

One night, I had a bad dream. I dreamt a monster wanted to eat me up. I woke up and shouted for Mummy. She cuddled me. I said 'I don't like the dark!'

Mummy said 'Let me show you something.' And we got dressed. In the middle of the night!

Mummy whispered 'We must be very quiet!' We crept outside to the garden. On tiptoes. It was very dark. And I got scared. Mummy held my hand very tightly and said 'Watch ...'

After a little while, I saw something move in the grass. And I got scared. 'What is it?' I asked. Mummy said 'It's a hedgehog!'

We watched the hedgehog dig for worms. Then something else moved. And I got scared. 'What is it?' I asked. Mummy said 'It's a badger!'

We watched the badger sniff his way around the garden. Then something else moved. And I got scared. 'What is it?' I asked. Mummy said 'It's a fox!'

All these animals! In MY garden! Mummy said 'They're night-time animals. They're called NOCTURNAL. And they're not scared of the dark at all! They like it.'

We watched the animals for a little while. I wasn't scared at all! Mummy said 'Let's go back to bed before we get cold.'

Mummy tucked me into bed until I was snug and warm. She said 'What is there to be scared of when all those animals come to our garden to look after us? You're not scared now, are you?' 'No,' I said, 'I'm pretending I'm a hedgehog.'

And I curled up just like a real hedgehog. 'Goodnight,' Mummy said.