How to overcome the fear of the dark

Arina lay in her crib and was afraid to move. Because something was hiding in the darkness. It was definitely hiding.

There's something black in the closet. There's something long on the eaves. In the corner by the closet, there's something small but scary.

“Ma-a-amo!” Arina shouted.

Mom came, hugged me, and kissed my bangs.

— Kitty, what happened?

— It's dark... And scary...

"Shall I turn on the night light?"

Mom turned on the small, warm nightlight on the bedside table. Soft golden shadows crept across the ceiling.

— Is that better?

— Mm… Better.

"Sleep. I'm right next to you in the bedroom. If anything happens, shout.".

Mom came out. Arina hugged her old bunny with the drooping ear. She had it since childhood. But now it has dropped its ears a long time ago.

The shadows on the ceiling trembled softly. There was still something hiding in the closet. There was still something hanging on the cornice. Arina winced and hid her nose under the blanket.

"Don't be afraid, Bunny," she whispered. "I will protect you.".

«Who are you protecting, you fool, you’re trembling yourself,» she thought.

Suddenly, something rustled on the wooden headboard of her crib. Arina let out a low cry.

A little red squirrel was sitting on the back of the crib. In a pink scarf. With an acorn in its paws.

Arina's mouth dropped open.

"Hello," the squirrel said quietly. "I'm Straw. Don't be afraid.".

— Are you good?

"Of course it's good. I'm a squirrel.".

At that moment, a large, warm owl appeared on the windowsill, where a sliver of the moon was peeking through the curtains. With light brown feathers, a cream chest, and small round glasses on its beak.

"And this is Sofiyka," Solomiya whispered. "She knows everything about the night. She's an owl.".

"Good evening, Arina," said Sofiyka softly. "I see you're afraid of the dark?"

Arina nodded. The bunny in her hands seemed to nod too.

“Do you know that darkness is actually your friend?” continued Sofiyka. “Do you want me to tell you?”

Arina nodded unexpectedly for herself. And poked her nose out from under the blanket a little.

🦉 Lesson from Sofiyka

"And I," Solomiyka said proudly, "as a child, I was also afraid of a dark hollow. I thought: someone scary must live there. But it turned out that a squirrel grandmother lived there. Very cute. With honey.".

Arina giggled. Quietly.

"Most of the 'scary' things in the dark are familiar things that you don't recognize because of the shadows," Sofiyka explained. "You just look and the fear melts away.".

"And you... will you stay?" Arina asked in a whisper. Her eyes were already drooping. Sleep was creeping in.

"I'll sit here until morning," Solomiyka promised. "On the back of the bed. Like a sentry.".

"And I'll go see if the moon is sleeping well," Sofiyka smiled. "But I'll be back.".

"And I... and I'll close my eyes," Arina whispered. "Because I really want to sleep.".

"Sleep," said Solomiyka softly. "And may your dreams be the best. And if you're scared, hug Bunny. And know that we're close.".

Arina closed her eyes. There was nothing else to hide in the closet. There was nothing on the eaves either. Because when you know that a friend is nearby, fear becomes small and imperceptible.

Sofiyka believes in you. And Solomiyka too. 🦉🐿️