Flora and the Shadow Monster

Grandma and Grandpa’s house always smelled like cinnamon cookies and old books. My friend Maya and I were so excited to have a sleepover in the big guest room with the fluffy, handmade quilts. We spent the whole afternoon playing tea party and giggling under the giant oak tree in the yard.

But when the sun went down and the lights clicked off, the room felt different. I pulled the blanket up to my chin as the shadows stretched across the floor like long, spindly fingers. Every little creak of the floorboards sounded like a giant's footstep coming closer and closer.

I heard a tiny sniffle from the bed next to mine. Maya was shaking, and I knew she was even more scared than I was. I had to be brave for her because I didn't want her to feel lonely in the dark. I took a deep breath and reached for my little star-shaped flashlight.

I clicked the light on and pointed it at the scary monster in the corner. It wasn't a monster at all! It was just Grandpa’s old rocking chair with my fuzzy sweater draped over the back. Maya started to giggle too, realizing that the shadows were just empty spaces where the light hadn't reached yet.

We tucked ourselves back in, feeling warm and safe in the quiet night. Darkness is just a blanket for the world to rest under, I whispered to Maya. With a happy heart, I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, knowing there was nothing to fear but sweet dreams.