Chapter 1: A Tale for Bedtime

During a bedtime routine with my four-year-old, he loves it when I weave in various animals and unexpected twists, along with some interactive questions. So, I crafted this story.

Once upon a time, in a peaceful forest, there lived a Deer who enjoyed a carefree life, wandering through the trees, grazing, and dozing off, repeating the same routine daily.

One day, as the Deer searched for food, it encountered a Tiger and froze in disbelief. The Tiger noticed the Deer, and a chase ensued.

Question - Why doesn’t the Deer stand and fight? Why run away?

Answer - To explain, I highlighted aspects of the Deer’s daily life that it could improve. If the Deer eats nutritious food, learns new skills, stays fit, reads, and practices what it learns, it would be better equipped to confront challenges.

The Deer’s inner thoughts—“Are you suggesting I should do these things?”—prompted me to continue the tale.

Gathering all its strength, the Deer sprinted as fast as it could, yet the Tiger closed in. After a while, both animals were exhausted. The Tiger thought, “I will catch the Deer this time,” while the Deer resolved, “I must run just a bit farther.” Suddenly, there was silence for a moment...

(The surprise twist) The Tiger caught the Deer, and they tumbled down a small cliff, landing in a river.

Question - Why does the Tiger hunt?

Answer - I paused for a moment, contemplating how to impart a lesson. I explained that hunting is a natural instinct for survival; the strong prey on the weak. However, in our world, the powerful should protect the vulnerable so they can learn to be resilient.

His reaction — “Just like you and Mom protect me from spiders!”

More to the story

The river flowed swiftly, and both the Deer and the Tiger were struggling to stay afloat. The situation intensified as the river was about to plunge into a waterfall. Now, both the Deer and the Tiger exerted all their efforts to escape.

Question — You said Tigers are natural swimmers; why is it struggling now?

Answer — I anticipated this query. Even if someone possesses knowledge, fear can cloud judgment. It’s essential to remain calm, think clearly, and find a solution.

Continuing…

A small rock emerged in the river. The Tiger aimed for it but, seeing its size, opted to move on, thinking there would be larger ones ahead. Next, the Deer approached and clung to the rock tightly, regardless of its small size.

Question — Why did the Deer cling to the rock while the Tiger did not?

Answer — The Deer recognized that amidst the vast river, this might be the only rock available, seizing the opportunity. Opportunities are rare; when they arise, one should grasp them.

Final part

Ultimately, the Tiger found no further rocks and tumbled over the waterfall, thinking, “I should have held onto that rock.” It survived the fall with injuries but lost its meal, its home, and much more by ignoring a simple opportunity. Meanwhile, the Deer discovered that the small rock was just the edge of a larger one leading to dry land. It patiently awaited the water level to drop before happily returning home, having found a chance in a dire situation.

Now it’s time for my child’s reflection.

What did you learn?

His response, along with a new story, will be shared soon.

Chapter 2: Lessons from the River

This first video emphasizes how challenges can unveil opportunities, echoing the story's theme.

The second video reiterates the idea that within every struggle lies a chance for growth, aligning perfectly with our bedtime tale's message.