Ellie the Elephant Who Wanted to Fly - Bedtime Stories

 Ellie the Elephant Who Wanted to Fly - Bedtime Stories

Ellie was a little elephant with a very big dream: she longed to fly. While all the other young elephants happily splashed in the watering hole or munched on juicy leaves, Ellie would gaze up at the birds soaring through the vast blue sky, her heart filled with a yearning to join them. To Ellie, flying wasn't just about going somewhere; it was about feeling light, free, and seeing the world from a brand-new perspective.

One sunny morning, Ellie decided she couldn't just dream anymore – she had to try! She flapped her large ears as hard as she could, jumping up and down, but her feet stayed firmly on the ground. She tumbled with a soft thump, a little discouraged but not defeated.

Her first friend on her flying quest was a wise old tortoise named Sheldon, who had seen many things in his long life. Ellie explained her dream, and Sheldon, though he couldn't fly himself, offered thoughtful advice. "Little Ellie," he said slowly, "sometimes the greatest magic comes from believing in yourself and trying in clever ways."

Next, Ellie met a family of playful monkeys chattering in the trees. They showed her how they swung from branch to branch with such grace. Ellie tried to swing with her trunk, but it wasn't quite the same as flying. However, the monkeys did give her a beautiful, iridescent feather that had floated down from a passing bird. "Maybe this has a little bit of sky magic in it!" one of them giggled. Ellie treasured the feather, holding it tight in her trunk.

As Ellie continued her journey, she reached a breezy hilltop. There, she met a graceful bluebird named Sky. Ellie showed Sky her feather and told her about her dream. Sky listened patiently and then chirped, "Flying isn't just about wings, little one; it's about catching the wind and knowing how to guide yourself." Sky then showed Ellie how to feel the gentle push of the breeze and how to tilt her body to move with it.

Ellie spent days on the hilltop with Sky, practicing. She would hold her feather high, feeling the wind rustle through her ears, imagining she was lighter. She learned to run downhill, letting the breeze help her feel a little lift. It wasn't true flying, but it was closer than she had ever been.

One evening, as the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Ellie stood on the highest part of the hill. She held her feather, felt the gentle wind beneath her ears, remembered Sheldon’s wisdom, and trusted Sky's lessons. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and imagined herself as light as the feather in her trunk. Then, she ran.

This time, something felt different. The wind seemed to embrace her, lifting her ears like giant wings. For a glorious, fleeting moment, Ellie felt herself suspended, just a little, just for a breath, above the ground. It wasn't soaring like the birds, but it was her kind of flying. She felt a thrill of joy bubble up inside her.

From that day on, Ellie never stopped believing in her dream. She learned that flying wasn't just one thing; it could be different for everyone. Sometimes, it was the feeling of the wind beneath her ears as she ran, sometimes it was the lightness in her heart when she looked at the sky.

And as you drift off to sleep tonight, little one, remember Ellie. Remember that even the biggest dreams are worth chasing. Believe in yourself, be open to different ways of making your dreams come true, and never give up trying. Just like Ellie found her own way to feel like she was flying, you too will find your own special magic in the world. Sleep now, and dream big dreams.