Transcript for Parent Storytellers
In a lovely castle surrounded by gardens full of colorful flowers, lived Princess Elora and her very special friend, Baby Simba. Baby Simba wasn’t just any ordinary kitty – he was a baby lion with the softest golden fur and the sweetest little mane that was just starting to grow.
Princess Elora loved Baby Simba more than anything in the whole world, and Baby Simba loved Princess Elora just as much. They did everything together – playing in the castle gardens, reading stories by the fireplace, and having the most wonderful tea parties.
One sunny afternoon, Princess Elora received a very fancy invitation written on sparkly purple paper.
“Baby Simba!” she called excitedly. “We’ve been invited to the Royal Tea Party at the Crystal Palace! It’s going to be the fanciest tea party ever!”
Baby Simba meowed with excitement, his little tail twitching with joy.
Princess Elora put on her most beautiful dress – a flowing pink gown with tiny pearls sewn all over it. She wore her grandmother’s diamond tiara and her special white gloves that reached all the way to her elbows.
“Now it’s your turn, Baby Simba,” she said gently.
She carefully dressed Baby Simba in a tiny blue velvet jacket with golden buttons and a matching bow tie. On his head, she placed a small crown that was just his size.
“You look so handsome!” Princess Elora said, giving him a gentle hug.
Together, they walked to the Crystal Palace, where the most amazing tea party was already in full swing. There were long tables covered with white tablecloths, fancy china teacups painted with roses, and towers of the most delicious little cakes and sandwiches.
Princess Elora and Baby Simba sat at a table with other royal guests. They sipped tea from tiny cups, ate cucumber sandwiches with their pinkies up, and listened to a string quartet playing gentle music.
“This is the best tea party ever,” Princess Elora whispered to Baby Simba, who purred in agreement.
As the afternoon went on, they made friends with the other guests and even learned some new royal manners. Baby Simba was especially good at sitting still and not knocking over any teacups, which made Princess Elora very proud.
When the tea party began to wind down, Princess Elora gathered all their special gifts from the party – a set of miniature teacups, tiny silver spoons, and delicate porcelain saucers that were small enough for Baby Simba to use.
“We should head home now,” Princess Elora said, carefully balancing all their new treasures in her arms while holding Baby Simba close to her chest.
They said goodbye to their new friends and started walking back toward the castle. Princess Elora was feeling very proud of how well-behaved Baby Simba had been at such a fancy party.
But as they approached a busy street, something unexpected happened. Princess Elora was trying to balance all the delicate teacups and saucers while holding Baby Simba, and suddenly one of the tiny spoons slipped from her grasp.
As she reached down to catch it, Baby Simba tumbled right out of her arms and landed on the ground with a soft thud.
“Oh no!” Princess Elora gasped.
Baby Simba immediately started trembling and meowing in a scared voice. His eyes grew wide, and he pressed himself as flat as he could against the ground.
“Baby Simba! Are you hurt?” Princess Elora asked, setting down the tea party gifts and kneeling beside him.
But Baby Simba wasn’t hurt – he was scared. Very, very scared.
“I don’t like being on the ground,” Baby Simba whimpered. “What if something comes to get me? What if a crab scuttles by and pinches my nose? My nose is very sensitive, and that would hurt so much!”
Princess Elora looked around. They were near the palace gardens, and she could see the small pond where some friendly crabs lived. She understood why Baby Simba was worried.
“Oh, my sweet Baby Simba,” Princess Elora said gently. “I understand why you’re scared. But you know what? I’m right here with you.”
Just then, they heard a familiar voice. “Princess Elora! Baby Simba! What are you doing down there?”
It was Sparkle the Unicorn, who had been visiting the palace gardens. Her rainbow mane sparkled in the afternoon sunlight.
“Baby Simba fell, and now he’s scared to be on the ground,” Princess Elora explained. “He’s worried about the crabs from the pond.”
Sparkle trotted over and lowered her head to look at Baby Simba kindly. “I know those crabs,” she said. “They’re actually very friendly. They only pinch when they’re scared too. But they’re all taking a nap in the pond right now.”
Baby Simba lifted his head slightly. “Really?”
“Really,” Sparkle nodded. “And besides, Princess Elora is here to protect you. She loves you so much.”
Princess Elora gently reached out her hands. “Baby Simba, would you like me to pick you up? I promise I’ll hold you extra carefully this time.”
Baby Simba looked up at Princess Elora’s kind face. He saw how much she cared about him and how sorry she was that he had fallen.
Slowly, he stood up and walked toward her open arms. “Yes, please,” he said softly.
Princess Elora carefully lifted Baby Simba and held him close to her heart. She could feel his little body relax as he snuggled against her.
“There,” she said, stroking his soft fur. “You’re safe with me. I’ll always take care of you, Baby Simba.”
Baby Simba purred contentedly. Being in Princess Elora’s arms made him feel completely safe and loved. The scary ground didn’t seem so frightening anymore when he was with his best friend.
“Thank you for helping us, Sparkle,” Princess Elora said.
“Anytime,” Sparkle replied with a smile. “That’s what friends do – we help each other feel brave.”
With Baby Simba safely in her arms and their tea party treasures carefully balanced, Princess Elora crossed the street successfully. Baby Simba felt so comfortable and secure that he wasn’t worried about anything anymore.
When they reached their castle, Princess Elora’s parents were waiting for them in the garden.
“How was the Royal Tea Party?” asked the Queen.
“It was wonderful,” Princess Elora said, setting down their tea party gifts. “And we learned something important too.”
“What’s that?” asked the King.
“We learned that even when scary things happen, having someone who loves you nearby makes everything better,” Princess Elora explained, giving Baby Simba a gentle hug.
Baby Simba meowed in agreement. “And I learned that being brave is easier when you have a best friend.”
That evening, Princess Elora and Baby Simba had their own little tea party in the castle garden, using their new miniature teacups and saucers. They sat on a soft blanket spread on the grass, and Baby Simba didn’t mind being close to the ground at all – because Princess Elora was right there beside him.
As the stars began to twinkle in the sky, they curled up together, feeling grateful for their friendship and the wonderful adventure they had shared.
“Good night, Baby Simba,” Princess Elora whispered.
“Good night, Princess Elora,” Baby Simba purred back. “Thank you for always keeping me safe.”
And with that, they both drifted off to sleep, dreaming of tea parties, friendly unicorns, and the comfort that comes from knowing someone loves you no matter what.