Olie lay in bed, clutching his favorite teddy bear tightly. His eyes fluttered closed, yet behind his eyelids, a world of dreams slowly unfurled. Tonight, he hoped for adventures with knights and castles, but a familiar sense of unease crept in.
"I won't be scared," he whispered to himself, recalling his mother's advice.
The spider loomed large, its legs tapping the ground like the tick of a clock. Olie felt a shiver run down his spine, but he remembered what his mom had told him.
"You're just a dream," he declared, his voice echoing through the forest. Olie stood firm, and to his amazement, the spider seemed to shrink ever so slightly.
Sophie turned to greet him, her warm smile inviting him to share his nightly adventure. Her eyes sparkled with encouragement.
"Mom! The spider was smaller last night!" Olie exclaimed, his excitement bubbling over.
"That's wonderful, Olie," Sophie responded, ruffling his hair. "Keep telling it you're not afraid. You're doing so well."
In the moonlit forest, Olie stood tall, a sense of triumph swelling within him. The spider's eyes, once so intimidating, now seemed almost friendly.
"I'm not scared," he stated, his voice steady and sure.
"Mom, the spider is gone!" Olie shouted, breathless with excitement.
Sophie embraced him, her pride evident. "I'm so proud of you, Olie. You see, dreams can't hurt you when you face them with courage," she said, her voice filled with love.
"Remember, even if a bad dream comes again, you know exactly what to do," Sophie reminded him, her eyes twinkling with wisdom.
Olie nodded, his heart light and hopeful. He knew he could conquer any dream, no matter how big or small. And with that, he dug into his pancakes, knowing he'd earned every bite.
