Bedtime Story: Little Panda

Panda drawn by GeistGirl

Little Panda lived with his family in a huge forest, high in the mountains of China. His mother told him, “Little Panda, you may go as far as those three big pine trees, but no further. I don’t want you to get lost.”

Little Panda did not want to get lost, so he tried to do as his mother told him. But one day, while he was playing in the forest, it began to snow. The snow grew so heavy so quickly that Little Panda didn’t even notice when he went the wrong way and walked right by the three pine trees and out into deep, dark forest.

The snow fell faster, and soon Little Panda realized that he was indeed lost. He was also getting cold and scared. Just then, he saw the entrance to a cave through the snow. Little Panda hurried into the cave and curled up inside. He said to himself, “When the storm is over, maybe I’ll be able to find my way back home.”

Little Panda was very tired and quickly fell asleep. But soon he was awakened by a strange noise coming from deep within the cave.

“Ping! Ding ding ping!”

LIttle Panda was curious and he headed towards the back of the cave to investigate. As he went deeper into the cave, the noise grew louder.

“Ping! Ping! Ding ding PING DING!”

Soon, Little Panda noticed that it was getting lighter, not darker, the further into the cave he went. He saw a strange glow coming from a crevice in the wall. He peeked through the crevice and was amazed by what he saw.

There was an enormous cavern covered with blue, red, and white glowing crystals. Strange little people wearing pointy hats climbed over the walls and ceilings, breaking off the crystals with tiny metal hammers. “Ding! Ding! Ping ping!”

Little Panda was so surprised, he forgot to be afraid. He pushed through the crevice and into the cavern. Suddenly, all the little people stopped their work and turned to look at him.

“Who are you?” asked one.

“How did you come here?” asked another.

“I’m Little Panda,” said Little Panda. “I got lost in the snowstorm. I found this cave and came inside because I’m tired and cold and I don’t know where I am and I miss my mommy!” He began to cry.

“There, there,” said one of the little people. He set his hammer down and gave Little Panda a hug. “It’s going to be all right. You are lucky that you found us. We are the gnomes who mine the magic crystals for the monks in the monastery on top of the mountain.”

“What?” said Little Panda. “I don’t understand.”

So the gnome explained, “Many travelers climb this mountain to visit the monks. By the time they arrive, they are tired and cold. Their feet are sore and their legs weary from climbing, and they have a long journey home. So the monks use these crystals to help the travelers.”

The gnome picked up three crystals from the neat piles on the cavern floor and held them out to Little Panda.

He said,
“The red crystal will keep you warm, no matter how cold it gets.
The blue crystal will give you strength, no matter how far you walk.
And the white crystal will show you the way home, no matter how far you travel.”

The kindly gnome threaded the three crystals on to a piece of string and tied the string around Little Panda’s neck.

“Now you will be able to find your way home, Little Panda,” he said.

“Oh thank you, thank you!” said Little Panda. He hugged the kindly gnome and waved goodbye to all the others. “Farewell! Safe travels!” they said.

Little Panda walked back to the cave entrance. He no longer felt quite so tired and cold. It was still snowing outside, but the white crystal sent out a beam of light that cut through the storm. Little Panda followed the direction the light was pointing.

After he walked and walked for what seemed like forever, the crystal’s light shone on three big pine trees just ahead. Little Panda began to run. He was home!

His mommy and daddy were waiting for him, and they were so glad to see him.

His mother cuddled him close. “Oh Little Panda,” she said. “I’m so glad you’re alright!”

“Where have you been?” asked his daddy. “We were so worried!”

“I got lost in the snowstorm,” said Little Panda. “And I found a cave and there were gnomes in it and they gave me these crystals to help me get home and I was so scared and I’m so happy to be home and I don’t ever want to get lost again!”

Little Panda lived happily in the forest with his family for a long time. And when the weather was bad, he made extra sure not to go past the three big trees. But he kept the crystals hidden in the roots there, just in case.