Today a big-kid bed arrives! It's tall and wide — like a mighty ship sailing into the bedroom. Next to it, the old little crib suddenly looks tiny.
Kalluba climbs up for a test bounce. Wow, so soft — like bouncing on a cloud! And from up here, you can even see the big tree out the window.
Every big kid needs a flag! Kalluba picks a crayon and carefully draws one golden star on the white cloth. "All done — this is my courage flag!"
Night comes. Kalluba brushes teeth alone — the foam makes a funny white beard! — then wriggles into the dinosaur pajamas without any help. "Big kids can do this!"
Kalluba plants the courage flag right by the headboard, nice and straight. "Goodnight!" Mom and Dad each give a kiss, and the door closes softly — click.
The room goes quiet. The big bed feels so big, and the blanket is cool and new. A tiny part of Kalluba misses the little crib in the corner.
Kalluba touches the courage flag and starts counting on warm little fingers: "I can eat by myself. I can put on my shoes. I can pump the swing all alone..." One, two, three brave things!
"So sleeping on my own — I can do that too!" Kalluba snuggles deep into the blanket and pulls it up just so, smooth and neat. The pillow feels soft as a hug.
Shhh — Kalluba falls asleep in the big-kid bed. The moon peeks in, and the blanket rises and falls, soft and slow. The whole night through, all on their own.
Morning sunshine leaps through the window, warm and golden. Kalluba stands up on the bed and waves the flag high: "I slept all night by myself! I'm a big kid now!"