Willow Charms and the Storm of Feelings
by
Thomas
A story about Big feelings
for your 4th Grader.
Willow Charms lived in a lively village hidden deep in an enchanted forest. Bright lanterns sparkled along the winding paths, and giant trees whispered magical secrets to anyone who listened. Each evening, glowing fireflies drifted through the air like tiny stars, lighting up the night with their gentle glow.
Although Willow Charms was known for her clever spells and playful tricks, she often felt big emotions stirring inside her. Sometimes, excitement made her chest feel like it would burst, but other times, worry made her stomach flutter like trapped birds.
One morning, Willow Charms felt a strange heaviness in the air, as though a thundercloud had drifted into her heart. She could not focus on her usual mischief because her mind swirled with anxious thoughts about helping the village prepare for a festival.
Trying to ignore these big feelings, Willow Charms practiced a new spell. Instead of creating a rainbow above the rooftops, the magic crackled and roared, summoning a sudden storm that darkened the sky. Rain pounded on colorful rooftops, and thunder echoed across the forest.
Startled villagers ran for shelter, but Willow Charms stood frozen. Her mother hurried over, shielding Willow from the torrent. “Willow, it’s okay to feel a little stormy inside,” her mother said gently. “Everyone has moments like this. The trick is learning what to do with these feelings.”
Willow Charms’s heart sank. “I never meant for this to happen,” she whispered, her voice shaky. “I just felt overwhelmed. Now everyone is scared.” Lightning streaked overhead as she spoke, and her words were nearly drowned out by the thunder.
The storm raged stronger, and Willow Charms realized she must calm the swirling tempest in her mind before she could tame the chaos in the sky. Taking a deep breath, she remembered a simple trick her father had taught her: focus on the present moment, and slow your inhale and exhale until you feel steady again.
As Willow Charms tried to quiet her thoughts, the thunder boomed even louder. Raindrops turned into icy pellets, stinging her cheeks. Worry echoed inside her: what if she couldn’t fix the mess she had made? But her mother placed a hand on her shoulder and said, “We’ll face this together.”