Zander's Twilight Quest
by
Thomas
A story about Fear
for your 4th Grader.
Zigzag Zander was not your ordinary zombie. He wore purple sneakers, had a head full of silly ideas, and spent his afternoons solving riddles in a magical garden patch. This garden was filled with talking flowers that whispered funny jokes and tall trees that swayed gently under the silvery moon.
One evening, while fiddling with a wooden riddle box, Zigzag Zander noticed the usual chatter of petals and leaves had vanished. A strange hush drifted through the garden, making the air feel cold and still.
“That’s odd,” Zigzag Zander muttered. His voice trembled a bit, but he tried to stay calm. Although he felt uneasy, he remembered how Bloss, the friendly sunflower, always said it was perfectly okay to be frightened sometimes.
Moments later, the massive sunflower named Bloss appeared, petals shimmering in the moonlight. “You look worried, Zigzag Zander,” Bloss said softly. “Don’t be ashamed to feel scared. We all have fears, and it helps to share them.”
Determined to investigate, they passed clusters of shimmering mushrooms. Their soft glow lit a narrow path that led deeper into the heart of the garden. For a moment, the hush grew even quieter, as if the whole world was holding its breath.
While traveling deeper, Zigzag Zander heard his stomach gurgle with hunger and realized it was nearly time for a nap—his mind was growing sluggish, and even a brave zombie needed rest. Bloss winked, reminding him that a short rest could help clear a worried mind.
“Sometimes, taking a nap can help us feel calmer,” Bloss explained. “It gives our fears a chance to settle, like leaves drifting down onto the soil.” Zigzag Zander nodded, finding comfort in Bloss’s words even though the night air still felt eerie.
After a brief rest, Zigzag Zander woke feeling a bit stronger. He stretched his arms wide, determined to solve the mystery: why had the garden’s warm chatter suddenly stopped? Bloss followed close behind, offering a supportive smile.