🐲 Dragon's Happy Heart💛: a short story and meditation for kids

0:05 [SPEAKER_00]: Hello, Away Islanders. [SPEAKER_00]: Are you ready to become an Away Island? [SPEAKER_00]: Before we begin, let's see if you have everything you want for our story today. [SPEAKER_00]: Are the lights in your room dim or off? [SPEAKER_00]: Do you have your favorite listening buddy or blanket?

0:26 [SPEAKER_00]: Great job, everyone. [SPEAKER_00]: Let's relax by taking a deep dragon breath together. [SPEAKER_00]: Breathe in through your nose, filling up your lungs, and then out through your mouth. [SPEAKER_00]: Pretending you are breathing fire, like a dragon. [SPEAKER_00]: Are you ready? [SPEAKER_00]: Deep breath in and out.

0:55 [SPEAKER_00]: As you breathe out, feel your legs back and belly relax. [SPEAKER_00]: Now, picture a baby elephant hugged tight by its mother's trunk. [SPEAKER_00]: You feel connected and loved, just like the baby elephant. [SPEAKER_00]: As you imagine the elephant, let's take another deep dragon gruff.

1:25 [SPEAKER_00]: Here we go, deep breath in and out. [SPEAKER_00]: As your chest, arms and shoulders relax. [SPEAKER_00]: Imagine that you are the baby elephant helped tightly in your mama's elephant's trunk. [SPEAKER_00]: You feel safe and loved. [SPEAKER_00]: Now let's take one more deep dragon breath together.

2:01 [SPEAKER_00]: Remember to breathe in through your nose, filling up your lungs and breathe out through your mouth. [SPEAKER_00]: Pretending you are breathing fire. [SPEAKER_00]: Ready? [SPEAKER_00]: Take a deep breath in and out. [SPEAKER_00]: Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

2:32 [SPEAKER_00]: Completely relaxed. [SPEAKER_00]: Great job, everyone. [SPEAKER_00]: I hope you are tucked in nice and cozy. [SPEAKER_00]: And now, let's begin our story. [SPEAKER_00]: Let's be calm, an away island. [SPEAKER_00]: Our story today is, dragons happy heart. [SPEAKER_00]: It was a crisp, cool morning on Awe Island.

3:05 [SPEAKER_00]: A fresh, tiny breeze drifted through the forest, carrying a faint scent of honey suckle. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon stepped outside the cozy cave and stretched, wondering how to spend the lovely day. [SPEAKER_00]: This dragon listened to the birds singing in the trees. [SPEAKER_00]: They began thinking about the many creatures who lived on Awe Island.

3:30 [SPEAKER_00]: Some animals had homes in the forest, or with human families. [SPEAKER_00]: But dragon remembered another special place, where creatures lived on a highway island. [SPEAKER_00]: The animal shelter. [SPEAKER_00]: The animal shelter was a temporary home for lots of different animals, who were waiting to be adapted by a person or a family.

3:54 [SPEAKER_00]: While they were there, they got veterinary care to make sure they were healthy. [SPEAKER_00]: They were served delicious food to eat, and there were lots of volunteers who not only helped care for the animals, but also socialized with them. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon thought volunteering at the shelter sounded marvelous.

4:17 [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon enjoyed helping others, and spending time with so many different creatures sounded like a wonderful way to spend the day. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon decided to visit the animal shelter and ask if there was anything they could do to help. [SPEAKER_00]: with the happy swish of their tail, dragon set off, mowsying along the forest path toward town.

4:41 [SPEAKER_00]: The path was soft and spongy beneath dragon's feet, covered with pine needles, and dainty patches of wild mushrooms growing here and there along the sides. [SPEAKER_00]: While walking, dragon paid attention to the myriad of sounds in the forest. [SPEAKER_00]: Most notable this morning was a J, with a particularly loud squawk.

5:06 [SPEAKER_00]: At one point along the path, Dragon even heard the babble of the Brook in the distance. [SPEAKER_00]: When the end of the path met the edge of the park, Dragon's tummy rumbled. [SPEAKER_00]: Feeling hungry, Dragon thought it would be a good idea to head over to the community garden and see what delicious veggies might be in the sharing basket.

5:29 [SPEAKER_00]: There were many choices, onions, beans, tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumbers. [SPEAKER_00]: After thinking for a moment, Dragon selected a large cucumber, and a handful of beans. [SPEAKER_00]: First, they took a big bite of the cucumber. [SPEAKER_00]: It was refreshing and crunchy. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon munched on the cucumber until it was completely gone.

5:59 [SPEAKER_00]: and they chomped down the fragrant beans as they walked into town. [SPEAKER_00]: At this point, Dragon had been walking for quite some time and decided to fly the rest of the way. [SPEAKER_00]: From overhead, the shelter was fairly easy to spot. [SPEAKER_00]: It was a modern and clean-looking brick building that had large inviting windows in front.

6:22 [SPEAKER_00]: on either side of the front walkway, a rainbow of small, low-growing flowers bloomed cheerfully. [SPEAKER_00]: The front door held a sign that said, welcome. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon was about to peer inside when someone opened the door. [SPEAKER_00]: It was a woman with a friendly face. [SPEAKER_00]: As soon as she saw Dragon, she smiled.

6:45 [SPEAKER_00]: Oh, hello, Dragon. [SPEAKER_00]: Have you come to visit the shelter today? [SPEAKER_00]: She asked. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragons smiled, weaved, and nodded vigorously. [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Annie. [SPEAKER_00]: I volunteer here. [SPEAKER_00]: Please go inside and I'll join you in a minute. [SPEAKER_00]: I just want to water the flowers first.

7:05 [SPEAKER_00]: She said, holding the door open for dragon with one hand and carrying a watering can in the other. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon nodded and walked inside. [SPEAKER_00]: A beautiful bird [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon blinked in surprise. [SPEAKER_00]: The bird sounded just like Annie. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon waved in greeting to the bird.

7:36 [SPEAKER_00]: Hello and welcome the bird squawked again. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon waved at the bird again. [SPEAKER_00]: Just then, Annie, the shelter volunteer, entered through the front door, having finished watering the flowers. [SPEAKER_00]: Hello and welcome the bird squawked at third time. [SPEAKER_00]: puzzled, Dragon waved hello in reply yet again.

8:00 [SPEAKER_00]: Hello and welcome the bird repeated once more. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon made eye contact with Annie and shrugged, unsure what to do. [SPEAKER_00]: Annie chuckled softly. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon, this is Adi, our African gray parrot. [SPEAKER_00]: He likes to mimic what he hears. [SPEAKER_00]: That's why he sounds like me when I greet people.

8:25 [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon smiled broadly. [SPEAKER_00]: What a wonderful talent that was. [SPEAKER_00]: To be able to mimic the voices of other creatures. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon thought? [SPEAKER_00]: It sure is nice of you to visit Dragon. [SPEAKER_00]: Would you like to help me serve everyone lunch? [SPEAKER_00]: Annie said?

8:43 [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon nodded. [SPEAKER_00]: Together, they went to a prep kitchen where Annie took out a variety of foods to suit the preferences of the different kinds of creatures [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon thought the salad looked especially inviting. [SPEAKER_00]: With crunchy romaine lettuce, ribbons of kale and bits of fresh dill and parsley.

9:06 [SPEAKER_00]: With the food all prepared and ready for serving, any handed dragon, several food bowls and carried the others herself. [SPEAKER_00]: They first served Aude, and in Aquana named Larry, who were both in the main room. [SPEAKER_00]: One dog was big and fluffy and calm. [SPEAKER_00]: A tiny dog with very short fur kept bobbing up and down.

9:35 [SPEAKER_00]: In quick, springy hops, yipping with enthusiasm. [SPEAKER_00]: Yet another dog, medium in size, with curly black hair, licked their lips with a huge pink tongue [SPEAKER_00]: When Annie and Dragon entered the Kitty room with their lunch, Dragon counted three cats inside. [SPEAKER_00]: One was crawled up high in a nest on a huge cat tree that took up the entire corner of the room.

10:09 [SPEAKER_00]: Another was stretched out on a soft looking couch. [SPEAKER_00]: A third was darting in and out of a tunnel. [SPEAKER_00]: Once the kiddies had their lunch, Annie and Dragon entered the quietest part of the shelter, the bunny room. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon carried the big bowl of salad, and shared it with abundant pair of bunnies, named Bartlett and Levina, as well as their friend Elgin Bunny.

10:39 [SPEAKER_00]: Elgin stood on her hind legs as Dragon approached with the salad. [SPEAKER_00]: She remained that way, even after Dragon placed the bowl [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon looked at Annie and held out a hand towards Elgin. [SPEAKER_00]: Yes, you may pet Elgin gently. [SPEAKER_00]: She likes that very much, Annie said.

11:01 [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon slowly reached out to Elgin, not wanting to startle her. [SPEAKER_00]: She immediately hunkered down, waiting for the pets. [SPEAKER_00]: Ever so gently, Dragon drew their hand across her back a few times. [SPEAKER_00]: Elgin's fur was incredibly plush and velvety soft. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon smiled at the small bunny.

11:26 [SPEAKER_00]: Now that every creature had been served lunch, dragon and Annie returned to the main room. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon let out a great big y'all on. [SPEAKER_00]: It looks like you may need a nap, dragon, Annie said kindly. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon nodded. [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for volunteering today, and helping me serve lunch to all the creatures at the shelter.

11:51 [SPEAKER_00]: Dragons smiled and held a hand over their heart. [SPEAKER_00]: It had been a wonderful experience to volunteer and help other creatures who were waiting to be adopted. [SPEAKER_00]: Annie's smile broadened and her eyes twinkled. [SPEAKER_00]: If you come back to volunteer next week, I will have a very special creature for you to meet.

12:14 [SPEAKER_00]: She said, it will be a surprise. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon smiled and nodded, then waved goodbye to Annie. [SPEAKER_00]: Once outside, Dragon was eager to get back to their cozy cave in the center of the Awe Island Forest, as quickly as possible for a nap. [SPEAKER_00]: So they flew directly home, crawled into their cave, and headed to bed.

12:44 [SPEAKER_00]: It felt wonderful to lie down. [SPEAKER_00]: The mossy bed is like a cozy hug. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon closed their eyes. [SPEAKER_00]: A grateful thoughts filled their mind. [SPEAKER_00]: Dragon was grateful for the animal shelter. [SPEAKER_00]: which helped creatures great and small. [SPEAKER_00]: Find their forever homes.

13:10 [SPEAKER_00]: Drag into a deep dragon breath. [SPEAKER_00]: In and out. [UNKNOWN]: Ha! [UNKNOWN]: Ha! [SPEAKER_00]: They were also grateful for the shelter volunteers who gave their time to care for the creatures in the shelter. [SPEAKER_00]: drag and took another deep dragon breath in and out. [SPEAKER_00]: Most of all, dragon was grateful for the opportunity to volunteer at the shelter.

13:53 [SPEAKER_00]: Not only did it help the creatures there, but it also left dragon with a very full and happy heart [SPEAKER_00]: with one more deep dragon breath in, doubt. [UNKNOWN]: Ah! [SPEAKER_00]: Dragons mine quieted. [SPEAKER_00]: They drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the new creature they'd meet on their next visit to the animal shelter.

14:27 [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for joining us to become an all-way island. [SPEAKER_00]: See you next time.