The Badger's Bedtime Breakfast

The Badger's Bedtime Breakfast The sun was setting over the meadow. Orange light spilled across the grass like melted honey. Soon it would be dark... and that meant it was almost time. Henry pressed his nose against the cold window. His grandfather sat beside him in the old wooden chair. "Will she come tonight?" whispered Henry. "She always does," said Grandfather. "Just watch. Be patient." They waited. The sky turned from orange to purple to deep, dark blue. Stars began to peek through like shy little eyes. And then... movement. A striped face appeared at the entrance of the sett. Which is the name of a badgers home. Right at the edge of the garden. Black and white stripes, a long snout, small round ears. It was the badger. Henry held his breath. The badger was waking up. First, the badger stretched. She stretched her front legs out long, then her back legs, then gave a great big yawn. Her teeth gleamed in the twilight. "First, she stretches," whispered Grandfather. "Just like you do in the morning." Henry nodded, watching carefully. Then, the badger began to groom herself. She licked her paws and rubbed them over her face. She scratched behind her ears with her back foot. She made sure every bit of fur was neat and tidy. "Then, she grooms," said Grandfather softly. "Just like you brush your teeth and wash your face." Henry touched his own face and smiled. He had done that too, just before bed. Next, the badger sniffed the air. Her nose twitched this way and that. She was checking that everything was safe. Sniff, sniff, sniff. The coast was clear. "Next, she checks her surroundings," said Grandfather. "Making sure the night is calm." The badger seemed satisfied. She waddled out of her sett, her stocky body swaying gently as she walked. Finally, the badger began to search for her breakfast. She pushed her snout into the soft earth, snuffling and digging. Henry watched as she found something... a worm, perhaps, or a beetle. She munched happily in the moonlight. "And finally... breakfast," said Grandfather with a chuckle. "Though for her, this is the start of the night." Henry yawned. Watching the badger made him feel calm and sleepy. Her routine was so gentle, so peaceful. First stretching, then grooming, next checking, finally eating. The badger continued her slow waddle across the garden. She was in no hurry. The night was long, and there was plenty of time. "You know," said Grandfather quietly, "when the sun comes up, she will do everything backwards." Henry looked up at him with curious eyes. "She will finish her meal," said Grandfather. "Then she will check her sett is safe. Then she will groom her muddy paws. And finally, she will stretch one last time before curling up to sleep through the sunny day." Henry thought about this. First, then, next, finally... and then backwards again. It was like a gentle dance, repeated every single night. His eyes felt heavy now. Outside, the badger had disappeared into the shadows, off on her nighttime adventures. "Time for bed," said Grandfather, and Henry did not argue. As he snuggled under his covers, Henry thought about his own routine. First, he had eaten his dinner. Then, he had brushed his teeth. Next, he had put on his pyjamas. And finally... finally, he was falling asleep. Just like the badger, but backwards. The moon rose high over the meadow. Somewhere out there, the badger was exploring. And somewhere in the warm house, Henry was dreaming of striped faces and starlit gardens. First, then, next, finally... and then sweet dreams. The end.