Kobi the Koala Hugs the Sleepy Tree
Written by Raze Edgar
Published
⏱️ Read Aloud Time: 5-minutes
Deep in a soft green eucalyptus forest, high in the tallest branches, there lived a little koala named Kobi.
Kobi had fluffy grey fur. He had round teddy-bear ears. And he had a tiny black nose that was as soft as a button.
Kobi loved his tree. He loved to climb it. He loved to munch on its leaves. And most of all, he loved to HUG it!
Every day, Kobi would say, "Hug, hug, snuggle! My tree is the best!"
His tree was very, very old. His name was Grandpa Gum. He had a big brown trunk, twisty branches, and silver-green leaves that whispered in the wind.
One evening, the sun tucked itself behind the tallest gum trees. The sky turned soft peach. Then dreamy pink. Then dark, dark blue.
Kobi climbed up to his favorite branch. He gave a big koala yawn. "Time for bed, Grandpa Gum," he whispered.
But then... whoooo, whoooo.
A soft wind blew through the forest.
Grandpa Gum's branches began to sway. His silver leaves rustled loudly.
Swish, swish, swish.
Kobi's little ears twitched. His round eyes went wide.
"Oh dear," said Kobi. "Grandpa Gum, are you okay? You are wiggling and swaying!"
Kobi hugged the tree tighter. He wrapped his little arms around the trunk.
Squeeze, squeeze.
"Don't worry, Grandpa," said Kobi bravely. "I will hug you extra tight so you don't feel scared."
Then something wonderful happened.
Grandpa Gum spoke in a warm, rumbly, tree-voice.
"Oh, sweet little Kobi," he said softly. "Thank you for your big hug. But I am not scared at all."
Kobi's ears wiggled. "You... you can talk?"
"Only to those who hug me at bedtime," said Grandpa Gum kindly. "Would you like to know a secret?"
"Yes please!" whispered Kobi.
Grandpa Gum's leaves whispered. Shhh, shhh.
"When the wind blows and I sway," he said, "I am not shivering. I am rocking. Just like a mama rocks her little one to sleep."
"Rocking?" said Kobi. His head tilted.
"Yes," said Grandpa Gum. "And when my leaves swish, I am not making noise. I am singing you a bedtime song."
Kobi listened.
Swish, swish, swish.
Rustle, rustle, whisper.
"Oh!" whispered Kobi. "It really IS a song! A soft, leafy lullaby!"
"That's right, little one," said Grandpa Gum. "And when you hug me at bedtime, I hug you back with my branches and my leaves and my whole warm trunk."
Kobi looked around. Grandpa Gum's branches curled gently over him like big wooden arms giving him a cozy hug.
"You are hugging me?" said Kobi.
"Every night," said Grandpa Gum. "I hug all my little koalas. And you are my favorite little Kobi."
Kobi smiled his biggest koala smile.
He snuggled deeper into the branch. His fluffy fur pressed against the soft bark. His little black nose felt the warm tree.
"Thank you, Grandpa Gum," whispered Kobi.
"Thank YOU, little Kobi," said Grandpa Gum. "Your hug makes me sleepy too."
The wind blew softly. Whooo, whooo.
The leaves swished gently. Swish, swish.
The branches rocked slowly. Sway, sway.
It was the coziest bedtime song in the whole forest.
Kobi yawned a big koala yawn. His round eyes felt heavy, heavy, heavy.
"Goodnight, Grandpa Gum," he whispered.
"Goodnight, my little Kobi," rumbled Grandpa Gum softly.
Kobi closed one eye. Then he closed the other.
The tree kept swaying. The leaves kept singing. The moon peeked through the branches and shined a soft silver light on Kobi's fluffy head.
And soon, little Kobi the Koala was fast, fast asleep, wrapped in Grandpa Gum's cozy hug.
Sweet dreams, Kobi. Sweet dreams, little koala.
~ The End ~
Moral of the Story
Sometimes we hug the world with our little arms, and the world hugs us right back with soft winds, gentle sounds, and warm places to rest. A tree, a mama, a blanket anything that holds us with love is giving us the very best kind of bedtime cuddle.
Quiz Time! (MCQs)
Let's see how much you remember!
A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What is the name of the little koala?
2. What color is Kobi's fur?
3. Where does Kobi live?
4. What is the name of Kobi's tree?
5. What color are Grandpa Gum's leaves?
6. What did Kobi do when he heard the wind?
7. Who spoke to Kobi at bedtime?
8. What was Grandpa Gum really doing when he swayed?
9. What sound did Grandpa Gum's leaves make?
10. How did the story end?
B. Short Questions
Answer these in your own words:
Why did Kobi think Grandpa Gum was scared of the wind?
Answer
Kobi thought Grandpa Gum was shivering or wiggling because the wind made his branches sway and his leaves rustle. He was being a brave little koala and hugged his tree extra tight to help Grandpa Gum feel safe.
What secret did Grandpa Gum share with Kobi at bedtime?
Answer
Grandpa Gum shared the warm secret that when he swayed in the wind, he was not scared at all he was rocking Kobi gently, just like a mama rocks her baby. And his swishing leaves were a soft bedtime song.
What does the swishing of leaves sound like to you?
Answer
The swish of leaves can sound like whispers, soft waves, a gentle breath, or a tree saying hello. For some, it sounds like a quiet song that nature sings only to those who stop and listen.
Have you ever hugged a tree, a big pillow, or a favorite toy at bedtime?
Answer
Many little ones love bedtime hugs! Hugging a teddy bear, a soft pillow, a special blanket, or even a parent's arm helps us feel safe, warm, and ready for sweet dreams.
Who or what gives you the best hug when you are sleepy?
Answer
Everyone has a favorite bedtime hugger maybe mama, papa, a sibling, a grandma, a teddy bear, or a cozy blanket. The best bedtime hug is the one that makes YOU feel the most loved and safe.
Author's Note
From Short Bedtime Stories for kids
From all of us at LitsLib Short Bedtime Stories World thank you for cuddling up with Kobi tonight.
Kobi the Koala teaches little ones a warm truth: love is everywhere, even in trees, winds, and quiet places. When we hug the world with kindness, the world hugs us right back with soft breezes, gentle sounds, and safe corners to rest in.
May a big, cozy hug wrap around your little dreamer tonight. Sleep tight, sweet dreams, and see you again for another gentle tale.