The Dragon Who Couldn't Breathe Fire: A Mindful Bedtime Story for Kids

Gertrude is a dragon who desperately wants to breathe fire like the others, but no matter how hard she tries, only flowers come out. Afraid she doesn’t belong, she faces the annual dragon celebration expecting rejection—only to discover that her flowers make the mountains more beautiful than flames ever could. In the end, Gertrude learns that being different is not a flaw, but a gift that makes the world brighter. This story was inspired by a storytelling friend from India. Hey parents, here are 4 ways to build attachment as you listen to the story together: 1) Model resting without worry. 2) Model the flower breath for your child. 3) Hold up a finger for each breath. 4) Whisper, "I belong," with your child. For more bedtime connection tips, visit Wink on Youtube, Instagram or Facebook @ wink-bedtime-stories, and on Substack: Parenting with Wink: Bedtime Stories and Beyond. Wink is a production of BYUradio and is always ad and interruption free. Storyteller and writer: Steffani Raff. Producers: Wendy Folsom, Sam Payne, Brian Tanner and Kay Hendrickson. Post Production by Trent Reimschussel, Kip Merrill, Taehyeon (Ted) Kim, and Gracie Davis. Music by Taehyeon (Ted) Kim. Social Media: Kay Hendrickson