King Doodle Bum's Sweet Start
by
Patches the Story Dog
A story about Morning Routine
for your 1st Grader
King Doodle Bum lived in a cozy, colorful castle. His bedroom was at the top of a tall tower. Every morning, the sun peeked over the frosted hills and shined through his window. "Time to wake up!" the sun seemed to say. But King Doodle Bum pulled the covers over his head. "Not yet," he groaned. "I never know what to do first!"
Each morning was a jumble. Some days he brushed his teeth before he got out of bed. Some days he ate breakfast in his pajamas and forgot to wash his face. Some days he walked out the grand front door with his crown on backward! "Oh, bother," said King Doodle Bum. "My mornings are a mess!"
Then one snowy morning, there was a knock at the grand front door. King Doodle Bum opened it wide. There stood Frostyline Fable, a snowman with bright button eyes, a tall purple top hat, and a long striped scarf that dragged in the snow. "Good morning, Your Silliness!" said Frostyline Fable. "I heard you need help with your mornings. May I come explore your castle?"
"Here is a trick," said Frostyline Fable. "Do things in the same order each day. When you do them the same way every time, your brain starts to remember! Let's make a silly song for each step. Step one — wake up!" Frostyline Fable wiggled his stick arms and sang, "Up, up, up! Stretch to the sky! Wiggle your fingers and blink your eyes!" King Doodle Bum laughed and stretched his arms up high.
"Step two — make the bed!" said Frostyline Fable. King Doodle Bum looked at the tangled mess of blankets. "That looks hard," he said with a frown. "Just take it one step at a time," said Frostyline Fable. "First the sheet. Then the blanket. Then the pillow on top!" He sang, "Smooth and flat, pat, pat, pat! Tuck it here, just like that!" King Doodle Bum smoothed the red blanket and set his pillow down. "I did it!" he said, feeling proud.
"Step three — brush your teeth!" said Frostyline Fable. They marched down the winding stairs to the sparkly bathroom. King Doodle Bum picked up his golden toothbrush. It glittered in the light. "Scrub, scrub, scrub, all around! Every tooth, every spot must be found!" sang Frostyline Fable. King Doodle Bum scrubbed the front teeth, the back teeth, and even his tongue. "My mouth feels so fresh!" he said with a big, shiny smile.
"Step four — wash your face!" said Frostyline Fable. King Doodle Bum splashed warm water on his cheeks. "Splash, splash, splash, nice and clean! The freshest face you've ever seen!" they sang together. The water felt warm and wonderful. King Doodle Bum patted his face dry with a soft purple towel. "I feel awake now," he said. "Really, truly awake!"
"Step five — get dressed!" said Frostyline Fable. They went back up the winding stairs to the tower bedroom. King Doodle Bum opened his big wooden wardrobe. Inside were royal robes of every color. He picked a warm blue robe with golden buttons and pulled on his fuzzy red boots. He set his golden crown on straight — not backward this time! "Looking good, Your Silliness!" cheered Frostyline Fable.
"Step six — eat breakfast!" said Frostyline Fable. They hurried down to the warm kitchen. Jars and jars of chocolate lined the shelves. King Doodle Bum reached for a big jar of chocolate. "Can I just have chocolate?" he asked hopefully. Frostyline Fable giggled. "How about toast with a little chocolate on top? A good breakfast gives you energy for adventures!" King Doodle Bum nodded. He ate warm toast with chocolate spread and drank a cup of cold milk. "Yum," he said. "That was even better."
"Step seven — head out the door!" said Frostyline Fable. They walked together to the grand front door with its big iron handles. King Doodle Bum stopped. He counted on his fingers. "Wake up, make the bed, brush teeth, wash face, get dressed, eat breakfast, and head out the door. That's seven steps!" he said. "And you did every single one," said Frostyline Fable. "In the right order, all by yourself!"
King Doodle Bum pushed open the grand front door. The bright snowy kingdom sparkled in the morning sun. The frosted hills glowed pink and gold. Cold, fresh air tickled his nose. He took a deep breath. "I feel ready," he said. "My bed is made. My teeth are clean. My tummy is full. I did it all, one step at a time." He felt proud — really, truly proud.
Frostyline Fable stood beside him in the snow. "Tomorrow morning, try singing the songs again," he said. "Each day it will get a little easier." King Doodle Bum grinned. "And if I forget a step?" he asked. "Then you just do the next one," said Frostyline Fable. "No morning has to be perfect." They looked out at the bright, wide kingdom ahead. A brand-new day was waiting, full of adventures to explore — and King Doodle Bum was ready for every one of them.
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