Nora Rescues the Carnival Unicorn

A free unicorn bedtime story, written for ages 5–7 and ready to read aloud in about 3 minutes. Tonight's hero is Nora.

At the Unicorn Carnival, real unicorns led the leaf parade. Their manes wore red and gold ribbons. Nora wore a blue paper crown from the hoop toss. Her grown-ups sat nearby at the cider table. Then Nora heard, “Puff! Puff!” behind the striped game tent. A silver horn poked between two yellow flags.

Nora hurried around the tent. A small white unicorn stood in the round parade ring. Her name tag said JUNIPER. A basket of apples sat in the middle. Juniper had gone in for a sniff. The ring had two gates. A gust had swung both gates shut.

Poppy ran over in bright orange boots. She pointed to the red gate. It opened onto the game row. Drums went rat-a-tat there. “That way is shortest,” Poppy said. “She can join the parade fast.” Poppy reached toward the red latch. Nora said, “Wait.”

Nora pointed to the green gate. It opened onto a longer path beside hay bales. Dry leaves skipped across the path. “This way is quiet,” Nora said. “Juniper may like quiet.” “But the parade will start soon,” said Poppy. “The red way is quick.” Both children looked at Juniper.

A drum boomed. Juniper’s ears tipped back. She took two steps away from the red gate. Then the drum stopped. Juniper faced the green gate. Her ears came forward again. Nora saw the answer. Juniper did not care which path was shorter. She cared which path felt calm.

“Your way is fair,” Nora told Poppy. “It gets Juniper back fast. But look at her ears. She is asking for the quiet way.” Poppy looked at Juniper. Then she moved her orange boots from the red latch. “Green gate first,” she said. “You noticed what she needs.”

Nora lifted the green latch all by herself. The gate opened with a clack. Nora did not pull Juniper or hurry her. Nora stood on the leaf path and spoke softly. “Hello, Juniper. The drums are over there. This path is peaceful. I will walk slowly.” Nora took one step. Juniper took one step, too.

Step, crunch. Step, crunch. Nora walked past the hay bales. Juniper followed close behind. Soon they reached the unicorn field. The other unicorns lifted their heads. Juniper gave one happy puff and trotted through the open field gate. She touched noses with the herd.

The leaf parade began a little later. Juniper walked at the end, safe with the herd. Poppy bumped her orange boot against Nora’s shoe. “Quiet was right,” she said. Juniper turned at the last bend and brushed Nora’s hand with her soft nose. One red leaf rested between her silver ears.