The Kind Monster Under the Bed

This story is specially crafted as one of the best read aloud stories for kindergarten, helping children overcome bedtime fears while learning about friendship and kindness. Perfect for kindergarten story time and classroom discussions about not judging by appearances.

Seven-year-old Ben Matthews was absolutely certain there was a monster living under his bed. Every night, he would hear strange shuffling sounds, catch glimpses of movement in the shadows, and feel like something was watching him when he turned off the lights.

"There's no such thing as monsters," his sister Emma would say. "You're just being a scaredy-cat."

"Monsters are only in stories," his parents would gently explain. "There's nothing under your bed except dust bunnies."

But Ben knew better. Something was definitely down there, and it was definitely scary.

[Reading guidance for kindergarten teachers: Use different voices for each character to make this one of the most engaging read aloud stories for kindergarten children]

That's why Ben would run from the light switch to his bed every night, jumping from at least three feet away so nothing could grab his ankles. Once safely on his mattress, he'd pull his covers up to his chin and stay very, very still until he fell asleep.

This arrangement worked fine until the night Ben dropped Mr. Peanuts, his favorite stuffed elephant, on the floor.

[Interactive tip: Ask kindergarten children what they would do if they dropped their favorite stuffed animal - this makes read aloud stories for kindergarten more engaging]

The Dropped Elephant

It happened just as Ben was settling into bed after his mom read him a story. Mr. Peanuts somehow tumbled off the bed and landed with a soft thump on the carpet below, right in monster territory.

Ben stared at the edge of his bed in horror. He could call for his parents, but they were downstairs watching TV and probably wouldn't come back up just for a dropped stuffed animal.

He could sleep without Mr. Peanuts for one night, but the little gray elephant had been his bedtime companion since he was three. He'd never fallen asleep without him.

Taking a deep breath, Ben decided to be brave. He would reach down, grab Mr. Peanuts quickly, and pull him to safety.

Slowly, Ben crept to the edge and peered over. He could see Mr. Peanuts lying about two feet from the bed, looking sad and abandoned in the dim hallway light.

Ben stretched his arm down, his heart beating so hard he was sure the monster could hear it. His fingers were just touching the elephant's trunk when he heard a voice.

"Careful," someone said softly. "You're about to fall off."

First Contact

Ben froze completely. The voice had come from under his bed, and it definitely wasn't human. But strangely, it didn't sound scary —?it sounded helpful.

"Who... who said that?" Ben whispered.

"Oh dear," the voice replied apologetically. "I didn't mean to startle you. I was just worried you might tumble down here with your elephant friend."

Ben slowly pulled himself back up but didn't retreat to the middle of his bed like usual. Instead, he sat on the edge, staring at the dark space below.

"Are you the monster under my bed?" Ben asked, surprised by his own bravery.

There was a pause, then a small sigh. "I suppose I am, yes. Though I prefer to think of myself as more of a... bed guardian."

"A bed guardian?"

"Someone who watches over the bed and makes sure everything stays safe and cozy," the voice explained. "Though I understand if you'd rather call me a monster."

The voice sounded sad rather than scary. Ben considered this.

"What do you look like?" Ben asked.

"I'm rather large and purple and fuzzy," the voice said sadly. "I have big yellow eyes and small horns and teeth that are probably too sharp. I know I'm quite frightening."

"Can I see you?" Ben asked, surprising himself.

"You really want to?" the voice asked hopefully.

"Yeah. But maybe just a little bit at first?"

Meeting Grumble

Slowly, a large purple paw appeared from under the bed. It was definitely monster-sized with long claws, but it moved gently as it reached over and carefully pushed Mr. Peanuts closer to where Ben could reach him.

"There," the voice said softly. "Now you can get your elephant friend without falling."

"Thank you," Ben said quietly.

"You're very welcome." The paw started to retreat, but Ben spoke up.

"Wait. Could I see a little more of you?"

"Are you sure? I really am quite monstrous looking."

"I'm sure."

Slowly, a large purple head emerged. Ben gasped, but not entirely from fear. The monster did have big yellow eyes, small horns, and sharp teeth, but he also had the kindest expression Ben had ever seen, and his fuzzy purple fur looked incredibly soft.

"Hello, Ben," the monster said gently. "My name is Grumble."

"Grumble? That's your name?"

"I know it sounds scary, but it's because my stomach grumbles when I'm hungry, not because I'm grumpy. I'm actually quite cheerful most of the time."

"You know my name?"

"Of course. I've been your bed guardian for months. I know you love dragon stories, you brush your teeth for exactly two minutes, and you're very kind to your stuffed animals."

"You've been watching me?"

"Protecting you," Grumble corrected. "Making sure no bad dreams get too close, keeping dust bunnies from multiplying, ensuring your bed stays the perfect temperature."

Ben hugged Mr. Peanuts close. "I thought you were going to eat me."

Grumble looked horrified. "Eat you? Oh goodness, no! I'm a vegetarian. I only eat cookies and vegetables and the occasional spider."

Learning About Grumble

Over the next hour, Ben had the most interesting conversation of his life. Grumble told him all about being a bed guardian.

"Each monster is assigned to one child," Grumble explained. "We live under beds and make sure everything stays safe for sleeping. It's very important work."

"Are there lots of monsters like you?"

"Oh yes. Most children have bed guardians, though very few ever meet us. We're supposed to stay hidden."

"Why?"

"Because most humans think we're scary. It's easier if children don't know we're there."

"But you're not scary. You're nice."

Grumble's yellow eyes lit up. "Do you really think so?"

"Yeah. You helped me get Mr. Peanuts and you've been protecting me. That's not scary at all."

"You're the first child who's ever said that," Grumble said, sounding like he might cry happy tears.

"Don't you get lonely under there?"

"Terribly lonely. But it's worth it to know you're safe."

"That doesn't seem fair. You do nice things for me but have to be lonely and hide."

"It's just the way things are."

"Well, I don't like it," Ben declared. "From now on, you don't have to hide from me. We can be friends."

Grumble's eyes grew so wide Ben worried they might pop out. "Really? You'd want to be friends with a monster?"

"You're not just a monster. You're Grumble, and you're kind and helpful. Of course I want to be friends."

Secret Friendship

From that night on, Ben and Grumble became best friends. Every evening after lights-out, Ben would lean over his bed and chat with Grumble about their days.

Grumble told stories about other bed guardians and the children they protected. Ben shared about school, friends, and favorite books.

"Could you teach me to read?" Grumble asked one night. "I've always wanted to know what those squiggly marks in books mean."

"Of course!" Ben said excitedly.

Ben began reading to Grumble every night. Soon, Grumble was sounding out words himself and getting excited about every story.

"Books are amazing," Grumble said after a story about a friendly dragon. "It's like having adventures without leaving the bedroom."

"That's exactly what books are like," Ben agreed.

The Problem

Everything was wonderful until Ben's mom found him leaning over his bed, apparently talking to himself.

"Ben, honey, what are you doing?" she asked, turning on the light.

Ben quickly sat up, his face red. Grumble had disappeared the moment they heard footsteps.

"I was just... telling Mr. Peanuts a story," Ben said.

"At this hour? It's almost ten o'clock. You should have been asleep an hour ago."

After she left, Ben whispered, "Grumble? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, but I'm sorry I got you in trouble."

"It's not your fault. I wish I could tell them about you."

"Most grown-ups are even more scared of monsters than children are," Grumble said sadly.

But Ben had an idea forming.

The Plan

The next evening, when Emma came to borrow a book, Ben made a decision.

"Emma, what if I told you there really was something under my bed, but it was nice, not scary?"

Emma rolled her eyes. "Not this again, Ben."

"Just... what if?"

"I'd say you have an overactive imagination."

"What if it could talk?"

Emma paused. "Then I'd say you're making up an imaginary friend."

"What if it wasn't imaginary?"

Emma looked at Ben with concern. "Ben, there's nothing under your bed."

"Prove it," Ben said. "Grumble? Would you please say hello to my sister?"

The Introduction

Emma's eyes widened as a gentle voice came from under the bed: "Hello, Emma. It's very nice to meet you. Ben talks about you all the time."

Emma stumbled backward. "What was that?"

"That's Grumble. He's my bed guardian."

"This is impossible," Emma whispered.

"Would you like to see me?" Grumble asked politely. "I know I look strange, but I promise I'm harmless."

Emma looked at Ben, who nodded encouragingly. "It's okay. He's really nice."

Slowly, Grumble's purple head appeared. Emma gasped and grabbed the desk chair.

"Please don't be frightened," Grumble said gently. "I would never hurt you or Ben. You're both very important to me."

Emma stared, then looked at Ben, then back at Grumble. "You're actually real."

"Very real. And honored to meet Ben's wonderful sister."

"But monsters aren't supposed to be nice."

"Most people think that, but many of us are quite friendly. We just look different."

Emma slowly approached. "What do you do under there?"

"I keep Ben safe while he sleeps. I make sure no bad dreams get close, keep dust bunnies controlled, and maintain the right temperature for good sleeping."

"That's actually really sweet," Emma said, surprised.

"Grumble is the best friend I've ever had," Ben said proudly.

Family Acceptance

When Emma told their parents about Grumble, their reaction was complicated. Mom wanted to call a doctor, Dad wanted to investigate with a flashlight.

But Grumble was so polite, gentle, and obviously devoted to Ben's wellbeing that it was hard to see him as anything threatening.

"This is the most unusual situation I've encountered," their mom said after talking with Grumble. "But Ben has never slept better since you've been here."

"And he's been braver about trying new things," Dad added. "If you're responsible for that, we owe you thanks."

"Just knowing Ben feels safe and loved is thanks enough," Grumble replied.

It took time, but Grumble's kindness won them over.

"I never thought I'd say this," Mom said one evening, watching Grumble help Ben with homework, "but I'm glad you're here, Grumble."

"The feeling is entirely mutual," Grumble replied warmly.

The New Normal

As word spread carefully about the Matthews family's friendly monster, other neighborhood children began wondering about their own bed guardians. A few brave kids started leaving notes under their beds.

Ben became an expert on monster-human relations, helping other children overcome fears and build friendships with their guardians.

"The secret is remembering that looking different doesn't mean scary," Ben would tell them. "Sometimes the most different-looking people are the kindest."

Grumble started a support group for discovered bed guardians, helping them navigate new relationships and the joy of no longer hiding.

"I never imagined I could be this happy," Grumble told Ben one evening. "Thank you for giving me the chance to be your friend instead of just your protector."

"Thank you for protecting me even when I didn't know you were there," Ben replied. "That's what real friends do."

Lasting Friendship

Years later, when Ben outgrew needing a bed guardian, Grumble didn't disappear. He became the family's official monster-in-residence, helping with everything from reaching high shelves to providing advice about bullies.

When Ben had children, Grumble became their bed guardian too, continuing the tradition of protection and friendship.

"Grumble," Ben's son asked one night, "are there really mean monsters?"

"Some, just like there are mean humans. But most of us are trying to do our jobs and care for people we love."

"So I shouldn't be scared of what's under my bed?"

"You should be curious," Grumble replied with a smile. "You never know when you might find an unexpected friend."

And Ben, now grown but still wise in monster friendship, couldn't have agreed more.

The End

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Remember: Sometimes the things that seem scary are just different, and different doesn't mean dangerous. The bravest thing you can do is approach others with kindness and an open heart. You might discover that what you thought was a monster is actually a friend waiting to be found.