nala and dave the dragon’s just-right snuggle 🐉✨

co-created in therapy with a particular brave spark, this gentle story explores energy regulation through the adventures of dave the dragon and his kitten friend, nala 🐉🐱 

dave has bounce-off-the-clouds kind of energy — which is awesome… until it’s a bit much. when a zoomy moment accidentally scares nala, dave tries different movement strategies from his “energy dragon chart” to help find his just-right balance again. 

from dizzy spins and stair sprints to big belly breaths and gentle stretches, this episode models vestibular input, sensory awareness, and co-regulation. it’s a soothing, validating listen for neurodivergent kids who are learning how to tune into their energy — and feel good in their bodies. 

🎧 includes: 
 – a playful therapeutic story 
 – reflection questions to chat about 
 – ideas for home, school, or therapy 
part of brave sparks — a storytelling podcast shaped by the voice, needs, and strengths of neurodivergent children ✨ 

🎧 sound credits:
✍️ written by: trust children and the kids we support (with a sprinkle of ai magic)
🎙️ voice: the brave sparks team
🎛️ sound mixing: brave sparks team
🎶 music: serene horizons by nancy_sinclair — https://freesound.org/s/754395 — cc0
🎵 outro: serene acoustic guitar melodies by lolamoore — https://freesound.org/s/768424 — attribution 4.0

🔊 sound effects include:
 👏 awww then applause & cheering.wav by xtrgamr — https://freesound.org/s/243801 — attribution 4.0
🔔 tibetan bowl_left hit.wav by dersinnsspace — https://freesound.org/s/417117 — cc0
✨ mystical wind chimes transition fx by djlprojects — https://freesound.org/s/419594 — cc0
🐾 cat purring slow.wav by stevious42 — https://freesound.org/s/259620 — attribution 3.0
🔄 spinning cable 192khz.wav by jarredgibb — https://freesound.org/s/219031 — attribution 4.0
🐱 cat yawning & meow by 242011vee — https://freesound.org/s/764743 — attribution 4.0
💔 sad hard beat.wav by eskay-records666+ — https://freesound.org/s/554891 — cc0
😵 sadwoo (dizzy wobble) by moogsy — https://freesound.org/s/372866 — attribution 4.0
🏃 footsteps running on wood by florianreichelt — https://freesound.org/s/459965 — cc0
😮 sigh1.wav by k1m218 — https://freesound.org/s/60668 — attribution 4.0

🌀 part of the brave sparks podcast — co-created in therapy, shaped by the voice, needs, and strengths of neurodivergent children. 🌟

🎧 co-created in therapy — inspired by your child’s voice, strengths, and needs.

🎙️ voice: children who helped shape the episode with simone mossop
 🎛️ sound design: brave sparks team
 🎵 intro/outro music: serene acoustic guitar melodies by lolamoore — https://freesound.org/s/768424 — attribution 4.0

✨ explore more spark stories or learn about our therapy approach: trustchildren.au/bravesparks

Transcript

📖 transcript — nala and dave the dragon’s just-right snuggle ✨

dave was a dragon with big energy.
 and not just big…
 we’re talking bounce-off-the-clouds kind of big.

he loved it — most of the time.
 especially when he was playing with his little kitten, nala.

nala had soft fur, marbled green eyes, tiny paws, and the sweetest purr you’ve ever heard.

but today…
 dave was extra excited.
 his wings flapped.
 his tail swooshed.
 and before he knew it...
 he was spinning!

around and around,
 faster and faster,
 until — whoosh! —
 he zoomed past nala.

nala’s fur puffed up like a dandelion.
 she gave a tiny “meeeeow!” and darted under the couch.

dave froze.
 "oh no…” he whispered.
 “i got too bouncy again.”

dave didn’t want to scare nala.
 he just… didn’t know how to stop the bounce.

but then he remembered something —
 his energy dragon chart!

🔴 too fast energy: spinning, running up the stairs, zooming
 🟢 just-right energy: big stretches, touching toes, breathing slow

“okay,” dave said.
 “let’s try this.”

first, he tried spinning again… but slower this time.
 it felt good… for a second.
 but when he stopped…
 his head kept spinning.
 “whoa…” dave wobbled.
 “too much.”

next, dave ran up and down the stairs —
 up, up, up…
 down, down, down!
 that felt awesome…
 but his heart was still racing.

finally…
 dave remembered his favourite calm-down trick…
 big dragon stretches.

he stretched his wings way out wide.
 reeaaaached his claws up, up, up.
 then… he touched his toes.

one…
 two…
 three…
 four…
 five.

“oooh…” dave sighed.
 “that feels good.”

his body felt steady now.
 his wings settled.
 his tail stopped twitching.

dave looked over at the couch.
 nala’s little nose peeked out.
 she sniffed…
 then slowly… carefully…
 crawled back out.

dave curled up gently on the couch.
 and this time…
 nala tiptoed right onto his big, scaly belly.

she settled in with a purr…
 and dave’s energy dragon curled up warm and proud inside him.

both of them…
 just right.

because sometimes…
 the real magic is finding that just-right feeling —
 together. 🐉🐱✨

💭 reflection questions

– what helps your energy feel just right?
 – what do you do when your zoom gets too zoomy?

💛 note for grown-ups

this story gently explores vestibular strategies, helping children learn how movement can impact the regulation of their energy.

big movements like spinning and stair-running can stimulate the vestibular system, while slow stretches and stillness can help bring it back to balance.

✨ this episode was co-created in therapy with a particular brave spark. strategies may be different for your child, so check in with your own therapy team. the good news is — exploring regulation ideas together can do no harm, and it might just lead to some magic of your own.