The Story of the Tiger Cub Who Was Afraid of the Dark
- BrainUp
- Aug 22
- 8 min read
Updated: Aug 26
Fear is a natural emotion, especially when a child faces something new and unfamiliar. When staying away from home, for example, at a grandmother's, a child may experience anxiety due to the change in their usual environment. Shadows, sounds, and even familiar objects can seem frightening.
This therapeutic fairytale will help your child understand that their feelings are normal and will show them how, with the help of imagination and the support of a loved one, a scary and unfamiliar situation can be turned into a safe and fun adventure. The main character, a tiger cub named Tisha, overcomes his fear by using his inner resources and his grandmother's help. The story teaches that the power of imagination can transform the world around us, and the love and care of loved ones are the most reliable protection.
At BrainUp, we have created a special therapeutic fairytale, "The Story of the Tiger Cub Who Was Afraid of the Dark," which will gently and carefully help your child through this period. This story, adapted for different ages (3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 years), will show them how to find courage within themselves and, with the magic of imagination, turn fear into an adventure.
In addition to the text, you will find detailed psychological commentary, discussion questions, and art therapy exercises. Use these materials as your guide to the world of supporting and strengthening a child's self-esteem.
Overall Goal of the Fairytale:
"The Story of the Tiger Cub Who Was Afraid of the Dark" helps children cope with fear of the unknown and the dark that arises from a change in their usual environment, reduce anxiety associated with separation from parents, and learn to find inner resources (imagination, courage) to overcome difficulties.
Key Therapeutic Mechanisms in the Fairytale:
Metaphorical Experience. A child feeling uneasy in a new place can easily identify with Tisha the tiger cub. Together with the hero, they journey from trembling fear to the joy of discovering their inner magic and feeling safe.
Shift of Focus. The fairytale clearly demonstrates that frightening objects (shadows, an old wardrobe) are simply a matter of perception. By shifting the focus from "frightening" to "magical" (the "captain's bridge"), the hero gains control over the situation. This teaches the child to actively change their attitude towards things that cause anxiety.
Formation of an Active Stance. Tisha doesn't just wait for the fear to disappear. He takes action: he looks through the "spyglass," he embarks on a "journey." This motivates the child not to be passive in their feelings but to seek ways to overcome them through play and creativity.
Symbolic Support. Grandmother Tigress acts as a symbol of wisdom and security. Her presence and actions show the child that they are not alone in their feelings and can always seek help and support.
Target Audience:
Children aged 3 to 12 who are facing new circumstances, experiencing separation anxiety from parents, or are afraid of the dark.The fairytale is presented in three versions, adapted for different age groups (3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 years), to speak to each child in a language they can understand.The Story of the Tiger Cub Who Was Afraid of the Dark
Version 1: For Children 3-5 Years Old
Little Tisha the tiger cub was staying at his beloved grandmother's house for the first time. He loved her warm hugs, but her house was so big and unusual! When his mom left, Tisha felt sad. The old clock on the wall ticked so loudly, and the long shadows from the moon danced in the corners, turning into scary giants. Tisha hugged his teddy bear and shivered.
Grandmother Tigress saw her grandson trembling and smiled gently. "Don't be afraid, my little one," she said. "We don't live in an ordinary house; we live on a pirate ship! Want me to show you?"
Tisha immediately stopped trembling. A pirate ship? Grandmother took two chairs, covered them with a blanket, and they became sails. And the old binoculars turned into a spyglass.
"Here, Captain!" Grandmother announced solemnly.
Tisha looked through the binoculars. And a miracle happened! The shadows on the wall were no longer scary. They turned into funny sea creatures guarding their ship. And the stars in the window became a sea of stars, on which they were sailing to the Island of Sweet Dreams.
When it was time to sleep, Tisha climbed into bed. He hugged his teddy bear tightly. Now he knew that his room was the safest and most reliable ship in the world. He fell asleep, and in his dream, he saw cheerful jellyfish dancing around their ship.
What to Discuss with Your Child:
Why was Tisha afraid?
What helped Tisha stop being afraid?
What would you turn into a "magic item" in your room?
Creative Task:
Invite your child to build their own "pirate ship" or "fortress of courage" from ordinary objects: chairs, blankets, pillows. Let them invent who will be the captain and who will be the crew, and embark on their own adventure where there is no place for fear.
Version 2: For Children 6-8 Years Old
Tisha the tiger cub was staying overnight at his grandmother's house for the first time. It was a large, old house that smelled of apple pie, but it was unusually quiet. Everything felt different: the old clock on the wall ticked so loudly, as if a huge heart were beating, and the long shadows from the moonlight turned into strange, frightening shapes.
When his mother left, Tisha felt lonely and very small. He climbed into bed and tried to hide under the blanket, but even there he could hear strange sounds and see the shadows of branches outside the window swaying on the walls like the hands of monsters.
Grandmother noticed his fear. She sat down next to him, and, taking Tisha's paw, quietly asked: "Do you see those shadows, my dear?" Tisha nodded, not daring to speak. "And I see the stars in the window have turned into a treasure map," Grandmother said. "And the moonbeam is our compass. The house has gone quiet because it's preparing for the most important adventure—a journey to the Island of Sweet Dreams."
Grandmother brought an old pair of binoculars and offered them to Tisha to look at the dark wardrobe. "Do you see a scary monster?" she asked. Tisha shook his head. "And I see a reliable captain's bridge!" Grandmother exclaimed. "Come on, I'll show you how it works."
Grandmother helped Tisha climb onto a chair. She put his grandfather's old hat on him. Tisha felt truly brave. He became the captain. He navigated his "ship" through the starry sky, and every sound, every shadow, was now part of his adventure. The creaking of the floorboards became the whisper of the sea wind, and the shadows on the walls—the dancing, cheerful jellyfish.
Tisha was so engrossed that he didn't even notice when his tiredness took over. He fell asleep, feeling protected and brave. All night, he dreamed of distant islands and incredible discoveries, and the morning sunbeam that touched his paw was the final greeting from his magical journey.
What to Discuss with Your Child:
What helped Tisha overcome his fear?
How did his imagination help him turn something scary into something fun?
Do you have your own "magic" that helps you when you're afraid?
Creative Task:
Invite your child to draw or sculpt their "dream guardian"—a creature that will protect them and turn all scary shadows into kind helpers. Let them decide what its name is and what it does.
Version 3: For Children 9-12 Years Old
Tisha the tiger cub, though old enough to stay at his grandmother's, still felt a slight unease. He loved his grandmother's house, its ancient, cozy smell and warmth. But there was also some inexplicable mystery that only revealed itself at night. In the dark, ordinary objects transformed, taking on unfamiliar shapes. Every tick of the clock seemed to be counting down to something unknown, and the long, stretched-out shadows cast by the moonlight moved across the walls like silent, threatening silhouettes.
Tisha didn't want his grandmother to notice his fear. He tried to hide his feelings, but his heart was pounding so loudly that it seemed the whole room could hear it.
Grandmother, with her incredible wisdom, didn't pry. She simply sat on the edge of the bed. "Tisha," she said softly, "I can see you're feeling something." Tisha looked at her. He didn't know how to explain his fear of non-existent things. "You know," his grandmother continued, "when I was little, I was also afraid of shadows. I thought they were alive and wanted to grab me. But my grandfather taught me a game. He said that shadows aren't what they are, but what you make them. It's like a blank canvas for your imagination."
Grandmother took a small flashlight. She shone it on the wall. The carved door of the old wardrobe cast a shadow that looked like a dragon's head. "Look," Grandmother whispered, "a dragon! He's guarding our dreams." Grandmother moved the flashlight slightly, and the shadow turned into a dancing butterfly. Another movement, and the butterfly became a galloping horse.
Tisha was amazed. He had never thought of it that way. He took the flashlight in his own paws and began to play, creating entire stories on the walls. He turned the "scary monsters" into kind characters from his favorite books and the "threatening hands" into friendly branches that whispered lullabies to him.
That evening, he didn't just stop being afraid. He realized that his imagination wasn't just a fantasy. It was a powerful tool capable of changing the world around him. He fell asleep, feeling not a victim of his fear, but its master. When he woke up at night from a rustle, he just smiled. It was just the whisper of his own magic.
What to Discuss with Your Child:
What do you think about the phrase, "shadows aren't what they are, but what you make them"? How can this be applied to other fears?
How did Tisha's self-perception change at the end? What caused this change: being chosen by his grandmother, or his own self-discovery?
Think of a time when you were afraid of something. How did you handle that feeling on your own?
Creative Task:
Invite your child to create a "magic map"—let them draw their house or their room and mark all the "scary" places on it. Then, next to each place, have them draw or write what it can be turned into with the power of imagination (for example: "the closet is a fortress," "the dark corner is a treasure cave").
Integrating into Daily Life: How to Reinforce the Fairytale's Effect
For the ideas of the fairytale to take root in real life, they need to be supported by your actions.
Highlight the Imagination. When your child starts to play, comment: "What a great idea you had! Your imagination is a real superpower!" This will reinforce the idea that imagination is a powerful tool.
Play "Transformations." Use the metaphor from the fairytale. If a child is afraid of an object or sound, "transform" it together into something harmless or even fun. "That's not a creaking door; that's our house robot saying 'goodnight' to you."
Talk about Feelings Openly. Don't dismiss your child's fears, even if they seem insignificant to you. Say: "I understand that you're afraid. That's normal. Let's think about how we can deal with it."
Create a Ritual. Come up with your own "safety ritual" before bed in a new place. For example, "check the room" together, turn on a night-light projector, or create a "magic barrier" around the bed with pillows.
Conclusion:
Remember, your belief in your child and your attention to their feelings are the warm rays of light that can dispel any darkness. Talk to your children often about how they are not alone and that their own courage and imagination are the most powerful tools they will always have with them, wherever they go.
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