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Milo Stopped Worrying

Story

Milo the mouse sat inside his cosy little hole in the skirting board, wrapped in a soft scrap of cotton wool.

But his tiny nose kept twitching.

"I shouldn't have dropped my acorn this morning," he murmured. "And what if it rains tomorrow? What if the cat comes back? What if—"

"Milo." A sleepy voice came from the corner.

It was old Dadi Mouse, tucked under a thimble like a blanket.

"You're worrying again," she said, without opening her eyes.

"But yesterday was so—"

"Yesterday is gone, little one."

"But tomorrow might—"

"Tomorrow hasn't arrived yet."

Milo was quiet.

Dadi Mouse finally opened one eye. "What do you have right now, at this very moment?"

Milo looked around. Warm cotton wool. A crumb of roti on the shelf. The soft sound of rain on the window, far away.

"I have... everything I need," he said slowly.

"Then stop looking elsewhere," said Dadi Mouse, closing her eye again. "The present moment is the only home we ever really have."

Milo curled his tail around himself and tucked his nose into the warmth.

The rain came. Gently. Like a lullaby.

And Milo, for the first time in a long time, simply let himself be.

Goodnight, Milo. Goodnight, little worries. You can all go now.

Worksheet

MCQs

  1. Where does Milo live? a) In a tree b) In a hole in the skirting board c) Under the bed d) In the garden
  2. What was Milo worried about? a) Only tomorrow b) Only yesterday c) Both yesterday and tomorrow d) Nothing at all
  3. Who helps Milo stop worrying? a) A bird b) His friend c) Dadi Mouse d) The cat
  4. What was Dadi Mouse sleeping under? a) A leaf b) A thimble c) A blanket d) A flower
  5. What sound did Milo finally fall asleep to? a) Wind b) Music c) Gentle rain d) Dadi Mouse singing

True/False

  1. Milo was happy and relaxed at the start of the story. (___)
  2. Dadi Mouse told Milo to worry more about tomorrow. (___)
  3. Milo had warm cotton wool and food in his home right now. (___)
  4. Dadi Mouse said the present moment is the only home we really have. (___)
  5. Milo fell asleep feeling calm and peaceful at the end. (___)

Fill in the Blanks

  1. Milo sat inside his cosy hole, wrapped in soft _______ wool.
  2. Milo's tiny _______ kept twitching with worry.
  3. Dadi Mouse said, "Yesterday is _______, little one."
  4. Milo noticed a crumb of _______ sitting on the shelf.
  5. The rain came, gently, like a _______.

Sequence the Story Put these events in the correct order (1–5):

Think and Reflect

Value Corner

Creative Corner Write 2–3 sentences describing what Milo's cosy little home looks like. What else might he have there that makes him feel safe?

Word Challenge

Screen-Free Challenge Before you close your eyes tonight, look around your room. Find three things that are right here, right now, that make you feel safe and warm. Say them quietly to yourself. Then let everything else go.

Self-Assessment ⭐ How did I do today? ☐ I understood the story well ☐ I learned a new word ☐ I can tell someone else what Milo learned ☐ I want to read another Milo story


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