It was a nursery day for Bria.

It was a work day for Mummy. 

It was a school day for Big Sister.

Everyone was busy. 

Everyone was saying: 

“We’re getting ready!”

But Bria?
Bria had other ideas.

When Mummy said,
“Time to get dressed!”
Bria lay on the floor.
One sock went on her hand.
Her clothes went on her dinosaur.
.
Mummy felt cross.
She sighed and looked at the clock.

When Big Sister called,
“We’re getting ready to leave! Have your breakfast!”
Bria made a toy picnic.
She poured pretend tea.
She gave out pretend biscuits.

Big Sister felt worried.
She didn’t want to be late for school again.

And when Big Sister shouted,
“We’re going to be LATE!”
Bria said,
“I just need my unicorn hat... and I need to sing ‘Happy Birthday!”

Then it happened. Yes it really happened in the story.
Bria felt funny.
Her back curled up.
A shell popped out!
Her legs turned slow and sticky.
She turned into…
a slow snail.

Bria the Snail oozed slowly down the stairs.
She slid slowly past her breakfast.
She inched slowly through the hallway.

Now -
Mummy was late for work.
Big Sister was late for school.
And Bria? She was late for nursery.
She missed the painting at nursery.
She missed the dressing-up.
She missed the story at Circle Time too.

Bria the Snail felt sad.

Big Sister crouched beside her and said,
“Let’s be a team tomorrow when we’re getting ready. 

That way, we won’t all be late.”

Bria peeked out from her shell.
POP!
Her shell dropped.
Her legs felt zippy!

The next day, when Mummy said,
“Time to get dressed! We’re getting ready to leave!”
Bria zipped to her room to get dressed.

When Big Sister called,
“Come and eat breakfast. We’re getting ready to leave!”

Bria was already in her chair eating!

And when Big Sister said,
“Let’s go! Are you ready?”
Bria was ready with her shoes on by the door!

Everyone was smiling.
Everyone was calm.
Everyone was ready.

Because mornings are better when we all get ready at the same time.