Once upon a time, in a quiet town surrounded by green hills, lived a little girl named Emma. Emma was cheerful and curious, but she had one big problem: she refused to eat any fruits or vegetables. At dinner, she pushed the carrots aside, ignored the apples, and crossed her arms whenever her mother placed broccoli on her plate.
“Vegetables are boring, and fruits are too sweet,” Emma would say with a frown. Instead, she wanted cookies, candy, and chips.
One night, something unusual happened. Emma left her broccoli untouched on the table and went to bed. But as soon as the clock struck midnight, a soft green glow filled her room. Emma rubbed her eyes and gasped—standing by her window was a small, smiling broccoli wearing a tiny cape.
“Hello, Emma,” said the broccoli in a gentle but firm voice. “I’m Benny the Broccoli. I’ve come to show you why fruits and vegetables are not your enemies but your greatest friends.”
Emma blinked. “A talking broccoli? This must be a dream!”
Benny shook his head. “No dream. Tonight, you will see the truth.”
Before Emma could answer, Benny tapped his cape, and suddenly they were flying through the night sky. They landed in a glowing garden where every fruit and vegetable was alive. Apples bounced like balls, carrots sang cheerful songs, and spinach leaves waved as if they were dancers on stage.
Emma’s eyes widened, but she still crossed her arms. “They look fun, but why should I eat them?”
The garden suddenly grew dark. From the shadows emerged a group of tired, sluggish shapes. They were children, but their faces looked pale, and their steps were heavy. “We never eat fruits or vegetables,” they whispered. “We feel weak and can’t play. Our energy is gone.”
Emma shivered. The sight made her heart race. “What happened to them?” she asked.
Benny placed a hand on her shoulder. “Without the vitamins, strength, and colors from fruits and vegetables, children lose their energy. Their bodies cannot grow, and their dreams fade away.”
The pale figures faded back into the shadows, and the garden lit up again. This time, the fruits and vegetables stood proudly in a circle.
“I am Carla the Carrot,” one said. “I help your eyes see the world clearly.”
“I’m Sammy Spinach,” said another. “I give your body the strength of a superhero.”
“I’m Tommy Tomato,” added a red voice. “I keep your heart strong and happy.”
One by one, the fruits and vegetables spoke, each sharing their special gift. Emma listened carefully. She felt a spark of hope, realizing that every bite was like receiving a magical power.
Benny looked into her eyes. “Emma, you don’t have to give up cookies forever. But if you ignore us completely, you will miss the strength, joy, and health we can give you.”
Emma thought of the pale children and shivered again. “I don’t want to be weak. I want to play, run, and dream big!”
The garden cheered. Apples rolled in circles, corn popped like fireworks, and grapes clapped their tiny hands. Emma laughed for the first time.
When she woke up the next morning, she ran to the kitchen. On her plate was broccoli, carrots, and an apple. She took a deep breath and whispered, “Thank you, Benny.” Then she ate every bite with a smile.
From that day on, Emma didn’t just eat her fruits and vegetables—she celebrated them. And whenever she needed courage, she remembered the night Benny the Broccoli taught her the truth.
If you enjoyed Benny the Broccoli, we invite you to discover more fun adventures in our collection of Bedtime stories for kids.
