When the Goodnight Bell Rings
Our story begins…
When evening tucked the town in blue,
A child watched stars come into view.
Their teddy rested by their side;
The bedroom door stood open wide.
“Who makes the stars come out?” they said.
“Who brings the dreams into my bed?
Who tells the busy day to go,
And makes the whole world soft and slow?”
Then, somewhere down beneath the square,
A silver bell rang through the air.
A little door swung open wide,
And golden lamplight spilled outside.
01
A little door opens
Above the door, in letters bright,
A sign shone softly through the night:
THE LITTLE NIGHT DEPARTMENT, where
The workers gathered, full of care.
They checked their lists and boots and hats,
Stepped lightly past the dozing cats,
Then took their bags and set off through
The lanes beneath the deepening blue.
The Yawn Collector led the way,
To catch the yawns that slipped away.
One curled above a rocking chair;
He caught it gently, floating there.
02
Moonbeams and little dreams
The Moon Polisher climbed up high,
With cloth and bucket, to the sky.
He rubbed until the Moon shone bright,
And gardens filled with silver light.
The Star Sweeper set out her pail,
Beside a little rooftop rail.
She’d gather stars when dawn was near;
For now, they sparkled, bright and clear.
Inside a room of thread and light,
The Dream Stitcher worked through the night.
He stitched a sail, a quiet sea,
A cosy dream for you and me.
03
A goodnight made with care
Then, through the lanes and up the stair,
Small footsteps followed, light as air.
The child lay listening, tucked in tight,
As little helpers passed that night.
The Pillow Fluffer puffed and pressed,
And made a cloud for cheeks to rest.
The Blanket Tucker smoothed each fold,
To keep small feet from feeling cold.
But Teddy wobbled on the bed,
Slipped past the quilt of blue and red.
The Tucker caught him, safe and sound,
Before his paws could touch the ground.
She tucked him close beneath one arm,
Beside the child, all soft and warm.
A little hand held Teddy tight;
The smallest smile said all was right.
The Lullaby Keeper hummed a tune,
As soft as light beneath the Moon.
The Curtain Closer drew the night
Across the room, and dimmed the light.
And while the world is dreaming…
Outside, where sleepy daisies grew,
The Dewdrop Keeper gathered dew.
Each tiny drop would catch the sun,
When all the quiet work was done.
The Morning Bell Ringer sat near,
With one small bell, kept bright and clear.
No ringing yet. The night was deep;
He let the children dream and sleep.
The child let out a little yawn;
Their busy thoughts were nearly gone.
The dream-boat rocked upon the sea;
There was no other place to be.
So, when your room turns soft and blue,
Perhaps they’re coming round to you.
Ten little helpers, out of sight,
One world of care. And you. Goodnight.
Sleep tight, little dreamer.
With love from The Little Night Department
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