A Bedtime Story
1. The Whisper of the Tracks

Ollie was a little boy who loved bedtime stories, but some nights, sleep just wouldn’t come. He would toss and turn, his mind full of adventures that refused to quiet down.
One evening, as he lay in bed, he heard a gentle chuff-chuff sound outside his window. It was soft at first, like the whisper of a dream, but soon it grew clearer.
When he peeked outside, there it was—a shimmering silver train with a glowing moon painted on its engine. A warm voice called out:
“All aboard the Moonlight Train,
Rolling softly down the lane,
Close your eyes and drift away,
Dreams will meet you on the way.”
Ollie’s eyes widened with excitement. Could this be real? Before he knew it, he found himself standing at the little platform outside his house, the train doors swinging open just for him.
2. The Pillow Car

Inside, the train was nothing like an ordinary one. The first carriage was filled with clouds—at least, that’s what it looked like!
“Welcome to the Pillow Car,” said a gentle old conductor with a twinkle in his eye. “Here, you can find the softest place to rest your head.”
Ollie sank into the fluffiest pillows he had ever touched. Each one smelled of lavender and warm cocoa. A sleepy bear was already curled up in the corner, snoring softly.
A tiny rabbit, wrapped in a blanket, whispered, “Close your eyes and take a deep breath. The softer you breathe, the comfier the pillows feel.”
Ollie tried it, breathing slowly in… and out… and the pillows felt even cosier.
3. The Warm Milk Car

The next carriage was the Warm Milk Car, where a kind old owl poured mugs of the creamiest, warmest milk. The air smelled sweet, like honey and vanilla.
“This is no ordinary milk,” the owl said with a wink. “One sip, and your worries float away like bubbles in the sky.”
Ollie took a small sip. Instantly, he felt warm and safe, as if he were wrapped in a big, cosy hug. The little bubbles floating above his head whispered dreams of flying over golden fields and resting under a sky full of stars.
4. The Story Car

The last carriage was Ollie’s favourite—the Story Car. Books lined every wall, their covers glowing gently. An old fox with round spectacles sat in a rocking chair, reading softly.
“These books are special,” the fox said, tapping the cover of one. “They don’t just tell stories… they sing them to your dreams.”
Ollie picked up a small blue book, and as he opened it, a lullaby floated from its pages:
“Nighttime whispers, soft and slow,
Close your eyes, let dreams now flow.
Through the stars and over the sea,
Sleepy winds will carry thee.”
The words wrapped around him like a warm blanket, and his eyelids grew heavier.
5. Dreamland Station

The train rocked gently, like a cradle in the wind. Ollie yawned, his head resting against a soft pillow. The train slowed as it reached a place called Dreamland Station.
The conductor whispered, “Time to sleep, dear traveller. The Moonlight Train will be back again when you need it.”
Ollie felt himself floating, weightless, as if he were drifting through the stars. The last thing he heard before slipping into dreams was the soft chuff-chuff of the train rolling away…
And in his mind, he hummed the little song:
“All aboard the Moonlight Train,
Rolling softly down the lane,
Close your eyes and drift away,
Dreams will meet you on the way.”
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