Bedtime Story (5/12/2018)

As is tradition on this blog, I'll be writing some Christmas themed bedtime stories, this month!  However, before we get into the first one, I would like to make a small announcement.

For over three and a half years, I've been writing weekly bedtime stories.  These stories have been published here for free and there is now a full list of hundreds to share with the children in your life.  Whilst I've enjoyed creating these stories, it has, at times, been difficult to maintain a level of originality and to ensure that new stories are ready to go up each week.  Finding time to podcast the stories as well, in order to make them more accessible, has also been challenging, given that this blog is something I maintain as a hobby, alongside my day job, my YouTube channel, running an abuse-awareness campaign account on Twitter, being in charge of social media for the chorus I sing with and of course, practising for said chorus.  Add to that the fact that I would like to be writing more books and a wider range of blog posts and you might understand just how much effort goes into ensuring that the bedtime story feature goes live each week without fail.  

For these reasons, I have decided that, as of January 2019, the bedtime story feature will be going on an indefinite hiatus.  I'm referring to it as a "hiatus," rather than saying the feature will stop and never return, as I don't want to rule that out entirely.  However, for the foreseeable future, my goal is to find time to write more blog posts and to potentially begin working on a new book, whilst also trying to grow my YouTube channel and begin working to improve my directing skills (did I mention I'm also Assistant Director of the chorus I sing with?!).  With all of that taking priority, I don't see myself finding the time to keep up with the bedtime story feature, as the very last thing I want to do is to rush the process and create stories that are not up to the usual standard I pride myself on.

I'd like to thank everyone who has shared the weekly bedtime stories with the little ones in their lives, over the last almost four years.  The bedtime stories page will remain up on this blog and therefore the stories can still be enjoyed for years to come.  I also hope you will enjoy these last few, festive additions and that you'll continue to visit this blog, to see what I get up to next!

With that out of the way, let's get on with the story!  As usual, it's also available as a podcast.

"What Shall We Hang On The Christmas Tree?!"

The Christmas tree was standing tall,

Green and lush and proud.

Mum handed decorations to all;

Shiny baubles, gold and round.

But "what are these?" Young Florence asked,

Looking ready to make a fuss.

"These round things don't mean anything!

We should hang something special to us!"

Her brothers frowned and scratched their heads.

Whatever did young Flo mean?

"Our Christmas isn't baubles and stars," Flo said.

"It's a very different scene."

"We should hang excited faces,

Hardly able to sleep.

And piles of torn off wrapping paper,

Lying crumpled in a heap."

Her brothers gathered closer:

"We could make our own!" They cried.

"Pictures of what Christmas is to us;

Festive films, cocoa and mince pies!"

And so the family set to work,

creating decorations to hang.

Laughter rang out through the house,

As from each mind an idea sprang.

"I'll draw my cosy pyjamas,

I wear each year on Christmas Eve.

The ones with Santa's sleigh on the front,

And reindeer flying up the sleeves!"

"Then I'll draw Bobby at dinner,

refusing to eat any sprouts,"

Florence said with a giggle.

"Those Memories are what Christmas is about."

Her brothers laughed and nodded.

"I'll draw Dad with the Christmas lights,"

Bobby replied, with a chuckle.

"They always get into a fight!"

"Draw the dog chasing wrapping paper,"

Flo's brother, Ben, exclaimed.

"Or the photo of Dad eating turkey at midnight!

The one Mum printed out and had framed!"

They all sat around the table,

Sharing memories from Christmases past.

With each joyful memory they laughed and smiled,

Hardly believing that time flew so fast.

"Remember when Ben got a ping pong set

And the ball flew across the room?

It knocked over a flower pot

And Mum just laughed and gave Ben a broom!"

They thought back over presents

And family games they'd all played.

They remembered delicious Christmas dinners

At a table all festively laid.

Christmas cracker jokes that made them groan,

Cosy evenings with a warm, glowing fire.

The three children remembered it all

And their smiles grew wider and wider.

"This is what Christmas is all about,"

Flo said, "not baubles on a tree.

But memories shared and fun to be had,

With your best friends and your family."

And together they hung all their pictures

On the Christmas tree with pride.

Seeing all of their happy, festive memories

Made each of them feel warm inside.

"We'll add the baubles as well though,"

Flo said, grinning from ear to ear.

"Because decorating the tree together

Can be a memory we make this year."

It really was the prettiest tree;

Probably the family's best ever!

But better than any decoration

Was the joy of just being together.

THE END

Bedtime Story (21/11/2018)

I'm a firm believer in the BEST things in life being the things that money CAN'T buy.  So, this story is my way of sharing that message.

To listen to this story as a podcast, click here.

"I Wish I was RICH!"

"You should make a wish," Jasmine declared,

As the candles were blown and the birthday cake shared.

Her brother, Harry, yelled at an ear-splitting pitch:

"I wish that I was incredibly rich!"

Jasmine's face looked rather confused.

"Is that really your wish?!" She asked, unamused.

"You could wish for something magic or funny.

I think it's boring to only wish for more money!"

Harry shrugged.  "But money buys things!

Just think of the fun stuff my millions could bring.

I'd buy toys and games and endless sweets.

We'd have day after day of incredible treats!"

"That doesn't sound special," Jasmine insisted.

She gazed at the presents Harry had been gifted.

"Having new stuff is a treat now and then.

You don't need new toys, again and again!"

"If you buy yourself presents every day,

It won't be so special when it's your birthday.

And when you get a treat you've saved up for,

It somehow makes it feel worth so much more."

Harry stuck out his lip, he groaned and he frowned.

He'd heard that money made the whole world go round!

"But if I'm rich, I can have whatever I like;

The latest computer, or a really cool bike."

"I'd fly around in my own private jet.

Everyone would be so jealous, I bet!"

Harry let out a long, dreamy sigh.

"Just tell me ONE thing that money can't buy!"

"I'll tell you loads," Jasmine said, happily.

"Money can't buy you a family!

It can't buy you love or friendship or health.

Some things are much more important than wealth."

"Money can't read you a bedtime story,

Or protect you if a spooky film gets too gory.

Toys and games are good fun to play,

But they won't kiss you goodnight at the end of the day."

"The best things in life can't always be bought,

Like laughter or memories," came Jasmine's retort.

"If you want to wish for money, I can't make you stop,

But you can't buy happiness in ANY shop."

Harry sat and he thought long and hard.

He gazed at all his presents and cards.

It gave him a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.

The smile on his face was one he couldn't hide.

"You're right," he said. "My life's too good to switch,

I've got all I need; I don't need to be rich.

I've got family and friends.  I should listen to you!

All my birthday wishes have already come true."

THE END

Bedtime Story (31/10/2018)

How could I post a story on this date and NOT have it be about Halloween?!  This is all about the REALLY scary things in life...

To listen to this story as a podcast, click here.

What I'm REALLY Scared Of...

It's Halloween and everyone 

Is dressing up as something scary.

But I'm not scared of monsters

That are big, angry and hairy!

The things that really frighten me

Are worse than any ghost that could appear.

So here's a list of all the things

That I actually fear...

Being called to see the headmaster,

When you know he'll be cross with you.

A really difficult maths test,

When you just don't know what to do.

Missing the final step or two,

When you're walking down the stairs.

Having the same school bag as someone else

And accidentally taking home theirs.

Falling out with my best friend,

Or forgetting my school lunch money.

Telling a joke in front of my class

And nobody finding it funny.

Standing on stage to sing a song

And forgetting all of the words.

Having a root canal at the dentists 

- Because my brother says that hurts!

Forgetting my PE kit

And having to do it in my undies.

Being told to be silent somewhere important

Then doing a massive sneeze.

Jumping off the highest board

At my local swimming pool.

Trying to impress someone

And looking like a fool.

Being chased down the street

By an angry, buzzing wasp.

Being in a go-kart

And not knowing how to stop!

Standing in something wet and gross

When I'm walking with bare feet.

Getting lost in the supermarket,

Because I'm too busy looking at sweets.

All these things scare me,

But I still don't hide away.

I go out there and face my fears

Every single day.

And I'm sure you'll understand,

Now you've read of phobias like these,

Why meeting a monster or a ghost

Would frankly be a breeze!

THE END

Bedtime Story (17/10/2018)

Although Christmas is my absolute favourite time of year, I've always loved the Autumn.  So, this week's story is a love letter to that season!

As always, you can also listen to this story as a podcast.

An Autumn Walk

Jasper hadn't wanted to leave the house;

It was warm and he had games to play!

But Mum said it was time to walk the dog,

before the sun sank at the end of the day.

"We're walking him earlier and earlier,"

Jasper told Mum with a groan.

He knew it was because the days had got shorter.

He couldn't wait to be snug back at home.

Outside, the sun was still shining bright,

But a chilly breeze tickled his nose.

"It's a beautiful day to be walking," Mum said.

Jasper just shrugged: "I suppose."

He did like the crisp leaves under his feet

And the way that they crunched when he walked.

And he liked the trails of silvery breath

That came from his mouth when he talked.

He supposed his scarf felt quite nice as well,

As he tugged it halfway up his face.

And he liked finding shiny, smooth brown conkers,

Dotted all over the place.

Jasper could already see the moon in the sky,

Although the sun had a long way to set.

He watched out for pumpkins on people's doorsteps,

Though it wasn't quite Halloween, yet.

He saw stumpy little mushrooms,

Popping out of the ground in groups.

And as the cold wind swirled round his ears,

He thought of his Mum's hot, thick soups.

Jasper picked blackberries as he walked along,

As a tasty Autumn treat.

He thought of his Nan's blackberry crumble;

His favourite hot pudding to eat!

He found some sycamore helicopter seeds,

"You can make those fly," Mum said.

And Jasper twirled them up into the air,

Laughing as they fell past his head.

The sun was starting to sink, now

And the sky was no longer bright blue.

There were streaks of orange, with wispy clouds

And a beautiful, dazzling pink hue.

Jasper watched a hungry squirrel,

As it searched for a fallen nut to munch.

He hoped he wouldn't scare it away,

As through leaves he continued to crunch.

Jasper was getting tired now,

But home would soon be in sight.

The sky was getting steadily darker

And soon, it would be night.

As they opened their front door, 

Jasper suddenly felt sleepy and snug.

He patted the dog and stretched out his arms

To give his mum a hug.

"That was a fun walk," Jasper admitted.

"I saw so many interesting things.

I think Autumn might be my favourite season,

Because of the beautiful sights that it brings."

Jasper settled down with a blanket

And a bowl of warm soup and a roll.

He gazed happily out of the window,

Remembering his Autumnal stroll.

THE END

Bedtime Story (10/10/2018)

We've all been on the wrong side of a person like Pamela!

You can click here to listen to this story as a podcast.

"MISS!"

Jenna didn't usually mind sitting next to Pamela at school.  Pamela was very clever and sometimes helped people with their work.  Pamela could be quite funny and she often made Jenna laugh.  And Pamela was generous and sometimes shared her snacks at break time.  In fact, there was just one thing Jenna didn't like about Pamela...

...Pamela was always getting other people into trouble.

Sometimes, it seemed that Pamela's favourite word was "MISS!" 

If Jenna talked after Miss Hansen had told the class to be silent, Pamela's hand would fly straight into the air.  "MISS!  Jenna's talking!"

If Jenna spilt her drink, up went Pamela's hand again.  "MISS!  There's water all over the desk!"

And if Jenna's mind wandered for a second and she lost concentration on her school work, Pamela's hand would be up in the air before Jenna knew what was going on.  "MISS!  Jenna's daydreaming!"

One morning, Harry, one of the boys who also sat on Jenna's table, brought a new toy car to school, to show off to his friends.  Jenna thought it was very cool.  It had a remote control and it could spin around on the table.  Everyone cooed and gasped as Harry made it whizz round and round.  

Then, Miss Hansen clapped her hands and waited for everyone to settle down and look at her.  "It's time to sit at your desks, ready to start the day!"  She smiled, nodding at Harry.  "Toys away now, everyone!"

Harry grabbed his car and stuffed it into his bag, before running to hang the bag on the pegs by the classroom door.

Everyone was just sitting down at their desks, when Jenna noticed that the car had fallen out of Harry's bag and onto the floor.  "Harry," she whispered, as Harry sank into his seat.  "Do you want me to pick your car up for you?" 

Harry nodded, so Jenna rushed across the floor, not realising that everyone else was now settled in their seats.  Sure enough...

"MISS!"  Pamela cried.  "Jenna isn't sitting down!"

Jenna had reached the pegs by the time Pamela finished her exclamation and she held up the car, with a worried look on her face.  "The car..." she began, but her words evaporated as she held it out so that Harry could see.  "One of the wheels has fallen off!"

Pamela's eyes widened.  "MISS!  Jenna's broken Harry's brand new car!"

Miss Hansen frowned.  "Jenna?"  She cocked her head to one side and spoke in a soft voice.  "Have you broken Harry's car?"

Hot tears stung the backs of Jenna's eyes as she shook her head.  "I didn't," she insisted.  "It fell out of Harry's bag and the wheel must have come off when it hit the floor!"

"That's true, Miss Hansen," Harry confirmed.  "And Jenna was only out of her seat because she went to pick it up for me."

Miss Hansen nodded.  "I'm sure we can fix your car, Harry," she said, kindly.  "Jenna, come and sit down quickly, so we can read the register before assembly."

Jenna began making her way back to her table, when she noticed her shoelace was undone.  She bent down to do it up, when...

"MISS!"  Pamela's voice rang through the classroom.  "Jenna still isn't sitting down!"

Jenna's chest swelled and she balled her hands into fists.  "That's ENOUGH!"  She yelled.  "I'm tired of you telling on me all the time!"

Miss Hansen frowned, then nodded quickly at Mrs Hopkins, the class Teaching Assistant.  "I think Mrs Hopkins can take you all into the hall for assembly," she suggested.  "Jenna and Pamela, I'd like you both to stay behind, please."

The girls headed to Miss Hansen's desk, both looking rather contrite.

Miss Hansen took a deep breath.  "Jenna," she said, in a soft voice.  "What's made you feel so cross?"

Jenna couldn't bring herself to make eye contact with Pamela or Miss Hansen.  "I'm fed up of Pamela telling you tales about me," she said, staring at the floor.  "She does it all the time, even when I haven't done anything wrong, like today!"

Pamela pulled a face.  "But you weren't sitting down and Miss Hansen had told you to come to the table."

"My shoelace came undone," Jenna explained.  "I just stopped to do it back up, that's all."

Pamela bit her lip.  "Well...  I didn't know that," she mumbled.

"Just like you didn't know Harry's car had fallen out of his bag," Jenna continued.  "Or that I had gone to rescue it for him and I wasn't to blame for it breaking!"

Pamela shuffled her feet.  "But...  But Miss Hansen said we had to sit down and be quiet and you went rushing off and...  We're not supposed to!"

Miss Hansen smiled at both the girls.  "You're not supposed to rush out of your seats," she agreed.  "But I can see that Jenna was trying to do a nice thing for her friend."

"I didn't know that," Pamela said, again.

"Perhaps you ought to have asked?"  Miss Hansen suggested.  "It's lovely that you're so good at following the school rules, Pamela, but sometimes, people aren't breaking them on purpose.  Like when Jenna's shoelace came undone on her way back to the table - she wasn't deliberately ignoring me when I asked her to come back, she just didn't want to trip over, so she stopped to tie up her lace."

Jenna nodded.  "And if you're my friend, Pamela, you should be able to say to me "hey, you're supposed to be back at the table," instead of rushing to tell the teacher.  I could have explained myself and you didn't give me the chance."

Pamela's cheeks burned red.  "I'm sorry," she whispered.  "I thought I was doing the right thing by making sure everyone follows the rules."

Miss Hansen smiled at her.  "You are," she said.  "And if you see something really bad, like a fight in the playground, or someone breaking another child's things, I want you to know you can always tell me, or one of the other teachers right away."  She nodded towards Jenna.  "But sometimes, problems can be sorted out on your own, just by talking to your friends about what they're doing and why.  I had seen Jenna stop to tie her shoelace - that's why I didn't tell her off for not being at the table."

Pamela glanced at Jenna.  "I got you into trouble for no reason," she sighed.  "I should have taken more notice of what you were actually doing, before I shouted to tell the teacher.  I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Jenna said, a smile beginning to form on her lips, again.  "Just promise me you'll talk to me, in future.  Find out what I'm actually doing, before you get me into trouble!"

Pamela nodded her head.  "I will, I promise!"

"Right you two," Miss Hansen began, taking a look at her watch.  "You've got enough time to head into the hall for the rest of assembly."

The girls made their way to the classroom door, when suddenly Pamela spun round and in a loud voice cried: "MISS?!"

Jenna froze.  Miss Hansen's eyes widened.  "Yes, Pamela?"

Pamela grinned.  "Thank you."

And with that, the girls skipped off to assembly.

THE END

Bedtime Story (3/10/2018)

A friend of mine recently got three - yes, THREE - very cute puppies.  Having had cuddles with them and reminiscing over when my own dog was a pup, I've got puppies on the brain.  So, this week's story is all about how (and how NOT) to look after one!

There is, as always, also a podcast version of this story.

How To Look After A Puppy

We've just got a puppy.  

He's golden and he's small.

He's soft and he's called Humphrey.

He likes his squeaky toy and ball.

Puppies need lots of love

And looking after, too.

But I think I'm an expert now,

So, here's what you should do...

Play with your puppy outside,

Teach him to fetch, come back and roll.

Don't let him play computer games;

His paws can't hold the controls!

When your puppy gets dirty,

Wash him to keep him clean.

But you have to do that in the bath,

And NOT the washing machine!

When you're training your puppy,

Be sure to use doggy treats.

Do NOT give him packets of crisps,

Or a bag of pick'n'mix sweets!

Puppies need things to chew on,

So give him a special dog toy.

Don't let him chew the TV remote

(I did and Dad got annoyed...).

Enjoy running round the garden

With your puppy for hours!

But you have to teach him not to eat

Your mum's favourite flowers.

Don't let your puppy chew bubble gum,

Or attempt to drive a car.

Don't paint your puppy's toenails,

Or feed him chocolate bars.

Don't put your pup on a skateboard

And push him down a hill.

Don't spin him on a roundabout,

Or you might make him ill.

Don't ask your puppy to do DIY,
He can't put up a shelf!
Let your puppy sleep when he's tired;
He needs rest for his health.

Take good care of your puppy,

From his fur down to his paws.

You can even gently clean his teeth

- with his own toothbrush, not yours!

Remember your puppy is learning

And he's bound to get things wrong.

Try not to get too cross with him;

He won't stay little for long!

Most of all, love your puppy.

Because if you treat him right

And teach him how to be a good dog,

You'll have a friend for life!

THE END

Bedtime Story (29/8/2018)

This week's bedtime story was inspired by what my lovely friend Lesley and I refer to as THE IMP.  I won't explain further, because the story itself should do that for me...

If you'd like to listen to this story as a podcast, simply click here!

Have You Met THE IMP?!

Have you ever turned on your computer,

Just to find that something's wrong?

Has the car engine ever spluttered and coughed

Whilst your family are driving along?

Has your favourite TV show 

Mysteriously failed to record?

Does your stereo ever start playing

Songs of its own accord?!

If you've ever suffered a technological blip,

Then you've been visited by THE IMP!

THE IMP sneaks into electrical things

And nibbles on important wires.

He undoes cables and removes screws,

Using his teeth instead of pliers!

He deletes important computer files

And stops your things from working.

And beware - THE IMP is sneaky;

You never know where he'll be lurking!

Before you take your computer to the tip,

Check inside, for a hiding IMP!

And don't think THE IMP only likes electricals!

He's not just interested in technology.

No, sometimes THE IMP gets personal 

And decides to meddle with you and me!

Have you ever entered a room,

Then wondered: "why am I here?!"

It's that pesky IMP, making you forget,

With his whispering in your ear.

Don't ever worry you're losing your grip,

You've probably just come across THE IMP!

But although he's sometimes quite annoying,

THE IMP is never really scary.

He's just a little troublemaker

- the opposite of a fairy!

He makes things go wrong, 

From your telly to your head,

Then he ups and disappears,

Whilst you're tucked up in your bed.

Yes, whilst you're getting a decent night's kip,

It's "moving on" time, for your restless IMP.

So, next time a toy suddenly stops working,

Or something goes wrong with the family car,

Tut and smirk and roll your eyes:

THE IMP is somewhere, not too far!

And if you wake up feeling extra groggy,

Or start walking with a limp,

You might have had a visit 

From that cheeky little IMP!

But he won't stay long, before he's on his way.

He'll be back to wreak more havoc on another day!

THE END

Bedtime Story(22/8/2018)

I've always been fascinated by space.  This story was borne out of the many daydreams I've had whilst looking up at the stars!

As always, this story is also available as a podcast.

"What's REALLY Up In Space?!"

"A telescope is an amazing thing,"

Jemima's grandad told her.

"You can look and see outer space.

Perhaps you'll fly there when you're older?!"

"What's up in space?"  Jemima asked.

"I know there are planets and stars.

But surely we've not seen everything

Beyond this galaxy of ours?"

Grandad passed Jemima the telescope,

So that she could take a peek.

The view was so spectacular,

Jemima could hardly speak.

But still, she couldn't see everything,

Of that, she was quite sure.

So, was she destined to wonder

What was up there, forevermore?

"What's REALLY up in space?"

She asked, looking up into the black.

"Is there an alien having a bath,

Using a meteorite to scrub his back?"

"Is there a planet made of glitter,

Where real unicorns live?

Or a planet that's just one big beach,

With shells and sand to sieve?"

"Is there a parallel universe,

Where everything's opposite to Earth?

We'd walk along the ceilings,"

Jemima added, with mirth.

"Could there be a space station,

Run by little green men?

Who switch the sun off at bedtime,

Then in the morning, switch it on again?"

Jemima stepped away from the telescope,

Her head still full of dreams.

"Space is so mysterious.

How strange and vast it seems!"

But Jemima was getting tired now,

So she yawned and rubbed her eyes.

It was getting ever so late,

So it wasn't a surprise.

She climbed into bed at last

And looked up at the stars.

"Oh, twinkling stars and planets,

What's it REALLY like where you are?!"

And with that, Jemima fell asleep,

A broad smile on her face.

She dreamt of aliens and spaceships

And the magic of outer space.

THE END

Bedtime Story (15/8/2018)

We're less than a month away from my birthday and I haven't really got a clue what I want from anyone - I guess I'm at that age where the only things I don't have and still want are the things money either can't buy, or which are much too expensive to ask anyone for, haha!  So, enjoy this story about learning what's really important.

You can also listen to this story as a podcast here.

Bertie's Birthday List

With just a few weeks to go until his birthday, everyone kept asking Bertie what he wanted as a present.  The trouble was, Bertie's mind had rather run away with him.  Bertie had always been interested in magic and a seed had been planted in his mind...

"I'd like a magic set," he announced, when his father first asked what to get for Bertie's birthday.  "So I can learn some tricks to perform at school."

That request was simple enough.  But it had soon led Bertie on to other things.  "I need a pet rabbit," he explained to his mother.  "So I can pull it out of my magician's hat.  But a rabbit needs looking after properly, so I'll have to have a hutch and food and a run and all of that stuff, too."

By the time his older brother Billy asked what he'd like, Bertie's mind had gone even further: "I want a digital camera, so I can film myself doing my magic tricks and upload the videos online.  I'll be famous!"  Bertie paused for a moment, staring at his older sister, Bryony.  "I'll need something to edit the videos on, too, so...  I'd like a laptop computer, as well!"

That weekend, Nan and Grandad came to stay.  By that point, Bertie's list had grown even further:

"I want a magic set, a rabbit, a hutch, a rabbit run and rabbit food, a digital camera, a laptop, a pair of light-up trainers so I look extra cool in my magic videos, a microphone, a cape and a top hat, a really nice set of pens so I can practise signing my autograph for all my fans, a games console to play on when I'm not busy doing magic shows, some books about magic and tickets to see a real magician on stage."

Nan frowned and took a long, sharp intake of breath.  "That's...  A lot," she said.  "We can certainly get you some books about magic and perhaps even a ticket to see a magic show, but...  I don't think we can stretch to much more than that."

Bertie's face fell.  He'd got his heart set on being the best magician ever and he really needed all that stuff, to help him get there!  He decided the only way to persuade everyone was to show them how good a magician he already was.  

Bertie grabbed a deck of cards from inside a drawer in the lounge and began to do some simple tricks that he'd learned from watching magic videos on the computer his older brother used for doing homework.  And as he performed his tricks, a very strange thing happened.

Nan widened her eyes, clapped her hands to her mouth and gasped when Bertie correctly guessed which card she'd picked.  Billy and Bryony looked really impressed and they clapped louder than everyone else.  Dad and Grandad both began showing Bertie tricks that they had learned when they were younger.  And Mum looked really, really proud.

Seeing everyone so happy and knowing he'd done something to make them smile, gave Bertie a special feeling, inside.  It was almost like opening the best birthday present he'd ever had.  "You're really impressed with my tricks?"  He asked, with a huge grin he couldn't disguise.

"Absolutely!"  Mum replied.  "You did so well.  You're going to be a brilliant magician."  She paused, suddenly.  "The thing is..."

"It doesn't matter," Bertie interrupted.  "I don't need all that stuff.  Not really, anyway.  If you all believe in me...  That's all I care about."

Dad beamed at him.  "We'll still get you a magic set," he promised.

"And we'll get you some books, so you can learn even more tricks," Nan told him.  "And I'm sure we can all chip in towards taking you to see a show, too."

"We'll put our pocket money towards it," Billy promised, as Bryony nodded her head.

Bertie was thrilled.  None of all that expensive stuff mattered, anymore.  His family were proud of him, they wanted to help him chase his dreams and they'd made him believe it was possible.

Now that was a magical feeling.

THE END

Bedtime Story (8/8/2018)

When I was a kid, the summer holidays were always a huge treat - all that time off from school!  Now, as an adult, I work term time and still get that same feeling of excitement about the summer holidays.  This story is all about that sensation of being able to do anything!

This week's story is also available as a podcast.

"We Can Do ANYTHING!"

Two weeks of the summer holidays had already passed by, almost without Leila noticing.  The sun had shone, she'd ridden her bike and enjoyed lazy mornings in her pyjamas, but something didn't feel quite right.

"This is our summer holiday," she told her older sister, Clare.  "We should be doing stuff."

Clare frowned.  "What kind of stuff?"

Leila shrugged.  "Anything," she insisted.  "I feel like we're just doing the kind of things we could do at the weekend, or after school.  We should be doing really fun stuff, instead.  The kind of things we couldn't do, if we didn't have all this time off!"

Clare put down the book she'd been reading in the garden and squinted up at her sister.  "Give me some ideas."

Leila chewed her lip for a moment.  "Well...  We could build a tree-house!  Or we could ask Mum to drive us to the beach and collect shells, then we could make necklaces with them.  Maybe we could bake cakes and have a tea party with our friends..."

A smile began to creep across Clare's lips.  "They are all things we'd probably be too busy to do after school, or at the weekend," she began.  But Leila wasn't finished:

"We could write a play and make props and perform it for Nan and Grandad when they visit.  Or we could make a den in the woods behind the house and invite friends round for a picnic, there.  Perhaps we could ask Mum and Dad if we can redecorate our bedroom?  We could even learn to play instruments and form a band!"

Suddenly, Clare began to realise that her sister had a good point.  They had so many weeks off school, but all they'd really done so far was play the same games they always did.

In an instant, the summer seemed to stretch out before them, full of opportunities for fun and excitement.

"We could start practising for the school's Christmas talent show," Clare exclaimed.  "We could learn a dance routine and get really, really good at it.  Or we could learn to sew and try to make a patchwork quilt, just like the ones we have on our beds at Nanna's house.  We could make a time capsule and bury it somewhere, for people to find in years from now!"

Leila nodded, clapping her hands.  "We could make a fairy garden in the back yard.  Or stay up late and go hunting for ghosts after Mum and Dad are asleep.  We could go to the library and get loads of new books to read over the summer.  We could volunteer to do jobs around the house for extra pocket money, save it up and buy ourselves something really cool to take in to school when we go back!"

Claire grinned.  "I think you might have been right, you know," she told her sister.  "We've got all this time off and... We can do anything!"  She scrambled out of her deckchair and headed towards the house.  "Come on," she called to Leila.  "I think we need to write a list."

And with that, Leila trotted after her sister, with a hundred and one ideas in her head.  Something told her that this might just be the best summer ever.

THE END

Bedtime Story (1/8/2018)

At the time of writing, we're predicted some summer storms.  The weather is hot and heavy - you can tell we're due a downpour!  So, this story is for every British person, sweltering in the heat and feeling just a bit excited for some rain...

Having missed all of July, the podcasts are back this month!  So, you can listen to this week's story here.

The Summer Storm

"It's coming," Mum said.

"The sky is darker, overhead.

I heard the weatherman warn

We may get a summer storm.

I planned on going out,

But maybe we'll stay in, instead."

But Ted and sister Jo

Had places they'd like to go.

They didn't fancy staying in,

Waiting for storms to begin.

Eventually Mum let them out:

"You two be careful, though!"

They sat in their back garden,

As the sky continued to darken.

"Rain will feel like a cool shower,"

Jo said. "And it'll water the flowers."

Ted stared up at the black clouds,

His expression starting to harden.

It felt to hot to ever rain,

As though they'd never be cool again!

But a breeze was gently blowing now

And as Ted mopped his glistening brow,

He knew the clouds above were full

Of water they could not contain.

Sure enough, there fell a drop,

Another and another - it did not stop!

The faded grass was soon soaked through,

There was only one thing they could do:

With hands above their soaking heads,

Back into the house they hopped.

The rain seemed to last for hours,

It wasn't one of those quick showers!

And soon, a rumble of thunder came

And they saw lightning through the window pane.

Jo didn't like the storm that much,

And under her bed, she stayed to cower.

But though the wind was blowing fast

And the parched Earth had some rain at last,

The temperature didn't seem to drop!

Both Jo and Ted still felt hot.

They were hot when the storm began

And were still warm when it passed.

Then, just like that, the clouds were gone.

The rain stopped and the sun shone.

The wind died down to barely a breeze;

There was nothing to rustle the plants or trees.

Back into the garden, Jo and Ted crept,

With hats and sun cream on.

"It's not like storms in Winter, Mum,"

Ted cried out.  "Those make me glum.

Because it gets cold and we can't play,

But the sun has come back out, today!"

He told Jo: "I might go in our tree house,

if you would like to come!"

Once more, a sunny scene took form,

In the garden with Ted and Jo nice and warm.

There they played for the rest of the day,

Under a sky with not a hint of grey.

The weather had not left behind

A single trace of the summer storm.

THE END