This is for Trifecta. How can you possibly write a bedtime story in 33 words?
Bedtime stories thrive on repetition. “I’ll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll Blow your house down.” “All the better to see you with.” “Somebody’s been sleeping in my bed.” “Are you my mother?” “My doctor has forbidden me to push.” Repeat one of those, and that is half the words. Another thing I like about children’s storytelling is the niceness of the characters. In Postman Pat or Fireman Sam, all the characters are really lovely, and when there is a problem they work together to sort it.
So here is my bedtime story.
Everyone lived happily ever after. The beautiful Queen reigned, wise and good, adored by her Prince and her contented people. In peace and prosperity, Mummies and Daddies loved their children, who slept well.
This is my first attempt at fiction since school.
Clare Flourish 
Now that is a wonderful thought to take away on holiday. Children want to feel safe. Starting with how everyone lived happily ever after confirms that all is well. Lovely! 🙂
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Have a wonderful time, dearie.
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Would you consider replacing your beautiful Queen with series of elected co-ordinators whose looks were of no importance and who never got sucked into a power high? Otherwise it’s just wishful thinking. 🙂
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Precisely, dear. Look at the damn picture!!
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I know. It’s just that I think about fairy tales a lot these days, and really don’t like them. I can’t see what possible good delusional thinking does for children. There are so many ways to activate a child’s imagination. It’s impossible to escape exposure to princesses, queens and monsters – even the ones with the happy endings make me feel uncomfortable. I have a feeling that unreasonable and even harmful expectations of life in terms of aspirations and fears could be avoided if a lot of this stuff was chopped out of our traditional childhood culture. But I could be completely wrong. 🙂
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For anyone who hasn’t got it: the picture is from Snow White, of a woman looking in a mirror. Which Queen?
What stories do you like? One young friend loved “In the Night Garden”, with the lovely tones of Derek Jacobi, and the happy creatures bumbling about. Then she grew out of it, and hated it. Looking for presents for another, in a book shop of course, I came across “The three little wolves and the big bad pig” which had a lovely message, and subverted the old. There is a huge market for children’s books, some of which you must like. You are not limited to Snow White and Cinderella, or even Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks.
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My mommy wished I was a child who slept well. Unfortunately, I seem to have been born with insomnia!
Nice little story. 🙂
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Hello.
Mmm. Psycho, undead, netherworld, grouchy admins. As you say, much friendlier than these things suggest. Welcome. I am delighted to have you here. Bloom all you like.
I read fiction which I pay for. Last century, that was all you could get, and the publishing houses were the way to an income as a writer. I am barely dipping my toe into net fiction: any hopeful can create a file for an e-reader, and publish their own book, and have it drown at no. 100400305849453 on Amazon.
Now I dip my toe into blog fiction. Writing for fun. That is what I do myself, after all, and no-one has a right to object to that.
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When time was of the essence or the kids had been up a lot later than usual we had a an unwritten ritual where I would announce only a short story tonight, which went this. ”Once upon a time….and they all lived happily ever after. Night!”
which elicited howls of ”Daaad!” as I ran from the bedroom and switched off the light.
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Ooh. Power trip.
Never having had children, I entirely affirm your right to deny them a bedtime story, but boasting about it is unseemly.
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The ‘shortened version’ was an exception to the rule as I loved reading as much as they liked being read to.
Many was the night after a hectic day at work that I would fall asleep before them.
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I loved my father reading to me, and when they were tiny I enjoyed reading to my sister’s children.
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Pingback: what use are fairy tales? | violetwisp
That kingdom sounds like a lovely place 🙂
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Again, look at the picture!
The story reassures the smallest child, and may begin to disconcert the older.
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I like what you had to say about fairy tales just as much as I like your submission. Great work!
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Thank you.
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A nice, positive tell! Enjoyed it.
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Thank you for saying so. If I can give a wee bit pleasure, I am delighted.
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