by Cu`gan-mhatthair MacMuircheartaigh
Baby Boy was in his crib, getting ready to sleep. He had finished his bottle, his daddy got him dressed, and his mommy read him a wonderful story about wonderful people and wonderful things. Mommy had kissed Baby Boy lightly and set him down on the soft, comfy mattress. Turning out the light, she smiled, wished him good night, and closed the door.
Baby Boy laid on the mattress, all warm and cozy in his sleeper. Suddenly, he heard a thump - thump - tap tap tap. He looked about to see where it was coming from, but he couldn't see anything. Then he looked about for Friendly Bear, but he couldn't see him, either. Come to think of it, he couldn't see much of anything. This was very scary, and Baby Boy started to cry - and cry - and cry.
Then there came a THUD THUD THUD from outside the door. Baby Boy turned to look at the door, 'cause he knew who was coming. The door opened and light poured in around the tall figure of Daddy. "Goodness, Baby Boy, whatever is the fuss about?"
"Mommy had left and the door was closed and there was a tum'-tum- bapbapbap and I couldn't see anything 'cause there was a Dark Monster and he took away Friendly Bear."
Daddy smiled. "There was no monster. The sound came from the Kitties playing next to the door; and the dark is, well, the dark. Friendly Bear is right here, see?" Friendly bear was in the crib, waving at Baby Boy in the way that Friendly Bear always waved at Baby Boy. Daddy picked Baby Boy up, gave him a big hug, and kissed his forehead. "Everything is fine. Mommy and Daddy are close by, and you're very tired. Close your eyes and go to sleep."
Daddy left, closing the door lightly. Baby Boy couldn't sleep, though, because the Dark Monster was back. He tried to look about, but he couldn't see anything. He tried to find Friendly Bear, but he didn't know where to search. It was all very scary, and it wasn't long before Baby Boy started to cry - and cry - and cry.
Then there came a PHUM PHUM PHUM from outside the door. Baby Boy turned to look at the door, 'cause he knew who was coming. The door opened and light poured in around the tall figure of Mommy. "Goodness, Baby Boy, whatever is the fuss about?"
"Daddy had left and the door was closed and I couldn't see anything 'cause there was a Dark Monster and he took away Friendly Bear!"
Mommy smiled. "There was no monster. The dark is, well, the dark. Friendly Bear is right here, see?" Friendly bear was in the crib, waving at Baby Boy in the way that Friendly Bear always waved at Baby Boy. Mommy picked Baby Boy up, gave him a big hug, and kissed his forehead. "Everything is fine. Mommy and Daddy are close by, and you're very tired. Close your eyes and go to sleep."
Mommy left, closing the door lightly. Baby Boy couldn't sleep, though, because the Dark Monster was back. He tried to find Friendly Bear, but he couldn't see him. It was all very scary, and it wasn't long before Baby Boy started to cry - and cry - and cry.
Then there came a THUD THUD THUD from outside the door. Baby Boy turned to look at the door, 'cause he knew who was coming. The door opened and light poured in around the tall figure of Daddy. "Goodness, Baby Boy, both Mommy and Daddy have already been here once. Whatever is the fuss about?"
"Mommy had left and the door was closed and I couldn't see anything 'cause there was a Dark Monster and he took away Friendly Bear!"
Daddy smiled. "There was no monster. The dark is just the dark. Friendly Bear is right here, see?" Friendly bear was in the crib, waving at Baby Boy in the way that Friendly Bear always waved at Baby Boy. Daddy picked Baby Boy up, gave him a big hug, and kissed his forehead. "Everything is fine. Here's a Pacificator to calm you down. Mommy and Daddy are close by, and you're very tired. Close your eyes and go to sleep."
Daddy closed the door lightly, but right away the Dark Monster was back. He tried to look about, but he couldn't see anything. He had the Pacificator but he still couldn't find Friendly Bear. It was all very scary and Baby Boy started to cry.
The door opened and light poured in around the tall figure of Daddy. "Goodness, Baby Boy, whatever is the fuss about?"
"You closed the door and the Dark Monster came back!"
Daddy sighed and picked up Baby Boy. "We give you hugs, we kiss your forehead, and we even gave you a Pacificator." Daddy carried Baby Boy to the Big Chair and sat down. "Whatever shall we do?" He smiled a big smile to Baby Boy as he continued to hold him and stroke his back.
It wasn't long before Baby Boy laid his head down on Daddy's chest, hearing the tum-tum tum-tum of Daddy's heart. Baby Boy didn't know what to do, only that Daddy was big, and warm, and his tummy was soft. The Dark Monster was scared of Daddy, because he didn't show up while Baby Boy was lying on Daddy. Baby Boy rested his head and sucked on the Pacificator. He could feel Daddy's hand stroking his back and hair... and Daddy was so warm ... and he was so tired ...
Daddy gently returned the sleeping Baby Boy to his crib and patted his head. He whispered a final "Goodnight, Baby Boy", before quietly closing the door.
The End.