Take It Easy On The Sleep Raft: A Story for Kids

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Take It Easy On The Sleep Raft: A Story for Kids"

Title: Take It Easy On The Sleep Raft: A Story for Kids
Host/Author: Rhea Pechter
Release Date: August 2, 2025
Podcast Series: Little Stories for Tiny People: Anytime and Bedtime Stories for Kids

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Introduction to the Story

Little Stories for Tiny People kicks off the episode titled “Take It Easy On The Sleep Raft” with Rhea Pechter setting the stage for a whimsical adventure. At [00:09], Rhea introduces the story, sharing a personal note about never having attended sleepaway camp as a child and expressing her enthusiasm for the tale about to unfold. She invites the characters Finley and Rory to take over the storytelling at [00:31], emphasizing the imaginative nature of the narrative:

Finley [00:31]: "Remember, there are no pictures. You have to imagine them in your mind. You can imagine them however you want. Okay, here we go."

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Arrival at Woolly Adventures Summer Camp

The protagonist, Lambden, is introduced as a young sheep experiencing his first sleepaway camp at Woolly Adventures. Prior to this, Lambden had only attended day camps that felt more like school ([00:50]). The camp boasts typical summer camp features, including a swimming quarry, ropes course, and notably disappointing food, as Lambden quickly discovers:

Rory [01:19]: "Is it me, or does this alfalfa taste like it was in some sheep's shoe for a week?"

Rhea further elaborates on the camp's rugged amenities, such as showers with only two temperature settings—either scalding hot or ice cold ([01:24] - [01:36]):

Rory [01:36]: "I can't feel my face."

Lambden's first day is packed with activities: tying numerous knots, hiking to a waterfall, and playing energetic games like sharks and minnows ([00:50] - [01:37]). Exhausted, he collapses into his top bunk, seeking the familiar comfort of sleep he usually finds elusive due to his hyperactive mind.

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Lambden’s Sleep Struggles and the Magical Sleep Train

Lambden has a history of struggling to fall asleep, often lying awake for hours. His peaceful nights at home were aided by a mysterious button beneath his pillow, which transported him to a magical sleep train that always lulled him to rest. Unfortunately, he couldn't bring this button to camp, leaving him anxious about falling asleep in an unfamiliar environment.

Despite his fears, Lambden manages to sleep soundly on his first night ([01:36] - [03:00]), thanks to sheer exhaustion. However, his restful night is short-lived as his next day brings challenges:

Rory [04:56]: "My dear, Poison Fighter Fern 5000 has all kinds of unpronounceable ingredients. If you ask me, it shouldn't even be available for purchase."

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Encounter with Nurse Whippoorwool and Poison Fern

During a morning game of capture the flag, Lambden hides among a patch of ferns, only to be bitten by poisonous plants. Nurse Whippoorwool, the camp nurse, tries to alleviate his discomfort with limited remedies, leading Lambden to spend a restless day scratching in the mud pit to reduce the itch ([04:30] - [05:21]). His sleeplessness continues, exacerbated by the incessant snoring of fellow campers and his longing for the magical sleep train button.

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The Unexpected Arrival of the Sleep Crew

Exhausted and desperate for sleep, Lambden whispers his wish to join the sleep train ([06:42] - [08:18]). Unexpectedly, a towering moose named Moose appears with a gleaming rectangular button on his pillow, inviting Lambden to join the Sleep Crew's offerings:

Moose [07:21] [07:26]: "Lamdon, dear, we are boarding momentarily."

Confusion ensues as Lambden realizes he doesn't own the magical button. Moose explains that the Sleep Crew monitors serious sleepers like him and offers a temporary solution:

Moose [08:46] [08:54]: "Given your sad predicament, we'd like to offer you a free trial of our Sleep Crew vacation package. It comes with this temporary button which will deliver you to peaceful bedtime journeys."

Reluctantly, Lambden accepts the button and presses it, initiating a chaotic boarding process as he is swept away on a makeshift raft instead of the serene sleep train he envisioned ([09:36] - [10:56]).

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Journey on the Sleep Raft

Lambden finds himself on an inflated, sturdy raft named the Sleep Raft, guarded by a uniformed donkey and accompanied by various sleepy animal passengers. The moose, Moose, takes charge, introducing the raft's unique features and ensuring everyone is prepared for the journey:

Moose [17:04]: "Now, remember, this is a magical sleep raft, complete with our proprietary sparkling mist technology, as well as enchanted clouds."

Despite initial skepticism, Lambden settles into his spot, surrounded by enchanting sights like owls and otters performing ambient music to lull passengers into sleep ([16:46] - [18:38]). The raft cruises down a tranquil river under a luminous full moon, creating a dreamlike atmosphere intended to induce restful slumber.

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Unexpected Perils: Heading Towards the Waterfall

Just as Lambden begins to relax, the raft's path takes a dangerous turn. A theatrical pheasant alerts everyone that they are headed straight for a waterfall, causing panic among the passengers ([22:45] - [23:08]). The once peaceful journey becomes chaotic as the moose struggles to keep the raft on course after Paolo, the river guide, falls asleep due to the whale performance's overly relaxing effect.

Lambden [26:21]: "This is an exciting adventure, is it not?"

With the raft teetering on the edge of disaster, Lambden's exhaustion finally prevents him from reacting swiftly. However, drawing on his recent expertise in knot-tying from the first day at camp, he ties a double fisherman's knot to secure a fellow passenger's life jacket, ensuring his own safety as the raft plunges over the waterfall ([26:21] - [27:24]).

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Rescue and Safe Landing

The raft's tumultuous descent is brief but intense, culminating in a dramatic plunge into the river's base where Paolo regains consciousness to steer the raft into calmer waters. The moose humorously reassures everyone of the planned excitement:

Moose [28:54]: "Yes, hello. I do hope you enjoyed that spine-tingling segment of our river rafting tour. All planned, of course. We at the sleep crew do aim to make your heart quicken before easing you to sleep."

As peace returns, the raft glides smoothly again, enveloped in a sparkling mist and accompanied by enchanting sights like enchanted moths that further soothe the passengers into sleep ([29:39] - [31:05]).

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Resolution and Reflective Awakening

Lambden finally succumbs to sleep aboard the raft, only to awaken at dawn, feeling rejuvenated and well-rested despite the night's adventures. He reflects on his experience:

Lambden [31:52]: "Uh, yeah. Yeah, I am."

Reinvigorated, he prepares for another day at camp, deciding to avoid secluded fern areas and feeling confident in handling his sleep challenges without the magical button.

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Conclusion

Rhea Pechter wraps up the story by thanking the contributors and subscribers, highlighting the collaborative effort behind Little Stories for Tiny People. The episode not only entertains with a delightful adventure but also carries subtle themes of overcoming fears, embracing new experiences, and the importance of rest and friendship.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Rory [01:19]: "Is it me, or does this alfalfa taste like it was in some sheep's shoe for a week?"

• Rory [01:36]: "I can't feel my face."

• Rory [04:56]: "My dear, Poison Fighter Fern 5000 has all kinds of unpronounceable ingredients. If you ask me, it shouldn't even be available for purchase."

• Moose [07:21]: "Lamdon, dear, we are boarding momentarily."

• Moose [08:46]: "Given your sad predicament, we'd like to offer you a free trial of our Sleep Crew vacation package. It comes with this temporary button which will deliver you to peaceful bedtime journeys."

• Moose [17:04]: "Now, remember, this is a magical sleep raft, complete with our proprietary sparkling mist technology, as well as enchanted clouds."

• Moose [28:54]: "Yes, hello. I do hope you enjoyed that spine-tingling segment of our river rafting tour. All planned, of course. We at the sleep crew do aim to make your heart quicken before easing you to sleep."

• Lambden [31:52]: "Uh, yeah. Yeah, I am."

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This detailed summary encapsulates the enchanting and adventurous narrative of “Take It Easy On The Sleep Raft”, highlighting Lambden's journey through sleep challenges, magical interventions, and eventual restful resolution. It provides a comprehensive overview for listeners and non-listeners alike, capturing the story's charm and lessons.

Transcript

[Rhea Pechter]

This is Rhea. Welcome to Little Stories for Tiny People. I never went to sleepaway camp as a kid. I'm making up for that with this story. Let's hear it. It's called Take it easy on the sleep Raft. Take it away, Finley and Rory.

[Finley]

Remember, there are no pictures. You have to imagine them in your mind. You can imagine them however you want. Okay, here we go.

[Rhea Pechter]

Before arriving at Woolly Adventures summer camp, Lambden had never been to a sleep sleepaway camp. His mother usually signed him up for day camps that suspiciously resembled school. But Woolly Adventures was a proper summer camp, complete with a swimming quarry, a ropes course, disappointing food.

[Rory]

Is it me, or does this alfalfa taste like it was in some sheep's shoe for a week?

[Rhea Pechter]

Wilderness excursions. Showers with just two settings. Either scalding hot.

[Finley]

My will is on fire.

[Rhea Pechter]

Or ice cold.

[Rory]

I can't feel my face.

[Rhea Pechter]

And cabins housing eight young sheep apiece. On his first day, Lambden Learned to tie 16 types of knots, hiked three miles to a waterfall and. And played a rowdy game of sharks and minnows. At lights out. He collapsed into the top bunk after a quick shower. I can't feel my face. And was out cold the moment his head hit the pillow. It was a great relief. Though he'd pored over the camp brochure for weeks with mounting excitement, he. He'd also wondered whether he'd be able to fall asleep in such an unfamiliar place. Lambdan had always struggled to fall asleep. There had been many nights when he laid in bed the very picture of a peaceful sheep while his brain hurtled from one idea to the next for hours. All that changed a few years back when he discovered a mysterious button beneath his pillow that, when pressed, delivered him to a magical sleep train. It never failed to lull him. He'd come to rely on it, which was fine at home. But boarding the sleep sleep train required the button, and Lambdin couldn't bring it to camp. So you can imagine his relief when he climbed out from his top bunk after the first night, refreshed and ready for another packed day in the great outdoors. The day started strong when Lambdan made fast forward friends with a sheep named Hufbert. They bonded over their matching opinions of the wheat grass porridge at breakfast. Ugh. Ugh. It tastes like tree bark. And not the good kind. The two sheep shared more laughs throughout the morning, then paired up for the seven legged race at midday. But the day took a turn when, after lunch, during capture the flag, Lamden hid in what seemed like a perfect secluded spot amongst a patch of ferns, only to discover, after breaking into full body hives, that it was, according to.

[Rory]

Nurse Whippoorwol, poison whistle. Fernando, you poor boy. I've told the management. If you ask me, you should remove it from the property entirely. Pull those ferns up by the roots. But they don't ask me, do they? Now, where did I put that ointment?

[Rhea Pechter]

Nurse Whippoorwool found the ointment, but it did little. Lamdon scrabbled at his itchy wool as he lay in the cot in the nurse's cabin. Do you have any poison fern fighter 3000? That's what my mom gets. It works great. Nurse Whippoorwol clucked her tongue.

[Rory]

My dear, Poison Fighter Fern 5000 has all kinds of unpronounceable ingredients. If you ask me, it shouldn't even be available for purchase.

[Rhea Pechter]

Lambdin spent the rest of the day alone in the camp's mud pit, which reduced the itch to a tolerable level. It was a stark departure from the breakneck speed of the previous day, and when Lambdin climbed the ladder to his top bunk that evening after a quick rinse in the shower. My wool is on fire. He buzzed with unspent energy. Also, the itch returned with full force. There is no way I'm falling asleep like this. Worse still, one of the young sheep, likely Woolaby, snored, but not continuously, just enough to jolt Lambdan awake. Each time he started dozing, another sheep murmured, they didn't even save me one slice.

[Rory]

And they knew apple turnip cakes were my favorite.

[Rhea Pechter]

It was one of the most fitful sleeps of his life, and when he fell into his bunk the next night after a day inside doing crafts due to a rainstorm, he admitted something to himself in a whisper. I'd do anything to board the sleep train. Just as he finished the n in train, he heard a familiar voice.

[Moose]

Lambdin.

[Rhea Pechter]

O Lambdin, I'm delirious. I've lost my mind. I've.

[Moose]

Lamdon, dear, we are boarding momentarily.

[Rhea Pechter]

This can't be, lambdon muttered as he sat up and peeled back his pillow. I don't even have a. A button. There, sitting atop the ratty old camp sheet was a gleaming rectangular button. Lambdan's cabin mates were in bed, but not asleep. It would be lights out in a minute or two. Until then, they goofed around and threw pillows at one another. Lambden was grateful for the noise. It allowed him to deal with a towering moose without attracting attention. What are you. I mean, how did you? Why is there a button under my camp pillow, Lambdin?

[Moose]

We at the Sleep Crew keep careful tabs on our most serious sleepers. By the way, it's dreadful about the whistle fern. How are the hives doing?

[Rhea Pechter]

Lambdon stared at the button in disbelief. He didn't know whether to be outraged or to say, much better, thanks. He opted to say nothing. The moose barreled ahead.

[Moose]

Given your sad predicament, we'd like to offer you a free trial of our Sleep Crew vacation package. It comes with this temporary button which will deliver you to peaceful bedtime journeys.

[Rhea Pechter]

Hey, who's that talking Lambone that you? Oh, no. Lambdin shoved his pillow back in place, muffling the moose's voice as she prattled on. Sorry. I was practicing a phone call I have to make. I'm more exhausted than I thought. Practicing a phone call. Luckily, no one noticed. Lights out, Wooloughby called and flicked the switch, plunging the cabin into darkness.

[Moose]

We are now boarding. Do press your temporary button to join us.

[Rory]

Lambdon. Chill out about your phone call, man.

[Rhea Pechter]

There has to be a catch, Lambdon thought with a yawn. There's always a catch.

[Moose]

We are now boarding.

[Rhea Pechter]

Maybe there was a catch, but there was no time to find it. He peeled back his pillow and pressed the button. A great swirling cloud streamed upwards. Lamden hit the ground on a slope and went tumbling downhill. Gaining speed as he rolled, he toppled over rocks and tree roots until he went flying off a grassy bank into a river. It was then that he took full stock of where he was and where he wasn't fairly certain. This means I'm not boarding the Sleep train. He staggered ashore, his limbs let in from tiredness, his pajamas soaked. He saw the brilliant full moon above and heard the towering moose's voice nearby.

[Moose]

Larissa, that is a fetching pair of of slippers you're wearing.

[Rhea Pechter]

Lambdan sighed and trudged towards the sound. After the water landing, Lamden had expected a boat. Not the Sleep cruise it wouldn't fit on this river, but something seaworthy, something with heft to it. Not a raft.

[Moose]

Lamden.

[Rhea Pechter]

I just knew you'd join us, the moose trilled. When he stepped up to the riverbank. A large, rectangular, inflated raft floated in the water. A uniformed donkey kept it from floating away in the current. With a rope clutched firmly between his teeth. Dozens of sleepy passengers leaned against one another, seated in trim rows. Lambdan's head pounded as if his heart had somehow migrated upward. Need sleep. But did it really have to be on this flimsy raft? He imagined the raft hitting a boulder invisible from above the water but big enough to throw the raft off kilter. Capsize it, perhaps, sending the passengers scattering in all directions. Lamden, the moose said with a searching.

[Moose]

Look, I haven't seen you blink in an unsettling amount of time. It's a known symptom of profound exhaustion.

[Rhea Pechter]

Lambdin squinted at the raft in the water. I'd really prefer to board the sleep train. The moose frowned.

[Moose]

Lambdan, my dear, I went over this in our conversation. Through your temporary button, huh?

[Rhea Pechter]

Lamdon thought of how he'd pushed his pillow back in place, muffling the moose's words. Apparently they'd been important. Her eyes widened and took on a pitying expression.

[Moose]

Does poison whistle fern affect one's hearing? Regardless, as I said, one of the charms of our vacation package is that it sends you on a surprise sleep vehicle every evening.

[Rhea Pechter]

Seeing Lambdan's expression, she went on, lambdin.

[Moose]

You do need to improve your listening skills. Now then, come aboard.

[Finley]

Relax.

[Moose]

This river, well, it's positively lazy and you couldn't be in better hands. Paolo is a world class river guide.

[Rhea Pechter]

Lambdan glanced at the raft lilting gently in the tranquil river. At the back stood an oversized raccoon wearing a captain's hat and holding a long paddle. The raccoon yawned, which made Lambdan yawn. World class, eh?

[Moose]

The worldliest. The classiest.

[Rhea Pechter]

His head throbbed. He swayed lightly. Without meaning to, he recalled his camp counselor saying tomorrow would be a long day of rock climbing. Really need sleep. Lambdin stepped forward and put a hoof on the raft.

[Moose]

Ah, I almost forgot.

[Rhea Pechter]

The towering moose lifted something brilliant orange from a pile beside her.

[Moose]

It's required by the river authorities. Justiformelity. Completely unnecessary, of course.

[Rhea Pechter]

Lamden stared at the moose. She stared back at him with a placid smile beneath mischievous eyes. He accepted the life jacket from her hoof and stepped aboard the sleep raft.

[Rory]

Fuzzy waited.

[Rhea Pechter]

Or whisper thin silk waited, please. Lambden gratefully accepted the blanket from Martleby, the sleep crew's porcupine employee, who moved about the raft distributing blankets. Fuzzy waited. Or whispered. Lambdon was seated at the end of a row beside a large sleeping warthog who used his life jacket as a pillow. The raft had appeared insubstantial from shore, but Lambden was surprised to find find it felt quite durable. He sank into his seat, which felt like a firm yet inviting pillow. As the raft shoved off from shore, he nestled beneath his blanket and stared up at the dark sky speckled with stars, the perfectly round moon, and the woolly, charcoal gray clouds. He inhaled a deep, relaxing breath that smelled of honey and lemon, no doubt emitted from Delilah's mist machine. Somewhere on the raft. Lambdan shifted his head enough to glimpse a band of jauntily dressed otters perched on the perimeter of one of the raft's corners. The towering mountain moose stood in another corner, holding a microphone.

[Moose]

Guess hello, and welcome to the newest and dare I say, sleepiest addition to our fleet of vehicles.

[Rhea Pechter]

The animals who were still awake murmured their approval.

[Moose]

This extraordinary raft was designed to put our passengers as close close to the water as possible.

[Rhea Pechter]

Indeed, Lamden saw several passengers seated on the raft's outer edges, lazily dipping their paws into the river.

[Moose]

Drink up that dazzlingly ripe full moon and settle in for a moment as we.

[Finley]

Ah.

[Rhea Pechter]

The moose's eyes lit up. Lamden could see her peering off the side of the raft into the dark.

[Moose]

Paolo has gotten us here in record time. Our first performance begins now.

[Rhea Pechter]

The moose clapped her hoofs together, and at once the band of otters began a new song. At the same time that the raft came to a complete stop in the water, the river current seemed to push against it for several seconds before giving up and detouring around its sides. Six warm lights appeared off the right side of the raft, and the sleepy passengers leaned to get a look.

[Rory]

Are those pelicans?

[Rhea Pechter]

Said a bespectacled possum. Are those rats sitting on top of pelicans? Cried a bewhiskered muskrat.

[Rory]

Are those rats sitting on top of pelicans wielding fishing poles?

[Rhea Pechter]

Cried a. You know what? It doesn't matter who said it. It was all true. There were six pelicans, perfectly still in the water, arranged in a circle, each with both a lantern and a rat fisherman on its back. Immediately the rats began catching fish, one after another. Oh wow. They're not fishing. They're catching. It seemed that each time a rat cast its line into the rippling water, it came up with a fish, and each fish was promptly gulped down by a pelican.

[Rory]

This is making me hungry, said a seagull. This is making me uncomfortable, said an.

[Rhea Pechter]

Angelfish circling a bowl. Lamdan yawned heavily as he watched this strangely entrancing scene. The movements were orchestrated, choreographed. The rats casts were perfect arcs over the moonlit water. Their hooks sank beneath the surface for a moment or two before their lines became taut with struggle. Over and over again, fish emerged with tails whipping, and over and over again, the pelicans snapped them up. Passengers dropped off to sleep all over the place. Some Slumping over the raft's sides, their tails and paws dipping into the river, the moose, bathed in moonlight, stood and clapped her hoofs once more. The raft instantly floated along with the current, leaving the rats, the pelicans and the fish behind. Ahead of them, the river widened and the sky along with it. As the trees receded from view, the moon seemed to triple in size. It's not possible, Lambdin murmured. He could barely keep his eyes from closing.

[Moose]

Guest, prop up those drooping eyelids. Paolo has just given me the signal that we've reached the widest and deepest section of the river. Soon we'll hit a fork. But before we do, you will not want to miss our next enchanted performance.

[Rhea Pechter]

Lambdan forced himself to follow the moose's instructions, but he could only get his eyes half open. It felt as if the weight of the last few days was crashing down on him all at once. So sleepy. He startled fully awake upon seeing whales in the river. Oh great. I'm so tired I'm seeing things. But the other passengers saw whales too. What?

[Finley]

How?

[Rory]

Whales live in the ocean, not rivers. I read about it in volume seven of my encyclopedia book set entitled Astonishing creatures of Land and Sea by Barnabas Twinkledove. What about Astonishing creatures of the air? I have a different book set for that.

[Rhea Pechter]

The whales, what with their graceful leaping and general beauty, acted upon the sleep raft passengers like some kind of tonic. One by one they dropped in their seats, heads lolling to the side. Lambdan was no exception. Cannot stay awake, he muttered. His final thought was, what a relief. I will catch up on sleep after all. His mind quieted.

[Rory]

We're headed straight for the waterfall, is.

[Rhea Pechter]

What Hoofbert yelled heartily in Lamdin's dream, into which he had swiftly fallen. It was odd, because in the dream Lambdan was back at camp, swimming in the quarry. There was no waterfall at the quarry. Still, Hufbert was emphatic.

[Rory]

I said we're headed straight for the waterfall.

[Moose]

Huh?

[Rhea Pechter]

Lambdin opened his eyes to see that the frenzied creature was not hoofberht. It was a theatrical pheasant who stood on her seat, neck stretched to its limit, wings waving frantically around her. Passengers screamed and gasped in alarm. This was supposed to be a lazy river. This river is downright energetic. The towering moose stood peering over the passengers heads, eyes wild.

[Moose]

Uh, Quink, Someone wake up Paolo.

[Rhea Pechter]

Apparently the whale performance had been a bit too relaxing because in addition to putting to sleep most of the passengers, it also put to sleep Paolo, the world class river guide. He had drifted off Precisely. As the sleep raft approached the fork in the river, the raft had taken a wrong turn, and it was now, as the pheasant so clearly stated, headed straight for a waterfall. Lambdan looked first ahead and saw the drop off looming. Then he looked back to Paolo, who was being pawed at by a cat in striped pajamas. The captain jolted awake with the look of alarm. He immediately began paddling against the current. Hello, the moose said, glancing over her shoulder at the oncoming drop.

[Moose]

As you know, we at the sleep crew are very serious about safety in addition to sleep, and that is why we responsibly distributed life jackets at this time. It would be sensible to make sure your life jacket is firmly snapped and tight tightened.

[Rhea Pechter]

The moose strapped on her own life jacket with a shaky smile. Lambdin already had his life jacket fastened, so he looked to his seatmate. Hey, hey, wake up, he said, shaking the warthog. It was no use. How can you sleep through this? The raft was in absolute chaos. Despite Paolo's efforts, it drifted closer to the edge. Lambdan hurriedly grabbed the warthog's life jacket and yanked it around the massive creature. Ah, finally. He cried as he managed to get it round the beast's shoulders, only to discover the straps had no clasps. They were just long strips of canvas with frayed ends, as if an animal had chewed through them.

[Moose]

Gaz, hello. Let's all grab hold of the nifty straps on either sides of our seats, shall we?

[Rory]

We're going over.

[Finley]

It's happening.

[Rhea Pechter]

Cried the theatrical pheasant. How am I gonna get this buckled?

[Moose]

This is an exciting adventure, is it not?

[Rhea Pechter]

The moose trilled. Lambdan was so beyond exhausted, it took a moment for him to even hear what she'd said. That's it. A knot. I'll tie a knot. After all, he'd just learned how to tie 16 of them the other day. So, as the front end of the raft jutted out over the edge of the waterfall and the sound grew deafening and the passengers gripped their straps, Lambden quickly tied a double fisherman's knot, securing the warthog's life jacket there. Then he grabbed hold of his own seat straps. It's possible I should have taken my chances in the bunk bed. And over the waterfall they went.

[Finley]

I am rather alarmed by Buy this.

[Rory]

This was not in the brochure.

[Rhea Pechter]

It's incredible how time can change speed. The birthday party you've been looking forward to for months zips by in a flash while the wait for a letter in the mail takes years. The second or two that it took for the sleep raft to travel all the way down the waterfall. Well, it felt like an eternity. Everyone held their breath. Lambdan gripped his straps tighter. The birds and the bats on the raft, including the pheasant, flew out of their seats into the night. And finally, at long last, they landed at the bottom with a tremendous splash. The passengers were thrown upwards in their seats. Then came crash. Crashing right back down with a thump. Lamdin, his wool soaked through, turned to see Paolo, now fully alert following his ill timed nap, brandish his paddle as a knight would his sword. After a few tremendous pulls away from the churning cauldron at the base of the waterfall, he guided the raft into a placid, gently flowing section of the river.

[Moose]

Yes, hello. I do hope you enjoyed that spine tingling segment of our river rafting tour. All planned, of course. We at the sleep crew do aim to make your heart quicken before easing you to sleep.

[Rhea Pechter]

Lamden nearly chuckled, but instead he was overtaken by a yawn. All around him, passengers were settling into their seats and nodding off. The warthog beside Lambden was still asleep. The river had become lazier than at any point Point.

[Moose]

Now, remember, this is a magical sleep raft, complete with our proprietary sparkling mist technology, as well as enchanted clouds.

[Rhea Pechter]

A mist appeared over the river, a twinkling navy blue mist that drifted over the raft and hung there as if pinned as the vessel continued to glide through the water. The mist opened in its center to reveal a circle of sky with three cartoonishly perfect cotton ball clouds visible above. Wow.

[Rory]

Beautiful. I enjoy clouds.

[Rhea Pechter]

The otters struck up a new song. And in time with the temple of the museum music, little sparkles of pastel blue dropped from the clouds and began spiraling downward.

[Rory]

Are those moths?

[Rhea Pechter]

They are. They're enchanted moths. Enchanted moths, huh? Lamdin stared up as hundreds of fluttering, glowing blue moths swirled down to the raft itself and danced through the air above the passengers, who responded by smiling sleepily.

[Finley]

Look.

[Rory]

They love me.

[Rhea Pechter]

Yawning heavily or instantly falling asleep, for Lamden, it was not instant, but it was close. He took a last look at the moths flitting about, sending out sparkles from their wings, then closed his eyes. His mind quieted.

[Finley]

Cock a doodle doo.

[Rhea Pechter]

Hmph.

[Rory]

Lambone. Hey, Lambone.

[Rhea Pechter]

Huh? Lambdin blinked awake. Was it even dawn? Just a whisper of sunlight came in the small windows of the cabin.

[Rory]

Lambone, you up?

[Rhea Pechter]

Uh, yeah. Yeah, I am. He sat up in his bunk and hit his head on the ceiling. Ow. But otherwise, he noticed, he felt great. Well rested and ready for another day at camp. Come on, we're all going to breakfast. Lambdon headed out with his bunk mates. He'd spend the entire day outdoors. He would avoid secluded areas covered with ferns and that evening at bedtime, he'd press his temporary button.

[Rory]

Maybe.

[Rhea Pechter]

I hope you loved this story. Little Stories for Tiny People is written, performed and produced by me, Rhea Pechter, my in house Tech Director. Peter K. Runs my website and puts my stories on the Internet for all of you to enjoy. Thank you to my Little Stories Premium subscribers for supporting my work. If you'd like to get more of the stories you love, access to Little Stories for Sleep, an exclusive bedtime podcast and ad Free listening.

[Peter K]

Join or gift a subscription by visiting.

[Rhea Pechter]

Littlestoriespremium.Com thank you to Finley and Rory for the super important reminder message at the beginning. And thank you to the many premium subscribers who supplied sound effects used in this story.

[Peter K]

Thank you to jj, Noah, Olivia, Dante, Lola, Charlotte, Summer, Magnolia, Lana, Kai, Amaya, Ruby, Roxy, Teddy, Avery, Kira, Audrey, Maya, Ivy, Hazel, Ayla, Lily, Alma and Penina. And thank you as always for listening in.