The Buzzing Bedtime

It was Children's Day bedtime. Leo sat on his cozy rug. The window was open to the sleepy neighborhood. Glowing stars shone on the ceiling. Leo had a new friend named Beep. Beep was a little round robot. "Beep, beep, whirr!" said Beep. Beep spun in circles. His belly light flashed green. Leo yawned a big yawn. Leo wanted to sleep, but Beep was still buzzing. Beep did not know how to sleep. Beep blinked his bright yellow eyes. "Time for bed, Beep," whispered Leo. Leo pointed up at the planet mobile swinging softly. Beep made a fast whirring sound. Beep's little metal feet tapped on the rug. Clack, clack, clack! Beep could not turn his buzzing thoughts off.

Copying Barnaby Bear

Leo reached into his toy basket. He picked up his favorite stuffed bear, Barnaby. "Watch Barnaby," Leo whispered softly. Leo laid Barnaby down on the fluffy pillow. Barnaby closed his brown felt eyes. "Shh, shh, shh," said Leo gently. Beep rolled closer on his smooth rubber wheels. Beep tilted his round head. He looked at the soft bear. Then Beep tried to copy Barnaby. Beep clicked his eyes shut. Click! But Beep's belly still hummed like a tiny motor. Hum, hum, hum. Beep opened his eyes again. His little gears were still spinning. "I cannot dream," Beep seemed to say with a soft beep. Leo patted Beep's cool, smooth shoulder. "We can try something else," Leo whispered warmly.

Counting the Slow Planets

Above them, the colorful planet mobile spun in a slow, sleepy circle. Round blue planets and yellow rings danced gently in the air. "Look up, Beep," Leo whispered. Leo lay flat on his soft blue blanket. Beep sat down beside Leo. The green stars on the ceiling gave a warm, dreamy glow. "Count the slow stars," said Leo softly. "One star. Two stars. Three stars." Beep looked up at each glowing speck. Beep's hum began to slow down. Whirr... whirr... whirr. Beep's belly light softened from bright green to a sleepy warm gold. Tap, tap, tap went Leo's fingers on Beep's metal arm. "Close your eyes, Beep. Think of warm milk," Leo whispered.

A Bedtime Dream

Beep's eyes blinked once, twice, and shut tight. Click. Inside his shiny metal head, sweet pictures began to float. Beep saw fluffy clouds shaped like puppies. He saw rolling hills of soft clover. Beep was dreaming his very first dream! A soft, peaceful beep slipped from his speakers. Beep snuggled close against Leo's warm pajama arm. Leo smiled a sleepy smile. He pulled the cozy blue quilt over them both. Outside the open window, the neighborhood was quiet and dark. The streetlamps shone like gentle nightlights. The paper streamers from Children's Day rested quietly on the desk. "Goodnight, little robot," whispered Leo into the dark. "Goodnight, happy dreams." Beep gave one tiny, cozy hum and rested peacefully until morning.