GO TO SLEEP!
Boogie Man's Gonna Get me...
By J.S.Ramkissoon
Everyone had gone to bed but Maggie could not sleep. She tossed and turned and counted every illuminating star that decorated the ceiling. She decided to sit up in bed and read a book. Reaching for the light switch, Maggie noticed a beam of light coming through the bedroom door. She was puzzled.
“I’m sure I had switched the lights off” she thought, looking very confused. She crept to the door, turning the knob slowly so she could investigate.
“I don’t believe it!” She exclaimed, as she walked towards Nathaniel’s room.
The creek of the door frightened Nathaniel as she entered the room. Nathaniel, in a very soft tone, whispered: “Did the boogie man come after you too?” “What boogie man?” whispered Maggie “…and why are we whispering? You should be asleep young man”. “Oh! But mommy, I don’t want to go back to sleep, I might see the boogie man again.”
“I know just the trick” thought Maggie. “Ok! Mommy will be right back”.
While Maggie was in the kitchen making a hot cup of chocolate milk for Nathaniel, he nodded off. As she re-entered the room, Cree-e-e-eek went the door, Nathaniel was so frightened that he jumped and was shaking like a leaf. He was sure the ‘boogie man’ was coming to get him this time.
Nathaniel looked up. He was so happy to see his mom. The frightened look on his face suddenly changed when he saw the cup of chocolate milk. “Mmm, my favourite”, he thought to himself. He stretched over to receive his cup of milk. “Thank you Mommy” said Nathaniel.
Maggie told Nathaniel a story of a little boy who saw a monster under his bed, in a dream. The Little boy was frightened and called for his Mom and Dad. His Mom explained to him that if he thinks of something that makes him happy the monster would go away. He went to sleep and never dreamt of another monster.
Nathaniel sipped on his milk while listening to another bedtime story but after Maggie had read all three books that were out, Nathaniel was still awake. Maggie was now out of ideas and yawning from exhaustion. She sighed, then held Nathaniel in her arms and rocked him while singing softly and slowly:
"Go to sleep, now close your eyes
Think of happy things, not sad
Me-mo-ries that make you smile
Are all you need to-night"
[She stroked his hair and continued singing]
"Go to sleep, now close your eyes
Think of happy things, not sad
Smiles await you, when you rise
Go to sleep, don’t nod and dream"
Each time, Maggie repeated the song in a softer tone and finally little Nathaniel was fast asleep, with a pleasant look on his face. Maggie smiled as she put him to bed, then she kissed him goodnight and whispered in his ear: “Mommy and Daddy loves you very much and the angels will protect you while you sleep”.
She switched the lights off and closed the door. Maggie was now so tired she went straight to bed. Nathaniel also slept through the night.
copyright 2006 Janice Simone Ramkissoon
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Notes: This story highlights the love of a mother for her son; trying everything possible to comfort her child. As believers, that’s the kind of love we should show to each other. God commands us to love one another. Bible references: 1st Thessalonians 4:18. John 13: 34-35. Hebrews 10:24.
