Pip and the Night Garden

Pip was a little garden robot with round green eyes and wheels that went whirr, whirr. Every day Pip watered the flowers, trimmed the grass and hummed a tiny tune. And every evening the flowers closed their petals and went to sleep.

(Make a soft whirr, whirr sound.)

One night, Pip’s batteries were full, but Pip could not power down. Whirr, whirr. “I will just roll around the garden,” thought Pip, and rolled out into the dark.

(Whisper this part with wonder.)

It was very quiet. The moon was big and white, and every leaf looked silver. Pip stopped. In the dark, a tiny white flower was slowly opening its petals, one by one.

“Hello,” said the flower softly. “I am a moonflower. I only bloom when the sun goes to bed.” Pip’s eyes glowed brighter. “I have never seen you before!” “Most people are asleep,” the flower smiled.

All night long, more moonflowers opened, one by one, like little lanterns turning on. Soft moths drifted over, their wings dusted with silver. Pip stayed very still, watching the silent, silvery garden.

(Make a slow, quiet chirr, chirr.)

A tiny cricket began to play a slow lullaby. Chirr… chirr… The moonflowers swayed. Pip’s wheels stopped whirring. Pip’s eyes began to feel heavy.

When the sun began to rise, the moonflowers folded their petals. “Come back tomorrow night,” they whispered. Pip rolled home, slowly, yawning a whirring yawn.

(Slow right down and whisper the goodnights.)

Pip settled down beside the sleeping daisies and powered down with a happy hum. Goodnight, Pip. Goodnight, moonflowers. Goodnight, you.