The Moon and the Lullaby River

(Use a slow, quiet voice and pause often.)

When the stars come out, a little river begins to hum. It flows slowly, slowly, past the sleepy hills, the sleepy trees, and the sleepy little town.

The moon looks down and smiles. She sends a long silver ribbon of light across the water. It shimmers softly, and the river hums even more softly.

(Rock gently from side to side as you read.)

A small paper boat floats along, rocking gently. Rock, rock, rock. In the boat sits a tiny, sleepy firefly.

The firefly yawns a big, slow yawn, and its light glows dim and warm, like a night-light.

(Let your voice go hush, hush, hush.)

The river sings, hush, hush, hush. The frogs tuck in their legs. The ducks tuck their heads under their wings.

The owls close one eye, then the other. Even the wind tiptoes past, so softly, so softly.

The little boat drifts and drifts, under the moon, under the stars, past the sleeping fields and the sleeping fish.

(Whisper the last line.)

And all through the quiet night, the river keeps singing for everyone who is falling asleep. Hush, hush, hush. Goodnight.