Bedtime stories.

Bedtime stories!

 It was night, I, my brother and sister had finished our dinner and mother sends us to directly bed. I tell u, we were not kind of feeling sleepy that way but still pulled our blanket to show her we slept. In the morning we had to go to school. It was late night. We were waiting for our father to come from his office and tell us story as he always. It was 11 pm, we heard the door bell, I knew it was dad and told my brother and sister to pull the blanket and pretend that we are slept for fooling father, Of course.

Father came inside as mother unlocked the door, father switched on the light, freshened up, ate his dinner and came in bedroom. He switched on the light but shit I even can’t control my laughing. When father passed through my bed, I began to laugh even more loudly so do my brother and sister. We pulled down our blanket.

(With smiling face)

Father: Why? Are u all still awake, not asleep, till now.

We together: dad! We are not tired yet, and are not feeling to sleep.

Father: ok, what should I do?

Me: please, tell us any story or sing any nice poem then we will sleep we promise.(excitedly)

We like to hear story from father, he is very good in that.

Father sat with us and asked us politely, which story u would like to hear?

Me: some nice and brave.

My brother(praveen): emotional.

Sister(Dipali): romantic.

‘Okk, stop pulling me’ father said but after the story u all will go to sleep, ok. And he began to tell us……………………………….Listen to the poem of a time,

 a time long ago………………….

There was a lion and a lioness

They had three children

Those imps were like you, but

But what, papa? I asked.

But everyone loved them

Inside a little cave

was their little home

Their lives knew no sadness

nor any fear

They were their mother's darlings

And to their father, more dear than life

In waves of laughter and song

they all lived together

Then what happened, papa?

Fate spread a trap

A hunter came there!

The lioness faced him

He fired his gun

The lioness was wounded

She screamed, she writhed, she went to sleep

She never opened her eyes again

The bullet had struck her in the chest

But as she died

she spoke her parting words:

My companion, my beloved,

Care for these children with love

Don't forget you're a father

Now you must do the duty of a mother as well

What did the father know of

how to laugh and cry with children?

He learned how to laugh and cry thus

He learned how to wake and sleep with the children

Time stopped, then slowly began to move again

The heart's wound slowly began to heal

Grabbing onto the father's legs, the kids began to walk

They were nurtured in their father's lap instead of their mother's.

Years, months, seasons came and went

Once more the lion's children began to laugh and sing

The rest of the stories tomorrow; go to sleep now

We together: No, no, papa, tell us now…………we won’t sleep then,

Okay, okay

Listen to the rest of the story

The shadow of sorrow fell on them again

A black lion came there

He growled and he roared as though

he were about to gobble everything up

Those kids got afraid and ran

but their father came to face him

A fight broke out

The whole jungle began to tremble

The monkeys sat in the treetops

The snakes hid inside their pits

All the pigeons flew off somewhere

The bear fled to the hilltop

From fear, the elephants began to flee

There wasn't a single friend for the lion

It was a monstrous battle

The black lion took a beating

And

The children clapped

The end.

Dad: I am getting tired now sleep, u all promised to go to sleep after the story, ok good night.

I: but dad, we have heard this story before also, tell us something else na. Something different and new…..

And started pulling our father’s hand and fake crying.

Dad:  okay! Baba! Okey, well remain silent, I have another story also but where to begin it? Ok…………. This story is nice…… listen……….(deeply and seriously ). Long time ago………….(farther begin his story)

There was one man and women, they lived in small house, they had little farm, had one son, and his name was Edmond. His mothers used tell him fairytale stories at night about magical forest and fairies.

 He was always kind and nice boy. There was only one problem, he was not good looking boy or handsome……… but everyone loved him as he was kind to everyone, he used to help his parents, help needy people,  sometime used to feed birds or dogs and fishes,

 But some used to make fun of him, used to laugh at him and tease him about his look.

One day, one beautiful princess came in town, he liked her in one look and tried to introduced himself to her. He was little shy.(Dipali my sister laughs as she hears this)

 But some boys stopped him and began to teasing him and said,’ u ugly, who would like to see u? Go from here! Get lost,’ and made fun of him,(began to laugh)

 The princess stared him as they laughed but he bowed down and ran from there. He felt very bad about it ran from there. He was crying and running.

He ran in to the dark forest, it was probhited to go in there but he didn’t know that. He kept running and running with tears in his eyes.

Finally, he stopped, panting hardly, taking deep breath and shouting loudly to god and saying,’ Why have u made me like this? Why? Why?????????????????????? As he was saying this…. He looked around to see where he had come?

 He reached one tree,

There he saw one women lying helplessly on the ground, he helped her, and she asked him for water.

The boy saw a lake nearby and thought to bring water from there but……...

He didn’t had any material or utensil to carry water ………… he thought for a while,

He had cap on his head, he brought water in his cap for the lady and gave her water.

As soon as, she drank water, there was light glowing from her body like sparkles shining or busting like firecrackers that happen in the sky, Like that.

When it was over she was much looking like fairy , she had crown on her head, wore pink dress with magic wand in her hand and she said,’ I am godmother of the first there’

Edmond: no, it can’t be.

Fairy: no, why not?

Edmond: they do not exit. It’s only the fairytale for children,

Fairy: no, it is not true. We exit. And now for your bravery and kindness, I grant u two wishes.

He was excited but was confused what to ask? Later, thinking for while he asked his first wish.

(Dipali: What did he ask?)curiously

He asked for his first wish to  become handsome like prince and had  lot of money. The fairy godmother granted his wish. She offered him one bracelet and said,’ as long as u have this bracelet in your hand, u will remain handsome but if u lose it, u will become same like before, remember it.

Edmond accepted the condition and left. He became very handsome boy. He decided to change his name little so that people won’t recognize him. He kept his name as prince Edmond.

He and his parents lived in his new house happily.

He was so handsome boy that other girls used flirt around him.

One day there was message from the kingdom that whoever makes the princess impress will win princess hand or will marry him.

 Prince Edmond also heard about this message and tried his luck and went to impress the princess.

 Many princes came………. some from very far away but were failed to impress the princess. Finally, it was Edmond turn to show his skill in arena. If he could the impress the princess he can marry her and rule the land with her.

Go, go! Prince Edmond! Go prince Edmond! (Crowd cheering)

 Prince Edmond was on chariot riding on horses. He was riding in style with leg up and head down like circus.

King: That’s pretty fancy chariot work. Oh what is he doing?

Prince Edmond broke all the pillars.

Whoa! (Crowd shouting)

 Prince Edmond: bring on the elephants!

He was going to perform bike stunt (jumping above the elephants).

Whoa! Ohhh!

King: all right.

You know movie of Hercules supposedly found the Olympics? I hope so.

Well, prince Edmond invented the X- games.

King: he’s never going to make it!

And ……… and …… he jumped………..and…..

People mouth open, eyes closed.

And ……… and ………

He made it.

King:  bravo! Now, that’s first class.

Prince Edmond!!!(Crowd shouting and cheering)

 The princess also liked him.

Father: how are we doing so far, huh?

Praveen: this is best story yet.

Dipali: can we get to romance now?

Father: well, u tell me?

Dipali: do prince Edmond get the princess which he was after? In stories, the hero always gets the fairest maiden in the land.

Father: you are right and it will happen.

As per promise, prince Edmond gets the princess.

 They roam around, they go to old tavern. And guess who was there?

Dipali: All the boys who were mean to prince Edmond growing up. They see he is with the princess, and they become jealous. So jealous they don’t know what to do. They just start nervously doing the hokey pokey.(angrily)

Father continues the story…………

So then,

Prince Edmond take the princess, out to beach.

All of sudden, the big hairy guy, washed up onshore, passed out.

Princess: what happen to this guy?

Prince Edmond: I think, he had something stuck in his throat and that is why? He was not breathing.

Prince Edmond pressed his chest and fish came out,

Guy: thanks.

Prince Edmond: he is ok.

Prince Edmond showed her around, many beautiful things, she was very happy to see all this and they had happy times. .

One day, as they were chatting, prince Edmond asked her one important question,’ what if I was poor had bald head and dull face, will u love me then also? her reply was nice she said,’ we should not judge the book by only by it cover similarly person should not judge another person from their looks, but from his/her action’. He was pleased with her reply.

Dipali: then it starts pouring and so they run into magical cave.  Magical cave is good idea. They were staring at each other, she brought her face near to him, isn’t that romantic, they were about to kiss and …….. and…..

Praveen: and Mahatma Gandhi came there with his stick shouting slogan “ stop this violence, this is bad” came there.

Father: Mahatma Gandhi? Is this some joke to you? What the matter with you Praveen.

Praveen: oh, I am sorry, papa but it is story and anything can happen.

Father: but Mahatma Gandhi, that’s, that’s good idea but….(said laughing).

Dipali:  and prince Edmond get kiss from princess?

Father: yes. Nice thinking. That happen.

Father continues his story…………..

Prince Edmond kisses the princess.

And were happy.

There was another boy named “Hector”, he was cruel, evil and mean, he always used to take credit of others work.

He was jealous of the prince Edmond.

One day, as prince Edmond was returning from princess palace, Hector was following him to know about him, Edmond was not aware that someone was following him.

While going for bath he took out his bracelet ………………… and Hector saw that the prince was none other than Edmond, he tried to play trick on him and stole his bracelet and ran from there. When Edmond came out after taking bath, he saw bracelet was missing and began panicking.

For few days he didn’t went for meeting princess.

Then it become month,

Then it become more months.

Then it became year.

Princess began to think that he has forgotten about her, the king also became very serious about his daughter health and send the message again.

One day, Edmond decided to meet the princess and tell her the truth about everything, as he reached the palace through back as nobody was recognizing him, he went directly to princess chamber to meet her but what he saw……………….. There was another prince with princess. She looked happy with him. Then he saw that the prince was wearing the same bracelet which the godmother had given him. He got curious and wanted to know who this prince was? As he was leaving one guard saw him and began to case him. He somehow managed to escaped from him.   

One day, the prince was returning from the kingdom and Edmond followed him. He rode and went to dense forest. Edmond also went, when he took out the bracelet, Edmond was horrified to see…………………… that……….. Hector was in the prince form.  He got very angry and came out of bushes. Hector was also amazed to see Edmond.

Edmond: u! Scrondal! How dare u? u stole my bracelet.

Hector: something is meant to share isn’t it? And beside admit it, u don’t deserve her, look at yourself, do u think u can have her, some ugly boy having princess hahahaha (laughs), so I took it.

Edmond: I just want u to return it and I will not harm u. so give it back!

But hector refused to give it back and thus fighting begin. Edmond is beating Hector and Hector is beating Edmond, finally Edmond gave him strong punch and he felt unconscious on ground, Edmond took the bracelet and was just on his way, suddenly Hector hit him on his head with bamboo he loose his balance or he felt unconscious on ground.    

When he opened his eyes he saw himself in a cave with bars and hector was standing outside.

Hector: I wasn’t sure, u would wake up.

Edmond: get me out of here!!!

Hector: why should I?

Edmond: I did nothing bad to u, then why are u doing this?

Hector: well, no harm but u see everybody wants to live luxury life and have everything. I am getting everything from this bracelet than why should I give? And after I get the princess, everything will be mine. Hahahaha………..

Hector: and yes, I forgot to say, for your information ……. I am getting married to princess next day. Hahahahaha (and started laughing)

Edmond: no! no! u can’t do this.

Edmond kept shouting and hector left.

Edmond sat helpless thinking what to do???????????? Then……….

All of sudden fairy godmother came there.

Godmother: why? Boy, u look sad,

Edmond narrates everything to her.

Edmond: what should I do now? (He sits with his hands on his cheeks.)

Godmother: well, whatever the princess said was true, but if she truly loves u then she will accept u, however u are.

Edmond: ok, I agree with u but how can I get out this cave?

Godmother: boy, u still have your second wish left with u, ask what u want?

Edmond asked the godmother to free him from the cave. The godmother used her wand and soon Edmond was out. He thanked the godmother and ran from there,

He was just thinking about  stopping that marriage and tell the princess the truth about everything.

He had four best friend martin, lucus, seema, and max. He went to them and told them everything about what has happen. They agreed to help him.

They four including Edmond reached the kingdom.

But the kingdom was heavily guarded with soldiers, so they thought to seek in the kingdom from back, but it was too guarded. They made a plane to distract the guards and go inside.

It was seema turn first, as she is girl and it seemed easy for her to distract the guards. When the area was clear they sneaked inside the kingdom. They were on their way when unfortunately one guard sees them and informs the other. The trio began to ran when more soldiers began to come then martin and lucus stopped to fight them and told them to go.

Edmond and max reached the marriage ceremony, hector was about wear the ring in her hand when Edmond shouted.

Edmond: stop! Stop this marriage! That is not prince, he is fraud, cheater.

Everyone was looking at him, the king ordered the guard to take that man away. As soon guards came closer to him, max began fighting with them, Edmond also began fighting with hector. In that fight hector somehow breaks the bracelet and his true form appears.

Everyone become shocked!

The king ordered the guards to capture hector, soon he was captured.

Edmond tells the truth about everything and who is he? And convene the princess.  The princess went crying inside palace.

 Edmond saw there is no hope in staying there, so he left.     

Dipali: this is not fair, there is not happy ending. (And began scouting)

Father: but, it is not end of story there is more.

And he continues………….

One day, Edmond was sitting near the beach seeing the sunset when suddenly someone kept hand on his shoulder, he turned his back to see who was there? He was surprised to see…………………. The princess.

Princess: I want what any other princess wants: to live happily ever after with whom she loves truly and I love u, I don’t care how u look or where u live but I love u………. (And, they both hugged each other and become emotional.)

Soon they were got married and lived happily ever after.

Moral: “Beauty doesn’t matter the most, but how u treat the others matters, if the person loves u most he/she will come to u, however u may look but if u are true then they will accept u”

The end.

Father: (looking at the clock) shit! Man , it is 12 o’clock, I am getting tired, sleep tight sleep! sleep!, tomorrow u have to get up early in the morning for school na, so  good night. And he left

We also said good night to father and thanked him for telling us this amazing story.

We all slept,

 I was dreaming of fairy godmother came and grant me wish and I asked her to cure me and make me like Robocop then I can fight

The crime beat the bad guys and impress Anjali.

But I opened my eyes and there was some thought in my mind” one should not try to become someone else, who he is not and should love what he is”.

And after that thought, I slept dreaming something else.

By Pradeep Bhitale.