Amma's sleepy-time story

Told in English, Telugu.

It was night in the little village of Pedapalli. In every house, the lamps were glowing softly. In one small house, little Chinni lay on her mat with her eyes wide open.

"Amma, I can't sleep," said Chinni. "My eyes want to stay open."

Amma came and sat beside her. She stroked Chinni's hair, gently, gently. "Shall I tell you a sleepy-time story?" she asked.

Chinni nodded.

"When the sun went down behind the hills," said Amma, "the sky turned orange, then pink, then dark blue. Because the sky was getting dark, the hens in our yard went into their little coop. Ko, ko, ko, they said, softer and softer. Then they tucked their heads under their wings."

And Amma sang softly, "Hush now, little one, the night is soft and deep. One by one, one by one, everyone goes to sleep."

Can you say it with me? Hush now, little one, the night is soft and deep. One by one, one by one, everyone goes to sleep.

"Then there was Gowri the cow," said Amma. "Gowri ate her green hay until her tummy was full. Because her tummy was full, she lay down on the warm straw. She blinked her big brown eyes and said a very quiet moo. Her little calf Chitti snuggled close beside her."

Hush now, little one, the night is soft and deep. One by one, one by one, everyone goes to sleep.

"And up in the mango tree lived a green parrot," said Amma. "All day long she flew over the paddy fields. Because she flew so far, her wings were tired. So she sat on her branch, fluffed up her feathers, and closed her eyes."

Hush now, little one, the night is soft and deep. One by one, one by one, everyone goes to sleep.

"Even the wind grew sleepy," said Amma. "All day it blew and blew. Now it slowed down, softer and softer. Because the wind was resting, the coconut leaves stopped swaying. Swish... swish... and then they were still."

Chinni gave a big yawn. "Amma, what about the moon? Is the moon sleeping too?"

Amma smiled. "No, kanna. The moon stays awake. The moon is like a little night lamp in the sky. It shines over the fields, over the houses, and over you. It watches over everyone while they sleep."

"And Nanna?" asked Chinni.

"Nanna has eaten his dinner," said Amma. "Soon he will put out the lamp and rest too."

"And you, Amma?"

"I will sit right here until your eyes close," said Amma. "Then I will sleep too, right beside you."

Chinni's eyes grew heavy. Her breathing grew slow and soft. Amma whispered the song one more time.

Hush now, little one, the night is soft and deep. One by one, one by one, everyone goes to sleep.

The hens were sleeping. Gowri and Chitti were sleeping. The green parrot was sleeping. The coconut leaves were still. The moon was shining, round and bright.

And little Chinni was fast asleep.

Goodnight, little one. Goodnight.