On a big ship, the lights go blink-blink. The waves go swish-swish.
Jr Goes To Bed is a little Superhero. He wears soft pajamas and a tiny cape. He is brave, but also sleepy.
“Bed time,” Jr whispers. “But my ship feels too dark.”
A friendly Giant lives on the ship too. The Giant is very tall, very gentle, and a bit clumsy. His toes bump things. Bonk!
“Hello, small hero,” the Giant says. “I can help.”
Jr pats his cape. “I have a Superhero job. I must light the night-lamp.”
The night-lamp on the ship is off. It should glow like a little moon.
From behind a barrel, a Bounty Hunter peeks. He wears a wide hat. He tip-toes. “I hunt shiny things,” he murmurs. “That lamp is shiny.”
Jr hears a tiny click-clack.
“Giant,” Jr says, “do you hear that?”
The Giant listens. “I hear… sneaky feet.”
They walk down the ship hallway. The floor creaks: eek-eek. A rope swings gently.
Jr points. “Look! Footprints!”
The Giant squints. “Small footprints. Not mine.”
They find the lamp room. The lamp is missing!
“Oh no,” Jr says. “My glow is gone.”
The Giant kneels. “We can find it. I will be quiet.”
Jr giggles. “You are big quiet?”
“I will try,” the Giant says. He holds his breath. His tummy goes… gurgle.
They follow a shiny trail: little sparkles on the floor. Past the kitchen. Past the bell. Ding!
At the back of the ship, they see the Bounty Hunter. He hugs the lamp.
“Mine,” the Bounty Hunter says.
Jr stands tall, as tall as a toddler can. “Stop. That lamp helps me sleep. Please give it back.”
The Bounty Hunter blinks. “Sleep? I thought it was treasure.”
“It is treasure,” Jr says. “A bedtime treasure.”
The Giant speaks softly. “Friend Hunter, we can trade. I have a shiny button.” He shows a big, round button that sparkles like a star.
The Bounty Hunter’s eyes go wide. “Ooo. Button.”
Jr nods. “You can have the button. And we keep the lamp.”
The Bounty Hunter thinks. He rubs his chin. “Deal.”
He hands the lamp over.
Jr holds it with two hands. “Thank you.”
Back in the hallway, Jr presses the lamp. Click!
Warm light fills the ship. The shadows become soft. The corners look friendly.
Jr smiles. “I did it. Superhero job done.”
The Giant claps, very gently. “Tap-tap.”
The Bounty Hunter waves from far away. “Good night, tiny hero!”
Jr walks to his bed on the ship. The lamp glows beside him.
The Giant tucks the blanket. “Sleep safe,” he says.
Jr yawns. “I learned a new skill,” he whispers. “I can use kind words. And I can make a fair trade.”
Under the warm glow, Jr Goes To Bed closes his eyes. The ship swishes. The lamp shines.
And in Jr’s pocket is a small reward: a tiny spare star-sticker the Giant found on the floor, shiny and new. Jr smiles, already dreaming.