transcript

Speaker 1:
[00:10] Hello, and welcome back to Koala Moon, a podcast of original bedtime stories and sleep meditations for kids, designed to make bedtime a dream. Well, we're back with our sweet siblings, Koko and Kira this evening, as they hunt around trying to find something precious. Have you ever lost something important? Oh, it's a horrible feeling, and often no one can really help. People say well-meaning things like, where were you when you last had it? But of course, if you knew that, it wouldn't be lost, would it? Unfortunately for Kira, what's disappeared is her beloved comfort blanket. Uh-oh. But Koko being the worldly wise big brother, reassures her that they will find it no matter what. I wonder if he will, and indeed where it will be. Should we find out? Okay, hop into bed, lie back and try this. Place your hands together and give them a rub until they're really nice and warm. Rub, rub, rub, rub. And then when they are warm, place the palms of your hands over your eyes. And then just breathe out, feeling their warmth on your eyelids. Isn't that lovely? Now, perhaps roll back your shoulders and move around in bed a bit until you're in your most relaxing spot. And then, your body can just become heavy and still. Close your eyes and breathe in and out steadily and quietly. Great, it's time to begin, Koko and Kira's Lost Comfort Blanket by Luke Prendergast. Before we begin, a quick message for the grownups. If you'd like to support our podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, unlock four bonus stories per month, and much, much more, you can join Koko Club. Subscribe in just two taps via the link in the show notes. But now, here's a quick word from our sponsors. That's because, just as human boys and girls often have toy animals, animal children often have toy humans. That's just the way it is. Koko was very in love with his little toy human, who he called Terry. He took Terry everywhere with him, to kindergarten, to the shops with his mom, to walks along the sleepy river, and to bed every night too. He would whisper in Terry's ears any thoughts he had and often asked him questions that he was mulling over in his mind. Terry couldn't answer out loud, since he was a toy, but he usually answered something very useful inside Koko's head, and that was good enough. But most of all, Koko just hugged Terry. He was so soft and squishy and reassuring to have near. And whenever Koko was going someplace new and unfamiliar, he was glad that Terry was there with him to give him comfort. That's right, Terry was Koko's comfort toy. Now that Koko was a bit older, he didn't need to take Terry everywhere with him anymore. These days, Terry lived on top of Koko's bed, waiting for him to come home from school in the evenings and snuggle up with him in bed. But, having had Terry as a comfort toy, meant that when his adopted little sister Kira arrived in Sleepy Forest a year or two before, clutching in her little panda paws a threadbare purple blanket, Koko knew just what it was. That's your comfort blanket, he told Kira, pointing at the blanket she was dragging around. Kira, who was still new to Sleepy Forest back then, and rather shy, gave a bashful little nod. This is Nee-Noo, she explained. Nee-Noo goes everywhere with me. I understand completely, Koko reassured his little sister. And then he wasted no time in telling her all about Terry and the places they'd been together, and the times that Terry had made Koko feel all safe and warm and relaxed. And as Koko told her, he saw Kira's eyes brighten with understanding. And a small smile spread across her face. Would you like to meet Terry? He'd asked her, and she'd nodded. Yes, please. Now, Kira was a couple of years younger than Koko. And most of the time, she still took Nee-Noo around wherever she went. She wrapped her comfort blanket in her lap when they were eating, or tucked it into her jacket when they went on walks through Sleepy Forest. She took it to school with her, because she found that holding onto Nee-Noo and feeling the soft, familiar weave of the blanket often helped her get around a tricky problem in maths, like adding up seven and three. And there was nothing she liked more in the evenings, when the whole family nuzzled down beside the fire with cups of tea, and their grandad read out a story from one of his many storybooks, then curling up on the sofa with her Nee-Noo in her arms, and drifting off into a peaceful sleep. One afternoon came, when Koko and Kira had just got home from Sleepy Forest Elementary School. It had been a long day full of hard work, and Koko was hungry. So he was in the kitchen, munching on a little snack of his mom's homemade short bread biscuits, when he heard a yelp from the upstairs. Then, just a few seconds later, Kira came running into the kitchen with a look of worry scrunching up her face. Oh no! she sighed, looking all around her. Where is it? Where is it? What's the matter, Kira? Koko asked her. What's wrong? Oh, Koko, you're not going to tell me. No, she replied. It's Nee-Noo. I thought I'd left it on my bed, but I just went upstairs, and it's not there. I can't find it anywhere. I must have lost it. I don't know where it could have gone. And his poor little sister had such a look of dejection on her face, that Koko couldn't help but put his arms around her and for a big warm hug. Oh, don't you worry, Kira, he'd said. It's easy to lose things. I lose things all the time. But you know what happens to lost things? They get found. And I'm going to help you find Nee-Noo. Okay? We'll find it together. So don't feel bad. The scrunchy look of worry on Kira's face began to fade. She gave Koko a grateful look and squeezed him tightly. Oh, Koko, she said, thank you, thank you. You're such a brilliant brother. Yes, we'll find Nee-Noo. We truly, truly will. But, she put a thoughtful paw against her chin. How? Koko scratched his head. That was a good question, he thought. How would they find Kira's lost comfort blanket? Then, like a little firefly lighting up right in the middle of his mind, he had an idea. Well, the first thing you have to do when something goes missing, he said to Kira, is retrace your steps. That way you can see if you dropped it anywhere. So, where have you been today? Kira squinched her eyes up tight as she tried to recall where she'd been that day. Well, she said, I've been at school? Oh, no, wait, before school, I went to the Glade of Gladness, to swing on the cradle swing with Camo. Great, said Koko, and after school, did you come straight home? Yes, said Kira, then after a few moments, she added, except I didn't come directly home. I came the long way home so that I could walk alongside Sleepy River and say hello to Bread and Butter the Ducks. They've got a new magical nest that has its own wings so it can fly up and down the river just like them, and I wanted to check it out. That's perfect, said Koko, giving Kira's arm an encouraging squeeze. Now we know where we need to go to retrace your steps. First, we have to go down to the river. After that, we'll head back to school, and if your comfort blanket isn't in either of those places, we'll go down to the Glade of Gladness. We're absolutely sure to find it. I just know it. And with a heart boosted by her big brother's confidence in finding Nee-Noo again, Kira pulled on her purple welly boots and her flowery jacket, and headed out of the door after him. It was a late spring afternoon in Sleepy Forest with a soft golden light peeking down through the treetops and forest creatures ambling hither and dither. The forest floor which over winter had been a mulchy green carpet of moss and damp twigs, and for a few weeks at least a perfect blanket of crisp white snow, was now speckled with all kinds of flowers, dandelions and snowdrops and perfect purple crocuses. Koko and Kira waved to everyone they passed and called out hello and their neighbors, raising their heads and smiling to see them there, called out in return, hello Koko, hello Kira. Soon enough, they reached the banks of the sleepy river, which was shining and sluggish as a sleepy snake lying on its belly to get warm in the sun. Kira led Koko eastward along the bank, until they reached the place where she'd seen bread and butter the duck sisters earlier. And here they were again, first butter and then bread, flipping their yellow feet through the water. When they saw Koko and Kira, they cracked at them, flapped their fluffy white wings, and called out, Hello again, Kira. Have you brought Koko to see our new magical nest? Oh, yes, Kira replied. For it was true. She did want to show Koko their wonderful nest. I was telling him all about it earlier, and he couldn't wait to come and see it. Koko beside her nodded earnestly. It's true, he told the ducks. I couldn't wait a single moment. Bread and butter led them a little way along the river bed, and then pointed out a big and cozy looking nest, constructed out of leaves and forest twigs, and out of either side of the nest were folded a pair of lustrous golden wings. The sisters had managed to make the nest, they told Koko and Kira, by using a special enchantment spell taught to them by one of the forest fairies. Look, said Bread, hopping into the nest. At the sound of her word, the nest spread its golden wings, gave them a flap and took to the air, hovering a few feet above the sleepy river. Oh, sighed Koko, very cool indeed. And very useful, added Butter, from where she sat next to them by the bankside, for when you need to travel up river, but your poor little feet are too tired to take you there. Bread and Butter seemed very pleased at how impressed Koko and Kira were with their new nest. The sisters asked them if there was anything else they could help them with. Actually, there is, Kira said, and explained to them that she'd lost her comfort blanket. It was lilac in color and threadbare and very beloved. She thought she might have left it with Bread and Butter when she'd seen them earlier. Had they by any chance seen it around? The sisters exchanged a look and gave a series of thoughtful little quacks as they racked their brains. Then Bread shook her head sadly and said, Sorry, Kira, we haven't seen it anywhere near here. And if you'd have dropped it here, we'd have been sure to find it. But we'll keep an extra look out anyway, her sister Butter added. Kira thanked them, and she and Koko waved goodbye. As they walked back up the riverbank, Koko slipped his arm around his sister's shoulders. Don't worry, Kira, he said. That's just one of the places we have to look. Up next, Sleepy Forest Elementary School. And so they made their way through the forest, winding through the silver pines and the kindly broad-trunked beaches, until they met the path that took them to school. It was rather odd walking this way to school in the evening, with the sun sinking through the trees, when they were so used to walking it in the morning, just as the sun was rising. It made them feel both rather like they were living in Topsy-Turvy world, as though there were a parallel universe of the sleepy forest, where everything was the same, except it all happened backwards. As though you ate your breakfast at night time, laughed Kira. Yes, chuckled Koko, or spent all day asleep, and then woke up at night. But this gave them pause, because they had friends, like barn owls and badgers, who were nocturnal, and lived their lives in this very way. And it made them both marvel for a moment, to think what a weird and wonderful place the world truly was, with all kinds of different creatures. There wasn't any real need for a parallel universe. They were thinking thoughts just like these, when at last they arrived at Sleepy Forest Elementary School. Miss Bushy Tail, the squirrel teacher who coached them for cheerleading, was waiting by the front gate. She was on duty tonight. She gave them a shake of her fine bushy tail, and asked them if everything was all right. It's a little bit soon to be coming back to school, she said with a wry grin. No matter how keen you might be to get learning. Koko chuckled and told her they weren't quite ready to get back into the classroom just yet. They were only here to see if Kira had left her comfort blanket at school that day. I find it much easier to sleep when I have it, Kira explained to Miss Bushy Tail. I understand completely, Miss Bushy Tail replied. And after she'd taken down a description of Kira's comfort blanket, she went off to check lost property. Koko and Kira waited at the front of the school for a few minutes. Listening to the birds chirping in the trees, and the leaves rustling up above them. Evening was settling in, and with every second that passed, it seemed that the sleepy forest was getting darker. As though some magical being had pulled a plug in the sky and let the light start slowly leaking out. When Miss Bushytail returned, it was with an apologetic shake of her head. I'm afraid there's nothing of the sort here, Kira, she said, and I've searched high and low in the school too, but I can't find anything. And thanked her for looking for them. I'm sure it will turn up somewhere, she said. And Miss Bushy Tail nodded. These things always do, she said reassuringly. Now as Koko and Kira turned away, Kira took hold of her big brother's paw and gave it a squeeze. Then, very bravely indeed, Koko thought, she said, Don't worry, Koko, there's still another place to look. I'm almost certain we'll find Nee-Noo in the Glade of Gladness. I'm certain we will too, Kira, Koko replied. And would you like to know something? Kira nodded. Yes, please, she said. Well, Koko went on, ducking his chin down and lowering his voice, as though he was telling her a secret. I'm kind of glad that we haven't found it yet, because if we had, we wouldn't be going to the Glade of Gladness at all. And the Glade of Gladness is one of my favorite places in the whole of Sleepy Forest. Kira smiled. It was one of her favorite places, too. Look, said Koko, pointing up ahead, here we are. They had reached the Glade of Gladness. A small clearing, fringed by wise and sturdy sycamores, who every now and then dropped a single silver leaf and let it twirl gently to the ground. In the middle of the clearing was a silver rocking bench, and as soon as Koko and Kira entered the Glade, they hurried over to it and jumped on. Ready? Koko asked, and Kira nodded. Then, with a one, two, three, they pushed off the ground with their feet and began to rock. It will come as no surprise, I'm sure, to discover that the rocking bench that sat in the Glade of Gladness was no ordinary rocking bench, but a magical one. For once it started swinging back and forth. Its rocking motion awoke invisible spirits who resided in the Glade. And once awoke, the spirits began to sing. In voices like an orchestra of strings, violins and cellos and deep double basses, their harmonies spiraled around the Glade. And whoever heard the notes could not help but be glad. As the music swirled around Koko and Kira, they felt a warmth settle in their hearts, and smiles spread across their faces, and little giggles of pleasure emanated from between their lips. They swayed back and forth like that on the silver rocking bench for a while. And when they hopped off, the echoing sound of that music remained in their ears, making them almost impossibly happy. That was when they had a look around the clearing to see if they could see Nee-Noo anywhere. But it was clear from even a small glance that the comfort blanket wasn't there. Kira was too happy from the glade of gladness to be disappointed. Perhaps it was simply the effect of the music. But she felt sure deep down inside her that even though Nee-Noo wasn't there, her lost comfort blanket was sure to be found. Come on, Koko, she said, looking up through the canopy of the trees, where the night sky was now clearly visible. It's getting late. We need to get home. And so they wandered happily through Sleepy Forest, down familiar tracks and beneath the branches of friendly trees, until at last they once again reached the cozy little cabin in the woods. By the time they got home, they were very tired indeed. They ate some dinner, which their mom put on the table, and then, yawning, they climbed the stairs. Sleepily, they did their teeth in the bathroom mirror, a minute on the top, a minute on the bottom. Then they dragged their sleepy feet into their bedroom. Kira looked at her bed, where usually Nee-Noo would be bundled up and waiting for her. She felt a little sorry now that they hadn't found the comfort blanket. When, she wondered, would Nee-Noo ever turn up? That's when Koko let out a little exclamation. Look, Kira, he said, look at this. Koko was pointing at his own bed. Frowning, Kira followed, where his paw was pointing. Yes, there were his pillows and his racing car bedspread. And there was Terry, Koko's comfort toy, cozied up and ready for Koko to come to bed. But why was Koko showing her this? And that's when she saw it. She gave two blinks, and then another. What was that snuggling up next to Terry, wrapped around his arm? It was... Oh, Koko! Kira sighed happily. It's Nee-Noo. She's been with Terry all along? She went over to Koko's bed. And reached out to Paul, touched her comfort blanket's familiar soft weave. But, she said curiously, how did it end up here? I don't know, said Koko, shrugging his shoulders and shaking his head in wonder. But I have an idea. I bet that Terry and Nee-Noo got a little lonely while we were out and decided to hang out. Yes, that's right. I bet they've been comforting each other all day. Kira nodded. That sounded just right. I always knew Nee-Noo and Terry were magical, she said. I guess they get up to all sorts when our backs are turned. Koko and Kira chuckled at the thought of all the adventures their comforters got up to without them knowing. Then, all at once, they gave out a big yawn. Kira took Nee-Noo from Koko's bed and climbed into her own. She snuggled her paws into Nee-Noo's soft folds and lay her head down on her pillow, which felt ever so luxuriously soft tonight. Koko, meanwhile, had got into his own bed, drawn the covers up beneath his chin, and wrapped his arms around Terry. Outside, there came the hoot of a night owl, and, through the chink in the curtains, the night sky could be glimpsed. The twinkling stars, the smiling moon, the rolling indigo expanse. Kira gave a big, contented sigh. The music of the glade of gladness was still ringing in her ears, and she just knew it would seep into her dreams, too, and they would be full of happiness and love. Thank you, Koko, she whispered. Thank you for helping me look for my comfort blanket. You're the best brother ever. Koko, whose eyes were drifting closed, gave a little smile. You're very welcome, Kira, he said. I'm just glad that we found Nee-Noo, who wasn't ever lost, I suppose. I suppose it wasn't, Kira agreed. He was here all along. She stretched out her little panda limbs and turned over. Sleep was already creeping over her, making her eyelids heavy and her hands and feet soft. She buried her nose into Nee-Noo, smelled all the memories and love and security the blanket had accumulated over the years. There was nothing so comforting in the world as Nee-Noo, she thought. Nothing so wonderful as family. Nothing so blissful as the music of the glade of gladness. It had been a rather wonderful day, and she couldn't wait to find out what tomorrow brought. And it was with these thoughts, with the cooing of the owl outside the window, and the soft starlight falling in through the glass, that Kira drifted off into a deep and peaceful sleep, with her comfort blanket, once lost, now found, wrapped snugly.