The Night Train

Every night, at nine o'clock sharp, a train leaves from a station that nobody can see. It has no rails; it travels through the sky. Its engine is silver, its carriages are navy blue, and its windows glow bright yellow. Its name is the Night Train.

You don't need a ticket for the train. There is only one condition: you must be wearing your pajamas.

The train comes to its first stop: Tired Children Station. Here the children who have run, played and shouted all day climb aboard. As soon as they enter the carriages, the seats grow soft and the lamps dim.

Second stop: Brushed Teeth Station. The children who get on here smell of mint. The conductor smiles at each one.

Third stop: Story Listeners Station. This is the busiest stop. The children get on with books in their laps and a voice in their ears. Some of them don't even hear the end of the story as they board; never mind, the train takes them anyway.

Then the train speeds up. It passes over the clouds. If you look out of the window you will see the moon very close; it waves to you. Stars slide past. At one point it passes over the fold of the Cloud Sheep; the sheep bleat in their sleep.

And the train reaches the last stop: the Land of Dreams. Here everyone gets off through their own door. One child's door opens into a forest, another's onto a seashore, another's into their grandmother's kitchen. Where your door opens, only you know.

In the morning the train brings you back. You wake up in your bed; the train has long since gone. But sometimes a cloud feather is left on your pillow, sometimes a little stardust in your hair. Look carefully.

What time is it? Nearly nine. Are your pajamas on? Good. Are your teeth brushed? Good. And the story is ending.

Choo choo. The train is coming. Close your eyes so that you can see the station.