Sophie's Magic Carpet - The Castle - Kids Bedtime Story

Good evening,

It's Gina here.

Tonight Sophie and her magic carpet are going on a gentle journey to a castle on top of a hill.

So snuggle into your bed,

Make sure you're comfortable and let your body begin to rest.

Take a deep breath in through your nose and let it out through your mouth.

Now we're ready to begin.

The last rays of sunshine filled Sophie's bedroom,

Golden light sliding across her shelves and dancing on the carpet that waited beside her bed.

She brushed her hand over its soft patterned threads,

Blue like the sky,

Gold like the setting sun.

Ready for another adventure,

She whispered.

The carpet rippled once,

A happy shimmer running through it.

Sophie lay down carefully,

Resting her head on her arms as it rose from the floor.

The air around her felt warm and full of adventure.

Up through the open window they went into the glowing evening.

The carpet drifted higher,

Gliding above a vast forest glowing in the day's last light.

The treetops looked like a sea of green and gold,

Shifting and whispering softly as the evening breezes passed through.

Sophie could hear the gentle rustles of leaves,

The quiet murmur of branches.

She saw deer moving slowly between the trees and deep,

Cool rivers running through amidst the forest.

She could smell the pine needles,

Wildflowers,

And something faintly sweet,

Maybe the last of the summer blossoms.

Beyond the trees,

The land began to rise.

A tall hill stood ahead and at its crown was a castle shining in the evening sun.

White towers stretched high,

Their windows reflecting the ember-like color of the sunset.

Sophie felt a flutter of excitement,

But she also noticed the guards on the walls,

Walking slowly keeping an eye on the forest and sky.

How can we get in?

She pondered to herself.

Suddenly she had an idea.

There were a few wispy clouds high above,

Not much but enough to hide herself in the carpet as they snuck inside the castle grounds.

It seems that carpet had exactly the same idea and she immediately started rising up into the passing cloud,

Wrapping Sophie in soft mist.

It was cool and refreshing and in a moment they had passed all the way through.

The carpet hovered just above the surface of the cloud as if it were a boat on water.

Sophie held out her hand and let it skim through the cloud,

Cool and mystical.

Hidden safely,

The carpet blighted over the castle walls and once they were in,

The carpet dipped back below the cloud and Sophie could see the turrets,

The gardens below.

They slowly drifted downwards until they were hovering above a garden,

Tapped within the castle walls.

A vast maze of flowers and winding paths,

Glowing with color in the last rays of the Sun.

Roses climbed the walls in shades of pink and cream.

Long beds of tulips and daisies swayed gently in the breeze.

Carpet flew so near that Sophie could almost touch their soft petals.

She breathed in deeply.

The scent made her shoulders relax and her heart feel light.

Just then,

From behind a tall hedge came a quiet rustle.

A man in a wide-brimmed hat appeared,

Carrying a watering can that shimmered mysteriously as if starlight were caught inside.

His beard was soft and silvery and when he smiled,

His eyes twinkled like morning dew.

Well,

Hello there,

He said kindly.

Not often we get visitors from the skies.

Sophie smiled.

Your garden is so beautiful.

I've never seen so many flowers.

The gardener chuckled,

Well,

Thank you.

They love to have people around and sometimes,

He said,

Lowering his voice playfully,

They love a bit of magic.

He reached into a small pouch and drew out a handful of sparkling seeds that glimmered in his palm.

Would you like to plant some?

Sophie nodded eagerly.

The carpet lowered until it hovered just above the flower bed,

Close enough for her to reach the soil.

She leaned forward and took a few seeds in her hand.

They felt warm like tiny drops of sunlight.

Make a wish as you plant them,

Said the gardener.

The earth will listen.

Sophie dropped each seed into the soft soil.

She wished very much that she could see how these plants grew,

But it usually took at least a week for her plants to grow when she helped dad in the garden.

Then she took a deep slow breath in through her nose and blew out softly towards the ground.

As her breath touched the soil,

Something amazing happened.

A faint shimmer spread through the earth and tiny cream shoots began to appear.

The gardener laughed softly.

There it is,

The garden's magic answering you.

The sprouts grew taller and furling leaves.

The color of emeralds.

Then,

Before Sophie's eyes,

Buds appeared,

Pink,

Gold,

And violet,

And one by one they opened into full blossoms.

Whoa,

Sophie whispered.

They're amazing.

The gardener nodded.

Every seed just needs a little care and some kind wishes.

Sophie looked around.

All the flowers she'd planted now swayed gently together,

Glowing in the fading sunlight.

She smiled,

Feeling proud and peaceful all at once.

The gardener tipped his hat.

Thank you for helping the castle bloom tonight,

Little one.

Come back any time.

Sophie thanked him as well for sharing this magical garden with her.

The carpet gave a soft flutter,

And Sophie waved as they drifted upwards again,

Leaving the garden shimmering below.

The carpet drifted onwards,

Circling one of the tall round towers until it found an open window.

Delicious smells drifted out.

Warm bread,

Roasted vegetables,

Something sweet and buttery.

Curious,

Sophie peeked inside.

The kitchen was enormous.

Copper pots hung above a wide stone table,

And there were endless jars of every type of ingredient you could imagine lining the walls.

A kindly woman in a white apron bustled about,

Humming as she stirred a pot.

Then she turned towards the window.

She didn't seem a bit surprised to see a little girl flying on a carpet.

Well,

You must be hungry,

Dear,

The cook said kindly.

Adventures take a lot of energy.

The carpet floated a bit closer,

And the cook placed a warm roll wrapped in a napkin into Sophie's hand.

It smelled heavenly.

Thank you,

Sophie said.

The cook smiled.

You're welcome.

Enjoy the evening.

The castle is yours to explore.

Sophie took a tiny bite that was soft and sweet,

And then the carpet lifted gently,

Carrying her upwards again.

Music floated up through one of the castle's open windows.

Soft violins,

A lilting flute,

The steady heartbeat of a drum.

Laughter carried through the evening air.

Drawn by the sound,

Sophie's carpet glided towards the great hall.

Through tall arched windows,

She could see hundreds of twinkling candles reflected in a polished marble floor,

And dancers spinning in silks and ribbons that swirled like petals in the breeze.

The carpet hovered for a moment at the window,

And then,

With a quiet flutter,

Drifted gracefully inside.

Sophie gasped.

The ceiling soared high above her,

Hung with sparkling chandeliers.

The musicians glanced up first,

Then one of the dancers pointed,

And a hush spread across the room.

A little girl and her golden carpet were floating gently through the air.

For a heartbeat,

Everything was still.

Then the conductor smiled and lifted his bow.

The violins began a new melody,

Light and sweeping.

The carpet spun slowly,

Twirling in time with the music.

Sophie lay on her stomach,

Resting her chin on her hands,

Smiling as the air swirled around her.

She could see the dancers clapping in rhythm below,

Their faces full of wonder.

The melody grew brighter.

The carpet dipped in rose,

Circling a chandelier that glittered with thousands of crystal drops.

Light scattered around the hill,

Painting the walls in rainbows.

Sophie's hair floated in the warm air as she and her carpet turned once,

Twice,

And three times through the shining beams.

When the final note trembled through the hall,

The carpet glided down slowly,

Settling just above the marble floor.

Sophie gave a small bow,

And the carpet gave a proud little spin.

The guests cheered and clapped,

Their applause echoing up to the rafters.

The conductor bowed back to her with a laugh of delight.

Sophie smiled shyly.

Thank you,

She whispered.

With a gentle flutter,

The carpet lifted once more,

Circling the room in farewell,

Before slipping back out into the quiet evening air.

As they drifted away,

The music softened behind them until it became just a hum in the breeze.

As the carpet floated higher,

Sophie noticed one window still glowing with soft golden light.

Inside,

A girl about her age sat brushing her long hair beside a small lantern.

When she looked up and saw Sophie,

Her eyes sparkled.

Hello,

She said,

Smiling kindly.

You must have flown quite some way to get here.

You must be tired after such a long journey.

Sophie smiled back.

Your castle was wonderful.

Everyone here has been so kind.

But yes,

I am getting a little tired.

Would you like to stay the night?

Asked the princess.

There's plenty of room,

And your magic carpet can sleep beside you.

The carpet drifted gently through the window and settled on the polished floor.

The room smelled of roses,

And the walls were covered in soft pink drapes.

The princess waved her hand,

And a four-poster bed appeared beside her own one,

Identical in every detail,

With silky sheets and a canopy trimmed in gold thread.

Wow,

Your magic,

Gasped Sophie.

The princess smiled.

A little bit.

It helps when we have guests.

The beds glowed gently in the lamplight,

Looking so warm and inviting,

That Sophie could already imagine sinking into them.

But before they got ready to sleep,

The princess stood and said,

Even a princess has to take care of her teeth first.

She picked up a sparkling silver toothbrush from a tiny glass on the dresser.

With a graceful flick of her wrist,

A second toothbrush appeared,

The same shape and colour,

And a small shimmer of starlight on the hand.

This one is for you,

She said,

Handing it to Sophie.

Sophie laughed in surprise.

Thanks!

They stood side by side at the wide marble basin,

With two little mirrors hanging above it,

And brushed their teeth.

The princess turned to Sophie.

Now that you've gotten ready for bed and helped in the castle gardens,

You've earned something special.

She touched the top of her own golden crown,

Then reached out her other hand.

With a soft glow,

An identical crown appeared,

Smaller,

Perfectly fitted for Sophie.

For tonight,

Said the princess,

Placing it gently on Sophie's head,

You're a princess too.

Sophie's eyes shone.

Really?

Really,

Said the princess with a nod.

Every visitor who arrives by starlight becomes royal for one night.

Sophie smiled with delight.

The crown sparkled as she lay back down on her carpet,

Watching its reflections dance on the ceiling.

They each settled into their beds.

The carpet made herself comfortable on the floor between them.

The princess blew out the lantern,

And moonlight drifted through the window.

Soft silver,

Painting the room in a calm,

Peaceful light.

Before we sleep,

Said the princess softly,

We always breathe together.

Would you like to learn how we in the castle fall asleep?

Sophie nodded,

Sinking deeper into her soft bed.

She placed her hands on her tummy,

Just like the princess.

If you are listening at home,

Feel free to join in.

The princess took a deep breath in,

And counted in,

For one,

Two,

Her belly rose like a gentle wave,

And out for one,

Two,

Three.

Her breath flowed slowly,

Warm and easy.

Again,

And for one,

Two,

And out for one,

Two,

Three.

In for one,

Two,

And out for one,

Two,

Three.

As Sophie breathed deeply,

She started to feel even more relaxed.

She smiled,

Her eyes closing.

Soon,

Their breathing matched.

Slow,

Steady,

Peaceful.

They drifted into magical dreams,

As all in the castle came to rest.

Thank you for joining us on this adventure tonight.

If you enjoyed it,

Perhaps you'd like to join Sophie and carpet again tomorrow night for another adventure.

Until then,

Goodnight my friend.