A-Z Bedtime Stories

By Celia Blake

A collection of 26 short stories—each reflects Christian values and has a magical aspect. Written for ages eight to the elderly. Read for yourself, or read to someone you love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Celia Blake
• Release date: Dec 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005189761

Celia Blake

While at the University of Wisconsin—Waukesha, I served as the literary magazine editor. I earned my Bachelor's of Arts degree in English from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. Since then, I have continued to write.After self-publishing two poetry books (under a pseudonym) I wrote a novella, followed by a middle-grade novel, then "The Bard of Wild Rose" (now available in Smashwords), a novel for young adults and older. I have recently completed a short story collection which will be published soon. My future plans include writing a third fantasy novel.

Book preview

A-Z Bedtime Stories

by

Celia Blake

Copyright 2022 Celia Blake

Smashwords Edition

No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally (and often far more) worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond. —C.S. Lewis

A-Z Bedtime Stories

Contents

A: Aaron

B: Baxter

C: Cassie

D: Denise

E: Elizabeth

F: Fredd

G: Gracie

H: Hank

I: Ingrid

J: Jen

K: Kenzi

L: Liv

M: Madison

N: Nikos

O: Ozzie

P: Patrick

Q: Quinn

R: Ramla

S: Sheila Marie

T: Thomas

U: Uma

V: Vanessa (Author's favorite)

W: Will

X: Xavier

Y: Yolanda

Z: Zeth

Connect

Aaron

There once was a boy named Aaron who liked to look up to the sky. He loved the clouds, the birds, the trees, and the airplanes. He thought sunsets were wonderful and the lightning storms were fantastic. At nighttime, he would look up towards the heavens and the marvelous galaxy of stars shining so brightly. He imagined that each star was one of God’s angels watching over all of the children on earth.

One night, right after sunset, Aaron fell asleep early while looking out his window at one of the brightest stars he’d ever seen. That night he had a dream. The star grew bigger and brighter. He could see wings form out from the light. Soon, the bright yellow star sparkled like a billion stars together in the shape of an angel floating in the twilight.

In this dream, Aaron heard the angel speak to him. The angel told him that he was a special boy and would have a magical life. But, there would be some trials and tribulations along the way.

Trials and tribulations? asked Aaron.

Trials and tribulations, answered the angel. Are you okay with that?

Aaron thought about it. He answered the angel, saying, I know God loves me and will take care of me each and every day of my life. So, yes. I am okay with that.

The angel smiled at Aaron and grew brighter and brighter and turned into the sun. The bright light woke Aaron. It was morning.

He yawned and stretched. Church bells rang. Aaron counted the bells. Seven. It was seven o’clock in the morning. Time to get up and get ready for the first day of school—new grade, new friends. It was exciting.

He sat up and slid on his slippers. Then he noticed something. A long white feather laying on his night stand. It was then that Aaron remembered his dream about the angel. It was real, he thought. Cool, he said out loud.

He picked up the feather and felt the softness as he brushed it through his fingers. He waved it around.

Aaron’s slippers turned into shoes!

What? he said.

He waved the feather around again. He was now fully dressed in his school clothes.

Wow! Aaron exclaimed, realizing he had a magic angel feather. Thank you! he shouted out the window towards the sky. I’ll take good care of it!

He asked his mother to sew long pockets into the sides of all his pants. She asked him why. He told his mom about the angel and showed her the feather.

With long pockets I can keep the feather with me and not lose it, Aaron explained.

She smiled kindly at her son and sewed the pockets for him. Now, Aaron could keep his magic angel feather on him at all times. And at night he kept it safe in his dresser drawer.

Every day he practiced his magic. He pointed the feather at a sparrow with a broken wing and healed it. The bird flew away happily. He waved the feather at his swing set and fixed the broken swing so he could play on it again. Soon he was able to do all sorts of incredible things. The feather didn’t even seem to get crumpled in his pocket. Every time he pulled it out it was as white and new as when he first discovered it on his night stand.

One morning, on his walk to school, Aaron was looking up into the sky as usual. He noticed how the sky was especially blue, and there weren’t any clouds at all that day. While he walked he thought about what the angel had said about trials and tribulations. He wondered what those would be. Life seemed pretty awesome. He was getting good grades. The choir he sang with in church sounded better every practice. He had two wonderful parents who loved him. And, he had God and his angels watching over him. It was a beautiful day.

But then, suddenly, he felt the earth scrape his knee and noticed he was on the ground. He had been pushed. He heard a boy yelling at him for looking up at the sky all of the time. It was Miles. One of the school bullies. There were three of them at his school. Miles was the meanest of the three.

You’re such a moron, Aaron, always looking up, not watching where you’re going.

I see perfectly fine. You came out of nowhere and pushed me! said Aaron while getting up to his feet.

Why do you always look up? Maybe you should stay down, said Miles. And he pushed Aaron to the ground again.

Aaron reached into this long pocket for his magic feather and pointed it at Miles.

What! What happened? cried Miles, feeling his face to touch his eyes. I can’t see! He reached out, trying to feel something.

Yeah, now you can’t push me down anymore either, thought Aaron as he got up and stepped away from Miles.

Miles found a tree and held onto it for dear life. He was scared because he couldn’t see anything.

Aaron looked up into his beautiful blue sky and noticed a bunch of black birds flying around an eagle. The little birds were picking on the eagle, and making a lot of noise. Aaron wondered why the eagle wasn’t fighting them. It just flew another circle in the sky. Then it soared up. Higher and higher it went. Soon the little birds couldn’t follow the eagle and gave up their chase. Soar higher, thought Aaron.

He glanced at Miles who was hugging the tree with one hand and feeling his eyes with another. I need to rise above this, not retaliate in anger, thought Aaron. So, he pointed the magic angel feather at Miles, and waved it through the air. Miles could see again.

Aaron said sorry and continued his walk while looking up at the beautiful fall colors on the tree tops. Miles took a deep breath and then ran to school to tell his friends what happened.

Miles’ friend Mike did not believe Miles. Mike saw Aaron out on the playground at recess. He walked over to Aaron and teased him, saying, Aaron’s a freak, he looks up to the trees, he messes with Miles and gets pushed to his knees. Aaron’s a freak, who looks to the trees, he messes with Miles and gets pushed to his knees.

Stop singing, said Aaron. "Miles started it. I’m not a freak."

Aaron’s a freak, he looks up to the trees, he messes with Miles and gets pushed to his knees.

Aaron reached into his pocket again and pointed the feather. The next thing you knew, Mike stopped singing and was holding his ears.

I can’t hear. What happened to all the kids? I don’t hear them playing. I can’t hear myself! You pointed that feather at me. It is true! declared Mike.

Yeah, and now you can’t hear yourself sing that horrible rhyme, thought Aaron.

Please, please don’t do this. If you can hear me Aaron, help me.

Aaron thought about the morning. The eagle had risen above the teasing black birds. He did not want to be a black bird. He wanted to be an eagle. But he was sick and tired of being picked on. Still, it wasn’t right. So he pointed his magic feather and gave Mike his hearing back.

Aaron heard a plane overhead. He looked up and saw it far away, leaving a stream of white across the deep blue sky. He whistled a happy tune and walked on.

After school, while Aaron was walking home, looking up at the clouds that now formed in the afternoon sky, he noticed Mac walking towards him. Mac was friends with Miles and Mike. Aaron hoped there wouldn’t be any more trouble!

Your fly is open, said Mac.

Aaron turned red with embarrassment. He looked at his pants. His fly wasn’t open!

Ha ha! Made you look down. Freak! said Mac.

That’s it! Aaron reached for his magic feather once again and he took away Mac’s voice.

Mac tried to respond, to speak, but nothing came out. He couldn’t talk at all! He touched his mouth, his throat, wondering what had happened.

Yep, can’t talk now, can ya? Hard to tease me when you can’t speak, isn’t it? thought Aaron.

Mac remembered what his friends had said about Aaron having a magic feather. He had not believed the guys. Until now. Mac dropped to his knees and held his hands together begging Aaron to give him back his voice.

Aaron looked away. He was tired of being picked on. He didn’t know what else to do. Taking away Mac’s voice worked. Then he looked up. One of the clouds was shaped like an angel. How beautiful, he thought. He watched as the cloud grew whiter and brighter and became the image of the angel who had given Aaron the feather.

Aaron looked up with wide eyes and an eager heart. But the angel looked down on Aaron and shook his head, no. A tear fell from the angel’s eye. It started to mist outside. Another tear fell, and a light rain began.

Mac was still on his knees in the begging position. The boy looked at the angel and looked at Aaron. Back and forth, begging for his voice back.

Aaron felt absolutely horrible. He fell to his knees. I’m so, sorry! he exclaimed. He pointed the feather at Mac and gave Mac his voice back.

I can talk. Oh, thank you, he said to the angel. He gave Aaron a dirty look and walked home.

The rain fell harder and harder and the clouds became darker, so dark that the image of the angel faded. Aaron walked through the rain, feeling so guilty for letting down the angel. He went home and prayed.

It rained most of the night, and Aaron prayed and prayed for God’s forgiveness, for the angel’s forgiveness. He promised never to use the magic feather to cause harm again. Aaron fell asleep looking out his window at the rain.

In the morning Aaron felt something warm on his cheek. He heard a whisper, I forgive you.

Aaron opened his eyes. The sun was shining brightly through his bedroom window. Bright rays of light caressed his face, warming him with the comfort of sunshine.

Oh, thank you. Thank you, so much! Aaron said out loud.

He got up and out of bed and ready for school.

On his walk he looked up to the sky. It was sunny and there were a few fluffy clouds floating here and there. Birds sang from the trees and the wind blew a gentle, cool breeze through the tree tops. Aaron felt so thankful for God’s forgiveness. He said a silent prayer of thanks to the angel, too.

He was almost to school when three figures appeared on the path. It was Miles, Mike, and Mac. All three of them were there waiting for Aaron.

The boys planned on steeling Aaron’s magic angel feather. So they waited for Aaron, cutting him off on the path. When they saw him they started to run for him.

Aaron felt fear. They were coming so fast. They were going to get him! He didn’t have much time. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the magic feather.

The three boys were upon him. Miles was reaching for him. Aaron pointed the feather just in time, and froze all three boys in their tracks.

I’m so sorry. It’s all I could think of to do.

Unfreeze us, Miles demanded.

So you can push me down and tease me some more. No. There’s got to be a better way.

Unfreeze us you freak! screamed Mike.

Mac didn’t say anything, he just looked scared.

Yeah, freak, said Miles.

Maybe they’re right, thought Aaron. Maybe I am a freak. But I can’t help but look up. The sky is so gorgeous. There are so many great things to see when I look up.

Freak, freak, freak! said Miles and Mike.

Let us go, freak! said Miles.

Freak. They think I’m a total freak. No! I will not receive that! I am not a freak! thought Aaron.

He remembered what the angel said to him that first night appearing out from the stars: You are a special boy, Aaron. You see, hear, and relate to the world differently than others. You will have a magical life, but there will be some trials and tribulations along the way.

These must be. . . an example. Trials and tribulations, thought Aaron. And God did take care of me. He always will take care of me.

Aaron took a long, deep breath.

Okay, he said. First of all, before I unfreeze you, hear me out. Okay?

Mac nodded his head, yes. Hear him out, guys, he said to his friends.

The other two nodded, yes.

Okay. Miles, you should not have pushed me down.

Miles was about to say something but Aaron held up his free hand, stopping him.

Hear me out.

Miles kept silent.

I know you have mean older brothers and you see them fighting each other all of the time. Sometimes they push you down. I think that can’t be easy. But that doesn’t mean you should do that to others.

Miles looked down at his feet. What Aaron said was true, and Miles knew it.

I’m going to unfreeze you and give you a magical power, said Aaron. He pointed the feather, unfreezing Miles only.

Miles’ frozen, outstretched arms fell to his sides. The boy stretched and moved around, grateful to be unfrozen. What magic are you going to give me? he asked.

Aaron brushed the feather through the air, up and down in front of Miles. You are now a black belt in Judo. But, the magic is only there for defense. You will not be able to cause harm. Is that okay with you or should I take it back?

Really? That’s awesome. Thanks, Aaron! I’m really sorry about pushing you, he said. Gotta go guys! he said running off towards home to test out his new defensive powers.

What about me? asked Mike, still frozen next to Mac.

Aaron unfroze the other two boys. Hold out your hands, he said to Mike.

Mike held out his hands, palms up.

I know your baseball team is going on a field trip to Yankee Stadium. I also know you can’t go because your parents can’t afford it. Here you go, said Aaron. A plane ticket and stadium ticket appeared in Mike’s hands.

Thanks, Aaron! he said, walking away, smiling at his tickets and singing Here come the Yankees. Let’s get behind and cheer the—Yankees. They’re gonna learn to fear the—Yankees!

Mac stood there silent.

You okay, Mac? asked Aaron.

Yeah. That was something else. That angel and that rain, hey?

Yeah. Listen, Mac. I don’t think you’re so bad. I know you’re parents are getting divorced and it’s bound to make a kid cranky. But I got something that might cheer you up and I’ll make sure it’s okay with your parents.

What’s that?

Aaron waved his feather and a puppy appeared, barking up at Mac.

Oh! He’s so cute!

It’s a girl, said Aaron.

The little puppy was white with black dots on her soft, short fur. Her floppy ears were adorable.

I’m going to call her Angel.

I think that’s perfect, said Aaron.

The puppy barked a few times, happily.

Thank you.

No problem. See you tomorrow at school?

Yep, he replied playing with the pup. I’m going this way if you want to walk with Angel and me.

Okay, said Aaron.

Maybe we can get a kickball game in at recess.

Sounds great, replied Aaron.

And they walked on as friends.

***

Baxter

Baxter believed in the unbelievable. He loved superhero movies. Church was a place of great joy for him. Art was a passion, especially wood burning. And although he rarely sang in key, he enjoyed belting out song. He wasn’t worried about what other people thought of him because he liked himself and knew God loves him.

One day, Baxter was wood burning a plaque for his aunt. Using the writing-tipped burning pen, he carefully burned each letter into the wood, connecting them in cursive script as they spelled out her favorite scripture from the New Testament. When he finished the plaque, Baxter carefully nailed a saw-tooth picture frame hanger to the back of it. The plaque would look nice on her wall.

His aunt always said that the New Testament is the word of Jesus. And Jesus is Truth. She said to never be afraid to say His name, there is power in it. Baxter wasn’t afraid. In fact, he felt it, the love and power of the Lord. His parents didn’t talk much about things of the spirit, but he could always discuss them with his Aunt Kelly—which is why he chose to make her this gift. He enjoyed giving plaques to people who would truly appreciate them.

The Bible lay open beside him. He moved the Book closer to read it. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist. Paul was discussing the armor of God with the Ephesians.

Hmm. A thought came to Baxter. He went to his dresser and pulled out his belt. It was a thick, leather belt. Sturdy. Perfect. He brought it back to his desk. Baxter turned the belt over, grabbed a pencil and proceeded to write out the scripture he had just read. He spaced the words out evenly to complete the length of the belt. He choose a thinner tip for the wood burning pen and burned the words into the belt. It smelled different than wood, but it worked fine. The pen moved more easily over