The Sandman’s Promise...

 Dear Readers,

Alright, my little ones, Evan and Ivanka, snuggle up close and let me tell you a story about the Sandman. But don’t be afraid he’s not here to scare you. No, no. He’s here to guide you into the most wonderful dreams…

Once upon a time, in a quiet village nestled between rolling hills and deep, whispering forests, there lived two children, Evan and Ivanka. Every night, as their father tucked them into bed, he would say the same words with a gentle smile: “Sleep tight, my dear ones. The Sandman is near.”

Evan and Ivanka had heard of the Sandman before. Some children said he was a ghostly figure with eyes like silver moons, who sprinkled dream dust over sleeping eyes to bring restful sleep. Others claimed he had a cloak woven from shadows and walked silently between the stars, watching over the night. But neither Evan nor Ivanka had ever seen him not yet.

One evening, after a long day of playing in the fields, Evan and Ivanka felt unusually restless. The wind howled through the trees outside, rattling the windowpanes. The candlelight flickered, casting strange shapes on the walls. Though their father kissed their foreheads and whispered, “Good night, my loves,” they couldn’t shake the feeling that someone or something was watching.

They pulled the blankets up to their chins, closed their eyes tight, and whispered a small prayer, “Dear Lord, please grant us a peaceful rest. Quiet our minds, soothe our spirits, and fill our hearts with Your love. Protect us as we sleep and wake us refreshed in Your grace. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen ” before drifting off.

The moment their eyelids fluttered shut, the world around them changed.

Evan and Ivanka opened their eyes and found themselves standing on a long, golden bridge floating high above an endless sea of dreams. The sky above them shimmered with swirling colors of violet, indigo, silver, and gold. Below, dreams flowed like rivers, each one a different world waiting to be explored.

A tall figure stood at the end of the bridge, his cloak woven from the night sky itself, embroidered with twinkling stars. His eyes, like molten silver, glowed softly as he beckoned them forward.

“Evan, Ivanka,” the figure spoke, his voice like a deep whisper carried on the wind. “You have entered the realm of dreams. Tonight, I shall be your guide.”

Evan hesitated. Ivanka clutched his hand. They knew who this was. The Sandman.

But instead of fear, they felt something else curiosity. They stepped forward, their bare feet brushing against the cool, golden surface of the bridge. The Sandman raised his hand, and suddenly, the bridge split into two paths one bathed in warm, silver moonlight, the other shrouded in swirling mist.

“Choose wisely, children,” the Sandman said, his voice both gentle and firm. “One path leads to dreams of wonder and light. The other… to restless sleep.”

Evan shivered. He could feel the cold coming from the misty path. It whispered strange sounds, echoes of fears, and forgotten shadows. But the moonlit path was warm, glowing with a soft light that reminded them of their father’s embrace.

They took a deep breath and stepped onto the moonlit bridge.

At once, the world around them bloomed into color. They soared through the sky on invisible wings, floating past castles made of clouds and meadows where golden fireflies danced like tiny lanterns. They laughed as they glided over an ocean that shimmered with stars instead of waves, where gentle creatures with silver scales leaped and played.

For what felt like hours, they explored this wondrous realm, discovering hidden forests where the trees whispered lullabies, and fields of tall, golden wheat that swayed in a breeze made of dreams. They even saw the Sandman’s home a towering castle of midnight blue, with towers that touched the stars and windows that reflected all the dreams of the world.

As dawn began to creep into the sky, Evan and Ivanka felt themselves growing lighter, their bodies fading like mist in the morning sun. The Sandman watched them with a knowing smile.

“Sleep well, Evan and Ivanka,” he said. “And remember, the path you choose will always shape your dreams.”

They blinked and suddenly, they were back in their beds, warm and safe beneath their blankets. Sunlight streamed through the window, and the early morning birds sang outside. They sat up, rubbing their eyes. It had felt so real…

And then they saw it. A small trail of silver sand glimmering on their pillows.

With sleepy smiles, they lay back down, closing their eyes just for a moment longer. They knew the Sandman had been there. And they knew, that as long as they chose the light, their dreams would always be filled with wonder.

Now, my little ones, close your eyes and rest. The Sandman is near, and he’s here to bring you the most wonderful dreams. Sleep tight… and choose the moonlit path.

Goodnight, Evan & Ivanka. I Miss you both so much…

Jacob M