The Big Bath Bubble

Splash, splash, splash. Bath time was all done.

Little Nell stood on the fluffy mat. Her daddy wrapped her up snug in a big yellow towel. The towel had two yellow duck ears right on top of the hood. Nell pulled the hood up over her wet curls. Now she was a cozy little duck.

Down in the tub, the warm water went swish and gurgle down the drain. The little soap bubbles popped. Pop, pop, pop.

But one bubble did not pop.

It was big and round and shiny. It had pink and green colors on its sides. Up it went, into the warm air. Up, up, up. It floated past the mirror. It floated past the toothbrush cup.

Nell pointed her finger. "Look, Daddy! A bubble!"

"Where is it going?" asked Daddy.

The big round bubble drifted right out the bathroom door. Nell followed it. Her bare feet went pitter-patter on the floor. Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, behind the shiny bubble.

First, the bubble floated into the kitchen. The kitchen was clean and dark. The kettle sat quiet on the stove. The big soup pot was asleep in its cupboard. The bubble bobbed up over the table. It bobbed down near the chairs.

Nell waved her hand from inside her yellow duck towel. "Goodnight, shiny spoons," said Nell. "Goodnight, big table."

The bubble turned around and drifted out again. It went right into the long hallway.

Pitter-patter, pitter-patter went Nell's toes. Daddy walked behind, big and slow and quiet.

The hallway had a green rug. The bubble floated along, right down the middle of the rug. It floated past the coats hanging in a row. It floated past the red boots resting by the door.

Nell smiled at the boots. "Goodnight, red boots," whispered Nell. "Goodnight, warm coats."

The coats hung still. The red boots stayed asleep.

Up ahead were the stairs. The stairs had soft carpet. The big shiny bubble began to climb. It went up one step, then up another step. Float, float, float.

Right on the middle step, curled into a round ball, was Barnaby the cat. Barnaby was fast asleep. His white paws were tucked under his chin. His striped tail gave one tiny twitch.

The bubble floated right over Barnaby's furry ear. It did not bump him. It just sailed past, round and smooth.

Nell stepped past him very carefully. "Goodnight, Barnaby cat," said Nell.

Barnaby purred in his sleep, but he did not open his eyes.

Up the stairs went the bubble. Up the stairs went little duck Nell. Pitter-patter, pitter-patter.

At the very top of the stairs was Nell's bedroom. The lamp by the bed gave a soft golden light. Her little blue pajamas were laid out waiting. Her soft blanket was turned down, ready for sleep.

The bubble drifted through the doorway. It floated past her wooden blocks. It floated past her picture books resting on the shelf.

Nell looked at her toys. "Goodnight, tall blocks," she whispered. "Goodnight, sleepy books."

Daddy helped Nell put on her soft blue pajamas. He lifted her up and tucked her into bed. The blanket was warm and smelled like sunshine. Nell laid her head down on the soft white pillow.

And where was the big round bubble?

There it was, right above her head. It was not in a hurry anymore. It dipped down gently. It wobbled just a little bit. It sank through the golden light, lower and lower.

Down, down, down. It settled right on the corner of Nell's pillow.

Nell held her breath. She watched the shiny pink and green colors on its side.

The bubble sat still for one whole second. Then—pip.

It popped with the tiniest little sound. Just a tiny drop of cool water on the cloth.

Nell let out a long, happy breath. She pulled her blanket all the way up to her chin. The room was so quiet. The kitchen was asleep downstairs. The red boots were asleep in the hall. Barnaby was asleep on the step.

Nell closed her eyes. Her feet were warm. Her head was heavy.

"Goodnight, bubble," said Nell.

And little Nell was fast asleep.