Sleepily Ever After - Part 1

Note: I started work on a series of such short stories with the feedback i got for my last attempt. Do throw in your brickbats and bouquets if any, this time too :) Will post the ending later :p

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Sleepily Ever After

Littlette Pookums Lilt stared at the ceiling wistfully; the leaves slowly ruffled as if turning in their sleep. The silence of the night was deep like a treasure waiting to be unearthed. Nights on Silicon planet are always a treat for the senses. With Ersha, its second Moon rising ever so slowly, the splendour of the country lies open for all; at least for those who wish to savour it. Littlette Pookums is one of those or rather she became one. Pookums Lilt wasn’t a light sleeper unlike her cousin Principecia Royale who couldn’t sleep because of a whisker on her shell. Though Littlette Pookums could ignore her taunts, she couldn’t turn a deaf nose to all the other noise. Especially not this particular tune that kept her awake all night. She turned her big round eyes towards the source of the rhythmic monotone. And there he was, snuggling deeper into the mud bed and oblivious to his lady’s discomfort snoring louder than ever, our hero Little Dudlum Pastel. 

Pookums sighed, scampered out and decided to walk. Synfois, the planet’s sun would soon rise above the valley. Littlette Pookums walked slowly around their house. It wasn’t a mansion but she loved it. Well which sane bug wouldn’t? They had built it with materials brought from Wonluck, the rich region north of their little hamlet. If you remember, Little Dudlum came from Boomerangdung, east of Lake Murky Waters. 

Anyway their mansion had the distinct smell of scribbled feathers and she loved it. You would too, if you knew how scribbled feathers smelt. Her favourite room in the entire house was the Art Room where Little Dudlum painted. Yes, she married a painter much against her parents’ wishes. But the very fact that he threw away a high paying Dungkicker’s job to paint made all her whiskers tingle with pleasure. And if you lived in Silicon planet you would know that it is not everyday that whiskers tingle, much less with pleasure. She wrote songs about his paintings. There wasn’t much income as a songwriter. The band Crickets On the Fence for whom she wrote songs weren’t really blessed with what one would call a pleasing voice. But with tastes having changed since her mom’s times to hers, they did sell platinum leaves. Together she and Little Dudlum made enough to have roast salamanders at least once a month. 

Life with Little Dudlum was indeed a blessing if only he didn’t snore. She had tried every thing but nothing worked. Until that morning. As she walked into her living room, the Tweeter chirped. A message from her best friend Amber Ambrosia. She was the local bugger. Her Snapple stuffed Bug Pies are famous all over Silicon planet. It won’t be long before they hit our world either. In fact, I once had the good fortune to accompany her on her Snapple expeditions where…there I go on one of my tummyscapades while you are biting your nails to know what the message is. 

This is what it said, “Welcome to Sleepily Ever After; An island of In Somnia, the big lake south of Boomerang Dung. Come once and you will stay forever, addicted to the serenity and peace around you. “ 

This was followed by a set of directions to get there which am sure is not what you are here for. Littlette Pookums stared at the message. The Remedy. Maybe she would finally be able to sleep peacefully. Excited, she scampered as fast as her eight legs would carry her, to their bedroom. Soon the love bugs were twittering animatedly about Sleepily Ever After. 

  To be continued.