Sami's Paper Boat

A Boat in the Bathtub

Warm water was pouring into the bathtub, and the bubbles grew bigger and bigger.

Sami sat in the water with soapy foam on his head, like a little white hat. His mother took a sheet of blue paper and folded it once, then again, and again, until it became a small boat.

“This is your boat, Sami,” said his mother. “It's a strong paper boat. It isn't afraid of water.”

Sami set the boat on the water and gave it a tiny puff, and off it sailed between the bubbles.

Sami laughed. “Look, Mama, the boat knows its way!”

The Room Becomes a Sea

After his bath, Sami put on his striped pyjamas and put the paper boat on the table beside his bed. His mother kissed him, switched off the light and said, “Good night, my little captain.”

Sami was still looking at the boat when something wonderful happened: little by little, it grew, until it was as big as his bed.

And the blue rug turned into a calm sea, gently rocking in the moonlight.

Sami rubbed his eyes, then smiled. He climbed aboard with his small pillow, and the boat floated slowly out through the open window.

The Night Sea

The sea was still and soft, like a big blue blanket, and the round moon painted a long silver path across it.

Beneath the boat swam little fish, each carrying a tiny dot of light. The water seemed full of stars, and the sky was full of stars too.

Sami began to count in a quiet voice: “One star... two stars... three stars...”

Then he giggled. “I can't tell which ones are in the sky and which ones are in the water!”

A light breeze pushed the paper sail, and the boat swayed gently, this way and that, this way and that.

The Sleepy Whale

Suddenly the water in front of the boat rose gently, and a big, smooth head appeared. It was a grey whale, with his eyes half closed.

The whale gave a very long yawn, then said in a deep, calm voice, “Good evening, little captain. I am Whisper. Don't be afraid. I speak softly because the whole sea is getting ready for sleep.”

“Good evening, Whisper,” Sami said quietly. “Do whales go to sleep too?”

“Of course,” said Whisper. “But before I sleep, I like to guide the little boats to Pillow Island. Will you come?”

Pillow Island

Whisper swam slowly, and the paper boat sailed along behind him, until a small and wonderful island came into view. It was made entirely of pillows, white, blue and yellow, with hills of soft blankets.

A gentle breeze drifted over it, as if it were whispering.

Sami stepped out of the boat and walked across the pillows. His feet sank into them, as if he were walking on clouds. He lay down on the biggest pillow and gazed up at the sky.

At the very top of the island lay a large seashell. When Sami touched it, it began to play a quiet tune, like a music box.

The Ticking Clock

While Sami was listening to the tune, he heard a sound he knew very well, coming from far away across the water.

“That's the clock in my room!” said Sami. “It's calling me.”

Whisper smiled. “Yes. The clock says it is time to go back. Home is waiting for you, and your bed is warm and ready.”

Sami picked up a little shell to give to his mother and climbed back into the boat. Then he gave a great big yawn, exactly like the whale.

Whisper chuckled. “You see? Sleepiness is catching, little captain.”

Back to Bed

Whisper gave the boat a gentle nudge with his big nose, and it glided along the silver path, in through the open window, and came to rest beside the bed.

Sami climbed into bed and pulled the blanket up to his chin. When he looked at the table, he saw that the boat had become small again.

From the window, he heard the whale whisper, “Good night, Sami.”

In the morning, his mother found the paper boat on the table. Beside it lay a little seashell, and on its tip shone a drop of salty water.

Mother smiled and said nothing. But she knew that her little captain had been on a beautiful journey.

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