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Hey Diddle Diddle

Quick Answer

A famous nonsense rhyme where a cat plays the fiddle, a cow jumps over the moon, and a dish runs away with a spoon. Pure imagination in a few joyful lines.

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It’s whimsical and light. The silly images can lift the mood, and the rhythm is soothing when read slowly.

Story at a Glance

RECOMMENDED AGES

2-6 years

READING TIME

1 min

THEMES
gentlegentlecomfortingcomfortingeasy to understandeasy to understandclassic taleclassic tale
Also available inEspañol

Story Synopsis

“Hey Diddle Diddle” is a classic nonsense nursery rhyme packed with surprising pictures: a cat playing the fiddle, a laughing little dog, a cow leaping over the moon, and even a dish running away with a spoon. There’s no logic to solve—just playful imagination. Children love it because it’s short, memorable, and makes the world feel soft and funny. At bedtime, it’s wonderful as a quick ‘dreamy’ rhyme: a tiny door into moonlit silliness right before sleep.

Story Excerpt

Hey! diddle, diddle, The cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon; The little dog laughed To see such craft, And the dish ran away with the spoon.

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In One Glance

“Hey Diddle Diddle” is a short nonsense rhyme full of whimsical images: a cat plays music, a cow jumps over the moon, and a dish runs away with a spoon. Its purpose is rhythm and imagination, not plot. It’s easy to memorize and works well as a light bedtime verse.

Frequently Asked Questions

A silly rhyme with a cat and fiddle, a cow jumping over the moon, and a dish running away with a spoon.

No—it's whimsical and fun.

Ages 1–7.

Read it slowly and invite your child to picture the moon like a friendly night-lamp.