Sing a Song o' Sixpence

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It’s playful and inventive, with a warm ‘dreams come true’ feeling. Great for bedtime because it celebrates creativity, kindness, and hope without harsh danger.

Story Synopsis

Gilligren is a tiny page in a grand palace, but his life is not grand. He’s hungry, lonely, and often scolded for being in the way. At night, he slips into the kitchen to warm himself near the ovens and listen to the cook complain about impossible royal feasts. One evening, Gilligren softly sings an old rhyme: “Sing a song of sixpence… four-and-twenty blackbirds baked in a pie.” The cook laughs—then stops. What if a pie could be a surprise? Gilligren and the cook begin to plan. They build a large crust like a pie-dish “lid,” then carefully keep the birds alive inside. When the banquet arrives, the King and Queen sit at the table, the musicians play, and the pie is carried in like the star of the feast. The cook lifts the crust—and out burst the blackbirds, fluttering and singing through the hall. The court gasps, then cheers. The King is delighted by the magic of it. Gilligren, once ignored, is suddenly noticed. His small song has become a moment everyone remembers. By the end, the cook is praised, the banquet is saved, and Gilligren’s life begins to change—not because he was powerful, but because he used imagination at the perfect time.

Story Excerpt

Once there was a boy named Gilligren who lived with his uncle and aunt They were not kind to him They scolded him and made him feel sad But Gilligren was patient and gentle even when they were unkind One day when Gilligren was twelve years old the old King died His son would become the new King and there would be a big celebration in London People from all over were going to see it and Gilligren wanted to go too One evening Gilligren said to his uncle If I had sixpence I could make my fortune His uncle laughed A sixpence is very small How could that make a fortune I don't know yet said Gilligren but if you give me sixpence I will go to London and come back a rich man His aunt spoke up quickly Give him the money and let him go Then we won't have to feed him anymore His uncle thought for a moment then took out a sixpence Here he said But this is all I will ever give you Thank you said Gilligren happily I won't need to ask again The next morning Gilligren cut a walking stick and said goodbye He set off down the road toward London The sun was warm and bright Gilligren whistled as he walked He watched the birds flying over the fields and enjoyed the beautiful day At lunchtime a kind carter shared his bread and cheese At suppertime a farmer's wife gave him a bowl of milk When it got dark Gilligren found…

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