The Man in the Moon

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It’s dreamy and whimsical, with moonlight imagery and gentle curiosity. Perfect when kids want something light, imaginative, and not intense before sleep.

Story Synopsis

High in the pale round Moon, the Man in the Moon lives by himself. He leans over the edge and watches Earth—people walking together, talking together—and he sighs, whistling to fill the silence. One day he sees something impossible: a well-dressed man drifting upward through the air. The Man in the Moon calls down to ask what life is like on Earth. The traveler answers that Earth is lovely, and mentions a place he recommends visiting: Norwich, famous for its pease porridge. When the man floats away, the Man in the Moon stands very still with the word Norwich echoing in his mind. He begins to wonder what it would feel like to be somewhere warm and busy, where bowls are filled and voices answer back. This gentle, fanciful tale turns a familiar nursery idea into a small story about loneliness, curiosity, and the hope of finding company—whether on Earth or in the heart.

Story Excerpt

The Man in the Moon lived all alone, high up in the round, pale Moon. Sometimes he would lean over the edge and look down at Earth. He could see people walking together, talking together, laughing together. And he would sigh, because he had no one to chat with. He had to whistle to keep himself company. One day, as he was peeking down, he saw something very strange : a man in fine clothes was sailing up through the air, drifting closer and closer to the Moon. The Man in the Moon called out, “ How is everything down on the earth? ” “ Everything is lovely, ” the man answered. “ And I wouldn’t leave it if I was not obliged to. ” “ What’s a good place to visit down there? ” asked the Man in the Moon. “ Oh, Norwich is a mighty fine place, ” said the man. “ And it’s famous for its pease porridge! ” Then the man floated away, out of sight, and the Man in the Moon stood very still, thinking. Norwich. Pease porridge. Companions. A town full of people. He wanted to go. Back at his little moon - house, everything worked the opposite way from Earth. When he wanted to be warm, he put lumps of ice in his stove. When he wanted his water cool, he dropped in red - hot coals. When he felt chilly, he might take off his coat to feel warmer. And when the Moon - days felt hot, he might put on an overcoat to cool down. It all seemed perfectly normal to him. He sat by his ice -…

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