Nighty Night Circus

The moon hung like a silver lantern in the sky, casting its glow on little Maisie’s room. She hugged her favorite stuffed elephant, Ellie, as her mom kissed her goodnight. But tonight felt different. There was a soft shimmer in the corner of her room, like stardust dancing in the air. Maisie blinked, and when she looked again, the shimmer grew brighter until it formed a glowing door. Written on it in golden letters were the words, “Nighty Night Circus: Enter Only in Dreams.”

Maisie’s curiosity bubbled like soda pop. She tiptoed out of bed, Ellie clutched in her arms, and reached for the door. As her fingers touched the golden handle, she felt a rush of cool, magical wind. The next thing she knew, she was standing in the middle of the most enchanting circus she had ever seen. The sky above wasn’t dark but glittered with stars that winked and twinkled, like they were part of the show.

The air smelled of cotton candy and popcorn, and laughter floated everywhere like tiny bubbles. A friendly lion with a golden mane tipped his top hat and bowed to her. “Welcome to the Nighty Night Circus, Miss Maisie,” he said in a warm, deep voice. “You’re just in time for the midnight parade!”

Maisie’s eyes widened as she looked around. Instead of ordinary tents, there were sparkling domes made of glass that shimmered with rainbows. A carousel spun in the distance, but the animals weren’t wooden—they were alive! Unicorns, dragons, and even a shy, giggling giraffe invited her to take a ride. But what caught her attention most was the parade forming in front of her.

Acrobats leaped from one glittering star to another as if the night sky was their stage. A troupe of penguins in tuxedos danced with tambourines. There were elephants balancing on colorful moons and a band of raccoons playing golden trumpets. The circus was alive, magical, and everything Maisie had ever dreamed of.

As Maisie joined the parade, Ellie still tucked under her arm, she realized something special: this wasn’t just a circus—it was her circus. Each act seemed designed just for her. The magician, a funny old turtle, pulled candy from his hat every time she giggled. The tightrope walker, a graceful fox, spelled her name with sparkles in the air.

Time felt strange here. Maisie couldn’t tell if she had been in the circus for minutes or hours, but she didn’t care. It was perfect. But just as the grand fireworks show began, the lion gently tapped her shoulder. “It’s time to return, little one,” he said softly.

Maisie felt her heart sink. “Do I have to leave?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

The lion smiled kindly. “The circus is always here, Maisie. Whenever you close your eyes and let your imagination soar, you’ll find us waiting for you.”

With one last look at the glowing, magical world, Maisie stepped through the golden door. She blinked and found herself back in her bed, Ellie snug in her arms. The shimmer in the corner of her room had faded, but a small golden star rested on her pillow—a souvenir from the Nighty Night Circus.

Maisie smiled and hugged Ellie tight. She couldn’t wait for bedtime tomorrow, knowing the circus was just a dream away.