A Koala Bedtime Story: The Night Train's Empty Seat

Read this original koala bedtime story: Kip prepares a quiet railway station for one unusual passenger and a very large parcel. The complete story appears below, followed by a small personalization idea for your next reading together.

The Night Train's Empty Seat

The last train reached Fern Station at nine. Kip the koala liked the minutes before it arrived. He checked the clock, brushed leaves from the platform and straightened the sign that said THIS WAY OUT.

Tonight a large parcel waited beside the bench. It was almost as tall as Kip, wrapped in brown paper and tied with a blue ribbon. A tag read, "For my sister. Please keep upright."

A wombat in a knitted scarf stood beside it. "Will there be room?" she asked.

Kip looked at the timetable. "Usually the last carriage is quiet."

"It cannot go on the luggage shelf."

"Then we will find another place."

The wombat sat down. Kip offered to move the parcel closer to the platform lamp, but she shook her head. She had chosen a spot sheltered from the wind. Every few moments she rested a paw against the paper, as if checking whether it was still there.

In the distance, wheels began their regular tapping. Kip lifted his lantern. The train slowed beside the platform, warm squares of light sliding past the bench. The conductor opened the last carriage door.

Inside sat a fox with a suitcase and a badger holding a book. There were several empty seats, but the parcel would not fit through the narrow space between them. Kip turned it carefully. The wombat held the bottom. The ribbon brushed the doorway.

"A little to your left," said the conductor.

"My left or the parcel's?" asked Kip.

The fox stood up. He moved his suitcase beneath his own seat, leaving a broad corner clear. The badger tucked his feet closer. Now the parcel could stand beside the wombat, exactly as the tag requested.

"What is it?" Kip asked, once everyone was settled.

The wombat loosened one fold of paper. Green leaves showed through, and one small white flower. "A cutting from our old garden. My sister has a new window."

Kip helped fold the paper back. The conductor checked the door. As the train pulled away, the wombat waved through the glass, one paw still steadying the tall parcel.

Fern Station grew quiet again. Kip found a fallen white petal on the platform. He set it beside the clock, turned the sign toward tomorrow's passengers and carried his lantern home.

A detail your child can choose

Let your child choose the parcel's ribbon color before you read. The parcel's contents are revealed late in the story, so you can leave them as a surprise or tell a listener who prefers knowing. For a travel connection, borrow a familiar station name. Keep the patient porter and the passenger's safe arrival when making a shorter version.

Day2Tale creates personalized, narrated stories.

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