Things Aren’t Always What They Seem

8 Min. Read

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Things Aren't Always What They Seem

The Jordan family had always been seekers of extraordinary and explorers of adventures. They always found weird, funny, and bizarre things in this world. They never failed to discover the world’s most peculiar secrets, whether it was an insect that few knew in the forest or a treasure older than ages hidden deep down in the caves. They never stayed at one place for enough time to gather dust but carried an assortment of oddities—like a bottle of glowing moss, a compass that pointed towards those who were dreaming, and a collection of stones that hummed when held under the moonlight—each item a testament to their wild journeys and the mysteries still waiting to be unveiled.

But after many years of travelling, the people of Jordan’s family decided finally to stay somewhere for a while. They moved to a beautiful old house located near an ancient, quiet forest; it seemed like an ideal place for an adventure. The house had been closed for many years, with broken windows and creepy walls giving it an eerie appearance. With every creak of the floorboards and rustle of the leaves outside, it seemed to symbolize horror, making everyone feel as though unseen eyes were watching from a distance. But the Jordan family didn’t take notice and settled there anyway.

After a long, tiring day of unpacking, the Jordan family settled into their rooms, exhausted from the move. In the night, Jordan’s son Peter woke up feeling hungry and decided to head down to the kitchen for a midnight snack. As he opened the refrigerator door, a glowing figure floated behind him. The figure’s shadow was pale and illuminated by the moonlight. It was a spirit that disappeared immediately when Peter turned, gasping with fear. He cried loudly and fell down on the kitchen floor when he tried to run back upstairs.

His twin sisters, Lily and Rose—always on the lookout for a new mystery—heard a strange noise coming from the kitchen. They rushed downstairs and found their brother unconscious. Within minutes, the whole family had gathered in the kitchen. As Peter recounted what had happened, they looked around but found nothing abnormal in the house. They helped Peter back to bed, but after that, none of them could sleep peacefully again, gripped by an untold fear.

The next day, Mr. and Mrs. Jordan sat down with their children and said, “It’s probably just Peter’s imagination; there’s nothing else here.” They reassured the kids that the house was old and creaky, which could easily explain the strange noises. However, despite their parents’ comforting words, Lily, Rose, and Peter exchanged uneasy glances, still haunted by the previous night’s events.

­That evening, as shadows lengthened and the wind whispered through the trees, the twins asked their parents for permission to go outside and to play in the garden. “Of course,” said their mother.

Excitedly, the twins put on their coats and rushed out into the cold evening. While playing in the garden, they suddenly heard someone crying. They looked for the source of the sound and found someone under a large oak tree at the edge of the garden. To their surprise, there was a spirit sitting there. They were shaken, for, unlike the other scary ghosts, this one didn’t try to frighten them and instead was itself crying. Both twins decided to approach the ghost and bravely asked him why he was crying

The ghost looked up, and its appearance shone in the moon’s light. “I do not want to scare anyone,” he said, with a voice that shuddered in pain. “I want to make friends, but every time I try to make friends, people scream and run away because of my unattractive voice. I’m lonely.”

Rose knelt beside the ghost, her heart swelling with love. “You won’t feel alone, anymore,” she said. “We’re not afraid of you; maybe we can help you.”

The ghost looked hopeful and wiped away his tears. Then he asked, “Would you really help me? But how?”

“Our father is a potion and gadget expert,” Lily explained, her eyes shining. He is always creating things that no one has thought of before. I think he can do something to stop your screams of terror.

The twins hurried to their dad, rushing into his experimental room and crying, “Daddy!” at the same time.

“What’s happened, girls?” Mr. Jordan asked with a smile. As the twins bumped into him, a bottle fell from his hands. Not noticing it, they told him all about the spirit in the garden and requested his help to create a solution to fix the ghost’s spooky voice. Mr. Jordan thought for a moment and said, “I already have a solution for this. I accidentally created a potion in an experiment a few days ago. And it just might be what you want!”

He dived into his medicine collection and pulled out a shiny bottle labelled “No Spooky Sound.” “He won’t scare anyone again,” he said, holding it up.

The twins took the bottle and went outside, thanking their father.  The spirit was waiting eagerly under the oak. Rose, one of the twins, held out the bottle to the spirit and said, “Here, drink this. It will help”.

The spirit stopped for a moment, then drew a deep breath and swallowed the draught. Instantly, a sweat broke out all over him. And when he opened his mouth to speak, instead of a soulful groan, his voice came out as a soft and kind whisper.

The spirit’s face shone with joy. “Thank you! I feel different—better! Now I can make friends without scaring anyone!” he said, looking at them hopefully. Then he asked if they would become his friends. Not only did the twins agree, but the entire Jordan family welcomed the ghost into their lives as a friend.

From that night on, the spirit became a cherished member of the Jordan family, helping them discover hidden rooms and treasures. Whenever they travelled to new places, the ghost, whom they named Genie, came along—not as a dark spirit but as a friend.

The Jordan family and Genie continued to explore the world together, adding a touch of magic to their adventures.

Friendship Beyond Fear: The Moral of the Jordan Family’s Tale

In this enchanting short bedtime story, the Jordan family learns that true friendship often comes from the most unexpected places. When Peter’s midnight fright awakens his sisters Lily and Rose to a lonely spirit named Genie, the family shows that empathy can transform fear into love. Rather than recoiling at Genie’s eerie wail, Lily and Rose listen to his sorrow and seek a solution. Similarly, their father’s “No Spooky Sound” potion symbolizes how creativity and care can bridge gaps between strangers, human or otherwise. This gentle act of kindness highlights that understanding heartbeats beneath outward appearances, making this tale one of the best short bedtime stories for kids.

Among collections of bedtime stories short in length, the Jordan family’s adventure stands out for weaving thrilling moments with a heartfelt moral. It’s perfect for those late-night reads when families want both excitement and a meaningful lesson before sleep.

For parents searching short bedtime stories for kids, this story offers warmth and wonder, sparking conversations about compassion and courage. And for those browsing short bedtime stories for adults, it’s a gentle reminder that empathy transcends age, fostering connections that last a lifetime.

Ultimately, this short bedtime story teaches us that replacing judgment with understanding and fear with friendship unlocks the true magic of human connection. So, next time you find yourself looking for short bedtime stories, let this tale guide you to dream of a world where kindness lights even the darkest nights.

Looking for short bedtime stories that transform nightly reading into a cherished ritual?

Our carefully curated collection invites you to embark on a journey where every tale is a gentle escape from the day’s bustle. These Bedtime Stories on Storyious are crafted with soft language and a soothing pace, ideal for nighttime reading with your little ones. Moreover, the narratives offer both adventure and comfort, striking a perfect balance between excitement and serenity. So, enjoy a few precious minutes of calm as you and your child delve into a story that ignites imagination while easing the transition to sleep. Let these short bedtime stories be the magical bridge to a world of peaceful dreams.

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How We Have Reviewed This Story!

At Storyious, all stories are meticulously written and carefully reviewed for originality, clarity, emotional impact, and storytelling quality. We strictly prioritise human-written content, but we also accept AI-assisted work if it delivers authentic, engaging, meaningful, and useful narratives. Each story is evaluated based on creativity, structure, and alignment with our literary standards. Only stories that meet our editorial criteria are published, ensuring our readers enjoy high-quality, heartfelt storytelling.

Written By

Mariyam Aziz

History

09 Oct. 2024

Dr Arzoo Fatima

Mariyam Aziz

Mariyam Aziz is an observant individual who graduated with a degree in English literature, hence, coming across a lot of telling ranging from fabliaux to fantasy fiction and morality tales – all replete with enlightenment. Moreover, she has expertise in writing on topics like human complexities and moral and social dilemmas with enormous depth. This makes her stories remain timeless: an eternal blend of the beauty of classic themes and modern outlooks. She hopes to ascertain her place in literature, push the boundaries of storytelling further, and make a mark with imagination and intelligence indelibly on both readers and aspiring writers. To reach Mariyam or any of our writers, you can always email us at our official email address.

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