"Come, Freddie, time you were in bed long ago," said mamma.
"Don't want to go!" cried Fred. "I wish I never had to go to bed!"
But in a few moments Fred was snugly tucked away. Everything grew dim,
and Fred's eyes began to close. Very soon he heard a little voice from
somewhere, and started up.
Perched on his knee was the queerest little man he had ever seen. In
one hand he held a long pin, and this he often thrust at Fred.
"What are you doing that for?" asked Fred. "To keep you awake," said
the little dwarf. "You are in Wide-Awake Land, and no one goes to
sleep here."
[Illustration: {FREDDIE IS WIDE AWAKE.}]
Fred sat up in bed and looked about. Was it really Wide-Awake Land?
Needn't he ever go to bed again? "O, I am glad!" he said.
There were many other boys and girls in this queer land, and most of
them looked very unhappy.
"What is the matter?" asked Fred of a little boy who was crying hard.
"I'm tired and sleepy," sobbed the boy.
"Why don't you go to sleep then?" asked Fred.
"Humph! I guess you haven't been here long, or you'd know."
"No, I've just come; I think it's nice."
"Wait till you get sleepy," said the boy. "I used to think Wide-Awake
Land would be nice. I believe Sleepy Land would be nicer now."
[Illustration: {FREDDIE AND THE OTHER LITTLE BOYS.}]
"Yes," added Fred; "but why can't you go to sleep?"
"Because the little men that you see everywhere carry pins. They prick
us when we try to sleep. O, I wish I hadn't come!" And the boy began
to cry again. Fred thought he was very silly, and ran off to find some
other new-comer.
Night came at last. Big lamps were hung on the trees and made the
place as light as day. The little men were flying about to keep the
sleepy ones awake.
Fred got sleepy at last, and began to nod. A little man thrust a big
pin into him. "You must keep awake," he said. Fred tried hard, but his
eyes would shut, and then would come the wicked pin. At last he
screamed aloud.
"Why, Fred! what is the trouble?" and he looked up. There was mamma.
"I don't like Wide-Awake Land," cried Fred. "I will go to sleep when
you want me to after this."
"I think you are dreaming, Fred," replied mamma.
"I was, but I am awake now."
"Well, dear, you are in Sleepy Land now. So good night, and pleasant
dreams."