Visit the “A Bedtime Story” show website

Suggest a story prompt for the show

Under the glaring sun, the sea stretched endlessly, reflecting the azure sky above. Captain Swift, a legendary pirate with a reputation as sharp as his cutlass, stood on the deck of his ship, the Black Marlin, with a perplexed look on his weathered face. Known for his cunning mind and his knack for finding and hiding treasures, he was now faced with a peculiar dilemma—he could not remember where he had concealed his greatest bounty.

The crew of the Black Marlin, a band of robust and daring pirates, had been loyal to Captain Swift for years, partly because of his treasure map—a map said to lead to a fortune beyond imagination. However, the map had mysteriously vanished.

“Captain, where to next?” asked a curious crewman, adjusting his bandana to shield his eyes from the sun.

Captain Swift scratched his head, a sheepish grin on his face. “Ah, lads,” he began, “the winds have played tricks on me mind. The map’s location… it has slipped from me thoughts.”

A murmur of disbelief ran through the crew. Losing sight of treasure was unheard of under Captain Swift’s command. Determined to reclaim his honor, he vowed to retrace his past steps.

The first stop was Skull Cove, a notorious pirate haven where Captain Swift was known to have spent many a night celebrating victories with fellow sea rovers. Despite the raucous atmosphere and the clinking of rum bottles, no clues came to light about the treasure.

Next, the Black Marlin sailed to the Island of Echoes, named for its eerie ability to repeat the slightest sound. Here, Captain Swift recalled a peculiar rock formation resembling a giant skull. He recalled carving a mark into the stone, a secret sign to himself. But as he searched, the rock formation seemed just a little different, altered perhaps by time and tide.

“Blast it!” he muttered. “These stones play tricks on the eyes.”

Finally, a flicker of memory surfaced as they journeyed to the Coral Lagoon. This was where he had last seen the map. In the midst of the vibrant corals and darting fish, Captain Swift remembered a narrow cave, overshadowed by a towering palm tree swaying in the wind.

“There! Over yonder!” he exclaimed, pointing with renewed excitement.

The crew rowed ashore, their anticipation palpable. Inside the cave, with its walls bathed in an ethereal light from the lagoon’s reflection, Captain Swift saw it—a small chest, half-buried in the sand. Opening it revealed the map, the ink slightly faded but still decipherable.

With the treasure map reclaimed, the crew erupted into cheers. The promise of gold and jewels filled the air. Captain Swift, smiling broadly, unfurled the map.

“Dig deep, lads. Adventure awaits, and riches, they are just a heartbeat away!”

And thus, the Black Marlin set sail once more, with Captain Swift at the helm, memories restored and the thrill of the chase in their hearts, ready to uncover the secrets of the sea yet again.