A Bedtime Story

The Day Gravity Took a Break


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One Tuesday morning, without warning or fanfare, gravity decided it needed a break. Maybe it was overworked, maybe underappreciated. Regardless, at exactly 7:00 AM, gravity clocked out.

Coffee cups floated mid-pour, bewildered cats drifted off countertops with wide, unblinking eyes, and toddlers giggled as they bobbed like balloons, clutching at floating cereal loops. Those who were still sleeping found themselves hovering inches above their beds, hair splaying out like underwater plants. The world was suddenly a giant snow globe, its pieces suspended in a slow, whimsical ballet.

At first, chaos reigned. Cars drifted off roads, bumping lazily into trees. Pigeons, no longer needing to flap, floated alongside startled commuters. The news broadcast featured anchors tethered to their desks with extension cords, papers fluttering like giant butterflies. Social media exploded with videos: a chef chasing rogue pancakes mid-flip, a dog calmly paddling through the air after a runaway tennis ball, and an unfortunate man whose toupee floated off with dignified grace during an important Zoom call.

But after the initial panic, something magical happened. People adapted. Children delighted in makeshift space adventures, launching themselves from couches with triumphant shouts. Streets turned into playgrounds as neighbors played zero-gravity tag, drifting in slow motion, laughter echoing through the air.

Couples went on literal floating dates, holding hands as they gently bounced off ceiling tiles. Grandparents shared stories while hovering with grandchildren, weightless in both body and spirit. Musicians discovered new ways to play, their notes mingling with the surreal, airy environment.

Of course, there were mishaps. Entire flocks of chickens floated away from farms, bewildered farmers shaking fists at the sky. Someone’s beloved goldfish, bowl and all, drifted out an open window, embarking on an unexpected aerial voyage. And in downtown areas, pedestrians clung to streetlamps like modern-day Mary Poppins, their briefcases orbiting nearby.

As the day waned, people gathered—floating picnics under star-strewn skies, tethered to trees to prevent accidental ascents. Stories were shared, laughter carried weightlessly on the breeze.

Exactly 24 hours later, gravity yawned, stretched, and returned to work. People and objects settled back with gentle plops and surprised yelps. The world was grounded once more, but hearts remained light.

For years afterward, they called it "The Day Gravity Took a Break"—a day when chaos danced with joy and humanity remembered how to float, both literally and figuratively.

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A Bedtime StoryBy Matthew Mitchell