Once upon a time, in the kingdom of dreams hidden above the clouds, there lived a tiny fairy named Thong, whose job was to sprinkle golden dust over children every night so they would sleep soundly and dream sweet dreams.
Thong flew very fast, her small golden wings fluttering, her pouch of golden dust always the perfect weight, and she knew every single house in the city better than anyone.
But that particular night, she was more tired than usual.
The night before, there had been a storm, and the children had trouble falling asleep. Thong had to fly back and forth many times. Her pouch of golden dust ran out early, and she had to fly all the way back to refill it in the middle of the night.
Tonight, she flew from house to house — the first window, the second, the third — sprinkling dust for everyone.
But by the time she reached the very last house, tucked away on a narrow lane, her eyes were so heavy with sleep that she almost flew right past it.
Then she heard a soft voice from inside the window.
“I wonder if the golden fairy is still coming,” a child’s voice said to itself.
Thong stopped. Her eyes opened wide. She looked into the room.
A little girl lay in bed, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling, then turning toward the window as if she somehow knew someone was there.
“I know you’re tired,” the girl said softly. “But thank you for still coming.”
Thong paused, surprised that a child could know she was exhausted.
She reached into her pouch for the very last bit of golden dust and sprinkled it over the girl carefully — slower than usual, with more care than ever before.
The girl’s eyes slowly closed, a small smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.
Thong sat on the windowsill for a moment before flying home.
That night, she learned that even the most exhausting work is always worth it, when someone notices what you do.
Sweet dreams.
Moral: Thanking the people who work for us, even when we may not see it, is one of the most precious gifts we can give. Think of the people around you who care for you every day, often without you noticing — and tell them thank you, just once.
