Whostolesleepfrombaby’seyes? Imustknow.
Claspingherpitchertoherwaist, motherwenttofetchwaterfromthevillagenearby.
’splaytimewasover; theducksinthepondweresilent.
Theshepherdboylayasleepundertheshadowofthebanyantree.
Thecranestoodgraveandstillintheswampnearthemangogrove.
InthemeanwhiletheSleep-stealercameand, snatchingsleepfrombaby’seyes, flewaway.
Whenmothercamebackshefoundbabytravellingtheroomoveronallfours.
Whostolesleepfromourbaby’seyes? .
Imustlookintothatdarkcave, where, throughbouldersandscowlingstones, tricklesatinystream.
Imustsearchinthedrowsyshadeofthebakulagrove, wherepigeonscoointheircorner, andfairies’ankletstinkleinthestillnessofstarrynights.
IntheeveningIwillpeepintothewhisperingsilenceofthebambooforest, wherefire-fliessquandertheirlight, andwillaskeverycreatureImeet, “CananybodytellmewheretheSleep-stealerlives?”
Whostolesleepfrombaby’seyes? Imustknow.
Shouldn’tIgiveheragoodlessonifIcouldonlycatchher!
Iwouldraidhernestandseewhereshehoardsallherstolensleep.
Iwouldplunderitall, andcarryithome.
Iwouldbindhertwowingssecurely, setheronthebankoftheriver, andthenletherplayatfishingwithareedamongtherushesandwater-lilies.
Whenthemarketingisoverintheevening, andthevillagechildrensitintheirmothers’laps, thenthenightbirdswillmockinglydinherearswith:
“Whosesleepwillyoustealnow?”
