When the stars begin to twinkle and the moon peeks through your window, a very special visitor might be on his way. He doesn't knock on the door, oh no! He tiptoes in, quiet as a mouse, wearing a coat of many colors and carrying two umbrellas. One umbrella has beautiful pictures painted on the inside, and the other is completely plain. This is Ole Lukøje, the Sandman, and he knows just how to bring dreams to sleepy children.

He once visited a little boy named Hjalmar every night for a whole week.

On Monday, Ole Lukøje gently sprinkled sweet, sleepy dust in Hjalmar’s eyes. Whoosh! Hjalmar’s little room turned into a giant garden! Flowers grew as tall as trees, their petals like soft silk, and Hjalmar played among them until he was fast asleep.

Tuesday night, Ole came again. This time, as Hjalmar drifted off, his desk and chair started to whisper! They told Hjalmar funny stories about all the children who had used them. Even Hjalmar's school slate showed him silly moving pictures instead of numbers and letters.

On Wednesday, Ole Lukøje brought a tiny, magical boat. Hjalmar found himself sailing on a big, wavy sea! The wind blew, and the waves splashed, but Hjalmar wasn't scared. He was the captain of his own ship, having a grand adventure on the water.

Thursday was a very special night. Ole Lukøje showed Hjalmar a tiny wedding! Two little mice, dressed in their finest clothes, were getting married under a big mushroom. They danced and ate tiny pieces of cheese cake, and Hjalmar giggled in his sleep.

Friday arrived, and Ole Lukøje pointed to an old picture on Hjalmar's wall. Suddenly, the people in the picture started to move and talk! They stepped right out of the frame and told Hjalmar stories about what life was like long, long ago, when they were young.

On Saturday, Ole Lukøje looked a bit thoughtful. "Tonight, Hjalmar," he said, "I don't have a big story for you. But I see your room needs a little tidying. Let's make sure it's neat and tidy for the new week!" And in his dream, Hjalmar imagined all his toys marching back to their boxes.

Finally, it was Sunday. Ole Lukøje brought someone with him. "Hjalmar," he said softly, "this is my brother. He also has a special name, Ole Lukøje, just like me. He visits people too, but only when they are very, very old and tired, and it's time for them to have a long, peaceful rest, a sleep from which they don't wake up here anymore."
Ole Lukøje's brother then told Hjalmar two quiet stories. One was about a kind old man who had lived a happy life and was ready for his long, peaceful sleep. The other was about someone who hadn't been so kind, and his rest wasn't as sweet. Ole Lukøje wanted Hjalmar to remember that it's always best to be good and kind.

And so, Ole Lukøje, the Sandman, continued to visit children, bringing them wonderful dreams with his pictured umbrella, or a quiet, dreamless sleep with his plain one, always hoping they would choose to be kind, just like he hoped for Hjalmar.

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