The night the bell didn't swing.

A few pieces of the story Morrow tells between runs.

The Elder on a branch of the Bellbough at sunset, with the bell swinging

Boingleby

Dusk in Boingleby

Every evening the Elder helps the great Bellbough swing. Each sway sends one long, soft note over the hills while the Plinkles bounce home for the night. That note keeps the night gentle.

The Bellbough on its far hill at dusk, the bell hanging still

Every evening but this one

Tonight the Bellbough didn't swing. The hills went quiet, the color drained out of them, and the Hush rolled in.

Boingleby gone grey and quiet under the stars, three Plinkles curled up asleep by the cottages

The Hush

A soft grey quiet that settles wherever nothing is ringing. It isn't cruel and it doesn't chase anyone. It's sleep, and one by one everyone curls up.

The youngest Plink, wide awake on a far hill, with the Bellbough behind

Still awake, all alone

On a far hill the youngest Plink is still awake. A Plinkle only knows one thing to do about that, so it starts to bounce.

Plink and its first friend by a small campfire, the Bellbough far away on the skyline

Dewdrop Downs

First bounce

One good bounce and the grass lights up. Two, and a sleepy friend blinks awake. By the fire at Camp the plan is plain: reach the Bellbough before dawn.

The Reedwater

Still water, glowing violet

Past the last hill of the Downs the land goes flat and wet. The reeds glow violet, lily pads bob in the moonlight, and somewhere a frog keeps time.

A shape on the skyline

At every Camp, look at the far horizon. Something small and very still sits at the top of the Bellbough. Who is it?

The rest is for playing.

A dark wood, windy cliffs and the great tree are still ahead.

See how to play