This little story, is based on a short story by the book author, Zenna Henderson. She was known in sci-fi circles of the late 50’s through the 60’s for her stories on The People. Her story, Hush, that this is based on, comes from her Anything Box book of short stories. And it is based on a sick child wanting a monster coming in and eating all the noise that hurts him as he lays sick in bed. Only the monster comes into being in the end, eating everything that makes any noise.

Noise Monster

Hush, little child
Don’t say a word….

Make it stop. Please momma. Please. Make the bad noise stop.
Shh, my boy, your fever’s high. When it comes down, the pain will go with it.

Twinkle, Twinkle
Little Star……

The chaos being
Thought it was so much fun
To grant the child’s wish this morn’.

Nibble, nibble,
Like a mouse.

The fever was coming down now, the pain of noise with it
The little child watched his little pet run on its wheel in its cage
Suddenly.
Above the cage, a blackness appeared as the wheel squeaked.
Enveloping his pet’s cage.
Then nothing.
His pet had been eaten by the nothing.

Rock a’bye
Baby…..

In the other room, the child’s baby brother
Cried for its mother
And this child feared the Nothing would get them
He was too scared to say anything
As he had his blankets up to his chin as protection
The Nothing
That Noise Monster
Disappeared at the sounds from brother’s room…..

Hush, little child,
Don’t say a word……

The child cried for his mother……

Daddy came home to a silent house
And called out that he was home….

And echoed in the
Sounds of Silence…….

Fini
3/12/2026