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To explore active family gaming today.
Hello friends and welcome to Sleep Tight Stories.
Each week we share a few shout outs and birthday wishes for listeners who help support the show.
It's a small way we say thank you.
And it always makes us smile.
A big shout out for Philip and all his friends in Mrs. Kramer's pre-K class.
From Henry, his big brother, and mom and dad too.
And a shout out to Tilly.
A very happy belated birthday to Charlotte Marie on November 4th.
Mama and dad love you very, very much.
Happy birthday to Luna in Florida on November 27th.
Mama loves you and will ride Cinnamon to meet you in Dreamland.
Happy fifth birthday to Nathan on November 27th.
Mommy, Daddy, Nolan, and Peanut love you very much and hope you have a great day.
Happy eighth birthday to Aiden on November 28th.
From Mama, Dada, Cooper...
Nora, Lucy, and Peanut, the leopard gecko.
Happy 8th birthday, Barnaby in Norwich.
Mommy and Daddy are so proud of how brave, bright, curious, kind, and funny you are.
We hope you had a wonderful day celebrating with Mommy, Daddy, Nanny, Granddad, and Gaga.
We all love you more every single day, even more than infinity times infinity.
Love, Mommy and Daddy.
Happy birthday to Celia, who is turning five on December 1st.
Mama and Baba love you.
From naptime with Tinkle and Hilda through the years of loving Bernice.
We are so thankful for all your snuggles.
Happy ninth birthday, Grace.
Love, Mom, Dad, Ellie, Paige, Wiley, Prim, and Cream Puff.
We want to wish Angel Ortiz a very happy seventh birthday.
Mom and dad are so proud of the smart, funny, kind person you are.
And happy fifth, Sterling Blue.
Most creative, silly, fun-loving, best dancer.
We love you, monkey.
Luna, Remy, Mama, and Dada.
Happy birthday to you all, and thank you for supporting the show.
If you'd like to support our podcast and enjoy ad-free episodes, unlock bonus stories and so much more, you can join Sleep Type Premium.
Subscribe in just two taps via the link in the show notes.
Now, on to our story.
Bernice had her English test today, and with Ethan's help, She thinks she did okay.
When she arrives home to talk to Papa about her day, she is surprised when she walks in the kitchen.
She asks Papa what is going on and is so happy with his reply.
Bernice wonders why there are so many turkeys in the kitchen.
Did you find today's English test super hard?
Ethan asked as they rode the bus home from school.
Well, not really too bad, I guess, Bernice shrugged.
English isn't my favorite subject, though.
Thanks for helping me study.
I think that's why I did better.
I wasn't really much help, Ethan said with a grin.
But you can give me more cookies if you want.
More cookies coming up. though I'm not sure what Papa is baking a lot of this week.
I think this is a week for pie.
Pie?
Really?
Ethan leaned in dramatically.
You could bring pie to school to share.
No one would mind, especially Bobby.
He might eat the whole pie.
Yeah, he's big on pie, especially apple pie.
One time he told me he had the gurgles after practice and he ate a whole pie that his mom had baked in the fridge.
He didn't feel so great afterward.
That sounds like Bobby, but lately he hasn't been as crazy.
Kind of too bad, actually.
Yeah, he's still silly, but I think he's really focused on making some new robot and he doesn't want his parents to get upset before he finishes it.
What will this one do?
I bet it makes stinks in like a hundred different ways or something like that.
Maybe.
Sometimes he keeps his ideas secret until he's ready to share them.
Maybe it'll be an autonomous pie delivery robot.
I could use that.
I'd send it to my grandma's house to get one pie. then send it to your house for another.
Here's our stop, Bernice said standing up.
Whoa, it's super cold out, she gasped as they stepped off the bus.
Yeah, I'd better run to Grandma's house.
I bet she has hot cocoa waiting and maybe something to eat while I read.
Bernice and Ethan ran the short distance to Bernice's house.
See you tomorrow, Ethan.
Thanks again for helping me with my English essay and stuff.
Bernice called as she ran up the walkway.
No problem.
See you later, alligator, Ethan shouted back.
After a while, crocodile Bernice yelled laughing as she flung the door open, leapt inside and shut it quickly behind her.
It smelled amazing inside.
Warm vanilla... cozy fall spices, a little Christmas, and pure yumminess all at once.
Hi, Papa.
Hi, Cookie.
I'm home.
And the whole house smells delicious, almost like we're living in a gingerbread house or something.
I'm in the kitchen, Little Bear.
Come in when you're ready and tell me all about your day, Papa Bear called in his super deep voice.
Bernice took off her coat and gave her whole body a shake.
She knew shaking wouldn't really get the cold off her body scientifically speaking, but it still felt like it might happen.
She sat down to take off her boots, the fancy ones Mama had made her wear, even though Bernice thought they were way too dressy for school.
She preferred her old canvas sneakers, because they had memories all over them.
Soft patting noises came around the corner.
Cookie pranced into view and performed her usual check, making sure Bernice wasn't soaked with snow or rain.
It's okay, Cookie.
No snowflakes, no rain.
It has been raining a lot though, right?
It's safe to come over for pets.
As if she understood every word.
Cookie curled herself right between Bernice's legs and started purring loudly.
How was your day?
Did you miss me?
I missed you a lot.
I like school and I like my friends, but it's busy and sometimes I wish you were there.
Bernice scratched Cookie's chin and the purring grew even louder.
I love science labs. and when we do hard math problems.
I told you I'm in advanced math and science, right?
It's not a special class, just a special club, I think.
Ethan's in a reading club.
He has so many books at his grandma's house, you wouldn't even believe it.
I read a lot, but he reads super a lot.
Cookie gave a tiny chirp purr that seemed to agree.
I don't have homework today, so I probably won't need your help.
But I have a new science book from the library that I want to read.
It's about dinosaurs.
I used to be obsessed with dinosaurs, remember?
I kind of took a break, but now I'm back.
This book has lots of scientific words.
I like learning big words so I can stump Mama at dinner.
Bernice grinned.
One time...
I used the word Archaeopteryx and Mama didn't know it.
Papa did because we studied dinosaurs together.
Tonight, I'm going to see if they know the word phylogenetics.
We'll see.
She giggled to herself.
Well Cookie, I'd better see what's smelling so yummy, especially before my tummy starts making those gurgles and rumbling noises.
I wouldn't want you to think an Archaeopteryx walked into the house.
Bernice carefully stood up, put her boots away and said to Cookie, who was stretching like a sleepy gymnast I'll see you in my room later, okay.
We can read together and I'll teach you all about dinosaurs.
I might even pet you if you like.
Bernice rushed into the kitchen and stopped in her tracks.
Papa!
It smells super yummy delicious, but why is there like a flock of turkeys in our kitchen?
I'm hungry, but you know, that's kind of a lot of turkeys.
Papa Bear laughed.
Did you know some people call them a raft of turkeys?
Or at least that's what my mother used to say.
Wash your hands and have a seat.
I have a few different treats to share today with your warm milk.
That must be a term from the ancient days, Bernice said proudly as she washed her hands like the Renaissance or something.
We learned about the Renaissance in school.
Some days I do feel ancient, Papa Bear said with a laugh, setting a plate of treats on the table.
But before I tell you about all the raw turkeys in the kitchen...
Why don't you tell me all about your day?
I've been looking forward to it.
Oh, okay.
Bernice took a big drink of warm milk.
This milk is super yummy, Papa.
It tastes like clouds or something.
She gulped again, leaving a big milk mustache across her lip.
And these cookies?
Wow, they don't seem like our regular ones.
But anyway...
It was a good day.
I don't know if you can remember when you were in school because of, you know, memory.
I can't remember what I had for dinner two years ago, but I can remember almost everything else.
Bernice chomped another cookie as Papa Bear sipped his tea.
This morning we had an English test.
Well, not really a test.
More like an essay we had to write in class.
Our teachers are making us do more stuff in class lately.
I think they're worried.
Bobby is going to make a robot that does homework for everyone, and then none of us will learn how to do stuff.
Papa Bear chuckled softly.
But the test went okay.
I had Ethan's help lately.
He's really good at essays.
And I help him with math.
Oh, he said he'd love some cookies, even though he gets lots of treats at his grandma's house.
But your cookies are world famous for their yumminess.
Bernice licked crumbs from the corner of her mouth.
We didn't have gym today because the teacher is sick, so we went to the library.
I got a new dinosaur book that I cannot wait to read later.
Bobby got some super serious book about programming languages.
He's working on a secret robot, I think.
Maybe it will deliver pies.
Papa bear raised an eyebrow at that idea.
Then at lunch, Bobby shared some of his wrap with Gertrude.
Hers was different somehow.
May and I traded food.
She brought dumplings and they were delicious.
Ethan had super spicy chili.
I took one bite and I started sweating immediately.
He said his father made it, and he likes things spicy.
I like spicy too, but not that spicy.
Other kids said it wasn't too bad, so I guess we all have different opinions about spice levels.
Papa, do you like spicy?
Not very spicy, Papa said, but Mama does, especially spicy curries.
Bernice nodded seriously.
So...
That's it, Papa.
Now, will you tell me why we have so many turkeys?
Are we going to be super hungry or something?
Papa Bear smiled gently.
We might be hungry, but we wouldn't need this many turkeys for ourselves and our friends.
I bought them so I can cook extra meals for families who can't have a big holiday dinner this year.
I'm going to make whole meals.
Cookies, pies, everything.
And deliver them so people can enjoy a big dinner and relax a little too.
We're very fortunate to have plenty of food.
It's important to help those who don't.
Bernice thought for a moment.
Sort of like how we look after classmates when we share food if they don't have any.
Like when someone forgets their lunch?
Something like that, Little Bear.
It feels good to help others.
Can I help you, Papa?
I could help deliver or bake or carry stuff.
I would love your help.
I'm not cooking everything at once.
Our kitchen is too small.
But I'll be cooking over the next few nights.
Bernice's eyes widened.
So not only do we get to help others, we get to smell yummy food all week?
Papa laughed.
That's right, Little Bear.
The house is going to smell amazing.
It'll be a while before I need your help today, though.
You can go read your book after your treat, and I'll call you if I need you.
Thank you, Papa.
After reading her book, helping Papa prepare extra food, and having a yummy dinner...
The whole house still smelled faintly of cinnamon and roasted turkey.
Bernice began her bedtime routine.
She decided to take a shower this time because she was kind of sleepy and wanted to stay awake long enough for a short story.
Then she did a few stretches, set out her clothes for tomorrow.
Warmer socks for sure.
Today her toes had felt frozen to bits.
Finally she jumped into bed, arranged Twig-a-Wolfie and Madeline just right, pulled the blanket up to her chin and called out It's that time, Papa.
And what time is that, Little Bear?
Papa Bear called from the kitchen.
I think it might be time for a story.
Papa Bear stomped up the stairs, making the whole house shake just a little.
When he reached Bernice's room, he peeked around the door to check whether she was still awake.
They used to play peek-a-boo when she was younger, but Bernice had declared she was too grown up for that game now.
I am still awake, Papa, Bernice said with a giggle.
Just checking, Papa Bear said with a smile.
Cookie padded into the room and curled up at the foot of the bed, making a perfect fluffy poof.
Well, since everyone is here, Papa Bear said, I guess we can have a story.
Maybe we can go back to the mystical forest again, Bernice said with a sleepy yawn.
I can try.
Are you comfy?
Yes, Papa.
And how about Twig, Wolfie and Madeline?
Are they comfy too?
I think they are.
Papa Bear smiled.
All right then, give me a hug and a kiss and I'll tell you a story.
I love you, Papa.
I love you too, Little Bear.
Once upon a time, in a world full of magic and fun, there lived a kind gnome named Mervin.
Papa Bear began.
He lived alone in the mystical forest, a wonderful place filled with unicorns fairies insects birds, gnomes and all sorts of other creatures.
Mervyn was from a very early time.
Papa continued long before Boo-Boo and Kai-Kai and before the magic of the forest was easy to use.
Back then there was plenty of magic, but not everyone could access it.
Mervyn's greatest joy was growing food.
His garden was his whole world.
Every morning he'd wake up before the sun, pull on his boots the left one had a hole in it but he couldn't bear to throw it away and walk through his rows of vegetables, talking to them like old friends.
Looking good, Beatrice, he'd say to the biggest pumpkin.
Sherman, you need more water, don't you?
The other gnomes thought he was a bit odd, but nobody could argue with results.
Mervin grew the plumpest tomatoes, the crunchiest carrots, the most perfectly round potatoes in the entire mystical forest.
His mushroom cave, well, that was basically magic.
The mushrooms grew in spirals and tasted like butter and herbs all mixed together.
But this year, winter was coming early.
Mervyn could feel it in his bones, see it in how the birds were already flying south.
He'd been working double time to harvest everything, storing food in his root cellar.
He was going to need every bit of it.
The storm came on a Tuesday.
Not a normal storm.
This was the kind that made the old trees bend and crack, that turned the sky green black, that sent every creature scrambling for shelter.
It lasted three days.
When it finally stopped, half the forest looked like someone had shaken it really hard and put it back wrong.
Mervyn surveyed the damage.
His garden had survived, mostly.
Some broken branches, a few smashed pumpkins, but his root cellar was fine.
He was lucky.
The knock came that evening.
A fairy family stood at his door, their wings bedraggled and torn.
Our tree fell, the mother said quietly.
All our stored nuts and berries, gone.
Mervyn looked back at his cellar, then at the family.
He filled the basket with vegetables and mushrooms, watched them fly away.
The next morning, a young dragon limped past.
Do you have any food?
The storm destroyed my family's chocolate trees.
Then an elderly unicorn whose meadow had flooded.
Then a family of pixies.
Then two more fairies.
Each time, Mervyn went to his cellar.
Each time, it got a little emptier.
By the fifth day, he was staring at his remaining supplies, doing math in his head.
This wasn't enough.
Not for a whole season.
When the next knock came, his hand hesitated on the door.
He opened it anyway.
A badger family.
Five kids, all looking up at him with hopeful eyes.
Mervyn sighed and waved them in.
Come on, then.
Over the next week he gave away carrots to the rabbits whose warren had collapsed, mushrooms to the trolls who couldn't forage in the muddy mess, his last good pumpkin to a brownie whose pantry had been crushed by a fallen tree.
His cellar looked sad and empty, a few potatoes, some wizened apples, not nearly enough.
Mervyn sat on his porch and tried not to think about it.
Then they started coming back.
The fairy family brought preserved flower nectar and honey cakes.
We make these every year.
But we thought The young dragon returned with chocolate bark and other goodies.
It's not fresh, but I went on a journey to my uncle's mountain... who had extra stored in his caves.
The unicorn brought seeds.
These are from the southern meadows.
They'll grow even in winter if you plant them right.
Every day someone brought something.
Knowledge about preserving food.
Dried fish from a river folk.
A warming spell from the pixies to keep his cellar from freezing.
The badgers helped repair his garden fence, making it stronger than before.
By mid-season, Mervyn's cellar wasn't empty at all.
It was full of things he'd never grown himself.
Starberries, cloud wheat, dragon peppers.
Different foods from every corner of the forest.
Huh, Mervyn said, looking around.
Guess I didn't need to worry after all.
Outside, someone was already knocking.
Probably needed help.
He smiled and opened the door.
And with the gentle sound of Bernice's snorts, Papa Bear turned down her light, gave her a kiss on the forehead and said I love you, little bear is the end of our story.
Good night.
Sleep tight.
