Let’s Chat About The Stories ~ Ideas for Talking With Kids

Motivation, Perseverance

1. Frog longs to touch the stars. How does he go about achieving his dream?

2. Does he touch the stars in the way he first thought he would?

3. What might this story show about the ways we can sometimes achieve our dreams?

Bedtime Story written by Sheesh Pal, translated by Alisha Berger

Bedtime Story illustrated by Proiti Roy

Other Credits:

Music Video by “Frozen Star” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “The Path of the Goblin King v2” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) , “Brittle Rille” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Frog’s Starry Wish (English), translated by Alisha Berger, based on original story मेंढक का तारों भरा सपना (Hindi), written by Sheesh Pal, illustrated by Proiti Roy, published by Room to Read (© Room to Read, 2016) under a CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in

* THE STORY ‘FROG’S STARRY WISH’ WAS CREATED BY ROOM TO READ AND IS LICENSED UNDER A CREATIVE COMMONS -BY-4.0 LICENSE. FORMATTING CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE ORIGINAL WORK FOR EASE OF READING ON OUR WEBSITE.

The post Frog’s Starry Wish first appeared on Bedtime Stories.

“But I don’t want to go to the party!”

Sophia stamped her foot as her mother brushed her red curls out of her face.

“My darling, you have to go. Now, your cousin has been kind enough to invite you to her tea party. It would be rude to not go.”

“But I don’t even like Samantha. She is snotty and a snob. She is a snotty snob!” Sophia huffed

Her mother sighed and placed a large sun hat with a yellow bow on Sophia’s head. Sophia hated that hat almost as much as she hated that it went perfectly with her yellow sundress.

“I promise you will have a good time once you go. Now, you know the way to your cousin’s. Take the path through the woods. It is going to be a grand party. Your aunt has told me they have lined the path with blue ribbons to help guide the guests. You can take your bicycle. Follow the blue ribbons all the way there. Don’t go off the path and don’t lose your invitation,” she said firmly, pressing the golden envelope into her hand.

Sophia kissed her mother goodbye and retrieved her bicycle from the shed. Her bicycle was her prized possession. It was cherry red with a white wicker basket on the front. She began to push her bike towards the forest. Her orange tabby cat Peaches crawled out from behind the shed and began to follow her into the woods.

“No, Peaches. You can’t come with me,” she said, shooing her away.

Peaches meowed in protest.

“Well alright, maybe with you there, the party won’t be so bad.”

She scooped the cat up, placed her in the basket, and rode into the woods.

Sophia had always liked the forest. It was big, open and free. The trees were so tall she thought perhaps she could climb them to the clouds.

It wasn’t long before she saw the blue ribbons tied in bows that would lead her to the tea party. She followed them deeper into the forest. She groaned… she wanted nothing more than to run away and skip the stupid party.

Something bright caught her eye. She turned her head. There in front of her, the path split. There was now a fork in the road. A small path led off to the denser part of the woods. Curiouser still, this path was lined with red ribbons.

“How odd! Peaches, look! There is a new path in the woods. I’ve been here many times and I have never seen this second path. Surely, I must follow it, if only just to see where it will take me. After all, when one is given a chance to be surprised, one must take it.”

Peaches meowed in agreement. They diverted down the second path, following the red ribbons. As they traveled down the new path, the trees began to look different. They changed from the familiar pine trees to a tall and twisted kind of tree that Sophia had never seen before. The sky also seemed to change from a pale blue to violet. Sophia shivered, for it had suddenly grown colder. Chunky snowflakes began to fall from the purple sky.

“I am suddenly not dressed properly. How strange for it to be snowing in June!”

The path lined with red ribbons stopped abruptly. At the end of the path was the largest tree Sophia had ever seen. It was larger than a house. She rubbed her eyes: actually, it seemed this tree was a house! A bright red door with a golden knob was placed on the outside. The door was just the right size for Sophia. The knob turned and the door appeared to open all by itself. Her cat began to meow wildly and sprang out from the basket.

“Peaches, come back!” Sophia cried, throwing her bicycle to the ground. But the cat had already disappeared behind the door.

Sophia peered inside. It seemed that the tree was not a house, after all. The open door revealed an underground tunnel that went farther than Sophia could see. A stick ladder lay against one side of the tunnel. She leaned in. She could hear cheerful music coming from deep inside the tunnel. A scrumptious smell tickled her nose.

“Well, I can’t go to cousin Samantha’s without Peaches. I must go after her.”

She gathered all the courage she could muster, which (she felt) didn’t amount to much more than a bread crumb. But a crumb of courage is more powerful than a fistful of fear.

She climbed down the ladder and followed the music. She felt as though she had been descending for quite some time, perhaps hours, she thought. Finally, her feet felt the firmness of a dirt floor. There were forest creatures dancing and playing instruments around a roaring bonfire. There were chairs and tables piled high with plates of rich food. It seemed like the animals were having a secret party of their own underground. There were bears, badgers, foxes, wolves, rabbits and even birds, all finely dressed and walking upright.

Sophia gasped in surprise.

Suddenly the music stopped. The creatures all turned to look at her.

“What is this human girl doing here?” demanded a rabbit who was dressed in trousers and holding a fiddle.

“I-I’m Sophia and I was just looking for my cat,” she stammered.

“Oh, you mean Mrs. Peaches. She is over there talking with Badger,” explained a bear, wearing a shimmering evening gown.
Sophia gasped at the sight of her cat speaking to a badger while walking upright on her hind legs.

“Oh, now I know I must be dreaming,” Sophia said as she rubbed her eyes.

“My dear, I am afraid this is a private party. Do you and your guest have an invitation?” asked a grey fox wearing a top hat and a tweed jacket. Large round glasses hung low on his snout.

“I-I um.” Sophia stuttered. She was cold and hungry and she did not want to leave without her cat. She fumbled around in her pocket and pulled out her cousin’s tea party invitation. She held it out to the fox.

“Oh, dear. Let me see. Can anyone here read human?” frowned the old fox.

The animals muttered and shook their heads. Sophia then got a clever idea.

“Oh yes! You see, it says here you are cordially invited to the party and – um – you may bring one guest with you. My guest is Peaches the cat over there,” she said, beaming at her own quick wit.

The old fox eyed the invitation and Sophia suspiciously.

“Well! Alright then! Let’s continue the party and please find something proper for Mrs. Peaches to wear. It is indecent for a feline of good upbringing to parade around in only their fur coats!” declared the old fox.

Sophia placed her hat on Peaches’s head and tied a ribbon from her hair around the cat’s neck.

The two sat side by side at a table.

“That was quick thinking! I just wanted to come for the food. I don’t actually know anyone here.” said Peaches.

Sophia did not think she would ever get used to hearing her cat speak.

The two ate hoards of delicious food. There were cakes, scones, fish, and berries. They even drank tea with milk and honey from dainty little cups.

The music started up again, and Sophia danced the night away alongside the woodland creatures. She waltzed with the fox and tangoed with the bear. She even learned a new dance from the rabbit who wore trousers. It was not until the night was nearly over that Sophia thought of the time.

“Oh no. I forgot the time. I really must be going. Thank you all for your kindness. This was the most splendid party I’ve ever been to!”

Each animal gave her a great big hug.

“There is still something I don’t quite understand,” said Sophia to the grey fox. “There was no other path all the other times I have entered the wood. Yet, this time there was?”

“Perhaps Sophia, the other times you weren’t looking for it,” said the grey fox with a wink.

“We were most delighted to have met you, Sophia. I do hope you come again to our next party. Someday you must come back teach us how to read human,” said one of the rabbits.

“Oh, yes! I promise I will.”

Sophia and her cat Peaches began the long climb back up the ladder. They climbed out of the tunnel and stepped through the door back into the forest.

“Wasn’t that a marvellous party, Peaches?” Sophia turned to find that Peaches was no longer walking on two legs. She was back on all fours now. She meowed and licked her paw carelessly. The hat and ribbon had been discarded. Sophia picked them up and placed the garments and the cat in the wicker basket of her bike and began to follow the path back home.

Soon the forest started looking as usual as ever, and the sun was again high in the sky, as if no time had passed at all. She could now see her house and the end of the forest.

“What a wonderfully peculiar day,” she thought.

© Storyberries 2021

Visit Storyberries Bookstore

Let’s Chat About The Stories ~ Ideas for Talking With Kids

Imagination

1. What is the strangest thing you can imagine finding on a forest walk?

Honesty

1. Would you have done the same as Sophia, and pretended to have an invitation to a party such as this one? Why or why not?

2. Do you think there is any difference between a lie and what is called a “white-lie”? Why or why not?

Short story for kids written by Olivia Shewmake

Illustrated by Storyberries illustrator Sabrina

Music and sound effects for the video from zapsplat.com

The post The Uninvited Party Guests first appeared on Bedtime Stories.

Worms live underground. They live in the earth and they tunnel all day long.

Worms are happy with their life in the soft brown earth. Worms help to make the earth good for flowers, grass and plants to grow – so, we are happy with worms, too. “It’s better to stay underground.” Papa Worm always told his children. “There are dangers for worms up there…”

“What dangers?”

Little Worm wanted to see the sun, the flowers, the world….

“Dangers.” That’s all Papa Worm ever said. He told the little worms to stay underground and play and tunnel all day long.

“I don’t believe in Dangers,” Little Worm decided.

So, Little Worm peeped out and looked up at the bright blue sky.

“So lovely, and not brown…” Little Worm was happy.

But then a Big Black Bird swooped down.

“Oh no, Danger…”

Little Worm tunnelled back down as fast as she could. Papa Worm shook his head.

“Number one Danger, is Birds, Little Worm. I told you so…”

Little Worm decided that he had never mentioned Birds at all, so, she decided to try again.

Little Worm peeped out and looked at the green grass all around. She heard a funny noise – Croak, Croak, Croak…

“What is that funny Green thing?” Little Worm smiled.

But the Green Frog hopped nearer.

Little Worm tunnelled back down as fast as she could. “Number Two Danger, that’s Frogs.” Papa Worm shook his head.

Little Worm decided to watch out for Birds and Frogs and she tunnelled back up to the green field.

This time the field was clear, No Birds, No Frogs – but she heard happy children playing.

“I’ve heard about Children…” Little Worm smiled. “They don’t eat worms, so, I’m safe.”

But Children can’t see tiny worms as they run and jump and play.

“Ooops!”

Little Worm saw a Big Boot coming her way.

She tunnelled back down as fast as she could. “Number Three Danger, that’s Children,” Papa Worm told her. “They don’t look where they are going, and they just don’t see worms.”

“I think I’ll stay here,” Little Worm decided.

But when night came, she started to feel brave.

“No Birds, no Frogs and no Children at night, so, no danger…”

Little Worm tunnelled up to the Green Field yet again.

“So pretty, with stars and the bright moon.” She smiled. “And no Danger in sight.”

Then a Big Bright Owl swooped down, his eyes shining bright in the night.

Little Worm tunnelled back down as fast as she could. “Danger Number Four, Owls…” Papa Worm shook his head. “There are far too many Dangers for little worms up there, why don’t you just stay put?”

But Little Worm wanted to spend just a little time in the grassy field.

“I love that blue sky, those pretty flowers, the moon and the stars – it’s not fair that I can’t just take a peep.”

Papa Worm was thinking.

“There is a good time for worms. Just before the early morning. The Owls are sleeping, the Frogs and the Birds are sleeping. And the children are dreaming in their beds. That’s the best time – between night and early morning – No Danger Time.”

So that’s what Little Worm did. She tunnelled up just between night and day. The Moon was still bright, the Fireflies were buzzing and the early morning Sun was just around the corner. “Perfect.” Little Worm smiled and looked up at the Very Late Night Sky.

“No Danger, just little sparkling Fireflies to keep me company.”  

© Andrea Kaczmarek 2020

Short story for Kids written by Andrea Kaczmarek

Illustrations by Andrea Kaczmarek

LET’S CHAT ABOUT THE STORY ~ IDEAS FOR TALKING WITH KIDS

Safety, Obedience

1. In this story, Little Worm doesn’t listen to his Papa worm. What happens?

2. Why do you think it might be a good idea to listen to our parents when they warn us of dangers?  

The post Danger Worm first appeared on Bedtime Stories.

This is a vintage fairy tale, and may contain violence. We would encourage parents to read beforehand  if your child is sensitive to such themes.

Once on a time and twice on a time, and all times together as ever I heard tell of, there was a tiny lassie who would weep all day to have the stars in the sky to play with; she wouldn’t have this, and she wouldn’t have that, but it was always the stars she would have. So one fine day off she went to find them. And she walked and she walked and she walked, till by-and-by she came to a mill-dam.

“Goode’en to ye,” says she, “I’m seeking the stars in the sky to play with. Have you seen any?”

“Oh, yes, my bonnie lassie,” said the mill-dam. “They shine in my own face o’ nights till I can’t sleep for them. Jump in and perhaps you’ll find one.”

So she jumped in, and swam about and swam about and swam about, but ne’er a one could she see. So she went on till she came to a brooklet.

“Goode’en to ye, Brooklet, Brooklet,” says she; “I’m seeking the stars in the sky to play with. Have you seen any?”

“Yes, indeed, my bonny lassie,” said the Brooklet. “They glint on my banks at night. Paddle about, and maybe you’ll find one.”

So she paddled and she paddled and she paddled, but ne’er a one did she find. So on she went till she came to the Good Folk.

“Goode’en to ye, Good Folk,” says she; “I’m looking for the stars in the sky to play with. Have ye seen e’er a one?”

“Why, yes, my bonny lassie,” said the Good Folk. “They shine on the grass here o’ night. Dance with us, and maybe you’ll find one.”

And she danced and she danced and she danced, but ne’er a one did she see. So down she sate; I suppose she wept.

“Oh dearie me, oh dearie me,” says she, “I’ve swam and I’ve paddled and I’ve danced, and if ye’ll not help me I shall never find the stars in the sky to play with.”

But the Good Folk whispered together, and one of them came up to her and took her by the hand and said, “If you won’t go home to your mother, go forward, go forward; mind you take the right road. Ask Four Feet to carry you to No Feet at all, and tell No Feet at all to carry you to the stairs without steps, and if you can climb that—”

“Oh, shall I be among the stars in the sky then?” cried the lassie.

“If you’ll not be, then you’ll be elsewhere,” said the Good Folk, and set to dancing again.

So on she went again with a light heart, and by-and-by she came to a saddled horse, tied to a tree.

“Goode’en to ye, Beast,” said she; “I’m seeking the stars in the sky to play with. Will you give me a lift, for all my bones are an-aching.”

“Nay,” said the horse, “I know nought of the stars in the sky, and I’m here to do the bidding of the Good Folk, and not my own will.”

“Well,” said she, “it’s from the Good Folk I come, and they bade me tell Four Feet to carry me to No Feet at all.”

“That’s another story,” said he; “jump up and ride with me.”

So they rode and they rode and they rode, till they got out of the forest and found themselves at the edge of the sea. And on the water in front of them was a wide glistening path running straight out towards a beautiful thing that rose out of the water and went up into the sky, and was all the colours in the world, blue and red and green, and wonderful to look at.

“Now get you down,” said the horse; “I’ve brought ye to the end of the land, and that’s as much as Four Feet can do. I must away home to my own folk.”

“But,” said the lassie, “where’s No Feet at all, and where’s the stair without steps?”

“I know not,” said the horse, “it’s none of my business neither. So goode’en to ye, my bonny lassie;” and off he went.

So the lassie stood still and looked at the water, till a strange kind of fish came swimming up to her feet.

“Goode’en to ye, big Fish,” says she, “I’m looking for the stars in the sky, and for the stairs that climb up to them. Will ye show me the way?”

“Nay,” said the Fish, “I can’t unless you bring me word from the Good Folk.”

“Yes, indeed,” said she. “They said Four Feet would bring me to No Feet at all, and No Feet at all would carry me to the stairs without steps.”

“Get on my back and hold fast.”
“Ah, well,” said the Fish; “that’s all right then. Get on my back and hold fast.”

And off he went—Kerplash!—into the water, along the silver path, towards the bright arch. And the nearer they came the brighter the sheen of it, till she had to shade her eyes from the light of it.

And as they came to the foot of it, she saw it was a broad bright road, sloping up and away into the sky, and at the far, far end of it she could see wee shining things dancing about.

“Now,” said the Fish, “here you are, and yon’s the stair; climb up, if you can, but hold on fast. I’ll warrant you find the stair easier at home than by such a way; ‘t was ne’er meant for lassies’ feet to travel;” and off he splashed through the water.

So she clomb and she clomb and she clomb, but ne’er a step higher did she get: the light was before her and around her, and the water behind her, and the more she struggled the more she was forced down into the dark and the cold, and the more she clomb the deeper she fell.

But she clomb and she clomb, till she got dizzy in the light and shivered with the cold, and dazed with the fear; but still she clomb, till at last, quite dazed and silly-like, she let clean go, and sank down—down—down.

And bang she came on to the hard boards, and found herself sitting, weeping and wailing, by the bedside at home all alone.

ENGLISH FAIRY TALES EDITED BY JOSEPH JACOBS.

Let’s Chat About The Stories ~ Ideas for Talking With Kids

Bedtime, Conversation

1. In the story, the little girl goes on an adventure to play with the stars. What kinds of things do you like about going on adventures?

2. At the end of the story, the little girl wakes up from her dream and she is quite upset. What helps you to feel better after you wake up from a scary or upsetting dream?

The post The Stars in the Sky first appeared on Bedtime Stories.

Short story for kids written by Jade Maitre

Illustrated by Yee Leng Tan

© Storyberries 2019

Let’s Chat About The Stories ~ Ideas for Talking With Kids

Healthy Eating, Conversation

1. The little girl in this story pretends that her dinner is her favourite food, to help her eat things she doesn’t like. Why do you think she does this? Do you think it would work if you tried it?

2. What are some healthy foods that you enjoy eating?

About the Illustrator 

Yee Leng Tan is a hobbyist with a soft spot for watercolor. She enjoys sketching and painting on-the-go in her sketchbook, drawing inspiration from her surroundings. Anything from urban sceneries, food, plants, and random doodles. She’s always been fascinated by illustrated books (even as an adult!) and hopes to contribute to a children’s fable some day!

You can follow Yee Leng at her Instagram account.

Book Information!

The World's Best Ice-Cream | Picture Books | Bedtime Stories

Angelina just wants to eat ice-cream, even at dinner!

URL: https://www.storyberries.com/bedtime-stories-the-worlds-best-ice-cream-stories-for-kids/

Author: Storyberries

Editor's Rating:
5

The post The World’s Best Ice-Cream first appeared on Bedtime Stories.

This is a vintage fairy tale, and may contain violence. We would encourage parents to read beforehand  if your child is sensitive to such themes.

There lived formerly in the County of Cumberland a nobleman who had three sons, two of whom were comely and clever youths, but the other a natural fool, named Jack, who was generally engaged with the sheep: he was dressed in a parti-coloured coat, and a steeple-crowned hat with a tassel, as became his condition.

Now the King of Canterbury had a beautiful daughter, who was distinguished by her great ingenuity and wit, and he issued a decree that whoever should answer three questions put to him by the princess should have her in marriage, and be heir to the crown at his decease. Shortly after this decree was published, news of it reached the ears of the nobleman’s sons, and the two clever ones determined to have a trial, but they were sadly at a loss to prevent their idiot brother from going with them.

They could not, by any means, get rid of him, and were compelled at length to let Jack accompany them. They had not gone far, before Jack shrieked with laughter, saying, “I’ve found an egg.” “Put it in your pocket,” said the brothers. A little while afterwards, he burst out into another fit of laughter on finding a crooked hazel stick, which he also put in his pocket; and a third time he again laughed extravagantly because he found a nut. That also was put with his other treasures.

When they arrived at the palace, they were immediately admitted on mentioning the nature of their business, and were ushered into a room where the princess and her suite were sitting. Jack, who never stood on ceremony, bawled out, “What a troop of fair ladies we’ve got here!”

“Yes,” said the princess, “we are fair ladies, for we carry fire in our bosoms.”

“Do you?” said Jack, “then roast me an egg,” pulling out the egg from his pocket.

“How will you get it out again?” said the princess.

“With a crooked stick,” replied Jack, producing the hazel.

“Where did that come from?” said the princess.

“From a nut,” answered Jack, pulling out the nut from his pocket. “I’ve answered the three questions, and now I’ll have the lady.” “No, no,” said the king, “not so fast. You have still an ordeal to go through. You must come here in a week’s time and watch for one whole night with the princess, my daughter. If you can manage to keep awake the whole night long you shall marry her next day.”

“But if I can’t?” said Jack.

“Then off goes your head,” said the king. “But you need not try unless you like.”

Well, Jack went back home for a week, and thought over whether he should try and win the princess. At last he made up his mind. “Well,” said Jack, “I’ll try my vorton; zo now vor the king’s daughter, or a headless shepherd!”

And taking his bottle and bag, he trudged to the court. In his way thither, he was obliged to cross a river, and pulling off his shoes and stockings, while he was passing over he observed several pretty fish bobbing against his feet; so he caught some and put them into his pocket.

When he reached the palace he knocked at the gate loudly with his crook, and having mentioned the object of his visit, he was immediately conducted to the hall where the king’s daughter sat ready prepared to see her lovers. He was placed in a luxurious chair, and rich wines and spices were set before him, and all sorts of delicate meats. Jack, unused to such fare, ate and drank plentifully, so that he was nearly dozing before midnight.

“Oh, shepherd,” said the lady, “I have caught you napping!”

“Noa, sweet ally, I was busy a-feeshing.”

“A fishing,” said the princess in the utmost astonishment: “Nay, shepherd, there is no fish-pond in the hall.”

“No matter vor that, I have been fishing in my pocket, and have just caught one.”

“Oh me!” said she, “let me see it.”

The shepherd slyly drew the fish out of his pocket and pretending to have caught it, showed it her, and she declared it was the finest she ever saw.

About half an hour afterwards, she said, “Shepherd, do you think you could get me one more?”

He replied, “Mayhap I may, when I have baited my hook;” and after a little while he brought out another, which was finer than the first, and the princess was so delighted that she gave him leave to go to sleep, and promised to excuse him to her father.

In the morning the princess told the king, to his great astonishment, that Jack must not be beheaded, for he had been fishing in the hall all night; but when he heard how Jack had caught such beautiful fish out of his pocket, he asked him to catch one in his own.

Jack readily undertook the task, and bidding the king lie down, he pretended to fish in his pocket, having another fish concealed ready in his hand, and giving him a sly prick with a needle, he held up the fish, and showed it to the king.

His majesty did not much relish the operation, but he assented to the marvel of it, and the princess and Jack were united the same day, and lived for many years in happiness and prosperity.

ENGLISH FAIRY TALES EDITED BY JOSEPH JACOBS.

Let’s Chat About The Stories ~ Ideas for Talking With Kids

Creativity

1. In the story, Jack was described as a natural fool, however, Jack marries the beautiful Princess of Canterbury. How do you think Jack impressed the Princess and won her love?

Love

1. Jack does many things for love in the story. What things does he do? And what are some other things people might do for the people they love?

The post The Princess of Canterbury first appeared on Bedtime Stories.

This is a vintage fairy tale, and may contain violence. We would encourage parents to read beforehand  if your child is sensitive to such themes.

In a village lived a poor old woman, who had gathered together a dish of beans and wanted to cook them. So she made a fire on her hearth, and that it might burn the quicker, she lighted it with a handful of straw. When she was emptying the beans into the pan, one dropped without her seeing it, and lay on the ground beside a straw, and soon afterwards a burning coal from the fire leapt down to the two.

Then the straw began and said:

‘Dear friends, where do you come from?’

The coal replied:

‘I fortunately sprang out of the fire, and if I had not escaped by sheer force, my death would have been certain,—I should have been burnt to ashes.’

The bean said:

‘I too have escaped with a whole skin, but if the old woman had got me into the pan, I should have been made into broth without any mercy, like my comrades.’

‘And would a better fate have befallen me?’ said the straw. ‘The old woman has destroyed all my brothers and sisters in fire and smoke; she seized sixty of them at once, and took their lives. I luckily slipped through her fingers.’

‘But what are we to do now?’ said the coal.

‘I think,’ answered the bean, ‘that as we have so fortunately escaped death, we should keep together as good friends, and because a new trouble might find us here, we should go away together to a foreign country.’

The idea pleased the two others, and they set out on their way together. Soon, however, they came to a little brook, and as there was no bridge or foot-plank, they did not know how they were to get over it.

The straw hit on a good idea, and said:

‘I will lay myself straight across, and then you can walk over on me as on a bridge.’

The straw therefore stretched itself from one bank to the other, and the coal, who was brave, but still glowing from the fire, tripped quite boldly on to the newly-built bridge. But when she had reached the middle, and heard the water rushing beneath her, she was after all, afraid, and stood still, and ventured no farther.

The straw, however, began to burn, broke in two pieces, and fell into the stream. The coal slipped after her, hissed when she got into the water, and breathed her last.

The bean, who had prudently stayed behind on the shore, could not but laugh at the event, was unable to stop, and laughed so heartily that she burst.

It would have been all over with her, likewise, if, by good fortune, a tailor who was travelling in search of work, had not sat down to rest by the brook. As he had a compassionate heart he pulled out his needle and thread, and sewed her together. The bean thanked him most prettily, but as the tailor used black thread, all beans since then have a black seam.

FAIRY TALES WRITTEN BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM

LET’S CHAT ABOUT THE STORIES ~ IDEAS FOR TALKING WITH KIDS

Creativity

1. This story tells of how beans came to have a black seam. Can you think of a story for how bananas came to have two different-looking ends?

2. How about how tomatoes came to have seeds?

The post The Straw, The Coal and the Bean first appeared on Bedtime Stories.

Bertie was a very good boy. He was kind, obedient, truthful, and unselfish. He had, however, one great fault,—he always forgot.

No matter how important the errand, his answer always was, “I forgot.” When he was sent with a note for his teacher, his mother would find the note in his pocket at night. If he was sent to the store in a great hurry, to get something for tea, he would return late, without the thing he was sent for, but with his usual answer.

His father and mother talked the matter over, and decided that something must be done to make the little boy remember.

Christmas was near, and Bertie was busy making out a list of things which Santa Claus was to bring him.

“Santa Claus may forget some of those things,” said his mother.

“He can’t,” replied Bertie; “for I will write sled, and skates, and drum, and violin, and all the things on this paper. Then when Santa Claus goes to my stocking he will find the list. He can see it and put the things in as fast as he reads.”

Christmas morning came, and Bertie was up at dawn to see what was in his stocking. His mother kept away from him as long as she could, for she knew what Santa Claus had done.

Finally she heard him coming with slow steps to her room. Slowly he opened the door and came towards her. He held in his hand a list very much longer than the one he had made out. He put it in his mother’s hand, while tears of disappointment fell from his eyes.

“See what Santa Claus left for me! He could have at least given me one thing!”

His mother opened the roll. It was a list of all the errands Bertie had been asked to do for six months. At the end of all was written, in staring capitals, “I FORGOT.”

Bertie wept for an hour. Then his mother told him they were all going to Grandpa’s. For the first time he would see a Christmas-tree. Perhaps something might be growing there for him.

It was very strange to Bertie, but on Grandpa’s tree he found everything he had written on his list. Was he cured of his bad habit? Not all at once; but from that day forward, whenever his mother saw that he was not listening to her, she would say, “Remember, Santa Claus does not forget.”

Christmas Fairy Tale written by M.A. Haley

Illustrations by Jade Maitre

© Storyberries 2018

Let’s Chat About The Stories ~ Ideas for Talking With Kids

Thoughtfulness, Responsibility, Helping

1. Why did Santa “forget” to get little Bertie the things he had written on his Christmas list?
2. Do you think it’s easy to forget to help family and friends? Why or why not?
3. What do you think happened every time little Bertie forgot to do something helpful? Who do you think had to do it?

The post Santa Never Forgets! first appeared on Bedtime Stories.

“Is he really gonna come tomorrow night?”

“Of course he is. You wrote him a letter, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but are you sure he read it?”

“I told you, Molly. Santa visits everyone who writes him a letter.”

“But how does he do it all in one night?”

“Magic, of course. I don’t know exactly how it works, but I think he can freeze time or something.”

“Wow!”

There were a lot of words that Greg had never heard before. Santa. Christmas. Rudolph. Some King or other called Nat. It was all very confusing to Greg. Luckily, later that day, Molly reached into Greg’s room and picked him up to show him something.

“Look how beautiful our tree is, Greg.”

Greg looked and saw a large evergreen tree inside the house covered in colored lights and other ornaments. He had to admit it was beautiful but he didn’t exactly know what it was for.

“And tomorrow night, Santa’s going to come and leave us presents for Christmas. And I asked him to bring something for you, too. Even though I don’t know what turtles want for Christmas. Well, I’d better put you back. I have to go help Mommy in the kitchen.”

It was a very confused turtle whom Molly returned to his room a moment later. Christmas? What’s Christmas? And who is this Santa who’s supposed to bring me something? It was very overwhelming. But that night, many of his questions were answered. His room happened to be in such a place that it faced the TV so when the girls watched a movie called “A Christmas Carol” he learned a lot about this Christmas business.

Evidently, Greg concluded, it’s a holiday that happens in the winter where everyone gets together and eats and drinks and has lots of fun and gives each other presents. It sounded nice, but it still left Greg with one burning question:

Do turtles have Christmas?

The holiday, it seemed, had something to do with a little baby called…something with a “J”, he couldn’t remember. But the impression that Greg got was that this “Christmas” was this baby’s birthday. Did you have to know the baby to celebrate? Are turtles allowed to celebrate? It seemed to have a lot to do with presents. Was it still Christmas if you didn’t get a present? Or give one?

Greg spent much of the night pondering these questions and the next day (which Molly said was called “Christmas Eve”), the girls watched some more movies and shows which told Greg a little more about the holiday. This Santa fellow lives at the North Pole and on Christmas Eve (that’s tonight! he thought with some excitement) he flies in a magic sleigh pulled by eight flying reindeer and delivers gifts to all the good little boys and girls and…

His heart sank. Boys and girls. Not turtles. He was a boy turtle, sure, but he had the clear impression that this is not what they meant. Oh well, he thought, as he watched another show about a snowman with a special hat. No Christmas for me.

That night, Greg was awakened by a strange sound. A sort of “THUD” as if something had landed on the roof. Greg was frightened. If it was burglars, he was ill-equipped to do anything about it except hope and pray that turtles were not valuable on the black market. But then he heard another sound: Bells! Very small bells! He remembered from his TV research that Santa’s sleigh had bells on and often landed on rooftops. Am I going to get to see Santa Claus?

He did! Santa came down the chimney and set about his work. Putting packages under the tree, eating milk and cookies, filling the stockings. Greg watched him, transfixed. The bright smile, the red suit, the white beard. He’s just the way I thought he’d be, said Greg to himself. I may not get any presents, but it’s enough to get to see him!

And then, just as Santa was about to leave, he turned his head in the direction of Greg’s room. He looked at the turtle and smiled.

“Well, hello there, Greg!” he said as he walked over to him. “You don’t remember me, do you? Well, you wouldn’t, I guess. You were so very small when I brought you here. You see, you were Molly’s Christmas present last year. And she asked me to make sure you got a present this year. Don’t look so surprised,” said Santa, kindly at Greg’s reaction. “Didn’t you know? Christmas is for everyone. And you’ll get a present, too…but only if you go right to sleep! Now, now, rules are rules. If you want your present, you’ll just have to wait till morning.”

Greg shut his eyes obediently and tried to fall asleep.

“That’s better. Now don’t open them till tomorrow. And Merry Christmas, Greg.”

He heard Santa place something inside his room and creep away. In another moment he heard the sleighbells, the muffled cry of Santa and then…nothing. Santa was gone. It was tempting, but Greg kept his eyes shut until he fell asleep.

“Merry Christmas!” Greg woke to the joyous cry of Molly and Mabel as they ran downstairs for their presents. Their parents followed, somewhat less enthusiastically, but still all smiles. Greg watched through the walls of his room as the girls opened their presents and showed them off for their parents. It was a wonderful scene and Greg was very happy to have seen it.

“Look,” said Molly, suddenly. “Santa left something for Greg, too.” Greg had almost forgotten. With the great effort that it took for him to move at all, Greg turned around and saw…a great big head of lettuce! And it was all for him. As Greg began to munch on the crisp green leaves he thought of what Santa had said to him before he left.

“Merry Christmas, Santa,” he thought. “And thank you for the best Christmas I ever had.”

THE END

Short story for kids written by Templeton Moss

Story illustration by Templeton Moss

Let’s Chat About The Stories ~ Ideas for Talking With Kids

Kindness

1. Santa chose a present for Greg that was just perfect for him. How do you think is the best way to choose Christmas presents for the people we love?

Empathy, Independent Thinking

1. Do you think animals should also celebrate Christmas? Why or why not?

The post Do Turtles Have Christmas? first appeared on Bedtime Stories.