Bunny Bedtime Stories

At the edge of a wide green meadow, under the roots of an old oak tree, there was a cozy burrow. And in the burrow lived Little Bunny, with her soft brown fur and one white patch on her nose.

The sun was going down, painting the sky orange and pink. “Time for bed, Little Bunny,” said Mama Bunny. But Little Bunny wasn't ready. “I haven't said goodnight to the meadow yet!”

So Mama Bunny held her paw, and they hopped out together, slowly, softly. “Goodnight, tall grass,” whispered Little Bunny, and the grass swayed back and forth, back and forth.

“Goodnight, daisies.” The daisies folded their white petals and closed their yellow eyes. “Goodnight, little stream.” The stream went shhh, shhh, shhh over the smooth stones.

An old owl blinked from the oak tree. “Hoo, hoo. Goodnight, Little Bunny.” “Goodnight, Owl,” she yawned. “Are you going to sleep too?” “No,” said the owl kindly. “I stay awake and keep watch, so everyone else can rest.”

Little Bunny looked up. The first star was twinkling, then the second, then the moon came up, round and silver like a big glowing button. “Goodnight, moon. Goodnight, stars.”

Her ears were getting heavy now, flopping down, down, down. Mama Bunny carried her back into the warm burrow and tucked her into a bed of soft moss and dandelion fluff.

“Goodnight, Mama,” Little Bunny whispered, eyes already closed. “Goodnight, my little one,” said Mama Bunny, with a kiss on the white patch on her nose. And outside, the whole meadow was sleeping too.

Pip Bunny wiggled in his bed. He turned left. He turned right. He even tried sleeping upside down with his feet on the pillow. But he just couldn't fall asleep.

He hopped to Grandpa Bunny's room. “Grandpa, my eyes won't close.” Grandpa smiled. “Let's try the bunny breath. Breathe in slowly through your nose, like you're smelling a carrot cake. Now breathe out slowly, like you're blowing a dandelion.”

Pip breathed in… mmm, carrot cake. And out… whoooo, dandelion seeds floating away. In… and out. In… and out.

“Now let's make your body sleepy, one piece at a time,” said Grandpa. “Your toes are sleepy. Your legs are sleepy. Your fluffy tail is sleepy. Your tummy is soft and sleepy.”

“My ears are sleepy,” Pip mumbled. “Your ears are very sleepy,” said Grandpa, and Pip's long ears slowly drooped down over his eyes like a blanket.

Grandpa carried him back to bed. By the time he pulled up the covers, Pip Bunny was already dreaming of carrot cake and dandelions. Snore… snore… shhh.

Ten little bunnies hopping in a row. The moon came up, and one said, “Time to go!” Hop, hop, home, and then there were nine.

Nine little bunnies, eight little bunnies, munching clover sweet. One gave a great big yawn and went home on sleepy feet.

Seven, six, five little bunnies, sitting by the stream. One curled up in the reeds and started a lovely dream.

Four, three, two little bunnies, watching fireflies glow. Their ears began to droop and their hops began to slow.

One little bunny, all alone and warm, snuggled in a mossy bed, safe from wind and storm.

No more bunnies hopping. The meadow is quiet and deep. Every little bunny is fast, fast asleep. And now it's your turn. Goodnight.