← Sleep Tight Stories - Bedtime Stories for Kids
Sleep Tight Stories - Bedtime Stories for Kids
Alex And The Bluejay 🪺 (Encore story)
00:28:31
A bedtime story that takes place in Montague, Prince Edward Island
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A Short Message for Grown Ups Parents I think we've all had those times when everyone in the family is off on their own personal devices. Wouldn't it be great if you could find an activity that everyone will agree on? Something that's both active and fun at the same time? Imagine that families everywhere are discovering Next Playground an active game system where your body powers the play. It's 100% motion driven gaming. No controllers or wearables needed. Just play naturally and the games are so great and immersive. Go flying in the world of how to train your dragon, dance with Barbie, pop bubbles in Gabby's dollhouse, or master some moves with Kung Fu Panda right from your living room. Even better, Next Playground is kids safe. With no ads in app purchases or mature content, nextplayground is your feel good solution to these long summer days. Want to learn more? Visit nextplayground.com that's nexplayground.com to explore active family gaming today. A short message for grown ups looking for a fun way to keep the Bluey fans in your home busy with imaginative screen free play? The Bluey Supermarket Playset is here, standing over 15 inches tall and packed with surprises across three levels of fun. Inspired by the episode Kids, this set comes with exclusive Bluey and Bingo figures, including Bingo holding her lollipop. There's a real working escalator, a rooftop cafe, and even an intercom with 24 different sound effects your kids will love. With over 15 play pieces, shelves to explore, carts to fill, and stickers to decorate, your little ones can recreate favorite scenes or invent new ones of their own. It also works with all your other Bluey figures for even more imaginative adventures. The Bluey Supermarket playset is available at all major retailers. Hello friends, and welcome to Sleeptight Stories. Alex lives in an old house just outside of Montague, and he feels like his house is too far away. He remembers all his friends playing in the backyard and running through the woods with him, but they're not here right now. Alex's mom tells him to go out and explore, and just before he heads back in for dinner, he sees a flash of color out of the corner of his eye. Alex and the bluejay what's wrong, little man? You're looking kind of down in the dumps today. Did something happen at school or is your homework giving you trouble? I was a whiz at math if you need some help. Alex's mother called from the kitchen, the floor creaking beneath her feet as she moved from one side to the other. Alex sat at the table, packing up his homework. No, my homework's easy peasy. No big deal, he mumbled. It's just everyone's super busy. All my friends have tons of afternoon activities and can't come over to hang out. All I have is hockey, and I don't even have that many practices, he said, picking at the frayed edge of the tablecloth. His mom glanced up from the sink, her hands deep in soapy water. I know it's hard, Alex, but you'll see your friends this weekend, won't you? Yeah, I guess. He nodded, though the weekend felt far away, like everything else in their old house outside of town. Well, since you finished your homework, why don't you go outside for a bit? We've got all this space for you to explore. The woods, the fields. Just stay out of the stream, okay? I don't want your new jeans all covered in mud. Alex wasn't too excited about the idea, but he went to the back door, pulled on his sneakers and jacket, and stepped outside. The sun was shining, but it didn't do much to lift his mood. Last summer the backyard had been noisy, with his friends laughing and running around playing games. Alex could still remember how they raced through the trees, pretending they were on some kind of adventure, but now, as he walked to the edge of the yard, the only sound was the wind rustling through the leaves. It felt different. Quiet. Lonely. Alex and his family lived in the middle of what felt like nowhere, an old farmhouse outside a tiny town called Montague. They had moved here when Alex was too young to argue. Before that, they'd lived in the city, where there were always kids around, where he could play on the streets and sidewalks, though he wasn't really supposed to. His father would tell stories about how great it was growing up here, playing hockey and running through the woods. Alex liked hockey and the woods, too, but things felt different when all your friends were far away. He didn't even have a dog or a cat to keep him company. Winter was the worst, since no one wanted to drive him anywhere because of the roads. Like the roads ever did anything bad to us, he thought. He sighed and bent down to pick up a stick, feeling the rough bark under his fingers. Wandering through the yard, he swung the stick at fallen leaves, lazily swatting at the fallen leaves as if he were playing golf, his father's favorite activity aside from driving him to hockey. The leaves crunched under his shoes, the dry, crisp sound filling the quiet. He could hear the distant call of birds somewhere in the woods, but it only made him Feel more alone. They were far away, too. As he wandered closer to the trees, he thought he saw something move out of the corner of his eye. He looked quickly, but there was nothing there. Just the trees swaying gently in the wind. He stood still, squinting at the shadows near the edge of the woods. But whatever it was had disappeared. Their place had all kinds of animals. Once, a raccoon had wandered by, and Alex thought it might make a good pet until his mom chased it off with a broom. Skunks came around, too, but they had a bit of a smell problem. There were foxes, hares, and sometimes even large snakes that slithered through the underbrush. You never knew what might be lurking in the yard, but whatever had moved just now was gone before he could catch a real glimpse. Just as he was about to head back to the house, he heard a sharp sound. Like a bird's call, but higher and faster than the other. Alex froze, listening carefully, but the sound disappeared as quickly as it had come. He stood there for a moment, wondering if he'd imagined it. Or maybe there really was something new out there in the woods, waiting to be found. There it was. Just beyond the tree line. Perched on a branch, was the brightest bluebird Alex had ever seen. That's kind of cool, he thought to himself as he slowly approached. As he got closer, the bird began to sing, but not like any bird he'd heard before. The sound was loud and piercing. Alex covered his ears and squeezed his eyes shut. Wow, you are one loud bird, he muttered. When he opened his eyes, the bird had vanished, disappearing as suddenly as it had appeared. Alex wandered around the trees, hoping to catch another glimpse of the bluebird, but the only thing he found was his old water squirt toy, the one he thought he'd lost weeks ago. Aside from the rustling leaves in the wind, the woods were silent again. He thought about exploring deeper into the forest, but his mother's voice calling him for dinner interrupted his plans. His dad had a meeting tonight, so they were eating early. Walking in through the back door, Alex was greeted by the warm smell of garlic and tomato sauce. It must be a spaghetti night. Mom, I saw something cool in the backyard. Alex said excitedly. Oh, and what's for dinner? It smells amazing. I whipped up some spaghetti and meatballs, his mother replied. Your dad doesn't have much time tonight, so we'll have to save his butter chicken for another day. Alex didn't mind at all. He liked spaghetti better than butter chicken anyway. Tell me about what you saw while you wash your hands, his mom suggested. Well, there was this super loud bird. At first I didn't know it was a bird because we live out here in the wilderness and for a second I thought it might be a bear. But I went to check it out anyway. It was this really bright blue color and when I tried to get closer, it flew away. Alex, there are no bears, black bears, grizzlies, polar bears, or any other kind of bear in our woods. His mother replied, remembering all the times Alex had claimed to see bears. What you probably saw was a blue jay. I think they're beautiful. Drying his hands, Alex asked, but don't birds fly south for the winter? Is he lost? If he's lost, I could help him. Maybe dad could drive him south to join his friends. His mother laughed. I'm not sure your dad would agree to that plan. But not all blue jays migrate. Some stay here on the island during the winter. I'm not sure why, but they do. Do you think we could be friends? Alex asked, hopeful. I don't know about that. But you could put some seeds in a basket and hang it from the tree where you saw him. Maybe the blue jay will come back and have a snack. Yeah, I have a basket I could use. Maybe I could decorate it with branches and stuff so it's more comfortable for the bird. That's not a bad idea, little man. I'm sure you could find some branches in the backyard. Do you know why the blue jay was so loud, mom? Alex asked, rubbing his ears a little. Well, blue jays are known for being noisy. They use their loud calls to warn other birds if they sense danger or to let everyone know they've found food. Sometimes they even mimic the calls of hawks to scare off other birds. It's pretty clever if you think about it. Wow. Alex said, wide eyed. They're smart. Your father just pulled in. Help me set the table so we can eat. The next day, after school, alone, Alex hurried through his homework and went to grab a basket he could use as a bird feeder. He found a small basket with handles on either side, perfect for tying string. Alex grabbed some twine from the kitchen drawer and carefully looped it through the handles, making sure the basket could hang securely. He headed outside feeling feeling excited. He wanted the blue jay to come back in the backyard, Alex picked up small twigs and branches, snapping some to make them fit around the edges of the basket. Maybe this will make it look nicer, he thought as he weaved the branches into the basket's sides. He imagined the bird swooping down to check it out after decorating the basket Alex went over to the small barn where his mom kept birdseed. He scooped up a handful of seeds, feeling them slip between his fingers, and gently poured them into the basket. The seeds made a soft, rattling sound as they settled at the bottom. Everything was ready. He walked over to the spot where he had first seen the blue jay. The tree branches were low enough for him to reach, but just to be sure, Alex jumped up and grabbed hold of one. Tying the string carefully around it, he pulled it tight, making sure the basket wouldn't fall. Alex let the basket hang down gently, careful not to spill the seeds. He watched as it swayed slightly in the breeze. Standing back, he admired his work for a moment, proud of how it had turned out. Stepping away so he wouldn't scare the bird, Alex found a spot where he could watch the feeder from a distance. He sat down on the ground, knees tucked under his chin, and waited. And waited. And waited. The woods were quiet and the blue jay didn't come. Alex waited a while longer, hoping the blue jay would show up, but when the sky started to dim, he knew it was time to go in for dinner. Walking through the back door, Alex felt very disappointed. After kicking off his sneakers and hanging up his coat, he headed into the kitchen, where his mother was making a salad with way too many carrots. As usual, it didn't work. Mom, the blue jay didn't come to eat the seeds, he said, slumping down in a chair. You have to be patient, sweetheart. Maybe the blue jay hasn't come back this way yet. You need to give it time. Alex groaned, resting his chin on his hand. But you know I'm not good at patience, he said, his disappointment clear in his voice. His mom smiled, setting down the salad bowl. Why don't you check on your bird feeder tomorrow and see if the bird has come? Now wash up for dinner. We're having chicken tonight. Alex sighed heavily, but nodded and got up to wash his hands. Patience was never his thing, but he hoped tomorrow would be different. The next day, Alex had hockey practice, and by the time he got home, it was already too dark to check on his bird feeder. But the next day, as soon as he got off the school bus, Alex raced through his one small bit of homework in record time and dashed out the back door to see if the blue jay had been. By reaching the basket, he pulled it down carefully and peered inside. His heart skipped a beat. Some of the seed was gone. Had the blue jay visited while he was at school? Excited, Alex ran from the edge of the yard to their small barn. He grabbed A handful of bird seed from the sack his mother kept there, the seed slipping through his fingers as he quickly filled his palm. Back at the feeder, he carefully poured the fresh seed into the basket, making sure it was just right for his new feathered friend. With the basket refilled, Alex found his usual spot a few feet away. He sat down on the cool ground, hugging his knees, and kept his eyes on the feeder, hoping for a glimpse of blue among the trees. He waited and waited and waited. The sky began to change from bright blue to the soft shades of dusk, signaling that dinner was almost ready. He was just about to give up when out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of blue dart across the treetops. Alex held his breath as the bird landed on the basket, its bright blue feathers glowing against the dimming sky. The blue jay had come. It pecked at the seeds Alex had left, its head bobbing as it looked around between bites. For a few moments, Alex sat perfectly still, watching as the bird feasted on the food he had put out. Then, as suddenly as it had arrived, the blue jay flew off, disappearing back into the trees. Grinning from ear to ear, Alex jumped up and ran inside, eager to tell his mom the news. Bursting through the back door, he called out, mom. The blue jay ate the seeds, and it came while I was there. Isn't that cool? It certainly is, sweetheart, his mother said, smiling as she stirred a pod on the stove. I'm glad it worked out for you. Every day after school, Alex would refill the seed in the basket and wait to see if the blue jay would come. And each time it did, as fall passed and the leaves turned from gold to brown, Alex started inching closer to the bird feeder. Each day he wanted to get a better look at the blue jay. The bird didn't seem to mind. It landed on the basket and pecked at the seeds while Alex stood nearby, watching quietly. Maybe the bird was getting used to him, Alex thought. It made him smile to think that they might even be becoming friends. Then winter came. The first snow blanketed the ground, covering the grass and trees in a thick, white layer. The days grew shorter and the cold winds began to blow, but Alex didn't let that stop him. He bundled up in his warmest coat, gloves, and hat and still made his way to the feeder. Just. Just before dark, his fingers would turn red and stiff, but he didn't care. He liked seeing the blue jay swoop down to eat the seeds he left behind. Some days, if the weather wasn't too harsh, Alex would sit by the feeder, talking to the bird like it was another kid at school. He told it about his day or how his hockey practice went, or even how he didn't like the broccoli his mom had made for dinner the night before. The blue jay would sit, looking at him with bright, curious eyes. Occasionally it would chirp back as if it were listening, and Alex liked to imagine that they were having their own little conversation. As the winter deepened, the the snow piled high, sometimes up to Alex's knees. Each day he'd trudge through the deep snow, leaving footsteps across the yard to the feeder. Even though the trees were bare and the sky was often gray, the blue jay always came. Its bright blue feathers stood out against the stark white snow, making Alex feel like the bird was a little bit of color. And in the otherwise dull backyard. Eventually, the days became very cold and short. The sun barely peeked through the clouds, and everything stayed covered in ice. But Alex didn't mind. He added crushed peanuts to the seeds in the basket, hoping to give the blue jay an extra treat to help it through the cold. Each time the bird came to the feeder, it felt like a small victory, proof that their friendship was growing stronger. As March arrived, Alex began to notice the first signs of spring. The days were getting longer, and the sun finally started to break through the gray winter clouds. The snow slowly melted, revealing patches of grass and mud. Icicles hanging from the roof dripped as the temperatures climbed just above freezing. Even with the first hints of spring, Alex's routine didn't change. But one day in April, when Alex went out to visit his friend, excited to share how well he did on his math test, the blue jay didn't come. Alex felt a little disappointed, but thought maybe the bird had been delayed or had come earlier. He returned the next day, but still the blue jay didn't show, nor the day after that. By the fourth day, Alex started to worry. Walking into the kitchen, where his mother was chopping yet more broccoli, he asked mom, the blue jay hasn't come in a few days, and I don't know why I'm kind of worried. His mother smiled gently. I wouldn't worry too much, sweetheart. It's springtime now, and blue jays usually get busier in spring. They're either looking for a mate or. Or gathering materials to build a nest. They spend a lot of time flying around, picking up twigs, grass, and even little bits of string to make a nice, safe home in the trees. The bird you've been feeding is probably busy with that right now, so he's okay Alex asked, still worried. I'm sure he's fine, his mother reassured him. Blue jays are tough little birds. You've been feeding him all winter, which probably helped him stay strong. Now that it's warmer. He's got a lot of work to do, but who knows? Maybe he'll stop by again once his nest is ready. Alex nodded, feeling a bit better but still hoping to see his feathered friend again. Soon as spring turned to summer, Alex continued his daily trips to refill the feeder with seeds, even though the blue jay hadn't visited in weeks. One evening, just as he was about to head back to the house for dinner, he heard a sharp, loud chirp behind him. Alex spun around and saw his blue jay perched on the feeder. And this time it wasn't alone. A slightly smaller blue jay fluttered beside it. Alex had a huge grin as he watched the two birds peck at the seeds together. It felt like his old friend had returned to say hello and even introduced a new friend without thinking. Alex. Alex sat down on the wet grass and with a big breath, started sharing everything that had happened while the blue jay was gone. How he had done well in school, how he was starting soccer soon, and even how he had finally gotten used to eating his mom's broccoli. The two blue jays sat there, heads tilting as Alex said, spoke almost as if they were listening to every word. Occasionally, the larger bird gave a short chirp, just like before, and Alex smiled, feeling like they were having their familiar conversation again. As he stood up, watching the pair peck at the seeds once more, Alex realized that the blue jay hadn't forgotten him after all. It had just been busy building its life, just as Alex had been living his. And now they were sharing a new moment together. Alex smiled to himself and turned and headed inside. He couldn't wait to tell his mom. And that is the end of our story. Good night. Sleep tight.