← Sleep Tight Stories - Bedtime Stories for Kids
Sleep Tight Stories - Bedtime Stories for Kids
Bernice and the Thanksgiving Treats 🐻 (Encore story)
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A short message for grown ups. As parents, we know how quickly family time can slip into scrolling time. Everyone on their own devices after a long day. Wouldn't it be great to share something active and fun instead? Meet Next Playground, an active game system powered by your body. No controllers, no wearables, just natural motion driven play. Join Bluey and Keepy Uppy. Fly with how to Train youn Dragon, Dance with Barbie, Pop Bubbles in Gabby's Dollhouse, or train with Kung Fu Panda. All from your living room and it's totally kids safe. No ads, no in app purchases, no mature content. Just clean active fun to bring the family together this fall. Want to learn more? Visit nextplayground.com that's nexplayground.com to explore active gaming today. Bernice had lots of treats today at school, but tells Ethan on the bus that she still feels super hungry when she gets home, Bernice notices that her pumpkins are not outside anymore. When she opens the door, she smells a great yummy smell. Bernice and the Thanksgiving Treats. These seats sure are squishy. Bernice said to Ethan as they rode the school bus home from school. Yeah, sort of, I guess. Maybe they should put in reclining seats and TVs on the bus. Or even video games. Then we could all play against each other. Ethan said with a grin, gripping the edge of the squishy seat as the bus bounced. Bernice laughed. Haha. Everyone would want to take the bus then. And no one would want to get off, Ethan added, leaning back and staring at the ceiling like he was already imagining it. Did you watch the latest show on Plus? It was pretty cool. Ethan said turning to her. No, my mama doesn't let me spend too much time on screens. Only for school stuff mostly. Sometimes we watch a funny video together though. My papa's really into cat videos lately, so we watch those sometimes. Bernice looked out the window as the bus rolled through the neighborhood. She didn't want to miss their bus stop, especially with her stomach starting to make gurgling noises. Wow. Your parents are super strict. My grandma lets me watch videos sometimes. At least if I've done my homework. But guess what? Ethan nudged her shoulder lightly. What? Bernice asked. My grandma sometimes plays video games with me. Isn't that funny? She's pretty good too. She says she doesn't practice, but I think she must play all night long because she's almost as good as I am. Bernice laughed again. That's pretty cool. Yeah, she even has her own colored controller and everything. Oh, here's our stop. The bus squealed to a halt and Bernice and Ethan grabbed their bags. After saying goodbye to Mrs. LaBolt, the bus driver, they stepped off into the crisp autumn air. Brr, it's chilly outside, ethan said as he pulled his hat down farther. I don't mind the cold too much because then I get to drink more hot chocolate, bernice said as they crunched on the yellow and red leaves on the sidewalk. It's kinda too bad your parents are so strict about screens and stuff, ethan continued. It's okay. I get to spend more time reading books and playing with Cookie. I still get to play video games sometimes too, bernice said, adjusting the strap of her backpack. You're lucky to have a cat. I asked for a dog, then a cat, then some fish, but so far I'm not allowed any pets, ethan said, kicking a stray rock down the path. Bernice hesitated, then asked, um, I heard you telling the teacher that you didn't celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Yeah, my mom's been sick and the last time my dad tried to cook a turkey, it almost caught on fire. Or at least that's what my mom says. I think she's exaggerating. We're going to my grandma's house this weekend to have a meal there instead. Did you celebrate? Yeah, I guess I'm super lucky because we celebrate twice, Bernice said, her voice trailing off as they reached her house. Wow. Don't you get tired of turkey? Ethan asked, wrinkling his nose a little bit. But I never get tired of pumpkin pie, Bernice replied with a laugh. Her tummy grumbled in agreement. Yeah, that's true. I love pumpkin pie. Well, I better get to my grandma's house. See you tomorrow at school. See you tomorrow, Ethan, Bernice called as she walked up the steps toward the door of her small house. She paused, glancing toward the yard. Where did all the pumpkins go? She wondered aloud before opening the door. Papa and Cookie, I'm home. And something smells yummy. Spicy. Delicious. Bernice called as she stepped inside. She sat down to take off her new sneakers. Her last pair didn't fit anymore and her mama said it was because her feet had grown so much. She waited for her best friend to make her grand entrance. I'm in the kitchen making all kinds of wonderful treats, Little Bear. Papa Bear's impossibly deep voice voice boomed, Come and see after you take off your sneakers and hang up your coat. Just then Cookie rushed around the corner, her tail straight in the air. Hi Cookie. Did you miss me today? I missed you, Bernice said, scratching her cat behind the ears. I had a super fun day at school, but do you think you could help me take off these stubborn sneakers? New shoes always give me a hard time. Even cool ones like these. Do you see the stripes on the side? Bobby says stripes make you run faster. Silly, right? But you never know. Cookie gave her an approving nuzzle, checking to make sure Bernice wasn't wet or covered in anything unpleasant. After a few more pets, Bernice whispered, guess what, Cookie? I ate all kinds of treats today, but I'm still hungry. Isn't that weird? Anyway, today at school we celebrated the spirit of Thanksgiving, which is kinda strange because we had Thanksgiving already. But my teacher says that because so many of us were born in different places that we get to talk about the many ways of giving thanks across cultures. I thought it was interesting, but my favorite part was all the different treats we got to eat. Cookie purred and looked at Bernice curiously, then stepped back as Bernice's tummy let out another growl. Yeah, I better go have a snack with Papa because I. I seem to be super starving. Bernice said with a laugh. After putting her shoes away neatly and hanging up her coat, Bernice walked into the kitchen, her backpack slung over one shoulder. Papa, are all these pies, cookies and cakes for us? I'm hungry, but I don't think I could eat them all. I mean, I'd try my best though, she said, flopping her backpack by her chair. Papa Bear chuckled. No, Little Bear. I baked all these treats because we are going to share them. Some will go to our friends, some to our neighbors, and most to the people who don't get to enjoy snacks like this very often. It smells super awesome. Papa, why don't you wash your hands and pick a few treats to have with your milk? I heated some milk with vanilla for us to share, Papa said, placing a warm pie and cookies on the table. Are these pumpkin pies? Is that where all the pumpkins from outside went? Bernice asked as she washed her hands. I hope they don't mind too much. They looked pretty nice out there. I'm sure the pumpkins don't mind, papa Bear replied. Some of them grew in our garden nice and big so we could enjoy all kinds of delicious treats. Sitting down with her snacks, Bernice said, these smell so good and they taste super yummy. Taking a sip of her milk, she continued, School was fun today, Papa, but I'm a little confused. We spent the day learning about Thanksgiving and how different places and cultures celebrate giving thanks. But why do we celebrate twice? Is it because we like pumpkin pie so much. Papa Bear laughed. Well, our family comes from different places, so we celebrate at different times. And since we're so fortunate to have so much delicious food, we can give thanks a couple times a year. That's true, bernice agreed. At school we learned about how indigenous peoples gave thanks way before Thanksgiving even started. They had traditions and ceremonies to honor the land and say thank you for what the earth gives us. Isn't that cool? It's like they knew way back then to take care of the world. Papa nodded. That is cool. Little Bear, what else did you learn? We also learned about Diwali, where people in India celebrate with lights and give thanks for good things. And there's a festival in Ghana called Homowo where they celebrate after planting season with music and food. Oh, and guess what else? My art teacher said your cookies are so good she wants to start a Papa Bear Cookie festival. I think she just wants to eat more cookies though. Papa laughed. We practically have a cookie festival every day, Little Bear. Oh, and Papa, we all had to wear something that showed what we are thankful for, which is super hard, I thought. And guess what Bobby wore? He wore a hat and shirt with pictures of pumpkin pies on them. He said that except for your cookies, pumpkin pie is his favorite thing in the world. But he likes a lot of things, so I don't know. Some of the kids brought in some fun treats at lunchtime, so we did a swap again. One of my classmates, her grandmother, comes from Thailand and she brought these super small desserts. Papa, they are so tiny I might be able to eat a hundred before I get full. I bet you and Bobby would try to eat that many. Papa Bear said with a laugh. Oh, I know Bobby could, all by himself. But Papa Ethan didn't bring treats today, so I gave him mine and so did Gertrude so that he wouldn't feel left out. He told me after school that his mother hasn't been feeling well. So do you think you would mind sending one of our pies or something for him and his family to have? He loves pumpkin pie. I think they will be eating at his grandmother's house this weekend. Papa Bear smiled. That's very kind of you, Little Bear. I didn't know his mother wasn't feeling well. I'll call his grandmother and make sure they get a nice surprise this weekend. Thank you, Papa, Bernice said, finishing her last bite of pie. Do you think we could have pumpkin pie every day? Wouldn't that be fun? Papa Bear replied with a chuckle, wiping crumbs from the table, Bernice leaned back in her chair, her hands resting on her full belly. I guess we're really lucky to have so much stuff. I feel bad that Ethan couldn't bring a treat today. Papa nodded as he cleared the plates. That's why sharing what we have can make a difference. It's nice to help when we can, and I'm sure Ethan and his family will appreciate that. You are such a good friend. Why don't you work on your homework while I get our dinner ready. Okay, Papa. Later that evening, after dinner and her bedtime routine, Bernice carefully placed her friends Twigga, Wolfie, and Madeline in their usual spots on her bed. Just as she crawled under the covers, Cookie bounded into the room and leapt up onto the bed. Hi, Cookie. I left your favorite blanket at the end of the bed for you. I know you like to roam around at night and stuff. Cats are different like that. She gave Cookie a scratch behind the ears. You know, Cookie, she whispered, I felt kind of bad for Ethan today when he didn't have any treats to share. But now, knowing he'll have something special at his grandma's house, I feel, I don't know, lighter. Like the good kind of full. Not from snacks, but from knowing I helped. Is that silly? Cookie purred softly, kneading the blanket with her paws. I mean, Ethan often shares stuff, so it's not a super big deal. I just don't like when my friends feel left out. Bobby even tried to give Ethan his carrots and just about everyone else in the cafeteria, I think, but Ethan wouldn't take them. So Bobby gave him some of his yogurt as a treat instead. Bernice let out a big yawn. I guess it's time to call Papa now. It's that time, Papa. Bernice called out. I'm coming up as fast as I can, papa Bear replied, his feet stomping up the stairs. I'm super duper tired tonight, Papa, bernice said with a stretch. Can you tell me another story about Kai Kai and Boo Boo sometime soon? It's been so long since you've told me one and I missed them. Sure, Little Bear. I thought you were tired of those two. But I'll try to think of a good one for you next time. Thank you, Papa, britney said with another yawn. Are you ready to drift off to Pumpkin Pie Land? Papa Bear asked, tucking the blanket snugly around her. I think so, Papa. In Pumpkin Pie Land, the clouds are made of whipped cream, right? Yes, they are. And the leaves are sprinkled with pumpkin spice. And there are chocolate trees with chocolate covered strawberries, pumpkin pancake, mushrooms, and houses made out of cookies. I'd better stop you there, or I'll need to go and grab another snack myself. Bernice giggled. Did you do all the things you need to do before bed? Papa asked. Yes, Papa. I brushed my teeth extra long tonight. Good. Give me a hug and a kiss, and then you can listen to your story. Love you, Papa. I love you too, little bear. And that is the end of our story. Good night. Sleep tight, Sam.