← Sleep Tight Stories - Bedtime Stories for Kids
Sleep Tight Stories - Bedtime Stories for Kids
Bernice Has Rubbery Legs 🐻
00:26:26
Bernice the bear is back for the worlds favourite bedtime story podcast
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Hello friends. Before we begin, there's a quick ad and then we'll get right to the story. Hello friends and welcome to sleept 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 to Connor for crushing third grade and making the honor roll. You have worked so hard this year bud. It's time to enjoy summer swimming in the pool, paint camp and spending every minute having fun. Keep being funny, inquisitive and awesome. We love you Mom, Dad, Charlotte and leo. Happy belated 6th birthday to Penny who just finished kindergarten and is on her way to Amsterdam. You are so brave, kind and confident. You make your mom, dad and Theo so very happy. Happy birthday to Maya in New Jersey who is turning 8 on July 13th. May Mama and Daddy think you are the best kid ever. We are so proud of all you do from school to riding your bike to piano and more. We love you dearest Noor. Happy 5th birthday. We love you and your beautiful snuggles so so much. You have the best laugh, the kindest heart and do the best granny's impersonation. You are also the best little brother. We promise to always make you Taboola. Love Mama, Mummy and Zane. Happy 8th birthday to our Connor. Man, we couldn't love you more. Good night, sleep tight. Love mom, dad and Claire. Happy first birthday Sidith. We all love you so much. You make our lives so much better with your infectious laugh. Love your brother Ari, Mummy and papa and happy 9th birthday Evie. We are so proud of you and love your cheerful, kind spirit and your creativity and curiosity. Your family loves you so much. Happy birthday to you all. Every time we sit down to record we think about you tucked in ready for a story. Knowing we get to be part of your bedtime means everything to us. If you'd like to support the show and enjoy ad free episodes and bonus stories, Sleeptight Premium is in the show notes and if you know a little someone with a birthday coming up, shout out details are there too. Now on to our story. Bernice is enjoying her summer and getting to do different things with her friends. She is out for a bike ride with Mama and Papa and she remembers they told her it was going to be an easy ride since it was so hot out. But Bernice's features feeling like it is a bit harder than they told her. Mama and Papa don't seem to be finding it hard at all. Bernice has rubbery legs. Bernice Mama Bear and Papa Bear had decided to spend part of the day riding their bikes, which had sounded like a wonderful idea over breakfast, and it really was. The only little problem was that the route they chose had many, many more hills than anyone remembered. By the time they reached the last one, Bernice's legs were nearly finished. Not in a dramatic sort of way. She made it to the top, obviously, because she was a good athlete and stuff, but her legs had gone from normal legs to something much closer to warm spaghetti. So when the little ice cream shop at the bottom of the hill finally came into view, Bernice wasn't sure if she'd ever seen anything so beautiful in her whole life. Papa, that must have been the hardest bike ride of my life, and maybe even the longest. I thought you and Mama said it was going to be an easy ride today because it was so hot out. I mean, I'm a good athlete and stuff, but those hills were kind of hard and you and Mama seemed to ride super fast. Are you both training for the Olympics or something? Bernice said as they finally stopped beside the little ice cream shop. My legs feel like rubber. Sorry, Little Bear, Papa Bear said with a smile. He was sweating almost as hard as Bernice was. We thought the path through the woods would give us some nice shade, but we forgot all about the hills in the woods and the hills after the woods. It was a bit of a tough ride for us too. It's been a long time since we've gone this way. Mama Bear said after taking a great big drink from her water bottle. Next time we can try the other route. But we made it. And you know what comes next? Yay. Ice cream. The best treat in the universe right after Papa's cookies. I think since I worked so hard, I I might need an extra scoop. Or maybe three extra scoops so I can recover properly. And maybe some toppings. And maybe fruit too. Papa Bear laughed. How about we see what flavors they have first? Mama Bear said with a smile. Then we can make a decision. After leaning their bikes against a nearby tree, they walked over to the order window. There are so many flavors, Bernice said. It's always so hard to choose. Except for you, Papa. You always get boring vanilla. Papa Bear smiled. Not today. Bernice looked at him suspiciously. I'm trying something completely different. You are? I am. What is it? Papa Bear grinned. French vanilla. Bernice groaned. Oh Papa, that's just vanilla. Wearing fancy clothes. Papa Bear laughed. Maybe, but they're very nice clothes. The scoops look super big, so I guess I'll just get my regular or maybe two scoops, Bernice said with a laugh. I think I'll have two scoops of cookie dough ice cream. Is that okay, Mama? That's perfect, mama Bear said. I'm going to try Moonicorn flavor. That sounds super fun, Mama. More fun than Papa's anyway, bernice teased. After they got their ice cream, they found a picnic table beneath a shady tree near the ice cream shop. Wow, this is yummy. Delicious, Bernice said after her first bite. Papa, did you give them your cookie recipe? My ice cream almost tastes like your cookie. Well, except it's ice cream. And ice cream is exactly what I needed after the hardest bike ride ever. Papa Bear smiled. Ice cream on a hot day is a pretty wonderful treat. What did Bobby end up doing today? Papa Bear asked. He could have come with us for a bike ride and an ice cream picnic if he wanted to. He said he might be going to the beach with some family friends and their kids, I think. But he's also been working really hard on his new invention. He even turned down science camp so he could stay home and work on it. His mom really wanted him to go, but maybe he'll go to one later after another few licks and a bite. Because Bernice liked eating ice cream that way, she continued. He asked me to come over and help him again, but it's been so nice outside that I think I'd rather be outdoors. And Gertrude wants to go for a bike ride tomorrow. And maybe I'll go swimming at her house too, if that's okay, because she has a pool. Bobby isn't allowed to go to her pool anymore after. Well, after the last time. I don't think I heard about the last time, mama Bear said as she caught a drip before it reached her hand. Papa Bear smiled. I forgot to tell you. Well, bernice began, bobby is really good at acting. Not just art and science and robot stuff. So the last time we all went swimming at Gertrude's house, he brought this robot shark he'd built. It actually looked pretty real. Then he shouted, Shark. And he sent it swimming around the pool chasing him. He even pretended it bit his leg. Mama Bear laughed. The little kids thought it was real. Bernice continued. Gertrude, Ethan and I knew it was just Bobby being Bobby, but the little ones got so scared they wouldn't go back in the pool. Then somehow Bobby connected his phone to the outdoor speakers and started playing super spooky music. I don't even know how he did it. Oh dear, mama Bear said, trying not to smile Gertrude's mom wasn't very happy. She said Bobby could come back someday, but maybe not with any robots. Papa Bear chuckled. That sounds like a very reasonable rule. I think Bobby's mom has the same rule now, bernice said. At least for swimming pools. Bernice quickly focused on finishing her ice cream before it melted in the summer heat. That was the yummiest ice cream ever, she said as she finished her cone with a satisfying crunch. It certainly hit the spot, papa Bear said. Now then, are you ready for the ride home? Bernice looked thoughtfully at the hills in the distance. Is there an easier way home without all the hills and stuff? I have more energy now, but my legs still feel kind of rubbery. Papa Bear smiled. I think I know a route that's a little easier. And after a whole afternoon of riding our bikes, I think we've earned pizza for dinner. Bernice's eyes grew wide. Pizza and ice cream. This might be the best bike ride ever, even if my legs don't agree. Mama Bear laughed. I think that's a wonderful idea. Papa Bear picked up his helmet. Come on then, Team Bear. Let's head home before someone suggests dessert after dinner. I wasn't going to, bernice said. She paused. Well, maybe just a little. Papa Bear laughed as they climbed back onto their bikes. After making it home much faster without all the hills, eating delicious pizza for dinner, having a long video call with Bobby, and reading her book, Bernice began her bedtime routine. This time she decided to have a bath because her legs were feeling kind of sore, and Mama Bear said a warm bath might help. Then she did lots of stretches, brushed her teeth and all that important stuff, and slowly made her way into bed, where Twigga, Wolfy, and Madeline were already waiting for her. It's that time, Papa. And what time is that, Little Bear? Papa Bear called back from the kitchen. It's time for a story. Just before Papa Bear could make the whole house shake coming up the stairs, Cookie padded into the room and jumped onto Bernice's bed. Are you sure you want a story, little Bear? You're not too tired after all the fun we had today? I'm a little sleepy, I guess, but not too sleepy. My legs are still kind of rubbery, mama said. Tomorrow they might even be more sore, which is kind of strange, but the body is pretty complicated, I guess. Papa Bear smiled. It certainly is. Sometimes your muscles work so hard that they need a little extra time to recover. By late tomorrow or the next day, they'll be ready for another bike ride. I hope so, Bernice said with a little yawn. Bobby invited me over tomorrow because he thinks it's going to rain and he could use my help with his latest invention. But if it doesn't rain, his mama might take us to the beach instead. If that's okay, I think some of our other friends might come too. That sounds like a wonderful day, papa Bear said. Maybe you'll invent robots in the morning and play at the beach in the afternoon. Yeah, bernice said sleepily. I think that sounds just about perfect. Well, since everyone is here, papa Bear said, looking around the room, I guess we can have a story. Maybe we can go back to the mystical forest again, bernice said through another sleepy yawn. I can certainly try. Are you comfy? Yes, Papa. And how about Twiggle, Wolfy, 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 brave little bear named Boo Boo. She lived in a large castle at the edge of a mystical forest, and in this forest were unicorns, fairies, gnomes, and all manner of insects, birds, and animals. It was a wonderful place. Her best friend was a young dragon called Kai Kai, and they liked to play as much as they could. On this day, Booboo and Kai Kai were sitting in the castle garden enjoying the warm afternoon when a small fox appeared at the garden gate. At least it looked like a fox. It had bright copper fur, a tail that flicked like a flame, and two small shimmering wings that kept it hovering just slightly above the ground. Are you Booboo and Kai Kai? It asked in a voice that spoke as fast as it looked. We are, Booboo said. Wonderful. I'm Fern. I've been sent to invite you to the new Vanilla Treat shop at the end of the Amber Trail. Follow me, please. We should get moving. It's best in the afternoon. And Fern turned and zipped toward the forest path. How far is it, Kai Kai called after her. Not far, fern called back, already disappearing around the first bend. Kai Kai looked at Booboo. Can't we just fly? She's already gone, Booboo said and started walking. Kai Kai looked at his legs, sighed deeply, and followed. Fern was very small and very fast. She zipped along the path just ahead of them, her copper tail flickering between the trees. Booboo kept up reasonably well. The path was beautiful, winding through parts of the forest. She hadn't visited for a long time. The trees here were tall and thin, with silver bark that caught the afternoon light. Purple flowers grew in clusters around the edges of the path, and when the breeze moved through them they made a soft sound, almost like humming. Kai Kai was not keeping up. I just want to point out, Kai, Kai said, breathing harder than he would have liked, that I have four legs. Four. And somehow that is making this worse. Fern reappeared from around a bend ahead, hovering impatiently. You're doing great. Almost to the middle section. The middle section, Kai Kai said. Fern was already gone again. The path curved upward, not steeply, but enough to notice. The trees thinned a little and the afternoon sun came through more directly, warm on their backs. Booboo could smell something changing in the air. Sweeter, softer. It reminded her of when the baker at their castle would make sweets, filling the air with whatever she was making. Kai Kai stopped. He put his front claws on his knees, which, it turned out, dragons did have, and took several long breaths. I fly everywhere for a reason, he said. This is the reason. We're almost there, Booboo said. You don't know that, Fern said. Almost to the middle section. So we're past the middle now. Kai Kai thought for a second. That's actually helpful. Fern flickered back into view one more time. Nearly there. Keep up. Then she vanished around the next bend. Kai Kai straightened up, took one more breath, and kept walking. The path made one final curve and then opened up completely. Booboo stopped walking and just looked. The clearing was flooded with warm light. All around its edges grew vanilla trees, tall and elegant, with cream colored bark so pale it was almost white, and leaves that shimmered between soft gold and yellow. The air was thick with the most wonderful smell. Warm vanilla, toasted sugar, something floral and sweet that Booboo couldn't quite name but immediately loved. In the center of the clearing sat a small golden shop with a curved roof and wide open windows. Strings of tiny lights ran along the roofline. Through the windows Booboo could see jars and dishes and things that looked very promising indeed. Oh, Booboo said softly. Oh, this is wonderful. Kai Kai arrived beside her, still breathing hard. He looked at the clearing. He sniffed the air. His expression changed a number of times. It smells like dessert, he said cautiously. It smells incredible, Booboo said. Where's the chocolate? Kai Kai asked. Fern landed neatly on a nearby branch and folded her wings. There isn't any, she said cheerfully. This is a vanilla shop. Only vanilla. The trees provide everything. Kai Kai stared at her. Only vanilla. Only Vanilla fern confirmed. Kai Kai looked at the shop. He looked at Boo Boo. He looked back at the shop. I'll wait outside, he said. You will not, Booboo said and walked through the door. After a moment, Kai Kai followed, wearing the expression of someone making a very significant personal sacrifice. Inside, the shop was warm and softly lit. A long counter displayed rows of vanilla cloud puffs dusted with gold sugar, vanilla cream tarts with caramelized tops that crinkled when you looked at them, deep bowls of vanilla bean ice cream swirled with honey, and thin vanilla wafers stacked in towers that shouldn't have been able to stay upright, but some somehow did. What would you like? Asked the shopkeeper, a cheerful older beaver with a white apron. Everything, booboo said. Kai Kai pointed at the smallest thing on the counter. I'll try that one, he said with the tone of someone expecting to be disappointed. The smallest thing. Something on the counter turned out to be a vanilla cream puff barely bigger than Kai Kai's claw. He picked it up, looked at it skeptically, and took a bite. There was a long pause. Oh, Kai Kai said. Good? Booboo asked. Kai Kai didn't answer. He ate the rest of it in one bite, then looked at the counter with completely different eyes. Can I try the tart? He asked the beaver. Of course, said the Beaver, already smiling. Kai Ki tried the tart, then the honey ice cream, then two of the wafers. I still think chocolate is better, he said, licking honey from his claw. Obviously, said Boo Boo, And with the gentle sounds of Bernice's snorts, Papa Bear turned down her light, gave her a kiss on the forehead, and said, I love you, little bear. And that is the end of our story. Good night, sleep tight, Sa.