Narrator (0:00)

Foreign hello friends and welcome to sleept. Stories. Shout Outs and birthday messages are such a special part of our show. They're our way of celebrating the families who make bedtime extra magical, whether by supporting the show or simply by being part of our listening community. Happy Birthday to Emma for her sixth birthday deep in the Vermont woods from mom, dad and Izzy. Happy 8th birthday to Madden Zeke, you have the best jokes and snuggles and we are so proud of your hard work this year in school. Mom, dad and Grayson say lava you. Happy fifth birthday to Noah Bergman in San Diego on January 28th. Mama, Daddy, Baby Miguel and Baby Zadie love you so much and couldn't be more proud of the kind, silly and smart boy you are. Happy 7th birthday to Aila in Berlin, Germany on January 28th. Mom, Tata and Olive love you so much. Happy 9th birthday to Karine in Thunder Bay, Ontario on January 29th with so much love from mom, dad and Maren. Happy 8th birthday to our superstar son Eli from Kenmore, Washington. We hope you have a year full of home runs and fun memories. We love you mom and dad. Happy 11th birthday Camille. Mom, dad, Cissy and Leo love you very much. Happy Birthday to Olivia Tully from her parents sisters Emma and Ava and from her dogs Bruce and Louisa. We all love you very much and are happy you're such a smart and silly girl. Happy seventh Birthday to Lucia from Erie, Colorado. Mom, dad, Julian, Bailey and Unicorn are so proud of you and love you more than anything in the whole world. Happy 4th birthday to Cammy from Georgia on January 30th. You bring so much joy to our family and we love you so much. Keep shining bright sweet girl. Love Mama, Papa, Mateo and Isaac. Happy 8th birthday to Darcy C from Aberdeen, New Jersey on January 29th. Mom, dad and big sister Nora love you very much. Happy 4th birthday to Luca Meza on January 31st. Stay curious. Love mom and dad and happy 6th birthday Julia. We love you endlessly. Love Mama, Papa and Jordan. Happy Birthday to you all and thank you for supporting the show. If you'd like to support our podcast and enjoy ad free episodes, unlock bonus stories and so much more, you can join sleept Premium subscribe in just two taps via the link in the show Notes. Now on to our story. Bernice invites Anita, a new girl, to sit with them at lunchtime. They all share their lunch like they usually do, even Anita, who has dumplings. When Bernice gets home, she asks Papa Bear if they can make dumplings like they did the year before. Bernice learns about the Lunar New Year Bernice, Bobby, Gertrude, Ethan and Anita were sitting in the school cafeteria having lunch together just like they did most days. Anita was a new friend who had recently transferred from another school. Bernice had invited her to join their table so she wouldn't have to sit with strangers or feel alone. Hey Bobby, make some room so Anita can sit with us. Bernice said. Oh yeah, no problem. Bobby replied, scooting over. Just don't mind the noises Bobby makes when he eats, Gertrude added with a smirk. He's the noisiest eater in the whole school. I think it just shows I love food, Bobby said proudly. At least I don't have any carrots today. Then you'd all really be in trouble because we all know what happens when I eat some carrots. Yeah, because when you eat carrots, the whole cafeteria has to evacuate. Ethan laughed. Anita smiled shyly as she set her lunchbox on the table. Thanks for letting me join you. We often share our lunch and stuff. But you don't have to if you don't want to, Bernice said warmly. I only have extra fruit slices to share today and honestly I'm not sure what that is in Bobby's lunchbox. Gertrude usually has the best lunches. Well, I can share. Anita said softly, her voice picking up just a little confidence. My grandmother made dumplings this morning for me to bring. You're welcome to try some. Whoa. Bobby said, his eyes lighting up. How come you get dumplings for lunch? Can I have one? I'll trade you half of my salami sandwich. It has special cheese inside. I like cheese, kind of, but I like dumplings better. Anita giggled. Sure you can have one. My grandmother is visiting for the holiday, Anita explained as she opened her lunchbox. She's really good at making them. Dumplings are special for the holiday. They're supposed to bring good luck, Anita explained. What holiday is it? Bernice asked as she handed fruit to Anita and Gertrude. It's the Lunar New Year, Anita said. My mom used to celebrate it when she was a kid and now we celebrate with my grandmother. It's a holiday to celebrate the new Year, but it follows the moon calendar, not the regular one. My mom says it's about family sharing food and starting the year with good fortune. Oh yeah, we learned about that in class today. Bobby said, munching on a dumpling. But I already forgot. That's because you were reading that book about building robots, Ethan teased. You probably missed the whole lesson. I was focusing, Bobby defended himself. My next robot is going to be the best ever. And by the way. Your dumplings are amazing, Anita. Thank you. Your sandwich is nice. Anita said politely. Bernice laughed. Anita, you might want to see the nurse. Bobby probably made that sandwich himself. Here Anita, try some of my quesadilla. Gertrude offered, sliding one onto Anita's plate. Thank you. I love quesadillas. Anita said, brightening. My mom makes them all the time. Maybe next time I'll bring some to share. Bernice, Bobby, Ethan, Gertrude and Anita continued chatting and sharing food until the buzzer signaled the end of lunch break, sending them all back to their classrooms. After school, Bernice rode the bus home with Ethan. Bye, Ethan. See you later. Bernice called out as she stepped through the front door of her small house, quickly closing the door because it was still super freezing outside. Papa, I'm home. I'm not frozen stiff, but I'm definitely a little frozen. I hope there's something warm to drink. She called out as she sat down to take off her boots. Whenever she tried to take them off standing up, her socks always got pulled off too, and she didn't like how that felt. Cookie, where are you? I'm home and I'm not covered in snow, so so it's safe to come and get some pets and stuff. Before she could finish, Cookie came trotting around the corner, meowing loudly. Hi Cookie. You must have really missed me today, huh? I missed you too, Bernice said as Cookie rolled onto her back for a belly rub. Did you have a good day? My day was fun even though I had a math test. But the math test was pretty easy, I thought, though some of my classmates didn't think so. The teacher said that maybe some people might have to spend more time reviewing. Oh, and guess what? I made a new friend today. Her name is Anita. She just moved here because her mom got a new job as a nurse. Being a nurse sounds important, don't you think? I've never thought about that because, well, well, I'm going to be a scientist. Cookie purred loudly, enjoying the rubs. The only thing is, bernice continued, it's still so cold outside. I don't like winter as much as the other kids. I guess we're all different and that's okay. Oh, and we learned about the Lunar New Year in class today. My new friend Anita, she's a bit shy, but she shared her dumplings with us at lunch and they were super tasty. Papa and I made dumplings last year. I hope we do it again this year. Cookie meowed softly, tilting her head as if she understood. You're a good listener Cookie, bernice said. I don't think you actually understand what I am saying, but who knows, Maybe you do. But I like telling you stuff. Anyway, Bobby is my other bestest friend, but he likes to talk so much that it's hard to say any words at all. Anyway, Cookie, I think I need something warm to drink in case the cold affects my brain. I read that somewhere, I think, and so I better go drink something warm that Papa made for me and maybe have a few cookies so my tummy doesn't growl. In the stories that Papa tells me, sometimes the dragon's tummy growls so loud that everyone thinks it is thunder. Isn't that silly? Bernice stood up, hung up her jacket, and carefully put her boots on the mat before heading to the kitchen. Hi Papa, bernice said. It smells super yummy delicious in here again. Which is good because I always need a snack after school, right? I know, Little Bear, papa Bear said with a laugh. I've made some vanilla macadamia nut cookies and warm milk to warm up your bones. Wash your hands and I'll set them on the table. I can't wait to hear all about your day. Warm my bones. Aren't they already warm? Bernice said giggling as she washed her hands. I'm mostly worried about my brain. Bobby says he ate ice cream once and got a brain freeze. So he told his mom he couldn't finish his homework and had to work on his robot instead. Papa Bear chuckled that Bobby. Well, I only have warm treats for you today so you should be fine. Papa Bear laughed as he set a plate of fresh cookies and some warm vanilla milk on the table for Bernice. As Bernice took a sip of her milk, she let out a big sigh. Wow, Papa, this must be magic milk. I already feel warmer. Tell me about your day, Papa Bear said as he sat down with his tea. How was your math test? It was good. I knew all the answers and thought it was pretty easy. Bobby did too, I think. At least I think so because he was the first finished and the teacher had to keep saying sh because he was making noise and stuff. Bernice paused, then added, but Papa, are we going to have dumplings this year? We learned all about the lunar holiday in class today and I remember we had dumplings last year, right? And Anita, my new friend who you don't know about yet, brought some dumplings for lunch today and shared them with us. I shared some of my fruit with her and Bobby gave her part of his sandwich and I think Gertrude gave her something too, but I forget how to pronounce it. I hadn't thought about dumplings, Little Bear. We might still have time to make them, papa Bear said. I hope so. I can help if you like, anita said. Her grandma is an expert and even teaches her mom how to make them. Did you know the Lunar New Year isn't just one day? It lasts for days and days. Families clean their houses to sweep away bad luck, and they eat yummy food and give red envelopes with money for good fortune. It sounds so fun. Papa Bear nodded. It's a wonderful tradition, and I bet it's lots of fun. I think the purpose of the Lunar New Year holiday is to have a way to celebrate the start of a new year on the lunar calendar, bringing in good luck, prosperity, and happiness for the year ahead. It's a bit like our holiday season where we spend time with family and eat lots of good foods. We might not always eat. I think some clean their house, give red envelopes, and even set off fireworks. If we make dumplings together, can we hide a coin inside? That's supposed to bring good luck. And I think I need lots of good luck, bernice said with a grin. We can try, Little Bear. Now, what homework do you have for tonight? Just some English reading. Cookie said she would help me if I brought her some of her cat treats. She can listen to me explain the parts of the book I am reading, and sometimes that helps a lot. It's too bad she can't eat your cookies, Papa, because they are super yummy. Papa Bear smiled. I'm glad you like them, Little Bear. While you finish your cookies, I am going to prepare dinner. Maybe we can make dumplings tomorrow night, okay? That sounds great, Papa. Thank you. Bernice spent the rest of the afternoon finishing her homework and giving Cookie some treats. After dinner, she ran upstairs to start her bedtime routine. When she was done, she jumped into bed and snuggled under her blanket, pulling it tightly up to her chin. The house felt extra chilly tonight, but her bed was warm and cozy. It's that time, Papa. Bernice called out from under the blankets. What time is that, Little Bear? Papa Bear called back from down the hallway. Is it time for the Yawning Olympics? It might be, Papa, but I know I can stay awake for a short story. Walking into her room, Papa Bear smiled. Did you finish all of your bedtime routine tonight, Little Bear? I did, Papa. Did you know that Mama has some soap that smells like carrots? I don't think it's supposed to smell like carrots, but that's what it smells like to Me? Wouldn't it be funny to give Bobby Carrot soap as a gift? I'd love to see what happens, Bernice said, giggling. Papa Bear chuckled. I don't know that I'll have to ask Mama about it. Maybe I should use it too. I don't know, Papa. I think you should stick with that soap that smells like trees. It suits you better. Papa Bear laughed. Did you do all the other parts of your bedtime routine? I did, Papa. It's just so chilly tonight that I rushed through my stretches, but I made up for it by spending more time brushing my teeth. Good job, Little Bear. Now, would you like a different story tonight? I would. Can it be a short short story, Papa? It sure can, papa Bear said, settling into the chair and crossing his legs. I have a story ready just for you. Are you comfy? Papa Bear asked. Yes, Papa. How about Twiggle, Wolfy, and Madeline? Are they comfy too? They say they are. And what about Cookie? Papa Bear asked, glancing at the little cat curled up beside Bernice. I think she's ready too, bernice said, gently patting Cookie's head. All right, then. Give me a hug and a kiss and I'll tell you the good parts of a super short story. Thank you, Papa, bernice said, wrapping her arms around his neck and giving him a big hug. This is a story about a dragon, but not Kai Kai this time. And this dragon is having a conversation with an ox. I think you might know these characters, Little Bear. I don't think it's fair. The dragon huffed, flopping his tail so hard that a small puff of dust flew up. Not fair at all. What isn't fair? Asked the wise ox. That everyone needs to have a turn. Why can't it be my year every year? Wasn't I kind enough? You were very kind, said the ox gently. But are you no longer content? The villagers you saved appreciate the rain you brought them. The rabbit still thanks you for rescuing her when she was stranded on the log. Your kindness and nobility are known the world over, I guess, the dragon muttered, flicking his tail. I just like having it be my year. All the treats and cookies are named after me, and everyone tries extra hard to be kind. They'll still be kind, said the ox. You've shown them how. They're following your example. But the snake. The dragon's voice dropped to a whisper. She's so sneaky, isn't she? That's what people say. You shouldn't listen to gossip, the ox said firmly. The snake is wise and faces challenges in ways others might not think of. These are skills we all need sometimes. Everyone, no matter their size or strength, has unique qualities that makes them special. The dragon sat quietly for a moment, considering this. Will I have a turn again? Of course, said the Ox with a warm smile. Just be patient. You'll need to wait 11 years, but your time will come. The Dragon sighed. Oh, 11 years feels like forever. It always does, said the Ox. But it'll be worth the wait. Bernice's breathing was slow and deep. She was fast asleep. Papa Bear tucked in her blankets, kissed her forehead, and turned off the light. I love you, little Bear, he whispered before quietly leaving the room. And that is the end of our story. Good night. Sleep tight.