A (0:00)

Foreign. 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. Happy belated 10th birthday to Ellie in Washington. Your family loves you so much, Ellie P. Keep being your creative magical self. We are so proud of you. Love Mom, Dad, Ginger and Luna. Happy birthday my beautiful Abby. You have everything it takes to make your dreams come true. Wish big always from your Auntie Connie Amaya. Happy 9th birthday from Mama and Daddy. Your heart notices things other people miss and that's your superpower this year. Keep your curiosity switched on, keep your kindness loud and keep that beautiful smile going. You make our world feel complete. Happy 8th birthday Lily. We are so lucky to be your parents. You are so creative, always curious and you teach us so many new things every day. We can't wait to watch you learn and grow this year. Happy 7th birthday to Joanna in Arizona. Love, mom, dad and Cecilia. Happy Birthday to Ben from Cary, North Carolina. From mom, dad and you'd brothers. We love you. Wishing our sweet P Isla a very special 5th birthday. What an exciting year you have ahead. All the love Mommy, Dado, Liam and Owen. Happy fifth birthday Abby. Mommy, Daddy, Ray and Bobby love you more than anything in the whole world. You are sweet and smart. Smart and kind and the cutest five year old we know. Happy birthday to Nyla. We love you baby girl. Welcome to your adventure filled season of double digits from your parents. Happy 12th birthday Callie from Edmonton. Mom, dad and Addie love you very much and we are so proud of you. A happy 6th birthday to Miles from Bethesda from mom and dad and Happy Birthday Mimi and Lulu. It is such a joy to watch you both grow. We hope this year is magic. Conquer your dreams. Love Mommy, Daddy, Gus and Pumps. Happy birthday to you all and thank you for supporting the show. We're so grateful you're here with us. Whether you've been listening since the beginning or just found us last week, you're part of something really special. Millions of families around the world making bedtime a little sweeter together. This year we have some lovely new stories planned. More adventures, more wonder, and maybe even a few surprises. We can't wait to share them with you. Now on to our story. Bernice and Ethan are on the bus talking about their day and the new food they tried at lunch. When they get off, they rush home since it is still super cold outside. Bernice opens the door and takes her winter stuff off waiting for Cookie to come and say hello, but she doesn't. Bernice goes to the kitchen to ask Papa Bear where Cookie is. Cookie is at the vet. Did you try some of Mary's snacks she brought today? Ethan asked Bernice as they bounced along on the bus ride home from school. She gave me some to try before lunch and she was smiling, so I knew something was going on. I didn't think it was possible for vegetables to be so sour and spicy at the same time. I almost ran to the water fountain. Yeah, she sat at our table at lunchtime, Bernice said. I was prepared, though I had some water ready to wash it down with. The last time I tried spicy food, I wasn't prepared and I almost breathed fire, like a dragon or something. Bobby refused to try it, but I like trying new things. It changed how I think about cucumbers, ethan added with a laugh. Forever? Bernice asked. Probably. So how did you do on your English essay? I did okay, I guess. I'm getting better, but I still wish the teacher would let me write the way I talk sometimes. I mean, you understand me when I talk about stuff or give presentations, right? But she says writing is different and needs a different approach. The first few essays I gave her, she told me to cut the number of words in half or something. But this time was better, so I guess I'm choosing better words. How did you do? Mine was okay. I kind of like writing, I guess, and my grandma helps me sometimes. Just then, the bus gave a lurch as it neared their stop. Here we go. We better get off or the bus driver might make us walk from wherever the buses go at night, Ethan joked. They stepped off and started the short walk home. Grr. It's still so super cold out, Bernice said, pulling her coat a little higher around her neck. I think that's why I don't play hockey much, because of the cold. I like summer better. Yeah, we better walk faster or we might turn into icicles. When they reached Bernice's house, they said goodbye quickly. See you later, alligator. Bernice called as she turned up her walkway. See you tomorrow, Bernice, Ethan called back, waving as he continued toward his grandmother's house. Bernice opened the front door and quickly slipped inside so she wouldn't let all the warm air escape. Papa Cookie, I'm home. And are those cookies I smell? Oh, and in case you didn't know, it's still cold out. I didn't have gym class today or swimming, but I might still need some treats so my tummy doesn't start gurgling and stuff. Bernice sat down and began wrestling off her big winter boots. All her boots were stubborn, she thought the only shoes that were easy to get on and off were her sneakers. But she wasn't allowed to wear sneakers in the winter, though she had tried a couple of times. I'm in the kitchen, Little Bear, papa Bear called. And I have some news for you. Bernice finally pulled off her boots and waited. But Cookie, who always came to greet her at the door, didn't come. That was strange. Cookie almost always came to say hello. Sometimes Cookie hid if it was raining outside, or if she thought Bernice was extra soggy from the weather, but not usually just because it was cold. Bernice hung up her coat and walked over to check Cookie's favorite spot by the living room window. No Cookie. She made her way slowly into the kitchen, where a plate of cookies was already waiting on the table. Is Cookie hiding, Papa? She usually comes out for pets and stuff, bernice said, sitting down at the table. Papa Bear set a glass of milk in front of her. Cookie isn't here, Little Bear. I took her to the vet this morning. The vet? Bernice looked up quickly. Is she okay? Is she sick? What happened? When I came into the kitchen to make my coffee, I noticed she hadn't touched her breakfast. And you know how Cookie feels about breakfast. She wasn't in her usual spot either, and she didn't seem interested in playing. She's usually still in full play mode after you leave for school. Yeah, bernice said. She likes mornings and nighttime. She saves the sleeping for afternoons. Exactly. So when she seemed a little off, I thought it would be best to get her checked. The vet is running a few tests and keeping her there for the day to watch her. Mama will pick her up on the way home. Bernice was quiet for a moment. But she's going to be okay, right? That's what we're hoping, papa Bear said gently. The vet will call when she knows more. Bernice picked up a cookie and held it for a moment before taking a bite. It's weird being home without her here. I know, Little Bear. She's my bestest friend. Papa Bear smiled softly. I know she is. Then he asked, would you like to tell me about your day? Yeah, I guess so, bernice said after taking a bite of Cookie. I had my English essay today, and I think I improved a little bit. I still like science and math better, though. Anyway, the teacher said she liked my writing, and even though I was using fewer words than before, I she could still tell it was me writing or something like that. She uses big words sometimes, which is okay, I guess. I didn't have any sports stuff today, which was too bad. And art was just practice. Bobby looked bored, I think, but then he started drawing cartoons and he seemed happier. I don't think we were supposed to be drawing cartoons though. Then lunchtime was kind of funny. Actually, the funniest part about lunch was what Ethan told me on the Boss. One of our friends brought this cucumber treat that her mom made and it was super, super spicy. It had sour and spice at the same time. Ethan didn't know that though, and he tried a bite before lunch and I guess it was almost like a four alarm fire in his mouth, which is kind of funny. That sounds pretty spicy, Papa Bear said. Bobby and I had a chance to try some at lunchtime, but he didn't want to. I was prepared though, because I had water ready just in case. It was kind of interesting, I guess. Gertrude brought some extra nuggets to share and her favorite dipping sauce, and Bobby brought an extra bar of some sort. I didn't try it because I wasn't as hungry today. Bernice paused for a moment, holding her cookie. Um, are you sure Cookie will be okay? I'm pretty sure she will be fine, papa Bear said gently. We'll know for sure when Mama brings her home. If it were something serious, I'm sure we would know by now. Ok, Papa, these cookies are yummy. Delicious as usual. I'm glad you like them, Little Bear. Did anything else happen at school today? Do you have any homework? Papa Bear asked. It was kind of a regular day at school, Papa. Science and math were mostly review and and Bobby and I read some science books in the library. I think he might learn how to program drones or something, he said. They need more personality or something like that. Maybe he'll make them laugh or. Well, who knows? He's kind of crazy that way. Papa Bear let out a soft sigh as he imagined what Bobby might teach a drone to do for homework. I just need to read ahead for the next chapter in science, which I already did, so I might read some other science books on the same topic. Okay, Papa Bear said. Why don't you finish your cookies and when you're done you can go upstairs and read your science book. You'll let me know if Cookie is okay, right? Of course, Little Bear. Bernice had just settled into her science book when she heard the front door open downstairs. We're home. Mama Bear called, and right behind her came the familiar sound of soft paws padding across the floor and the jingle of a new collar. Bernice froze for half a second, listening. Cookie. She shouted, racing down the stairs two steps at a time. At the bottom of the stairs stood Mama Bear, still wearing her winter coat, and beside her was Cookie, looking perfectly ordinary, as if nothing unusual had happened at all. Cookie, bernice said again, dropping to her knees. Cookie gave a small but very important meow and walked straight toward Bernice, her tail held high like a little fluffy flag. Bernice wrapped her arms around Cookie and began giving her a long series of pets head pets, ear pets, back pets, and a few very serious chin scratches. Oh, Cookie, I was worried about you, bernice said. Papa said you went to the vet and I didn't know if you were sick or if you had to stay there for a while or something. Cookie answered by purring loudly and rubbing her head against Bernice's hand. The vet says she's going to be just fine, mama Bear said as she hung up her coat. She should be back to her normal self soon, though. She already looks better now that she is home. Bernice let out a long breath she hadn't realized she was holding. I'm very glad you are back, she told Cookie seriously. Cookie blinked slowly, which in cat language means something very nice. That night, after Bernice gave cookie at least 100 more pets, she began her bedtime routine. She took a warm, soapy bubble bath, using some of Mama's favorite bubbles, the ones Mama liked to use after a long day at work. After worrying about Cookie all day, Bernice decided she could probably use them, too. Then she brushed her teeth and all that important stuff, did some deep belly breaths, a few cat cows in honor of Cookie, and laid out her favorite clothes for the morning. Tomorrow she planned to wear her cat socks and her favorite cat hoodie. Finally, she hopped into bed, where Cookie was already waiting for her. I was super worried about you today, Cookie, bernice said as she got comfy. I hope you never, ever feel sick again, cookie answered with a soft, sleepy purr. After giving Cookie a few more pets, Bernice arranged Twigga, Wolfie, and Madeline just right, settled herself under the blankets, and pulled them up to her chin. It's that time, Papa. Here I come, Papa Bear called as he tiptoed up the stairs, trying not to shake the whole house. When he stepped into her room, he smiled. Well, it's good to see the whole gang is here. Yes, bernice said. Cookie was already in here waiting for me. I think she missed me today as much as I missed her. I think she must have, papa Bear said as he sat on the side of the bed, which nearly tipped a little because he was so big. You're her best friend, too. Bernice reached over and gently scratched Cookie under the chin. I was worried about Cookie today, Papa. I don't like when my friends get sick. No, papa Bear said. Neither do I. He was quiet for a moment. But you know what you did today? You worried about her and you waited, and the first thing you did when she came home was sit right down and give her about a hundred pets. At least a hundred, bernice said. That's what caring looks like, Little Bear. You didn't need anyone to tell you. Cookie purred softly against the pillow. Papa Bear tucked the blanket a little tighter around Bernice's shoulders. I think tonight we'll leave the story for another night. I have a feeling Cookie has her own version of today, and she's already telling it. Bernice smiled sleepily. She does purr a lot. Good night, Little Bear. I love you, Papa. I love you, Cookie. I love you, too. Cookie purred once more, slow and steady, and didn't stop for a long time. And that is the end of our story. Good night. Sleep tight, Sam.