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Hello friends. We first have a message from our friendly sponsors. What if your ordinary house cat had an extraordinary secret? Susan thought Tucker was just a regular cat until he introduced her to Cat City, a magical world beneath her house. Now she's caught in an adventure where the stakes couldn't be higher. In the Rat King, the second book in the Adventures of Susan and Tucker series by Patty Larson, Susan's bad dreams turn out to be real. Kidnapped by enemies, it's up to Tucker, stuck in Cat City and facing the Rat King's forces to rally the cats and save his best friend before it's too late. Packed with mystery, adventure and heartwarming moments, the Rat King is perfect for readers who love daring heroes and thrilling twists. Find it wherever you buy your books and don't forget to tune in to the Rat King Podcast to experience the story in a whole new way. Follow the link in our show notes to learn more. Hello friends and welcome to SLEEPT Stories. Every week we take a moment to celebrate the wonderful supporters who help make this show possible. With special shout outs and birthday wishes. It's one of our favorite ways to connect and spread a little joy. Hello to Mira and Jacob in Mansfield, Massachusetts from Mom and dad wishing you a happy Hanukkah and a great new Year. Hello to Sage, keep being an awesome kid and hello to Emory from Fairway, Kansas. Happiest fifth birthday to Lucas. Mama, Daddy, Isla and Rosie are so happy you're our best boy. You make us laugh with your silliness, amaze us with your Star wars facts and are such a great friend to everyone. Happy Birthday to Vera in Sri Lanka. To a star who lights up every space with creativity, brilliance and endless grace. A builder of dreams so bold and true. The world is brighter because of you. Love, Mei Mei. Happy Birthday to Chloe, our little superstar. Your grace in gymnastics and passion for piano amaze us every day. We're so proud of your hard work and dedication. Have a birthday as dazzling as your performances. Mommy, Daddy and Charlotte love you. Happy Birthday Julia. Watching you grow is one of my greatest joys. You're smart, kind and full of dreams and I can't wait to see all you'll achieve. I'm so grateful to share this journey with you. Wishing you a year full of love, laughter and endless possibilities. Enjoy your special day. I love you so much. Happy Birthday Ivy. Love Mama, Abba and Bis. You have a heart like gold. We are so full of joy watching you grow and turn seven. Happy Birthday to Lucy Ruth Jones from Ellensburg, Washington. Your sister Nola, Mary Jones and your Mommy and Daddy love you so much. Happy seventh birthday to Laurel Ann Allen on December 29th. Mommy and Daddy are very proud of you and all the magic you bring into the world. Happy belated 8th birthday to Casey on December 18th and happy belated 10th birthday to Darian A on December 29th from Mommy and Daddy. They are so lucky to have you both in their lives and are so proud of you both and love you beyond the furthest black hole. Happy 6th birthday to Amara Chika. We love you so much. Amazing girl. Love mom, dad and Aussie. Happy 9th birthday to Anthony in Connecticut, USA. Mom and dad love you and are so proud of you. Happy belated 8th birthday to Antonia. Mama and Papa love you and are so proud of their little singing magic bubble. Happy belated 10th birthday to Marie. Mama and Papa love you so much and are so proud of their not so little anymore Smart and sweet Donut. And Merry Christmas to Madeline from Mom, Dad, Bruce and Violet. You are the best present we could ask for. We love you so much. Happy Birthday to you all and thank you for supporting the show. Now onto our story. The plush bear was taken home by Arthur and is now on his way to the shore with the family. Arthur's mom tells him to be careful with the bear by the window, but when the train jolts, the plush bear goes tumbling out. The Story of a Plush Bear, Part four Down, down, down. Out of the window of the moving train fell the plush bear. He heard Arthur's cry as the toy was jerked from his hands, and he felt a strange fluttering sensation as he tumbled through the air. Talk about somersaults, thought the plush bear as he spun downward. The polar bear should see me now. I wonder what is going to happen to me. I've done more flips in one minute than he did in an entire evening at the North Pole. Arthur. Arthur, what happened? Called his mother when she heard him cry out. Oh, Mother, my plush bear fell out of the window, Arthur said, his face full of worry. I was showing him the view and the train gave a sudden jolt and he slipped right out of my hand and my rag doll almost fell too, but I held on tight, added Nettie. Oh dear, you've lost your nice new plush bear, said Mrs. Roe. I wonder if we can get him back. I think we can, said Mr. Rowe, who was taking his family to the seashore. The train is stopping at this station and I'll run back to see if I can find Arthur's toy. Arthur felt a little better hearing this, but he still worried his bear might be broken. The sudden slowing of the train for the station stop had caused Arthur to lose his grip. With a screech of the brakes, the train came to a halt, and Mr. Rowe, followed by Arthur, headed for the door. No, dear, you stay with me, Mrs. Rowe said to Nettie. Daddy and Arthur will look for the bear. Where do you think he is? Nettie asked softly. Let's see for ourselves. Down, down, down. Turning somersault after somersault, the plush bear fell. Arthur had been holding him up to see the view just as the train crossed a high bridge above a tree lined street. Luckily for the bear, instead of hitting the hard pavement below, he landed in the thick leafy branches of a tree. Phew, that was close, thought the plush bear as he settled on a sturdy branch. This tree saved me from being smashed to pieces. If I'd hit the road, I might have broken my springs or wheels, and I'd never have been able to growl or wave my paws again. But I must stay very still now. I don't want to fall again. Meanwhile, the train had stopped and Arthur and his father had reached the street. This isn't your stop, said the conductor. Are you sure you need to get off here? Yes, Mr. Rowe replied. My son dropped his plush bear out of the window. We'll only be a few minutes. Take your time. The train will wait for five minutes. Said, said the conductor with a smile. I hope you find your bear. Arthur and his father hurried along the street, scanning the ground carefully. Where do you think he landed, Daddy? Arthur asked. Near the bridge, I'd guess. You called out right as we crossed it, Mr. Rowe replied. They searched along the sidewalk and the edge of the road, but there was no sign of the plush bear. Oh, no. Is my bear really gone forever? Arthur said, his voice trembling. Just then, a boy in worn clothes came running up, a kite string in his hand. Did you lose something? The boy asked kindly. Yes, Arthur said. I lost my plush bear. He fell out of the train window, but I don't see him anywhere. The boy tilted his head back and looked up into the tree they were standing beneath. There he is. The boy exclaimed. He's stuck in the tree. I'll get him for you. With practiced skill, the boy climbed up the tree carefully reached out and grabbed the plush bear. A moment later, he dropped the toy down and Mr. Rowe caught it in his hands. Oh, thank you, thank you, Arthur said, his face lighting up with relief as he hugged his bear. Here's something for your trouble, said Mr. Rowe, placing some money in the boy's hand. Thanks, mister, said the boy with a grin before he dashed away clutching the money. Arthur held the plush bear tightly as he and his father hurried back to the train. Oh, you found him. I'm so glad, said Mrs. Rowe as they returned to their seats. I'll never let him fall out of a window again, arthur promised. And I'll be careful with my rag doll too, said Nettie, holding her doll close. The rest of the train ride passed without any more accidents, and by the afternoon the family arrived at the seashore. Their hotel was grand and bright, and Nettie and Arthur were full of excitement as they unpacked their toys. Where is this ocean you talked about? The plush bear asked the rag doll when they had a quiet moment. Oh, it's just outside. Did you think they kept the ocean in the hotel lobby? The ragdoll said with a giggle. Well, I wasn't sure, said the plush bear sheepishly. You'll love it here. The sand is warm, the sky is blue, and the waves sparkle in the sun, the ragdoll explained. Before they could talk anymore, Arthur and Nettie burst into the room. We're going down to the boardwalk in rolling chairs, nettie announced. I'm taking my rag doll and I'm taking my plush bear, said Arthur. Tomorrow I'll play with him on the sand. The plush bear was tucked under Arthur's arm. As they entered an elevator, it began to move downward. Goodness, am I falling again? Thought the plush bear, his plush ears twitching slightly. It's an elevator, silly, whispered the rag doll. It's just taking us down to the ground floor. Soon the family was on the boardwalk, seated in large rolling chairs, being pushed by a kind attendant. Look at all the people, said Arthur. Yes, it's quite busy today, Neddy agreed. But then Neddy gasped. Arthur, your bear is slipping. Arthur reached out, but it was too late. The plush bear tumbled from his lap onto the wooden planks below. Oh no. Arthur shouted. A large double chair carrying two people rolled toward the plush bear. I think this might be the end of me. Thought the plush bear as the wheels rumbled closer. Sometimes luck works in the most unexpected ways. If it hadn't been for the sharp eyed man pushing the big double wheeled chair, the plush bear might have been crushed under its wheels. This stuff springs, gears and growler might have been broken beyond repair. But just in time, the man noticed the plush bear fall from Arthur's lap onto the wooden planks of the boardwalk. Ho there, hold up a minute. Called the chair pusher. Maybe he's going to Save me. Thought the plush bear as he saw the wheels getting closer. What's the matter, Sam? Asked the man seated in the rolling chair. Arthur, leaning forward with wide eyes, called out, oh, no. My plush bear fell. Little fellow dropped his toy, said Sam, the chair pusher, as he carefully picked up the plush bear and handed him back to Arthur. Oh, thank you. Arthur exclaimed, clutching his toy tightly. Nettie, who had seen the whole thing, hugged her rag doll tightly to her chest. I'm never letting go of Polinda. Not ever. Polinda was Nettie's beloved doll when she first received it. She had wanted to name her Polly, but a friend suggested Lucinda. Unable to choose, Nettie combined the two names into Polinda. With the plush bear safely back in his lap, Arthur leaned back into his chair, and the two wheeled chairs moved forward again along the busy boardwalk. Mr. And Mrs. Rowe followed behind in their own chair, too distracted by the lively boardwalk sites to notice the near accidents. Is your bear all right? Nettie asked her brother. I think so, arthur replied. But let me wind him up to be sure. He carefully turned the key in the bear's side until the spring was tight. At once, the plush bear waved his paws, shook his head from side to side, and let out a gentle growl. He's fine, said Arthur with a grin. Thank goodness, thought the plush bear. That was a close one between falling out of a train window and almost being run over by a rolling chair. I'm lucky to still be in one piece. After an hour of strolling along the boardwalk, watching the rolling ocean waves and enjoying the sea breeze, Arthur and Nettie returned with their parents to the hotel. I wish we could play on the sand now, said Nettie as they got out of their chairs. Polinda wants to go barefoot on the beach, and I think my plush bear would like it, too, arthur added. You'll have all day tomorrow to play in the sand, promised their mother. Oh, won't that be fun? Nettie cheered. Maybe Polinda will learn to swim. Arthur laughed. Swimming might be okay for a doll, but I'm not letting my plush bear anywhere near the water. I'll build him a sand cave instead. Well, it seems I'm in for an adventure tomorrow, thought the plush bear as he was carried up in the elevator. The elevator ride made the plush bear feel a little strange, as though his gears and growler were turning upside down. But soon they were safely back in the hotel room, and Arthur and Nettie joined their parents for dinner. While the children were away, the plush bear and rag doll had time to chat. How do you like this fancy hotel? Asked the plush bear. It's lovely, replied the rag doll, tilting her painted head. But I wish Nettie had dressed me in one of my nicer outfits. Everyone here wears such fancy clothes in the evenings. Old clothes are more comfortable, growled the plush bear. I'm lucky. I don't need any clothes at all. The rag doll's eyes twinkled. Let's go explore. I've always wanted to play with the shiny handles in the bathroom. There are so many. All right, agreed the plush bear, ready for adventure. But before they could move, the door opened and Arthur and Nettie rushed in. I'm going to play with my plush bear, Arthur declared. And I'm putting Polinda to bed, said Nettie. The toys exchanged a sly glance, but said nothing more. Later that night, when the hotel room was dark and quiet, the plush bear and rag doll had their chance. Let's skip the bathroom handles for now, said the rag doll. We might wake someone up. Agreed, said the plush bear. Let's look out the window instead. Climbing onto stools and then onto chairs, the two toys gazed out at the sparkling lights of the boardwalk and the distant lighthouse casting its beam across the water. The next morning, Arthur and Nettie eagerly made their way down to the beach carrying their beloved toys. Oh, what a cool teddy bear. Exclaimed a red haired boy as he ran up to Arthur. This isn't a teddy bear, Arthur explained proudly. He's a plain plush bear. He can move his head, wave his paws and growl. Show me. Said the boy eagerly. Arthur wound up the bear and sure enough, he growled and waved just as he was supposed to. Wow, he's awesome. Said the red haired boy. Want to trade for my flying airship? No, but we can play together, Arthur said. The two boys played happily with the bear and the airship, while Nettie played nearby with some other children. Eventually, Arthur remembered his plan. Let's dig a sand cave for my bear, he said. With clam shells, the red haired boy suggested. Using shells and their hands, the boys dug a deep hole in the sand. When it was finished, they placed the plush bear inside and stuck sticks upright in the sand to make it look like a cage. He's a circus bear now, Arthur declared. The two boys laughed and played until the sound of ponies caught their attention. Oh, I want to ride a pony. Said Nettie. Me too, Arthur agreed. Forgetting all about the plush bear in the sand, the children ran to ask their mother for a pony ride. As they walked away, the plush bear sat quietly in his sandy cave. Should I try to climb out? He wondered. I don't think anyone's watching. Just as he was about to move, a pony trotted by, carrying a little girl on its back. The pony's hoof stepped close to the sand cave, and with a soft thud, the side of the cave collapsed. Sand tumbled down, covering the plush bear completely. Oh, dear, thought the plush bear, buried beneath the sand. What happens now? And that is the end of this part. Good night. Sleep tight, Sa.