stories for littles

Good Night, Little Mouse

this is a book called 'good night, little mouse' by dugald steer, the perfect bedtime story for littles

It was time for Little Mouse to go to bed and, after Grandpa had read her a story, she wriggled down under her snuggly quilt. But no matter how she tossed and tumbled or mumbled and grumbled, she just couldn't get to sleep.

"Grandpa!" she called. "I'm frightened"

Grandpa came straight up to Little Mouse's room to see what the matter was.

"I can't go to sleep, Grandpa" said Little Mouse. "It's dark and there are scary noises outside!"

"You needn't be afraid, Little Mouse!" smiled Grandpa, giving her a cuddle. "The dark can't hurt you! You are safe and snug in bed." And with that, he went away again. But just at that moment a gust of wind must have blown outside for there came a loud
TAP TAP TAP
at the window. Little Mouse jumped.

"Grandpa!" She called.

Soon Grandpa was at the door again. "What's that tapping sound, Grandpa?" asked Little Mouse. So Grandpa took Little Mouse over to the window and showed her outside. "Why!" said Little Mouse. "That tapping sound was only the wind, blowing a branch against the window!"

And just then there was another sound. It was a loud HOOT HOOT, far away. Little Mouse looked very scared indeed! "Don't you know what kind of bird hoots Little Mouse?" said Grandpa.

"Is it an owl?" asked Little Mouse.

"Yes!" exclaimed Grandpa. "Each night Mother Owl leaves her nest to fly far and wide over the countryside." Just then there was another sound. It was a BARK BARK BARK. "I know that sound," cried Little Mouse. "It's a dog!" Noises didn't seem scary when you knew what they were.

"No, Little Mouse" said Grandpa. "That isn't a dog. Dogs sleep at night. But foxes bark just like dogs. Each night the fox leaves it den, and sets off through the fields. But you are safe, Little Mouse. No foxes will come into the house."

"Let's listen and see if we can hear any other noises" said Little Mouse, and Grandpa agreed. It didn't take long before they heard a loud SPLASH from the stream in the garden.

"Is that a bird?" said Little Mouse.

"Oh no, Little Mouse." said Grandpa. "Most birds sleep at night. That is an otter. Each night he leaves his den, and dives into the stream for a swim." Now, Little Mouse was starting to enjoy listening for night sounds, but she did feel tired. But she listened and hard and heard a PATTER PATTER PATTER at the edge of the forest.

"Are they rabbits?" she asked, giving out a big, sleepy yawn.

"Oh no, Little Mouse," said Grandpa. "Rabbits curl up together in their burrows at night. Those are another night creature. They are badgers. If you look hard you can see them, just look at the edge of the garden."

Little Mouse looked at the badgers then went back to bed. Now that she knew what all the noises were she didn't feel frightened anymore. "Thank you for coming to see me, Grandpa!" she said.

Grandpa closed the window and smiled. "That's alright, Little Mouse," he said. "I don't want you to be scared, so you will always be safe and sound when I am close by."

But just as Grandpa leaned over to hug Little Mouse and day "Goodnight," what do you think he saw?

Why! Little Mouse was so tired, she was fast asleep already, just as snug as a bug in a rug! "Goodnight, Little Mouse!" said Grandpa. "Sleep tight!" And do you know? That exactly what Little Mouse did, all night long!