The Sleepy Bear

Barnaby Bear was not just tired. He was very, very sleepy. His eyelids felt like heavy stones. He sat in his favourite chair, a big red armchair that smelled of warm honey. He wanted to sleep. That was all he wanted.

The sun was setting. The sky turned purple and pink. It was time for bed. But Barnaby had a problem. He could not fall asleep. He tried closing his eyes. He tried counting sheep. One sheep, two sheep, three sheep. The sheep were too awake.

He tried humming a soft tune. Hummmmmm. But his tummy rumbled. Rumble. He was hungry.

Barnaby stood up. His legs felt wobbly. He walked to the kitchen. The floor was cold on his paws. He looked in the cupboard. There was only one biscuit left. It was a chocolate chip biscuit. It was small and round and perfect.

Barnaby took the biscuit. He held it in his paw. It was warm. He brought it to his mouth. He took a bite. Crunch.

It was delicious. But it was gone. The biscuit was empty. Barnaby’s tummy still rumbled. Rumble.

He felt sad. He sat back down in his red chair. He held his empty paws. He wanted another biscuit. But there was only one left, and he had eaten it.

Then Barnaby noticed something. His teddy bear, Mr. Buttons, was sitting on the table. Mr. Buttons had a little piece of chocolate on his nose. Barnaby looked closer. There was a tiny crumb on Mr. Buttons’ ear.

Barnaby had eaten the biscuit while hugging Mr. Buttons. He had not noticed. He was too sleepy.

Barnaby laughed. It was a small, quiet laugh. He did not need another biscuit. He had already had it. He felt silly. He felt calm.

He lay down on the rug next to his chair. The room was dark and quiet. The moon shone through the window. It looked like a silver coin. Barnaby closed his eyes. He listened to the wind. Whoosh. He listened to his own breathing. In and out.

The heavy stones on his eyelids lifted. Barnaby Bear slept.