Bedtime Story (16/8/2017)

As we go on through the Summer holidays, I hope your little ones are continuing to have fun! This story came to me as I reminisced about the games I played with friends as a child.  I hope you enjoy it! Don't forget, a new, free bedtime story goes live here every Wednesday at 6pm.

If you'd like to hear this story as a podcast, you can do so by clicking here.

Ted's Den

Ted was feeling hot and a little grumpy, too.

He didn't want to moan, but what else could he do?

His big brother's music was too loud,

His little sister was too clingy.

There was no doubt about it: Ted needed something new!

So, Ted went out to play, in the field behind their home.

He needed somewhere quiet, where he could be alone.

And there, he found an open bush,

With lots of space to play inside.

A perfect den to sneak away to, when family made him groan!

Ted moved twigs and leaves to clear more space,

Then ran home to grab things for the place.

He found a blanket to sit on,

Snacks and drinks to take there, too,

Then back to his new den, Ted excitedly raced.

Ted loved his new den; it gave him peace at last!

He could no longer hear his brother's music at full blast.

And if he ever got bored,

Of sitting, hidden in the bush,

He could run freely around the field so very vast.

But it wasn't long before Ted's newfound peace was shattered;

When into the field, his little sister and her friends all clattered.

They spotted him straight away,

And came rushing over to play,

Leaving Ted's dream of solitude well and truly battered.

"Is this your new den?" His little sister cried.

"Wow! This is an amazing place for us to hide!"

Ted's face began to droop a little.

His den didn't feel so peaceful,

With his sister and all her friends chattering inside.

"We'll decorate it with flowers," his little sister said,

As Ted stared wide-eyed at her and vainly shook his head.

The girls all started rushing,

Bringing flowers from the field,

Changing the den that had been so right for Ted.

"We could have a picnic," the little friends cried out,

Spying Ted's snacks and drinks, scattered all about.

And they'd opened the packets,

Before Ted could say a word.

All he could do was sadly watch and give a little pout.

The girls were being noisy, with their loud chat and their games.

Ted longed to be alone again - that had been his aim!

"So much for peace and quiet!"

Ted thought, with a long sigh.

His perfect place was overrun - Ted thought it was a shame.

But more noise was already heading to the den,

In the form of an mp3 player, and Ted's big brother, Ben!

"You can't have a den party,

Without some cool music,"

Ben announced, breaking Ted's quiet plans all over again...

Before Ted could even say a word, the den party was in full swing,

With party food, party games, music and everything!

Ted wanted to be cross,

At all the havoc and the noise,

But then his favourite song came on and he suddenly wanted to sing...

His little sister and her friends just wanted to have fun,

And Ted really didn't blame them, as they played out in the sun.

Suddenly, he realised,

He might have got things wrong;

His quiet den was much more fun when it was shared with everyone!

Their little party lasted hours; they ate and drank and danced.

Ted saw how cool his siblings were and he watched them both, entranced!

He hadn't wanted them in his den,

He was cross when they came in.

But now Ted felt so glad he'd given everyone a chance.

In fact, Ted felt rather lucky to have so many friends around.

And he no longer felt so cross about all their noisy sounds.

They were just having fun,

And that really wasn't so bad.

Ted smiled a happy smile; turning his frown upside down! 

Eventually, the time came for Ted's sister's friends to go home.

They all thanked Ted very much for the party he had thrown.

Ted's brother and sister left the den,

But before Ted followed them to their house,

He finally enjoyed some peace and quiet in his den, all on his own.

THE END