The Fox in the Dark CBeebies Bedtime Stories

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Now, then, Duck, if you sleep there next to Rabbit,

and Mouse, you can tuck in there.

Hello. I'm Charlie, and I'm just making sure

that all of the CBeebies animals are ready for bed.

There are lots of animals who like to be together, just like these,

in tonight's bedtime story. It's by Alison Green and Deborah Allwright,

and is called The Fox In The Dark.

Rabbit runs home. He darts left and right, scampering, scrambling

through the night. His ears flap, his tail bobs.

It's going to be tight as he's chased by a fox through the dark.

"Bang" goes his door and "click" snaps the latch.

"Thunk" goes the key and "scritch" strikes a match. And...

"Phew," Rabbit sighs.

"I've escaped - not a scratch - and I'm safe from that fox in the dark."

But rat-a-tat-tat. Now, who can that be?

"Friend or fox?" Rabbit cries. A voice quacks, "Look and see.

"You'll never find anyone more scared than me

"of the teeth of a fox in the dark."

Rabbit peers round the door.

There's no fox - just a duck, who says, "Please let me in.

"I've had bad luck. A truck hit a ditch and got stuck in the muck

"and I've just seen a fox in the dark."

Rabbit grumbles a bit.

It's not really his habit to share with a duck a bed made for a rabbit.

"The duvet is quite small," he says.

"Try not to grab it, while we hide from the fox in the dark."

Then rat-a-tat-tat. "Who's that at the door?"

"It's me," squeaks a voice. "Is there room for one more?"

"I don't need much space and my paws are so sore.

"I've just run from a fox in the dark." "Oh, really," sighs Rabbit.

"The hour is so late."

But the mouse stood outside is in such a sad state.

"I'm so tired," he says, "I could hibernate,

"thanks to that fox in the dark."

So they squish up together and Duck says, "Nice house."

And "Thank you so much for your kindness," says Mouse.

And "Sorry," says Rabbit. "I ought not to grouse.

"I'm just cross with that fox in the dark."

But then, rat-a-tat tat. "Who can that be now?

"If it's a horse or a pig or a cow, they can just stay outside."

Rabbit furrows his brow. "I'll have words with that fox in the dark."

Outside is a lamb, who is shaking with fear. "Please may I come in?

"It looks so safe in here. A big hairy, scary thing barked in my ear

"and I'm sure it's a fox in the dark."

The bed is so full that it's starting to creak.

Rabbit shoves Mouse and Mouse gives a squeak.

Then Lamb accidentally squashes Duck's beak.

"Oh, drat that old fox in the dark."

Then rat-a-tat-tat comes a knock at the door.

"I'll get it," says Duck, as he bumps to the floor.

"Not that there's room here for anyone more."

But outside is...a fox in the dark. "Don't eat us," cries Duck.

"At least, please don't eat me."

Rabbit and Lamb dive behind the settee.

Mouse flings up a paw and shouts, "I need a wee!"

Then Duck says, "He looks a bit small to me."

And the fox starts to cry and says, "Please help.

"You see, I've lost my mum out in the dark."

"Just what I thought," says Duck. "What a muddle!"

And Rabbit gives Fox Cub a very big cuddle.

Then Lamb takes a cloth and cleans up Mouse's puddle.

"He gets scared by a fox in the dark."

Then rat-a-tat-tat.

"Who's that now?" Rabbit sighs as he opens the door.

Duck says, "That was unwise."

For outside is a fox of a much bigger size

looming down at them out of the dark.

But the fox cries, "My baby! I've searched for you so."

"And you've found him," quacks Duck, "so off you both go."

"I don't like to rush you but as you well know,

"a fox belongs out in the dark."

"We won't hurt you," says Fox. "Oh, please let us stay.

"You've all been so kind. We'll keep out of your way.

"My baby's so tired. Our home's too far away

"for a fox cub to trot in the dark."

But Rabbit cries out, "There's no room in the bed.

"Where on earth will you sleep?" Mummy Fox shakes her head.

"Who needs a small bed? There's a big fox instead.

"We can all snuggle up in the dark."

So they each grab what pillows and rugs can be found.

Fox lies out comfortably down on the ground.

Then they yawn and they stretch...

and they all cuddle round, with the fox that came in from the dark.

And that story was called The Fox In The Dark.

So in the end, the fox wasn't scary at all.

In fact, she was very friendly - and very cosy to sleep on, too!

Well, I hope you and your animals have a cosy sleep tonight,

and I'll see you soon for another bedtime story.

But I've just got to tuck this lot up first. Night-night.

Come on, no more mucking about. Under the sheets. There you go.