Mother Knows Best CBeebies Bedtime Stories

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CBeebies bedtime story.

So, you see, Big Teddy, we all need to sleep at night

because we all need to rest before the sun comes up

and we begin our day all over again.

Hello, I'm Floella

and I'm just explaining to Big Teddy here why we go to sleep.

And before you snuggle up and close your eyes,

I'm going to tell you about little bear called Bradley

who has a lot of questions, just like Big Teddy here.

The story is by Jill Murphy, and it's called Mother Knows Best.

"Mum," said Bradley, "can I wear my pyjamas all day?"

"I think not," said Mum. "Why?" asked Bradley.

"Pyjamas for sleeping in," said Mum.

"But if I sleep in them, no-one ever sees them."

"I see them," said Mum, "and your dad sees them, and so do you.

"That's quite a lot of people seeing you in your pyjamas, Bradley. OK?"

"OK," grumbled Bradley.

"Mum," asked Bradley, "can I have ice cream for breakfast?"

SLURP, SLURP

"No," said Mum, "you can't." "Why?" asked Bradley.

"Because you have to have sensible stuff for breakfast," said Mum.

"That's why."

"Cakes are sensible. I could have cakes instead, and then..."

"It's porridge for breakfast, Bradley," said Mum.

"OK?" "OK," agreed Bradley.

MUNCH, MUNCH

"Mum," said Bradley, "can I have a pet dinosaur?"

"No chance," said Mum. "Why not?" asked Bradley.

"Because they're extinct," said Mum. "That's why."

"What does extinct mean?" asked Bradley.

"It means there aren't any," said Mum.

"OK?" "Hmm, OK," said Bradley.

"Mum," said Bradley, "can bears fly?"

"I don't think so, darling," said Mum.

"I might just have a little try," said Bradley.

"Well, don't try it on the sofa," called Mum.

"Why not?" asked Bradley.

"Because you might fall off," called Mum,

"and - THUD! - hurt yourself."

"Come on, let's have a cuddle and calm down."

"Mum?" said Bradley.

"Enough questions for a while, darling," said Mum.

"I know! Why don't you watch TV for a bit?"

"There's a nice programme on right now. It's the one you like."

So Mum switched on the TV,

and Bradley plonked himself down in the big chair

and watched his program,

-and had a little snooze...

-SNORING

..while Mum got the lunch ready.

"Mum," said Bradley, "can I go up in a hot air balloon?"

"Of course you can't, darling!" laughed Mum.

"Why not?" asked Bradley.

"Too dangerous," said Mum. "You might fall out of the basket.

"Oh, for goodness sake, Bradley, this is ridiculous.

"You just can't, OK?" "Hmm, OK," said Bradley.

"Mum," said Bradley, "can I watch some more TV?"

"I'd rather you didn't," said Mum.

"There are better things to do than watch TV all day."

"What things?" asked Bradley.

"Well," said Mum, "you could play with your toys,

"or draw me a nice picture."

"I'll draw you a boat," said Bradley.

"Thanks," said Mum. "That would be lovely."

"I've done you a picture, Mum," said Bradley. "Do you like it?"

"Oh, I love it!" said Mum.

"Mum?" said Bradley. "Can we make a boat for me to play in?"

"Good idea," said Mum.

They put the boat in the middle of the room,

and Mum put cushions all around it.

"The cushions are sharks," said Mum.

"You'd better stay in the boat or the sharks will get you. OK?"

"Cool!" said Bradley.

"Mum?" said Bradley, "I've killed all the sharks."

"Can we make some pancakes?"

"I'd rather we didn't," said Mum.

"Why not?" asked Bradley.

"Because I just can't face it," said Mum, "that's why."

"But you said I should be doing things," said Bradley.

"You said it's better to do things than watch TV."

"OK," said Mum, "let's make the pancakes."

"Mum," said Bradley, "when it's bedtime, can I stay up all night?"

"Not a good idea," said Mum. "Why not?" asked Bradley.

"Well," said Mum, "it would be a bit silly

"if you were running about all night

"when your dad and I had gone to bed."

"But Mum..." said Bradley. "That's enough!" said Mum.

"I know! Let's go to the park, and you can play on the swings."

"Mum? Can I go to the park by myself?"

"Give me strength!" said Mum.

"Why?" asked Bradley.

"Never mind," said Mum.

"You're just too young to go out by yourself."

"But why?" asked Bradley.

"I've just told you!" said Mum.

"It's because you're too young to go out by yourself.

"And because you might get lost and there are roads to cross.

"It's because... Because...

"Mother knows best. OK?" said Mum.

"OK," said Bradley. And off they went to the park together.

-"Mum?"

-FLOELLA LAUGHS

That story was called Mother Knows Best.

Now, I'm not sure if I have all the answers,

but I do know that it's time for you to go to bed,

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

Night, night. Sweet dreams!