Mark Bonnar - Hugless Douglas CBeebies Bedtime Stories

CBeebies Bedtime Story.

What's that?

Of course you can have a hug.

Hello. I'm Mark.

And I'll be reading you a bedtime story tonight all about hugs.

I love hugs, do you?

Of course you do.

So why don't you go and get your favourite teddy or toy

and give them a cuddle while we find out all about Douglas

and his search for a hug.

The story is written and illustrated by David Melling.

One spring morning, a big ya-a-a-awn

came from the back of a deep, dark cave.

It was a young brown bear, and his name was Douglas.

"I need a hug," said Douglas.

So he wriggled out of his pyjamas, brushed his hair,

put on a scarf, and went to look for one.

"My best hugs are big," thought Douglas.

So he went up to the biggest thing he could find,

wrapped his arms all the way around and gave it a squeeze.

It didn't feel quite right.

"Oh," grunted Douglas, "it's a bit too heavy."

THUD!

"My best hugs are tall," thought Douglas.

So he went up to the tallest thing he could find,

he hugged the bottom, he hugged around the middle,

and he hugged as high as he could reach.

But it was all wrong, and it had splinters!

"My best hugs are comfy," thought Douglas,

and he trotted towards a cosy-looking bush.

He cuddled the bush, but felt something very odd.

The leaves quivered and trembled and ran away!

"Give us a hug!" Cried Douglas.

"No," baaed the sheep. "We're too busy."

He scooped up armfuls anyway and try to cuddle them gently,

but they kicked and squirmed and didn't like it at all.

Poor Douglas.

"Why can't I find a hug?" he said.

"If I want a hug," said a wise owl, "I sit in my tree and..."

"Let me try!" whooped Douglas. And he scrambled up next to the owl.

But he soon found himself in a clumsy muddle.

"Too-woo, too-wit," said the owl crossly.

"I only wanted a hug," sniffed Douglas.

"Perhaps there's one down here."

He felt something long-eared and rabbity and gave it a tug.

Douglas could tell the rabbit didn't want a hug.

He sniffed again, and without thinking,

wiped his nose on the fluffy end.

"Excuse me," shouted the rabbit.

"Put me down!"

"But I need a hug," said Douglas, "and I can't find one anywhere"

"Oh, I see," said the rabbit, kindly.

"Come with me."

She took Douglas by the paw and led him round and about.

At last, they came to a deep, dark cave

where a sleepy someone was just waking up.

HE YAWNS

Douglas peeped inside.

He had the funniest feeling that he knew that someone very well.

"Hug?" Asked Douglas as he ran as fast as he could towards...

..his mum!

"Aahh, come to think of it,

"my best hugs are from someone I love," said Douglas.

And he snuggled into the biggest, warmest arms he knew.

I'm so glad that Douglas got his hug.

Are you still hugging your teddy?

Me too. My teddy's giving me the best cuddle.

Oh, thanks, teddy.

And thank you for joining me for tonight's bedtime story.

I'll be back soon to read you another one. Sweet dreams. Na-night.