Bernice Doesn’t Want To Eat Cookies 🐻 (Encore story)

Sleep Tight Stories - Bedtime Stories for Kids

In this bedtime story for children, Bernice returns home from school and is tempted by her father's freshly baked cookies, but hesitates aft

Key takeaways

• Treats are not inherently unhealthy when consumed mindfully and shared with others.

Main topics

• Healthy eating habits
• Moderation in food consumption

Notable quotes

Treats are about more than the food itself. It's about slowing down, talking, and enjoying something together.

Conclusion

Bernice learns that cookies aren't forbidden—they're special moments t

Transcript preview

Speaker 1 (0:01) Hello, friends, and welcome to Sleep Tight Stories. Bernice has arrived home from school, and she can smell Papa Bear's cookies all the way outside. She rushes to the house and closes the door quickly to keep all the yummy smells inside. Bernice doesn't want to eat cookies. Speaker 1 (0:47) Bernice could smell it as soon as she said goodbye to Ethan, or maybe even before she got off the bus. But for certain, it was the most wonderful smell in the whole world. Papa's cookies. The smell was making her tummy make gurgling noises even before it usually happened. She gave one final wave to Ethan as she hurried up the steps to her small house, opened the door, and stepped inside quickly so all the yummy smells wouldn't escape. She didn't want to make all the other kids' tummies in the neighborhood gurgle, too. Hi, Papa. Hi, Cookie. I am home, she called. School was super busy today, and the teachers are already getting strict, even though we just started. It's only the second week, but it feels like I'll have homework forever. That sounds serious, Little Bear, Papa Bear answered from the kitchen in his super deep voice. Sometimes, Bernice thought it made the house vibrate, but that was probably just her imagination. Speaker 1 (2:04) I'm in the kitchen and have a treat for us to share. Fresh cookies. Bernice loved cookies, especially Papa's. But a little voice in her head remembered something one of her classmates had said at lunch. Something about sugar and how treats weren't good for you. Okay, Papa, she said. Bernice plopped down on the floor to take off her sneakers. They were her brand new pair, the shiny ones Mama had wanted to keep nice, but Bernice had already decorated them with cookie and cat stickers Gertrude had given her. They looked perfect now, at least to Bernice. Just as she took off her first sneaker, Cookie pranced around the corner with her tail high, hurrying loudly. She meowed, which in cat meant hello. Hello, Cookie. Did you miss me today? I sure missed you, even though it's getting busy at school now. It's like the teachers are in a rush or something. They keep giving us more and more and more work to do. I don't think high school is as hard as this, or even university. But you know, I'm smart and work hard, so it shouldn't be a problem, I guess. How was your day? Bernice said, all in one long breath. Cookie flopped onto her back, ready for a belly rub. You love your belly rubs, Bernice laughed, rubbing gently. Suddenly, her tummy gave a long gurgle. Cookie's ears flicked up, eyes wide. Sorry, Cookie, don't be scared. It's not thunder or storms and stuff. It's just my silly tummy. Some days I'm extra hungry after school because my brain works super hard. And gym today made it even worse. Speaker 1 (4:15) Cookie relaxed again as Bernice scratched her belly. But you know what, Cookie? I don't know if I should eat cookies anymore. She wrinkled her nose. We had a class about food the other day. Not really anything new. But at lunch, some of the kids were saying you shouldn't eat sugar. And I mean, I know the science because I'm good at science and all that. But now I don't know. Maybe I shouldn't eat Papa's cookies today at all. Treats are on the table, little bear. Papa Bear boomed from the kitchen. Bernice sighed, a long, confused sigh. I guess I'll talk to you later, Cookie. You'll help me with my homework, right? You always do, so I guess today won't be different. After putting away her sneakers and jacket, she grabbed her backpack and hurried into the kitchen. Papa Bear was waiting at the table, blowing on his cup of steaming tea. Speaker 1 (5:23) Wash your hands and come tell me about your day, he said. I added a sprinkle of vanilla and nutmeg to your milk to make it extra special. Speaker 1 (5:34) Bernice scrubbed her hands at the sink, then plopped into her seat. Her eyes landed on the plate of cookies in the middle of the table. Those look super yummy delicious. Vanilla macadamia nut, right? And I love macadamia nuts and cookies, but... Papa, I don't think I should eat