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Go to Sleep, Bunny!

By Kathleen Murphy

“Goodnight, Robbie,” said Robbie’s mom as she kissed him goodnight.

“Just one more story, Mommy?” asked Robbie.

“No more stories, Rob. Two stories and then goodnight, that was our deal,” said Mommy. “Sweet dreams,” she called and left the room.

Robbie cuddled underneath his favorite blanket. He rubbed the soft, satiny edge across his cheek.  He rolled over to face the shelf where his stuffed animals sat.

“Goodnight, everybody,” said Rob.

“Goodnight, Rob,” said Snake. Hiss, hiss hiss.

“Goodnight, Rob,” said Pig. Grunt, grunt, grunt.

“Goodnight, Rob,” said Mouse. Squeak, squeak, squeak.

“Goodnight, Rob,” said Bunny. Twitch, twitch, twitch.

All was quiet in his room. The only sound Rob could hear was the sound of his mother working on the computer… tap, tap, tap, tap. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep.

Just then a voice called out, “I can’t sleep.”

Robbie opened his eyes and looked at his animals. “Who said that?” he asked.

“Not me,” said Snake. Hiss, hiss, hiss.

“Not me,” said Pig. Grunt, grunt, grunt.

“Not me,” said Mouse. Squeak, squeak, squeak.

“It’s me,” whispered Bunny.

“What’s the matter?” asked Robbie.

“I can’t sleep,” answered Bunny. “I’m not tired.”

Robbie jumped out of bed. “I’ll tell Mommy.” He rushed to the door and called out, “Mommy!  Bunny can’t sleep! He’s not tired.”

“You’ll be tired tomorrow if you don’t get some sleep, Robbie,” answered Mommy.

“But it’s not me. It’s Bunny,” explained Robbie.

“Well then, tell Bunny. Goodnight Robbie!”

“Goodnight, Mommy.” Robbie dove back into bed. “Did you hear that, Bunny?”

“Yes, Rob,” he answered.

“Just try and go to sleep, okay?”

“Okay,” said Bunny.

All was quiet in the room again. Robbie closed his eyes. One minute passed until…

“I can’t sleep.”

Robbie opened his eyes.“What is it now, Bunny?” he asked.

“I can’t sleep when I’m thirsty,” said Bunny.

“I’ll get you some water,” said Robbie as he climbed out of bed.  He opened the door and called out, “Mommy!  Bunny can’t sleep. He’s thirsty!”

“Oh, Rob,” sighed Mommy. “Didn’t you have a drink before bed?”

“But it’s not for me,” Rob explained. “It’s for Bunny.” He listened for his mother’s answer, but she didn’t give one. Then he heard shhhh, drip, drip, drip. His mother appeared in his doorway with a cup of water in her hand.

“Drink up and then get back to bed,” said Mommy. “No more fooling.”

“But Mommy, I told you. It’s not me,” pleaded Rob. “It’s Bunny!”

“Then tell Bunny if he doesn’t get some sleep, he’ll be a cranky rabbit tomorrow!” She blew a kiss to Rob and left the room.

Robbie carried the water over to Bunny. “Drink this and then go to sleep.” Bunny took the cup. Sluuurp, glug, glug, glug. He gulped the water and handed the empty cup back to Rob. “Thank you, Rob.”

“You’re welcome, Bunny.”

Once again, all was quiet in the room. Robbie yawned and stretched. He closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep.

“Robbie,” whispered Bunny.

“What is it now?” asked Rob.

“I’m scared of monsters,” said Bunny.

“Silly Bunny!” said Snake. Hiss, hiss, hiss.

“What monsters?” asked Pig. Grunt, grunt, grunt.

“I’m not scared,” said Mouse. Squeak, squeak, squeak.

Rob sat up in his bed. “There’s no monster in here, Bunny,” he said.

“Could you check and make sure?” asked Bunny.

“I’ll get Mommy,” said Rob. He jumped out of bed and ran to his mother’s room.

“What are you doing out of bed?” she asked.

“Could you check for monsters, Mommy?” asked Rob.

“Robbie, you know there’s no such thing as monsters,” she said.

“I know,” said Rob. “It’s Bunny. He wants us to check for him.”

“Will it help him get to sleep?” Mom asked.

“Yep,” said Rob. “Let’s go.” He grabbed his mother’s hand and they walked back into Rob’s bedroom. Robbie followed his mother around the room as she searched.

She looked inside the closet. “I don’t see any monsters in here,” she said. Next she peeked behind the door. “No monsters here either.” Finally she knelt down and looked underneath Rob’s bed.  “Any monsters hiding here?” she called out. “No monsters, Rob. Now back to bed.”  She tucked Robbie in and kissed his forehead.

“I’ll tell Bunny,” said Rob.

“Goodnight for the last time,” said Mom as she left the room.

“No monsters, Bunny,” said Rob.

“Thank you, Rob,” said Bunny.

“You’re welcome. Now go to sleep!”

The room was quiet, except for the sound of yawns and murmurs. Two minutes passed and then…

“I can’t sleep.”

“Not again!” said Snake. Hiss, hiss, hiss.

“Oh, brother!” said Pig. Grunt, grunt, grunt.

“My goodness!” said Mouse. Squeak, squeak, squeak. 

Sniff, sniff, sniff…“WAAAAAAAA!” cried Bunny. 

“Don’t cry, Bunny,” said Rob. “Why can’t you sleep this time?” he asked.

Bunny tried to speak through the tears. “I’m… I…I … I’m lonely,” he blurted out.

Rob smiled. “Would you like to come and sleep over here?” he asked.

“Oh, yes,” said Bunny happily. He hopped off the shelf and onto Rob’s bed. He curled up next to Rob and closed his eyes.

“All better?” asked Rob.

“Yes, Rob,” said Bunny. “Thank you.”

“Excuse me, Rob,” said Snake. “I’m lonely, too.”

“So am I,” said Pig.

“Me too,” said Mouse.

Rob giggled.  “Okay. Everybody come on over.”

Snake coiled up in a ball beside Rob. Pig rolled over and flopped down by Rob’s feet. Mouse scampered up to Rob’s pillow, where he lay down in the softness.

Again all was quiet in the room. “Goodnight, everybody,” said Rob.

“Goodnight, Rob,” said Snake. Hiss, hiss, hiss.

“Goodnight, Rob,” said Pig. Grunt, grunt, grunt.

“Goodnight, Rob,” said Mouse. Squeak, squeak, squeak.

But Bunny didn’t answer. He had fallen fast asleep. Snore, snore, snore.