Tag Archives: bedtime story

CinderSpectaRella Part 3 of 4

“I know just what to do! Fetch me three mice, a pumpkin and a dog,” the fairy godmother instructed.

Cinderella came back with three hamsters, a watermelon and an old goat.

“Oh my, these aren’t what I asked, for, but I guess it will have to do.”

The fairy godmother cloaked all the objects in light. She transformed the three hamsters into three slightly hairy horses. She changed the watermelon into an oblong-shaped carriage, and the goat into a footman with a goatee.

The fairy godmother then twirled her wand one last time to wrap Cinderella in light. When she was done, Cinderella was in a beautiful blue gown, her hair done in an elegant bun.

“Be back by 12!” The fairy godmother said. “Oh, and wait, wear this!” The fairy godmother tapped the bride of Cinderella’s nose and there appeared beautiful, translucent glasses!

For the first time, Cinderella saw everything clearly. She saw her radiant fairy godmother with silver hair and a kind smile on her lips. She saw the full moon and the stars dotting the night sky. She even saw all her farm animal friends gathered around her, cheering and clapping their hands.

“No time to waste!” The fairy godmother waved goodbye as Cinderella boarded her watermelon green carriage with bright red cushions. “Off you go!”

Cinderella sped off to the caste, and felt every bit a princess as she alighted from her carriage and climbed the spiral staircase. She was confident because she saw everything around her clearly.

When she entered, all eyes were upon her, and word quickly spread about an unknown beautiful bespectacled lady in blue.

The prince was expecting the usual boring princesses would attend. So when he saw Cinderella, he stopped in his tracks. There was something so real and natural about her. Yes, she was beautiful, but she wasn’t ashamed to wear glasses. She looked smart and confident as she walked through the ballroom. The prince invited Cinderella to dance, and dance they did until the clock struck 12.

Cinderella was so startled that she had to make a run for it. As she was clearing the castle gardens, her glasses got caught up in branches. She was about to get them when she heard the king’s horsemen behind her. She had to hide quickly so she dove to the nearby bushes.

The prince held Cinderella’s translucent glasses. He vowed to find the woman who owned these special spectacles.

to be continued…

CinderSpectaRella Part 2 of 4

“An invitation from the king,” the messenger handed a golden envelope to Cinderella before taking off in a hurry.

Cinderella squinted to read what the invitation said, but she couldn’t make out any of the letters.

“Give me that!” The stepmother snatched the invitation from Cinderella’s hands. “Did you read it?”

Cinderella shook her head. “What does it say, mother?”

The stepmother scanned through the letter and smiled. “Well, well, the king is inviting me, Elvira and Charlotte to a grand ball tonight!”

“Am I included as well?” Cinderella clasped her hands together, trying to hold down her excitement.

“Nope.” The stepmother and the girls broke into sinister laughter. “Girls, get ready!” She ushered the girls back to the room.

Cinderella ran to the farm at the back of their house. She couldn’t argue with her stepmom because she couldn’t see what was on the invitation.

The farm animals gathered around her. The mouse ran up to her cheek to wipe her tears away.

“It’s my fault,” Cinderella said, talking to no one in particular. “I really do mess things up.”

Just then, a bright light filled the room. “It’s not your fault, child.”

Cinderella squinted her eyes and saw a bubble of light floating about. “Who are you?”

“I’m your fairy godmother, and I’m here to help you make it to the ball!”

“But I wasn’t even invited,” Cinderella argued. “I would never be let in the castle if my name wasn’t on the guest list.”

“Little mouse, please fetch me that letter,” the fairy godmother said. A few minutes later, the mouse was back with a golden envelope between its teeth.

The godmother opened the letter and grinned.

“Your name is clearly included here,” Cinderella’s godmother said.

“But it’s too late! My family has left, and I have nothing to wear,” Cinderella sobbed.

to be continued…

The Legend of the Rainbow Tree: Tales from Mother Chouette

“Wow, look at that!” Hibbou exclaimed as she pointed to a nearby tree.

“Oh yes, that’s the Rainbow Eucalyptus tree, my dear,” Mother Chouette said as she followed Hibbou’s gaze.  “I have a story of where that tree came from. Do you want hear it?”

Hibbou hooted in delight.

The Legend of the Rainbow Tree

There was once a rainbow named Spec who was best friends with Yuki, a eucalyptus tree. Every time it rained, Spec made sure that he visited Yuki.

Like all rainbows, Spec was tasked with guarding a leprechaun’s pot of gold. But Spec did not like the leprechaun that was assigned to him. Mr. Moneytights was mean and often screamed at Spec to shine his colorful light on the leprechaun’s pot of gold.

One day, Mr. Moneytights was particularly nasty. He frightened Spec so much that the rainbow decided it was best to run away. But where could a bright and colorful arc in the sky go? Spec tried hiding under a rock, but his light shined through. He tried gathering clouds to cover himself, but every time the wind blew, he would get exposed. Yuki, seeing how anxious Spec was becoming, suggested that Spec hide in her bark. As the intense light passed through the tree’s trunk, Yuki’s bark cracked and flaked, but she bore her pain in silence.

The tree’s brown bark muted the bright colors of the rainbow. Thus, when the leprechaun went to his usual spot, he searched high and low, but he never guessed Spec to be hiding inside the humble tree. A tree nymph saw Yuki’s sacrifice, and she blessed the union of the tree and her rainbow best friend, resulting in the most beautiful and colorful bark in the world.

The end.

Hibbou wiped a tear in her eye. “Thanks for the beautiful story, mom. Your stories are wonderful.”

 Mother Chouette wrapped her feathery wings on Hibbou and gave her a tight hug.       

*Note:  I googled actual photos of the Rainbow Eucalyptus tree so that you could share it with your kids.

Bagras_Mindanao gum tree

A Multicolored Coat of Scales: Tales from Mother Chouette

            Hibbou, the owlet, flapped its tiny wings and gave a hoot. Mother Chouette gently pecked on Hibbou’s head. It was time to sleep.

            Mama, please tell me a bedtime story,” Hibbou said as she turned her sleepy eyes to Mother Chouette.

            “I’ve got the perfect one for you, little one,” said Mother Chouette, and then she began.

A Multicolored Coat of Scales

“There was once a plain fish with dull silver flakes that longed to be a fish like no other.  He would rub his scales onto colorful objects, such as bright red corals, but all he would get were scratch marks. He would try to wrap himself in the dark emerald green seaweeds that floated about the ocean floor, but he would simply slip out of its slimy grasp. He even tried to hang out with the electric blue eels, but in the end, it wasn’t worth getting electrocuted. But, one day, while remaining invisible beside a gray rock, he saw a mermaid swimming away from an angry shark.  In her haste, she dropped her precious crystal ring. When the shark was gone, the plain fish swam and rescued the ring. He marveled at its color and considered keeping it for himself so that he would have something sparkly to wear. But in the end, he decided that it was best to return the ring to its rightful owner. The mermaid turned into a fairy mermaid and promised to grant the fish his heart’s desire. Rainbow-colored raindrops fell from the sky that night and filled the sea with color. When the fish opened its eyes, it saw that its fins were multicolored and shiny! All the other sea creatures gathered around him to admire his beautiful coat of scales.

“The end.”

Mother Chouette turned to Hibbou and cooed.  Her baby owl was fast asleep!