It is Christmas Eve in the cozy burrow under the hill.
Little Tuck the bunny is not sleepy. Not one bit.
He wiggles his paws. He wiggles his nose. He wiggles his long ears, too.
Mama Bunny smiles. “Let us say goodnight to Christmas,” she says. “Then perhaps your sleepy eyes will find you.”
In a basket by the fire, Tuck’s best friend Hedgehog is sleeping over for Christmas. She is curled into a little ball, fast asleep. Her tiny nose twitches in her dreams.
“Goodnight, Hedgehog,” says Tuck softly.
His big ears droop, just a little. A little bit sleepier.
Mama carries Tuck to the window. Snow is falling, slow and white.
Hush… hush…
“Goodnight, snow,” says Tuck.
His eyes blink slowly. Blink… blink.
Up in the sky, the stars come out. They twinkle over the snowy hill.
“Goodnight, stars,” says Tuck.
Sleepier still.
The wind sings softly past the window.
Whoooo…
“Goodnight, wind,” whispers Tuck.
His voice is very small now.
Mama tucks Tuck into bed.
A soft blanket. A soft pillow. A soft kiss on his nose.
Across the room, his stocking hangs by the fire. Empty now. Waiting for morning.
“When you wake up,” Mama whispers, “it will be Christmas.”
Tuck smiles. His eyes close.
Snow falls on the quiet hill. Far away, one tiny bell rings.
Ting…
Goodnight, Christmas.
Goodnight, Little Tuck.
Sleep tight.
The End.
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