Mortimer’s
Birthday Sleepover
Even brave little bears get scared sometimes!
by Marilyn Helmer,Belwood, Ont.STORYTIMEOnce upon a time, Papa Bear helped
Mortimer put up his tent. “This is going to
be the best birthday ever,” Mortimer said.
“Your friends will be here soon,” said
Papa Bear. “Are you sure you want to sleep
outside in the tent?”
“Yes,” said Mortimer. “I want to sleep in
the tent with Harley and Jake.”
“Are you sure you won’t be scared?”
asked Papa Bear.
“I won’t be scared,” said Mortimer. “I’m a
very brave bear.”
Harley and Jake arrived on their shiny
new bicycles.
Jake let Mortimer ride his bicycle.
Then he rode Harley’s bicycle.
Afterward, Mortimer opened his pres-
ents. He liked his presents very much. But
oh, how he wished that one of them was a
shiny new bicycle!
For the rest of the after noon, Mortimer
and his friends played games. They
had honey chicken pizza for din-
ner. Then it was time for bed.
“Are you sure you want to
sleep outside in the tent?” asked
Mama Bear.
“Yes,” said Mortimer.
“Are you sure you won’t be
scared?” asked Papa Bear.
“We won’t be scared,” said
Harley.
“We are very brave bears,”
said Jake.
“It isn’t dark yet,” Mor-
timer said as they scram-
bled into the tent.
“Let’s tell ghost stories,”
said Harley.
“I know a very scary one,”
said Jake. He told his very scaryghost story. Then Mortimer told one that
was even scarier.
The night grew still and quiet. “It’s very
dark in here now,” said Harley.
“It’s very, very dark,” said Jake.
“I don’t think we should tell any more
ghost stories,” said Mortimer.
“Look!” Jake shouted, pointing.
Mortimer and Harley looked. Their eyes
grew big as saucers. A strange glowing
light bobbed about outside the tent. Sud-
denly, a huge shadow appeared. The shad-
ow came closer. Then another shadow
appeared. It came closer too, making a
strange squeaking sound.
Mortimer, Harley and Jake had never
felt so scared in their lives.
Then a deep voice said, “Come out!
Come out!”
Mortimer laughed. “It’s Mama Bear,” he
said. He scrambled out of the tent. Harley
and Jake scrambled out, too.
“Happy birthday, Mortimer!” said Mama
Bear. She was carrying a huge birthday
cake with glowing candles.
“Happy birthday, Mortimer!” said Papa
Bear. He was wheeling a shiny new bicycle.
The wheels of the bicycle went squeak,
squeak, squeak.
“This is the best birthday ever!” said
Mortimer. He hugged Mama Bear. He
hugged Papa Bear. Then he hugged his
shiny new bicycle.
After everyone had a piece of birthday
cake, it was time to go back to sleep.
“Are you sure you want to sleep outside
in the tent?” asked Mama Bear.
“No,” said Jake.
“We are very brave bears,” said Harley.
“But we’ll be a lot braver sleeping in-
side,” said Mortimer. ILLUSTRATION:ISTOCKPHOTO66 Our Canada AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2019