The Owlets Can't Sleep

One day, there was an owl family that was having trouble sleeping.  They were all very tired, especially the Mama, who had been hunting all night. But she couldn't sleep because the children were restless.

"My toe hurts," said Lulu.

"I already kissed your toe. Now please try to sleep," said the Mama.

"Pooty is botherin' me," said Treeboo.

 "Treeboo, Pooty!" said the Mama.

 "Toot, toot!" said Billachoo. He couldn't hoot yet. That meant that he was hungry.



  "Shh, shh." said the Mama. "Next time, I want you to eat your whole mouse for dinner."

A twig cracked.
"What was that?" said Pooty.

"Shh, shh, Pooty. It was nothing," said the Mama.

 "My neck hurts," said Lulu.

"Try flopping your head the other way for a change," said the Mama.

"Pooty is breathin' on me!" said Treeboo.

"Treeboo!" said the Mama.

"Toot, toot!" said Billachoo. That meant that he was thirsty.

 Time to sleep, now, Billachoo," said Mama. "You already had a drink. I don't want you to wet the branch. No more talking."

A leaf fell.
"What was that?" said Pooty.

The Mama looked stern.

"Owlets," she said firmly. "It is time to sleep. Mama has been up all night hunting and needs to rest. You must rest, too, so that you can practice flapping your wings tonight. I expect you to help one another and to be quiet."



The children knew Mama was serious. Billachoo helped Lulu flop her head the other way. Pooty gave Billachoo a mouse tail he'd been saving. Treeboo snuggled close to Pooty so he wouldn't be scared, and turned her head away so she wouldn't feel him breathing.

One by one, the owlets dropped off to sleep.
The only sound was the occasional, soft "Toot, toot," from Billachoo, who talked in his sleep.

One day, there was an owl Mama who couldn't sleep.

The End

Some of my friends made these owlets.

Pilar made Lulu, who has been loved and mauled by her toddler daughter ever since.

Karen made Treeboo.

Marcy made Billachoo.

And Catherine made Pooty.

Copyright 2009, Beth Curtin