Are you looking for the perfect way to end the day? Our collection of bedtime stories for kids is designed to help little ones drift off to sleep with a smile. This heartwarming tale about a curious mouse is one of our favorite short stories for kids. It combines the magic of winter with the comfort of home, making it an ideal choice for 5-minute bedtime stories. Let’s join Barnaby on his first winter adventure!

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Barnaby’s Snowy Wonder

Deep beneath the floorboards of a big, old house, there lived a very small mouse named Barnaby.

Barnaby loved his home.

It was a cozy corner near the heater, filled with soft cotton balls and bits of colorful wool. It smelled of dry wood and toast crumbs.

Scritch, scratch.

Barnaby adjusted his tiny pillow.

He was a mouse who liked warm things. He liked the yellow glow of the basement bulb. He liked the hot air that blew from the vents.

But one morning, something changed.

The air in the basement felt different. It was crisp. It tickled his whiskers.

Barnaby sat up and twitched his pink nose.

Sniff, sniff.

He scampered to the tiny crack in the foundation where he usually watched the garden grass.

But the grass was gone.

Instead, the world had turned white.

Something soft and silent was falling from the gray sky. It danced in the air like tiny, white feathers.

Barnaby’s eyes went wide.

“What is that?” he whispered.

Curiosity bubbled in his tummy.

He had to know.

Barnaby wrapped his favorite scrap of red flannel around his neck. It was his lucky scarf.

He pushed against the loose brick near the ground.

Grrr-unt!

The brick moved just enough. Barnaby squeezed through.

Pop!

He tumbled out into the garden.

Gasp!

The cold hit him instantly. It pinched his ears and nipped at his tail.

But it was beautiful.

The world sparkled as if someone had spilled a jar of glitter over the yard. The tall oak tree wore a white hat. The garden fence looked like it was made of sugar.

Barnaby took a step.

Crunch.

He giggled. He took another step.

Crunch, crunch.

The snow felt funny under his paws. It was cold, yes, but it was also soft. He looked up, and a snowflake landed right on his nose.

Plip!

It melted instantly.

“Magic water!” Barnaby squeaked.

He began to explore. He climbed over a frozen root. He marched under the shelter of a large, dry leaf.

Suddenly, a shadow swooped over him.

Whoosh!

Barnaby froze. He made himself as small as a pebble.

A bright red bird landed on the fence post above him. It was a cardinal, looking like a bright red berry in a bowl of milk.

“Good morning, little mouse,” chirped the bird.

“Hello,” Barnaby shivered. “Is the world always this white?”

“Only when the clouds are sleepy,” the bird sang. “Go back inside soon, little mouse. The wind is waking up.”

Barnaby nodded.

He decided to go a little further, just to the big flower pot.

But then, the wind did wake up.

Hooooooo!

It howled through the garden. It picked up the snow and swirled it around Barnaby like a dizzy tornado.

Barnaby couldn’t see the house anymore.

He couldn’t see the loose brick.

He couldn’t see anything but white.

His paws were numb. His red scarf flapped wildly.

Flap, flap, flap!

Fear gripped his tiny heart.

“I want my warm wool,” he whimpered.

The world was too big and too cold for a small mouse.

He closed his eyes and tried to remember the smell of toast.

He took a deep breath.

Wait.

He could smell toast.

Barnaby opened his eyes. Through the swirling white snow, he saw a faint, yellow glow.

It was the basement window.

He didn’t run. The snow was too deep for running.

He marched.

Thump, thump, thump.

He pushed through the drifts. He fought the wind.

One step. Two steps.

He reached the wall. He felt the rough brick. He found the loose stone.

With his last bit of strength, he pushed.

Squeeeeeak.

He tumbled inside.

Flump.

The air was still. The air was warm.

The heater hummed a gentle song.

Mmmmmmmm.

Barnaby shook the snow from his fur. It turned into tiny puddles on the floor.

He scurried to his corner and dove into his pile of wool. He pulled his blanket up to his chin.

His heart slowed down.

Thump… thump… thump.

He was safe.

The outside world was beautiful, magical, and full of glitter.

But his warm basement was the best place of all.

Barnaby closed his eyes, dreaming of white snowflakes, but thankful for his warm toes.

And soon, the only sound in the basement was a tiny, happy snore.

Zzzzzz.

The Moral of the Story

Exploring the world is a wonderful adventure, but there is no feeling quite as special as returning to the safety and warmth of your own home.

Talk with Your Kids

• Have you ever seen snow? How would you describe it to someone who has never seen it?
• Why do you think Barnaby felt scared when the wind started to blow?
• What makes you feel safe and warm, just like Barnaby’s basement?