Tonight’s episode of The Bedtime Storybook features two thoughtful and timeless tales by Hans Christian Andersen.

First is The Emperor’s New Clothes, a classic story about pride, honesty, and the courage to speak the truth — even when everyone else is pretending.

Then we share The Snail and the Rosebush, a quieter story about two very different outlooks on life: one creature focused entirely inward, and another that simply blooms and shares what it can with the world.

Both stories are narrated slowly and calmly, making them well suited for bedtime or quiet listening.

Perfect for:

🌙 Bedtime wind-down
📚 Classroom listening
🧸 Calm moments before sleep
💛 Families who enjoy classic fairy tales

Themes explored in this episode:

• Honesty and courage
• Pride and humility
• Giving what we have to the world
• Finding meaning in simple acts

👨‍👩‍👧 Parent note:
The Emperor’s New Clothes includes themes of deception and embarrassment but remains light and humorous.
The Snail and the Rosebush is reflective in tone and may encourage gentle discussion about kindness, creativity, and purpose.

Narrated by Nathan Stone
Produced by Haunted Mouse Productions

Public-domain stories.

A steady voice. A familiar rhythm. A story that unfolds at an unhurried pace.

In this episode of The Bedtime Storybook, Nathan Stone reads Rudyard Kipling’s “The Beginning of the Armadillos," a playful and lyrical tale from the Just So Stories.

Along the banks of the turbid Amazon, a clever hedgehog and a thoughtful tortoise outwit a puzzled jaguar in a story filled with repetition, wordplay, and gentle humor.

The language has a sing-song quality that makes it especially well suited for listening aloud. The repeated phrases and patterned dialogue create a predictable rhythm that helps children settle and follow along.

Suggested use:
Bedtime wind-down, quiet time, or peaceful afternoon listening.
Recommended for ages 4–8.

Mild tension note: The story includes a painted jaguar attempting to catch the other animals, but the tone remains light and playful throughout, with no frightening detail.

Narrated by Nathan Stone.
Produced by Haunted Mouse Productions.
This story is in the public domain.

Cozy up for three timeless cat stories, narrated slowly and warmly for bedtime and quiet time.

In this episode of The Bedtime Storybook, you’ll hear:

1) Too Clever by Half – a clever mother cat learns a gentle lesson about overdoing it

2) The Selfish Pussy – two cats compare comfort, loyalty, and love
3) Nine Lives – a mother cat tells the story of her many lives (with curious kittens asking questions along the way)

Perfect for bedtime routines, quiet play, or screen-free listening.

Recommended for ages 3–8
Suitable for bedtime, story time, or peaceful play
Includes mild tension typical of classic stories, with reassuring endings

Narrated by Nathan Stone | A Haunted Mouse Production
Public-domain stories. Original audio narration.