(Monkey) "Play with me! Play with me! Play with me, Bear!
I'm dying to play but you're just lying there.
Let's play with the ball, I'll catch and you throw,
Or we could have a race, I'll shout one, two, three, go!
I'll pretend I'm a witch, you pretend you're a knight,
I'll pretend I'm a troll, you pretend you're a sprite,
Or a famous explorer who's found a new land,
Or a bad pirate king with a hook for a hand.
Oh Bear, there are so many games we could play
Come on, Mr Sleepy Head, what do you say?"
But the little brown bear is soundly asleep,
Sleeping a sleep that is peaceful and deep
Having a wonderful, fabulous dream
That he's eating a bowl of vanilla ice cream,
Sat on a rug coloured blue, white and green,
Having some tea with the king and the queen.
Says Monkey, "I know how to wake this bear up,
There's a paddling pool here and an empty teacup
I'll dip this in here and I'll fill it right up,
Hold it over your head and then one, two, three: Pour!
Now," says the monkey, "you'll wake up for sure."
In the dream: "Oh dear," says the queen, "It's started to rain,
It will ruin our picnic. Oh gosh! What a pain!"
"Don't worry!" the king says. "I know magic tricks!
This is a problem I know I can fix.
Abracadabra and Zigzagazella!"
"Oh!" says the queen, "A giant umbrella!
Tremendous, my dear, now our food's safe and dry.
Dear Mr Bear, would you like some plum pie?"
(Monkey) "What? Still asleep, Bear? Now what shall I do?
Oh look! Here's a fan. I could try fanning you."
Monkey starts fanning with all of his might
But Bear keeps on sleeping, his eyes are shut tight.
In the dream: "Gracious!" the queen says. "It's blowing a gale!"
(King) "Abracadabra and Zigzagazale!
There we are, Queen. An enormous windbreak!"
"Marvellous, dear! Bear, do please have some cake."
(Monkey) "Not woken up yet, Bear? How can this be?
What next? Oh, I know, I'll climb up this big tree
And jump down again. Bear, I'll make the ground shake."
In the dream: "Heavens above!" says the queen. "An earthquake!"
(King) "Abracadabra and Zigzagazoat!
There, Queen. I've made the rug magically float."
"Stupendous, dear husband. You really are smart.
Dear Mr Bear, do you like custard tart?"
(Mouse) "Hi Monkey!" says Mouse. "What's the matter with you?"
(Monkey) "This Bear won't wake up. I don't know what to do!"
(Mouse) "Aha!" says the mouse. "I've a little idea.
I won't be a minute, my friend. You wait here."
There comes from the kitchen a bang and a clatter,
Then little mouse feet, coming back, pitter patter.
He's holding a tea tray with three mugs that steam,
Inside is hot chocolate with flakes and whipped cream.
(Mouse) "Hot chocolate with cream is what this bear likes best.
He's bound to wake up from his very long rest."
Bear smells the chocolate. He twitches his nose.
He opens one eye. He wriggles his toes.
(Bear) "Hot chocolate! My favourite! Hurrah and hooray!
Let's drink this up, Monkey and then we can play!"
The three friends all play till the day's at its end.
(Monkey) "Thanks, little mouse. You're a very good friend."
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Illustrations by Sringkhala whose beautiful artwork you can view at artlucina.com.
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