Little Miss Muffet

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It acknowledges a common fear (spiders) but can be framed as a gentle ‘recover from a fright’ story. End with safety and courage returning.

Story Synopsis

Little Miss Muffet lives in a big city house where everyone expects her to be neat, quiet, and perfect. Inside, though, she feels restless—she wants to play and move and be herself. When she sits on her tuffet to eat curds and whey, she tries to do everything “right.” Then a spider appears beside her. The surprise makes her squeal and run away—just like the famous rhyme. In this extended retelling, the focus is what happens after the scare: Miss Muffet learns to slow her breathing, name her feelings, and return to the table with help and confidence. The story keeps the iconic moment but ends with calm and reassurance.

Story Excerpt

Little Miss Muffet lived in a very big house in a very big city. Her father worked all day, and her mother was busy all day too. So many helpers took care of Miss Muffet. There was Nurse Holloweg, who told everyone what to do. And there were maids — so many maids. One helped with her hair. One helped with her bath. One helped with her shoes. Miss Muffet was an only child, and everyone treated her like she must always be perfectly neat and quiet. But Miss Muffet did not feel happy. She wanted to run and jump. She wanted to play. She wanted to dig in the garden dirt and make little hills with her hands. But Nurse Holloweg would say, “ No, no. That is not proper. ” And if Miss Muffet frowned or stomped, the maids would whisper, and Nurse Holloweg would look very serious. Miss Muffet grew pale and tired. She did not sleep well. One day, her mother was home for a little while. She rang a bell, and Nurse Holloweg came in. “ How is Miss Muffet getting along? ” her mother asked. “ Very badly, ma’am, ” said Nurse Holloweg. “ Then call the doctor, ” said her mother. And she went back to what she was…

In One Glance