The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

The story mixes gentle suspense with soft, sleepy scenes and ends in safety and togetherness. Kids enjoy the small mishaps without lasting danger, and the wrap-up feels comforting and complete.

Story Synopsis

The Flopsy Bunnies are having a hungry day. With their mother’s guidance, they wander toward Mr. McGregor’s garden and discover a pile of fresh lettuce—so delicious that their little tummies fill quickly. After eating, the bunnies feel drowsy and curl up right there in the warm sun, drifting into a nap. But Mr. McGregor notices them and begins gathering the sleepy bunnies into a sack. Luckily, help is nearby. With clever plans, quick paws, and a bit of luck, the bunnies escape the sack and slip away from the garden. They hurry back home where everyone is counted, hugged, and safe. It’s a gentle reminder that food and comfort are wonderful—but staying aware and sticking together keeps you out of trouble.

Story Excerpt

It is said that eating too much lettuce can make you very very sleepy I have never felt sleepy after eating lettuce but then I am not a rabbit It certainly made the Flopsy Bunnies sleepy When Benjamin Bunny grew up he married his cousin Flopsy They were a cheerful pair and they had a large family They did not always plan ahead very well and somehow there never seemed to be quite enough to eat So Benjamin would sometimes borrow cabbages from Flopsy’s brother Peter Rabbit who kept a nursery garden But sometimes Peter Rabbit had no cabbages to spare On days like that the Flopsy Bunnies would cross the field to a rubbish heap in the ditch outside Mr McGregor’s garden Mr McGregor’s rubbish heap was a very mixed up place There were empty jam pots and crumpled paper bags There were piles of chopped grass from the mowing machine which tasted a little oily There were old soft vegetable marrows that had been left too long and even an old boot or two And one day oh what joy there was a whole patch of lettuces that had grown too big and had shot up into flowers The Flopsy Bunnies could hardly believe their luck They ate and ate and ate They stuffed themselves with lettuce until their little tummies were round The sun was warm The grass was soft And by degrees one after another the little Flopsy Bunnies began to droop Their eyes blinked slowly Their heads nodded And at last they all lay down…

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