Stan Berenstain - The Berenstain Bears Say Their Prayers

It was bedtime in the Bear familys tree housebedtime after a long, busy day. Little Honey Bear was already asleep in her crib. Brother and Sister were ready for bed too. They were bathed and they had their pajamas on. Mama and Papa were done reading them their bedtime stories. But there was one last thing to do before they went to sleep. It was time for Brother and Sister to kneel down beside their bunk bed and say their prayers.

Bless Mama, bless Papa, bless Honey Bear, bless Grizzly Gramps, bless Grizzly Gran, bless Cousin Fred, Uncle Willie, and Aunt Min.

Some evenings, they added a few more blessings like bless our friends Lizzy and Barry or bless Teacher Jane and Teacher Bob. But when they started adding bless Mayor Honeypot and Police Chief Bruno, Mama and Papa decided to draw the line. Mama and Papa were falling asleep before the cubs prayers were over.

Tonight when Mama and Papa were giving the cubs their goodnight kisses, Brother asked a question. It was a question he had been thinking about for awhile.

Mama, he said. Why do we say prayers before we go to sleep? I was at Barry Bruins house for a sleepover last week, and he doesnt say prayers at all.

Some people just dont believe in saying prayers, said Mama. But we pray at night so we can thank God for the blessings of the day.

Do you and Papa always say your prayers before you go to sleep? asked Sister, half asleep in the upper bunk.

Not exactly said Mama. These days Mama and Papa were so tired at bedtime that they just flopped down and were snoring almost before their heads hit the pillow. But I think it would be a good idea if we got in the habit again. Mamma nudged Papa. Dont you agree, Papa?

Huh? he said, trying to stay awake. Oh, right! Absolutely!

Good night now, said Mama. Sweet dreams.

Hmmm. thought Brother, as he drifted off in the sleepy darkness. Mamas answer was okay. But he still had a few questions.

The next morning, Brother and Sister were up bright and early. It was Saturday and they had a Little League game. Their team was called the Sharks. They had a cool logo on their shirtsa big shark mouth full of sharp teeth.

I feel hot today! said Sister, tying her shoes. I feel a whole lot of hits and stolen bases coming on!

Oh, yeah? snorted Brother. What about home runs? I guess Ill have to take care of that department!

Sure! said Sister, punching him in the arm. Brother Bear, the Home-Run King! She ran, laughing, out of the room with Brother Bear chasing her. Sister and Brother liked playing on the same team. But sometimes they got just a little too competitive.

After breakfast, the whole family headed down to the ball field. Brother and Sister had practice before the game. It was Mama and Papas turn to help with the snack bar. Papa was going to cook the hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. Mama was going to sell candy and popcorn. Even Honey Bear would help out. It was her job to eat the leftover cotton candy. Papa soon had the grill behind the snack bar fired up. Mama opened up the candy stand, and Honey Bear started getting into the cotton candy.

The team ran out on the field for practice. Brother was playing shortstop, and Sister was at second base. Up on the mound, Cousin Fred would handle the pitching. Fred was a solid pitcher. But he had been struggling of late. His last two games were pretty shaky.

Today, they were up against the Pumas. The Pumas uniforms werent quite as cool as the Sharks. But the Pumas were one of the best teams in the league. The Sharks would have their work cut out for them.

Brother glanced over at Fred on the mound. He had noticed too. He was taking off his hat to wipe his forehead. He looked pretty nervous out there.

Play ball! called the ump, and the game was on.

Since the Sharks were the home team, the Pumas were up first. Their lead-off batter was a big, powerful cub about twice Brothers size. He was twirling six bats around his head in the warm-up circle as if they were a bunch of twigs.

Uh-oh! said Brother. Look who it is!

Sister gulped. It was the Beastthe Pumas best player. He could hit and field and pitch. They didnt know his real name. They just called him the Beast.

The Beast picked out a bat from his bunch and stepped into the batters box. He took some warm-up swings and pounded his bat on the plate. He glared at Fred on the mound.

Brother noticed that Fred wasnt glaring back. In fact, he was standing quite still, his head bowed and his hands folded. It looked like his eyes were closed, and his lips seemed to be moving.

Psst, Fred! called Brother. Whats up?