Visit the “A Bedtime Story” show website

Suggest a story prompt for the show

Once upon a time, in a cozy suburban neighborhood, the Johnson family decided it was high time to add a touch of Scandinavian style to their living room. So, off they went to IKEA, ready to conquer the world of flat-pack furniture.

Upon arriving home, they proudly dragged the box containing their new "Björksnäs" shelving unit into the living room. They tore open the box, and pieces of wood, screws, and a manual the size of a novel spilled across the floor.

"Alright, team! Let's get this together," declared Dad, who had never met a piece of furniture he couldn’t assemble—or so he thought.

Mom, ever the voice of reason, picked up the manual and began deciphering the runic-like illustrations. "Okay, the first step says we need piece A to connect with piece B," she announced.

"Got it!" said Timmy, their energetic 8-year-old, who promptly picked up a completely unrelated piece and attempted to hammer it into place. "Look, it's already taking shape!"

"That's not quite right, honey," Mom said diplomatically, trying to suppress her laughter.

Meanwhile, teenage daughter Mia was busy documenting the chaos on her phone for all her social media followers. "#FamilyFail," she giggled to herself while capturing Dad's increasingly perplexed expressions.

As the hours wore on, the living room began to resemble a construction site more than a serene Scandinavian oasis. Dad was crouched on the floor with the Allen wrench in one hand and a baffled look on his face.

"Why do they always have extra screws?" he grumbled, holding up a handful of them.

Just then, Grandma, who had been watching the unfolding drama from the comfort of the couch, chimed in. "Back in my day, we didn’t have instructions. We just used common sense and a little bit of elbow grease."

Everyone paused, imagining Grandma building a shelf out of sheer will and determination.

Suddenly, from the corner of the room, came a flurry of movement. Chandler, the family’s mischievous golden retriever, bounded into the fray, tail wagging and eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Oh no, Chan! Not the pieces!" exclaimed    Dad as Chandler gleefully picked up a stray wooden panel and made a dash for the backyard.

Timmy burst into giggles, chasing after Chandler. "We need that part!"

Mia caught the whole escapade on video, adding to her story, "#DogDrama."

After several more attempts, a quick snack break, a time-out for Dad (who almost threw the Allen wrench out the window), and retrieving the vital piece from Chandler, the Johnsons finally managed to get the shelf upright.

"It’s... leaning," Mia pointed out, barely stifling a laugh.

"It’s modern art," Dad retorted with a grin. "We just need a plant or something to balance it out."

As the family stood back to admire their handiwork, they burst into laughter. The shelf, although slightly skewed, was a testament to their team spirit and perseverance.

The Johnsons learned that while assembling IKEA furniture might test your patience, it also creates priceless moments of togetherness. They realized that the real treasure was not perfectly assembled shelves, but the unforgettable adventure they shared as a family, complete with Chandler’s delightful chaos.