Visit the “A Bedtime Story” show website to submit your story ideas for a future episode!

Deep in the bustling city park, where pigeons strutted and children laughed, lived a squirrel named Nutmeg. Nutmeg was known for two things: her extraordinary ability to hoard acorns (she had a secret, acorn-only vault) and her absolute silence. While other squirrels chattered and chirped, Nutmeg communicated entirely through interpretive tail flicks and very expressive eyebrow wiggles.

One blustery afternoon, a peculiar object landed with a soft thump near Nutmeg’s favorite oak tree. It was a magnificent, shiny black top hat, the kind a magician might wear. But this top hat was not empty. A small, dignified voice emanated from its plush interior.

“Ahem! Is anyone out there? I seem to have taken an unscheduled aerial detour.”

Nutmeg, startled, froze. She wiggled her eyebrows in confusion.

“Oh, good heavens! Is that a squirrel?” the voice continued. “My name is Algernon. I am a sentient top hat, currently separated from my wizard, Professor Periwinkle, who is, I fear, dreadfully clumsy.”

Nutmeg responded with a rapid series of tail flicks, indicating “Hello, who are you, and why are you talking?”

Algernon, of course, did not understand squirrel tail-flicks. “You’ll have to speak up, my dear creature! My ears are excellent for listening to grand pronouncements, but less so for… wiggles.”

Nutmeg sighed (a very quiet, squirrelly sigh). She picked up a particularly large acorn and dropped it into Algernon. It landed with a hollow thunk.

“Ah! A gesture of friendship! How delightful!” Algernon exclaimed. “Perhaps you could assist me? I need to find my way back to Professor Periwinkle. He’s usually found near… well, near where magical mishaps tend to occur.”

Nutmeg, despite her usual reluctance to engage, was intrigued. A talking hat was far more interesting than even the juiciest pinecone. She decided to help. Using a series of nudges and pushes, she began rolling Algernon across the park.

Their journey was slow and filled with comical miscommunications. Nutmeg would point a paw, Algernon would interpret it as a request for a riddle. Nutmeg would make a frantic series of chirps and stomps to warn of an approaching dog, and Algernon would loudly declare, “Splendid! Is that a carriage of some sort? Take me to the nearest tea house!”

They rolled past a group of children playing hide-and-seek. “Look, a runaway hat!” one child giggled. They rolled past a very confused swan on the pond. They even rolled right into the middle of a rather intense chess match between two elderly gentlemen, causing a significant disruption.

Finally, Nutmeg spotted him. A dishevelled man in a purple cloak was frantically waving a smoking wand, accidentally turning a fountain into a pile of brightly colored rubber ducks. Professor Periwinkle!

Nutmeg gave Algernon a mighty push, sending him rolling right to the Professor’s feet.

“Algernon! My dear chapeau!” Professor Periwinkle cried, scooping up his hat. “Where have you been? I was so worried! And who is this resourceful little friend?”

Nutmeg merely bowed her head, gave a polite tail flick, and scampered off. Algernon, however, called out, “Professor, this delightful squirrel was my guide! Quite the adventurous sort, though a bit… quiet.”

Nutmeg, from the safety of her oak tree, watched Professor Periwinkle magically un-duck the fountain. She still didn't speak. But she knew she had helped, and sometimes, a silent helper was the best kind of helper of all. And occasionally, Algernon would send her a small, perfectly polished, dropped coin as a thank you.