The Tale of Peter Rabbit｜Bedtime Story for Kids｜Fairy Tale for Young Children

The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Once upon a time, on the edge of a lush green forest, there was a warm little rabbit hole where a lively and mischievous little rabbit named Peter lived. His fur was as soft as a cloud, gray with a hint of white sheen. His ears stood tall, always keenly listening to every sound around him, and his big, round eyes sparkled with curiosity and a love for adventure.
Peter lived a peaceful life with his mother and his three well-behaved siblings. Every morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting a warm glow at the entrance of their rabbit hole. The air was filled with the fragrance of nature, and the little rabbits would hop and skip across the grassy meadow, playing hide and seek.
One morning, Mother Rabbit stood at the entrance of their home and gently instructed Peter and the other children, "My dear little ones, I am going to the market to buy some carrots and greens. You must stay at home and behave yourselves. Especially, do not go to Mr. McGregor's garden. It is dangerous there, and he does not like little rabbits eating his vegetables."
The three little rabbits nodded obediently, their ears drooping slightly to show they understood. But Peter? Peter's little nose twitched, and a sly smile crept across his face. He thought to himself, How exciting an adventure would be!
As soon as Mother Rabbit was out of sight, Peter dashed out of the rabbit hole like a gust of wind. He hopped across the lush green meadow, following a narrow path that led him straight to Mr. McGregor's garden. The garden was surrounded by an old wooden fence, and Peter quickly spotted a small hole in it. Holding his breath, he carefully squeezed through.
What Peter saw made his eyes widen in amazement-it was paradise! Rows of fresh, green lettuce lined the garden, carrots peeked their red heads out of the soil, and pea vines twisted around wooden trellises, heavy with plump, round pods. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and the air was filled with the crisp scent of fresh vegetables.
Peter could not contain his excitement. He leaped forward and sank his teeth into a tender green lettuce leaf, its juicy crunch making him grin. Then, he pulled up a few carrots and devoured them greedily, their sweet red juice staining his little mouth. Licking his lips with satisfaction, Peter thought, This is the tastiest meal I've ever had!
But just then, heavy footsteps echoed from a distance, accompanied by a harsh voice, "Hey! You naughty little rabbit!"
Peter looked up and froze. There was Mr. McGregor, waving a big garden rake and charging toward him. Mr. McGregor's eyebrows were furrowed, his face as red as a ripe apple, and he looked both angry and flustered.
Peter's heart leaped into his throat. Without a moment's hesitation, he turned and bolted! He darted around the lettuce patch, jumped over a row of tomato plants, and heard Mr. McGregor's heavy breathing and shouts of, "Don't let me catch you!" behind him. The ground kicked up dust under Peter's frantic feet, and he even knocked over a flowerpot in his rush. The pot smashed to the ground with a sharp crash.
Peter's ears flattened against his head, his breath coming in quick gasps. What do I do? What do I do? he panicked. The garden was too big, and he soon realized he was lost! Everywhere he looked, there were towering vegetables, and he could not see a way out. Just when he was about to give up hope, he spotted a small gate up ahead.
The gate was slightly ajar, with sunlight streaming through the narrow opening like a ray of hope. Peter took a deep breath and sprinted toward it with all his might. His little belly almost got stuck, but with a wiggle and a push, he popped through with a "thud!"
Peter tumbled onto the soft grass outside, landing on his back with his paws in the air. He lay there, panting heavily, his heart still pounding, and his ears burning with heat. Looking back at the distant garden, he muttered breathlessly, "I am never going to Mr. McGregor's garden again!"
When Peter finally returned home, he was covered in dirt, his ears drooping, and he looked both tired and disheveled. Mother Rabbit had just come back, carrying a basket full of carrots. She frowned when she saw Peter's messy state and asked, "Peter, where have you been today?"
Peter hung his head, his ears drooping even further. "I... I just went for a little walk," he mumbled softly.
Mother Rabbit sighed, shaking her head gently. She handed Peter a warm cup of chamomile tea. "Drink this and rest, my dear. Next time, you must listen and stay out of trouble."
That night, Peter lay on his soft bed of grass, the moonlight streaming quietly through the entrance of the rabbit hole. As he thought about his dangerous adventure, he felt a little scared but couldn't help smiling to himself. He whispered, "Maybe next time, I'll be more careful."