Hector & Sunny Meet The Scaredy Cats 🐕🐈‍⬛ Rewind Halloween Bedtime Story

[00:00:10] Hello and welcome back to Koala Moon, a podcast of original children's bedtime stories and meditations designed to make bedtime a dream.

[00:00:21] Tonight's story features two of our favourite funny and furry friends, Hector and Sunny, but it also stars a couple of cat characters too.

[00:00:31] The first one has been suggested by listeners Ariella and Anya who live in Sheffield with their own little scaredy cat called Bonnie.

[00:00:40] Their mum, Abby, great name, wrote to us asking if perhaps Coco could help Bonnie get over her fears and our super talented writer Susanna has taken on the mission.

[00:00:52] And just to make the challenge a little tougher for herself, she also decided to include listener Charlie Kay's pet, a tuxedo cat called Taco.

[00:01:03] As he really wanted Taco to meet Hector and Sunny and to go on an adventure with them.

[00:01:09] Before we begin, a quick message for the grown-ups.

[00:01:12] If you'd like to support our podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, unlock four bonus stories per month and much, much more, you can join Coco Club.

[00:01:23] Subscribe in just two taps via the link in the show notes.

[00:01:27] But now here's a quick word from our sponsors.

[00:01:31] So, as a thank you for all your loyal listening, here it is, all wrapped up into a mega fun Halloween special.

[00:01:42] It begins as Hector and Sunny are transported to sleepy forest by their good friend Sydney the squirrel.

[00:01:48] And there they meet two cats who aren't celebrating the spooky holiday at all.

[00:01:53] They are scaredy cats.

[00:01:55] And they're too afraid to leave the house on Halloween.

[00:02:00] Luckily, Hector and Sunny are there to show them that Halloween doesn't have to be scary if you don't want it to be.

[00:02:06] In fact, it can be just fun.

[00:02:10] Now jump into bed, if you're not already, and lie back.

[00:02:14] Perhaps close your eyes or just relax them as you take some nice deep breaths.

[00:02:20] This is Hector and Sunny meet the scaredy cats by Susanna McLaughlin.

[00:02:33] One chilly night, two dogs were in the warm sitting room of a cosy little house, putting on their costumes.

[00:02:42] One of the dogs was a toffee-coloured cocker spaniel with dazzling eyes named Sunny.

[00:02:47] And the other one was a golden retriever with a big smile named Hector.

[00:02:51] Their owners had spent all afternoon making their costumes, and now were giggling as they dressed the dogs up.

[00:02:59] And Hector and Sunny were giggling along.

[00:03:02] Sunny's owner zipped up Sunny's costume with one last chuckling snort.

[00:03:06] It was shaped like a bread bun.

[00:03:09] So Sunny was the sausage that made up the hot dog.

[00:03:13] A zigzag of red and yellow ran down her back as sauce, and Sunny's owner said she looked absolutely delicious.

[00:03:22] Hector couldn't stop laughing.

[00:03:24] It was such a funny costume.

[00:03:27] And Sunny grinned along.

[00:03:29] She thought the ketchup really brought out the blue of her eyes.

[00:03:33] Hector's owner looked over his shoulder as he finished tying Hector's neck scarf,

[00:03:38] and laughed at Sunny, reaching over to pat her head.

[00:03:43] You look delightful, Sunny, he said.

[00:03:46] As do you, Hector, he added, sitting back to admire his handiwork.

[00:03:52] Hector was looking dashing, in a pink cowboy hat and denim jeans,

[00:03:57] with a sheriff badge on his chest and four cowboy boots on his paws.

[00:04:02] Now it was Sunny's turn to giggle.

[00:04:06] You look like a real cowboy, she said.

[00:04:10] A cow dog!

[00:04:12] The two dogs' owners were about to take them for an evening walk,

[00:04:16] so they could watch the trick-or-treaters and admire their costumes.

[00:04:21] As they walked down the road, they marveled at glowing lanterns and spooky decorations.

[00:04:27] There were cotton wool spider webs draped from doors,

[00:04:31] and funny skeletons waving from the windows.

[00:04:35] Trick-or-treaters passed by in costumes, which Hector and Sunny guessed as they passed.

[00:04:41] One little girl was dressed as a fairy,

[00:04:45] holding a chattering pair of pretend false teeth.

[00:04:48] Sunny chuckled and barked,

[00:04:51] It's the tooth fairy!

[00:04:54] A group of little boys were disguised as superheroes,

[00:04:58] and a brother and sister dressed as a lion and a tiger,

[00:05:02] holding paws as they approached a shiny red door, calling,

[00:05:07] Trick-or-treat!

[00:05:09] Every single one of them was clutching a bucket full of candy and chocolate.

[00:05:15] Hector licked his chops.

[00:05:17] That candy looks delicious, he said.

[00:05:23] He sniffed the air.

[00:05:25] And it smells delicious too.

[00:05:28] He sniffed once more, more thoughtfully this time.

[00:05:34] I think I smell something else in the air too.

[00:05:40] Hector's eyes gleamed, and Sunny's gleamed back.

[00:05:46] Can you smell magic, Hector? She asked.

[00:05:52] Hector nodded and said he had a feeling they might be about to go on an adventure.

[00:06:01] Just then all the hustle and bustle stopped.

[00:06:05] Hector and Sunny's owners froze.

[00:06:09] As did the little costumed ghosts, wizards, and animals that surrounded them.

[00:06:16] A rustle alerted the two dogs to the little girl nearest to them, the tooth fairy.

[00:06:22] Out of a pile of candy in her bucket popped a silver shining head.

[00:06:29] Atop of it was a shining black wig.

[00:06:32] They quickly recognized this stowaway.

[00:06:36] Sydney the squirrel wriggled out of the candy pile and put his arms in the air shouting,

[00:06:42] Trick or treat!

[00:06:45] The two dogs chuckled.

[00:06:47] Sydney was wearing a white jumpsuit covered in silver sparkling gems and holding a microphone.

[00:06:55] Are you Elvis Presley? Sunny smiled.

[00:06:59] Sidney lifted his wig and grinned.

[00:07:03] No, Sunny.

[00:07:05] It's me, Sydney, he whispered.

[00:07:09] I'm just dressed like Elvis for Halloween.

[00:07:13] The two dogs chuckled.

[00:07:17] Are you here to send us on an adventure?

[00:07:21] Hector asked.

[00:07:23] Sydney was always thinking of crazy adventures to send the two dogs on.

[00:07:27] He was like their magical guardian angel.

[00:07:31] Sydney nodded.

[00:07:33] I was just gathering silver acorns in sleepy forest and I saw all the animals getting dressed up in all sorts of kooky costumes.

[00:07:44] It made me wonder what funny get ups you two would be wearing.

[00:07:50] You didn't disappoint.

[00:07:53] Anyway, then I thought you two might want to go trick or treating too.

[00:08:00] The humans won't understand if you ask them for candy.

[00:08:04] But the animals of sleepy forest will.

[00:08:09] Hector and Sunny barked in excitement.

[00:08:13] Oh, yes please, Sydney, they said.

[00:08:16] They had been itching to go back to sleepy forest since their last trip.

[00:08:21] And they knew Spooky the bush baby through the most amazing Halloween party every year.

[00:08:28] Sydney pointed to the gleaming red door on the house nearest the dogs, where a silver shimmering portal appeared.

[00:08:35] It's just that way, the squirrel said.

[00:08:40] As always, just bark three times to return.

[00:08:44] Happy Halloween!

[00:08:46] The two dogs wished Sydney a happy Halloween back and hurried through the portal.

[00:08:52] The street melted away to be replaced by trees decorated with fairy lights and dotted with jack-o'-lanterns.

[00:09:02] The cow dog and the hot dog grinned at one another.

[00:09:06] At their feet were two silver plastic buckets, perfect for trick or treating.

[00:09:12] They walked through the trees, oohing and aahing at the delicate fairy lights, paper garlands, and glowing pumpkins that decorated the path.

[00:09:24] Not far ahead of them, glowing between the trees were the windows of a little wooden cabin, which they recognized immediately.

[00:09:33] The two dogs grabbed their buckets and trotted over to the cabin, climbing onto the porch and knocking on the door with huge grins.

[00:09:43] Sunny counted them down.

[00:09:45] Three, one.

[00:09:49] And the dogs barked in unison.

[00:09:53] Trick or treat!

[00:09:54] The door swung open to reveal a pair of fuzzy grey ears poking out of a sheet.

[00:10:02] Two shining eyes looked at them from two holes cut in the front.

[00:10:06] A little happy squeal filled the air.

[00:10:11] Hector and Sunny, the little voice said, and Hector and Sunny grabbed him in a cuddle.

[00:10:18] Happy Halloween, Coco, they said.

[00:10:22] The little koala was thrilled to see his two friends again.

[00:10:26] He said he hoped he didn't scare them with his ghost costume.

[00:10:30] Hector and Sunny shook their head.

[00:10:34] Coco didn't look spooky.

[00:10:35] In fact, he looked quite adorable.

[00:10:40] Coco's grandpa appeared behind him and patted the two dogs on their heads.

[00:10:45] He had put on a purple sequined waistcoat for the occasion and wore a headband with two little pumpkins swinging from springs over his head.

[00:10:56] The koalas were about to go trick or treating themselves.

[00:11:00] They just had to wait for the delicious treats they had made to be ready.

[00:11:05] Coco grinned and told them not to worry though.

[00:11:08] They had made toffees this morning, which were all ready to eat.

[00:11:13] He gave two to each dog, one to put in their bucket and one to eat now.

[00:11:18] The toffee stuck Hector's teeth together, so all he could do was make yummy noises in thanks.

[00:11:26] Coco's grandpa told the two dogs that they had better get on with their trick or treating.

[00:11:32] Soon the houses would be empty, as everyone would be at Spooky the bush baby's house for his Halloween party.

[00:11:40] Hector and Sunny nodded and gave Coco one last hug before heading off into the night to knock on the next door.

[00:11:48] Their buckets soon began to fill.

[00:11:51] They were given cookies from a family of pandas in a bamboo hut and sticky Indian sweets from a Malabar squirrel in a tree house.

[00:12:01] They were given clementine oranges from a friendly sloth named Fudge and candied apples from an armadillo named Peanut.

[00:12:11] The next house they knocked on had no decorations, which seemed peculiar.

[00:12:17] It appeared somebody was there.

[00:12:20] Light was glowing from windows.

[00:12:23] Hector and Sunny trotted up to the door and cooed, trick or treat, as usual.

[00:12:30] There was a pause and then a little wobbly voice replied, oh, sorry, nobody's home.

[00:12:39] Hector said that was a shame and spun around to trot off to the next house, but Sunny stopped him.

[00:12:46] The voice was wrong.

[00:12:49] Someone was definitely home.

[00:12:51] Who could have said that if not?

[00:12:54] Sunny called a hello through the door and said it was okay if they had no candy, but were they having a happy Halloween?

[00:13:03] The little voice replied, yes, they were happy, thank you.

[00:13:07] But they weren't having a Halloween.

[00:13:10] Halloween was too scary for them.

[00:13:14] Sunny looked at Hector.

[00:13:17] Halloween wasn't supposed to actually be scary.

[00:13:22] Hector put his snout through the letterbox.

[00:13:25] We're not scary, he said.

[00:13:28] Take a look.

[00:13:30] Two little eyes looked through the letterbox to see Hector in his cowboy outfit and Sunny in her hot dog, both grinning up at them.

[00:13:41] The little voice giggled.

[00:13:43] She called into the house.

[00:13:46] Bonnie, come look.

[00:13:48] These two aren't too spooky, I promise.

[00:13:51] Two more eyes appeared through the letterbox and the second animal chuckled.

[00:13:58] Hector and Sunny heard the doorknob turn and the door opened to show two little cats.

[00:14:05] They both looked a little nervous, but they had sweet smiles and friendly eyes.

[00:14:12] Sorry about that, the first cat said.

[00:14:15] He introduced himself as Taco.

[00:14:17] Taco.

[00:14:18] He was black and white in a pattern that made him look like he was wearing a suit.

[00:14:23] The other cat was fluffy and had big pointy ears.

[00:14:28] We're scaredy cats, Taco said.

[00:14:32] We never go out on Halloween.

[00:14:35] Hector shook his head in disbelief.

[00:14:39] You've never trick-or-treated, he said.

[00:14:43] Or been to a Halloween party?

[00:14:47] Have you never carved a pumpkin so it looks like it's smiling back at you?

[00:14:53] The cats shook their heads.

[00:14:55] Well, that's a shame, Sunny said.

[00:15:01] Halloween isn't scary, it's fun.

[00:15:05] Come with us tonight, we'll look after you.

[00:15:09] The scaredy cats looked at each other hesitantly.

[00:15:14] I know what will make you braver, Sunny said.

[00:15:20] You need costumes, Hector nodded.

[00:15:25] One of you can dress as a brave lion, he said.

[00:15:31] And the other?

[00:15:33] One can be a brave, um, uh, unicorn.

[00:15:39] The cats smiled.

[00:15:42] That sounded like fun.

[00:15:45] They welcomed the dogs into their cabin, and the four of them set about preparing costumes.

[00:15:51] First up was Taco, who wanted to be the unicorn.

[00:15:55] They looked through the cupboards to find something they could use as his horn,

[00:16:00] settling on an empty ice cream cone which they attached to his head with a string.

[00:16:05] They looked through his wardrobe and picked out his shiniest clothes, a silver jacket and shiny blue trousers.

[00:16:14] They made him a long nose out of an egg carton and a tail out of a multicolour feather duster.

[00:16:22] Next it was Bonnie's turn to become a brave lion.

[00:16:26] They took cotton wool and soaked it in tea until it turned golden, then fixed it around Bonnie's face to make a long mane.

[00:16:37] They then covered her fur in golden glitter so that she shone like a lion in the African sun.

[00:16:45] The two cats looked at themselves in the mirror with their mouths hanging open.

[00:16:51] They hardly recognised themselves.

[00:16:55] And you know what?

[00:16:57] They actually felt a little braver already.

[00:17:01] Come on, scaredy cats, Hector and Sonny said.

[00:17:05] Let's go.

[00:17:07] The cowboy, the hot dog, the lion and the unicorn headed off through sleepy forest.

[00:17:15] Nacho and Bonnie looked around them warily at first, but their fear drifted away when they saw the fairy lights and jack-o'-lanterns lighting up the path.

[00:17:27] It's beautiful, Bonnie said.

[00:17:31] Almost as if there's magic in the air.

[00:17:35] Hector nodded.

[00:17:37] He was, after all, an expert on these things.

[00:17:42] It is magic, he said.

[00:17:45] Halloween magic.

[00:17:47] He held his bucket out to the cats and offered them a piece of candy.

[00:17:52] It's the most delicious magic of all, he chuckled.

[00:18:00] The cats munched on toffees and grinned.

[00:18:04] They felt braver by the minute.

[00:18:07] In the distance, the sound of music drifted from between the trees.

[00:18:12] And a glow of light lit the starry sky.

[00:18:17] Sonny explained that Spooky's Halloween party must have started.

[00:18:22] What better way for the scaredy cats to spend their first Halloween?

[00:18:29] The cats looked at each other with alarmed expressions.

[00:18:33] Sonny smiled and took Bonnie's paw.

[00:18:36] His name is Spooky, but he isn't scary.

[00:18:41] He's an adorable little bush baby.

[00:18:45] And he's one of the most friendliest creatures in the whole forest.

[00:18:50] And that's saying something.

[00:18:53] As they approached the clearing where Spooky's teepee stood,

[00:18:57] more and more decorations hung from the trees.

[00:19:01] There were jack-o'-lanterns of all sizes,

[00:19:05] carved with all kinds of friendly faces.

[00:19:08] Hector pointed out too with cat faces, and Bonnie and Taco beamed.

[00:19:15] There were garlands of cute drawings of ghosts and spider webs,

[00:19:20] cauldrons and black cats cut out from paper and hung on strings.

[00:19:26] The sound of chatter and music washed over them as they stepped out into the clearing.

[00:19:34] There were more garlands strung beneath the trees and lights everywhere.

[00:19:41] Costumed animals danced, chattered, ate snacks,

[00:19:46] and waved hello at the arriving guests.

[00:19:50] A big, wispy cloud came floating towards them.

[00:19:55] Two little legs poked out from the bottom, running with a pitter-patter.

[00:20:01] A squeak came from within the cloud.

[00:20:06] Hector and Sonny, Happy Halloween!

[00:20:09] The cloud said.

[00:20:11] Two paws emerged from the cloud and parted some of its fluff,

[00:20:15] revealing the face of Spooky the bush baby.

[00:20:20] Everyone knew Halloween was Spooky's favourite time of the year,

[00:20:25] and his beaming grin confirmed it.

[00:20:29] Spooky looked at the cats confusedly.

[00:20:32] He'd never met this lion before, nor this unicorn.

[00:20:36] The scaredy cats beamed a hello at him.

[00:20:39] The dogs were right.

[00:20:41] Spooky wasn't scary at all.

[00:20:44] Spooky complimented their outfits, and they complimented his in return.

[00:20:50] With so many guests to greet, Spooky was soon off in a whirlwind of fluff,

[00:20:56] leaving Hector, Sonny, and the scaredy cats to enjoy the party.

[00:21:01] Hector sniffed.

[00:21:04] I smell something delicious, he said, trotting off into Spooky's teepee.

[00:21:12] Sonny giggled and told the cats that nothing could keep Hector from the scent of treats.

[00:21:19] By the time the cats made their way to the table,

[00:21:23] Hector was halfway through a bright orange cupcake, which had been iced to look like a pumpkin.

[00:21:30] He smiled a frosting-covered grin and passed Sonny and the cats their own cupcakes.

[00:21:36] Bonnie squeaked when she saw that hers was painted to look like a ghost.

[00:21:42] Then she chuckled and began licking up the icing.

[00:21:46] Before long, a real ghost appeared next to them, piling more treats onto the table.

[00:21:53] He looked at the table.

[00:21:54] Big grey ears indicated once more that this was their little friend, Coco.

[00:22:01] Coco greeted the scaredy cats, who gave him warm hellos.

[00:22:06] They explained that the trio had met one bonfire night when the cats were hiding under the tablecloth from the sound of the fireworks.

[00:22:14] They hadn't looked so different than Coco did now

[00:22:19] Coco told the scaredy cats how happy he was to see them

[00:22:23] And invited the four new friends to join him on the dance floor

[00:22:29] They joined the group of costumed animals boogieing away

[00:22:33] And grooved to the Halloween themed music

[00:22:37] Until they were too thirsty to continue

[00:22:39] At which point they visited the refreshments

[00:22:43] Where Peanut the armadillo was ladling out goblets of pumpkin juice

[00:22:48] They played games and ate toffee-covered apples

[00:22:52] On cosy chairs around the campfire

[00:22:56] By the time the moon was high in the sky

[00:22:59] The animals were beginning to get sleepy

[00:23:03] Bonnie's mane was hanging off

[00:23:06] And someone had taken a bite out of Taco's ice cream cone horn

[00:23:11] But the two cats were grinning from ear to ear

[00:23:16] Hector let out a big yawn

[00:23:19] And Sunny yawned in agreement

[00:23:24] It's time for us to be going, I think, Hector

[00:23:28] Sunny said

[00:23:29] Hector nodded

[00:23:32] The cats wrapped the two dogs up in a hug

[00:23:36] And told them thank you

[00:23:40] Thank you for helping us be less scaredy

[00:23:44] Taco said

[00:23:45] We had a wonderful Halloween

[00:23:49] And we can't wait for next year

[00:23:54] Bonnie added

[00:23:55] I think I want to dress as a pumpkin next year

[00:24:00] And I think Taco would make an amazing wizard

[00:24:05] Hector and Sunny grinned and nodded with agreement

[00:24:09] They were so glad the two cats had had such a wonderful night

[00:24:13] And that they had been a part of it

[00:24:18] They handed over their buckets of candy to the two cats

[00:24:22] Who happily accepted them

[00:24:24] Explaining that their owners may be a little confused

[00:24:28] Over where the two dogs had found them

[00:24:32] Anyway, they'd eaten enough candy tonight

[00:24:34] To last them a year

[00:24:36] The dogs yawned one last yawn

[00:24:40] And barked three times

[00:24:43] Opening up a portal in a nearby tree

[00:24:46] They waggled their paws at the cats

[00:24:49] And walked back through

[00:24:51] They quickly found themselves right where they started

[00:24:56] In their own neighborhood

[00:24:58] Surrounded by their owners

[00:25:00] And a smattering of trick-or-treaters

[00:25:03] Who were still frozen in time

[00:25:07] With cowboy Hector and hot dog Sunny back in position

[00:25:12] The clocks started ticking once more

[00:25:16] And their owners continued to stroll along the pavement

[00:25:20] The children around them kept singing

[00:25:24] Playing, pranking one another

[00:25:27] And playing trick-or-treat on the adults

[00:25:30] The scene was so joyful

[00:25:33] Hector and Sunny decided that they still had the energy

[00:25:38] For a short walk

[00:25:40] They watched their little monsters

[00:25:43] Baby zombies

[00:25:44] And witches and wizards

[00:25:47] Playing in the streets

[00:25:48] With smiley, if sleepy, eyes

[00:25:54] After one loop of the block

[00:25:57] Hector and Sunny sat down at their owners' feet

[00:26:01] And looked up at them

[00:26:04] The pops look awfully sleepy to me

[00:26:07] Hector's owner said to Sunny's owner

[00:26:11] Shall we cut the walk short

[00:26:13] And go back to my house to watch a movie?

[00:26:16] I have pizza and Halloween treats

[00:26:21] Sunny's owner chuckled and nodded

[00:26:23] That sounded absolutely perfect

[00:26:28] Very soon

[00:26:30] Hector and Sunny found themselves curled up in front of the fireplace

[00:26:35] Listening to their owners' chatter

[00:26:38] And the low buzz of the TV

[00:26:41] And slipping off into dreamland

[00:26:46] Hector had refused to take off his cowboy hat

[00:26:50] And dreamt that he was roaming the plains of the new frontier

[00:26:55] Riding a horse to his next adventure

[00:26:59] As for Sunny

[00:27:02] She had happily taken off her costume

[00:27:06] And was dreaming

[00:27:08] The most relaxing dream

[00:27:11] Of being a pumpkin

[00:27:13] In a pumpkin patch

[00:27:16] In a passado

[00:27:16] currents

[00:27:16] What

[00:27:16] You

[00:27:16] I