Chester Raccoon lay down his head.

“The sun is up. It’s time for bed.

Dream sweet dreams,” said Mrs. Raccoon.

“There’s nothing to fear in the afternoon.”

But the spot of sun on the wooden floor

Crept slowly toward the treehouse door.

It moved like the crocodile in his book.

Chester Raccoon was afraid to look.

The sunlit shadows on the ceiling danced

With six-foot spiders in baggy pants.

A cloud rolled by and the sun went black,

And the spiders jumped on the old croc’s back.

When the sun returned to Chester’s lair,

A giant shadow of a hungry bear

Shone upon the treehouse wall.

Chester could hardly breathe at all.

With one eye open, one eye shut,

He watched a sunspot prance and strut

Across the floor to his brother’s bed.

Chester Raccoon buried his head.

His mother came and said, “My dear,

Rays of sun are not to fear.”

She kissed the hand of the little raccoon

To give him sweet dreams in the afternoon.

Chester turned and shut his eyes

And dreamed of catching fireflies.

His mother’s words were soft and sweet

And the little cub fell fast asleep.