Music Welcome to Snewscast, the podcast designed to help you fall asleep. Find us at snoozecast.com and if you enjoy our show, please share us with a friend. This episode is brought to you by Moon Flowers. Tonight, we'll read the story titled The Bunnaken's Bunnies and the Moon King, written by Edith B. Davidson and published in 1912. In this early science fiction story geared towards children, the Bunniken Bunnies go on a family vacation to the Moon via the Milky Way. While traveling to the Moon was not possible when this book was published in 1912, scientists were diligently laying down groundwork for the future accomplishments. In 1903, a Russian study showed that physical space exploration was theoretically possible using rockets. And by the end of the 1910s, an influential paper from the US discussed reaching extreme altitudes through rocketry. As for the Bunnaken's Bunnies, you will soon learn that their means of transportation was not on a rocket ship, but on a vehicle that looked much like a fishing boat but with large wings. Let's get cozy. Close your eyes. Relax your body into the softness of your bed.

Now, take a few all over. Mrs. Bunny gave him some cayenne pepper tea, and then put him to bed well wrapped up in blankets,

and with a hot water bottle to keep his totows warm. Very funny he looked with his long ears, sticking out of his blue and white nightcap. In the afternoon, his friend, Mr. Gray squirrel, dropped in to see him and said at once, what you need is a change of air and I know just the thing for you to do. Come for a trip to the moon with me in my new airship. You'll have plenty of fresh air and not too much, unless we happen to fall into the sun. Oh, no, no! Cryed poor Mrs. Bunikin's bunny, almost in tears, I simply cannot let Mr. Bunikin's ghost sailing in the air. He would surely fall out of the ship, or get lost in the clouds, and I should never see him anymore. But Mr. Bunekins liked the idea, and at once set his heart on going. He talked so much about it, that at last Mrs. Bunek consented, if she and the children might go too, so that they could all fall out of the airship together. As Mr. Grace Squirrel had told them that the journey would be very cold, Mr. Bunnockins Bunny had a great time buying ulsters and overshoes, caps and mittens. Most of his lovely hats he decided to leave at home as he was afraid they might be blown away. By the end of the week, they were all ready to start. Bobtail and Rosamond, Rudy and Chippy having scarcely slept for nights from excitement. The airship was most comfortably arranged with nice little cabins in which to eat and sleep, and the sides were so high that no one could possibly fall over the edge. Mr. Gray squirrel had hired Captain Hawk to steer the airship by day and Admiral Owl to keep a careful look at it night. The children were rather afraid of Captain Hawk with his bright eyes and sharp beak, but they all love to talk to old Admiral

Owl, although he was always very sleepy when the sun was shining. Above the clouds, Chapter 2. Then fine morning away they flew, circling round and round, up and up, until the earth lay far below. Numbers of strange birds flew about them, and one big gray one, with long feathery ears and a huge beak, frightened little Rosamond dreadfully by perching on the airship close beside her. Day after day, they sailed past beautiful stars and planets. Until one morning, they came to a very large cluster of star islands, which were thickly covered with herds of snow-white cows. Those cows belonged to the King of the Moon, said Captain Hawk, and they give so much milk that the islands are called the Milky Way. We are not far from the moon now." That same day, towards evening, they came to a great, round island entirely made of rocks and ice. "'Let's not stop here,' said Mr. Bunniken's bunny with a shiver. It is so cold that I think the tip of my left ear is frozen.' "'But this is the island of the moon,' exclaimed Admiral Owl, blinking his round eyes. Oh, how I wished that I had stayed at home! Growned poor Mr. Bunnakins. Mrs. Bunny did not want to come anyhow, and now we shall all freeze into icicles. No, dear. Oh, dear.

Never mind," said his kind little wife, we will wrap up warmly, and perhaps we shall have some slaying. Sure enough, when they landed, they found a nice slay, drawn by four reindeer, ready to to carry them to the hotel.

In spite, however, of wearing two ulsters, fur lined over shoes, a big moth, and a fur cap tied down under his chin, Mr. Bunikin's bunnies whiskers, which were all you could see of him, fairly shook with the cold. The hotel was all made of ice so that everybody outside could see you inside, and everybody inside could see you outside. It was well heated, and there were warm carpets on the floors, but Mr. Bunakins would not be comforted. He sat in a big armchair close to the fire, with his toe toes drawn up under him, shivering and groaning. had a very queer supper of dried potato pie, dried apple dumpling, and dried lettuce and carrot cake. For as nothing grows on the cold island of the moon, everything to eat has to be brought a long distance in airships, and it all dries up on the way. The Island of the Moon Chapter 3 As Mr. Bunikin's bunny was very anxious to see the moon king and his beautiful palace, they all started out the next morning to visit him. At first they were told that they could not see the king, as he slept all day and was very busy all night, but finally they were invited to come to the palace that evening at eight o'clock. They spent the rest of the day slaying and seeing the island. The houses were all made of ice, and there were no trees, no flowers, not even a blade of grass. The people were so huge that they terrified the children, and Rosamond kept tight hold of her father's paw. No bunnies or squirrels had ever been seen in the moon before, and the people admired them very much. One little giant girl cried tears as big as dollars because she could not keep rosamond for a plaything. And when she picked her up in her big hands to pet her, the poor little bunny was so frightened she shivered. As soon as he had eaten his supper, Mr. Bunikens bunny hurried off to dress for the Moon King's party. He tried one thing and then another until poor Mrs. Bunikens was quite tired out trying to help him, and thought he never would be ready in time. At last, he decided to wear a beautiful blue velvet suit, embroidered in gold, and a very fine green and white hat all trimmed with ostrich feathers. To keep himself warm, he had a velvet cape lined with fur, and, as a finishing touch, he wore a little gold sword. Mrs. Bunockins advised him not to, as she was afraid it would be in his way, but Mr. Bunockins Bunny insisted that a sword was the proper thing to wear at court. Bobtail and Rudy Squirrel had tied bright red bows on themselves wherever they could find a place, and Rosamond shouted with laughter whenever she looked at them. The Palace of the Moon King, Chapter 4 The palace was made entirely of blocks of ice, most beautifully carved, the walls being lined with silk so that nobody could look in. It was brilliantly lighted, and on each of the broad steps stood a giant soldier in scarlet and gold uniform. Two big footmen led the Bunikins bunnies and the grey squirrels through one grand room after another until they came to a great silver door, on which one of the footmen knocked twice with a silver wand. As the door slowly opened, the bunnaken's bunnies and and the gray squirrels were so dazzled by the flood of light

that for a moment they all covered their faces with their paws. Then they looked up and saw the most wonderful room. It was made of purest white ice.

The floors being covered with great white rugs, and the walls with silvery silk. The furniture was of ivory in late with silver, And in every corner stood a tall silver vase full of moon flowers which perfumed the air. At one end of the great room was a silver throne, on which was seated a gigantic figure clad in a misty white garment, from which the silvery moonbeams stretched out in every direction, so that the whole room was filled with a shimmering light. In front of the king was a great round window through which he was intently gazing.

His head was quite bald. His cheeks were fat. He had a big mouth, and his eyes were very large and round as he turned with a

and had a big mouth, and his eyes were very large and round. As he turned with a pleasant smile to greet the Bunikens bunnies and the Grace squirrels, they were very much astonished to recognize the man in the moon, whom they had so often seen, sitting up high in the sky. Draw the cloud curtain, he said to one of the footmen, who at once pulled a heavy grey curtain across the great window. in a very gentle voice for such a huge being, he added,

come forward my little people. I am made a polite bow, and Mrs. Bunny and Mrs. Squirrel made nice little curtsies, but poor Mr. Bunkin's bunny in the middle of a most elegant bow, got his legs so twisted up with his sword that he turned a complete summer salt right into the moon king's lap. Never mind said the king as he kindly helped him to his feet, accidents will happen. Have a piece of cheese. On the broad arm of the king's throne was a plate full of green cheese, of which he took a large piece himself, after offering it to the bunnies and the squirrels. Do you make your own cheese?" asked Mrs. Bunnykin's bunny, as she tasted it. It is made for me in the Milky Way. Replied the moon king. No cows have been allowed in the moon since a very rude one jumped right over my head many years ago. Just then there was a loud squeal from the other end of the room. Bob-tail had found the strange cheese so horrid that he simply could not eat it. He had wandered off, hoping to find some dark corner in which to hide it, and had stumbled into a mouse trap, and been caught by the lag. Dear, dear," said the king, as they all ran to help poor Bobtail.

I'm so sorry, but you see, my slick cheese almost as much as I do, and so I have to set traps everywhere. Now you shall have a peep out for my lookout window. He continued, taking Bobtail by the paw. Far, far below, they could see the great round earth, looking like a little ball, but it made them all so dizzy that they did not look very long. Do you never get sleepy?

Ask. so dizzy that they did not look very long. Do you never get sleepy? Asked Mrs. Grace Grille. Not very often. Answered the moon king. There are times when I can watch with one eye. Then I have taught the other eye to go to sleep. II thought you had a dog,' said Mr. Buniken's bunny. "'I did have a very fine yellow dog, but alas, I lost him long ago. In the king with a sigh, wiped away a tear. His name was Ebenezer, but we called him Sneezer for short, because he was so fond of mouse patties flavored with pepper, which made him sneeze. He was always chasing cats. One day he heard one meow, and jumping on the ledge of my great window, he slipped and fell out, and I don't know where. Since then, however, so many yellow dogs have been seen on the island of Sirius that it is now called the Dog Star, and I believe that Sneezer landed there. While the king had been talking, the children had crept behind the cloud curtain to try and see the dog star. Bobtail had leaned out so far that he lost his balance and would have surely surely gone to join Sneezer, had not one of the King's footmen grabbed him by his short tail. As it was now late, the Bunakins bunnies and the Grey squirrels, after thanking the King for his kindness said goodbye.

And the cloud curtain being drawn back, the king of the moon gaze down once more upon the sleeping earth. the island of Mars. Chapter 6.

Early now. The Island of Mars Chapter 6 Early next morning, as soon as the sun had risen and the king of the moon had gone to bed, the bunnaken's bunnies and the grey squirrels went on board the airship, and sailed off toward the island of Mars. The children begged Captain Hawk to stop at the dog's star and see Sneezer, but neither Mr. Bunekins nor Mr. Gray squirrel was willing to, as they were both very much afraid of dogs. Several days ofs and contrary winds, they arrived at the great island of Mars. As they came near the shore, they were astonished to see two squatty little men walking about on their heads with their heels in the air. No sooner had Bobtail and Rudy Squirrel landed, then they scampered off to look at the funny men. When they came near them, however, they were walking on their feet. They told Bobtail that they could walk as easily on one end as the other, and so by changing, they were never tired. When Mr. Bunnykin's bunny asked the way to the nearest town, the little men offered to go with them as it was not far off. The village looked very pretty as they approached, surrounded by fruit trees and gardens of flowers, but the houses seemed most peculiar. The doors were at the top of the houses, the chimneys smoked close to the ground, and the people went into their homes by an outside staircase. One of the little men told Mr. Gray Squirrel that all the houses and Mars were built that way, and he had never seen any other kind. When they arrived at the hotel, they were escorted to the front door by the landlord, who hopped up the outside staircase before them on his head. They went into a big hall at the top of the house, from which a broad staircase led down stairs to upstairs rooms. The upside-down house, Chapter 7. When the Bunnaken's bunnies and the Grace Scrolls saw their bedrooms, they did not know what to do. The chandeliers stood up from the floors, and in the corners were little stairways leading up to the ceilings on which all the furniture was nicely arranged. Mrs. Bunny wondered how she would ever keep the children from falling out of bed. While Mr. Bunny can's bunny sat down on a corner of chandelier, and held his bewildered head between his front paws. "'If we stay here long,' said he, "'I shall go crazy, and you will have to keep me in a cage.'" Meanwhile, the children were racing up and down the little stairways and trying the beds and chairs on the ceiling. It was quite easy for the squirrel children to hang on, but it was very difficult for Bobtail and Rosamond Bunny, and it ended by Bobtail suddenly falling right on top of his father. Who thought that the furniture was coming down? Bobtail was well-scaleded, and after that he and Rosemond were forbidden to climb on the ceiling. The landlord was hurt that they did not like his fine rooms, but to please them he at last promised to put some beds on his ceiling, which they called a floor. After a good dinner, they went out to walk, and everywhere they saw the most curious sites. All the houses and shops were built upside down and many of the people walked that way. They were good-natured, fat little people with big heads, long black hair and small, bright eyes. They wore very colorful clothes, red, blue, and yellow being their favorite colors. And Mr. Bunnacans fine hat and beautiful clothes were immensely admired. In fact, the people crowded so closely about the grey squirrels and the bunnikins bunnies and admired them so much that at last they hurried themselves all back to the hotel. Back to Earth. Chapter 8 in the middle of the night. Mr. Gray squirrel woke up to find Mr. Bunikens bunny in his blue and white night cap, standing by his bedside with a lighted candle in his paw. What is the matter? Asked Mr. Gray squirrel, sitting up in bed. Oh, dear me! Growned poor Mr. Bunnocken's bunny, I can't go to sleep. For every time that I do, I dream that the furniture is falling off the ceiling, or that I am walking on my head. Would you be willing to leave this place before breakfast?" Yes, indeed. Replied Mr. Gracequirl, I'm ready to go whenever you are. Besides, continued Mr. Bunikin's bunny, I think that the people here are becoming much too fond of us, and if we stay any longer, they may not let us go away at all. I'm sure that I don't want to spend the rest of my life walking on my head in an upside-down house. They waked up Mrs. Bunny, Mrs. Grace Squirrel, and the children as soon as it was light, and creeping quietly up the bake staircase.

These grey squirrel and the children as soon as it was light and creeping quietly up the bake staircase, they stole out of the house. At each street corner, Mr. Bunikins had a fresh surprise, but they met no one. And before the people were stirring in the village, they were safely on board the airship. If you don't mind, I'd rather not stop at any more islands," said Mr. Bunakins. In fact, I think I should like to go home. Grace Squirrel was quite willing, so down they went. Circling, round and round. Lower and lower. Until at the end of the second day, they were close to the earth. What a sigh of relief Mr. Bunikens bunny gave, as he set his foot once more on familiar ground. As they said goodbye, he thanked Mr. Grace Gwirl warmly and assured him that he had a most wonderful trip. But as they walked towards home, he said to Mrs. Bunockens, Well, my dear, I have always thought that I should like to be a bird and fly in the air. But now, I am quite contented to be myself and stay on the good old solid earth.