Bubbles the Bear and the Bathtub Rules - A Children's Story

Bubbles the Bear and the Bathtub Rules

By Bill Conley
America’s Favorite Children’s Storyteller and Author

Moral of the Story
Bath time is for having fun and getting clean. Bubbles are wonderful when they stay in the bathtub. Water is for washing our bodies and our fur. Big splashes that leave the tub can make the floor slippery. Listening to parents keeps everyone safe and happy.
Good choices at bath time show respect for our home. A clean body helps us feel fresh and ready for rest. The best bubbles stay where they belong and make bath time joyful.

Bubbles was a little brown bear that lived with Mama Bear and Papa Bear in a small, cozy house near the forest. Bubbles loved to play. She loved to run. She loved to jump. But most of all, she loved bath time.

One evening, Mama Bear called from the bathroom.
“Bubbles, it is bath time.”

Bubbles came running as fast as her little bear paws could go. Her eyes were bright. Her smile was big. She saw the warm water in the tub and the bottle of bubble soap on the side.

“Can we have bubbles, Mama?” Bubbles asked.

“Yes,” Mama Bear said, “but remember our bathtub rules. We have fun. We get clean. We keep the bubbles and the water in the tub.”

Bubbles nodded. “I remember,” she said. “I will try my best.”

Mama Bear poured the bubble soap into the water. Soon, soft white bubbles grew bigger and bigger. They covered the top of the water like a fluffy cloud.

Bubbles climbed into the tub. The water felt warm. The bubbles tickled her fur. She laughed.
“Bubbles, bubbles everywhere,” she sang.

She scooped up a pile of bubbles in her paws and put them on her head like a silly hat. She made a bubble beard on her chin. She giggled, and Mama Bear smiled.

“Now wash your ears,” Mama Bear said.
Bubbles washed her ears.

“Now wash your paws.”
Bubbles washed her paws.

“Now wash your belly.”
Bubbles washed her belly and laughed again.

Bubbles felt so happy that she wanted to splash. She lifted her paws and slapped the water. A little splash stayed inside the tub. That was fine.

But then she slapped the water again, harder this time. A big splash jumped over the side of the tub and landed on the floor.

Mama Bear held up her paw. “Stop for a moment, Bubbles,” she said. “Look at the floor.”

Bubbles looked. Water was on the tile. It began to spread in a thin, shiny pool.

“If more water comes out,” Mama Bear said, “the floor will be slippery. Someone could fall. Remember our bathtub rules. Keep the bubbles and the water in the tub.”

Bubbles felt a little sad. “I forgot,” she said. “I was having so much fun.”

Mama Bear gave her a gentle smile. “Fun is good,” she said. “We just need to be wise while we have fun. You can still play with the bubbles. Just keep your splashes small so they stay inside.”

Bubbles thought for a moment. She did not want anyone to slip. She did not want to make more work for Mama Bear. She wanted to show that she could listen.

“Okay, Mama,” Bubbles said. “I can do that.”

She began to play again, but this time she moved more carefully. She made tiny waves with her paws, keeping them inside the tub. She blew bubbles into the air and watched them pop before they reached the edge.

“Look,” Bubbles said, “I can still have fun. The bubbles stay in their bathtub home.”

Papa Bear walked by the door and peeked in. “Bath time looks wonderful,” he said. “And I see a clean bear and a dry floor. That is a smart bear.”

Bubbles felt proud. Her fur was clean. The tub was full of bubbles. The floor was safe. She had fun and followed the rules.

When the water began to cool, Mama Bear pulled the plug. The water and bubbles swirled down the drain. Bubbles stepped out carefully. Mama Bear wrapped her in a soft towel and held her close.

“You did very well tonight,” Mama Bear said. “You had bubbles, bubbles everywhere in the tub, and not on the floor.”

Bubbles smiled and snuggled into the towel. “I like our bathtub rules,” she said. “They help me have fun and keep our home safe.”

Then Bubbles the Bear padded off to bed, clean, warm, and happy, ready for sweet dreams of bubbles that always stayed in the bathtub.

Moral of the Story Poem

Bubbles the Bear loves tub time at night.
Warm water and soap make her fur clean and bright.
Bubbles, bubbles everywhere, float high and low.
But they stay in the tub, so the floor stays dry below.
She listens to Mama and splashes with care.
She shows love for her home with each choice she shares.
A clean little bear with a safe bathroom floor.
Bath time like this makes her want it even more.

Discussion Questions

1.     Why is it important to keep the bubbles and water inside the bathtub?

2.     How did Bubbles show that she was listening to her parents?

3.     What are some rules in your home that keep everyone safe and happy?