The Hippo Learns to Sleep in Bed

    By Storybird

    The Hippo Learns to Sleep in Bed cover image

    02 Feb, 2024

    a hippo is standing in a river at night time with the sun in the background and trees and grass, sots art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, storybook illustration

    Once upon a time, in a vast African savannah, lived a small, curious hippo named Huggo. Huggo loved to splash around in the cool river during the day. But when the night fell, unlike other hippos who slept in the muddy river banks, Huggo had a different idea.

    a cartoon hippo sitting on a bed in a bedroom with a night light on the nightstand and a night lamp on the nightstand, furry art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, official art

    Huggo had seen human children sleeping in warm, cozy beds when he had wandered near the village. He decided that he too wanted to experience the comfort of a bed. So, he embarked on a mission to learn how to sleep in one.

    a hippo sitting in a field with a sunset in the background and clouds in the sky above it, furry art, a character portrait, Amédée Ozenfant, trending on furaffinity

    Huggo's first task was to find a suitable bed. He looked around the savannah but couldn't find anything that resembled a bed. He felt a little disheartened but didn't lose hope.

    a hippo standing on a dirt road in front of a sunset with a safari vehicle in the background, private press, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, comic cover art

    The next day, Huggo was roaming around the edge of the savannah when he saw some villagers carrying a large, wooden, rectangular object. It was a bed! Huggo felt his heart leap with joy.

    a hippo standing in a field next to a pond at night with a full moon in the background, furry art, a storybook illustration, Amédée Ozenfant, storybook illustration

    Late in the night, when everyone was asleep, Huggo sneaked into the village and managed to roll the bed back to the savannah. However, he was puzzled about how to use it.

    a hippo sitting on a bed in a bedroom with a rug on the floor and a lamp on the nightstand, furry art, a storybook illustration, Cedric Seaut (Keos Masons), furaffinity

    The following day, Huggo tried to climb onto the bed, but it was much harder than he had thought. He tried again and again, but each time, he would slip and fall.

    a couple of giraffe standing next to each other in a forest filled with trees and plants and a butterfly, naturalism, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, highly detailed digital painting

    Seeing Huggo struggle, a friendly giraffe named Gigi decided to help. She advised Huggo to take a running start and then jump onto the bed.

    a hippo and a giraffe are standing on a bed in a field with trees and a sunset, private press, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, storybook illustration

    Huggo took a deep breath, ran as fast as he could, and with a great leap, he landed on the bed. He was so happy that he let out a loud cheer, which woke up all the animals in the savannah.

    a hippo and her baby are standing in the water near the trees and rocks in the forest,, lyco art, a storybook illustration, Amédée Ozenfant, storybook illustration

    Now, Huggo faced another problem. The bed was hard and uncomfortable. He missed his soft muddy riverbed. However, he was determined to make this work.

    a hippo standing in a village with a few other animals around it and a building with thatched roof, sots art, a storybook illustration, Cedric Seaut (Keos Masons), official art

    The next day, Huggo saw some villagers carrying soft, fluffy objects. He realized they were pillows and blankets. He decided to borrow them for his bed.

    a hippo sitting on a bed in a bedroom with a night sky background and a lamp on the nightstand, furry art, a storybook illustration, Andries Stock, trending on furaffinity

    That night, Huggo climbed onto his bed, which was now adorned with soft pillows and cozy blankets. He snuggled in and closed his eyes. However, he was not used to the silence and missed the soothing sound of the river.

    a giraffe and two hippos in a jungle setting with a river and trees in the background, primitivism, a storybook illustration, Andries Stock, promotional image

    Huggo was about to give up when Gigi came up with another idea. She suggested Huggo to move his bed near the river so he could hear the water's lullaby.

    a giraffe and a hippo are sitting on a rock by a river with a waterfall in the background, lyco art, a storybook illustration, Andries Both, promotional image

    Huggo and Gigi together moved the bed near the river. The sound of the flowing water was soothing, and Huggo felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him.

    a group of animals that are sitting on a bed together in the night sky with stars and a light, space art, a storybook illustration, Abidin Dino, storybook illustration

    That night, under the starlit sky, Huggo finally slept peacefully in his bed. The other animals watched in amazement, as the small hippo had achieved what he had set out to do.

    a cartoon hippo standing in a village with a sunset in the background and a house with a giraffe on the sidewalk, furry art, a storybook illustration, Clovis Trouille, promotional image

    The next morning, Huggo woke up feeling refreshed and happy. He thanked Gigi for her help and promised to return the bed and the bedding back to the villagers.

    a child is standing next to a giraffe and a giraffe is holding a box with a number on it, magical realism, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, storybook illustration

    Huggo and Gigi returned everything back to the village when everyone was asleep. The villagers were surprised to find their things back in the morning, but were glad nonetheless.

    a hippo standing on a rock in the water at night with the moon in the sky above it, fantasy art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, storybook illustration

    That night, Huggo went back to his muddy riverbed. He now understood that each creature has its own comfort. For him, it was the cool mud and the soothing river's lullaby.

    a hippo sitting on the ground next to a river at sunset or dawn with trees and grass around, sots art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, official art

    From that day on, Huggo never tried to sleep in a bed again. He was content with his mud bed by the river. His adventurous spirit, however, continued to inspire the animals in the savannah.

    a hippo standing in a field with flowers and trees in the background and birds flying overhead in the sky, environmental art, a storybook illustration, Chris LaBrooy, official art

    And so, the story of Huggo's unique adventure spread across the savannah, reminding everyone that it's okay to try new things, but it's also okay to be happy with what you have.

    a hippo is sitting in the water at sunset or dawn, with a smile on his face and mouth, sots art, a storybook illustration, Andries Stock, storybook illustration

    As for Huggo, he continued to splash around in the river during the day, and sleep peacefully in his muddy bed at night, always ready for a new adventure when the sun rose.

    The Hippo Learns to Sleep in Bed

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