Since I don't know the exact 'brackley and the bed' story, it could be about a character named Brackley and an event related to a bed. Maybe Brackley had a special experience in the bed, like a dream or a discovery while in bed. But without more information, it's all just speculation.
Maybe the main idea is about Brackley's comfort or discomfort in the bed. For example, if the bed is old and creaky, it could be about Brackley's attempts to get a good night's sleep.
The full story of 'A Terribly Strange Bed' could be about the exploration of fear and the unknown. The bed could be a symbol of something much deeper, like the dark secrets of a place or a person. The author might use vivid descriptions of the bed and the surrounding environment to create an atmosphere of unease. For example, details about the bed's appearance, such as its creaking sound, the texture of the sheets, or the strange shape, could all contribute to the overall sense of dread. The protagonist's journey in dealing with this strange bed would be the core of the story, and it could lead to various revelations about themselves and the world they are in.
I'm not sure specifically which 'a bed full of cats story' you mean. It could be about a person who woke up to find their bed filled with cats, perhaps they were a cat lover and the cats just piled on during the night for warmth and comfort.
Another theme might be chaos and order. The presence of many cats in the bed could initially seem chaotic, but perhaps there is an underlying order to it, like the cats having their own hierarchy or routine within the bed. It could also show how we adapt to unexpected situations. In this case, adapting to a bed full of cats, which is not a common scenario for most people.
A great bedtime story often has a positive message or a moral. It could be about the importance of friendship, like how two friends help each other out in a difficult situation. This not only makes the story more meaningful but also gives the child something to think about in a positive way as they fall asleep.
Good bedtime stories are often simple. They have clear plots that are easy for children to follow. For example, a story like 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' has a very straightforward sequence of events. Goldilocks enters the bears' house, tries their things, and then there is a consequence. Also, they usually have positive messages. In 'The Little Engine That Could', the message is about perseverance.