The tortoise is very sleepy and is going to sleep all winter. When he's already in bed, after going through the ritual for him to sleep (brushing his teeth, putting on his night gown, straightening the sheets...), someone knocks at the door. They're his friends with presents to keep him company through the long sleep that awaits him. The tortoise thanks them for their kind attention, but he feels sleepier and sleepier and he only wants to be left alone. A story to help understand bed-time as something pleasant and to complete the ritual by telling a story before being overcome by sleep.