A bedtime story is a short narrative, usually for children, that is told before they go to sleep. The two words used to describe this type of story in the crossword are 'DREAM' and 'TALE'. DREAM is a five letter word that refers to a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep. TALE is a four letter word that means a narrative or story, often one that is imaginative or fanciful.