Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - A Midnight Adventure in the Magic Library

Starting point is 00:00:00 Get Sleepy is a production of Slumber Studios and is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and premium members. If you'd like to listen ad-free and access weekly bonus episodes, extra long stories and our entire back catalogue, you can try out premium free for seven days by following the link in the episode notes. Now, a quick word from our sponsors. A big thank you to Coop's Sleep Goods for sponsoring this show. As I've said before, I absolutely adore my Eden pillow from Coop. It really has been a game changer in how comfy I feel when I lie down in bed, helping me sleep that much better each night.

Starting point is 00:00:45 Finding the ideal pillow can be difficult, but with the customizability of Coop's pillows, where you can easily undo the zipper and either reduce or increase the amount of soft memory foam fill inside, you'll be able to get things just right for you. I've actually found that the way the pillow came when it first arrived in the post is pretty much perfect for me, but it's lovely to know I can adjust this whenever I like as time goes on. You spend about a third of your life in bed, so choosing the best comfort while you're there is a no-brainer. Let Coop help you show up feeling rejuvenated and ready to go. Get 20% off your first order and try Coop risk-free with a 100-night

Starting point is 00:01:31 sleep better guarantee at coop sleepgoods.com slash get sleepy. That's C-O-O-P sleep goods.com slash get sleepy. If you enjoy Get Sleepy or any of the other shows we produce here at Slumber studios, you'll love our app called White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds, with hundreds of sounds to choose from and even the option of mixing them together to create your perfect soundscape. It can help you fall asleep fast, wake up less often, improve focus, reduce anxiety, relieve tinnitus, and calm babies. As a listener of Get Sleepy, we have an exclusive offer for you. Download the white noise deep sleep sounds app and get 30 days free access to all of the premium content just go to deepsleepsounds.com slash get sleepy that's deepsleepsounds dot com slash get sleepy or follow the link

Starting point is 00:02:38 in the episode description welcome to get sleepy where we listen we relax and we get sleepy My name's Thomas, and as always, I'm your host. Thanks so much for joining us here tonight. This evening's bedtime story is all about, well, stories. It takes place in an old library that has one very special secret room. I have the pleasure of reading it for you, and I'd like to thank Jessica for writing this one. Before we begin, I invite you to make any adjustments you need to be as comfortable as possible. You might like to plump your pillow, move onto your side, or pull the covers a little closer to your chin.

Starting point is 00:03:52 Or you might be perfectly cozy just as you are. Whenever you're ready, allow the sensation of sleepiness to gradually ease in and expel any lingering tension in the body or activity in the mind as you settle down for rest. Just take some time to think back through your day and in doing so. See if you can pick out one or two moments that might have gone by without much attention or acknowledgement, but ones that were moments of contentment or small achievements perhaps. Even these subtle, less sensational moments make up the journey of your day. So be appreciative, even for the tiny, fleeting. things, the sight of trees swaying in a soft breeze.

Starting point is 00:05:29 The sound of gentle conversation between friends, neighbors or colleagues, the smell of a favourite drink, or each nuanced taste of what you enjoyed for dinner, and of course, the comforting and rewarding feeling of your pills. pillow supporting your head. Now that you're here at the end of your day's journey, take pride in the fact you accomplished another day in your life, no matter how it looked for you. And now, let those memories gently fade from your attention as you breathe deeply and slowly, releasing any last bits of tension and any lingering thoughts.

Starting point is 00:06:48 Now, let your eyes fall closed, as you listen to the sound of my voice, guiding you through this story and into sleep. Let yourself be transported into a dream world, as our story begins. You're standing in front of a grand stone building. Night has fallen, but the moon is full. By its silver light, you can read the gold letters of the sign that hangs above the building's enormous wooden door. The letters spell public library. At the center of the door is a large brass door knocker. shaped like a lion's head, you knock, making a heavy thud, and slowly, the door swings open. The first thing you see is a petite elderly lady with twinkly eyes behind wired-rimmed spectacles, and hair so white and fluffy, it looks like it was spun from candy floss.

Starting point is 00:08:48 She tells you that she is the librarian, and the library is just about to close. She asks if she can see your library card. You reach a hand into your pocket and pull out a small square card. It is the same blue color as the evening sky, and it's printed all over with tiny, shining silver stars and a silver crescent moon. The librarian smiles as she inspects the card. You're very lucky, she tells you. Yours is a special library card, which means you are a midnight member of the public library. You are allowed to stay inside even after closing time. The librarian returns your card and ushers you through a narrow, tiled corridor.

Starting point is 00:10:16 It ends with a wooden door, even more enormous than the one you just came through. She pushes the door open, and you step into the library. You look around and gasp. You have never seen a library as big or as beautiful. as this one. The floor is made from shiny marble and the soaring domed ceiling is painted to look like a summer sky with drifting clouds and flocks of starlings. In between the floor and ceiling is a spiral staircase with its banister carved to look like a wise old dragon. The staircase winds winds up, joining all the library's different floors together.

Starting point is 00:11:29 Each floor is filled with bookshelves carved from beautiful old wood, and each shelf is lined with row upon row of books. The librarian tells you that you are free to explore any floor of the library that you'd like. Because you are a midnight member, you don't have to leave when the library shuts. But you might need this, she tells you, and hands you a torch. It is the same shiny blue as your library card. And just like your card, it's also covered in tiny twinkling stars. you thank the librarian and start climbing the spiral staircase.

Starting point is 00:12:37 You walk three floors up, then decide to browse the shelves. Here and there a book catches your eye and you pull it off the shelf. You flip through atlases and collections of fairy tales and thick history books that tell stories about ancient people and places. You are just wondering which book you should take with you to read in one of the squashy armchairs. When there is a click and all the lights go out, evidently the library is now closed. It's very dark in here now. But luckily, you remember the torch the librarian gave you, you flick it on, and a beam of strong white light illuminates the space around you. That's much better. You can see the library again now. In fact,

Starting point is 00:14:08 you can see more of the library than before. Your torch illuminates signs that were invisible when the library's main lights were on. Now, you don't just see the typewritten signs that read geography or history, or detective fiction, A to K. You also notice signs written in swirling silver letters. One is an upwards-pointing arrow, accompanied by the words, this way to the telescope, another, which floats above a shadowy bookshelf, reads maps and atlaces of imaginary lands, and one sign simply reads spell books. You stand for a moment, wondering where you should go first, to peer through the telescope,

Starting point is 00:15:26 to find a map of Atlantis, to discover a spell that could make a spell that could make you invisible or give you the power to fly. But then you notice one more sign written above a small, bright blue door. It reads, magical reading room, midnight members only. You stroll towards the blue door. There is another silver-lettered sign pinned to the door itself. This one, Reads, Warning, there is more to these books than paper and ink. Choose your story most carefully. You try the knob and the door opens. You walk into a small chamber.

Starting point is 00:16:38 At first, you feel a little disappointed. This magical reading room doesn't look terribly magical to you. It is empty. except for one shelf of books, a blue velvet armchair, and a fireplace where a warming fire is flickering. You go to the shelf and pull down a book. It is called Inspector Rendezvous and the mystery of the missing diamonds. You settle in the chair and the book falls open in your lap. As it does, something strange occurs.

Starting point is 00:17:38 You hear the strains of an orchestra warming up. You look around. This room is much too small to hold a secret orchestra. And besides, the sound isn't coming from the room. It's coming from the book in your lap. That's strange, you think. You've never heard a book make a noise like this before. Even stranger.

Starting point is 00:18:19 The room around you starts to ripple. It feels like you are looking at the shelf and the fireplace through a layer of water. The rippling grows stronger. The room blurs and disappears. For one moment you are surrounded by blankness. But then the rippling starts again. And now, through the ripples, you see an entirely different scene. You are standing on an empty stage in a theatre.

Starting point is 00:19:15 Beside you is a very tall man with a curly moustache. He is wearing a turquoise top hat and tuxedo. Beside him is a beautiful. ballerina in a sunshine yellow tutu. Below the stage is an orchestra pit filled with musicians. You see violins and trumpets, pursuits and siloophones, and siloophones. And a proud-looking woman with a conductor's baton tucked under one arm. The man in the turquoise tuxedo is frowning. When you ask him why he seems upset, he explains that he is the famous Inspector Rendezvous himself. He has solved every crime on the continent, from the case of the missing snow leopard,

Starting point is 00:20:28 to the riddle of the runaway statue. But now, someone has stolen a diamond necklace from the prima ballerina of the Paris ballet herself, Madameoiselle eleganza. Here, the ballerina in the yellow tutu nods hello. And the inspector cannot solve the case. You are puzzled if Inspector Rondeuveu is such a famous detective. Surely he's found at least one suspect. The Inspector shakes his head. He is certain the orchestra conductor, Madame Allegra, is behind the theft. He knows that Madame Allegra isn't her real name. Her real name is Madame CAFA, and she isn't a conductor at all, but a famous thief at the top of the police most wanted list. But Inspector Rendezvous

Starting point is 00:21:54 can't find where she's hidden the necklace. And without it, he can't make the arrest. The inspector orders the orchestra to shake their instruments upside down. Maybe the diamond necklace is hidden inside of one. You watch as the tubus and flutes, cellos and tambourines are all turned upside down, but none of the instruments are hiding the necklace. However, you notice the conductor isn't looking at the instruments. Instead, her eyes keep flicking up to the ceiling.

Starting point is 00:22:56 You call to inspect her rendezvous and point up past her theatre curtains to the ceiling. Parched in the eaves is a big black raven with a shining silver necklace. in its beak. It must be Madame Kaffa's accomplice. The inspector grins, reaches into his tuxedo jacket, and pulls out the most complicated-looking pocket-knife you have ever seen. He unscrews a folding net from one side of the knife, and a folding pair of handcuffs from the other side. With one swift movement, he tosses the net over the bird and pulls it, necklace and door, down from the ceiling. At the same time, he tosses the handcuffs over Madame Kaffa's wrists.

Starting point is 00:24:17 They snap shut with a heavy click. Case closed. The inspector leads the conductor and her raven. out of the theatre. Around you, the concert hall starts to ripple. Soon, you are back in the magical reading room once again. Now you understand just how it works. Whichever book you pluck from the shelf will magically come to life when you open it. So, what story should you read next? You curiously browse the books on the shelf, and at last you decide. You take adventure of the Amazon River back to the blue armchair and let the book fall

Starting point is 00:25:36 open in your lap. Almost as soon as you open the book, the room around you falls away. Instead of an armchair, you are drifting down river. on a wooden raft instead of a floor, the greenish-brown waters of the Amazon are flowing below you, instead of four walls. You are surrounded by deep green jungle on either side of the river, and instead of a ceiling. When you look up, you see clear blue sky, scattered with brightly feathered birds. You float along the river on your sturdy raft. The sun shines on your skin and warms you from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. All around you are the sounds of the river and the jungle.

Starting point is 00:27:07 You hear the gentle clap of water against the raft, the rustle of leaves on trees. and the musical cries of birds on their branches. If you peer into the water, you catch sight of brightly coloured fish. Now and then, butterflies dance through the air before you. Their wings are splashed in vivid shades of orange, purple and green, and in the dark jungle at the river's edge. You can sometimes spot a flicker of movement. You're wondering what animals are living in the jungle

Starting point is 00:28:04 or swimming deeper in the river's waters. When you notice a book lying near you on the raft, it is called Animals of the Amazon. Next to the book is a hard waterproof case. You click the case open and find a pair of binoculars inside when you hold them up to your eyes. You can see even the smallest things in close up detail. You grin and grab the book. How many animals will you be able to spot as you raft down the river?

Starting point is 00:29:05 You see the first one soon enough. A gentle creature with shaggy orange fur ambles down through the jungle and pokes out its head to stare at the raft. You flick through the guide and discover that it's a capabara. The guide tells you that capabaras live on land, but love to swim. And sure enough, this one is squelching through. the muddy bank of the Amazon, it dives into the water, then bobs up, keeping its nose above the surface, so it can breathe. For a little while, the capybara swims beside the raft, until the current picks up, and you leave it behind. You have to wait a while to spot your next animal.

Starting point is 00:30:25 But it's well worth it. You hear the snap of branches coming from the jungle, and turn just in time to see a puma. It has pebble-coloured fur, pointy ears, and bright green eyes. According to your guide, you are very lucky to see this puma, as they usually prefer to stay hidden

Starting point is 00:31:01 in the depths of the jungle. the puma sinks elegantly between the trees, just long enough for you to admire it. Then, with a swish of its tail, it disappears from view in the sky above you. There's a flash of bright colour. A bird circles overhead you thumb through your guide and discover that the that it's a macaw. When it spreads its wings, you get an even better look at its beautiful feathers. They are scarlet red, emerald green, and deepest blue.

Starting point is 00:32:08 The colors are so bright, they seem to sparkle where they catch the sun. The macaw soars up higher and higher into the sky. Before it disappears, one of its exquisite feathers floats down into your open hand. The last animal you see may be the best of all. You are admiring the macaw's feather. When you hear a cheeky chattering alongside your raft, you peer over the edge and gasp. A friendly river dolphin is a friendly river dolphin. grinning up at you, and this dolphin isn't grey like most dolphins, but a startling shade

Starting point is 00:33:12 of pale pink. Your guide tells you that this new friend of yours is an Amazon River dolphin. The only species of pink dolphin in the entire world, you and the dolphin drift along together, until the river water turns foamy and white. You hold tight to the raft as you soar over a waterfall, landing gently at the base. Then you climb off the raft and duck behind the gushing water. You enjoy a deep breath.

Starting point is 00:34:11 It is beautiful here and feels private behind the silvery, curtain of water, you find a smooth rock to sit down on. It's nice to rest for a while, after the excitement of your river journey, surrounded by the steady whispering sound of the falling water. When you come out through the waterfall, the jungle scene around you ripples and then blurs. You find yourself once more in the cozy blue armchair in the reading room. What will you read next? You look through the books on the shelf until you find one that catches your eye. It is covered in pink velvet fabric and embroidered with roses and apple blossoms.

Starting point is 00:35:33 Its title is written in looping golden letters. They read fairy tales from long ago and far away. You settle back into your armchair, wondering where this book will take you. Then you open it. You're standing at the top of a mountain. It is sunrise. The sun has just started to peek out from behind pink-tinged clouds. Its rays give a warm golden glow to the mountain's white slope.

Starting point is 00:36:30 Beside you grows a small tree with leaves and branches just as golden as the sun and tucked away among its branches. There grows a round golden apple. You step closer to admire the apple. And as you do, it gently breaks free from its branch. You hold out a hand to catch it. Then you lift the apple up to the sun, admiring the way it sparkles and glows. It is much too beautiful to eat. So you safely tuck it into your pocket.

Starting point is 00:37:27 The sun rises higher and the clouds drift away, leaving you with a clear view of the valley beneath the mountain. You see green hills covered with wildflowers. Deep in the valley, there's a village with houses and a church, and even a castle with turrets and flags. You set off down the mountain, wander through the sweet-smelling wildflowers that cover the hilly slopes, and soon you have arrived at the village. The village is very beautiful.

Starting point is 00:38:30 It has a cobbled square with a marble fountain in the centre and charming shops. One sells cakes in every color of the rainbow, another sells beautiful hats trimmed with feathers and ribbons, and a third sells antique toys, like music boxes and spinning tops. There are flowering gardens lined with neatly trimmed hedges. A pond, where swans glide across the surface of the water, and a tall clock tower where bells chime every hour. The village is completely empty. There are no customers in the shops.

Starting point is 00:39:35 No people sitting on the benches by the pond. And no children playing in the gardens. You spy the castle. The drawbridge is down over the moat. So you go across it and find a heavy stone door. You push it and it creaks open, peering around the doorframe. You see a beautiful entrance hall. A warm carpet covers most of the stone floor.

Starting point is 00:40:21 The walls are adorned with paintings in gold frames, and a fire burns cozily in the hearth, but the hall, like the village, is empty. In fact, as you explore the winding corridors and rooms, you discover that the entire castle seems to be unoccupied. No one sits regally in the throne room. No one feasts around the long banquet tables in the dining hall, and no one is stirring bubbling pots on the stove in the castle kitchens, but suddenly you hear a noise. A small muffled whimper that almost sounds like someone crying, you follow the sound to its source. A heavy closed door at the end of a wide hallway hung,

Starting point is 00:41:45 either side with tapestries. You go through the door and find yourself in a broad room with a high arched ceiling. Every inch of this room is filled with incredibly lifelike marble statues. Most of the statues show people dancing, spinning and twirling and waltzing in time to music only they can hear. A handful of statues in one corner are holding marble instruments, a violin, a flute, and a harp. One statue stands in the center of the room, a little taller than the rest. He wears a flowing marble cloak, and a heavy crown rests on his marble form. At his feet sits a little girl. A real little girl, not a statue.

Starting point is 00:43:15 She has her head in her hands, and she is weeping. You go over to her and gently ask if there is something wrong. She looks up at you and explains that today, during the village ball, A wicked witch burst into the castle and put a curse on all the dancers except her. The only way to lift the curse is by fetching a golden apple from the top of the tallest mountain in the valley. But the girl can't fetch it because she is afraid of heights. She starts sobbing even more now. She is certain that that her father, the king, and the rest of the ballgoers will have to remain marble statues forever.

Starting point is 00:44:31 You smile, and the girl looks at you. Uncertain what there is to smile about, but her face breaks into a grin too. When she sees you pull the golden apple from your pocket, you hand the apple to the little princess, and the spell lifts. The ballroom is filled with swirling music. The dancers spin, and the king wraps his daughter in a big huck. The ballroom and the dancers begin to blur and ripple. And soon enough, you find yourself back in the blue armchair. Once more, you are starting to feel a little tired.

Starting point is 00:45:46 After all, you've had a busy evening in the magical reading room, but you think you might have time to look at one more book. You find it tucked into the bottom corner of the shelf. Its title is The Cozy Cottage. You settle into the armchair and open your book. Now you are standing in a garden. Night is falling, but there is still enough light for you to make out the honeysuckle bushes, lining the garden path, and you can see the climbing roses that grow around the front door

Starting point is 00:46:49 of the small cottage, which stands at the end of the path. You walk up to the door and go inside to find a neat little cottage. Lace curtains hang at the windows. Pots and pans dangle from the kitchen ceiling, and a cat lies curled up, dozing in the corner, Through another door, there is a bedroom. The bed is covered with patchwork blankets and fluffy pillows. Starlight shines in through the window above the bed. Here in the bedroom, you can't help but yawn.

Starting point is 00:48:00 You've had such a long day. You've solved crimes, journeyed along the Amazon, and found a golden apple on a fairy tale mountain. Now, there's nothing more you need to do. So, you climb into bed, you arrange the pillows behind your head, and pull the blankets around you, just the way you like them. In your comfortable bed, in this sweet, starlit room, you close, close your eyes and fall into a deep, dreamy sleep.

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - A Midnight Adventure in the Magic Library

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.