Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - A Tranquil Evening with a River Duck

Episode Date: July 28, 2025

Narrator: Simon Mattacks 🇬🇧Writer: Lottie Finklaire ✍️Sound effects: gentle river, birdsong 🦆🐦‍⬛   Welcome back, sleepyheads. Tonight, we'll follow the journey of a mallard duck,... floating along the river, taking in his peaceful surroundings in the picturesque county of Surrey, England. 😴 Includes mentions of: Animals, Bodies of Water, Underwater Scenes, Little to No Plot, Ducks, Friendship, Insects, Science & Nature, Swimming. Watch, listen and comment on this episode on the Get Sleepy YouTube channel. And hit subscribe while you're there! Enjoy various playlists of our stories and meditations on our Slumber Studios Spotify profile. Connect Stay up to date on all our news and even vote on upcoming episodes! Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠getsleepy.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/getsleepypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/getsleepypod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠twitter.com/getsleepypod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Apps Redeem exclusive unlimited access to Premium content for 1 month FREE in our mobile apps built by the Get Sleepy and Slumber Studios team: Deep Sleep Sounds: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠deepsleepsounds.com/getsleepy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Slumber: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠slumber.fm/getsleepy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ FAQs Have a query for us or need help with something? You might find your answer here:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get Sleepy FAQs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About Get Sleepy Get Sleepy is the #1 story-telling podcast designed to help you get a great night’s rest. By combining sleep meditations with a relaxing bedtime story, each episode will guide you gently towards sleep. Get Sleepy Premium Get instant access to ad-free episodes and Thursday night bonus episodes by subscribing to our premium feed. It's easy! Sign up in two taps! Get Sleepy Premium feed includes: Monday and Wednesday night episodes (with zero ads). An exclusive Thursday night bonus episode. Access to the entire back catalog (also ad-free). Extra-long episodes. Exclusive sleep meditation episodes. Discounts on merchandise. We’ll love you forever. Get your 7-day free trial: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠getsleepy.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thank you so much for listening! Feedback? Let us know your thoughts! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠getsleepy.com/contact-us/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Get Sleepy is a production of Slumber Studios. Check out our podcasts, apps, and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠slumberstudios.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. That’s all for now. Sweet dreams ❤️ 😴 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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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 7 days by following the link in the episode notes. Now, a quick word from our sponsors. Hey, it's Tom. I'm excited to share with you the newest show from Slumber Studios. It's called Sleepy History, and it's exactly what it sounds like. Intriguing stories, people, mysteries and events from history, delivered in a supremely calming atmosphere. Explore the legend of El Dorado, see what life was like for the Roman gladiators, uncover the myths and mysteries of Stonehenge. You'll find interesting but
Starting point is 00:01:02 relaxing episodes like these on Sleepy History, and the same great production quality you've come to know and love from Get Sleepy. So check it out, and perhaps you'll have another new way to get a good night's rest. Just search Sleepy History in your preferred podcast player. In case you didn't know, our company Slumber Studios also has a sleep app called Slumber. With well over a thousand episodes, it has every type of sleep-inducing content you could possibly want. From stories, meditations, audiobooks and history, to soundscapes and music. New episodes are added each week, and you can even search by narrator and listen exclusively
Starting point is 00:01:54 to episodes narrated by me or by any of my wonderful fellow storytellers. Samba has other unique features too, like the ability to add and adjust background sounds to create your own perfect mix. So I highly recommend you give Slumber a try, it's available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. And as a Get Sleepy listener, you can unlock all of the content in the app free for one month. Just go to slumber.fm slash get sleepy to get instant access to all of the content in Slumber free for one month. That's slumber.fm slash get sleepy.
Starting point is 00:02:42 Welcome to get sleepy. When we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy. I'm your host Thomas. Thank you so much for being here. Tonight's story is set on a beautiful river on a warm summer evening. We'll be in the company of Simon as he tells us about the journey of a mallard duck floating along, taking in his peaceful surroundings. A big thanks goes to Lottie for writing this one. A big thanks goes to Lottie for writing this one. Before we begin, let's make space for a sense of peace and serenity to fill both body and mind. As you lie safe and settled in bed, focus on the, all completely supported and free to rest. your back, shoulders and arms. Notice the comfort of allowing them to be completely supported by the mattress. And your neck and head are also held in support and comfort by your pillow. Let the body soften more and more into this relaxing embrace. And once your body feels suitably settled and restful, try slowing down the breath,
Starting point is 00:05:13 even if it's just a very slight change. With each inhale, you draw in a deeper sense of peace and serenity. helping the racing thoughts of the day to soften and fade. Breathe in that peace and serenity and enjoy the steady soothing release of the exhale, steady soothing release of the exhale, letting go of any lingering tension and free of burden or responsibility. Each gentle breath can take you further into rest. There's no rush to get there, it will come on its own accord, and your entire body will soon be filled with peace and serenity. Two ideal ingredients for a good night's rest. Now, gradually and without force, see if you can imagine a beautiful river bordered on either side by lush green trees. There is a charming place in England, just outside the boundaries of southwest London. It's a county called Surrey, and it is green and leafy, full of gently sloping hills and
Starting point is 00:08:17 wide open spaces. The River Thames meanders through Surrey. You might know it as the great river that runs through London. Here in Surrey it is wide and gentle, looping through the countryside. Branching off the Thames are its many tributaries. They are smaller, narrower rivers that twist and turn, weaving through the landscape like the countless roots of a tree. Some pass by fields and farmland, while others cut through market towns.
Starting point is 00:09:07 Other rivers glide lazily through the untouched countryside and around the backs of old stately homes or tiny stone cottages. One of these rivers is in a particularly peaceful spot. Here, the flow of water is no more than 15 meters wide. On one side is a woodland, dotted with the slender trunks of young birch trees. Their bark is powdery white and smooth, striped here and there with smatters of black. The tree's canopy is sparse but vibrant, making the light appear dappled when it shines through the branches.
Starting point is 00:10:01 Beyond the woodland are wheat fields, which can be glimpsed through the gaps in the trees. In the morning, the trees are filled with birdsong. And in the evening, you can hear the hoot of a lone owl and the sound of swaying leaves. On the other side, tall reeds rise out of the mud. Beyond them is a grassy bank that sits high and rounded like a fluffy pillow. As the river bends around it, the magnificent weeping willow trails its leaves into the water, just like a mermaid might trail her hair into the ocean. It emanates a strange sense of beauty and tranquility. Behind the willow, across a smooth, carpeted lawn, is an old red brick house with a thatched
Starting point is 00:11:09 roof that must have been there for hundreds of years. In autumn and winter, the chimney is crowned with a permanent wisp of wood smoke. The scent lingers on the breeze. In spring, the bricks are adorned with pale purple flowers that blossom from the clematis which climbs up the walls. Somewhere in the distant fields, newborn lambs frolic. And there is another place, away from the house and the woodland. It is nestled in the edge of the riverbank, just a few feet into the reeds.
Starting point is 00:12:05 It is the home of a fine-looking mallard duck called Henry. Henry is very well-groomed. His tail and lower body are covered with smooth, gray-toned feathers. His chest feathers are brown and soft, and when they catch the light, they come alive with a purple sheen. He has a band of white feathers around his throat, while his head is covered in emerald feathers that glint in the light, like a particularly sumptuous piece of green velvet. Henry's home is a neat little nest made of twigs, which he has expertly woven into a
Starting point is 00:13:00 basket-like shape, perfect for his body. Although many mallards are migratory ducks, Henry is a resident duck, which means he lives on the river all year round. He happily watches the seasons pass and feels the river change with the year's events. In the depths of winter, when everything is cold and quiet, Henry sits with his feathers fluffed up and observes the delicate patterns of frozen leaves. His breath blossoms in front of him like a fine cloud. He hears the quiet whisper of the wind and feels the icy chill of the river water, which runs fast and clear. When the snow turns to rain and the ice melts quickly in the morning, Henry knows spring is coming.
Starting point is 00:14:13 Sure enough, he watches bluebells and daffodils force their way up through the mossy ground to flower in a riot of color. The swallows arrive in the sky and the trees erupt with tiny pea green buds. Steadily the spring flowers will go. The leaves of the trees will mature and darken from bright green into emerald shades. The sun will shine longer and longer, and the days become drier and warmer until they melt into Henry's favorite season, summer. Today on this summer's evening, the river is flowing merrily and the air is thick with the lingering warmth of the sun.
Starting point is 00:15:19 There is a slight scent of hay in the breeze, sweet and earthy at the same time. The river seems fresh and clean in comparison, with a scent strong enough to taste. Somewhere in the garden of the old brick house, people are talking and laughing. From the river their voices sound muffled. Every now and then the clink of glasses and tinkle of cutlery ring out. Perhaps they're enjoying a barbecue or picnic. The daylight is beginning to turn golden. Although the sun will not set until late into the evening, the time has come for it to sink
Starting point is 00:16:21 low and cast a special sense of magic over the land. Everything seems to glow with a burnished shine. Henry is waddling on the riverbank. The summer grass is dry and springy under his webbed feet. The ground is powdery and slightly cracked from the many days of heat, giving off a toasty warmth. Time is ticking. Henry makes his way purposefully over the ground and towards the cool river.
Starting point is 00:17:07 He stops at the river's edge and dips his fantastically yellow-colored bill into the water to drink. Ripples fan out from where he drinks, undulating over the still part of the surface before they merge into the gently flowing river. Henry ruffles his feathers and stretches his wings out in preparation. Then, when he is quite sure he is ready, he launches into the water with a soft splash. On the water, Henry is extremely elegant. He barely needs to paddle with his feet. His body is so light and streamlined that he only needs to kick out once or twice. Otherwise he simply trusts the current to carry him. The shallow water is slow and perfectly clear, so the grey and brown pebbles that form the
Starting point is 00:18:23 riverbed are easily visible. Henry can see long ribbons of moss-like waterweeds clinging to the larger rocks. They all flow in the same direction, rippling and fluttering together. Small silver fish float above the riverbed, riding an undercurrent. They wiggle but do not move anywhere, content to hang suspended in their watery world. Henry observes them with curiosity as he continues to drift down the river. Here and there he glimpses bigger fish. Some are fat and rounded, their scales a mixture of muddy brown and grey. Other fish are small and almost translucent in colour. They can only be identified when a beam of sunlight hits their smooth bodies to illuminate
Starting point is 00:19:41 a thin strip of gold scales. Henry reaches the leaves of the weeping willow, still trailing into the river. He glides underneath the canopy and looks up. The sunlight glints through the tapered leaves. Then his attention is caught by a fluttering, darting movement. A pair of dragonflies are flitted under the willow. Their blue bodies glitter in the chinks of light that break through the leaves. Henry watches the dragonflies until they leave the shade of the tree and venture back out into the
Starting point is 00:20:35 open air. Then he glides towards the tree roots, which rise out of the water like great gnarled fingers. He stops close to them and looks down. Nestled on the bottom of the riverbed are the lush green weeds he loves eating. With a swift, bouncing movement, Henry dives his head under the water to reach the weeds. The sounds of the outside immediately disappear. Silence presses in. Everything feels still and so peaceful. The water is cool and refreshing.
Starting point is 00:21:36 He can feel the current flowing over his head and chest. Henry reaches for the weeds with his bill. He expertly tugs at the plants, breaking off pieces of the delicious weed. Then he bobs up to the surface. Droplets of water roll off his body like transparent pearls. His feathers are completely waterproof. Henry snaps up the river weed happily. It has a slightly salty taste. Then he dives down again to harvest more.
Starting point is 00:22:30 When he is full, Henry allows himself to float while preening his feathers. The sun is now low enough to catch the surface of the river. The rays ripple and dance with the water's movement, casting shimmering dots of light over Henry. A pair of pure white butterflies flutter through the air. They chase each other, twirling and circling in an unmistakable act of romance. Meanwhile Henry has finished cleaning himself. His feathers lie smooth and lustrous over his body, and he has a new, confident glint in his eye. He turns his head towards the sky, assessing the lateness of the day.
Starting point is 00:23:35 One thing is certain, it is time to move on. He begins to paddle again, propelling himself out from under the willow. The evening air is still warm. Henry floats down the river, following its graceful bends and curves. He passes through wheat fields and fields of cows, then meadows full of grass and tiny white flowers where sheep are grazing serenely. Henry sees people out for evening walks, couples, families, and people walking with their dogs. All the while, insects buzz lazily over the water, and the river babbles and gurgles.
Starting point is 00:24:39 Slowly, the landscape changes. Young trees and thickets of small bushes begin to appear. The river makes frequent bends, and the riverbed becomes finer and sandier. Tiny birds twitter, singing into the sky as it changes from blue to a musky lavender color. Finally, the river turns into a quiet, secluded patch of trees and rocks. To one side, it fans out into a small, sandy sandy beach where people often come to swim and enjoy a picnic. But today it is perfectly empty, just what Henry hoped for. He raises his head to look at the sky. The coming sunset is filling the air with a heavy, sleepy quality.
Starting point is 00:25:52 Henry stops swimming and breathes in the scent of warm grass and wild flowers. In the distance, he can hear the reedy sound of frogs croaking and crickets rubbing their legs together. But he keeps his eyes fixed on the beach. Then another mallard duck arrives. She is the same size as Henry, but covered in mottled brown feathers. Her bill is black and orange, and she has a healthy, glowing look. She stands on the beach as if she has been waiting for him. Henry ruffles his feathers, showing the beautiful streaks of blue and purple in his wings.
Starting point is 00:26:54 The female duck slips into the water and glides to Henry. They gently cock their heads from side to side, greeting each other respectfully. It's clear that they have met many times before. Then they begin to dance, moving this way and that in perfect symmetry. The sun is starting to slip towards the horizon, giving an even more hazy quality to the scene. Henry and the female duck glide over the smooth water. They circle each other, still dancing and swimming. The memory and the female duck glide over the smooth water. They circle each other, still dancing and swimming with amazing precision and mesmerizing grace.
Starting point is 00:27:56 Gradually, as the sun begins to set, the ducks stop their dance and make their way to the beach. The fine sand crunches underneath their webbed feet, and they shake the water off their bodies, fluffing up their feathers in the process. The ducks make their way up the beach. The air is becoming steadily cooler as night chases away the warmth of the long summer day. The sand from the beach begins to merge into the land and small tufts of grass poke through, tickling the duck's feet. Henry leads the female duck towards a small tree with low-hanging branches.
Starting point is 00:28:58 At the base of the tree is a small, protected and private spot of earth. It's the perfect place for two ducks to sit together. The ground is soft and dry. The ducks settle down together and look out ahead of them. From this spot they have a beautiful view. The river lies ahead of them like a great silvery length of cloth. Beyond it is the dense woodland and to the side they can glimpse the horizon. The sun has almost disappeared. The sky is shot with bursts of pink and purple light that catch the underside of small fluffy clouds.
Starting point is 00:30:10 The first glimpse of stars has arrived somewhere in the indigo part of the sky. They look like fireflies floating in the dark. They look like fireflies floating in the dark. The sound of the river slowly following its course fills the air. Henry can smell its fresh, mineral scent. The frogs are still croaking, the grasshoppers chirping, and the birds twittering. Henry cuddles up closer to the female duck. A soft, warm body leans into his.
Starting point is 00:31:08 Slowly, an irresistible sense of sleepiness washes over the ducks. Their wings soften and their eyes start to close. Before they know it, they slip into a deep, relaxing sleep, where they will dream of river and the wind in the willow leaves of their beautiful home. You The You The The You You You You You You you

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