Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Gathering at Robin Hood’s Tavern

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Starting point is 00:01:12 My name's Thomas and I'm your host, thanks so much for tuning in. In the past you may have listened to our sleepy tales about Robin Hood, where we traveled to Sherwood Forest and gathered around his campfire for stories. Tonight, we'll be making another dream excursion into the world of his merry men. This time, we'll get a peek at his secret hideout and spend a cozy evening in their favorite tavern. If you haven't heard the previous Robin Hood adventures, don't worry, you'll be able to enjoy this one on its own, and you can always seek out the first two episodes later and listen to them in any order. They're all written by Alicia Steffen and read by me, and better still, all our visits to Sherwood Forest are accompanied by a soothing soundscape

Starting point is 00:02:28 throughout the entire story, helping to immerse you even deeper into the scenes described. I would love if you joined me on our supporters feed, Get Sleepy Premium. With well over 700 full length stories and meditations, including extra long episodes and series stitches, you'll never run out of dreamy content. And everything is completely ad free. Plus, every Thursday we release a brand new bonus episode just for our premium subscribers. Tomorrow, Nadine will be reading our story as a lady enjoys a deeply meditative experience of aerial yoga and a sound bath. The first seven days of your subscription are free so try a Get Sleepy Premium and enjoy all the sleepy content you could possibly

Starting point is 00:03:32 need completely ad free. Visit GetSleepy.com support or follow the link in the show notes to learn more. Thank you all so much. So, it's time to get nice and cozy in bed now, ready to enjoy tonight's story as you gently make your way towards sleep. If you're feeling at all anxious about getting to sleep or staying asleep, just give yourself time and patience. Don't put any pressure on getting to sleep. Forcing it never tends to work. It only creates a bigger obstacle for your mind to get past. Instead of trying to sleep, just listen along to our story and focus on giving your body

Starting point is 00:04:51 a chance to feel rested and relaxed. That's something you do have control over. The easiest way to encourage that is by slowing down your breathing, inhaling Releasing the air back out for a little longer than the in-breath. Bit by bit, feel any tension, anxiety, or stress melting away. Each exhale takes you another step further into rest and relaxation. So just enjoy that blissful ease and continue to breathe deeply and naturally. Now, picture yourself in the fresh air. You are bathed in sunshine, but the temperature is mild. Soft breezes and the music of nature surround you. This is where our story begins. the first thing you notice is the warmth of the afternoon sun on your face. You were just drifting off to sleep in your bed a moment ago. Miraculously, you now find yourself mentally reaching for those sunbeams even though your eyes are closed.

Starting point is 00:07:37 Your mind is filled with their golden rays, but you also feel a refreshing breeze that cools and soothes you. A feeling of well-being and happiness floods your senses. The last thing you notice before becoming fully aware is that you are surrounded by birdsong. Slowly opening your eyes, you find yourself on a road through the forest. There are no other travelers in sight. There are no other travelers in sight. All around you, the tall oaks and birch trees reach high into the sparkling blue sky. They are just beginning to leaf. Like you, they seem to have awoken from a deep slumber and entered yet another dream. It must be a dream, you think, because these puffy white clouds, these burgeoning bluebells that carpet the ground,

Starting point is 00:09:10 this eager sunlight that reaches through the branches, it is the essence of spring. You are in the middle of a perfect woodland moment as the world comes alive after a long winter. You turn and look into the trees because you know what you will find there. As was the case in your previous enchanting visits to this forest, there is a path that beckons you from the main thoroughfare. Wagons and horses and their riders often traverse this well-worn road for business or for pleasure, but you are on a more secretive and special journey tonight. You know that if you take the smaller path through the trees, you will eventually meet with your dream wild friend, Robin Hood.

Starting point is 00:10:37 As you step onto the trail, the woods envelop you in their delicate seasonal mood. A chiff chaff bird sings confidently nearby. Its sweet little peeps almost seem like an important message to you. They repeat over and over like morse code. Farther away you hear the more expressive and unpredictable black cap singing. All the birds have returned to the forest just in time for your visit. You cannot help smiling as you follow the familiar winding path. You know you have walked it before and its twists and turns are no less inviting tonight. You are experiencing the same sense of childish delight that you have every time you undertake this journey. You observe with wonder how each season in Sherwood Forest is its own adventure. Furthermore, you are happily aware of how many busy animal inhabitants are wandering the woods today.

Starting point is 00:12:35 A rabbit hops into view up ahead. it emerges swiftly from the bramble and then pauses looking your way a bit curious. Oddly unafraid of your presence, it twitches its little nose considering you thoughtfully. Then, as if remembering where it was going, it turns and disappears into the bushes across the trail. As suddenly as it appeared, it is off again in search of something important. You continue your progress, taking care not to disturb the plants along either side of your narrow track through this perfect natural place. through this perfect natural place. Sherwood's habitat has hosted you so generously on previous visits,

Starting point is 00:13:53 and you have a sense that you must take good care of it. Navigating around a series of large rocks, you come upon a pond that was not there last time you arrived. It must be seasonal, you think, as you stop to examine it more closely. Peering into it, you see it is teeming with little tadpoles. They dart merrily from one place to another in no discernible pattern. This small body of water is, for now, their entire world. It seems like an oddly appealing prospect to you. Being a visitor in Sherwood Forest is quite a privilege, but being a permanent resident seems even better. Although, you admit to yourself with amusement that being an amphibian would be pretty limiting.

Starting point is 00:15:25 Quietly laughing at your own idle musings, you leave the pond behind and continue on your way. You're expecting to travel all the way to Robin Hood's camp as you have before. However, in a moment, you are distracted by emotion in your peripheral vision. Standing still, you watch as a man emerges from the trees, dressed in unobtrusive green clothing. He is a strapping young fellow with an intelligent gaze and a confident stride. You know him immediately. It is Robin Hood himself. Before you have time to make an overt, and he raises his hand in jovial greeting.

Starting point is 00:16:52 Friend, I've not seen you in these many months, he says. You nod, feeling very pleased that he remembers your last visit, on the occasion of winter's first snowfall. How fortuitous to encounter you here in the wild, he says, coming to stand in front of you. Then he looks off into the distance, down a much smaller trail you had not previously noticed. Raising his arm and pointing in that direction, he looks at you with a grin. I'm on a mission, he says. I sent our good friend little John off on an errand yesterday. He was supposed to fetch some coin from our secret hiding place, after which he was expected to go into Nottingham

Starting point is 00:18:08 and purchase a quantity of Lincoln green cloth. Our merry band is in need of new clothing. his story, he looks at you meaningfully and adds, indeed, our outlaw wardrobes have become somewhat shabby after this long winter. We cannot go around presenting ourselves as paupers now, can we? Secretly, you think to yourself that Robin would cut an impressive figure in any modest costume at all. But you nod earnestly. To disagree would be churnish. Robin sees he has gained your agreement, and he continues. I had assumed all was going according to plan, but this morning our good fellow Alan came to camp with a most distressing dispatch. He related that he had been

Starting point is 00:19:27 playing some music at the Blue Boar Tavern last night and who did he see whiling away the hours with his fellows but little John. At this, Robin gives a stern look upon his face and stands with his hands on his hips as if vexed. Now, I needn't explain to an intelligent person such as yourself," he continues, that the Blue Boar Tavern is not where little John was meant to be. Had he discharged his duty yesterday he would have been spending the night in Nottingham. Instead, Alan tells me that he enjoyed many a pint and that he had no other supplies with him whatsoever. You remember the jovial little John from your previous visit and you can't help but smile a bit. a bit. He seems like the type of person who might mean well but still get distracted by too much fun. Your suspicion upon hearing this tale is that

Starting point is 00:20:59 Robin will find him still without the cloth and perhaps also no longer in possession of the coin he had been carrying. Robin goes on with his explanation. Well, so it is that I've set out to find where little John is, and whether or not he has any of our money left in his purse. You shake your head sympathetically, at which Robin adds, Shall you come with me? I'll let you see the most secret place we keep in the old oak tree. Without waiting for a response from you, for how could you say no? Robin turns and makes his way down the cleverly hidden trail through the underbrush.

Starting point is 00:22:11 Within seconds, you are on his heels. As you follow him, you marvel at his cat-like progress through the forest. His walk is graceful and strong. Robin's feet seem to anticipate every rock and root as he walks, landing silently. At one point, he moves right by a deer that is standing nearby, and the deer doesn't even startle until you yourself step on a twig. Then, with only mild concern, the deer melts away, disappearing into the bushes. At times, the birdsong from the canopy above is so joyous and pervasive that it seems to surround you on all sides. You realize that Robin is happily imitating the birds to perfection, making a first call in return and then another. It's not even clear which utterance comes from the birds sometimes and which is

Starting point is 00:23:50 from their human friend. After a while, the trees thin out and you find yourself on the edge of a meadow. There, standing like an ancient giant, is the biggest oak tree you have ever seen. Its trunk must be about 10 meters in circumference. must be about 10 meters in circumference. Its many gnarled branches reach upwards and outwards, having grown in a way that seems almost like an afterthought. Although bright green grass is springing up throughout the meadow, the area under the tree is free of it, for the giant oak towers above. Robin looks back at you and grins. He knows that his hideout is quite a sight. As he walks around to the other side

Starting point is 00:25:11 of the massive trunk, he tells you that he imagines it is hundreds of years old. You You can easily believe this. You follow him to see what he is doing and find that he is reaching into a hollow area inside the tree. Feeling around, he appears to be taking inventory of something inside. He soon gets a wry look of acceptance on his face and says, alas, little John clearly left here with the bag of money. Little John clearly left here with the bag of money. I fear we'll have to start over with another purse if we wish to procure some cloth for our camp. Leaning further into the hollow, weighing it thoughtfully in his hand.

Starting point is 00:26:34 Having completed his visit to the secret hideaway, Robin attaches the purse to his belt and motions towards the other side of the sunny meadow. He says, all right friend, the next place we need to go is the Blue Boar Tavern, for it is entirely possible little John still sits there. entirely possible, little John still sits there. He rolls his eyes with exasperation and amusement and sets off in the direction he had indicated. As you stride along next to him, you again revel in the warm spring sunshine that bathes the meadow. It's now getting later in the afternoon, and the slanting rays cast a magical glow over the sprouting cow parsley. It is everywhere and little butterflies hover around its delicate white blossoms. More than once you see another sweet little bunny hopping away.

Starting point is 00:28:10 You feel a quiet joy bubbling up inside you, and you wish you could be crossing this enchanting meadow with Robin forever. But even as you leave the field, the woods welcome you back into their shady and cool embrace. Your journey continues peacefully, mostly in amiable silence. Around rocks and over streams, Robin leads you confidently, even though there is hardly a path here. As you continue on, you can occasionally see through the tall branches that the sky has clouded over a bit and the day's end is approaching. And then Robin stops in cupping his ear with one hand.

Starting point is 00:29:36 Do you hear that? he asks you. Leaning wordlessly in the same direction as he, you listen carefully. Yes, you do hear something. It sounds like voices. They are men's voices and they appear a bit lively for people who are this far out in the forest. Something is happening nearby and it soon becomes clear that Robin Hood wants to find out what it is. With practiced stealth Robin quickly moves in the direction of the noise. Following him, you emerge into a small clearing where two men are having a disagreement. They are both impressive, broad-shouldered men, easily topping Robin Hood in height. Although they are rather alike in their appearance, you know immediately that one of them is little John. He is such a memorable fellow and you have seen him on your previous visits to Sherwood Forest. The other person is a man you are pretty sure you've never seen before. He is dressed in rugged brown clothing and is carrying a bow and arrow.

Starting point is 00:31:24 is carrying a bow and arrow. Listening closely, you hear little John accusing the man of poaching in Robinhood's forest. His adversary laughs as if this is ridiculous, and replies, mayhap I am a poacher, but I take from the king, this forest belongs to the crown. You know this to be true, but little John scoffs at the notion, replying, Any man from here to Nottingham knows that Robin Hood holds dominion over Sherwood Forest, and he will decide what happens to the King's deer. He loves the King greatly, and wants only what is best for him and for his subjects. You look sideways at Robin Hood and see him nodding as if impressed.

Starting point is 00:32:39 Although little John is ultimately in the wrong on this topic, you have to admit that it's a good argument. The two men in the clearing are getting closer together, staring into each other's faces, and it seems trouble may be brewing. and it seems trouble may be brewing. In an effort to calm all tempers, Robin steps forward and hails them both. Good brothers, take a deep breath and let us all talk together. There is no need for ire," he says soothingly, placating the hot-headed pair. Little John stands to attention and smooths his clothing, as if realizing suddenly that he should present himself more appropriately. Robin walks over to the men and puts a hand on the shoulder of each one.

Starting point is 00:33:57 Then he asks the stranger what his name is. I am Arthur the Tanner, good sir, and I don't see why I should have to explain myself to you two vagabonds in the forest, he says rather indignantly. At this, little John looks momentarily startled, then he appears briefly confused. This is followed by a look of delight that spreads across his face. Arthur the Tanner you say? Why I am none other than little John, related to you by my mother's side of the family. I haven't seen you in many a year and didn't recognise you as my kinsman." Hearing this revelation, Arthur steps backwards and looks little John up and down from head to toe. So you are. And John, you are no longer very little," he jests. Both men turn in your direction. All anger has vanished.

Starting point is 00:35:40 Then Arthur asks the obvious question, pointing at Robin. If you are Little John, then who's this other fellow who's appeared here with a strange companion? Little John quietly informs him that he is in the presence of none other than Robin Hood himself. Then, walking over to you and clapping you on the shoulder, he adds that you are a frequent visitor to their camp and that you are to be trusted as well. and that you are to be trusted as well. Arthur is amazed that he is meeting with Robin Hood,

Starting point is 00:36:37 exclaiming that he has long admired the Outlaw's famous efforts. Realizing he is in the presence of a legend, he is now somewhat chastened about the poaching and doesn't argue that the deer belong to the king. Instead, he asks where Robin is going and what brings him to be wandering the forest on this day? At this, Robin gives Little John a stane look. You can see by Little John's shame-faced slump that he is indeed guilty of abandoning his assignment to fetch the cloth. Furthermore, if Alan's story is correct, he has probably spent all of the money that was earmarked for the fabric, instead squandering it at the Blue Boar Tavern. instead squandering it at the Blue Boar Tavern.

Starting point is 00:37:52 Robin turns to Arthur and says, I have come seeking little John because I fear that he was waylaid yesterday on his journey to town to purchase provisions. on his journey to town to purchase provisions. Then, looking meaningfully at his guilty friend, he adds, I see from the look on his face that my suspicions are correct. Little John hangs his head. For all his great size, he looks a little like a, and I passed the tavern and I saw my fellows there." He pauses and then adds, "...you know that making merry is my weakness."

Starting point is 00:39:00 Robin stares at him with a very serious expression, Robin stares at him with a very serious expression while all of you hold your breath waiting to see what he'll say next. Then he begins to laugh low and rich. His laughter rises, peeling through the meadow. Smiles of relief break out on all your faces as he pats little John on the arm. Do not worry yourself, friend," he says kindly. Which of us has not been tempted from our path on a few occasions? Then, looking at the sky, he says, In fact, I fear that rain is coming soon. How beautiful spring day has turned grey. Will you all adjourn with me to the tavern now? Arthur and little John eagerly accept this invitation, and the four of you troop onwards together, crossing the meadow and plunging once again into the forest. All three of your companions are

Starting point is 00:40:39 clearly well acquainted with the way and you are glad because the skies are beginning to look very grey indeed and a light breeze is coursing a warm fire. Just when you begin to feel a small splattering of raindrops you're all rewarded by the sight of a cozy little up ahead. A sign hangs out front declaring that it is the Blue Boar Inn and Tavern. There are some rough-hewn tables and benches outside but they have been abandoned in favor of indoor seating by the fire. You think to yourself how very typical of spring this weather has been. and now regressing to cold rain with almost no warning. As if reading your thoughts, Robin turns to you and says, this rain might chill a man to the bone, but it makes the perfect excuse to enjoy a pint by the hearth, does it not?

Starting point is 00:42:30 He points to a stake that is hanging on the outside of the building, capped by a fresh bunch of greenery. The stake declares that we are in luck. Fresh ale is here, he says, grinning. You look at the pole curiously and think what a good idea it is to have a sign like that. have a sign like that. Then, striding through the heavy wooden door, you all compose yourselves and survey the scene inside. Indeed, as the rain begins to patter on the windows in earnest, it is hard to imagine a more appealing place to shelter from the storm. The tavern is rather dim and not large, so it feels very cozy. There are numerous rustic boards of trestles, making it easy for patrons to gather, and the floor is covered with fresh rushes.

Starting point is 00:44:11 Wood rafters hold up the roof where bunches of dried herbs hang. Large barrels stand in the corners waiting to be tapped. But the best feature of the room is the enormous stone hearth where a crackling fire welcomes you in. At one table, a small cluster of men are playing a dice game with their mugs at the ready, the ready, but you are immediately distracted by a group of friends at another table as a cry of welcome goes up. They are some of Robin's merry men and they are delighted to see him. You don't know all of them, but you easily recognize Friar Tuck and Alan O'Dale, whose harp is lying against the wall nearby. Before you can even seat yourselves, the innkeeper has placed four more wooden mugs on the table. Tuck and Alan hold up a hand to you in greeting and you feel like you are part of the group. It is nice to be cheek by jowl with this legendary band. I see you have found our little John, Alan says with a teasing laugh. John hangs his head and blushes, but then he sees an opportunity to change the subject, introducing his

Starting point is 00:46:09 cousin Arthur the Tanner. He tells the assembled men about their debate in the forest and many jokes ensue about his cousin Arthur tanning his hide if Robin hadn't shown up at just the right moment. And it's also lucky for us, Alan points out, because how else would we have a fresh supply of coin to pay for these libations had Robin not brought some? Everyone nods with appreciation and in concert all the men take a reverent sip from their drinks. sip from their drinks. Then in his melodious voice, Friar Tuck offers up that little John and Arthur are not the only ones to have a little altercation that day. Nodding to another big man at the end of the table, he says, are any of you yet acquainted with this fellow, Mitch the Miller's son?

Starting point is 00:47:37 Robin and Arthur shake their heads but offer a greeting while little John issues a cry of recognition. Aye-aye, he says. Midge is long known to me, and a fine fellow he is. The aforementioned Midge smiles at this, his cheeks rosy with good humor, but he seems to be a man of few words and merely continues taking sips from his mug after that. Having completed introductions, Robin asks what altercation could possibly have happened since Mitch is obviously a jovial fellow. dramatically and Friar Tuck's laugh reverberates across the table. Well, good sir, let me tell you, he begins. Alan, Will and I were all on our way home through the woods this fine day, were all on our way home through the woods this fine day, and we stopped to enjoy a bite of food and some ale that we'd bought from a house along the way.

Starting point is 00:49:15 All the men nod agreeably, verifying this story. As you all know, the afternoon was fine, and we may have indulged in a bit more ale than was proper. After all, it was warm out, and we were thirsty. You look from one man to the other, and see them all all shrug as if this were an obvious problem. The libations made us a bit merry and a singing contest commenced continues tuk. Young Alan thinks he is the only one among us who can warble a tune, but I showed him otherwise the friar chuckles. Everyone laughs.

Starting point is 00:50:17 Tuck did have a rather good voice, but he was not better than Alan. Even you know this, because you've heard them both before. Well, who should come along the road, interrupting our music, but Mitch here? He was loudly trudging along with an enormous sack of meal on his back, and it quite distracted from our enjoyment. At this, Alan and Frya Tuck both look at Mitch in mock exasperation. He appears completely unmoved, placidly taking another sip. It was Will Scarlett who had the fine idea to play a trick on midge. We would pretend to rob him and get him all stirred up and then take him back to camp and feed him the finest meal of his life. We knew from his plain clothes and heavy heavy burden that he must not have any gold, but we thought it would make for a good jest. Alan quietly giggles into his cup, but the demanded that he give us his gold.

Starting point is 00:52:08 Well, unsurprisingly, he said he had none. The friar looks at Mitch with a conspiratorial expression. So we said to Mitch that we knew he had something in the bottom of his huge bag, and he must spill out the contents and show us. At this, the young man became quite flustered, pleading with us to go upon our way and not ruin his bag of meal, for his father needed it at the mill. Midge nods seriously, but doesn't add to the story. Well, we were not willing to back down on our masquerade, so we insisted. Finally, seeing that we would have our way, he offered to retrieve his gold from the bottom of the bag.

Starting point is 00:53:19 So we all crept up near him while he opened the sack and watched as he began reaching deep inside. Here, Tuck pauses dramatically and you all lean in in suspense. Almost whispering, the friar says, and then he took two big fistfuls of meal and pulled his hands out of the bag, hurling it in our faces. At this, everyone claps their hands on their legs and rattles the table with delight. Looking at Mitch, you can see he finally has a little little smile playing around his mouth. Tuck laughs with enormous good humor, wiping away tears. Oh my goodness, we were rubbing it out of our eyes for a good ten minutes and couldn't see a thing. In fact, friends, I wager all of us still have meal in our eyes and we are fairly certain Midge had nothing in the bottom of that bag. Alan puts his hand on Midge's shoulder and they all chuckle again. Robin raises his mug in the direction of their placid companion and says,

Starting point is 00:55:17 You are a robust and clever fellow, Midge. Should you ever tire of life at the mill, please come and join us. We could use a man such as yourself. Midge's eyes light up a little bit, and you know that deep down, he is pleased by the invitation. You wonder if he will do just that, but he keeps his secrets for now. At this moment, Alan takes his harp and begins to play, attracting the eye of every person in the tavern. His song is at first very beautiful and you are carried away by the music. It It seems almost too elevated for this earthy little gathering spot. However, listening, you soon realize he is singing very comical lyrics, and the entire band is soon laughing at them. One song melts into another. Dice are thrown, boasts are made, more logs are added to the fire. The rain patters unceasingly on the exterior of the Blue Boar Inn and Tavern as a night of wonderful fellowship unfolds inside.

Starting point is 00:57:19 You are completely and utterly content. Time loses all meaning, but at some point the hearth is merely glowing and the conversation has become more hushed. One by one, the locals disappear until you are the only table remaining. But the weather outside the walls of the tavern is inhospitable and departing is unappealing. Robin offers to pay the innkeeper for some rooms so that none of you must travel until the morning. You realize at that moment that you are becoming very drowsy and you are happy that you will not need to leave this dreamy scene behind just yet. The innkeeper tells you to follow him, and you do, but you turn one more time to say good night to brave Robin and his assembled cast of characters.

Starting point is 00:58:59 They are good friends to you, and you will never tire of your visits to see them in Sherwood Forest. The innkeeper settles you in your small chamber. It has stone walls and is furnished with a simple bed and a candle. You are suddenly so very tired. You remove your shoes and slip gratefully under the soft blanket that is folded there, letting your head sink into the downy pillow. The bedding smells fresh, like it was dried on the clothesline outside, and the flickering candle casts a comforting glow on your small bedside stool. As you close your eyes, you are dimly aware of the pitter-patter of the rain. But the thick walls make your room otherwise silent,

Starting point is 01:00:31 as the tavern and its visitors call it a night. And, very gently, with the smell of fresh straw and the sound of spring filling your senses, you drift away to deeper and even more restful dreams. to th if if to th if I'm going to go ahead and close the window. The End The The You You You The You You You You You You You You You You You Music You. you

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Gathering at Robin Hood’s Tavern

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