Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Rose Red and the Bear

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, add 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. Welcome to Get Sleepy, where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy. My name's Tom, and it's my pleasure to be your host. Tonight Heather will be reading a sleepy retelling of a classic fairy tale called Rose Red and

Starting point is 00:00:55 the Bear Prince. It tells the story of a young woman whose natural kindness to strangers ends up creating the most powerful type of magic. As you'll see from this story, being a force for good doesn't always take grand gestures. In the case of our heroine, it can be the small choices that matter. It was beautifully written by Alicia Steffen, who always does such a wonderful job of adapting fairy tales to our sleepy style. Before our story, let me ask you, how does a completely ad-free Get Sleepy listening experience sound to you? And how about access to nearly 700 full-length stories and meditations, including dozens

Starting point is 00:01:53 of extra-long episodes and series stitches? That all sounds pretty good, I hope, and you can enjoy all of that with a Get Sleepy Premium subscription, which is the best way to listen and to support the show. As well as everything I've already mentioned, every single Thursday we release an exclusive bonus episode for our premium subscribers, like tomorrow when I'll be telling a simple serene story about a summer day at the beach. The first seven days of a Get Sleepy Premium subscription are free and you can cancel anytime. You can even gift a subscription to someone special.

Starting point is 00:02:39 So why not give it a try and enjoy the best rest you can get. For more information on all of our plans visit getsleepy.com slash support or just follow the link in the show notes. Thank you all so much. Now then, it's nearly time for our story, so find a comfortable position in bed, and close your eyes. in through the nose and slowly back out through the nose or mouth. Start preparing for sleep by releasing any negative thoughts and feelings lingering from your day.

Starting point is 00:03:48 Whatever frustrations or setbacks you may have encountered, understand that these things are common. We all face challenges every day, and we all get caught up thinking about them too. But right now, they serve no purpose to you. Instead, think about one or two positive actions you took today, or in the days just gone, no matter how small they may seem. They can be positive actions for yourself, or ones that directly impacted others too. Imagine how those good choices may have a ripple effect for you and your loved ones.

Starting point is 00:05:00 In fact, this reminds me, I was in Berlin recently and I saw a quote written on the remaining section of the Berlin Wall. It said, Many small people who in many small places do many small things can alter the face of the world, and I think that's irrefutable. So take a moment to be happy and proud that you were able to make that little bit of difference. And now, you owe yourself a good night's rest. So before I hand over to Heather, picture a small cottage nestled amongst tall trees. It's the coldest part of winter, and the woods are sleeping, waiting patiently for the spring. The windows of the small house are glowing brightly, radiating cheer into the winter darkness. This is where our story begins. Rose Red lived with her mother in a cozy little cottage that was secluded in the middle of

Starting point is 00:07:11 a forest. It was built of grey stone with a shingled roof that was covered in moss. Ivy and climbing roses crept sweetly across the outside walls. There were just a few small windows, and each of them had two brightly painted red shutters, which matched the front door. Red shutters, which matched the front door. It was a humble place, but also a happy one. In the summer, the forest was lush and bursting with life. However, at the deepest point in the winter, the air was so cold, it felt as if it might shatter.

Starting point is 00:08:15 During that season, drifts of powdery snow piled high, all around the walls of their house, insulating it from the chill. The mother and daughter would often stay inside for days at a time, leaving their home only to fetch wood, or to tend to the few animals that sheltered safely in the barn. These were the months when the sun came up late in the morning and set long before dinnertime. With the entire forest sleeping under winter's cold, downy blanket, there was not much reason for Rose Red and her mother to leave their hearth. Instead, they focused their efforts on tasks they could complete indoors.

Starting point is 00:09:24 Cooking, spinning wool, knitting, and sewing kept them busy during the day. In the evenings, they sat by the crackling fire in their rocking chairs. in their rocking chairs. Named after her mother's favorite flower, Rose Redd was a wonderful storyteller and her mother's chief joy in life. Always brimming with good humor, she entertained them both for hours with fantastic tales she had invented about far off places. They knew that winter was a natural part of life, and they cheerfully made the best of it. It was certainly true that the snow was flying and the wind was howling. On the night, the bear appeared.

Starting point is 00:10:36 Rose and her mother were resting their feet in front of the fire, in front of the fire after a day of baking and other chores. The cottage was toasty and snug and firelight danced on the walls, illuminating their shadows while Rose told one of her marvelous stories. Her mother wasn't tranced by how her daughter slowly built up the characters and the events in her tales, bringing the characters to life. She would even act out the different parts, giving the players different voices. Rose sometimes made long pauses for dramatic effect, taking a large sip of hot chocolate of hot chocolate to draw out the suspense. Her imagination was all the entertainment they needed to pass the winter nights. So far, it had been a lovely evening of hiding from the storm. At a pause in her story, Rose thought she heard a thump at the door.

Starting point is 00:12:17 The two women looked at each other, questioningly. Surely they thought they must be hearing things. They had no neighbors and rarely saw any travelers passing their way. In weather such as this, it was difficult to imagine that anyone would find a path to their door.

Starting point is 00:12:43 that anyone would find a path to their door. They were about to resume the story when another thump echoed through the cottage. This time, it was unmistakable. It sounded as if someone had tossed a large heavy bag against the door. Rose stood reached out and tentatively opened the door. Lying in front of the door was a large furry mound. At first, Rose was not sure what it was. As she watched it, though, the snow-covered pile of fur moved, and a bear's head came into view. Rose covered her mouth with her hand, not wanting to cry out. However, she soon began to pity the bear when she saw its mournful

Starting point is 00:14:11 expression. The huge animal did not act as if it wanted to hurt her. It was obviously cold and seemed very tired. Rose had a soft spot for animals, and she knew in her heart that she would have to let the bear into the cottage. Standing back, she opened the door wide. The bear blinked its eyes a couple of times, as if rousing itself from a dream. Then it slowly pulled itself up and ambled awkwardly past her into the house and sat cold and damp in the shadows, away from the fireplace. Rose's mother stood and slowly approached the bear, which gazed at her silently. Taking a rough towel from the

Starting point is 00:15:29 kitchen, she began to dry the bear off dry, rose motions in the direction of the fire. Go ahead, she said softly, warm yourself, I will make some broth. Ducking its head mildly, the bear ambled to the spot between the rocking chairs at the fireside, and settled itself in the warm glow. Meanwhile, Rose busied herself in the kitchen, preparing some leftover soup for the bear to eat. Rose knew there was very little an animal could find by foraging in the woods at this time of year. When the broth was ready, Rose came cautiously to the bear's side and spooned some of it into his mouth. The bear lapped the soup hungrily, soon finishing the bowl she had brought.

Starting point is 00:17:09 No sooner had the animal eaten its fill than it fell into a deep sleep, right there on the floor. Rose and her mother looked at each other in bewilderment. This was all very strange. However, the bears seemed to be harmless. Leaving him to warm up and regain his strength, they retired to their beds for the night. Rose and her mother awoke in the morning to brilliant sunlight pouring through the small windows of the cottage. The storm had stopped sometime in the early hours, and the small panes of glass were covered in lacy frost crystals. Remembering their furry gassed from the night before, they slipped from underneath their downy comforters and put their slippers on, each taking a warm wool wrap from the chair by her bed. Tiptoeing into the main room of the cottage, they held their breath, wondering

Starting point is 00:18:51 what they would find. But the bear was gone. There was no sign of their nighttime guest. It was if the arrival of the great shaggy beast was just a dream. Rose crossed to the doorstep into the woods. This was the path the bear had made upon his retreat. There was nothing left for Rose and her mother to do. The two of them set to making their breakfast and prepared for another wintry day at home. The bear did not return that winter, although the weather continued to be fierce. Rose and her mother passed the days going through their usual routine of work, fireside

Starting point is 00:20:20 evenings, and sleep. It felt like the change of seasons took forever. However, finally, crocuses and snowdrops poked up through the melting snow and the days grew longer. The two women threw their windows open and took to spring cleaning, beating the dust out of their small rugs and airing their winter comforters on the clothesline. Rose was delighted to be out of doors again, and gladly spent time preparing the garden for their spring vegetable crop. Her mother was older and needed frequent rest, so Rose often spent time taking long walks through the woods by herself. She had been raised in the forest and was not afraid, although she was always finding new paths to follow and new corners of the

Starting point is 00:21:49 woodland to explore. On one such walk, she came upon a very tall stone wall that was completely covered in ivy. There was an iron gate in the middle of it, but the entire area was so overgrown that she couldn't see what was inside. see what was inside. It looked as if it had been abandoned very long ago. As she was combing the wall for some sort of gap where she might peek in, she was surprised to see a large shape move out of the corner of her eye. Turning, she spotted a massive brown bear lumbering out of sight. She knew immediately that this was the bear who had visited them on that stormy night months ago. Rose tried to follow, but the beast was gone. She was sorry not to get another chance to see him, but she was also glad to see that their shaggy friend had made it through the many winding trails she had taken,

Starting point is 00:23:48 she found herself hoping she would run into the bear again sometime. The spring was lovely that year. The spring was lovely that year. First, the delicate white snowdrops and the cheerful little crocuses made their appearance. Then the trees began to bud and flower, spreading their heavenly fragrance on the preces. In no time at all, the trees were leafing. It wasn't long before the forest was lush and green again. Rose and her mother were delighted to return to the longer days of summer. Rose embraced her ability to take long walks and spend her free moments idling by streams and daydreaming in the meadows. Sometimes she would take a book with her and spend hours reading in the shade of a tree or lying on a blanket amongst the wildflowers. One day, she had just such a plan.

Starting point is 00:25:32 She was walking through the woods with her blanket and her book, seeking the perfect spot. Being the perfect spot, she'd been making her way along the gently babbling stream, stopping occasionally to pick wildflowers or scrutinize interesting mushrooms. Rose had been known to read in all sorts of nooks and crannies. Sometimes she found the ideal place on a thick, low-hanging tree branch. Other times she sought out a shady canopy. If it wasn't too hot, she sometimes preferred a sunny clearing where she could spread out her blanket. However, she hadn't found any of these yet when she became distracted from her quest. To her surprise, she heard

Starting point is 00:26:51 someone speaking nearby. Following the sounds of the strange voice, she came upon a small and angry man who had a very long white beard. The beard had become caught in the crack of a log, and he was struggling to free himself. It looked as if he'd been at it for some time. He was quite red in the face. Rose offered to help him, and he turned to her with an ill temper. He said that he would expect no less, and what was she waiting for? Rose grabbed the beard and pulled and twisted, but it was no use. The beard was good and stuck. The beard was good and stuck. As the little man whined and moaned, she had an idea. She reached into her work apron and pulled out a small pair of sewing scissors. In just two snips, the angry little man was free. Instead of being grateful, he shook his fist at her. Look what you've done to my beautiful beard," he said.

Starting point is 00:28:49 Rose was very surprised to be scolded instead of thanked, but before she could even respond, the crabby little man jumped over the log and darted off into the forest. A couple of weeks later, Rose was collecting firewood near the stream. It had been rainy that week, and the water was splashing abundantly through the waterway. The stream was a little deeper than usual, and Rose was taking care to seek dry pieces of wood that had been sheltered from the rain. from the rain. She was picking her way through the area under the canopy of trees when she was distracted by a familiar voice. Dancing up and down on the rocks nearby, she saw the same furious little man. Despite having less beard than before, he had once again gotten himself in a predicament

Starting point is 00:30:20 while attempting to catch a fish. His beard was entangled in his fishing line, and he had whipped himself into such a fury that he had only made the situation worse. Rose steeled herself against his inevitable bad humor. Despite his past rudeness, she couldn't imagine just leaving him like that. At her approach, the helpless man became even angrier, telling her to stay away and not to touch him. Nonetheless, she did her best to disentangle his beard from his fishing line. After many long minutes of honest attempts, Rose knew that her sewing scissors would once again have to come to the rescue. Since she was fully aware the man would not like her solution, she did not warn him. Rose swiftly withdrew the scissors from her work apron, and with two or three snips, the man was free from the fishing line. As she expected, he was not pleased.

Starting point is 00:32:15 Despite the obvious fact that her assistance was all that had saved him, he was livid. The man spluttered that she had now completely ruined his beautiful beard. Grabbing his fishing pole indignantly, he scrambled over the rocks and vanished once again into the forest, without a single word of thanks. Rose did not encounter the grumpy stranger again for a long time. Meanwhile, she and her mother made full use of the long summer days. They enjoyed picnics in the forest and lazy afternoons reading in the garden after their work was done. The woods were filled with animal life. Each trilling bird tried to sweetly out-sing the others, sending its own echoing music throughout the treetops.

Starting point is 00:33:51 The sun was shining with the glowing intensity only found in the warmest months of the year. Rose Red and her mother soaked up every minute they could. She was certainly not sorry she hadn't seen the rude man again. Rose liked to be helpful, but he was very unpleasant. Unfortunately, she was not to make it to the autumn without having to provide him with more assistance. She was picking berries one late summer day. The bushes were loaded with brightly colored fruit that was just waiting to be plucked from the greenery. Rose was imagining what lovely blackberry and Raspberry preserves. She and her mother would be eating all winter. She sat down on a log to sample her forged crop and rest her feet.

Starting point is 00:35:31 and rest her feet when she heard the now familiar exclamations of her crabby friend. This time, his shouts were interspersed with the calling of some type of bird. Following the noise, she came upon a very surprising scene in a nearby meadow. Hovering above the ground was the grasses and flowers waving underneath it. Gripped in its talons was the last of the angry man's white beard. It was shorter by far than it had been. However, it was long enough for the bird to clutch it. The small man was kicking and swinging as the bird lifted him farther from the ground, without thinking, Rose dropped what she was carrying and rushed forward, grabbing him by the legs and pulling down with all her might. Rose did her best, but she was not a large person, and the huge eagle was enormously strong. She knew that she could only hope to free the man by severing him from the eagle's talons. Once again, she pulled the sewing scissors from her pocket, and with two or three snips, the pair were freed from the grip of the eagle. They toppled hard to the ground, rolling away into the grass as the eagle cried.

Starting point is 00:37:55 Then it dropped the white tuft of beard it still held in its claws, flapped its powerful wings, and flew away over the treetops. Rose was prepared for the usual scolding from the man, but this time he behaved very oddly. Instead of being full of fury, he seemed to be despairing. He was pulling at the stubby tufts of beard on his chin his chin and waving his hands at the sky. It was if something had gone horribly wrong. Then he suddenly stopped, and with a look of fear, he turned and darted into the forest, muttering as he retreated. Rose was completely perplexed by this change in behavior. She thought to herself that he had finally lost his mind altogether. Shaking her head, she picked up her baskets and continued with her search for berries in the woods. The weather was beautiful. Warm sunshine filtered gently through the canopy of the forest, creating a doubled pattern on the ground.

Starting point is 00:39:52 She wandered for a long time that day, following paths she knew, but straying farther than usual from home. Just when she was beginning to think it would be best to turn home, she realized she was again in front of the mysterious ivy-covered wall with the locked iron gate. She set down her basket and ran her hand along the rough stones again, faintly hoping she might find some secret gap where she could peer inside. As she was walking the length of the wall, she said. To her surprise, a man stepped out of the shadows. He was young and richly dressed, and he was holding a hat in his hands. Rose was quite taken aback. It was very rare, and she saw other people at all in the forest. And she had certainly not expected to come upon this handsome fellow in such an abandoned abandoned place. But before she could flee, he told her not to be afraid, and that they

Starting point is 00:41:51 had met before. Rose was skeptical. She was sure she would have remembered meeting someone like him. He continued, I'm a prince, but I have been imprisoned by a spell for many years. An evil sorcerer transformed me into the shape of a bear as a revenge for a quarrel he had with my father. Likewise, my parents and my sisters were all changed into different animals and sent to survive in the woods. Gesturing to the mysterious overgrown walls, he said, this is my home. It has stood silent and unoccupied ever since, waiting for the day that the spell might be

Starting point is 00:43:01 broken and my family would return. Rose couldn't believe what she was hearing, but she listened silently. The man smiled and continued, Thanks to your kindness, you have saved me twice over. First, the night you warmed and fed me, despite my terrifying appearance as a bear. Then you defeated the very sorcerer who had caused me this plight. Now Rose was truly amazed. But how could I possibly have broken the spell? She asked him. He smiled and said, the sorcerer's power came from the bad impulses in human nature. His spell could not be broken as long as kindness and generosity were nowhere to be found.

Starting point is 00:44:18 But you changed that by selflessly performing three life-saving favors for him. You destroyed his power, your goodness overcame his hold on the forest, because of you, he has had to flee, and I am finally restored to my human form. Rose was filled with happiness to know that she had done such a good service for this very handsome young man. Holding out his arm, he'd asked her if she would like to accompany him inside the walls to see what remained of his family home. He pulled a large ornate key from his coat, opened the enormous iron lock and pushed the gates open. Rose looked inside and saw a charming little castle. It was built of grey stone and surrounded by a modest moat. At either end, there were matching round towers. She couldn't

Starting point is 00:45:52 believe it had been waiting here all this time, hidden away behind the high walls. the high walls. The prince walked Rose home that evening. Within a day or two of the spell being broken, his two sisters and his mother and father also returned home. Like him, they'd been surviving in the woods in their animal forms for all these years. There was much rejoicing. As summer turned to autumn, the Prince made many visits to see Rose and her mother at their cottage, and they were often invited to come to dinner at the castle. On days when her mother stayed home, the prince always walked along with Rose, even though she knew the woods well. They loved spending time together, and it was a beautiful season of the year in the forest. The trees were aflame in fiery shades of orange, gold, and red. The air was crisp, and each breeze sent leaves gently drifting across the paths in a shower of color.

Starting point is 00:47:53 In fact, the pair took as many walks together as possible, and made the most of the romantic season. and made the most of the romantic season. It did not surprise anyone when the prince confessed to Rose that he had fallen in love with her, and he asked her if she would marry him. She was delighted to accept. A small wedding was planned for that winter. On the day that Rose and her prince were castle, and a delicious feast was laid. Rose red-globed with beauty worthy of her name, and she in the prince made a handsome

Starting point is 00:49:00 and happy bear. From that year forward, Rose's mother passed the winter season at the castle with plenty of company. Of course, there was still lots of fireside storytelling, and the Princess family was always in attendance. The surroundings of the Great Hall were grander than the Woodland Cottage where Rose and her mother had spent so many winter nights, but the stories were fantastic in any setting. As the snow silently blanketed the sleeping forest around the castle walls, Rose would spend every type of tale for her mother and her new in-laws. If a passerby had peeked in the window, they would have seen a cheerful company, each smiling Each smiling person hanging on roses every word, seated by a glowing hearth that kept the cold out.

Starting point is 00:50:36 As it happens, that passerby might have gladly knocked at their door, because Rose Red and the Prince never turned away a traveler or hungry animal. Thanks to their good fortune, they truly believed selflessness was the magic ingredient for a happy ending. నినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినినిన� you you

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - Rose Red and the Bear

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