Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - The Cave of Treasure

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Starting point is 00:01:27 and sign up, follow the link for Get Sleepy Premium in the show notes, or you can subscribe directly with in Apple podcasts. Thanks so much for your support. Hello, and welcome to Get Sleepy, where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy. I'm Tom, your host, thanks for tuning in. A reef will be reading tonight's story, where we'll be exploring a magical cave with a curious young woman named Alia. You might recognise parts of the story from the classic tale Alibaba and the 40 thieves, but tonight's story. Make yourself comfortable and when you're ready, take a deep breath in, holding at the top, then gently release the air back out. Find a pace of breathing

Starting point is 00:02:56 that feels natural and soothing, and just enjoy that calming rhythm for the next few moments. Often at night, various thoughts can play on our minds and keep us stimulated and distanced from good sleep. It can be difficult to know how to deal with and respond to these thoughts without feeling overwhelmed by them. But the key is to keep it simple. Each time a thought pops up in your mind. Acknowledge the thought, but just try saying, not now. By responding with not now, you're sending a signal to your brain that you've seen that thought, but this is not the opportune time to deal with it. So it can gently float away, like a cloud drifting across a blue sky. And when you're better prepared to deal with that thought, it will come back to you during the day.

Starting point is 00:04:28 So continue to breathe at a gentle pace and allow your mind to be your guide, as you imagine a sprawling valley. A patchwork of green blankets the landscape, indicating that this is lush farmland. Our story tonight begins in a lovely valley, green with olive groves that have been here for hundreds of years. The trees don't produce much fruit anymore because they are so old, but they are beautiful with their twisted trunks and branches. There are small farms here in the valley. Some produce olives from younger trees. Others grow wheat. The valley is on the outskirts of the kingdom of Walid.

Starting point is 00:06:20 The king is kind and just, but it's a large county and not wealthy. Remote areas don't get much attention, which makes the valley popular as a hiding place for outlaws. Our hero, though, is not an outlaw. She's a poor, honest, hardworking artist. Aliyah lives with her mother and father in Bisbis, one of a handful of villages in the valley. Their cottage is one room.

Starting point is 00:07:12 In the far corner at the back is the stove where her mother bakes bread to sell at the village market. Next to it is the table where her father weaves baskets, which he also sells. Against one wall is their big bed, and on the opposite side is Alia's small bed, which she shares with her dog, Colb. It's tidy and cozy, and the family is happy there. Outside, behind the cottage, is where Alia creates her art. She loves to carve olive wood that she collects from the valley floor after wind storms. Alia believes that twisted branches are a gift.

Starting point is 00:08:16 She thanks the ancient trees as she picks up the windfall and invests time contemplating the shapes before carving what she sees trapped inside the wood. While her neighbors don't have extra money for art, the nearby village of Bilal is more prosperous. of Bilal is more prosperous. Alia borrows her father's mule and travels there once a month for the arts and crafts market. Over time, she has become known in the valley for the quality of her carvings, and usually manages to sell out each month. One beautiful summer day, a band of thieves rides through bispis. But Aliyah doesn't pay much attention. It happens so often, there isn't anything remarkable about it. They probably are headed to the nearby inn, she thinks.

Starting point is 00:09:39 It's known for its good food and comfortable beds. But Alia has other priorities. There was a windstorm recently and she needs more wood. That's because she has a special commission, the client owns the flower mill in Bilal and is very wealthy. He wants a carving in honor of his favorite horse. If she can fulfill the commission, he might bring her steady business and recommend her to other wealthy clients. Alia just needs to find a piece of wood with a horse inside she can see. Despite the outlaws, Alia feels safe wandering the valleys ancient olive groves alone.

Starting point is 00:10:58 The thieves know better than to ruin their good hiding place by bothering a villager and risking attracting the attention of the king. Besides, she has called for company. Aliyah walks slowly through the trees, enjoying the day. The sun is shining, but it isn't hot under the branches. The light is filtered and softened by millions of oval-shaped olive leaves. A light breeze cools her face, and she smiles as she anticipates many beautiful branches to collect.

Starting point is 00:11:57 She just hopes one will work for her commission. Alia's cloth bag is half filled with suitable wood when she hears a group of horses headed her way. While she isn't afraid of the outlaws, she knows she shouldn't talk to them. knows she shouldn't talk to them. So Alia calls Cobb over to her and tells him to be silent. They hide behind one of the largest, oldest trees waiting for the group to pass. It's a large band of thieves, at least 40, and each on a beautiful horse. The outlaws are happy, and Alia can see why. Each horse is laden with heavy bags, filled almost to bursting with their ill-gatan gains. The group is a mix of men and women. Each carries a long, curved sword and a scabbard around their waist. Some have daggers too. They all wear loose, comfortable pants and shirts, and they're not in a hurry. The outlaws keep their horses at a walking pace as they laugh and joke amongst themselves.

Starting point is 00:13:55 Alia wonders where the thieves could be going with those heavy bags. There isn't anything in this part of the valley, but old olive trees and a group of rocky hills. She stays behind her tree as the group comes to a halt in front of the tallest of those hills, about 100 feet from where Alia is hiding. The outlaw leader, or so Alia assumes, gets off her horse and looks around carefully. Then she walks up to the flat park of the rocky cliff face, stands in front of it and whispers, open sesame. as an opening in the cliff face magically appears. Luckily, a horse nays at the same time, and the outlaws can't hear her reaction. The leader gets back on her horse,

Starting point is 00:15:21 and the thieves enter one by one as Aliyah watches in amazement. The opening disappears and becomes rock again after the last person on horseback goes through. Aliyah knows she should take this opportunity to leave, but her curiosity is too great. She looks down at Cobb who has decided to take a nap. Aliyah chooses to wait it out. She sits next to Cobb, her back resting against the tree, still hidden from view. She scratches the dog's ears, takes a deep breath of the clean, fresh air, and lets her mind wander, as the sunshine and the light breeze put her to sleep.

Starting point is 00:16:40 About an hour later, she's awakened by the sound of horses. The door has opened and the thieves emerge. Their bags now hang empty from the saddles. As the last outlaw on horseback exits the cave, the opening again disappears. The group heads back toward the village in. Once they are out of sight, a Leah leaves Cobb, still napping next to the tree, and heads to the cliff face. She looks carefully for an opening, but there are no lines showing a door. No cracks reveal where the thieves entered. She runs her hand over the gray rock.

Starting point is 00:17:53 It feels solid. She knocks on the cliff face. It sounds solid. There is no hint that anything is inside except more rock. But there's one thing Alia hasn't tried. She stands back, takes a deep, calming breath, He stands back, takes a deep, calming breath, and says the words she heard the thief whisper. Open sesame. There is a quiet, whooshing sound as the rock in front of her dissolves, revealing a cave. Alia looks around to make sure nobody is watching before she steps inside the quiet darkness. As she crosses the threshold, Alia hears the quiet, whooshing sound again, and looks back to

Starting point is 00:19:10 see the cave opening, turn into solid rock. She is now surrounded by pitch black silence. Soon though, a soft light flickers next to her and slowly brightens. A torch on the wall glows with a smokeless flame. She sees more torches ahead of her flickering on, revealing a long, wide passage curving deep into the cave. Once, twice, three times, to call myself. She's not completely sure she's awake, but she knows she must see what's at the end of the passage. She starts walking slowly, following the torchlit path. The passageway is wide and tall, perfect for people on horseback. Jack. Alia notices the air is fresh. There must be an opening somewhere for ventilation.

Starting point is 00:20:57 She wonders how such a cave could exist without any of the villagers knowing. How long has it been here? What kind of magic created an opening that disappears with a simple command? After minutes of walking, Alia is eager to learn what's at the end of the passageway. A curve ahead shows she's coming to something much brighter than the gentle light of the torches. She starts to breathe a little faster, anticipating what she might find. Alia comes around the bend and stops. mouth and eyes open wide. She has arrived at a huge cavern, filled with mounds of treasure. To her left are piles of golden coins. Some are small and thin, similar to what she gets for her best artwork. Others are as large as her palm. She picks up one of the largest, marveling at its weight, before letting it drop with

Starting point is 00:22:49 the clinking sound back into the bile. To Alia's right is a mountain of jewels. She has never seen a precious gem up close before. So she can't be sure what kind each is. But the colors are beautiful. Some are deep green. Others are bright red. The clear ones she guesses are diamonds.

Starting point is 00:23:35 They are cut to reflect light, enhancing their beauty. She picks one stone up, examines it carefully, and lets it drop back into the pile. In front of Alia is a gallery of paintings on easels and sculptures on pedestals. These, she takes her time examining. The canvases depict landscapes, still life, and portraits in deep, rich oil paints. They're held in ornate gilt frames. Each one is a masterpiece. The sculptures are carved from marble, and she marvels at the exquisite detail. marvels at the exquisite detail. She spends several minutes examining a tiny carved hand, in hopes of improving her own skills through this study. There's much more in the cave, furniture, and woven carpets, ceramics, all in their own

Starting point is 00:25:11 sections. The cavern seems to go on forever, but Alia knows it's time for her to leave. Her parents will worry if she's gone much longer, and Kalb probably has awakened by now and is looking for her. Alia leaves the cavern and retraces her steps back toward the cave entrance. The torch is dim and then go dark as she walks past. She hopes the magic words will allow her to leave the cave as easily as she entered. When she reaches her destination, the last torch still glowing, Alia says the words,

Starting point is 00:26:18 open sesame. But nothing happens. She says it again. Still nothing. She wonders what to do next when she hears a deep voice behind her say, what have you taken? Alia turns quickly and sees a huge chin glouring at her. He floats a foot off the ground and the top of his head nearly reaches the ceiling.

Starting point is 00:27:08 He's dressed in loose golden trousers with a wide silver belt, studded with jewels. The jins, skin, is copper-colored and shimmers. His eyes are black and over them are thick for bidding brows. His strong arms are crossed over his chest. Again, he asks, what have you taken? Her eyes wide, barely able to answer, Alia's stammer as she tells him she took nothing. She turns her pockets inside out and opens her bag to show that she has nothing but olive branches. The gin is perplexed. His job is to guard the cave from intr the visitor who comes to look, but not take. He asks why she didn't take anything, not even one small coin. Alia says the cave is filled with stolen things. She can't take even a single item, because then she would be a thief too.

Starting point is 00:29:06 The Jin had never met an honest person before. He has always been in service to thieves. way of thinking impresses him and he wants to reward Aliyah somehow. The Jin asks Aliyah what she wants for herself. She thinks about it for a minute. And then says, all she really wants is to go home, after finding an olive branch that she can use to carve a beautiful horse for the miller. The gin smiles at such a simple request. He nods and tells her to go home. The cave will open for her now.

Starting point is 00:30:14 Alia faces the opening and says the magic words one more time. A soft, wushing sound means the gin had told the truth. She turns back to thank him, but he's disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared. Not wanting to take a chance on the door closing again, maybe for good this time. Alia leaves the cave and immediately is greeted by a wagging calm. She can see by the sun's position in the sky that she needs to start for her village now if she wants to get home before dark. She and Cobb wind their way through the olive trees and she contemplates her strange adventure. A magic cave, piles of treasure, a gallery of beautiful art, and a gin.

Starting point is 00:31:38 She still isn't completely sure she'd been awake and not dreaming. As she walks, lost and thought, Alia's foot catches on a large branch on the ground. She stumbles and almost falls, but catches herself in time. She looks down to see what tripped her. It's the perfect olive branch. She sees immediately that it will become a beautiful horse carving. Alia looks back in the direction of the cave, now out of sight, and sends a silent thank you to the gen.

Starting point is 00:32:42 She now has exactly the treasure that she wants. When Alia gets back home, she helps her father prepare the evening meal. And as the family eats, she tells her parents about her adventures. They are amazed, but her mother suggests she might have been dreaming while napping under the big olive tree. Maybe, Alia says, but it certainly seemed real. And she did get the exact olive branch she she's ready for a good night's sleep. She says good night to her parents, each reading quietly by candlelight at the table. Alia gets into bed, pulls up the warm blanket and lays his head on her stomach. She closes her eyes and envisions the inside of the cave.

Starting point is 00:34:37 Alia paints a picture in her mind of the glittering mountains of gold and jewels. of the glittering mountains of gold and jewels. She recalls the magnificent paintings and sculptures on display in the lonely gallery. She thinks with kindness of the Jin, who rewarded her honesty with the only gift she truly desired. Perhaps she would carve something for him to show her gratitude and leave it outside the cave. She turns her thoughts to ancient olive trees with beautiful, twisted branches. not fresh breezes, dabbled sunshine, and quiet walks with cob. And then she drifts off to sleep. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... you

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - The Cave of Treasure

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