Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - The Tiny Family Celebrate the Weekend

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Starting point is 00:01:41 I'm your host Thomas. It's lovely to have your company. I'm so excited for you to hear tonight's story, or however much of it you stay awake for. We'll once again join the Pocket family in their dollhouse behind the sofa. There's Ma, Pa, Joe and Matilda and Hercules the sausage dog, a recent addition. The humans have gone away for the weekend and the pockets are keen to celebrate their freedom. They'll play football and take a swim in the kitchen sink before dining on morsels of delicious birthday cake. As with all the stories in this series it was written by Joe and will be read by Simon and if you haven't heard any of the other episodes featuring this tiny family just yet,

Starting point is 00:02:46 I'll make sure to include references to the others in the show notes. Get Sleepy Premium is the very best way to listen to the show. Why? Because you'll have access to the entire catalogue of Get Sleepy stories and meditations. That's around 750 and counting, including lots of extra long episodes. And why else? Well, there are no ads whatsoever, so every time you press play, it's soothing sleepy listening all the way. Anything else I hear you say? Well yes, every Thursday we release a brand new bonus episode just for our premium supporters. Tomorrow TK is back to read us the second part of a story about a girl named Hazel and

Starting point is 00:03:39 her time in a magical realm known as Lorda. Premium supporters also get 30% off Get Sleepy merch so you can wear your love of the show loud and proud. Give Get Sleepy Premium a try with a 7 day free trial to begin with. Visit GetSleepy.com slash support or just follow the link in the show notes to learn more. Thank you so much my friends. Now then, it's nearly time for our story, so settle in and make yourself nice and cozy. make yourself nice and cozy. Allow your body and mind full permission to let go of tension, anxiety, stress and any unwanted energies. During our busy daily lives, we can often spend a lot of time and energy conforming to the different situations presented to us, acting as we deem appropriate at any given

Starting point is 00:04:58 time, particularly in professional working environments. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to come across the right way and it can be rather exhausting. Whether you can relate to that or not, just know that this time, here and now, is all yours. You can relax completely, immersing yourself in the beautiful comfort of being authentically you. As you let your body and mind soften and sink into that stress-free sense of ease, join

Starting point is 00:05:49 me for a couple of deep, nourishing breaths, breathing in to the count of 5 and out for 6. So, inhale for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and out 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and again in for 2, 3, four, five, and out, six, five, four, three, two, one. Let your shoulders loosen, soften any tension in your jaw, any tension in your jaw and enjoy the comfort and stillness of your cozy bed. Meanwhile I'll make way for Simon as we turn to our story. So picture a peaceful living room with terracotta walls and light pouring in through a large bay window. This is where our story begins. The Patterns of sunlight dance on the floorboards and on the surface of the coffee table. The light bounces off the television on the wall opposite and pools across the surface of the white painted window sill.

Starting point is 00:08:02 It's on the window sill that we find the Pocket family enjoying the warmth of a patch of sunlight. They're looking out through the living room window watching as the humans they live with pack up the car. Miss Granger is in her mid-30s while her daughter turned seven only yesterday. She had her birthday party right here in the living room. The pockets saw the whole thing play out from this very spot on the sun-soaked windowsill. They were hidden from sight,

Starting point is 00:08:42 watching from behind a bright yellow birthday card with a 7 on the front. The room was decorated with balloons and streamers, and the coffee table was covered with cake and sweet treats. The pockets are sure to find a jackpot of goodies. The crumbs beneath the coffee table will likely feed them for a month. Today they awoke already excited, wondering what they might find on their next supply run. Their delight was compounded when they saw the Grangers packing, preparing to go away for the whole weekend.

Starting point is 00:09:30 The Grangers are a wonderful family. They're kind and softly spoken. Their footsteps light and gentle. They're the best kind of humans that the Pockets could ever hope for. But still, it's rather marvelous to have the house to themselves. There will be no hiding for the entire weekend. They can go throughout the house exactly as they please. And they can drive up and down in their glossy pink car,

Starting point is 00:10:07 which is currently parked in front of the dollhouse. Here on the windowsill, a plan is formed to celebrate their freedom with a day of fun. Each of them can choose an activity they'd like to do, and the whole family will do it together. Matilda says she wants to play football, while Joe wants to watch a film. Pa's only requirement is a slice of birthday cake, though a few other nibbles surely wouldn't go amiss. Ma takes the longest to think of what she wants, eventually deciding on a swim.

Starting point is 00:10:50 This, she is certain, will be a hit with everyone, especially Hercules, the adventure-loving sausage-dog. By the time they hear the front door close, the family have planned out the order of events. Football, swimming, then dinner and a film. It's the perfect day for the whole family. After watching the Granger's car drive away from the house, the Pockets begin their journey to the edge of the window cell. Hercules yawns, waking from a nap. He stretches out his limbs and joins the family. The Pockets have come equipped with their outdoor kit. They have walking poles, backpacks and ropes made for climbing. The walking poles are made from repurposed toothpicks, while the climbing ropes are

Starting point is 00:11:54 string with picture hooks at the end. Hercules shuffles at Pal's side, sunlight flickering across his chestnut coat. At the edge of the sill, Pal lifts the dog gently and slides him into a pet carrier that he wears on his front. Pal strokes Hercules' head. He's such a good boy and an amusing sight strapped in like a baby. The dog's eyes are wide, bright and alive. He has an open-mouthed grin with his tongue hanging out. First on the agenda is to return to the dollhouse, which is located across the living room behind the sofa. To a human it's maybe six strides away, but to the pin-sized pockets it's considerably further.

Starting point is 00:12:57 Par goes first, climbing rope in hand. He throws it like a lasso towards the door. hand. He throws it like a lasso towards the door. It catches around the end of the open door's handle just a short distance away from the windowsill. Having checked that the rope is firm and secure, Parr steps off the edge and swings through the air. To Hercules' delight, they swing back and forth, eventually slowing down by the side of the door. Par lowers himself carefully, sliding down the rope and onto the glossy mahogany floorboards. Hercules is set down to walk freely beside his master, and they're soon joined by the rest of the Pocket family. They're a merry group as they amble across the living room, making jokes and playing games of I Spy.

Starting point is 00:13:57 They take the longer route around the coffee table, venturing around the base of the massive leather sofa. venturing around the base of the massive leather sofa. And soon, they're back at the three-floored dollhouse, the gorgeous mansion that they've learned to call home. With no front facade, its rooms are on display with their country cottage decor and elegant furniture. Mar heads into the kitchen and takes out a football from a cupboard. It's a crystal bead from one of the young humans' craft kits,

Starting point is 00:14:35 the kind you might thread onto a handmade bracelet. Ma returns to the car where the family are seated, the children poised beside the controls. Together, they set off across the living room floorboards, expertly driven by Joe and Matilda. It's one of the family's favorite ways to travel. Hercules especially loves the breeze in his fur. They glide across the living room and onto the carpet of the hallway,

Starting point is 00:15:10 where they turn the corner and head into the kitchen. Imagine what the Grangers would say if they suddenly came home now. It would look as if the doll's car had come to life on its own and driven itself across the kitchen floor. The children park the car and one by one the family step out. Matilda leads the way beneath the kitchen table, carrying the bead-sized football. The floor beneath the table is a makeshift sports field, and the arched table legs make perfect goal posts. And so the family play a game of football. It's Ma and Matilda

Starting point is 00:15:58 versus Joe and Pa. There's a friendly rivalry that makes for great competition, and the parents are just as spirited as their energetic children. It's a game that requires a fair bit of movement, and Ma is thankful that she keeps fit and healthy. She enjoys watching the others, too. Her daughter's face lights up whenever she's near the ball. It's Matilda who scores the very first goal. Then, Pa gets the next one and another after that. Joe looks set to score the next goal for his team

Starting point is 00:16:41 until fate intervenes in the form of Hercules. The little dog runs onto the field and takes the ball from beneath Joe's feet. He knocks it with his snout and chases after it, causing it to roll between the opposite goalposts. There's an eruption of hearty laughter. Thanks to Hercules, the teams are tied. Suddenly, no-one cares who wins or loses, and all are agreed on who is man of the match.

Starting point is 00:17:17 The handsome little canine is congratulated by the family. They pet his fur and stroke beneath his chin while he wags his tail, his mouth gaped open in a comically large grin. The pockets play on for maybe half an hour longer with the children teaming up against their parents. Hercules continues to interrupt where he can, much to the family's amusement.

Starting point is 00:17:47 When everyone has agreed that it's time to move on, they return to their backpacks which they left in the car and gather their things. Hercules goes into Pa's front carrier in preparation for the journey onto the kitchen counters. in preparation for the journey onto the kitchen counters. The family walk across the beige kitchen floor, which is bathed in sunlight from the window. It's as if they're wandering through some tropical paradise, the floor as smooth and golden as the sand of a coastline. Par is first to scale the cabinets, all with the aid of his trusty climbing ropes. After just a few minutes, he reaches the top and pulls himself up onto the marble countertops.

Starting point is 00:18:38 From the edge of the counter, he can see the kitchen sink and the draining board beside it, glistening like silver. Once all of the family are on the countertop, they walk in the direction of the sink. On the way, they pass massive storage jars labeled coffee, tea, and sugar. Par sniffs at the air, relishing the aromatic scent of coffee. Hercules is allowed to walk on the countertop, where he sniffs excitedly at everything he passes. He soon becomes distracted by a patch of moving sunlight and begins to chase it across the counter. moving sunlight and begins to chase it across the counter.

Starting point is 00:19:30 He pursues the sunspot onto the silver draining board where it disappears much to his confusion. The sink to a human is an average kitchen sink with hot and cold taps positioned above the basin. Through the pocket's eyes, however, it's a sparkling silver valley, one that can be transformed by the magic of water. The family will often shower here below the tap that's always dripping.

Starting point is 00:19:59 It's like bathing in a waterfall. When the sink is full, the valley becomes a lake. It's here that the children were taught how to swim. The sink has been the scene of many happy memories for everyone in the family, except for Hercules. He has never swum here or seen the sink full of water, though that's about to change. He watches the family's movements with great curiosity as Pa and Joe slide down the plug chain.

Starting point is 00:20:38 When they reach the basin, they push in the plug before returning to the top, climbing back up the chain. Mar and Matilda lasso their climbing ropes, using them to turn the hot and cold taps. They release a stream of lovely warm water, and inch by inch the basin fills up. inch by inch, the basin fills up. Once the taps are turned off, the family gather on the draining board to admire the results of their work. The water is as clear as crystal and as still as glass. The family set down their backpacks and equipment, and they unzip their bags, removing towels and swimwear. Then they take it in turns to change behind the privacy

Starting point is 00:21:34 of a plastic sink caddy. The children are the first ones in the water, running and jumping from the edge of the sink. Ma and Pa giggle at their children, though Pa can't resist jumping in after them. Ma prefers to slide in slowly, delighting in the sensation of warmth rising through her body. Her face beams brightly once she's bobbing in the water.

Starting point is 00:22:05 It's exactly what she needed, and so wonderfully relaxing. Hercules sits beside her at the edge. He's engrossed in the sights and sounds of the water. Then he sniffs around the sink and chases the sound of splashes until his fear of missing out gets the better of him and he leaps into the water. The little dog paddles energetically through the warm water. Only his head is visible above the surface and his long, thin tail, which pokes up like an antenna.

Starting point is 00:22:45 Ma rests a hand beneath his belly, lifting him slightly and supporting him while he swims. This allows him to relax into the rhythm of a slightly slower paddle. Joe and Matilda come to play with Hercules, enchanted by the sight of their pet in the water. Meanwhile, Ma and Pa swim laps around the pool. With the humans away, there's an extra sense of freedom.

Starting point is 00:23:16 It's a carefree atmosphere, as if the family are on holiday. The water sparkles like a sea reflecting sunlight and laps against the sink edge like waves against a shore. The kitchen window has been left slightly open to let in the breeze. Fresh summer air flows through and sweeps above the family as they swim through the water. Pa can smell roses from the Granger's back garden, and there's something else, too. The scent of wine. Following his nose to the other side of the sink, he spots the cork of a wine bottle resting on the counter. He climbs up to the edge of the sink he spots the cork of a wine bottle resting on the counter. He climbs up to the edge of the sink and pushes the cork into the water. It's large but very light and

Starting point is 00:24:15 it rolls in easily where it bobs up behind, pushing the cork forward. Then he holds it still for Mar to climb on, only letting go once she's settled on its surface. The rest of the family swim and play as Mar lounges happily on her makeshift Lilo. Soon she's joined by a sopping wet Hercules. as Mar lounges happily on her makeshift Lilo. Soon she's joined by a sopping wet Hercules. He's ready for a rest after all that paddling. The dog lies down beside Mar and she rests a hand on his chestnut fur. They bob about on the surface, drying in the sunlight, to a soundtrack of the others

Starting point is 00:25:08 splashing in the water. Mar has the feeling that she could lie here forever, but an hour or so later she's ready to move on. The plug is pulled out so the sink becomes a valley once more, and the family dry in no time on the sunlit draining board. Everyone's thoughts now turn to food. On the opposite countertops they see bags and boxes that aren't usually here, items left over from yesterday's party. The Pockets had planned to eat in the living room, where they're sure to find crumbs that

Starting point is 00:25:52 the humans have missed. But with the Granges away, there's no rush to leave the kitchen, so they decide to investigate the food on the counter. So they decide to investigate the food on the counter. Gathering their belongings, the family walk on, curving around a spice rack before reaching the electric hob where they glide across the surface like skaters on an ice rink. Back on the marble, they're just a short walk away from the bags and boxes set down on the counter. The scent of yummy food rolls in waves towards them, causing their mouths to water and their bellies to rumble. Once they get there, they agree that Ma will set the table while the others gather food. They go their separate ways, equipment at the ready, while Ma moves towards a dish on the counter. She scales the side with the help of her climbing rope and slides onto a pile of loose, random items.

Starting point is 00:27:05 onto a pile of loose, random items. The dish contains objects that the humans don't know what to do with. There are coins, button, a piece of cotton wool, and some keys. The button will make for an excellent dining table, and the cotton wool is large enough to seat them all. Mar wraps her climbing rope around both of these items and pulls them out after her as she exits the bowl. She drags her findings to a spot in the shade and arranges the cotton wool around the button table, turning it into a curved and cushioned bench. From her backpack, Mar pulls out an assortment of items, cups, plates, and cutlery made from tinfoil.

Starting point is 00:27:56 She sets a place for each member of the family, including Hercules, who has a bone-shaped dog bowl. Hercules who has a bone-shaped dog bowl. Meanwhile, the rest of the family go back and forth carrying crumbs over to the table. Barely specks to the humans, they're things that won't be missed, but to the pockets they're a feast. After several trips, the table is full and home to a buffet of delicious morsels. There's pizza, quiche, crisps, and sausage roll. Then there are brownies, donuts, and best of all, birthday cake. It's truly a feast of epic proportions, the kind of meal that they won't soon forget. The atmosphere is lively, like a birthday party for the family. Hercules' tale never seems to stop wagging. The family chat merrily about their day in between bites of food. They reminisce over moments from this morning's game of football and the sight of Hercules swimming in the sink. Hercules, it seems,

Starting point is 00:29:17 is very fond of sausage roll and Joe wonders aloud if that's where the sausage dog gets his name. This leads to a debate about all the other foods the dog eats and why, with that logic, he might be a croissant dog or pepperoni. Par is most excited about the prospect of cake. Birthday cake is his absolute favorite, and it doesn't disappoint, with its layers of jam and cream and the thick white icing that coats the sponge. Once the plates are empty, the families sit for a while. They savor the moment and each other's company. Hercules comes to join them on the cotton-walled bench and curls into a ball beside Pa.

Starting point is 00:30:14 The dog is sleepy after all that food and he soon nods off. The family leave him napping as they clear up, preparing to move on now that their food has settled. They fill their backpacks with leftover crumbs, knowing that they'll be dining like royalty for the rest of the month. Everything else is tidied back into place, the cotton-walled seat being the last thing to go. Hercules is gently woken from his post-dinner nap and the cotton wool is returned to the dish on the counter.

Starting point is 00:30:54 The dog is barely awake as Pah lifts him in the air and slides him into the carrier that he wears across his chest. Together, the family amble towards the edge of the counter, content to stroll at a leisurely pace. Then, Par leads the way, throwing his rope through the air. It catches on the leg of a chair below the table. Par raises his walking pole above the rope and zip wires down onto the floor.

Starting point is 00:31:29 Hercules, strapped to his chest, misses most of the journey. Neither the breeze nor the views are enough to stir him. Less than 20 minutes later he's back in the living room and fast asleep in a crease on the sofa. He's made a comfortable bed on the leather where the rest of the family have come to sit beside him. It's time for an afternoon film, enjoyed in their own private cinema. The Granger's television has the most enormous screen, raised high on the wall opposite the sofa. Joe is the family's television expert. He knows everything there is to know about the human channels.

Starting point is 00:32:22 It takes only a dance across the buttons of the remote, and the screen plays out the opening credits of a film. The families settle into the crease of the sofa, nestled snugly on the soft leather. The material molds around their tiny bodies so they can recline backwards. It's a great film, both funny and touching, and everyone is grinning by the time the end credits roll, all except Joe and Hercules, who lies beside him.

Starting point is 00:33:00 Both have their eyes closed and seem to be snoozing. Hercules is on his front, his paws on Joe's lap, and his face resting on the boy's stomach. The dog's head moves gently up and down with the rise and fall of Joe's breaths. It's such a sweet sight that no one thinks to move them, and with the house to themselves, there's no need to rush home. They can nap here on the sofa for as long as they wish, in the hushed serenity of the cozy living room. Matilda, Mar, and Pa speak in whispers. Matilda tells her parents that she's had the best day ever. Then she kisses each of their cheeks before leaning back on the sofa and closing her eyes. Mar and Pa smile lovingly at each other. sofa and closing her eyes.

Starting point is 00:34:08 Ma and Pa smile lovingly at each other. They too have had the perfect day. Hand in hand, they let their eyes close and slowly fall asleep. You You You You You You You You You You You You The You The You The. The You You you

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - The Tiny Family Celebrate the Weekend

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