Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove - Alice Through The Looking Glass - Chapter 8: “It’s my own Invention”

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Starting point is 00:00:46 please go to sleepcove.com slash support. That's sleepcove.com slash support. If you can't support the show right now, please subscribe with a bell to get alerts on all new free content thank you have you ever gazed in wonder at the great pyramid have you marvelled at the golden face of Tudankhamun

Starting point is 00:01:16 or admired the delicate features of Queen Nefertiti if you have you'll probably like the History of Egypt podcast every week we explore tales of this ancient culture The history of Egypt is available wherever you get your podcasting fix. Come, let me introduce you to the world of ancient Egypt. Welcome to Sleep Cove, the podcast to get a great night's sleep. With me, Christopher Fitten. Tonight, I'm continuing reading the classic Lewis Carroll tale through the looking glass.

Starting point is 00:02:06 I'm reading Chapter 8, my own invention. If you want to hear all the chapters, there is a link in my description to a link to that playlist. You can also find the other chapters easily just by searching for Alice through the looking glass

Starting point is 00:02:28 with the chapter name or number on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Thank you. And let's begin. Chapter 8. It's my own invention, gradually to die away, till all was dead silence, lifted up her head in some alarm. There was no one to be seen, and her first thought was that she must have been dreaming about the lion and the unicorn, and most queer Anglo-Saxon messengers. However, there was the great dish still lying at her feet, on which she had tried

Starting point is 00:03:18 to cut the plum cake. So I wasn't dreaming. After all, she said to herself, part of the same dream. It's my dream, and not the Red Kings. I don't like belonging to another person's dream. She went on in a rather complaining tone I've a great mind to go and wake him and see what happens At this moment Her thoughts were interrupted By a loud shouting of

Starting point is 00:03:56 Ahoy-Ahooy-Cek Dressed in crimson armour Came galloping down upon her Brandishing a great cluel Just as he reached her the horse stopped suddenly. You're my prisoner, the knight cried, as he tumbled off his horse, startled as she was. Alice was more frightened for him than for herself at the moment, and watched him with some anxiety as he mounted again.

Starting point is 00:04:36 As soon as he was comfortably in the saddle, he began once more. You're my, but here another voice broke in. Ahoy, ahoi-ahoy check! And Alice looked round in some surprise for the new enemy. This time it was a white knight. He drew up at Alice's side and tumbled off his horse, just as the red knight had done. Then he got on again,

Starting point is 00:05:09 and the two knights sat and looked at him. each other for some time without speaking. Alice looked from one to the other in some bewilderment. She's my prisoner, you know, the Red Knight said at last. Yes, but then I came and rescued her, the White Knight replied. Well, we must fight for her then, said the Red Knight, as he took up his helmet, which hung from the saddle and was something the shape of a horse's head, and he put it on. You will observe the rules of battle, of course, the white knight remarked, putting on his helmet too.

Starting point is 00:06:00 I always do, said the red knight, and they began banging away at each other with such fury that Alice got behind a tree to be out of the way of the blood. I wonder now what the rules of battle are, she said to herself as she watched the fight, timidly peeping out from her hiding place. One rule seems to be that if one night hits the other, he knocks him off his horse, and if he misses, he tumbles off himself. And the other rule seems to be that they are holding their clubs with their arms. as if they were punch and judy. What a noise they make when they tumble, just like a whole set of firearms falling into the fender. And how quiet the horses are.

Starting point is 00:06:59 They let them get on and off them, just as if they were tables. The ruler battle noticed, seemed to be that they always fell on their heads. and the battle ended with their both falling off in the same way, side by side. When they got up again, they shook hands, and then the Red Knight mounted and galloped off. It was a glorious victory, wasn't it? For the White Knight, as he came up hunting.

Starting point is 00:07:39 I don't know. I don't want to be anybody's prisoner. I want to be a queen. So you will. When you've crossed the next brook, said the white knight, I'll see you safe to the end of the wood, and then I must go back, you know.

Starting point is 00:08:05 That's the end. Thank you very much, said Ernest. May I help you off with your helmet? It was evidently more than he could manage. by himself. However, she managed to shake him out of him. More easily, said the knight, putting back his shaggy hair with both hands, and turning his gentle face and marge mild eyes to Alice. She thought she had never seen such a strange-looking soldier in all dressed in teard which seemed to fit him very badly.

Starting point is 00:08:55 and he had a queer-shaped little deal box fastened across his shoulder, upside down, and with the lid hanging open, looked at it to curiosity. I see you're admiring my little box, the knight said in a friendly tone. It's my own invention, to keep clothes and sandwiches in. You see, I carry it upside down So that the rain can't get in But the things can get out Ernest gently remarked

Starting point is 00:09:39 Do you know the lids open I didn't know it The king said A shade of vexation Passing over his face Then all the things must have fallen out and the box is no use without them. He unfastened it as he spoke

Starting point is 00:10:01 and was just going to throw it into the bushes when a sudden thought seemed to strike him and he hung it carefully on a tree. Can you guess why I did that? He said to Alice. The knight said, In hopes and bees may make a nest in it. then I should get the honey.

Starting point is 00:10:30 But you've got a beehive, or something like one, fastened to the saddle, said Alice. Yes, it's a very good beehive. The knight said in a discontented tone, one of a single bee has come near it yet, and the other thing is a mousetrap. I suppose the mice keep the bees out. or the beasts keep the mice out. I don't know what the mousetrap was for, said Alice.

Starting point is 00:11:09 It isn't very likely there could be any mice on the horse's bag. Not very likely, perhaps, said the knight. But if they do come, I don't choose to have them running on after a pause. It's as well to be provided for everything. thing. That's the reason the horse has all those anchlets round his feet. But what are they for, curiosity? To guard against the bites of sharks. The knight replied, it's an invention of my own. I'll go with you to the end of the wood. What's the dish for? It's meant for plum cake, said Alice. We'd better take it with us, the knight said.

Starting point is 00:12:16 It will come in handy if we find any plum cake to get it into this bag. This took a very long time to manage, though Alice held the bag open very carefully because the night was so very awkward in putting in the dish. The first two or three times that he tried, He tried, he fell in himself instead. It's rather a tight fit, you see, he said, as they got it in a last. There are so many candlesticks in the bag.

Starting point is 00:12:58 To the saddle, which was already loaded with bunches of carrots and fire irons and many other things. You've got your hair well fastened on, he continued. as they set off. Only in the usual way. It's hardly enough, he said anxiously. You see, the wind is so very strong here. It's as strong as soup. Have you invented a plan for keeping the hair from being blown off?

Starting point is 00:13:41 Alice inquired. Not yet, said the night, but I've got a plan for keeping it from falling off. I should like to hear it very much, said Alice. First you take an upright stick, said the night. Then you make your hair creep up it like a fruit tree. Now the reason hair falls off is because it hangs down. Things never fall upwards, you know.

Starting point is 00:14:14 It's a plan of my own invention. You may try it if you like. It didn't sound like a comfortable plan, Alice thought. And for a few minutes, she walked on in silence, puzzling over the idea. And every now and then stopping to help the poor knight, who certainly was not a good rider, whenever the horse stopped, which it did very often, he fell off in front. And whenever it went on again,

Starting point is 00:14:49 which it generally did rather suddenly. He fell off behind. He kept on pretty well, except that he had a habit of now and then falling off sideways. As he generally did this on the side on which Alice was walking, she soon found that it was the best plan

Starting point is 00:15:18 not to walk quite close to the horse. I'm afraid you've not had much practice in riding, she ventured to say as she was helping him up from his fifth tumble, which surprised and a little offended at the remark. What makes you say that? He asked as he scrambled back into the saddle keeping hold of Alice's hair with one hand to save himself from four feet. over on the other side. Because people don't fall off quite so often when they've had so much practice. I've had plenty of practice. The knight said very gravely. Plenty of practice. Alice could think of nothing better to say than indeed. But she said it as heartily as she could. They went on a little way in silence

Starting point is 00:16:26 After this The knight with his eyes shut muttering to himself And Alice watching anxiously The great art of riding The knight suddenly began in a loud voice Waving his right arm as he spoke Is to keep

Starting point is 00:16:50 Here the sentence ended As suddenly as it has begun as the knight fell heavily on the top of his head exactly in the path where Alice was walking. She was quite frightened this time and said in her anxious tone as she picked him up, I hope no bones are broken, none to speak of, the knight said, as if he didn't mind breaking two or three of them. The great art of riding, as I was saying, is to keep your balance properly. Like this, you know. He let go with the bridle and stretched out both his arms to show Alice what he meant,

Starting point is 00:17:43 and this time he fell flat on his back, right under the horse's feet. Plenty of practice, he went on repeating, all the time that others. Alice was getting him up on his feet again. Plenty of practice. It's too ridiculous, Alice cried, losing all her patience this time. You ought to have a wooden horse on wheels. That you all. Does that kind go smoothly?

Starting point is 00:18:17 The knight asked in a tone of great interest, clasping his arms round the horse's neck as he spoke. just in time to save himself from tumbling off again. Much more smoothly than a lifehorse, with a little scream of laughter, in spite of all she could do to prevent it. I'll get one, the knight said thoughtfully to himself. One or two, maybe several. There was a short silence after this, and then the knight went on,

Starting point is 00:18:58 I'm a great hand at inventing things. Now I dare say you noticed the last time you picked me up, that I was looking rather thoughtful. You were a little grave, said Alice. Well, just then, I was inventing a new way of getting over a gate. Would you like to hear it? Very much indeed, Alice had polite. I'll tell you how I came to think of it, said the night.

Starting point is 00:19:35 You see, I said to myself, the only difficulty is with the feet. The head is high enough already. Now first I put my head on the top of the gate, then I stand on my head. Then the feet are high enough, you see. then I'm over, you see. Yes, I suppose you'd be over when that was done, Anna said thoughtfully. But don't you think it would be rather hard? I haven't tried it yet, the knight said gravely.

Starting point is 00:20:19 So I can't tell the certain, but I'm afraid it would be a little hard. He looked so vexed at the idea That Alice changed the subject hastily What a curious helmet you've got She said cheerfully Is that your invention too? The knight looked down proudly at his helmet Which hung by the saddle

Starting point is 00:20:49 Yes he said But I've invented a better one than that like a sugar loaf. When I used to wear it, I fell off the horse. It always touched the ground directly, so I had a little way to fall, you see. But there was the danger of falling into it, to be sure. The worst of it was, before I could get out again.

Starting point is 00:21:26 The other white knight came and put it on. He thought it was his own helmet, so solemn about it, that Alice did not dare to laugh. I'm afraid, you must have hurt him, she said in a trembling voice. Being on the top of his head, I had to kick him, of course, the knight said, very seriously. And then he took the helmet off again. But it took hours and hours to get me out. out as fast as lightning, you know. But that's a different kind of fastness, Alice objected.

Starting point is 00:22:15 The night shook his head. It was all kinds of fastness with me, I can assure you, he said. He raised his hands in so excitement, as he said this, and instantly rolled out of the sun. saddle, head along into a deep ditch to the side of the ditch to look for him. She was rather startled by the fall, as for some time he had kept and she was afraid he really was hurt this time. However, though, she could see nothing but the soles of his feet. she was much relieved to hear that he was talking on in his usual tone kinds of fastness he repeated

Starting point is 00:23:18 but it was careless of him to put another man's helmet on how can you go on talking so quietly head downwards as she dragged him out by the feet and laid him in a heap on the bank Look surprised at the question, what does it matter when my body happens to be? He said, my mind goes on working all the same. In fact, the more head downwards I am. Now the cleverest thing of the sort as I ever did, he went on after a pause, was inventing a new pudding during the meat course. In time to have it cooked for the next course, said Alice.

Starting point is 00:24:24 Well, not the next course, a slow, thoughtful tone. No, certainly, not the next course, Alice replied, then it would have to be the next day. I suppose you wouldn't have two pudding courses in one dinner. Not the next day, the night repeated as ever. Not the next day, in fact. He went on holding his head down and his voice getting lower and lower. I don't believe that pudding ever was cooked.

Starting point is 00:25:08 In fact, I don't believe that pudding ever will be cooked. And yet it was a very clever pudding to invent. What did you mean it to be made of? Alice asked, hoping to cheer him up, for the poor knight seemed quite low-spirited about it. It began with blotting paper, the knight answered with a groan. That wouldn't be very nice, I'm afraid, said Alice. Not very nice alone, he interrupted quite eagerly, but you've no idea what a difference it makes mixing it with the other things,

Starting point is 00:25:56 such as gumpowder and sealing wax. I must leave you. They just come to the end of the wood. This could only look puzzled. She was thinking of the pudding. You are sad, the knight said in an anxious tone. Let me sing you a song to comfort you. Is it very long? Alice asked,

Starting point is 00:26:24 for she had heard a great deal of poetry that day, said the night, but very, very beautiful. Everybody that hears me sing it, either it brings the tears into their eyes, else it doesn't you know. The name of the song is called Haddock's Eyes. Oh, that's the name of the song, is it? Alice said, trying to feel interested. You don't understand, the knight said, looking at a little next.

Starting point is 00:27:06 The song is called in herself quite another thing. The song is called Ways and Means. But that's only what it's called, you know, said the knight. Well, what is the song then? said Alice, who was by this time completely bewildered, the knight said. The song really is, a sitting on a gate, and the tune's my own invention. So saying, he stopped his horse and at the rains fall on its neck, beating time with one hand, and with a faint smile, lighting up his gentle, foolish face,

Starting point is 00:28:15 as if he enjoyed the music of his song, he began. Of all the strange things that Anna saw in her journey through the looking-glass, this was the one that she always remembered most clearly. Years afterwards she could bring the whole scene back again, as if it had been only yesterday, her mild blue eyes and kindly smile, of the night, the setting sun gleaming through his hair and shining on his armour in a blaze of light that quite dazzled her. The horse, quietly moving about, with the reins hanging loose

Starting point is 00:29:01 on his neck, cropping the grass at her feet, and the black shadows of the forest behind. All this she took him like a picture, as with one hand, shady, her eyes, she leant against a tree, watching the strange pair and listening in a half-dream to the melancholy music of the song. But the tune isn't his own invention, she said to herself, I give thee all, I can know more, very attentively, and no tears came into her eyes. I'll tell thee everything I can. There's little to relate. I saw. I saw her. I saw her, I saw, an aged man, aged man, as sitting on a gate. Who are you aged man? I said, and how is it you live? And his answer trickled through my head, like water through a sieve. He said, I look for butterflies

Starting point is 00:30:07 that sleep among the wheat. I make them interminton pies and sell them in the street. I sell them unto men, he said, who sail on stormy seas. And that's the way I get my bread, a trifle, if you please. But I was thinking of a plan to dye one's whiskers green, and always you so large a fan that they could not be seen. So having no reply to give to what the old man said, I cried, come, tell me how you live, and thumped him. On his head, his accent smile took up the tail. He said I go my ways, and when I find a mountain rill, I set it in a blaze. And thence they make a stuff they call Roland's Mercurza oil.

Starting point is 00:31:06 Yet two pence halfpenny is all they give me for my toil. But I was thinking of a way to feed oneself on. batter, and so go on from day to day, getting a little fatter. I shook him well from side to side until his face was blue. Come tell me how you live, I cried, and what it is you do. He said, I hunt for Haddock's eyes among the heather bright, and work them into waistcoat buttons in the silent night and these I do not sell for gold or coin or silvery shine

Starting point is 00:31:50 but for a cup a halfpenny and that will purchase nine I sometimes dig for buttered rolls or set limed twigs for crabs I sometimes search the grassy knolls for wheels of handsome calves and that's the way he gave a wink by which I get my wealth, and very gladly will I drink your eyes.

Starting point is 00:32:21 I heard him then, for I had just completed my design, to keep the men I bridge from rust by boiling it in wine. I thanked him much for telling me the way he got his wealth, but chiefly for his wish that he might drink my noble health. and now if ever by chance I put my fingers into glue or madly squeeze a right-hand foot into a left-hand shoe or if I drop upon my toe a very heavy weight I weep for it reminds me so of that old man I used to know whose look was mild whose speech was slow

Starting point is 00:33:08 whose hair was whiter than the snow whose face was very like a crow, with eyes like cinders all aglow, who seemed distracted from his woe, who rocked his body to and fro, and muttered mumbly and low, as if his mouth were full of dough, who snorted like a buffalo, that summer evening long ago, a sitting on a gate, as the night sang the night. words of the mallard, he gathered up the reins and turned his horses head along, the road by which they had come.

Starting point is 00:33:51 You've only a few yards to go, he said, down the hill over the little brook, and then you'll be queen, but you'll stay and see me off first, he added, as Alice turned, with an eager look in the direction to which he pointed. I shan't be none. You wait and wave your handkerchief When I get to that turn in the road, I think it'll encourage me, you see. Of course I'll wait, said Alice,

Starting point is 00:34:25 and thank you very much for coming so far. And for the song, I thanked it very much. I hope so, the knight said doubtfully, but you didn't cry so much as I thought you were. so they shook hands and the knight rode slowly away into the forest I won't take long to see him off as she stood watching him there he goes right on his head as usual however he gets on again pretty easily

Starting point is 00:35:03 that comes of having so many things round the horse so she went on talking to herself as she watched to the horse, walking leisurely along the road, and the knight tumbling off, first on one side and then the other, and then the fourth, or fifth tumble, he reached the turn, and then she waved her handkerchief to him, and waited till he was out of sight. I hope it encouraged him, she said, as she turned to run down the hill. And now for the last brook, and to be a queen. how grand it sounds. A very few steps brought her to the edge of the brook,

Starting point is 00:35:51 the eighth square at last. She cried as she bounded across and threw herself down to rest on a lawn of soft as moss, with little flower-beds, taught us about it here and there. Oh, how glad I am to get here. And what is this on my head? she exclaimed in a tone of dismay She put her hands up to something very heavy

Starting point is 00:36:19 And fitted tight all round her head But how can it have got there Without my knowing it She said to herself As she lifted it off And set it on her lap To make out what it could possibly be It was a golden crown

Starting point is 00:36:39 Thank you.

Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove - Alice Through The Looking Glass - Chapter 8: “It’s my own Invention”

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