Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove - Fall Bedtime Stories - Cozy Autumn Fairy Tales

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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? Or admired the delicate features of Queen Nefertiti?

Starting point is 00:01:21 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. With autumn now here, the leaves are beginning to change colour and fall to the ground. So I've read some more cosy autumn fairy tales about the arrival of autumn and fall. Firstly, you'll hear the legend of the widow tree.

Starting point is 00:02:07 This Japanese legend tells of a proud bamboo tree that refuses to help a delicate young vine while a kind old willow tree offers shelter and support Then you'll hear Mrs Bunny's dinner party This story is about Mr and Mrs Bobtail Who set out across autumn fields filled with the nuts and harvest foods

Starting point is 00:02:38 to attend Mrs Bunny's dinner party at Bramble Hollow Then you'll hear a story about a medieval knight's herald To personify the arrival of frost before winter Trees, flowers and farmers All respond in their own way Either bravely shedding leaves or preparing harvests and homes and I've also included a couple of poems too

Starting point is 00:03:11 please let me know in the comments what you think and if you'd like to hear more I'm Christopher Fitton and this is Sleep Cave Begin a legend of the willow tree A Japanese legend retold Once upon a time a humble willow tree with knolled and twisted branches

Starting point is 00:03:41 grew near at all and stately companion called the bamboo tree many people who passed by stopped to admire the shapely bamboo but no one seemed to notice the old willow tree

Starting point is 00:04:00 one morning when the sun shone brightly after a soft rain, a timid little plant with a delicate stem sprang up between the two trees, pleadingly towards the straight, strong trunk of the bamboo. But the bamboo tossed her plumy foliage and said Hortany, do not look at me for help. I cannot let you cling around my trunk. Let me take hold of you until I grow a little stronger, begged the little plant.

Starting point is 00:04:46 But the bamboo drew away and said, Keep away, I cannot allow you to cling to my beautiful branches. Then the kind old willow tree whispered through her leaves. Do not be discouraged, little one, the sun is shining, and the soft rain will come to refresh you. Come to me if you like, and grip your little green fingers into my bark. Do not be afraid.

Starting point is 00:05:21 In the shade of my branches, you will be protected. Come. The tiny plant still looked longingly toward the handsome bamboo, At last she crept over the grass to the old willow And began to twine around the sheltering branches The slender vine climbed to the very top of the tree

Starting point is 00:05:52 There it tossed out so many lovely green shoots That the people who passed stopped to enjoy its beauty And when the early fall days came large birds appeared on the vine. The bamboo looked at the swelling birds and said, I wonder what those ugly knobs on the vine mean. Perhaps she has brought some disease, which may affect all the trees of the country.

Starting point is 00:06:31 The willow made no answer to the bamboo, but in her kindly way she whispered to the vine do not feel hurt I know what the swelling birds mean there was a gentle rain at night and in the morning the sun shone radiantly

Starting point is 00:06:52 in a clear sky the green birds which covered the vine burst forth into beautiful sweet-scentred blossoms. From crown to foot, the old willow tree stood bedecked with glorious colour. The owner of the land called his friends to see the wonder. They looked in amazement at the richly coloured blossoms. Then the master called his labourers and told them to clear a space about the willow tree.

Starting point is 00:07:34 Cut down the bamboo tree, that we may see the beauty of the vine, said the master. It is a very fine bamboo tree master, said the head servant. Yes it is, indeed, declared the master, but there are many other bamboo trees, equally fine, whereas no one has ever seen a vine. with such a wealth of lovely blossoms. So the labourers cut down the haughty bamboo tree and left the willow and the flowering vine to be admired by many, many people. Mrs. Bunny's dinner party.

Starting point is 00:08:31 Are you ready, my dear? said Mr. Bobtail, looking at his lodge watch. Mrs Bunny would expect us to come in good time to her dinner party I shall be ready in a few minutes Mr Bobtail I wonder how many are invited We always meet fine people at Mrs Bunny's house Mrs Bobtail brought out her little grey silk bonnet And Mr Bobtail's best birch cane

Starting point is 00:09:06 Come, she said, It is a good half-hour's walk to Bramble Hollow. Shall we go around by the way of Cabbage Patch Lane, my dear? Let us take a shortcut through the meadow, said Mr. Bobtail. Off they started, arm in arm, across the sunlit fields. See, there are miss. Mr. and Mrs. Frisk gathering nuts, said Mr. Bobtail. Jack Frost shook the trees last night.

Starting point is 00:09:47 They are plenty lying on the ground. Good morning. How are all their little friskies? Called Mrs. Bobtail. How do you do? They are quite well, thank you, said Mrs. Frisk. The nuts are fine this full, Mr. Frisk. said Mr. Bobtail, shaking hands with his friend. Yes, indeed, we have gathered a great many for our winter stall.

Starting point is 00:10:20 But you see, we dare not stop, long in this open field. Mr. Frisk dropped his voice and glanced about in all directions. Then he added, this is hunting season, you know. What? Do you mean you are afraid of hunters? asked Mr. Bobtail in surprise. Indeed we are, said Mrs Frisk, coming a little nearer. From our cosy home, up in the hollow of this tree, we saw two hunters crossing the field of this morning.

Starting point is 00:11:00 When their dogs sniffed about to the ground and barked up the tree, we held our breath in fear. Yes, added Mr. Frisk. In a short time, we heard bang-bang. I tell you, we didn't venture down to gather nuts for several hours. How dreadful! And we are on our way to Mrs. Bunny's dinner party, said Mrs. Bobtail, looking in all directions. Do you think we'd better go on, my dear? Of course, of course. I've never had the least fear of a gun. The tunders bang away as much as they please. They never frightened me.

Starting point is 00:11:49 Mr. Bobtail straightened up as he spoke and tossed back his head. How dreadful! And we are on our way to Mrs. Bunny's dinner party, said Mrs. Bobtail, looking in all directions. Do you think we'd better go on, my dear? Of course, of course. I've never had the least fear of the gun. Let hunters bang away, as much as they please.

Starting point is 00:12:20 They will never frighten me. Mr. Bobtail, straightened up as he spoke and tossed back his head. Come, Mrs. Bobtail, good day, my friends. Good day. We hope you will have a pleasant time, said Mr Frisk. Isn't Mr. Bobtail wonderfully brave? said Mrs. Frisk, looking after her friends. When they came near Brumble Hollow,

Starting point is 00:12:52 Mr. and Mrs. Bobtail met some of their friends. There was Mr. and Mrs. Pink Eye, Mr. and Mrs. Longhears, Mr. and Mrs. Cottentale, all their way to the dinner party. Mr. and Mrs. Bunny were waiting for their guests. The little bunnies had been told how to behave. Now, my dears, their mother had said,

Starting point is 00:13:22 You may play out of doors while we are at the kitchen. When we have finished, I'll call you. Now, no matter how hungry you are. don't dare peep in at the windows, and if anything happens to frighten you, slip into the kitchen, and wait to there quietly until I come. Away scampered four happy little bunnies. At noon, all the guests had reached Bramble Hollow. Mr and Mrs Bunny welcomed them, and in a little while all were seated around the table,

Starting point is 00:14:05 laughing and talking merrily. What a fine salad this is, Mrs. Bunny, said Mrs. Long-Ears. The cabbage hearts are very sweet to this fall. Mrs. Bunny nodded pleasantly and said, Do have some lettuce. Mr. Bodtail, I'm sure your long walk must have made you hungry. I hope you like our carrots, said Mr. Bodtale. Bunny, helping himself to another.

Starting point is 00:14:39 Come, Mrs. Cottontail. Let me help you to another serving of Turnit Tops. Thank you, Mr. Bunny. What a pleasant home you have here in Bramble Hollow. Do hunters ever wander into this quiet corner? Well, yes, they stroll through the hollow sometimes. Dear me, said Mrs. Cottontail. Our friends, Mr and Mrs Frisk, were telling us that they saw two hunters crossing the fields this morning, said Mrs. Bobtail.

Starting point is 00:15:18 This morning, cried some of the guests, pricking up their ears. Come, come, my friends, said Mr. Bobtail, laughing. I see I shall have to quiet you. I could never see why so many rabbits are afraid. of a gun. I have often stayed quietly under a hedge, while a hunter fired shots as near to me as there were a few gunshots. Four little bunnies leaked through the window and jumped right over the table upsetting many of the dishes. Mr. Bobtail darted off his chair at the same time and rushed to the corner of the kitchen where he stayed shaking with his.

Starting point is 00:16:08 fear. The other guests did not move or speak for several minutes. Then Mrs. Bunny caught sight of Mr. Bobtail in the corner. Come out Mr. Bobtail, she called, I'm sure the hunters have gone into the next field. Winter's Herald. In the days of chivalry, mail-clad knights armed with shield and spear, rode through the land to defend the right to punish the wrong. Whenever they were to meet each other in battle at the great tournaments, a herald was first sent to announce the fight and give fair warning to the opponents that each might be in all things

Starting point is 00:17:07 prepared to meet the other and defend or attack wisely and upon his guard. So dear children he must know that Winter who was coming clad in his icy armour with his spear the keen sleet sends before him a herald that we may not be all, and prepared for his approach. It is an autumn night. When this herald comes, warm September news have slipped away

Starting point is 00:17:50 and the red October sunsets are almost gone. Still the afternoon light shining through the two maples cast a crimson and yellow glow on the white wall of my little room and on the path is a delicate carpet of spotted leaves over the brown groundwork.

Starting point is 00:18:18 It is past midnight when the herald is called, and although his night is so fierce, loud and blustering, he moves noiselessly forth and carries his warning to all the country round. through the little birch he comes and whispers a single word to the golden leaves that are hanging so slightly on the slender boughs one little shiver goes through them

Starting point is 00:18:53 sends them fluttering all to the ground and the next morning their brown shrivelled edges tell a sad story who the birch-worned he hurries, and on to the bank of the brook that runs through the long valley, for the muskrat, who has his home under the shelving bank, must hear the news, and make haste to arrange his hole with winter comforts before the brook is frozen.

Starting point is 00:19:30 While he crosses the meadow, the field mouse and the mole, hear his warning. and lay their heads together to see what is best to be done. Indeed the mole, who himself can scarcely see it all, is always of opinion that two heads are better than one in most cases. Beyond the brook is Farmer Thompson's field of squashes. I will not hurt you tonight, says the herald as he creeps among them, only a little nip here and a bite there, that the farmer may see tomorrow morning, that is time to take you into the barn. The turnips stand only on the other side of the fence and cannot fail to know also that the herald has come.

Starting point is 00:20:34 But in Lucy's flower garden are the heliotropes and fuchs, tea roses and geraniums, delicate, sensitive things, who cannot bear a cold word. It must have been really quite terrible what he said there, for before sunrise the beautiful plants hung back and withered, and no care from their mistress, nor smiles or kind words, could make them look up again. The ivy had borne it bravely, and only showed on his lower leaves, which lay among the grass, a frosty fringe where the dew used to hang. My two maples heard the summons

Starting point is 00:21:31 And threw off their gay dresses Which withered and fainted As they fell in heaps on the sidewalk The next morning Children going to school Scuffed ankle deep among them And laughed with delight And the maples bravely answered the herald

Starting point is 00:21:53 Now let them come your night of the north wind and the storm and the sleet we have dropped the gay leaves which he might have torn from us let him come we have nothing to lose his snows will only bring our roots the warmer and his winds cannot blow away the tiny new buds which we cherish thickly wrapped from the cold to make new leaves

Starting point is 00:22:25 in the spring, and the elm and the Leiden and the horse chestnut sent also a brave answer back to the herald. Over the whole village green went to the whisperer, leaving behind him a white network among the grass, and before the sun was up to tangle his beams in its meshes and put it to pieces, Old widow Blake had seen it from her cottage window and said to herself, While winter is coming, I must set up some warm socks for the boys today, and begin little Tommy's mittens before the week is out. And Father Thompson stands at his great barn door, while yet the eastern sky is red and tells Jake and Ben,

Starting point is 00:23:25 that the squashes and pumpkins and turnips must all be housed in cellar and barn before night. For a frost like this is warning enough to any man to begin to prepare for winter. Mr. Winslow the gardener is working all day with a matting and straw, tying up and packing warmly his tender shrubs and trees, and the climbing rows that is trained

Starting point is 00:23:59 against the west end of the piazza must be made safe from the cold winds that will soon be creeping round there what will your mother do when she sees the white message that the herald has left

Starting point is 00:24:18 in his frosty writing all over the lawn will she put away the muslin frogs and little pink or blue calicoes and gingams, the straw hats, and Frank's white trousers and summer jackets, just as the trees threw aside their summer leaves. Not quite like the trees,

Starting point is 00:24:45 for your clothes can't be made new every spring out of the brown buds, but must be put away in the great drawing, and trunks of the clothes press to wait for you through the winter, and see how your mother will bring out the wooden stockings, warm huts and caps, mittens, cloaks, and plaited dresses, and try on and make over that all things may be ready. for it is with such things as these that she arms her little boys and girls

Starting point is 00:25:29 to meet the knight who is coming with north wind and storm old Margaret who lives in the little brown house down at the corner although she cannot read a word from a book reads the herald's message as well as your mother can But here are her five boys, barefooted and ragged, ever in summer clothes, and her husband lies back with a fever.

Starting point is 00:26:05 She can't send back so brave an answer as your mother does. But your mother and cousin George's mother and uncle James can help her to make a good, brave answer. for here is Frank's last winter's jacket, quite too small for him, just right for little gym, and father's old overcoat will make warm little ones for two of the other boys. And here are stout new shoes and wooden socks and comfortable bedclothes for the sick man. Margaret sends a brave answer now Although this morning She was half ready to cry

Starting point is 00:26:55 When she saw the message That winter had sent Look about you children When the herald comes And sees what answers the people are giving him I have told you a few You can tell me many if you will Before another year goes by

Starting point is 00:27:15 Thank you.

Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove - Fall Bedtime Stories - Cozy Autumn Fairy Tales

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