Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove - Gentle and Calm Halloween Tales with Relaxing Fire Sounds.

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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. And welcome to Sleep Cove with Christopher Fitton, the place to come for a great night's sleep. Please listen to this recording in a place where you can safely go to sleep. I hope everyone is getting ready for the autumn season. It's a beautiful time of year.

Starting point is 00:02:05 and here in the UK their leaves are beginning to fall from the trees and turn brown, yellow and deep red. I really do love autumn and Halloween is nearly upon us. With that in mind, I've read out this beautiful story tonight. It's called a tale for Halloween. It's not scary at all, but it's a lovely fairy tale about a brother and sister who are visiting their village's Halloween party, but on the way, as they go through their vegetable patch,

Starting point is 00:02:45 they meet a talking pumpkin and an adventure happens. I really enjoyed reading the story out tonight, and I think you will enjoy it too. And remember, it's very gentle and not scary at all. So I hope you enjoy it. So please relax and get ready to listen to this story tonight. A Tale for Halloween. Babette and Anton were the children of a very poor wood gutter.

Starting point is 00:03:23 They lived in a little cottage on the side of a steep mountain, and the mountain looked upon a great forest. Now, though their father toiled in this forest, from dawn until dark, he could earn but little. Wood in that region was plentiful, and woodcutters were numerous. Their mother made fine laces, which Antonin carried to the market to sell. But in spite of all their efforts, the poor parents seldom could give their children more than bread, and broth to eat.

Starting point is 00:04:10 Often indeed the bra was lacking if the woodcutter found no hair in the traps he set. Babette and Antone, however, were happy little children

Starting point is 00:04:23 and never thought of their poverty. But it worried the woodcutter that Antone was ten years old and had not gone to school. Antone's mother

Starting point is 00:04:38 taught him to read and write that the other boys and girls would not be too far beyond him. And Anton studied his lessons diligently. Often as he sat doing his sums on the hearthstone with a bit of charcoal for a pencil, his mother would sigh sadly. Antone did not like his mother to be sad and so he always laughed to cheer her Never fear mother He would say

Starting point is 00:05:16 Soon I shall send myself to school My vegetable patch does finally Scona You shall be poor no longer My father shall have a team of oxen and you a fine satin gown shall have a dozen real dollies instead of the turnet dollies

Starting point is 00:05:47 she now rocks in her dolly cradle and my son his mother would answer with a sigh unless you make your fortune as a maker of toys I fear you will have no fortune at all Your fingers are as clever as a wizard's even now, and though you are past ten, we cannot spare you to go to school. It was true, as she said. Anton made boats from bits of cedarwood, and when he'd fitted them with sails,

Starting point is 00:06:30 you could not tell them from any that had come out of a shop. He carved a doll's cradle from a pine knot for a dolly painted the white face of a turnip, until one would think it was the face of some fair maiden. So blue were this turnip dolly's eyes, and so pink her cheeks, much waves, couch leaves, were so green and beautiful. and as often as this turn at Dolly fainted and began to shrivel, Anton made another, which Babette declared was always more beautiful than the one before. Babette had never been to the village, and therefore knew nothing of real Doddies. She loved her turnip babies tenderly indeed.

Starting point is 00:07:37 She always carried them in her arm when she was. went with Anton to meet their father and sang them little songs as she rocked them to sleep. Now it happened one night in the season of Halloween that Anton sat carving chaco lanterns to sell in the village. Babette, who was rocking her dolly to sleep, sat watching him. Being but six, she knew nothing about. the fun which comes with Halloween. And so she listened round-eyed with wonder to Anton, who knew all things about jack-o-lanterns. When she heard that boys and girls, dressed like goblins and witches,

Starting point is 00:08:30 frolic in the village streets, but that made up a mind to frolic too. How fine it must be, She cried, clapping her hands, Halloween must be quite like Christmas. Not quite so fine as Christmas, Babette, answered Anton as he carved the teeth in the last jack-o-lantern, but Halloween is very fine, nevertheless. It is comical to see the jack-o-lanterns bobbing up and down, with their faces grinning in the candlelight.

Starting point is 00:09:10 And on Halloween, the boys and girls play pranks on their elders that they would be well switched for it any other time. But everyone laughs and is excited on that night. Anten finished the Chacon Lantern and piled it with a dozen more in his little cart. He would sell them all in the village when he took his vegetables to market. The next day, no one else could carve such splendid pumpkin faces as Anton. Let us go and play pranks in the village too, Anton, cried Babette. Mother will make us goblin dresses, and there is still one great pumpkin eel garden for a jack-o'-lantern. Oh, what a frolic we shall have! blamed Anton in astonishment.

Starting point is 00:10:10 wherever did you get such a notion. The frolic in the village is not for us. Mother has no time to make us goblin dresses. And if she did, she has no goods. Besides, how should we find our way home, through the forest? You know the way, through the forest, Antone, insisted Babette. And if Mother cannot make his goblin dresses, we shall go without.

Starting point is 00:10:42 It will be dark and a jaco-lantan will be as fine as any. Do come, she begged. I have never been to a Halloween frolic. Now, the bet, I tell you we cannot go

Starting point is 00:10:59 to the village tomorrow night, answered Anton. I could not find my way home through the forest after dark. and we would both be lost. Be a good girl and do not tease anymore. Anton spoke sternly, and the bat burst into tears. She was very fond of her own way,

Starting point is 00:11:27 and when she could not have it, sometimes she was a very naughty little girl. She sobbed and wept so piteously, that Anton found it hard to refuse her to the village at night, as he feared to lose his way in the forest. So Antone trotted Babette on his knee, and whispered that he would buy her chocolate. But she only wept a harder, now Babette,

Starting point is 00:12:08 cried Anton at last, when Mabet showed no son. signs of stopping. I cannot take you to the village, but if you are a good girl and stop crying at once, I will make a little Halloween frolic just for you. Now promise me you will not cry anymore. But Bet tried her eyes and promised. She wished a Halloween frolic, but whether she fronicked at home or in the village, mattered not at all. We all be wear goblin dresses or ghost dresses Antone, she asked. Antone puzzled a moment before he answered.

Starting point is 00:12:59 Oh, ghost dresses, I think, said he, that was very good. She helped Antone, gather his vegetables for market, and when he returned, sat beside him quietly, while he carved the last pumpkin from his garden. When the jack-o-lantern was finished, untold lighted the candle just for one second so that she might see it, grinning in the light. A pet chronic was to be a secret.

Starting point is 00:13:45 After supper, the children went to bed as usual, but instead of undressing, be poured their white night dresses over their heavy coats. They will do for ghost dresses, whispered untone, and all were still, and they crept softly out. In the moon night, the jacko lantern was grinning broadly to greet them. Pumpkin is smiling at us, laughed Babette. She was very happy for her.

Starting point is 00:14:21 a frolic was about to begin. Antone struck a match to light the candle, but there was no candle and the Jack O'Lantan put the candle in. I know I did, said he in a surprise. He searched in the dark, and Babette stopped her laughing, looked about, and there beneath the bench lay the remainder of his precious candle.

Starting point is 00:14:55 It was chewed to bits, and the wick was in shreds. Oh, babette, cried he, a wicked rat has stolen our candle, and I paid a whole penny for it too. Oh, the bad bursting into tears, she stamped her foot and sent the chaco lantern rolling off the bench. It struck the earth with a bump, and dented its nose a trifle. Now, Babette, what a baby you are.

Starting point is 00:15:34 See what you have done, cried Anton. He stooped to pick up the pumpkin, but the pumpkin was too quick for him. You don't, brooty sort of voice. Babette smashed my nose a little, but that's no matter on a Halloween night. Goodbye, boys and girls. swiftly down the hill.

Starting point is 00:16:09 You come back here, you're my pumpkin, cried Anton and started after the runaway. Babette followed, weeping and crying aloud. Oh my Halloween frolic, oh my Halloween frolic, she mourned, we have no jack-o-lunton and no candle either. But you just wait, until he rolls down into the vegetable garden, shouted Anton as he chased the swiftly rolling pumpkin.

Starting point is 00:16:46 He'll have to stop at the hedge. He took his little sister's hand, but she might run faster. Pumpkin rolled along just in front of them, but always just out of their reach. When he reached the hedge, he gave a great leap. he his vegetable patch laid waste, made him furious. But you'll wait until you catch us before you punishes, won't you, Anton? They answered, mocking me. Oh, it's Halloween, it's Halloween, sang pumpkin, turning handspring as he rolled along,

Starting point is 00:18:31 and the rest of the vegetables did cartwheels as they went careering, after him. They looked like a dozen market stalls, upset on the hillside. Antone nearly wept when he thought of his loss. He followed them with determination. Antone was not a lad to give up easily. Follow me, follow me, sang Pumpkin, as he led the way to a tiny door that appeared.

Starting point is 00:19:10 beneath the forest. Turlips and carrots squeezed through, fearing to be left behind, caught up with Babette and ran faster. Just as he reached their little door, a rough potato tried to slam it in his face. But Antone was too quick for him. He ran through and climbed

Starting point is 00:19:41 down the hole into the underground stick. And with each step, Anton began to gain on their vegetables. Babette's fatigue left her, and she shook herself free. We'll catch up to them, declared Anton as they ran along. Even as he spoke, Potato stubbed his toe, and Babette caught him. him. She held him firmly, although he squirmed and tried his best to get free. Help help, bald potato, when he saw he was a prisoner. Oh, Pumpkin, wait for me, he cried. The tears streamed from every one of his eyes,

Starting point is 00:20:46 and he looked truly sad. At his cries, Pumpkin turned around. and all the vegetables followed the come now, Antone, began Pumpkin in a persuasive voice. You might let us have one night off, you know. Halloween is our night. Somewhere on his run, Pumpkin had picked up two twigs, and on these he now balanced himself rather unsteadily, and thrust his leaves,

Starting point is 00:21:26 and the place where his pockets would have been if he had any pockets. He looked so very jolly, and his grin was so very broad that Anton was inclined to give up the prisoner, but just when he thought of the ruined vegetable garden, he grew angry again. It is all very well for you to be polite, pumpkin, and tried to beg off your friend, said Anton. But this is the very fellow that tried to slam the door in my face.

Starting point is 00:22:05 Not two seconds ago, Antone, cried Potato. That's wrong. It was three seconds ago, as true as I live. I looked at my watch, just as I was trying to pinch your nose in the underground door, and it's quite three seconds ago. Maybe it's four. Oh, hush up cried Pumpkin. That's no way to talk when you're trying to beg off. Let him off yourself. You know you would. See if you wouldn't take the first chance to kick up your heels if you could get it. But Pumpkin, replied Antone, think of my vegetable garden. It is ruined.

Starting point is 00:23:07 I was saving all my vegetable money to go to school, and now I cannot go forever and ever so long. Besides, how could I know you got tired of being in a bed? You never spoke to me before. Well, I speak to you now, replied Pumpkin, and as for your vegetable batch, we'll all make that up to you. Won't be voice. We will, we will, called the vegetables in chorus, and the potato in Babette's little fist yelled the loudest of all.

Starting point is 00:23:47 There, now you see we mean no harm, declared Buckin. So let potato go. Join us in our Halloween. She was bound to have her fun, and after all, the vegetables seemed to be a jolly lot. So peace was made and the children followed the bopping turnips and onions. Then shouts were heard, and punk presently they were joined by a dozen or more cabbages. You are the nice ones, panted the cabbages.

Starting point is 00:24:38 There we sat in the storeroom waiting for you to call us, and the first thing we knew we saw you pelting down the hill like mad things. My gracious, said a very stout cabbage, who was terribly out of breath. I'll have to take off my outer leaves before I go another step. I feel as though I were boiled. Recognise the cabbages at once. You are Father Manette's cabbages, are you not? He inquired politely as they marched along.

Starting point is 00:25:17 Why, if it isn't little untone, The woodcutter's son, exclaimed the very stout cabbage. Yes, we come from Minnet's farm. Mother Manette saved us for a pickle, but we fooled her and slipped out of the storeroom when she was not looking. Oh, we cabbages are not so green as we look. The cabbages all laughed. The surprised to find that he laughed.

Starting point is 00:25:52 too. As they went marching on, Pumpkin sang and danced in the echoed his hearty songs. Presently, Great Black Mistress introduced and the witches seemed pleased to meet the children. They do not seem to be wicked witches, do they, untold, whispered Babette. Oh my dear, replied a witch you ever heard, We are not a bit wicked on Halloween, you know. Any other night I would probably do you a mischief. It is my nature, you know. He reached in her bag and handed Babette a peppermint.

Starting point is 00:27:12 Babette, who was very fond of peppermint, ate it up with you. You shouldn't do that, my dear, reproved to the witch. It is seldom witches give peppermints, and when they do the peppermints should be treasured. Here is another to keep for your pocket. Never be without a peppermint, handed Babette another. Babette courtesied so prettily that the witch was charmed, and took her to ride on her broomstick. It was the fun company one could ever imagine. As they marched along, every vegetable was singing a different Halloween song,

Starting point is 00:28:03 in a different key, and they all had voices that sang out of tune by nature. Perpet, her little white nightdress, flying in the breeze, was riding on the witch's broomstick and singing loudly at the rest. When they reached the dancing floor, it was lighted with millions and millions of glowworms and an orchestra of ten thousand frogs hummed lively tunes in their throats. Pumpkin seized a handful of glowworms and put them in his head. Then, with his features all aglow, he cried out, ready for the dance.

Starting point is 00:28:52 Instead of taking partners, the vegetables just plunged onto the floor and began to jump about like mad. If they fell down, they did not jump up at once, but rolled around the floor, most good-naturedly. They looked so like vegetables, boarding about in a great soup kettle, that Anton thought he should die of laughing. The witches took their brooms and began a sort of ladies-change figure, while they chased their cats, around the edge of the circle of dancing than any carrot or parsnip but she capered wildly

Starting point is 00:29:43 singing at the top of her voice come and dance with me Antone called Babette as she went jumping past her brother but he shook his head I am too big for such nonsense said he I am ten you know

Starting point is 00:30:03 what nonsense cried a witch who was chasing her cat close by. Ten is exactly the right age to have fun. She raised her broom playfully, and before he knew it, she swept Antone into the middle of the dance. Pumpkin, his grinning features all aglow, went flying past and made Antone feel proud.

Starting point is 00:30:32 Pumpkin was certainly the handsome, missed vegetable of the lot. As the night grew later, the frogs hummed faster, but hum as fast as they would they could not keep up with the frisky

Starting point is 00:30:49 vegetables. Beaks and cauliflowers continued to bob up and down like mad. Cabbages for minutes farm last leaf after leaf. Carrots and onions grew battered from

Starting point is 00:31:05 much tumbling about. And the merry din. Let's play, Blind Man's Buff, called Antone. I'll be it, and I'll show you how to play. He tied the handkerchief over his eyes, and the witches and their black cats went darting hither and thither.

Starting point is 00:31:35 Their vegetables were so pleased with this new game that they would play nothing else. They might have been. playing it yet, had not occurred suddenly. Good gracious me, cried a witch. The glowworms are all gone out. It's nearly morning. All who are going back to the vegetable patch had best be on their way. Not I, cried Pumpkin, I'm done with vegetable patches forevermore.

Starting point is 00:32:10 Not we, exclaimed the covenges. We're going to turn savage and be wild cabbages for the rest of our days. We shan't go back to Mother Minnet's pickle jars. Straight away, every vegetable began to raise its voice and declare that it would not go back to Anton's patch, all of you, cried the witch. Stay in the woods for the rest of your life if you like. It has nothing to me. But what other is going to take?

Starting point is 00:32:51 Well, Marlow Bow, We thought you might be good enough To give them a ride home on your broomstick. But pumpkin, you promise to make it up to me If I let potato go. And I think you should all ripied pumpkin with a lordly air. Here is a plus for each of you. And if you take good care, never to lose them.

Starting point is 00:33:32 you will have plenty of gold forever. Isn't that true, boys? True as we're not going back to the farm, cry the cabbages. You had best hurry and plant yourself before it grows daylight pumpkin. They warned and began to dig holes in the earth. Before Anton Amberbaked

Starting point is 00:33:57 had mounted the witch's broomstick All the carrots and turnips, and even pumpkin, friends sailed off with the witch. Oh, what a beautiful Halloween frolic! Side Babette as she leaned her head on Anton's shoulder and fell fast asleep. The broomstick flew with the swiftness of an eagle, and the witch warned Antone to hold Babette with a firm ground. One by one. The stars went out as they sped across the sky.

Starting point is 00:34:43 That steered and seemed to know the exact way to the woodcutter's cottage. But just as the dawn was breaking, the broomstick glided down to Babette's window. The witch shook hands with Antone and the black cat politely jumped off to help Antone with his little sister. before the good creature could have melt again. The broomstick was off like a whirlwind and it was left behind. This broomstick is so wild, I cannot stop it from the clouds.

Starting point is 00:35:25 Keep good care of my cat until next Halloween. Anton put Babette in her little crib and made the black cat a comfortable bed in the kitchen. to sleep and dreamed of the Halloween frolic until he was wakened by his mother. Come, Anton, she cried, I have good news for you. Only look from the window and see the great black cat without a single white hair that sits washing his face in the sun.

Starting point is 00:36:04 Such a cat coming to us on Halloween will surely bring us is good luck. But come my child get up, for the sun is high, and it is time for you to dig your vegetables, for market. My vegetables have gone wild in the forest,

Starting point is 00:36:23 muttered Antone, but it is no matter, for here is a bag of gold, which they gave me, and brought us home on her broomstick. So let me sleep, Mother, for I am weary, The Halloween closed his eyes and slipped again, while his mother examined the leather bug.

Starting point is 00:36:54 Anton, my son, she screamed. Here is gold yellow as a pumpkin. Where have you been to gather such wealth? She shook him and gave him no peace, until he waked fully and told the story. And his mother threw up her son. should thus rave with fever. The woodcutter and babette

Starting point is 00:37:26 came running to see what had happened. And the sight of the second bag of gold, the poor woman grew calmer, showed the peop which had given her to receive a peppermin from a witch is surely a mark of great favour, she said, and began to laugh through her tears. I thought I was dreaming,

Starting point is 00:37:58 or that Anton raved a fever for never in my life had I seen so much gold it is like the fairies to bless the children of the pole said the Wuketa go to school handsome dress not as I said

Starting point is 00:38:24 cried his wife a black cat coming on Halloween would bring us good luck and here is the luck already it would have been hard to find a happier family than the woodcutters as they set out for the village that day. When it was told that the woodcutter was looking for a pair of oxen, some folk laughed outright.

Starting point is 00:38:52 The woodcutter was too poor to feed a pair of canaries, they declared. But when it became now that the woodcutter's wife had bought a new dress and a golden ring, They began to wonder who had died and left the woodcutter a fortune. Anton told the tale of their wealth to those who questioned him, and straightaway the village children ran to throw their jack-o-lanterns from the roofs and high places, but their pumpkins broke or stayed on the ground before where they had fallen. It was no longer Halloween room.

Starting point is 00:39:35 member. At noon, when the woodcutter and his family sent down to dinner in the village inn, their landlord threatened to charge a penny from all who stood, gazing through the windows. Some folk scoffed a children greatest marvel of all, but no matter how much the woodcutter or his wife shows a pair of steel skates, In the Veddage shop, usual perverse ways Would have none of the dollies in the village toy shop. They were ugly, she declared, And their cheeks were not pink and beautiful

Starting point is 00:40:48 As were the turnip dollies, Anton made for her. And ever after, the woodcutter and his wife were no longer poor folk. They had white bread and even butter every day of their lives. And on Sundays and holidays, they had roasted foul for their dinner. Anton went to school, and Bepet had an embroidered frock,

Starting point is 00:41:18 which was the envy of every child in the village. The mother no longer sighed, as she went about her household tasks, and neither did she strain her eyes, making fine laces for the market. Instead, she rode proudly on the seat of her husband's ox car when he delivered wood in the village. Sometimes she even drank tea with the mare's wife.

Starting point is 00:41:51 Visitors from far and near went to see the famous spot where Anton's vegetables all run away one Halloween night. And till this day there lives not a man who can make grow on that land, cabbages or tulips, or any other vegetable. Although in a spot in the forest not far off, cabbages and pumpkins, and all such vegetables grow wild. Each year as regularly as Halloween came to mark the harvest time. Antone and Bavette mounted the broomstick with the witch and rode off to the Halloween frolic pumpkin and they always rode home across the sky just as the dawn was breaking. A black cat became so fond of Bette that it never again rejoined its rightful mistress but remained with the woodcutter and his family. and brought them good luck for the rest of their days.

Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove - Gentle and Calm Halloween Tales with Relaxing Fire Sounds.

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