Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove - Greek Mythology Bedtime Story - Admetus and Alcestis

Episode Date: September 24, 2023

Greek Mythology Bedtime Story - Admetus and Alcestis. Tonight we'll hear how Admetus takes in a servant for a year. Who is this mysterious person willing to serve the King of this small Kingdom? Please leave a 5-star review & SUBSCRIBE on Apple and Spotify. Sleep Cove Premium Become a Premium Member for Bonus Episodes & Ad-Free listening: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.sleepcove.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and become a Premium Member. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Instant Access⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and sign up in two taps. The Sleep Cove Premium Feed includes: - Access to over 400 Ad-free Episodes - Regular Exclusive Bonus Episodes - A Back Catalogue of Dozens of Exclusive Episodes - Full Audiobooks like Alice in Wonderland - Your name read out on the Show - Our Love! Get your 7-day free trial:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://sleepcove.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For Apple users, click the TRY FREE button for a 2-week free trial and become a Premium Member Today. Support our Sponsors: This episode of Sleep Cove is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠betterhelp.com/sleepcove ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and get on your way to being your best self. Our Sister Shows: - Calm Cove - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.chtbl.com/bgSKfkbt⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- Relaxing Music & Ambient Sounds - Mysteries at Midnight - Mystery Bedtime Stories - ⁠⁠⁠https://link.chtbl.com/skj6YFah⁠⁠⁠ - Let's Begin - Daytime Meditations with wake sections at the end - ⁠⁠⁠https://link.chtbl.com/Z--DgSH4 ⁠⁠⁠ - YouTube Bedtime Story Channel -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://rb.gy/t7wyjk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - YouTube Sleep Hypnosis & Meditation Channel - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClE6WJgPYRBtwVQ1qDBrbqw Connect: - Join the Newsletter for a Bonus Meditation -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.sleepcove.com/bonus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://rb.gy/azpdrd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/sleep_cove/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@sleepcovechris⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Recommended Products: Comfortable Sleep Headphones -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.sleepcove.com/headphones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Best Mattress from Puffy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sleepcove.com/puffy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Our Sister Shows in more detail: Calm Cove is our music channel, where you can find Relaxing Music, White Noise and Nature Sounds - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://link.chtbl.com/bgSKfkbt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let’s Begin is our brand new Day Meditation podcast. Start your day feeling relaxed and positive, or take some time out to unwind with these calming meditations with wakeners at the end so that you can continue your day. If you love our bedtime stories, check out Mysteries at Midnight, our brand-new podcast dedicated to the mystery stories our listeners love so much. Enjoy even more from Poirot, Sherlock and more classic mystery tales. _______________ All Content by Sleep Cove is for educational or entertainment purposes and does not provide or replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical professional before making any changes to your treatment and if in any doubt, contact your doctor. Please listen in a place where you can safely go to sleep. Sleep Cove is not responsible or liable for any loss, damage or injury arising from the use of this content. _________________ Sleep Cove content includes guided sleep meditations, sleep hypnosis (hypnotherapy), sleep stories (visualizations) and Bedtime Stories for adults and grown-ups, all designed to help you get a great night's sleep Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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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 the 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 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 Sneak Cove with me, Christopher Fitten, the place to come for a great night's sleep. Tonight, I'm reading a Greek mythology story called Admetus and Alsastas. Admetus takes in a servant for a year

Who is this mysterious figure That wants to serve the king of this small kingdom I've had so many requests To do another Greek mythology story On the comments on episodes So if you would like to hear something in particular Please remember to leave a comment begin

Admetus and Alcestus Chapter 1 The slave In a little town north of Delphi and not very far from the sea There lived a young man named Admetus He was the ruler of the town

And hence was called its king But his kingdom was so small that he could walk all round it in half a day. He knew the name of every man and woman and child in the town. And everybody loved him because he was so gentle and kind, and at the same time, a king. Late one day when the rain was falling and the wind was blowing cold from the mountains,

A beggar came to his door. The man was ragged and dirty, and half-starved. Metus knew that he must have come from some strange land, for in his own country no one ever went hungry. So the kind king took him into the house and fed him. And after the man had bathed, he gave him his own. warm cloak, the servants make a place for him to sleep through the night. In the morning, Admetus asked the poor man his name, but he shook his head and made no answer. Then Admetus

asked him about his home and his country, and all the man would say was, make me your slave master make me your slave and let me serve you for a year the young king did not need another servant but he saw that the poorest slave in the land was better off than this man and he soon took pity on him i will do as you ask he said i will give you a home and food and clothing and you shall serve me and be my slave for one year. There was but little that the stranger knew how to do, and he was sent to the hills to take care of the king's sheep and goats. For a whole year, he tended the flocks, finding the greenest pastures and the freshest water for them, and keeping the wolves away. Metus was very kind to him, as he was very kind to him, as he

was to all his servants, which he gave him were of the best in the land. But the stranger did not tell his name, nor say anything about his kindred or his home. When a year and a day had passed, it so happened that Admetus was walking out among the hills to see his sheep, the sound of music fell upon his ear. It was no such music as shepherd's play, but sweeter and richer than any he had heard before. He looked to see where the sound came from, who was that sitting on the hilltop

with the sheep around him listening to his music? Surely it was not his shepherd. It was a tall and handsome man, clad in robes lighter and finer than any king might wear. His face was as bright as some beams, and his eyes gleamed like lining. Upon his shoulder was a silver bow, from his belt hung a quiver of sharp arrows, and in his hands was a golden liar. Admetus stood still and wondered.

Then the stranger spoke. King Admetus, he said, I am the poor beggar whom you fed your slave to, whom you are so kind. I have served you as I agreed for a whole year and now I am going home. Is there anything I can do for you? Yes, said Admetus, tell me your name.

My name is Apollo, was the answer. Twelve months ago, my father, mighty Jupiter, drove me away from before his face and made me go out friendless and alone upon the earth. And he told me that I should not turn ever, again towards home, until I had served a year as some man's slave. I came to you, ragged and half-starved, and you fed and clothed me, and I became your slave, and you were so kind to me as though I were your son. What shall I give you to reward you? Lord of the silver bow, said the king, I have all.

that any man can want. I am happy in the thought that I have been of some help to you. I can ask for nothing more. Very well, said Apollo. But if the time should ever come when you need my help, let me know. Then the bright prince walked swiftly away, playing sweet music as he went, with glad heart returned to his home. Chapter 2 The Chariot From the place where Admetus lived It was only a few miles to Eulchus,

a rich city by the sea. The king of Eulchus was a cruel tyrant named Pallias who cared for nobody in all the world but himself. This Pagos had a daughter named Alcetus, who was as fair as any rose in June, and so gentle and good that everybody praised her. Many a prince over the sea had come to woo Alcestis for his wife. The noblest young man in Greece, who had come to woo Alcestis for his wife, who tried to win her favour, but there was only one to whom she would listen, and that was her young neighbour, King Admetus. So Admetus went before Gruff King Pellius, to ask him whether he

might wed Alcestus. No one shall have my daughter, said the old king, until he proves that he is worthy to be my son-in-law. If you want her, you must come for her in a chariot drawn by a lion and a wild boar. If you come in any other way, she shall not be your wife. And Panius laughed

and drove the young man out of his palace. Admetus went away feeling very sad. For who had ever heard of harnessing a lion and a wild ball together in a chariot. The bravest man in the world could not do such a thing as that. As he walked along and saw the sheep and the goats feeding on the hilltops near his own town, he chanced to think of Apollo and of the last words that he had heard him say,

when you need my help let me know let him know said at meet us early the next morning he built an altar of stones in the open field and when he had killed

the fattest goat of the flock he built a fire on the altar and laid the thighs of the goat in the flames the smell of the burning flesh went into the air he lifted his hands towards the mountaintops and called to Apollo.

Lord of the silver bow, he cried, If ever I have shown kindness to the poor and the distressed, Come now and help me, for I am in sore need and I remember your promise. Hardly was he done speaking when bright Apollo, bearing his bow and his quiver of arrows came down and stood before him. Kindest of kings, he said, tell me how I can help you. Then Admetus told him all about the fair Alcestis

and how her father would give her only to the man who should come for her in a chariot drawn by a lion and a wild paw. Come with me, said Apollo, I will help you. Then the two went together into the forest, the lord of the silver bow, leading the way. Soon they started a lion from its ne'er and gave chase to it. The fleet-footed Apollo sees the beast by its mane, and although it howled and snapped with its fierce jaws, it did not touch him. Titus started a wild boar from a thicket.

Apollo gave chase to it too, making their lion run beside him like a dog. When he caught the ball, he went on through the forest, leading the two beasts, one with his right hand, the other with his left, and Admetus followed behind.

It was not yet noon when they came to the edge of the wall, and saw the sea and the city of Eoccus only a little way off. A golden chariot stood by the roadside as if waiting for them, and the lion and the ball were soon harnessed to it. It was a strange team, and the two beasts tried hard to fight each other, but Apollo lashed them with a whip and tamed them until they lost their fierceness and were ready to mind the rain. Climed into the chariot and Apollo stood by his side and held the reins and the whip and drove into Ioccus. Old King Pellius was astonished when he saw the wonderful chariot and the glorious charioteer.

and when Admetus asked again for the fair Alcestis he could not refuse. A day was set for the wedding, and Apollo drove his team back to the forest and set the lion and the wild bull free. Alcestis were married, and everybody in the two towns, except Croft old King Pellius was glad. Apollo himself was one of the guests and the wedding feast, and he brought a present for the young bridegroom. It was a promise from the mighty folk upon the mountaintop that if Edmutus should ever be sick and in danger of death, he might become well again if someone who loved him would die for him. Chapter 3

The Shadow Leader Admetus and Alcestis lived together happily for a long time and all the people in their little kingdom loved and blessed them but at last Admetus fell sick

worse and worse every day all hope that he would ever get well was lost Then those who loved him remembered the wedding gift which Apollo had given him, and they began to ask who would be willing to die in his stead. His father and mother were very old, and could hope to live but a short time at best, and so it was thought that one of them would be glad to give up life for the sake of their son. but when someone asked them about it, they shook their head. They would cling to it as long as they could. Brothers and sisters were asked if they would die for Admetus,

but they loved themselves better than their brother. There were men in the town whom he had befriended, and who owed their lives to him. They would have done everything else for him, but this they, they had been. They would not. Now, while all were shaking their heads and saying, not I, the beautiful Alcestis went into her own room and called to Apollo and asked that she might give up her life to save her husband. Then, without a thought of fear, she lay down upon her bed

and closed her eyes. And a little while afterward, when her maiden, her maiden, she laid down upon her bed and closed her eyes. and a little while afterward, when her maidens came into the room, they found her death. At the very same time, Admetus felt his sickness leave him, and he sprang up as well, and strong as he had ever been. Wondering how it was that he had been so quickly killed, he made haste to find Alsestis and tell her the good news, But when he went into her room, he saw her lying lifeless on her couch, and he knew at once that she had died for him. His grief was so great that he could not speak, and he wished that death had taken him and spared whom he loved. Every eye was wet with weeping for Alcestis, and the cries of the mourners were, were heard in every town, and Maitis sat by the couch where his young queen lay, and held a cold hand in his own.

The night came, but he would not leave her. All through the dark hours, he sat there alone, the morning dawned, but he did not want to see their light. At last, the sun began to rise in the east, and, the sun began to rise in the east, and, and the morning dawned, but he did not want to see the light. the sun began to rise in the east, and then Admetus was surprised to feel the hand which he held growing warm. He saw a red tinge coming into the of Alcestis. The fair lady opened her eyes and sat up alive and well, and how was it, that Alcestus had been given back to life, when she died, and that she died, and left her body, the shadow leader who knows no pity, let her, as he led all others,

to the cheerless halls of prosopine, the queen of the... Who is this, who comes so willingly? Asked the pale-faced queen, and when she was told how Alcestis, so young and beautiful, had given her life to save that of her husband. she was moved with pity, and she bade the shadow leader take her back again to the joy and sunlight of the upper world. So it was that Alcestis came to life,

and for many years she and Admetus lived in their little kingdom not far from the sea, and the mighty ones on the mountaintop bless them, When they had become very old, the shadow leader led them both away together.