Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove - Peter Pan

Episode Date: February 16, 2021

The Story of Peter Pan. This book is perfect to listen to in bed, so get cozy and look forward to the adventures of Peter, Wendy and the lost boys as they explore never never land. 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 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?

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, a place to get a great night's sleep. This is the story of Peter Pan, retold from a fairy play by Sir J. M. Barry by Daniel O'Connor.

The book is perfect to listen to in bed, to get cozy and look forward to the adventure of Peter and Wendy and the lost boys as they explore Never Neverland. Part 1 Early Days In one of the nicest nurseries in the world There were beds for three young people called John Napoleon and Wendy Moira Angela and Michael The Children of Mr and Mrs Darling

The nursery was wide and airy With a large window and a bright fire with a high fire guard round it, and a big clock and prettily coloured nursery rhyme pictures over the walls. It was in many ways a most interesting household,

for one thing, although there was a pretty little parlour made called Lisa, the children were bathed and dressed by a big dog called Nana, whose kennel was kept in the nursery. On the evening on which our story begins, Nana was dozing peacefully by the fireside

with her head between her paws Mr and Mrs. Darling were getting ready to go out to dinner and Nana was to be left in sole charge of the children presently the clock went off with a whir and struck one two three four five six

time to begin to put the children to bed Nana got up and stretched herself and carefully switched on the electric light You would have been surprised To see how cleverly she managed to do that with her mouth Then she turned the bedclothes neatly down And hung the little pyjamas over the fireguard She then trotted up to the bathroom

And turned on the water After feeling it with her paw To make sure that it was not too hot She went off to look for Michael who, being the youngest of the three children, must go to bed first. She returned immediately with him, sitting astride on her back, as though she was a pony. Michael, of course, did not want to be bathed, but Nana was firm, and taking him to the bathroom, shut the door so that he should not be in a draft.

Then Mrs. Darling came to peep at him as he splashed about in the nice warm water. Whilst Mrs. Darling was in the nursery, she heard a wee noise outside the window. As a tiny figure, no bigger than a little boy, tried the window latch, and vanished suddenly at a cry of surprise. She flung the window open, but there was nothing to be seen, nothing but the dim roofs of the neighbouring houses and the deep blue sky above. She began to frighten herself with eerie boogie tales For the same thing had happened the day before

When Nana had gone to the window And shut it down so quickly That she cut off the boy's shadow Mrs Darling had found it in Nana's mouth And had carefully folded it and put it away But she soon felt reassured That her children came in together In answer to her call

John Napoleon and Wendy were playing at their favourite game of being father and mother and Mrs Darling's beautiful face beamed with delight as she listened to them suddenly in rushed Mr Darling very much excited because he could not fasten his evening tie

evening ties are difficult things to fasten you know Mrs Darling easily managed that for him and he was soon skipping around the room with Michael on his back dropping him finally into his bed with a big bump fire. Unfortunately, in going to the bathroom, Nana accidentally brushed against Mr. Darling's beautiful pressed black trousers and left some of her grey clinging hairs upon them. Now no grown-up person likes hairy trousers,

so Mr Darling was a very cross with Nana and spoke of dismissing her. But Mrs Darling told him about the weird apparition at the window. how Nana had barked at it and shut the window down so fast that its shadow had been clean cut off and left behind she showed him the shadow

and told him how glad she was to have such a treasure as Nana for a nurse You see how very useful Nana is concluded Mrs Darling as the faithful dog came in with Michael's bottle of cough mixture

But Michael was naughty and would not take it There was a fine fuss over it when Wendy, being a clever little girl, hit on a brilliant idea. Father should take some of his medicine to keep Michael company. Very well, said Mr Darling, we shall see who is the braver. Two glasses were fetched and filled in a moment. One, two, three, cried Wendy. Michael took his lucky man, but Mr. Darling only pretended to,

and quietly hid the glass behind his back. John caught him in the act. Father hasn't taken his, he cried, and Michael, seeing that he'd been tricked, burst into a loud, boo-hoo-hoo! Mr. Darling, to appease Michael, thought of what seemed to him as an excellent joke.

He poured his medicine into Nana's drinking bowl, and when poor Nana, thinking it was something nice, ran eagerly to laugh at him. it up. You ruled with laughter to see the reproachful eyes she turned upon him. The children who loved their old nurse were dearly very terribly distressed, as she slunk to her kennel, looking as woeful and as hurt in her feelings, as ever a dog did. Mr. Darling, angry that they did not enjoy his joke in the least, coaxed Nana out of her kennel, seized her by the collar and dragged her off in disgrace

to be chained up in the yard. The proper place for dogs, he said, in spite of the persuasions and pleadings of them all. Mrs. Darling comforted the children, kissing them very tenderly, as mothers always do, took them up into their beds,

sang them to sleep, and leaving the nightlights burning for company, crept softly out of the room to go to the dinner party with Mr. Darling. Everything in the big nursery was now still and quiet Suddenly the nightlights flickered Wained and went out one by one And there darted into the room a tiny ball of fire

Which flitted and easily about And finally vanished into a jug Then the same slender, graceful figure That had so startled Mr. Darlane leapt from the darkness outside the window. There was just one click, the window was open, and the little creature stepped cautiously in. He seemed to be looking for something,

and you'll easily guess that what he was looking for was his shadow. Tink, where are you? he whispered, and as then the light shone on the jug he went on. Tink, do you know where they have put it? Now this little ball of light was really a fairy girl Who knew everything worth knowing Most fairies do All you could see of her was the little flame

But you could hear her distinctively She made a little tinkling noise Like a silver bell And that was why she was called Tinkerbell Tinkerbell Tinkerbell at last rested a few moments On the second drawer of the nursery dresser Instantly the boy

rang joyfully to it, and pulling open the drawer, snatched out his shadow, neatly rolled up, just as Mrs. Darling had left it. He had found it certainly, but the next trouble was to put it on again. A happy thought struck him. He would stick it on with soap. Sitting on the hearth-rub, he soaked his feet, and then he soaked his shadow. But whichever way he soaked, they would not stick together. There is no use in her. having a shadow if it will not stick to you. After trying and trying in vain, the poor little fellow gave up the attempt and buried his face in his hands and sobbed despairingly. It was then that Wendy awoke. She sat up in bed and not at all frightened, said, Little boy, why are you

crying? The elfin creature sprang to his feet and taking off his cap bowed very politely. Wendy cursesied in return, though she found it a difficult thing to do in bed. What's your name? asked the little boy. Wendy, Moira, Angela, darling. What's yours? Peter Pan? Where do you live? Second turning to the right and straight on till morning. This seemed to Wendy a very funny address, but she was all sympathy when she heard that Peter had no mother. No wonder he was crying, but that was not the reason for Peter's tears.

He was crying because he could not get his shadow to stick on. This made Wendy smile, and she emphatically declared that soap was no good. It must be sewn on. Shall I do it for you? She suggested, and jumping out of bed to get our work basket, she set up to work at once. It hurts a great deal to have a shadow sewn on to your feet, but Peter bore it bravely. It was the right thing to do,

for the shadow held on beautifully, and Peter was so delighted that he danced up and down the nursery, watching it making patterns on the floor as he flung his arms and legs about. Oh, the cleverness of me, cried Peter, overcome with joy, any crowd with pleasure for all the world,

just as a cock would crow. You can seat, exclaimed, Wendy indignantly. Of course I did nothing. Oh, you did a little. A little. If I am no use, I can at least withdraw, she said, jumping back into bed and covering her head in a dignified way with the bedclothes. Oh Wendy, please don't withdraw, Peter exclaimed in great distress. I can't help crowing when I'm pleased with myself. One girl is more use than 20 boys. This was rather clever of Peter, and at these sensible words Wendy got up again, she even offered to give Peter a kiss, if he liked. Peter looked puzzled, but seeing the thimble on Wendy's finger,

he thought she meant to give him that, and held out his hand for it. Now Wendy saw at a glance that the poor boy did not even know what a kiss was, but being a nice little girl of motherly disposition, she did not hear his feelings by laughing at him, but simply placed the thimble on his finger. Peter admired the thimble very much. Shall I give you a kiss? He asked, and jerking a button off his cloak, solemnly presented it to her. Wendy at once fastened it on a chain which he wore round her neck, and forgetting the puzzle in his mind, she once more asked him for a kiss. Immediately he returned the thimble. Oh, I didn't mean a kiss. I meant a thimble. What's that? he asked. It's like this, replied Wendy and gently kissed his cheek.

Oh, cried Peter. How nice. And he began to give her thimbles in return. And ever afterwards, he called a kiss a thimble and a thimble a kiss. But Peter, how old are you? continued Wendy. I don't know, but quite young. I ran away the day I was born. Ran away, why? Because I heard my father and mother talking about what I was to be when I became a man. I don't want to be a man. I would always be a little boy and have fun, so I ran away and lived among the fairies. Wendy was almost speechless with delight, and the thought of sitting beside a boy who knew fairies. and a minute later said, Peter, do you really know fairies?

Yes, but they're all nearly all dead now, you see. Wendy, when the first baby laughed for the first time, it broke into a thousand pieces, and they all went skipping about. And that was the beginning of fairies. And now whenever a new baby is born, its first laugh becomes a fairy, so there ought to be a fairy for every little boy and girl,

But there isn't. You see, children know such a lot now. They soon won't believe in fairies. And whenever a child says, I don't believe in fairies. There's a fairy somewhere that falls down dead. Peter suddenly looked about the room as though he was searching for something.

Tinkerbell had disappeared. Before he could grow anxious, however, a tinkling of bells was heard and Peter, who knew the fairy language, of course understood it. He opened up the drawer in which his shadow had been hidden and sprang out Tinkerbell, who was very angry with him for shutting her up accidentally in the drawer. She skipped about the room, but Wendy gave such a cry of delight that Tink was frightened and hid behind the clock. But Peter, continued Wendy, if you live with the fairies, where do you live? I live with a lost boy,

Who are they? said Wendy. Why, they are the children who fall out of their perambulators when their nurses are looking the other way. If they are not claimed within seven days, they are sent far away to the Never Neverland, to defray expenses. I'm their captain. Oh, what fun! But Peter, why do you come to our nursery window? said Wendy. Peter told her that he came to listen to the lovely stories Wendy's mother related to her children

for the lost boys had no mothers and no one to tell them any stories he also told her how he led them against their enemies the pirates and the wolves and how they enjoyed bathing in the lagoon where beautiful mermaids sang and swam with them all day long I must go back now

he went on the boys will be anxious to hear the end of the story about the prince and the glass slipper. I told them as much as I knew and they're longing to hear the rest. Wendy begged him to stay. I'll tell you lots more, she promised. Ever so many stories, if you'll only stay.

Come, Wendy! exclaimed Peter, struck with a new idea. You can tell us the stories there, darn our clothes and tuck us in at night. None of us have ever been tucked in. All the boys long for a mother. Oh, Wendy, do come. It was a tempting idea to Wendy,

but a sudden thought crossed her mind. Peter, I can't. Think of mummy. Besides, I can't fly. I'll teach you, Wendy. This was too much for her. Peter, will you teach John and Michael to fly as well? Yes, if you like, said Peter.

So John and Michael were awakened. Indirectly they heard that there were pirates in the Never Neverland. They began to clamour at once to go. They watched Peter fly about the room and tried to imitate him, flapping their arms, clumsily at first, like unfledged birds, and flopping all about the place. That will never do, said Peter, I must blow fairy dust on you, now waggle your shoulders as I do.

so they tried and found that they could fly, just a little at first, from the bed to the floor and back again, then over the bed and across the room, and then as they grew braver, almost as freely and easily as Peter himself. Tink, lead the way, called Peter, and the fairy shot out like a little star. None of the children had time to put on their day clothes, but John snatched his own. top hat as he flew out of the window, followed by Michael, Peter Pan held Wendy's hand, and away they floated into the dark blue depths of the starry sky. Part 2 The Never Never Land Far away in the Never Never Land, the lost boys lived in the depths of the forest, on the banks

of a lake now covered with ice. The trees were bare without the summer dress, and wolves proud and howled in the distance, and the wild beasts snarled in the undergrowth, and pirates sailed voluilessly up their lake, and red Indians, who were friends of the boys, lived secretly in their wigwams, hidden in the glades of the woods. The lost boys, who in their fur coats, looked more like bears than boys, who anxiously waited Peter's return. There were six of them, slightly soiled, the eldest, then came Tootles and Nibs and Curly and the Twins. It was so much alike that one name did for both of them, so each was called twin. They lived like moles under the ground for fear of the pirates and the wolves.

Each one had a special staircase hollowed in a tree trunk so that they could easily run down among the roots of the trees into their home. They were playing about happily Although they were beginning to be a little anxious That Peter was so long away Slightly he was tootling on a whistle And dancing quite merrily With an ostrich for a partner

A queer companion you will say When suddenly the gruff voices Of the pirates were heard Nibs who was very brave slipped away through the trees to scout But the others had only just time To scuttled on the sea stairs in the hollow trees before the big ugly buccaneers came trampling up, hauling their captain

who was sitting in a state upon a sledge. You could not imagine a more dreadful-looking villain than that man was. His name was James Hook, and it suited him. He had two most evil-looking black eyes. His face was seen with lines which seemed to express his wicked thoughts. His hideous chin, all unshaven, were as black as ink, and as prickly as a fir's bush. His hair was long in black, and it hung around his face in greasy curls. He was singing a horrible song about himself, keeping time by swinging in the air the gruesome stump of his right arm, on which a double-ironed pronged hook was fixed instead of a hand. Hence his name. That man was the most wicked pirate who had ever lived.

He simply wallowed in wickedness. Even his own crew dreaded him, and they were as bad as could be. No wonder the lost boys darted like rabbits to their cave. Now Captain Hook most of all wanted to find Peter Pan, for it was Peter who, a long time before, in an encounter between the pirates and the lost boys, had cut off his right arm and flung it to a passing crocodile.

The crocodile had liked the taste of it, so much that ever since he had wandered from land to land and from sea to sea, licking his lips for the rest of the captain. The captain had naturally some reason for hating Peter, for he had a dreadful time in eluding the pursuit of the voracious crocodile, but still the beast dogged his footsteps and followed him on and on

and by land and sea wherever he went. The captain only got a start when the crocodile was asleep, and with that and a swift ship he had managed so far to escape. It was an awful life. Fortunately for Hook, the crocodile had once, in an ill-advised moment, swallowed an alarm clock. One of those patent 99-year clocks warranted to go any time, anywhere, and anyhow. Go it did and it ticked so loudly

that the captain could always hear it coming and it was the signal for him to bolt. Hook sat down on one of the enormous forest mushrooms. In the Never Neverland, mushrooms grow to a gigantic size to deliberate about his moat of revenge. He was in the middle of a torrent of braggings and boasting when he felt his seat getting not only warm but much too warm and a little.

wonder in that, for when he furiously leapt up, he found that he had really been sitting on a chimney of the underground home which Peter had cleverly disguised. He realised as once that the lost boys must be living in safety down below. Very soon he had a wicked, treacherous plan settled. He determined to cook a huge rich cake with beautiful green icing and poisoned inside. He was sure that the lost boys who had no mother to luck after them would eat it greedily and die with awful pains inside, Smee, as the captain's wily lieutenant was called, was overjoyed at the plan and chuckled loudly. Shake hands on it, said Hook, but Smee did not want to and begged to be excused. Poor Smee poor, said the captain in an awful voice, so Smee had to take the horrid hook

in his hand and they both dance round while Hook sang with diabolical grimaces. Yo-ho-ho when I saw poor by fear there overtook, Nauts left upon the bones when you have shaken hands with hook. Just as he was gloating over his pleasant scheme, a queer sound was heard like a corn crake coming nearer and nearer the Rubali field. Tick-tack, tick-tac-tick-tac-tick-tac. The crocodile, the crocodile, the captain yelled, and in a moment was flying for his life. The pirates had scarcely disappeared in the depths of the forest when the Indians crept silently up in pursuit of them. Tagia Lili, their chieftainous, was at their head, now running swiftly under the trees, now listening with her ear to the ground to know where her enemies had gone.

For, like Tinkerbell and Wendy, she loved Peter Pan and as enemies were her enemies. The Indians slid along, following the pirates with steps as quiet as those of a beetle crawling through the grass. They soon passed far out of sight, and then one by one, the lost boys peeped from their tree trunks and seeing that all was quiet, came out again to their playground in the woods.

but their safety did not last for long. A fierce barking of wolves was heard, and Nibs, who had gone off by himself, rushed quite out of breath into the midst of the boys, closely pursued by a pack of lean hungry wolves, with glittering fiery eyes. What were the lost boys to do in this terrible plight when their leader was far away?

Fortunately, one of them remembered Peter's plan. Whenever he was attacked by wild beasts, Pee-tees to run at them backwards, jumping along the ground, squinting at them through his legs. The lost boys did this all together, and really it was so astonishing that all the wolves fled with terrified howls to the thickets where they lived. The nibs told the boys how he had seen the loveliest white bird you could imagine. It was flying away, he said. It looked so wearied And as it flew it moaned Poor Wendy

Are you sure it was a bird They asked Nibs was quite sure And almost at once they saw Wendy Flying through the trees In her white nightgown Tinkerbell was by her side darting at her

and was telling the boys That Peter wanted her shot For Tinker was rather a bad Little Fairy sometimes She said this because she was jealous of Wendy, since Peter and Wendy had kissed each other. Instantly, Tootle seized his bow and arrow, and shot at what he thought was the bird, and it fell fainting to the ground.

At once the boys saw that she was no bird, but a little girl, and perhaps the very mother whom Peter had promised to bring them. They were very frightened, and soon was sure that they had done a dreadful thing, for Peter came flying down with John and Michael. and immediately inquired about Wendy. She flew this way, haven't you seen her? He asked. Yes, said Tootles, and pointed to her as she lay motionless on the ground.

Peter bent over her and took the arrow, and his anger would have killed Tootles with it, if Wendy had not stayed with him by feebly moving her hand. Then they were all glad, for Wendy was not dead, as they had thought, but only stunned. The arrow had fortunately struck the button, which Peter had given her in mistake for a kiss. Soon she was quite well again,

but so faint and tired after her long flight through the air. The boys did not know what to do. They did not like to carry her down into the cave, as it might not be sufficiently respectful, so they planned to build a house over her, only they did not know what to do. kind of house to build. Then Wendy sang in her half-sleep the kind of house she wanted. I wish I had a darling house, the littlest ever seen, with funny little red walls and a roof of

mossy green. And the boys fetched logs out of the forest and a grate and a rug with the underground cave, and built a beautiful home for her out of wood and tarpaulin and make-believe. They made a chimney, out of John's tall hat, which she had been Londony enough to bring with him, and they made a splendid knocker out of the soul of one of Tuttle's boots. When it was finished, it was built around Wendy as she lay on the ground. Peter knocked solemnly at the door, and Wendy opened it and came out, very pleased and happy. The lost boys knelt before her, and begged her to be their mother, and took them in at night and tell them stories before they went to bed. She said that she was not quite sure she could,

but she would do her best, if only Peter could be father, and that now if they'd like to come in, she would tell them the story of Cinderella. In they bundled one after the other to listen to the tale, and they were so big and the house was so small that they must have been packed like sardines inside, but a sort of cozy feeling like that was, I expect,

just what they wanted and they were very happy. The evening fell softly down on the forest and the shadows rose so that everything was dark and still, save for the occasional baying of a wolf, lights were lit in the little house, and at last when it was quite night, Peter came out with the sword

and walked up and down like a century to guard the new little mother he had brought for the lost boys. Part 3. The Mermaid's Lagoon One fine summer evening, Peter with Wendy and their little family went down to the lagoon where the mermaids lived. The Never, Never, Neverland, as you see, is full of the most strange and interesting creatures. Some of them dreadful, like the pirates, wolves and crocodiles. others, like the fairies and the mermaids, altogether beautiful and charming. Wendy and her brothers, who had never seen a real mermaid with a tale, were very much excited,

and as luck would have it, just as they arrived at the lagoon, one of them, seated on a rock, was combing her long tresses, on which the sunlight gleamed, until they shone like a mixture of golden bronze, for they had a beautiful greenish tinge. As she combed her hair, she sang such a wonderful melody that the boys longed to catch her. They instantly dashed into the water, but with a piercing cry of mortals, the mermaid dived out of their reach,

into the lowest depths. But look, here is another little mermaid. Surely we can catch her, said John Napoleon, darling. and he very nearly did. Mermaids, however, are hard to catch, and when caught are still harder to hold. John succeeded in getting the little sprite in his hands,

but reeling like an eel, she slipped out of his grasp. Breathless, with excitement, the whole band of children clamoured onto the rocks, when all at once a cry went up, the pirates. Sure enough, a boat was approaching. and in it were seated the two pirate lieutenants, Smee and Starkey. The boys were already swimming to the shore as fast as they could, but to his horror, Peter recognised Tiger Lily, sitting in the stern, tightly bound with ropes. In a flash he guessed what was their intention, the wretches meant to leave her,

all bound up as she was, upon the rock, until the tide came up. and drowned her. Determined to save her, Peter thought of a clever trick, imitating the wicked captain's voice he called out, cut her bonds and let her go. The effect was marvellous. The astonished buccaneers,

fearing to disobey their captain, instantly released Tiger Lily, who leapt into the water and swam towards the boys. The pirates had turned and were rowing back, when they saw hook swimming, towards them, and learnt from him how they had been duped. Horribly in rage, he chased them out of the boat, leaving them to swim back to the ship as best they might, while he himself set upon recapturing Tiger Lily. But with the pirates safely out of the way, Peter and his friends went back to the

rock to attack the captain, he was now single-handed. A fierce fight ensued, hook using his iron-pronged to some purpose on Paul Peter, while the boys, seizing Hook's boat, rode off with Tiger Lily in it. At last, finding himself outdone, the captain gave up the fight, and in all haste swam back to his ship. Peter, left alone on the rock with Wendy,

found her so exhausted that she could neither swim nor fly any farther, with difficulty he managed to help her to a firm footing, but the tide was rising. and they were both in great danger. As he watched the water silently creeping nearer, Peter almost despaired, but all at once a large kite came flying slowly over the lagoon. In a second, Peter had seized his tail and binding it tightly round Wendy.

He sent her sailing away in safety, bravely calling, Goodbye Wendy, until she was out of sight. Then indeed, as the tide rose steadily, Peter was in great peril. The water reached its feet, and he was beginning to think it would be a tremendous adventure to die. When, who should come sailing by

but a great sea bird on its nest, which had been blown off the cliffs by the rising storm? Hurrah, cried Peter, there's a lovely boat for me, and chasing the bird off, in his step and cooled himself round and spreading out his coat to the wind, sailed swiftly and merrily after Wendy

Part 4 The Underground Home The days passed merrily in the underground home where Wendy was the sweetest little mother and Peter the bravest father you could have ever found anywhere The cave was large and roomy And the rocks out of which it was hollowed

Were of a deep brown colour There was a fine large fireplace and overhead near the ceiling were hung baskets and fishing tackle and all sorts of things likely to be useful to cave dwellers. Wendy had not been long there before she had improved the home and made it as comfortable as her own nursery. It is wonderful what clever girls can do, even with the poorest materials.

There was now a huge bed for all the boys and a basket for Michael, because he was the littlest and because a cradle is such a homely thing to have about my house and in the corner of the room hidden behind a tiny crimson curtain there was a wee little room for Tinkerbell

dangerly furnished to suit the tastes of a fairy girl there were stools made of mushrooms for the boys and two comfortable chairs made of pumpkins where Wendy and Peter could sit in state as was fitting for father and mother of the little family. One Saturday night, Wendy and the boys were all downstairs together,

waiting for Peter to come back from a hunting expedition. Outside the faithful Tiger Lily and her Red Indian Band were keeping guard against the pirates. Presently, the crackling of branches indicated Peter's approach from the Underwood. Tiger Lily sprang up to meet him, and the lost boys ran to the tree trunk staircases to welcome him on his return. He was the best of fathers, and never forgot to be a little boy, for he filled his pockets with fruit for the boys who had been good, and let them rummage through and through his

coat like rats in a corn sack. Then he turned towards Wendy, who was very busy mending the children's socks by the fireside. She looked very charming in her pretty brown frock, the colour of autumn leaves, with scarlet berries in her hair, and she made Peter very happy, as they exchanged them and talked over the boys in their doings if they had really been their father and mother. When the children clamoured for a dance, Peter even said that he was too old for such a game, and that his old bones would simply rattle, and Wendy also thought that the mother of such an army could not go skipping about with her children. So Peter sang, Sally in our alley, which song Wendy thought no one else in the world could sing

so sweetly as the darling of our heart, while the others danced pillow dancers and bolster dances and turned somersaults on their beds and did all the other jolly and lively things that everyone wants to do just about bedtime when one ought to be thinking about going to sleep. At last they quietened down for Wendy to tell them just one more story before they were tucked in for the night. They clustered eagerly round, into round, interrupting every sentence as children always do, even the best of them, while Wendy told her story. And the story somehow seemed familiar to John, Michael and Peter, for it was the tale of Mr. and Mrs. Darling, the poor dears who had lost their children one winter night, and how sad they were about it,

how lonely they felt, and how the nursery window, which always be kept open ready for the children, if they ever should come flying home again. When she was finished, Peter stood up sadly. No, Wendy, he said. I thought so once, but you cannot be sure that their window will be kept open. When I went back to my mother, the window was barred, and there was another little boy sleeping in my cradle. And that thought, Wendy started up with a look of horror in her face.

Perhaps this time Mother may be half more night. she exclaimed, and John and Michael felt they dared not stay another moment in the Never, Neverland. What would they do if they were too late in coming back, and found other children in their beds? Other children being bathed and dressed by Nana. They must go home at once. The boys crowded round Wendy, imploring her not to leave. But she was firm. Not only was she returned with John and Michael.

but she would take all the boys with her for her mother to adopt. The boys, as soon as they heard themselves invited to come to, were happy as larks. For now each of them would have a true mother in Mrs. Darling and would live in a house like other boys. In a moment they were packing up their baby clothes and were ready to start on their journey. Peter alone refused. He was miserable and the thought of losing Wendy, but he couldn't consent to grow old and have a beard,

as he knew he must do if he left the Never-Neverland. Never, ever could he do that. There was nothing for him then but to stay behind. Wendy was as careful as her little mother in pouring out Peter's medicine and made him promise faithfully to take it every night. But suddenly there was a stamping overhead and banging and a clashing and a shouting

and a sound of heavy people wrestling and struggling to and fro the pirates had taken the red Indians by surprise the children heard the fighting and listened like mice to the squalling of cats as frightened as could be while Peter waited with his sword the battle was soon very much over the Indians were beaten and round like hairs

or crawled dangerously wounded into thickets The triumphant pirates were left victorious, though a little out of breath, close above the children's heads. Hook, their captain, more wicked-looking than ever, listened at the mushroom chimney. If the Indians have won, Peter was saying, they'll beat the tom-tom. Aha, thought Hook, and he picked up a tom-tom that one of the flying Indians had left behind, and sounded it loudly. Rub-du-du-dub, rub-dub, dub-dub. hurrah! shouted the children below, an Indian victory.

All will be safe, said Peter. You may go now, Tink will show you the way. And bidding a hurried goodbye to Peter, away they all went upstairs in the tree trunks, out into the forests. The pirates were ready for them. As each child came above the ground, he was seized by one of the swarthy ruffians who stood waiting. one by one and silently they were captured and flung into boats and transported to the pirate ship

which had been anchored in the lake close by everything had been done so quietly that peter was quite unaware of his friend's sad faint he only knew that he was all alone that wendy had left him and that she and michael and john and all the lost boys who had been his companions were on their way from the Never Never Land to the country of the orderly people who wear tall hats and tailcoats as soon as they are old enough and grow up one after the other. Poor Peter threw himself on his bed and sobbed himself to sleep. Hook was still lurking about, for the one thing that annoyed him most was that Peter had not left the cave, with the rest and was yet still

safe. But in his wicked heart, a scheme had already risen by which he hoped to kill his enemy. He had carefully listened to Wendy's last words. Be sure to take your medicine, Peter. Here was the captain's last chance. Creeping down to the door of the cave, he stretched his long arm round the ledge just inside and poured a few drops of deadly poison into a glass. And with a grin of triumph on his ugly face, he threw his cloak over his shoulder and stole away. Somebody was knocking at the door. Who's there?

Ask Peter sleepily. Tap, tap, tap. He got up and opened the door. Tinkerbell, tinkling excitedly, flew into the room. The pirates have captured them, she tinkled. The pirates have captured them. As Peter excitedly snatched up his sword and sharpened it very sharply on the grindstone, he perceived Tinkerbell in his glass of medicine.

He soon learnt the reason that his little fairy told him, in a weak voice that it was poisoned, and that she had drunk the poison as the only way to save his life. It was indeed an act of self-sacrifice, but too well did Tink know how much Peter loved Wendy, and that no warning of hers would prevent him from keeping his promise. Poor Tinkerbell was dying and die she would have done if it was not for Peter. In a frenzy of grief with tears in his eyes, he made this passionate appeal to all children.

Do you believe in fairies? If you do clap your hands and that will save poor Tinkerbell. As this cry rang round the world, there was an echo of fear of fear. sound as millions of little hands clapping, as if all the children throughout the world knew suddenly that of course they did believe in fairies. The result was magical. Tinkerbell was saved, her light which has been getting fainter and fainter grew brighter and brighter again. The merry sound of tinkling, her way of speaking to Peter, which had become almost inaudible, now grew stronger and stronger.

She was once more the bright little fairy that escorted Peter to the darling nursery and again, under her guidance, Peter set forth to rescue the boys and Wendy. Part 5. The Pirate Ship The Pirate Ship was a terribly evil-looking craft with its painted sails, its heavily tarred cordage and its flag with the skull and crossbones upon it,

flapping grimly at the stern. The poor children were at once driven into the dark and the dirty hold, while Hook walked the deck, rubbing his hands and chuckling to himself to think that at last he had them in his power. Are all the prisoners chained so they can't fly away? He asked Smee, who is very busy at the sewing machine. I, I, Captain, answered Smee. Then hoist them up, shouted the captain.

He seated himself on a chair, covered with a white bearskin, waiting while the boys whose wrists were chained together were dragged out of the hold and brought before him. Six of them, he said, were to walk the plank at once, but he would save any two who were willing to be cabin boys. The children were not at first sure what walking the plank meant, but Hook soon enlightened them by roared. roaring out a song in explanation.

Yo-ho, yo-ho, the frisky plank you walk along it so, till it goes down and you goes down too to Raululul low. He sang waving his hook to show how, when the plank tipped, you will be shot into the water and drowned. Turning towards John Napoleon Darling, he shouted, You look as if you have some pluck in you. John hesitated. In his schoolboy days he had always thought a pirate's life was attractive, so stepping forward he said,

Will you call me red-handed Jack? The captain laughed with delight and promised to give him that name if he joined the crew. Then Michael went up to him and slapped him on the shoulder. What will you call me if I join? he asked. Black-bearded Joe, answered the captain, and until another question arose, Michael was much pleased. The cabin boys were told that they must course swear, down with King George.

And to this neither boy would contest. John and Michael were then pushed on one side and told that their doom was sealed, with hook shouted, Bring up their mother. In a moment, Wendy was dragged from the hold, and when the boys rushed to protect her, they were pulled back, leaving her standing alone, looking very frightened, but pretty in her brown dress, with a long brown cloak wrapped around her.

Hooked asked her if she had any last message for her sons, who were about to die. Wendy spoke beautifully to the boys, telling them she was sure their real mothers would wish them to die like English gentlemen. Her courage so inspired the children that they all cried they would do what their mothers wished. Upon this, Wendy was cruelly tied to the mast Whilst Hook's orders were carried out But just as the boy's fate seemed determined Something happened to change Hook's glee into terror Tick, tick, tick tick tick tick

He heard at the dreaded sound he yelled The crocodile, hide me, hide me In Amcheked fear he rushed to a corner of the ship while as men crowded round him, intent only upon shielding their captain from the jaws of the monster. The boys waited breathless with horror, until with a sudden relief the rapture they saw, not the crocodile, but their beloved Captain Peter Pan appearing over the ship's side. In one hand, at arm's length, he held an alarm clock, the ticking of which he made hook believe that the crocodile was upon him. Making a sign to his friends, Peter dashed into the cabin and seen by the pirates and shut the door.

The ticking ceased directly and Hook's terror vanished. Returning to his dreadful purpose, he cried, Now here's to Johnny Plank. Again he began to sing, Yo-ho, yo-ho, the frisky plank. But the boys, filled with hope and excitement, drowned his voice by singing rural Britannia, and just as the pirate was about to vent his rage upon them, he was silenced by a shrill and piercing cox crow from the cabin.

Struck motionless with terror, the crew looked to their captain for some explanation, who ordered Gecko, one of the men, to enter the cabin and see what was the matter. Hook waited for Gecko, who did not return and once again was heard the awful mysterious crowing. Someone must bring me that doodle do, ruled the captain, and no one volunteered. I thought I heard Starkey volunteer, he said, pointing his hook at Starkey. Mad with terror of the hook, as well as of the uncanny creature in the cabin, Starkey rushed wildly round the deck and finally to escape both, flung himself overboard. Furious at this mutinous behaviour, Hook shouted,

I'll bring that doodle-doo out myself, but he had no better success and came rushing back in a cowardly fashion saying, something blew out the light. A happy idea now struck him. Drive the boys in, let them fight the doodle-do. If they kill him so much the better, if he kills them, we're none the worse. This of course was just what the children wanted, but concealing their delight, they allowed themselves to be driven into the cabin. In the meantime, all the pirates huddled together hiding their faces.

Sailors, you know, are very superstitious, and they all thought the ship was bewitched. So terrified were they that no one saw Peter steal out, followed by the boys, who crept silently up the ladder to the higher deck. No one saw Peter cut the ropes which bound Wendy and take her place at the mast. and cover his face with the brown cloak she had left, while Wendy joined the boys. Is the girl? cried Hook. There's another luck on a pirate ship when a woman's aboard. Let's throw her over. All the men knew that their captain was right, and one of the pirates started up and shook his fist at the brown-robed figure at the mast.

There's nothing can save you now, Missy, he cried. There is one, came a ringing-lawful. voice, and the brown cloak was flung aside, and there stood Peter Pan. Down, boys, at them, he shouted, and with a rush the boys armed with weapons which Peter had found and given them in the cabin, swarmed down upon the lower deck. The pirates believed that all the boys had been slain by the mysterious doodle-do, and were panic-stricken as they saw them with swords and daggers. Some of the crew rushed to the bulwarks and leapt over balls. Others with their knives fell upon the boys, while Hook backed into the cabin fighting for his life.

Put up your knives, boys, that man is mine, cried Peter, pointing to Hook. The boys turned their attention to the remaining members of the pirate crew, who were one by one forced into the sea, while the two mortal enemies appeared at the cabin door closed in deadly combat. Each was determined to kill the other. step by step hook was driven down to the side of the ship he felt himself weakening in despair he cried out tis some fiend fighting me who are you pan i'm youth cried peter i'm a little bird that has broken out of the egg i'm youth i'm joy with that he wrenched hook sword from him and he pushed him into the sea right into the jaws of the waiting crocodile who caught him at life The boys burst into ringing cheers as they and Wendy crowded round their hero who stood like a conquering Napoleon while the pirate flag was lowered. The fate of the pirates.

All the pirates save two, Smee and Starkey had jumped into the sea and were lost. Smeet, the Irish pirate, who was not so wicked as the rest of the crew, managed to swim ashore and subsequently became a reformed character. and a brave sailor in his majesty's fleet. Starkey, who had never shed blood, but had been guilty of many cruel deeds, was captured by the Indians, and led a miserable life for great big little white panther,

the Indian chief, compelled him to act as a nurse to the papooses of the tribe, a sad come down for a pirate. Part 4 Home Sweet Home But at home in the darling household, all this time there was deep sorrow.

Mr Darling, as a punishment to himself for taking their guardian Nana away, had vowed that he would live in the kennel till his children return. For months now he had lived in it and had been carried to business in it every morning, much to the disgust of the prim little housemaid Gleiser. Mr. Darling had become quite a celebrity

and great ladies, leaders of society, found him so interesting and touching that they all cried out as he passed by, oh, do you come to dinner at our house, do you come in the kennel. All the newspapers had asked him to write the cricket and football news for them, and his picture postcards were to be seen in every shop window. But it happened one evening when he returned from business, carried as usual in the kennel,

he was taken up to the now-dustolate nursery, where Mrs. Darling spent most of her time mourning for her lost children, while the faithful nana tried in vain to cheer her up. George George, I believe you're beginning to light the kennel, she said reproachfully as he crawled out. He denied the charge, however he tried to comfort Mrs. Darling, who never for one moment forgot the little empty beds and the silence and cheerlessness of the nursery.

Then he left her and sitting down with the fire, Mrs. Darling was alone with her sad thoughts. scarcely however she had closed her eyes when three little figures blew in at the window and nestled cozily in their beds then softly wendy called to her mother but when mrs darling looked round she simply couldn't believe that the children were really there so many times before she had dreamt of their return but it was not till they all three crowded round her then she realised that they had indeed come home. Oh, what joy to feel once more those dear faces, cool and fresh from the flight,

through the night air, pressed against hers, hot with tears, to hear once more the sound of those sweet voices, as they all talked at once. At last when she was a little calm, Wendy began telling her about Peter Pan and the lost boys, who with Peter himself were always, waiting outside. Directly Mrs. Darling saw them and heard that they had no mothers.

She instantly adopted them all. Though the house would be rather crowded, she could easily put up extra beds in the drawing room she said, and all could be comfortably managed. The only difficulty lay with Peter, much as at first sight he loved Mrs. Darling, much as he loved Wendy, he could have consent to grow up. So at last it was arranged that he should fly back alone to the Never Never Land, and that once a year Mrs Darling would allow Wendy to stay with him for a whole week to do his spring cleaning. The tree tops.

High in the treetops of the Never Never Land, Tinkerbell placed the little house that was built for Wendy. The tree tops are soft as velvet, and in the evening at twilight all are bejeweled with tiny mauve and white and blue lights. The mauve ones are boy fairies, the white gill fairies and the blue lights are darling little sillies who are not quite sure what they are. And the still air is filled with the singing of birds

and the ringing of hundreds of little fairy bells. But the sweetest sound of all is the fluting of Peter Pan's pipe as he sits outside the little house and calls to the spring to make him. haste, because with the spring comes Wendy. The end.