Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove - Tales for Halloween - Three Gentle and Relaxing Halloween Inspired Fairytales

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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 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

Starting point is 00:01:16 or admired the delicate features of Queen Nefertiti if you have you'll probably like the History of Egypt podcast every week we explore tales of this ancient culture The history of Egypt is available wherever you get your podcasting fix. Come, let me introduce you to the world of ancient Egypt. And welcome to these Halloween stories with me, Christopher Fitton. Tonight, I'm reading some fairy tales and folk tales that have the theme of Halloween running through them.

Starting point is 00:02:01 The first story is a light-hearted tale about pixies, Jacko Lanterns and Witches. The second and third are tales about curses, love and mystical creatures. I hope you'll enjoy them tonight's begin. Twinkling Feets, Halloween, One Halloween, a band of Merry Pixies were dancing round and round, a bright green ring in the meadow. In the centre, stood the... little fiddler, playing his gayest music, and keeping time with his head and one tiny foot.

Starting point is 00:02:48 The faster he played, the merrier the little creatures danced. What sport it was to twill and twist in time with the fairy music, which the Johnny Little Elf brought out from his tiny instrument. No wonder the pixies laughed in the world. until their sides ate. And so indeed did their little musician. Sometimes he was obliged to stop playing for a few seconds in order to catch his breath. Now there was one pixie named Twinkling Feet,

Starting point is 00:03:29 who was the best dancer in the ring, and he could cut such queer little keepers that his companions fairly shrieked with laughter when they looked at him. Suddenly, he thought what sport it would be to play a trick on all their little dancers. Very slyly, he tripped his partner and the two fell down in the grass,

Starting point is 00:03:55 dragging with them one pixie after another, until all in the circle were sprawling on the ground. There they lay, for several seconds. a wriggling mass of green goats and red caps. It was some time before they could pick themselves up. Many of them laughed heartily at the mishap. But a few were so badly bruised, they were obliged to slip away

Starting point is 00:04:25 and bathe their shins in the evening dew. Who tripped first in the rain? Who made us fall on our stump jackets? Who spoiled our Halloween dance? asked one little pixie after another, twinkling feet, and I fell first, said the best dancer's partner. I don't know what made us tangle our feet to you,

Starting point is 00:04:54 he asked, were laughing and turning to his companion, but twinkling's feet's little brown face were so drawn and savour that his partner asked quickly, Why, what is the matter with you? I don't know, said the little elf. Why, do look at him, cried another pixie. Does anything hurt you? Asked several little creatures together.

Starting point is 00:05:26 I feel very queer, said twinkling feet. Have you what mortals call pain? asked another. I don't know what that is, but I feel very, very queer. Please ask the little fiddler if he knows what is the matter with me. The group of pixies

Starting point is 00:05:52 that had gathered around twinkling feet moved away in order to let the elfin musician come close to the queer-looking pixie. The little fiddler gazed steadily at him, shook his white head, and said slowly, A frightful thing has happened. Twinkling feet has lost his laugh. Lost his laugh? Shrieked all the other little else. He has lost his laugh, repeated the fiddler pixie. Lost my laugh. Mowed my laugh, moaned to twinkling feet. Oh, please tell me what to do. There is nothing to do, but go and search for it.

Starting point is 00:06:46 You cannot dance in a pixie ring without your laugh, and mark what I say. You must find it before midnight. But what if I can't find it? cried the frightened elf. Then you'll be a pixie, without a laugh, that is all, declared the little fiddler. And these awful words, every pixie's face grew sober. They looked at each other very solemnly and said, A pixie without a laugh, how terrible. Then one after another, search for it, twinkling feet. You'll find it before minutes.

Starting point is 00:07:38 night. Start now. Think how sad it would be if you were never able to dance in the ring again. Where shall I go, Philopixie? asked twinkling feet. Well, you might ask, Jacko Lantern, said the magician. He's been flitting about in the meadow all evening. See, there he goes over the bridge. A way ran the little pixie as fast as his legs could carry him. It was no easy matter to come close enough to jacko lantern to make him here. Twinkling feet was almost ready to give up the chase when the little man stopped, poked his head out of his lantern and called, Do you wish to speak to me?

Starting point is 00:08:38 Don't you know me, cried the pixie. I'm twinkling feet. Why? What has happened to you? asked Jack. You're the queerest looking chap I ever saw. I've lost my laugh. Please tell me, Jacko Lantern. Have you seen it?

Starting point is 00:09:02 Lost your laugh? Repeated the Lantern Man, looking very serious. No wonder I didn't know you. I'm very sorry to say, I've seen nothing of your laugh. Do you know anyone who could help me, Jack? Asked twinkling feet. Oh, do help me find it. Let me see.

Starting point is 00:09:32 You might ask, jolly little witch. Her eyes are very sharp. She's in the ragweed. meadow, looking for a good riding stalk. As soon as she finds one, I'm going to light her to the village, where she will make plenty of merriment at the children's party. It's Halloween, you know. Come, jump into my lantern, and I'll take you to her. Twinkling feet the little lantern, and away they went to the little lantern, and away they went to the the ragweed field.

Starting point is 00:10:15 When they drew near, the Johnny Little Witch called out. I found a good ragweed stalk jack, but I've lost my goggles. Come, perhaps you can help me find them. I can't go

Starting point is 00:10:32 to the village without my goggles. Why, who is that in the lantern with you? A pixie who wants to ask you something, said Jacko Luntan, opening the door to let twinkling feet out. Then the lantern man hurried away to search for the witch's goggles. Please, Johnny Little Witch, I've lost my laugh, said twinkling feet.

Starting point is 00:11:07 Lost your laugh, and on Halloween, well, No wonder I didn't know you. You're the queerest-looking pixie I ever saw. Tell me how you happened to lose your laugh. But twinkling feet did not answer her question. He said meekly, Have you seen it? No, my little fellow.

Starting point is 00:11:36 I'm sorry to say I have not seen your laugh, said the jolly little witch. A pixie can't dance without his laugh, sighed twinkling feet. No, of course not, he can't. Dear, dear, how sorry I am for you, said the little witch, shaking her head. And if a pixie loses anything on Halloween, you must find it before midnight, or give it up forever. I could have helped you on any other night. But you see, I always spend Halloween in the village with the children.

Starting point is 00:12:24 I shall be late tonight if I don't find those goggles. And again, she began to search for them. The pixie looked at her for a moment. Then he asked, Do the children laugh a good deal on Halloween? Be my little man. It's the time in all the year when they laugh most. Tonight, there is a witch's party.

Starting point is 00:12:57 I shall secretly join the children and play all sorts of tricks for their amusement. What a nuisance it is that I've lost those goggles. How how have? help you search for them, jolly little witch, for the Vixie. I suppose I must give up my laugh, for I don't know anyone else to ask about it. Please tell me what your goggles look like. They are two round glass windows, which I wear over my eyes when I ride through the air, said the little witch. Away started the pixiesies.

Starting point is 00:13:43 to search for them. He looked carefully around. Every ragweed stalk in the meadow. But he could see nothing, which looked like two round glass windows. Perhaps one cannot find anything, which has been lost on Halloween, he said to himself.

Starting point is 00:14:08 Slowly, he walked back to the place where he had left, the jolly little witch. When he reached her, he stared sharply at something on top of her head. Please tell me more about your goggles, said twinkling feet. Are they like the two glass windows across the front of your hat? Across the front of my hat, exclaimed the witch, putting her hands up to find out what their little elf meant. Then she burst out laughing and said, Well, well, what strange things to happen on Halloween.

Starting point is 00:14:55 Come, Jacko Lantern, come, the pixie has found my goggles. They were on the top of my head all the time. And turning to twinkling feet, she said, said, you shall go with us to the village and see the merriment if you like. I'm sure Jack will carry you in his lantern. Of course I will, said the lantern man, and while you are playing tricks at the children's party, I'll carry him anywhere he wishes to go. It is a long while before midnight. I want to see the children and hear them laugh. said twinkling feet, the jolly little witch pulled her goggles down on her nose and mounted her wreck-weaved stalk.

Starting point is 00:15:50 The pixie hopped into the lantern and away through the air the three sailed. When they drew near the village, the little witch lowered herself to the ground. The party is over, Jacko lantern, she said. I shall leave Both of all the children take off their masks In the meantime That twinkling feet See the fun

Starting point is 00:16:22 The children will have On their way to the party Away she ran up the village street To a corner where she joined A group of jolly little boys and girls On their way to the party They wore black dresses high-pointed hats with narrow brims and funny little masks.

Starting point is 00:16:49 Not a word did anyone speak, but the sound of their merry laughter reached twinkling feet's ears. He slipped out of the lantern and ran away toward the group of children as fast as he could go. before he reached them, however, the tiniest bit of a creature turning somersaults faster than anyone could count came bowing to him. It climbed up the pixie's little body and disappeared into his mouth. Twinkling feet burst into the merriest mouth and ran back to Jaco Lenton, crying out, I found it I found my laugh My dear little laugh

Starting point is 00:17:41 Oh how happy I am Jack of Lenton Please take me back to the Pixie Ring I found my dear little laugh He hopped into the little Man's lantern And away over the fields they flew As they drew near the green ring

Starting point is 00:18:03 Where the Pixies were still dancing the delighted elf called out, I found my laugh. I found my dear little laugh. Welcome back, twinkling feet, answered the dancers. He hopped out of the lantern and joined the other merry pixies. When they stopped dancing for a little while, the fiddler pixie slipped up to the twinkling feet and whispered slithful.

Starting point is 00:18:35 Always watch your love carefully while you were dancing. The Elfin Night, the autumn wind, blue sharp and shrill, around the turrets of a grey stone castle. But indoors, the fire crackled merrily in my lady's power, where an old nurse was telling a tale of Elfland to Janet, the fairestores, the fairest of Scotch maidens. When the story was finished, Janet's merry laugh echoed through the halls. The old nurse nodded her head earnestly and said,

Starting point is 00:19:24 "'Tis well known, my lassie, "'that the people of Elfland revel in the hills and hollows of Scotland. "'Come close, and I'll tell you a secret.' Janet leaned forward, and the old woman whispered, An elfin knight named Tam Lynn haunts the moorland on the border of your father's estate. No maiden dares venture near the enchanted place. For if she should fall under the spell of this elven knight,

Starting point is 00:20:03 she would be obliged to give him a precious jewel for a ransom. One glimpse of the Elfin Knight would be worth the rarest gem I have, laughed Janet. How I wish I could see him. Nay, nay, my lady. Mortals should have nothing to do

Starting point is 00:20:32 with the people of Elfland, by all means. Shun the Moorland at this time of year, for tomorrow is Halloween. The night when the fairies ride abroad. But the next morning, Janet bound her golden braids about her head, kiltered up her green cursel, and tripped lightly to the enchanted mornland. Where she came near, she saw lovely flowers, blooming as gaily as if it were midsummer time.

Starting point is 00:21:10 She stooped to gather some of the roses When suddenly she heard the faintest silvery music She glanced around Riding toward her was the handsomest night She had ever seen His milk white steed Which sped along Lighter than the wind

Starting point is 00:21:35 Was shod in silver shoes And from the bridle hung tiny silver bells. When the night came near, he sprang lightly from his horse and said, Fair Janet, tell me why you pluck roses in Elfland.

Starting point is 00:21:59 The maiden's heart beat very fast, and the flowers dropped from her hands. But she answered proudly, I came to see Tam the Lov. then the Elfin Knight. He stands before you, said the knight. Have you come to free him from Elfland? At these words, Janet's courage failed,

Starting point is 00:22:29 for she feared he might cast a spell over her. But when the knight saw how she trembled, he said, have no fear, Lady Janet. and you shall hear my story. I am the son of noble parents. When I was a good lad of nine years, I went hunting with my father. Now it chanced that we became separated from each other.

Starting point is 00:23:02 And ill luck attended me. My good horse stumbled, and threw me to the ground, where I lay stunned by the fairy queen found me and carried me off to yonder green hill and while it is pleasant enough in fairyland yet I longed to live among mortals again then why do you ride away to your home

Starting point is 00:23:34 asked Janet Fair maiden is brave enough to help me In three ways She must prove her courage First She must will to meet me here In the enchanted moorland That you have done

Starting point is 00:23:58 Declar the knight Then he stopped And looked pleadingly at Janet Her fear vanished And she asked In what other ways Must the maiden Show her courage

Starting point is 00:24:14 She must banish or fear of him, that too you have done, said the knight. Tell me the third way, Tamlin, for I believe I am the maid to free you. Only my true love can prove her courage in the third way, fair Janet. And the maiden answered, I am thy true love, Tamlin. Then heed what I say, brave lady. Tonight is Halloween. At the midnight hour, the Fairy Queen and all her knights will ride abroad.

Starting point is 00:24:56 If you dare win your true love, you must wait at Miles Cross until the Fairy Queen and her Elfin Knights pass by. I shall be in her train. But how shall I know you amongst you? so many nights, Tamplin. Then asked Lady Janet, I shall ride in the third group of followers. Let the first and second companies are the fairy queen pass and look for me in the third. There will be only three knights in the last company. One will ride on a black horse, one on a brown and the third on a milk-white steed, said the knight, pointing to his horse. My right hand will be clothed, Janet. He continued, by my left hand will hang bare at my side.

Starting point is 00:25:55 By these signs, you will know me. I shall know you without fail, nodded Janet. Wait calmly, until I am near. you. Then spring forward and seize me. When the fairies see you holding me, they will change my form into many shapes. Do not fear, but hold me fast in your arms. At last I shall take my human form. If you have courage enough to do this, you will free your true love from the power of the fairies. I have courage enough to do all that you say, declared Janet. Then they sealed this promise with a kiss and parted. Gloomy was the night and eerie was the way to Miles Cross.

Starting point is 00:26:50 But Janet threw her green mantle over her shoulders and spared to the enchanted mornand. All the way, she said to herself over and over and over, Over, on this Halloween at midnight, I shall free my true love, Tamolin from Elfland. At Miles Cross, she hid herself and waited, how the wind from the sea moaned across the moorland. Presently, she heard a merry, tinkling sound of far-off music, and in the distance, she saw a twinkling light dancing forward. Janet could hear her heart beat, but there she stood undaunted. The fairy queen, and her train were riding forth. In the lead of her first merry company of knights and maids of honour, wrote the beautiful queen, whose jewelled, girdle and crown flashed in the darkness. The second group passed quickly in three nights. in a third group, one rode on a black horse, one on a brown, and there came the milk-white steed, last of all.

Starting point is 00:28:15 Janet could see that one hand of the rider was gloved, and one hung bear at his side. Then up-leaped the maiden. Quickly she seized the bridle of the milk-white steed, pulled the rider from his horse, and threw her green mantle around him. There was a clamour among the Elfin knights, and the Fairy Queen cried out, Tamilin, Tamilim, Sir Mautil has hold of Tamilim, the bonniest knight in my company.

Starting point is 00:28:55 Then the strangest things happened. Instead of Tamilin, Janet held in her arms a bearded lion, who struggled mightily to get away. But she remembered the night's warning, hold me fast and fear me not. The next moment she held a fire-breathing dragon who almost slipped from her. But she tightened her grasp

Starting point is 00:29:24 and thought of Tan Lin's words. The dragon changed to a burning bush and the flames leaped up on all sides. But Janet stood still and felt no harm. Then in her arms, she held a branching tree, filled with blossoms. And at last, Tam Lynn, her own true love, stood there. When the fairy queen saw that none of her enchantments could frighten Janet, she cried out angrily. The maiden has won a stately bridegroom who was my bonniest knight. Alas, Tameline is lost at Elfland.

Starting point is 00:30:11 Born into the darkness, rode the fairy train. Tameline and the Lady Janet hastens back to the grey stone castle, there in a short time. A wedding feast was prepared. And Tamlin, who was really a Scottish Earl, and Lady Janet, the bravest maid in Scotland were married, the courteous prince. Once upon a time, a bonny prince fell in love with a lassie who was nobly born,

Starting point is 00:30:51 but was not equal in rank. The king was sorely vexed, because his son looked with favour on this maiden, and his majesty determined to part the Lord. lovers. He sent the High Chancellor of the court to an old witch for advice. After thinking the matter over for nine days, the old woman muttered the following answer. I am not quite sure what the old hag means, said the king, but if she'll get this maiden out of the princess's sight, I can arrange for his marriage with someone of his own.

Starting point is 00:31:35 own rank. In a few days, the lassie disappeared, and the prince could find no trace of her. He was very sad indeed, and declared if he could not marry his own true love, he would remain single all his life. It happened one fine day, near the end of October, that the young prince and a party of nobles went hunting. The hounds were soon on the track of a fine deer, which was so wily and fleet of foot that the nobles, one by one, lost track of the quarry and dropped out of the chase. The young prince, who was a famous rider, continued the hunt alone. Miles and miles over the low hills, he galloped until at last, in the depths of a wooden glen, the exhausted deer

Starting point is 00:32:39 was brought to bay by the hounds and dispatched by the prince. Not until after the prize was won did the royal hunter realize how dusky it was in the glen, and how threatening the evening sky looked. He felt sure he was too far from the palace to retrace his journey. Besides, he had lost all trace of direction. He threw the quarry over his steeds back, whistled to his hounds, and rode slowly down the wooden valley, wondering where he could lodge for the night.

Starting point is 00:33:27 Little sign of hospitality in this lonely place, he mused, perhaps I'd better make the best of it, and find shelter in one of the rocky hollows. On he rode in the gathering darkness. A turn in the valley brought him to a stretch of moorland, and a little distance away he saw the dark outline of an old deserted hunting hall. A cheerless looking in, thoughts of the prince, No doubt one will have to pay host as well as a guest here However, I have my trusty hounds

Starting point is 00:34:09 And noble steed for company And the quarry will furnish a good meal for us all He leaped from his horse And walked up to the old ruin With very little effort He broke down the door The creaking of its rusty hinges made strange echoings

Starting point is 00:34:32 throughout the hall. The prince let his horse into one of the small rooms. Then with his hounds, he went to the large dining hall where he lit a fire on the great half and proceeded to cook

Starting point is 00:34:50 some venison for supper. While he was waiting for the meat on the spit to roast, he listened to the rising wind. which moaned about the gloomy old ruin, and rattled the doors and windows unceasingly. The good steed, in the adjoining room, pulled the floor restlessly,

Starting point is 00:35:17 and every few moments the hounds stretched their heads straight up into the air, and whined the most uncanny way. As he mused before the fire, The prince thought, this is all Halloween, the night when ghosts and witches hold their revels. Nevertheless, I would rather be this deserted hall than on the storm swept moorland. He took the roasted meat from the fire and prepared to eat his supper. Suddenly, a fierce blast of wind

Starting point is 00:36:00 burst open a large door on the far end of the hall and into the room storked a tall ghostly woman. Her lank figure was clothed in grey garments, which trailed for yards on the floor. Grey hair hung loose down her neck. By the light of the flickering fire, the prince could see her hollow eyes and won features.

Starting point is 00:36:29 He was a brave man, but this ghosty creature filled him with dread and horror, dropped their bones of venison, and crept close to their master, who was unable to utter a word. Slowly, down the hall, the grey ghost glided to the prince,

Starting point is 00:36:51 and pointing a long bony finger at him, she asked in a hollow voice, Art thou a courteous knight? In a trembling voice, the prince answered, I will serve thee. What douse thou wish? Go ye to the morning.

Starting point is 00:37:12 Look enough hather to make a bed in the turret room for me, for the phantom-like figure. It was a strange request to make. But the prince was relieved to have any excuse to get out of her son. sight. He sprang quickly to his feet and hurried out to face the stormy night in search of heather. He plucked as much as he could carry in his plaid and returned to the hall where the ghostly visitor was waiting for him. She led the way down the room, ruined staircase to the turret room.

Starting point is 00:37:57 Here the prince spread a heather bed for her. and covered it with his plaid. When it was finished, she pointed to the door and dismissed him. May you sleep well? So the prince courteously, then cold and weary. He descended to the hall and lay down to sleep in front of the dying embers of the fire. When he awakened, the bright sun was shining in the windows. The prince lost no time in many.

Starting point is 00:38:31 taking ready to depart. For he remembered, quite well, the ghostly visitor of the past night. No doubt, she departed before the crowing of the cockerel, he said. I wonder if she left by Bonnie played in the turret room. The autumn air is keen and biting. I'll go and see. He ran quickly up the ruined staircase. To his surprise when he reached the top, the door of the chamber opened,

Starting point is 00:39:07 and there before him stood his lost sweetheart. How cameest thou here? Gaffed the prince, and where is the grey ghost? Last night I was the grey ghost, she said, change thy form again to-night, he asked in horror. Never again, said the maiden, in order to part as a wicked witch threw a spell over me. A spell which changed me into the awful shape thou sorest last night.

Starting point is 00:39:48 But thou hast broken her wicked charm. Tell me how, said the prince, whose face was beaming with happiness. The witch's charm could not be broken until so knight should serve me, even though my form was horrible. By thy courtesy, thou hast broken the spell, said the maiden. So the prince, and his true love rode away, and were happily married. And when the king heard of his son's adventure in the hunting hall, he said,

Starting point is 00:40:26 Now I know what that old witch meant by her prophecy.

Guided Sleep Meditation & Sleep Hypnosis from Sleep Cove - Tales for Halloween - Three Gentle and Relaxing Halloween Inspired Fairytales

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