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November 12, 2024 96 mins
(00:00:00) Welcome to Rest
(00:00:49) Introducing tonight's story
(00:02:01) Sleep Story - Heidi (Excerpt from Chapter 2)
(00:33:00) Second Reading of Heidi
(01:04:22) Third Reading of Heidi

Host: Jessika Gössl 🌙

Writer: Johanna Spyri ✍️ 

Includes mentions of: Pine Trees, Goats, Food, Wind, Clouds, Moon ⭐

Tonight, we are journeying into an excerpt of the classic tale of Heidi. I’ll read this passage three times, letting its gentle rhythm and the familiarity of each word ease you into a deep, peaceful sleep.

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Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Good evening and welcome to Rest, your sanctuary for peaceful
sleep and relaxation. Whether you're escaping daily stresses or seeking
a nightly companion, you're in the right place. My name
is Jessica, and I'll be your host this evening. Before

(00:27):
we begin, why don't you turn off your screens and
turn down your volume. Now that's done, let's unwind and
help you ease into a blessed rest. Tonight, we are

(00:52):
journeying into the classic tale of Heidi by Johanna Shpiri.
Set in the peaceful Swiss Alps, this beautiful story introduces
us to a young girl named Heidi as she settles
into life with her grandfather in his mountain home. The

(01:17):
exert we'll read tonight is from chapter two, capturing the
calm and beauty of their world in the mountains. I'll
read this passage three times, letting its gentle rhythm and

(01:38):
the familiarity of each word ease you into a deep,
peaceful sleep. So settle in, breathe deeply, and allow yourself
to drift as we begin. As soon as deet had disappeared,

(02:07):
the old man went back to his bench, and there
he remained seated staring on the ground without uttering a sound,
while thick curls of smoke floated upward from his pipe. Heidi, meanwhile,

(02:29):
was enjoying herself in her new surroundings. She looked about
till she found a shed built against the hut where
the goats were kept. She peeped in and saw it
was empty. She continued her search and presently came to

(02:53):
the fir trees behind the hut. A strong breeze was
blowing through them, and there was a rushing and roaring
in their topmost branches. Heidee stood still and listened, the

(03:14):
sound growing fainter. She went on again to the farther
corner of the hut and so round to where her
grandfather was sitting. Seeing that he was in exactly the
same position as when she left him, she went and

(03:37):
placed herself in front of the old man, and, putting
her hands behind her back, stood and gazed at him.
Her grandfather looked up and as she continued standing there
without moving, what is it you want? He asked? I

(04:03):
want to see what you have inside the house, said Heidi.
Come then, and the grandfather rose and went before her
towards the hut. Bring your bundle of clothes in with you,
he bid her, as she was following. I shan't want

(04:27):
them anymore, was her prompt answer. The old man turned
and looked searchingly at the child, whose dark eyes were
sparkling in delighted anticipation of what she was going to
see inside. She is certainly not wanting in intelligence, he

(04:55):
murmured to himself. And why shall you not want them anymore?
He asked aloud, Because I want to go about like
the goats with their thin, light legs. Well you can

(05:15):
do so if you like, said her grandfather. But bring
the things in. We must put them in the cupboard.
Heidi did as she was told. The old man now
opened the door, and Hidi stepped inside after him. She

(05:39):
found herself in a good sized room which covered the
whole ground floor of the hut. A table and a
chair were the only furniture. In one corner stood the
grandfather's bed. In another was the hearth, with a large

(06:03):
kettle hanging above it. And on the further side was
a large door in the wall. This was the cupboard.
The grandfather opened it. Inside were his clothes, some hanging up, others,

(06:27):
a couple of shirts, and some socks and handkerchiefs lying
on a shelf. On a second shelf were some plates
and cups and glasses, and on a higher one still

(06:47):
a round loaf, smoked meat and cheese. For everything that
owm Uncle needed for his food and clothing was kept
in this cupboard. Heidi, as soon as it was opened,

(07:09):
ran quickly forward and thrust in her bundle of clothes
as far back behind her grandfather's things as possible, so
that they may not easily be found again. She then
looked carefully round the room and asked, where am I

(07:34):
to sleep? Grandfather? Wherever you like, he answered. Heidi was
delighted and began at once to examine all the nooks
and corners to find out where it would be pleasantest

(07:56):
to sleep. In the corner near her grandfather's bed, she
saw a short ladder against the wall. Up she climbed
and found herself in the hayloft. There lay a large

(08:17):
heap of fresh, sweet smelling hay. While through a round
window in the wall she could see right down the valley.
I shall sleep up here, grandfather, she called down to him.

(08:40):
It's lovely up here. Come up and see how lovely
it is, oh I know all about it, he called up.
In answer, I am getting the bed ready now, she
called down again, as she went busily to and fro

(09:06):
at her work. But I shall want you to bring
me up a sheet. You can't have a bed without
a sheet. You want it to lie upon, all right,
said the grandfather, And presently he went to the cupboard,

(09:29):
and after rummaging about inside for a few minutes, he
drew out a long, coarse piece of stuff, which was
all he had to do duty for a sheet. He
carried it up to the loft, where he found Heidi

(09:51):
had already made quite and I sped. She had put
an extra heap of hay at one end for a pillow,
and had so arranged it that when in bed she
would be able to see comfortably out through the round window.

(10:16):
That is capital, said her grandfather. Now we must put
on the sheet, but wait a moment first, and he
went and fetched another large bundle of hay to make
the bed thicker, so that the child should not feel

(10:41):
the hard floor under her. There, Now bring it here.
Haidee had got hold of the sheet, but it was
almost too heavy for her to carry. This was a
good thing, however, as the close thick stuff would prevent

(11:06):
the sharp stalks of the hay running through and pricking her.
The two together now spread the sheet over the bed,
and where it was too long or too broad, Hidi
quickly tucked it in under the hay. It looked now

(11:31):
as tidy and comfortable a bed as you could wish for,
and Hidie stood gazing thoughtfully at her handiwork. We have
forgotten something now, grandfather, she said, after a short silence.

(11:54):
Once that he asked a coverlet when when you get
into bed you have to creep in between the sheets
and the coverlet. Oh that's the way, is it? But
suppose I have not got a coverlet, said the old man.

(12:20):
Well never mind, grandfather, said Heidi in a consoling tone
of voice. I can take some more hay to put
over me. And she was turning quickly to fetch another
armful from the heap when her grandfather stopped her. Wait

(12:45):
a moment, he said, and he climbed down the ladder
again and went towards his bed. He returned to the
loft with a large thick sack made of flax, which
he threw down, exclaiming, there that is better than hay,

(13:13):
is it not? Hidie began tugging away at the sack
with all her little might in her efforts to get
it smooth and straight, but her small hands were not
fitted for so heavy a job. Her grandfather came to

(13:38):
her assistance, and when they had got it tidily spread
over the bed, it all looked so nice and warm
and comfortable that Hide stood gazing at it in delight.

(14:00):
That is a splendid coverlet, she said. And the bed
looks lovely altogether. I wish it was night so that
I might get inside it at once. I think we
might have something to eat first, said the grandfather. What

(14:26):
do you think? Heidi, in the excitement of bed making,
had forgotten everything else. But now when she began to
think about food, she felt terribly hungry, for she had

(14:47):
had nothing to eat since the piece of bread and
little cup of thin coffee that had been her breakfast
early that morning before starting on her long, hot journey.
So she answered, without hesitation, yes, I think so too.

(15:16):
Let us go down then, as we both think alike,
said the old man, and he followed the child down
the ladder. Then he went up to the hearth, pushed
the big kettle aside, and drew forward the little one

(15:38):
that was hanging on the chain, and seating himself on
the round top three legged stool before the fire blew
it up into a clear, bright flame. The kettle soon

(15:59):
began to bore, and meanwhile the old man held a
large piece of cheese on a long iron fork over
the fire, turning it round and round till it was
toasted a nice golden yellow color on each side. Heidi

(16:24):
watched all that was going on with eager curiosity. Suddenly
some new idea seemed to come into her head, for
she turned and ran to the cupboard, and then began

(16:45):
going busily backwards and forwards. Presently, the grandfather got up
and came to the table with a jug and the cheese,
and there he saw it already tidily laid, with the

(17:06):
round loaf, and two plates and two knives, each in
its right place. For Heidi had taken exact note that
morning of all that was in the cupboard, and she

(17:27):
knew which things would be wanted for their meal. Ah,
that's right, said the grandfather. I am glad to see
that you have some ideas of your own. And as
he spoke, he laid the toasted cheese on a layer

(17:52):
of bread. But there is still something missing. Heidi looked
at the jug that was steaming away invitingly, and ran
quickly back to the cupboard. At first she could only

(18:13):
see a small bowl left on the shelf, but she
was not long in perplexity. For a moment later she
caught sight of two glasses further back, and without an
instant's loss of time, she returned with these and the

(18:38):
bowl and put them down on the table. Good, I
see you know how to set about things. But what
will you do for a seat? The grandfather himself was
sitting on the only chair in the room. Hide flew

(19:02):
to the hearth, and, dragging the three legged stool up
to the table, sat herself down upon it. Well, you
have managed to find a seat for yourself. I see,
only rather a low one, I am afraid, said the grandfather.

(19:27):
But you would not be tall enough to reach the
table even if you sat in my chair. The first thing, now, however,
is to have something to eat, So come along with that.

(19:48):
He stood up, filled the bowl with milk, and, placing
it on the chair, pushed it in front of Heidi
on her little three legged stool, so that she now
had a table to herself. Then he brought her a

(20:10):
large slice of bread and a piece of the golden cheese,
and told her to eat, after which he went and
sat down on the corner of the table and began
his own meal. Heidi lifted the bowl with both hands

(20:33):
and drank without paws till it was empty, for the
thirst of all her long hot journey had returned upon her.
Then she drew a deep breath in the eagerness of
her thirst, she had not stopped to breathe, and put

(20:59):
down the bowl. Was the milk, nice, asked her grandfather.
I never drank any so good before, answered Heidi. Then
you must have some more. And the old man filled

(21:20):
her bowl again to the brim and set it before
the child, who was now hungrily beginning her bread, having
first spread it with the cheese, which, after being toasted,
was soft as butter. The two together tasted deliciously, and

(21:47):
the child looked the picture of content as she sat eating,
and at intervals taking further drafts of milk. The meal
being over, the grandfather went outside to put the goat

(22:08):
shed in order, and Heidi watched with interest while he
first swept it out and then put fresh straw for
the goats to sleep upon. Then he went to the
little wellshed, and there he cut some long round sticks

(22:32):
and a small round board. In this he bought some
holes and stuck the sticks into them, and there, as
if made by magic, was a three legged stool, just
like her grandfather's, only higher. Hide stirred and looked at it,

(23:00):
speechless with astonishment. What do you think that is, asked
her grandfather. It's my stool, I know, because it is
such a high one, and it was made all of
a minute, said the child, still lost in wonder and admiration.

(23:29):
She understands what she sees. Her eyes are in the
right place, remarked the grandfather to himself, as he continued
his way round the hut, knocking in a nail here
and there, or making fast some part of the door.

(23:54):
And so with hammer and nails and pieces of wood,
going from spot to spot, mending or clearing away wherever
work of the kind was needed. Heidi followed him step

(24:17):
by step, her eyes attentively taking in all that he did,
and everything that she saw was a fresh source of
pleasure to her. And so the time passed happily on
till evening. Then the wind began to roar louder than

(24:44):
ever through the old fir trees. Heidi listened with delight
to the sound, and it filled her heart so full
of gladness that she skipped and danced round the old trees,

(25:05):
as if some unheard of joy had come to her.
The grandfather stood and watched her from the shed. Suddenly
a shrill whistle was heard. Haidie paused in her dancing,

(25:26):
and the grandfather came out down from the heights above.
The goats came springing one after another, with Peter in
their midst. Heidi sprang forward with a cry of joy,

(25:48):
and rushed among the flock, greeting first one and then
another of her old friends of the morning. As they
neared the hut, the goats stood still, and then two
of their number, two beautiful slender animals, one white and

(26:16):
one brown, ran forward to where the grandfather was standing,
and began licking his hands, for he was holding a
little salt, which he always had ready for his goats
on their return home. Peter disappeared with the remainder of

(26:41):
his flock. Heidi tenderly stroked the two goats in turn,
running first to one side of them. And then the other,
and jumping about in her glee at the pretty little animals.

(27:03):
Are they ours, grandfather? Are they both as? Are you
going to put them in the shed? Will they always
stay with us? Heidie's questions came tumbling out, one after
the other, so that her grandfather had only time to

(27:28):
answer each of them with yes, yes. When the goats
had finished licking up the salt, her grandfather told her
to go and fetch her bowl and the bread HIDEI
obeyed and was soon back again. The grandfather milked the

(27:54):
white goat and filled her basin, and then breaking off
a piece of the bread. Now eat your supper, he said,
and then go up to bed. Cousin Deete left another
little bundle for you, with a nightgown and other small

(28:19):
things in it, which you will find at the bottom
of the cupboard if you want them. I must go
and shut up the goats, so be off and sleep well.
Good night, grandfather, Good night. What are their names? Grandfather?

(28:46):
What are their names? She called out as she ran
after his retreating figure. And the goats. The white one
is named little Swan, and the brown one little bear,

(29:06):
he answered, good Night, little Swan, good night, little Bear.
She called again at the top of her voice, for
they were all ready inside the shed. Then she sat

(29:27):
down on the seat and began to eat and drink.
But the wind was so strong that it almost blew
her away. So she made haste and finished her supper,
and then went indoors and climbed up to her bed,

(29:53):
where she was soon lying as sweetly and soundly asleep
as any young princess on her couch of silk. Not
long after, and while it was still twilight, the grandfather

(30:14):
also went to bed, for he was up every morning
at sunrise, and the sun came climbing up over the
mountains at a very early hour. During these summer months,
the wind grew so tempestuous during the night, and blew

(30:40):
in such gusts against the walls that the hut trembled,
and the old beams groaned and creaked. It came howling
and wailing down the chimney, like voice of those in pain,

(31:03):
and it raged with such fury among the old fir
trees that here and there a branch was snapped and fell.
In the middle of the night. The old man got up.

(31:24):
The child will be frightened, he murmured, half aloud. He
mounted the ladder and went and stood by the child's bed. Outside,
the moon was struggling with the dark, fast driving clouds,

(31:48):
which at one moment left it clear and shining, and
the next swept over it, and all again was dark.
Just now the moonlight was falling through the round window

(32:09):
straight onto Heidie's bed. She lay under the heavy cover lid,
her cheeks rosy with sleep, her head peacefully resting on
her little round arm, and with a happy expression on

(32:32):
her baby face, as if dreaming of something pleasant. The
old man stood looking down on the sleeping child until
the moon again disappeared behind the clouds and he could

(32:52):
see no more. Then he went back to bed, quietly
absorbed the soothing words, for soon we shall embark on
this journey once more, immersing ourselves in the warmth of

(33:15):
the narrative once again. As soon as Deete had disappeared,
the old man went back to his bench, and there
he remained seated, staring on the ground without uttering a sound,

(33:40):
while thick curls of smoke floated upward from his pipe. Heidi, meanwhile,
was enjoying herself in her new surroundings. She looked about
till she found a shed built against the hut, but

(34:01):
where the goats were kept, she peeped in and saw
it was empty. She continued her search and presently came
to the fir trees behind the hut. A strong breeze
was blowing through them, and there was a rushing and

(34:25):
roaring in their topmost branches. Heidie stood still and listened,
the sound growing fainter. She went on again to the
farther corner of the hut, and so round to where
her grandfather was sitting. Seeing that he was in exactly

(34:52):
the same position as when she left him, she went
and placed herself in front of the old man, and,
putting her hands behind her back, stood and gazed at him.
Her grandfather looked up and as she continued standing there

(35:16):
without moving, what is it you want? He asked? I
want to see what you have inside the house, said Heidi.
Come then, and the grandfather rose and went before her

(35:37):
towards the hut. Bring your bundle of clothes in with you,
he bid her, as she was following. I shan't want
them anymore, was her prompt answer. The old man turned
and looked searchingly at the child, who's dark eyes were

(36:00):
sparkling in delighted anticipation of what she was going to
see inside. She is certainly not wanting in intelligence, he
murmured to himself. And why shall you not want them anymore?

(36:22):
He asked aloud, because I want to go about like
the goats with their thin, light legs. Well you can
do so if you like, said her grandfather. But bring
the things in. We must put them in the cupboard.

(36:47):
Heidi did as she was told. The old man now
opened the door, and Heidi stepped inside after him. She
found herself in a good sized room which covered the
whole ground floor of the hut. A table and a

(37:11):
chair were the only furniture. In one corner stood the
grandfather's bed. In another was the hearth, with a large
kettle hanging above it. And on the further side was
a large door in the wall. This was the cupboard.

(37:37):
The grandfather opened it. Inside were his clothes, some hanging
up others, A couple of shirts, and some socks and handkerchiefs.
Lying on a shelf. On a second shelf were some

(38:00):
plates and cups and glasses, and on a higher one,
still around loaf smoked meat and geese. For everything that
Elm uncle needed for his food and clothing was kept

(38:22):
in this cupboard. Heidi, as soon as it was opened,
ran quickly forward and thrust in her bundle of clothes
as far back behind her grandfather's things as possible, so

(38:43):
that they may not easily be found again. She then
looked carefully round the room and asked where am I
to sleep? Grandfather? Wherever you like, he answered. Heidi was

(39:04):
delighted and began at once to examine all the nooks
and corners to find out where it would be pleasantest
to sleep. In the corner near her grandfather's bed, she

(39:25):
saw a short ladder against the wall. Up she climbed
and found herself in the hayloft. There lay a large
heap of fresh, sweet smelling hay, while through a round

(39:46):
window in the wall she could see right down the valley.
I shall sleep up here, grandfather, she called down to him.
It's lovely up here. Come up and see how lovely

(40:07):
it is. Oh, I know all about it, he called
up in answer. I'm getting the bed ready now, she
called down again, as she went busily to and fro
at her work. But I shall want you to bring

(40:32):
me up a sheet. You can't have a bed without
a sheet. You want it to lie upon, all right,
said the grandfather, And presently he went to the cupboard,
and after rummaging about inside for a few minutes, he

(40:56):
drew out a long, coarse piece of which was all
he had to do duty for a sheet. He carried
it up to the loft, where he found Heidi had
already made quite and I sped. She had put an

(41:19):
extra heap of hay at one end for a pillow,
and had so arranged it that when in bed she
would be able to see comfortably out through the round window.
That is capital, said her grandfather. Now we must put

(41:44):
on the sheet, but wait a moment first, and he
went and fetched another large bundle of hay to make
the bed thicker, so that the child should not feel
the hard floor under her. There, Now bring it here.

(42:09):
Hide had got hold of the sheet, but it was
almost too heavy for her to carry. This was a
good thing, however, as the close thick stuff would prevent
the sharp stalks of the hay running through and pricking her.

(42:34):
The two together now spread the sheet over the bed,
and where it was too long or too broad, Hidi
quickly tucked it in under the hay. It looked now
as tidy and comfortable a bed as you could wish for,

(42:59):
and hide stood gazing thoughtfully at her handiwork. We have
forgotten something, now, grandfather, she said, after a short silence.
What's that? He asked? A coverlet? When you get into bed,

(43:23):
you have to creep in between the sheets and the coverlet.
Oh that's the way, is it? But suppose I have
not got a coverlet, said the old man. Well never mind, grandfather,

(43:45):
said Heidi in a consoling tone of voice. I can
take some more hay to put over me. And she
was turning quickly to fetch another armful from the heap
when her grandfather stopped her. Wait a moment, he said,

(44:10):
and he climbed down the ladder again and went towards
his bed. He returned to the loft with a large,
thick sack made of flax, which he threw down, exclaiming,

(44:30):
there that is better than hay, is it not. Heidi
began tugging away at the sack with all her little
might in her efforts to get it smooth and straight,
but her small hands were not fitted for so heavy

(44:54):
a job. Her grandfather came to her assistance, and when
they had got it tidily spread over the bed. It
all looked so nice and warm and comfortable that hide

(45:15):
stood gazing at it in delight. That is a splendid coverlet,
she said. And the bed looks lovely altogether. I wish
it was night so that I might get inside it

(45:37):
at once. I think we might have something to eat first,
said the grandfather. What do you think? Heidi, in the
excitement of bedmaking, had forgotten everything else. But now when

(45:59):
she began to think about food, she felt terribly hungry,
for she had had nothing to eat since the piece
of bread and little cup of thin coffee that had
been her breakfast early that morning before starting on her long,

(46:24):
hot journey. So she answered without hesitation, yes, I think
so too. Let us go down then, as we both
think alike, said the old man, and he followed the

(46:45):
child down the ladder. Then he went up to the hearth,
pushed the big kettle aside, and drew forward the little
one that was hanging on the chain, and seating himself
on the round top three legged stool before the fire

(47:11):
blew it up into a clear, bright flame. The kettle
soon began to boil, and meanwhile the old man held
a large piece of cheese on a long iron fork
over the fire, turning it round and round till it

(47:37):
was toasted a nice golden yellow color on each side.
Heidi watched all that was going on with eager curiosity.
Suddenly some new idea seemed to come into her head,

(48:00):
so she turned and ran to the cupboard, and then
began going busily backwards and forwards. Presently, the grandfather got
up and came to the table with a jug and
the geese, and there he saw it already tidily laid,

(48:27):
with the round loaf, and two plates and two knives,
each in its right place. For Heidi had taken exact
note that morning of all that was in the cupboard,

(48:47):
and she knew which things would be wanted for their meal.
Ah that's right, said the grandfather. I am glad to
see that you have some ideas of your own. And

(49:07):
as he spoke, he laid the toasted cheese on a
layer of bread. But there is still something missing. Heidi
looked at the jug that was steaming away invitingly, and
ran quickly back to the cupboard. At first she could

(49:33):
only see a small bowl left on the shelf, but
she was not long in perplexity for a moment later
she caught sight of two glasses further back, and without
an instant's loss of time, she returned with these and

(49:59):
the bowl and put them down on the table. Good,
I see you know how to set about things. But
what will you do for a seat? The grandfather himself
was sitting on the only chair in the room. Hide

(50:22):
flew to the hearth, and, dragging the three legged stool
up to the table, sat herself down upon it. Well,
you have managed to find a seat for yourself. I see,
only rather a low one, I am afraid, said the grandfather,

(50:48):
But you would not be tall enough to reach the
table even if you sat in my chair. The first thing, now, however,
is to have something to eat, So come along with that.

(51:09):
He stood up, filled the bowl with milk, and, placing
it on the chair, pushed it in front of Heidi
on her little three legged stool, so that she now
had a table to herself. Then he brought her a

(51:31):
large slice of bread and a piece of the golden cheese,
and told her to eat, after which he went and
sat down on the corner of the table and began
his own meal. Heidi lifted the bowl with both hands

(51:54):
and drank without paws till it was empty, for the
thirst of all her long hot journey had returned upon her.
Then she drew a deep breath. In the eagerness of
her thirst, she had not stopped to breathe, and put

(52:20):
down the bowl. Was the milk, nice, asked her grandfather.
I never drank any so good before, answered Heidi. Then
you must have some more. And the old man filled

(52:41):
her bowl again to the brim and set it before
the child, who was now hungrily beginning her bread, having
first spread it with the cheese, which, after being toasted,
was soft as butter. The two together tasted deliciously, and

(53:08):
the child looked the picture of content as she sat
eating and at intervals taking further drafts of milk. The
meal being over, the grandfather went outside to put the

(53:28):
goat shed in order, and Haidi watched with interest while
he first swept it out, and then put fresh straw
for the goats to sleep upon. Then he went to
the little wellshed, and there he cut some long round

(53:51):
sticks and a small round board. In this he bought
some holes and stuck the sticks into them, and there,
as if made by magic, was a three legged stool

(54:12):
just like her grandfather's, only higher. Hyde stood and looked
at it, speechless with astonishment. What do you think that is,
asked her grandfather. It's my stool, I know, because it

(54:36):
is such a high one, and it was made all
of a minute, said the child, still lost in wonder
and admiration. She understands what she sees. Her eyes are
in the right place, remarked the grandfather to himself, as

(55:01):
he continued his way round the hut, knocking in a
nail here and there, or making fast some part of
the door. And so with hammer and nails and pieces

(55:21):
of wood, going from spot to spot, mending or clearing
away wherever work of the kind was needed. Heidi followed
him step by step, her eyes attentively taking in all

(55:44):
that he did, and everything that she saw was a
fresh source of pleasure to her. And so the time
passed happily on till evening. Then the wind began to
roar louder than ever through the old fir trees. Heidi

(56:10):
listened with delight to the sound, and it filled her
heart so full of gladness that she skipped and danced
round the old trees as if some unheard of joy
had come to her. The grandfather stood and watched her

(56:36):
from the shed. Suddenly a shrill whistle was heard. Haidie
paused in her dancing, and the grandfather came out down
from the heights above. The goats came springing one after another,

(57:00):
with Peter in their midst. Heidi sprang forward with a
cry of joy, and rushed among the flock, greeting first
one and then another of her old friends of the morning.

(57:22):
As they neared the hut, the goats stood still, and
then two of their number, two beautiful slender animals, one
white and one brown, ran forward to where the grandfather

(57:42):
was standing and began licking his hands, for he was
holding a little salt, which he always had ready for
his goats on their return home. Peter disappeared with the
remainder of his flock. Heidi tenderly stroked the two goats

(58:08):
in turn, running first to one side of them and
then the other, and jumping about in her glee at
the pretty little animals? Are they ours, grandfather? Are they
both ass Are you going to put them in the shed?

(58:33):
Will they always stay with us? Heidie's questions came tumbling out,
one after the other, so that her grandfather had only
time to answer each of them with yes, yes. When

(58:55):
the goats had finished licking up the salt, her grandfather
told her to go and fetch her bowl and the
bread hide. He obeyed and was soon back again. The
grandfather milked the white goat and filled her basin, and

(59:20):
then breaking off a piece of the bread. Now eat
your supper, he said, and then go up to bed.
Cousin Deete left another little bundle for you, with a
nightgown and other small things in it, which you will

(59:43):
find at the bottom of the cupboard if you want them.
I must go and shut up the goats, so be
off and sleep well. Good night, grandfather, the good night.
What are their names? Grandfather? What are their names? She

(01:00:10):
called out, as she ran after his retreating figure and
the goats. The white one is named little Swan, and
the brown one little bear, he answered, good night, little Swan.

(01:00:33):
Good night, little Bear. She called again at the top
of her voice, for they were allready inside the shed.
Then she sat down on the seat and began to
eat and drink. But the wind was so strong that

(01:00:59):
it almost blew her away, so she made haste and
finished her supper, and then went indoors and climbed up
to her bed, where she was soon lying as sweetly
and soundly asleep as any young princess on her couch

(01:01:25):
of silk. Not long after, and while it was still twilight,
the grandfather also went to bed, for he was up
every morning at sunrise, and the sun came climbing up

(01:01:46):
over the mountains at a very early hour. During these
summer months, the wind grew so tempestuous during the night,
and blew in such gusts against the walls that the
hut trembled, and the old beams groaned and creaked. It

(01:02:14):
came howling and wailing down the chimney, like voices of
those in pain, and it raged with such fury among
the old fir trees that here and there a branch

(01:02:35):
was snapped and fell. In the middle of the night.
The old man got up. The child will be frightened,
he murmured, half aloud. He mounted the ladder and went

(01:02:56):
and stood by the child's bed. Outside, the moon was
struggling with the dark, fast driving clouds, which at one
moment left it clear and shining, and the next swept

(01:03:17):
over it, and all again was dark. Just now the
moonlight was falling through the round window straight onto Heidie's bed.
She lay under the heavy cover lid, her cheeks rosy

(01:03:41):
with sleep, her head peacefully resting on her little round arm,
and with a happy expression on her baby face, as
if dreaming of something pleasant. The the old man stood

(01:04:02):
looking down on the sleeping child until the moon again
disappeared behind the clouds and he could see no more.
Then he went back to bed. As the tail unfolds

(01:04:26):
once more, let it wash over you, resonating in the
quiet corners of your mind. Soon we'll retrace our steps
through the corridors of this narrative, finding comfort and familiarity

(01:04:47):
in the words once again. As soon as deet had disappeared,
the old man went back to his bench, and there
he remained seated, staring on the ground without uttering a sound,

(01:05:11):
while thick curls of smoke floated upward from his pipe. Heidi, meanwhile,
was enjoying herself in her new surroundings. She looked about
till she found a shed built against the hut where

(01:05:32):
the goats were kept. She peeped in and saw it
was empty. She continued her search and presently came to
the fir trees behind the hut. A strong breeze was
blowing through them, and there was a rushing and roaring

(01:05:57):
in their topmost branches. Hidee stood still and listened, the
sound growing fainter. She went on again to the farther
corner of the hut, and so round to where her
grandfather was sitting. Seeing that he was in exactly the

(01:06:23):
same position as when she left him, she went and
placed herself in front of the old man, and, putting
her hands behind her back, stood and gazed at him.
Her grandfather looked up, and as she continued standing there

(01:06:47):
without moving, what is it you want? He asked? I
want to see what you have inside the house, said Heidi.
Come then, and the grandfather rose and went before her

(01:07:08):
towards the hut. Bring your bundle of clothes in with you,
he bid her, as she was following. I shan't want
them anymore, was her prompt answer. The old man turned
and looked searchingly at the child, whose dark eyes were

(01:07:31):
sparkling in delighted anticipation of what she was going to
see inside. She is certainly not wanting in intelligence, he
murmured to himself. And why shall you not want them anymore?

(01:07:53):
He asked aloud, because I want to go about like
theats with their thin light legs. Well, you can do
so if you like, said her grandfather. But bring the
things in. We must put them in the cupboard. Heidi

(01:08:18):
did as she was told. The old man now opened
the door, and Hidi stepped inside after him. She found
herself in a good sized room which covered the whole
ground floor of the hut. A table and a chair

(01:08:43):
were the only furniture. In one corner stood the grandfather's bed.
In another was the hearth, with a large kettle hanging
above it, And on the fur side was a large
door in the wall. This was the cupboard. The grandfather

(01:09:10):
opened it. Inside were his clothes, some hanging up others.
A couple of shirts, and some socks and handkerchiefs lying
on a shelf. On a second shelf were some plates

(01:09:32):
and cups and glasses, and on a higher one still
a round loaf, smoked meat and cheese. For everything that
owm Uncle needed for his food and clothing was kept

(01:09:53):
in this cupboard. Heidi, as soon as it was opened,
ran quickly forward and thrust in her bundle of clothes
as far back behind her grandfather's things. As possible, so

(01:10:14):
that they may not easily be found again. She then
looked carefully round the room and asked where am I
to sleep? Grandfather? Wherever you like, he answered. Heidi was

(01:10:35):
delighted and began at once to examine all the nooks
and corners to find out where it would be pleasantest
to sleep. In the corner near her grandfather's bed, she

(01:10:55):
saw a short ladder against the wall. Up she climbed
and found herself in the hayloft. There lay a large
heap of fresh, sweet smelling hay, while through a round

(01:11:17):
window in the wall she could see right down the valley.
I shall sleep up here, grandfather, she called down to him.
It's lovely up here. Come up and see how lovely

(01:11:38):
it is. Oh, I know all about it, he called
up in answer. I'm getting the bed ready now, she
called down again, as she went busily to and fro
at her work. But I shall want you to bring

(01:12:03):
me up a sheet. You can't have a bed without
a sheet. You want it to lie upon, all right,
said the grandfather, And presently he went to the cupboard,
and after rummaging about inside for a few minutes, he

(01:12:27):
drew out a long coarse piece of stuff, which was
all he had to do duty for a sheet. He
carried it up to the loft, where he found Haidi
had already made quite and I sped. She had put

(01:12:49):
an extra heap of hay at one end for a pillow,
and had so arranged it that when in bed she
would be able to see comfortably out through the round window.
That is capital, said her grandfather. Now we must put

(01:13:14):
on the sheet, but wait a moment first, and he
went and fetched another large bundle of hay to make
the bed thicker, so that the child should not feel
the hard floor under her. There, now bring it here.

(01:13:40):
Hidee had got hold of the sheet, but it was
almost too heavy for her to carry. This was a
good thing, however, as the close thick stuff would prevent
the sharp stalks of the hay running through and pricking her.

(01:14:05):
The two together now spread the sheet over the bed,
and where it was too long or too broad, Hidi
quickly tucked it in under the hay. It looked now
as tidy and comfortable a bed as you could wish for,

(01:14:30):
and Hidie stood gazing thoughtfully at her handiwork. We have
forgotten something, now, grandfather, She said, after a short silence.
What's that, he asked, A coverlet. When you get into bed,

(01:14:54):
you have to creep in between the sheets and the coverlet.
Oh that's the way, is it? But suppose I have
not got a coverlet, said the old man. Well never mind,

(01:15:14):
grandfather said Heide, in a consoling tone of voice. I
can take some more hay to put over me. And
she was turning quickly to fetch another armful from the
heap when her grandfather stopped her. Wait a moment, he said,

(01:15:40):
and he climbed down the ladder again, and went towards
his bed. He returned to the loft with a large,
thick sack made of flax, which he threw down, exclaiming,

(01:16:01):
there that is better than hay, is it not. Hidie
began tugging away at the sack with all her little
might in her efforts to get it smooth and straight,
but her small hands were not fitted for so heavy

(01:16:25):
a job. Her grandfather came to her assistance, and when
they had got it tidily spread over the bed, it
all looked so nice and warm and comfortable that Hide

(01:16:46):
stood gazing at it in delight. That is a splendid coverlet.
She said, and the bed looks lovely altogether. I wish
it was night so that I might get inside it

(01:17:08):
at once. I think we might have something to eat first,
said the grandfather. What do you think? Heidi, in the
excitement of bedmaking, had forgotten everything else. But now when

(01:17:30):
she began to think about food, she felt terribly hungry,
for she had had nothing to eat since the piece
of bread and little cup of thin coffee that had
been her breakfast early that morning before starting on her long,

(01:17:55):
hot journey. So she answered, without hesitation, yes, I think
so too. Let us go down then, as we both
think alike, said the old man, and he followed the

(01:18:16):
child down the ladder. Then he went up to the hearth,
pushed the big kettle aside, and drew forward the little
one that was hanging on the chain, and seating himself
on the round top three legged stool before the fire

(01:18:42):
blew it up into a clear, bright flame. The kettle
soon began to boil, and meanwhile the old man held
a large piece of cheese on a lot on iron
fork over the fire, turning it round and round till

(01:19:08):
it was toasted a nice golden yellow color on each side.
Heidi watched all that was going on with eager curiosity. Suddenly,
some new idea seemed to come into her head, for

(01:19:31):
she turned and ran to the cupboard, and then began
going busily backwards and forwards. Presently, the grandfather got up
and came to the table with a jug and the geese,

(01:19:52):
and there he saw it already tidily laid, with the
round loaf, and two plates and two knives, each in
its right place. For Hidi had taken exact note that

(01:20:12):
morning of all that was in the cupboard, and she
knew which things would be wanted for their meal. Ah,
that's right, said the grandfather. I am glad to see
that you have some ideas of your own. And as

(01:20:38):
he spoke, he laid the toasted cheese on a layer
of bread. But there is still something missing. Heidi looked
at the jug that was steaming away invitingly, and ran
quickly back to the cupboard. At first she could only

(01:21:05):
see a small bowl left on the shelf, but she
was not long in perplexity. For a moment later she
caught sight of two glasses further back, and without an
instant's loss of time, she returned with these and the

(01:21:30):
bowl and put them down on the table. Good, I
see you know how to set about things. But what
will you do for a seat? The grandfather himself was
sitting on the only chair in the room. Hidi flew

(01:21:54):
to the hearth, and, dragging the three legged stool up
to the table, sat herself down upon it. Well, you
have managed to find a seat for yourself. I see,
only rather a low one, I am afraid, said the grandfather.

(01:22:19):
But you would not be tall enough to reach the
table even if you sat in my chair. The first thing, now, however,
is to have something to eat, So come along with that.

(01:22:40):
He stood up, filled the bowl with milk, and, placing
it on the chair, pushed it in front of Heidi
on her little three legged stool, so that she now
had a table to herself. Then he brought her a

(01:23:02):
large slice of bread and a piece of the golden cheese,
and told her to eat, after which he went and
sat down on the corner of the table and began
his own meal. Heidi lifted the bowl with both hands

(01:23:25):
and drank without paws till it was empty. For the
thirst of all her long hot journey had returned upon her.
Then she drew a deep breath. In the eagerness of
her thirst, she had not stopped to breathe and put

(01:23:51):
down the bowl. Was the milk, nice, asked her grandfather
never drank any so good before, answered Heidi, then you
must have some more. And the old man filled her

(01:24:12):
bowl again to the brim and set it before the child,
who was now hungrily beginning her bread, having first spread
it with the cheese, which, after being toasted, was soft
as butter. The two together tasted deliciously, and the child

(01:24:40):
looked the picture of content as she sat eating, and
at intervals taking further drafts of milk. The meal being over,
the grandfather went outside to put the goat chair in order,

(01:25:02):
and Heidi watched with interest while he first swept it out,
and then put fresh straw for the goats to sleep upon.
Then he went to the little wellshed, and there he
cut some long round sticks and a small round board.

(01:25:27):
In this he bought some holes and stuck the sticks
into them, and there, as if made by magic, was
a three legged stool, just like her grandfather's, only higher

(01:25:48):
hidee stirred and looked at it, speechless with astonishment. What
do you think that is? As her grandfather it's my stool,
I know, because it is such a high one, and

(01:26:10):
it was made all of a minute, said the child,
still lost in wonder and admiration. She understands what she sees.
Her eyes are in the right place, remarked the grandfather

(01:26:30):
to himself, as he continued his way round the hut,
knocking in a nail here and there, or making fast
some part of the door. And so with hammer and
nails and pieces of wood, going from spot to spot,

(01:26:58):
mending or clearing away wherever work of the kind was needed.
Heidi followed him step by step, her eyes attentively taking
in all that he did, and everything that she saw

(01:27:20):
was a fresh source of pleasure to her. And so
the time passed happily on till evening. Then the wind
began to roar louder than ever through the old fir trees.

(01:27:40):
Heidi listened with delight to the sound, and it filled
her heart so full of gladness that she skipped and
danced round the old trees, as if some unheard of
joy had come to her. The grandfather stood and watched

(01:28:06):
her from the shed. Suddenly a shrill whistle was heard.
Haidie paused in her dancing, and the grandfather came out
down from the heights above. The goats came springing one

(01:28:29):
after another, with Peter in their midst. Heidi sprang forward
with a cry of joy and rushed among the flock,
greeting first one and then another of her old friends

(01:28:50):
of the morning. As they neared the hut, the goats
stood still, and then two of their number, two beautiful
slender animals, one white and one brown, ran forward to

(01:29:11):
where the grandfather was standing and began licking his hands,
for he was holding a little salt, which he always
had ready for his goats on their return home. Peter
disappeared with the remainder of his flock. Heidi tenderly stroked

(01:29:37):
the two goats in turn, running first to one side
of them and then the other, and jumping about in
her glee at the pretty little animals. Are they ours, grandfather?

(01:29:58):
Are they both aus? Are you going to put them
in the shed? Will they always stay with us? Haidee's
questions came tumbling out, one after the other, so that
her grandfather had only time to answer each of them

(01:30:22):
with yes, yes. When the goats had finished licking up
the salt, her grandfather told her to go and fetch
her bowl and the bread HIDEI obeyed and was soon
back again. The grandfather milked the white goat and filled

(01:30:48):
her basin, and then breaking off a piece of the bread.
Now eat your supper, he said, and then go up
to bed. Cousin Deete left another little bundle for you,
with a nightgown and other small things in it, which

(01:31:13):
you will find at the bottom of the cupboard if
you want them. I must go and shut up the goats,
so be off and sleep well. Good night, grandfather, Good night.

(01:31:34):
What are their names? Grandfather? What are their names? She
called out, as she ran after his retreating figure. And
the goats. The white one is named little Swan, and

(01:31:55):
the brown one little bear, he answered, good night, little Swan.
Good night, little Bear, she called again at the top
of her voice, for they were all ready inside the shed.

(01:32:17):
Then she sat down on the seat and began to
eat and drink. But the wind was so strong that
it almost blew her away. So she made haste and
finished her supper, and then went indoors and climbed up

(01:32:43):
to her bed, where she was soon lying as sweetly
and soundly asleep as any young princess on her couch
of silk. Not long after, and while it was still twilight,

(01:33:04):
the grandfather also went to bed, for he was up
every morning at sunrise, and the sun came climbing up
over the mountains at a very early hour. During these
summer months, the wind grew so tempestuous during the night,

(01:33:31):
and blew in such gusts against the walls that the
hut trembled, and the old beams groaned and creaked. It
came howling and wailing down the chimney, like voices of

(01:33:52):
those in pain, and it raged with such fury among
the old bird trees that here and there a branch
was snapped and fell. In the middle of the night,

(01:34:13):
the old man got up. The child will be frightened,
he murmured, half aloud. He mounted the ladder and went
and stood by the child's bed. Outside, the moon was

(01:34:34):
struggling with the dark, fast driving clouds, which at one
moment left it clear and shining, and the next swept
over it, and all again was dark. Just now the

(01:34:56):
moonlight was falling through the round window straight onto Heidie's bed.
She lay under the heavy cover, lid, her cheeks rosy
with sleep, her head peacefully resting on her little round arm,

(01:35:20):
and with a happy expression on her baby face, as
if dreaming of something pleasant. The old man stood looking
down on the sleeping child until the moon again disappeared

(01:35:40):
behind the clouds and he could see no more. Then
he went back to bed, Have a blessed rest, sweet
dreams tonight.
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