A Peaceful Walk Through the Savanna - Bedtime Story with Music - Rest: Sleepy Bedtime Stories

Episode Transcript
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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. I'd like to

(00:51):
share a very special adventure with you tonight. But before
our exploration, they take a moment to settle into your bed,
stretch out, get comfortable and cozy. Now take a deep

(01:16):
breath in, feeling your chest rise as you gently inhale,
and breathe out, feeling your chest fall as you gently exhale.
Now let's transport ourselves to a special place in Northern Australia,

(01:43):
where the warm earth beneath bare feet whispers stories of
ancient traditions. Picture yourself surrounded by nature's embrace. The air
is filled with the enchanting hum of the wild. Let

(02:05):
your eyes fall gently shut and allow the rhythm of
your breath to become soft and deep. As we begin
our story by following Yara and her great grandmother to
the outback. Yara stood on the edge of Australia's vast savannah,

(02:34):
her small hand clutching the seam of her great grandmother's
linen skirt. They stood side by side in comfortable silence,
under the shade of a tall eucalyptus tree. It was
something they did often on summer afternoons such as these,

(03:00):
when the sun was still high in the sky and
the warm, dry air could soothe Mama's old bones. Mama
was what everyone called Yarra's great grandmother, family friends and

(03:21):
acquaintances alike. Yarra was not sure where the name had
come from or why everyone called her that. All she
knew was that the name suited Mama perfectly. There was
no denying that she was, in fact a mother to all.

(03:47):
Yarra looked up at Mama as she gazed out across
the savannah attentively. The rays of the sun broke through
the eucalyptus's shady canopy and flickered across Mama's face, highlighting

(04:08):
the red undertones in her a cow's skin and painting
her wrinkles in a golden sheen. A smile tugged at
the corner of Mama's mouth, and Yarra fought the urge
to ask what she was smiling at, not wanting to

(04:28):
interrupt the peace of the present moment. In an attempt
to distract herself from disturbing Mama. As she mused, Yara
raised her face towards the cloudless sky, feeling the warmth
of the mired afternoon sun caressing her skin. She closed

(04:55):
her eyes briefly and let out a contented sigh, relishing
the soothing sensation. After a few moments, she squinted open
her eyes, just in time to catch the remarkable sight

(05:16):
before her. The sun's rays were falling on the eucalyptus
tree at just the right angle, projecting shadows of its
leaves onto the ground beneath her feet, creating a dappled
pattern of light and shade that flitted around her as

(05:41):
she took in the beauty of the scene. The sun's
beams were casting a glorious blaze of reds and oranges
onto the landscape. Its powerful touch made the trees and
grass surrounding them glow with life. The colors were so

(06:08):
vivid they appeared tangible, causing Yara's hand to involuntarily reach out,
wanting to feel them against her fingertips. The colors bounced
across the savannah like splatters of excess paint spraying from

(06:30):
a wet paint brush. Yara heard her great grandmother take
in a slow, deep breath, lost in the simple pleasure
of wallowing in the sun's gentle hold. They both watched

(06:50):
as the landscape transformed, bathed in a radiant light that
seemed to possess the promise of endless possibilities. It was
a breathless moment of pure magic, and Yara felt blessed

(07:11):
to witness such a wondrous display of nature's majesty by
Mama's side. As Yara's young eyes took in the surrounding beauty,
she noticed something twinkling in the distance. Yara raised her

(07:31):
hand to her brow to stop the sun from hindering
her line of sight, but the distance between her and
the twinkling was too great. Still curious as to what
it could be, she tugged on Mama's skirt. Mama, Mama,

(07:57):
do you see that, Yara asked, pointing in the direction
of the curious spectacle. What is it? Mama's forehead creased
and the corners of her mouth downturned as she followed
the direction of Yarra's forefinger. I'm not sure, Mama responded,

(08:25):
a lilt always falling over her voice whenever she spoke
to Yara. Come, let's get a closer look. Mama took
Yara's hand in hers, and they set off to investigate,

(08:45):
walking slowly towards the twinkling. If Yarra could have her
own way, she would have run towards the intrigue. Patience
had never been her strong suit, But whenever Mama walked,

(09:06):
she did so unhurriedly, leaving Yara no other choice but
to stay in step and walk patiently beside her. As
Yara and her great grandmother strolled through the savannah, their

(09:27):
leisurely pace allowed Yara to take in her surroundings at
a gentle rhythm. Yara's gaze shifted from the distant curiosity
to the grass beneath her dusty balley flats, an irresistible
urge swelling within her. She longed to experience the freedom

(09:55):
of walking barefoot, detesting the confined and on natural nature
of shoes. Regardless of location or company, Yarra would seize
any opportunity to liberate her feet. Whether it was inside

(10:18):
their cool, limestone tiled community church or across the stained
epoxy of their local grocery store, it didn't matter where
she was. Walking was always made better when done barefoot.

(10:41):
But here, the boundless stretch of Savannah was Yara's favorite
place to untether her toes. The luscious green grass always
cushioned her little feet. She glanced up at her great grandmother,

(11:04):
knowing better than to discard her shoes without Mama's permission,
But to her surprise, Mama's warm smile and nodding head
met her gaze. In that moment, Yarra was sure that

(11:24):
her great grandmother secretly shared her affinity for the earth
beneath one's feet, and it suddenly made sense why Mama
had often called her a child of the soil. With
Mama's unspoken approval, Yara giddily untied her flats, cherishing the

(11:52):
feeling as her bare skin connected with the velvety grass.
As Yara beamed from the sensation, she stole another glance
at her great grandmother. To her surprise and delight, Mama

(12:13):
had accepted an unspoken and unoffered invitation, her eyes twinkling mischievously.
Yarra watched as Mama bent down and slipped off her
own shoes with a grace and playfulness that momentarily defied

(12:36):
her age. The lines etched on Mama's face softened, and
a youthful glow enveloped her. As her feet connected with
the ground, the earth seemed to welcome them both with
open arms. They continued their journey, walking side by side,

(13:04):
hand in hand, their bare souls embracing the soil, and
their footsteps leaving behind faint imprints on the earth. As
they finally drew closer, the twinkling metamorphosed into a small,

(13:27):
flickering flame, and the scent of burning wood and grass
filled Yara's nostrils, a nostalgic aroma that conjured memories of
past summer evenings spent around a roaring camphire with her

(13:50):
parents and three older brothers, a chorus of fun, laughter
and youthful chatter filling the air. The aroma was comforting,
beckoning Yara to draw nearer. They walked till Mama felt

(14:13):
they were quite close enough to the spectacle and stopped abruptly.
They could see the flames crackling in the tall grass
licking the bark of low hanging trees scattered across the savannah.

(14:34):
After a few minutes, five rangers also moved into sight,
walking through the flames with their drip torches, guiding the
fire with careful control, an act that Yara thought looked
almost identical to that of ranchers herding rambun vicious cattle

(15:01):
towards their intended path. Yarra used her sleeve to wipe
a falling bead of sweat from her forehead. Even with
her and Mama standing at a safe distance, The heat
emanating from the flames was vigorous, but it was strangely

(15:28):
overshadowed by the unexpected feeling of calm and purpose in
the air. Yarra could sense the range of skill as
they carefully tended to the fire, ensuring it stayed within
its designated bounds. The movement of the flames was mesmerizing,

(15:56):
the quivering light casting a warm crimson. Yara looked up
at Mama and saw on her aged face an undeniable
respect for this power of nature and for the rangers
who had chosen a career path in protecting it. One

(16:22):
of the rangers noticed Yara and Mama observing him and
his colleagues hard at work. He waved at them both
before kindly asking that they keep a safe distance. Yara
inched slightly behind her great grandmother, hiding her face shyly

(16:48):
in Mama's skirt. Mama waved back pleasantly and promised that
they wouldn't get too close, raising her voice slightly to
be heard over the crackling flames and the distance between them.

(17:09):
The ranger nodded his head in response, satisfied with her answer,
then turned his back to them, eager to continue with
his work. Mama squeezed Yarra's hand gently, indicating that it

(17:31):
was time to continue walking. They didn't stroll too far,
just to a large boulder a couple of paces away.
Mama's legs had grown tired from all the walking and
were in need of respite. The rock looked like the

(17:56):
perfect place to settle for a moment, A natural stone
armchair for two in the middle of the outback. Mama
helped Yara scramble up the rock before carefully shimming onto
it herself. Its cool surface offered a refreshing chill that

(18:24):
permeated through their summer dresses, absorbing the excess heat from
their bodies. It soothed Mama's legs and offered them some
well deserved relief. The sensation was both refreshing and calming,

(18:49):
providing a welcome contrast to the heat of the day.
The seconds stretched into minutes as Yara and Mama perched
on the rock at a safe distance from the flames.
They watched the fire illuminate the dimming sky with its

(19:15):
brilliant orange glow, until Mama eventually broke the silence. Four
thousands of years she began. Our ancestors have nurtured this landscape,
using fire to shape and transform it, just as you

(19:40):
see those rangers over there doing. We have always held
an instinctive understanding of this land, our land, an understanding
that comes from a deep connection to our ancestors' traditions

(20:03):
and to the environment around us. For us, fire is
not just a tool to be taken advantage of yarra,
but an inviolable element that has been a part of
our culture and tradition for as long as any of

(20:28):
us can remember. We learned to read the landscape. We
learned to listen to the animals and plants that also
call this plain home. We learned to know when and

(20:49):
how to use fire to bring balance and harmony to
the natural world. It is this skill that those rangers
have adopted for the betterment of our land. But it
is a skill that you have inherited, my child of

(21:13):
the soil. Mama turned to look out at the horizon
as the fire moved slowly and steadily under the ranger's control,
leaving a narrow line of black in its aftermath. The

(21:34):
fire crept across the land, transforming everything in its path,
and the flames danced and flickered, reaching up towards the sky.
The rangers continued to move through the flames, their eyes

(21:56):
watchful and their hands steady as they kept the fire
on its path. In their wake, they left a trail
of charred debris and smoldering ash. Yarra couldn't quite put
her finger on her feelings towards witnessing this powerful force

(22:22):
of nature at work. It was a conflicting combination of
fear and awe, and despite Marma's words to Yarra, this
way of doing things still somehow felt destructive. Seeming to

(22:45):
read Yarra's thoughts, Marma spoke again, I know this practice
may seem harsh. I thought so too when I was young,
watching my uncle's purposefully set fire to the land I

(23:06):
loved so dearly. But it is simply the first step
in a captivating process of renewal and regrowth. In a
few months, long after these flames have subsided and the

(23:28):
ash has settled, the wet season, rains will return, and
the charred earth will give way to new life. As
the first drops descend onto the land, they will signal
the beginning of a new season. Glowing green shoots will

(23:53):
sprout from the ground, and the joyful calls of the cuckoobar,
the sicada, and the green tree frog, all returning to
their newly created habitat, will soon be heard across the savannah.

(24:15):
They will all return, ready to thrive in the wake
of the flames. This is a testament to the resilience
and adaptability of the creatures that live alongside us. There
is a lesson to be learned here, little one. This fire,

(24:41):
with all its ferocity and ruinous capacity, is also a
force of rebirth and reinvention. I've always felt a pressing
reverence within me for the way nature can take something

(25:01):
so destructive and transform it into something beautiful. Look at
how incredibly, These flames destroy the old, all to make
way for something new. If you want it to, Yara,

(25:23):
the old can bow to the new, and you can
become exactly like this savannah that you love so much.
You can make room for the beauty that is waiting
to push through your charred grasses. Mama pressed Yara's nose

(25:50):
with her bent index finger, causing Yara to giggle softly.
It only takes a small spark to ignite a powerful transformation.
It may seem scary or uncertain at first, but it

(26:14):
can also be exhilarating and life changing, just as it
is when the savannah bursts with new life after these
controlled burns. Life can be hard for some of us.

(26:36):
Some of us face challenges and obstacles that threaten to
consume us. But just like this fire before you, you
two have the power to transform these struggles into something

(26:57):
that strengthens you. You can emerge from the flames ready
to face whatever comes your way, a phoenix rising from
the ashes, tempered and resilient. Let the lessons of the

(27:20):
fire guide you, Yara, as you navigate your own journey.
Trust that the regrowth and renewal that follows will lead
you to even greater heights. Life is a cycle with

(27:41):
endings and beginnings that seamlessly merge into one another. Yara's
face contorted from one of love for her great grandmother
to one of confusion at her works words. Upon seeing

(28:03):
the look on Yara's face, Mama broke into a hearty laugh,
guffering without restraint. The sound was infectious, quickly tickling Yara
and causing her to laugh heartily too. Time seemed to

(28:28):
stand still as they shared this magical moment, a young
girl and her wise great grandmother. Generations melded together, united
by a mutual love for the simple pleasure of walking

(28:51):
bare foot on the grass. As the sun began to
set and the fire gradually died down, the last embers
glowed softly in the dusk. Yara's young mind may not

(29:12):
have understood all of Mama's words of wisdom, but she
was grateful, nonetheless for the lessons that both nature and
Mama were providing. As the setting sun granted her skin

(29:36):
a warm goodbye, Yara took one final look at the
scorched remains that spanned the horizon, the scent of conflagrant
word and promise still present, she rested her head on

(30:00):
Mama's arms and closed her eyes, allowing her little lungs
to draw in the potential for growth that Mama had mentioned.
With each breath, she felt herself become more and more

(30:23):
in tune with the land. Years from now, Yarrah would
reflect upon this experience, calling it her most treasured memory
of time spent with Mama. Every time she would think

(30:47):
back to that evening, she would silently vow to always
let the lessons of the fire guide her as she
navigated her journey through life. She'd trust that the regrowth

(31:10):
and renewal that would inevitably follow would lead her to
even greater heights. Have a blessed rest, sweet dreams, good night,

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A Peaceful Walk Through the Savanna - Bedtime Story with Music

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