Simon Mattacks
Appearances
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
From it, she learned that many centuries ago, the barn had been converted into a stable to shelter animals. Perhaps this was why the artist had chosen to put horses inside the barn. Before Amelia had any time to dwell on this, Lila let out a small, happy bark. At the side door was a ginger cat.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Behind it, bright light cascaded onto the floor, creating a pool of warm light, the perfect spot for an afternoon nap. Though it seemed that this had been the cat's original intention, it was much too curious now. With a raised tail and all the confidence of a much larger creature, it walked right up to them. Lila sank to the floor. Her tail wagged, brushing aside the twigs and feathers.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
The cat boldly brushed its face up against her. Then... With a feline flick of its tail, it moved to brush up against Amelia's legs. Bending down, she stroked her fingers through the cat's soft, silky fur. The cat looped around her and purred, before returning happily to the sunny spot by the entrance. Taking this as their cue to move on, Amelia looked back down at the map.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
The second spot was over the village pond, which was only a short walk down the lane. On one side of the path was a large green hedge. It was alive with the fluttering of wings and the singing of birds. Their melodies were not in harmony with each other, but that did not lessen the beauty of their songs. Spring would soon be over. Nests had been made and eggs hatched.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Occasionally, a sprightly bird would burst forth from the greenery on a mission to forage for food for the young chicks. They were nearing the pond, which sat just before the impeccably manicured green of the cricket pitch. Unlike the playing field, this area of the village had been left to nature. The pool was large, with a willow tree hanging over it at one edge.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Its long green branches cascaded down into the still water, causing the slightest ripples as the breeze moved about them. A circular bench encompassed the trunk of the tree and offered a shady spot to sit. The pond was host to a variety of plant life.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
At the far side, bulrushes and grasses had sprouted from its depths and a floating carpet of green duckweed traveled slowly across the water's surface. Amelia looked down at the edge of the pond. On a previous walk, she had spotted frog spawn and was keen to see how the offspring were growing. Much to her delight, at the warm edge of the pond, a flurry of tadpoles were gathered.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
They were nibbling on something so nutritious that they didn't seem to mind her presence. Not too far away, an adult frog emerged from beneath a floating leaf. Its body remained hidden, but its head peered out above the water. It was so still. Amelia had spotted the unusual artwork that the pond was hiding when she first moved to the village. Half submerged beneath the water was a hippo.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
It was carved from the same stone as the horses, and much like the frog, only its head was poking out above the surface. In a place of such comings and goings, this hippo seemed to be a peaceful constant, an onlooker and a guardian. There was so much activity here that Amelia's attention was soon drawn to a dragonfly whose wings were beating furiously nearby.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
It buzzed erratically about her before darting off for the bulrushes. Before long, a mother duck glided into view. she was followed by a line of fluffy brown and yellow ducklings. While her movements were slow and elegant, they scrambled after her. Although she couldn't see them, Amelia could imagine that their small webbed feet were paddling furiously to keep up.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Their barely audible tiny chirps were bossy and demanding, but it made Amelia smile with happiness. She was grateful that she had this opportunity to observe them. Lila also enjoyed watching them take a leisurely tour of the pond. Together, Lila and Amelia sat on the bench beneath the willow tree and looked out through the canopy.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
The air was comfortably warm and the sun, though shining brightly, was masked by the leaves of the tree. All was peaceful and calm. They sat there for a while and Amelia reflected on how much the village had changed with the arrival of spring. Taking a deep breath, she leaned back against the tree and closed her eyes for a brief moment of stillness. Lila flopped down on her lap and nestled closer.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
They stayed there for a while, taking in the sights and the sounds of the pond. But finally, it was time to move on. The third point was in the Market Square. On the walk there, they would pass by the Blue Bell Cafe. which also happened to be Amelia's favorite place to stop for cake. Leaving the pond behind, they walked past the empty cricket field and headed down Honeysuckle Lane.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
It was a cobbled street with terraced houses on either side and was also home to the cafe. The cafe had a pastel blue frontage with a large window that stretched the width of the building. Amelia peered through the glass at the cakes and pastries, trying to decide what it was she wanted to eat. There was a lemon drizzle cake, a Victoria sponge decorated with fresh red strawberries, croissants,
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
blueberry muffins, far too much to pick from. She was pulled from her thoughts of sweet treats by Lila's tail wagging excitably against her leg. The owner had come out to greet them. They were regulars here, and Lila was always excited to come back. After making their order, they passed through a narrow passageway between the cafe and the house next door.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Once on the other side, a hidden courtyard garden greeted them. It was decorated with potted plants and a wall-mounted water spout. Tables and chairs were set out for customers of the cafe, but despite the lovely weather and beautiful garden, it was not too busy. Emilia took a seat and glanced around. The spring sun flooded the courtyard with light.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Its energy warmed the soft breeze, which in turn wafted the sweet fragrance of jasmine through the garden. On either side of a babbling fountain was a beautiful peach-colored rosebush climbing the wall. It scattered large, delicate blooms throughout the space. It wasn't long before a pot of fresh mint tea and a slice of lemon drizzle cake arrived at the table.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
For Lila, a bowl of cool water was placed by her side. It came with a dog biscuit, which she received most gratefully. The cake was perfectly soft. The top had been sprinkled with edible blue flowers and lemon zest. It was delicious. After the glass pot of tea cooled and the fresh mint floating in the water was bright green, Amelia poured it into the porcelain teacup.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Steam swirled up from the stream of liquid, which made a satisfying sound as it hit the porcelain and filled the cup. Together, Amelia and Lila took in the sights and sounds of the garden. The bees were flying from flower to flower. a plucky little robin was chirping proudly with its fluffed-up chest feathers.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
It flitted between the top of the walls and a seed feeder, which was swinging from a hook. The clinking of knives and forks against plates and the chatter of the other customers sitting in the garden were also welcome to her. Before long, she set her plate to one side and looked down at Lila. The young dog was snoozing peacefully. Her body was rising and falling with each breath.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Gently, Amelia called her name. Lila slowly looked up at her and then lazily rolled onto her back, lifting a single paw into the air in protest. This was her cue for attention. Amelia stroked her side gently, which seemed to please Lila enough. The puppy eventually clambered to her feet, but not before a very deep stretch.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
The pads of her paws splayed out as she did so, and she let out a very long yawn. No doubt, Lila was going to spend the majority of this evening tucked up in her bed with her favorite blanket. The next part of their journey took them to the center of the village. It was a paved area ordered on three sides by rows of shops and houses. Summerwell was home to a thriving farmer's market.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
It was a tradition dating back hundreds of years. Each of the main streets that led to the square still held traces of its history. On the roads, you could see grooves that carts, heavily laden with goods, had eroded over hundreds of years. Right in the middle of the square was the village hall. Like most things about Summerwell, it too was old. It was compact and painted a dusky orange.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
The top of the hall was supported by stone columns that formed the open lower level. While the enclosed rooms on the upper floor were for meetings and a pop-up museum, the lower level provided shelter from bad weather for those waiting for the village bus. Today was Saturday, and so the market was overflowing with colorful canvassed stalls. Each was selling a different locally made product.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
from jams, cheese, and bread, to artwork, soap, and flowers. Every week, the fruit and vegetable stall took the prime spot right in the middle of the square, which is right where point number three on the map was. Just behind the vegetable stall was a statue. It was something Amelia had passed many times, but had never taken a closer look at.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Making her way past the stalls, she went to inspect it. Carved diligently from the stone was a man wearing a heavy looking astronaut suit. More perplexing still was that in one hand he had a stone parrot, only it had been painted in vivid yellows, reds, and blues. Each feather was carved in such detail that Amelia couldn't help but reach out and touch it.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
The stone was cool and rough, but the etchings of the feathers were deep and pronounced. On her walks around town, Amelia had noticed other stone parrots. Some sat above doorways. Others were perched on windowsills. She had never wondered why the village had such an affinity for these ornaments, but she was about to find out.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
An onlooker had been observing her, and with a cheerful demeanor, he approached and explained the origin of the statue. It was a representation of the artist himself. He was a man who could easily while away the night looking up at the stars, longing to explore every one. Instead, he spent his days studying the natural wonders about him.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
The parrot was his favorite animal, and in his opinion, the most charming of all creatures. Bold, lively, and mischievous. He was often seen wandering around the village with his parrot. and it seemed it was a sight the villagers missed. So much so that after he left town, the community had the stone parrots carved for their homes and businesses.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Amelia made a note to herself that from now on, whenever she walked around town, she would make sure to look out for them. It was a little too busy in the market square to look for the other parrots that were hidden here, and Lila wanted to continue their walk away from the crowd. So they headed to the next stop on the map, the tower.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
On the other side of the village from where they started was Bluebell Clump. It was a small hill rising out from a veil with beautiful meadows. A small wood sprawled up one side of the hill, and at the very top sat a tower, partially obscured by trees. During the early summer months, the grass of the hill was covered with a wash of red poppies.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
During autumn, the copse of trees which crowned it was a speckle of oranges, yellows, and reds. In winter, the hill was the first place to settle with snow. But during spring, it became a woodland garden of bluebells. People traveled from nearby towns and villages to see the spectacle. Dedicated paths were cut through the forest floor to ensure that none of the precious flowers would be harmed.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Their fragrance was sweet, yet subtle. And as the light broke through the canopy in places, their bluish hue transformed to purple. Emilia and Lila followed the path up to the very top of the hill, always mindful to stick to it. Once they reached the top, a wider track cut through the copse of trees, framing the tower, which sat right in the center.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
As they walked towards the building, Amelia couldn't help but notice small doors sitting at the foot of the trees. The locals called these fairy doors. No one knew who had placed them here, and no one really wanted to. It was enough to take joy in them and entertain the idea that perhaps fairy tale creatures did live amongst the bluebells. The tower itself had a single door at the far side.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
It was never opened and the only clue as to what was inside was through the windows. These, however, sat close to the very top and so were inaccessible. It was the tower itself that corresponded to point four on the map. It was large and imposing. Unlike the buildings in the village, it was made of a smooth, dark red brick The top of the tower was flat, and rising from it was a single light.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
At night, it could be seen for miles around, signaling to the residents that home was not too far away. The artist had commissioned the building for reasons which nobody fully knew. but all appreciated it. The final point was just on the other side of the tower, at the edge of the tree line. With Lila happily plodding by her side, Amelia reached it, the bridge to nowhere, or so the sign said.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
It was a gently arching wooden bridge. It did not cross a stream, nor a path, not even a ditch. It was a bridge without purpose. She gazed at it curiously. Within moments, two children arrived. Without any hesitation, they ran over it and back again. They jumped on it, they ran under it. That it didn't have any real function didn't bother them one bit.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Spring in the picturesque village of Summerwell was always a rather splendid affair. Every year, the blossom trees, which winter had made bare and unwelcoming, transformed into clouds of pink. They lined the main road through town, raining blush-colored petals at even the slightest of breezes.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
The verges of the few small lanes which branched off from this road were bursting with the bright yellows of daffodils and primroses. Small, honey-stoned cottages were scattered about the streets that made up the village. They were old and somewhat crooked, but this only added to their charm. Some had thatched roofs, while others had more conventional slate tiles.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Just as each inhabitant of this peaceful community had their own personality, each house had its own character. While one cottage might be overgrown with ivy or wisteria, its neighbor might be perfectly manicured with colorful window boxes and a freshly painted door. At the very heart of Summerwell, the standalone cottages with wraparound gardens gave way to rows of terraced houses.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Again, each house differed slightly from the next. Some looked like they had been crammed into any available space and were nestled snugly there. Compared with other residents, Amelia had only lived in the village a little while, but it wasn't long before she had spotted the unusual carvings and playful statues about the place.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Curious as to their origin, she had asked the local pub landlord about them. He had explained that they were the work of a rather flamboyant and much-loved local man. He had lived in the old manor house at the very edge of the village boundary, until one day he left for more exotic climes. the landlord had handed her a cheaply printed leaflet, which a local history group had put together.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
On it was a map of the village with numbered points of interest. If you start at the tithe barn on the far side of Summerwell, he had said, you could follow the trail and find all the artwork that the man had gifted the village. The story of the mysterious stranger had suddenly peaked Amelia's interest. She had decided that on her next day off, she would explore the town.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
It was on a mild and bright Saturday morning that the opportunity finally arose. After a deep, restful sleep and a breakfast of rich, buttery toast, she set off for the barn. Joining her was Lila, her rather excitable puppy, who loved nothing more than walks. As instructed, they started at the tithe barn.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
The wooden gate sat slightly ajar, and so they entered into the vast grassy compound that wrapped around the building. The barn itself was made of the same honey-colored stone as the cottages, but was much taller and grander than any building in the village. The roof sloped steeply upwards, forming a sharp apex.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
There were no windows, rather places where bricks were missing, forming patterns in the walls. The building had been built in the early medieval period. Its purpose was to store grain, which farmers paid in tithe to the church. Amelia struggled to imagine that this place was once a hive of activity and work. Today, it was peaceful and calm.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
The wildflower lawn, which surrounded the barn, was colorful and soft with moss in places. Bees were buzzing cheerfully as they glided a little haphazardly from flower to flower. Lila was fascinated. She pounced with clumsy energy, ducking and bowing, but never getting too close to the bees. She laid low to the ground, occasionally pushing her nose a little closer to them, inch by inch.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Before long, her puppy enthusiasm burst free, and she was off again, pouncing, ducking, and bowing. Emilia looked down at her map. Point One sat right over the tithe barn. Curiously, she headed inside. Now, taking to biting on her lead playfully, Lila followed. The wooden rafters of the barn were gnarly and old. They formed a cathedral-like vaulted ceiling high overhead.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
The soft cooing of pigeons rang out in the drafty, cool air. Up ahead, in the vast emptiness of the barn, Amelia spotted the first sculpture. As she approached it, her shoes crunched on discarded twigs and leaves. These must have been the rejects from the bird nests above. She neared the statue, but it wasn't quite what she had expected.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Considering that this was once a place to store grain and other produce, it made little sense. The statue was of a horse and foal. The horse's head was bowed and hay seemed to be falling from her mouth. To the side of her was a young foal. It was carved in such a way that it gave off the same playful energy that Lila had exhibited moments earlier.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Amelia traced her hands over the smooth yellow stone of the statue. It was well-worn, but she could still feel the subtle dents of a chisel. The mane was carved in such a way that it was textured. Lila didn't seem too impressed by the statue. To her, the place was alive with a flurry of unfamiliar scents. Her nose was twitching at the ground as she followed the trails left by unknown creatures.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
The Village of Playful Art
Amelia wondered what it was that had walked this way. Perhaps a fox or maybe a cat. Indulging the puppy, Amelia followed where she led. It was to a small alcove off the main body of the barn. Here, Lila had found something to her interest. She padded at the ground and sniffed some of the fallen feathers. Looking around, Amelia noticed an information board attached to the wall.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Auggie Gets a Kitten
Get Sleepy is a production of Slumber Studios and is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and premium members. If you'd like to listen ad-free and access weekly bonus episodes, extra long stories and our entire back catalogue, you can try out premium free for 7 days by following the link in the episode notes. Now, a quick word from our sponsors...
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Auggie Gets a Kitten
Bevor ich dir über heute erzähle, morgen, was auch immer deine Pläne sind, um das neue Jahr zu sehen, auch wenn es eine schöne frühe Nacht ist, werde ich wieder mit dir sein, für einen besonderen Bonus-Episode.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Auggie Gets a Kitten
Es ist etwas von einer Tradition auf Get Sleepy geworden, für uns zusammen zu kommen und eine ruhige Meditation zu genießen, um sich für das nächste Jahr zu vorbereiten und uns in einem positiven Mindframe zu machen. Also, komm morgen Abend zurück und folge mir für das. Oder du kannst hören, wenn du bereit bist, positive Intentionen für 2025 zu setzen.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Auggie Gets a Kitten
As for tonight's story, I know it's a highly anticipated return for many of you to one of our most beloved and popular lead characters. Even though we've only had a couple of Augie the Cat stories up to this point, I seem to get requests for new ones every single week. Es ist wundervoll, dass so viele von euch von Augies Geschichten sind, geschrieben von Alicia Stefan und gelesen von Simon.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Auggie Gets a Kitten
In diesem Abendes-Installment werden wir mit Augie einsteigen, als sie sich vor dem furchtbaren Dilemma der Menschen befindet, eine andere Katze zu bringen. Rest assured, she'll end up managing the situation with grace and intelligence. Because, naturally, she is good at everything. And if you haven't met Augie before, or you missed either of her previous adventures, don't worry.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Auggie Gets a Kitten
You can enjoy tonight's episode all on its own, and listen to the other ones later. Augie doesn't mind. Before we begin, let's immerse ourselves in the luxurious sleepiness of a cat lazing about on a comfy spot, perhaps on a sunny windowsill or a warm, plush cushion. So ensure you're comfortable and snug, stretching out any areas you need to release tension from
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Auggie Gets a Kitten
Und dann lassen Sie Ihren Körper sich bewegen und Ihr Atmen langsam. Lassen Sie die Geräusche in Ihrem Umfeld Teil Ihrer träumenden Erfahrung werden. Sie brauchen Sie nicht zu zerstören oder Sie zu bedrohen. Blende nur in Ihren träumenden Zustand
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Auggie Gets a Kitten
Sie erinnern Sie sich an nichts mehr, als dass die Welt sich weiter verändern lässt, während Sie sich in Ruhe einstellen lassen und sich still und versammelt lassen lassen. Fühlen Sie die Leichtheit Ihres Pillens, Sie halten Ihren Kopf in einem komfortablen Umbruch.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Auggie Gets a Kitten
And as your breathing continues to lengthen, release more and more tension with each exhale, along with any thoughts of the day just gone. And now we can turn to our story. So, begin to picture a cozy house and a rainy forecast. The weather outside is blustery, but Augie is safe and sound indoors. And the entire lovely lazy day stretches before her. Hier beginnt unsere Geschichte.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Auggie Gets a Kitten
Hey, alle. Ich habe von vielen von euch gehört, wie stressiert und nervig ihr euch fühlt. Vielleicht ist es all die politische Energie da draußen, oder vielleicht die Schwierigkeit, all die täglichen Arbeiten, die auf eurer Platte sind. Was auch immer es ist, ich möchte, dass ihr nicht allein seid.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Auggie Gets a Kitten
Und ich habe den perfekten Podcast, den ich dir empfehlen kann, der dir hilft, Stress und Angst zu lösen. Es heißt Meditation für Angst und es bietet täglich Meditationen, die dir helfen, all diese Sorgen zu lösen und tiefen Frieden zu finden. Ein letzter Favorit meines ist Relief Nighttime Anxiety. And I found it really helpful.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Auggie Gets a Kitten
So follow Meditation for Anxiety on your favorite podcast player so you can have these incredible meditations on hand anytime you need them. Welcome to Get Sleepy, where we listen, we relax and we get sleepy. Mein Name ist Thomas. Danke, dass du eingeschaltet bist.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
The playful animal laughs as he does so, It's a marvelous sound, and wonderfully infectious. You can't help but laugh along at the creature's antics, especially as the water is so lovely and refreshing. Now that Tembo is fueled up, he's ready to set off on a journey across the land. You take one last glance at the lake before the elephant turns in the opposite direction.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
You walk alongside Tembo, matching the pace of your stride with his. The ground molds around your feet, and every footstep feels both soft and bouncy. a memory comes to mind of being with Tembo on the powdery white sands of Tanzania's coastline. You remember the elephant paddling through an ocean, though the memories are fuzzy, like something from a dream.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
Right now, you're a long way from the beach. but your surroundings here are just as tranquil. Instead of littering sand, there are fields of golden corn and vast grassy plains that seem as endless as the ocean. Tembo is an excellent tour guide. He knows just when to speak and when to be quiet. Mostly, you stroll in comfortable silence as he gives you the space to study your surroundings.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
When he does speak, his voice is calm and reassuring, though he's clearly enthusiastic to tell you about his country. You can sense the love that Tembo has for his homeland. He explains that you're walking across a game reserve, a region where wild animals are protected. It's one of many such places throughout the country where creatures roam freely across the land.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
Tembo's own family live in a national park around the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. though they're often out trekking about the country in search of food or a new waterhole to drink from. Perhaps that's why elephants make such good guides, because they're so used to walking and exploring new places.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
Tembo seems familiar with every inch of countryside, each plain and grassy hillock, and every tree, rock, and puddle. He's particularly fond of this part of the country, at the southern edge of the famous Serengeti. The flat, low plains seem to go on forever. and give unobstructed views of the wildlife. The animals you see now are a herd of wildebeest.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
They're dotted about the plains, munching happily on the grass. Their dark, furry heads are large and box-like, and their ears point out sideways, below two curved horns. The word wildebeest is Dutch for wild cattle. The animal's chestnut-colored body is stocky like a cow's. But wildebeest are technically antelope.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
The elephant plots a course through the middle of the grass, right through the place where the wildebeest are eating. Yet somehow, the creatures pay him no attention. They move out of his way, as if by magic. Even the creatures that have finished eating seem to look through the elephant. They're far too busy napping in the sunshine, enjoying a moment of respite on the grass.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
It's odd that the elephant doesn't attract more attention. Though he's only young, he's still enormous. You're beginning to think that he's somehow invisible until you hear his name from a voice among the herd. A majestic-looking wildebeest is strolling towards you. He has a beard that seems both gray and golden. Tembo recognizes his friend, Zawadi. The name means gift in Swahili.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
Zawadi says that he's very pleased to meet you. Any friend of Tembo's is a friend of the herd. The animals chat about all kinds of things, from the weather to the waterholes. It's clear that they have much in common, mainly their love of travel and adventure. Zawadi and his friends are from the Serengeti, but they migrate to different places throughout the year.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
Moving in numbers as large as millions, they seek out clean water and fresh, tasty grass. They'll probably stay here for another week or so, before moving on in a northerly direction. The wildebeest are joined by other creatures, too. You see this for yourself after leaving Zawadi. Tembo identifies an antelope called an eland. It's stocky, like the wildebeest, but has a coat like golden sand.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
Its horn is spiraled, like you might imagine a unicorn's to be, though this creature has two horns. Alongside the eland, there are gazelle and impala. These smaller antelope are fast and look like deer. You don't need any help in identifying the zebra. With their black and white striped bodies, you'd spot them anywhere.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
All of these animals are scattered throughout the grass, eating, sleeping, sunbathing, or sitting. their splashes of color against the green and yellow plains, illuminated with sunlight. Zawadi mentions seeing a guava fruit orchard right beside the pool where Tembo is going. The elephant responds with enthusiasm to the news, though if he is hungry, he's not hungry enough to rush.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
As you walk on, Tembo's pace is leisurely and his footsteps are gentle. His sound is that of a far lighter creature. The elephant seems content to plod along slowly, enjoying the views as much as the exercise. You lose track of time in such surroundings. passing more antelope and zebra than you're able to count.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
Though eventually, the animals begin to thin in numbers, and your view changes to green, empty fields. So much of your route looks the same as elsewhere. If it weren't for the occasional thicket of bushes, you might think that you'd been wandering across the same exact spot. Trees and bushes form natural markers alongside the odd hill or mound of rocks. Tempo says these are called rock copiers.
Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
formed 500 million years ago when a volcano erupted. The land was covered in ash and rock, which eroded over time, revealing granite below. The rocks form ancient islands among a sea of flat grassland in all kinds of unusual shapes and sizes. One large copier catches your attention. Huge granite rocks are layered across a hill.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
Thick green bushes grow out from the bottom, while at the top, a lone tree emerges. A leopard lies across the stone, sound asleep below the canopy of the tree. One of its massive front paws hangs limp over the edge, while the other is bent for its head to rest on. Even in the shade, it's a striking animal. A big yellow cat with brown dots across its fur.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
This majestic creature looks relaxed and untroubled. He doesn't even flinch when you and Tembo pass by. You walk on and on until it gets dark. At last, you settle down to sleep at a rock island. You sleep like a baby, leaning against Tembo. The elephant is so warm, he's like a blanket beside you. The next morning, after walking a little further, you come to the orchard mentioned by Zawadi.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
Tembo wanders beneath the canopy of a tree with pinkish-green fruit dangling from its branches. Elephant is delighted because he adores fresh guava. Not only the fruit, but the leaves and tree bark. He doesn't seem fazed by the high-up branches, which are mostly out of reach for the young elephant. This, you soon learn, is because he has a plan. He'll shake the fruit right off the tree.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
He suggests that you raise your arms above your head and keep a lookout for falling guava. Next, he moves forwards, pushing into the trunk, causing the tree to rock and wobble. The leaves rustle like a present being opened as a shower of guava falls to the ground. Tembo picks one up, using his trunk like an arm. He brings it behind his head and drops the fruit in your hands.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
Then he turns his attention to the ground beneath the tree, bringing fruits to his mouth, one after another. The guava are the size of large green pears, They're pink inside, sweet and juicy. You take your time, savoring each mouthful. The elephant has cleared the ground by the time you've finished. The smell of the guava hangs in the air. It's sweet, musky, tropical, and creamy.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
there's something else, too, carried on the breeze. It's the scent of water from the nearby pool. That's where Tembo takes you now, just beyond the trees. The edges of the water are bordered with rocks and woodland, and there's sand in places like a beach. The elephant brings you to stand by the shoreline, and you gaze out across the surface of the pool.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
The water is dotted with huge, grey stepping stones, smooth and glossy, where they reflect the sunlight. At least, that's what you think you're looking at to begin with, until a second glance proves otherwise. Some of these stones have little round ears. Others have nostrils, breathing above the water. Tambo laughs, sensing your reaction. He confirms that this is the hippo pool he mentioned.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
You aren't the first to mistake these massive creatures for stepping stones laid out across the water. Tembo likes hippos best when they're sleeping. When they're awake, they're a little loud for his liking. He's happy to tell you all about these creatures in a hushed voice so as not to disturb them. Unlike the wildebeest that move around the country, hippos tend to stay around the same place.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
though they can walk up to six miles in a night, despite their short, stubby legs and large bodies. Most people assume that hippos are related to pigs, but actually their closest relatives are whales. Awake, they can hold their breath for up to five minutes. and they spend 16 hours a day resting and sleeping in the water.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
You can hear the admiration in Tembo's voice as he describes how their bodies bob up and down automatically. That's how the hippos are able to keep breathing when they're asleep in the water. They don't even stir as they continuously resurface. As he utters these words, you see movement in the water. A baby hippo lifts up its head.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
You think for a moment that it might be waking, but it lets out a yawn and returns underwater. Tembo takes this as his cue to leave. Places to go, people to see. He turns by the poolside and resumes his journey, trekking in what he says is a southeasterly direction. For a while now, you walk on in silence, happy to take in the views around you.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
You pass more flat plains, more trees and forests, and more rock copiers dotted around the land. The Tanzanian air is fresh and lovely. You can still smell the fragrance of sweet, ripe guava. It hangs on the elephant, too, as if he'd sprayed it like a perfume. Tembo's footsteps are slow and steady and hushed slightly on the sandy pathways.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
They echo quietly above the sound of the breeze that whistles through the grass. You also hear the songs of many birds cooing, chirping, and tweeting. No two voices ever sound quite the same, Some are deep and booming, while others are high-pitched and twinkly. The red-eyed dove looks a little like a pigeon, but its gentle cooing reminds you of an owl.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
A colourful little bird, called a white-fronted beater, has a high-pitched squeak which reminds you of a mouse. Most of the birds that you hear along the way are hidden from sight or far in the distance. Their gorgeous voices echo across the land from bushes, branches, and the tops of the coppice. When you do occasionally see a bird close up, you're amazed by the colors and details.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
The golden-breasted starling is mostly teal and purple, though its chest is as yellow as the fruit of a mango. Its two-tone plumage has a metallic sheen, so its colors look different depending on the light. You've never seen a bird with feathers quite like it. It's as if the creature were made of silk. The yellow-billed hornbill is admittedly less glamorous.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
It has a snow-white chest with black and white wings. Its hooked beak is like a down-curved banana, yellow and striking. The large bird reminds you of a turkey, and it makes a clucking noise. It sounds like it's laughing. You watch the hornbill as it clucks from a tree branch, bent over slightly, as if it can't contain its laughter.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
It's a sound that stays with you once the bird has long gone and you've traveled past hills and across plains and valleys. You feel your guide's pace slowing as you approach your destination. It's a place called Ngorongoro. Tembo explains that it's a conservation area where animals are safe and protected.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
They live on the site of a crater or caldera, the remains of a volcano, which are two million years old. The crater looks like a bowl in the earth. with a base of bright green grass. The land around the site is very rich and fertile, as the nutrients in the soil produce vibrant colors. Just as eye-catching are the animals on the lake. You see zebra, rhinos, and pink flamingos.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
The birds are grouped in a pool of shallow water in a lake formed within the basin. As he guides you down the slope of the crater, Tembo explains that the water is very salty. Eventually, you're standing at the base of the bowl, at the side of the lake where the flamingos have gathered. Most are standing on long, spindly legs with their fluffy pink bodies out of the water.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
A few can be seen swimming on the lake, in patches where the water is deep enough to do so. They glide with the elegance and style of swans. Like the migrating herd of wildebeest, there are too many flamingos to count. For all you know, there could be hundreds or even thousands. The reflection in the lake mirrors the flamingos and doubles their numbers.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
You study these birds as you might a piece of artwork, taking in the hues and details. Until your interest is piqued by the hum of an engine, and the sight of a vehicle passing by at the top of the crater. The woman driving wears a sand-colored uniform. She stops the car and calls out in greeting. The elephant explains that she's a tour guide named Anissa, and another one of his many friends.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
It looks to you as if she's currently working, Tourists gape awestruck from the back of her car, admiring the flamingos. Tembo uses his trunk like an arm, waving in greeting to Anissa in the jeep. The people on her tour pause for a minute to take a few pictures of the birds before Anissa drives on, continuing their safari. The crater is your second to last stop.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
You're still some distance from your final destination, and it's a few more hours before you and the elephant find a spot to rest. But when you do, your second night is spent on a lush, grassy hillock, leaning once again beside the sleeping elephant. The animal makes for a warm and cozy pillow. Perhaps it's because of this that your nights are so untroubled.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
You sleep right through without waking even once. The nighttime in Tanzania is so blissful and peaceful. There's a deeper kind of quiet out here in nature. Both you and the elephant wake up refreshed and eager to reach your final destination. It's late afternoon by the time you get there. The famous hot springs of Kikuletwa. The springs remind you of an oasis in a desert.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
So colorful and beautiful that they seem like a mirage. On a patch of arid land, the waters are striking. You see a pool of turquoise surrounded by jungle. The springs are near the base of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Its peak is nearly 6,000 meters above sea level, and you can see the snow glistening at the top.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
Tembo's family live just nearby, in the national park at the base of the mountain. For them, looking at a horizon dominated by the mountain is as natural as eating or breathing. The mountain, known as the Roof of Africa, is mostly obscured once you're swimming through the warm turquoise water.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
The spring is hidden behind the leaves of overhanging palms and the many other trees that grow around the edges. The heated water springs naturally from the ground, and you feel as though you're floating in a bathtub. The water is so clear, and the warmth is very soothing. If it weren't for the sight of Kilimanjaro through the treeline, you might easily forget that you were here in Tanzania.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
As he rests by the side of the pool, Tembo explains that you must be very lucky. Usually, the spring is full of locals and tourists. But somehow the pair of you have the whole place to yourselves. You thank the elephant for a wonderful trip. He says you're always welcome. Then he brings up his trunk and pats your head with the affection of an old friend.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
Comfortable as can be, you close your eyes briefly and float happily in the water. You can feel your muscles relaxing. Your mind becomes clearer as your breath grows deeper. You can smell the scent of fresh spring water, not unlike the lake where your journey began. You smile at the memory of resting below a tree when you mistook your elephant guide for a comfortable backrest.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
It would be easy to imagine yourself back there right now as you float in warm water beneath the shade of many trees. You're rocked back and forth as you were by Tembo's breathing, bobbing gently in the water. Your own breaths are very calm. The sound is soothing above the lapping of the water. Somehow, you can sense the fragrance of guava, a musky perfume, sweet and otherworldly.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
It's a gorgeous day. The sun beams bright in a cloudless sky, and you're seated beneath the shade of a massive tree. The warm sunshine is accompanied by a breeze, one that's cool and beautifully refreshing. It wafts through the leaves and branches of the tree, creating sounds like the music of wind chimes. The grass beneath you is as soft as a cushion. It's wonderfully spongy and smells divine.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
Jade in color, it sparkles like gemstones. especially beyond the tree, where it's exposed to sunlight. You can smell the perfume of the tree on the breeze. It's musky, earthy, rich, and exotic. It blends with the scent of nearby water and the sounds of a lake lapping against the shore. Somehow, you know that this is Africa, and specifically, Tanzania, on the east of the continent.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
The thought is as clear as the surface of the water, and as beautiful as the sunlight that flickers across the lake. You're mesmerized by the colors and patterns before you, the tiny waves and the ripples across the surface. Wreaths sway gently at the edge of the lake, fluttering back and forth in the morning breeze.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
You gaze at the water from your spot beneath the tree, lounging happily against a gray rock. the comfiest backrest you've ever encountered. The stone seems to mold around your body. You suspect that the rock is in some way magic, because it's soft and warm, even in the shade. What's more, it feels as if it's somehow breathing, it rises and falls as if it were alive.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
Intrigued, you lean back, relaxing further and let yourself be moved with the rhythm. As the stone rises, you're brought gently forwards and as it falls, you're rocked backwards. slowly and smoothly.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
You're not sure how long you sit against the stone, relaxing in comfort beneath the shade of the tree, but you're soon stirred by the sound of yawning, and it appears to be coming from the side of the rock. You turn to examine the stone more closely, shuffling slightly on the grass. Not only is it breathing, but it appears to be moving. It looks like an animal waking up from a nap.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
You close your eyes and blink a few times, as if to test whether you're awake or dreaming. You can't quite believe what you're seeing, What you'd thought was a stone is the back of an elephant. The sleeping creature has been curled up like a cat, with the rest of its body hidden from view. Only now it turns, lifting up its trunk and revealing the small tusks of a growing elephant.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
It opens its mouth to yawn once again, lifting its trunk towards the canopy above. Then it curls it back around towards the top of its head and scratches across a tuft of bristles. There's something quite amusing about the way the elephant stirs, bending and straightening both hind legs. Its head and trunk flop comically forwards in a movement that looks clumsy and charmingly awkward.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
The elephant stays there for a moment before wobbling to its feet, bending and straightening both front legs. Then it shakes its head and its massive grey ears. much like a dog might shake off the rain. Next, the elephant stumbles out of the shade, blinking a few times before opening its eyes. You follow it out into the sunshine, where its grey skin twinkles like silver.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
Its ears, you notice, are shaped like Africa on a map, which is how you can tell it's an African elephant. It looks to be around seven or eight feet tall, a good bit shorter than a fully grown adult. This magnificent creature looks towards you, and you swear that its lips are curled into a smile Its expression is one of kindness and affection, as it reaches out its trunk to shake your hand.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
You've never shaken the trunk of an elephant, but something about the experience feels a little familiar. As strange as it is, you know just what he'll say. as he introduces himself as your tour guide, Tembo. He's a young, adult elephant, aged 10 years old, and he was born and raised in Eastern Africa. It would be his pleasure to take you around his homeland to show you the sights of Tanzania.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
you'll travel east across the country towards Mount Kilimanjaro, the mountain known as the roof of Africa. The route will show you the best of a country that's famed for its wildlife and natural landscape. Timbo is certain that you'll like the pool of hippos and the beautiful fauna in the volcanic crater. He also knows the best spots to sleep in, on a journey that will take you all of three days.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
For whatever reason, you trust Tembo entirely. You've never felt as safe as you do beside him. It simply feels good to be in his presence, like being reunited with a dear old friend. You stroll beside the elephant as he walks towards the edge of the glistening lake. There's nothing so refreshing to a thirsty elephant as a few sips of fresh lake water.
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Another Dreamy Day with Tembo the Elephant
You stand beside Timber as he lowers his trunk beneath the surface. And you drink in the scents as the elephant drinks the water. It's incredibly fresh and cleansing to the senses. Once Tembo has fully quenched his thirst, he splashes his trunk on the surface of the lake. The mischievous elephant then curls his trunk towards you and sprays you with a mist of cool, fresh water.