Get Sleepy: "An Autumn Day with a Tiny Field Mouse"
Host: Slumber Studios
Episode Date: October 22, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of Get Sleepy invites listeners to a tranquil autumn morning on an organic English farm, following the gentle adventures of Millie, a tiny field mouse. Narrated in a calm and soothing tone, the story vividly details Millie’s day as she prepares for the winter, emphasizing themes of mindfulness, the beauty of everyday moments, and the comforts of nature and home.
Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown
1. Setting the Scene and Initial Relaxation
- [02:17] The host welcomes listeners, expressing gratitude and a warm invitation to relax.
- Guided breathing and body awareness help listeners ease into a restful state:
“Start by moving yourself into the most comfortable position... Remind yourself that the day is over. Now it is time to gently ease into rest.” - The story begins on Cuddyford Farm in southwest England, described as “a small valley... a tiny organic farm called Cuddyford.”
2. Introduction to Millie, the Field Mouse
- Millie is introduced as “very small and round,” with “fur... the colour of pale caramel” and “tiny white paws.”
- Autumn is emphasized as an important time for Millie, as she must prepare for hibernation.
3. Millie’s Morning Routine
- Millie awakens in her cozy burrow, meticulously grooming herself:
“She is cleaning her face meticulously, running her paws over her pink tongue and up across her nose.” - The burrow’s details draw the listener into Millie’s perspective, highlighting her food stores and careful daily rituals.
4. The Autumn Farm Landscape
- The farm is depicted through rich sensory details:
- Wheat field with “the remains of the harvest smell sweet and damp.”
- Sunrise over a “pale shade of blue... like milk.”
- Birdsong and a murmuration of starlings flying overhead.
- Notable quote:
“The birds have woken up and are singing to each other. Millie looks up at the sky. A great flock of starlings are soaring and looping together.” [04:40]
5. Exploring and Foraging
- Millie follows the scent of apples to the orchard, marveling at the “ancient trees, bent over with age.”
- Instead of climbing, she enjoys a “particularly rosy” fallen apple:
“The apple smells sweet and floral, a bit like honey. She eats away at it happily...” - The narration’s gentle pace and focus on Millie’s sensory experience encourage mindfulness.
6. Discovering the Pumpkin Patch
- The vegetable beds showcase the bounty of the farm, with a special highlight on the pumpkins:
“They are not like the perfectly round orange pumpkins you find in shops. These ones are special and misshapen. Some are squat and squashed looking. Some are plump and almost oblong...” - Millie finds the ideal pumpkin — already split open — and stores seeds for winter.
7. Preparing for Winter
- Through repeated foraging and storing, Millie ensures her burrow is ready. Listeners are reassured by the routine and by the gentle cycle of nature.
- After a final drink from a moss-covered plant pot, Millie visits the horse chestnut tree, collecting “fluffy bird feathers” to line her nest:
“They are no bigger than a thumbnail and are pale bluish grey.”
8. Evening and Rest
- As dusk falls, Millie returns to her burrow, carefully arranging the feathers in her nest:
“Now it is extra soft, extra warm and extra cosy.” - The final moments narrate Millie drifting into peaceful sleep, mirroring the listener’s relaxation:
“With the smallest sigh, she closes her eyes and lets herself relax. Slowly, gently, Millie floats away into a deep and restful sleep.” [~28:00]
Memorable Quotes & Timestamps
-
[02:17] (Host, Introduction):
“Thank you so much for tuning in. We truly appreciate that you're here trusting in us to bring calm and reassurance to your bedtime routine and help you get a good night's rest.” -
[04:40] (Narrator, Setting the Scene):
“The birds have woken up and are singing to each other. Millie looks up at the sky. A great flock of starlings are soaring and looping together.” -
[08:50] (Narrator, on Pumpkins):
“They are not like the perfectly round orange pumpkins you find in shops. These ones are special and misshapen... The pumpkins have a fresh mineral scent similar to spinach and freshly cut flowers.” -
[28:00] (Closing):
“With the smallest sigh, she closes her eyes and lets herself relax. Slowly, gently, Millie floats away into a deep and restful sleep.”
Episode Highlights & Notable Moments
- Immersive Sensory Imagery: The episode excels at painting the sights, sounds, and smells of an autumn farm, such as “the tart smell of ripe apples” and the “mineral scent” of pumpkins.
- Soothing Narrative Tone: The gentle, caring narration is designed to lull the listener into tranquility, paralleling Millie’s journey to rest.
- Focus on Mindful Detail: Each segment encourages mindfulness, as listeners pay attention to small, comforting scenes from Millie’s view.
Summary
"An Autumn Day with a Tiny Field Mouse" is a tender, atmospheric episode that beautifully blends storytelling with guided relaxation. By following Millie through her simple yet purposeful day, listeners are transported to a peaceful English farm, enveloped by the soothing rhythm of seasonal preparation and the comfort of home. The episode is ideal for those seeking a calming bedtime ritual or a gentle mental escape, embodying the best of Get Sleepy’s restful offerings.
