← Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories
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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 seven days by following the link in the episode notes. Now a quick word from our sponsors. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. It will be International Women's Day this month, a moment to celebrate women's strength and progress. We, along with the folks at BetterHelp, want to take a moment to remind women how much they matter and that therapy offers a space for them to take care of themselves in the way they deserve. I really am blessed to have so many incredible women in my life that inspire me every day and make me a better man. And I want to live in a world that empowers true equality and care for women everywhere. Part of that is ensuring women have a safe and accessible space to get the emotional support they need. With BetterHelp, all you need to do is fill in a short questionnaire to help identify your needs and preferences and they'll match you with a therapist. If you aren't happy with your match, you can switch to a different therapist at any time from their tailored recommendations. Your emotional well being matters. Find support and feel lighter in therapy. Sign up and get 10% off@betterhelp.com getsleepy that's betterhelp.com get sleepy. Welcome to Get Sleepy where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy. My name's Thomas. Thank you so much for being here. This evening will continue our relaxing retelling of the Odyssey. As you may remember from last time, Odysseus built a raft and set sail from Calypso's Island. His journey across the sea didn't exactly go smoothly, but in the end he made it safely to land. This is where we find Odysseus at the beginning of tonight's story as he wakes up in the woods. Hopefully the people on this island will give him food and shelter before he continues on his journey home. A big thanks to Alexandra for writing this series which I have the pleasure of reading for you. So my friends, let's prepare for our story by taking a few moments to settle down and ease our minds. Whenever you come here to listen, I truly hope you feel a sense of comfort and reassurance. It's something we've always strived to nurture and I love the idea that, as many of you have expressed to me over the years, pressing play on one of our episodes provides you a calming familiarity to your bedtime routine and a feeling of friendship and care. Right now I'd like you to give yourself some comfort and reassurance. Whatever might be going on in your life and however you're feeling, I know you're trying your best. We are all on our own journeys of self discovery and journeys towards goals and achievements. Sometimes these journeys feel exciting and life seems to flow easily as we go about our daily activities. But these journeys always present challenges too, and moments where we may question ourselves or our circumstances and direction. This is all completely normal and just part of what it is to be alive. These journeys are ongoing throughout our lives and they will fluctuate, twist and turn in unexpected ways. Bring us challenges and difficult emotions at times. So as you settle down tonight, give yourself some recognition and appreciation. Many of us tend to default to being self critical, but we all deserve to feel love and appreciation for who we are and what we do. So perhaps right now you can internally say to yourself, I'm trying my best. And that is all I can ask of myself. Thank you so very much for being here and just being you. And now let's help you get a good night's rest. Speaking of journeys, we're ready to begin the next chapter of Odysseus's epic quest to make it back to his homeland. So just listen along, relax and drift off whenever you're ready. Let's begin. Odysseus awoke to the sound of voices as he opened his eyes. It took him a moment to get his bearings, but then it slowly started to come back to him. The sea voyage, the storm and his arrival on the island. Utterly exhausted, he had gone into the trees and found shelter under some bushes. Then he fell into a deep, deep sleep. And now he was awake and he could hear loud, high pitched voices beyond the trees. Who were they? Nymphs perhaps. The divine beings who often roamed the mountains, streams and meadows. The voices seemed to be female. Whether they were divine or mortal, there was only one way to find out. Odysseus got to his feet and tore off a branch covered in leaves so he could protect his modesty. Having lost his clothes at sea, this would have to do. He then made his way towards the sound of the voices and found himself on the sunlit bank of the river. A group of young women were running across the grass, shouting and laughing as they tossed a ball around. But then they spotted Odysseus. He was quite a sight. A wild looking man, naked but for a branch and still covered in the salty brine of the sea, the women ran in the opposite direction. All except one. The goddess Athena gave one young woman the courage to stand still and look Odysseus in the eye. As they stared at one another, Odysseus wondered what he should do. Should he grovel at her feet and beg for help? Or should he keep his distance and speak carefully? He didn't want to scare the girl. So, staying where he was, Odysseus began to speak, relying on his usual tool of flattery. The girl was so tall and beautiful, said Odysseus, that she reminded him of the goddess Artemis. Or perhaps a tree he once saw on his travels, a lush young palm that grew by Apollo's altar. He was quite in awe and yet he had no choice but to approach her and beg her to take pity on him. Odysseus explained that for many days he had been adrift at sea, tossed about in the storm. But the day before he had washed up here in a land where he knew no one. Would this gracious young woman help him? Would she give him some rags and take him to the town? Although he didn't know it yet, Odysseus was in luck. The young woman was Nausicaa, a princess on the island. And that very morning, the goddess Athena had given her the idea to come down to the river to do some laundry. That way she was sure to encounter Odyssey. Athena was always looking out for her favourite mortal and trying to help him when she could. But in this moment, Nausicaa knew nothing of Odysseus. She didn't even know his name. All she knew was was that this poor man needed her help. Stranger, said Nausicaa, the gods are the ones who decide what happens to us, good or bad. Perhaps your troubles are Zeus will, but now that you are here in our land, of course we will help you. We are the Phaeacians and I am Nausicaa, the daughter of King Alcinous. Nausicaa then called to the other girls who were watching from a distance. This man was no enemy, she said, but a stranger sent by Zeus, who must be treated with kindness. The servant girls provided Odysseus with a fresh tunic and cloak, along with a flask of olive oil before leaving him to wash in the river in privacy. It was quite a relief to rinse the salt from his hair and scrub the brine off his skin. Then, once Odysseus was clean and dressed, his skin soft with oil, the girls brought him food and drink. He felt almost Reborn. Meanwhile, Nausicaa had come up with a plan. She would lead the way in her wagon while Odysseus followed behind with the donkeys and the servant girl. It was best for them to keep a bit of a distance. After all, she was a young, unwed woman. What would people say if they saw her with a strange man and a foreigner at that? This island was remote and the Phaeacians were not used to visitors. So rather than set tongues wagging, Odysseus and Nausicaa should travel to town separately. Nausicaa would go on ahead while Odysseus waited in a nearby poplar grove not far from the town. After an hour or so, said Nausicaa, Odysseus should ask for directions to the palace of King Alcinous. Everyone here knew where it was. Even a child could guide him. Once Odysseus had arrived at the palace, he should make his way to the great hall. There he would find Nausicaa's parents, the king and queen. Nausicaa's advice was for Odysseus to talk to her mother to approach the queen directly and ask for help. If the queen took a liking to him, she would surely help Odysseus to return home. After giving these instructions, Nausicaa set off in her wagon. The donkeys trotted at a leisurely pace so Odysseus could keep up as he followed on foot. At sunset they reached the poplar grove, a peaceful place with a fountain which was known as a sanctuary to the goddess Athena. While Nausicaa and the servants continued on towards the palace, Odysseus stayed behind. As the sky darkened, he sat on the soft grass and prayed to Athena. He hoped that the king and queen would take pity on him and give him a warm welcome at the palace. After his prayer, Odysseus lay down and rested for a while, soothed by the sounds of the trickling fountain. When he judged that enough time had passed, Odysseus left the grove and walked slowly towards the town. Athena cloaked him in a silvery mist so he would go unnoticed among the townspeople. There were no stares, no inquisitive remarks. Odysseus was invisible. Only one girl saw him. Unbeknownst to Odysseus, it was Athena herself who had taken the form of a young girl. She carried a pitcher of water and stopped right in front of him. Odysseus explained that he was a visitor and he didn't know the town. Perhaps the girl could show him the way to the palace of King Alcinous. Smiling, the girl said that she would take him there. It wasn't far, but they must walk in silence to avoid attracting attention. In a whisper she added that the Phaeacians were seafarers. They often travelled in ships that moved as fast as wings, but they were wary of visitors from abroad. Odysseus followed the girl in silence, still hidden by the magical mist. As he walked through the town, he looked around in awe, amazed by the grand ships and harbours and the wars. He had never seen such wars. It wasn't long before they reached the palace. The girl turned to Odysseus and told him that this was the home of King Alcinous and his wife Arete. She then gave him the same piece of advice as Nausicaa that Odysseus should approach the queen first and ask for her. She was a kind, clever woman and she helped those she liked. If Odysseus wanted to see his homeland again and be reunited with his loved ones, he must talk to her. The girl then added that Odysseus should enter the palace without fear. The brave was sure to succeed. After giving this advice, the child turned and walked away. Once she was out of eyesight, she shifted back into her divine form. It was time for Athena to cross the sea. She had business to attend to in Athens. Meanwhile, Odysseus stood by the palace threshold, looking around in wonder. Everything was made from bronze or gold and shone like the sun. The doors were guarded by silver dogs sculpted by the God Hephaestus. Unlike mortal dogs, they would protect the palace for all time. As Odysseus entered the great hall, still shrouded in mist, he gazed at the scene before him. Men and women feasted together at long tables and the hall was lit by blazing torches. Each torch was held by a lifelike statue made of gold. For a moment, Odysseus hesitated. After all he'd gone through in the past years, he felt out of place here in such opulent surroundings. Just days ago he had been adrift at sea and now he was standing in this grand hall where the Phaeacian elite dined on the finest food and poured offerings to the gods. But now he was here. He must do as the girls had told him. Approaching the table at the end of the hall, Odysseus knelt down in front of the queen. The silver mist disappeared and a hush descended on the hall as everyone stared in astonishment. Who was this man? But Odysseus did not introduce himself. In few words, he explained that he had come to ask for help. All he wanted was to return home. He missed his family and hoped the Phaeacians would help him. The king and queen were so taken aback that at first they did not speak. Odysseus remained kneeling on the floor until another man spoke. He urged the king to give Odysseus a chair and to offer him food and wine. It was the right thing to do. Alcinous agreed, inviting Odysseus to sit in the chair beside him. And within moments the servants had brought everything that was needed. A silver bowl and a pitcher of water so the guest could wash his hands. A plate piled high with food and a cup of sweet wine. Odysseus was delighted. Though he had eaten earlier at the river side, his long journey had left him ravenous as he ate and drank with pleasure, King Alcinous spoke. The Phaeacians would help their guest. Whoever he was. Odysseus was welcome to stay in the palace while preparations were made for his departure. But perhaps Alcinous looked thoughtful. Could it be that their guest was a God in disguise? Odysseus assured his host that he was a mortal man. He'd come here to eat and drink, to replenish his strength, and then, with some help, to return home. All he wanted was to live out the rest of his days in peace. Once the feast was over, the others left to the hall, leaving Odysseus alone with the king and queen. As the servants cleaned up the dishes, the queen looked at Odysseus thoughtfully. He wore such elegant clothes and she couldn't help but notice his shirt. It looked like one she had woven herself, full of curiosity. The queen asked Odysseus who he was and who had given him those fine clothes. They were fine indeed, for a man who said he'd spent days adrift at sea. Odysseus didn't want to reveal his identity, but neither did he want to be dishonest. He knew he had to earn the queen's trust. So he decided to share a version of the truth. He told the story of his time on Calypso's island and the journey that followed. He described the storm, his swim for survival, and his arrival on the island of the Phaeacians. Then, choosing his words carefully, Odysseus explained how he had met Nausicaa, the king and queen's daughter. She had been so kind, giving him food and drink and the very clothing he was wearing. Now, hearing this story, Alcinous smiled. He was pleased to hear Nausicaa had treated Odysseus with such kindness. But why did she not bring him to the palace herself? Wanting to be tactful, Odysseus said that it was he himself who had insisted on coming separately. He wasn't sure what the king would think seeing his daughter with a stranger. But fortunately it seemed that both king and queen were quite happy with their guest. In fact, said Alcinous, if Odysseus didn't have a family of his own to get back to, they would invite him to stay longer. He might even become their son in law one day. But Odysseus had been quite clear about his intentions. The king agreed that in the following days they would prepare a ship to take him home. But for now it was time to rest. The servants swiftly prepared a comfortable bed on the porch. It was covered with luxurious purple blankets and soft woollen quilts. Remembering the last place he'd slept out in the woods, Odysseus was deeply grateful. As he settled down, listening to the comforting echoes of the portico, he let out a sigh of contentment. And in no time at all he was fast asleep. Over the next few days preparations were made for Odysseus journey. Athena disguised herself as a royal messenger and went about town until she'd gathered enough men for the crew. But the king didn't want to send off his guest just yet. There must be feasts, sacrifices to the gods and a contest or two. The Phaeacians were proud athletes. They wanted to show their visitor just how strong and skilled they were. So the men were quick to organise races and wrestling matches. Odysseus also took part. Now that his strength had returned, he knew how to throw a discus. And as for archery, he was up there with the best. After the games, more festivities followed. A sacred dance and a performance by the bard Demodocus. As he strummed his hyre, Demodocus sang stories of the gods, their rivalries and love affairs. Odysseus was thoroughly entertained. And as if all this wasn't enough, there were gifts too. In a gesture of hospitality and friendship, the king had decided that every Phaeacian lord should present Odysseus with a gift. He received pounds of gold, fine clothing and a sword that dazzled with its silver handle and ivory scabbard. The king and queen also had gifts of their own to give. A magnificent golden cup and a beautifully carved chest. Inside, carefully folded, were a new cloak and tunic. After this display of generosity, Odysseus was invited to take a bath. A huge bronze cauldron was heated up on the fire and used to fill the tub. Delighted by the steaming water, Odysseus enjoyed a long leisurely bath. And then, once his skin was oiled and he was dressed in his fine new clothes, it was time to make his way to the great hall for yet another feast. As Odysseus entered the room, he caught sight of a familiar face. Standing beside a pillar was Nausicaa, as beautiful as a goddess. The princess smiled when she saw Odysseus. Always remember, she said, that I was the first to when you finally get back home, think of me. Of course, said Odysseus. If he were lucky enough to return to his native land, he would pray to Nausicaa just as he would to a goddess. She had saved his life. Odysseus then went to take a seat beside the king. Already the table was laden with the most wonderful food and wine. As Odysseus sat there glancing around the room, he noticed the bard Demodocus. Odysseus took a slice of the best cut of meat and asked one of the serving boys to bring it to Demodocus. He wanted to pay his respects to the poet. Later in the evening, when the feast was coming to an end, Odysseus spoke directly to Demodocus. He praised him for his skill as a poet and storyteller. When the bards sang songs of the Trojan War, it was as if he had been there himself. So Odysseus had a request. The story of the wooden horse. The hall fell silent as Demodocus began to sing. He sang of Odysseus, how the Greek hero had hidden a group of soldiers inside a huge wooden horse in order to trick the Trojans. Just as he'd planned, the wooden horse was dragged right into the heart of Troy. The Trojans, of course, had no idea what was inside. They doomed themselves, bringing their enemies into their own citadel. That night the ambush began. The Greek soldiers led by Odysseus slipped out of the belly of the horse and launched their attack. The bard described it all in vivid detail. The plotting, the fighting and the triumph of the Greeks. With the help of the goddess Athena, they won the battle. As Odysseus listened to the song, the memories came flooding back. He couldn't help but weep. No one but the king, who was sitting right beside him, noticed Odysseus tears. Alcinous raised his hands and asked the bard to stop saying singing. It was a beautiful song. But their guest had been moved too deeply. They should end the evening in lighter spirits. So Odysseus could enjoy his last night with the Phaeacians. This was his send off, after all. And yet the king could no longer restrain his curiosity. They still didn't know their guest's name or where he came from. They knew little of his travels. And why had he been so moved by the song? Had he known someone at Troy? Alcinous had so many questions. The others in the hall were curious too, looking at Odysseus expectantly. For a moment the room was silent. The bard had put down his lyre, and the Phaeacians were all waiting for an answer. Odysseus took a deep breath before introducing himself at I am Odysseus, he said. And then it was clear to everyone that their guest had quite a story to tell.