Hello, I'm Cheryl and welcome to Sleep Tight Relax a cozy bedtime podcast made especially for kids but perfect for dreamers of all ages.
In tonight's story we have adapted a story from the Brothers Grimm that tells a story of a kind-hearted young woodcutter named Simon, though it could just as easily be a girl with the same brave heart.
After sharing his simple meal with a mysterious old man, Simon receives an enchanted golden goose.
But this isn't just any goose.
It has a magical secret.
As Simon travels with the goose, A parade of people gets stuck to it, creating a funny scene that finally makes the serious Princess Rosalind laugh for the first time in years.
However, the grumpy king sets Simon a series of impossible tasks before he approves of his marriage to the princess.
With kindness, courage, and a little help from his magical friend, Simon overcomes every challenge.
In the end, it's not magic but Simon's good heart that wins Princess Rosalind's friendship and respect.
Before we listen to our story, let's get cozy and comfortable.
You can close your eyes if you'd like.
Let's take a moment for some deep belly breath.
Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose, as big a breath as you can and as slow as you can.
Then slowly let the air out through your mouth.
Try it again.
Take a deep breath in and let the air slowly flow out.
Take a deep breath in and now out.
It always feels great to just focus on your breath.
Continue practicing your belly breaths as long as you like, while we share our story the golden goose.
Once upon a time, in a quiet village tucked between rolling green hills and a dense forest, there lived an old woodcutter and his three sons.
The eldest son Henry was sharp-witted and proud.
The middle son Ralph was cautious and always thinking of himself first.
The youngest son Simon was gentle. kind-hearted, and often lost in daydreams.
His family called him Silly Simon, not out of meanness, but because he was slow to anger, quick to forgive and seemed to find wonder in things others ignored.
One crisp morning, Henry declared, Father, let me go out into the forest today to chop wood.
I'll bring back enough logs to last us through winter.
His mother packed him a fine lunch a soft loaf of golden bread, fresh cheese and a bottle of sweet berry juice.
Take care, Henry, she said.
The forest can be tricky.
Henry whistled confidently as he walked into the woods.
The morning sunlight slanted through the branches, and the air smelled of pine and damp earth.
Before long, Henry came across a little gray man with a long silver beard and sharp twinkling eyes.
Good day, young man, said the little man with a polite nod.
Would you spare a slice of your bread and a sip of your juice for a tired traveler?
Henry's smile vanished.
Why should I share what's mine?
I need my strength for chopping wood.
Go on old man, find your own food.
And with that, Henry turned on his heel and stomped deeper into the woods.
But fate has a way of catching up with those who refuse kindness.
As Henry swung his ax against the trunk of a tree, the blade slipped and struck his arm.
With a sharp cry, he dropped the axe and clutched his arm.
Henry had no choice but to return home, leaving his task unfinished.
The next morning, Ralph stepped forward.
Let me try, Father.
I'll do better than Henry.
His mother gave him the same golden loaf, fresh cheese and sweet berry juice and off, Ralph went into the woods.
The little gray man appeared once more, stepping lightly from behind a tree.
Good day, young man, he said with the same polite nod.
Would you spare a slice of your bread and a sip of your juice for a tired traveler?
Ralph frowned.
Why should I give up my meal for you?
I need my food more than some wandering man.
With a dismissive wave, Ralph marched away.
But like his brother, Ralph soon felt the forest's disapproval.
With his second swing of the axe, the blade struck his leg.
Crying out in pain because it hurt so much, He had to limp home empty-handed.
On the third morning, Simon approached his father.
Please, father, let me try.
I know I'm not as strong as Henry or as clever as Ralph, but I'll do my best.
His father hesitated.
Simon, your brothers were both hurt because they were careless.
You're gentle, but the forest can be harsh.
But Simon persisted, and eventually his father agreed.
His mother, however, had little left in the pantry after preparing her older son's meals.
She handed Simon a dry cake baked in ashes and a bottle of sour cider.
It's not much, she said softly. but it's all we have left.
Simon smiled warmly.
Thank you, Mother.
I'll make it work.
The forest was alive with birdsong and the rustling of leaves as Simon made his way along the path.
When he reached the heart of the woods, the little gray man stepped out once again, his beard gleaming like starlight.
Good day, young man, he said kindly.
Would you share your meal with a tired traveler?
Simon looked at the dry crumbly cake in his hands and the bottle of sour cider.
It's not much, he said honestly, but if you don't mind sharing, I'd be glad for the company.
The two sat together on a mossy log.
As Simon broke the cake and poured the cider, something magical happened.
The dry cake became soft and golden, sweet with honey and warm from an invisible oven.
The sour cider turned into sparkling sweet juice.
The little gray man's eyes twinkled with delight as he ate and drank.
When they finished, he wiped his mouth on his sleeve and said Simon, Your kindness has not gone unnoticed.
Chop down that old tree over there and you will find something special waiting for you.
Simon nodded and approached the tree.
With every swing of his axe, the wood seemed to give way more easily.
When the tree finally toppled, Simon gasped.
Nestled among the roots was a goose with feathers of pure gold.
Oh, you are beautiful, Simon whispered, carefully picking up the golden goose.
With the goose tucked safely under his arm, Simon made his way out of the forest.
By nightfall, he reached an inn and decided to rest there.
The innkeeper had three daughters, each as curious as a cat and just as sly.
When they saw the golden goose, their eyes lit up with greed.
If I could pluck just one feather, I'd be rich forever, whispered the eldest.
That night when Simon was fast asleep, the eldest daughter tiptoed into the room.
She reached out to pluck a feather, but the moment her fingers touched the goose, her hand stuck fast.
Oh no, she whispered, tugging in vain.
Hearing the commotion, the second daughter entered the room.
What are you doing? she hissed.
Let me help you.
But the moment she touched her sister, she too was stuck.
The youngest sister soon joined them.
You're both being ridiculous, she said.
Let me fix this mess.
But as soon as she grabbed her sister's arm, she too was stuck fast.
The three sisters spent the entire night tangled together beside the golden goose.
When morning came, Simon woke up, picked up the goose and made his way out of the inn, completely unaware of the three girls stuck behind him.
With every step he took, the sisters stumbled along, calling out for help.
Simon walked down the winding road with the golden goose tucked securely under his arm.
Behind him, The three innkeeper's daughters stumbled and bickered, their hands still firmly stuck to each other and the goose.
Ouch, stop stepping on my foot, cried the eldest sister.
It's not my fault, you're pulling me, huffed the second.
Will both of you be quiet, snapped the youngest.
Simon, blissfully unaware of the chaos trailing behind him, strolled along humming a cheerful tune.
The morning sun glistened on the goose's golden feathers, and villagers peered curiously from behind their curtains as Simon passed by with his peculiar parade.
Soon they passed a small village church.
The parson.
A stern man with a high collar and a wrinkled brow spotted the strange sight from the steps of the chapel.
Good heavens, he exclaimed, what kind of nonsense is this?
Young women chasing after a boy with a bird under his arm?
Outrageous!
The parson stormed down the steps, his long coat flapping behind him.
Stop this nonsense immediately, he commanded, grabbing the youngest, sister by her shoulder.
But the moment his hand touched her, he too became stuck.
Oh dear, muttered the parson, his face turning crimson with embarrassment.
Let go of me at once.
But of course, no one could.
Moments later, the caretaker, a frail man with glasses perched on the tip of his nose, emerged from the chapel carrying a large bell rope.
Reverend, what in the world? he began.
But before he could finish his sentence, he reached out to pull the parson away.
You can probably guess what happened next.
The caretaker was stuck fast. his bell rope trailing behind him like a long tail.
The line behind Simon was growing longer and more ridiculous by the moment.
Two farmers carrying pitchforks approached from the nearby fields.
What in blazes is going on here? one of them asked.
Before anyone could stop them, Both farmers reached out to grab the caretaker and pop.
They too were stuck.
And so it was that Simon walked on carrying his golden goose, while behind him trailed seven people.
Three sisters, a parson, a caretaker and two bewildered farmers, all stumbling along like a human chain.
At last, the unusual parade reached the gates of a grand castle.
Inside lived King Leopold, a grumpy king with a furrowed brow, and an only daughter, Princess Rosalind.
The princess was lovely and kind, but there was one problem.
She never laughed.
Not a giggle, not a chuckle. not even a polite smile.
Her father had declared, whoever can make my daughter laugh shall have her hand in marriage.
Suitors from distant lands had tried everything, jugglers, jesters, magicians, but nothing worked.
The princess remained solemn and silent, her blue eyes filled with melancholy.
On this particular morning, Princess Rosalind was seated on her balcony overlooking the castle gates.
When she saw silly Simon approaching with his golden goose and a growing chain of people clumsily stumbling behind him, her eyes widened.
The eldest sister tripped over a loose cobblestone and yelped, The parson's hat fell over his eyes.
The caretaker's bell rope got tangled around the second sister's ankles.
One of the farmers let out an annoyed snort.
It was all too much.
A sound escaped Princess Rosalind.
A tiny, barely audible snicker.
Then another.
And another.
Before anyone could understand what was happening, the princess threw back her head and laughed a clear, bell-like laugh that echoed across the courtyard.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she clutched her sides.
The king, who had been sipping tea in his study, nearly dropped his cup.
What's that sound? he roared.
It's the princess, your majesty, called one of the guards.
She's laughing.
King Leopold burst onto the balcony, his velvet robes fluttering behind him.
When he saw his daughter laughing so freely, he turned to the gates and spotted Simon still holding the golden goose and looking rather bewildered by the scene.
Who is responsible for this miracle? the king demanded.
I believe that would be me, your majesty, Simon said politely, stepping forward with a little bow.
The king's eyes narrowed.
You?
A simple woodcutter with a bird under his arm?
Not just any bird, sir, Simon said, holding up the golden goose.
Well, a promise is a promise.
The king grumbled.
You've made my daughter laugh, and for that, you shall marry her.
Princess Rosalind smiled shyly at Simon.
You seem kind, and you've brought such joy today.
I think we'll get along well.
But King Leopold wasn't done testing Simon just yet.
Before the wedding could be arranged, the king set three tasks before Simon.
First, said the king, you must bring me a man who can drink an entire cellar full of drink.
Simon scratched his head and thought of the little gray man in the forest.
Off.
He went into the woods and sure enough, there sat a man with a parched throat and a woeful expression.
I'm so thirsty, the man croaked.
I've drunk a whole barrel, but it was hardly a sip.
Come with me, said Simon, and I'll quench your thirst.
At the castle cellar.
The man drank barrel after barrel until the cellar was empty and the king had no choice but to nod in approval.
The second task followed.
Bring me a man who can eat an entire mountain of bread.
Again, Simon returned to the forest and found another man strapping his stomach tightly with a leather belt.
I'm so hungry I could eat an oven full of bread, the man groaned.
Back at the castle, the man devoured the mountain of bread in one sitting.
The final task was the trickiest.
Bring me a ship that can sail on both land and water.
Simon went back to the little grey man one last time.
Ah, Simon said the little man with a smile.
You've been most kind and generous from the start.
Here is your ship.
When the golden ship sailed into the castle courtyard, gleaming in the sunlight and defying the very rules of nature, the king could no longer deny Simon's success.
The entire court gathered to witness the humble woodcutter step forward with his feathered goose and enchanted ship.
Princess Rosalind, watching from her place beside her father, stepped forward with a soft smile.
Father.
She said her voice clear and steady I will marry this man, not because he made me laugh, nor because he passed your impossible tests, but because his kindness, His courage and his cleverness have shown me he is someone I choose to share my life with.
He gave freely to a stranger when he had so little, and he faced every challenge with a brave heart.
It would be my honor to stand beside him.
The court murmured in surprise, but the king agreed.
Seeing the sincerity in his daughter's eyes and the golden ship shining behind, Simon finally nodded in approval.
The wedding of Simon and Princess Rosalind was a grand affair.
The little gray man even made a secret appearance, though no one noticed him blending into the crowd.
Simon became a wise and beloved prince. and later a king.
Princess Rosalind never stopped laughing at his gentle jokes and warm-hearted ways.
As for the golden goose, it lived happily in the royal gardens, where children would visit and marvel at its shimmering feathers.
And Silly Simon, no longer called Silly, lived happily ever after.
If you're still awake, it's the perfect time to whisper something kind to yourself.
Take a deep breath and in your mind or in a soft voice, say these gentle words.
I am kind and my kindness can create magic in the world.
When I stay true to myself, good things will follow.
I am smart and I can find solutions to tricky problems.
I am part of a world filled of wonder, kindness and connection.
Laughter is a gift and I can help bring joy to others.
No matter how small I feel, My heart is big enough to change the world.
I am calm, relaxed, and peaceful.
Good night.
Sleep tight.
Thank you.
