10 Little Women Read By Stephanie Poppins

Following on the female stoic theme, this novel focuses on love, family, morality, and personal growth. This novel explores themes of sisterhood, family bonds, love, loss, and the challenges faced by young women in a patriarchal society.

Meg, the eldest, is drawn to marriage and domestic life.
Jo, the headstrong and tomboyish one, pursues her passion for writing.
Beth, the quiet and gentle one, finds solace in music and is tragically affected by illness.
Amy, the youngest and most artistic, navigates her path, ultimately finding success in art.

In this episode, the sisters gather together

Transcript

Welcome to Sleep Stories with Steph, Your go-to podcast that offers you a calm and relaxing transition into a great night's sleep. It is time to relax and fully let go. There is nothing you need to be doing now, And nowhere you need to go. Close your eyes and feel yourself sink into the support beneath you and let all the worries of the day drift away. This is your time and your space. Take a deep breath in through your nose and let it out with a long sigh. There is nothing you need to be doing now, And nowhere you need to go. Happy listening. Chapter 4 Further Continued Has anybody got anything to tell? Said Meg one evening as they sat sewing together. I had a queer time with Aunt today, Began Jo, Who dearly loved to tell stories. I was reading that everlasting Belsham and droning away as I always do, For Aunt soon drops off. Then I take out some nice book and read it like fury till she wakes up. I actually made myself sleepy, And before she began to nod I gave such a gape she asked me what I meant by opening my mouth wide enough to take the whole book in. I wish I could be done with it, Said I, Trying not to be saucy. Then she gave me a long lecture on my sins and told me to sit and think them over while she just lost herself for a moment. She never finds herself very soon, So the minute her cap began to bob like a top-heavy dahlia, I whipped the vicar of Wakefield out of my pocket and read away with one eye on him and one eye on Art. I just got to where they all tumbled under the water when I forgot and then I laughed out loud. That woke Aunt up. Being more good-natured after a nap, She told me to read a bit and show what frivolous work I preferred to the worthy and instructive Belsham. I did my very best of course and she liked it, Though she only said, I don't understand what it's all about. Go back and begin it again, Child. Back I went then and I made the primroses as interesting as ever I could. Once I was even wicked enough to stop in a thrilling place and say, I'm afraid it tires you ma'am, Shall I stop now? Then she caught up her knitting which had dropped out of her hands, Gave me a shop, Looked through her specs and said, Finish the chapter and don't be impertinent, Miss. Did she own that she liked it? Asked Meg. Bless you, No, Said Jo. That reminds me, Said Meg, I've got something to tell. It isn't funny like Jo's but I thought about it a good deal as I came home. At King's today I found everyone in a flurry. One of the children said her oldest brother had done something dreadful and Papa had sent him away. I heard Mrs King crying and Mr King talking very loud and Grace and Ellen turned away their faces when they passed me so I shouldn't see how red their eyes were. I didn't ask any questions, Of course, But I felt so sorry for them. I was rather glad I hadn't any wild brothers to do wicked things and disgrace the family. I think being disgraced in school is a great deal trying than anything bad boys can do, Said Amy shaking her head as if her experience of life had been a deep one. Susie Perkins came to school with a lovely red carnelian ring. I wanted it dreadfully and I wished I was her with all my might. Well, She drew a picture of Mr Davis with a monstrous nose and a hump and the words young ladies my eye is upon you coming out of his mouth in a balloon thing. We were all laughing over it when all of a sudden Mr Davis's eye was on us and he ordered Susie to bring up her slate. She was paralysed with fright but she went and what do you think he did? He took her by the ear, The ear, Just fancy how horrid, And led her to the recitation platform and made her stand there for half an hour holding that slate so everyone could see it. Did the girls laugh at the picture? Asked Jo who relished the scrape. Laugh? Not one. They sat still as mice and Susie cried courts, I know she did. I didn't envy her then for I felt that millions of carnelian rings would not have made me happy after that. I saw something I liked this morning, Said Beth, Putting Jo's topsy-turvy basket in order as she talked. I meant to tell it at dinner but I forgot. When I went to get some oysters for Hannah, Mr Lawrence was in the fish shop but he didn't see me for I kept behind a barrel and he was busy with Mr Cutter the fish man. A poor woman came in with a pail and a mop and she asked Mr Cutter if he would let her do some scrubbing for a bit of fish because she hadn't any dinner for her children. Mr Cutter was in a hurry and said no rather crossly so she was going away looking hungry and sorry when Mr Lawrence hooked up a big fish with a crooked end of his cane and held it out to her. She was so glad and surprised she took it right in her arms and thanked him over and over and he told her to go along and cook it. Wasn't that good of him? She did look so funny hugging the big slippery fish and hoping his bed in heaven would be easy. When they had laughed at Beth's story they asked their mother for one and after a moment's thought she said soberly As I sat cutting out blue flannel jackets today at the Rhone's I felt very anxious about father. I thought how lonely and helpless we should be if anything happened to him. It was not a wise thing to do but I kept on worrying till an old man came in with an order for some clothes. Have you sons in the army? I asked for the note he bought was not to me. Yes mum I had four but two were killed one is a prisoner and I'm going to the other who's very sick in a Washington hospital he answered quietly. You've done a great deal for your country sir I said and I felt respect instead of pity. Not a mite more than I ought mum I'd go myself if I was any use but as I ate I gave my boys and give them free. He spoke so cheerfully and looked so sincere and seemed so glad to give his all. I was ashamed of myself I'd given one man and thought it too much while he gave four without grudging them. I knew then I had all my girls to comfort me at home and his last son was waiting miles away to say goodbye perhaps. I felt so rich and happy thinking of my blessings girls that I made him a nice bundle I gave him some money and I thanked him heartily for the lesson he had taught me. Oh tell another story mother everyone said one with a moral to it like this. Mrs March smiled and began at once for she had told stories to this little audience for many years and she knew how to please them. Once upon a time she began there were four girls who had enough to eat and drink and wear and a good many comforts and pleasures kind friends and parents who loved them dearly and yet they were not contented. These girls were anxious to be good and made many excellent resolutions but they did not keep them very well and they were constantly saying if we only had this or if we could only do that quite forgetting how much they already had and how many pleasant things they actually could do. So they asked an old woman what spell they could use to make them happy and she said when you feel discontented think over your blessings and be grateful. So big sensible girls they decided to try her advice and soon were surprised to see how well off they were. One discovered money couldn't keep shame and sorrow out of rich people's houses. Another that though she was poor she was a great deal happier with her youth health and good spirits than a certain fretful feeble old lady who could not enjoy her comforts. A third learned that disagreeable as it was to help to get dinner it was harder still to have to go begging for it and the fourth that even carnelian rings were not so valuable as good behavior. So all in all they agreed to stop complaining and enjoy the blessings already possessed and try to deserve them lest they should be taken away entirely. Now Marmy that's very cunning of you to turn our own stories against us and give us a sermon instead of a romance cried Meg. I like that kind of sermon it's the sort father used to tell us said Beth thoughtfully. I don't complain near as much as the others do and I shall be more careful than ever now for I've had a warning from Susie's downfall said Amy morally. We needed that lesson and we won't forget it and if we do you can just say to us as old Chloe did in Uncle Tom. Think of your mercies children think of your mercies added Jo who could not for the life of her help getting a morsel of fun out of the little sermon though she took it to heart as much as any of them.