Welcome,
Dear listener,
To another cozy episode.
Tonight,
I have a truly enchanting tale to share with you,
The Twelve Months,
A Czechoslovakian story that carries the beauty of nature's cycles and the warmth of kindness.
This timeless tale invites us into the magical world where the seasons come alive in the most extraordinary way.
Before we begin,
Let's take a moment to unwind and let go of the day.
Close your eyes if you're comfortable,
And take a slow,
Deep breath in,
And gently exhale,
Feeling the weight of your body sink into the surface beneath you.
Imagine yourself standing at the edge of a quiet forest,
Its trees dusted with sparkling snow.
A soft light filters through the branches,
Casting a golden glow on the path ahead.
The air is crisp,
And a peaceful stillness surrounds you.
With each breath,
Imagine stepping into the serene winter scene where the magic of the season awaits.
And so my friend,
Let's settle in,
And let's drift off together into a world of wonder.
A girl named Maria lived with her stepmother and stepsister Helen.
They both hated her,
And made her do all the household work,
But Maria grew prettier by the day,
And Helen's appearance and demeanor became increasingly unkind.
One day,
When it was snowing outside,
Helen said,
Maria,
Go and fetch me some violets.
But violets don't grow in winter,
She said.
I don't care.
Don't come back till you find some,
Said Helen rudely,
Pushing her out of the house.
It was bitterly cold outside.
Maria wandered around shivering for a long time.
Far away,
She saw a bonfire burning merrily.
When she went near,
She saw twelve men dressed in long white robes sitting around the fire.
Three of them were very old,
Three of them were young,
And three were very young.
What are you doing in this cold?
One old man asked.
My stepmother and stepsister have forced me to fetch violets for them,
Said Maria unhappily.
We are the twelve months of the year.
We shall help you,
Said the old man,
Whose name was January.
Brother March,
He said to the youngest man,
Take my place.
March waved his hands and suddenly it was spring.
Beautiful flowers bloomed everywhere.
Maria quickly picked up a bunch of violets and went back home.
Helen and her mother were not at all happy to see her back.
So next day,
Helen said,
Go and fetch me some strawberries.
But strawberries grow in summer,
Said Maria miserably.
I don't care.
Don't come back till you find them,
Replied Helen.
Maria's stepmother pushed her out of the house and banged the door shut.
Maria again wandered around feeling cold and miserable,
Till she came to the bonfire with the twelve brothers sitting around it.
What is the matter this time,
Asked January kindly.
Helen and my stepmother want to eat strawberries.
Please help me,
Said Maria,
Shivering in the bitter cold.
Brother June,
Said January to his young and handsome brother.
Please help me.
June waved his hands and suddenly it became summer.
The grass turned green and red strawberries grew everywhere.
Maria picked up a big basket full of red strawberries and returned home.
Helen and her mother were very angry to see her back.
The next day,
Helen said,
Go and fetch me some apples.
But apples grow in autumn,
Said Maria.
I don't care.
Don't come back till you find them,
Shouted Helen spitefully.
With her mother's help,
She pushed Maria outside.
Maria wandered around in the cold,
Till she came upon the twelve brothers again.
Why have you come again,
Asked January.
Helen and my stepmother want to eat apples.
Please help me or they will let me enter the house,
Said Maria,
Sobbing.
Brother September,
Take my place,
Said January.
September waved his hands and suddenly all the trees turned red and gold.
It became autumn.
The trees were covered with red apples.
Maria picked up a whole basket full of apples.
Thank you,
She said happily,
And skipped back home.
Helen and her mother were not at all happy to see Maria back.
These apples are not enough,
They grumbled.
We shall get some more ourselves.
They both set off,
And soon they came across the twelve brothers.
Why have you come,
Asked January politely.
Keep quiet,
Shouted Helen rudely.
Give us the red apples quickly,
You old man,
Shouted her mother.
Can't you see we are feeling cold?
The twelve brothers got very angry when they heard all these rude things.
January waved his hands in the air.
A heavy blizzard started.
The twelve brothers disappeared.
Helen and her wicked mother were trapped in the snowstorm and could never find their way back home.
Maria,
She lived happily in her cottage.
She had no wicked stepsister or stepmother to trouble her again.
As our journey with the twelve months concludes,
Let's allow the gentle essence of the story to guide us into deeper relaxation.
Perhaps you can imagine a cozy,
Warm nook by a glowing hearth.
A safe,
Serene space where the challenges of the day fade away.
Close your eyes and feel the comfort of the hearth.
The crackling fire provides a soothing rhythm.
It's warm light dancing behind your eyelids.
With each crackle and pop,
Let your thoughts become lighter,
Floating away like the sparks that rise into the night sky.
Breathe in deeply,
Drawing in warmth and tranquility.
And as you exhale,
Release any lingering tension or worries.
Allow the comfort and warmth to envelop you,
Helping you settle deeper into relaxation.
Continue to breathe slowly and deeply,
Feeling your body relax with each breath out.
Notice the gentle rise and fall of your chest,
The softening of your muscles,
And the quieting of your mind.
Allow yourself to sink into the embrace of the night.
Allow the stillness and quiet to cradle you.
And in this peaceful state,
Allow this feeling of relaxation and calm to wash over you.
From the top of your head,
All the way down to the tips of your toes.
Allowing yourself to drift and be carried by the calm and quiet into a peaceful,
Restful sleep.
