Heidi Part 5: Bedtime Story

Please join me as we continue our journey with the adorable Heidi, who has gone to live with her grandpapa in the Swiss Alps.

Heidi is a beautiful, tender childhood story written by Johanna Spyri.

You can find all the other parts of the story on my profile in my playlists.

Goodnight and sleep well, beautiful souls.

Transcript

Good evening beautiful,

Beautiful souls and welcome to the next reading of Heidi.

Finding yourself in a comfortable position in your bed.

I'm taking some moments now to truly arrive here in this space in your bed knowing that the day is done.

There is nothing that you have to do,

There is nowhere that you have to be.

Just here in this moment.

I'm taking some moments to stretch out your body,

Allowing your muscles to relax and taking a big big yawn.

I'm making any sounds that naturally want to be made and if it feels right for you,

Taking some deeper breaths now,

Allowing yourself to relax and when you are ready,

We will continue with our story of Heidi.

The grandfather keeping his word took Heidi down the following day with the same instructions as before.

After Heidi had disappeared,

He went around the house inspecting it.

The grandmother in her joy at seeing the child again had stopped the wheel and called,

Here is the child again,

She has come again.

Heidi grasping her outstretched hands sat herself on a low stool at the woman's feet and began to chat.

Suddenly,

Violent blows were heard outside.

The grandmother in her fright nearly upset the spinning wheel and screamed,

Oh God,

It has come at last,

The hut is tumbling down.

Grandmother,

Don't be frightened,

Said the child,

While she put her arms around her.

Grandfather is just fastening the shutter and fixing everything for you.

Is it possible?

Has God not forgotten us after all?

Procedure,

Have you heard it?

Surely that is a hammer.

Ask him to come in a moment,

If it is he,

For I must thank him.

When Brigida went out,

She found the old man busy with putting a new beam along the wall.

Approaching him,

She said,

Mother and I wish you a good afternoon.

We are very much obliged to you for doing us such a service and mother would like to see you.

There are few that would have done it,

Uncle,

And how can we thank you?

That will do,

He interrupted.

I know what your opinion about me is,

Go in,

For I can find what needs mending myself.

Brigida obeyed,

For the uncle had a way that nobody could oppose.

All afternoon,

The uncle hammered around,

He even climbed up on the roof,

Where much was missing.

At last,

He had to stop,

For the last nail was gone from his pocket.

The darkness had come in the meantime,

And Heidi was ready to go up with him,

Packed warmly in his arms.

Thus,

The winter passed.

Sunshine had come again into the blind woman's life,

And made her days less dark and dreary.

Early every morning,

She would begin to listen for Heidi's footsteps,

And when the door was opened,

And the child ran in,

The grandmother exclaimed every time more joyfully,

Thank God,

She has come again.

Heidi would talk about her life,

And make the grandmother smile and laugh.

And in that way,

The hours flew by.

In former times,

The old woman had always sighed,

Brigida,

Is the day not over yet?

But now,

She always exclaimed after Heidi's departure,

How quickly the afternoon has gone by,

Don't you think so too,

Brigida?

Her daughter had to assent,

For Heidi had long ago won her heart.

If only God will spare us the child,

The grandmother would often say,

I hope the uncle will always be kind,

As he is now.

Does Heidi look well,

Brigida?

Was a frequent question,

Which always got a reassuring answer.

Heidi also became very fond of the grandmother,

And when the weather was fair,

She visited her every day that winter.

Whenever the child remembered that the grandmother was blind,

She would get very sad.

Her only comfort was that her coming brought her such happiness.

The grandfather soon had mended the cottage.

Often he would take down big loads of timber,

Which he used to good purpose.

The grandmother vowed that no rattling could be heard anymore.

And that,

Thanks to the uncle's kindness,

She slept better that winter than she had done for many,

Many years.

Two winters had nearly passed.

Heidi was happy,

For the spring was coming again,

With the soft,

Delicious wind that made the fir trees roar.

Soon,

She would be able to go up to the pasture,

Where blue and yellow flowers greeted her at every step.

She was nearly eight years old,

And had learned to take care of the goats,

Who ran after her like little dogs.

Several times,

The village teacher had sent word by Peter that the child was wanted in school.

But the old man had not paid any attention to the message,

And had kept her with him as before.

It was a beautiful morning in March.

The snow had melted on the slopes,

And was going fast.

Snowdrops were peeping through the ground,

Which seemed to be getting ready for spring.

Heidi was running to and fro before the door,

When suddenly she saw an old gentleman,

Dressed in black,

Standing beside her.

As she appeared frightened,

He said kindly,

As she appeared frightened,

He said kindly,

You must not be afraid of me,

For I love children.

Give me your hand,

Heidi,

And tell me where your grandfather is.

He is inside,

Making round wooden spoons,

The child replied,

Opening the door while she spoke.

It was the old pastor of the village,

Who had known the grandfather years ago.

After entering,

He approached the old man,

Saying,

Good morning,

Neighbor.

The old man got up surprised,

And offering a seat to the visitor,

To the visitor said,

Good morning,

Mr.

Parson.

Here is a wooden chair,

If it is good enough.

Sitting down,

The parson said,

It is long since I have seen you,

Neighbor.

I have come today to talk over a matter with you.

I am sure you can guess what it is about.

The clergyman here looked at Heidi,

Who was standing near the door.

Heidi,

Run out to see the goats,

Said the grandfather,

And bring them some salt.

You can stay till I come.

Heidi disappeared on the spot.

The child should have come to school a year ago,

The parson went on to say.

Didn't you get the teacher's warning?

What do you intend to do with the child?

I do not want her to go to school,

Said the old man,

Unrelentingly.

Unrelentingly.

What do you want the child to be?

I want her to be free and happy as a bird.

But she is human,

And it is high time for her to learn something.

I have come now to tell you about it,

So that you can make your plans.

She must come to school next winter.

Remember that.

I shan't do it,

Pastor,

Was the reply.

Do you think there is no way?

The clergyman replied,

A little hotly.

You know the world,

For you have travelled far.

What little sense you show now.

Do you think I am going to send this delicate child to school,

In every storm and weather?

The old man said.

It is a two hours walk,

And I shall not let her go,

For the wind often howls,

So that it chokes me if I venture out.

Did you know her mother?

She was a sleepwalker,

And had fainting fits.

Nobody shall compel me to let her go.

I will gladly fight it out in court.

You are perfectly right,

Said the clergyman kindly.

You could not send her to school from here.

Why don't you come down to live among us again?

You are leading a strange life here.

I wonder how you can keep the child warm in winter.

She has young blood,

And a good cover.

I know where to find good wood,

And all winter I keep a fire going.

I couldn't live in the village,

For the people there and I are not allowed to.

Despise each other.

We had better keep apart.

You are mistaken,

I assure you.

Make your peace with God,

And then you'll see how happy you will be.

The clergyman had risen,

And holding out his hand,

He said cordially,

I shall count on you next winter,

Neighbor.

We shall receive you gladly,

Reconciled with God and man.

But the uncle replied firmly,

While he shook his visitor by the hand,

Thank you for your kindness,

But you will have to wait in vain.

God be with you,

Said the parson,

And left him sadly.

The old man was out of humor that day,

And when Heidi begged him to go to the grandmother,

He only growled,

Not today.

Next day,

They had hardly finished their dinner,

When another visitor arrived.

It was Heidi's aunt,

Dita.

She wore a hat with feathers,

And a dress with such a train,

That it swept up everything that lay on the cottage floor.

While the uncle looked at her silently,

Dita began to praise him,

And the child's red cheeks.

She told him that it had not been her intention to leave Heidi with him long,

For she knew she must be in his way.

She had tried to provide for the child elsewhere,

And at last she had found a splendid chance for her.

Very rich relations of her lady,

Who owns the largest house in Frankfurt,

Had a lame daughter.

This poor little girl was confined to her rolling chair,

And needed a companion at her lessons.

Dita had heard from her lady that a sweet,

Quaint child was wanted as a playmate and schoolmate for the invalid.

She had gone to the housekeeper and told her all about Heidi.

The lady,

Delighted with the idea,

Had told her to fetch the child at once.

She had come now,

And it was a lucky chance for Heidi,

For one never knew what might happen in such a case,

And who could tell,

Have you finished?

The old man interrupted her at last.

Why,

One might think I was telling you the silliest things.

There is not a man in Pragatan who would not thank God for such news.

Bring them to somebody else,

But not to me,

Said the uncle,

Coldly.

Dita,

Flaming up,

Replied,

Do you want to hear what I think?

Don't I know how old she is?

Eight years old and ignorant of everything.

They have told me that you refused to send her to church and to school.

She is my only sister's child,

And I shall not bear it,

For I am responsible.

You do not care for her,

How else could you be so indifferent to such luck?

You had better give way,

Or I shall get the people to back me.

If I were you,

I would not have it brought to court.

Some things might be warmed up that you would not care to hear about.

Be quiet,

The uncle thundered with flaming eyes.

Take her and ruin her,

But do not bring her before my sight again.

I do not want to see her with feathers in her hat and wicked words like yours.

With long strides he went out.

You have made him angry,

Said Heidi,

With a furious look.

He won't be cross for long,

But come now,

Heidi,

Where are your friends?

He won't be cross for long,

But come now,

Heidi,

Where are your things?

Asked Dieter.

I won't come,

Heidi replied.

What?

Dieter said passionately,

But changing her tone,

She continued in a more friendly manner.

Come now,

Heidi,

You don't understand me.

I am taking you to the most beautiful place you have ever seen.

After packing up Heidi's clothes,

Dieter said again,

Come child and take your hat.

It is not very nice,

But we can't help it.

I shall not come,

Was the reply.

Don't be stupid and obstinate like a goat.

Listen to me,

Heidi.

Grandfather is sending us away.

Grandfather is sending us away and we must do what he commands or he will get more angry still.

You'll see how fine it is in Frankfurt.

If you do not like it,

You can come home again and by that time,

Grandfather will have forgiven us.

Can I come home again tonight?

Asked Heidi.

Come now,

I told you,

You could come back.

If we get to Mayenfeld today,

We can take the train tomorrow.

That will make you fly home again in the shortest time.

Holding the bundle,

Dieter led the child down the mountain.

On their way,

They met Peter,

Who had not gone to school that day.

The boy thought it was a more useful occupation to look for hazel rods than to learn to read.

For he always needed the rods.

He had had a most successful day,

For he carried an enormous bundle on his shoulder.

When he caught sight of Heidi and Dieter,

He asked them where they were going.

I am going to Frankfurt with Aunt Dieter,

Heidi replied.

But first,

I must see grandmother,

For she is waiting.

Oh no,

It is too late,

Heidi.

You can see her when you come back,

But not now,

Said Dieter.

You can see her when you come back,

But not now,

Said Dieter,

Pulling Heidi along with her,

For she was afraid that the old woman might detain the child.

Peter ran into the cottage and hit the table with his rods.

The grandmother jumped up in her fright and asked him what that meant.

They have taken Heidi away,

Peter said with a groan.

Who has Peter?

Where has she gone?

The unhappy grandmother asked.

Brigida had seen Dieter walking up the footpath a short while ago,

And soon they guessed what had happened.

With a trembling hand,

The old woman opened a window and called out as loudly as she could.

Dieter,

Dieter,

Don't take the child away,

Don't take Heidi from us.

When Heidi heard that,

She struggled to get free and said,

I must go to grandmother,

I must go to grandmother,

She is calling me.

But Dieter would not let her go.

She urged her on by saying that she might return soon again.

She also suggested that Heidi might bring a lovely present to the grandmother when she came back.

Heidi liked this prospect and so followed Dieter without more ado.

After a while,

She asked,

What shall I bring to the grandmother?

You might bring her some soft white rolls,

Heidi.

I think the black bread is too hard for poor grandmother to eat.

Yes,

I know aunt,

She always gives it to Peter,

Heidi confirmed her.

We must go quickly now,

We might get to Frankfurt today and then I can be back tomorrow with the rolls.

Heidi was running now and Dieter had to follow.

She was glad enough to escape the She was glad enough to escape the questions that people might ask her in the village.

People could see that Heidi was pulling her along.

So she said,

I can't stop,

Don't you see how the child is hurrying?

We still have far to go.

Whenever she heard from her sides,

Are you taking her with you?

Is she running away from the uncle?

What a wonder she is still alive.

What red cheeks she has.

And so on.

Soon,

They had escaped and had left the village far behind them.

From that time on,

Their uncle looked more angry than ever when he came down to the village.

Everybody was afraid of him and the women would warn their children to keep out of his sight.

He came down seldomly and only to sell his cheese and buy his provisions.

Often,

People remarked how lucky it was that Heidi had left him.

They had seen her hurrying away.

So they thought that she had been glad to go.

The old grandmother alone stuck to him faithfully.

Whenever anybody came up to her,

She would tell them what good care the old man had taken of Heidi.

She also told them that he had mended her little house.

These reports reached the village,

Of course.

But people only half believed them.

For the grandmother was infirm and old.

She began her days with sighing again.

All happiness has left us with the child.

The days are so long and dreary,

And I have no joy left.

If only I could hear Heidi's voice before I die,

The poor old woman would exclaim day after day after day.

Reviews

I had to listen twice as I feel asleep the first time! 😆

Uh oh… what a situation! Thank you for reading❤️🙏🏼

Oh no how very sad!
I love how Sally interprets the story. Very special

💌 Beautiful Sally . Your voice is mellow & warm which suits bedtime reading. I love Heidi's adventures. So, Thankyou. ☺🙏🐱😺🐨