Heidi Part 8: 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 souls and welcome to tonight's reading of Heidi as we continue on our adventures with her and just taking some moments as always to arrive here to settle down into your bed to allow your body to relax and your mind to quieten you can put your to-do list down for the day the time has come for rest and rejuvenation there's nowhere you need to be right now and there is nothing else that you need to do taking some moments to deepen the breath taking some conscious inhales and exhales feeling your head relax into your pillow and your body sink down into your mattress and when you are ready dear ones we will continue with our story the master of the house hears of strange doings a few days afterwards there was great excitement in the Seisman residence for the master of the house had just arrived the servants were taking upstairs one load after another for mr. Seisman always brought many lovely things home with him when he entered his daughter's room Heidi shyly retreated into a corner he greeted Clara affectionately and she equally delighted to see him for she loved her father dearly then he called to Heidi oh there is our little Swiss girl come and give me your hand that's right are you good friends my girls tell me now you don't fight together no oh no Clara is always kind to me Heidi replied Heidi has never even tried to fight Papa Clara quickly remarked that's good I like to hear that said the father rising I must get my dinner now for I am hungry I shall come back soon and show you what I have brought home with me in the dining room he found miss Rottenmeier surveying the table with a most tragic face you do not look very happy at my arrival miss Rottenmeier what is the matter Clara seems well enough he said to her Oh mr. Seisman we have been terribly disappointed said the lady how do you mean asked mr. Seisman calmly sipping his wine we had decided as you know to have a companion for Clara knowing as I did that you would wish me to get a noble pure child I thought of this Swiss child hoping she would go through life like a breath of pure air hardly touching the earth I think that even Swiss children are made to touch the earth otherwise they would have to have wings I think you understand what I mean I have been terribly disappointed for this child has brought the most frightful animals into the house mr. Candidate can tell you the child does not look very terrible but what do you mean I cannot explain it because she does not seem in a right mind at times mr. Seisman was getting worried at last when the tutor entered Oh mr. Candidate I hope you will explain please take a cup of coffee with me and tell me about my daughter's companion make it short if you please but this was impossible for mr. Candidate who had to greet mr. Seisman first then he began to reassure his host about the child pointing out to him that her education had been neglected till then and so on but poor mr. Seisman unfortunately did not get his answer and had to listen to very long-winded explanations of the child's character at last mr. Seisman got up saying excuse me mr. Candidate but I must go over to Clara now he found the children in the study turning to Heidi who had risen at his approach he said come little one get me a glass of water a fresh water of course fresh water he replied when Heidi had gone he sat down near Clara holding her hand tell me little Clara he asked please tell me clearly what animals Heidi has brought into the house and is she really not right in her mind Clara now began to relate to her father all the incidents which the kittens and the turtle and explained Heidi's speeches that had so frightened the lady mr. Seisman laughed heartily and asked Clara if she wished Heidi to remain of course Papa since she is here something amusing happens every day it used to be so dull but now Heidi keeps me company very good very good Clara oh here is your friend back again did you get nice fresh water asked mr. Seisman Heidi handed him the glass and said yes fresh from the fountain you did not go to the fountain yourself Heidi said Clara certainly but I had to get it from far there were so many people at the first and at the second fountain I had to go down another street and there I got it a gentleman with white hair sends his regards to you mr. Seisman Clara's father laughed and asked who was the gentleman when he passed by the fountain and saw me there with a glass he stood still and said please give me to drink for you have a glass to whom you are bringing the water and I said I am bringing it to mr. Seisman when he heard that he laughed very loud and gave me his regards for you with the wish that you would enjoy your drink I wonder who it was what did the gentleman look like he has a friendly laugh and wears a gold pendant with a red stone on his thick gold chain there is a horse head on his cane oh that was the doctor that was my old doctor exclaimed father and daughter at the same time in the evening mr. Seisman told miss Rottenmeier that Heidi was going to remain for the children were very fond of each other and he found Heidi normal and very sweet I want the child to be treated kindly mr. Seisman added decidedly her peculiarities must not be punished my mother is coming very soon to stay here and she will help you to manage the child for there is nobody in this world that my mother could not get along with as you know miss Rottenmeier of course I know that mr. Seisman replied the lady but she was not very much pleased at the prospect mr. Seisman only stayed for two weeks for his business called him back to Paris he consoled his daughter by telling her that his mother was coming in a few days mr. Seisman had hardly left when the grandmother's visit was announced for the following day Clara was looking forward to this visit and told Heidi so much about her dear grandmama that Heidi also began to call her by that name to miss Rottenmeier's disapproval who thought that the child was not entitled to this intimacy a grandmama the following evening great expectation reigned in the house Tinet had put on a new cap Sebastian was placing footstools in front of nearly every armchair and miss Rottenmeier walked with great dignity about the house inspecting everything when the carriage at last drove up the servants flew downstairs followed by miss Rottenmeier in more measured step Heidi had been sent to her room to await further orders but it was not long before Tinet opened the door and said go into the study the grandmama with her kind and loving way immediately befriended the child and made her feel as if she had always known her to the housekeepers great mortification she called the child Heidi remarking to miss Rottenmeier if somebody's name is Heidi I call her so the housekeeper soon found out that she had to respect the grandmother's ways and opinions mrs. Siesman always knew what was going on in the house the minute she entered it on the following afternoon Clara was resting and the old lady had shut her eyes for five minutes when she got up again and went into the dining room with a suspicion that the housekeeper was probably asleep she went to this lady's room knocking loudly on the door after a while somebody stirred inside and with a bewildered face miss Rottenmeier appeared staring at the unexpected visitor Rottenmeier where is the child how does she pass her time I want to know said mrs. Siesman she just sits in her room not moving a finger she has not the slightest desire to do something useful and that is why she thinks of such absurd things that one can hardly mention them in polite society I should do exactly the same if I were left alone like that please bring her to my room now I want to show her some pretty books I have brought with me that is just the trouble what should she do with books in all this time she has not even learned the ABC for it is impossible to instill any knowledge into this being if mr. Candidate was not as patient as an angel he would have given up teaching her long ago how strange the child does not look to me like one who cannot learn the ABC said mrs. Siesman please fetch her now we can look at the pictures anyway the housekeeper was going to say more but the old lady had turned already and gone to her room she was thinking over what she had heard about Heidi making up her mind to look into the matter Heidi had come and was looking with wondering eyes at the splendid pictures in the large books that grandmama was showing her suddenly she screamed aloud for there on the picture she saw a peaceful flock grazing on a green pasture in the middle a shepherd was standing leaning on his crook the setting Sun was shedding a golden light over everything with glowing eyes Heidi devoured the scene but suddenly she began to sob violently the grandmama took her little hand in hers and said in the most soothing voice come child you must not cry did this remind you of something now stop and I'll tell you the story tonight there are lovely stories in this book that people can read and tell dry your tears now darling I must ask you something stand up now and look at me now we are merry again Heidi did not stop at once but the kind lady gave her ample time to compose herself saying from time to time now now it's all over now we'll be merry again when the child was quiet at last she said tell me now how your lessons are going what have you learned child tell me nothing Heidi sighed but I knew that I could never learn it what is it that you can't learn I can't learn to read it is too hard what next who gave you this information Peter told me and he tried over and over again but he could not do it for it is too hard well what kind of boy is he Heidi you must not believe what Peter tells you but you must try for yourself I am sure you had your thoughts elsewhere when mr. Candidate showed you the letters it's no use Heidi said with such a tone as if she was resigned to her fate I'm going to tell you something Heidi said the kind lady now you have not learned to read because you have believed what Peter said you shall believe me now and I tell you you will learn it in a very short time as a great many other children do that are like you and not like Peter when you can read I am going to give you this book you have seen the shepherd on the green pasture and then you'll be able to find out all the strange things that happened to him yes you can hear the whole story and what he does with his sheep and his goats you would like to know wouldn't you Heidi Heidi had listened attentively and said now with sparkling eyes if only I could read already it won't be long child I can see that come now and let us go to Clara and with that they both went over to the study since the day of Heidi's attempted flight a great change had come over the child she had realized that it would hurt her kind friends if she tried to go home again she knew now that she could not leave as her aunt Dieter had promised for they all especially Clara and her father and the old lady would think her ungrateful but the burden grew heavier in her heart and she lost her appetite and got paler and paler she could not get to sleep at night from longing to see the mountains with the flowers and the sunshine and only in her dreams she would be happy when she woke up in the morning she always found herself on her high white bed far away from home burying her head in the pillow she would often weep a long long time mrs. Seisman had noticed the child's unhappiness but let a few days pass by hoping for a change but when the change never came and often Heidi's eyes were red even in the early morning so she called the child to her room one day and said with great sympathy in her voice tell me Heidi what is the matter with you what is making you so sad but as Heidi did not want to appear thankless she replied sadly I can't tell you no can't you tell Clara perhaps oh no I can't tell anyone Heidi said looking so unhappy that the old lady's heart was filled with pity I tell you something little girl she continued if you have a sorrow that you cannot tell to anyone you can go to our father in heaven you can tell him everything that troubles you and if we ask him he can help us and take our suffering away do you understand me child don't you pray every night don't you thank him for all his gifts and ask him to protect you from evil oh no I never do that replied the child have you never prayed Heidi do you know what I mean I only prayed with my first grandmother but it is so long ago that I have forgotten see Heidi I understand now why you are so unhappy we all need somebody to help us and just think how wonderful it is to be able to go to the Lord when something distresses us and causes us pain we can tell him everything and ask him to comfort us when nobody else can do it he can give us happiness and joy Heidi was gladdened by these tidings and asked can we tell him everything everything yes Heidi everything the child withdrawing her hand from the grandmama said hurriedly can I go now yes of course was the reply and with this Heidi ran to her room sitting down on a stool she folded her hands and poured out her heart to God imploring him to help her and let her go home to her grandfather about a week later mr. Candidate asked to see mrs. Seisman to tell her of something unusual that had occurred being called to the lady's room he began mrs. Seisman something has happened that I never expected and with many more words the happy grandmama was told that Heidi had suddenly learned to read with the utmost correctness most rare with beginners many strange things happen in this world mrs. Seisman remarked while they went over to the study to witness Heidi's new accomplishment Heidi was sitting close to Clara reading her a story she seemed amazed at the strange new world that had opened up before her at supper Heidi found the large book with the beautiful pictures on her plate and looking doubtfully at grandmama she saw the old lady nod now it belongs to you Heidi she said forever also when am I going home Heidi inquired confused with joy certainly forever the grandma assured her tomorrow we shall begin to read it but Heidi you must not go home no not for many years Clara exclaimed especially when grandmama goes away you must stay with me Heidi still looked at her book before going to bed that night and this book became her dearest treasure she would look at the beautiful pictures and read all the stories allowed to Clara grandmama would quietly listen and explain something here and there making it more beautiful and before Heidi loved the pictures with the shepherd best of all they told the story of the prodigal son and the child would read and reread it till she nearly knew it all by heart since Heidi had learned to read and possessed the book the day seemed to fly and the time had come near that the grandmama had fixed for her departure

Reviews

Darling girl… grandma a little condescending telling her to be happy when she isn’t, but old psychology… she can read now! Wish it could help get her home 😳 thank you! ❤️🙏🏼

How beautiful! I remember loving this book as a child but never picked it up again. Last December I was able to visit Switzerland and fell in love with these most beautiful mountains. In the back of my mind I remembered the book Heidi and am delighted to hear your wonderful narration and bring both the Alps and my childhood love of Heidi back again. It brings me great love and happiness.