Heidi Part 9: 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.

So,

As always,

Finding yourself in a comfortable position,

Fully arriving here in your bed,

In this space,

Taking a few moments to stretch out your body,

Taking the arms up overhead,

If that feels right for you,

And stretching out through the legs,

Pointing and flexing through the toes.

Maybe you take a big yawn,

And letting everything relax down into your bed,

Feeling the mattress beneath you,

Your head supported by the pillow,

And beginning to lengthen your breath.

And when you are ready,

We shall begin.

Heidi gains in some respects and loses in others.

The grandmama sent for Heidi every day after dinner.

While Clara was resting,

A Miss Rottenmeier disappeared into her room.

She talked to Heidi and amused her in various ways,

Showing her how to make clothes for pretty little dolls that she had bought.

Unconsciously,

Heidi had learned to sew,

And made now the sweetest dresses and coats for the lovely little people,

Out of materials the grandmama would give to her.

Often,

Heidi would read to the old lady,

For the oftener she read over the stories,

The dearer they became to her.

The child lived everything through with the people in the tales,

And was always happy to be with them again.

But she never really looked cheerful,

And her eyes never sparkled merrily as before.

In the last week of Mrs.

Seisman's stay,

Heidi was called again to the old lady's room.

The child entered with her beloved book under her arm.

Mrs.

Seisman drew Heidi close to her,

And laying the book aside,

She said,

Come,

Child,

And tell me why you are so sad.

Do you still have the same sorrow?

Yes,

Heidi replied.

Did you confide it to our lord?

Yes.

Do you pray to him every day that he may make you happy again,

And take your affliction away?

Oh no,

I don't pray anymore.

What do I hear,

Heidi?

Why don't you pray?

It does not help,

For God has not listened.

I don't wonder,

She added,

If all the people in Frankfurt pray every night.

He cannot listen to them all.

I am sure he has not heard me.

Really?

Why are you so sure?

Because I have prayed for the same thing many,

Many weeks,

And God has not done what I have asked him to do.

That is not the way,

Heidi.

You see,

God in heaven is a good father to all of us,

Who knows what we need better than we do.

When something we ask for is not very good for us,

He gives us something much better,

If we confide in him and do not lose confidence in his love.

I am sure what you asked for was not very good for you just now.

He has heard you,

For he can hear the prayers of all the people in the world at the same time,

Because he is God Almighty and not a mere mortal like us.

He heard your prayers and said to himself,

Yes,

Heidi shall get what she is praying for in time.

Now,

While God was looking down on you to hear your prayers,

You lost confidence and went away from him.

If God does not hear your prayers anymore,

He will forget you also and let you go.

Don't you want him back,

Heidi,

And ask for his forgiveness?

Pray to him every day and hope in him that he may bring cheer and happiness to you.

Heidi had listened attentively.

She had unbounded confidence in the old lady,

Whose words had made a deep impression on her.

Full of repentance,

She said,

I shall go at once and ask our father to pardon me.

I shall never forget him anymore.

That's right,

Heidi.

I am sure he will help you in time,

If only you trust in him.

The grandmother consoled her.

Heidi went to her room now and prayed earnestly to God that he would forgive her and fulfil her wish.

The day of departure had come,

But Mrs.

Seisman arranged everything in such a way that the children hardly realised she was actually going.

Still,

Everything was empty and quiet when she had gone,

And the children hardly knew how to pass their time.

Next day,

Heidi came to Clara in the afternoon and said,

Can I always read to you now,

Clara?

Clara assented and Heidi began.

But she did not get very far,

For the story she was reading told of a grandmother's death.

Suddenly,

She cried aloud,

Oh,

Now grandmother is dead!

And wept in the most pitiful fashion.

Whatever Heidi read always seemed real to her,

And now she thought it was her own grandmother at home.

Louder and louder she sobbed.

Now poor grandmother is dead and I can never see her anymore,

And she never got one single role.

Clara attempted to explain the mistake,

But Heidi was too much upset.

She pictured to herself how terrible it would be if her dear old grandfather would die too while she was far away.

How empty and quiet it would be in the hut,

And how lonely she would be.

Miss Rottenmeier had overheard the scene,

And approaching the sobbing child,

She said impatiently,

Adelheid,

Now you have screamed enough.

If I hear you again giving way to yourself in such a noisy fashion,

I shall take your book away forever.

Heidi turned pale at that,

For the book was her greatest treasure.

Quickly drying her tears,

She choked down her sobs.

After that,

Heidi never cried again.

Often she could hardly repress her sobs,

And was obliged to make the strangest faces to keep herself from crying out.

Clara often looked at her full of surprise,

But Miss Rottenmeier did not notice them,

And found no occasion to carry out her threat.

However,

The poor child got more cheerless every day,

And looked so thin and pale that Sebastian became worried.

He tried to encourage her at table to help herself to all the good dishes,

But listlessly she would let them pass and hardly touch them.

In the evening she would cry quietly,

Her heart bursting with longing to go home.

Thus the time passed by.

Heidi never knew if it was summer or winter,

For the walls opposite never changed.

They drove out very seldom,

For Clara was only able to go a short distance.

They never saw anything else than streets,

Houses,

And busy people.

Heidi struggled constantly against her sorrow,

But in vain.

Autumn and winter had passed,

And Heidi knew that the time was coming when Peter would go up the Alp with his goats,

Where the flowers were glistening in the sunshine,

And the mountains were all afire.

She would sit down in a corner of her room and put both hands before her eyes,

Not to see the glaring sunshine on the opposite wall.

There she would remain,

Eating her heart away with longing,

Till Clara would call for her to come.

The Seisman House is Haunted For several days Miss Rottenmeier had been wandering silently about the house.

When she went from room to room,

Or along the corridors,

She often glanced back as if she were afraid that somebody was following her.

If she had to go to the upper floor,

Where the gorgeous guest rooms were,

Or to the lower story,

Where the big ballroom was situated,

She always told Tenette to come with her.

The strange thing was that none of the servants dared to go anywhere alone,

And always found an excuse to ask each other's company,

Which requests were always granted.

The cook,

Who had been in the house for many years,

Would often shake her head and mutter,

That I should live to see this.

Something strange and weird was happening in the house.

Every morning when the servants came downstairs,

They found the front door wide open.

At first everybody had thought that the house must have been robbed,

But nothing was missing.

Every morning it was the same,

Despite the double locks that were put on the door.

At last John and Sebastian,

Taking courage,

Prepared themselves to watch through a night,

To see who was the ghost.

Armed and provided with some strengthening liquor,

They repaired to a room downstairs.

First they talked,

But soon,

Getting sleepy,

They leaned silently back in their chairs.

When the clock from the old church tower struck one,

Sebastian awoke and roused his comrade,

Which was no easy matter.

At last,

However,

John was wide awake,

And together they went out into the hall.

The same moment,

A strong wind put out the light that John held in his hand.

Rushing back,

He nearly upset Sebastian,

Who stood behind him,

And pulling the butler back into the room,

He locked the front door in furious haste.

When the light was lit again,

Sebastian noticed that John was deadly pale and trembling like an aspen leaf.

Sebastian,

Not having seen anything,

Asked anxiously,

What is the matter?

What did you see?

The door was open,

And a white form was on the stairs.

It went up and was gone in a moment.

Cold shivers ran down the butler's back.

They sat without moving till the morning came,

And then,

Shutting the door,

They went upstairs to report to the housekeeper what they had seen.

The lady,

Who was waiting eagerly,

Heard the tale and immediately sat down to write to Mr.

Seisman.

She told him that fright had paralysed her fingers and that terrible things were happening in the house.

Then followed a tale of the appearance of the ghost.

Mr.

Seisman replied that he could not leave his business and advised Miss Rottenmeier to ask his mother to come to stay with them,

For Mrs.

Seisman would easily dispatch the ghost.

Miss Rottenmeier was offended with the tone of the letter,

Which did not seem to take her account seriously.

Mrs.

Seisman also replied that she could not come,

So the housekeeper decided to tell the children all about it.

Clara,

At the uncanny tale,

Immediately exclaimed that she would not stay alone another moment and that she wished her father to come home.

The housekeeper arranged to sleep with the frightened child,

While Heidi,

Who did not know what ghosts were,

Was perfectly unmoved.

Another letter was dispatched to Mr.

Seisman,

Telling him that the excitement might have serious effect on his daughter's delicate constitution and mentioning several misfortunes that might probably happen if he did not relieve the household from this terror.

This brought Mr.

Seisman going to his daughter's room after his arrival.

He was overjoyed to see her as well as ever.

Clara was also delighted to see her father.

What new tricks has the ghost played on you,

Miss Rottenmeier?

Asked Mr.

Seisman with a twinkle in his eye.

It is no joke,

Mr.

Seisman,

Replied the lady seriously.

I am sure you will not laugh tomorrow.

Those strange events indicate that something secret and horrible has happened in this house in days gone by.

Is that so?

This is news to me,

Remarked Mr.

Seisman.

But will you please not suspect my venerable ancestors?

Please call Sebastian.

I want to speak to him alone.

Mr.

Seisman knew that the two were not on good terms.

So he said to the butler,

Come here,

Sebastian,

And tell me honestly if you have played the ghost for Miss Rottenmeier's pastime.

No,

Upon my word,

Master,

You must not think that,

Replied Sebastian.

I do not quite like it myself.

Well,

I'll show you and John what ghosts look like by day.

You ought to be ashamed of yourselves,

Strong young men like you.

Now go at once to my old friend Dr.

Classen and tell him to come to me at nine o'clock tonight.

Tell him that I came from Paris especially to consult him and that I want him to sit up all night with me.

Do you understand me,

Sebastian?

Yes,

Indeed.

I shall do as you say,

Mr.

Seisman.

Mr.

Seisman then went up to Clara's room to quiet and comfort her.

Punctually,

At nine o'clock,

The doctor arrived.

Though his hair was grey,

His face was still fresh and his eyes were lively and kind.

When he saw his friend,

He laughed aloud and said,

Well,

Well,

You look pretty healthy for one who needs to be watched all night.

Have patience,

My old friend,

Replied Mr.

Seisman.

I am afraid the person we have to sit up for will look worse,

But first we must catch him.

What?

Then somebody is sick in this house?

What do you mean?

Far worse,

Doctor,

Far worse.

A ghost is in the house.

My house is haunted.

When the doctor laughed,

Mr.

Seisman continued,

I call that sympathy.

I wish my friend Miss Rottenmeier could hear you.

She is convinced that an old seisman is wandering about.

How did she make his acquaintance?

Asked the doctor,

Much amused.

Mr.

Seisman then explained the circumstances.

He said that the matter was either a bad joke,

Which an acquaintance of the servants was playing in his absence,

Or it was a gang of thieves who,

After intimidating the people,

Would surely rob his house by and by.

With these explanations,

They entered the room where the two servants had watched before.

A few bottles of wine stood on the table,

And two bright candles shed a brilliant light.

Two revolvers were ready for emergencies.

They left the door only partly open,

For too much light might drive the ghost away.

Then,

Sitting down comfortably,

The two men passed their time by chatting,

Taking a sip now and then.

The ghost seems to have spied us,

And probably won't come today,

Said the doctor.

We must have patience.

It is supposed to come at one,

Replied his friend.

So they talked till one o'clock.

Everything was quiet,

And not a sound came from the street.

Suddenly,

The doctor raised his finger.

Seisman,

Don't you hear something?

While they both listened,

The bar was unfastened,

The key was turned,

And the door flew open.

Mr.

Seisman seized his revolver.

You are not afraid,

I hope,

Said the doctor,

Getting up.

Better be cautious,

Whispered Mr.

Seisman,

Seizing the candle album in the other hand.

The doctor followed with his revolver and the light,

And so they went out into the hall.

On the threshold stood a motionless white form,

Lighted up by the moon.

Who is there?

Thundered the doctor.

Approaching the figure,

It turned and uttered a low shriek.

There stood Heidi,

With bare feet and in her white nightgown,

Looking bewildered at the bright light and the weapons.

She was shaking with fear,

While the two men were looking at her in amazement.

Seisman,

This seems to be your little water carrier,

Said the doctor.

Child,

What does this mean?

Asked Mr.

Seisman.

What did you want to do?

Why have you come down here?

Pale from fright,

Heidi said.

I do not know.

The doctor came forward now.

Seisman,

This case belongs to my field.

Please go and sit down while I take her to bed.

Putting his revolver aside,

He led the trembling child upstairs.

Don't be afraid,

Child.

Just be quiet.

Everything is alright.

Don't be frightened.

When they had arrived in Heidi's room,

The doctor put the little girl to bed,

Covering her up carefully,

Drawing a chair near the couch.

He waited till Heidi had calmed down and had stopped trembling.

Then,

Taking her hand in his,

He said kindly,

Now everything is alright again.

Tell me where you wanted to go.

I did not want to go anywhere,

Heidi assured him.

I did not go myself,

Only I was there all of a sudden.

Really?

Tell me,

What did you dream?

Oh,

I have the same dream every night.

I always think I am with my grandfather again and can hear the fir trees roar.

I always think how beautiful the stars must be.

And then I open the door of the hut and oh,

It is so wonderful.

But when I wake up,

I am always in Frankfurt.

Heidi had to fight back the sobs that were rising in her throat.

Does your back or your head hurt you,

Child?

No,

But I feel as if a big stone was pressing me here,

As if you had eaten something that disagreed with you.

Oh,

No,

But as if I wanted to cry hard.

So?

And then you cry out,

Don't you?

Oh,

No,

I must never do that,

For Miss Rottenmeier has forbidden it.

Then you swallow it down,

Yes?

Do you like to be here,

Heidi?

Oh,

Yes,

Was the faint uncertain reply.

Where did you live with your grandfather?

Up on the Alp.

But wasn't it a little lonely there?

Oh,

No,

It was so beautiful.

But Heidi could say no more.

The recollection,

The excitement of the night and all the restrained sorrow overpowered the child.

The tears rushed violently from her eyes and she broke out into loud sobs.

The doctor rose and,

Soothing her,

Said,

It won't hurt to cry.

You'll go to sleep afterwards.

And when you wake up,

Everything will be all right.

Then he left the room.

Joining his anxious friend downstairs,

He said,

Seisman,

The little girl is a sleepwalker and has unconsciously scared your whole household.

Besides,

She is so homesick that her little body has wasted away.

We shall have to act quickly.

The only remedy for her is to be restored to her native mountain air.

That is my prescription and she must go tomorrow.

What?

Sick?

A sleepwalker?

And wasted away in my house and nobody even suspected it?

You think I should send this child back in this condition when she has come in good health?

No,

Doctor,

Ask everything but that.

Take her in hand and prescribe for her,

But let her get well before I send her back.

Seisman,

The doctor replied seriously,

Just think what you are doing.

We cannot cure her with powders and pills.

The child has not a strong constitution and if you keep her here,

She might never get well again.

If you restore her to the bracing mountain air to which she is accustomed,

She probably will get perfectly well again.

When Mr.

Seisman heard this,

He said,

If that is your advice,

We must act at once.

This is the only way then.

With these words Mr.

Seisman took his friend's arm and walked about with him to talk the matter over.

When everything was settled,

The doctor took his leave,

For the morning had already come and the sun was shining in through the door.

Reviews

Thank you for being my middle of the night companion 😆

Oh, how I do love this story. Thankyou, Sally. Also, I Wish you a Merry Christmas Season, for you en your loved ones. 🎅 🤶🎄🦌. Léna en my furbabies.🤗🐈‍⬛🐆🪷🦘🐨🇦🇺

Oh, poor child. Thank goodness the doctor finally saw the truth!!
Thanks for reading, and I appreciate the relaxation at first also🙏🏼❤️

I was leaving a review and then I touched something and it disappeared.
But I want to try again because this chapter really affected me deeply. I have such a lump in my throat for a little Heidi and princess Diana they went through the same thing and those cold homes with those cold people. I know how she feels and I wish I could hug her and I'm so grateful that Clara's father came home and that ghost set up the scene for the doctor to be there and recognize what a terrible time Heidi was going through and how she needed to get back home. I wish they'd fire that housekeeper and get somebody with a heart in there.
Thank you Sally and your voice is the best perfect voice for this story.

I love how soothing your voice is. I get so excited when I see another chapter. Thank you!