1 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:14,480 Speaker 1: Hello friends, and welcome to sleep Tight Stories. I'd like 2 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:18,520 Speaker 1: to say hello to Angela who is eleven, and Cassie, 3 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:25,200 Speaker 1: who is nine from Japan. Hello to Evelyn, Hello to 4 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 1: Caden and his cat Bob Marley from Pembroke Pines, Florida, 5 00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:34,519 Speaker 1: who was starting second grade in the Advanced Gifted class. 6 00:00:35,159 --> 00:00:42,159 Speaker 1: And hello to Charlotte and Winnie Bateman. I'd like to 7 00:00:42,159 --> 00:00:45,559 Speaker 1: say happy birthday to Claire who is turning eight on 8 00:00:45,680 --> 00:00:52,040 Speaker 1: August twenty ninth. Happy birthday to Jamie from Auckland, New Zealand, 9 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:57,520 Speaker 1: who is turning six on August thirty first, and happy 10 00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:01,840 Speaker 1: birthday to Evie May from Lake mc cory, Australia, who 11 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:07,520 Speaker 1: has a birthday on September first. Happy birthday to you all. 12 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:12,760 Speaker 1: I hope you have a wonderful day. Shout outs and 13 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 1: birthday wishes are one way we give thanks to our supporters. 14 00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:19,360 Speaker 1: If you would like to support us and receive more 15 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:23,880 Speaker 1: bedtime entertainment like this, all ad free, please visit our 16 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:29,360 Speaker 1: support page at sleep tightstories dot org slash support. Thank you. 17 00:01:32,080 --> 00:01:35,640 Speaker 1: Thank you to Charlotte and Rihanna for this story idea. 18 00:01:38,400 --> 00:01:43,560 Speaker 1: This is a story about a cat named Tom. Tom's 19 00:01:43,600 --> 00:01:47,520 Speaker 1: owners are going on vacation and have just been told 20 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:52,840 Speaker 1: that they cannot take their pet cat with them. Susie's 21 00:01:52,880 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 1: friend Tracy has said she'll look after Tom while they 22 00:01:56,000 --> 00:02:00,000 Speaker 1: are away. Tom has been let out of his case 23 00:02:00,560 --> 00:02:05,680 Speaker 1: and is exploring the new house. When he meets Graham Cracker, 24 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:14,680 Speaker 1: they decide to go on an adventure together. A cat 25 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:21,600 Speaker 1: and a guinea pig have an adventure. Thank you for 26 00:02:21,680 --> 00:02:25,440 Speaker 1: saving us, Tracy. I don't think Tom would enjoy staying 27 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:28,560 Speaker 1: in the local pet hotel while we are away on vacation. 28 00:02:29,560 --> 00:02:33,080 Speaker 1: He is a very independent cat, and the B and 29 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:36,239 Speaker 1: B that we are staying at told us no pets 30 00:02:36,280 --> 00:02:41,440 Speaker 1: were allowed. At the very last minute, Lucy said, it's 31 00:02:41,480 --> 00:02:45,000 Speaker 1: no trouble at all. We love cats, and I am 32 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 1: sure he and Graham Cracker will get along very well. 33 00:02:49,639 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 1: We've been thinking about adding a cat to our family, 34 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:55,560 Speaker 1: and this is a great way to see if adding 35 00:02:55,639 --> 00:03:02,400 Speaker 1: another family member is a good idea. Right now, that's perfect. 36 00:03:04,240 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 1: Looking at Tom, Susie said, now, you be a good 37 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:10,400 Speaker 1: boy while you are at Tracy's and we'll see you 38 00:03:10,480 --> 00:03:16,000 Speaker 1: in a few days. Tom the cat simply looked at 39 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:21,520 Speaker 1: her with a blank stare. Tom was a large muscular 40 00:03:21,639 --> 00:03:26,280 Speaker 1: tabby who enjoyed the pampering his family gave, but also 41 00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:31,520 Speaker 1: his independence. He considered himself a cat of the world, 42 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:37,520 Speaker 1: the world being his immediate neighborhood. Though brave, he would 43 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:42,200 Speaker 1: never consider going off alone. He valued the food and 44 00:03:42,320 --> 00:03:48,960 Speaker 1: head scratches too much. We'd best be off. Thank you again, Tracy, 45 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:52,080 Speaker 1: and we will see you on Sunday, Susie said, as 46 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:59,840 Speaker 1: she walked towards her car. See you. Then, after Susie left, 47 00:04:00,160 --> 00:04:05,720 Speaker 1: Tracy opened his cage and Tom walked out stretched and 48 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 1: rubbed up against her leg, letting out a large, deep meal. Finally, 49 00:04:13,280 --> 00:04:17,279 Speaker 1: he thought, if I stayed in that cage one more moment, 50 00:04:17,800 --> 00:04:22,200 Speaker 1: I would have gone crazy. I am sure. Why they 51 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:24,360 Speaker 1: have to put me in a cage when we are 52 00:04:24,440 --> 00:04:29,120 Speaker 1: driving in a car is beyond me. What with all 53 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:31,440 Speaker 1: the room in the back seat for me to roam. 54 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:35,200 Speaker 1: It makes no sense. It's not like I am going 55 00:04:35,240 --> 00:04:40,880 Speaker 1: to run off somewhere and lose the food and head scratches. Well, 56 00:04:41,960 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 1: a new place and some new smells. Time to explore 57 00:04:46,279 --> 00:04:53,400 Speaker 1: my new domain, he thought. Tom started his exploration of 58 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:57,839 Speaker 1: this new place, walking around the kitchen, smelling all the 59 00:04:57,920 --> 00:05:03,480 Speaker 1: new smells. He was about to continue his exploration beyond 60 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:07,760 Speaker 1: the tiled floor until he heard the rattling sound of 61 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:15,000 Speaker 1: food being added to a dish. Oh, kibble, not my favorite, 62 00:05:15,120 --> 00:05:19,279 Speaker 1: but it's food, and exploration is always best on a 63 00:05:19,320 --> 00:05:24,719 Speaker 1: full stomach, Tom thought. Tom ran over to the dish 64 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:31,960 Speaker 1: and started gingerly eating like many cats do. Yummy, almost delicious. 65 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:36,040 Speaker 1: Even I love the taste of fish, he thought as 66 00:05:36,040 --> 00:05:41,000 Speaker 1: he was eating his food. After Tom finished the bowl 67 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:45,360 Speaker 1: of food and licked all around his mouth, he started 68 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:52,080 Speaker 1: his exploration again. After another quick walk around the kitchen 69 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:56,479 Speaker 1: no use in missing any interesting smells, and a quick 70 00:05:56,560 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 1: jump up onto the cupboards where he sniffed out where 71 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:03,440 Speaker 1: all the snacks were located, he set his sights on 72 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:09,760 Speaker 1: the living room and the world beyond the tile. Ah, 73 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:13,880 Speaker 1: look at that large couch. That's going to be a 74 00:06:14,000 --> 00:06:17,520 Speaker 1: great place to have my afternoon nap, he thought, as 75 00:06:17,520 --> 00:06:22,799 Speaker 1: he scratched himself on the side of a chair. Tom 76 00:06:22,880 --> 00:06:25,800 Speaker 1: then jumped to the top of the couch, and, seeing 77 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:30,640 Speaker 1: a hallway, immediately jumped down to explore this new space. 78 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:39,279 Speaker 1: Walking slowly down the hallway towards the only open door, 79 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:45,920 Speaker 1: he noticed an odd smell. Was this food or something else? 80 00:06:46,080 --> 00:06:51,640 Speaker 1: He wondered. Graham Cracker was sitting in his little home 81 00:06:51,920 --> 00:06:56,200 Speaker 1: under his favorite paper bag, chewing some food that was 82 00:06:56,279 --> 00:07:00,680 Speaker 1: left over from breakfast when he saw a large, scary 83 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:05,720 Speaker 1: looking cat come into the room. Oh what is this 84 00:07:05,839 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 1: large predator doing here? He thought, his whole body trembling. 85 00:07:10,840 --> 00:07:16,000 Speaker 1: I'd better hide so he doesn't see me. Seeing the 86 00:07:16,120 --> 00:07:19,440 Speaker 1: large guinea pig scurry under the wood shavings to hide, 87 00:07:20,080 --> 00:07:22,800 Speaker 1: Tom walked into the room and up to the cage 88 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:26,920 Speaker 1: and said, Hi there, my name is Tom. Why are 89 00:07:26,920 --> 00:07:33,320 Speaker 1: you hiding? Somewhat embarrassed, but still not so sure if 90 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:38,720 Speaker 1: he should trust this large cat, Graham Cracker replied, oh, 91 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:43,760 Speaker 1: hi there, I am well, I'm not hiding. I just 92 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:47,600 Speaker 1: felt a chill, that's all. My name is Graham Cracker, 93 00:07:47,760 --> 00:07:52,080 Speaker 1: and I am pleased to meet you. I guess may 94 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:55,239 Speaker 1: I ask how you got into the house. You aren't 95 00:07:55,240 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 1: going to scare me, are you. I was brought here 96 00:08:00,160 --> 00:08:03,600 Speaker 1: by my owner. I'm staying with you for a few days. Well, 97 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 1: not with you. I plan on staying on that comfortable 98 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:11,280 Speaker 1: couch out there in the living room, and of course 99 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 1: I am not going to chase you, Tom said, relieved. 100 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:21,559 Speaker 1: Graham Cracker said Oh, I see, is there a couch 101 00:08:21,600 --> 00:08:26,160 Speaker 1: out there? I haven't seen it yet. Actually, I am 102 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:29,560 Speaker 1: not sure what a living room is. Isn't this a 103 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:36,520 Speaker 1: room for living? You haven't seen the couch, Tom said, 104 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:43,320 Speaker 1: somewhat perplexed. The couch was always his favorite place to rest. Oh, yes, 105 00:08:43,800 --> 00:08:46,480 Speaker 1: I'm afraid I have never walked out of this room. 106 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:54,480 Speaker 1: In fact, I'm pretty happy just staying in my little home. Really, well, 107 00:08:54,960 --> 00:08:57,719 Speaker 1: more room on the couch for me, I guess. But 108 00:08:58,720 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 1: why haven't you left this room. Your little house there 109 00:09:02,559 --> 00:09:08,679 Speaker 1: doesn't even have a door. Tom said, uh oh, yeah, yeah, yes, 110 00:09:08,800 --> 00:09:12,120 Speaker 1: I know. It's absolutely terrible that they took the door 111 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:15,920 Speaker 1: to my house off. I haven't slept well since they did. 112 00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:19,880 Speaker 1: I just find the world outside this room so scary. 113 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:24,360 Speaker 1: I think there must be ferocious creatures out there. I 114 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:32,640 Speaker 1: always hear roaring, explosions and all manner of yelling. Thinking 115 00:09:32,679 --> 00:09:36,160 Speaker 1: for a minute, Tom replied, that might be the TV. 116 00:09:36,240 --> 00:09:42,959 Speaker 1: You are hearing TV. Whatever it is, it just seems 117 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:46,160 Speaker 1: so much safer in my little house than it does 118 00:09:46,240 --> 00:09:50,520 Speaker 1: in the great big world out there. One time, my 119 00:09:50,640 --> 00:09:54,199 Speaker 1: owner took me into this bright room, set me down 120 00:09:54,240 --> 00:09:58,520 Speaker 1: on the cold ground, and opened this large door which 121 00:09:58,559 --> 00:10:01,160 Speaker 1: had such a bright light that it must have been 122 00:10:01,200 --> 00:10:06,040 Speaker 1: a door to a whole other place, a cold place, 123 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:08,800 Speaker 1: as the gust of wind that came from that door 124 00:10:09,280 --> 00:10:12,440 Speaker 1: was so cold. I ran right back in here where 125 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:18,120 Speaker 1: it is nice and warm. So you have never been 126 00:10:18,160 --> 00:10:23,520 Speaker 1: outside and felt the sun on your fur outside? Oh, no, 127 00:10:24,000 --> 00:10:28,720 Speaker 1: I'm afraid I haven't. Well, I'm a bit of a 128 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:34,679 Speaker 1: world traveler myself. I've explored all the backyards of this neighborhood. 129 00:10:35,360 --> 00:10:37,880 Speaker 1: My owners live not so far from here, and I 130 00:10:38,040 --> 00:10:42,319 Speaker 1: go out often. I love to explore the world. Tom 131 00:10:42,360 --> 00:10:51,080 Speaker 1: said proudly. Wow, Wow, Wow, you are so brave. Sitting 132 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:55,800 Speaker 1: with a proud chest, Tom replied, matter of factly, well, 133 00:10:56,280 --> 00:10:59,720 Speaker 1: I guess I am, But I have earned it through 134 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:03,480 Speaker 1: try buying new things. I don't know if I like 135 00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:07,880 Speaker 1: new things or not. When I was a young kitten, 136 00:11:08,040 --> 00:11:11,520 Speaker 1: I had an older dog show me around. As a 137 00:11:11,559 --> 00:11:17,559 Speaker 1: young kitten, I was curious but pretty nervous about many things. Rufus, 138 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:21,320 Speaker 1: the old dog helped me take those first few steps 139 00:11:22,160 --> 00:11:24,520 Speaker 1: that gave me the courage to be the cat I 140 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:28,880 Speaker 1: am today. All it takes is one step, he used 141 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 1: to stay. How about I lead you on an adventure 142 00:11:33,240 --> 00:11:37,880 Speaker 1: and help you take that first step. Adventure sounds like 143 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:42,600 Speaker 1: a scary word. Graham Cracker said he was interested in 144 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:46,040 Speaker 1: going with Tom, but was still a bit frightened of 145 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:50,920 Speaker 1: the idea. You have nothing to be scared of if 146 00:11:50,960 --> 00:11:54,559 Speaker 1: you come with me. You can even take the paper 147 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:58,240 Speaker 1: bag you like with you. That way, if you get 148 00:11:58,280 --> 00:12:02,240 Speaker 1: too scared, you can just hide inside until the feeling 149 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:07,560 Speaker 1: goes away. Are you sure it will be okay? I 150 00:12:07,600 --> 00:12:10,760 Speaker 1: have been curious about the world outside my house and 151 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:14,480 Speaker 1: this room, but I have been scared. And well, it's 152 00:12:14,520 --> 00:12:20,760 Speaker 1: pretty comfy here. I'm sure you will be fine. Our 153 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:23,640 Speaker 1: first stop will be the land of the living room 154 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:30,840 Speaker 1: and couch mountain. Oh, that sounds so far away and 155 00:12:31,040 --> 00:12:37,480 Speaker 1: like quite an adventure. Graham Cracker sat there for a moment, 156 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:43,640 Speaker 1: thinking and munching on some food. And he sat and 157 00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:52,960 Speaker 1: he thought some more. Okay, I'll try, he said, quietly. Fantastic. 158 00:12:53,679 --> 00:12:57,280 Speaker 1: Now you do have awfully short legs, so I will 159 00:12:57,280 --> 00:13:02,720 Speaker 1: go a little bit slower for you. Graham Cracker came 160 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:07,960 Speaker 1: down from his house and stopped. Oh. Oh, I don't know, 161 00:13:08,880 --> 00:13:14,240 Speaker 1: he said, suddenly feeling scared again. It's fine. The first 162 00:13:14,240 --> 00:13:18,000 Speaker 1: step is the hardest in every journey, and you have 163 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:26,199 Speaker 1: already started. And so they started slowly walking across Graham 164 00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:33,160 Speaker 1: Cracker's room side by side. You're doing great. Now. Up 165 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:36,800 Speaker 1: here is what they call a hallway, and it connects 166 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:42,760 Speaker 1: us to other rooms and ends in the living room. Oh, 167 00:13:42,800 --> 00:13:46,080 Speaker 1: it looks like such a long distance, like the Grand 168 00:13:46,120 --> 00:13:48,600 Speaker 1: Canyon that my owner used to talk to me about. 169 00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:52,680 Speaker 1: Are you sure there are no ferocious animals waiting for 170 00:13:52,800 --> 00:13:57,079 Speaker 1: us in this living room? I'm pretty sure, Tom said, 171 00:13:58,679 --> 00:14:03,160 Speaker 1: And so they slowly continued walking through the long hallway 172 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:09,720 Speaker 1: until they came to the entrance to the living room. Wow. 173 00:14:10,160 --> 00:14:12,720 Speaker 1: I think I have run down this hallway before, but 174 00:14:13,160 --> 00:14:16,079 Speaker 1: I ran with my eyes closed because I was so scared. 175 00:14:17,520 --> 00:14:21,200 Speaker 1: I didn't realize that the hallway was so tall and 176 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:25,400 Speaker 1: had all these big lights on the sides and up high, 177 00:14:25,480 --> 00:14:29,560 Speaker 1: and the floor feels furry and tickles my toes. Is 178 00:14:29,600 --> 00:14:34,880 Speaker 1: this what it is like when you explore the outside world? Similar, 179 00:14:35,240 --> 00:14:42,320 Speaker 1: but the outside world is even bigger? Tom said, Wow, Wow, Wow, 180 00:14:43,200 --> 00:14:47,920 Speaker 1: Graham Cracker exclaimed, this is an amazing adventure so far. 181 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:55,040 Speaker 1: Is that couch mountain? It looks so big to me. Yes, 182 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:59,000 Speaker 1: this tall structure is the couch which is where I 183 00:14:59,080 --> 00:15:02,440 Speaker 1: will spend my time when I'm not eating or exploring. 184 00:15:03,200 --> 00:15:06,720 Speaker 1: It's very comfortable and allows you to see the rest 185 00:15:06,760 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 1: of the room. Walking to the front of the couch 186 00:15:12,040 --> 00:15:17,480 Speaker 1: with Tom, graham Cracker said, couch mountain certainly is tall. 187 00:15:18,480 --> 00:15:20,640 Speaker 1: I don't think I could ever climb it, not with 188 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:27,360 Speaker 1: my small legs. Tom thought for a moment, I have 189 00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:31,800 Speaker 1: an idea. When I crouch down, climb on my back, 190 00:15:31,960 --> 00:15:34,720 Speaker 1: and I will slowly climb the side of the couch, 191 00:15:35,240 --> 00:15:41,360 Speaker 1: carrying you to the top where we can rest. Oh oh, oh, 192 00:15:41,680 --> 00:15:47,680 Speaker 1: that sounds exciting and scary. Crouching down, Tom said, on 193 00:15:47,720 --> 00:15:52,480 Speaker 1: my back you go, and graham Cracker did just that. 194 00:15:54,040 --> 00:15:57,960 Speaker 1: Hold onto my neck, Tom said to graham Cracker, who, then, 195 00:15:58,080 --> 00:16:01,520 Speaker 1: being a bit scared, held on soon tight, but not 196 00:16:01,760 --> 00:16:07,440 Speaker 1: so tightly, Tom said, with a raspy voice. After a 197 00:16:07,560 --> 00:16:11,960 Speaker 1: short tense climb, Tom and graham Cracker made it to 198 00:16:12,080 --> 00:16:15,960 Speaker 1: the top of the couch, and graham Cracker climbed off 199 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:23,800 Speaker 1: Tom's back, looked around him and said, wow, wow, wow, 200 00:16:24,600 --> 00:16:28,840 Speaker 1: I am on top of the world. This is so exciting. 201 00:16:31,480 --> 00:16:35,680 Speaker 1: Stretching and giving a brief yawn, Tom said, you did well. 202 00:16:35,720 --> 00:16:41,160 Speaker 1: Graham Cracker up next we continue our adventure outside in 203 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:48,000 Speaker 1: the backyard. Oh oh oh, Graham Cracker said nervously. But 204 00:16:48,240 --> 00:16:55,200 Speaker 1: first we nap. And that's the state that Tracy found 205 00:16:55,280 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 1: the men when she walked into the living room. Tom 206 00:16:59,160 --> 00:17:02,280 Speaker 1: and Graham Cracker were cuddled up in the corner of 207 00:17:02,320 --> 00:17:10,480 Speaker 1: the couch, fast asleep. And that's the end of our story. 208 00:17:11,680 --> 00:17:14,160 Speaker 1: Good night, sleep tight.