1
00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:21,360
Speaker 1: Hello, friends, and welcome to sleep Tight Stories. This is

2
00:00:21,400 --> 00:00:25,200
Speaker 1: a story about a girl named Rachel who loves to

3
00:00:25,320 --> 00:00:30,400
Speaker 1: read books. She spends all her time reading and has

4
00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:35,360
Speaker 1: a great imagination. Her friends have told her about the

5
00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:39,159
Speaker 1: haunted house on her street, but this day, as she

6
00:00:39,240 --> 00:00:42,360
Speaker 1: walks by it to go to the store, it looks

7
00:00:42,520 --> 00:00:49,320
Speaker 1: especially scary. Rachel is sure her imagination is just playing

8
00:00:49,360 --> 00:00:58,440
Speaker 1: tricks on her. Let's see what she finds out. Rachel

9
00:00:58,560 --> 00:01:15,520
Speaker 1: meets the forest which Rachel loved. Her room, which was

10
00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:21,479
Speaker 1: a direct reflection of her full of pillows, books and

11
00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:25,240
Speaker 1: everything related to the fantasy books she loved to read

12
00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:31,640
Speaker 1: over and over again. She even had a collection of

13
00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:34,600
Speaker 1: magic wands on the wall that her uncle made for

14
00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:40,120
Speaker 1: her in his workshop. Her new house and city were

15
00:01:40,200 --> 00:01:45,440
Speaker 1: growing on her. She loved the trees and the green grass,

16
00:01:46,080 --> 00:01:50,960
Speaker 1: and of course she loved all her new friends. They

17
00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:53,560
Speaker 1: just moved here a few years ago and were still

18
00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:58,160
Speaker 1: referred to as crumb Away, but that didn't bother Rachel much.

19
00:01:58,680 --> 00:02:05,040
Speaker 1: Her new friends were all from away too. Her mother

20
00:02:05,120 --> 00:02:08,760
Speaker 1: and father said they moved here to downsize and enjoy

21
00:02:08,919 --> 00:02:12,560
Speaker 1: a better quality of life, but they seemed to have

22
00:02:12,919 --> 00:02:16,200
Speaker 1: just as much stuff and were as busy as they

23
00:02:16,280 --> 00:02:22,520
Speaker 1: ever were, today was not a busy day like so

24
00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:27,040
Speaker 1: many others. Her parents were planning on sitting out in

25
00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:30,720
Speaker 1: their backyard for most of the day, while Rachel was

26
00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:34,000
Speaker 1: going to spend the morning in her room reading another

27
00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:39,959
Speaker 1: series of books about mythical heroes saving people from evil monsters.

28
00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:48,240
Speaker 1: Then she was meeting friends at the library. Rachel her

29
00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:51,240
Speaker 1: mother called from downstairs. Can you come down and do

30
00:02:51,360 --> 00:02:56,160
Speaker 1: me a favor please? Okay, Mom, I'll be right down,

31
00:02:57,040 --> 00:03:00,799
Speaker 1: Rachel yelled as she got up from her bean bags.

32
00:03:03,200 --> 00:03:08,919
Speaker 1: After arriving in the kitchen, Rachel asked, what's up. Your

33
00:03:08,919 --> 00:03:11,600
Speaker 1: father and I would like to barbecue today, but we

34
00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:14,239
Speaker 1: need a few items that we forgot when we went

35
00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:18,240
Speaker 1: for groceries. Can you walk over to the grocery store

36
00:03:18,240 --> 00:03:23,720
Speaker 1: and get a few things. I was just getting into

37
00:03:23,720 --> 00:03:27,480
Speaker 1: the good part of the story, mom, and then I know,

38
00:03:28,520 --> 00:03:32,600
Speaker 1: Rachel's mom said, interrupting. If you are quick, you can

39
00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:35,560
Speaker 1: still have time to read before you meet your friends,

40
00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:41,760
Speaker 1: and I might make an ice cream treat. Okay, if

41
00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:44,880
Speaker 1: you put it that way, Rachel said with a laugh.

42
00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:51,600
Speaker 1: Rachel lived just a short walk from the grocery store,

43
00:03:52,160 --> 00:03:54,680
Speaker 1: which she thought was one of the reasons why her

44
00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:59,000
Speaker 1: parents loved living in this neighborhood. They could send her

45
00:03:59,040 --> 00:04:02,840
Speaker 1: to the store for whenever they forgot something for dinner.

46
00:04:04,600 --> 00:04:09,040
Speaker 1: Walking quickly down the tree lined street, Rachel passed the

47
00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:13,120
Speaker 1: infamous house that was set off from the sidewalk and

48
00:04:13,200 --> 00:04:18,240
Speaker 1: behind a bunch of trees. Rachel picked up her pace

49
00:04:18,279 --> 00:04:21,960
Speaker 1: whenever she went past, as all her friends told her

50
00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:25,919
Speaker 1: stories about how the house was haunted or full of

51
00:04:26,000 --> 00:04:30,479
Speaker 1: witches and flying broomsticks. Just like the stories she read,

52
00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:34,960
Speaker 1: the house looked the part, and she often wondered why

53
00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:38,680
Speaker 1: it was allowed to stay in such a state. The

54
00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:42,320
Speaker 1: yard looked overgrown, and the paint on the house was

55
00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:47,600
Speaker 1: faded and the corners full of cobwebs. There was even

56
00:04:47,680 --> 00:04:54,159
Speaker 1: a black cat on the verandah this day. As she

57
00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:57,719
Speaker 1: walked by, she swore she could see the forest witch

58
00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:01,720
Speaker 1: as everyone called her, looking out one of the windows

59
00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:06,240
Speaker 1: on the top floor of the house. Rachel walked a

60
00:05:06,240 --> 00:05:11,479
Speaker 1: bit faster. She made it to the grocery store without

61
00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:15,120
Speaker 1: being cast with a spell, and zipped through the store

62
00:05:15,240 --> 00:05:19,359
Speaker 1: collecting all the items her mother asked for, even a

63
00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:24,919
Speaker 1: tub of her favorite ice cream, cookies and cream. She

64
00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:28,440
Speaker 1: said thank you to the cashier a friend's older brother,

65
00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:34,080
Speaker 1: and walked toward the exit. As she was walking out

66
00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:38,000
Speaker 1: of the grocery store, she noticed an elderly lady struggling

67
00:05:38,120 --> 00:05:43,440
Speaker 1: with carrying her groceries. She walked over and asked, can

68
00:05:43,480 --> 00:05:46,159
Speaker 1: I help you with your groceries? I could help you

69
00:05:46,240 --> 00:05:50,840
Speaker 1: carry your bag to your car if you like. Oh, why,

70
00:05:50,960 --> 00:05:54,800
Speaker 1: thank you, dear, the elderly lady said, but I don't

71
00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:58,640
Speaker 1: own one of those things. I prefer to walk. It's

72
00:05:58,680 --> 00:06:04,640
Speaker 1: better for my legs and better for the trees. Oh

73
00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:08,720
Speaker 1: do you live nearby? I am walking down Longworth and

74
00:06:08,760 --> 00:06:12,839
Speaker 1: would be happy to help you, Rachel asked, remembering to

75
00:06:12,920 --> 00:06:17,760
Speaker 1: talk a bit louder so she could be clearly heard. Oh,

76
00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:22,280
Speaker 1: that would be so kind. I live on Longworth. Are

77
00:06:22,320 --> 00:06:24,960
Speaker 1: you sure it won't be too much of an inconvenience,

78
00:06:25,360 --> 00:06:30,000
Speaker 1: she asked. It's not too much trouble at all, Rachel said,

79
00:06:30,440 --> 00:06:35,880
Speaker 1: taking her bag of groceries. After letting out a sigh,

80
00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:39,720
Speaker 1: the elderly lady said, my body doesn't work as well

81
00:06:39,760 --> 00:06:44,719
Speaker 1: as it used to, I'm afraid. As they started walking

82
00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:50,800
Speaker 1: down the street, the elderly lady asked, what is your name, dear? Oh,

83
00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:54,880
Speaker 1: my name is Rachel. That's a nice name, Dear, my

84
00:06:55,040 --> 00:07:00,440
Speaker 1: name is Esther. What school do you go to? I

85
00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:03,800
Speaker 1: just finished my final year at Birchwood and we'll be

86
00:07:03,839 --> 00:07:07,320
Speaker 1: attending Rural in the fall. Rachel said, with a hint

87
00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:12,320
Speaker 1: of excitement. That's nice. I used to teach at Birchwood,

88
00:07:12,800 --> 00:07:18,280
Speaker 1: but I'm afraid that was many, many years ago. Esther said, Well,

89
00:07:18,680 --> 00:07:21,480
Speaker 1: I don't think it has changed at all since then.

90
00:07:22,040 --> 00:07:26,240
Speaker 1: Rachel said, with a laugh. Yes, I've heard the school

91
00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:34,320
Speaker 1: could use some upgrades, you know, miss Esther. Just Esther, dear, Okay,

92
00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:38,520
Speaker 1: you know, Esther. You can order groceries via an app

93
00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:41,000
Speaker 1: and have it delivered, and then you don't have to

94
00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:46,480
Speaker 1: walk and carry your groceries any more. Is that right? Well,

95
00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:51,640
Speaker 1: such modern conveniences, but I never did bother learning how

96
00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:56,600
Speaker 1: to use those fancy what are they called iPhones or smartphones?

97
00:07:57,480 --> 00:08:01,480
Speaker 1: I've always walked to get my groceries, and despite all

98
00:08:01,520 --> 00:08:04,840
Speaker 1: the creaks and cracks of this old body, I don't

99
00:08:04,840 --> 00:08:10,360
Speaker 1: see any reason to change. Besides, I need an excuse

100
00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:13,000
Speaker 1: to get out and meet nice young people like yourself.

101
00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:20,400
Speaker 1: Not all modern conveniences are necessary. You and my mother

102
00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:24,160
Speaker 1: would get along very well. She always sends me to

103
00:08:24,240 --> 00:08:28,600
Speaker 1: the grocery store instead of ordering via her phone. Rachel said,

104
00:08:28,640 --> 00:08:33,480
Speaker 1: with a smile. There are too many cars around anyway,

105
00:08:33,720 --> 00:08:38,520
Speaker 1: Esther said, too much traffic and noise. You best watch

106
00:08:38,559 --> 00:08:41,520
Speaker 1: out for the cars, dear. They are so much bigger

107
00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:45,280
Speaker 1: than when I was a young lady, and everyone seems

108
00:08:45,320 --> 00:08:48,400
Speaker 1: to be in such a rush, like they have to

109
00:08:48,440 --> 00:08:54,360
Speaker 1: be somewhere important. I will How much farther is your house,

110
00:08:54,600 --> 00:08:59,440
Speaker 1: Rachel asked, Just up ahead. I really appreciate your help.

111
00:08:59,679 --> 00:09:04,360
Speaker 1: Esther'son said, it's no problem, Rachel said, as they walked

112
00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:09,160
Speaker 1: slowly on the sidewalk. Well, here we are. This is

113
00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:14,800
Speaker 1: my house, said Esther. Rachel was shocked and her face

114
00:09:15,080 --> 00:09:19,200
Speaker 1: started to turn pale. The house that they stopped in

115
00:09:19,240 --> 00:09:22,880
Speaker 1: front of was the haunted house, the house that everyone

116
00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:27,560
Speaker 1: said an evil witch lived in. What's wrong, dear, you

117
00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:33,080
Speaker 1: look like you have seen a ghost. Nothing. This is

118
00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:38,440
Speaker 1: where you live, asked Rachel quietly. It certainly is. I've

119
00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:41,880
Speaker 1: lived here for over fifty years now. I can take

120
00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:44,720
Speaker 1: my groceries from here. You don't need to carry them

121
00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:48,280
Speaker 1: to the door. Esther said as she looked with sparkling

122
00:09:48,360 --> 00:09:52,640
Speaker 1: eyes at Rachel. No, that's Okay, I really don't mind,

123
00:09:53,080 --> 00:09:58,520
Speaker 1: Rachel said, Okay, just follow me. Then, Esther said, as

124
00:09:58,559 --> 00:10:01,320
Speaker 1: she opened the gate that guarded the entrance to the

125
00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:05,840
Speaker 1: walkway of her front door. The gate opened with an

126
00:10:05,960 --> 00:10:11,840
Speaker 1: incredibly squeaky sound. I must get that gate fixed, Esther mumbled.

127
00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:17,200
Speaker 1: Rachel followed Esther down the short walkway, through the trees,

128
00:10:17,280 --> 00:10:20,640
Speaker 1: which served as a home for a group of crows,

129
00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:25,120
Speaker 1: by the lawn ornaments covered in spider webs, and up

130
00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:30,520
Speaker 1: her creaky steps to the front door. There. Now we

131
00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:35,720
Speaker 1: made it in one piece, said Esther, with a sigh. Now, Rachel,

132
00:10:36,280 --> 00:10:39,480
Speaker 1: Esther said, as she opened her purse, would you accept

133
00:10:39,480 --> 00:10:43,120
Speaker 1: a bit of money for your efforts? No, no, that's

134
00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:47,720
Speaker 1: not necessary. It's my pleasure to help. Well, how about

135
00:10:47,720 --> 00:10:51,960
Speaker 1: a drink. It's hard work carrying two grocery bags and

136
00:10:52,080 --> 00:10:56,000
Speaker 1: you could probably use some refreshment. Have a seat here

137
00:10:56,080 --> 00:10:59,160
Speaker 1: on the verandah, I won't take no for an answer.

138
00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:02,800
Speaker 1: I'll be right back with some milk and some cookies

139
00:11:02,840 --> 00:11:09,120
Speaker 1: I baked earlier today. Rachel nervously took a seat as

140
00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:12,560
Speaker 1: Esther took her bag of groceries in through the front door,

141
00:11:13,240 --> 00:11:17,079
Speaker 1: which closed behind her with a loud bang. That caused

142
00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:22,920
Speaker 1: Rachel to jump. As she was sitting there. The black

143
00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:28,280
Speaker 1: cat she saw earlier slowly walked towards her. Uh oh,

144
00:11:28,480 --> 00:11:34,959
Speaker 1: Rachel thought. Sensing Rachel's hesitation, the cat immediately jumped on

145
00:11:35,080 --> 00:11:39,480
Speaker 1: her lap and started purring, just as Esther returned with

146
00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:44,760
Speaker 1: some milk and cookies. Oh, I see you have made

147
00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:48,160
Speaker 1: friends with soots, Esther said, setting the tray down on

148
00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:52,640
Speaker 1: the small table by Rachel's chair. She doesn't get to

149
00:11:52,679 --> 00:11:58,600
Speaker 1: meet too many young people these days. As Rachel took

150
00:11:58,640 --> 00:12:02,600
Speaker 1: a drink of milk, said, there you go, Dear, you

151
00:12:02,679 --> 00:12:07,000
Speaker 1: look better already from the look on your face earlier,

152
00:12:07,080 --> 00:12:11,240
Speaker 1: I thought I might have worn you out. Thank you

153
00:12:11,320 --> 00:12:14,920
Speaker 1: for the milk, Rachel said, with a big milk mustache.

154
00:12:15,440 --> 00:12:20,120
Speaker 1: I was just a little bit. Let me guess you

155
00:12:20,200 --> 00:12:23,480
Speaker 1: thought I might have been the forest witch or broomstick

156
00:12:23,720 --> 00:12:29,760
Speaker 1: Esther or whatever they are calling me these days. Well, maybe,

157
00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:34,760
Speaker 1: Rachel hesitated to say, while you are right, I am,

158
00:12:35,440 --> 00:12:40,520
Speaker 1: I am the witch, said Esther. Sensing Rachel's growing alarm,

159
00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:46,640
Speaker 1: she continued, Oh, dear, you do have a wonderful imagination.

160
00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:53,360
Speaker 1: I've been the witch ever since Halloween over twenty years ago.

161
00:12:53,559 --> 00:12:56,680
Speaker 1: That year, I dressed up as a witch and decorated

162
00:12:56,720 --> 00:13:01,400
Speaker 1: the house, scared all the older kids and told stories

163
00:13:01,440 --> 00:13:07,520
Speaker 1: to all the younger ones. It was great fun. We

164
00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:10,520
Speaker 1: did that for a number of years, but after my

165
00:13:10,760 --> 00:13:14,640
Speaker 1: Ralph moved on, I have been alone and just haven't

166
00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:19,040
Speaker 1: had the energy to continue. But I guess well, we

167
00:13:19,040 --> 00:13:22,440
Speaker 1: weren't the best at keeping the lawn cut anyway, and

168
00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:25,520
Speaker 1: the house just sort of started looking the part without

169
00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:30,360
Speaker 1: any decorations, and well, you know how kids like to

170
00:13:30,400 --> 00:13:35,880
Speaker 1: make up stories. Esther continued. Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't

171
00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:40,440
Speaker 1: mean to. Don't be silly, dear. I never took offense

172
00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:45,400
Speaker 1: at the imaginations of kids. Maybe this year, my creaky

173
00:13:45,440 --> 00:13:51,480
Speaker 1: bone's willing, I'll restart the tradition. How are the cookies,

174
00:13:51,760 --> 00:13:57,520
Speaker 1: Estra asked, They are perfect. It's just about time for lunch,

175
00:13:57,600 --> 00:14:00,160
Speaker 1: and I am sure you have many things you would

176
00:14:00,240 --> 00:14:02,959
Speaker 1: like to do, so I won't keep you any longer.

177
00:14:03,160 --> 00:14:08,840
Speaker 1: Esther said, Okay, it was nice meeting you, Esther. Nice

178
00:14:08,880 --> 00:14:11,880
Speaker 1: meeting you too, Rachel, and drop by for a visit.

179
00:14:12,800 --> 00:14:16,280
Speaker 1: Bring your mother next time. As you said, we might

180
00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:21,480
Speaker 1: just have a great deal in common. I will bye,

181
00:14:22,240 --> 00:14:25,760
Speaker 1: said Rachel as she walked down the walkway towards the

182
00:14:25,880 --> 00:14:34,600
Speaker 1: sidewalk and her home, and that's the end of our story.

183
00:14:35,320 --> 00:14:39,120
Speaker 1: Good Night, Leap Tight