1 00:00:08,560 --> 00:00:14,800 Speaker 1: Hello, friends, and welcome to sleep Tight Stories. A short 2 00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:19,560 Speaker 1: message for grown ups. If you get value from our stories, 3 00:00:20,040 --> 00:00:26,760 Speaker 1: please consider subscribing to sleep Type Premium. With sleep Type Premium, 4 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:32,199 Speaker 1: you receive four stories per week, plus super long sleep sounds, 5 00:00:32,880 --> 00:00:40,360 Speaker 1: guided meditations, music for sleep and more. Visit sleep Typepremium 6 00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:45,000 Speaker 1: dot com to subscribe. A link can also be found 7 00:00:45,080 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 1: in our show notes. Thank You. This story celebrates Thanksgiving. 8 00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:05,920 Speaker 1: Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated the second Monday of October 9 00:01:06,959 --> 00:01:15,000 Speaker 1: and has been since nineteen fifty seven. One reason why 10 00:01:15,040 --> 00:01:20,960 Speaker 1: Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October is that we harvest earlier 11 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:25,559 Speaker 1: due to the fact that Canada is located further north 12 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:34,840 Speaker 1: than the United States. We celebrate Thanksgiving with turkey highs 13 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:42,600 Speaker 1: and family gatherings. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks. 14 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:48,080 Speaker 1: People started this celebration to give thanks for a good harvest. 15 00:01:49,840 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 1: Today we are thankful for family and good health. What 16 00:01:56,880 --> 00:02:12,160 Speaker 1: are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? The Thanksgiving party? Oh mother, mother, 17 00:02:12,919 --> 00:02:17,440 Speaker 1: exclaimed Lucy Welford as she bounded into her mother's room. 18 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:23,000 Speaker 1: One bright, frosty morning. Uncle John is in the parlor 19 00:02:23,040 --> 00:02:25,120 Speaker 1: and he has come to ask if he may take 20 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:29,400 Speaker 1: Mary and me home with him to pass Thanksgiving. Oh, please, Mother, 21 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:34,040 Speaker 1: let us go. Thanksgiving in the country is so delightful, 22 00:02:34,520 --> 00:02:39,560 Speaker 1: much more so than in the city. Such fine sleigh 23 00:02:39,720 --> 00:02:44,280 Speaker 1: rides and such grand slides on the pond, and the 24 00:02:44,320 --> 00:02:48,680 Speaker 1: delicious pumpkin pies, and the roast turkeys, and the bowls 25 00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:53,359 Speaker 1: of sweet milk and cream, continued Mary, who had followed 26 00:02:53,360 --> 00:02:58,040 Speaker 1: her sister to hear their mother's decision. Oh, it will 27 00:02:58,080 --> 00:03:03,000 Speaker 1: be so pleasant. And only think mother. Uncle John is 28 00:03:03,080 --> 00:03:06,919 Speaker 1: going to have a large party, a regular feast, he says, 29 00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:10,399 Speaker 1: And Aunt Clara thinks that Lucy and I can assist 30 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:13,240 Speaker 1: her very much, if you will be so kind as 31 00:03:13,240 --> 00:03:21,079 Speaker 1: to let us go very well, replied their mother, smiling. 32 00:03:21,680 --> 00:03:24,200 Speaker 1: We will go and talk with Uncle John about it, 33 00:03:24,639 --> 00:03:27,480 Speaker 1: and see if father thinks he can spare both of 34 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:33,480 Speaker 1: his girls for a few days. To the great joy 35 00:03:33,639 --> 00:03:37,800 Speaker 1: of Mary and Lucy, father and mother at length gave 36 00:03:37,880 --> 00:03:42,920 Speaker 1: their consent, and warmly, wrapped in hoods and cloaks with 37 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:46,760 Speaker 1: a large carpet bag to contain such articles as would 38 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 1: be necessary for them during their stay, they sprang lightly 39 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:56,320 Speaker 1: into Uncle John's comfortable sleigh, and with many a kind 40 00:03:56,440 --> 00:04:00,000 Speaker 1: good bye to the dear ones. At home were soon 41 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:05,280 Speaker 1: riding swiftly away, leaving far behind the various sights and 42 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:13,160 Speaker 1: sounds of the busy city. A pleasant ride of fifteen 43 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:18,000 Speaker 1: miles brought them to the old fashioned farmhouse, where the 44 00:04:18,040 --> 00:04:22,159 Speaker 1: sound of the merry bells soon called Aunt Clara to 45 00:04:22,240 --> 00:04:27,640 Speaker 1: the door, and with a most affectionate welcome, she hugged 46 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:32,440 Speaker 1: her young nieces and expressed her joy that their parents 47 00:04:32,480 --> 00:04:36,240 Speaker 1: had consented to spare them to her for a short time. 48 00:04:40,200 --> 00:04:42,960 Speaker 1: The ride in the fresh air had given the girls 49 00:04:43,120 --> 00:04:48,599 Speaker 1: fine rosy cheeks and excellent appetites, and they were quite 50 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:52,760 Speaker 1: ready to accept Aunt Clara's invitation to take a luncheon 51 00:04:52,839 --> 00:04:56,320 Speaker 1: of bread and milk and some of her nice doughnuts. 52 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:00,240 Speaker 1: And now, dear Aunt, do tell us all about about 53 00:05:00,279 --> 00:05:04,599 Speaker 1: the party, exclaimed Lucy. Will there be any young folks? 54 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:07,320 Speaker 1: Or is it only for grown up people like you 55 00:05:07,360 --> 00:05:12,040 Speaker 1: and Uncle John. We tried to make him tell us 56 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:15,640 Speaker 1: about it as we rode along, but he only laughed 57 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:18,880 Speaker 1: and said we should find out when the day came. 58 00:05:20,279 --> 00:05:23,720 Speaker 1: There will be both young and old, replied their aunt, 59 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 1: smiling about fifty in all. So you see, I shall 60 00:05:28,560 --> 00:05:31,640 Speaker 1: be much in need of your help in entertaining so 61 00:05:31,960 --> 00:05:36,159 Speaker 1: large a group. We will do everything we can to 62 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:39,040 Speaker 1: help you, said Mary. And we have brought our new 63 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 1: winter frocks to wear and new ribbons for our hair. 64 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:46,279 Speaker 1: And Mother said if anything else was needed, we could 65 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:49,719 Speaker 1: send her word tomorrow, as Uncle John said he should 66 00:05:49,720 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 1: be obliged to go into town. Oh, your dresses will 67 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:58,719 Speaker 1: do very well, I have no doubt, replied her aunt. 68 00:06:00,000 --> 00:06:03,039 Speaker 1: Friends are not very showy people and will come in 69 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:06,760 Speaker 1: plain attire. But I must leave you and Lucy to 70 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:10,000 Speaker 1: entertain yourselves for a short time, as a part of 71 00:06:10,040 --> 00:06:13,760 Speaker 1: my morning work is unfinished. I suppose you will not 72 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:18,919 Speaker 1: be at a loss for amusement. Not at all, answered 73 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:21,640 Speaker 1: both of the girls. We will go to the barn 74 00:06:21,680 --> 00:06:24,760 Speaker 1: and find Uncle John and see if our old pets 75 00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:32,720 Speaker 1: among the sheep and the cows have forgotten us. The 76 00:06:32,800 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 1: remainder of the day passed pleasantly away, and the girls 77 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:41,560 Speaker 1: were so much fatigued with the unusual exercise they had 78 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 1: taken in running about the farm that they were quite 79 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 1: glad when bedtime came, and slept soundly until the bright 80 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:53,599 Speaker 1: rays of the morning sun were beaming in at their window. 81 00:06:56,160 --> 00:06:59,720 Speaker 1: Tomorrow will be the day for the party, exclaimed Lucy 82 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:04,320 Speaker 1: as she and her sister quickly dressed for breakfast, fearful 83 00:07:04,360 --> 00:07:08,200 Speaker 1: that they had already kept their aunt waiting. I expect 84 00:07:08,240 --> 00:07:13,400 Speaker 1: to enjoy it so much, so do I replied Mary. 85 00:07:13,720 --> 00:07:16,320 Speaker 1: I am very glad that there are young people coming. 86 00:07:17,080 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 1: There are some sweet little girls in the neighborhood. I 87 00:07:20,880 --> 00:07:25,120 Speaker 1: hope Aunt Clara has invited missus Carleton's family. They live 88 00:07:25,160 --> 00:07:27,880 Speaker 1: in the great White House on the hill and are 89 00:07:28,160 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 1: very pleasant people. No doubt they will be here, returned Lucy, 90 00:07:34,160 --> 00:07:38,960 Speaker 1: and the Wilsons, and Smith's, and perhaps mister Marian's family. 91 00:07:40,120 --> 00:07:42,920 Speaker 1: There must be many others coming whom we do not know, 92 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:47,480 Speaker 1: for Aunt said there would be about fifty guests. Oh, 93 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:54,280 Speaker 1: I am sure it will be delightful. Breakfast over. Aunt 94 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:58,800 Speaker 1: Clara soon found abundance of work for her two young assistants. 95 00:07:59,840 --> 00:08:04,600 Speaker 1: There were nutmegs to grate eggs, to beat apples, to 96 00:08:04,720 --> 00:08:09,920 Speaker 1: peel meat to mince, and various other jobs which the 97 00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 1: girls found very interesting. The tables were soon loaded with pies, cakes, 98 00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 1: warm bread, and every variety of eatables, while turkeys and 99 00:08:24,120 --> 00:08:27,040 Speaker 1: chickens by the dozens were in a state of preparation, 100 00:08:27,920 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 1: and the large pots over the fire were filled with 101 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:35,640 Speaker 1: the nice hams which Uncle John had provided for the occasion. 102 00:08:38,679 --> 00:08:42,600 Speaker 1: Everything showed that there was to be a bountiful feast, 103 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:47,080 Speaker 1: and our young friends danced for joy as they thought 104 00:08:47,280 --> 00:08:54,680 Speaker 1: of the pleasure in store for them. The much wished 105 00:08:54,720 --> 00:08:58,840 Speaker 1: for day came at length, and a bright and beautiful 106 00:08:58,920 --> 00:09:05,400 Speaker 1: day it was. The guests were expected to arrive about noon, 107 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:10,760 Speaker 1: and by eleven o'clock, Lucy and Mary, having assisted their 108 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:14,160 Speaker 1: aunt in preparing the long table in the dining room, 109 00:09:14,800 --> 00:09:18,079 Speaker 1: rushed to their own room to dress that they might 110 00:09:18,160 --> 00:09:23,960 Speaker 1: be ready to receive them. The great double sleigh with 111 00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:28,280 Speaker 1: the pretty gray ponies was already harnessed for some of 112 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:32,520 Speaker 1: the visitors, as Uncle John observed, lived at quite a 113 00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:35,839 Speaker 1: distance from the farm, and he had promised to send 114 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:41,200 Speaker 1: for them at the proper time. Very kind of, Uncle John, 115 00:09:41,640 --> 00:09:45,120 Speaker 1: observed Mary to her sister. But I should think they 116 00:09:45,120 --> 00:09:49,360 Speaker 1: would prefer coming in their own carriages. Oh, but it 117 00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:52,760 Speaker 1: is so pleasant to load up that old double sleigh, 118 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:56,720 Speaker 1: returned Lucy. The younger part of the company will enjoy 119 00:09:56,800 --> 00:10:01,559 Speaker 1: the arrangement exceedingly. Just tie this bow for me, Mary, 120 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:06,040 Speaker 1: and then I believe we are all ready. Let us 121 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:08,640 Speaker 1: go down at once I have no doubt that a 122 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:14,520 Speaker 1: part of the company have arrived, but the parlors were 123 00:10:14,600 --> 00:10:19,640 Speaker 1: still empty. Even Aunt Clara had not yet appeared, and 124 00:10:19,720 --> 00:10:23,840 Speaker 1: after surveying themselves with much satisfaction in the large mirror 125 00:10:24,520 --> 00:10:27,800 Speaker 1: and impatiently walking up and down the room for a 126 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:33,120 Speaker 1: short time, the girls decided to find her and ask 127 00:10:33,240 --> 00:10:39,119 Speaker 1: if the dinner hour had not nearly arrived. To their surprise, 128 00:10:39,320 --> 00:10:43,040 Speaker 1: they found the table already loaded with the smoking plum 129 00:10:43,120 --> 00:10:48,240 Speaker 1: puddings and nicely roasted turkeys and chickens which Uncle John 130 00:10:48,280 --> 00:10:52,880 Speaker 1: and Aunt Clara were carrying. But no one has come yet, 131 00:10:52,960 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 1: Uncle John exclaimed both Lucy and Mary in a breath. 132 00:10:57,520 --> 00:11:04,000 Speaker 1: Won't the dinner be cold? Our friends have all arrived, 133 00:11:04,679 --> 00:11:09,400 Speaker 1: was their uncle's quiet reply, and as he spoke, the 134 00:11:09,520 --> 00:11:13,640 Speaker 1: door leading from the great kitchen was thrown open and 135 00:11:13,720 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 1: a crowd of people, young and old appeared. There were 136 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:25,280 Speaker 1: the workers who had toiled hard through the year for 137 00:11:25,400 --> 00:11:30,280 Speaker 1: the support of his large family. There too was the 138 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:34,640 Speaker 1: cheerful wife and the joyful little ones, and perhaps the 139 00:11:34,679 --> 00:11:39,280 Speaker 1: aged grandparents, whose feeble steps were supported by their children 140 00:11:40,880 --> 00:11:44,559 Speaker 1: as they took their seats at the bountifully spread table. 141 00:11:46,760 --> 00:11:50,880 Speaker 1: In short, the most worthy in the immediate vicinity of 142 00:11:50,920 --> 00:11:55,240 Speaker 1: the farm were there assembled, and some few from a 143 00:11:55,280 --> 00:12:01,200 Speaker 1: greater distance. Mary and loose He had not time to 144 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:05,480 Speaker 1: recover from their surprise before all the guests were seated 145 00:12:05,520 --> 00:12:09,679 Speaker 1: at the table, and Uncle John, rising from his chair, 146 00:12:10,320 --> 00:12:15,480 Speaker 1: welcomed them kindly, and, after explaining in a few words 147 00:12:15,880 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 1: the origin of Thanksgiving Day, asked them to all join 148 00:12:19,880 --> 00:12:26,120 Speaker 1: him in giving thanks for the bountiful harvest. Each guest 149 00:12:26,320 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 1: was then plentifully supplied with the good things upon the table, 150 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:36,080 Speaker 1: and Aunt Clara requested her nieces to attend particularly to 151 00:12:36,160 --> 00:12:39,720 Speaker 1: the little children and see that all their wants were 152 00:12:39,760 --> 00:12:48,960 Speaker 1: cared for. A happier party was seldom seen. After dinner, 153 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:54,320 Speaker 1: presents of food and clothing were distributed among them, and 154 00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:58,600 Speaker 1: Mary and Lucy found great satisfaction in dressing the children 155 00:12:58,640 --> 00:13:03,040 Speaker 1: in new clothes and seeing the gratitude and joy in 156 00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:09,839 Speaker 1: their smiling little faces. After an hour or two spent 157 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:13,760 Speaker 1: in this manner, the great sleigh and the gray horses 158 00:13:13,840 --> 00:13:18,080 Speaker 1: came merrily jingling to the door, and the old people 159 00:13:18,120 --> 00:13:22,840 Speaker 1: and the children were safely conveyed to their homes, and 160 00:13:22,920 --> 00:13:26,440 Speaker 1: the rest of the party with many thanks and blessings 161 00:13:26,440 --> 00:13:33,640 Speaker 1: to their kind hosts took their leave. Well, girls, how 162 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:38,400 Speaker 1: did you enjoy my party? Exclaimed Uncle John as he 163 00:13:38,520 --> 00:13:42,280 Speaker 1: re entered the parlor after bidding farewell to the last 164 00:13:42,360 --> 00:13:47,680 Speaker 1: of his guests. Oh very much, indeed, was the reply. 165 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:52,120 Speaker 1: It was very different from what we expected, but still 166 00:13:52,160 --> 00:13:57,360 Speaker 1: we enjoyed it very much. It is so pleasant to 167 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:04,560 Speaker 1: make others happy. It is indeed my children, returned Uncle John. 168 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:07,640 Speaker 1: And it appears to me that on a day like this, 169 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:12,760 Speaker 1: that it is my duty and my pleasure to do so.