1 00:00:08,520 --> 00:00:19,119 Speaker 1: Hello, Friends, and welcome to sleep Tight Stories. This story 2 00:00:19,280 --> 00:00:23,320 Speaker 1: is about a cat named Lucy who loves to read 3 00:00:23,520 --> 00:00:29,200 Speaker 1: more than anything else. Her father is worried about her 4 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:32,960 Speaker 1: and wants her to get outside and play and make friends, 5 00:00:34,159 --> 00:00:38,680 Speaker 1: but Lucy prefers to stay inside because she is not 6 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:44,239 Speaker 1: the same as all the other cats. Lucy hides in 7 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 1: her room until her father says she needs to go 8 00:00:47,400 --> 00:00:51,640 Speaker 1: with him the next day to the cream shop. Lucy 9 00:00:51,720 --> 00:00:55,600 Speaker 1: gets up and goes, but she's not very happy about it. 10 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:06,759 Speaker 1: Lucy and her stubby tail. Lucy was sitting in her 11 00:01:06,920 --> 00:01:11,880 Speaker 1: library on a hot, sunny summer day doing what she 12 00:01:12,000 --> 00:01:19,160 Speaker 1: always did, reading. Lucy loved to read more than anything 13 00:01:19,400 --> 00:01:24,680 Speaker 1: in the world, didn't matter what kind of story it was, mystery, 14 00:01:25,480 --> 00:01:34,760 Speaker 1: science fiction, fantasy, fairy tales, almost anything at all. Lucy 15 00:01:34,880 --> 00:01:39,039 Speaker 1: loved to read so much that she would often forget 16 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:43,039 Speaker 1: to eat or go to bed if her father didn't 17 00:01:43,080 --> 00:01:51,480 Speaker 1: remind her. Lucy was a tabby mix and lived with 18 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:55,960 Speaker 1: her father, a great, big main cat, in a large 19 00:01:56,040 --> 00:02:00,800 Speaker 1: house in a tree lined neighborhood full of all kinds 20 00:02:00,880 --> 00:02:06,320 Speaker 1: of other animals her age. Her world was a magical 21 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:11,440 Speaker 1: one where all the animals lived in almost perfect harmony. 22 00:02:14,760 --> 00:02:17,480 Speaker 1: Her father came in to check on her, as he 23 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:22,080 Speaker 1: always did. He worked just across the street in a 24 00:02:22,120 --> 00:02:26,240 Speaker 1: small neighborhood milk and cream shop, and in the summer, 25 00:02:26,360 --> 00:02:29,560 Speaker 1: when school was out, he was able to pop over 26 00:02:29,680 --> 00:02:38,160 Speaker 1: to see her frequently. Lucy, it's a beautiful day outside, 27 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:41,640 Speaker 1: and many of the kids are outside playing games and 28 00:02:41,680 --> 00:02:47,040 Speaker 1: getting some exercise, her father said. Her father walked to 29 00:02:47,200 --> 00:02:54,560 Speaker 1: the window, opened the drapes and looked outside. I see 30 00:02:54,639 --> 00:02:59,760 Speaker 1: Lulu the labrador, Jenny the cat, and Elsa the mouse 31 00:02:59,800 --> 00:03:04,480 Speaker 1: from your school. Why not go outside and play chase 32 00:03:04,600 --> 00:03:08,000 Speaker 1: the dog, or play ball or whatever games you young 33 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:13,560 Speaker 1: kids play today. I see lots of cats outside your age. 34 00:03:13,600 --> 00:03:18,200 Speaker 1: You may not know. Go make some friends. Get some 35 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:22,799 Speaker 1: fresh air. It's so stuffy in here, he said, as 36 00:03:22,840 --> 00:03:26,040 Speaker 1: he opened the windows to let in some fresh air. 37 00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:31,760 Speaker 1: But Dad, I'm just getting to the best part of 38 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:35,600 Speaker 1: the story. The tiger is just about to reveal to 39 00:03:35,680 --> 00:03:38,680 Speaker 1: the monkey king where all the hidden treasure is located 40 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:43,040 Speaker 1: that was stolen by his cousin's friend. I'll go outside 41 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 1: once I finished this part, Lucy said, with a tone 42 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:54,200 Speaker 1: that indicated the importance of what she was reading. Her 43 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:57,360 Speaker 1: father looked at her with a doubtful look on his face. 44 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:02,760 Speaker 1: I will, Daddy, really, I will just three more pages 45 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:10,480 Speaker 1: and I will go outside. Really okay, Lucy, I'll be 46 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:13,360 Speaker 1: at the milk shop if you need anything. We got 47 00:04:13,360 --> 00:04:16,240 Speaker 1: a new shipment of cream today that all the cats 48 00:04:16,279 --> 00:04:25,400 Speaker 1: seem to love. Remember, Lucy didn't actually hear what her 49 00:04:25,400 --> 00:04:28,839 Speaker 1: father said at this point, as she was once again 50 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:35,440 Speaker 1: lost in her book. When she was reading, the world 51 00:04:35,520 --> 00:04:40,760 Speaker 1: outside her story ceased to exist. Her father could be 52 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:44,800 Speaker 1: standing right beside her talking to her, and she wouldn't 53 00:04:44,839 --> 00:04:48,599 Speaker 1: hear a word he said until he took her book away. 54 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:56,960 Speaker 1: Two hours later. She took a break to relax her 55 00:04:57,000 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 1: eyes and looked outside and saw the some cats from 56 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:10,000 Speaker 1: school were playing on the sidewalk. Lucy loved books, but 57 00:05:10,120 --> 00:05:13,080 Speaker 1: what she didn't tell her father was that while she 58 00:05:13,240 --> 00:05:17,680 Speaker 1: often wanted to go outside to play, she didn't go 59 00:05:18,360 --> 00:05:22,200 Speaker 1: because she always felt self conscious of how the other 60 00:05:22,400 --> 00:05:27,839 Speaker 1: kids looked at her. She looked different from the others. 61 00:05:28,800 --> 00:05:33,240 Speaker 1: While her father and most cats she knew had a tall, 62 00:05:33,440 --> 00:05:41,000 Speaker 1: bushy tail, hers was short and stubby. The kids weren't 63 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:45,919 Speaker 1: mean to her. Few other than that awful chihuahua, Gerald, ever, 64 00:05:46,000 --> 00:05:52,080 Speaker 1: bullied anyone, but they would look, sometimes stare, and a 65 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:58,040 Speaker 1: number of them would ask questions. This bothered her enough 66 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:03,560 Speaker 1: that she largely kept herself and kept herself company by 67 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:11,360 Speaker 1: getting lost in books. For Lucy, being different from others 68 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:19,520 Speaker 1: felt like a great burden. Her father called her down 69 00:06:19,600 --> 00:06:27,320 Speaker 1: for dinner, a stinky favorite sea herring from Sweden. I 70 00:06:27,600 --> 00:06:31,480 Speaker 1: see you forgot to go outside again today, even though 71 00:06:31,520 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 1: you promised, her father said, with a bit of exasperation 72 00:06:36,680 --> 00:06:43,120 Speaker 1: in his voice. But Dad, I love to read. I 73 00:06:43,279 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 1: love that you read so much. I bought all the 74 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:50,960 Speaker 1: books that cover every inch of your library for you, 75 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:54,919 Speaker 1: after all. But you need to get outside and be 76 00:06:55,120 --> 00:06:58,960 Speaker 1: with other cats your age, not to stay inside that 77 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 1: stuffy room all day long. It's important to interact with 78 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:11,600 Speaker 1: real animals, not just the characters in your stories. Dad, 79 00:07:12,280 --> 00:07:20,280 Speaker 1: you just don't understand, Lucy said quietly. I do understand. 80 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:24,400 Speaker 1: That's why tomorrow I want you to come to the 81 00:07:24,480 --> 00:07:28,000 Speaker 1: cream shop. I have a new employee I want you 82 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:36,960 Speaker 1: to meet. That got Lucy's attention. Dad. It's too distracting 83 00:07:37,080 --> 00:07:41,200 Speaker 1: over there. I won't be able to read. I promise 84 00:07:41,520 --> 00:07:45,800 Speaker 1: I will go outside, she said, with her usual sense 85 00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:54,119 Speaker 1: of drama. No, no, negotiating this time tomorrow, right after 86 00:07:54,160 --> 00:07:57,120 Speaker 1: we eat breakfast, we will head across the street together. 87 00:07:58,200 --> 00:08:08,040 Speaker 1: It will be fun. Lucy wasn't so convinced. The interior 88 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:11,360 Speaker 1: of the Milk and Cream shop was similar to many 89 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 1: that opened across the city, a warm, comfortable atmosphere with 90 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:21,679 Speaker 1: places for animals of all sizes to sit, enjoy a drink, 91 00:08:22,160 --> 00:08:28,440 Speaker 1: and talk. Lucy's father opened this shop a few years 92 00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 1: ago so that he could spend more time with her. 93 00:08:34,080 --> 00:08:39,000 Speaker 1: Her father, at Lucy's suggestion, had included a wall at 94 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 1: the back full of books for those animals that, like her, 95 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:47,480 Speaker 1: might not want to come to meet and talk, but 96 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 1: simply enjoy some quiet time reading. This is where Lucy 97 00:08:55,760 --> 00:09:01,880 Speaker 1: was hiding after her father practically dragged her over here. Already, 98 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:05,720 Speaker 1: there were far too many people coming and going, and 99 00:09:05,800 --> 00:09:12,920 Speaker 1: Lucy was thankful they didn't notice her. Lucy sat with 100 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:17,120 Speaker 1: her cup of heavy buttercream and was so absorbed in 101 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:20,280 Speaker 1: her book that she didn't notice her father came over 102 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 1: to say, Hello, Lucy, I would like you to meet Archibald. 103 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:28,760 Speaker 1: He is going to be working here a few times 104 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:32,400 Speaker 1: a week while he goes to college. Hi, Lucy, nice 105 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:39,400 Speaker 1: to meet you. You can call me Archie. Lucy reluctantly 106 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:44,120 Speaker 1: looked up. Archie was a chartreuse with a lovely blue 107 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:51,520 Speaker 1: gray coat and charming copper colored eyes. Lucy Archibald has 108 00:09:51,559 --> 00:09:55,080 Speaker 1: started studying the history of literature, so I thought you 109 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:58,240 Speaker 1: too might have something in common to chat about. Her 110 00:09:58,280 --> 00:10:06,239 Speaker 1: father continued, okay, Lucy said, as more of an acceptance 111 00:10:06,400 --> 00:10:12,400 Speaker 1: of the inevitable than an agreement. Archibold, why don't you 112 00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:14,560 Speaker 1: take a break and then you and Lucy can have 113 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:21,960 Speaker 1: a chat? Is what you are reading? The version with 114 00:10:22,040 --> 00:10:25,640 Speaker 1: the Monkey, King, the Tiger and the Mouse. I recently 115 00:10:25,679 --> 00:10:28,680 Speaker 1: read this book and loved it, Archie asked, as he 116 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:33,000 Speaker 1: took a seat next to Lucy. You've read it. I 117 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:36,600 Speaker 1: haven't heard of many people liking this series. I think 118 00:10:36,679 --> 00:10:40,000 Speaker 1: some people think it's a bit childish, Lucy said, with 119 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:47,600 Speaker 1: a look of surprise. Maybe, but I love it. It's like 120 00:10:47,640 --> 00:10:51,040 Speaker 1: a daytime soap opera, but said in ancient times, with 121 00:10:51,160 --> 00:11:00,800 Speaker 1: exaggerated characters. I find it very entertaining. They were chatting, 122 00:11:01,240 --> 00:11:07,440 Speaker 1: Lucy noticed something different about Archie's paws. They were very big, 123 00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:13,080 Speaker 1: bigger than any pause she had ever seen, except for 124 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:17,360 Speaker 1: some of the dogs she knew from school. She couldn't 125 00:11:17,400 --> 00:11:23,160 Speaker 1: help but stare, Lucy, Archie said, as he was clearing 126 00:11:23,200 --> 00:11:27,360 Speaker 1: his throat to get her attention. Lucy then knew that 127 00:11:27,520 --> 00:11:31,280 Speaker 1: she had been caught staring at his paws, and she 128 00:11:31,400 --> 00:11:36,400 Speaker 1: turned twelve different shades of red. Yes, uh, sorry, what 129 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:42,280 Speaker 1: were you saying? She stumbled, Lucy, Sorry, I didn't mean 130 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:45,559 Speaker 1: to embarrass you, and I don't mind you staring at 131 00:11:45,600 --> 00:11:50,079 Speaker 1: my big paws. I was born with six toes, which 132 00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:55,199 Speaker 1: means I have much bigger paws than most cats. Lots 133 00:11:55,240 --> 00:11:58,920 Speaker 1: of other animals are curious about my paws, which is okay, 134 00:12:01,640 --> 00:12:06,400 Speaker 1: and that doesn't bother you, Lucy asked, No, not at all. 135 00:12:06,840 --> 00:12:12,280 Speaker 1: Archie said, well, maybe initially, but I've come to accept 136 00:12:12,280 --> 00:12:15,800 Speaker 1: myself as I am and other animals as they are. 137 00:12:16,920 --> 00:12:20,959 Speaker 1: Each animal is different, and their uniqueness is what makes 138 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:25,040 Speaker 1: that animal special. If we all looked the same, this 139 00:12:25,160 --> 00:12:28,360 Speaker 1: world would be an extremely boring place, don't you think? 140 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:37,960 Speaker 1: I guess so, Lucy said quietly. Archie continued, and besides, 141 00:12:38,440 --> 00:12:41,880 Speaker 1: with these extra toes, I can climb better and play 142 00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:45,600 Speaker 1: certain sports better. And because I am open to people 143 00:12:45,679 --> 00:12:49,079 Speaker 1: asking me questions, I get to make more new friends 144 00:12:49,400 --> 00:12:55,400 Speaker 1: like you than I might otherwise, I never thought of 145 00:12:55,480 --> 00:13:00,200 Speaker 1: it that way. Your father talks about you NonStop when 146 00:13:00,240 --> 00:13:03,840 Speaker 1: I am here at the shop, Archie chuckled. He talks 147 00:13:03,880 --> 00:13:07,840 Speaker 1: about your love of reading, your ability to finish such 148 00:13:08,040 --> 00:13:13,200 Speaker 1: long books, and well the frustration he feels with you 149 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:17,120 Speaker 1: staying inside all the time and avoiding other animals, your 150 00:13:17,160 --> 00:13:23,600 Speaker 1: age just because you look different. Lucy was a bit shocked. 151 00:13:24,240 --> 00:13:29,360 Speaker 1: He knows. I think he knows more than you might realize. 152 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:35,080 Speaker 1: Archie replied. I think he wants you to be proud 153 00:13:35,240 --> 00:13:38,840 Speaker 1: of who you are, but maybe doesn't know quite how 154 00:13:38,880 --> 00:13:41,640 Speaker 1: to say it in a way that you would accept. 155 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:45,800 Speaker 1: I think you should try to be more confident and 156 00:13:45,920 --> 00:13:50,480 Speaker 1: to accept yourself as you are. If you do, I 157 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:54,600 Speaker 1: think you will find that other people will accept you too. 158 00:13:57,480 --> 00:14:00,600 Speaker 1: As they were chatting, a number of customers came in 159 00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:04,880 Speaker 1: to order some drinks to take away. I should get 160 00:14:04,920 --> 00:14:08,120 Speaker 1: back to work as we are getting busy. Think about 161 00:14:08,120 --> 00:14:10,360 Speaker 1: what I shared, and we can talk more next time 162 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:14,000 Speaker 1: when it's not so busy, Archie said, as he walked 163 00:14:14,040 --> 00:14:21,280 Speaker 1: to the counter to take a large mastiff's order. Lucy 164 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:25,280 Speaker 1: sat sipping her cream for a while, thinking about what 165 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:31,360 Speaker 1: her new friend Archibald had told her. After a while, 166 00:14:31,840 --> 00:14:37,680 Speaker 1: she finished her drink, took a great big breath, and 167 00:14:37,800 --> 00:14:45,560 Speaker 1: went outside to play with the other kids on the street. 168 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:53,360 Speaker 1: And that is the end of our story. Good night, 169 00:14:54,600 --> 00:14:55,320 Speaker 1: sleep tight.