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Hello friends, and welcome to

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Sleep Tight Stories. Every

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week we celebrate our supporters through

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shoutouts and personal birthday messages. We

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think this is also a fun way for

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us to hear about all the amazing places

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that you, our listeners, come

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from. I'd

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like to say hello to Hazel from Michigan.

0:32

Hello to Ari and Evie from Mom

0:34

and Dad. Hello to Zoe

0:37

from New Brunswick. Hello

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to Rachel in California age 10.

0:42

And hello to Rory age 9,

0:44

who shared a great picture of

0:46

Bernice wearing a dinosaur t-shirt, eating

0:48

a cookie. Happy

0:52

belated birthday to Shyla from London,

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Ontario, who turned 8 on

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April 2nd. Love Mom and

0:59

Dad. Your big brother Suvi says he

1:01

is so lucky to have you as

1:03

his sister. Happy

1:06

belated birthday to Gabriel, who turned 4

1:08

on April 5th. And

1:11

happy belated birthday to Camilo, who

1:13

turned 7 on April

1:15

21st, in the Chiloe

1:17

Archipelago in Southern Chile. Your

1:20

family loves you so much. Happy

1:23

belated birthday to Eva, who turned 9 on

1:26

April 22nd. Love

1:28

Mom, Dad, and your little brother Ari. Happy

1:32

belated birthday to Dennis in Amsterdam,

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the Netherlands, who turned 6 on

1:36

April 28th. Your

1:38

family loves you so much and

1:40

are proud of the colorful, kind,

1:42

and thoughtful person that you are

1:44

becoming. Never lose the colors

1:47

you have. And

1:49

happy belated 8th birthday to

1:51

Sitara, wishing you a fabulous

1:53

birthday in Croatia on the 28th of

1:55

April. Happy

1:58

5th birthday to Beli. you Barnett

2:00

on April 30th. Mommy

2:03

and Daddy love you to the

2:05

farthest galaxy and back. Happy

2:08

seventh birthday to Evelyn who has a

2:10

birthday on May 1. Love

2:13

Mommy, Daddy, Lawson and Rosie. We

2:16

are so proud that you are ours and love

2:18

you so much. And

2:20

happy birthday to Savannah Jade in

2:22

Oak Creek, Wisconsin, who is turning

2:25

seven on May 2. Your

2:27

parents are proud of you and love

2:30

you very much. Happy

2:32

birthday to you all. To

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reserve your special shout

2:37

out, please visit sleeptightstories.org/support.

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We can't wait to celebrate with you. Now

2:44

on to our story. Nicole

2:50

could not believe what she saw

2:52

when she walked through the door. It

2:55

was her barn but it was so new

2:57

looking. Meeting Angus

2:59

was interesting and got her

3:02

thinking. When

3:04

she returned home to eat, she

3:06

thought she'd be able to figure things out better

3:08

on a full stomach. After

3:11

lunch, she helped her mom while thinking about

3:13

what she saw. When

3:15

she wakes up the next day, she heads

3:17

out to the garden thinking about the dream

3:19

she had. Nicole

3:23

and the box in the barn part

3:25

six. Nicole

3:29

washed her hands and sat down at

3:31

the table to eat lunch, which

3:34

today was grilled cheese sandwiches and

3:36

pickles. Pickles and

3:39

cheese seems like a weird combination

3:41

to Nicole. But she

3:43

was starving and figured all

3:45

the smoked meat they'd brought from Montreal

3:47

must have run out. All

3:51

the fresh air must have made you

3:53

hungry Nicole's mother said, as she put

3:56

another sandwich on Nicole's plate. We

3:59

have run out. Oct me so grilled

4:01

cheese might have to be our new

4:03

comfort food. Maybe next time we can

4:05

try it with tomato soup. Tomato

4:08

Soup Nicole. Said coming

4:10

up for air from constantly

4:13

eating. Who eats tomato soup?

4:17

I did when I was a kid. It's

4:19

tasty. And good for you Her

4:21

mother replied yeah but you

4:23

are super old man. That's

4:25

like old fashioned food The

4:27

Core said. As she finished

4:30

the last of her second sandwich. I'm

4:33

not sure why I am hungry.

4:35

May be traveling through a magical

4:37

door to another time burns calories

4:40

she thought to herself. Is

4:43

I've really travel back in time? The

4:46

call mumbled. What did

4:48

you say, Sweetie her mother asked. Nothing

4:50

Mom: I was just thinking aloud that

4:52

a piece of that chocolate cake you

4:54

baked would taste good right now. How

4:58

you certainly are hungry.

5:00

maybe? I should spend some time out in.

5:02

Your. Garden. I could use the

5:05

fresh air and exercise her mother said

5:07

as she went to the fridge to

5:09

get some cake. Do

5:11

you think you can help me put together the

5:13

shelves this afternoon? We. Can listen to your

5:15

music while we work. To

5:18

call. Still needed time to think about

5:21

what she was experiencing in the garden.

5:24

May. Be spending time with her mother would

5:26

help her understand. Her.

5:29

Years. Of Lego. Building experience

5:31

has made me an expert in

5:34

following directions to building cells. She

5:36

said. Perfect. I just

5:38

don't have the patience. I used to

5:40

have a clean up a bit and

5:43

then we can get started as soon

5:45

as you finish your cake. Nicole

5:51

spent the afternoon with her mom

5:53

in the living room assembling cells

5:55

and filling the space with the

5:57

sound of her favorite music. The

6:00

last didn't like they used to

6:02

in Montreal. Okasan only

6:04

pausing their work to munch

6:06

on cheesy snacks which left

6:08

their fingers delightfully. Orange. It.

6:11

Was fun and Nicole appreciated these

6:13

moments with her mom. Yet.

6:17

As they worked together or thoughts

6:19

drifted back to the door and

6:21

the magical garden. Every

6:24

song that played seem to carry

6:26

a note of the strangeness of the

6:29

experience. And each snack

6:31

break was a moment to think about

6:33

what else you might experience if she

6:35

went through it again. While.

6:39

Her mother prepared their dinner. Nicole

6:41

thought of returning to the garden

6:43

and taking another. Peek through the door.

6:46

But. The sky was full of dark

6:48

clouds and it looks like rain. The.

6:52

Weather was always unpredictable

6:54

here. Changing. As swiftly

6:56

as the tide. Instead.

7:00

She helped her mother and later

7:02

they enjoy to suffer a spaghetti

7:04

and meatballs. Just as the rain

7:06

began to top gently against the

7:08

windows. Afterward,

7:11

they settled into the living room.

7:14

They. Cover themselves in blankets to guard

7:16

against the cold and watch a movie.

7:19

The. Room now lined with new

7:21

but empty shells. That

7:26

night Nicole slept deeply, the events

7:28

of the day fading into the

7:30

bathroom. However, her

7:33

dreams. Were filled with images

7:35

of the garden. The flowers were

7:37

even more vibrant and the trees

7:39

seem to whisper to her. Angus.

7:44

The boy she had met seemed

7:46

oddly familiar, almost as if she

7:49

had known him from another time,

7:51

or perhaps from a forgotten memory.

7:54

In. The Dream: They wandered about

7:57

the farm together, laughing and

7:59

talking about Montreal and it's

8:01

differences to the island. Nicole

8:04

wondered if she had truly traveled

8:06

back in time or if the

8:08

garden was merely a creation of

8:11

her imagination. She.

8:14

Opened her eyes to see the time on

8:16

her clock. She had slept

8:18

in. Looking at her

8:20

curtains, she could see that her mother

8:22

had somehow managed to get them to

8:24

stay closed without her solution of nailing

8:27

them to the wall. Nicole

8:30

side rub the sleepers from her

8:32

eyes and sad up in bed.

8:35

She. Shivered her will.

8:38

It. Ever be warm and this old

8:40

house she asked herself as she

8:42

hopped across the room to get

8:44

her now filthy jeans. She.

8:47

Grabbed a clean hoodie out of the closet

8:49

and hopped to her door. She.

8:53

Walked down the stairs to the kitchen but

8:56

stopped mid way. I

8:58

forgot my socks again she said

9:00

to herself. She was

9:02

just about to go back to

9:04

get them, but the smell of

9:06

pancakes cost and involuntary rumble in

9:08

her stomach. Which. Convinced her

9:10

to continue down the stairs and

9:13

walk into the kitchen. Good.

9:17

Morning you slept in today her

9:19

mother said. I. Thought we might

9:21

have some pancakes this morning as a treat.

9:24

Besides. We. Are a bit low

9:26

on eggs. I guess I'll have

9:28

to go to the drugstore today to buy more.

9:32

You. Call was grateful not just for

9:34

the pancakes but also for a break.

9:36

From eggs. Are least

9:38

favorite breakfast food. She

9:41

missed bagels for breakfast, especially the

9:43

ones that had everything on them.

9:47

Do you have to go to the

9:49

drugstore to buy eggs here? This place

9:51

is stranger than I thought Nicole said.

9:54

Don't they sell in the grocery store? Sasa

9:58

it is a bit silly. But

10:00

they sell some foods. Cheaper in the

10:02

drugstore here. And well, I

10:05

always like to get things on sale

10:07

or mother said. Nicole.

10:10

Finished her last bite of pancake

10:12

and linked the remaining syrup off

10:14

her plate. Nicole.

10:17

We don't lick our plates. Her

10:19

mother groaned. We. Do if

10:21

they have maple syrup on them. I'm

10:24

sure everyone does that. Nicole

10:26

replied a. She got up from the

10:28

table and put her plate in the dishwasher.

10:31

I'm. Asked to my garden mom if you

10:33

need my help putting books on the

10:35

shelves, just yell out the window. Nicole.

10:38

Said as she hopped across. The

10:40

ice cold floor to the back porch.

10:43

After. I finish the book that go to the

10:45

drugstore if you want to com. Or

10:47

mother said from the kitchen sink. I

10:50

think I am too busy mom

10:52

see a later Nicole replied a

10:54

she ran outside. The. Door slamming

10:57

behind her. Many.

10:59

Of Nicole's friends in Montreal would. Go

11:02

to the drugstore or to the mall to.

11:04

Try and make them. But. Nicole

11:06

was never that interested. She.

11:08

Had her own style which she

11:11

coined casual sheikh. Nicole.

11:16

Ran across the do laden grass oblivious

11:18

to how was her feet were getting.

11:21

She. Hadn't given much thought to Angus

11:23

and the garden beyond what she remembered

11:25

from her dream overnight. She.

11:28

Was curious. Curious.

11:30

To see what the garden look like. But.

11:32

Mostly curious as to what would happen if

11:34

she went through the door again. Maybe

11:38

this time it would lead to her

11:40

ice cream parlor in Montreal. Walking.

11:44

Through the garden gate Nicole

11:47

said again, good morning Roses

11:49

good morning Sunflowers The flowers

11:51

again moved in response. Good

11:54

morning garden. The

11:56

garden seem to have grown over night

11:59

with even. More wild flowers. Bush

12:01

is full of strawberries and even

12:03

the trees had ripe apples ready

12:06

to be picked. Nicole.

12:08

Walked to the corner of the garden. Where.

12:11

The wouldn't doorway was surrounded

12:13

by trees, tall bushes and

12:15

flowering plants. She

12:17

tried to door. It was

12:20

still on last. She.

12:23

Pushed open the door and

12:25

stepped through. The

12:28

air seem to shimmer slightly,

12:30

giving everything a surreal dream

12:32

like quality. Immediately.

12:35

Everything. Looked new or and

12:38

fresher. As. If the from had

12:40

just been built. The

12:42

barn that stood rickety an

12:44

abandoned and her time was

12:46

now robust and bustling with

12:48

activity. It's white paint,

12:50

vibrant against. The bright morning

12:52

sky, The. Smell of

12:55

fresh hey and the sounds of

12:57

farm animals filled the air. Cows

12:59

mooing softly and their pens.

13:02

Chickens clucking as a pack that

13:04

the ground, and horses nagging from

13:07

their sables. It

13:09

was like stepping into a living snapshot

13:12

of the past. So. Vivid

13:14

and real that Nicole could almost

13:16

forget she was from another place.

13:21

As she wandered around marveling

13:23

again at the crispness of

13:25

everything. She hurt her name

13:27

in the distance, carried on the breeze.

13:31

Nicole. It

13:33

was Angus and his voice was

13:35

friendly and familiar. She turned toward

13:38

the center at saw him emerging

13:40

from behind the newly built bar

13:42

and waving Asher. As

13:45

he approached Nepal felt nervous.

13:47

How does everything stay so

13:50

perfect? Here she wondered

13:52

silently. Taking. In the

13:54

surrounding said seem untouched by time.

13:58

angus his presence me the

14:00

experience feel even more authentic

14:02

and immersive, as if

14:05

he were a bridge connecting her to

14:07

this bygone world. Where

14:10

did you go yesterday? Angus said.

14:13

I ran around the whole farm and didn't see

14:15

you. Are all the people from

14:17

away fast runners? I

14:20

had lost track of time and had to run

14:22

home, or my mother might worry I got lost

14:25

or something, Nicole replied. Yeah,

14:27

I suppose. You city

14:30

kids lead different lives, my father

14:32

told me. But that's no

14:34

matter. I finished my chores for

14:36

now, and I can show you around the

14:38

farm, though there isn't much

14:40

to see. I think

14:42

my mother might have some fresh milk that we

14:44

got from our cows this morning, Angus

14:47

said, as they slowly walked toward

14:49

the bright red doors of the barn. You

14:53

get your milk straight out of a

14:55

cow, Nicole asked. Ha ha ha. Where

14:57

else would you get milk? Sometimes

15:01

I will have a drink of milk right after

15:03

it goes into the bucket. It's

15:05

yummy. You don't have a cow where

15:07

you grew up, Angus asked. No,

15:11

we get our milk from a store. Angus

15:15

looked puzzled for a moment then burst

15:17

out laughing from a store.

15:20

You mean you buy it in a bottle or something?

15:24

Nicole nodded. Yes, it

15:26

comes in jugs or cardboard cartons

15:28

actually. That

15:30

sounds so strange. Here

15:32

we milk our cows every morning. And

15:35

that's the freshest milk you can get.

15:37

Angus explained, still chuckling

15:40

at the thought of buying milk. Nicole

15:43

smiled, intrigued by the

15:45

differences. What about

15:47

eggs? Do you buy those at a store

15:49

too? Angus

15:51

shook his head grinning. Nope. We

15:54

just go out to the hen house and collect

15:56

them fresh from the chicken. Nicole

15:59

laughed. this time. Well,

16:01

we do get eggs from a store

16:03

too. They come in

16:06

little cardboard boxes all clean and neatly

16:08

arranged. And they

16:10

suppose your vegetables come from a

16:12

store as well?" Angus asked, raising

16:14

an eyebrow. Actually,

16:17

yes. They're all washed and

16:19

wrapped up in plastic most of the time,

16:22

Nicole replied. Angus

16:24

looked amazed. Here, we

16:26

just pulled them out of the ground, wash

16:29

them with some water from the well if they

16:31

need it, and eat them. Sometimes,

16:33

we don't even bother washing them. Nicole's

16:37

eyes widened. That sounds

16:39

so different. We

16:42

definitely don't do that. Even our

16:44

dirt comes in bags from the store. Angus

16:48

burst into laughter again, shaking his

16:51

head. Your world sounds

16:53

so complicated. Bags of

16:56

dirt? I think I'll stick

16:58

to getting mine from the ground. Both

17:01

of them laugh together. How about you

17:04

come up to the house and try

17:06

some fresh warm milk? Once

17:08

you taste the milk from our cow, you

17:11

won't want to drink anything else. Nicole

17:15

and Angus continued chatting and laughing

17:18

about their different ways of life

17:20

as they walked towards the house.

17:23

It seemed to her that

17:25

Angus could easily become a friend,

17:28

and she looked forward to more conversations.

17:35

And that is the end of this part. Good

17:38

night, sleep tight. you

18:00

You