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Books at Bedtime By Calming Anxiety - The Squirrel - By Mary E. Wilkins Freeman
Published 4 days, 16 hours ago
Description
The Squirrel by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman — A Cosy Autumn Bedtime Story for Sleep & Insomnia | Books at Bedtime
Drift off to sleep with The Squirrel by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, a gentle, gently funny autumn tale of two devoted old couples, one human and one furry, and a tree full of English walnuts, read aloud by Martin Hewlett on Books at Bedtime, the sleep story series from Calming Anxiety.
Near an old New England farmhouse there grows a beautiful English walnut tree, and every summer the kindly old farmer and his wife look up at its laden branches and say, "This year we shall have nuts." But they never do. The mystery is simple enough: a squirrel and his lifelong mate consider every nut on that tree their own, and all through the crisp, golden mornings of a long, late autumn they race back and forth, cheeks full, to their secret storehouse under the woodpile.
By the end of October, the squirrels are the richest pair in the woods, ready for a winter of plenty and love, just as the thrifty old couple are comfortably settled for theirs. Then the farmer's wife decides the woodpile ought to be split and stored before winter sets in. As the old man chops patiently away, day after day, the squirrels begin to grow anxious, and the question of whose nuts they really are is about to be put to the test.
This classic bedtime story for adults is perfect for winding down, easing insomnia and letting a busy mind settle into deep, restful sleep. Freeman's frosty autumn mornings, quiet farmhouse humour, a tender-hearted ending and Martin's calm, unhurried narration make it an ideal sleep audiobook for anyone who finds it hard to switch off at night.
If you enjoy Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, you'll find more of her stories on Books at Bedtime, including The Lost Dog, Seventoes' Ghost and The Three Old Sisters and the Old Beau.
The Squirrel was first published in 1900. Mary E. Wilkins Freeman (1852–1930) and this story are in the public domain.
Hosted by clinical hypnotherapist and former paramedic Martin Hewlett.
📱 Listen to Books at Bedtime in the Anchored app, offline and with the screen off, so you can fall asleep without a bright phone in your hand:
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/anchored-panic-anxiety/id6785035669
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.martinhewlett.anchored
🧡 For Martin's calming tips, visit: https://calminganxiety.org/calm
🌱 Try Thole, Martin's new health and wellness app, in beta on iPhone: https://testflight.apple.com/join/aUKB8W7N
Sleep well, my friend. And in everything, be kind.
Rate & Review: Leave a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help us reach more listeners!
YouTube: Watch all episodes at https://www.youtube.com/c/calminganxiety?sub_confirmation=1
Social Media Support: For younger listeners struggling with social media stress, visit https://www.icanhelp.net/
Music: All music by Chris Collins at Indie Music Box
Ready for More Calm?Thank you for listening to the Calming Anxiety Podcast, featuring guided meditation, mindfulness, and sleep hypnosis sessions with Martin Hewlett. Our mission is to provide you with proven tools for anxiety relief, stress reduction, and a path toward deep relaxation. Use this episode anytime you need to calm your mind and feel more at ease.
Drift off to sleep with The Squirrel by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, a gentle, gently funny autumn tale of two devoted old couples, one human and one furry, and a tree full of English walnuts, read aloud by Martin Hewlett on Books at Bedtime, the sleep story series from Calming Anxiety.
Near an old New England farmhouse there grows a beautiful English walnut tree, and every summer the kindly old farmer and his wife look up at its laden branches and say, "This year we shall have nuts." But they never do. The mystery is simple enough: a squirrel and his lifelong mate consider every nut on that tree their own, and all through the crisp, golden mornings of a long, late autumn they race back and forth, cheeks full, to their secret storehouse under the woodpile.
By the end of October, the squirrels are the richest pair in the woods, ready for a winter of plenty and love, just as the thrifty old couple are comfortably settled for theirs. Then the farmer's wife decides the woodpile ought to be split and stored before winter sets in. As the old man chops patiently away, day after day, the squirrels begin to grow anxious, and the question of whose nuts they really are is about to be put to the test.
This classic bedtime story for adults is perfect for winding down, easing insomnia and letting a busy mind settle into deep, restful sleep. Freeman's frosty autumn mornings, quiet farmhouse humour, a tender-hearted ending and Martin's calm, unhurried narration make it an ideal sleep audiobook for anyone who finds it hard to switch off at night.
If you enjoy Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, you'll find more of her stories on Books at Bedtime, including The Lost Dog, Seventoes' Ghost and The Three Old Sisters and the Old Beau.
The Squirrel was first published in 1900. Mary E. Wilkins Freeman (1852–1930) and this story are in the public domain.
Hosted by clinical hypnotherapist and former paramedic Martin Hewlett.
📱 Listen to Books at Bedtime in the Anchored app, offline and with the screen off, so you can fall asleep without a bright phone in your hand:
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/anchored-panic-anxiety/id6785035669
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.martinhewlett.anchored
🧡 For Martin's calming tips, visit: https://calminganxiety.org/calm
🌱 Try Thole, Martin's new health and wellness app, in beta on iPhone: https://testflight.apple.com/join/aUKB8W7N
Sleep well, my friend. And in everything, be kind.
Rate & Review: Leave a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help us reach more listeners!
YouTube: Watch all episodes at https://www.youtube.com/c/calminganxiety?sub_confirmation=1
Social Media Support: For younger listeners struggling with social media stress, visit https://www.icanhelp.net/
Music: All music by Chris Collins at Indie Music Box
Ready for More Calm?Thank you for listening to the Calming Anxiety Podcast, featuring guided meditation, mindfulness, and sleep hypnosis sessions with Martin Hewlett. Our mission is to provide you with proven tools for anxiety relief, stress reduction, and a path toward deep relaxation. Use this episode anytime you need to calm your mind and feel more at ease.