Seasonal Bedtime Story Collection

A warm welcome to this guided sleep story meditation designed to help you completely relax and drift into a deep,

Peaceful sleep.

Tonight,

You will visit an enchanted healing garden filled with magic,

Wonder and beauty.

It is a place that will quieten your mind and soothe your body,

Dissolving any remaining thoughts,

Worries and tension as you enter a state of pure comfort.

Before we begin,

We will do a short relaxation session,

Preparing you for a good nights sleep.

Please remember that there is no right or wrong here and there is no particular way that you should feel in these moments.

Each experience is as unique as us all,

So try to let go of any pressure you might be putting on yourself to feel certain things or perhaps fall asleep quickly tonight.

It doesn't matter if you do or you don't.

If you simply follow my voice and allow these words to wash over you,

Then you will enter a world of deep relaxation where you can rest and recover.

So,

When you are ready,

Just feel your eyelids becoming heavier and heavier with each passing blink until they gently close.

Remind yourself that this is your time to relax,

There is nothing left to do and nothing left to think.

The day is done now,

Whatever has happened is already in the past and here,

In this moment,

The future is beyond our reach.

So if thoughts arise about the day or the week that has been or the days ahead of you,

Then acknowledge that these thoughts are completely normal and valid.

They are part of what makes us human,

Which is a wonderful thing.

But also kindly remind yourself that these thoughts or concerns are of no use to us now and tonight there is no need to engage with them.

They are simply thoughts as fleeting as shooting stars across the night sky.

You are safe tonight and you are protected.

You can be reassured by the fact that my voice and these stories will never take you anywhere that is unpleasant.

Your sleepy cat is simply here to guide you on your own twilight adventures and to help you enter a world of magic and peace where you can be completely free.

And now we will do a short guided breathing pattern called 3-4-5.

This will allow you to slow down and relax,

Preparing your body and your mind for a wonderful peaceful rest.

When you are ready,

Breathe in through the nose for three,

Hold for four,

And breathe out for five.

Let all of it go now.

Again,

That's in for three,

Hold for four,

And release,

Blowing away the thoughts of yesterday,

Today,

And tomorrow.

Again,

In for three,

And let it go.

Continue to breathe in this way in your own time and with each breath out allow your body to sink just that bit deeper into your mattress.

Now allow the breath to fall back into a natural rhythm.

Enjoy this new peace flowing through your body.

And as you feel these beautiful sensations and go deeper into a world of comfort you can allow your mind to soften and your imagination to wake up as we take an enchanted journey to the healing garden.

Gradually,

Now,

The world around you begins to transform as you are greeted by a swirling palette of colour and a gentle warmth on your skin.

Your eyes adjust to see a collection of old trees backed by the glorious setting sun that divides the sky into strips of purple,

Orange,

Blue,

And red.

Their roots go deep into the earth and their thick,

Jagged branches sway in the soft breeze.

A whole concoction of different scents is drifting around you as you spy bushes of fresh strawberries,

Pockets of lemon trees,

And a small herb garden to your left.

There is mint,

Rosemary,

Basil,

And fresh tarragon.

Over to your right is a peculiar but beautiful sight,

A thin spindly tree completely enveloped in a coat of lavender from the base of the trunk to the very tips of the branches.

It hums in a purple and silver glow,

Radiating the most hypnotic smell.

Across the tall emerald grass of the garden,

As far as you can see,

Are collections of flowers that pepper the green with a kaleidoscope of colour.

Their stems sway in the wind and almost seem to bow to you as if welcoming you to this hidden paradise.

You see the petals of peonies in pastel pink,

White,

And red rippling in the most wonderful pattern which creates different shades of the three colours as the sunlight and shadows dance across the flowers.

There are pockets of dark blue hyacinths blooming in slow motion.

Atop the thick stalks,

Their star-shaped petals are densely packed together,

Creating the illusion of nature's very own candy floss.

Their smell is similar to that of lavender,

Only a little less herby and a little more sweet.

Below you,

Bright yellow daffodils line the grassy path that weaves through the garden,

As if showing you the way and guiding your adventure tonight.

As you slowly wander down the daffodil path,

Your bare feet enveloped by the soft,

Thick grass,

You spot some of the animals of the garden.

Many birds are floating from tree to tree and swooping down to the ground effortlessly in search of a little supper.

There are families of squirrels grouped together in the trees.

Some are enjoying a feast of acorns and others are already settling in for an early night.

One or two rabbits hop across your path and you see collections of butterflies fluttering throughout the garden,

Their colorful wings dancing under the glistening sunset.

As you weave through a small thicket of trees,

You arrive at a large stream rolling in a sapphire blue and carving its way through this eternal paradise.

In front of you is an old wooden bridge that has been formed by two trees on opposite sides.

You can see their thick,

Winding roots breaking through the garden floor and twisting up over the river.

The roots meet in the middle and create a beautiful oaken centerpiece on the bridge lined with tiny white flowers of jasmine.

You step carefully onto the bridge and begin your journey across.

Instantly,

You can feel its strength and it's as if you are being supported by the earth itself,

Lifting you up over the river with a powerful yet enigmatic magic.

In the middle of the bridge,

You pause for a moment and gaze out over the flowing water.

Your eyes follow the winding root of the river that only seems to end on the distant horizon where the setting sun appears to gobble it up.

You are greeted by a cool and refreshing mist kissing your cheeks and you take a slow,

Deep breath as you give yourself permission to release everything.

You surrender to the wonder of this world and the healing enchantments that are tingling throughout your body.

There is nothing left to do and nothing left to think.

You realize just how lucky you are to have this private paradise all to yourself,

Where you are free to return whenever you need to.

As you reach the other side of the bridge,

You kneel down on the emerald bank of the river,

Cup the crystal clear water in your palm and take a sip.

The beautiful water of the garden clears your mind and refreshes your soul.

You continue now on your steady journey through the soft grass lined with daffodils and it feels as though your feet are wrapped in tiny clouds as your footsteps become lighter.

As you round a corner,

You arrive at a small circular clearing where the grass is much shorter and dotted with daisies.

The little daisies surround an enormous oak tree that stands in the exact middle.

The thick trunk is chiseled and twisted and ascends high up into the sky where a seemingly infinite collection of leaves creates a flickering canopy above you.

As the branches slowly ripple in the evening breeze,

The leaves change color in a perfect rhythm like clockwork,

First gold,

Then into a deep purple,

Followed by a radiant orange,

A soft turquoise blue and a shimmering emerald.

This cycle repeats again and again as if this ancient oak is keeping time,

Ensuring that all things in this garden remain in constant harmony.

You feel a new curiosity bubbling up inside you and before you know it,

You are placing a hand on the thick trunk of this mighty tree.

All around you now,

On the borders of this clearing,

The animals of the garden arrive.

They are drawn to you and to the magic of this land.

Suddenly,

The light shifts,

The wind changes and the garden around you begins another transformation as you enter a new world fueled by the deep enchantments of the old earth.

The branches and the trunk of the tree start to hum with a soft silver light and in the clearing you watch in amazement as a whole new garden begins to grow.

The images greet you like a slow time lapse.

First,

The daisies disappear and the clearing transforms into a large patch of soil.

Before long,

You see tiny green shoots sprouting up from the ground,

Their little leaves unfurling under the gentle light of the tree.

The shoots wriggle up higher and higher until all at once the infinite buds begin to bloom.

Tulips greet you now,

Pulsing in all the colors of the rainbow.

They stand tall and proud,

Unmoved by the breeze and create the most wondrous display as little fireflies emerge from the flowers.

Over to your right,

You see a dainty wooden archway lined with purple and pink lilac flowers.

Through the archway is a small circle of lavender and in the middle is a huge wooden bed created by this majestic tree.

With your hand firmly on the trunk,

There is a gentle warmth trickling down your arm and through your entire body,

Bringing you into the deepest relaxation.

The magic of the old oak courses through you,

Whispering secrets of the universe.

You feel completely protected and at peace in this garden.

Nothing can find you here and you are free now to let go.

You are free to become one with this wonderful world.

And just then,

You feel one of the huge soft branches wrap around your body,

Lifting you up ever so slightly.

This magical tree cradles you and its powerful enchantments are washing over you,

Cleansing your mind and healing your body and your soul.

You feel a new strength growing within you,

A resilience and a courage like no other.

With a slow,

Deep breath and an easy smile,

You realize that everything will be okay.

And as you enjoy these incredible sensations,

You give yourself over to this moment of magic and surrender to this peaceful paradise.

Above you,

The canopy of leaves starts to open up,

Revealing the hypnotic moon and the swirling galaxy of stars,

Sprinkling the black night with a radiant glitter and humming a soothing symphony of sleep.

You are lying back in the hands of this heavenly tree,

Allowing yourself to be completely weightless.

The smell of lavender grows stronger and bit by bit you let this powerful scent envelop you.

The old oak is slowly carrying you towards the huge bed and as it places you down on the mattress,

It's as if you have landed on the fluffiest cloud imaginable.

The galaxy of glitter watches over you and the mighty tree continues to glow as the centerpiece of this healing garden.

It will be your guardian tonight,

Warding off any unwanted thoughts and keeping you safe and comfortable.

In the next moment,

The oak bed begins to sway ever so slightly and you feel yourself sinking even deeper now as you are gently rocked to sleep.

The animals of the garden will remain with you tonight,

But they too are surrendering to the tantalizing lull of slumber.

Your eyelids grow heavy as the hypnotic smell of lavender floats around your bed and the starlight symphony soothes your tired mind.

You are safe here,

Wrapped up in the healing magic of the garden.

A wonderful warmth softens your body and fills your heart.

Your mind is completely empty,

Free from any and all thoughts.

You will sleep in total serenity here and tomorrow you will wake up refreshed,

Renewed and ready for a brand new day.

The moon will guide your dreams tonight and this perfect garden will protect you.

This is your sanctuary of sleep,

Your private paradise and you are free to return whenever you need to.

It is time for you to rest.

It is time for you to rest.

It is time for you to rest.

As you feel these new sensations and go deeper into a world of comfort,

You can allow your mind to soften and your imagination to unlock as we venture into the heart of the serene Spanish village.

You are cycling along an old gravel road in the vast Spanish countryside.

Your bike is decorated in your favorite color with white handlebars and a white seat.

The late morning sun beams down from the clear blue sky,

Warming your entire body.

The path underneath you is thin and narrow and the silvery white stones leave a trail of dust in your wake.

On each side of you are flourishing fields of green and yellow which extend as far as the eye can see.

The silhouette curves of the distant hills are tracing the horizon.

Tall,

Thin trees are dotted down the track on both sides.

Their dark leaves fall in a gentle rain as you cycle under their partial shade.

Specks of sunlight create a collection of spotlights on the track in front of you,

Glimmering in gold.

In the distance,

Down the hill,

You can see a tiny village tucked neatly away in a small valley of green.

The terracotta roof tiles are unforgettable and the tall church tower from the main square stands high and proud above the rest of the buildings.

You breathe in the pure,

Fresh air,

Slow and deep,

As you continue to gently cycle down the hill and towards the village.

The breeze kisses your skin and ripples through your clothes,

Creating the perfect balance against the hot morning sun.

As you arrive at the bottom of the hill,

You find the entrance to the village.

In front of you are narrow,

Cobbled streets surrounded by many cream-colored houses lined with wooden beams and topped with those iconic terracotta roof tiles.

Some of the buildings reveal their natural stonework,

Slightly uneven but with a rustic beauty.

Many houses have small balconies filled with summer flowers of red,

Blue and yellow and bright green plants that reach over the balcony and flow down the sides of many buildings.

As you ride through the quiet streets,

You pass by the ordinary people of the village,

Going about their daily life.

There are people sweeping the streets and watering the plants on their balconies and their doorsteps.

Many are smiling and some are even singing or humming a happy tune.

An old lady cycles past you with her basket full of fresh fruit and vegetables.

All of them give you a welcoming smile as you pass and you instantly feel at home here,

Like you truly belong.

There are no cars on these streets and this small,

Quaint village is untouched by tourism.

You ride past a collection of stalls.

All are selling unique homemade wares,

Jewelry,

Clothing,

Instruments,

Shoes and rugs.

Everything moves at a slower,

Calmer pace here.

There is no need to hurry.

You can take all the time in the world to enjoy this charming and historic village,

Full of beauty and infused with memory.

You come to the end of the narrow street that opens to the main square.

In many spots around the square,

You see the beginnings of other streets,

Just like the one you have come from.

The square is comforting and homely,

Filled with life,

Music,

Laughter and freedom.

In the next moment,

You fasten your bike to the rack and stroll into the square.

Straight ahead of you is the bell tower you saw on your way here.

The first half rises in a light brown brick,

Blending into a smooth,

Pure white for the top third.

Another terracotta roof covers the brass bell that overlooks the Mediterranean countryside.

The buildings are old,

Full of history,

Passion and magic.

The stonework is slightly out of line,

But it gives the architecture a distinct charm.

Happy,

Smiling faces wander through the square,

Chattering away.

There is a small fountain in the middle,

Where children are throwing in coins,

Closing their eyes tight and making a wish.

Over to your right is a big market that is shaded under a white tent.

The stalls here sell fresh,

Home-grown fruit and vegetables.

You can see customers bartering with shopkeepers,

And you can smell hints of all the delicious food on display.

You wander across the cobbled stones and enter the market.

You welcome the cool sensation of shade now,

As you find cover under the white tent.

There is a kind-faced old man perched on a stool outside his stall.

He is surrounded by boxes and crates piled with fresh oranges and lemons,

Apples,

Strawberries,

Grapefruit and pears.

There are bananas,

Peaches,

Apricots and cherries.

Other boxes contain tomatoes,

Aubergine,

Potatoes,

Garlic and different healthy greens.

You are spoiled for choice,

And you decide to pick one fruit now to enjoy in the afternoon sun.

You pay the friendly old shopkeeper and work your way back through the market and out at the other side.

As you emerge from the tent,

You feel the heat of the sun warming your skin,

And you take a deep,

Healing breath as you feel your entire body relax and your mind empty.

You sit now on a wooden bench and take the first bite of your fruit.

You are amazed at the fresh,

Sweet taste coupled with the perfect texture.

It's as if you are trying this fruit for the first time again and savouring every single bite.

As you enjoy your fruit,

You take in this vibrant square,

The rustic buildings and the peaceful atmosphere.

You cannot help but feel as if you have been here before,

Perhaps in a dream.

It is a beautiful and charming place.

And then,

Through a narrow street in front of you,

You spot the beginnings of a small harbour where a few boats are tied up.

A sense of wonder overtakes you,

And you cannot resist walking in that direction.

The noise from the square begins to fade as you stroll down this hidden street.

Above you,

Two ladies are bringing in the day's laundry and chattering away across their balconies.

You pass by a calm ginger cat perched on a ledge and bathing in a slit of sunlight.

As you walk by,

You stop for a moment to tickle their chin.

The cat rolls on its back and you stroke its tummy as it purrs in bliss.

As you emerge from the street,

You see a large wooden pier with five boats tied up.

The cove in front of you is calm and the water is still.

Further out from the cove is the crystal blue sea,

And straight ahead of you,

You spot the next island far off in the distance,

Which is nothing more than a golden red silhouette.

The air is mild and this edge of town is remote and quiet.

On your left is a tiny cafe tucked quietly away in one corner,

Looking out over the bay.

There are one or two customers sitting outside and enjoying a late afternoon drink.

The waitress welcomes you with a wide smile and offers you the choice of sitting in the sun or in the shade.

You head to your preferred table and take a seat.

The waitress brings a glass of ice water and you order your favorite drink from the menu.

As you wait,

You allow your gaze to slowly roam across the harbor,

Taking in all the lovely little details.

The gentle lapping of the water fills you with a beautiful comfort.

In the next moment,

The waitress returns with your drink of choice and with it,

There is a small bowl filled with a traditional light snack,

Completely free of charge.

You thank the waitress with a smile and are left once again to enjoy this delicious food,

Your refreshing drink and the calming cove.

You notice that one of the smaller boats has left the dock and is heading out to sea,

On to the next leg of their adventure.

The sunset illuminates the sea in a shimmer of gold and red.

As you listen to the lapping of the water and gaze out across the peaceful cove,

Watching the small boat sail into the horizon,

You feel completely free.

Night is drawing in now and as you bathe in this beautiful moment,

You are greeted by a wonderful sunset symphony that fills your entire body with a soft weightlessness.

You decide it is time to rest now,

To head back through the square and cycle home.

Your steps become lighter and you feel yourself almost gliding just above the ground.

The street is quieter now and you spot the ginger cat being let in through a window into their home.

As you walk back through the main square,

You spot a group of dancers performing a slow tango and you stop a moment to watch this enchanting routine.

Colors,

Lights and beauty encompass the square.

The setting sun provides a golden spotlight as the dancers twirl and lift each other and the crowd are entranced by their romantic routine.

As the dance comes to an end,

You join in in the rapturous applause before heading over to your bike and beginning to cycle back out of the village and home to your villa.

As you arrive at the countryside once again,

You can see the low sun burning in red and sinking behind the green and yellow hills.

The air is cool and comforting and the ride home is gentle.

It's as if you are being guided by a deep,

Powerful magic and you barely have to pedal at all.

As you ride,

You let your thoughts turn to your wonderful day in this perfect village and you know now that this haven will always be here for you.

As you reach the top of the gravel road,

The sun has nearly set and a villa of white stone stands in front of you,

Radiating a warm yellow light from inside.

Tall,

Dark green bushes surround your home,

Giving you a private place to unwind.

As you enter your garden,

You see the bright turquoise glow from your pool.

You remove your shoes and dip your feet into the water.

It is the perfect temperature,

Cool enough to refresh you and warm enough to comfort you.

The setting sun has been replaced by the full moon,

Which continues this hypnotic lullaby.

You sit now,

Feet swaying in the water and gaze up at the twilight,

Covered with a silver glitter as the glowing pearl of the moon provides a delicate light.

You realize how lucky you are to have your very own home in this wonderful world.

This is your haven,

A place where you can be at peace.

Your eyes begin to feel heavy and you can almost hear your bed calling you.

You head inside and pat your feet dry with a warm and fluffy towel.

In your bedroom,

The window is slightly open,

Allowing in a cool night breeze,

Making the room a perfect temperature.

The light from the moon is shining through the thin curtains and you see your four-poster bed waiting for you.

You cannot resist any longer and you fall onto the mattress and pull the thin bedsheet over you.

The pillows are as soft as clouds and as you lie here you feel a warm,

Soothing vibration trickle through your entire body.

From the soles of your feet,

Into your ankles,

All the way up your legs and into your hips,

Through your back and your stomach,

Up into your neck and across your shoulders,

Down your arms and through your hands,

Up into your face,

Across your lips,

Cheeks and brow and all the way to your forehead.

Your mind is still,

Free from any remaining thoughts.

Your entire body is heavy and you are ready.

You give yourself final permission to surrender to this beautiful moment.

You feel the heaviness taking you now and you sink deeper,

Deeper and deeper.

All things begin to fade and you drift gently now,

Off to sleep.

Allow your mind to soften and your imagination to come alive as we begin tonight's soothing story,

The Cozy Witch's Cottage.

You are met by the cool autumn breeze,

A distant birdsong whispering on the wind and the smell of damp soil and trodden leaves.

You open your eyes to see a vast,

Towering woodland stretched out in front of you and a small path winding through the middle,

Guarded by two enormous pumpkins and sealed by a wooden gate.

As the sun dips beyond the horizon,

There are shimmering rays of gold cascading over the leaves and illuminating the pathway into the forest.

Wrapped up warm in your favorite coat and scarf,

You tread down the path and approach the gate.

The pumpkin guardians seem to approve of your arrival because as you pass by them,

The wooden gate swings open and you enter the mysterious but charming woodland.

The pumpkins of the forest are enchanted and they have been sent out to watch over you,

To make sure that you arrive safe and sound.

As you cross the threshold into the forest,

There are many more of these giant pumpkins dotted through the scenery,

With miniature pumpkins now lining the path.

Each one pulses with a golden starlight as if guiding your way.

The air inside the forest is fresh and clean and filled with a strange but curious enchantment,

One that makes your footsteps feel just that bit lighter,

But your eyelids feel just that bit heavier.

You meander through the forest path,

Lit by the mini pumpkins and carpeted with a soft green moss that acts as a lovely cushion under your feet.

The wide trunks of the ancient trees are gnarled and knobbly,

And their thick branches are removable even by the strongest breeze.

It gives the impression that time has stood still across this entire forest,

That life here moves in a slow,

Peaceful rhythm,

Impossible to see with the naked eye.

As you venture deeper into the forest,

Each step you take wafts up the scent of the rich earth and pine needles,

And radiating from the trunks,

You can smell cinnamon and clove.

You arrive at a large stream,

At least ten feet wide,

Where the sapphire water folds over itself like a thick paint mixing together.

The water weaves through endless little rocks and pebbles,

And one or two birds swoop down to land on these small rocks,

Before taking a quick sip of the fresh water and flying off again,

All in the blink of an eye.

As you cross a wooden rope bridge that carries you over the stream,

You rejoin the pumpkin pathway,

And it leads you now through a tunnel of dark green shrubbery.

Your gaze flicks from left to right,

And you cannot resist a smile as you spot one or two animals peeking out at you from deep within the bushes.

There are tiny birds,

Squirrels,

Little rabbits,

And even a curious fawn.

There is a peaceful harmony here,

And everything in this forest is precisely as it should be.

You wonder if there is a powerful guardian keeping watch over all life here.

Emerging from the tunnel,

You are greeted by a family of rabbits.

They seem to be waiting for you,

Gazing up with their curious,

Innocent eyes.

You kneel down slowly and offer Mother Rabbit your hand.

Her nose twitches with delight before she finally nuzzles her head into your palm.

Instantly,

Her babies join in,

And your hands enjoy the wonderful sensation of many curious rabbits sniffing away happily.

One or two of the babies give a gentle nibble,

Just making sure you're not a giant carrot.

You thank the rabbits for that lovely introduction and continue to follow the pumpkin path,

Weaving off to the right now and heading towards a mysterious blue light.

Before long,

You enter a small clearing illuminated only by a soft turquoise glow from the ground up.

In the middle of the clearing stands a single,

Solitary stag,

Their huge antlers glistening with silver starlight.

At first sight of this proud,

Majestic animal,

You hesitate.

But then,

The stag bows low and scratches their hoof on the ground,

As if calling you closer.

You are met by a wave of peace,

And suddenly you feel safe here,

Protected by this beautiful animal.

You approach the stag and stroke its soft,

Chestnut-brown fur.

His body is warm,

And your hands are met by a soft,

Magical vibration that gradually ripples through your whole body.

In the next moment,

The stag lowers himself to the floor,

Encouraging you to climb aboard.

With a deep breath and a beaming smile,

You thank your new companion and gently climb onto the stag's back.

He rises with confidence and strength,

Carrying you with complete ease.

The next part of your journey takes you up a steep hill,

Weaving through thin,

Gangly trees.

The light of the setting sun is piercing the forest once again,

Shining on the floor in tiny,

Golden spotlights.

While riding the stag,

You have a chance to reflect.

You realize that ever since you arrived here,

There has always been something guiding your way.

Perhaps you really are being watched over tonight.

It certainly seems that way,

And you cannot deny the sense of peace and tranquility that you feel.

And deep down,

You know now that everything will be okay.

You give yourself permission to surrender to the magic of the forest and the strength of your mighty stag.

Your companion carries you into an open clearing now,

Surrounded by a perfect circle of trees.

In the middle of the clearing is a pumpkin patch,

Where luminous orange pumpkins seem to be growing and harvesting in real time.

You can hardly believe your eyes.

All in a matter of seconds,

You watch them sprout their first leaves and vines,

Followed by their yellow-plumed flowers blossoming one by one.

Until,

Finally,

The fruit appears,

Dark green at first,

But growing very quickly,

Turning to a bright yellow,

And at last finishing in that iconic deep orange.

And just to add to the amazement,

Once fully grown,

The pumpkins free themselves from their vines and roll away into the forest.

It is one of the most surreal,

Yet incredible things that you have ever seen.

The stag leads you through the pumpkin patch as you continue to enjoy this magical display unfolding all around you.

And then your eyes flick up.

You are so distracted by the weirdly wonderful pumpkins that you never even noticed the little cottage just behind the field.

You spy the thatched roof first,

And the jagged stone chimney where a swirling white smoke curls up into the now purple sky.

The walls are covered in thick ivy,

And flakes of moss hang from the roof.

The wooden door is hinged on a slight angle,

And from the little porthole windows,

A soft golden light radiates,

Enticing you to go inside.

In front of the cottage sits a huge pumpkin-shaped cauldron made from cast iron and perched on a pile of burning logs.

The lid rattles gently as the cauldron gurgles away,

Releasing a wonderfully fragrant steam that mingles with the night air,

And again the smell of cinnamon returns,

This time blended with rich chocolate.

Everything about this cottage feels warm,

Inviting and safe.

It's as if it has been created just for you.

This is exactly what you need.

The stag sets you down just outside the door,

And instantly it opens.

You are met by the kind face of an old witch.

Well,

It is only her silver hair that tells you she is old.

Her skin is as smooth as silk,

Glowing almost,

And her eyes smile with an undeniably youthful radiance.

She wears a long dress of green and orange,

And in her arms she cradles a very content black cat who purrs away in bliss.

Ah,

Here you are,

And not a moment too late,

She says,

Taking your hand in hers.

My name is Esmeralda,

And this here,

She adds with a gesture to her arm,

Is little Guido.

He's almost as old as I am.

Welcome,

Midnight traveler,

To my humble abode.

It was I who created this forest over a thousand years ago,

And since then I have been tending to all of nature's beauties that have made their home here,

Keeping them safe from the outside world,

And fueling this land with a peaceful magic.

This is a sanctuary of sorts.

It is a place where you can come to escape the noise,

The pressure,

And the worry.

I promise you that here tonight you are completely safe,

And you are most welcome.

Esmeralda approaches the stag now,

And places her hand on its head,

Casting a soft,

Gentle spell.

The stag comes over to you,

Sniffing your hand affectionately and bidding you a fond farewell,

Before turning away and galloping off back into the forest.

You cannot help but feel drawn to the homely comfort of Esmeralda,

So as she beckons you into her cottage,

You do not hesitate to follow.

As soon as the door swings closed behind you,

You are enveloped in a beautiful new warmth,

And the low hum of a soothing,

Peaceful magic.

The cottage is small,

But undoubtedly cozy.

There are dark oak beams evenly spaced across the ceiling and down the walls.

In the middle of the room is a huge fire pit,

The flames dancing in orange,

Blue,

And green,

And the pure white smoke going straight up the chimney.

The walls are filled with slightly slanted shelves,

All topped with old spell books,

Potion bottles,

Curious old trinkets,

And many plants and herbs.

Dotted around the room are floating candles,

Flickering with golden flames.

As the wax melts and drips off the bottom of the candles,

It dissolves before hitting the floor,

As if by magic.

Over in the kitchen,

There are pots and pans on the stove,

Each one stirring by itself,

And together they release a mouth-watering concoction of smells.

A small wooden table sits next to the fireplace,

Already laid out for supper.

Strangely,

You recognize this cozy cottage,

And you wonder if perhaps you have been here before.

Many travelers who visit here feel that way,

My young friend,

Esmeralda says,

As if hearing your thoughts.

You share a smile,

And sensing your weariness,

Esmeralda insists that you make yourself comfortable.

You must be tired from your day,

And supper is just about ready.

As you shuffle over to the table,

One of the chairs pulls itself out,

Inviting you to take a seat.

You flop down with a sigh,

Feeling a plump cushion underneath you as you sink down into it.

Guido the cat hops up onto the chair next to you.

He gives you an inquisitive sniff before curling up on his own cushion and purring away happily.

Now Esmeralda waves her hands like a calm conductor,

And gradually the table is filled with many enchanting dishes.

The rich smell of a pumpkin stew greets you as you spot the glistening broth to your right.

Alongside this comes the scent of freshly baked bread,

Lathered with a generous serving of butter.

Then comes a platter of colorful roasted vegetables,

Drizzled with olive oil and topped with a variety of delicious herbs.

Caramelized carrots,

Potatoes and parsnips are sizzling with that beautiful golden brown crust,

The perfect blend of sweet and savory.

There is a bowl of cooked greens fried off with garlic,

And a small wooden bowl of freshly roasted chestnuts.

All of these wonderful earthy aromas are enticing your senses.

Hot apple cider spiced with a cinnamon stick is served in a mini chalice.

The steam rises from the drink and that soothing smell of cinnamon is dominant once again.

And underneath the small silver dome is your favorite dessert.

You cannot deny that this is one of the most beautiful spreads you have ever seen.

And without another hesitation you tuck in,

Allowing yourself to get completely lost in the smells and the flavors and the perfect warmth of the cottage.

You can feel Esmeralda's magic singing through each dish and every single bite is a sensation.

Each mouthful is rejuvenating you,

Filling your body with a healing peace as gradually the thoughts of yesterday,

Today and tomorrow are leaving you.

And the only thing that matters is this delicious banquet made especially for you.

You realize how lucky you are to have found this place,

To have stumbled upon the forest and to have found the pumpkin path that led you straight to the stack.

And now here you are embracing the magic and the comfort of this beautiful home guarded by a powerful sorceress and enjoying a feast to remember.

As you finish your last few mouthfuls and feel yourself completely satisfied,

The dishes start to tidy themselves up.

One by one they drift over to the sink where a floating scrubbing brush awaits.

They dip themselves into hot,

Soapy water and scrub themselves clean.

Oh,

They are well behaved,

Esmeralda says.

Took me years to master that spell,

She adds with a chuckle.

Now,

How about a little bit of hot chocolate?

In the next moment,

Esmeralda casts yet another spell and all of the weight starts to leave your body and you feel yourself lift up ever so slightly.

You glide gently over to the large green sofa perched in front of the fire and Esmeralda lowers you down effortlessly.

You sigh with a wonderful release as you feel yourself sinking down into the sofa,

Ever deeper towards total tranquility.

For a brief moment,

Esmeralda leaves the cottage and stirs the huge pumpkin-shaped cauldron outside while humming a soothing melody.

The colorful flames flicker with delight in front of you,

Casting dancing shadows across your face and around the room.

The books and scrolls piled on the shelves seem to hum with an ancient sorcery and hum with secrets of the past that are ready to be discovered.

This cottage really is a sanctuary.

The door swings open again and Esmeralda returns,

Bearing a tall tankard bubbling with cinnamon hot chocolate.

It has a little magic in there too,

She tells you with a wink.

The tankard is the perfect temperature in your hands,

Warming your palms and your fingers and the smell right underneath your nose is absolutely delicious.

As you drink this enchanted hot chocolate,

The warmth begins to pass through you.

It fills your mouth first,

Then trickles all the way down into your stomach,

Where there it pulses like a mini-fire in your belly,

Spreading out into the rest of your body.

Bit by bit,

Any remaining tension is melting away like soft butter in a warm pan.

Your joints release,

Your muscles soften and a wonderful heaviness is wrapping around you like a comfortable blanket.

Esmeralda gives a knowing smile and her eyes sparkle as she whispers to you now,

As if speaking to your very soul.

You are safe in my home,

Child of the forest,

And nothing will find you here.

This cottage has always been a place of refuge for those who need it.

Sometimes our lives and the world around us can be overwhelming,

But I am here to help you release any unnecessary burdens.

You have nothing to do tonight and nothing to think.

There is nothing to be solved in this moment,

So try and trust that the best thing for you to do is to relax,

To rest and recover.

Let go of these worries now,

I will take them from your mind.

Allow your thoughts to melt away into the fire.

Release any tension and surrender to the beauty of this land and to the magic that envelops you.

As you sink deeper and deeper into the comfortable cushions,

You allow her words to resonate.

The world outside begins to slowly fade away.

Thoughts dissolve and you are focused only on this beautiful cottage.

The soft warmth of the fire,

The soothing hot chocolate,

The kindness of Esmeralda and the enchanting hum filling the air.

And as you share a peaceful smile,

Esmeralda whispers to you once more.

You see,

Magic isn't only about potions and spells,

It's about how we live each and every day.

It's about the kindness we can offer to ourselves and those around us and the peace that we can share.

You have so much of this magic within you,

Far more than you know.

You feel yourself entering a profound state of deep peace.

And you make a promise to yourself that from here on in,

You will give yourself more time to relax.

And to speak to yourself in the way you would a very dear friend,

Because that is what you deserve.

Gradually,

Now,

Your eyes grow heavier.

Esmeralda takes your tankard and lays a thick blanket over you.

You are completely immersed in this magical world and you are ready to rest.

Throughout the night,

You will be guarded by Esmeralda and by this enchanted forest that you now call home.

The soft moonlight beams through the window and a soothing starlight melody envelops you.

You know that tomorrow you will awaken feeling refreshed,

Renewed and energized.

But right now,

It is time for you to sleep.

To sleep in total peace and tranquility.

You surrender to all of these beautiful sensations.

Your thoughts fade.

Your muscles relax.

You go deeper,

Deeper and deeper.

Until,

At last,

You drift off to sleep.

As you continue to relax and go deeper into a world of comfort,

You can allow your mind to soften and your imagination to unlock as we prepare to go on a magical adventure and enjoy a journey to the North Pole.

You are lying in bed on a cool Christmas Eve,

Wrapped up warm in your duvet.

Right now,

You are finding it a little bit challenging to sleep and you find that your mind is distracted.

A single Christmas bell rests on your bedside table,

Gathering dust on its dull and slightly rusty exterior.

You pick it up and give it a shake,

Only nothing happens.

You cannot even remember where this came from,

Probably an old toy from years ago.

It is almost as old as you and,

For some reason,

You have kept it.

As you hold it in your hand,

You cast your mind back to childhood and you are reminded of an old Christmas poem.

"'Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring,

Not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St.

Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

And Mama in her kerchief and I in my cap had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

' You find it hard to remember any more of the poem.

You look at the bell in your hand and shake it again,

But still nothing.

Perhaps it is broken.

A burning question lingers in your mind.

A question that lingers in the mind of every grown-up on Christmas Eve,

Still clinging to fragments of childhood wonder.

Do you believe?

It's in the next moment that a bright golden light suddenly shines through your window.

In your room,

It's as if time has stood still and the night is holding its breath,

Waiting for a little bit of magic to arrive.

And then,

Far off in the distance,

You hear it.

A train.

There are no railroads nearby,

But there is no mistaking this sound.

The steady chugging grows louder and you hear a proud blast from the chimney.

You climb out of bed,

Shuffle over to your window and draw back the curtain,

Rubbing away some of the condensation from the frosted glass.

And there,

Glistening in the moonlight and backed by a falling snow,

Is a huge blue steam train with a giant snowplow on the front and a single spotlight in the exact middle.

Your house is silent and the other houses outside your window still have their lights off,

But surely others have heard or seen this train.

Something stirs in you,

Something you haven't felt on Christmas Eve for a long time.

Excitement.

Without another hesitation,

You quickly put on some winter clothes,

Place the Christmas bell in your pocket and race downstairs,

Eager to see what is going on.

You open your front door and step out into the stillness of the night.

The cool air kisses your cheeks and the snow-covered ground sparkles with delight underneath the full moon.

The trees stand still and proud,

Like silent sentinels dusted with frost.

You walk round the corner and are greeted by the navy blue train,

Pulsing with a magical glow around it and lined with a gold trim.

Reams upon reams of fairy lights are hanging in the carriage windows,

Warm and inviting.

There is a soft silver steam drifting up from the black chimney and the wisps ripple through the shimmering moonlight.

The train sits on a long stretch of railroad that continues on as far as you can see and there is a soft stardust radiating around it.

You know that these tracks were not there before.

The side door of the front carriage swings open and you are met by the kind face of the conductor,

Sporting a blue and gold uniform and a rather chunky moustache.

He tips his blue hat to you and you return a smile.

The conductor has an angelic and otherworldly presence and instantly you feel safe and protected.

With a deep but kind voice he greets you.

Well hello there,

We weren't sure if you were coming,

But something told me to wait just a little bit longer.

Some people need more time than others.

You glance to the carriage windows and see many happy and excited faces looking down at you,

People of all ages.

And there you see your best friend waving at you,

Beckoning for you to come aboard.

Well,

We don't have all night,

The conductor says,

His kind eyes smiling.

Ticket please and then we'll be off.

You hesitate,

Suddenly nervous.

You don't have a ticket.

The conductor clears his throat and taps his left breast pocket with a raise of his eyebrows.

You check your same pocket,

Gasp with disbelief and draw out the golden ticket.

And with black calligraphy you see your name,

Underneath which is written,

Round trip to the North Pole.

You hand over your ticket and watch the conductor hole punch at lightning speed.

When he hands it back to you,

You see one word punched in capital letters,

BELIEVE.

The conductor offers you a hand,

His eyes sparkling with magic and mischief.

You take his hand,

Allowing him to help you aboard.

And the moment you walk into your carriage,

The steam train gives a proud toot and sets off once again.

And gradually the magic of the train unfolds before you.

The first thing you feel is a beautiful warmth wrapping around you like a soft blanket,

Instantly comforting you.

The air is thick and mingled with old ancient enchantments.

And drifting by you is a collection of soothing smells.

Lavender,

Cinnamon and pine,

Roasted chestnuts,

Gingerbread and even hot chocolate.

The interior of the carriage is much bigger than it looks from the outside,

And it's as if you have stepped into another world entirely.

Along each side are rows of very comfortable looking armchairs,

Illuminated by hanging oil lanterns and the fairy lights in the windows.

You glance around the seats,

For the first time taking note of all the other passengers.

You couldn't find a more varied group of people if you tried.

There were plenty around the same age as you,

Including your best friend,

Who as soon as you lock eyes comes running over to you and you embrace with a familiar warm hug.

There are tiny tots holding their teddy bears,

Eyes aglow with wonder.

The older children are a bit more reserved,

But no less excited.

You see parents holding hands,

Younger couples,

Older couples and even a few grandparents basking in the nostalgia and gripping their tickets so tightly as if it were the most precious gift.

This group of people all share one thing,

Something unmistakable,

The spark of belief in their eyes.

You are reminded of your Christmas bell,

And you take it from your pocket and try it again.

There is a slight scratching sound,

The clapper scraping on the inside of the bell perhaps,

But nothing more.

Belief is something that has perhaps faded for you over the years and might be difficult to come by,

But all of that is about to change.

Your best friend leads you down the train and you arrive at two luxurious armchairs covered with blankets.

You take a seat and enjoy this new sensation of sinking as the cushions mould to your form perfectly.

You pull a blanket over your body and breathe a slow,

Satisfied sigh.

There is a new comfort and peace within you,

And you feel ready to surrender to this moment,

To let the train carry you off to a magical world.

Over to your right is a dark oak counter lined with polished brass.

Behind the counter stands the conductor stirring a bubbling pot of hot chocolate,

And you marvel at how your enchanted guardian can seem to be in multiple places at once.

One by one,

The conductor fills a collection of decorative mugs with the hot chocolate and places them onto a brass trolley.

Then he weaves his way down through the carriage,

And even as he turns and moves at pace,

The chocolate stays completely still in the mugs.

You and your friend both take a mug from the trolley with thanks,

And instantly you feel the warmth filling your hands and the irresistible smell wafting under your nose.

As you sit and sip this hypnotic,

Velvety drink,

You gaze out of the window,

And this is the first chance you have had to really take in the view.

The world outside is illuminated by the moon,

And silver stars pepper the night.

Endless rolling hills are carpeted with fresh snow.

Bare trees are dotted through the countryside,

Each one with their own little dusting of frost.

Occasionally you pass by rivers,

Streams,

And huge lakes now frozen solid.

The glow of the moon reflects off the ice,

Creating dazzling patterns that sparkle like freshly cut diamonds.

Across the land you catch glimpses of wildlife.

There are families of rabbits hopping through the shrubbery and finding shelter from the cold.

A parliament of owls glides over the trees,

A beautiful blend of grey,

White,

And brown.

Now and then their luminous amber eyes flick towards the train,

Shimmering against the light of the moon.

Beside the train you see deer and stag galloping along the snowy banks,

And all of these creatures seem compelled to follow your journey,

As if they are fuelled by the magic of the train and guarding you on your adventure.

As you continue to enjoy your drink and feel yourself relaxing even deeper,

You share a smile with your best friend,

Who tells you that recently they had stopped believing altogether.

They admit that they are not even sure if this moment is real or if it is a dream.

Either way,

They tell you they are so happy that you are with them tonight.

You nod in agreement,

Grateful for their company too.

But somehow you just know in your heart that this is no dream.

The train ploughs on through the night.

It does not stop,

It does not falter.

You know that nothing can find you tonight,

And you are completely safe here.

Once again you are greeted by the conductor,

The overseer of this magical journey,

Who is stopping by to chat with the passengers.

He starts to tell you fascinating stories about the North Pole,

Painting vivid images with his words.

Your imagination runs wild with pictures of a frosted road illuminated by candy cane streetlights and lined with houses made from gingerbread.

You are told stories of the enchanted elves who live at the Pole,

Inside the gingerbread houses,

And who work for the big man himself.

They start and end their day with a cheery song,

And they use their powers to help craft the toys and presents for all the children and grown-ups around the world.

The elves are treated to delicious feasts created by the magic of Mrs.

Claus,

And together they all live in perfect peace and harmony.

The conductor's voice is hypnotic,

Following the rhythm of the train,

And his descriptions are so colourful and detailed that you can almost taste the sweet candy cane street lamps and the rich gingerbread,

And almost hear the laughter and the music of the elves,

And feel the magical kiss of the North Pole wind.

Everyone is captivated by his words.

The children stare wide-eyed,

And one or two of the older passengers are wiping away a happy tear.

The train is alive with excitement,

Wonder and joy.

And gradually now,

Outside the window,

The bare trees slowly transform into huge Christmas trees of fir and pine.

Each tree has a collection of colourful Christmas lights,

Which gives the impression of a multicoloured galaxy shimmering across the endless snowy landscape.

In front of the train,

You see two giant walls of ice with a seemingly paper-thin gap in the middle.

You glance at the conductor,

A slightly nervous feeling in your stomach,

But he simply smiles,

Tips his hat and tells you to hold on tight.

Instantly,

The train seems to elongate,

Stretching up high,

And a weightlessness washes over you as you feel yourself lift just an inch or two from your chair.

And then the train enters this tunnel of ice,

And outside the window now is nothing more than a bright turquoise glow,

As if you are suddenly underwater.

Before you know it,

The train morphs back to its original shape and emerges from the icy tunnel.

And as you swoop down into the North Pole village,

You are met by the most beautiful sight.

There are the candy cane lights lining the streets and twisting in red and white,

Exactly as described.

You see rows upon rows of perfectly crafted gingerbread houses,

Each with their own unique frosting on their roofs and different sweets and gumdrops dotted throughout.

Across the land,

You can see beautiful ice sculptures sparkling with stardust.

In the middle of the village is a landing pad with glowing lights of red and white that create the outline of a Santa hat.

Behind this is the biggest Christmas tree that you have ever seen,

Decorated with colorful baubles,

Pulsing fairy lights,

And handcrafted trinkets and ornaments clearly made by the elves.

And perched at the very top is a vibrant silver star,

Keeping watch over this magical place.

The train grinds to a slow and steady halt and announces its arrival at the village.

From your window,

You can see many of the elves coming out of different workshops,

Cheering and waving towards the train.

You share an excited look with your best friend and you allow yourself to enjoy this moment,

To really see everything that is unfolding before you.

The conductor leads everyone off the train and one by one,

The passengers head out into the cool,

Crisp air.

As you are about to leave,

You check your pocket and realize that your Christmas bell has gone.

You cannot find it.

Before the panic sets in,

The conductor places a hand on your shoulder and his kind eyes instantly reassure you.

He tells you,

There is no need to worry now,

It's bound to be on the train somewhere.

You leave it with me,

I'll find your Christmas bell.

In the meantime,

We don't have long here in the North Pole,

So go and explore to your heart's content.

You step down into the soft,

Crunchy snow and take a slow,

Deep breath in as you take in every little detail of your new surroundings.

A brass band of elves plays in the village square and the music carries with it a Christmas nostalgia.

It is familiar,

Yet somehow new.

A huge crowd has gathered to welcome you.

Many of the elves are still working and you can see some tightening the wheels on toy trains,

Fixing jewelry on bracelets and necklaces,

Or filling rows of candles with melted wax.

Others carry stacks of wrapped presents and orderly queues are forming from the entrances of different workshops,

All meeting together at the landing pad.

With a bubbling excitement,

You walk over to the landing pad with your friend,

Following a line of elves with a new intrigue,

And you are positively overwhelmed by all of the magic that envelops you.

And just then,

The landing pad opens,

And rising up from the darkness is a huge,

Glistening sleigh,

Sparkling in red and gold.

The sleigh itself is empty for now,

But it is accompanied by nine beautiful reindeer.

The reindeer stand two by two,

And as you work your way along the line,

You read their little golden name tags.

There is Dasher and Dancer,

Prancer and Vixen,

Comet and Cupid,

And Donner and Blitzen.

And at the front,

Leading with his shiny red nose,

Is,

Of course,

Rudolph.

After all these years,

All those times you left him carrots on Christmas Eve,

You are finally meeting him.

You are speechless.

Rudolph's gentle eyes flick to meet yours,

And you offer him a stroke on the top of his head.

You know he has a long and busy night ahead,

But you make sure to whisper your address into his ear.

In the next moment,

One of the elves taps you on the arm,

And they gesture for you and your friend to follow them,

As they shuffle quickly away in the direction of a huge workshop,

Made,

Of course,

From gingerbread.

Inside the workshop,

The brass band fades to a low hum,

And you are met by a warm,

Crackling fire,

A ticking clock keeping perfect time,

And a whole host of elves working away on the final presents.

This particular workshop is focused on toys.

There is a huge conveyor belt,

Moving very slowly,

And different elves are appointed at different stations.

At the far end of the belt,

You see a clear tube blowing down letters to Santa.

The head elf takes the letters and begins to call out a present list.

Then,

A large group of elves start to build and create all of the presents from scratch,

Carving and gluing wood,

Or welding together metal or plastic.

Once finished,

They are put on the belt and moved along to the more artistic elves,

Who paint and draw the necessary colors,

Designs,

And logos.

Next comes the durability test,

And these elves take miniature hammers and tap in certain parts of the toys,

Making sure that everything is safe and well made.

From above,

A handful of elves are working on electrical circuits and dropping them down for any of the electronic devices.

Finally,

The toys arrive at the official testers,

And this is arguably the best job of them all,

And it is appointed to those elves who are closer to retirement.

You see the older elves now,

With tufts of gray hair and thick spectacles,

Trying out different toys.

Wooden horses,

Board games,

Consoles,

Remote control cars,

Doll houses,

Instruments,

And much more.

After each toy is tested,

It is wrapped up and placed back on the belt,

Which takes them over to a large cart,

And when full,

This will be wheeled out to the sleigh.

It truly is a marvel to behold this workshop,

And to get a glimpse into the magic.

Gradually,

You watch the last few toys being wrapped,

Labeled,

And moved along the belt to the now full cart.

Your best friend runs over to help the elves as they push it slowly but surely out of the workshop,

All humming a happy tune in celebration of a Christmas Eve well spent.

But it's then,

As the elves and your friend are just leaving the workshop,

That a very tiny present falls out of the cart.

It tumbles and rolls all the way past you,

Coming to a stop at the other side of the now empty workshop.

You run over and pick up the present,

Determined to find the elves and your friend and return it to its rightful place.

As you leave the workshop,

The village is even busier.

The brass band plays on,

And you can see many of the other travelers who came with you on the train,

But not your best friend.

You weave through the crowd,

Trying to shuffle to the front.

But as you nearly get there,

The whole village falls silent,

And a new magic starts to swell in the air.

And then,

The most wonderful Christmas spirit fills your heart as you see them.

Appearing from behind the huge Christmas tree,

You see Santa and Mrs.

Claus.

They are waving to the crowd and shaking hands with some of the elves.

Their presence is completely magnetic,

And the whole village stares in awe.

Santa Claus is larger than life.

His shimmering red suit glistens against his flowing white beard.

His half-moon spectacles rest on the bridge of his nose,

And his bright blue eyes twinkle with kindness.

As he waddles over to his reindeer,

Chuckling away,

The silver bells on his big black boots jingle gently,

And with each jingle comes a fresh bout of snowfall.

A gentle murmur starts to fill the crowd again,

As the excitement for the Christmas Eve delivery grows.

Mrs.

Claus is much smaller than big plump Santa,

But she is as equally charismatic.

You even overhear one of the elves telling another that one year,

Santa was in bed with the flu,

And so they were commissioned to make a fake beard for Mrs.

Claus.

She took out the reindeer on that Christmas Eve,

Laid out the presents,

Enjoyed the sherry,

The milk,

The mince pies,

And so forth,

And all of the children were none the wiser.

As Santa approaches the sleigh,

The elves put the last couple of presents in the sack,

Which is now filled sky high,

And Mrs.

Claus casts a magic spell as the bag is sealed shut.

With urgency,

You step forward and call out Santa's name,

Holding up the lost present high above you.

The gathering crowd falls quiet,

And the twinkling eyes of Saint Nick meet yours.

Well,

It appears I am missing one present.

Would you please step forward and bring it to me?

I'm afraid my legs don't work like they used to.

With all eyes on you,

You slowly step up to the landing pad,

Walk past the reindeer,

Until at last you are standing in the middle of the village,

Face to face with Santa Claus.

He smiles at you through his thick beard,

His eyes alive with mischief and magic.

Hmm,

It's very good of you to bring this present to me,

But I think perhaps you should check the label.

You glance down at the tiny wrapped ball in your hand and turn over the tag hanging from it.

It is your name.

You look to Santa,

Eyes wide with amazement,

And he gives you a wink.

In the crowd,

You suddenly spot the conductor and your best friend,

Both of whom are gesturing for you to open it.

You tear open the wrapping and reveal your lost Christmas bell.

It looks brand new,

The silver shines like never before,

The rust has disappeared and you can actually see your reflection.

For a split second,

You could have sworn that in the reflection you saw yourself as a child,

Eyes wide with wonder and enchantment.

Then Santa asks you the all important question,

Tell me,

Do you believe?

You hold the bell to your ear,

Give it a gentle shake and hear the most wonderful jingle.

This is the only answer you need.

You throw yourself into Santa's arms and share a warm embrace and the crowd goes up in a rapturous applause.

You realise now that this is what magic feels like if you just let it in.

You are a believer.

And now Santa places a hand on your shoulder and whispers to you,

Remember,

This bell rings for those who believe.

Keep it close and it will keep you safe.

Let it be a reminder of this wonderful Christmas Eve and never stop believing,

Especially in yourself.

In the next moment,

Santa floats himself up into the air and lands perfectly in his sleigh.

He kisses Mrs Claus and then waves to the adoring crowd as bit by bit his sleigh lifts off the ground and the reindeer ready themselves.

His call echoes across the village now and you stare up in wonder as you see Santa starting his midnight adventure.

Now Dasher,

Now Dancer,

Now Prancer and Vixen,

On Comet,

On Cupid,

On Donner and Blitzen.

To the top of the porch,

To the top of the wall,

Now dash away,

Dash away,

Dash away all.

There is a thunderous applause,

Cheering and even some weeping coming from the crowd of elves and visitors.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

You are met once again by the kind face of the conductor who asks if you are ready for one final spark of magic.

He clicks his fingers and the world around you starts to move in slow motion.

The colors blur,

The details of the village are fading and the image of the Christmas Express is greeting you.

The world comes into focus again and you are back aboard the Express,

Side by side with your best friend and in your two luxurious armchairs.

As the train pulls away from the station,

The conductor gives a warm smile and tells you all,

Get yourself comfortable folks,

It's a nice long journey back home.

The perfect time for some sleep,

Don't you think?

You gaze out of the window and wave to all of the elves who are still cheering and celebrating.

You look across the village and try to take in all of the lovely little details.

The train ventures back through the two cliffs of ice and eventually emerges once again into the rolling countryside which is still illuminated by the moon and still covered with fresh untouched snow and dotted with pulsing Christmas trees.

High above you,

A single shooting star blazes across the sky and you wonder if this is in fact Santa Claus making his way around the globe and bringing joy to millions of boys and girls.

The beautiful repetition of the train lulls you into a deep comfort.

You still feel the excitement of the evening and the events that have unfolded but you are greeted now by a new tranquility,

One that comes with the promise of a restful sleep and magical dreams.

You let the cushions of your seat form to your body again,

Supporting you in all the right places and almost cradling you as the train gently rocks from left to right.

You take the bell from your pocket one last time and give it a gentle shake,

Remembering Santa's words as clear as day,

Never stop believing,

Especially in yourself.

All through the carriage now,

The passengers begin to settle down and get ready to sleep.

Some people are enjoying another hot chocolate or looking out of the window curled up on their armchairs.

Your best friend offers you the sleepiest smile you have ever seen and you watch them drifting,

Drifting and drifting until at last their head drops and a gentle snoring begins.

Outside your window,

The moon is composing its own hypnotic symphony.

This melody,

Coupled with the soothing sounds of the train,

Brings you even deeper into relaxation.

You feel your eyes growing heavy and each blink is slower and slower.

As the express carries you home,

You know that tonight you will be guarded by the magic of the North Pole,

The moon and the stars,

And of course this wonderful train.

You know that your dreams will be pure and beautiful and that tomorrow you will awake feeling refreshed,

Renewed and energized.

The wonder of the night is sending you off to sleep and as you drift deeper and deeper,

You allow the Christmas poem to fill your mind again,

To see if you can remember it all now that you are a believer.

Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring,

Not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St.

Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

And Mama in her kerchief and I in my cap had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutter and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow gave the luster of midday to objects below.

When what to my wandering eyes should appear but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St.

Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came and he whistled and shouted and called them by name.

Now Dasher,

Now Dancer,

Now Prancer and Vixen,

On Comet,

On Cupid,

On Donner and Blitzen.

To the top of the porch,

To the top of the wall,

Now dash away,

Dash away,

Dash away all.

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle mount to the sky.

So up to the housetop the coursers they flew with the sleigh full of toys and St.

Nicholas too.

And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head and was turning around,

Down the chimney St.

Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes how they twinkled,

His dimples how merry,

His cheeks were like roses,

His nose like a cherry.

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth and the smoke encircled his head like a wreath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump,

A right jolly old elf and I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word but went straight to his work and filled all the stockings then turned with a jerk and laying his finger aside of his nose and giving a nod up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh,

To his team gave a whistle and away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight,

Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night.