Hello my lovely friend and welcome back to Drift Off.
I'm your host Joanne,
And tonight we'll be continuing our calming journey through Heidi by Joanna Shpeery.
Whether we spend our time together with one cozy chapter,
Or wander through a couple of shorter ones,
I'm so glad you're here.
There's something especially comforting about returning to familiar mountain paths,
Warm firesides,
And the quiet kindness woven throughout this timeless story.
Before we begin tonight's storytelling,
Allow yourself a moment to settle in fully.
Make any small adjustments you need to feel comfortable.
Soften your shoulders.
Unclench your jaw.
And let the surface beneath you support your entire body.
There is nowhere else you need to be right now.
Nothing else you need to solve.
This time is simply for rest.
Take a slow gentle breath in.
And exhale softly.
Another easy breath in.
And let it go.
As you continue breathing comfortably and naturally.
Imagine the peaceful mountain air surrounding you.
Cool and fresh.
Carrying the faint scent of pine trees and wildflowers.
The world grows quieter with every passing moment.
Thoughts can drift by like distant clouds,
Needing nothing from you at all.
Tonight you can simply listen.
Simply rest.
And drift off in your own time.
So snuggle in.
Get cozy,
And let's begin.
Chapter 15 A Great Disappointment When autumn came,
Clara was not so well.
And the doctor advised Mr.
Cezamon to postpone the visit to Heidi till the following spring.
I know how you hate to deny your child anything,
And especially this trip that she has so set her heart upon,
" said the kind-hearted old doctor.
But you must make up your mind who it saves them on.
Clara has not had such a bad summer as this one for years.
Only the worst results would follow from the fatigue of such a journey.
And it is out of the question for her.
If we want to give the child a chance of recovery,
We must use the utmost care and watchfulness.
Mr.
Sesamon,
Who had listened to the doctor in sad and submissive silence,
Now suddenly jumped up.
Doctor,
" he said.
Tell me truly.
Have you really any hope for her final recovery?
The doctor shrugged his shoulders.
Very little,
" he replied quietly.
But,
Friend,
Think of my trouble.
You still have a beloved child to look for you and greet you on your return home.
You do not come back to an empty house and sit down to a solitary meal.
The once bright and cheery doctor was now a broken-hearted man.
He could not get over the loss of his daughter,
Who had died some months before,
And who had been his sole and constant companion for many years.
Mr.
Cezamon,
Who had been striding up and down the room,
Suddenly paused beside his friend.
And laying his hand on his shoulder said,
Doctor.
I have an idea.
How would it be for you to go and pay Heidi a visit in our name?
You need a change of scene.
I cannot bear to see you so sad.
You are no longer the same man.
The doctor was taken aback at this sudden proposal and wanted to make objections.
But his friend gave him no time to say anything.
He was so delighted with his idea.
That he sees the doctor by the arm.
And drew him into Clara's room.
She held out her hand to him as he came up to her.
He took a seat beside her.
And her father also drew up his chair.
And taking Clara's hand in his.
Began to talk to her of the Swiss journey.
And how he himself had looked forward to it.
He passed as quickly as he could,
Over the main point that it was now impossible for her to undertake it,
For he dreaded the tears that would follow.
But he went on without pause to tell her of his new plan.
And dwelt on the great benefit it would be to his friend if he could be persuaded to take this holiday.
The tears were indeed swimming in the blue eyes,
Although Clara struggled to keep them down for her father's sake.
But it was a bitter disappointment to give up the journey,
The thought of which had been her only joy and solace during the lonely hours of her long illness.
She knew,
However,
That her father would never refuse her a thing unless he was certain that it would be harmful for her.
So,
She swallowed her tears as well as she could and turned her thoughts to the one hope still left her.
Taking the doctor's hand.
And stroking it.
She said pleadingly.
Dear Doctor,
You will go and see Heidi,
Won't you?
And then you can come and tell me all about it.
What it is like up there.
And what Heidi and the grandfather and Peter and the goats do all day.
I know them all so well.
And then you can take what I want to send to Heidi I have thought about it all.
And also something for the grandmother.
Do pray go,
Dear doctor.
And I will take as much cod liver as you like.
Whether this promise finally decided the doctor it is impossible to say,
But it is certain that he smiled and said,
Then I must certainly go,
Clara.
For you will then get as plump and strong as your father and I wish to see you.
And have you decided when I am to start?
Tomorrow morning.
Early if possible,
Replied Clara.
Yes,
She is right,
" put in Mr.
Sazamon.
The sun is shining and the sky is blue,
And there is no time to be lost.
It is a pity to miss a single one of these days on the mountain.
The doctor could not help laughing.
You will be reproaching me next for not being there already.
Well,
I must go and make arrangements for getting off.
But Clara would not let him go until she had given him endless messages for Heidi.
And had explained all he was to look at so as to give her an exact description on his return.
She would pack the presents she had already bought.
And send them to his house later.
The doctor promised to obey Clara's directions in every particular.
He would start some time during the following day,
If not the first thing in the morning,
And would bring back a faithful account of his experiences and of all he saw and heard.
He was hastening off when he met Mrs.
Rottermeier,
Just returning from a walk.
He informed her of his intended journey.
Begging her in his most conciliatory voice to pack up the parcels for Heidi as she alone knew how to pack.
And then he took his leave.
Clara quite expected to have a long tussle with Miss Rottermeier before she would get the latter to consent to sending all the things that she had collected as presents for Heidi.
But this time,
She was mistaken.
For Miss Rottermeier was in a more than usually good temper.
She cleared the large table.
So that all the things for Heidi could be spread out upon it,
And packed under Clara's own eyes.
It was no light job,
For the presents were of all shapes and sizes.
First,
There was a little warm cloak with a hood,
Which had been designed by Clara herself.
In order that Heidi,
During the coming winter,
Might be able to go and see grandmother when she likes.
And not have to wait till her grandfather could take her wrapped up in a sack to keep her from freezing.
Then came a thick warm shawl for the grandmother,
In which she could wrap herself well up and not feel the cold when the wind came sweeping in such terrible gusts around the house.
The next object was the large box full of cakes.
These were also for the grandmother.
That she might have something to eat with her coffee besides bread.
An Immense Sausage was the next article.
This had been originally intended for Peter.
Who never had anything but bread and cheese.
But Clara had altered her mind,
Fearing that in his delight,
He might eat it all up at once and make himself ill.
So she arranged to send it to Brigitta,
Who could take some for herself and the grandmother,
And give Peter his portion out by degrees.
A packet of tobacco was a present for Grandfather,
Who was so fond of his pipe as he sat resting in the evening.
Finally,
There was a whole lot of mysterious little bags and parcels and boxes,
Which Clara had had a special pleasure in collecting.
As each was to be a joyful surprise for Heidi as she opened it.
The work came to an end at last,
And Clara eyed the big box with pleasure,
Picturing Heidi's exclamations and jumps of joy and surprise when the huge parcel arrived at the hut.
Chapter 16 The Doctor Comes with Presents The early light of morning lay rosy red upon the mountains,
And a fresh breeze rustled through the fir trees,
And set their ancient branches waving to and fro.
The sound awoke Heidi,
And she jumped out of bed and dressed herself as quickly as she could.
When she went down her ladder.
She found her grandfather had already left the hut.
He was standing outside,
Looking at the sky and examining the landscape as he did every morning to see what sort of weather it was going to be.
Little pink clouds were floating over the sky that was growing brighter and bluer with every minute,
While the heights and the meadowlands were turning gold under the rising sun,
Which was just appearing above the topmost peaks.
Oh,
How beautiful!
How beautiful!
Good morning,
Grandfather,
Cried Heidi,
Running out.
What?
You are awake already,
Are you?
" he answered.
Giving her a morning greeting.
Then Heidi ran round to the fir trees to enjoy the sound she loved so well.
And with every fresh gust of wind which came roaring through their branches,
She gave a fresh jump and cry of delight.
Meanwhile,
The grandfather had gone to milk the goats.
This done,
He brushed and washed them.
Ready for their mountain excursion and brought them out of their shed.
As soon as Heidi caught sight of them,
She ran and embraced them,
And they bleeded in return,
While they vied with each other in showing their affection by poking their heads against her and trying which could get nearest her.
When the lively little bear gave rather too violent a thrust,
She only said,
No,
Little bear.
You are pushing like the great Turks.
And Little Bear immediately drew his head and left off his rough attentions while Little Swan lifted her head.
And put on an expression as much to say.
No one shall ever accuse me of behaving like the Great Turk.
Peter's whistle was heard and all the goats came along.
Leaping and springing.
And Heidi soon found herself surrounded by the whole flock,
Pushed this way and that by their boisterous greetings.
But at last,
She managed to get through them to where Snowflake was standing,
For the young goat had in vain striven to reach her.
Peter now gave a last tremendous whistle in order to startle the goats and drive them off.
For he wanted to get near himself to say something to Heidi.
The goat sprang aside and he came up to her.
Can you come out with me today?
He asked.
Evidently unwilling to hear her refuse.
I'm afraid I cannot,
Peter,
" she answered.
I am expecting them every minute from Frankfurt,
And I must be home when they come.
You have said the same thing for days now,
Grumbled Peter.
I must continue to say it till they come,
" replied Heidi.
How can you think,
Peter,
That I would be away when they came?
As if I could do such a thing.
They would find uncle at home,
He answered with a snarling voice.
But at this moment,
The grandfather's stentorian voice was heard.
Why is the army not marching forward?
Is it the field marshal who is missing or some of the troops?
Whereupon Peter turned and went off.
Swinging his stick round so that it whistled through the air.
And the goats,
Who understood the signal,
Started at full trot for their mountain pasture,
Peter following in their wake.
Since Heidi had come back to her grandfather.
She had learned to do many things about the house.
She put her bed in order every morning,
Patting and stroking it till she got it perfectly smooth and flat.
Then she went about the room downstairs.
Put each chair back in its place.
And if she found anything lying about,
She put it in the cupboard.
After that,
She fetched a duster.
Climbed on a chair,
And rubbed the table till it shone again.
When the grandfather came in later.
He would look round well-pleased and say to himself,
We look like Sunday every day now.
Heidi did not go abroad for nothing.
After Peter had departed,
And she and her grandfather had breakfasted,
Heidi began her daily work as usual.
But she did not get on with it very fast.
It was so lovely out of doors today.
And every minute something happened to interrupt her inner work.
Now it was a bright beam of sun shining cheerfully through the open window,
And seeming to say,
Come out,
Heidi,
Come out.
Heidi felt she could not stay indoors.
And she ran out in answer to the call.
The sunlight lay sparkling on everything around the hut and on all the mountains and far away along the valley,
And the grass slope looked so golden and inviting.
That she was obliged to sit down for a few minutes and look about her.
Then she suddenly remembered that her stool was left standing in the middle of the floor.
And that the table had not been rubbed.
And she jumped up and ran inside again.
But it was not long before the fir trees began their old song.
Heidi felt it in her limbs,
And again,
The desire to run outside was irresistible.
And she was off to play and leap to the tune of the waving branches.
A grandfather who was busy in his work shed.
Step down from time to time.
Smiling to watch her at her gambles.
He had just gone back to his work on one of these occasions.
When Heidi called out.
Grandfather Grandfather,
Come,
Come.
He stepped quickly out.
Almost afraid something had happened to the child.
But he saw her running towards where the mountain path descended crying.
They're coming!
They're coming,
And the doctor is in front of them.
Heidi rushed forward to welcome her old friend.
Who held out his hands in greeting to her.
When she came up to him,
She clung to his outstretched arm.
And exclaimed in the joy of her heart,
Good morning,
Doctor.
And thank you ever so many times.
God bless you,
Child.
What have you got to thank me for?
Asked the doctor,
Smiling.
For being at home again with grandfather,
" the child explained.
The doctor's face brightened,
As if a sudden ray of sunshine had passed across it.
He had not expected such a reception as this.
He had quite thought that Heidi would have forgotten him.
She had seen so little of him.
And he had felt rather like one bearing a message of disappointment.
But instead,
Here was Heidi,
Her eyes dancing for joy.
And full of gratitude and affection.
Clinging to the arm of her kind friend.
He took her by the hand with fatherly tenderness.
Take me now to your grandfather,
Heidi.
And show me where you live.
But Heidi still remains standing looking down the path with a questioning gaze.
Where are Clara and Grandmother?
She asked.
Ah,
Now I have to tell you something which you will be as sorry about as I am.
Answer the doctor.
You see,
Heidi,
I have come alone.
Clara was very ill and could not travel,
And so the grandmother stayed behind too.
But next spring,
When the days grow warm and long again,
They are coming here for certain.
Heidi stood motionless for a second or two,
Overcome by the unexpected disappointment.
She suddenly remembered that the doctor had really come anyway.
She lifted her eyes and saw the sad expression in his as he looked down at her.
She had never seen him with that look on his face when she was in Frankfurt.
It went to Heidi's heart.
She could not bear to see anybody unhappy.
Especially her dear doctor.
No doubt it was because Clara and Grandmother could not come.
And so she began to think how best she might console him.
Oh,
It won't be very long to wait for spring.
And then they will be sure to come,
" she said in a reassuring voice.
Time passes very quickly with us.
And then they will be able to stay longer when they are here,
And Clara will be pleased at that.
Now let us go and find grandfather.
Hand in hand with her friend,
She climbed up to the hut.
She was so anxious to make the doctor happy again that she began once more assuring him that the winter passed quickly on the mountain.
And that summer would be back again before they knew it.
And she became so convinced of the truth of her own words.
That she called out quite cheerfully to her grandfather as they approached.
They have not come today.
But they will be here in a very short time.
The doctor was no stranger to the grandfather.
For the child had talked to him so much about her friend.
The old man held out his hand to his guest in friendly greeting.
Then the two men sat down in front of the hut.
The doctor whispered to Heidi that there was something being brought up the mountain which had traveled with him from Frankfurt.
And which would give her even more pleasure than seeing him.
Heidi got into a great state of excitement on hearing this,
Wondering what it could be.
The old man urged the doctor to spend as many of the beautiful autumn days on the mountain as he could.
And at least it come up whenever it was fine.
He could not offer him a lodging,
As he had no place to put him.
He advised the doctor,
However,
To stay at Durfley,
Where there was a clean,
Tidy little inn.
Then the doctor could come up every morning,
Which would do him no end of good.
And if he liked,
He the grandfather.
Would act as his guide to any part of the mountains he would like to see.
The doctor was delighted with this proposal.
And it was settled that it should be as the grandfather suggested.
Alm uncle now rose and went indoors.
Returning in a few minutes with a table which he placed in front of the seat.
Heidi,
Now run in and bring us what we want for the table,
" he said.
The doctor must take us as he finds us.
If the food is plain,
He will acknowledge that the dining room is pleasant.
I should think so indeed,
Replied the doctor.
As you look down over the sunlit valley.
And I accept the kind invitation.
Everything must taste good up here.
Heidi ran backwards and forwards as busy as a bee and brought out everything she could find in the cupboard.
The grandfather,
Meanwhile,
Had been preparing the meal.
And now appeared with a steaming jug of milk and golden brown toasted cheese.
Then he cut some thin slices from the meat he had cured himself in the pure air,
And the doctor enjoyed his dinner better than he had for a whole year past.
Our Clara must certainly come up here,
He said.
It would make her quite a different person.
And if she could eat for any length of time as I have today.
She would grow pumper than anyone has ever known her before.
As he spoke.
A man was seen coming up the path,
Carrying a large package on his back.
When he reached the hut,
He threw it on the ground.
And drew in two or three good breaths of mountain air.
Ah,
Here's what traveled with me from Frankfurt,
" said the doctor,
Rising.
And he went up to the package and began undoing it.
Heidi looking on in great expectation.
After he had released it from its heavy outer covering.
Their child,
" he said.
Now you can go on unpacking your treasures yourself.
Heidi undid her presents one by one until they were all displayed.
She could not speak for wonder and delight.
Not till the doctor opened the large box to show Heidi the cakes that were there for grandmother to eat with her coffee.
Did she at last give a cry of joy?
Exclaiming Now grandmother will have nice things to eat.
And she wanted to pack everything up again and start at once to give them to her.
But the grandfather said he should walk down with the doctor that evening,
And she could go with them and take the things.
Heidi next found the packet of tobacco,
Which she ran and gave to her grandfather.
He was so pleased with it that he immediately filled his pipe with some.
And the two men then sat down together,
The smoke curling up from their pipes as they talked of all kinds of things.
While Heidi continued to examine first one and then another of her presents.
Suddenly she ran up to them.
And standing in front of the doctor,
Waited till there was a pause in the conversation,
And then said,
No,
The presents have not given me more pleasure than seeing you,
Doctor.
The two men could not help laughing.
And the doctor answered that he should never have thought it.
As the sun began to sink behind the mountains,
The doctor rose.
Thinking it time to return to Durfley and seek for quarters.
The grandfather carried the cakes and the shawl and the large sausage.
And the doctor took Heidi's hand as they all three started down the mountain.
Arrived at Peter's home.
Heidi bid the others goodbye.
She was to wait at Grandmother's till Grandfather,
Who was going to Durflea with his guest,
Returned for her.
As the doctor shook hands with her,
She asked,
Would you like to come out with the goats tomorrow morning?
For she could think of no greater treat to offer him.
Agreed,
Answered the doctor.
We will go together.
Heidi now ran into the grandmother.
She first,
With some effort,
Managed to carry in the box of cakes.
Then she ran out again and brought in the sausage.
For her grandfather had put the presents down by the door.
And then a third time for the shawl.
She placed them as close as she could to the grandmother.
So that the latter might be able to feel them and understand what was there.
The shawl she had lain over the old woman's knees.
Are all from Frankfurt,
From Clara and Grandmama,
" she explained to the astonished grandmother and Brigitte.
The latter having watched her dragging in all the heavy things,
Unable to imagine what was happening.
And you are very pleased with the cakes,
Aren't you,
Grandmother?
Taste how soft they are,
" said Heidi,
Over and over again.
To which the grandmother continued to answer.
Yes,
Yes,
Heidi,
I should think so.
What kind people they must be.
And then she would pass her hand over the warm thick shawl and add This will be beautiful for the cold winter.
I never thought I should ever have such a splendid thing as this to put on.
Heidi could not help feeling some surprise at the grandmother seeming to take more pleasure in the shawl than the cakes.
Meanwhile,
Brigitta stood gazing at the sausage with almost an expression of awe.
She had hardly in her life seen such a monster sausage,
Much less owned one,
And she could scarcely believe her eyes.
Peter came tumbling in at this minute.
Uncle is just behind me,
He is coming,
He began.
And then stop short.
For his eye had caught sight of the sausage.
And he was much too taken aback to say more.
But Heidi understood that her grandfather was near,
And so she said goodbye to Grandmother.
The old man now never passed the door without going in to wish the old woman good day,
And she liked to hear his footstep approaching,
For he always had a cheery word for her.
But today,
It was growing late for Heidi,
Who was always up with the larks.
And the grandfather would never let her go to bed after hours.
So this evening,
He only called goodnight through the open door and started home at once with the child.
And the two climbed under the starlit sky back to their peaceful dwelling.
Sweet dreams my friends.
Sleep well.
