Hello my dear friend and welcome back to Drift Off.
I'm your host Joanne and I'm so glad you're here with me tonight.
Tonight we return to the green mountains,
Back into the tender,
Simple world of Heidi.
Wherever you're listening from,
Whatever kind of day you've had.
I want you to know that this is your time now.
A little pocket of peace just for you.
So go ahead.
Get cozy Pull the blankets up.
And let's begin to let the day go.
Take a slow breath in with me and let it go.
Let your body sink a little heavier into your pillow.
Your shoulders softening your jaw unclenching.
Your hands resting open and still.
There is nowhere else you need to be right now.
Nothing left to do.
Nothing left to fix.
The day is done and you've done enough.
With each breath,
Imagine you're letting go of one more small thing.
A worry,
A thought.
A to do.
Just flowing away from you like a feather drifting down onto soft snow.
You are safe.
You are warm.
And you are exactly where you need to be.
So,
Let your eyes rest.
Let your mind grow quiet.
And let my voice carry you somewhere gentle.
So settle in.
Close your eyes if you'd like.
And let's begin!
Chapter 17 Excursions Over the Mountains The next morning,
The doctor climbed up from Durflea with Peter and the goats.
At the hut,
They found Heidi awaiting them with her two goats.
All three as fresh and lively as the morning sun among the mountains.
Are you coming today?
" said Peter.
Repeating the words with which he daily greeted her.
Of course I am,
If the doctor is coming too,
" replied Heidi.
Peter cast a sidelong glance at the doctor.
The grandfather now came out with the dinner bag.
And after bidding good day to the doctor,
He went up to Peter and slung it over his neck.
It was heavier than usual.
For all uncle had added some meat today.
As he thought the doctor might like to have his lunch out of doors with the children.
Peter gave a grin.
He felt sure there was something extra good in it.
And so the ascent began.
The goats,
As usual,
Came thronging round Heidi,
Each trying to be nearest her.
Until at last,
She stood still and said,
Now you must go on in front and behave properly.
And not keep on turning back and pushing and poking me.
For I want to talk to the doctor.
By degrees,
She managed to make her way out from among them and join the doctor who took her by the hand.
Heidi had a great deal to say about the goats and their oddities.
And above the flowers and the rocks and the birds.
And so they clambered on and reached their resting place before they were aware.
Peter had sent a good many unfriendly glances towards the doctor on the way up.
Which might have quite alarmed the latter if he had happened to notice them,
Which fortunately he did not.
Heidi led her friend to her favorite spot where she was accustomed to sit and enjoy the beauty around her.
The doctor followed her example and took his seat beside her on the warm grass.
The great snowfield sparkled in the bright sunlight on the rocky peaks.
A soft light morning breeze blew deliciously across the mountain,
Gently stirring the bluebells that still remained of the summer's wealth of flowers,
Their slender heads nodding cheerfully in the sunshine.
Overhead.
The great bird was flying round and round in wide circles.
Heidi looked about her first at one thing and then at another.
Her eyes were alight with joy.
She turned to her friend to see if he too were enjoying the beauty.
The doctor had been sitting thoughtfully gazing around him.
As he met her glad,
Bright eyes.
Yes,
Heidi,
He responded.
I see how lovely it all is.
But tell me.
If one brings a sad heart up here.
How may it be healed?
So that it can rejoice in all this beauty.
But no one is sat up here.
Only in Frankfurt,
Exclaimed Heidi.
The doctor smiled.
And then,
Growing serious again,
He continued,
But supposing one is not able to leave all the sadness behind at Frankfurt.
Can you tell me anything that will help then?
When you do not know what more to do,
You must go and tell everything to God,
" answered Heidi with decision.
Ah,
That is a good thought of yours,
Heidi,
" said the doctor.
But if it is God Himself who has sent the trouble,
What can we say to Him then?
Heidi sat pondering for a while.
She was sure in her heart that God could help out of every trouble.
She thought over her own experiences and then found her answer.
Then you must wait,
She said.
And keep on saying to yourself.
God certainly knows of some happiness for us which he is going to bring out of the trouble.
Only we must have patience and not run away.
That is a beautiful faith,
Child.
And be sure you hold it fast,
Replied the doctor.
But can you understand,
Heidi?
That a man may sit here with such a shadow over his eyes that he cannot feel and enjoy the beauty around him.
While the heart rose doubly sad,
Knowing how beautiful it could be.
Can you understand that?
A pain shot through the child's young,
Happy heart.
The shadow over the eyes brought to her remembrance the grandmother,
Who would never again be able to see the sunlight and the beauty up here.
This was Heidi's great sorrow,
Which reawoke each time she thought about the darkness.
Yes,
I can understand it.
And I know this,
That then one must say one of Grandmother's hymns,
Which bring the light back a little.
And often make it so bright for her that she is quite happy again.
Grandmother herself told me this.
Which hymns are they,
Heidi?
Asked the doctor.
I only know the one about the sun and the beautiful garden.
And some of the verses of the long one,
Which are favorites with her.
And she always likes me to read them to her two or three times over,
" replied Heidi.
Well,
Say the verses to me then.
I should like to hear them too,
" said the doctor.
Heidi collected her thoughts for a second or two and began.
Let not your heart be troubled,
Nor fear your soul dismay.
There is a wise defender and he will be your stay.
Where you have failed,
He conquers.
See how the fulmin flies.
And all your tribulation.
Is turned to glad surprise.
If for a while it seemeth his mercy is withdrawn,
That he no longer careth for his wandering child forlorn,
Doubt not his great compassion,
His love can never tire.
To those who wait in patience.
He gives their hearts desire.
Suddenly she paused.
She was not sure if the doctor was still listening.
He was sitting motionless,
With his hand before his eyes.
His thoughts had carried him back to a long pastime.
He saw himself as a little boy standing by his dear mother's chair.
She had her arm round his neck and was saying the very verses to him that Heidi had just recited.
Words which he had not heard now for years.
He could hear his mother's voice and see her loving eyes resting upon him.
And as Heidi ceased,
The old,
Dear voice seemed to be saying other things to him.
And the words he heard again must have carried him far,
Far away,
For it was a long time before he stirred or took his hand from his eyes.
When at last he roused himself,
He met Heidi's eyes looking wonderingly at him.
Hidee,
He said,
Taking the child's hand in his.
That was a beautiful hymn of yours.
And there was a happier ring in his voice as he spoke.
We will come out here together another day.
And you will let me hear it again.
Peter,
Meanwhile,
Had been giving vent to his anger.
It was now some days since Heidi had been out with him.
And when at last she did come,
There she sat the whole time beside the old gentleman.
And Peter could not get a word with her.
He got into a terrible temper.
And at last went and stood some way behind the doctor,
Where the latter could not see him.
And doubling his fist made imaginary hits at the enemy.
Presently he doubled both fists,
And the longer Heidi stayed beside the gentleman,
The more fiercely did he threaten with them.
Meanwhile,
The sun had risen to the height which Peter knew pointed to the dinner hour.
All of a sudden he called at the top of his voice.
It's dinner time.
Heidi started for the dinner bag so that the doctor might eat his where he sat.
But he stopped her.
Telling her he was not hungry at all and only cared for a glass of milk.
As he wanted to climb up a little higher.
Then Heidi found that she also was not hungry and only wanted milk.
And she should like,
" she said,
To take the doctor up to the large moss-covered rock,
Where Greenfinch had nearly jumped down and killed herself.
So she ran and explained matters to Peter.
Telling him to go and get milk for two.
Peter seemed hardly to understand.
Who's going to eat what is in the bag then,
He asked.
You can have it,
She answered.
Only first make haste and get the milk.
Peter had seldom performed any task more promptly,
For he thought of the bag and its contents,
Which now belonged to him.
As soon as the other two were sitting quietly drinking their milk,
He opened it.
And quite trembled for joy at the sight of the meat.
And he was just putting his hand in to draw it out when something seemed to hold him back.
His conscience smote him at the remembrance of how he had stood with his doubled fists behind the doctor,
Who was giving up to him his whole good dinner.
He felt as if he could not now enjoy it.
But all at once he jumped up.
And ran back to the spot where he had stood before.
And there held up his open hands as a sign that he had no longer any wish to use them as fists,
And kept them up until he felt he had made amends for his past conduct.
Then he rushed back and sat down to the double enjoyment of a clear conscience and unusually satisfying meal.
Heidi and the doctor climbed and talked for a while until the latter said it was time for him to be going back.
And no doubt Heidi would like to go and be with her goats.
But Heidi would not hear of this,
As then the doctor would have to go the whole way down the mountain alone.
She insisted on accompanying him as far as the grandfather's hut.
Or even a little further.
She kept hold of her friend's hand all the time.
And the whole way she entertained him with accounts of this thing and that.
But at last,
The doctor insisted on her going back.
So,
They bid each other goodnight.
And the doctor continued his descent.
Turning now and again to look back.
And each time he saw Heidi standing on the same spot and waving her hand to him.
Even so,
In the old days,
Had his own dear little daughter watched him when he went from home.
It was a bright sunny autumn month.
The doctor came up to the hut every morning and thence made excursions over the mountain.
Alm Uncle accompanied him on some of his higher ascents.
The doctor found great pleasure in his companion's conversation and was astonished at his knowledge of the plants that grew on the mountain.
He was well versed also in the ways of the animals,
Great and small,
And had many amusing anecdotes to tell of these dwellers in caves and holes and in the tops of the fir trees.
And so the time passed pleasantly and quickly for the doctor.
Who seldom said goodbye to the old man at the end of the day without adding,
I never leave you friend,
Without having learned something new from you.
On some of the very finest days,
However,
The doctor would wander out again with Heidi.
And then the two would sit together as on the first day.
And the child would repeat her hymns and tell the doctor's things which she alone knew.
Eater sat a little distance from them,
But he now was quite reconciled in spirit and gave vent to no angry pantomime.
September had drawn to its close.
And one morning the doctor appeared looking less cheerful than usual.
It was his last day,
He said,
As he must return to Frankfurt.
But he was grieved at having to say goodbye to the mountain,
Which had begun to feel quite like home to him.
Alm Uncle on his side.
Greatly regretted the departure of his guest.
And Heidi had become accustomed for so long to see her good friend every day.
As she could hardly believe the time had suddenly come to separate.
She walked partway down the mountain with him,
Still unable to grasp the idea that he was going for good.
After some distance,
The doctor stood still,
And passing his hand over the child's curly head,
Said,
Now,
Heidi,
You must go back.
And I must say goodbye.
If only I could take you with me to Frankfurt and keep you there.
The picture of Frankfurt rose before the child's eyes.
Its endless rows of houses,
Its hard streets,
And even the vision of Miss Rottermeier internet,
And she answered hesitatingly,
I would rather that you came back to us.
Yes,
You are right.
That would be better.
For now,
Goodbye Heidi.
The child put her hand in his and looked up at him.
The kind eyes looking down at her had tears in them.
Then the doctor tore himself away and quickly continued his descent.
Heidi remains standing without moving.
The friendly eyes with the tears in them had gone to her heart.
All at once she burst into tears and started running as fast as she could after the departing figure,
Calling out in broken tones.
Doctor,
Doctor.
He turned around and waited till the child reached him.
The tears were streaming down her face and she sobbed out.
I will come to Frankfurt with you,
Now at once,
And I will stay with you as long as you like,
Only I must just run back and tell Grandfather.
" The doctor laid his hand on her and tried to calm her excitement.
No,
No,
Dear child,
He said kindly,
Not now.
You must stay for the present under the fir trees.
You might get sick again.
But if I am ever ill and alone,
Will you come then and stay with me?
May I know that there would be someone to look after me and care for me?
Yes,
I will come the very day you send for me.
And I love you nearly as much as grandfather replied Heidi.
Who had not yet got over her distress.
And so,
The doctor again bid her goodbye and started on his way.
While Heidi remained looking after him and waving her hand as long as a speck of him could be seen.
As the doctor turned for the last time and looked back at the waving Heidi and the sunny mountain,
He said to himself,
It is good to be up there.
Good for body and soul,
And a man might learn how to be happy once more.
The next morning,
The doctor climbed up from Durflea with Peter and the goats.
At the hut,
They found Heidi awaiting them with her two goats.
All three as fresh and lively as the morning sun among the mountains.
Are you coming today?
" said Peter.
Repeating the words with which he daily greeted her.
Of course I am,
If the doctor is coming too,
" replied Heidi.
Peter cast a sidelong glance at the doctor.
The grandfather now came out with the dinner bag.
And after bidding good day to the doctor,
He went up to Peter and slung it over his neck.
It was heavier than usual.
For all,
Uncle had added some meat today,
As he thought the doctor might like to have his lunch out of doors with the children.
Peter gave a grin.
For he felt sure there was something extra good in it.
And so the ascent began.
The goats,
As usual,
Came thronging round Heidi,
Each trying to be nearest her.
Until at last,
She stood still and said,
Now you must go on in front and behave properly.
And not keep on turning back and pushing and poking me.
Her eye wanted to talk to the doctor.
By degrees,
She managed to make her way out from among them and join the doctor who took her by the hand.
Heidi had a great deal to say about the goats and their oddities.
And above the flowers and the rocks and the birds.
And so they clambered on and reached their resting place before they were aware.
Peter had sent a good many unfriendly glances towards the doctor on the way up.
Which might have quite alarmed the latter if he had happened to notice them,
Which fortunately he did not.
Heidi led her friend to her favorite spot where she was accustomed to sit and enjoy the beauty around her.
The doctor followed her example and took his seat beside her on the warm grass.
The great snowfield sparkled in the bright sunlight on the rocky peaks.
A soft light morning breeze blew deliciously across the mountain,
Gently stirring the bluebells that still remained of the summer's wealth of flowers,
Their slender heads nodding cheerfully in the sunshine.
Overhead,
The great bird was flying round and round in wide circles.
Heidi looked about her first at one thing and then at another.
Her eyes were alight with joy.
She turned to her friend to see if he too were enjoying the beauty.
The doctor had been sitting thoughtfully gazing around him.
As he met her glad,
Bright eyes.
Yes,
Heidi,
He responded.
I see how lovely it all is.
But tell me.
If one brings a sad heart up here.
How may it be healed so that it can rejoice in all this beauty?
But no one is sat up here.
Only in Frankfurt,
Exclaimed Heidi.
The doctor smiled.
And then,
Growing serious again,
He continued,
But supposing one is not able to leave all the sadness behind at Frankfurt.
Can you tell me anything that will help then?
When you do not know what more to do,
You must go and tell everything to God,
" answered Heidi with decision.
Ah,
That is a good thought of yours,
Heidi,
" said the doctor.
But if it is God Himself who has sent the trouble,
What can we say to Him then?
Heidi sat pondering for a while.
She was sure in her heart that God could help out of every trouble.
She thought over her own experiences and then found her answer.
Then you must wait,
She said,
And keep on saying to yourself.
God certainly knows of some happiness for us which he is going to bring out of the trouble.
Only we must have patience and not run away.
That is a beautiful faith,
Child.
And be sure you hold it fast,
Replied the doctor.
But can you understand,
Heidi?
That a man may sit here with such a shadow over his eyes that he cannot feel and enjoy the beauty around him,
While the heart grows doubly sad,
Knowing how beautiful it could be.
Can you understand that?
A pain shot through the child's young,
Happy heart.
The shadow over the eyes brought to her remembrance the grandmother,
Who would never again be able to see the sunlight and the beauty up here.
This was Heidi's great sorrow,
Which reawoke each time she thought about the darkness.
Yes,
I can understand it.
And I know this,
That then one must say one of Grandmother's hymns,
Which bring the light back a little.
And often make it so bright for her that she is quite happy again.
Grandmother herself told me this.
Which hymns are they,
Heidi?
Asked the doctor.
I only know the one about the sun and the beautiful garden.
And some of the verses of the long one,
Which are favorites with her,
And she always likes me to read them to her two or three times over,
" replied Heidi.
Wow.
Say the verses to me then.
I should like to hear them too,
" said the doctor.
Heidi collected her thoughts for a second or two and began.
Let not your heart be troubled,
Nor fear your soul dismay.
There is a wise defender and he will be your stay.
Where you have failed he conquers See how the full moon flies.
And all your tribulation.
Is turned to glad surprise.
If for a while it seemeth his mercy is withdrawn,
That he no longer careth for his wandering child forlorn,
Doubt not his great compassion,
His love can never tire.
To those who wait in patience.
He gives their hearts desire.
Suddenly she paused.
She was not sure if the doctor was still listening.
He was sitting motionless,
With his hand before his eyes.
His thoughts had carried him back to a long pastime.
He saw himself as a little boy,
Standing by his dear mother's chair.
She had her arm round his neck and was saying the very verses to him that Heidi had just recited.
Words which he had not heard now for years.
He could hear his mother's voice and see her loving eyes resting upon him.
And as Heidi ceased,
The old dear voice seemed to be saying other things to him.
And the words he heard again must have carried him far,
Far away.
For it was a long time before he stirred or took his hand from his eyes.
When at last he roused himself,
He met Heidi's eyes looking wonderingly at him.
Hiding,
He said,
Taking the child's hand in his.
That was a beautiful hymn of yours.
And there was a happier ring in his voice as he spoke.
We will come out here together another day.
And you will let me hear it again.
Peter,
Meanwhile,
Had been giving vent to his anger.
It was now some days since Heidi had been out with him.
And when at last she did come,
There she sat the whole time beside the old gentleman.
And Peter could not get a word with her.
He got into a terrible temper.
And at last went and stood some way behind the doctor,
Where the latter could not see him.
And doubling his fist made imaginary hits at the enemy.
Presently,
He doubled both fists,
And the longer Heidi stayed beside the gentleman,
The more fiercely did he threaten with them.
Meanwhile,
The sun had risen to the height which Peter knew pointed to the dinner hour.
All of a sudden he called at the top of his voice.
It's dinner time.
Heidi started for the dinner bag so that the doctor might eat his where he sat.
But he stopped her.
Telling her he was not hungry at all and only cared for a glass of milk.
As he wanted to climb up a little higher.
Then Heidi found that she also was not hungry and only wanted milk.
And she should like,
" she said,
To take the doctor up to the large moss-covered rock,
Where Greenfinch had nearly jumped down and killed herself.
So she ran and explained matters to Peter.
Telling him to go and get milk for two.
Peter seemed hardly to understand.
Who's going to eat what is in the bag then,
He asked.
You can have it,
She answered.
Only first make haste and get the milk.
Peter had seldom performed any task more promptly,
For he thought of the bag and its contents,
Which now belonged to him.
As soon as the other two were sitting quietly drinking their milk,
He opened it.
And quite trembled for joy at the sight of the meat.
And he was just putting his hand in to draw it out when something seemed to hold him back.
His conscience smote him at the remembrance of how he had stood with his doubled fists behind the doctor,
Who was giving up to him his whole good dinner.
He felt as if he could not now enjoy it.
But all at once he jumped up.
And ran back to the spot where he had stood before.
And there held up his open hands as a sign that he had no longer any wish to use them as fists,
And kept them up until he felt he had made amends for his past conduct.
Then he rushed back and sat down to the double enjoyment of a clear conscience and unusually satisfying meal.
Heidi and the doctor climbed and talked for a while until the latter said it was time for him to be going back.
And no doubt Heidi would like to go and be with her goats.
But Heidi would not hear of this,
As then the doctor would have to go the whole way down the mountain alone.
She insisted on accompanying him as far as the grandfather's hut.
Or even a little further.
She kept hold of her friend's hand all the time.
And the whole way she entertained him with accounts of this thing and that.
But at last,
The doctor insisted on her going back.
So,
They bid each other goodnight.
And the doctor continued his descent.
Turning now and again to look back.
And each time he saw Heidi standing on the same spot and waving her hand to him.
Even so,
In the old days,
Had his own dear little daughter watched him when he went from home.
It was a bright sunny autumn month.
The doctor came up to the hut every morning and thence made excursions over the mountain.
Alm Uncle accompanied him on some of his higher ascents.
The doctor found great pleasure in his companion's conversation and was astonished at his knowledge of the plants that grew on the mountain.
He was well versed also in the ways of the animals,
Great and small,
And had many amusing anecdotes to tell of these dwellers in caves and holes,
And in the tops of the fir trees.
And so the time passed pleasantly and quickly for the doctor.
Who seldom said goodbye to the old man at the end of the day without adding,
I never leave you friend,
Without having learned something new from you.
On some of the very finest days,
However,
The doctor would wander out again with Heidi.
And then the two would sit together as on the first day.
And the child would repeat her hymns and tell the doctor's things which she alone knew.
Eater sat a little distance from them,
But he now was quite reconciled in spirit and gave vent to no angry pantomime.
September had drawn to its close.
And one morning the doctor appeared looking less cheerful than usual.
It was his last day,
He said,
As he must return to Frankfurt.
But he was grieved at having to say goodbye to the mountain,
Which had begun to feel quite like home to him.
Uncle on his side.
Greatly regretted the departure of his guest.
And Heidi had become accustomed for so long to see her good friend every day.
As she could hardly believe the time had suddenly come to separate.
She walked partway down the mountain with him,
Still unable to grasp the idea that he was going for good.
After some distance,
The doctor stood still,
And passing his hand over the child's curly head,
Said,
Now,
Heidi,
You must go back,
And I must say goodbye.
If only I could take you with me to Frankfurt and keep you there.
The picture of Frankfurt rose before the child's eyes.
Its endless rows of houses,
Its hard streets,
And even the vision of Miss Rottermeier internet,
And she answered hesitatingly,
I would rather that you came back to us.
Yes,
You are right.
That would be better.
For now,
Goodbye Heidi.
The child put her hand in his and looked up at him.
The kind eyes looking down on her had tears in them.
Then the doctor tore himself away and quickly continued his descent.
Heidi remains standing without moving.
The friendly eyes with the tears in them had gone to her heart.
All at once she burst into tears and started running as fast as she could after the departing figure calling out in broken tones.
Doctor,
Doctor.
He turned around and waited till the child reached him.
The tears were streaming down her face and she sobbed out.
I will come to Frankfurt with you,
Now at once,
And I will stay with you as long as you like.
Only I must just run back and tell Grandfather.
" The doctor laid his hand on her and tried to calm her excitement.
No,
No,
Dear child,
He said kindly,
Not now.
You must stay for the present under the fir trees.
You might get sick again.
But if I am ever ill and alone.
Will you come then and stay with me?
May I know that there would be someone to look after me and care for me?
Yes,
I will come the very day you send for me.
And I love you nearly as much as grandfather replied Heidi.
Who had not yet got over her distress.
And so,
The doctor again bid her goodbye and started on his way.
While Heidi remained looking after him and waving her hand as long as a speck of him could be seen.
As the doctor turned for the last time and looked back at the waving Heidi and the sunny mountain,
He said to himself,
It is good to be up there.
Good for body and soul,
And a man might learn how to be happy once more.
Sweet dreams my friends.
Sleep well.
