Hello, I'm Cheryl, and this is Sleep Tight Relax, a calming bedtime podcast for the young and young at heart. Our sleep story is the ninth chapter of the story, Alice in Wonderland.

The Duchess has returned, and she and Alice are walking around until the queen comes and demands the Duchess play.

After that, Alice goes back to the game with the queen until she asks Alice if she has ever seen the

mock turtle. Alice says no, and the queen sends her with a griffin to meet him.

But before we continue with our story, let's turn down the lights, get cozy in your bed, close your eyes, and feel warm and secure.

Now that we have done that, let's use our imagination a little bit.

While we are breathing, let's imagine that you are blowing up a balloon every time you exhale.

You can make this balloon as big as you'd like and give it whatever color you want. It can be rainbow colored or have animal prints all over it.

I would like you to take a great big breath in through your nose and exhale through your mouth,

blowing up your imaginary balloon. But this is no ordinary balloon. It's a balloon you can ride in.

Once you get it as big as you want, it detaches from your mouth and it drifts slowly up into the sky, taking you with it.

There is a strong breeze right now and your balloon drifts over the trees. You can see your home, the street you live on.

Slowly but surely your balloon takes off and you can land it anywhere you like.

Land it in your favorite place.

This could be your bedroom or the couch at a friend's house.

Or maybe it's a place to buy ice cream.

Let's stay here for a few minutes.

And then when you are ready, take a few more deep breaths, each time exhaling into the balloon.

And it slowly takes you again for another ride.

Perhaps it can take you right into our story, Alice in Wonderland,

or right back into your bed again.

Great.

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