Music Welcome to snoozecast, the podcast designed to help you fall asleep. Find us at snoozecast.com and if you enjoy our show, please share us with a friend. This episode is brought to you by a prodigious yon. Tonight, we'll read Nibbles' Poppley Puppet, the story of a mouse, written by Edith B. Davidson and published in 1911. In this story, nibbles the mouse, sets out to seek his fortune.

Along the way, he encounters a peculiar inn run by guinea pigs,

and then meets a sleepy but hospitable salamander.

After a hearty meal, the Salamander shares his love

for coziness and poetry with nibbles. If you enjoy this sort of story, be sure to find the other recent snooze cast episode by this author, titled, The Bunikens Bunnies and the moon king.

Let's get cozy.

Close your eyes.

Relax your body into the softness of your bed. Now, take a few deep breaths. Chapter 1. The Poppoldy Poppily Puppets Nibbles' poppily poppet was a nice plump little mouse, with bright black eyes and a silky coat of soft gray fur. He lived with his mother and his sisters and brothers down a green lane near the river. There was sniffy and snuffy the twins. They were always having colds together. Gobble, who, I am sorry to say, was very greedy, and little topsy, the baby. Nipples' father had come to a most untimely end in a mouse trap, into which he had been beguiled by a two attractive bit of toasted cheese. Poor Mrs. Poppley Puppet had then been obliged to move into a wee little cottage, where she did cooking and washing to support her children. Her apple seed cookies, pine cone and maple sugar rolly pulley, and cheese and acorn pies were quite famous among all the little squirrels, mice, and rabbits of the neighboring woods. She had a tiny might of a shop in the front part of her house, where ruddy squirrel, frisky bushy tail, and Bobtail and Rosamond Bunnockins bunny spent all their pennies on cakes and goodies. It made nibbles very unhappy to have his mother work so hard, although he did his best to help her. So at last he decided to go out into the world and seek his fortune. One fine morning, bright and early, he kissed the family goodbye and away he went, After making sniffy, snuffy, and gobble promise to be good children and mind their mother. Mrs. Poppoli Puppet, shedding many tears, had made a little bundle of his clothes, neatly tied up in a red bandana handkerchief, which nibbles easily carried over his shoulder at the end of a stick. At first, he felt very sad and lonely, but the sun was so warm, and the crickets and birds were singing so galley that he soon cheered up and trotted briskly along. Towards noon, nibbles began to feel so very hungry that he decided it must be about dinner time. Not far off he saw beneath a shady elm tree, a neat, cozy-looking house. from a branch of the tree, their hung assign, on which was written in large gold letters, the guinea pigs rest. That is just the place for me, thought nibbles, for high emphond of guinea pigs. Chapter two, the guinea pigs rest. In front of the inn, leaning comfortably back in his chair with his feet up against the doorpost, sat a fat, black and white guinea pig. When nibbles went up to ask him if he could have some dinner, he saw that Mr. guinea pig was fast asleep and snoring loudly. It is a pity to wake him, thought nibbles, but I am awfully hungry and besides, his mouth is so wide open that he might easily swallow a wasp. Nibbles coughed, and then he whistled, but the guinea pig never stirred. Finally, in desperation, Nibbles got a straw and began to tickle his nose. First, Mr. Guinea pig twitched his nose, then he opened one eye. At last, he gave such a tremendous sneeze that he nearly fell out of his chair.

And with a snort, he woke up. "'Hallo,' said he, angrily. What do you want? This is the third time this morning that I've been wicked up, and I'm sleepy and I want my nap.' Excuse me, answered nibbles timidly, but I am very hungry and should like to have some dinner. Well, go into the house and get the salamander. Groud Mr. Kinnipeg. And before nibbles could ask another question, he was sound asleep again, and snoring away as hard as ever. I wonder what the salamander is, thought nibbles. It sounds like a sandwich or a salad. The thing is to find it. As Mr. Guinea pig completely blocked the front doorway, nibbles had to hunt about until he at last found another entrance. Then he wandered down a long haul with empty rooms on either side, but no salamander could be found. Finally, he heard a squeaking and a squealing, which seemed to come from a room at the end of the hall. He knocked gently on the door, but, as no one answered, he ventured to peep in. A bright fire was burning in the fireplace, in spite of its being a summer day, so the room felt very hot. On a footstool in front of the fire, sat two tiny guinea pigs who had evidently just been washed and were now being dried. Their hair had been carefully curled and each had a blue ribbon tied around its neck in a big bow. Mrs. Guinea Pig held on her lap a third little pig whose hair she was curling while the littlest piggy of all was sitting in the bathtub. I beg your pardon," said Nibbles politely. But can you please tell me where I can find the salamander? Mrs. Guinea Pig, whose back was to the door, gave such a jump that she nearly dropped the little pig. Oh, come right in. She said pleasantly when she saw nibbles. I am delighted to see you. Only please close the door as I don't like a draft." Nibbles thought a draft of fresh air was very much needed, but he said nothing and closed the door. "'You will find the salamander in the kitchen,' said Mrs. Guinea-Pig. He ought to be cooking the dinner, but he probably is asleep, as the heat from the stove seems to go to his head. Just then there was a sudden splash, and a loud squeal. While Mrs. Guinea pig had been talking to nibbles, one of the little pigs had jumped off the foot still and had come over to see what the littlest piggy was doing. He had climbed up on the edge of the tub and then had slipped and fallen into the water, right on top of the baby. Mrs. Guinea Pig was very angry with the naughty little pig for being disobedient and also for spoiling its best blue bow. While she was shaking her finger, the Piggy on her lap fell onto the floor and then there was such a squeaking and a squealing that nibbles ran out of the room without even waiting to say goodbye. CHAPTER 3 The Salamander Nibbles was sorry that he had not asked where the kitchen was, but he preferred to hunt it up himself rather than to go back to Mrs. Guinea Pig's hot bathroom, and after a little while he found it. The tea kettle was boiling cheerily on the stove, and Nibbles noticed a delicious odor of toasted cheese and bacon, but nowhere could he see the salamander. He looked in the cupboard and under the sink behind the door and under the table in the cold hot and behind the stove, until at last being very hungry, he began to call. Mr. Salamander? Oh, Mr. Salamander. Once he heard a sleepy squeaky voice saying yes yes I'll get up in a minute is it time for breakfast already the voice came from the stove and to nibbles amazement. He saw the oven door slowly open and the most curious looking animal with a very sleepy face jump out. It looked like a fat black lizard with large flame-color spots, Lots. Bright, and queer, short, little legs. After giving such a prodigious yawn that nibbles was afraid that he might never be able to shut his mouth again, he looked at nibbles and said, very sadly, oh dear, I was having such a lovely dream when you woke me up. I'm very sorry," replied nibbles, but I'm so hungry that I shall soon be ready to eat my whiskers. Well, well, said the salamander, he shan't wait another minute. And he bustled about so fast that before he knew it, nibbles was eating large quantities of cheese and bacon pie, and drinking cups of tea so hot that it made him wink.

Meanwhile, the salamander had climbed up on top of the stove, where he sat with his feet hanging over the edge, nodding and dozing. Do you never get too hot?

Inquired nibbles?

Oh no!

Replied the cell in. Do you never get too hot?" inquired Nibbles.

Oh no! replied the salamander. I belong to a very chilly family. We are all devoted to heat and poetry. Would you like to hear my favorite poem? Yes, very much," said Nibbles.

So the salamander in a high squeaky voice began to recite. The salamander loves to sit upon the red hot stove and longs to clasp it in his arms, wherever he may rove. He likes the little scarlet flames that sparkle in the fire, and in a boiling tea kettle, see something to admire. Do you remember what comes next? He inquired anxiously. I am afraid that I have forgotten. No, said nibbles. I am very fond of singing, but I don't know any poetry. Well, yawn the salamander. In that case, I think, if you don't mind, that I'll take another nap. Poetry always makes me very sleepy. Then curling his short little arms around the tea kettle and resting his head so near the spout that nibbles was afraid the steam would blow it off. He began once more to recite very drowsily. By this time nibbles had eaten all that he possibly could. So, he said goodbye to the salamander who paid no attention and started off again. As he trotted briskly down the hall, he could still hear the salamander murmuring sleepily to himself. He likes the little scarlet flames, which… And then nothing more, so he must have gone fast and sleep. Chapter 4. The Terrible Cat Nibbles spent the night in a cozy nest which he found in a hazel bush. And early the next morning he was off once more on his travels. Towards noon, while he was picking acorns for dinner, whom should he see running along the road, but his cousin, Teenie Weenie, the dearest little white mouse in the world? Hello, Teenie We, called nibbles. Where did you come from? Why, I live in a village not far from here." replied teeny weeny. And where are you going, cousin nibbles? I am going to seek my fortune," said nibbles. Oh, do let do let me come to,' Beck Tini. "'All right, come along,' answered Nibbles. "'Two is company, and one is none. "'Only don't keep getting tired. "'No, I promise I won't,' said Tini. "'But you must come and have have separate my house before we start. By the time they reached the village, it was dark, and the lights in the houses were beginning to shine. They crept cautiously down the street until they came to a pretty house in the middle of a large garden. That is where I live, said Teeny Weenie, but look out for the cat. A brightly lighted window was open, around which grew a honey-suckle. Up the vine ran Teeny Weenenie, closely followed by nibbles and sitting on the window sill, they looked into a beautiful room. On a long table there were numbers of lighted candles in high silver candlesticks and never had nibbles seen such wonderful things to eat. Nuts and raisins, fakes and dates, oranges and grapes, cakes and candy. In a moment, teeny weenian nibbles had run across the room and jumped up on the table. Nibbles tried first one thing and then another, each tasting better than the last. Suddenly, Teeny weenie gave a little gasp, which startled nibbles so that he nearly fell into a finger bowl. What is the matter, teeny? He asked, rather crossly, for in his fright he had dropped a particularly nice bit of cake on the floor. The cat whispered teeny-weeny.bles looked around, and suddenly he saw, in a chair close by, a big gray and white animal which was evidently just waking up and was stretching itself and yawning. Such teeth and claws as it had. While nibbles gazed at it, the cat turned around and its green eyes glared as it saw the two trembling little mice. the sleepy cat could jump on the table however, nibbles and teeny weeny were on the floor, and in instant later they were fairly tumbling out of the window into the garden. the village street they ran and never stopped until they were safe in the open country once more. Well, said nibbles, I have never seen a cat before and I sincerely hope that I never May again. You may live in a village if you like teeny-weeny, but I prefer the quiet woods. CHAPTER V. Down the River. They traveled on for several days, close to the river, until nibbles suggested that it would be more fun and easier to sail than to walk. They at once began to make a little raft with willow twigs and bits of birch bark, and to prevent the water coming through, they filled up the cracks with clay. The big bandana hanker chief, they used as a sail. And with his jackknife, nibbles whittled out a nice little rudder. One warm sunny day. They hoisted their sail and were just starting off. When they heard someone shouting. Looking round, they saw on the bank above them a big gray rat. Waving his hat and calling, wait a minute and take me with you. I'm very sorry, answered nibbles, but the raft is small and there's not enough room. But I will go, shouted the water rat very rudely, and I am in a hurry too. Portini Wini was frightened for she knew that water rats sometimes ate mice, especially if they were cross, so she begged nibbles not to go near the shore. As they sailed away, the water rat, I regret to say, danced with

rage, making faces at nipples and teeny weeny, and saying things which were not at all polite. Day after day, they sailed down the winding river, sometimes landing for dinner, and at night always tying their raft to a tree or bush in some sheltered cove where they could find a comfortable nest to sleep in. One afternoon they came to a pretty wood where they decided to spend the night. Near the bank was a dark, gravely point, which seemed an excellent place to land. Nibbles got out and was just beginning to pull the raft up high and dry.

When suddenly the whole point began to move and then something struck poor nibbles and sent him whizzing far out into the river. Down, down, down he sank until he felt sure that he was going through to China. His head was buried in the soft sand at the bottom of the river, and he had to struggle hard to free himself. Finally, he came up to the surface of the water and was able to swim to the raft, where little teeny weeny still sat. CHAPTER VI. Mr. Scratchity-Claw. Looking on the water, so near the raft that he could have touched it, nibble saw a huge animal covered with brown scales. It had small black eyes and a long tail, while its head was mostly made up of a very long nose and a huge mouth full of teeth. Hello, said the animal. I thought you were never coming up. What kept you so long under the water? Poor nibbles was dripping wet, covered with sand, and still gasping for breath, but he tried to answer politely. I could not come up any sooner, sir, because my head was stuck in the sand. Will you please tell me what you are? I thought you were a landing place. No, no.

Reply the animal. My name is Scratchety Claw, and I am an alligator of a very fine old family. I have lived in this river for a hundred years, and I probably shall live a thousand. I am very sorry that I upset you, but I thought a fly had lighted on my back, so I switched my tail, and I'm afraid that you rolled off. I certainly did, said nibbles, sadly, as he tried to wipe the sand out of his eyes in ears.

Suddenly, Mr. Scratchety-Claw opened his eyes very wide, and staring at nibbles, he shouted, Why? What have you got around your neck? Nibbles put up his paw, and, sure enough, there was something which felt like a ring. How it came there, he could not imagine, but he must have pushed his head through it, while he was floundering in the sand at the bottom of the river.

Teenie Weenie helped him pull it off, and when they had brushed the sand away, they found that it was a gold ring, beautifully carved, and set with diamonds and rubies. must surely be the lucky ring of the foreign prince, who owns all this part of the country," said the alligator. He lost it one day last summer, while out sailing, and nobody was able to find it. The prince offered a big reward for its recovery, as he prized the ring more than anything he owned. Then we must take it to him as soon as we can," said Nibbles. Chapter 7 The Lucky Ring The next morning, Nibbles asked Mr. Scratchity-Claw where the Prince lived. Just fashion your raft to my tail, said the alligator, and I'll take you there before you know that you've started. Only wait until I get my shade hat, as I don't like sun in my eyes. Please don't go too fast, Mr. Scratchety-Claw, said little teeny weeny, timidly, or we might be upset again. Scratchety-Claw promised to be very careful, and after he had tied on his shade hat, and nibbles had fastened the raft to his tail, away they went. The princess' beautiful garden was close to the river, so when nibbles and teeny weeny landed, they soon found their way to his palace. Nibbles had put the ring around his neck again for safekeeping, but when he showed it to a footman in the palace hall, he took nibbles and teeny weenie at once to the prince, who was sitting in a lovely rose arbor in the garden. After taking off his hat and making a low bow, nibble said, I think I have found your Lordship's ring, which you lost.

I have it around my neck."

The prince lifted nibbles up and looked at the ring.

...