With the day now over, making space and time for yourself to help quiet your mind can help you

let go of the day and any busy thoughts. That's what we do here at Drift Off. We offer a pleasant

distraction to help quiet and soothe your mind with a calming bedtime story. I'm your host,

Joanne, a voice that tucks you in and helps you ease into a restful night's sleep.

But before you get sleepy, be sure to subscribe. You can also support us by leaving the rating

on Apple Podcast. This really helps grow our audience. Thank you so much.

Tonight's story is a modified version called The Elf Maiden by Andrew Lange, a tale of a love triangle,

friendship and of betrayal. And so my friend, it's time to close your eyes and snuggle up tight

and embrace your sweet dreams all through the night.

Once upon a time, two young men who lived in a small village fell in love with the same girl.

During the long cold winter, it was all night except for an hour or so about noon

when the darkness seemed a little less dark. And then they used to see which one of them could

tempt her out for a sleigh ride with the northern lights flashing above them or which of them

could persuade her to come to a dance in some neighboring barn.

When the spring began, the light grew longer and the hearts of the villagers leaped at the sight

of the sun. With the long dark days finally over, a day was chosen for the boats to be brought out

and the great nets to be spread in the base of some islands that lay a few miles to the north.

Most of the village went on this annual expedition and the two young men and the girl went with them.

They all sailed merrily across the sea singing their favorite songs.

And when they reached the shore, what an unpacking there was. For this was a noted fishing ground

and here they would live in little wooden huts till the autumn when the days would become long

and dark once more and bad cold weather would come round again.

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