The Rain Garden ✨ Soothing Bedtime Story For Sleep with Rain Sounds

[00:00:10] Hi there, and welcome back to Sleep Wave. Your host, Karissa here, and tonight we have the loveliest sleepy story. Get ready to drift away with such peace and ease. Before we get started though, this is our weekly free episode. If you're enjoying the show, we'd love it if you became a subscriber. Details in the show notes.

[00:00:32] I don't know about you, but I absolutely love to fall asleep to the sound of rain. If you join me in that love, tonight we venture into a mysterious garden that only reveals itself when rain falls. Here, something transformative happens to a little boy called Francis. With the help of his friendly neighbor, Mrs. Crabble, Francis discovers many magical plants and learns that his new home

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[00:03:43] When Francis and his mother moved across town to a new house, he wasn't that enthusiastic. Francis was 10 years old. And for a 10-year-old, the new house just wasn't very exciting at all. It had an ordinary garden, an ordinary kitchen, and Francis' new bedroom was very ordinary too.

[00:04:07] He could see the garden from his bedroom window, and it didn't have anything exciting in it either. The garden in the new house was simply a long lawn with a simple border of flowers and a neat hedge at the back. His mom promised they could get a swing for the new garden, or maybe a slide, and he could have his friends round to play. Francis nodded and smiled.

[00:04:36] He could tell that she was trying hard to cheer him up. Still, he felt sad when he thought about his old garden. He'd loved his old garden so much, and he'd put a lot of work into it, helped by his mom, of course, to make it perfect for all kinds of games.

[00:04:58] There were lots of sunflowers he'd grown himself, taller than a grown-up, and perfect for measuring height. Francis had made a secret hideout from living willow branches, a small pond with tadpoles and water skaters, and a bug hotel full of twigs, pine cones, and bamboo.

[00:05:23] His mom had built a super mud kitchen one weekend with old pots, spoons, and pans. Then his uncle Jim gave him a fantastic sundial to tell the time. The best part was the previous year. For his tenth birthday, his mom had bought him a huge hammock. They'd set up a quiet corner between two big old oak trees.

[00:05:53] Francis had loved showing his friends his old garden, and they came up with all sorts of fun games. He'd been so sad to leave it all behind. We'll make the new garden even better than our old one, his mom had said as they'd packed up the removal van. It will take time, she said, but we'll get there, I promise.

[00:06:24] Francis understood. He wanted to like the new house and the new garden, and he didn't want to upset his mom, so he tried to be brave about it. He decided not to think about his old garden at all, and he pushed the thoughts away. When they'd moved in, Francis had noticed something a little strange about the garden.

[00:06:49] Right to the back, there was a small wooden gate that connected their garden to another vegetable plot. It was just a small plot, and it belonged to the old woman who lived next door, Mrs. Crabble. She'd bought the land so she could have more space. When they'd moved in, she'd said they were always free to come and visit if they wanted.

[00:07:15] He'd gone over that first day, but there was nothing growing that he could see, and he was a little disappointed. Why would she invite him round if the beds were all empty? Over the next few weeks, Mrs. Crabble often popped in for a cup of tea with Francis' mom.

[00:07:39] She seemed very glamorous to Francis, with her long hair and dramatic dresses covered in ribbons and buttons. He wasn't scared of her, but he didn't want to say anything silly in front of her. Strangely enough, he wanted to impress her. What does Mrs. Crabble do all day? He asked his mom. Does she have a job?

[00:08:08] His mom smiled. I'm not quite sure if she has a job, but she does have lots of things she's working on. You'll see. She said. Francis was curious, and he asked more, but his mom wouldn't say another word on the matter. Then, one day, it was late afternoon. Francis' mom was making dinner in the kitchen, and the rain began.

[00:08:38] It was a gentle spring rain. First, it was soft, barely more than a mist. It drifted through the air and settled on the lawn, making the grass shine. Francis was in his room and wanted to stay there, but then he noticed the gates at the back of the garden was slightly open.

[00:09:02] He watched as the rain poured, peering down to the back of the garden. He couldn't make out what was in Mrs. Crabble's vegetable plot, but there was some sort of unusual light that seemed to glow upwards through the rain. The rain grew heavier.

[00:09:28] He could hear it on the roof, and he watched as puddles appeared on the lawn. He was very curious about what Mrs. Crabble was doing in her vegetable plot. He wanted to go out and see. He went down and asked his mom, Can I go and see Mrs. Crabble next door in her vegetable garden?

[00:09:56] His mom was delighted. Yes, that sounds like a great idea. Mrs. Crabble was telling me just the other day how much she wants to show you her plants, she said. I don't know what she wants to show me, Francis said. There's nothing there at all in her vegetable patch. It's empty.

[00:10:22] Even as he spoke and looked out of the kitchen window, it appeared that something had changed towards the bottom of the garden. The glow was becoming brighter, and a rainbow formed. Francis and his mom could both feel it as they watched. The sense of something magical happening out there at the bottom of the garden.

[00:10:50] Neither of them was scared at all. It all felt very special. It felt magical. I think you should go and see what's going on, Francis' mom said with a smile. And Francis wondered if she knew something he didn't about the vegetable plot. But his mom wouldn't say another word.

[00:11:19] She just looked out as she did the washing up. Francis felt a swell of excitement, and he pulled on his wellies. The rain was heavy now, and he felt it on his cheeks and on his head as he walked out through his garden, which had nothing much in it at all. He reached the end of the garden.

[00:11:47] His memory of this part of the garden was an old wooden gate. Nothing special at all. That was not what he saw. The gate at the end of the garden was beautiful and made of wrought iron. It was designed with metal vines that swooped up to create an intricate pattern.

[00:12:16] Through the gates, he could see his neighbor's vegetable plot, but it was nothing like he remembered. It was a glorious garden. Francis looked with wonder at the flower beds that curved through the garden in a gentle swirl. The beds had all been empty before.

[00:12:44] But now they were completely different. They were laid out in rows, full of flowers, like something from a book. They were brightly colored with long green leaves. The blooms were all in beautiful colors. Deep blues and pale whites streaked with silver veins.

[00:13:13] The glow he'd seen from his bedroom window was still present. He couldn't work out where it was coming from. It seemed just to be rising through the vegetable garden, making it look even more spectacular. Among the flowers, he could just about make out some vegetables.

[00:13:41] But they didn't look like any vegetables he'd ever seen before. There were similarities. What looked like carrots poked through the soil with faintly glowing tips. Their feathery greens curling in spirals. But the carrots changed color right in front of his eyes.

[00:14:07] They went from golden orange to deep amber. There were squash vines sprawled between the flowers. And peas climbed tiny trellises beside roses. There were herbs, too. Lavender and thyme and oregano and plenty he didn't recognize.

[00:14:36] But they were all giving off an enticing fragrance. In the center of it all was Mrs. Crabble. Crouched down in the rain with a big basket. Pulling out herbs and laying them down. She looked as though she had stepped out of the garden rather than walked through it.

[00:15:02] Her hair was a mass of curls threaded with twigs, petals, and leaves. Dirt smudged her cheeks. The knees of her skirts and her gloves. She hadn't noticed Frances. And she moved with distracted purpose.

[00:15:29] Stopping mid-step to tug a weed from the soil or straighten a crooked stem. Seeds split from her pockets as she moved. And her apron was heavy with tools. Despite the disorder, the garden seemed to respond to Mrs. Crabble.

[00:15:54] And Frances watched, stunned, as the plants weaved aside to let her pass. It was amazing. When she saw him, she let out a huge smile. Frances, come closer. He walked into the center of the garden. The rain was falling heavily on him.

[00:16:23] But he wasn't cold. It was comforting and warm. What is this place? He asked Mrs. Crabble. She smiled. Well, Frances, this is my garden. My secret rain garden, as I call it. Why is it like this?

[00:16:49] She crossed her arms and considered the question for a second. You mean the magic? Well, there's a fairly simple story. But I'm not sure it will explain much. I had been planting the garden for years, and not much had happened. The soil was rich. The sun warm. But it seemed impossible that anything would grow.

[00:17:18] The garden just didn't want to. Then, I bought some seeds from a woman in the town. I explained that I was having lots of trouble with my vegetable plot. She said she'd had great success with them. She wrote down some simple instructions for me, and I followed them to the letter.

[00:17:44] Then, one spring morning, I was out in the garden, and a sudden rain swept through the town, soaking the earth completely. I didn't have my rain jacket on, and so I ran inside for cover.

[00:18:02] But when I looked back and was transformed, all the flowers had come up, and these amazing vegetables. I soon learned that the plants in this garden had magical properties. From that day on, I learned this. My garden only bloomed in the rain.

[00:18:31] Sun and wind had no effect at all. Only rain. Sun and wind had no effect at all. I tended it faithfully, but I always waited for the rain. Because without it, the garden slept. So, who was the woman who gave you the seeds? Frances asked, intrigued. Well, I never saw her again, Mrs. Crabble said sadly.

[00:18:58] Anyway, your mom told me you had a wonderful garden back home, and I was so excited to share this space with you. It's very special, but you know I'm mostly here alone. Why don't you tell anyone about it? Frances asked, looking around in amazement.

[00:19:21] Well, Frances, you can't tell people about the garden, because I fear that might take away the magic. I find the people who will enjoy the garden tend to gravitate to it at the right time. Lots of our other neighbors have been here at one point or another. Frances nodded. He couldn't believe that this was right at the end of his garden.

[00:19:50] Would you like me to give you a tour? Mrs. Crabble asked. Yes, please. Mrs. Crabble considered her garden, and she walked down to where there was a vine. It shimmered, and Frances could see lots of little white flowers all over it. I call this my healing vine, she said. She picked off a branch and held it up.

[00:20:20] The rain fell onto the branch. I scratched myself earlier, Mrs. Crabble said. Nothing serious. She rolled up her sleeve and showed Frances a small scrape. She held the branch out, and he watched as the branch turned golden.

[00:20:43] When she pressed it down, Frances watched as the branch let out threads of light. The skin became smooth, and Mrs. Crabble's arm was unmarked. There was no scar, and Mrs. Crabble's arm seemed to glow.

[00:21:10] Frances looked at Mrs. Crabble in awe. It's healing, she explained. How do you know what each plant does? Frances asked. Good question, Mrs. Crabble responded. When I go up to the plant, I find that it tells me somehow what it wants to do. Silently, of course.

[00:21:39] And then I just... No. Would you like to see something else? Yes, please, Frances said. The next plant was right in the center of the flower bed. This plant looked a little like a rose, but each bud had a different color of petals. There was lime green and deep purple.

[00:22:09] Some of the petals were marbled, and some were fringed. They walked up to the plant, and Mrs. Crabble picked off a leaf very gently. Then she opened her mouth, and she sang. It was a beautiful song. It's lovely, isn't it? Mrs. Crabble said. Do you want to go?

[00:22:37] Think of a song you like very much. So Frances took the leaf. He thought of a song his mom had sung to him as a child. He barely remembered it. It was more the feeling of being snug in his bed, all cozy and letting his eyes grow heavy as he listened to the lilting tune.

[00:23:05] It was one of his favorite memories. He opened his mouth and sang the song. Every single word and note came back to him. His voice was perfect, like a professional singer. Wasn't that lovely? Mrs. Crabble said, proud of her plant.

[00:23:35] Now I have something to show you that I think will interest you. She walked over to the far side of the garden. Both Mrs. Crabble and Frances were soaked through. But the rain was different here. And Frances didn't feel the cold or wet. He was the perfect temperature.

[00:24:00] Mrs. Crabble walked over to a plant that was right in the center of the garden. This plant did not have the same beauty as the vine with its pretty white flowers or the stunning plant that sang. It was a root, thick and tangled like a brown rope.

[00:24:23] The root's surface was dark and glossy, streaked with veins of blue that caught the light whenever the soil shifted. Between the knots, small pockets of moss had taken hold. If Mrs. Crabble hadn't pointed it out, there was no way that Frances would have spotted this strange root. But now, he was interested.

[00:24:53] Mrs. Crabble bent down and with ease, she picked the root from the ground. Frances had no idea what the root was going to do. And then, Mrs. Crabble popped it into her mouth. She chewed on it slowly, closing her eyes and savoring it.

[00:25:15] And Frances just watched, wondering what the strange root tasted like and why Mrs. Crabble had eaten it. She finished and gave him a huge grin. I bet you're wondering what that was, she said. Well, yes, Frances replied. Mrs. Crabble picked up a piece of root and passed it over to Frances.

[00:25:44] Here, she said. I should eat it? He asked, unsure. I think it will surprise you, she said. First, you need to think of one of the most delicious things you've ever eaten in your life. Go on, close your eyes and think of it. Frances did as she said and closed his eyes.

[00:26:12] He pondered over what to choose. He considered delicious slices of pizza hot from the oven. He thought of his mom's roast dinner with crispy potatoes and tender chicken. The taste he settled on was from a holiday a few years back.

[00:26:34] He'd played in the sea and on the sand all day, building sandcastles, and then he'd eaten the most delicious strawberry ice cream. It had been perfect. He'd never had ice cream quite like it before. And when he'd asked for seconds, mom had even let him get another ice cream, which was unheard of.

[00:27:04] Mrs. Crabble smiled and nodded encouragingly. Frances took a bite. He couldn't believe it. The root seemed to melt into his mouth. The flavor unfolded slowly, and he tasted the sun-warmed strawberries and the cream. There was the subtle hint of vanilla that lingered underneath.

[00:27:34] It was delicious. He opened his eyes. That was… He trailed off. He didn't really know what to say. It was magic, Mrs. Crabble said with a smile. That was what it was. Frances agreed. He looked around.

[00:27:57] There was so much more to see in the garden, and he wondered if Mrs. Crabble would show him anything else. It's time to go inside, she said, and she looked up at the sky. The rain is going. Soon this will all disappear.

[00:28:18] Frances nodded, and he took one last look at the garden, and then walked back out and onto his own lawn. He peered back over his shoulder. The light from the secret rain garden was still there, glowing. The next day was dry, and Frances woke up and went outside.

[00:28:44] He walked up to the gate and found it was not the intricate wrought iron gate from the day before. No, the old wooden gate was back. He pushed it open and went inside. The place was empty, and the plants from the day before had vanished. And though Mrs. Crabble had told him this would happen, he still couldn't believe it.

[00:29:14] He peered in and saw, at the end of the garden, a bench, and on it sat Mrs. Crabble. She looked very relaxed. She was leaning with her hands resting loosely in her lap. The warm sunlight settled over her. Her legs were comfortably stretched out, crossed at the ankles.

[00:29:40] Frances thought she looked completely at ease in her garden. He walked up to her. Hello, Frances, Mrs. Crabble said, and she seemed delighted to see him. It's all gone, he said. Well, yes, Mrs. Crabble replied. The rain's gone.

[00:30:05] It's like it was never here, Frances said in awe. Well, you saw it, said Mrs. Crabble. And there's so much more for you to explore next time. She looked up at the sky. It looks like it will rain tomorrow. Frances grinned and went back inside.

[00:30:31] That evening, he went to the kitchen and looked up to his mom shyly. Will you sing that song to me? He asked. The one about the boats? The song I used to sing to you when you were very small? His mom asked. Will you? Frances asked. Of course I will, his mom said. And she took him upstairs.

[00:31:00] That night, Frances went to bed. He had a soft nightlight on, and he lay back against the pillow. He felt his blankets like a hug. He noticed his breaths slow in, slow out.

[00:31:20] His mom hummed quietly, soft and steady, letting the sound fill the room without rushing. Her voice rose and fell, wrapping around her son like a gentle hug. She sang that song about boats that always lulled Frances into sleep. And the words didn't matter much.

[00:31:49] It was the tone, the comfort in her voice that helped him relax. Slowly, his body grew still. Eyelids drooping. And his breathing evened out.

[00:32:11] She kept humming just long enough for him to drift fully into ideas of the garden. Frances let the thoughts move through his mind. In and out. In. His shoulders sank into the mattress.

[00:32:39] And his hands were all soft. He let his mind drift. And he thought of all the magical plants he'd seen. And the special secrets he'd enjoyed. Then, he allowed his mind to move outwards very slowly. Taking everything in.

[00:33:08] And he began to plan his own garden. He thought about where he would put his hammock. And where he would plant his daisies. Would his own garden be magical one day? The ideas blended with the magical garden. Until all he saw were colors.

[00:33:37] The green of the grass. And the rainbow petals. And his thoughts became slower. And more blur. With each breath, he felt lighter. Like the day's busy noises were floating away. He drifted. Soft. And slow. Into sleep.