Thalia's Talking Cat and The Hidden Giants 🐈‍⬛🪨 Bedtime Story For Sleep

00:00:10

Speaker 1: Hello, and welcome back to Koala Moon, her podcast of




00:00:14

Speaker 1: original children's bedtime stories and meditations designed to make bedtime




00:00:20

Speaker 1: a dream. Tonight, we're saying hi and giving us super




00:00:25

Speaker 1: sized welcome to our all American group of new recruits.




00:00:28

Speaker 1: Great to have you join us as afore Dead from




00:00:31

Speaker 1: New Jersey, Isabelle from Texas, and Claire from Arlington, Virginia.




00:00:36

Speaker 1: Some of you have just discovered us, and we're super




00:00:39

Speaker 1: happy you've decided to join up so quickly. Now you'll




00:00:42

Speaker 1: have a boatload of new stories to enjoy, and hopefully




00:00:45

Speaker 1: you'll find a new favorite in there. In tonight's story,




00:00:49

Speaker 1: we're meeting up with Tarlia and her talking cat Bella.




00:00:53

Speaker 1: Ever since Tylia's adventure with her jar of fallen Stars




00:00:57

Speaker 1: remember that one, things have been a bit different around




00:00:59

Speaker 1: her house, mainly on account of her now talking cat.




00:01:04

Speaker 1: There's also an episode about that. Thanks to her wise




00:01:07

Speaker 1: chatty cat, Tylia discovered once that there are fairies in




00:01:11

Speaker 1: her garden, and today she's about to have some more




00:01:14

Speaker 1: magical secrets revealed to her. Bella can't wait to introduce




00:01:19

Speaker 1: Tarlia to the friendly invisible beings that surround her hiding




00:01:23

Speaker 1: in plain sight and talking in riddles and rhyme. Before




00:01:29

Speaker 1: we get started on this adventure, though, make sure you're




00:01:31

Speaker 1: relaxed and ready for bed, with the lights dimmed, your




00:01:35

Speaker 1: pillow and blankets arranged just right, and your body in




00:01:39

Speaker 1: its most comfy spot. Release a few deep breaths and




00:01:44

Speaker 1: snuggle down a little bit more. Perhaps close your eyes




00:01:49

Speaker 1: or simply just let them rest. It's time to find




00:01:53

Speaker 1: out who these mysterious friendly beings are that Tarlia hasn't




00:01:57

Speaker 1: met yet, but Bella the cat knows so much about.




00:02:01

Speaker 1: This is Tarlia's Talking Cat and the Hidden Giants by




00:02:06

Speaker 1: Alicia Ainslie. It was a windy day and Tylia was




00:02:17

Speaker 1: wrapped up warm in her coat, hat and wooly scarf




00:02:20

Speaker 1: to protect herself from the cool breeze. She rocked from




00:02:24

Speaker 1: foot to foot as she played in the garden with Bella,




00:02:26

Speaker 1: her cat, trying to keep her body moving to prevent




00:02:29

Speaker 1: getting cold. After some time, Bella the Cat noticed that




00:02:34

Speaker 1: Tarlia couldn't stand still and asked, what are you doing, Tlia?




00:02:40

Speaker 1: Have you got ants in your pants? Tarlia giggled and replied, no,




00:02:45

Speaker 1: of course not. It's just a little bit windy and




00:02:48

Speaker 1: I'm trying not to get cold. Bella rolled her eyes




00:02:53

Speaker 1: and responded, knowingly, Ah, yes, it is a bit windy today,




00:03:00

Speaker 1: isn't it. The cloud giants must be a little flustered.




00:03:06

Speaker 1: Tarlia stopped what she was doing, looking at Bella with intrigue.




00:03:11

Speaker 1: Cloud giants? What were they? What is a cloud giant, Bella?




00:03:18

Speaker 1: She questioned her talking cat. Bella pured with amusement and answered,




00:03:24

Speaker 1: what does it sound like? They are giants that live




00:03:28

Speaker 1: in the clouds. Tarlia's eyes grew wide with amazement. She




00:03:35

Speaker 1: didn't realize that giants were real. It seemed that she




00:03:39

Speaker 1: was constantly learning about new magical creatures from Bella. First




00:03:45

Speaker 1: it was the fairies in the garden. Now there are




00:03:48

Speaker 1: giants in the clouds. Tarlia's curiosity was pulsing through every




00:03:54

Speaker 1: part of her body, and she begged Bella to tell




00:03:57

Speaker 1: her more about the cloud giants. Bella sat down on




00:04:03

Speaker 1: her fluffy feline bottom and offered, instead of telling you




00:04:10

Speaker 1: about the giants, I could just show you. Tarlia started




00:04:16

Speaker 1: jumping up and down with glee. Oh yes, please, she squealed.




00:04:22

Speaker 1: Bella stood up on her fore paws and led the




00:04:25

Speaker 1: way out of the garden, swooshing her long fairy tail




00:04:29

Speaker 1: while Tarlia hopped along after her. Noticing that Tarlia was




00:04:35

Speaker 1: still a bit fidgety, Bella suggested, maybe we can ask




00:04:41

Speaker 1: the cloud giants to make it a bit less windy too,




00:04:45

Speaker 1: Then I won't have to watch you hop around so much.




00:04:48

Speaker 1: You're making me feel dizzy. Tarlia grinned and followed her




00:04:53

Speaker 1: knowledgeable cat down the street and over to the fields




00:04:57

Speaker 1: near her home. Wondered what the cloud giants would look like.




00:05:03

Speaker 1: Would they look like really tall humans? And how did




00:05:07

Speaker 1: they stay up in the clouds without dropping to the ground.




00:05:12

Speaker 1: Could they fly or were they so light that they




00:05:16

Speaker 1: could simply walk around on the clouds without falling through them.




00:05:21

Speaker 1: She couldn't wait to find out. They walked across the




00:05:24

Speaker 1: field and stopped in the center. Here it was especially gusty,




00:05:31

Speaker 1: and Tarlia's hair blew around and got tangled in the wind.




00:05:36

Speaker 1: Why have we stopped here, Tarlia asked, looking around and




00:05:41

Speaker 1: up above her head. I don't see any giants in




00:05:45

Speaker 1: the sky. Bella, the cat smiled and replied with a




00:05:50

Speaker 1: pur I can I can see the giants? Take another look.




00:06:00

Speaker 1: Tylia lifted her head to the gray, cloudy sky and




00:06:04

Speaker 1: squinted her eyes. She watched the clouds float in mid air,




00:06:10

Speaker 1: peaceful and unmoving. Amazingly, the longer she looked at the clouds,




00:06:17

Speaker 1: they appeared to change out of nowhere. Tarlia noticed that




00:06:23

Speaker 1: the big gray cloud she was looking at had the




00:06:26

Speaker 1: outlines of two shadowy eyes, a snub fluffy nose, and




00:06:32

Speaker 1: a hole in the cloud that moved in the same




00:06:34

Speaker 1: way that a mouth does on its blowing air passed




00:06:37

Speaker 1: its lips. Tarlia gasped, I think I can see her face.




00:06:45

Speaker 1: Is that a cloud giant? She pointed at the cloud,




00:06:50

Speaker 1: and Bella, the cat grinned, Yes, it is. Bella replied,




00:06:57

Speaker 1: there are giants all around us. You just have to




00:07:01

Speaker 1: open your eyes and look a bit closer. This is Cleo,




00:07:07

Speaker 1: the cloud Giant. Tarlia waved at the cloud giant with delight, Hello,




00:07:15

Speaker 1: Cleo the cloud Giant. To Taralia's surprise, the hole in




00:07:20

Speaker 1: the cloud widened, and a gust of wind blew directly




00:07:24

Speaker 1: through it, swooped down towards Tarlia and swirled around her




00:07:29

Speaker 1: mystically on the breeze. Tarlia heard a gentle voice speak




00:07:35

Speaker 1: to her, good day, young child, how might you be?




00:07:44

Speaker 1: You opened your eyes and now you can see. Tarlia




00:07:51

Speaker 1: stuttered with amazement. She turned to Bella and whispered, did




00:07:56

Speaker 1: the cloud giant just talk to me? Bella laughed and




00:08:02

Speaker 1: confirmed that it had. Cloud giants are well known for




00:08:06

Speaker 1: being very friendly and polite, or be it a bit




00:08:10

Speaker 1: moody sometimes. Tarlia wondered why the cloud giant was making




00:08:16

Speaker 1: town so windy to day. Maybe Cleo, the cloud giant




00:08:21

Speaker 1: was in a bad mood and that was why the




00:08:23

Speaker 1: weather was a bit stormy. She thought she had better




00:08:27

Speaker 1: check that the cloud giant was all right. Cleo, Tarlia




00:08:32

Speaker 1: called out into the wind, why are you making it




00:08:35

Speaker 1: so Windy's something bothering you? She waited to see if




00:08:41

Speaker 1: the giant would respond again, and after a few moments,




00:08:45

Speaker 1: another gust of wind blew down and words floated past




00:08:50

Speaker 1: Tarlia's ears. Don't worry, child, now, do not fret. You




00:08:58

Speaker 1: would know if I were upset, for I would cry




00:09:03

Speaker 1: and tears would fall, and rain would come to soak




00:09:08

Speaker 1: you all. Tarlia chuckled at the cloud giant's rhyme, why




00:09:15

Speaker 1: are you making it so indy? Though she continued to




00:09:19

Speaker 1: question the cloud giant. It wasn't blustery like this all




00:09:23

Speaker 1: the time, so there must be a reason why the




00:09:26

Speaker 1: weather was so tumultuous today. Cleo, the cloud Giant softly replied,




00:09:35

Speaker 1: have you ever taken a breath and held it really tight,




00:09:41

Speaker 1: then blown out slowly with all your might? Try this




00:09:47

Speaker 1: trick and you'll feel better. It's the perfect mood resettter.




00:09:56

Speaker 1: Tarlia looked at Bella with confusion, but the cure curious




00:10:00

Speaker 1: cat urged her to give it a go. Cloud giants




00:10:05

Speaker 1: are very wise, so if they recommend something, it's certainly




00:10:10

Speaker 1: worth a go. Tarlia stood still and closed her eyes.




00:10:17

Speaker 1: She took a deep breath in through her nose and




00:10:21

Speaker 1: felt the cool breeze flow through her body and into




00:10:24

Speaker 1: her lungs. Her chest expanded with the breath, and she




00:10:30

Speaker 1: held it in there as she counted in her head




00:10:34

Speaker 1: five four, three, two one. Then Tarlia slowly breathed out




00:10:43

Speaker 1: through her mouth, pursing her lips to blow, just like




00:10:47

Speaker 1: the cloud Giant appeared to do. She blew and blew




00:10:52

Speaker 1: until she had no air left in her lungs, and




00:10:55

Speaker 1: she took another deep breath in the cloud Giant was right.




00:11:01

Speaker 1: This did feel very nice. The more breaths Tarlia took




00:11:06

Speaker 1: this way, the better she felt. After a few more breaths,




00:11:12

Speaker 1: Tarlia opened her eyes, expecting to see Cleo the cloud




00:11:16

Speaker 1: Giant still hovering in the sky. However, to her surprise,




00:11:22

Speaker 1: they were moving on. Tarlia sighed as the cloud started




00:11:27

Speaker 1: to drift away, revealing a clear blue sky and the




00:11:32

Speaker 1: shining sun behind them. The wind died down and the




00:11:37

Speaker 1: air fell quiet. Cleo the Cloud Giant had moved on




00:11:43

Speaker 1: to spread their gusty breath elsewhere. Now Tarlia could happily




00:11:49

Speaker 1: take off her hat and scarf and stop jittering around.




00:11:54

Speaker 1: Bella sighed with relief. Tarlia asked Bella enthusiastic sickle, are




00:12:01

Speaker 1: there any other giants around here? Bella nodded her head




00:12:06

Speaker 1: and answered, yes, there are lots of them. There are




00:12:12

Speaker 1: the tree giants and the mountain giants, and of course




00:12:19

Speaker 1: the river Giant. Tarlia couldn't believe it. She begged Bella




00:12:25

Speaker 1: to introduce her to them. She wanted to see what




00:12:28

Speaker 1: they all looked like. Luckily, Bella was happy to oblige.




00:12:34

Speaker 1: She enjoyed sharing secrets with Tarlia, and she loved to




00:12:38

Speaker 1: watch how excited Tarlia became at each new discovery. Follow me,




00:12:44

Speaker 1: Bella announced, Trotting towards the woods at the end of




00:12:48

Speaker 1: the field, Bella and Tarlia approached the edge of the




00:12:54

Speaker 1: woods and stopped in front of the tall trees. Bella announced, proud,




00:13:01

Speaker 1: meet the tree giants. Tarlia looked expectantly at the tall trees,




00:13:08

Speaker 1: assuming they would instantly start talking to her, but they




00:13:13

Speaker 1: just stood there like normal, like any ordinary trees. Hello,




00:13:20

Speaker 1: tree giants. Tarlia tried calling out, like she did before,




00:13:25

Speaker 1: are you in there? But the trees remained rock solid,




00:13:30

Speaker 1: and Tarlia couldn't hear any ethereal voices on the breeze.




00:13:35

Speaker 1: Maybe the tree giants couldn't speak. Bella, the cat stepped




00:13:41

Speaker 1: a bit closer to the woods and called out, It's




00:13:46

Speaker 1: all right, tree giants, she's with me. You can speak




00:13:51

Speaker 1: to her if you like. All of a sudden, the




00:13:56

Speaker 1: leaves on the branches started to rustle, and the branches




00:14:00

Speaker 1: themselves started to twitch. Tarlia watched in awe as the




00:14:06

Speaker 1: round hollows of the trees turned into mouths and the




00:14:11

Speaker 1: tree giants began to speak, Hello, little girl. One of




00:14:18

Speaker 1: the tree giants greeted her with a wave of his branch.




00:14:23

Speaker 1: I'm sorry we ignored you. Forgive us, we implore you.




00:14:32

Speaker 1: Tarlia smiled and assured the tree giants that she forgave them.




00:14:37

Speaker 1: She was just happy to be able to speak to them.




00:14:40

Speaker 1: She'd never known there were giants in the trees before.




00:14:45

Speaker 1: Taralia noticed that a small budding branch stuck out of




00:14:49

Speaker 1: the tree trunk just above the hollow, creating the illusion




00:14:54

Speaker 1: of a pointy wooden nose. Another tree giant responded in ah, yes,




00:15:02

Speaker 1: of course, we are in the trees. We are in




00:15:07

Speaker 1: the branches and the leaves. You'll find our spirits all around,




00:15:14

Speaker 1: in all of nature. We're sure to be found. The




00:15:20

Speaker 1: giants appeared to like to talk in rhyme and riddles,




00:15:24

Speaker 1: and they had lots of wise things to say, it seemed.




00:15:28

Speaker 1: Tarlia wondered whether the tree giants would have something enlightening




00:15:33

Speaker 1: to teach her, just as the cloud giant had with




00:15:36

Speaker 1: its calming breath. Tarlia asked the tree giants what they




00:15:41

Speaker 1: meant when they said that they could be found all around,




00:15:45

Speaker 1: and the tree giants were happy to explain, we giants




00:15:51

Speaker 1: watch over everything although humans can't hear the songs we sing,




00:15:58

Speaker 1: we can't tell you what we think and feel, but




00:16:02

Speaker 1: that doesn't make us any less real. Tarlia was touched




00:16:08

Speaker 1: by the wise tree giants words. They were right. Just




00:16:13

Speaker 1: because the trees can't talk to humans, it doesn't mean




00:16:17

Speaker 1: that they aren't alive and observing, thinking and feeling. The




00:16:22

Speaker 1: same goes for the animals that live in their branches.




00:16:26

Speaker 1: They too have feelings, they just can't tell us them.




00:16:30

Speaker 1: Well except for Bella, of course, but that was only




00:16:34

Speaker 1: thanks to the magic of a fallen star. Otherwise Tarlia




00:16:39

Speaker 1: would never know what Bella was thinking inside her head.




00:16:44

Speaker 1: Bella the Cat asked Tarlia if she would like to




00:16:48

Speaker 1: meet the mountain giants next, and Tarlia agreed wholeheartedly. After




00:16:55

Speaker 1: saying good bye to the tree giants and thanking them




00:16:58

Speaker 1: for their time, Bella guided Talia around the edge of




00:17:03

Speaker 1: the woods to a large hilly area in the local park.




00:17:08

Speaker 1: Here there were rocks and boulders, but Tarlia and her




00:17:13

Speaker 1: friends enjoyed climbing and grassy hills that they loved to




00:17:18

Speaker 1: roll and run down. There are giants here too, Tarlia asked,




00:17:25

Speaker 1: with surprise, Bella. The cat stopped and began licking her poor. Yeah,




00:17:32

Speaker 1: and you've met them before, you regularly climb all over them.




00:17:40

Speaker 1: Tarlia was taken aback. What did Bella mean she would




00:17:45

Speaker 1: never intentionally stand on a giant? Oh, but you do,




00:17:52

Speaker 1: Bella teased, shaking her poor at Tarlia look. Bella gestured




00:17:58

Speaker 1: to the rocky face on the hillside, and Tarlia appeared closer.




00:18:04

Speaker 1: Bella was right. Subtly carved into the rock was a face.




00:18:11

Speaker 1: The face looked sort of like it was wrinkled. It




00:18:15

Speaker 1: had a big, bulbous nose and two plump cheeks, narrow




00:18:21

Speaker 1: eyes that looked like it was sleeping, and a wide,




00:18:24

Speaker 1: thin mouth. Tarlia instantly apologized, I'm sorry that I've climbed




00:18:31

Speaker 1: all over you before, Mountain Giant. I just didn't realize




00:18:34

Speaker 1: you were there. The rock on the hillside began to




00:18:40

Speaker 1: make crumbling and cracking noises, and the wide thin mouth




00:18:46

Speaker 1: that Tarlia could see started to tremble as a soft,




00:18:51

Speaker 1: deep voice cascaded from its lips. Don't worry, dear, I




00:19:00

Speaker 1: like when you play. Hearing children's laughter brightens my day.




00:19:08

Speaker 1: The one thing I don't like, I suppose is when




00:19:14

Speaker 1: grown ups come hiking and step on my nose. Tarlia




00:19:21

Speaker 1: grimaced at the idea of somebody stepping on your nose.




00:19:25

Speaker 1: It must be painful, even if you are made out




00:19:28

Speaker 1: of rock. Tarlia thought it was very nice of the




00:19:34

Speaker 1: mountain Giant to allow everyone to climb all over it.




00:19:39

Speaker 1: She had to admit that she and her friends had




00:19:43

Speaker 1: enjoyed playing on the rocky hill side. She hoped that




00:19:47

Speaker 1: it wasn't too uncomfortable for the mountain Giant, but the




00:19:52

Speaker 1: gentle giant explained that it didn't mind. In fact, the




00:19:57

Speaker 1: mountain Giant welcomed visitors to I'm all over it. I'm




00:20:02

Speaker 1: here to admire as part of the land. If you




00:20:08

Speaker 1: want to climb, I'll always offer you a hand. All




00:20:13

Speaker 1: I ask is that you appreciate me, and when you're done,




00:20:21

Speaker 1: you leave me. B Talia whispered to Bella, what does




00:20:29

Speaker 1: it mean? Bella gestured to another rocky hillside close by,




00:20:36

Speaker 1: and Tarlia noticed that the poor mountain giants sitting there




00:20:40

Speaker 1: had pictures drawn in felt it pens all down its cheeks.




00:20:47

Speaker 1: That's not very nice, Talia thought to herself. She supposed




00:20:54

Speaker 1: that you ever took their pens to the rock. Hadn't




00:20:58

Speaker 1: known that a mountain giant they made within. But like




00:21:03

Speaker 1: the tree giants said, just because they cannot speak doesn't




00:21:10

Speaker 1: mean they can't feel. Tarlia walked over to the pen




00:21:15

Speaker 1: covered giant and sympathetically placed her hand on its cheek.




00:21:21

Speaker 1: She attempted to wipe away the brightly colored ink with




00:21:25

Speaker 1: her fingers and thumb. However, it was stuck on hard.




00:21:30

Speaker 1: She thought for a moment, how could she get the




00:21:34

Speaker 1: pen off the poor mountain giant's face. She glanced around




00:21:39

Speaker 1: for inspiration and noticed a puddle of rain water on




00:21:43

Speaker 1: the ground. Nearby. Water would be perfect for washing off




00:21:47

Speaker 1: the pen. Taralia rummaged around in her coat pockets and




00:21:52

Speaker 1: found a tissue. Then, carefully she dipped the tissue in




00:21:56

Speaker 1: the puddle to wet it and walked back over to




00:21:59

Speaker 1: the mountain giant. Ever so softly, she wiped the damp




00:22:05

Speaker 1: tissue across the giant's cheeks, Rubbing away at the pen drawings.




00:22:11

Speaker 1: With a bit of patience and determination, Tarlia gradually managed




00:22:16

Speaker 1: to wash away the pen until the pictures were merely smudges.




00:22:21

Speaker 1: Hopefully the rest would wash away with more rainfall. Thank you, dear,




00:22:28

Speaker 1: the giant said in a hushed voice. Noticing how quickly




00:22:34

Speaker 1: the day was passing by, Bella, the cat tottered over




00:22:38

Speaker 1: to Taria and told her that they must keep moving




00:22:41

Speaker 1: if they wanted to meet all the giants and be




00:22:44

Speaker 1: back home in time for Tea. So Tarlia said farewell




00:22:49

Speaker 1: to the mountain giants. Then she followed Bella across the hills.




00:22:55

Speaker 1: There was one final giant that she had to meet. Bella.




00:23:01

Speaker 1: The cat led the way through the park that Tarlia




00:23:05

Speaker 1: knew well, and eventually they reached the riverside. The river




00:23:12

Speaker 1: wound its way through the town, and its shallow waters




00:23:16

Speaker 1: trickled through the local park. Yellow flowers bloomed brightly on




00:23:23

Speaker 1: the river banks, and Tarlia and Bella sat themselves down




00:23:28

Speaker 1: between the pretty flowers to rest. Tarlia noticed a piece




00:23:35

Speaker 1: of litter stuck on the river bed, pushed up against




00:23:38

Speaker 1: the shore, so she grabbed a stick and reached down




00:23:42

Speaker 1: to pick it out. This belonged in a bin, not




00:23:47

Speaker 1: in the river. As soon as she had pried the




00:23:51

Speaker 1: piece of rubbish from the water, ripples began to form




00:23:55

Speaker 1: on the surface, and bubbles gently popped and fizzled. As




00:24:00

Speaker 1: a melodic voice spoke to them, thank you kindly for




00:24:06

Speaker 1: cleaning that mess. I can't do it alone. I have




00:24:12

Speaker 1: to confess. If only more people were as thoughtful as you,




00:24:20

Speaker 1: then my waters would sparkle all shiny, brand new. Tarlia




00:24:28

Speaker 1: kicked her legs excitedly. It was the river Giant. Bella




00:24:35

Speaker 1: meowed happily and introduced Tarlia to Ray the river Giant.




00:24:41

Speaker 1: It's nice to meet you, Tarlia said politely. I've met




00:24:47

Speaker 1: lots of amazing giants to day. I didn't even know




00:24:51

Speaker 1: you were here until now. I'll be sure to always




00:24:55

Speaker 1: say hello when I passed by from now on the




00:24:59

Speaker 1: river a giant appeared to laugh appreciatively as more bubbles




00:25:04

Speaker 1: spurted and splattered from its small waves. Bella confessed, I




00:25:12

Speaker 1: usually hate water, but I don't mind Ray the river Giant.




00:25:18

Speaker 1: She's very nice. And when I tumbled into her waves




00:25:22

Speaker 1: once she carefully guided me back to shore, my fur




00:25:29

Speaker 1: coat had never been cleaner. To Ray the River Giant




00:25:36

Speaker 1: laughed again and reminisced with Bella about the fateful day




00:25:40

Speaker 1: when they first met. They chatted like old friends and




00:25:46

Speaker 1: seemed so relaxed and happy in each other's presence. Tarlia




00:25:52

Speaker 1: thought that the river Giant was maybe the most joyous




00:25:56

Speaker 1: content creature she had ever met. Her waters flowed so




00:26:03

Speaker 1: gently and casually, with no rush about them, and Ray




00:26:09

Speaker 1: seemed peaceful for it. Tarlia asked, Ray the River Giant,




00:26:17

Speaker 1: what do you do? Ray? Do you have any special




00:26:20

Speaker 1: powers like the cloud giants do. Ray the River Giant's




00:26:27

Speaker 1: soft waves continued to flow, and Tarlia noticed a few




00:26:34

Speaker 1: orange fish suddenly appear swimming through her waters. Ray giggled




00:26:41

Speaker 1: as though she were being tickled, and replied, see where




00:26:47

Speaker 1: I flow. Nobody knows. I take life so very slow.




00:26:57

Speaker 1: If you want to be as happy as me, don't




00:27:03

Speaker 1: take things too seriously. Tarlia was a bit confused by




00:27:11

Speaker 1: Ray's riddles, but Bella responded, we don't all have to




00:27:17

Speaker 1: have special powers, Tarlia. Sometimes just enjoying the moment is




00:27:25

Speaker 1: a superpower in itself. Ray the River Giant flows peacefully,




00:27:34

Speaker 1: enjoying the world around her as she goes. Tarlia gazed




00:27:41

Speaker 1: around at the peaceful park, and she could understand why




00:27:47

Speaker 1: it was so picturesque with all the radiant flowers blooming,




00:27:52

Speaker 1: that Tarlia could happily sit here all day and admire




00:27:56

Speaker 1: the view. And it was so quiet and serene that




00:28:02

Speaker 1: Tarlia could easily lie down and have a nap. She




00:28:08

Speaker 1: closed her eyes and decided to enjoy the moment, just




00:28:13

Speaker 1: like Bella and the River Giant recommended. With her eyes closed,




00:28:19

Speaker 1: she could smell the sweet flowers even stronger, feel the




00:28:25

Speaker 1: fresh air on her skin more noticeably, and hear the




00:28:30

Speaker 1: rippling of the water and the tweeting birds in the




00:28:34

Speaker 1: sky more clearly. Tarlia smiled and enjoy taking it slow




00:28:41

Speaker 1: for a while. After a few minutes, Tarlia felt Bella's




00:28:47

Speaker 1: very poor rest on her hand, and she opened her




00:28:51

Speaker 1: eyes to see her friendly cat grinning up at her.




00:28:58

Speaker 1: Are you ready to go home now, Tarlia, Bella purred.




00:29:05

Speaker 1: Tarlia nodded her head sleepily. She had been enjoying the




00:29:10

Speaker 1: tranquility for a little too long, and she had almost




00:29:14

Speaker 1: fallen asleep on the river bank. Tarlia got to her




00:29:19

Speaker 1: feet and Bella said goodbye to her good friend Ray




00:29:23

Speaker 1: the river Giant. Then Bella and Tarlia began the walk home.




00:29:33

Speaker 1: Tarlia and Bella followed the river back into Tarlia's hometown.




00:29:40

Speaker 1: They navigated the familiar streets to find her house and




00:29:44

Speaker 1: promptly dashed upstairs to Tarlia's bedroom. Tarlia declared with delight,




00:29:51

Speaker 1: I'm going to draw all of the giants we met




00:29:54

Speaker 1: so that I don't ever forget them. She poured out




00:29:59

Speaker 1: several pieces of paper and buckets of colored pencils from




00:30:03

Speaker 1: her bedroom cupboard and scattered them all out across the floor,




00:30:07

Speaker 1: ready to create her masterpieces. Tarlia turned to her amazing




00:30:14

Speaker 1: talking cat and said, thank you for introducing me to




00:30:18

Speaker 1: the giant's bella. It was such a special day. All




00:30:23

Speaker 1: of a sudden, Tarlia's brother, Magnus, peeped his head around




00:30:27

Speaker 1: the bedroom door and asked, teasingly, are you talking to




00:30:32

Speaker 1: your cat again, Tarlia. Tarlia smiled sheepishly and shrugged her




00:30:38

Speaker 1: shoulders as she reached for a black pencil to start




00:30:42

Speaker 1: her sketching. Maybe, she replied, Magnus, did you know that




00:30:49

Speaker 1: there are giants living all around us? There are giants




00:30:53

Speaker 1: in the sky, in the water, in the trees, and




00:30:56

Speaker 1: even in the mountains. Magnet rolled his eyes and said,




00:31:02

Speaker 1: I think you're getting a bit caught up in all




00:31:05

Speaker 1: those fairy tales you read Tarlia, giants aren't real. Tarlia




00:31:12

Speaker 1: started drawing, and Magnus retreated to his own bedroom, knowing




00:31:18

Speaker 1: that he wouldn't get a rise out of his little sister.




00:31:21

Speaker 1: To day. Tarlia was far too swept up in her




00:31:26

Speaker 1: art to pay attention to her older brother's teasing. While




00:31:32

Speaker 1: Tarlia drew, Bella jumped up to her usual cozy spot




00:31:37

Speaker 1: on the window sill and curled up comfortably to rest.




00:31:43

Speaker 1: Bella's fairy body expanded and retracted as she breathed, heavily,




00:31:50

Speaker 1: drifting off into a pleasant slumber. Just as Bella was




00:31:57

Speaker 1: on the brink of sleep, she purred to Tarlia, don't




00:32:04

Speaker 1: forget to draw me with the giants. Just don't you




00:32:10

Speaker 1: dare color my fur in pink. Tarlia giggled and made




00:32:17

Speaker 1: a mental note she knew how much Bella disliked unrealistic drawings.




00:32:25

Speaker 1: Tarlia sketched away and colored in for a while, trying




00:32:30

Speaker 1: as hard as she could to recall what each of




00:32:34

Speaker 1: the hidden giants had looked like. She remembered how a




00:32:39

Speaker 1: crooked tree branch pointed out perfectly like a nose on




00:32:44

Speaker 1: the tree giants, and how the mountain giants' faces appeared




00:32:50

Speaker 1: all squished up and smushy despite their rock hard exterior.




00:32:57

Speaker 1: She recalled how the cloud giants gracefully floated and parted




00:33:02

Speaker 1: to blow the wind through their mouths, and how the




00:33:07

Speaker 1: river giant bubbled and rippled as it spoke. Just as




00:33:13

Speaker 1: Tarlia was finishing her last picture, her eyes grew heavy.




00:33:19

Speaker 1: She was exhausted after such an exciting day. Lying on




00:33:26

Speaker 1: her stomach, she laid her head down on the bedroom




00:33:30

Speaker 1: floor and closed her eyes. Surrounded by her pictures, Tarlia




00:33:39

Speaker 1: gave in and accepted a relaxing snooze on the carpet.




00:33:48

Speaker 1: While she slept, she dreamt that she was a giant too,




00:33:54

Speaker 1: overlooking the tops of the houses like a bird, and




00:33:59

Speaker 1: right at her feet, calling up to her, was her




00:34:03

Speaker 1: teeny tiny talking cat, Bella. She scooped Bella up off




00:34:11

Speaker 1: the ground and carried her in her giant palm as




00:34:15

Speaker 1: she walked across town and back out into the open




00:34:19

Speaker 1: hills to enjoy nature and speak once more to the




00:34:25

Speaker 1: friendly hidden giants keep to the wa