Marinos Meets the Greek God of Dreams 🏛️ ☁️ Bedtime Stories For Kids

[00:00:11] Hello, welcome back to Koala Moon, a podcast of original children's bedtime stories and meditations designed to make bedtime a dream. We are starting off as always with the lovely precious shout outs to you guys who have signed up for the year. So we're saying hi and thank you to Margo from Minnesota in the USA, to Gaia and Sienna in London, to Emma and Lara in Texas,

[00:00:37] to Leonardo, Ellie and Liddy from Zug in Switzerland, to Kaylin and Julian, Tully who's in Australia, oh you've had a shout out before but you're now on year three, amazing, to Hannah H who's in Britus Bay in Ireland and to Elizabeth P from Indiana. Thank you so much to you and to your families for supporting us like this.

[00:01:00] We love what we do but we couldn't do it without you, so enjoy all your extra bonus episodes and your ad-free listening and do let us know if there's anything that you'd particularly like us to write about or any characters you want us to include. Okay, in tonight's story then, we're going to hang out with a new character for us here on Moon, but not new if you're a fan of our daytime podcast Koala Shine, because we are meeting our Greek friend Marinos.

[00:01:29] Marinos is trying his best to get a good night's sleep, but there is a problem and it comes in the shape of his twin sisters whose bedroom is next door to his. They are so noisy at night, they just can't seem to keep quiet with their games or squabbling or giggling. I wonder whether any of you can relate to that. Well, Marinos is feeling pretty frustrated and makes a wish upon a star to get enough peace and quiet so that he can just fall asleep.

[00:01:59] Shall we see whether his wish comes true? Okay, let's relax back into bed and get really comfy. Give your limbs a nice big stretch and a wiggle to release any extra energy. Perhaps start at your toes and work your way all the way up to the tips of your fingers or the top of your head. And as soon as you've got yourself snuggled down and snoozy and relaxed, I will begin our story.

[00:02:28] Ah, lovely. Before we begin, here's a quick ad break, then we'll start tonight's bedtime story. If you'd like to support our podcast, enjoy ad-free listening and unlock all our premium stories, you can join the Coco Club. To join, follow the link in the show notes. This is Marinos meets the Greek God of Dreams by Luke Prendergast.

[00:02:55] Deep in the heart of a faraway forest, where the crickets chirrup and the leaves whisper, and every now and then a wise old owl lets out a low and melodious hoot, Marinos is dozing.

[00:03:15] He's lying in a hammock so soft and light that he feels more like he is being carried in a pair of airy arms or on a pillow of cloud than in anything so firm as a hammock. Back and forth he swings, back and forth ever so slowly, like a little rowing boat rocking on the gentle waves of the Aegean Sea.

[00:03:42] Except, the Aegean Sea and the island of Skyros, the little Greek island that Marinos calls home, are another world away. This is no Greek island, but a cool and quiet forest with the scent of pine cones in the air. It is the coziest, sleepiest place he's ever been. And if Marinos weren't there right now, listening to the crickets and smelling all those pines,

[00:04:11] he might be persuaded that the place wasn't real at all, but only a dream. And yet, here he was, swinging back and forth in absolute blissful peace. Just then, there comes a sound. Marinos opens an eye, just a fraction.

[00:04:39] There it was again, a distant sound but getting closer. A woodpecker? A nutcracker? A little chipmunk knocking on the door? The sound is getting louder, and now there are voices too. Not peaceful, quiet voices, but noisy voices. Bickering and muttering and...

[00:05:05] Just like that, Marinos woke up in his bed. There was the familiar white canvas of his bedroom ceiling above him. The open window, pale blue curtains fluttering in the breeze. So it had been a dream after all. He had never been in that peaceful pine forest. He had been in Skyros all along.

[00:05:30] He'd not been hearing the sound of a woodpecker tapping its beak on distant tree, but instead, the sound of his little sisters rattling their beds through the walls. Marinos let out a tired sigh. Hera and Hydra might well have been the noisiest pair of sisters in the whole world.

[00:05:53] They might have been twins, with that special twin kind of magic that made it seem like they could read each other's minds. But it didn't mean they got on all the time. In fact, they could often be found squabbling any time of the day or of the night, pinching each other's breakfasts or grappling over toys. Even when they were getting along, they were noisy.

[00:06:19] Their new favourite activity was waking up in the middle of the night to giggle loudly, or throw their bouncy ball against the wall, waking poor Marinos up in the process. Marinos let out another tired sigh. Little siblings, huh? You couldn't live with them. You couldn't live without them. The gentle breeze ruffled the curtains once more,

[00:06:48] and Marinos looked out of the window at the world beyond. The white and red roofs of the village houses tumbled down the hillside to the coast, where the ink-dark sea spread out like a giant blanket. Even from up here, he could hear the waves swishing back and forth. And up above, the silver glowing orb of the moon hung in the sky,

[00:07:15] surrounded by handfuls of twinkling stars. Through the wall, there came a little thump, then some laughter. Oh dear, it seemed Hydra and Hera had made it out of their beds. That only meant one thing. No peace for Marinos tonight. Still gazing up at the moon and the stars,

[00:07:43] Marinos let out a third tired sigh and whispered more to himself than to anyone else. Oh, I do wish I could be back in that cozy pine forest. I wish I could get a restful night's sleep. The stars in the sky continued to twinkle. Not one showed any sign of having heard his wish.

[00:08:11] Marinos turned on his side, laid his pillow over his head to block out the noise, and squeezed his eyes shut. Maybe that way he might be able to fall asleep. But of course not. The breeze picked up, blew through the window and made him shiver. Grumpily, Marinos rolled over, ready to shut the window. When his eyes went wide with wonder, he couldn't believe it.

[00:08:41] There, drifting through his open window, was a mass of shimmering dark cloud. The cloud floated in the air, swirling around in a beautiful spiral. And the next moment, it solidified into the shape of a fantastical-looking figure. A friendly-faced being with large silver wings, clouds swirling around his hands and feet,

[00:09:09] and around his head like a wispy halo. The figure gave his wings a shake, then smiled at Marinos. I think I overheard someone making a wish, he said. Marinos, whose eyes had grown wide with wonder, and whose voice had rather mysteriously seemed to have disappeared, stuttered and stumbled for a few seconds, before finding it again.

[00:09:38] But he only managed to squeeze a few words out. Who are you? He asked. The winged figure at the window suddenly looked a little embarrassed. My apologies, he said. How rude of me to drift up to your window without even introducing myself. I am the god of dreams,

[00:10:04] but most people just call me Morpheus. Morpheus. Marinos remembered that name. When he was younger, just a tiny boy, he would curl up in his mother's warm arms, and she would read to him out of the illustrated book of Greek myths. How captivating those stories had been. Tales of ancient gods and brave heroes

[00:10:34] and impossibly magical creatures. Marinos hadn't known back then that those ancient gods still walked secretly among them on these Greek islands. But over the last couple of years, he'd been meeting those gods all over the place and been taken on the most exciting adventures. If you asked him, Marinos was a pretty average kid.

[00:11:04] He just liked swimming and reading and playing football like everyone else. And yet, for some reason, these ancient gods seemed to have taken a shine to him. He'd never met this god of dreams before. But now that Morpheus was standing by his bedroom window, Marinos suddenly recalled one of the pictures from the illustrated book of myths. The smiling face,

[00:11:32] the soft dark wings, the swirling cloak of clouds. Hello, Morpheus, Marinos said. I'm Marinos. Oh, I know that, said Morpheus. All the other gods have told me plenty about you. That made Marinos feel just a little bit worried. Whenever the gods had shown up in the past,

[00:12:01] they'd had some task for him to do. A big quest or important adventure. But Marinos wasn't in the mood for that now. He was tired. He just wanted a nice, peaceful sleep. Luckily for him, Morpheus appeared to read his mind. Don't you worry, Marinos, he said. I'm only here to grant you your wish.

[00:12:30] Just then, there came the sound of thumping on the walls. Hydra and Hera had found their bouncy balls. Morpheus gave Marinos a smile and rolled his eyes. Siblings, huh? He said. I know all about that. I've got a couple of brothers, and they don't give me a moment's rest. But I'm here to take you

[00:12:58] to the sleepiest place you can imagine. A land of dreams and magic, where you can get a night of pure and uninterrupted peace. How do you like the sound of that? Marinos grinned. He liked the sound of that a lot. All right then, Morpheus said, spreading his wings wide.

[00:13:27] Let's go. And the next moment, the god had given his wings a big flap and soared out of the window. Marinos slipped out of bed, placed his elbows on the window ledge, and looked out. Morpheus was hovering about ten feet up in the air, looking down at him. Come on, he called out gently. Um, one problem,

[00:13:57] Morpheus, Marinos replied, keeping his voice little above a whisper so as not to alert the twins that he was out of bed. I don't have wings like you. Morpheus gave himself a little donk on the head with the palm of his hand and flew back down to the window. Sorry, Marinos, old pal, he said. I always forget that you humans can't fly.

[00:14:27] So instead, how about this? Morpheus stretched out his hands, and the wisps of cloud that swirled around them poured into the air, growing and growing until they formed one large plump cloud, whose fluffy peaks looked like the ridges on top of a perfectly baked meringue, or a bowlful of whipped cream.

[00:14:57] Step on, Morpheus instructed. Marinos frowned. On? Morpheus nodded. Don't worry, he assured Marinos. It's safe. So Marinos climbed onto his windowsill and put out a foot. He touched the cloud with the tip of his toe, like he did when he was testing

[00:15:25] whether the ocean was warm enough to swim in. The cloud seemed firm enough, so Marinos did as the god of dreams told him. He stepped on. For a moment, his feet sank through the cloud, as though his whole body was going to pass right through. But then, they met something soft and supportive,

[00:15:50] as though the cloud were in fact a pillow shrouded in swirling grey wisps. Ooh, Marinos murmured. This is surprisingly comfy. Why, of course it is, Morpheus said. His chest puffed up a little. Did you expect the god of dreams

[00:16:15] to transport people on a cloud that wasn't comfy? A rickety train, perhaps? A bed of stones? The god spread his wings wide. Now settle down and prepare yourself. We're about to head somewhere very special. Actually, Marinos thought that was a good point.

[00:16:46] Where are we going? He asked. But Morpheus only tapped his nose. It's a secret, he said. All in good time. So Marinos knelt down in the cloud, then lay on his back. The cloud seemed to shift and gather itself behind his head, to form a perfect cushion.

[00:17:13] And some warm wisps of clouds folded themselves over his body like a blanket. He wasn't sure if he'd ever been on such a cosy mode of transport before in his life. All right, said Morpheus. Time for takeoff. The god of dreams spread his silvery wings wide.

[00:17:41] Each feather catching the starlight. He rose up in the air, and behind him the cloud followed, bearing Marinos, as though it were a chariot pulled by flying horses. Up, up, up they rose. Marinos peeked over the edge of the cloud, and saw the orange roof of his house get further and further away.

[00:18:10] And the island of Skyros itself grow smaller and smaller. Soon, it just looked like a little hill floating in the dark Aegean Sea, alongside all the other islands that sprung up in that region of Greece. Up, and up, and up they flew, until they broke through the bank of clouds hovering in the sky.

[00:18:40] They skimmed just along the top of them, and Marinos let his arm fall over the side of his cloud cushion, and ran his fingers through the misty wisps below, just like he did when he was on his boat, trailing his hands through the water. How funny, he thought to himself. Clouds aren't water, but they aren't air, either.

[00:19:09] They're a peculiar in-between kind of thing. How long they flew for, Marius couldn't tell. It might have been minutes, it might have been hours. In fact, if you'd told him that he'd spent years flying above the clouds with the god of dreams, he'd have believed you. Time went as stretchy as toffee up there. But at one point,

[00:19:39] Marinos got the funny feeling, or not just a feeling, he was absolutely certain, that they had passed out of one world and into another, just by magic. We're almost there, Morpheus told him. He gave one more flap of his big dark wings. Then, he and Marinos' chariot

[00:20:06] descended back beneath the bank of clouds, revealing the world beneath. Marinos' breath caught in his throat. They were floating over a big and beautiful land, quite unlike anywhere he'd ever seen before on Earth. The white tips of mountain peaks rose in the distance, and behind them, the sea lapped against a sandy shore.

[00:20:37] Far off to the west, he could see the hazy outline of a distant city, standing on the edge of a large desert. And right below them, coming ever closer as they descended, was the most peaceful-looking forest imaginable. Pine trees, with rustling branches, and tree houses with softly lit windows. Moonlit leaves,

[00:21:06] whispering in the wind. Down, down, down, down they flew, until they passed through the canopy of trees, and landed lightly on the forest floor. Marinos got up, and clambered down from his cloud. Then, because it rather seemed as though the cloud was expecting it, he gave it a little pat on its head,

[00:21:34] prompting it to swirl around him in a grateful circle, before dissolving into the air. Marinos looked at the forest around him. I recognize this place, he whispered. It's the forest you were dreaming about, of course, Morpheus said, his chest puffed up with a touch of pride. I am the god of dreams,

[00:22:03] after all, you know. No, I mean, yes, it is the forest I was dreaming about, but I've just realized I've been here before. I sailed my boat here once, by accident. I walked through this forest. I even made some friends, a friendly koala, and a cheeky little panda, they were called,

[00:22:33] Marinos. His name echoed out through the forest, and the next moment, a pair of creatures came running out from between the tree trunks, a koala and a panda, Coco and Kira. They bounded up and leaped onto him, knocking him to the soft forest floor, and wrapping their arms around him in a warm hug. Marinos, they called again.

[00:23:03] It's you, you're here. Marinos giggled as they let him go. He had to pick a little twig out of his mouth. Back in the sleepy forest, he said, grinning. Did your boat get blown onto the shore at Harmony Cove again? Kira asked. Not this time, Marinos told her. Then how did you get here? Coco asked.

[00:23:31] Morpheus brought me, on a cloud, Marinos said. They frowned at him. Who's Morpheus? They asked. Marinos pointed over their shoulder. Coco and Kira looked. Oh, Coco said in surprise. Sorry, we didn't see you there. Morpheus nodded.

[00:23:58] I do rather blend into the dark, he admitted. Now, Kira was stepping up to Morpheus and peering at him more closely. Are you a fairy? She asked, inspecting his wings. Morpheus shook his head. A gnome? Morpheus shook his head again. Kira scratched the top of hers. Then,

[00:24:28] what are you? She asked. He's an ancient god, Marinos said, which made both Coco and Kira lift little paws to their mouths and let out soft, oohs. Like in old books of myths, Kira asked. Now, Morpheus nodded. Actually, Marinos said,

[00:24:57] he's a pretty impressive god. The god of dreams. Kira's eyes suddenly sparkled. Really? Are you really the god of dreams? Why, that's just perfect. Why is it perfect? Morpheus asked her. Because, just before you arrived, Coco and I were snoozing in the warm glade

[00:25:25] outside our cosy cabin and I was just thinking I'd love a really wonderful dream to sink into. Do you think you could make me one? Morpheus stroked his chin, then nodded. I think I could rustle something up. Brilliant, Kira said. Then she took Morpheus's hand and tugged him through the forest trees, back the way she had come.

[00:25:55] As the others followed after them, Coco leaned in close to him. Just a warning, he whispered. Sometimes, when she falls into a really deep sleep, Kira snores a bit. I hope it doesn't keep you up. Marinos thought back to his sisters, Hera and Hydra, and their noise-making and ball-throwing and general hullabaloo.

[00:26:24] He smiled. It seemed like everyone's siblings kept them awake at night. It wasn't just him. Trust me, Marinos whispered back. A little snoring is nothing. The windows of the cosy cabin glowed orange in the clearing. Coco's mum gave Marinos a welcome hug, saying it was so good to see him again.

[00:26:53] Then she brought out four mugs of hot chocolate, one for Morpheus too. They were tiny marshmallows floating on top of the steaming drinks. When she'd gone back inside, Coco and Kira and Marinos settled down on some plump beanbags that were arranged in a semicircle in the clearing. Marinos couldn't decide which was comfier,

[00:27:21] the beanbag or the cloud chariot. They sipped their hot chocolate while the nighttime sounds of sleepy forest echoed all around. Chirruping crickets, hooting birds, the tickling of branches and leaves. Morpheus, meanwhile, had conjured himself a plump purple cloud which hovered just an inch off the forest floor.

[00:27:47] He said he always preferred to relax on a cloud. He sat cross-legged, sipping his hot chocolate too, before asking Kira what kind of dream she would like. Kira thought about it for a few seconds, scratching her chin and humming and hawing and staring down into her mug. Then,

[00:28:15] I'd like a dream in which I'm the queen of a castle, she said. But the castle isn't an ordinary castle. It's a castle made out of marshmallows, just like the ones in my drink. Everyone who lives in the castle is a marshmallow too, and so am I. Yes, in my dream, I would like to be a marshmallow.

[00:28:43] A marshmallow panda bear, please. Morpheus smiled and bowed his head. Coming right up, he said. He put his hand up, pinched his fingers together and seemed to pluck a wisp of pink cloud out of thin air. He let it rest on his palm. Then, he blew it, so the pink wisp floated over to Kira

[00:29:11] and slipped right into her mind. She yawned and stretched her limbs. Ooh, she sighed. I can just tell. This is going to be a great dream. And a few seconds later, she was happily asleep, her chest rising and falling softly.

[00:29:40] And you, Master Coco? Morpheus asked. What kind of dream would you like? Coco was ready with his. I'd like a dream that I'm a koala fish, he said. Still golden and furry with my ears and paws, but I'd like fins too and gills so I can swim underwater.

[00:30:09] I'd like to swim down to explore the coziest caves in the ocean and see if there's any treasure to find there. Please, Mr. Morpheus, if you can. Morpheus bowed his head again. He reached out and plucked a wisp of bright blue cloud out of the air. He blew on it gently and it sailed like an airborne boat over to Coco

[00:30:39] and this time it slipped into his mind. Thanks, Coco whispered. He curled up on his beanbag, said goodnight to Marinos and Morpheus and Morpheus and before long he too was asleep, dreaming sweetly. Now Morpheus turned to Marinos, but before he could ask a question,

[00:31:09] the boy had one for him. I've been wondering, he said, since you're the god of dreams, am I dreaming now? Am I in fact back in my bed at home, dreaming about being in sleepy forest? Morpheus is a dream. friendly eyes twinkled. Why do you want to know? He asked.

[00:31:39] Well, Marinos explained, I'd just like to know what's real and what's a dream. Ah, Morpheus sighed. He lifted a single finger into the air. That's where you're going wrong, Marinos. Just because something might be a dream, that doesn't make it any less real.

[00:32:10] Marinos thought about that for a moment. At first, it didn't seem to make any sense at all. Then, the more he thought about it, the more sense it started to make. Fireflies drifted through the branches of the trees. Silver moonlight trickled down from the sky. Marinos nodded. Morpheus, he said,

[00:32:41] if sometimes dreams are real, then does that mean you can make dreams come true? Morpheus nodded. As the god of dreams, I do have the power to make people's dreams come true. Why don't you tell me yours, Marinos, and I'll see what I can do.

[00:33:09] Marinos took a deep breath. Well, I love coming to the koala kingdom so much, that I'd love to be able to visit this place and my friends here whenever I like. That's my dream. To be able to come to the koala kingdom whenever I want. Now, Morpheus smiled. Well, Marinos,

[00:33:37] I think I might just have the perfect dream for you. Pay attention to it closely and do your best to remember it, because if you do, you might just be able to make that dream come true. Then, he reached out into the air and plucked a wisp of golden cloud out of the air.

[00:34:05] The colour reminded Marinos of the sands of the beach at Skyros, how the water softly lapped the golden shore. Morpheus blew the little golden cloud across the air and it sunk into Marinos' mind. He was filled with a deep sense of peace, a lightning of his body and mind.

[00:34:35] He smiled. He yawned. He rested his head down on the beanbag. Above them, the koala moon glowed softly, watching over them. Marinos' eyes were growing heavy. He was ever so tired. Good night, Morpheus, he said. Good night, Marinos,

[00:35:04] the god replied. And, just like that, Marinos closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. Soon he was dreaming, a beautiful dream in which he was sailing his little boat across the water. Behind him, he could see the little island of Skyros,

[00:35:31] the place he'd always called his home. But up ahead, he saw the shores of Harmony Cove at the southern tip of the koala kingdom. And he knew then that forevermore, if he ever wished to visit the koala kingdom again, all he had to do was sail his boat across the big blue sea.

[00:36:00] and he would arrive there. The god of dreams had granted his wish. Now, he would be at home in Skyros and the koala kingdom forever. forever.