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When you were younger, you might remember your parents telling you bedtime stories to help you drift off to sleep. Bedtime stories are a form of storytelling, to prepare one for sleep. It can benefit adults who need to ease their minds and unwind before bedtime. Without further ado, let’s explore some bedtime stories for adults to fall asleep to for free.
Choosing the Right Bedtime Story
When you are looking for a suitable bedtime story to choose from, think about what helps you to relax. Is it a classic fairytale? A magical tale? A fantasy filled with mythical creatures?
Some people may enjoy soothing tales with a much slower pace while others may prefer adventurous stories that will let their imaginations run wild. The key is to look for a story that can bring you into a restful state.
Also, consider choosing short stories instead of novels as they are easier to read and follow.
Below, you’ll find a curated list of over 20 bedtime stories designed for adults, complete with free audio versions that you can listen to as you drift off to sleep.
List of Bedtime Stories for Adults
1. Gulliver’s Travel
Author: Jonathan Swift
Narrated by: Christopher Fitton
Gulliver’s Travel is a classic literature written by Johnathan Swift. First published in 1726, it follows the four voyages of Lemuel Gulliver, a ship’s surgeon. Along his four voyages, he discovers a miniature world where he towers over the people, a land of giants, a flying island, and a land filled with gentle horses. Follow along with this epic adventure as Gulliver navigates through these fantastical lands and encounters strange cultures. This cleverly written satirical piece gives you a glimpse into the nature of man and society [1].
2. Around The World in 80 Days
Author: Jules Verne
Narrated by: Jacob Arnold
This story follows Phileas Fogg, a wealthy English gentleman living in London. One day, he decides to bet his entire fortune that he can travel around the world in 80 days with no air travel, no plans, or special arrangements. With a hired Frenchman, Jean Passepartout, they set off on their 80-day-long journey [2].
3. Snow White
Author: Brothers Grimm (Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm)
Narrated by: Jarrefy Ferreira
Snow White is a German fairytale published by the Brothers Grimm in 1812. The story features Snow White, a young girl of extraordinary beauty. She is loved by all except for her stepmother, The Evil Queen, who is obsessed with being the fairest of them all. As the story unfolds, Snow White faces various trials, including the Queen’s repeated attempts to end her life. However, that would change once she meets a handsome prince. This timeless tale continues to be a beloved classic till today [3].
4. Cinderella
Author: Giambattista Basile
Narrated by: Jarrefy Ferreira
Cinderella is a classic folktale about a young girl who despite her hardships, remains kind and hopeful. After the passing of her father, she was reduced to the level of a servant, having to serve her wicked stepmother and stepsisters. However, her fortune would soon begin to change when an invitation to a royal ball arrives [4].
5. Aladdin and The Magic Lamp
Author: Antoine Galland
Narrated by: Christopher Fitton
Aladdin is an impoverished young boy living in the Middle East. His life takes a turn when he encounters a mysterious sorcerer who tricks him into finding a magic lamp. Unbeknownst to Aladdin, the magic lamp contains a powerful genie who can grant any wish. When Aladdin rubs the lamp, the genie emerges, offering him three wishes to make. With the genie’s help, his life transforms into an extraordinary adventure, overflowing with magic, power, and love [5].
6. A Scandal in Bohemia
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Narrated by: Christopher Fitton
A Scandal in Bohemia is a short story that features the iconic fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes. First published in 1981, it has gone on to be one of the most famous stories in the Sherlock Holmes series. The story begins with the King of Bohemia, who is set to marry a Scandinavian princess. However, he had a relationship with an opera singer called Irene Adler in the past and is now being blackmailed by her with a photograph of them together. The king enlists the help of Holmes, who devises a plan to trick Adler and retrieve the photograph [6].
7. A Descent into the Maelström
Author: Edgar Allen Poe
Narrated by: Christopher Fitton
A Descent into the Maelström is a story that was written by Edgar Allen Poe in 1841. The story is a tale of survival and horror. The story follows an old man who recounts his experience of being caught in a gigantic whirlpool, known as Maelström, off the coast of Norway. Guiding a tourist to the top of the cliff, he tells his tale. He was once a fisherman who had decided to carry out this voyage with his two brothers. By the end of the story, the old man’s experience has left him physically and mentally transformed. This harrowing story depicts the power of nature and the line between life and death [7].
8. The Red-Headed League
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Narrated by: Christopher Fitton
The Red-Headed League is yet another story that features the detective, Sherlock Holmes. Published in 1981, it begins with a London pawnbroker, Jabez Wilson who has acquired a curious job. He was hired by a mysterious organization known as ‘the Red-headed League’ to copy out the encyclopedia several hours a day. One day, he arrived at a sign that the organization had been dissolved. In confusion, he sought Holmes’ help. This tale explores the idea of deception and observation [8].
9. Peter Pan
Author: J. M. Barrie
Narrated by: Christopher Fitton
This classic tale by J.M. Barrie follows the story of Peter Pan, the boy who never grows up, Tinkerbell the Fairy and three children— Wendy, John and Michael. Together with Tinkerbell, Peter Pan leads the children to a place called Neverland, an island where the lost boys play and inhabited by mermaids and fairies. On the island is also where, Captain Hook, a notorious pirate also lurks [9].
10. Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves
Author: Antoine Galland
Narrated by: Christopher Fitton
Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves is a story featured in ‘The Thousand and One Arabian Night’ collection. It was added and translated by Antoine Galland, a French who heard this story from a Syrian storyteller. It follows the adventures of a poor woodcutter named Ali Baba and his discovery of a secret treasure [10].
11. Sinbad the Sailor
Author: Bolesław Leśmian
Narrated by: Christopher Fitton
This is a classic tale also featured in ‘The Thousand and One Arabian Night’ collection. It follows the voyages of Sinbad, a merchant who encounters various magical and mythical challenges. He made a total of seven voyages, all of which shed light on seafaring and trade in the East. Every journey that he makes is riveting and exciting [11].
12. Little Women
Author: Louisa May Alcott
Narrated by: Christopher Fitton
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott follows the lives of four girls— Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy who lament about their poverty status and wish to turn things around for themselves. It details each of their transition from childhood to womanhood [12].
13. The Man in the Brown Suit
Author: Agatha Christie
Narrated by: Christopher Fitton
The Man in the Brown Suit is a detective fiction written by Agatha Christie and published in 1924. The story features Anna Beddingfield, an orphan daughter of Professor Beddingfield who witnesses a man dying at the Hyde Park Corner tube station. She picks up a note and soon finds herself on a journey to South Africa, piecing together the mystery surrounding the death witnessed. She would also face an attempted murder on the journey [13].
14. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Author: Washington Irving
Narrated by: Christopher Fitton
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a story that takes place in 1970 in the countryside, in a secluded valley known as Sleepy Hollow. It tells the tale of Ichabod Crane, a superstitious schoolmaster from Connecticut who hears the story of a headless horseman who resides in Sleepy Hollow from Abraham “Brom Bones” Van Brunt. One night, he encounters a cloaked rider, believed to be the headless horseman. He rides away in fear, mysteriously disappearing soon after [14].
15. Meditations
Author: Marcus Aurelius
Narrated by: Vox Stoica
Meditations is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor from AD 161 to 180. It features private notes that he wrote to himself and also ideas that he had about the Stoic philosophy. It was used as a form of self-guidance and self-improvement for himself [15].
16. The Sleepy Cat
Author: Sam Lawson
Narrated by: Sam Lawson
Inspired by his mum and her feline friend, Sam Lawson tells the story of a ginger cat who goes searching for a cozy fire after getting caught in the rain. Follow along and find out if the cat manages to find a place to retreat to in this cold weather.
17. The Magic Shop
Author: H.G. Wells
Narrated by: Christopher Fitton
Written by H.G. Wells in 1903, the story is about a father and his young son, named Gip. They stumble upon a magic shop and head inside after Gip’s further urging. In the beginning, Gip and his father finds amusement in the shop’s interior and its mysterious storekeeper. As time passes, things become stranger and more sinister, blurring the lines between reality and an illusion [16].
18. The Velveteen Rabbit
Author: Margery Williams
Narrated by: Sean Worley
The Velveteen Rabbit depicts the story of a stuffed rabbit’s desire to become real. The rabbit was given as a Christmas present to a young boy, who soon forgot about it, playing with his other new presents. The oldest toy in the Nursery, Skin Horse, tells the rabbit that he can become real through actual love from the boy [17].
19. Princess Moonlight: Folktales from Japan
Author: Unknown
Narrated by: Sean Worley
This story is part of a collection of traditional Japanese folktales, with the central story being “Princess Moonlight. The tale begins with a bamboo cutter who discovers a tiny radiant princess inside a bamboo stalk. Along with his wife, they decided to take her in as their daughter, calling her “Princess Moon”. She would eventually grow to become a beautiful woman, attracting many suitors. The story blends elements of fantasy and reality.
20. The Magic Swan
Author: Hermann Kletke
Narrated by: Jerry Seinfeld
The Magic Swan is a European fairytale that tells the story of a young boy, Peter, constantly abused by his two older brothers, Jacob and Frederick. He meets an old woman who tells him to run away and to find a sleeping man with a swan tied to a tree. When he manages to retrieve the swan without the man waking, he draws the attention of people around. A few people became stuck to the swan upon touching it, a sight which made a princess who never laughed, laugh. Peter eventually took the Princess for his wife with the swan, flying away [18].
21. Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets
Author: J.K. Rowling
Narrated by: Snooze with Sam
The story follows Harry Potter, who is in his second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The story begins with Harry returning to school, despite a warning from Dobby, a house-elf, who insists that danger awaits him at Hogwarts. While in Hogwarts, strange events started to occur, leading Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermione to investigate the mystery [19].
22. The Hobbit: Chapter 1
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Narrated by: John’s Sleep Stories
Chapter 1 of ‘The Hobbit’ introduces us to Bilbo Baggins, a quiet and unassuming hobbit living in his comfortable home, Bag End, in the Shire. One day, Gandalf the wizard, makes a trip to Bilbo’s house, hinting at an adventure. The next day, thirteen dwarves arrive at his house and eventually convince Bilbo to join them on this unexpected journey [20].
23. The Astronomer
Author: Aesop
Narrated by: Thomas Jones
The Astronomer is a tale about an astronomer who frequently goes out at night to see the stars. One evening as he was walking with his eyes fixated to the sky, he accidentally fell into a deep well. This story teaches the importance of appreciating where you are and what you have [21].
24. The Rainy Day Bakery
Author: Shady Grove
Narrated by: Thomas Jones
This is a four-part series featuring visits to a cozy bakery owned by a woman named Lily. In this series, you will get to hear all about her day in her charming little bakery. This story describes what Lily does in a day, baking muffins, cakes or pies.
25. The Little Mermaid
Author: Hans Christian Andersen
Narrated by: Elliot Fitzpatrick
The Little Mermaid is a classic fairytale written by Danish Author, Hans Christian Andersen. The story follows the journey of a young mermaid princess who longs to be human. So much so that she is willing to give up her life in the sea as a mermaid [22].
Benefits of Bedtime Stories for Adults
There are many benefits of reading short bedtime stories for sleep. Besides helping to calm the mind down for sleep, it can help to reduce stress and anxiety, supporting your mental health. It provides a healthy distraction.
Another benefit is that it encourages a safe space to let our inner child out and to let our imaginations run free. In normal circumstances, some people may find that they are not allowed to have imaginations and to stick to facts.
Bedtime stories provide an outlet to imagine things in a peaceful and relaxing way, making it a healthy bedtime routine to have.
You may also like: Read To Sleep: The Magic of Bedtime Stories
More Resources
If you enjoyed reading this article, check out some of our other similar articles on bedtime stories below.
Why Bedtime Stories For Children Are Important?
Struggling to Sleep? Try These 5 Bedtime Stories for Adults
Conclusion
In conclusion, bedtime stories are not limited to only children. If you have trouble falling asleep, you may find that listening to this form of storytelling may help you to improve sleep quality, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve your mental health. It is a great addition to your sleep routine.
Stories have the power to transport our minds to a different world, promoting restful nights. Check out ShutEye® app for more free relaxing sleep stories today.
