The Sleeping World: Grooming Rituals with a Crow

Wind down by escaping into nature. Part soundscape and part bedtime story, The Sleeping World is an intimate journey through ecologies around the world.

Crows have long been the subject of folklore, likely because they’re strikingly similar to humans, leading lives rich in personality, intelligence, and relationships. In this episode, we fly the streets of Seattle with a crow as she grooms her mate, delivers what appears to be a gift, and finally commutes miles away from her territory to gather and chat with thousands of other crows before it’s time to roost for the night.

This is the world in its natural state, defined by seasons, routines, and cycles. By the time this crow is ready to perch on a branch, puff her feathers to create a downy insulation, and flutter her eyes closed, you’ll be ready to close yours too.

Produced by Audible and Mumble Media
Written by Dr. Kaeli Swift
Narrated by Cynthia Kimola
Executive Producers for Mumble Media: Cara Ehlenfeldt and Jake Young
Executive Producer for Audible: Anna Stitt
Sound Design and Mix: Mumble Media
The Mumble Media team is Jaymeson Catsouphes, Cara Ehlenfeldt, Chester Gwazda, Liz Mak, Lee Mengistu, Renée Vargas, and Jake Young
Fact-Checker: Andrea López-Cruzado
Head of Creative Development at Audible: Kate Navin
Chief Content Officer at Audible: Rachel Ghiazza

Available in Dolby Atmos on Audible.

©2025 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2025 Audible Originals, LLC

My all time favorite sleep stories-more please!!

Such great information, presentation, length. It’s Just perfection and easy to fall asleep to night after night. More episodes please!

Engaging Tranquility

Truly presenting a bird’s eye view. This story is a wonderful balance of humor & detail to ease a busy mind towards sleep. Another fabulous episode in this terrific series … Thank you!

Crows

Very interesting information about crows in Seattle done in a very relaxing way. I learned a lot about that area and the crows that habitat there.

pronunciation & calm

Soothing gentile voice, Clean vocal pronunciation and calming evening story. I enjoyed and would recommend this to others

Engaging, imaginative, and frightening.

I liked the concept and the story. The flow was excellent, but it is at such a pace where character development is less than ideal,