Have you ever wondered what a day is like for a platypus? In this cozy bedtime meditation, we journey to the tranquil waters of an Australian creek, where we meet a playful platypus and discover the beauty of its world. As the sun sets, you'll sink into the warm sand, listen to the gentle splash of water, and feel a deep sense of gratitude for the simple joys of nature.

Welcome to mello. Here, you can find answers to thee peculiar questions we ask ourselves, but never think to imagine. It's also a space to pause, reflect, and meditate.

Meditating is like looking up at the sky and watching the clouds go by. The clouds are your thoughts and feelings; you are the calm, curious observer noticing them…and then letting them drift away.

This episode, our question comes from Izzy:

Izzy:  “I was wondering: What is a day like for a platypus?”

I love the platypus. Did you know that a baby platypus is called a puggle? Doesn’t that make you wish you were a baby platypus? Thank you for your wonderful question, Isadora. 

Let’s dive into the life of a platypus together, and see what wisdom we can learn from this unique creature. But first…

Let’s start by getting our wiggles out. Go ahead and wiggle. 

That’s right–your toes and arms, your fingers and legs. Wiggle them up and down and all around. Now settle those wiggles into a snuggle. 

As you tuck into your cozy blanket, take a deep breath in, feeling your body fill with calm. As you exhale, whisper to yourself, “I am safe”. With your next inhale, feel your body fill with love. You exhale and whisper to yourself,  “I am loved.”

With your last deep breath, your imagination is now ready for our nighttime adventure. 

WATER

Let’s imagine you’re sitting on the sandy edge of a tranquil Australian creek.

 Creek Sounds, ambient birds+wildlife

As you look up, you note that the sun is just starting to set with pink hues reaching across the sky.

 Breeze

Take a deep breath, holding onto this moment with a feeling of ease and comfort. And slowly let it out, letting the peace stay within us.

Even though the sun is setting, you can feel the warmth of the day across your skin. The gentle flowing sound of the water continues to relax your mind and body. Don’t you feel so lucky to be here? 

The muddy edge of the stream squishes between your toes as you wiggle them to and fro. Your whole body feels so nice against the sand. 

Let’s take this moment to do a “body scan.” Imagine that your toes are worms wiggling in the sand. Now feel them rest and get sleepy. 

Check in with your legs, saying hi to your knees. Place  your hand on your stomach, breathing in…and out…how does your stomach feel? Nice and calm, I hope. 

Now move up toward your chest…puff it out a little, feeling confident and silly. Relax, bringing it back down. 

Check in with your neck…and up to your head. Scrunch your face up like you’re an angry troll. Now relax, and smile, like you’re a happy teddy bear. It’s fun, right? Feel that good feeling all over your body, as you bring your attention back to the breath…and back to the warm sand beneath you. 

Mud squish noise–soft, Soft splash

What was that? A little further up the creek, you see something splash in the water. Its sleek body moves effortlessly. You watch quietly as it dives and resurfaces with only the slightest noise.

soft splash

WATER

It’s a platypus, sticking its tiny bill out of the water to greet you. This little platypus makes you smile. Feel that simple joy spread across your face and into your heart.

You continue to watch the little platypus playing in the water, and you start to take notice of the unique features - the soft chestnut fur, a bill that looks an awful lot like a duck,  and the webbed feet that help the platypus swim with immense speed and quick twists. 

tiny splash

You sink deeper into the muddy waters, grounding you and making you feel safe. You feel a sense of calm wash (slight wave) over you as you continue to watch the platypus playing in the water. You are content and happy to enjoy this moment in nature. The simplicity of the birds chirping, the beauty of the setting sun, and the peaceful surroundings of nature make you feel relaxed and safe.  

Even though the sky is darkening with slumber, the platypus continues to play and splash in the water, because it is a nocturnal creature. This means that nighttime is it’s favorite time to come out and play. 

Take a deeeep breath, bringing the crisp clean air of the Australian wilderness into your body. Allow your chest to fill, letting it once again puff out. Close your eyes and slowly release your breath, your chest falling but your shoulders remaining strong. 

WATER

On the creek bed close to where the platypus is playing, there’s a simple nest you didn’t see before, packed tight with mat-rush leaves and rich, dark soil from the creekbed. The nest holds three tiny, cream colored eggs. Do you want to guess how tiny they are? They are the size of a grape! Can you imagine! 

Joy fills your chest, as you know that platypuses are one of the few mammals that lay eggs, making this sight all the more incredible.

You watch as the mother climbs out of the water, her tiny paws shifting the mud beneath her.  She stretches her body in the warm sun, then nestles herself against her eggs. 

You feel her love so deeply. 

You can’t help but imagine the first time she will guide these little puggles into the cool river waters, encouraging them along. Within days, they’ll grow used to the water, and within weeks…the water will be a second home. That first exploration will turn into a lifetime of joy.

Gratitude surrounds your whole body–it feels like it’s shining from you. You feel grateful to experience this rare creature, knowing that these little babies will be looked after so well, and for the love and care that you feel in your own life. 

But more than anything, you feel grateful for the way that love binds all creatures on earth, you feel incredibly connected to the world around you.   

We know that very soon, the mother platypus might not have time to play in the water all day. She’ll spend her days feeding, teaching, and cleaning her sweet little puggles. But for now, we watch as she dips back in the water for another swim (splash)…grateful to have this time for herself. (more cheeky, wink towards the parents, and knowing)

You shift your own focus back to the present moment, your breath, and your feelings of gratitude. For a few more moments, you take in this wonderful natural habitat of the platypus. 

With the sun dipping below the edge of the earth, you know you must take the short walk back to your home along the well-worn path you’ve carved through years of exploring.

 footsteps through the wilderness

You know your dreams will be filled with the sights and sounds of the platypus as it continues to play throughout the evening hours.

When you reach your bed, you tuck yourself underneath your covers, feeling the weight like a hug. Your body is tired and warm from your day’s adventure.

You relax, feeling happy and content. You say a silent good night to your new little friend the platypus and think of all the things you have to be grateful for. You close your eyes softly…and go to sleep.