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- [00:02]
A
Pinna I've got an exciting show to share with you today. Light Catchers is the music centric imaginary world where kids have permission to talk about their feelings. It's an ambie nominated Best podcast for kids and it's perfect for a family road trip or co listening with friends and family. Each episode contains a reflection from a kid talking about the episode, what they liked, and what they think is going to happen next. If you're a fan of Grim Grimmer Grimmest or Hero Hotel, I think you'll love this show show. Stay tuned at the end of this episode for a preview. Then search Light Catchers wherever you get your podcasts.
- [00:45]
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Hey Grimm fans, I've got some great news. Season six of Grim Grimmer Grimmest is now releasing exclusively on the Pinna app. You're listening to A Taste of Grim Grimmer Grimmest with the sneak peeks and some Grim Grimma Grimaced episodes here in the feed. But the brand new Season 6 episodes are on Pinna, recorded live with kids in Brooklyn and Staten island and releasing every week. Subscribers get every new episode as soon as it's released, plus every episode from the past seasons and 20 sneak peek episodes. That means there are currently 70 episodes and one more releasing each week available on the Pin app. If you're not listening on the app, you're missing out. Head to Pinna FM to subscribe. I'll see you there. Hi, my name is Adam Gidwitz. I'm an author. I'm also a storyteller. I like telling all kinds of stories, but I especially like telling grim fairy tales. You may think you know grim fairy tales and you may think that they are sweet and boring. But listen, those tales you heard were the cute, happy little kid bedtime versions of the Grimm tales. The original Grimm fairy tales aren't like that at all. They're weird and sometimes gross and often scary. In other words, they're grim. And we're starting something new and exciting here on Grim Grimmer Grimmest. I'm sitting here at home in my office wearing my slippers, no kids anywhere. Because I want to give you a sneak peek of a fairy tale and I want to hear what you think. We're putting directions on how you can reach out to me in the episode description. I'll take the feedback you've given me and use it to improve the story. And then a little later you'll get a full Grim Grimmer Grimaced version of it with kids and sound effects and voice actors just like you're used to. Cool. I hope so. Also, this means you get to hear the stories sooner, which I know you want, because you tell me all the time. Okay, so I'm about to tell a real grim fairy tale. Do you want to hear it? Let me help you decide on a scale of Grim, Grimmer and Grimmest. The story I'm going to tell today is grimmer. It's not bloody, but it does get a little violent. If I get to a part of the story and you start to feel scared or uncomfortable, this is what you could do. You could turn down the volume and count to five and then turn the volume back up. If it still seems like a part you don't want to hear, just turn the volume down again and count to five again. You know how much weird and gross and scary you're ready for? You know what you need? Okay, I'm going to start this. Grim Grimmer Grimace. Sneak peek Take. Do you want to hear it? Are you sure? Okay, let's do this. This story is called the King of the woods, and it's based on a tale by the Brothers Grimm. Once upon a time, there was a poor family who lived deep in the woods. They had three sons. The oldest son was big and strong, but lazy. The middle son was even bigger and stronger and even lazier. And the youngest son, well, he wasn't big or strong, and he wasn't exactly lazy. But he wasn't useful either, because instead of doing his chores or helping his parents with their work, he would wander the woods singing to the birds, petting the wild animals and having conversations with the trees. And so, while the boy's parents were always angry at the two older boys for being so lazy, they were even angrier at the youngest boy. For he would disappear for hours and then return home with sticks in his socks and leaves in his underpants and moss on his head. And so they began to call him Mosshead. They tried leaf underpants, but it didn't roll off the tongue. Know what I mean? But one day, the boy's parents sent them to collect firewood. And even though Mosshead was gone for hours and came back with sticks in his socks and leaves in his underpants and moss on his head, he was the first one back. His father said, where are your two brothers? Mosshead didn't know. Why don't you try to be useful for once in your life? His mother said, go find them. The Mosshead set out into the forest to find his brothers. He was worried, not because he was scared of the forest. He loved the forest and all the creatures who lived There he was worried because he thought maybe something bad had happened to his brothers. Well, it turned out nothing bad had happened to Mosshead's brothers. They were just sick of having to do chores and so they had left home and not come back. They'd found a beautiful lake and were sitting by the shore, enjoying the warm afternoon sun. The oldest brother noticed an anthill in the ground. He started poking at it with his fingers. The little ants became frightened and rushed this way and that, trying to defend their home. This made the brothers laugh. So they grabbed sticks and started jamming them into the anthill. And as they did, the ants underground home began to collapse. It was just then that Mosshead came to the edge of the lake and saw his brothers. At first he was glad to see them happy that he'd finally done something that his parents would approve of. But when he saw what they were doing to the anthill, he became enraged. Hey. He shouted. And he rushed at them and shoved them away from the anthill. You leave those ants alone. Fine, Said his oldest brother. Then we'll poke you instead. And they took the sticks and poked Moss Head with them harder and harder, until he was all bruised and cut up and crying. That made the big, strong, lazy brothers happy. And they lay down by the lake again. Through his tears, Moss had told them that their parents wanted them to come home. But they didn't listen. Just then the middle brother saw some ducks swimming in the lake. He picked up a rock and threw it at the nearest one. He almost hit it. Hey. Cried Mosshead. Stop it. But this just made the big boys want to do it more. So they picked up more rocks and threw them at the ducks. Mosshead was so angry, he ran and pushed his middle brother into the lake. The middle brother came up soaking wet and furious. He picked up a rock and threw it at Mosshead. And then the bigger brother did the same thing. And soon they were chasing Mosshead around the lake, throwing rocks at him. Okay, I have to pause here. Should you ever throw rocks at your brother or sister? No. Poking them with a stick is bad enough, but if you threw rocks at them, you could really, really hurt them. Do not do it. Okay. Well, it is summer and it is hot out there. I have been wearing my Quince European linen pants and button down shirt open of course over a Quince T shirt to all my nice events. But I gotta tell you, it has gotten too hot even for that. And so I have just downloaded the Quint's app and ordered two new pair of European press linen shorts. From Quince. What I love about Quince is it is 50 to 80% less than competitive brands. The quality is super high and when things don't fit I can send it back easily and free and for 365 days 365 day returns upgrade your everyday Download the Quints app for app exclusive offers or go to quince.com grim get free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK too. That's Q-U-I-N c e.com Grimm
- [08:50]
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- [10:22]
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When the big, strong, lazy brothers got tired of throwing rocks at Mosshead, they sat down by the lake again and Mosshead cried. A bee flew by. The oldest brother saw the bee and said, if we follow it to its hive, we could crack the hive open and take all the honey inside. Mosshead said, no, leave the bees alone. But the brothers didn't listen. Of course, they followed the bee to its hive as Mosshead tagged along behind, begging them to stop. When they got to the beehive, they lit a fire under it to smoke the bees out, but Mosshead ran to the fire and stomped it out. His big brothers were so mad that they picked up the blazing firewood and chased Moss Head with it. Okay. Also, obviously, you shouldn't chase your siblings with fiery pieces of wood, right? You'll burn down your house or start a wildfire, and you might both die. Like, literally. If I have to tell you not to chase your sibling with a stick burning on fire. I mean, if I have to tell you that you're too young to be listening to this story. Mosshead ran as fast as he could to get away from his brothers. He ran and they chased him. And they were gaining on him, swinging their fiery branches above their heads. Mosshead didn't want them to catch him, of course, but he also didn't want them to set the forest on fire. So when he saw a cave, he ran toward it, away from the trees. His brothers followed. Maybe I can lose them in the cave, he thought. He ran into the cave, and his brothers came after him. He turned to face them. Please, he said, don't hurt me. The brothers sneered. They came closer and closer with the fiery wood, and then they were stopped by a terrifying roar. The brothers spun around. Standing in the mouth of the cave was a beast unlike any of them had ever seen before. What do you think he looks like? Maybe he's got, like a body like a bear and, I don't know, like a rooster's crown on his head, maybe. And maybe like big old rooster feet and wings and claws. I don't know, stuff like that. And this creature spoke. He said, I am the King of the Woods. Bow before me. Well, Mosshead instantly bowed. But his brothers, who were big and strong and mean, they wouldn't bow. Instead, the eldest one said, we're not afraid of you. And the middle one said, we're not afraid of anybody. And they ran at the King of the woods with their fiery wooden branches. Which was stupid, really, really stupid. The King of the woods used his wings and claws to knock them over. Then he picked up the big boys in his big bear claws and dragged them to the back of his cave. Now Mosshead had a chance to run, for the King of the woods had walked right past him. But his parents had told him to bring his brothers back. What do you think? What should he do? Would you bring your brothers back? Would you try to save them from the King of the Woods? Or would you just run home and tell your parents what had happened? Well, Mosshead wanted to be a good brother, so he followed the King of the woods to the back of the cave. There he saw a huge pit. The King of the woods threw his brothers into the pit. Then the King of the woods turned and saw Mosshead, so he grabbed him and threw him in, too. Look what you got us into, the oldest brother said to Moshead. Yeah, this is all your fault, said the middle brother. Is that true? No, definitely not. And then dirt started falling on their heads. They looked up. The king of the woods was burying them alive. They tried to climb out of the pit, but the walls were steep and dirt kept falling on their heads and pushing them back down. Soon they were totally covered in dirt. It was pitch black, and it was becoming harder and harder to breathe. The dirt became heavier and heavier on top of the brothers, and breathing became impossible. And the oldest brother said, which meant, you got us killed, Moss Head. And the middle brother said, which meant, yeah, this is all your fault. And Moss Head felt terrible. But just then, Mosshead spotted a tiny point of light. What was that? Then there was another and another, like tiny stars in the darkness of the dirt. And Mosshead found that he could breathe just a little. But enough. Do you have any idea what's happening right now? The ants. The ants were digging holes in the dirt. They dug enough holes that Mosshead could breathe. Then they dug more, and he could move. Soon he could move enough that he could dig his way out. But before he did so, he said to the ants, would you free my brothers too? And the ants, they spoke back. One ant said, are you sure? And another said, they seem like total jerks. But Mosshead was sure. So the ants dug the brothers out, too. They all clamored out of the pit, spitting dirt from their mouths and shaking it from their skin and clothes and hair. Moss Head led them back to the mouth of the cave just as the king of the woods was coming back in. You. How did you get out of that pit? That's impossible. The ants helped us, said Mosshead. Yeah, right, said the king of the woods. Why would the ants help you? Mosshead was about to answer, but the king of the woods picked up all three brothers with his terrible bear claws and said, well, let's see if the ants can get you out of this. And he took them even farther into the cave, where there was a terribly deep well, and he tossed them in. They fell for a long time and then hit the water with a splash. And then they started to sink. You see, none of the boys could swim. As they sank, the light above them dimmed and they began to drown. And the oldest brother said, blub, blub, blubber. Which meant, you got us drowned, Moss Head. And the middle brother said, blub, blub, blub. Which meant, this is all your fault. Was it? No. And just as the light in Moss Head's eyes was fading and his lungs were ready to burst. What do you think happened? A duck came sliding toward him through the water. Its bill grabbed his shirt collar and dragged him up to the surface. He sputtered and gasped. Sweet, blessed air. My brothers, he said. You have to save my brothers. Are you sure? Said the duck. They seem like real jerk faces. But Mosshead was sure. So the duck dove back into the water and brought the brothers to the surface. But still the mouth of the well was far, far above their heads, and the walls were slimy and slick. There was no way to climb up. Could you fly us up there? Moss had asked. Sure, said the duck. But only if your brothers here promise to never throw rocks at us again. We promise, said the brothers, who were desperate to escape from the King of the Woods. The duck said, you know what? That's not good enough. You have to promise to obey your little brother, no matter what the subject. No matter what he says. Swear. The brothers hesitated. They didn't want to obey Mosshead. Fine, said the duck. Have it your way. And he told Mosshead to grab his legs. And then he flew the boy up to the mouth of the well. Mosshead looked back down at his two brothers, who were starting to sink again. They called up, we swear. We swear on our lives. We'll obey our brother and do everything he says so. The duck sighed and flew back down, and each brother grabbed one of his webbed feet and he flew them back up to the mouth of the well and. And deposited them with a wet slap on the ground. Then he flew out of the cave. Mosshead got up to follow him out, and his brothers followed Mosshead. But when they came to the mouth of the cave, who was standing there? But that's right. The King of the Woods. The King of the woods bellowed, how did you get out of there? Mosshead shrugged. A duck. And that's all, he said. Well, let's see. A duck or an ant or anything. Save you when I'm tearing you limb from limb. And the King of the woods started for the boys, his bare claws glistening. Now the brothers were sure they would die. Moss had. Help us. The oldest brother whimpered. We'll die without you. Cried the middle brother. Mosshead knew just what to do. What do you think? Moss had started to hum. Or maybe he wasn't humming. Maybe he was buzzing. He buzzed low. At first the King of the woods didn't even notice. He just kept coming toward the boys. Then Mosshead buzzed louder. The King of the woods hesitated and looked at Mosshead curiously. Finally, Mosshead's buzzing became deafening. The King of the woods said, what the heck is going on here? Because it wasn't just Mosshead buzzing. It was the buzzing of a hundred thousand bees. They swarmed into the cave and they attacked the King of the woods, driving him back away from the boys. And he fell backwards, screaming and whimpering as the bees buzzed his face and his eyes and his armpits. And he really did not want to get stung in the armpits because that would really hurt, right? And then, right in front of the King of the woods face, there appeared an enormous bee, the queen bee. And she buzzed. Your time in this forest is over. You shall be King of the woods no longer. Run. And the King of the woods didn't argue. He ran out of that cave as fast as he could. Some of the bees chased him. They chased him out of the forest, over the mountains and far, far away. Then the queen bee turned to Mosshead and she said, do you want me to command my hive to sting your brothers to death? No, Mosshead said. Please don't. But they're jerky mcjerk faces, said the queen bee. That's true, Mossad said. And then he said, but they swore on their lives to obey me from now on. Let's see if they do. He turned to them and said, go home right away and be helpful and kind and work hard for our parents for the rest of your lives. The brothers stared at Mosshead. He had seemed recently to be so small and weak and silly, and now he seemed terrifying. The bees buzzed at Mosshead's shoulders as if daring the brothers to disobey. So the brothers ran. They ran out of the cave, through the woods and straight back home. Meanwhile, in the cave, the queen bee turned to Mosshead and bowed. Why are you bowing to me? Mosshead said. You're the queen. I should be bowing to you. I am the Queen of the Bees, she replied. But you have vanquished the King of the woods, which means that you are the new King of the Woods. And I have a feeling that you will be a kinder, juster wiser king than he ever was. And she was right. Mosshead was a wonderful king of the woods. He wandered all over, singing to the birds, petting the wild animals and having conversations with the trees. And he lived happily ever after. The end. So that story I called the King of the woods, but is based on a grim fairy tale called the Queen Bee and some details are the same as the fairy tale and some are different. I'd love to hear what you thought. Feel free to email me, call and leave a voice message. We might even use your voice messages on the podcast in the future. And make sure you keep checking back here for the full produced kids sound effects voice actors version of the King of the woods on Grim Grimmer Grimmest on season two of Light Catchers Meet the Forest Friends, Fox woke up first. He liked to get up early enough to plan out the day. Bear woke up second to start making breakfast. Doggy stumbled out of the cave, rubbing his eyes with his paws before putting his nose to the ground to catalog all the new smells. Kit always exited the cave last, her tail tall in the air. When a mysterious thief steals their superpowers, the forest friends set out to restore the forest and discover a new kind of power. Power's on rise. We will never stop this song we write Cuz we were all put here to catch the light. So listen now to the 2026Ambienominated Best Podcast for kids, the Light Catchers Podcast. Learn more@bealightcatcher.com. What if the fairy tales you thought you knew weren't the real stories? What if I told you that the real Grim fairy tales were often dark and scary and gross and that I was telling them on Grim Grimmer Grimmest to a classroom full of kids who like to interrupt me and make jokes and annoy me and basically make my Life Miserable? Season 6 of Grim Grimmer Grimmest is now releasing exclusively on the Pinna app. So do you want to hear a real Grim fairy tale.