← Koala Moon: Kids Bedtime Stories & Sleep Stories for Kids Podcast
Koala Moon: Kids Bedtime Stories & Sleep Stories for Kids Podcast
Potato & Beans Babysit the Sleepy Piglets 🐷🌛 Best Bedtime Story Podcast
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- [00:11]
Abby
Hello and welcome back to Koala Moon, a podcast of original children's bedtime stories and meditations designed to make bedtime a dream. I have such a sweet and funny tale for you all this evening. In fact, it's the perfect start to your Koko Club adventure. New recruits William from New Zealand and CJ and Maggie in California. Thanks so much to you three for joining us in here. Can you see Koko giving you a thumbs up? Good. Enjoy listening to all your extra stories with ad free listening from now on. Before we begin, a quick message for the grown ups if you'd like to support our podcast. Enjoy ad free listening, unlock four bonus stories per month and much, much more. You can join Koko Club subscribe in just two taps via the link in the show Notes, but now here's a quick word from our sponsors. Hey parents, if your little ones love learning as much as they love story time, I've got something special for you. ABC Mouse is the award winning and super fun learning adventure app made just for kids aged 2 to 8. It's packed with over 10,000 awesome activities across reading, maths, science, art and your little explorer can dive into magical puzzles, colourful books, exciting games and catchy songs all created by expert teachers to help them learn at their own pace while having a blast. It's safe, ad free and designed to keep your child engaged without any interruptions. Whether you're enjoying some family time together in the evenings or looking for something educational to explore during the day, ABC Mouse is a brilliant screen time solution. You can try it out for free with a one month trial and after that it's just $14.99 a month until cancelled or choose an annual membership for just 45 a year until cancelled. Head to www.abcmouse.com koalamoon to get started today. You'll also find the link in our latest episode Show Notes to make it extra easy.
- [02:24]
Kelly
Heya sleepyheads. I'm Kelly, the host of Koala Shine, the perfect daytime adventure show for long car journeys, school runs and lazy Sunday mornings. I'm popping up here on Koala Moon because I've heard you want more Koala kids stories and I'm here to deliver Beep beep. Special delivery. Koala Shine is a tiny bit different from Koala Moon as it's designed for daytime listening. So after a great night's sleep with a story from Abby, you can have a big old stretch and tune into Koala Shine joining your favorite characters on crazy adventures around the world. With new episodes every Friday, we'll Follow Hector and Sunny on a daytime safari, explore the big city with Munchie the Raccoon, and visit the circus with Super Soul. You'll also hear cool facts, jokes and learn about the world we live in. Plus, there's a chance for your voices to be featured on the podcast too. KoalaShine offers mindful fun entertainment on the move designed to spark curiosity. Search Koala Shine now on your favorite podcast platform and be sure to hit follow so that finding your next adventure is easy peasy lemon Squeezy. Hope to see you there Koala Shine.
- [03:34]
Abby
Okay, so the story that I'm about to start is going to become a true Koala Moon classic. I can sense it. It's exactly the type of endearing, warm hearted and clever story we've become so well known for on the pod from the get go, you'll be transported right into the middle of nowhere and Potato and Beans Diner. The descriptions are so vivid you'll be able to picture everything in your head. Which reminds me, recently we were sent a drawing by Isabel in Wisconsin aged nine of Potato and Beans Diner. It'll soon be on our Instagram if your adult wants to check it out and show you. We think it's fantastic. So well drawn and really, really full of character. Tonight, it's from there that Mr. And Mrs. Pig are heading out to celebrate their anniversary. Thing is, they have eight little piglets and they can't be left all alone, so that means it's up to the diner cats to look after them. Yup, they are on official babysitting duty. Potato's excited, but Beans isn't so sure. She senses a big portion of mischief is on tonight's menu. But what do you think? Who's right? Before we head out into the desert and find out, let's just lie back in bed and get ready to doze. Have a little stretch of your body, maybe loosen your shoulders off, give them a roll and relax your jaw. Try a yawn gently. Let your eyelids droop and rest softly on your lower lids. Breathe in and out. Wonderful. It's time now to begin Potato and Beans Babysit the Sleepy Piglets by Susannah McLoughlin One delightful afternoon at Potato and Beans Diner when the sun was warm and round, the sky was vast and blue, and the red dirt was glowing outside the windows. Mrs. Pig was getting ready to go out. She was tying her silk headscarf at her chin and sliding on her most glamorous shades with one eye on the door, watching out for her ride. Mr. Pig was coming to get her to whisk her away for a trip to the city where they were celebrating their anniversary with dinner and dancing. She was wearing a pink tweed dress with gold buttons and had little golden kitten heels on her trotters. Potato and Beans had been twirling her around and telling her how fabulous she looked, and Potato had even taken off her favourite Love Heart necklace and attached it around Mrs. Pig's neck. That was the finishing touch. Now she looked absolutely perfect. Outside, there was the honk of a car horn and Mr. Pig's baby blue Cadillac slid into the parking lot. He was wearing his best leather jacket and a T shirt emblazoned with his favourite piggy wrapper, Snoop Hog. He got out and opened the passenger side doors and a puddle of piglets spilled out of the car. There were eight of them. Eight little snouts, eight pot bellies and eight curly little tails. Potato and Beans were babysitting the couple's piglets and they were so looking forward to it. Especially Potato. She thought the baby pigs were the cutest thing to exist in the whole world. She wanted to be an excellent babysitter and had already prepared all kinds of activities. Her and beans had planned eight little dinners and eight yummy desserts and even laid out eight little cots for their nap time. Mr. Pig had a sheepish look on his face as he approached the cats. He kissed his wife on the cheek and told her how fabulous she looked before turning to Potato and Beans. There are a little bit of a handful at the moment, Mr. Pig said, rubbing the back of his neck. They're really into hide and seek and chase and making messes and finger painting on the carpet. The cats raised an eyebrow each. But don't worry, Mr. Pig rushed. He'll be fun. They'll be good for their babysitters. In fact, they'll be good as gold. He turned to the pile of piglets beaming up from behind him. Isn't that right? Yes, Papa. The piglets chorused sweetly. Good as gold. Potato felt herself relax as she gazed at the adorable pink little piggies. They looked as innocent as can be. Don't worry, we'll handle it, she said. We're well prepared. Beans looked less certain, but In a jiffy Mrs. Pig was jumping into the car and Mr. Pig sliding over the bonnet to find himself back in the driver's seat. Goodbye, my little loves. Mrs. Pig called over her shoulder as the car purred to life and shot off down the road across the open plains. Goodbye, Mrs. Pig. Potato yelled before realising that Mrs. Pig was probably addressing the piglets, she shrugged and spun around to look at her precious little guests. She put her paws at her chin, squeezed her fists and squealed in excitement. Beans put her paw around Potato. Now don't get carried away, Potato, she said. I know they're super cute, but it sounds like they're mischievous, too. Let's keep our eye on them, ok? Potato was too busy squeezing a piglet she'd just swept up into her arms. Pardon, Beansy? She asked. But Beans just grinned and shook her head. Never mind, she said. In we go, little piggies. She spread her paws wide as she herded the squiggly little pigs into the diner. The eight piglets lined up next to the counter and peered up at them in interest. They all looked almost identical. I need a reminder who's who, Beans whispered to Potato. She had no idea how anyone told the pigs apart. It's so easy, Beans. Potato giggled. That's Paula with the extra curly tail. Then Paolo with the floppy ears. Polly has the lightest eyes. Pammy the darkest. That's Porky and Pepsi, the twins. Then Punky with the earring. Oh, and Pee Wee, the smallest. Beans looked at Potato blankly. How on earth was that easy? She decided she'd just call them all sweetie or darling or something like that instead. Ok, Piggy pals, bean said. We've got something special in store for you. I want you all to sit in that booth there and wait with your eyes closed, ok? The pigs hurried across the diner and piled into the booth. A whirlwind of squiggly tails and tapping trotters. Then they all beamed back at the cats. Good as gold. One by one, they closed their eyes and rested their trotters over their brows. Perfect, Potato said. Good as gold. A bubble of giggles emanated from the booth. The cats spun on their heels and headed into the kitchen, where Ozzy, the octopus dishwasher, was using a silver marker to put the last touches on their project. He raised his tentacles and called, ta da. There stood the perfect miniature cardboard stage with tea towel curtains. Ozzy pulled the drapes apart and showed off their hard work. There it was, a perfect miniature replica of the diner. There was the black and white checked floor. There the counter with the shiny silver till. There were the booths and the stools and the swinging doors that led to the kitchen. There were even mini burgers on the tables and milkshakes on the bar. The box itself was padded in blue velvet and decorated with silver stars in each tentacle. Ozzy now held a little doll. There was a pig made of pink felt, wearing an apron, two cats in roller skates, and an octopus covered in little bubbles. There was a little piglet with a serving tray in hand. That was Turnip, their waiter. Then there was a little post dog with an outfit made of pipe cleaners, a detective dog with a mini wire magnifying glass, and a cowboy made from a clothes peg. The puppet show was ready to go. They laid the puppets on the stage. Then Potato grabbed one side and Beans took the other and they heaved it through to the diner, rolling carefully on their skates. The cats lowered the puppet show onto the table opposite the piggy's booth and lit the spotlights. Then they spun around to look behind them and Potato called, now open your eyes. Only when they looked towards the booth, waving their jazz hands and beaming goofy grins, there was no one in it. Not one pig. Not Paula or Paolo, not Pammy or Pepsi, not Punky or Porky or Peewee or Polly. Not a wiggly tail or a trotter or even a whisker. Beans groaned. Oh, I know where they've gone. It's that hide and seek Mr. Pig warned us about, she said. They've started a game. Potato giggled. She knew Beans had been working hard on the puppet show, but she was sure they would round the pigs up quickly and get back to it. This could be fun, Beans, she said. So what if the piglets are a little playful? We're the best babysitters ever. Let's play along. Beans nodded with a smile. Ok, if you're sure, Potato. Let's do this, she said. She took a deep breath and put her thinking hat on. If I were a little piggy with a little pink snout, where would I hide to not be found out? The two cats looked around the diner, hands on hips. Turnip was busy making milkshakes at the counter, and Ozzy was still hidden away in the kitchen, where he was on cooking duty for the day. There were customers scattered here and there. In the corner booth, a poodle sat bouncing her little pup on her knee, feeding it little spoons of ice cream while she gossiped with Zara, the postdog. Next to the table, a pram was parked with its lacy curtains pulled closed. Hmm, Beans thought. Mighty suspicious. Beans tiptoed over to the table and pounced, throwing back the covers on the pram. A little ball of fluff peered back up at her, blinking in confusion. Oh, sorry, bean said to the baby poodle. She'd just woken up. I thought you'd had twins, she said to the mum. Who raised an eyebrow in questioning. Before she could explain, Beans heard a chuckle from the storage section at the bottom of the pram and dropped into a squat, hauling a snorting little piggy from its hiding place. Polly the piglet wiggled her fingers, cackling away as Beans carried her back to the booth and penned her in with some opened up menus. One down, Potato said, see, we're winning. Now if I were a piggy with a smile sweet and wide, where oh where oh where would I hide? Beans pointed subtly at to a bag of coffee beans that seemed to be wiggling. Potato tiptoed over and pounced. She threw open the sack and pulled out the chuckling piggy, who left a clatter of coffee beans in his wake as he was carried swiftly back to the booth. With a ha. Potato popped Paolo next to Polly. She poked his tummy. Good hiding, Paolo, she said. But not good enough. She winked and joined Beans, who was skulking around like a detective. A dance of light caught Beans eye and she smiled. It was the sun reflecting on the sequins of Tallulah Sparkle's long floor brushing skirt. The possum always dressed to impress, even for a simple trip to the diner. If I was a piggy, chunky and pink, maybe I'd hide under there, don't you think? Beans mused. Tallulah snorted with laughter and the milkshake she was drinking nearly squirted out of her nose. She lifted her skirt with an apologetic grin to reveal the little piggy hiding there behind her pink cowboy boots. Bean swept Pammy into a cuddle and pretended to scold her in a funny voice as she deposited her in the booth with her brother and sister. They looked as innocent as could be now, playing pat a cake and singing in little high pitched voices. Paolo's eye darted over Beans's shoulder and she whipped around to see what he was looking at, but she was too slow. Paolo grinned devilishly and wiggled his eyebrows. A clue. Beans led Potato to the back of the diner where shelves covered the wall laden with bags of sugar and cups and saucers and artwork and teapots and all sorts of other things. A strange echoey oink sounded above their heads. Potato looked at Beans. If I was a piggy and I was easy to spot, maybe I'd jump into the nearest teapot. She grinned. Beans fetched the step ladder, hopped up and reached for the largest teapot, a dusty old thing they barely used as they never really needed to brew enough tea for a hundred. It was surprisingly heavy. She lifted the lid and can you guess what popped out? Punky Potato pulled him out of the pot, heaving his belly through the little opening and took him to the booth. Turned Pig pen, tickling him all the way. That was Pammy Pepsi, Paolo and Punky. Four down, four to go. Beans put her paws on her hips and thought some more. Then she spoke. If I were a pig on a hide and seek mission, I'd hurry off and hide in the kitchen, she said, realisation in her voice. She and Potato skated off into the kitchen where Ozzy was flipping pancakes with a mischievous grin. I don't suppose you've seen any piglets, have you Ozzy? Beans pried. Nope, Ozzy said, hiding a smile. Not a tail nor a trotter. Beans was sure he knew something but she just shot him a narrow eyed look and pushed on. Her attention was caught by a little plopping noise. A bubble floated to the surface of the washing up bowl, popping on the top. Then another one. Potato and Beans tiptoed to the sink and plunged their paws into the bubbly warm water. It was hard work as the piggy was exceptionally wiggly and slippy. But soon Potato had Paula in hand, covered in suds and giggling her head off. Ozzy burst out in laughter and gave the little piglet a high five. Potato hurried off with the piglet and Beans continued the search. If I was a piggy and Ozzy helped me hide, he'd find a big pan and I'd hide inside. Ozzy puckered his lip into a pout and Potato knew she was right. She clapped her paws in excitement and tiptoed over to the store cupboard which had teetering stacks of pots and pans, gizmos and crockery and baking pans. Right in the centre was Mrs. Pig's Magic Soup. Potato lifted the lid just an inch and a shiny little pair of eyes peered out at her. The little pig burst into laughter as Potato heaved her out of the pan and carried her under her arm back into the diner. That was Porky found Beans mopped her brow with her napkin. Two to go, she laughed. Polly and Pee Wee Turnip, the pot bellied pig server, skated over and leaned into Beans's side. If I were a pig, giggly and jolly, my first pick would be the dessert packed trolley, he whispered. Potato and Beans nodded. That was a good call. Off they went to the dessert trolley which was in the walk in fridge around the corner behind the counter. The cats tiptoed in shivering at the cool air and pulled back boxes of veggies to find the dessert trolley in its right place with a chocolate fudge cake as normal on the top, and on the bottom, half a carrot cake and a little happy piggy smeared with icing. Potato and Beans laughed at the sight of the happy piglet with her rosy cheeks and handfuls of cake. Then they bundled her back to the booth and dropped her with her siblings, who were making wonky origami out of serviettes. Potato took one of the serviettes and wiped all the icing and crumbs off Polly's face, trotters and belly. One left. Beans took a deep breath. If I were a piggy by the name of Peewee, I'd hide where people go to. Wee Wee, she said, skating towards the bathrooms. With a flick of her tail, she was greeted by the bellowing of the hand dryer. Beneath its hot jets of air, little Pee Wee was stretched out, enjoying the warmth on his belly. He didn't even notice when the cats appeared until he was slung over Beans's shoulder and marched back to the booth. Beans did a quick count. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 little piggies. Perfect. Have you had enough playing, you mischievous little piglets? Potato asked. Yes, Ms. Potato, they all chorused sweetly. Are you ready for the puppet show now? Beans asked. Yes, Ms. Beans, they cooed. Turnip brought plates of food over to the table and the piggies gobbled it down whilst the cats sat up. They'd clearly worked up an appetite. Beans and Potato took their places behind the puppet show stage and pressed play on the speakers. A jaunty tune flooded the room and Potato and Beans sang the jingle they'd come up with for their show. Potato played Potato and Beans played Beans and the rest of the characters they split between themselves as the music played. They made Mrs. Pig skate across the stage and serve cake to Dallas the cowboy. They made the Aussie puppet sing a song about Soap and had him tap dancing on the tables. They made the little Potato and Beans go on adventure after adventure, and soon they were so carried away with the story they didn't realise that the eight little pigs were all sinking deeper into their seats, cuddling together a little closer and beginning to softly snore. It took Turnip skating over and tapping them on the shoulder for them to realise. Potato was soon cooing and clucking at how very sweet they looked, and Beans couldn't help but agree. And so Potato and Beans, Ozzy and Turnip each took two little piggies and softly scooped them into their arms. Beans was carrying the twins, Porky and Pepsi. And when Pepsi began sucking her little trotter and snuggling into Beans shoulder, she nearly melted. It seemed the Piggies charms were paying off. They took the piggies up into Potato and Beans apartment above the diner where the eight cots were waiting. Potato wrapped Paula in a soft comforter and placed her down in the cot. Then Paolo went next to her, cuddled up with one of Beans's teddy bears. Then Porky was lowered into her cosy bed. Next Pepsi went into a bundle of blankets. Then Ozzy juggled Pee Wee and Polly and placed them each in a bed. Finally Turnip tucked Pammy and Punky into their own snuggly spots. Potato elbowed Beans and giggled. Pigs in blankets. She chuckled, pointing at the sleeping pigs. Beans just elbowed her fondly and rolled her eyes. Turnip and Ozzy went back to work and Potato and Beans took their babysitter spots on the squishy leather couch. Potato reached for a fluffy throw and poured it over them. The two cats had been working pretty hard looking after these piggies and now they were feeling pretty tired. Potato clicked on the TV and an old film flicked on a cartoon about a princess in a castle who meets a stinky but kind ogre and his talking donkey friend. They half watched the film and half watched the sleepy piglets. As they stirred and dreamt, the snoring pig's little bellies slowly rose and fell, rose and fell and Potato began to yawn. She dropped her head onto Beans's shoulder and soon, paw in paw, the two best friends fell fast asleep. That's how Mr. And Mrs. Pig found them. Later that night all ate Piggies and the two cats, filling the cosy fairy light lit room with noisy contented snores. I can't believe they're all so calm, Mrs. Pig whispered to Mr. Pig. They really are good as gold. Mr. Pig raised an eyebrow. He didn't believe that one bit, but it's true they looked as calm as can be and in fact it made him feel rather sleepy.