Mr. Beetle Branches Out

Summary

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Little Stories for Tiny People – "Mr. Beetle Branches Out"

Host: Rhea Pechter
Release Date: December 6, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this whimsical episode, Rhea Pechter presents an original tale, "Mr. Beetle Branches Out," centering on the resourceful and kind-hearted Mr. Beetle—a beloved storyteller and former bootmaker—who must navigate both literal and metaphorical storms to save his weekly storytime for young bugs. The story features imaginative mishaps, creative problem-solving, and heartfelt moments, all woven together with warmth and gentle humor. Themes include adaptability, perseverance, cooperation, and the joy of sharing with friends.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

1. The Aftermath of the Storm

• Setting the Scene:

  • The story opens on a peaceful Wednesday evening following a fierce storm that shook the forest and stripped branches of their leaves. Mr. Beetle is in high spirits, looking forward to his weekly storytime (01:54).

• Quote:

  • "The forest always twinkled after a storm." — Rhea Pechter (01:54)

2. Dealing with Disruptions at Storytime

• The Confiscation Closet:

  • Mr. Beetle struggles with increasingly disruptive young bugs, who bring noisy pinwheels, trendy hats, and (notably) a distracting mouse costume to storytime.
  • To counter this, he institutes a "confiscation closet" to collect the problematic items, sometimes overzealously (03:41).

• Memorable Moment:

  • Mr. Beetle accidentally confiscates neon yellow glasses from a bug that needs them to see:
    • "'Hey, I can't see without those!'" (03:45)
  • The infamous "mouse," which turns out to be three mischievous bugs in disguise, derails his story, causing laughter:
    • "'He said the ant would eat a mouse.'" (05:27)

3. Technical Troubles and Gwen's Role

• Gwen the Assistant:

  • Mr. Beetle’s loyal assistant is praised for her music and sound-effect timing, but their old music player malfunctions, playing odd sounds at inappropriate moments (06:48–08:22).

• Quote:

  • "It does make your stories more surprising." — Gwen, ever-optimistic, reacts to the chaos (08:53)

• Problem-solving:

  • Mr. Beetle visits a music shop to buy a new device as a secret birthday gift for Gwen but learns delivery will take three weeks—exactly in time for her birthday (09:19–10:50).

4. A New Obstacle: Storytime in Jeopardy

• Branch Closure:

  • The story’s main challenge arises when authorities close the 25th branch due to a hazardous, storm-damaged branch (the 26th) dangling ominously above (11:19–12:15).
  • The Bureau official informs Mr. Beetle repairs could take "three full weeks and two days" (14:59–15:13).

• Quote:

  • "Looks can be deceiving." — Mr. Beetle, drawing a lesson from both mice and misfortune (13:29)

• Adaptability:

  • Gwen proposes moving storytime to the 28th branch, showing resilience and quick thinking (16:20).

5. Unexpected Storytime Locations and Further Antics

• Alternative Venues:

  • The impromptu storytime on the 28th branch features fewer disruptions, though Mr. Beetle still removes a butterfly balloon (17:18).
  • Later, a tree hollow is chosen, leading to a humorous incident with a real bat, mistaken for yet another costume prank (21:58).

• Quote:

  • "'I see exactly what this is...'" — Mr. Beetle, only to discover it's an actual bat (21:58)

6. Mr. Beetle’s Desperation—and His Plan

• Growing Frustration:

  • As the branch refuses to fall and deliveries can’t be rescheduled, Mr. Beetle grows anxious about everything depending on the branch re-opening (23:00–24:41).

• Sudden Inspiration (the "Cats" Plan):

  • During a conversation with Gwen about music players, a passing joke about cats sparks Mr. Beetle’s wild idea to use cats to bring down the branch (24:30–24:42).

• Quote:

  • "'Cats... That's it!'" — Mr. Beetle’s eureka moment (24:42)

7. Operation Rescue Storytime

• The Mouse Poster:

  • Mr. Beetle crafts a poster about a “Lost Mouse” at the 26th branch, hoping to lure cats to the scene (25:40–26:00).

• Disguised as a Mouse:

  • Using the confiscated mouse costume, Mr. Beetle waits on the 26th branch at midnight. Several cats appear, chaos ensues, and the cats’ weight causes the damaged branch to finally fall and clear the way (27:10–31:41).

• Memorable Moment:

  • "What have I done?" — Mr. Beetle, realizing the danger he’s in as a mouse among cats (29:38, 30:01).

• Narrow Escape:

  • Mr. Beetle barely escapes the falling branch and cats, managing to free himself from the costume just in time (30:49–30:59).

8. Restoration and Happy Endings

• The Branch Is Cleared:

  • Mr. Beetle returns to find the branch open, the storytime stage available, and the new music player delivered just in time for Gwen’s birthday (31:47–32:17).

• Joyful Resolution:

  • Mr. Beetle presents Gwen with the music player, affirming his appreciation for her.
    • "'Nonsense. I would never forget your birthday.'" — Mr. Beetle to Gwen (32:33)
  • Their storytime resumes with appropriate music and sound effects, ending happily for all (32:38).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the forest after the storm: (01:54)

  • "The forest always twinkled after a storm." — Narration (Rhea Pechter)

• Mr. Beetle’s approach to disruption: (03:41, 05:27)

  • "I'll take that, thank you very much." — Mr. Beetle
  • "'He said the ant would eat a mouse.'" — Young bug, laughing

• Technology troubles: (08:53)

  • "It does make your stories more surprising." — Gwen

• Policy is policy: (12:53)

  • "'Could be, sir. Certainly could be. But we have to close this branch until that branch comes down. Policy's policy.'" — Uniformed Bug

• On cats as a (joking) solution: (15:47)

  • "'What do you suggest, sir? Cats?'" — Uniformed Bug (store manager), joking, sparking Mr. Beetle’s later plan

• Eureka moment: (24:42)

  • "'Cats... That's it!'" — Mr. Beetle

• During his mousey misadventure: (29:38, 30:01)

  • "'What have I done?'" — Mr. Beetle, panicking
  • "'This is very poorly made. It's certainly not the work of a crafts Beetle.'" — Mr. Beetle, escaping the costume (30:53)

• Heartwarming gift presentation: (32:17–32:33)

  • "'Yes, that would be me. Come look, Gwen. It's for you. For your birthday.'" — Mr. Beetle
  • "'Nonsense. I would never forget your birthday.'" — Mr. Beetle

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening context & story setup: 00:09–01:40
• Introduction of storytime disruptions: 02:00–05:45
• Music player problems & solution: 06:00–10:50
• Branch closure dilemma: 11:19–16:20
• Shifting storytime locations & mishaps: 16:54–23:00
• Mr. Beetle’s cat-centric plan: 24:26–27:44
• The wild "mouse" adventure: 27:10–31:00
• Resolution, birthday reveal, & happy ending: 31:47–32:58

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Tone and Style

This episode is told in Rhea Pechter's signature gentle, witty, and imaginative storytelling style, blending humor (playful banter, exaggerated exasperation), kindness, and whimsy. The dialogue is true to the unique personalities of Mr. Beetle (fussy but caring), Gwen (patient and practical), and the various bug characters, with Declan providing charming asides.

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Summary

"Mr. Beetle Branches Out" is a delightful and layered story about facing unforeseen obstacles and adapting with creativity and support from friends. Through storms, mishaps, and inventive thinking (even if that thinking involves recruiting actual cats), Mr. Beetle is ultimately able to restore his cherished storytime tradition and surprise his friend, Gwen, with gratitude and joy. The memorable lines, comedic misadventures, and warm resolution make this episode a perfect listen for families and children, rich in both laughs and life lessons.

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Transcript

[Rhea Pechter]

This is Rhea.

[Podcast Host]

Welcome to Little Stories for Tiny People.

[Rhea Pechter]

The other day, I was touring a lollipop factory when I ran into an old friend of mine I used to work with at a weave your own shoelaces shop. It's not there anymore. I guess no one wants to put in the time and effort to weave their own shoelaces these days. Anyway, my friend was filling me in on all the interesting things he'd done since the shop closed down when I noticed a beetle on his jacket. It was a large beetle, and just as I was about to interrupt my friend's story to tell him about it, the beetle flew off his lapel and landed on my shoelace, which, truth be told, I did not weave myself. Anyway, as I stared down at the large beetle, who promptly took flight, buzzing up and away into the lollipop factory, a very specific thought popped into my head. What has Mr. Beetle been up to? I apologized to my friend, promised to send him a fruit basket, and literally ran home to write this story.

Let's hear it. It's called Mr. Beetle Branches Out. Take it away, Declan.

[Declan]

Remember, there are no pictures. You'll have to imagine the pictures in your mind. You can imagine them however you want. Okay, here we go.

[Rhea Pechter]

It was a mild Wednesday evening on the 25th branch, and old Mr. Beetle, legendary bootmaker turned late in life, Storyteller made his way merrily, oh, so merrily, to the spot on the other end of the branch where he hosted his weekly Wednesday night storytime for young bugs. Mr. Beetle was in such good spirits, he even hummed as he skittered along. You see, a storm had rumbled through the forest just that morning. A ferocious, thunderous storm that had shaken the trees and stripped off the weakest leaves from the branches. But it had passed. The forest always twinkled after a storm. And not only that, Mr. Beetle had gotten past another storm. A veritable storm of problems affecting his story time over the last few weeks. For one thing, the young bugs in his audience had been bringing more and more disruptive items to story time. Clickety little toy pinwheels. They'd spin with abandon as Mr. Beetle tried to focus on his narrative arts. Obnoxious hats that became trendy seemingly overnight. It got so bad that Mr. Beetle established what he called his confiscation closet in a tree hollow near his home, where he stored things he had taken from. From unruly young bugs.

[Mr. Beetle]

I'll take that, thank you very much.

[Rhea Pechter]

His confiscation closet was soon filled to the brim with dozens of objects that threatened the tranquility of his storytelling efforts, he did go slightly overboard once. He went so far as to pluck a distracting pair of neon yellow spectacles off a young bug's face. Hey, I can't see without those. Last week was the final straw. He'd begun his story beautifully plotted, if he did say so himself, when he saw a terrifying and truly bizarre looking mouse at the back of the audience. Mr. Beetle was so startled he stumbled over his words and the ant said.

[Mr. Beetle]

To the ladybug, I have no use for your fancy parties anyway.

[Rhea Pechter]

I'm more than happy to sit here.

[Mr. Beetle]

And eat a mouse. I mean a cheese puff.

[Rhea Pechter]

Which made the young bugs burst into uncontrolled laughter.

From his spot on his little stage, Mr. Beetle watched with growing confusion, then vexation, as the mouse, or more accurately, mouse costume, toppled over and three young bugs tumbled out of it, doubled over in laughter.

[Declan]

Did you see his face? Did every beetle see his face?

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

He said the ant would eat a mouse.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle swiftly confiscated the mouse costume to be stored away in his closet, then delivered what he believed to be a potent and adequately stern speech regarding storytelling disruptions. And another thing, before giving a few hearty harrumphs.

[Declan]

Harrumph.

[Rhea Pechter]

Nodding at Gwen, his ever loyal assistant, and proceeding with his story.

[Mr. Beetle]

Now then, as I was saying, the ant insisted he would happily eat cheese puffs on his own rather than attend a fancy lady.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle felt as though that storm too had finally passed. But he was even more pleased with himself for solving another problem that had been plaguing Storytime, and Gwen in particular, for weeks. As you may know, Gwen, a Beetle herself had been Mr. Beetle's storytime assistant since the very beginning, and she knew just the right music to play.

[Mr. Beetle]

And Mrs. Turnip sat down on the edge of the pond and cried.

[Rhea Pechter]

And just the right sound effects to inject to bring Mr. Beetle's stories to life.

[Mr. Beetle]

Then Mr. Frog Weather kicked the hornet's nest as hard as he could.

[Rhea Pechter]

But unlike Gwen, who did not appear to have aged a day in all those years, the music player had worn down quite a bit and had gone, well, slightly haywire. There was the time five weeks ago when the button that usually made an owl sound suddenly started making an entirely different sound.

[Mr. Beetle]

Old Mrs. Owl flew through the trees, searching for a soft place to la.

[Rhea Pechter]

And.

[Mr. Beetle]

I said old Mrs. Owl.

[Rhea Pechter]

There was the time four weeks ago when Mr. Beetle came to a particularly emotional moment in a story.

[Mr. Beetle]

After so many misunderstandings and mistaken identities, the friends finally reunited once again with a hug and a jovial slap on the back and and made their way home side by side.

Uh, Gwen?

[Rhea Pechter]

But Gwen wasn't the problem. It was the music player. The button wires were all getting crossed. It would spit out sound effects at random moments, play the wrong songs, ruin the mood of Mr. Beetle's stories. Gwen was probably the most patient, most agreeable Beetle to ever live. She didn't complain once. Instead she offered mild, optimistic comments.

[Gwen]

It does make your stories more surprising.

[Rhea Pechter]

But Mr. Beetle knew this was a problem that needed solving. He flew to a different forest, to a well known music shop at the base of an old oak tree. And there he found a truly magnificent music player. Gwen will love it.

[Mr. Beetle]

Of course.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle tested out all the buttons.

It was perfect until the store employee, a bored looking stick bug, told him it couldn't be delivered for three whole weeks.

[Declan]

Three weeks? That's preposterous.

[Mr. Beetle]

I'd like to speak to the store manager, young lady, I am the manager.

[Declan]

But three weeks. Three weeks.

[Rhea Pechter]

Then it dawned on him. What was coming up in precisely three weeks? Three weeks, Mr. Beadle repeated to the bewildered looking manager, is perfect.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

Uh, great, the Bug said and had.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle sign some paperwork. Mr. Beetle peered at the documents through his spectacles, scanning each line.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

Sir, it's all just boilerplate stuff. If you'll just initial here and sign at the bottom, we'll be good.

[Mr. Beetle]

Alright.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle headed home with a skitter in his step. How wonderful. How serendipitous. The music player would be delivered to the 25th Branch on a Wednesday in three weeks, just before story time on Gwen's birthday.

So now you understand why Mr. Beetle made his way so merrily down the 25th branch to his story time for which she'd become so well known. He saw Gwen up ahead, talking quietly with a bug wearing a uniform vest, in the middle of blocking the path with a makeshift fence. Mr. Beetle was confused but smiled all the same.

[Mr. Beetle]

Closing the path for an ant crossing, are you?

[Rhea Pechter]

Gwen turned to look at Mr. Beetle. She was not frowning. Gwen rarely frowned, but her smile was fainter than usual, which told Mr. Beetle something was off. Gwen confirmed it by saying, this gentleman.

[Gwen]

Is closing the branch.

[Rhea Pechter]

The merriment fell away from Mr. Beetle like leaves from an autumn tree.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

Closing.

[Rhea Pechter]

But. But. Mr. Beetle sputtered, but the uniformed bug simply held up a foot.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

Now, sir, as I was telling this kind Beetle lady, the branch bureau is.

[Rhea Pechter]

Required to shut down a branch when.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

A hazard presents itself. A hazard like that presented by the branch above this one.

[Rhea Pechter]

At this the bug pointed up at the 26th branch oh no, Mr. Beetle murmured. Must have been struck by the storm, Gwen said. The 26th branch directly above had cracked and now dangled ominously at an unnatural angle.

[Mr. Beetle]

But it looks like it will fall beside our branch, doesn't it? It won't hit the 25th.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle shot a questioning look at Gwen, who shrugged.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

Could be, sir. Certainly could be. But we have to close this branch until that branch comes down. Policy's policy.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle's mind went to the numerous young bugs who'd begin showing up for.

[Mr. Beetle]

His story in an hour's.

Until the branch comes down.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle peered up at the 26th branch.

[Mr. Beetle]

But that could be any minute. It looks like it's hanging on by a thread.

[Rhea Pechter]

Gwen nodded in agreement.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

Sir, looks can be deceiving.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle's mind flashed to the terrifying mouse, who turned out to be a trio of troublemakers.

[Mr. Beetle]

Indeed, looks can be deceiving, he said with a nod. But, well, how long might this take, I ask, because, well, you may have heard of me. I host a weekly story time for young bugs just a bit further down this branch, you see.

[Rhea Pechter]

And tonight. Mr. Beetle trailed off upon seeing the uniformed bug, shaking his head apologetically.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

Sir, unfortunately, I do not believe this hazardous branch above us will come down in time for your song and dance routine.

[Mr. Beetle]

Story time. A very popular story time.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle glanced at Gwen and she gave him an encouraging nod.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

Right. Look, sir, in similar situations in the past, it's taken up to three full.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle could hardly contain himself.

[Mr. Beetle]

Three full hours?

[Rhea Pechter]

Up until that moment, he had held out hope that his story time might go on. Now his hopes were dashed like salt over an unfortunate snail. They were dashed further when the bug.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

Said, actually, in the past, it's taken up to three full weeks and two days.

[Rhea Pechter]

The world started spinning as the words echoed in Mr. Beetle's head.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

Three full weeks and two days.

[Rhea Pechter]

Gwen's birthday is in three weeks, Mr. Beetle thought. Meanwhile, ever practical, Gwen said, What if.

[Gwen]

The 26th branch could be knocked loose or weighed down in some way to make it fall more quickly?

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

Yeah, we've been tossing birdseed on it, the bug said. If we get enough birds to land, it could.

[Rhea Pechter]

Birds? They're hardly any heavier than beetles.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

What do you suggest, sir? Cats?

[Rhea Pechter]

The bug laughed heartily, as if this were an incredibly funny joke.

Mr. Beetle did not laugh. He was positively flummoxed. Not only would his story times be disrupted, so too might the delivery of Gwen's new music player on her birthday. Mr. Beetle was about to give a hearty harrumph When Gwen interrupted him.

[Gwen]

Well, we can take the story time to a different spot until the 26th branch is cleared. I know. Nice spot in the 28th branch. That would be lovely.

[Mr. Beetle]

You're right, Gwen.

[Rhea Pechter]

Let's make the best of it.

[Mr. Beetle]

What would I do without you?

[Rhea Pechter]

Gwen swiftly wrote out a sign and posted it near the blocked path, letting the young bugs know to head to the 28th branch for story time that evening.

It was indeed a lovely spot. And the story time, though less well attended than usual, went smoothly for the most part. Mr. Beetle only had to confiscate a single item. A large butterfly shaped balloon. A young bug bobbed up and down on a string.

[Mr. Beetle]

Must not have heard my speech the.

[Rhea Pechter]

Other day, Mr. Beetle muttered as he carried it off.

[Declan]

Hey, hey. That was my balloon.

[Rhea Pechter]

Aside from that, the only other issue was the music player.

[Mr. Beetle]

And then Mr. Goat stepped on a toad.

[Declan]

Quack, quack, quackity, quack. Oh, dear.

[Rhea Pechter]

Every time the music player malfunctioned, Mr. Beetle was reminded of how badly the new one was needed. Which meant he needed the 26th branch to fall down.

All that week, Mr. Beetle visited the barrier on the 25th branch and peered up at the branch above. Did not budge. Mr. Beetle imagined the beautiful new music player showing up with no one to receive it.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

Anyone order this? State of the art music player with perfectly functioning buttons? Anyone? Anyone? Hello?

[Rhea Pechter]

The following Tuesday, Mr. Beetle met Gwen at their usual spot for tea. It was quite close to the blocked off area of the 25th branch, and Mr. Beetle spent much of their time together glancing in that direction. He was so distracted, he nearly missed a very important comment from Gwen.

[Gwen]

I think I'll go tomorrow and have a look.

[Declan]

Mm.

[Gwen]

I admit I'm curious what's available these days. Music players have come a long way in recent years.

[Mr. Beetle]

Right? Right. Hold on. Did you say music players?

[Declan]

Yes.

[Gwen]

I'm going to look for a new one tomorrow. The one we have is certainly not going to hold on much longer.

[Rhea Pechter]

But wait. Ah. Mr. Beetle racked his brain. In the end, he said the very first thing to enter his head. Which is rarely a good idea.

[Mr. Beetle]

The music player we have.

[Declan]

Yes.

[Mr. Beetle]

Adds flair.

[Rhea Pechter]

Gwen took a sip of her tea and blinked.

[Declan]

Flare.

[Rhea Pechter]

And like you said, it adds an element of surprise. What's coming next?

[Mr. Beetle]

No, Beetle knows.

[Rhea Pechter]

Gwen did not look convinced. She set down her tea and looked at Mr. Beetle. She gave a small, solemn sigh.

Oh, how that sigh seemed to puncture Mr. Beetle's exoskeleton. He longed to tell Gwen about the new music player he'd ordered no, he told himself. Wait. Get the branch down. Save it for her birthday.

No need to rush, Mr. Beetle said.

[Mr. Beetle]

Wait till things settle down with this whole branch business.

[Rhea Pechter]

Well, alright, gwen said, and they clinked their teacups together. The following evening, Mr. Beetle and Gwen met up at the lovely spot on the 25th branch to hold story time. But it had been rented out for a fancy ladybug party.

[Mr. Beetle]

Those ladybugs and their lavish parties.

[Rhea Pechter]

They're just beetles like the rest of us. Harrumph.

[Gwen]

Come now, we'll find somewhere else.

[Rhea Pechter]

The somewhere else they found was a dimly lit tree hollow. A little further up the tree, Gwen posted a few signs directing the young bugs, and a handful of them showed up. Things got off to a good start, especially since with the dim lighting, Gwen could not even see the buttons on her music player and therefore did not press them. But then Mr. Beetle saw something that made his exoskeleton grow hot with annoyance. There, hanging upside down at the back of the little gathering, was what had to be several young bugs in a strange looking bat costume.

[Mr. Beetle]

Oh, I see exactly what this is.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle said, interrupting his own story to go stomping to the last row. But when he tugged at one of the bat's ears, he found that it was in fact, a real bat. The bat went fluttering wildly, screeching as it flew around the tree hollow, then escaped into the night air. The young bugs fell out of their chairs, laughing.

It poured rain.

[Podcast Host]

The next few days.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle stayed at home polishing his boots, sure that the rain would bring down the 26th branch. But when the rain stopped and Mr. Beetle skittered down to look, he saw it had not budged. Neither had the fence blocking the way to his storytime stage.

[Mr. Beetle]

I'll have to take matters into my own feet.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle flew back to the music store where he'd purchased the new player.

[Mr. Beetle]

Young lad, I need to change the delivery date for a music player I purchased here recently.

[Rhea Pechter]

But the bug tossed a packet of documents onto the desk.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

Sorry, sir, can't change the delivery date. It was all in the papers you signed.

[Rhea Pechter]

You know, sir, you should really read.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

Documents before you sign them.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle was about to ask to speak to the manager before he remembered this bug was the manager. Instead, he harrumphed and flew away. At t the following Tuesday, Mr. Beetle was unusually quiet as Gwen talked about her latest knitting project.

[Gwen]

It will have six arms, of course, and a belt round the middle.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mm. All he wanted to do was say.

[Mr. Beetle]

What should I do, Gwen? What should I do?

[Rhea Pechter]

But obviously he couldn't say that. He tried to focus on what Gwen was saying, but all he kept thinking.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

Of was what do you suggest, sir?

[Rhea Pechter]

Cats.

Gwen was smiling and saying something about tomorrow.

[Gwen]

You do remember what tomorrow is, don't you?

[Rhea Pechter]

When all of a sudden Mr. Beetle burst up from his chair exclaiming, cats.

[Declan]

That's it.

[Rhea Pechter]

Gwen peered at him curiously.

[Mr. Beetle]

I mean, Gwen, I'm so sorry. But there is something thing I must do.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle set down his cup and hurried away, sending his tea sloshing over the rim.

[Declan]

All right.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

See you tomorrow.

[Rhea Pechter]

Finally, Mr. Beetle had a plan. He raced home and set about making a large poster. He had poor handwriting. He usually left such tasks to Gwen, but he had no choice, so he carefully scrawled out his note. Then he rolled up the poster, tucked it under a leg, and flew to a nearby farm. A nearby farm known to have cats.

Mr. Beetle skittered around, searching for the best place to tack up his post poster. He considered a tree by a grassy field. He considered the side of a grain silo near a pond. He settled at last, just before sunset, on the door of a large barn. He tacked up the poster, making sure each corner was secure. Then he flew back home to enact the rest of his plan. What was written on the poster, you ask? It's a reasonable question. This is what it said. Lost Mouse. Help us find old Mr. Whiskers. Last seen at midnight on the 26th branch of the tallest oak tree. Known to have a limp and be very slow moving. Also known for smelling. Mr. Beetle had meant to write, Also known for smelling Delicious. But he ran out of room. It would have to do. Back at his hut, Mr. Beetle went to his confiscation closet. He sifted through the odd assortment of items until finally finding what he needed.

[Declan]

Perfect.

[Rhea Pechter]

By the time Mr. Beetle set foot on the 26th branch under the light of a full moon, it was nearly midnight. All was silent, except for several owls hooting in the distance.

Mr. Beetle wavered, and not only because his mouse costume made him unsteady on his feet. He imagined what Gwen would say attracting cats.

[Gwen]

That doesn't sound very safe to me.

[Rhea Pechter]

Of course it isn't safe, Mr. Beetle thought in reply. I can't get this branch to come.

[Mr. Beetle]

Down by sitting at home drinking tea.

[Rhea Pechter]

And fluttering my antennae, now can I? Gwen would not be convinced. But she wasn't there, and all he could think about was that small solemn sigh she'd given him when he'd told her to wait on a new music player. Mr. Beetle took a Deep breath, pushed away his doubts, shouted for Gwen, and began skittering down the branch. The night was utterly silent except for those owls. And Mr. Beetle began to feel very silly. What if those cats couldn't even read? But then he heard a meow pierce the quiet, and Mr. Beetle's heart leapt. There was a cat on the 26th branch. Mr. Beetle whirled around, grinning.

[Mr. Beetle]

My plan is working.

[Rhea Pechter]

But his elation turned to mild terror when he saw not One cat, but three. Mr. Beetle took off running away from the cats. He glanced over his shoulder. Now there were five cats. They were enormous and they were fast. Mr. Beetle, on the other hand, was extremely slow in his costume. He scurried as fast as he possibly could down the 26th branch with a cat hot on his trail.

[Mr. Beetle]

What have I done?

[Rhea Pechter]

Was Mr. Beetle's last thought before he felt himself being lifted up by the fabric of his costume.

[Mr. Beetle]

Oh no.

[Rhea Pechter]

Mr. Beetle flailed blindly inside the fabric. All he could think of was that bug laughing.

[Mr. Beetle]

What have I done?

[Rhea Pechter]

Then came a sound that drowned out the laughter, drowned out the meows, drowned out everything.

Then came a forceful downward pull as everything. The 26th branch, the cats, Mr. Beetle, all fell towards the earth. The cat gripping Mr. Beetle's costume flung out its paws as it fell, sending the mouse costume with Mr. Beetle inside it sailing into the midnight air.

Mr. Beetle frantically scrambled for the exit.

[Mr. Beetle]

This is very poorly made. It's certainly not the work of a crafts Beetle.

[Rhea Pechter]

Just before he hit the forest floor, he found the costume's opening, crawled out and took flight. He turned just in time to see the 26th branch hit the ground with a tremendous thud. The cats. Oh, the cats were fine. They always land on their feet in late afternoon. Mr. Beetle met up with Gwen on the trail and arrived just as the uniform vest busted. Bug was removing the blockade from the 25th branch.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

The 26th branch came down overnight. They always come down on their own eventually.

[Gwen]

How wonderful.

[Rhea Pechter]

Gwen remarked. Wonderful indeed, Mr. Beetle agreed, but said nothing more. And after all, the young bugs had assembled on the 25th branch, right before story time was to begin, several bugs landed carrying a brand new music player.

[Uniformed Bug / Store Manager]

Anyone order this state of the art music player with perfectly functioning buttons?

[Mr. Beetle]

Yes, that would be me. Come look, Gwen. It's for you. For your birthday.

[Rhea Pechter]

Well, Gwen said, blushing as much as a beetle can blush.

[Gwen]

And I thought you'd forgotten.

[Mr. Beetle]

Nonsense. I would never forget your birthday.

[Rhea Pechter]

It was a wonderful story time with very appropriate songs and sound effects. And by the end of it, the young bugs were fast asleep.

Oh, I think I might have twisted my ankle when I ran home from the lollipop factory, but it was completely worth it and I would do it again for all of you. I hope you loved the story. Little Stories for Tiny People is written, performed and produced by me. Rhea Pechter, my in house Tech Director Peter K. Runs my website and puts my stories on the Internet for all of you to enjoy. If you'd like to unlock the full.

[Podcast Host]

Little Stories library and access Little Stories for Sleep, an exclusive bedtime podcast, visit littlestoriespremium.com thank you to Declan for the super important reminder message at the beginning.

[Rhea Pechter]

And thank you to the many premium subscribers who supplied sound effects used in today's story.

[Podcast Host]

Thank you to Riley, Luna, Levi, Adrian, Olivia, Ling, Ling, Ruvi, Ezra, Eleanor, Fiona, Lola, Ariana, Lily, Theo, Alex, Alice, Sage, David, James, Wren, Juni, Emerson, Seti, Caden, Kenna, Nellie, Charlie and Fia. And thank you as always for listening SA.