PREMIUM PREVIEW: Frog and Turtle - A Prequel

Summary

Little Stories for Tiny People: Anytime and Bedtime Stories for Kids

Episode Summary: PREMIUM PREVIEW: Frog and Turtle - A Prequel

Release Date: May 3, 2025

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Introduction

In the "PREMIUM PREVIEW: Frog and Turtle - A Prequel" episode of "Little Stories for Tiny People", host Rhea Pechter offers listeners an exclusive glimpse into the backstory of two beloved characters, Frog and Turtle. This preview, available exclusively to Little Stories Premium subscribers, sets the stage for the adventures that precede the main Frog and Salamander tales, enriching the narrative universe with deeper character exploration and foundational friendships.

Behind the Scenes with Rhea Pechter

The episode begins with Rhea Pechter briefly addressing her audience, highlighting the benefits of Little Stories Premium. While she touches on the perks—such as more stories, an ad-free experience, and access to the exclusive Little Stories for Sleep podcast—she swiftly transitions into the main content, ensuring that listeners are immediately immersed in the narrative. Notably, the initial [00:00 - 00:58] segment is promotional, so the summary focuses primarily on the story that follows.

Introducing Frog and Turtle’s Backstory

The heart of the episode delves into the early friendship between Frog and Turtle, revealing their shared aspirations and challenges as budding writers in the serene environment of Wormley Pond. The narrative is rich with dialogue and descriptive imagery, bringing the characters and their world to life.

The Green Writers Workshop

At [03:16], Turtle engages Frog in a discussion about a story presented by Gretel, a newt and member of the Green Writers Workshop. Frog's inability to critique effectively highlights his insecurities and sets the stage for Turtle's supportive role. The interaction is marked by Frog's internal struggle and Turtle's gentle guidance:

• Frog [02:40]: "I think I did. Okay."
• Turtle [02:18]: (Interjecting) "Oh."

This exchange underscores Frog's hesitation and Turtle's presence as a stabilizing friend.

Formation of Friendship

As the story progresses, Frog and Turtle bond over their mutual challenges in writing and their dreams of publication. Their weekly routines and shared aspirations are depicted vividly:

• Frog [07:24]: "Good for you."
• Turtle [07:29]: "And imagining the future when we both sell our first books, we'll host a party right over there."

Their camaraderie is further emphasized through their playful banter and shared spaces, such as Turtle's Boulder, where he keeps his typewriter and telephone.

Creative Struggles and Determination

Frog's creative block is a central theme, illustrating his perseverance despite setbacks. His daydreaming about writing a novel about a snail symbolizes his enduring hope and creativity:

• Narrative [07:58]: "Frog would set about pretending to make progress on his book. In truth, he was stuck. He had a glimmer of an idea for a novel, something about a snail, but he could never seem to get much further."

A Turning Point: Recognition and Rivalry

The narrative takes a pivotal turn when Frog receives a letter from the Pondly Times Prize committee, notifying him that his story, "The Secret of the Crayfish," has been shortlisted. This moment of recognition is both a triumph and a source of tension between Frog and Turtle.

• Frog [10:30]: "It was a very big deal for Frog. Oh, wow. Frog had dreamed of being an author for years..."

Upon sharing his news with Turtle, Frog grapples with feelings of excitement and concern about how Turtle will react, fearing he might inadvertently overshadow his friend.

Cliffhanger Ending

As Frog approaches Turtle to share his accomplishment, Turtle hesitates, hinting at his own significant news. The episode concludes on a suspenseful note:

• Turtle [11:27]: "I have some news to share, and..."
• Frog [11:30]: (Observing Turtle's discomfort) "You know what? I'll just play the message for you and you can hear it yourself."

The unresolved tension and anticipation lead listeners to crave the continuation of Frog and Turtle's intertwined journeys, elegantly setting up expectations for future episodes.

Conclusion

This premium preview masterfully intertwines character development, thematic depth, and engaging storytelling to expand the beloved universe of Frog and Salamander. Rhea Pechter's narration, combined with the dynamic interactions between Frog and Turtle, offers a rich, immersive experience that not only entertains but also fosters a deeper connection with the characters. By ending on a cliffhanger, the episode effectively entices listeners to subscribe to Little Stories Premium for the full continuation of Frog and Turtle's story.

Notable Quotes:

• Frog [01:00]: “Sometimes you mess up tenses. Your tenses should be consistent.”
• Turtle [05:01]: “And I think what Frog is getting at is you've got some lovely imagery, Gretel, but the plot doesn't quite get rolling.”
• Turtle [11:08]: “Hey, Frog.”
• Frog [11:35]: “Really, frog said. I'm glad I didn't share my own news.”

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Join Little Stories Premium to unlock the full adventures of Frog and Turtle, enjoy an ad-free listening experience, and access exclusive bedtime stories at www.littlestoriespremium.com.

Transcript

[Rhea]

Hello, everyone. This is Rhea with a quick note. This is a preview of an episode exclusive to Little Stories Premium. Little Stories Premium gives you more of the stories you love, an ad free listening experience, and access to Little Stories for Sleep, an exclusive bedtime podcast featuring brand new sleepy stories. Perfect for that last track on a bedtime playlist. Subscribe or purchase a gift subscription by visiting littlestoriespremium.com now onto the show. This is Rhea. Welcome to Little Stories for Tiny People. I just cleaned my studio top to bottom.

[Frog]

It's something I do seldomly, as I tend to receive complaints from the spiders who live in the uppermost corners of my studio. I didn't disturb their webs, left them totally intact, though it pains me, but I'm still expecting an email in about three seconds. Hmm. Let me see what they have to say. Dear Rhea, we have formed a writing committee so we may give you professional feedback on your stories. Oh, great. Here are several pieces of advice we developed at our last meeting. Number one, sometimes you mess up tenses. Your tenses should be consistent. This is highly professional advice that you should. Okay, Skip, Skip, Skip, skip. Oh, this one's interesting. Number 17, we advise you to never write a prequel. Prequels are rarely executed. Well, since you are not the best writer, you should not attempt it. We repeat, do not write a prequel. Sincerely, the studio spiders.

[Turtle]

Oh.

[Frog]

P.S. we ask that you refrain from further studio cleaning for the next 90 days. Thank you for the constructive feedback, but you really should have sent me this advice yesterday. Or better yet, last week, especially number 17, because I wrote a prequel. Relax.

[Rhea]

I think I did. Okay. Our story today stars Frog from Frog.

[Frog]

And Salamander, but takes place before any of the Frog and Salamander stories. So we're going back in time.

[Rhea]

Let's hear it.

[Frog]

It's called Frog and Turtle. A prequel. Take it away, Bailey.

[Bailey]

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

[Turtle]

Frog, you appear to be having some deep thoughts. Care to share with the group? What did you think of Gretel's opening?

[Frog]

Oh, dear. Frog was in deep thought, lost in it. But nothing on his mind had anything to do with the story Gretel had just shared with the Green Writers Workshop, a group for aspiring pond dwelling writers on the bank of Wormley Pond. Carla, the group leader, leaned forward on her log and nibbled on the end of her glasses. Gretel, a newt, stared at Frog with enormous round eyes and an expectant smile. And all Frog could think was something about a snail. But he couldn't very well say that Gretel's story was not about a snail. It was about a toad. All eyes were now fixed on Frog. He had to say something. Well, let me say this, frog began trying to think of something, anything to say. It was rather intriguing. Was it? Frog would know if he'd been paying attention. And it had some very powerful imagery. Did it, though? Frog was not sure. Gretel beamed, loving these comments. Frog opened his mouth to go on, but found he had nothing more to say. So he did some flourishes with his hands and wished someone would swoop in to save him from himself.

[Turtle]

And I think what Frog is getting at is you've got some lovely imagery, Gretel, but the plot doesn't quite get rolling.

[Frog]

Soon enough, someone had swooped in to save him, an emerald green turtle across the circle. Thank you, frog whispered to the turtle when the group dispersed.

[Turtle]

For what?

[Frog]

Turtle said, a wry smile on his face. I think you know, frog said, narrowing his eyes. I'm not sure what you mean. Were you struggling there? For a moment they both laughed. It was a lovely late summer day by Wormley Pond, and the tall grass around the clearing where the writers group was held each week swayed in the gentle breeze. The pond itself was alive with activity, birds squawking on its surface, fish leaping, insects skimming the water. It was the perfect day to meet a new friend.

[Turtle]

It happened to me last week, turtle said. I was daydreaming about the book I'm working on when Carla called on me. I managed to say something about needing a stronger antagonist.

[Frog]

Seemed like she bought it. The two young writers ended up walking together as they were headed in the same direction. In fact, they were headed in the same direction in more ways than one. Frog learned that just like him, Turtle hoped to publish a book someday. And just like him, so far he hadn't had any luck. They became fast friends that summer, bonding over their similar predicaments, doubts, and hopes for the future. They developed a routine after their weekly writers group. They'd walk home together, joking about the workshop. Have you noticed Cecile describes everything as radiant? Yes. I want to lend her my thesaurus. Sharing their recent professional efforts, I submitted a short story to the Ponly Times Prize.

[Turtle]

Good for you. I submitted one last year. Didn't even make the short list.

[Frog]

And imagining the future when we both sell our first books, we'll host a party right over there.

[Turtle]

We'll invite the workshop. Carla can bring the famous mosquito pie she's always going on about.

[Frog]

Then they'd say goodbye at Turtle's Boulder, where he kept a small office with a real typewriter and a telephone. I still can't believe you have a typewriter. And here I am scrawling everything by hand.

[Turtle]

You'll have a typewriter someday.

[Frog]

Maybe. Then Frog would hop home to his little spot inland, where he'd set about pretending to make progress on his book. In truth, he was stuck. He had a glimmer of an idea for a novel, something about a snail, but he could never seem to get much further. So he'd push his paper around and scribble thoughts here and there, daydream about being a famous author, and take comfort in the fact that Turtle was in the same boat. He'd do that all week until Wednesday afternoon when he'd hop over to Turtle's Boulder and find him just where he'd left him and they'd walk together to their workshop. Summer cooled into fall and there was a long string of mild days with serene blue skies. It was the kind of weather that was so comfortable, with skies so clear, it felt as though it would remain that way forever. Until one blustery day in late fall when Frog received a letter in the mailbox by his hut. The paper flapped wildly in the wind and it took Frog a moment to flatten it enough to see the letters. Oh, boy. It was from the Pondly Times Prize committee. His story, the Secret of the Crayfish had been shortlisted for the prize. He hadn't won the big prize just yet, but he was in the running for it. This was a very big deal for Frog. Oh, wow. Frog had dreamed of being an author for years, scribbling away in his notebooks. He had had so little success, so little encouragement. Perhaps being shortlisted for this prize was just a breadcrumb to lure him along on his way. But it was something. He couldn't stop smiling. And he was even happier when he realized it was Wednesday and he could tell Turtle his big news. But when Frog arrived at Turtle's Boulder and saw his friend, grim faced, hunched over his typewriter with the pond grass dancing erratically around him, Frog was torn. He'd been excited to share his news, but seeing his friend looking so serious, he wasn't sure. Since the first day they'd met, they'd been on the exact same path, walking side by side. I certainly don't want Turtle to feel like I'm outshining him, Frog thought as Turtle noticed his presence. But Turtle flashed Frog a broad smile, disarming him.

[Turtle]

Hey, Frog.

[Frog]

Hello. I'm being ridiculous, Frog told himself, hopping over. He's my friend. Of course he'd want to know. I made the short list. Upon reaching the boulder, Frog opened his mouth to speak, but Turtle beat him to the punch.

[Turtle]

I have some news to share, and.

[Frog]

Turtle avoided meeting Frog's eyes. He looked as if he might blush.

[Turtle]

I suppose I'm feeling a bit bashful about it.

[Frog]

Really, frog said. I'm glad I didn't share my own news. He thought. Turtle has something embarrassing to tell me.

[Turtle]

You know what? I'll just play the message for you and you can hear it yourself.

[Frog]

Turtle had a curious smile on his face. Frog didn't know what to make of it. Was he embarrassed?

[Turtle]

Was he pleased?

[Frog]

It was perplexing. Frog hopped up on the boulder beside Turtle and watched as he clicked a button on his telephone.

[Rhea]

There is so much more to this story. You can hear the full episode by becoming a Little Stories Premium subscriber. Visit littlestoriespremium.com to join and thank you as always, for listening in.