Millions of Cats!!

Summary

Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages
Episode: Millions of Cats!!
Release Date: July 19, 2025
Host/Author: Amanda Weldon / Starglow Media / Wondery

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Introduction

In the enchanting episode titled "Millions of Cats!!", Amanda Weldon brings to life the heartwarming tale adapted from Wanda Gagg's beloved picture book. Narrated by Daniel Hines and produced by Andrew Martin, this episode promises a delightful journey suitable for children and families alike. The story revolves around Mr. and Mrs. Mouser, an elderly couple yearning for companionship in their empty, flower-filled home.

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Story Summary

A Lonely Home

The story begins with Mr. and Mrs. Mouser living in a beautiful but solitary house, their children having moved out. Despite their lovely surroundings, they grapple with profound loneliness.

[03:15] Amanda Weldon: "They couldn't be happy because they were so very lonely."

Mrs. Mouser expresses her desire for a cat, recalling how she loved cats in the past but couldn't have one due to her children's allergies.

[03:45] Wanda Gagg: "If only we had a cat," sighed Mrs. Mouser.
[04:02] Amanda Weldon: Mr. Mouser responds thoughtfully, showing mutual affection for the idea.

The Quest for Cats

Inspired by his wife's longing, Mr. Mouser sets out into the countryside to find a cat. What begins as a simple quest quickly spirals into an unexpected adventure.

[04:13] Mrs. Mouser: "Having a little darling to dote over would make the house feel so much more alive."

As Mr. Mouser explores sunny hills and cool valleys, he discovers an astonishingly vast gathering of cats—millions of them!

[05:18] Amanda Weldon: "Millions and billions and trillions of cats, it seemed, all over running and jumping or sleeping in the sun."

Overwhelmed by the sheer number of cats, Mr. Mouser enthusiastically decides to bring them all home for his wife, believing that more cats would mean more companionship.

[06:58] Amanda Weldon: "Millions and billions and trillions of cats," he exclaims.

The Overwhelming Return Home

Returning home becomes a comedic ordeal as Mr. Mouser attempts to corral the endless parade of cats. The situation escalates when the couple realizes they cannot possibly care for such a vast number of pets.

[12:05] Amanda Weldon: The elderly couple devises a plan to let the cats choose who will stay, hoping that natural selection will decide the best fit for their home.

Chaos ensues as each cat vies for a place, leading to fights and the eventual dispersal of the vast assembly, leaving only one timid kitten.

[13:30] Amanda Weldon: "They could not see a single cat," the narrator reveals the aftermath.

A Heartwarming Conclusion

The couple discovers a lone, scraggly kitten who, unlike the others, didn't fight over her place. They welcome her into their home, providing the tender love and care she needed to thrive.

[14:19] Amanda Weldon: "I agree," says Mrs. Mouser as they take in the kitten.

The story concludes with the couple appreciating the kitten's unique beauty, highlighting the value of quality over quantity in companionship.

[15:12] Amanda Weldon: "It is the most beautiful cat in the whole world," declares Mr. Mouser.

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Notable Quotes

• Mrs. Mouser:
  "[03:45] If only we had a cat."

• Mr. Mouser:
  "[04:03] I think having a little darling to dote over would make the house feel so much more alive."

• Mr. Mouser, upon seeing the multitude of cats:
  "[05:18] Millions and billions and trillions of cats, it seemed, all over running and jumping or sleeping in the sun."

• Mrs. Mouser, after seeing the overwhelming number of cats at home:
  "[11:19] What are you doing? I asked for one little cat, and what do I see? Cats here, cats there. Cats and kittens everywhere."

• Mr. Mouser, reflecting on the lone kitten:
  "[15:12] It is the most beautiful cat in the whole world."

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Themes and Insights

1. The Joy and Challenges of Companionship:
   The story illustrates the deep desire for companionship and the lengths one might go to fulfill that need. However, it also highlights the practical challenges that come with overwhelming abundance.

2. Quality Over Quantity:
   Through the multitude of cats and the eventual selection of a single kitten, the narrative emphasizes the importance of meaningful connections over sheer numbers.

3. Acceptance and Uniqueness:
   The solitary kitten represents those who may feel out of place or overlooked but possess inherent value and uniqueness that eventually shine through.

4. Problem-Solving and Adaptability:
   Mr. and Mrs. Mouser's journey teaches children about facing unexpected challenges and finding solutions that work best for everyone involved.

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Conclusion

"Millions of Cats!!" offers a charming and humorous exploration of loneliness, companionship, and the trials of abundance. Amanda Weldon masterfully narrates a story that not only entertains but also imparts valuable life lessons for young listeners. By concluding with the acceptance of a single, special kitten, the episode reinforces the idea that sometimes, the best solutions are the simplest ones.

This episode serves as a perfect bedtime story, fostering imagination and thoughtful reflection within the family setting. Whether enjoyed during a car ride or as part of a relaxing evening routine, "Millions of Cats!!" is a testament to the magic of storytelling in connecting hearts across all ages.

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Transcript

[Amanda Weldon]

Hello. Welcome to Stories Podcast. I'm your host, Amanda Weldon. Today's story is called Millions of Cats, an adaptation of the picture book by Wanda Gagg written for you by Daniel Hines.

[Daniel Hines]

We have Stories Podcast merch, [e-mail] shop. We're also on Cameo for all of your personalized video message needs. And don't forget to follow us on Instagram Stories Podcast. If you send us a drawing of your favorite scene or character, we'll share it on our feed. Now, here's a word from our sponsors the scariest part of summer isn't the sunburn, it's the spending. There are the last minute road trips, pricey snack hauls and bottomless SPF restocks, and your wallet's feeling the heat. Cool it with DoorDash and save big on your seasonal must haves during summer of DashPass ice cream is my favorite treat in the summertime. And when it gets simply too hot to move, I love to doordash a sundae from one of the ice cream places nearby. DoorDash has a huge selection of ice cream options near me, plus anything else I could ever want so I never have to go without an icy dessert.

[Amanda Weldon]

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[Daniel Hines]

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[Wanda Gagg]

Millions of Cats Once.

[Amanda Weldon]

Upon a time, there was a very old man and a very old woman named Mr. And Mrs. Mouser. They lived in a nice clean house, big and empty since all of their kids had grown up and moved into houses of their own. Their yard was full of flowers, bright and tall and beautiful everywhere except where the door was. But even with their nice house and all their flowers, they couldn't be happy because they were so very lonely.

[Wanda Gagg]

If only we had a cat, sighed.

[Amanda Weldon]

The very old woman. She had always loved cats, but hadn't had one in years, since her kids were allergic. But now that they had houses of their own, getting a cat seemed just the thing to her.

[Daniel Hines]

A cat?

[Amanda Weldon]

Asked the very old man. He liked cats too, but hadn't much thought about getting a pet before.

[Wanda Gagg]

Yes, a sweet little fluffy cat, said.

[Amanda Weldon]

The very old woman.

[Wanda Gagg]

I think having a little darling to dote over would make the house feel.

[Amanda Weldon]

So much more alive.

[Andrew Martin]

All right, I'll get you a cat.

[Amanda Weldon]

My dear, said the very old man, who loved his wife very much. Oh, thank you, said the very old woman. And she wrapped her very old man in a very tight hug. So that very afternoon, the very old man set out over the hills to look for a cat. In those days, out in the country where they lived, it wasn't uncommon to find wild cats. They prowled around barns and hunted mice and just generally wandered the countryside. So the very old man climbed over the sunny hills. He trudged through the cool valleys. He walked a long, long time. And at last he came to a hill which was quite covered with cats. Covered cats here, cats there, cats and kittens everywhere. Hundreds of cats.

[Daniel Hines]

Thousands of cats.

[Amanda Weldon]

Millions and billions and trillions of cats, it seemed, all over running and jumping or sleeping in the sun. The old man wasn't sure why they had all gathered there. Maybe because it was soft and sunny. Maybe it was full of mice, tunnels to chase, or had catnip growing wild. Whatever the reason, the very old man was ecstatic.

[Daniel Hines]

Which means very Happy?

[Amanda Weldon]

Oh. Cried the old man joyfully.

[Andrew Martin]

Now I can choose the prettiest cat and take it home with me.

[Amanda Weldon]

He walked among the cats looking for just the right one for his wife. He remembered she had a white kitten when she was just a girl. So when he saw a pretty white kitten meowing after some food, he knew she was perfect. He picked up the white kitten and it nuzzled right into his arms. Oh, she's gonna love you, he said to the kitten. Meow, the kitten said in reply. Oh, she get you home, the very old man said. But just as he was about to leave, he saw another kitten looking up at him. This one was all black and white, and it seemed just as pretty as the first. It meowed and rubbed against his legs, so he took this one also.

[Andrew Martin]

Two cats. Two cats is good, he said to.

[Amanda Weldon]

Himself, holding both the little fuzzballs.

[Andrew Martin]

Cats like having a friend in the house. No problem.

[Amanda Weldon]

The old man started to leave again, but then he saw a fuzzy gray kitten on his way down the hill which was every bit as pretty as the others, so he took it too.

[Andrew Martin]

If two cats is good, three cats.

[Amanda Weldon]

Is better, he said to himself.

[Andrew Martin]

Now they'll have friends and can take turns.

[Amanda Weldon]

But as he turned to leave again, he saw a little tortie cat down in a corner which he thought too lovely to leave. So he took this, too. And just then, over here, the very old man found a kitten which was black and very beautiful.

[Andrew Martin]

Oh, it would be a shame to.

[Amanda Weldon]

Leave that one, said the very old man. So he took it too. And now over there, he saw a cat which had brown and yellow stripes like a baby tiger.

[Andrew Martin]

I simply must take it.

[Amanda Weldon]

Cried the very old man. And he did. And now his arms were so loaded with cats that he had to put them down and corral after them like a sheep dog. He tried to leave again and again, but every time the very old man looked up, he saw another cat which was so pretty he could not bear to leave it. And before he knew it, he had chosen them all. Every single cat. And so he went back over the sunny hills and down through the cool valleys and to show all his pretty kittens to the very old woman. He lured the cats with little treats and gentle pats and plenty of pss, psst. Calls. It was very funny to see those hundreds and thousands and millions and billions and trillions of cats following him as he made his way back towards home. Halfway there, they came to a pond. Now for a quick ad break.

[Daniel Hines]

We'll be back with the rest of the story. After this. If you'd like Stories, Podcast and other favorite kid podcasts ad free. Subscribe to Wondery Kids on Apple Podcasts the scariest part of summer isn't the sunburn, it's the spending. There are the last minute road trips, pricey snack hauls and bottomless SPF restocks, and your wallet's feeling the heat. Cool it with DoorDash and save big on your seasonal must haves during summer of DashPass. Ice cream is my favorite treat in the summertime. And when it gets simply too hot to move, I love to doordash a sundae from one of the ice cream place nearby. Doordash has a huge selection of ice cream options near me plus anything else I could ever want so I never have to go without an icy dessert.

[Amanda Weldon]

On a hot summer night and it.

[Daniel Hines]

Won'T break the bank. Starting June 26, Summer of DashPass is your excuse to stock up on all things summer. Sunscreen, headphones, watermelon, whatever's in your cart and get it with $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible orders. Sign up for DashPass now if you aren't already a member and enjoy a.

[Amanda Weldon]

Summer full of savings.

[Daniel Hines]

Check daily for massive summer savings on restaurants, groceries and brands from June 26 through July 30. DashPass benefits apply only to eligible orders. Terms apply.

[Amanda Weldon]

Mew mew. We are thirsty. Cried the hundreds of cats. Thousands of cats. Millions and billions and trillions of cats.

[Andrew Martin]

Well, here is a great deal of water.

[Amanda Weldon]

Said the very old man.

[Andrew Martin]

All of you get a drink so we can keep on moving.

[Amanda Weldon]

Each cat took a sip of water, one after the other, all ringed around the pond, drinking until the pond was gone. Mew mew.

[Wanda Gagg]

Now we are hungry.

[Amanda Weldon]

Said the hundreds of cats. Thousands of cats. Millions and billions and trillions of cats.

[Andrew Martin]

There is much grass on the hills.

[Amanda Weldon]

Said the very old man.

[Andrew Martin]

Eat some grass to fill your bellies until we get home.

[Amanda Weldon]

Each cat ate a mouthful of grass and munched and munched until not a blade was left between the pond and the grass. They'd left nothing but a muddy field full of cat prints behind them.

[Andrew Martin]

We're almost there.

[Amanda Weldon]

The man and his endless parade of cute cats walked through the hills and fields and valleys until the man could see his house in the distance, and there his wife was, waiting for him. When she saw him with the cat, she smiled. When she saw the next two cats, she smiled even wider. But the next thousand cats. Her face dropped and her eyes went wide with surprise.

[Wanda Gagg]

My dear.

[Amanda Weldon]

She cried.

[Wanda Gagg]

What are you doing I asked for one little cat, and what do I see? Cats here, cats there. Cats and kittens everywhere. Hundreds of cats. Thousands of cats. Millions and billions and trillions of cats.

[Andrew Martin]

All the pretty cats I saw I.

[Amanda Weldon]

Brought home for you, said the very old man.

[Andrew Martin]

You deserve every cat you want.

[Amanda Weldon]

The woman looked all over, taking in the cats of every shape, size and color all around her.

[Wanda Gagg]

Oh, I love them, but we can never feed them all, said the very old woman. They will eat us out of house and home.

[Andrew Martin]

Oh, I never thought of that, said.

[Amanda Weldon]

The very old man, looking at his herd of cats.

[Andrew Martin]

What shall we do?

[Amanda Weldon]

The very old woman thought for a while, and then she said, I know.

[Wanda Gagg]

We will let the cats decide which ones we should keep. They are all used to living wild, and some might want to stay that way. So let's see if any want to live with us to begin with.

[Amanda Weldon]

Oh, yes, said the very old man, and he called to the cats, which.

[Andrew Martin]

One of you wants to come and live with me and my wife?

[Wanda Gagg]

I do. I do. No, I do.

[Daniel Hines]

No, I do.

[Wanda Gagg]

And I'm the prettiest. No, I am. I am. I am.

[Amanda Weldon]

Cried hundreds and thousands and millions and billions and trillions of voices. For each cat thought itself the prettiest and also wanted to live with the sweet old couple. One of them hissed at another. A third cat jumped in surprise. And then they were fighting. They bit and scratched and clawed each other and made such a great noise that the very old man and the very old woman ran into the house as fast as they could. They did not like to see such fighting. But after a while the noise stopped and the very old man and the very old woman peeped out of the window to see what had happened. They could not see a single cat.

[Wanda Gagg]

I think they all must have run each other off, said the very old woman sadly. Too much arguing and they couldn't handle it.

[Amanda Weldon]

But look, said the very old man, and he pointed to a bunch of high grass. In it sat one little frightened kitten. They went out and picked it up. It was thin and scraggly and dirty, with big round eyes.

[Wanda Gagg]

Poor little kitty, said the very old woman.

[Amanda Weldon]

Dear little kitty, said the very old man.

[Andrew Martin]

How did you manage not to get chased off with the other hundreds and thousands and millions and billions and trillions of cats?

[Wanda Gagg]

Oh, I'm just a very homely little.

[Amanda Weldon]

Cat, said the kitten.

[Wanda Gagg]

So when they argued over who was the prettiest, I didn't say anything, so nobody bothered about me. Oh, but you're beautiful, said the very old woman. You just need a little tender love and care.

[Amanda Weldon]

I agree, said the very old man.

[Andrew Martin]

Come with us and we'll get you sorted.

[Amanda Weldon]

They took the kitten into the house where the very old woman gave it a warm bath and brushed its fur until it was soft and shiny. Then the old man made it a nice meal of hot, fresh chicken and the little kitten passed out next to its bowl. They did this every day, and soon the little kitten grew nice and plump and healthy, with a shining coat of calico fur.

[Wanda Gagg]

And it is a very pretty cat after all, said the very old woman.

[Andrew Martin]

It is the most beautiful cat in.

[Amanda Weldon]

The whole world, said the very old man.

[Andrew Martin]

And I ought to know, for I've seen hundreds of cats, thousands of cats, millions and billions and trillions of cats, and not one is as pretty as this one.

[Amanda Weldon]

The End Today's Story Millions of Cats was an adaptation from the picture book by Wanda Gagg written for you by Daniel Hines. It was edited and produced for you by Andrew Martin and perform for your by me, Amanda Weldon.

[Daniel Hines]

If you would like to support Stories podcast, you can leave us a five star review on iTunes. Check out all of our merch [e-mail] Shop Commission a special video on Cameo. Follow us on Instagram oriespodcast or simply tell your friends about us.

[Amanda Weldon]

Thanks for listening.