Three Friends and an Elephant

Summary

Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages
Episode Summary: Three Friends and an Elephant
Release Date: August 15, 2025
Host: Amanda Weldon
Adapted by: Daniel Hines
Produced by: Ellie Hines

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Introduction

In this enchanting episode of the Stories Podcast, titled Three Friends and an Elephant, host Amanda Weldon brings to life a delightful fable that highlights the power of friendship, teamwork, and creative problem-solving. Adapted by Daniel Hines, the story introduces listeners to three unlikely animal friends who must work together to protect their cherished pond from an unexpected visitor.

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Meet the Characters

1. Ridge the Crocodile

   • Description: A young crocodile, small in stature but big in personality. Ridge loves to swim and often practices camouflaging himself by floating like a log. His playful nature includes surprising his friends with a roar, leading to laughter and joy.

2. Boz the Bullfrog

   • Description: Slick and green, Boz is a round African bullfrog with a big rubbery body, hands, and jiggling lips. Despite being smaller than Ridge, Boz is brave and energetic, often leading the charge when challenges arise.

3. Bartholomew (Bart) the Fly

   • Description: The tiniest of the trio, Bart is a lively fly who buzzes energetically around the pond. His diminutive size makes him vulnerable, but his determination and cleverness prove invaluable to the group's adventures.

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Plot Summary

A Peaceful Day at the Pond

The story begins with Ridge, Boz, and Bart enjoying a serene day at their beloved pond—a small puddle nestled in the heart of Africa. Despite their differences, the trio shares a deep bond and revels in their harmonious coexistence.

Boz (05:44): "Yup... It's always a nice day in a pond. Nothing bad ever happens and no one ever bothers us at the good old pond."

The Unexpected Intrusion

Their tranquility is abruptly shattered when a massive elephant steps into their pond, her colossal legs splashing water and causing chaos among the friends. The elephant is oblivious to the pond's significance to the trio, munching contentedly on leaves from the surrounding trees.

Bart (06:32): "Hey."
Boz (06:54): "Let me try, croaked Boz. Hey, you, bigfoot. Please move out of our pond."

Despite their efforts to communicate, the elephant remains indifferent, prompting the friends to devise a plan to reclaim their space.

First Attempts to Evict the Elephant

1. Ridge's Crocodile Nip
   Ridge takes the lead, attempting to bite the elephant's leg to scare her away. His playful yet determined approach, however, proves ineffective against the elephant's thick skin.

   Boz (08:00): "I'm the biggest, so I should try first."
   Ridge (08:05): "I'm just gonna give her a little crocodile nip... Can you hear me now?"

2. Boz's Bounce Attack
   Not deterred by Ridge's initial failure, Boz launches into a series of high-flying bounces, aiming to disrupt the elephant's grazing. Despite his enthusiasm, the elephant remains unperturbed, and Boz finds himself catapulted into the air by the elephant's trunk.

   Boz (11:27): "There is no way she can ignore my bounce attack."
   Bart (12:13): "Ah." (as Boz is flung into the air)

Bart's Ingenious Plan

With both Ridge and Boz unsuccessful, Bart steps forward with a daring idea. Recognizing his small size as an advantage, Bart ventures into the elephant's ear, hoping to communicate directly.

Bart (13:11): "Well, I can try... I have an idea."

Navigating the vast ear canal, Bart speaks to the elephant, urging her to leave the pond. While his words are too faint for the elephant to comprehend, the persistent buzzing becomes a source of irritation for her.

Bart (14:35): "Ah, Mr. Ms. Elephant, I don't mean to bother you, but you're standing in our little pond..."

The relentless buzzing finally compels the elephant to move, allowing Bart to escape and leading her to retreat away from the pond.

Bart (16:11): "You did it."
Boz & Ridge (16:12): "Bart, Bart, Bart."

A Happy Ending

With the elephant's departure, the trio celebrates their success by enjoying their pond once more. The day ends peacefully, and the friends are relieved to have their home back.

Bart (16:39): "So what do we do now?"
Boz (16:44): "Well, now we can enjoy the puddle."

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Key Themes and Messages

1. Friendship and Teamwork:
   The episode underscores the importance of working together, embracing each other's strengths, and supporting one another in the face of challenges.

2. Problem-Solving and Creativity:
   When initial efforts fail, the friends demonstrate adaptability and ingenuity, showcasing that sometimes unconventional solutions lead to success.

3. Courage and Determination:
   Despite their fears and differences, Ridge, Boz, and Bart confront the daunting obstacle of the elephant, highlighting bravery and perseverance.

4. Respect for Shared Spaces:
   The story emphasizes the value of respecting each other's habitats and the importance of living harmoniously within a community.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Amanda Weldon (Narration):

  "Once upon a time, in a little pocket of deepest Africa, three friends were chilling in the water of a great big puddle they called their pond."

• Boz:

  (05:54) "It's always a nice day in a pond. Nothing bad ever happens and no one ever bothers us at the good old pond."

• Ridge:

  (08:00) "I'm the biggest, so I should try first."
  (09:08) "Can you hear me now?"

• Boz:

  (11:27) "There is no way she can ignore my bounce attack."

• Bart:

  (13:11) "Well, I can try... I have an idea."
  (15:35) "I know I'm the smallest, but I think I can give it a go."

• Ridge:

  (16:12) "We did it."

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Conclusion

Three Friends and an Elephant is a heartwarming tale that captivates both children and parents alike. Through engaging storytelling and memorable characters, the episode imparts valuable lessons on cooperation, resilience, and the significance of safeguarding one's home. Amanda Weldon's narration, combined with the charming voices of Ridge, Boz, and Bart, ensures that listeners are both entertained and enlightened, making it a perfect addition to any family's podcast playlist.

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Additional Information

• Merchandise: Explore Stories Podcast merchandise at storiespodcast.com/shop.
• Personalized Messages: Commission a special video on Cameo.
• Social Media: Follow and engage with the community on Instagram @storiespodcast.

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Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intro, outro, and non-content sections to focus solely on the narrative and its key elements.

Transcript

[Bart]

Hello.

[Amanda Weldon]

Welcome to Stories Podcast. I'm your host, Amanda Weldon. Today's story is called Three Friends and an Elephant, an adaptation of a classic fable written for you by 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. Summer break is here and while kids are excited to hit pause on school, as a parent, you might be wondering how to keep their minds active without killing the summer vibe. Whether your child is trying to catch up, stay sharp or get a head start. IXL can make learning a seamless part of summer. IXL is an award winning online learning platform that fits perfectly into your homeschool routine even during summer. It offers interactive practice across math, language arts, science and social studies. Adapting to your child's level to provide the right challenge at the right time. IXL helps kids stay curious, motivated and confident even outside of the traditional classroom. IXL's interactive practice, step by step video tutorials and easy to navigate layout make it a natural fit for your summer learning goals. No rigid structure here. Whether your child is reviewing third grade math or jumping into sixth grade reading, IXL meets them where they are and lets them move at their own pace. Between the awards, challenges and little moments of celebration, IXL makes it easy to keep learning light and engaging even in the summer heat. Make an impact on your child's learning. Get IXL now and stories. Podcast listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl.com dragon Visit ixl.com dragon to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. Parents I think we've all had those times when everyone in the family is off on their own personal devices. Wouldn't it be great if you could find an activity that everyone will agree on? Something that's both active and fun at the same time? Imagine that our family has found an amazing new solution called NEX Playground. It's an active game system for families where your body powers the play. It's 100% motion driven gaming, no controllers or wearables needed, just play naturally and the games are so great and immersive. Go flying in the world of how to train your dragon, Dance with Barbie, pop Bubbles in Gabby's Dollhouse, or master some moves with Kung Fu Panda right from your living room. Even better. Next Playground is kids safe with no ads in app purchases or mature content, Next Playground is your feel good solution to those long summer days. Want to learn more? Visit nextplayground.com that's next playground.com to explore active family gaming today. Thanks Enjoy the episode 3 Friends and an Elephant Once upon a time, in a little pocket of deepest Africa, three friends were chilling in the water of a great big puddle they called their pond. They were an unlikely group, but they had been friends for a long time and they got along like a house on fire. Which sounds like a bad thing, but actually means they got along really well. The first of the three friends was a little crocodile named Ridge. He was a young croco, only a few feet long, and he loved to swim. He especially loved to practice looking like a log. To camouflage himself. Ridge would float up to his other friends every morning and if they didn't spot him, he'd leap up with a roar and scare them so they'd all end up laughing on the ground. The second friend was much smaller. She was slick and green like Ridge, but she wasn't a crocodile at all. No, her name was Boz, and she was a great round African bullfrog. She had a big rubbery body, big rubbery hands, and big rubbery lips that jiggled when she talked. And the third friend was the smallest of all. He was a tiny fly that buzzed. Buzz buzzed all around the little puddles. His name was Bartholomew, but everyone just called him Bart. Normally a frog would eat a fly, of course, but Boz was such a great big frog and Bart was such a teeny tiny fly that he made a better friend than Emil. In fact, Bart was so teeny tiny that the others were always looking out for him, since it wouldn't take much to squash him. So one day, Ridge the crocodile bars, the bullfrog, and Bart the fly were all hanging out together in their little pond. It truly was a tiny pond, barely bigger than a puddle, but it was perfect for the three little friends because they were, after all, so little.

[Boz]

How's your morning going?

[Amanda Weldon]

Croaked Boz, settling into the muddy water up to her chin, and then she sank even deeper, bubbles coming up from her smiling mouth going good for me, said Ridge, rolling and splashing. It's a good day to bask and a good day to eat, said Bart, buzzing over to a floating piece of fungus and looking for the good bits.

[Boz]

Yup, said Boz. It's always a nice day in a pond. Nothing bad ever happens and no one ever bothers us at the good old pond. No.

[Amanda Weldon]

Out of nowhere, a giant gray pillar smashed into the pond. It was an elephant, their massive legs stepping right into the water. Ridge had to roll over to not get smushed. Boz was bowled over backwards, and the splash soaked Bart and sent him spinning. The elephant, a colossal lady with a body like a boulder, didn't even notice that her foot was in the puddle. Her interest was far, far above them all in the leafy green trees. She used her trunk and stripped a branch clean, munching happily.

[Bart]

Hey.

[Amanda Weldon]

Called Bart, trying to shake the muddy water from his wings.

[Bart]

What's the big idea up there?

[Amanda Weldon]

But he was too small, and the elephant couldn't hear him.

[Boz]

Let me try, croaked Boz. Hey, you, bigfoot. Please move out of our pond.

[Amanda Weldon]

But she was also too small, and the elephant couldn't hear her either. Okay, time for the big guns and the big lungs, said Ridge.

[Boz]

Elephant, you're standing in our little pond. Please, would you move?

[Amanda Weldon]

But even though he was the biggest of the three, he was also too small, and the elephant couldn't hear him either.

[Bart]

What should we do?

[Amanda Weldon]

Asked Bart, buzzing back and forth.

[Bart]

This is our favorite pond, puddle. We can't just leave, can we?

[Amanda Weldon]

They all looked at the giant elephant leg in the middle of their water. It took up almost the entire thing, like a boat in a bathtub. The elephant was still munching on leaves, showing no sign of leaving anytime soon. In fact, there were enough trees in reach that the elephant seemed to be settling in for a good long meal. We have to get her to leave, said Ridge, the crocodile swishing his tail back and forth in the muddy edge of the pond.

[Boz]

I'm the biggest, so I should try first. What are you going to try?

[Amanda Weldon]

Asked Boz, looking longingly at the water welling around the elephant's massive foot. Don't get hurt, added Bart. As the smallest and the weakest, they were always trying to keep him safe. So he liked to return the favor. I'm just gonna give her a little crocodile nip, said Ridge. Nothing too hard. Just a little bite that says, hey there, big girl. Move it along. Go get em, croaked Boz. Here I go. Shouted Ridge. And then he darted at the big elephant's leg. His crocodile smile opened wider and wider until all his sharp white teeth were showing. Baz took a moment to be thankful they were friends, because Ridge could be really scary when he went into killer croc mode. And then Ridge latched onto the elephant's leg. He bit down hard, but not too hard, and clung on around the rough skin in his teeth. He kept shouting, can you hear me now?

[Boz]

Step on out of our pond, you punk.

[Bart]

Get her.

[Amanda Weldon]

Cried Boz, jumping up and down with excitement.

[Bart]

Get her.

[Amanda Weldon]

Carefully, added Bart, buzzing back and forth. Ridge bit down harder, gnawing and chewing, and the elephant just ignored it. She was so big, her skin was so rough and pebbly that the little croc couldn't even get through. Finally, he let go and splashed back down into the mud. He dragged himself up onto the bank, panting and dripping muddy water. Now for a quick ad break. 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. So it didn't go according to plan, ridge said, dropping down next to his friends. He groaned and stretched his jaw. That elephant is just too big.

[Boz]

Well, do we go and find another pond?

[Amanda Weldon]

Asked Boz. Oh, I hope not, said Bart.

[Bart]

The missus and I were planning on laying our eggs here. It's a nice spot for eggs, don't you think?

[Amanda Weldon]

It's a great spot for eggs, said Ridge, shaking the mud from his scaly skin.

[Boz]

Too true, said Boz the bullfrog. I guess since I'm the next biggest, I should try.

[Amanda Weldon]

What are you going to do? Asked Ridge. Don't even try biting it. The skin is too rough. And be careful, added Bart.

[Boz]

I'm not going to bite, said Boz.

[Amanda Weldon]

Coiling herself into a little green spring.

[Boz]

I'm going to bounce.

[Amanda Weldon]

With a mighty croak, the bullfrog launched herself into the air. It was a legendary leap, one for the ages. Her body stretched in the air, webbed hands out, webbed feet stringing out behind her. For a moment she was perfectly silhouetted in the sun, and then she landed right on the elephant's back.

[Boz]

There is no way she can ignore my bounce attack.

[Amanda Weldon]

The frog shouted, launching into the air and landing again, this time on the elephant's head.

[Bart]

Oh no.

[Boz]

She's ignoring my bounce attack. I guess I'll just have to do it faster. Harder. Bouncier.

[Amanda Weldon]

Boz launched higher than ever and came down right between the elephant's eyes. She didn't seem to notice beyond it giving her a little tickle. She scratched herself with her trunk and went back to eating. Unfortunately for little Boz, when the big elephant scratched herself with her trunk, she launched the frog up, up, up into the air, higher than she had ever leaped before.

[Bart]

Ah.

[Amanda Weldon]

Screamed Baz. Spinning head over tail.

[Boz]

What do I do?

[Bart]

Aim for the mud.

[Amanda Weldon]

Shouted Bart, buzzing back and forth nervously. Baz stretched out her body and leaned into the wind, her big webbed hands and feet working like sails. She soared over the elephant again and landed back down next to her feet with a muddy plop. The elephant didn't move her giant tree trunk of a leg and foot, not even a bit, not even an inch, not even the width of a fly's whisker, which is really, really tiny. What should we do now? Asked Ridge. I guess we should go to another pond.

[Boz]

Oh, yes. I guess that's all we could do.

[Amanda Weldon]

Agreed Boz, picking herself out of the mud with a squelch pop noise.

[Bart]

Well, I can try, said Bart. I know I'm the smallest, but I think I can give it a go.

[Boz]

Okay, but you be careful, said Boz. If you get hit with that trunk, you'll be squished for sure.

[Amanda Weldon]

Yeah, agreed Ridge. We can move. I really don't want you to get swatted.

[Bart]

I know I'm the smallest, but I.

[Amanda Weldon]

Have an idea, said Bart.

[Bart]

I'm gonna try it.

[Boz]

Go for it, said Boz.

[Amanda Weldon]

Bart flew up and up in lazy loops, careful to stay away from the elephant's tail and trunk so he didn't get swatted. What are you doing up there? Ridge shouted, watching from the ground with wide eyes.

[Boz]

Don't get whacked.

[Amanda Weldon]

I won't, Bart shouted back. And then to himself, he said, here goes nothing. And then Bart flew right into the elephant's ear. He had to twist and dodge past the big flapping outside part, and then he was in the great big animal's ear canal. He flew down it like a plane through a trench, dodging stalactites of earwax until he was right up against the elephant's eardrum. And then he started to talk.

[Bart]

Ah, Mr. Ms. Elephant, I don't mean to bother you, but you're standing in our little pond, and I know it's just a puddle to you, but it's really ruining our day down there.

[Amanda Weldon]

But Bart was so small, the elephant couldn't make out any of his teeny, tiny words. All the elephant heard was buzz, buzz.

[Bart]

Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, and so.

[Amanda Weldon]

On and so forth with lots more buzzes. It was annoying, and the elephant wiggled her ear, but Bart was so far inside, he didn't even notice.

[Bart]

So what do you think? Maybe you can just take a few more steps and get out of our pond? Seems like a pretty easy ask, if I'm being honest.

[Amanda Weldon]

And again all the elephant heard was.

[Bart]

Buzz, buzz, buzzity buzz.

[Amanda Weldon]

She whacked her ear with her trunk now, but Bart was too far inside.

[Boz]

I hope he's okay, croaked Boz.

[Amanda Weldon]

He's tough, said Ridge.

[Bart]

Anyway, I was just hoping you'd listen to reason and give us a little space. Thanks, friend. Love your trunk, by the way.

[Amanda Weldon]

The elephant still didn't understand, but the buzzing noise was driving her absolutely bonkers. She shook and shimmied and finally took three big steps forward, trying to get away from the buzz. As soon as she did, Bart popped free and flew back to his little pond.

[Boz]

You did it.

[Amanda Weldon]

Said Boz. Bart, Bart, Bart. Chanted Ridge. Bart smiled and buzzed down to his friends. We did it. He said, landing right between them. The elephant took a few more lumbering steps and then settled back in to eat well away from their pond. Finally, it was safe and quiet again.

[Bart]

So what do we do now?

[Amanda Weldon]

Asked Bart.

[Boz]

Well, now we can enjoy the puddle.

[Amanda Weldon]

Said Boz, jumping in with a splash.

[Boz]

Last one in is a rotten egg.

[Amanda Weldon]

I love eggs, said Ridge, belly flopping in.

[Bart]

And I love them rotten, added the.

[Amanda Weldon]

Fly, splashing down next to his friends. They swam and relaxed in the pond all day, and no elephants bothered them for a good long time. So they all lived happily ever after.

[Bart]

The End.

[Amanda Weldon]

Today's story, Three Friends in an Elephant, was an adaptation of a classic fable written for you by Daniel Hines. It was edited and produced by Ellie Hines and performed for you by me, Amanda Weldon. 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. Thanks for listening.