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

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.

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.

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."

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.

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."

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.

Additional Information

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• Personalized Messages: Commission a special video on Cameo.
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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.