Throwback: Hey Little Mouse!

Summary

Summary of "Throwback: Hey Little Mouse!" Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages
Release Date: January 14, 2025
Host: Amanda Weldon
Performed by: Amanda Weldon and Daniel Hines

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Introduction

In the "Throwback: Hey Little Mouse!" episode of Stories Podcast, host Amanda Weldon and co-performer Daniel Hines present an enchanting adaptation of a classic Korean folktale. This heartwarming story emphasizes the values of hard work, humility, and the importance of friendship.

Setting and Characters

The tale unfolds in ancient Korea, amidst lush trees where three distinctive birds—a pheasant, a dove, and a scruffy magpie—coexist peacefully. These birds lead leisurely lives, spending their days chatting, feasting on fruits and grains, and enjoying the tranquility of their arboreal habitat. Their easy existence starkly contrasts with that of a busy little mouse who persistently scurries beneath the trees, diligently collecting seeds, nuts, and grains.

Notable Quote:
Amanda Weldon narrates, “They spent their days idly chatting on their branches, feasting on the fruits of the trees and the grains of the grass” (03:22).

Initial Conflict

The birds observe the mouse's relentless labor with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. They frequently taunt him, urging him to relax and join their carefree lifestyle.

Notable Quotes:

• The pheasant mocks, “Busy, busy little mouse” (04:05).
• The dove adds, “Always so serious. Never seems to have any peace” (04:07).

The mouse, undeterred by their jibes, continues his work, believing in the value of preparation and diligence.

Drought and Struggles

As seasons change, a severe drought strikes the land. Rain becomes scarce, rivers dwindle to mere streams, and the once-fertile ground cracks and hardens. Food becomes scarce, and the birds find themselves struggling to find sustenance.

Notable Quote:
The pheasant laments, “I'm so hungry my stomach isn't just rumbling” (05:21).

Desperation sets in, and the birds realize that their previously easy lives are unsustainable without diligent preparation. The pheasant, dove, and magpie face the grim reality of scarcity, prompting thoughts of abandoning their home in search of better conditions elsewhere.

The Birds Seek Help

In their desperation, the birds remember the busy little mouse and decide to seek his help, believing that his constant gathering has left him with ample food reserves.

Notable Quote:
Amanda Weldon recounts, “She looked at her friends, who just blinked back at her. That busy little mouse” (06:21).

Determined, the pheasant leads the charge to the mouse's burrow, demanding a share of his stored food. The dove soon follows, adding to the pressure with threats and intimidation.

Notable Quotes:

• Pheasant: “You're gonna get some food from you” (07:16).
• Dove: “Free from his doorway” (08:16).

The Mouse's Defense and Climax

Confronted with the birds' aggression, the mouse stands his ground. Refusing to succumb to their threats, he defends his home with courage and resourcefulness.

Notable Quote:
The mouse asserts, “No. You made fun of me all year and made my walks miserable” (08:07).

In a dramatic turn, the mouse uses a burning log from his fire to fend off the pheasant, causing her to retreat in pain. This bold act leaves both the pheasant and dove injured, explaining their red and blue cheeks to this day.

Notable Quote:
Amanda Weldon concludes the first confrontation, “And this is why pheasants still have red cheeks to this very day” (09:18).

Realization and Apology

Witnessing the events unfold, the magpie begins to reflect on the birds' previous behavior. She recognizes the injustice and the mouse's unwavering diligence, leading her to a place of remorse.

Notable Quote:
The magpie admits, “We're bullies” (15:07).

Determined to make amends, the magpie approaches the mouse with an apology, acknowledging their past mistreatment and expressing a desire for friendship.

Notable Quote:
Amanda Weldon narrates, “I'm saying sorry with this song” (15:07).

Resolution and Friendship

The mouse, initially skeptical, considers the magpie's heartfelt apology. Deciding to forgive, he invites her to share a meal, symbolizing the restoration of trust and the beginning of a genuine friendship.

Notable Quote:
The mouse offers, “Do you want to stay for dinner?” (15:32).

Together, they enjoy a harmonious dinner, solidifying their bond and teaching the other birds the value of kindness and cooperation. The magpie learns to prepare diligently, inspired by the mouse's example, ensuring she is never caught unprepared again.

Notable Quote:
Amanda Weldon concludes, “And this is why magpies still gather lots of food, just in case to this very day” (16:09).

Conclusion

"Hey Little Mouse!" serves as a poignant reminder of the virtues of hard work and the importance of treating others with respect and kindness. Through the transformation of the magpie and the steadfastness of the mouse, listeners are encouraged to value diligence, humility, and the power of genuine friendship.

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Key Takeaways

• Hard Work Pays Off: The mouse's dedication ensures his survival during tough times, highlighting the importance of preparation.
• Bullying has Consequences: The birds' mistreatment leads to their own downfall, teaching that negative behavior can backfire.
• Forgiveness and Friendship: The magpie's apology and reconciliation with the mouse emphasize the value of making amends and building positive relationships.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “They spent their days idly chatting on their branches, feasting on the fruits of the trees and the grains of the grass” (03:22)
• “Busy, busy little mouse” (04:05)
• “Always so serious. Never seems to have any peace” (04:07)
• “I'm so hungry my stomach isn't just rumbling” (05:21)
• “She looked at her friends, who just blinked back at her. That busy little mouse” (06:21)
• “No. You made fun of me all year and made my walks miserable” (08:07)
• “And this is why pheasants still have red cheeks to this very day” (09:18)
• “We're bullies” (15:07)
• “I'm saying sorry with this song” (15:07)
• “Do you want to stay for dinner?” (15:32)
• “And this is why magpies still gather lots of food, just in case to this very day” (16:09)

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"Hi Little Mouse!" is a beautifully crafted story that not only entertains but also imparts valuable life lessons to children and families alike. Through its engaging narrative and memorable characters, the podcast episode successfully conveys the importance of perseverance, empathy, and the strength found in unity and understanding.

Transcript

[Amanda Weldon]

Hello. Welcome to Stories Podcast. I'm your host, Amanda Weldon.

[Daniel Hines]

Today's story is a throwback episode.

[Amanda Weldon]

Tune in to hear one of our classic stories from the archive that you might have missed the first time around. We have Stories Podcast merch, [e-mail] shop. We're also on cameo for all of your personalized video message needs.

[Daniel Hines]

And don't forget to follow us on.

[Amanda Weldon]

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.

[Daniel Hines]

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[Amanda Weldon]

Thanks. Enjoy the episode hey, little Mouse. Once upon a time in ancient Korea, there were three birds who lived together in the trees. One was a pheasant, the other was a dove, and the third was a scruffy magpie. They spent their days idly chatting on their branches, feasting on the fruits of the trees and the grains of the grass. It was an easy life, and they.

[Daniel Hines]

Thought it was peculiar that the other.

[Amanda Weldon]

Animals worked so hard all the time. Daily, a busy little mouse would scamper under the tree, carrying a seed or a nut or a bite of rice.

[Daniel Hines]

He would bustle by the birds, barely.

[Amanda Weldon]

Sparing them a glance. The birds would call down to him, already laughing. Busy, busy little mouse, called the pheasant. Why don't you come relax with us for once? Look at that little scamp, said the dove. Always so serious. Never seems to have any peace. I can't believe it, said the magpie. What a solemn fellow. Mouse, you. Why don't you just take it easy for once? The mouse didn't stop running, but he called over his shoulder, a fat berry in his paws. For once, that's all you do is take it easy. I relax after my work is done. You should do the same. Don't tell us what to do, you miserable killjoy, said the dove. If I were any bigger, maybe I'd eat you for dinner. The mouse gave a little eep and ran faster, nearly tripping over his own tail. The birds laughed again. And so it went, day in and day out, until it didn't. One long summer there was a terrible drought. The rain refused to fall, the river slowed to sluggish streams, and the ground dried and cracked like burnt toast. What little food managed to grow was gathered quickly by the busy animals, and very soon after, there wasn't a bite left to find. It was a hard time, and many of the animals were getting a little desperate, in particular the pheasant, the dove, and the scruffy magpie. I'm so hungry my stomach isn't just rumbling, said the pheasant. It's shaking my belly button clean off. The dove laid across a nearby tree branch, plucking at the dry, leafless bark. I'm so hungry, I'd eat the barnacles off a whale's back. Do you know any whales? Asked the magpie. She was sitting on a thin limb, licking a dried gourd. Afraid not, said the dove. But if I did, I'd eat some barnacles.

[Daniel Hines]

How about you? Do you know anyone with some food?

[Amanda Weldon]

Nope, said the magpie, shaking her scruffy head. I guess it's time to fly away and find a new place to live. Wait, said the pheasant, sitting up suddenly. We all know someone with food. She looked at her friends, who just blinked back at her. That busy little mouse. He was collecting food all year. He must have a houseful. They all cheered in agreement. Of course the busy little mouse had food, and they were all friends. They talked almost every day. After all, he'd be sure to share. I'll just go and get some food from the little runt, said the pheasant. Come on, get your appetites ready, friends. The pheasant went flapping through the dry, thirsty forest, and the other birds got information. Behind her, all around them, the dead, bare trees reminded them of their empty stomachs. The pheasant's own belly growled menacingly as she landed by the big crooked tree the mouse called home. Mouse. Hey, you mouse. She leaned in close to a hole nestled in the roots. Hey, little mouse. All clean and thorough. You've got food stashed in your burrow. I'm much bigger and tougher, too. So I'm gonna get some food from you. F Double O d for me. Give me some of your food from way deep inside the burrow. The mouse called back. No. You made fun of me all year and made my walks miserable. Oh, come on now, said the pheasant. It was just a bit of fun.

[Daniel Hines]

Can't you take a joke?

[Amanda Weldon]

Give me some food. It wasn't a joke to me. Shouted the mouse. So no, I won't share. Just go away. That's it, you little twerp. I'm getting that food. The pheasant jammed her beak into the busy little mouse's burrow, sending loose dirt spraying into his clean little home. Ah, get out.

[Daniel Hines]

Get out.

[Amanda Weldon]

Cried the little mouse, backing away from the terrifying beak in his doorway. Give me food. Snapped the bird, digging closer. The little mouse grabbed a burning log from the fire, swinging it wildly as the hungry beak inched closer. With luck, he got the pheasant on one cheek and then the other in a spray of cinders. The bird crowed in pain and backed out of the burrow, her cheeks still burning. She turned and flew away to find some food. And this is why pheasants still have.

[Daniel Hines]

Red cheeks to this very day. 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 have you got kids who can't break away from their screens at bedtime? This is for you. Koala Moon is a podcast of original bedtime stories and sleep meditations for kids hosted by Abbey Ofer. All content is delivered in friendly, soft tones, getting slower as the episode goes on to encourage sleep. There are over 450 stories and meditations to choose from, with three episodes added every single week. Koala Moon has helped improve over 25 million bedtimes since its launch in late 2021 and now welcomes over 1 million listeners a month. It even won a British podcast award in 2024. Find out what the fuss is about subscribe to Koala Moon wherever you listen to podcasts and start listening for free tonight. Just search Koala Moon on your favorite podcast app. This episode of Stories podcast is brought to you by Squarespace. Squarespace is the all in one website platform for entrepreneurs to stand out and succeed online. Whether you're just launching a new venture or managing a successful business, Squarespace makes it easy to create a beautiful website, engage with your audience, and sell anything from products to content to time, all in one place, all on your terms. Squarespace makes it easy to build a beautiful website with Design Intelligence, a cutting edge AI technology to unlock your strongest creative potential. Design Intelligence empowers anyone to build a beautiful, more personalized website tailored to your unique needs so your site can really reflect your brand and create a specific digital signature to use throughout your entire online presence. Plus, Squarespace has integrated SEO tools. Every Squarespace website is optimized so you show up more often to more people in global search engine results. Head to squarespace.com for a free trial and when you're Ready to launch www.squarespace.com dragon to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. That's squarespace.com dragon for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

[Amanda Weldon]

Thanks.

[Daniel Hines]

And now back to the story.

[Amanda Weldon]

The dove and the magpie watched what happened with wide eyes. The pheasant was driven away, said the dove, by that tiny rapscallion mouse. Didn't it seem like she Maybe deserved it? Asked the magpie. She went a little wild there. Wild? Wild? I'll show you wild. The dove flapped down from the trees and landed by the mouse's front door. Mouse. Listen up, you little ingrate. He leaned in close to the hole nestled in the roots. Hey, little mouse who thinks he's tough? You've got food and I'll get rough. I'm much smarter and stronger, too, so I'm going to get some food from you.

[Daniel Hines]

F Double O. D for me.

[Amanda Weldon]

Give me some of your food from way back inside the burrow. The mouse called back. No. You made fun of me all year and made my walks miserable. The dove flapped his wings indignantly. Well, I never. It was just some teasing. Where is your sense of humor, you cad? This was never funny to me. Shouted back the mouse. Now leave me alone. You didn't bother to get any food, so now you can go and fly off and find some. It's no problem of mine. No problem of yours? No problem of yours. Screeched the dove. I'll make it your problem, you greedy little furball. Like the pheasant before him, the dove drove his beak into the mouse's burrow. The mouse was ready this time and leapt forward with a shout. By my whiskers, you'll never have my food. He cried and brought down his fire poker like a war hammer on the greedy bird's head. The dove squawked and wriggled away, shaking free of the dirty roots. The mouse raised the fire poker menacingly, and the dove stumbled backwards further, his head already bruised blue. He turned and flew away to find some food. And this is why doves still have blue heads to this very day. The magpie was alone now, watching the little mouse with sad eyes. The mouse was right. They had been mean to him all year. She just hadn't seen it. The magpie thought of all the times they'd talked and laughed and realized the busy little mouse hadn't been laughing with them. In fact, he had never so much as smiled, not even once. Oh, no, she said. We're bullies. And her friends had gone and kept acting like bullies, even when they needed help. It's no wonder the busy little mouse.

[Daniel Hines]

Reacted the way he did.

[Amanda Weldon]

He deserved better, and the magpie resolved to give it to him. Mouse, please excuse me a moment of your time. She leaned in close to the hole nestled in the roots. Hey, little mouse. So well prepared. I know that we've never really cared but you were right and we were wrong so I'm saying sorry with this song S O R R Y say I maybe we can be from way deep inside the burrow. The mouse called back. Friends? Really? This isn't another one of your super funny jokes? He asked sarcastically. No, I promise, said the magpie. We came to you when we wanted food, and my friends were still rude even when they needed your help. I'm sorry we teased you. You didn't deserve that. And I'm sorry it took a drought for me to realize you were just being careful. And it turns out you were right. Thank you. Squeaked the mouse, eyes wary as though still expecting a trick. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you? Asked the magpie. The mouse paused and thought for a while, but decided there was only one thing he really wanted. Well, said the mouse, I could use a friend. He paused for a moment, his whiskers twitching. Do you want to stay for dinner? I do, if you can forgive me, said the magpie. I do, if you can remember to be nice. And they both agreed, and the magpie fixed the burrow while the mouse cooked and they had a wonderful dinner. And this is why magpies still gather lots of food, just in case to this very day, because they learned from a very busy and prepared little friend. The end Today's story, hey Little Mouse, was an adaptation of a Korean folktale written for your by Daniel Hines and performed for your by me, Amanda Weldon, with songs by us both.

[Daniel Hines]

If you would like to support Stories.

[Amanda Weldon]

Podcast, you can leave us a five star review on iTunes.

[Daniel Hines]

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[Amanda Weldon]

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[Daniel Hines]

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[Amanda Weldon]

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[Daniel Hines]

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[Amanda Weldon]

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[Daniel Hines]

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[Amanda Weldon]

Or go to patreon.com storiesrpg to get ad free episodes play along games and coloring books. We've already got a bunch of episodes.

[Daniel Hines]

Over there so check them out now.

[Amanda Weldon]

Thanks for listening.