Throwback: Kiddo and the Fox

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages

Episode: Throwback: Kiddo and the Fox
Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Amanda Weldon

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Episode Overview

In this classic throwback episode, "Kiddo and the Fox," the Stories Podcast brings to life a playful adaptation of a traditional fable. It's a tale about Kiddo, a curious and adventurous little lamb, who steps away from the safety of her flock and learns a clever lesson about wit, bravery, and the importance of listening to good advice. Designed for family listening, the episode mixes gentle suspense, humor, memorable songs, and a wholesome message that resonates with children and parents alike.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

1. Setting the Scene

[02:49]

• The story opens in peaceful green pastures where a happy herd of sheep, protected by two diligent sheepdogs, spends its days playing and grazing.
• Kiddo, the main character, is introduced as a "forever wandering" lamb, easily distracted by flowers and sweet smells.

Quote:
"Her name was Kiddo, and she was forever wandering away after flowers or sweet smells on the wind, no matter how many times the dogs warned her not to.” — Narrator [03:54]

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2. Warning from the Watchdogs

[04:14]

• The sheepdogs, Cap (the stern elder) and Tatters (the kindhearted one), try to keep Kiddo safe.
• Cap warns, in gruff tones, of dangers lurking beyond the field.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Now listen, Kiddo... There’s things in these fields, things in these woods nearby that would just love to have you for dinner.” — Cap [04:18]
• “Don’t give the old man too hard a time. He just wants to keep you safe.” — Tatters [05:12]

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3. Kiddo’s Curiosity: Lost in the Woods

[06:22]

• Kiddo gets distracted chasing a beautiful butterfly and wanders deep into the woods, losing sight of her flock.
• She recalls Tatters’ advice to call for help if lost.

Quote:
"Tatters, old Cap, I’m lost." — Kiddo (calling out) [07:31]

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4. The Encounter with the Fox

[08:09], [09:55]

• Kiddo hears singing and stumbles upon a large, sly red fox with a wide, unsettling grin and gleaming teeth.
• The fox reveals her intentions — “You’re just in time for dinner” — making it clear she plans to eat Kiddo.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Are you lost, you poor little lamb?” — Fox [08:09]
• “Leave so soon? But you’re just in time for dinner.” — Fox [10:13]

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5. Kiddo’s Clever Plan: Outfoxing the Fox

[11:29]–[14:23]

• Kiddo, frightened but resourceful, tricks the fox by challenging her to a singing contest, playing to the fox's vanity.
• The fox, proud of her voice, bursts into performance—singing louder and louder so Kiddo can hear.

Notable Song Lyrics:

• “I’m the finest in the forest, the queen of all you see. I can sing up high and sing down low, no one compares to me... The finest is me!” — Fox’s Song [13:01, 14:07]

Kiddo’s cleverness:

• “You know, it might be just the wool in my ears. Could you try singing a lot louder?” — Kiddo [13:58]

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6. Rescue and Resolution

[14:34]–[15:56]

• The sheepdogs, drawn by the loud singing, arrive just in time.
• The fox, intimidated by their size, flees after a speedy countdown from Cap.
• Tatters praises Kiddo for her quick thinking.

Memorable Quotes:

• “Clever trick with the singing. We came looking when we noticed you were gone, but we never would have found you without the sound to follow.” — Tatters [15:24]

• “Maybe just don’t wander off alone, kiddo.” — Cap [15:35]

• Tatters playfully mimics the fox’s song as they lead Kiddo home, and they all laugh together.

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Notable Quotes and Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Moment | |-----------|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:54 | Narrator | "Her name was Kiddo, and she was forever wandering away after flowers or sweet smells..." | | 04:18 | Cap | "Now listen, Kiddo... There's things in these fields, things in these woods nearby..." | | 13:01 | Fox | (singing) "I'm the finest in the forest, the queen of all you see..." | | 13:58 | Kiddo | "You know, it might be just the wool in my ears. Could you try singing a lot louder?" | | 14:34 | Tatters | "What a wonderful song." | | 15:24 | Tatters | "Clever trick with the singing... never would have found you without the sound to follow." |

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:49] – Story starts: Introduction to the sheep, sheepdogs, and Kiddo
• [06:22] – Kiddo gets distracted by the butterfly and becomes lost
• [08:09] – Kiddo meets the sly fox in the woods
• [11:29] – Kiddo hatches her plan to outwit the fox
• [13:01] – Fox sings her show-stopping song
• [14:34] – Sheepdogs arrive and chase off the fox
• [15:24] – Tatters and Cap praise Kiddo’s quick thinking and lead her home

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Story Tone & Language

• Warm, gentle, and playful
• Encourages curiosity, bravery, and teamwork
• Delivers the story with whimsy and musicality—songs and banter bring the characters to life
• Positive messaging with a dose of classic fable morals: listen to good advice, don’t stray too far, and think quickly in a pinch

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Takeaway Message

After her woodland adventure, Kiddo learns to trust her protectors, value her own resourcefulness, and — most importantly — to stick with her flock. The story ends with laughter and a gentle reminder to be careful, making it a perfect bedtime lesson for young listeners.

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End of Summary

Transcript

[Kiddo]

Hello.

[Amanda Weldon]

Welcome to Stories Podcast. I'm your host, Amanda Weldon. Today's story is a throwback episode. 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. 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 Experience the beloved Harry Potter series like you've never heard them before on Audible Harry Potter the full cast audio editions present the iconic series as a truly spellbinding listening event for the whole family. The adventure will surround you. You'll hear footsteps echoing off the walls of Hogwarts and the whoosh of a golden snitch as it darts past. And the production also features a rousing new musical score that heightens every magical moment. Listen as a list Stars like Hugh Laurie as Albus Dumbledore and Keira Knightley as Professor Umbridge create a spellbinding experience for not only longtime Harry Potter fans, but also those brand new to the magical world of witchcraft and wizardry. The first story, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, is available now, with new audiobooks releasing every month. Moving forward, it's Harry Potter like you've never heard it before. Listen on audible go to audible.com HP1 and start listening today. As parents, we know how quickly family time can turn into scrolling time. With everyone defaulting to their own devices after a long day, wouldn't it be great to have an active option the.

[Narrator]

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[Amanda Weldon]

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[Amanda Weldon]

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[Narrator]

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[Amanda Weldon]

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[Ad Voice 1]

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[Amanda Weldon]

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[Narrator]

Kiddo and the Fox Once upon a time, in a land of rolling green pastures and sprawling flower fields, there lived a great herd of sheep. There were hundreds of them, each as happy and puffy as a cloud. They spent their days wandering across the land, chomping down the thick green grass and playing in the flowers. The shepherd was often away, but it didn't matter. The sheep were protected by two giant sheep dogs. The dogs took their jobs very seriously, and they spent their days circling the sheep, keeping them close and watching for threats in the distance. It was a peaceful place, but occasionally a wolf or fox or wild hound would slink close, smelling a hundred dinners. Of course, the great sheepdogs were bigger even than the wolves, so they had no trouble driving them away from their fluffy friends.

[Amanda Weldon]

The dogs did a good job, but they weren't perfect. After all, there were only a few.

[Narrator]

Of them and there were so many sheep. One little lamb was especially troubling for them. Her name was Kiddo, and she was forever wandering away after flowers or sweet smells on the wind, no matter how many times the dogs warned her not to.

[Tatters]

Now listen, Kiddo, old Cap would growl.

[Narrator]

He was the oldest and sternest of the sheepdogs. There's things in these fields, things in these woods nearby that would just love.

[Tatters]

To have you for dinner.

[Narrator]

Do you want to end up a.

[Tatters]

Meal for some wild mutt?

[Ad Voice 1]

Eat me.

[Amanda Weldon]

Kiddo.

[Narrator]

Exclaimed, her big dewy eyes going wide.

[Tatters]

Jeez, Cap, lay off.

[Narrator]

Said Tatters.

[Tatters]

You'll scare the life out of the poor thing.

[Narrator]

Yeah, chimed in Kiddo, glad for the interruption.

[Kiddo]

You'll scare the life out of my.

[Narrator]

Poor thing, old Cap grumbled and started to pad away.

[Tatters]

Just stay closer and pay better attention.

[Narrator]

He called over his shoulder.

[Tatters]

We've got too many of you cotton balls for me to always have one eye on you.

[Narrator]

Kiddo looked up guiltily at Tatters.

[Tatters]

Don't give the old man too hard.

[Narrator]

A time, Tatters said, tail wagging.

[Tatters]

He just wants to keep you safe.

[Narrator]

I won't, Tatters, she said, smiling in the wide way that always seemed to put the grown ups at ease. You're all right, kiddo, he said, turning to look out over the flock.

[Tatters]

We have good ears anyway.

[Narrator]

You ever get lost, you just keep hollering. Alright, alright, Tatters, she said, but she was already looking off into the distance at a particularly dark green patch of grass. She trotted over and ate for a while, taking her time as the rest of the herd flowed around her. Not two days later, the herd swung closer to the forest to find fresh grass. Being so near the woods made the sheepdogs nervous. The sheep needed to eat, though, and because there were so many, they always had to keep moving. Most knew to keep well away from the darkness of the forest. But Kiddo? She was prancing along at the edge of the herd, happy and carefree as always. She probably would have been fine if not for a passing butterfly.

[Kiddo]

Oh, wow.

[Narrator]

Kitty, kiddo said. The butterfly was violet, dappled with blue and gold. It fluttered by her just out of reach.

[Kiddo]

Hey, come back.

[Narrator]

She scampered after the butterfly. It bobbed high and she tried to jump after it. It dipped low and she crawled along on her belly, giggling. It danced past one tree and another, and Kiddo wound on after it. Finally, it disappeared over a thorny thicket and Kiddo had to pull up short. No fair, she said, still giggling. She tried to look around the thicket, but the butterfly was gone. Oh well, she said. But when she turned to rejoin the flock, she realized a terrible truth. She had chased the butterfly deep into the woods. How had she not noticed? Fear nestled in her little heart, and suddenly the friendly trees felt dark and looming.

[Kiddo]

What do I do?

[Narrator]

She said, and then remembered the advice she had gotten from Tatters to holler out if she ever got into trouble.

[Kiddo]

Tatters, old Cap, I'm lost.

[Narrator]

She called and heard her own words echo among the trees. She listened hard for a moment and was that. Yes, it was another voice calling back to her. It was hard to pinpoint sound in the woods, but she made her best guess and started off towards the noise. She kept her ears open as she walked, following the voice. She soon realized it wasn't someone yelling back to her. It was someone singing.

[Kiddo]

Tatters, old Cap, is that you?

[Narrator]

She asked, but it wasn't the dogs who answered. Oh, are you lost, you poor little lamb? Kiddo turned and felt a squeak escape her lamby lips. There, perched on an old oak stump, was a giant red fox.

[Amanda Weldon]

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.

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[Narrator]

She had white around her mouth and at the tip of her tail, but whitest of all were her needle teeth shining out from her wide, unsettling smile. Oh, hello, said Kiddo.

[Kiddo]

Were you singing?

[Narrator]

But of course, said the fox. I have the finest voice in the forest. Everyone knows. It's true.

[Kiddo]

Well, I was just heading back to the pastures. Maybe you could tell me which way.

[Amanda Weldon]

Is out of here.

[Narrator]

The fox jumped nimbly from the stump. She was bigger than the young lamb, and her tongue lolled from her mouth. Leave so soon? But you're just in time for dinner.

[Kiddo]

Oh, dinner.

[Narrator]

What?

[Kiddo]

What's for dinner?

[Narrator]

The fox circled behind and Kiddo turned to keep her in her sight. Well, it was going to be a rabbit, but now I'm thinking I'll have a little lamb. Kiddo started to shake. She couldn't outrun or out fight a fox. What could she do?

[Kiddo]

Help. Help.

[Narrator]

She started to call, but the fox put a clawed paw on her mouth and shut it. Enough of that, Kiddo squeaked. What could she do? She had to make noise so the.

[Amanda Weldon]

Dogs would hear and come save her.

[Narrator]

Now, any last requests? The fox purred, before you have the honor of being eaten by the best singer in the forest. The best singer? Kiddo thought. Maybe she could use that arrow. She swallowed, fighting to keep the tremble from her voice.

[Kiddo]

Are you truly the best singer in the forest?

[Narrator]

No one has a finer voice than I. No one. That gave Kiddo an idea.

[Kiddo]

I don't know.

[Narrator]

I've always been told I'm the best singer in the flock, she said. Of course, no one had ever told her any such thing. But the fox didn't know that you oh, there's no way a little lamb like you can match the voice of a fine fox like me. Well, maybe not. But I haven't really heard you sing, little lamb. I was singing when you found me. Were you?

[Kiddo]

I'm sorry. With these woolly ears I don't hear so well.

[Narrator]

Doesn't matter anyway. I'm definitely better.

[Amanda Weldon]

You can just have me for dinner. Get rid of the competition.

[Kiddo]

I get it.

[Narrator]

The fox snarled and sat back her Bottle brush, tail swaying dangerously. No, you pull the wool out of those ears and listen before I eat. You understand? Kiddo cowered back, hiding her sudden smile.

[Kiddo]

Okay, if you insist.

[Narrator]

The fox cleared her throat and jumped back on her stump as though it were a stage. Listen well, now, supper, and learn. Who is the best? I'm the finest in the forest the.

[Fox]

Queen of all you see I can sing up high and sing down low no one compares to me, no question, it's guaranteed who's the finest the finest is me.

[Narrator]

I told you.

[Kiddo]

Yeah, that was really good.

[Narrator]

I guess. I don't know.

[Amanda Weldon]

I don't really know if you're the best yet.

[Narrator]

That's ridiculous. Let me. Let me try another one.

[Fox]

Aw, baby, you're adorable. Cute enough to eat. But listen to these dulcet tones. You know you can't compete. Don't question, it's guaranteed who's the finest? The finest is me.

[Narrator]

Did you hear how good it was that time?

[Kiddo]

You know, it might be just the.

[Narrator]

Wool in my ears. Could you try singing a lot louder? Okay, you asked for it.

[Fox]

I'm the finest in the forest the queen of all you see I can sing up high and sing down low no one compares to me no question, it's guaranteed who's the finest, the finest.

[Kiddo]

The finest.

[Fox]

Is me.

[Tatters]

What a wonderful song.

[Narrator]

Came a gruff voice.

[Tatters]

Wasn't it, Tatters? Truly the finest in the forest, Tatters agreed.

[Narrator]

The two sheepdogs came from the woods to stand on either side of Kiddo. Big as the fox was, the dogs towered over her. Ah, yes, thank you, said the fox. I think I should be going now. I'll give you to the count of three, tatter said. The fox turned to go. Three. Barked old Cap immediately, and the fox stumbled and scurried away into the brush. Kiddo sank to the ground, nearly crying in relief.

[Kiddo]

Thank you, thank you, she said. I thought I was a goner.

[Narrator]

Tatter smiled at her, tail wagging.

[Tatters]

Clever trick with the singing. We came looking when we noticed you were gone, but we never would have found you without the sound to follow. But next time, old Cap grumbled. Maybe just don't wander off alone, kiddo.

[Narrator]

I won't, she said, and she mostly meant it. The dogs guided her back to the herd, and as they went, Tatters couldn't help himself.

[Tatters]

I'm the finest in the forest I'm the queen of all you see.

[Narrator]

They all laughed together as they rejoined the herd. And while Kiddo was still, well, a kid after her scare in the woods, she cared a little more, strayed a little less, and never got lost in the woods again. The End Today's story, Kiddo and the Fox, was an adaptation of a traditional.

[Amanda Weldon]

Fable written for you by Daniel Hines and performed for you by me, Amanda Weldon, with songs by us both. 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 Find, follow us on Instagram Stories Podcast or simply tell your friends about us.

[Narrator]

Thanks for listening.

[Amanda Weldon]

Hey parents. We make Stories podcast for your child and you. And that means we'd like to know more about what your child listener thinks about our podcast. And we'd like to know a little bit more about you, the parent. So we're asking you to fill out a short survey with your child. As a thank you, we'll send you a chance to win one of three $100Amazon gift cards.

[Narrator]

Fair deal.

[Amanda Weldon]

Check out the survey at starglowsurvey.

[Narrator]

Com.

[Amanda Weldon]

That's starglowsurvey.

[Narrator]

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