Unlockers

Summary

Stories Podcast: A Bedtime Show for Kids of All Ages

Episode: Unlockers

Date: June 26, 2026
Host: Amanda Weldon
Story by: Michael Lowe

---

Episode Overview

This episode, titled "Unlockers," presents an original magical adventure designed for children and families. The story follows siblings Remy and June as they discover a mysterious iron key in their grandparents’ attic, leading them on an unexpected and enchanting journey beneath a familiar willow tree. Full of imagination, magical rules, and lessons about responsibility, “Unlockers” encourages creative thinking and teamwork while providing gentle suspense suitable for all ages.

---

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Discovery in the Attic

• Setting the Scene ([02:48]):

  • Remy and June, siblings, are playing in the chaotic, treasure-filled attic of their grandparents' house, which they lovingly compare to a dragon's hoard.
  • Items mentioned: Magazines, old suitcases, a spinning wheel, mannequin, electric organ.

• Finding the Key ([05:03]):

  • Remy discovers a strange, dark metal key with a cartoonish appearance.

  • “‘This key is definitely magic.’” —Remy ([05:24])

  • June insists that "there's always rules to magic," setting up the story's central theme of magical responsibility ([05:46]).

---

2. Testing the Key’s Power

• The First Use ([06:54]):
  • After joking attempts at magic words, Remy impulsively points the key at their yappy dog, Widdles, and commands:
    “‘Lock that bark.’ And just like that, Widdles fell silent.” ([06:59])
  • Panic and awe follow when the children realize the key actually worked.

---

3. Unlocking the Willow Tree

• June’s Turn to Experiment ([08:21]):

  • June wants to "unlock something" and presses the key against a knot in the trunk of the backyard willow tree.
  • “‘Unlock this tree!’ And the key sank into the bark, and she felt herself turn it and the trunk opened. They were looking down a staircase…” ([09:52])

• Descent into the Magical World ([10:44]):

  • The children enter a spiral staircase lit with glowing moss, venturing deep beneath the tree.
  • Remy nervously comments, “But we don’t know the rules. Maybe we should go back.” ([11:18])

---

4. Meeting Faris, the Iron Wizard

• The Iron Wizard Revealed ([14:17]):

  • At the stairwell's end, they find Faris, a golem-like figure with skin as dark as iron, living in a room reminiscent of their grandparents’ but fantastical.
  • Faris’s introduction:
    “‘I am no Golem, child. My name is Faris, the Iron Wizard. Now, how is it you came to visit me? Come in, come in. You are welcome here.’” ([15:19])

• Memory Unlocked and Tension Builds ([17:03]):

  • Faris hints that his memory has been lost and manipulates Remy into using the key to unlock it:
    “‘If only one of you young wizards had the means to unlock my memory…’” ([17:03])
  • When Remy obliges (“Unlock his memory”), Faris regains his power, stands dramatically, and startles the children.

---

5. Rules and Consequences of Magic

• Unease at the Tea Table ([18:35]):

  • Faris offers the children tea, but June is wary:
    “Whenever someone in a story ate or drank in a magic place, there was always a consequence…”
    June to Remy: “‘If you ate fairy food, you could never go home…’” ([18:55])

• True Nature Revealed ([19:23]):

  • Faris explains that an evil wizard trapped him and that the key once belonged to him. He requests its return.
  • June notices Remy’s skin turning gray; the key is affecting him physically and mentally as Faris’s influence grows.

---

6. Escape from Danger

• Quick Thinking and Commanding the Key ([20:58]):

  • June saves Remy: “‘Unlock his body.’ And just like that the gray was gone and she was pulling at her brother…” ([20:54])
  • Faris becomes threatening, attempting to get the key back.
  • The kids use the key’s magic to escape the Iron Wizard’s grip and sprint up the stairs:
    • “‘Unlock his grip.’ And the two rocketed free…” ([21:01])
    • “‘Unlock my body.’ Within seconds, both children were sprinting up the stairs, bodies light as a feather, fleet as deer.’” ([21:54])

• Sealing the Magic ([22:06]):

  • They barely shut the tree door behind them.
    Remy: “‘Lock this tree.’” ([22:18])
  • The magical willow returns to normal, but the children feel changed.

---

7. Victory, Responsibility, and New Rules

• Reflecting on Their Adventure ([23:07]):
  • Remy and June realize the seriousness of the key’s power:
    • Remy: "Do we hide it? It's too dangerous."
    • June: "We can't. I mean, I... I don't want to."
  • The siblings agree on rules for using the key:
    • Rule one: Only use it together.
    • Rule two: Must agree on what to lock or unlock.
    • Rule three: Only use it for good.
  • June: “‘There are always rules to magic.’” ([23:17])

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Remy’s declaration of magic:
  “This key is definitely magic.” —Remy ([05:24])

• The moment Widdles’ bark is locked:
  “‘Lock that bark.’ And just like that, Widdles fell silent.” —Remy ([06:59])

• First use of the key on the willow:
  “‘Unlock this tree!’” —June ([09:52])

• Meeting Faris the Iron Wizard:
  “‘I am no Golem, child. My name is Faris, the Iron Wizard. Now, how is it you came to visit me? Come in, come in. You are welcome here.’” —Faris ([15:19])

• The rules of magic established:
  “There are always rules to magic.” —June ([05:46], repeated in [23:17])

• Agreeing on the rules:

  • “We only use it together.”
  • “We have to agree what we lock and unlock.”
  • “We only use it for good.”
    —Remy and June ([23:11]-[23:21])

---

Important Timestamps

• 02:48 — Siblings play in their grandparents’ attic; discovery of the box and key
• 05:03 — Description of the key; magic suspected
• 06:54 — Testing the key on Widdles
• 08:21 — Decision to try the key on the willow tree
• 09:52 — “Unlock this tree”; magical staircase revealed
• 10:44 — Descending into the magical world
• 14:17 — Meeting the Iron Wizard, Faris
• 17:03 — Remy unlocks the Iron Wizard’s memory
• 18:35 — Tea with Faris; sense of unease
• 19:23 — Faris requests his key; Remy turns gray
• 20:54 — June saves Remy; escape begins
• 22:18 — Willow locked; children return to normal
• 23:07 — Siblings agree on the rules of magic

---

Tone & Style

• Imaginative, playful, and suspenseful, with a classic fairy tale energy
• Dialogue-driven with cooperation, sibling banter, and wise lessons woven throughout
• Expressive narration and gentle humor make it engaging for children and parents alike

---

Summary

“Unlockers” is an enchanting, original adventure that blends the thrill of magical discovery with the values of teamwork and responsibility. Through clever plotting and relatable characters, the story shows that magic—just like growing up—works best when you follow the right rules, stick together, and take care with new-found power.

---

[End of Content Section; credits and further info follow in the original episode]

Transcript

[A]

Hello. Welcome to Stories Podcast. I'm your host Amanda Walden. Today's story is called Unlockers, an original story written for you by Michael Lowe. For more information about Michael and luckoflegends.com, tune in at the end of the episode.

[B]

Hang tight through this quick ad break

[A]

and then we'll start the show.

[B]

Summer schedules can look different every week for homeschool families. Between travel camps, activities and family time, IXL makes it easy to keep learning part of the routine in a flexible, low stress way. IXL is an award winning online learning platform that fits seamlessly into homeschooling. It offers interactive practice across math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K through 12th grade. IXL personalizes learning for each child, keeps them engaged, and gives parents clear insight into progress. IXL's interactive practice and clear explanations make it easy to reinforce learning during end of year milestones, summer review, or back to school prep. Everything is organized by grade and subject, so you can quickly find what each child needs without juggling multiple resources. Over 15 million students use IXL. More than 75 research studies show it delivers real results and it's been proven to improve achievement in all 50 states, giving homeschool families added confidence. 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 www.ixl.comdragon. visit www.ixl.comdragon to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.

[A]

It's the carefree days of summer, but

[B]

we know it doesn't feel that way for the parents. You've scheduled all the camps. Summer vacation is booked, but what about all those other hours in the day you're trying to avoid loads of screen time, but what if you found a screen solution that's actually good for everyone? Meet Next Playground, the active game system where your body controls the play. Next Playground is kid Safe gaming, meaning no ads in app purchases or mature content, and no online chat or friends you don't really know. Playground comes with five experiences ready to play. Add play, pass and you unlock over 50 games, many with characters your kids already know and love. Bluey, Unicorn Academy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dora and more. They even have an the Last Airbender game centered around the Earth Rumble Tournament. You and the kids can practice rock bending while dinner is bubbling in the crock pot. How cool is that? If you're ready to fill those long summer days with active play, check out nexplayground.com that's n-e xplayground.com to learn more.

[A]

Thanks. Enjoy the Episode Unlockers it was a very normal sort of day when Remy and June found the key they had been playing in the attic of their grandparents house, which their mom called the hoarder's hoard. Remy thought that sounded like the giant piles of gold and jewels the dragon sat on in the Hobbit and and June even drew a picture of Smaug sitting on their grandparents house, smoke rising from one nostril, a single yellow eye cracked suspiciously open. All of which is to say they loved their grandparents attic. It was full of magical things just like any dragon's hoard. Strange leather suitcases full of yellowing black and white photos, an old spinning wheel, a half dressed mannequin's torso with pins sticking out, a full electric organ that could plug in but only made strange garbled stereo noises that June liked to imagine were elves chattering on the inside. Of course they were forbidden from going in the attic, but the trapdoor up into it was never locked and their grandparents let them have the run of the house. Which is why on that particular summer afternoon Remy was paging through a heap of strange old magazines while June, stretched out on the wooden slats of the attic with her feet waving lazily in the air, doodled on an old map adding castles and towers and mushroom forests. Hey look it. Remy pulled a wooden box from under the pile of magazines. June looked up. Is it something really cool? Cause there's gonna be a whole swamp full of ghosts here and it's gonna take a while to get them all looking spooky. I dunno, but it looks cool. Remy turned the strange little box over in his hands, then fiddled with the brass clasp at the front. It popped open and he pulled out something and held it up. June looked up. So is it cool? They both took a moment to consider if what Remy held was in fact cool. It.

[B]

It didn't look particularly cool, at least

[A]

not at first glance. But there was something about was a key, but not the brass toothy edged

[B]

sort of key you used for houses.

[A]

It was made of a dark metal like the skillet Grandpa fried eggs in, and it had a round loop and a straight round cylinder with a single tab on was almost less like a real key than a cartoon key, the sort that was always hung on a big key ring in pirate stories. Yes, Remy said with conviction. This key is definitely magic. June sat up and considered the argument. Okay, if it's magic, there has to

[B]

be a way to Use it right.

[A]

There's always rules to magic. She held out a hand, and Remy reluctantly handed it over.

[B]

She held it up to the sunlight

[A]

and waved it open sesame. Remy rolled his eyes. That's dumb. You don't know. Could be anything. She waved it again, abracadabra. Below them, through the open attic trap door, they suddenly heard a whine, then a yap. Oh, crud. Widdles June scooched over and looked down into the hall. Widdles, hush. The tiny ancient Chihuahua was half blind and very cuddly if you were sitting right next to him, but nervous and yappy. When he couldn't see who was doing what, he stood stubbornly under the ladder and began yapping louder. Widdles, hush. Don't bug Grandma and Grandpa, june hissed. Remy scooted over both of them, realizing the dog could end playtime and get them in trouble with their parents if he kept it up. And that was when it happened. Remy grabbed the key and pointed it at the dog and in a suddenly strange, serious tone, said, lock that bark. And just like that, Widdles fell silent. His mouth was still open, the scruffy hair on the back of his neck raised, but when he snapped, no sound came out. He jumped, cloudy eyes wide, then doubled down, his whole body quivering as he opened his little mouth and tried desperately to bark and failed. June and Remy stared at the dog,

[B]

then at each other, then at the

[A]

dog who had decided he had had enough of whatever awful scary thing was in this part of the house and ran back downstairs. Their grandma's voice came up the stairs. Widdles, kiddos, Are you okay up there? Yes, Grandma. Remy and June responded immediately, still staring at each other. Backyard, June whispered. Remy just nodded and stuffed the key in his pocket, and within minutes they'd closed up and were in the big, overgrown backyard. They hid beneath the weeping willow, a tree whose branches spilled all the way down to the ground, making it a perfect hidden fort. June held out her hand. You had first go. My turn. Remy made a face but handed it over. Fine.

[B]

But we gotta agree whatever we do with it first.

[A]

June snatched the key and held it up. Nuh uh. You got first go and didn't ask. So I get one free turn, remy grumbled. Ugh. Okay. But listen, though. I tried locking so you June said

[B]

it before he could.

[A]

I'm gonna unlock something. The two of them looked around, suddenly seeing the green tent of hanging branches and the backyard beyond in a very different way. June turned the key over in her hands. It was heavy and slightly warm, as if it had been sitting in the sun. Do you think it only works on, like, dogs? Like, what else could we use it on? That's dumb. Why would a wizard make a magic key that only worked on dogs? Remy scoffed. I don't know. Maybe he had a bunch of them that wouldn't stop barking like Wittles. June shrugged.

[B]

But I don't want to waste my turn.

[A]

It only counts as my turn if it works. Okay, I guess that's fair. But let me help choose what we try next. June shook her head. One free go. It's only fair. She turned to the trunk of the willow. It was a massive tree, so big around she couldn't put her hands together when she hugged it.

[B]

She'd always said it must have a

[A]

tree spirit inside of it, and had

[B]

whispered all sorts of secrets to it,

[A]

lying in the grass under its comforting branches. She reached out and held the key against the bark, finding a little knot where the barrel could slip in. Um.

[B]

Open up.

[A]

Nothing happened. No. You gotta. June waved at Remy and cleared her throat again. Unlock this tree. And the key sank into the bark, and she felt herself turn it and the trunk opened. They were looking down a staircase, all wood, the rings of the tree running around the floor and ceiling leading down into the earth deep beneath the ground. She pulled the key from the knot she'd put it in, marveling at the thick wooden door that now hung open on wooden hinges. She looked at Remy, and Remy looked at her. Who opens my door without invitation? The voice echoing up the stairs was soft and melodious. Remy, eyes wide, whispered, my turn.

[B]

Give me the key before we go.

[A]

June shook her head. Okay, but you gotta hold my hand. Hand in hand, down they went. The stairs led down for what seemed like forever, twisting and turning until they couldn't see the open doorway. The way was lit by softly glowing moss, however, that clung in clumps to the wall, casting a green light on the wooden stairs and tunnel. It can't be this big on the inside, whispered Remy. Just like Doctor who, june whispered back. It's magic. It has its own rules. Remy squeezed her hand tighter. But. But we don't know the rules. Maybe we should go back. And then they found themselves at the bottom of the stairs. Now for a quick ad break.

[B]

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. Summer schedules can look different every week for homeschool families between travel camps, activities, and family time. IXL makes it easy to keep learning part of the routine in a flexible, low stress way. IXL is an award winning online learning platform that fits seamlessly into homeschooling. It offers interactive practice across math, language arts, science and social studies from Pre K through 12th grade. IXL personalizes learning for each child, keeps them engaged, and gives parents clear insight into progress. IXL's interactive practice and clear explanations make it easy to reinforce learning during end of year milestones, summer review, or back to school prep. Everything is organized by grade and subject, so you can quickly find what each child needs without juggling multiple resources. Over 15 million students use IXL. More than 75 research studies show it delivers real results and it's been proven to improve achievement in all 50 states, giving homeschool families added confidence. 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 www.ixl.comdragon. visit www.ixl.comdragon or to get the most effective learning program out there at the

[A]

best price it's the carefree days of

[B]

summer, but we know it doesn't feel that way for the parents. You've scheduled all the camps. Summer vacation is booked, but what about all those other hours in the day

[A]

you're trying to avoid?

[B]

Loads of screen time, but what if you found a screen solution that's actually good for everyone? Meet nexplayground, the active game system where your body controls the play. Next Playground is kid safe gaming, meaning no ads in app purchases or mature content, and no online chat or friends you don't really know. Playground comes with five experiences ready to play. Add Play Pass and you unlock over 50 games, many with characters your kids already know and love. Bluey, Unicorn Academy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dora, and more. They even have an the Last Airbender game centered around the Earth Rumble tournament. You and the kids can practice rock bending while dinner is bubbling in the crock pot.

[A]

How cool is that?

[B]

If you're ready to fill those long summer days with active play, check out nexplayground.com that's n-e xplayground.com to learn more.

[A]

Weirdly enough, it looked a lot like their grandparents living room. There was a massive overstuffed armchair that looked like it had been grown out of thick green moss and books lined wooden shelves. But the person in the armchair was odd. He didn't look like he fit at all. His skin was dark like iron and he was clothed in rags. His beard looked like a tangle of wires and grew all the way to the floor. His eyes were dull marbles, without iris or pupil. He looks like a golem, hissed June as the two children peered from the stairwell into the room. The voice came back, totally at odds with his appearance, like the piping of a flute. I am no Gollum child. My name is Faris, the Iron Wizard. Now, how is it you came to visit me? Come in, come in. You are welcome here. Remy and June shared a look. Then Remmy nodded, still holding hands. Kee pressed tightly into his palm. He tugged his sister out into the open. Um, hello. I'm Remy, and this is. I'm June, she said, never liking to let him talk for her. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bother you. The figure shifted in the chair with a clanking sound. Now that they were closer, they could see roots growing out of the chair and into his clothes. He was covered in a reddish brown dust that puffed up as he shifted his weight. No, no. It is absolutely a pleasure to have you here. Please forgive me for not being a more accommodating host, but I'm afraid I haven't gotten up in, oh, I can't imagine how long. He turned his massive, impassive iron eyes upon them, as if looking them up and down. I wonder what kind of world there is up there now? Um. Remy hesitated, shooting a look at June. It's not very. Very magical, I suppose, really. The ancient head shook as if in wonder. What a shame. Then how did you two come to learn such powerful magics, then, I wonder. Remy started. Well, we found before. June squeezed his hand so hard it nearly hurt, the door just opened up. I always thought there was some kind of magic in this tree. Um, why are you trapped here, though?

[B]

The old figure shook its head.

[A]

I can't remember quite. If only one of you young wizards had the means to unlock my memory, and before June could do a thing about it, Remy had pointed the key. Unlock his memory, and the massive figure shook like a leaf and the roots began to fall, and suddenly he stood and they realized just how massive he was. Ferris towered over them, his shaggy iron hair brushing the ringed wooden roo. He roared, stretching his voice like a bellow from a pipe organ. Seeing their terror, he crouched again, lowering himself back into the chair. I am sorry to have startled you. Thank you, kind wizard, for releasing me. And you have my key. I had thought it lost then he held his hands up. But no more of that. Allow me to offer you tea. It has Been so long since I had company I have forgotten my manners. And that is how they came to be seated, a strange, sweetly metallic smelling liquid steaming in wooden cups cross legged on the floor. June had taken the key back and was holding it tightly in her fist, her other hand in Remy's, when he sipped at his mug. She squeezed, but he paid her no mind. The gray wizard sipped his own mug. How is it? I'm afraid I've only been brewing it for myself this long age. I may have lost my touch. The metal man tilted ahead, smiling. Somehow this reminded June of the dragon again, as if he were smiling to show his teeth before biting, and she shrunk back. Remy, however, smiled broadly. It's delicious. June could only think of the rules of magic. Whenever someone in a story ate or drank in a magic place, there was always a consequence. If you ate fairy food, you could never go home. And Persephone couldn't go back from the underworld. Once she'd had Hades pomegranate. So now you have your memory back.

[B]

How'd you end up in our backyard?

[A]

Many years ago an evil wizard shut me away here. She was jealous of my powers and knew the wood would hold me prisoner. But you've so kindly unlocked my door and my memory. He laughed, a cascade of organ sounds that sent shivers down June's spine. But Remy didn't seem to be bothered at all. You said this was your key? Remy asked, tugging at June's hand hard. She looked down and was startled to see his hand had changed color. It was tinged with gray and his fingers felt cold. Yes, indeed. In fact, it was stolen from me by the wizard who trapped me here. She never would have held me without its power. It has many secrets, young wizard. If you were to give it to me, I could teach you so much. And Remy tugged again. June tried to look at him, but he was ignoring her, eyes on the giant gray man, and with a rising sense of panic she saw the skin on his neck had gone gray and the color was rising. Remy. She whispered. He turned to her, his face strangely blank. June Ferris needs his key. Almost without thinking she gripped the key and shouted, unlock his body. And just like that the gray was gone and she was pulling at her brother, the wizard rising in a cascade

[B]

of metallic sounds from the floor with a roar.

[A]

Give it to me.

[B]

Thieves.

[A]

Remmy was suddenly a blur, hurling his cup into the monster's face and yanking his sister for the door. One massive fist reached out to grab Jun's leg in a vice like grip, and in a panic she shouted, unlock his grip. And the two rocketed free, sprawling into the hallway, where they scrambled up the steps. Behind them, the sound of the wizards storming after them was a cacophony of screeching, twisted metal noise. My key. Give me my key. Descendants of my enemy. Descendants of June panted as Remy pulled her. He seemed ridiculously strong. He had her halfway up the spiraling stairs. Within seconds she looked down at the key in her hand. Unlock my body, she whispered. And within seconds both children were sprinting

[B]

up the stairs, bodies light as a

[A]

feather, fleet as deer. And then they were out in the sunshine, the door agape behind them, wide eyed and panicked. The roar of the thing inside came rushing up like a freight train as Remmy hurled himself onto the door, closing it, the willow shaking a storm of leaves around their hands. He looked back at June in terror. June. He screamed. Lock this tree. She yelled. And just like that, everything was back to normal. The willow was just a willow, the sun filtering greenly through the leaves. But there were more leaves missing, drifts of them around their feet, and each of them could feel the difference in their bodies, how they stood. Remy looked at June, panting. June stared back. What do we do now? Do we hide it? It's too dangerous, he said, his face red. June looked down at the simple iron key in her palm, then back up at her brother. We can't. I mean, I. I don't want to. Remy had caught his breath.

[B]

They both had.

[A]

They felt light and strong and steady. They stared down at the key, then up at each other. Okay, then, we'll have to have rules, remy said. June nodded. There are always rules to magic. Rule one we only use it together. Remy grinned. Rule two we have to agree what we lock and unlock. June grinned back. And rule three we only use it for good. And that was the beginning. The end. Today's Story Unlockers was an original story written for you by Michael Lowe. This summer, send your kids on an adventure they'll Never forget. @luckoflegends.com Kids get to build worlds with master teacher Michael Lowe, host of the Stories RPG Podcast. Then adventure through them playing a role playing game designed to help them master writing. Each class runs for one week all summer long, but the stories, skills, and friends they make will last them a lifetime. Sign up [e-mail] want to learn more about how Luck of Legends works?

[B]

Then listen to our sister podcast Stories rpg.

[A]

From young gods to monster teens to scruffy goblins causing mischief, every arc of the show is an epic ride and helps you hear how to play games, to write stories at home. Unlockers was edited and produced for you by Ellie Hines and performed for you by me, Amanda Weldon. Thanks for listening.