Buried Treasure: A Hamster’s Workday/Backstroke Raptor (S2E1)

Summary

Story Pirates Podcast Summary
Episode: Buried Treasure: A Hamster’s Workday/Backstroke Raptor (S2E1)
Release Date: August 7, 2025

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I. Introduction to "Buried Treasure" Series [00:01 - 02:39]

Host: Lee Overtree
Overview:
Lee kicks off the episode by introducing a special series titled Buried Treasure, which revisits favorite episodes from the Story Pirates archives. This particular episode is the first of season two and features two delightful stories: "A Hamster’s Workday" and "Backstroke Raptor."

Key Points:

• Secret Codenames: Lee reveals that each episode has a secret codename describing the team’s activities, introducing the term "Leaving the Island" for this episode.[00:01]
• Behind-the-Scenes Fun: A humorous exchange ensues between Lee and Peter about Peter mistakenly eating sand instead of snacks, adding a playful touch to the introduction.

Notable Quotes:

• Lee Overtree: "Today we're revisiting the first episode of season two, which features two classic songs, as well as the story of how Siegfried the orange brave Viking warrior helped the Story Pirates take to the skies for the first time." [00:01]
• Peter McNerney: "The good news is, I guess I finally got my beach because the peach is in my body. Do you get it?" [02:22]

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II. Ship Repairs and Departure Plans [02:40 - 04:05]

Hosts: Megan O'Neill, Lee Overtree, Peter McNerney
Overview:
Megan updates the team on the progress of repairing their ship, the Tidal Wave, with the help of Siegfried, their Viking ally. The repaired ship signifies that they are ready to leave the deserted island.

Key Points:

• Ship Status: Megan announces that the ship is ready to take flight, prompting discussions about leaving the island.[02:43]
• Conflict Introduced: Lee expresses hesitation about leaving, leading to playful banter about Peter’s ongoing sand-eating mishap.[04:05]

Notable Quotes:

• Megan O'Neill: "The story pirate ship, the tidal wave has been repaired, which means it's ready to take flight, which means it's time for all of us to leave this island." [03:18]
• Lee Overtree: "I feel weirdly conflicted about this. Peter, what do you think?" [03:47]

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III. First Story: "A Hamster’s Workday" by Nina [05:11 - 10:24]

Author: Nina, 11 years old from New York
Overview:
The first featured story, "A Hamster’s Workday," centers on Miss Sally the hamster and her daily routine at work. The Story Pirates transform Nina's narrative into a catchy original song, bringing Miss Sally's adventures to life.

Key Points:

• Morning Routine: Miss Sally’s day begins at 7:00 AM with breakfast and selecting a hair clip.[05:42]
• Work Dynamics: Miss Sally interacts with bunnies who assist her by carrying her computer to work.[07:07]
• Job Responsibilities: As an editor, Miss Sally edits stories about clouds, aspiring for a Pulitzer Prize.[09:00]
• Humorous Elements: The comedic interplay among the hosts enhances the storytelling, making the hamster’s workday both amusing and relatable.

Notable Quotes:

• Megan O'Neill: "I am Miss Sally the hamster. Oh, boy, here we go. I'm ready for anything." [05:42]
• Rachel Winitsky: "Now carry my computer to work for me. You got it. Your job is to go to your work and our job is to carry your computer to your work." [06:28]
• Megan O'Neill (as Miss Sally): "Yes, I am fluffy. And that's a hamster's work day." [10:24]

Notable Timestamped Quotes:

• Nimini: "That's a hamster's work day. Yeah, that's a hamster's work day." [09:29]
• Megan O'Neill: "A hamster's work day." [10:17]

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IV. The Debate: Leaving vs. Staying on the Island [10:24 - 13:31]

Hosts: Lee Overtree, Peter McNerney, Megan O'Neill, Nimini
Overview:
After presenting the first story, the team engages in a heartfelt and humorous debate about whether to depart the island or remain. While some members, like Megan and Lee, are enamored with their island life, Peter is eager to continue their mission of bringing kids' stories to life.

Key Points:

• Megan’s Attachment: Megan expresses her reluctance to leave, highlighting how the island has become their home and introduces personal elements like her "children" (beach pigs).[11:00]
• Lee’s Luxury Treehouse: Lee describes his elaborate treehouse, adding humor by detailing its extravagant features.[11:22]
• Peter’s Resolve: Peter emphasizes the importance of their mission as Story Pirates, advocating for leaving the island to continue finding and transforming children’s stories.[16:06]

Notable Quotes:

• Megan O'Neill: "I love my life here. My work, my purpose. It's all here on this island." [04:49]
• Peter McNerney: "I became a story pirate because I wanted to take kids stories and turn them into sketches and songs. If we stay here, we won't be." [16:02]
• Lee Overtree: "I have kids here." [11:35]
• Peter McNerney: "It's a quest. It's a journey to find something." [16:27]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Peter McNerney: "I want to go find stories. Rollo, you're describing a quest." [16:14]
• Megan O'Neill: "We've grown here, become better people with longer beards. We can't leave." [12:17]

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V. Second Story: "Backstroke Raptor" by Ben [19:06 - 22:51]

Author: Ben, 7 years old from Virginia
Overview:
The second story, "Backstroke Raptor," tells the tale of a unique dinosaur who excels in the water. Ben's creativity shines as the Story Pirates turn his dinosaur adventure into an engaging musical segment.

Key Points:

• Character Introduction: The story introduces a velociraptor adept at swimming the backstroke, distinguishing him from typical dinosaur portrayals.[19:06]
• Adventure Elements: The raptors embark on a mission to fix a malfunctioning boat, highlighting teamwork and ingenuity.[20:25]
• Humorous Dialogue: The interactions among the velociraptors and their efforts to make the boat operational add comedic flair to the narrative.[21:54]
• Catchy Chorus: The repetitive and catchy chorus, "Backstroke, raptor," emphasizes the raptor’s unique skill.[22:51]

Notable Quotes:

• Nimini: "Backstroke, raptor. Backstroke velociraptor." [19:06]
• Rachel Winitsky: "She can do the backstroke." [21:56]

Notable Musical Elements:

• The song incorporates fun and rhythmic repetition, making it memorable and entertaining for listeners of all ages.

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VI. Author Interview: Ben [22:54 - 26:45]

Host: Lee Overtree
Guest: Ben, author of "Backstroke Raptor"
Overview:
Post-stories, Lee engages in an insightful conversation with Ben, delving into his inspirations and interests. Ben shares his passion for geology and dinosaurs, offering listeners a glimpse into the creative mind behind "Backstroke Raptor."

Key Points:

• Interest in Rocks and Dinosaurs: Ben discusses his hobby of digging for rocks and his fascination with dinosaur fossils.[22:54]
• Discovering Potential Fossils: He recounts finding an unusual rock that resembles part of a dinosaur, hinting at possibly discovering a new species.[23:19]
• Challenges Faced: Ben expresses frustration over not being allowed to continue his digs at school due to restrictions.[24:53]
• Dinosaur Intelligence: The conversation touches on the intelligence of raptors, sparking imaginative ideas about dinosaurs interacting with modern technology like phones.[25:45]

Notable Quotes:

• Ben: "I think they can do a lot of things with their claws. They can probably pick up, like, this phone." [25:46]
• Ben: "I am never gonna complete my dig ever." [24:50]
• Ben: "I'm Sally the hamster, and I'm ready for anything." [10:28]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Lee Overtree: "Are you an amateur geologist?" [23:18]
• Ben: "I think this might be a new species of dino. I might be digging up here." [24:34]

Engaging Elements:

• Sound Effects: Ben attempts to demonstrate dinosaur sounds, adding an interactive and playful element to the interview.[26:15]
• Encouragement: Lee commends Ben’s determination and creativity, fostering a supportive atmosphere.[25:45]

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VII. Conclusion and Wrap-Up [26:45 - 27:38]

Hosts: Lee Overtree, Nimini
Overview:
Lee wraps up the episode by thanking the authors, encouraging listeners to create and share their own stories, and providing a sneak peek into future episodes.

Key Points:

• Acknowledgments: Gratitude is extended to the authors, Nina and Ben, as well as the listeners and production team.[26:45]
• Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to write their own imaginative stories, fostering creativity and participation.[27:34]
• Final Thoughts: A lighthearted monologue by Lee about his luxury treehouse emphasizes the humorous and whimsical tone of the podcast.[27:38]

Notable Quotes:

• Lee Overtree: "Do yourself a favor. Go find a cozy corner in your house or school and bring along your favorite notebook and a pen. And then pry open your imagination and write down something wild that no one's ever thought of before because we can't wait to read it." [27:10]
• Lee Overtree: "I'll just walk one more time up the very long staircase and walk down the very long staircase." [27:38]

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Production Credits

The episode was produced by Gimlet Media, with contributions from numerous talented individuals, including Annie Rose Strasser, Jasmine Romero, Lee Overtree, and Benjamin Salka. The musical elements for both stories were crafted by Rachel Winitsky, Jack Mitchell, Eric Gerson, Brendan O'Grady, and Jack Mitchell. The diverse cast featured performances by Ryan Chittepong, Carly Shirocki, Quentin Johnson, and many others, enhancing the episode's rich, comedic, and musical landscape.

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Overall Summary:
In this special Buried Treasure episode of the Story Pirates Podcast, listeners are treated to a nostalgic revisit of a beloved Season Two premiere. The episode skillfully balances behind-the-scenes humor with captivating storytelling, featuring two original tales inspired by children's imaginations. Through engaging dialogues, heartfelt debates, and creative musical performances, the Story Pirates demonstrate their unique ability to bring young authors' stories to life. The inclusion of author interviews adds depth, celebrating the creativity of young storytellers like Nina and Ben. As the team navigates their fictional adventure of leaving or staying on a deserted island, they embody the spirit of collaboration and creativity that defines the Story Pirates. This episode not only entertains but also inspires listeners to embrace their own storytelling abilities.

Transcript

[Lee Overtree]

Hey, Story Pirates podcast listeners. Lee here. Welcome to a new series we are calling Buried Treasure, where we throw back to some of our favorite full episodes from the Story Pirates archives. Today we're revisiting the first episode of season two, which features two classic songs, as well as the story of how Siegfried the orange brave Viking warrior helped the Story Pirates take to the skies for the first. Now, nobody knows this, but here at Story Pirates, we have a secret codename for every episode that describes what myself, Peter, Rachel, Megan, Nimini, Eric, et cetera, are doing on the ship or off the ship. And in Buried Treasure, we will be revealing those secret codenames for the very first time. Pretty cool. I know, but don't tell anyone unless they, you know, already listen to the show, in which case they'll also know, but maybe don't tell them, just in case. I don't know. Anyway, we hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane, or maybe your very first time experiencing this, dare I say, classic episode. A classic episode with this secret codename, Leaving the island. Coming up right after a few words for the grownups. Oh.

[Peter McNerney]

The island life is for me for me the island life is for me Snacks as far as the eye can see the island life is for me hey, hey, Peter.

[Lee Overtree]

Hey, Lee.

[Peter McNerney]

Oh, did you hear my song? It goes like this.

[Nimini]

Wow.

[Peter McNerney]

The island life is for me for.

[Lee Overtree]

Me yes, Peter, I heard. That's why I came over. Because I heard you saying snacks as far as the eye can see. See, Peter, There aren't snacks anywhere in sight.

[Rachel Winitsky]

Huh?

[Peter McNerney]

Look around, Lee. We're surrounded by delicious white snacks. We're standing on snacks right now. In fact, I'm gonna eat some snacks, Peter.

[Lee Overtree]

That's not a snack, Peter. That's sand.

[Peter McNerney]

Sand? Oh, sand. I thought it was a new kind of healthy sugar.

[Lee Overtree]

Ugh. How much sand have you eaten?

[Peter McNerney]

Not that much. Just three or four hundred bites.

[Lee Overtree]

Ew. Peter.

[Peter McNerney]

The good news is, I guess I finally got my beach because the peach is in my body. Do you get it?

[Lee Overtree]

Yes, I get it.

[Peter McNerney]

The bad news is my body's full of sand now.

[Megan O'Neill]

Whose body's full of what?

[Lee Overtree]

Oh, hey, Rachel.

[Rachel Winitsky]

Hey.

[Peter McNerney]

Hey, Rachel. I ate 10 pounds this time.

[Megan O'Neill]

Not now, Peter. Listen, you know how we the story pirates were on our ship out on the open ocean doing our podcast for a year, and then we crash landed on this deserted island, met a Viking named Siegfried, and have been repairing our ship for months using his special ancient Viking technologies.

[Lee Overtree]

Yeah, that's what happened.

[Megan O'Neill]

Well, Megan, Siegfried, Rollo, and I have been working on the ship all morning and.

[Lee Overtree]

Oh, sorry about that. I was. I had to watch bd.

[Megan O'Neill]

I know that's not the point. You guys should help, but that's not the point. The point is we have news about the ship.

[Lee Overtree]

Well, what is it?

[Megan O'Neill]

Oh, I'm not gonna tell you. I brought Megan over to tell you in a more dramatic fashion. Here she is.

[Lee Overtree]

Hi, Megan.

[Megan O'Neill]

Hi, Megan. Megan, you ready? Born ready. The story pirate ship, the tidal wave has been repaired, which means it's ready to take flight, which means it's time for all of us to leave this island.

[Lee Overtree]

Aw. I feel weirdly conflicted about this. Peter, what do you think?

[Peter McNerney]

I agree.

[Lee Overtree]

I feel. Oh, yeah. Peter's been eating sand. Ew.

[Nimini]

I love story piling.

[Rachel Winitsky]

Think of something you like and then try to write about. Would probably eat the phone. Cause he doesn't know what it is.

[Nimini]

Just think of the most weird thing.

[Megan O'Neill]

That you can never think of.

[Rachel Winitsky]

I put some jokes in there. I hope you like it. The Story Pirates.

[Lee Overtree]

Hey, listeners, welcome back to the Story Pirates podcast, where we take stories written by kids and turn them into sketch comedy and songs.

[Megan O'Neill]

We are doing amazing, and I hope everyone else is, too. It's been pretty relaxing here on this deserted island where we crash landed.

[Peter McNerney]

So relaxing that we kind of don't want to leave, even though our ship is.

[Megan O'Neill]

I love my life here. My work, my purpose. It's all here on this island.

[Lee Overtree]

Okay, everybody relax. We're not leaving just yet. Siegfried said he had to put some finishing touches on the ship. So while we wait, why don't we do a story?

[Nimini]

Okay.

[Lee Overtree]

All right. So, listeners, this is the first story of the new season, and it's about a character who, like me, has a really specific morning routine. But unlike me, the main character of this story is an adorable rodent. Here's the kid author to introduce it.

[Rachel Winitsky]

Hi, my name is Nina. I'm 11 years old. I come from New York, and my story is a Hamster's Warp. Day.

[Megan O'Neill]

7:00Am Time to start my day. Good morning, Miss Sally. Hello, Bunny. Are you ready for work, Miss Sally? Am I ready for work? Oh, yes. Oh, yes, I am ready for work. I am Miss Sally the hamster. Oh, boy, here we go. I'm ready for anything. She's gonna do a song, isn't she? Oh, for sure. It's song time. Oh, yes. Oh, yes, I am ready for work. I will eat my breakfast. It's a pear if you care. Now I'll finish my look Put a clip in my hair and that's the start of a Hamster's workday. Which clip would you like for today, Ms. Sal? Okay, no, the blue. You got it. No, the pink. Here it is. It's gotta be the red. The red. Except not the red, the green. Here's the green. Better make it the pink though.

[Rachel Winitsky]

The pink.

[Megan O'Neill]

The yellow. Yellow, of course, of course. The pink. The pink. The green. The green. Yes, the pink. The pink. Exactly. The pink. Okay. Yes.

[Rachel Winitsky]

Okay.

[Megan O'Neill]

Now I'll just put this green clip in my hair and. Perfection. I look incredible. Thank you for your help, Bunnies. Now carry my computer to work for me. You got it. Your job is to go to your work and our job is to carry your computer to your work. Yes, those are our jobs. Okay, okay. Just make sure it gets there safely, otherwise I will be devastated. There's about to be more song, isn't there?

[Rachel Winitsky]

Absolutely.

[Megan O'Neill]

I ate my pear, put a clip in my hair, Then I called up the bunnies and just to be fair, they'll carry my computer from here to there so I can have a ha. Work day. Have a hamster's work day. That's when a hamster goes to work.

[Lee Overtree]

Work, work, work, work.

[Megan O'Neill]

Here I am at my job, where I work.

[Lee Overtree]

Well, good morning, Miss Sally.

[Megan O'Neill]

Good morning, desk clerk. Which one is my desk today?

[Nimini]

Well, I was thinking there shall be work.

[Megan O'Neill]

And I meet the desk clerk and he tells me my desk is there.

[Nimini]

Oh, oh.

[Megan O'Neill]

And he tells me my desk is there. And he tells me my desk is.

[Nimini]

Oh, oh.

[Lee Overtree]

Is that where you want to sit?

[Megan O'Neill]

Uh huh.

[Lee Overtree]

I mean, this is a co working space, so you can sort of sit.

[Megan O'Neill]

Wherever you tell me where my desk is.

[Nimini]

That one's perfect.

[Megan O'Neill]

Thank you.

[Lee Overtree]

Do you need anything?

[Megan O'Neill]

Sit on my chair. I am glad to be there. A good place to sit is a thing that is rare. When you find a good seat, don't get up. Don't you dare. You shouldn't share. Yeah. And that's a hamster's work day. Yes, that's the hamsters. Wait a second. Where's my computer? Where are the bunnies? Bunnies, we're here. We have your computer. It's safe. Good. If it wasn't, I wouldn't have been able to do my work at my job. Speaking of, here comes my work boss.

[Lee Overtree]

Hello, Sally.

[Megan O'Neill]

Hello, work boss. Do you have any work for me today?

[Lee Overtree]

I certainly do. I'm gonna put you on the cloud piece, big guy. Cumulonimbus.

[Peter McNerney]

You think you can handle it?

[Megan O'Neill]

You bet. You know what else I can handle?

[Lee Overtree]

Singing a song.

[Megan O'Neill]

Yeah, I'm gonna sing a Song Here she goes, this is happening.

[Nimini]

Oh, boy.

[Megan O'Neill]

My boss came to me, and my boss said out loud, edit this story about a cloud. I decide to confess, which includes saying, yes, because I am an editor.

[Nimini]

Because you are an editor.

[Megan O'Neill]

My job is being an editor.

[Nimini]

You edit stories, and that's your job.

[Megan O'Neill]

And that's a hamster's work day.

[Nimini]

That's a hamster's work day. Yeah, that's a hamster's work day. A hamster's work day. That's a hamster's work day.

[Megan O'Neill]

You know, people have a lot of notions about what a hamster does all day. They think we just run on a wheel, drink from a metal straw, or. But if there's anything you've learned from this story, it's that every day, I do a ton of amazing stuff. I wake up, eat a pear, put a clip in my hair. I call up some bunnies, and just to be fair, they bring my computer to work for me. A desk clerk shows me where to sit, and my boss asks me to edit a story about a cloud. Because, yeah, I'm an editor, and that's my job. And, hey, guess what? That cloud story, I want a Pulitzer for it. And, hey, guess. Yes, I am fluffy. And that's a hamster's work day.

[Nimini]

And that's a hamster's work day. Yeah, that's a hamster's work day.

[Megan O'Neill]

A hamster's work day.

[Nimini]

A hamster's work day. That's a hamster's.

[Megan O'Neill]

I'm Sally the hamster, and I'm ready for anything.

[Nimini]

Workday.

[Lee Overtree]

Awesome story.

[Nimini]

That's so good. I love it.

[Peter McNerney]

Well, everyone, great chat, but as the great Viking Gunnar Bjorn Bloodrock once said to me as we fought beside one another at Lindisfarne, Siegfried, I think it's time to get off this island and move the podcast back onto the ship.

[Lee Overtree]

He said that?

[Peter McNerney]

I'm paraphrasing.

[Lee Overtree]

Well, folks, you heard Siegfried. Time to say goodbye to the island.

[Megan O'Neill]

Wait, Lee, I really kind of don't want to leave. Me neither. This island's become our home, even though Lee's been living in a luxury treehouse while the rest of us have been staying in a dank, dark cave.

[Nimini]

Yeah.

[Peter McNerney]

Wait, why was that?

[Lee Overtree]

It was a budget thing. But now that you mention it, I do love my luxury treehouse with its surround sound, Jacuzzi bath, Kiefer fountain, and of course, the one long staircase just going up and one even longer going down, and one more leading nowhere just for show. Sorry, Siegfried, we have to Stay here.

[Peter McNerney]

You can have all that on the ship, too.

[Megan O'Neill]

Yeah, but we built lives here. I have kids, Lee. I have kids here.

[Lee Overtree]

Rachel, those are beach pigs.

[Megan O'Neill]

Okay? Yeah, but they're my beach pigs. And, hey, Megan, you got to open up your very own theater on the island. It's true. Critics are calling my one woman, Hedda Gobbler, a huge mistake. But I couldn't leave because I'm stranded here, too.

[Peter McNerney]

And I spent most of my time in this island trapped in the snack pantry. But you know what? I loved every minute of it. These are all things you can do on a ship in the sky.

[Megan O'Neill]

But the island has changed us in more ways than you could ever imagine. It's like we're different people now. Like Peter, you used to have a beard. Now you don't.

[Lee Overtree]

It's true.

[Peter McNerney]

I don't know where it went.

[Megan O'Neill]

And, Lee, you've also always had a beard. But now your beard is super long, unwieldy, and full of secrets.

[Lee Overtree]

It's true. What's that beard? Don't worry. I won't tell anyone.

[Megan O'Neill]

And now my muscles are enormous from carrying around my kids. I mean, my pigs. And I got bangs. I'm a fan of the bangs. You did. I know. It was a great decision. And, Megan, you look exactly the same because you don't want to change from how you look in your headshot. But now your consonants and your vowels are sharper than ever. She sells seashells at Seashells Biz. Wow, you're right. My voice and speech skills are etter than bever. This is home for us now. We've grown here, become better people with longer beards. We can't leave.

[Lee Overtree]

Rachel's right. Siegfried, thanks for helping us fix our ship, but I think we're going to stay here on this island forever.

[Rachel Winitsky]

We'll be right back.

[Rollo]

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[Lee Overtree]

Rachel's right, Siegfried. Thank you for helping us fix our ship. But I think we're going to stay here on this island forever.

[Megan O'Neill]

Hooray.

[Peter McNerney]

I'm gonna go get some snacks and.

[Megan O'Neill]

I'm going to start rehearsals for my.

[Rachel Winitsky]

Next silent song cycle.

[Lee Overtree]

And I'm gonna go install a kiefer waterslide.

[Megan O'Neill]

And I'm gonna hug my pigs.

[Lee Overtree]

No, no, no, no. Stop. Oh, Rolo, when did you get here?

[Peter McNerney]

I've been here the whole time, but I was being very quiet.

[Lee Overtree]

Oh, well. Hey, Rolo, what reason do you have for wanting to stay on this island?

[Peter McNerney]

No reason. I want to get back on the ship.

[Lee Overtree]

Gasp.

[Peter McNerney]

I became a story pirate because I wanted to take kids stories and turn them into sketches and songs. If we stay here, we won't be.

[Lee Overtree]

Able to do that. And that makes Rollo very sad.

[Peter McNerney]

I want to go find stories. Rollo, you're describing a quest.

[Nimini]

A quest?

[Peter McNerney]

Yes, a quest.

[Lee Overtree]

Siegfried, what is a quest?

[Peter McNerney]

It's a journey to find something. A person, a place, a thing, an idea. I've been on many quests, from finding the golden apples of Asgard in the treacherous hills of the Troll king to finding $6 in loose change under the seat cushion in Lee's luxury treehouse.

[Lee Overtree]

Ah, my pockets have holes.

[Peter McNerney]

Now it's time for a new quest. One that we must all embark on together. It won't be easy, and it won't be not hard. But it will be difficult. Who's with me? I am with you, Siegfried.

[Lee Overtree]

You know what? I'm with you too.

[Megan O'Neill]

Me too. Me three.

[Peter McNerney]

Me five. No, six.

[Lee Overtree]

All right, everybody. Time to say goodbye to everything on the island.

[Megan O'Neill]

Okay. But wait. Pigs. Hey, do you want to come with me on the ship, I can teach you all how to Wayne Scott. A dad. That's a yes.

[Lee Overtree]

Goodbye, luxury tree condo. Goodbye, luxury tree guest house that no one ever used.

[Megan O'Neill]

What?

[Peter McNerney]

Goodbye, pantry I got stuck in. Goodbye, hole I got stuck in. Goodbye, rock I got stuck under. Goodbye, chair I got stuck on top of. Goodbye, pants. I got stuck around.

[Megan O'Neill]

Goodbye, theater. Goodbye, curtain. Goodbye to my universally detested one woman production of this Is Us, the musical based on the One Direction movie. Goodbye, critic who said the show was the worst at best. I'll never forget you. And I'll never forget that show.

[Peter McNerney]

Everyone. Except you. Time to get on board.

[Megan O'Neill]

Thank you. Come with us.

[Lee Overtree]

So, Siegfried, is this thing ready to fly?

[Peter McNerney]

Yes. Prepare yourselves for the majesty of the sky.

[Lee Overtree]

Great. Let's leave quick before we all change our minds.

[Peter McNerney]

Oh, no, sorry. Getting this thing to fly is actually a whole thing for another episode.

[Lee Overtree]

Oh, well, should we do another story then?

[Nimini]

Yeah.

[Lee Overtree]

All right, listeners, this next story comes to us from a kid author who knows a lot about dinosaurs. And his story is about a very unique dinosaur that does very impressive things in the water. Take a listen.

[Rachel Winitsky]

Hi, my name is Ben. I'm seven years old and I live in Virginia. This is my story. Backstroke, raptor.

[Nimini]

Backstroke, raptor. Backstroke, raptor. Backstroke velociraptor. Backstroke, raptor. Backstroke, raptor. Backstroke, velociraptor. Who's that Raptor swimming in the ocean. Swinging his arms in a reverse motion, moving through the water, flying on his back, the coolest raptor in the raptor pack. Backstroke, raptor. Backstroke, raptor. Backstroke, velociraptor. Backstroke, raptor. Backstroke, raptor. Backstroke, velociraptor. Hey there, velociraptors. What do you do and do you want to get off of this is. Yeah. Well, come over here and check out this boat. I hope you know how to use one. We're testing out the boat. We're testing out the boat. Testing out the boat. We're testing out the boat. Hmm. This boat has got no engine. It isn't making a sound. This boat, it won't go anywhere. It's just spinning around and around and around and around and Whoo. Box. Backstroke, Backtrack. Backstroke, raptor, backstroke, velociraptor. Let's put an engine in the boat.

[Lee Overtree]

Boat.

[Nimini]

Boat engines are useful to make boats go. Now we need some wires and more wires. Connect the wires to the engine. Don't forget the batteries. Batteries, Connect them to the other end of the wires. Gotta have a motor. Get me a motor technically different from the engine. Finally. A what? I said a lot. Propeller. Propellers will help the boat go forward. Backstroke, raptor. Backstroke, raptor. Backstroke, velociraptoraptor. Backstroke, raptor. Backstroke, velociraptor. Hey, they're velociraptors. How is it going? Have you all got this boat working yet? Yeah. Then I'll do the backstroke and show you the way. We're a pack, so we stick together. Woo. Here we go. We're sailing right alongside you. This boat is fabulous. Hey, Baxter. Raptor. Where are you leading us anyway? To a new raptor habitat. It's called the dune. We should be there in just a couple of days. Um, that sure is a lot of backstroke. And do you want to ride in our boat with us? Okay. Who's that Raptor swimming in the ocean, swinging his arms in a reverse motion.

[Megan O'Neill]

He can do the backstroke.

[Nimini]

We can fix a boat. The coolest raptors anybody knows. Backstroke, raptor. Backstroke, raptor. Backstroke, velociraptor. Backstroke, raptor. Backstroke, raptor. Backstroke, velociraptor. Fastroraptor. Faststroke. Raptor. Backstroke velociraptor. Backstroke raptor, Backstroke, velociraptor. It's not the throbe. Backstroke, velociraptor. Backstrom. The flaxstroke. Backstroke, velociraptor. Not the butterfly. Extra velociraptor. Extra raptor. Extra velociraptor.

[Peter McNerney]

And now Lee speaks with the author.

[Lee Overtree]

Hey, Ben. How are you?

[Rachel Winitsky]

Good.

[Lee Overtree]

How's your day so far today?

[Rachel Winitsky]

Good.

[Lee Overtree]

What'd you do?

[Rachel Winitsky]

Well, I found a rock. Maybe some sort of geyser rock.

[Lee Overtree]

A geyser rock? What does that mean?

[Rachel Winitsky]

It's like a volcano. Just has hot water that comes out.

[Lee Overtree]

That's amazing. Where did you find it?

[Rachel Winitsky]

I found it somewhere near the dirt.

[Lee Overtree]

Just like on the ground?

[Rachel Winitsky]

Yeah.

[Lee Overtree]

Really?

[Rachel Winitsky]

Well, you have to dig for it.

[Lee Overtree]

Did you know you were looking for a geyser rock?

[Rachel Winitsky]

Yeah, I was just looking for plain rocks. Whatever I found, I was happy with it.

[Lee Overtree]

Are you an amateur geologist?

[Rachel Winitsky]

I just look for rocks. That's all I do. Basically.

[Lee Overtree]

Got it. And you like rocks. You're, like, interested in rocks?

[Rachel Winitsky]

Yeah.

[Lee Overtree]

What do you find interesting about them?

[Rachel Winitsky]

Oh, I think they can tell us things about the past.

[Lee Overtree]

Are there any examples you could give of a kind of rock you could find that would tell us something about the past?

[Rachel Winitsky]

Fossils.

[Lee Overtree]

And a fossil is what?

[Rachel Winitsky]

A fossil is bones of a dinosaur or like anything that lived 260 million years ago.

[Lee Overtree]

When you're out digging for rocks. Are you thinking in your head, like, maybe I'll find a dinosaur bone today?

[Rachel Winitsky]

No, There might not be any dino bones, but I have claimed I thought of one. Like a tail bone to a T. Rex or a stegosaur.

[Lee Overtree]

You found one of those?

[Rachel Winitsky]

I was just digging until I hit something I dug up, and it was just like. It looked more like an elephant head.

[Lee Overtree]

And then you, like, took a closer look, and you were like, what is this thing?

[Rachel Winitsky]

And then I comparing it to the fossils I've seen in museums, and I was like, I think this might be a new species of dino. I might be digging up here. I don't know yet if I did or not.

[Lee Overtree]

That would be so cool if you found a new species of dino.

[Rachel Winitsky]

I'm never gonna complete my dig ever.

[Lee Overtree]

You're not gonna complete your dig ever?

[Rachel Winitsky]

I can't.

[Lee Overtree]

Why not?

[Rachel Winitsky]

Well, I can't ever go there. There's too many, you know, other people around it. And I couldn't do it because my teachers wouldn't let me.

[Lee Overtree]

Oh. At school.

[Rachel Winitsky]

I have no idea why they won't let me.

[Lee Overtree]

Got it. So you're saying, like, it's sort of hard to do a big archaeological dig at school because there's, like, people around?

[Rachel Winitsky]

Yeah, my school is good. But when I dig, it isn't so good because I have to just stop it all the time.

[Lee Overtree]

They're like, stop digging, Ben.

[Rachel Winitsky]

Yeah.

[Lee Overtree]

And you're like, hey, I'm digging here.

[Rachel Winitsky]

I will just keep on doing it. I ignore it.

[Lee Overtree]

I really appreciate your determination, Ben. You wrote the story Backstroke Raptor.

[Rachel Winitsky]

Yeah.

[Lee Overtree]

I heard somewhere that a raptor could open a door. Is that true? Yeah, it is.

[Rachel Winitsky]

Yeah. Some scientists believe they're one of the most intelligent animals on the planet.

[Lee Overtree]

Cause the idea of a dino opening a door sounds pretty scary to me.

[Rachel Winitsky]

I think they can do a lot of things with their clog. They can probably pick up, like, this phone.

[Lee Overtree]

A dino on a phone could wreak havoc.

[Rachel Winitsky]

It would probably eat the phone because he doesn't know what it is.

[Lee Overtree]

Yes, he probably would eat the phone. Are you able to do the sound that a raptor makes?

[Rachel Winitsky]

Yeah, it's actually really loud. It's like, I think sometimes they do this.

[Lee Overtree]

Like a honk, sort of.

[Rachel Winitsky]

Yeah. I'm not good at that sound yet, but I'm learning it. I think I can do every single dino species.

[Lee Overtree]

Ben, this has been so fun to talk to you. Thank you for chatting with me today about dinos and bones and rocks and everything.

[Rachel Winitsky]

All right, bye.

[Lee Overtree]

Thanks for Listening to the Story Pirates podcast. We're so excited to be back for this brand new season. Thanks to today's authors, Nina and Ben, and thanks to everyone who sent us in stories. We loved reading each and every one of them. We'll be back next week with two more brand new stories, but in the meantime, do yourself a favor. Go find a cozy corner in your house or school and bring along your favorite notebook and a pen. And then pry open your imagination and write down something wild that no one's ever thought of before because we can't wait to read it. See you next week.

[Nimini]

Bye.

[Lee Overtree]

The Story Pirates podcast is a production of Gimlet Media. Produced for Gimlet Media by Annie Rose Strasser and Jasmine Romero. Produced for the Story Pirates by Lee Overtree and Benjamin Salka. Associate producers for Story pirates are Peter McNerney and Andrew Miller. Technical direction by Sam Baer. Recording, sound design and mixing by Sam Baer at the Relic Room in New York City. Theme song by Bobby Lourd. Our head writer is Rachel Winitsky. Contributing writers are Peter McNerney, Megan O' Neill, and Lee Overtree. Today's episode features performances by Ryan Chittepong, Carly Shirocki, Quentin Johnson, Peter McNerney, Jack Mitchell, Alexander Nader, Josh Nassar, Emily Olcott, Lee Overtree, Brendan o', Grady, Megan o', Neill, Louis Perlman, Caroline Reedy, Peter Russo, and Rachel Winitski. The music for A Hamster's Work Day was written by Rachel Winitski, arranged by Jack Mitchell and Eric Gerson, and produced by Eric Gerson. Backstroke Raptor was written, arranged and produced by Brendan o' Grady and associate produced by Jack Mitchell. And now it's time to say goodbye one last time to my luxury tree house. I'll just walk one more time up the very long staircase and walk down the very long staircase. One more drink from the kefir fountain. Mmm. Okay, maybe, maybe, maybe one more drink from the kefir fountain. That was good. Maybe, maybe I'll just do one more. I love my Kiefer fountain. I can't leave it behind on this island. I have to pack it. All right, I'll just put the suitcase here and lift up this giant ceramic keeper fountain that's spouting drinkable yogurt 10ft high. Okay. All right. It's in the suitcase. Now I just have to. I just have to close the suitcase and zip the suitcase. This is. This is extremely difficult. Okay, wait. I forgot to put my jeans in there. Okay, I gotta unzip it. Unzipping the suitcase. All right, it's open again. All right, put my jeans in there on the fountain. All right, now I got to close it again. Zipping. This is the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Okay, my clothes are gonna be really wet.