
Today’s brand new story asks the age old question: can a beard fall off?
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Lee Overtree
Lemonade. Hey, Story Pirates podcast listeners. Lee here. Welcome back to Story Pirates Summer. It's time for a summer story challenge leaderboard update. This week, Tabitha in Arizona made a strong push to remain at number one. And here's something cool. On today's episode, I actually interview Tabitha about her writing process. She has some cool tips for all you writers out there, so make sure to stick around after today's story. Rounding out the individual leaderboard, we have Gus in Canada, Brooklyn in Pennsylvania, Raffi in Rhode Island, Nora in Massachusetts, Adrienne in Georgia, Maya in Colorado, Ethan in Washington, Kurt in Pennsylvania, Ziva in Arizona, who is actually Tabitha's sister. Alya in California, Emory in Indiana, and Alessandro in Spain. On the group leaderboard this week, it's the same as last week. But I gotta say, if you're feeling like you still want to jump into this race, the group leaderboard is really attainable. So get together with a sibling or a friend and start writing some stories. Maybe next week you'll get in there. You can see the leaderboard right now@storypirates.com leaderboard everybody keep up the good work and remember that even if you don't make the leaderboard, everyone who participates gets a certificate at the end of the summer. And story. Love telling you how much we loved your stories, so get those stories in. We want to read as many as we can. We'll be updating the leaderboard every week@storypirates.com leaderboard and I'll be shouting out more kids here in the podcast Grown Ups. You can find links to the leaderboard and find out how to get your kids involved in the summer story challenge in the show. Notes for today's episode. Episode. Okay, on to today's brand new story After a few more words for the grown ups.
Kyra
I love storytelling.
Tabitha
It just filled me up with joy.
Beardman (voice)
My mom loves the jokes.
Tabitha
Yo yo matcha. It made me very proud about myself. Exciting. Yeah, we're just getting like, really deep into, like, I want to say, philosophies. I definitely think I can be more creative now. I'm the champion.
Kyra
The Story Pirates.
Lee Overtree
It's the Story Pirates podcast. Today we have a brand new story about a question that I think about a lot, which is, can a beard fall off? Because I have a beard. It is a totally real beard, not a fake beard. And I wonder sometimes, can it fall off? If you're wondering the same thing, check out today's brand new story. Here's the author to introduce it.
Tabitha
Hi, my name is zyra. I am 7 years old and I live in Kenya. This is my story. Can a beard fall off?
Kyra
Beardman, how are we ever going to get out of this cage?
Beardman (voice)
I don't know, Beard wolf. Ever since the evil Dr. Clippers cast that spell that made my beard fall, my beard magic is gone.
Kyra
So we're trapped here forever.
Beardman (voice)
We just may be. We just may be. Will Beardman and his trusty sidekick escape the evil Dr. Clipper's clutches? Find out next week for another episode of the Amazing Beard man and his Amazing Beard Friend.
Kyra's Dad
Alright, Kyra, TV off. It's time to go to school. The bus is almost here.
Kyra
Dad, did you see that? Beardman's beard fell off. How is he going to escape?
Kyra's Dad
Well, you'll have to wait until next week to find out. Come on.
Kyra
Oh, I hate waiting.
Kyra's Dad
I know. Okay, let's go.
Kyra
My birthday is this weekend and I have to wait for that too. Hey, do you want to tell me if there are any surprises planned for me?
Kyra's Dad
Well, it wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you, would it? Now let's move.
Kyra
Hey dad.
Kyra's Dad
What?
Kyra
Can a beard fall off?
Kyra's Dad
Oh no, the bus is already gone. Now you have to walk to school.
Kyra
But it's 14 miles.
Kyra's Dad
Well, hopefully you won't be as distracted tomorrow.
Kyra
Ah, it's Tuesday. One day closer to my birthday.
Kyra's Dad
Oh, hey Kyra.
Kyra
Hey Dad. I've been thinking about it since yesterday when you didn't answer my question. Can a beard fall off?
Kyra's Dad
What? Why would you ask that?
Kyra
Like what happened in the Adventures of Beard Man?
Kyra's Dad
Oh, like in the show.
Kyra
Speaking of beards, is it just me or are some of the hairs on your chin missing?
Kyra's Dad
Looks like the dog is hungry. Kyra, feed your dog. It's probably waiting for his food. But dad, don't be late for school. Bye.
Kyra
That was strange. Maybe I'll try again tomorrow. Ah, it's Wednesday.
Kyra's Dad
Good morning, Kyra. Come on, let's get moving. You can't be late again for school.
Kyra
Can a beard fall off?
Kyra's Dad
It's time to eat your breakfast, not to ask a question.
Kyra
Why are you avoiding the question? And why does it look like more of your chin hair is gone?
Kyra's Dad
More importantly, why isn't your mother awake yet?
Kyra
No, Dad, I actually, I haven't seen mom all week. What's going on?
Kyra's Dad
You're right. I should go check on her. Oh gosh, I bet the bus is coming. Okay, I love you. I'm not avoiding your questions. Bye.
Kyra
What is going on? My dad is nothing but extreme excuses. Tomorrow I'll wake up super early so we have all the time we need.
Tabitha
Ah.
Kyra's Dad
Thursday morning, 5am My favorite time of day to sit back, relax, and enjoy my coffee all by myself.
Kyra
Can a beard fall off? Kyra, answer the question.
Kyra's Dad
Dad, you're not supposed to be up right now. Go back to bed for two more hours since you did not get up at the right time and.
Kyra
What's happening to your beard? Most of it is gone.
Kyra's Dad
Okay, fine. I'll go back to bed. Your mother is calling me. I am sleepwalking. This is all a dream. You're asleep right now. Goodbye.
Kyra
You can't run forever, Father. Like the Amazing Beard Man. I will find a way.
Kyra's Dad
Kyra, are you hiding in this dark kitchen?
Kyra
Phew.
Kyra's Dad
Finally alone now that It's Friday at 2:00am oh, you're doing this to yourself, Kelvin. You just have to make it through the week, then everything will be okay. But now, time for a little midnight snack. I'll just open up the pantry here and.
Kyra
Hello? Dad? Yes, it's me, Kyra. In the pantry. Can a beard fall off? Stop backing out of the room, dad. You're not getting out of this. Answer the question. I will get you, Father. I will get you tomorrow.
Kyra's Dad
Oh, good morning, Kyra.
Kyra
Morning, dad.
Kyra's Dad
Happy Saturday. Are you excited for your big party tomorrow?
Kyra
Can a beard fall off? Cause it seems like yours did.
Kyra's Dad
Kyra, I would love to answer your question, but I'm too busy right now. Ask your mom. Bye, dad.
Kyra
Sunday. My birthday. I thought I would be excited by this, but what does it matter now? All I really want is an answer to my question. But it doesn't seem like that will ever happen. Okay, well, time to go in the living room and surprise. What? All my friends and family.
Kyra's Dad
Happy birthday, Kyra.
Kyra
Oh, my gosh, dad, you were hiding something from me.
Kyra's Dad
Yeah, I was. Sorry I was acting so strange, but you know how bad I am at keeping secrets.
Kyra
Yeah, you're famously bad at it. But wait, that doesn't explain why you wouldn't answer my question about why.
Kyra's Dad
Huh? The doorbell.
Beardman (voice)
Why?
Lee Overtree
Whom could that be?
Kyra's Dad
Kyra, why don't you go get it?
Kyra
Okay.
Kyra's Mom / Beardman (in disguise)
Is this Kyra's house?
Kyra
Oh, my gosh. It's Beard man. The actual Beard man.
Kyra's Mom / Beardman (in disguise)
Kyra, your dad told me so many great things about you, and I just had to stop by and say happy birthday to my biggest fan.
Kyra
Oh, I am your biggest fan.
Kyra's Mom / Beardman (in disguise)
It's fans like you that give me my beard magic. So thank you. Now, I better get going. The evil Dr. Clippers is at it again.
Kyra
Wait, Beardman, I just have one question. Sure.
Kyra's Mom / Beardman (in disguise)
What Is it Kyra?
Kyra
Can a beard fall off?
Kyra's Mom / Beardman (in disguise)
Can a beard fall off? They told me you were funny. Have a great day.
Kyra
Bye. Wait.
Kyra's Dad
Holy smokes. Everyone. Can you believe that the real Beard man was here?
Kyra's Mom / Beardman (in disguise)
It's pretty amazing.
Kyra's Dad
Wasn't that great, Kyra?
Kyra's Mom / Beardman (in disguise)
Dad.
Kyra
Right here, right now, in front of everyone, your beard is totally gone. What happened to it? Can a beard fall off? Oh.
Kyra's Dad
Why are you asking me this question every day?
Kyra
Because you aren't answering my question.
Kyra's Dad
Fine, I'll tell you. The truth is.
Kyra
Oh, hold on. Actually, I have to go to the bathroom.
Kyra's Dad
Oh, actually, not that bathroom.
Lee Overtree
Wait, Kyra.
Tabitha
Mom.
Kyra's Mom / Beardman (in disguise)
Okay, I know what this looks like. You're probably going to ask me why I'm dressed as Beard man and have this glue stick and all of your father's beard hair stuck to my face.
Kyra
Oh, mom, no.
Kyra's Mom / Beardman (in disguise)
It's because. Wait, you're not.
Kyra
I just want to know, can a beard fall off?
Kyra's Mom / Beardman (in disguise)
Well, I don't know, but mine is. So for now, I think, yes.
Kyra
Oh, thank you.
Kyra's Mom / Beardman (in disguise)
You're such a great kid. I love.
Kyra's Dad
Well, okay. Seems like we answered that question. Now we can finally get this party going.
Kyra
Yes, we can. Party. Yahoo. Right after you answer this question.
Kyra's Dad
What question?
Kyra
Can a mustache fall off?
Kyra's Dad
Not again.
Kyra
Answer the question, dad. The end. Dad.
Tabitha
We'll be right back after a few words for the grown ups.
Lee Overtree
Hey, Grown ups. Today's episode is sponsored by Quince. You know, the best summer pieces are the ones you end up wearing on repeat. They're comfortable, they're versatile, and somehow right for every occasion, which is good for
Interviewer / Host
me because I pretty much just wear the same clothes all the time.
Lee Overtree
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Interviewer / Host
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Lee Overtree
I basically refuse to wear anything that doesn't have drawstrings in the summer, but these shorts let me do that while also helping me look really stylish. If you see me out and about at the beach this summer, make sure to shout, hey Lee. Nice European linen drawstring beach shorts from Quince. And it's not just apparel. Quince also offers elevated essentials for your home. From bedding and bath to kitchen essentials and furniture make your summer wardrobe feel easier. Go to quints.com storypirates for free shipping on your order and three 65 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com storypirates for free Shipping and 365 day returns. Quints.com storypirates. Hey grown ups. Today's episode is sponsored by Ollie. Back to School season is here. Packed backpacks, packed lunches and packed schedules are officially back. Luckily, this episode is sponsored by Ollie, your back to school wellness partner. It feels like summer just started, but I guess that's how it goes. The kids that I know are excited about starting a new school year. New teachers, new friends, new classrooms, maybe even a new school. So getting plenty of rest is really important. And I know some kids that use Story Pirates podcast to fall asleep. But if that's not quite working for you, Ollie Kids Sleep helps little dreamers wind down with a gentle blend of melatonin, L theanine and botanicals for restful sleep Translation an easy way to put those school night negotiations to bed. And for the grown ups, Ollie, Sleep helps you fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up feeling refreshed. Because as you know, the morning mayhem comes early. Visit ollie.com and stock up on back to school must haves today. That's o l l y.com these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. And now please enjoy my interview with our current number one on the Summer Story Challenge leaderboard, Tabitha from Arizona.
Interviewer / Host
Okay, that has never happened before. When I called somebody, no one ever played the Story Pirates theme on piano.
Lee Overtree
Tabitha, hi.
Tabitha
Hi, it's Lee.
Lee Overtree
How are you?
Tabitha
Great. How are you?
Interviewer / Host
I'm good. I'm so excited to talk to you today.
Tabitha
Me too.
Interviewer / Host
Tabitha, you are currently number one on the Story Pirates Summer Story Challenge leaderboard.
Tabitha
Woohoo.
Interviewer / Host
Let's see how many stories have you submitted at this point? 37. Is that right?
Tabitha
Yeah. And then I'm pretty sure I've submitted at least 10 more since then.
Interviewer / Host
You've written so many stories. They're all so funny. And we'll talk about a few of them in a second. But can you tell us and listeners,
Lee Overtree
what is your process for writing?
Interviewer / Host
How do you get your ideas?
Tabitha
Well, sometimes I ask my family to give me something to write about, and it's usually something really random or I ask for like two random words. I make the two random words the title, and then I come up with a story based on those words.
Lee Overtree
And then there's other stories that you wrote that are kind of like poems?
Tabitha
Yeah, I actually write poetry books and I tried to get one published, but it's really hard to get one published if you're under 18, because most self publishing things you have to be 18.
Interviewer / Host
And those poetry books that you write, are they funny? Are they like serious poetry or some mixture?
Tabitha
They're usually more like regular poetry. Like they're about nature or feelings. But then I also like to be funny, so I write more of my funny poems and then I send them into the story cards.
Interviewer / Host
Okay, I want to read one of your poems.
Kyra's Dad
Ahem.
Interviewer / Host
Chalk, a dusty art utensil. Pastel, colored or white. Rubbed against grit. Making dust. Making masterpieces. Making oh, dang it rained. The end.
Lee Overtree
I like that one.
Interviewer / Host
Because you think it's gonna be totally serious until the very end.
Tabitha
Yeah. I thought it would be funny if I was like, maybe I should write a poem in my usual style and then just do something at the end to make it funny. So I was like, what could be good for that? And I was like, oh, shock, because it washes away. And before I even knew the poem, I knew that it had to say, oh, dang it, it rained.
Interviewer / Host
You knew what the punchline is before you started.
Tabitha
The punchline helps me make the setup.
Lee Overtree
Right.
Interviewer / Host
If you know what the joke is, then you just have to work backwards from there. That's such a smart, smart way to write. So, Tabitha, you have been so successful in the Story Pirates summer story challenge, and I think there's probably a lot of kids who hear your name on the podcast already that are like, she
Lee Overtree
wrote how many stories? Like, how does she do that? And I think that there are probably a lot of kids out there that
Interviewer / Host
are even struggling maybe to send in their first story. Like, maybe they don't know what to write about, or maybe they're nervous about sending something that they might not think is perfect. So I'm wondering, do you have any advice for kids who are trying to write a story for story pirates. And for whatever reason, they're just stuck and they can't get one out.
Tabitha
Write it and then it doesn't have to be perfect. It doesn't even have to be good. You can make it bad on purpose and then that can make it funny.
Interviewer / Host
That's great advice.
Lee Overtree
And when you write, do you write
Interviewer / Host
in a certain place all the time or at a certain time during the day, or do you change it up?
Tabitha
Every time I'm writing my stories, I always go into my parents bedroom. They have these windows with like big sunspots. So I usually close just enough so that the sun isn't on my screen so I can see, but I can still be in the sun. And that's very cozy.
Interviewer / Host
Amazing.
Tabitha
Can my little sister say hi?
Interviewer / Host
Yeah, definitely.
Tabitha
Hi.
Kyra
Hi.
Lee Overtree
How are you? What's your name?
Tabitha
Ziva. She's one of the ones tied for ninth on the leaderboard right now.
Lee Overtree
Oh, my gosh. You're on the leaderboard too? This is incredible.
Tabitha
Yeah, we flew to your Medford draft show.
Interviewer / Host
Oh, my gosh. That is amazing. Ziva, Tabitha, I am so impressed.
Lee Overtree
You're both on the leaderboard.
Interviewer / Host
You got on a plane to see
Lee Overtree
a story pirates show.
Interviewer / Host
That is like beyond amazing. Tabitha, thanks so much for talking to me today.
Lee Overtree
Keep up the good work.
Tabitha
Thank you for calling me.
Lee Overtree
All right, bye, Tabitha. Bye, Ziva.
Beardman (voice)
Bye. Bye.
Lee Overtree
That's it for today's episode. Don't forget to check out the summer story challenge leaderboard@storypirates.com leaderboard and then check back every week to see how everyone is doing. Most of all, keep turning on your imagination and writing stories because being creative is its own reward. Creator club members, we'll see you next Monday for an exclusive bonus episode and everyone else will be back next week with another one as well. Until then, stay creative and stay kind.
Tabitha
Bye.
Lee Overtree
The Story Pirates podcast is a production of Story Pirate Studios, executive produced by Lee Overtree and Benjamin Salka. Co executive producers are Holly and Rizwan Kasim, Manya Lissi, Aaron Moore, Murray Sampson, Jack Schaefer and Jacob Vaughn. This episode was produced by Isabel Erricchio, Sam Baer, Peter McNerney and Lee Overtree. Recording sound design and mixing by Sam Baer at the Relic Room in New York City. Additional production by Brett Toobin. Theme song by Bobby Lord. Music musical scoring by Eric Gerson and Jack Mitchell. Our head writer is Peter McNerney. Staff writers are Megan O' Neil and Alexis Simpson. Can a beard fall Off Was Adapted by Peter McNerney Episode artwork by Camilla Franklin. This episode features performances by greg barnett, tara halpern, allie haas, peter mcnerney, tony rodriguez, samantha turret, and harry wood.
Kyra
Answer the question, Dad.
Date: July 16, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode explores the humorous and imaginative question from kid author Zyra, "Can a beard fall off?" The Story Pirates crew performs Zyra’s story as a comedy sketch, followed by an inspiring interview with writing superstar Tabitha, the current leader of the Story Pirates Summer Story Challenge. The episode is filled with laughs, quirky family dynamics, and creative writing advice for young listeners.
"The Amazing Beard Man" Show Within a Show (03:24–03:57)
Kyra’s Quest for Answers (03:57–10:36)
Comedic Family Mystery Unravels
Birthday & The Big Reveal (08:02–10:36)
On the Beard Mystery:
On Writing:
Closing:
“Can a Beard Fall Off?” is a laugh-filled Story Pirates installment celebrating both the literal and figurative persistence of children’s curiosity. From the creatively absurd misadventures surrounding the mystery of a missing beard, to uplifting, practical writing tips from real-life leaderboard champ Tabitha, the episode is a rewarding listen for aspiring young storytellers and their grown-ups alike.