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Narrator
Lemonade.
Lee
Hey, story pirates podcast listeners.
Peter
Lee.
Penny
Here.
Lee
On today's episode, Lee and Nimini discover a very strange house. Not a haunted house, mind you, but a curious house. And it features a fantastic comedian who we love, Glo Tavarez. We also have two brand new stories written by kids and more story love with Lee and Peter. And it's all coming up after a few words for the grown ups.
Peter
Yeah.
Nimini
Yeah. Smoke detector. I got so obsessed with building the ultimate bicycle toaster that I accidentally filled the ship with smoke and everyone had to evacuate.
Mia
I know.
Lee
Nimini, you know the smoke detector can't hear you, right?
Nimini
Actually, it can't. I built in that feature.
Lee
Why?
Nimini
Because I can, Lee. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go back on the ship and keep working.
Lee
Look, sometimes you gotta stop and smell the roses. And by stop and smell the roses, I mean stop and evacuate the ship that's full of smoke from trying to build a fancy microwave toaster. Either way, the important thing is that everyone's okay. And now we all get a chance to stretch our legs and explore the area while the ship airs out.
Mia
Fine.
Nimini
I guess taking a break isn't the worst thing. Where should we go?
Lee
Well, Megan and Eric headed north towards that artsy village. Rachel, Rolo and Baby with a Mustache went south towards the waterfall trail. And Peter went west to chase that cloud shaped like a pork chop. So let's head east.
Nimini
Okay. You know, you're right. It is nice to just take a walk sometimes.
Mia
Huh?
Nimini
There's not much in this direction. Just trees and hills.
Lee
Huh. Maybe there's something interesting behind that giant weird mansion. Wait, Giant weird mansion?
Mia
Whoa.
Nimini
This is the biggest house I've ever seen. And is that a water slide going from the third floor to the first floor? And is that one room upside down?
Narrator
Gasp.
Kim
Nimini.
Winifred Triumpher
I know what this is.
Lee
I heard rumors it was nearby, but I didn't believe it until I saw it with my own eyes.
Nimini
What is it, Lee?
Lee
It's the Triumph Footer Curious House. A strange mansion built by Frank Triumph Footer, the eccentric owner of the Triumph Butter Hot Dog Company.
Nimini
Oh, yeah, I heard about this. Didn't he fill the house with all sorts of weird and whimsical rooms?
Peter
Yes.
Lee
He was constantly expanding it. And every summer he would open the doors to the public so that they could enjoy his newest additions. But then one day, without warning, the doors were chained up and it never reopened.
Nimini
What happened?
Lee
Nobody knows. But there have been reports of weird noises coming from the house.
Nimini
Did you hear that? Sounded like Construction inside?
Lee
That's impossible. No one's ever been seen coming in or out. But some people think the house might be haunted.
Nimini
Haunted? Don't be ridiculous.
Lee
Help me. And right on cue comes the spooky moaning Welp. I'm out of here.
Winifred Triumpher
See ya.
Mia
Lee. No.
Nimini
Someone needs our help. What if it's Frank Triumph Footer and he's in trouble?
Lee
All right, let's go inside. But if it turns out to be a ghost, I'm gonna scream in a really annoying way.
Mia
I love Story Pirates.
Olivia
It just filled me up with joy.
Peter
My mom loves the jokes.
Olivia
Yo yo Matcha.
Penny
It made me very proud about my sightings.
Olivia
Hmm, let me think. Shaboink. I definitely think I can be more creative.
Mia
I'm the champion.
Olivia
The Story Pirates.
Lee
Welcome back to the Story Pirates podcast.
Nimini
Where we take stories written by kids and turn them into sketch comedy and songs.
Lee
And sometimes we hear a spooky moaning noise from a big weird house. And instead of running away, we try to break in to see if we can help.
Nimini
This rusty old padlock has seen better days. I bet I can break it open. Lee, find me a rock, would you?
Lee
Sure. Let me see. Where's a good rock?
Winifred Triumpher
Here's one.
Lee
Oh, thank you, mysterious lady dressed all in white like a ghost.
Winifred Triumpher
You're very welcome.
Lee
Wait, a ghost?
Mia
Boo.
Winifred Triumpher
So sorry I'm not really a ghost, but did I scare you? You screamed in a very annoying way, so I wasn't sure how to read it.
Lee
Yes, you did scare me.
Winifred Triumpher
And would you say that this experience was fun? Did I fill you with whimsy, Del?
Lee
Like abject terror?
Mia
Oh, shoot.
Winifred Triumpher
Winifred Triumpher. When will you get it right?
Nimini
Winifred Triumpher. So you're.
Winifred Triumpher
Yes, I'm the daughter of the great hot dog man himself, Frank Triumphfooter. Oh, how I miss my frank father.
Nimini
I'm so sorry. I'm sure your father is in a better place.
Winifred Triumpher
Oh, he is. He's retired and on a years long trip around the world. Calls it his Triumph trip. Last I heard he was somewhere in Azerbaijan. Beautiful this time of year.
Nimini
So you're the one making all that noise. Do you need help?
Winifred Triumpher
Who, me? No, no, I'm fine. Why would you even think that?
Lee
We heard someone moaning. Help me. Wasn't that you?
Winifred Triumpher
Oh, yeah, that. Sorry, it's just something I scream to myself for fun while I attempt to build the ultimate.
Nimini
Ultimate room. What does that mean?
Winifred Triumpher
Oh, just a lifelong mission to create the most fun and whimsical room to live up to my father's legacy. You know, blah, blah, blah, same old, same old. No big deal.
Lee
Okay, we definitely have some follow up questions, but first, maybe we should do a story.
Winifred Triumpher
A story?
Lee
Yeah, we adapt stories written by kids into rooms. No.
Winifred Triumpher
Oh. Then I don't understand.
Lee
Just listen. Okay.
Nimini
Here to introduce their story is the author.
Narrator
Hi.
Olivia
Hi.
Mia
My name's Mia.
Olivia
I'm nine years old and I live in England. This is my story, Penny the Multi Talented Girl.
Narrator
And now for the final end of semester award. This one is very special because it's decided by all of you. The award for person in the classroom I'd most like to be friends with goes to.
Mia
Penny.
Winifred Triumpher
For.
Peter
That's the fifth award Penny's gotten.
Mia
She really is multi talented.
Narrator
Here you are, Penny.
Penny
Thanks, Ms. Hollenbach.
Narrator
No, thank you, Penny. I don't know why I said that, but. Penny, I've never done this before in 30 years of teaching, but would you like to, I don't know, give a speech?
Peter
Speech. Speech.
Mia
Speech.
Peter
Speech. Oop.
Narrator
Go ahead, Penny.
Penny
Thank you, Ms. Hollenbeck. And thank you to all my classmates. I may have just won a ton of end of semester awards, but the real prize is getting to spend every day in the classroom with all of you. These are our awards, y'. All. So give yourself a round of applause.
Mia
I love it. How did she make me feel like.
Peter
A winner during her winner's speech?
Lee
Incredible.
Penny
Thank you all. Wow, Penny, you have so many friends because you're so good at everything thing.
Mia
Thanks.
Penny
Voice in my mind. Too bad none of them would want to be your friend if you weren't multi talented. What? What do you mean? Nothing. I just wonder what they'd think of you if you weren't getting all these awards.
Narrator
Penny.
Penny
Huh? What?
Narrator
Did you want to say something else? It looked like you were talking.
Penny
Oh. Oh, no, I'm good. I was just itching my teeth.
Narrator
There's the lunch bell.
Olivia
Bye.
Mia
This one, Beck.
Lee
See you, kids.
Narrator
Now to go to my teacher's lunch and tell them all about Penny itching my teeth. That is so cool. I gotta look that up.
Penny
Ah, lunch. Where should I sit?
Mia
Hey, Penny, come sit by me.
Lee
Penny, over here.
Penny
Okay.
Mia
No, Penny, you said you were going to eat with us today, remember?
Penny
Oh, you're right, Kim. Sorry, y'. All. I'll eat with you soon.
Mia
Totally fine. Thanks, Penny. Wow, Penny, your lunch looks amazing.
Penny
So does yours, Kim.
Mia
That's nice of you to say, but I always just throw a bunch of random ingredients in my lunch bag. I never know how to put things together. I bet you know you're so multi talented.
Penny
Yeah, Penny, show her how perfect you are. No voice in my head. I'll show you. I'll make a mistake on purpose and you'll see that everyone likes me for me.
Mia
Sorry, what'd you say, Penny?
Penny
I said, have you tried stacking them randomly like this?
Mia
Wow. That's different. Let me try it. This is incredible. I never would have guessed that the jello cup would work so well with the cheese slices. It's the best tasting lunch I've ever had. Oh, no.
Penny
I was trying to make a mistake.
Peter
Could you do my lunch, too, Penny?
Olivia
Sure.
Penny
I'll make this one terrible.
Mia
Here. Wow.
Peter
Pomegranate seeds and hot sauce.
Mia
So tasty.
Penny
Oh, not again. And mine.
Lee
Oh.
Mia
Garbanzo beans and cider. Deliciosa. What?
Penny
This totally backfired.
Mia
Three cheers for Penny. Penny, Penny, Penny.
Penny
See, Penny, they don't actually like you. They like that you can give them a delicious lunch. Poor Penny. Everybody loves you, but nobody likes you. Do you really think that's true? Voice in my mind Penny, are you okay?
Mia
Your lips were moving as you stared at the window just now. Or were your teeth itchy again? That's so cool. Will you teach my teeth to be itchy? Oh, shoot. That's recess.
Kim
Okay, y', all, we're choosing teams for today's soccer game. Kim and I are captains, and I'm picking first, so I pick Penny.
Penny
Thanks, Max.
Mia
And since we established last week that each team gets to do one steal, I'm going to use that now to steal Penny for my team.
Penny
Okay? Thanks, Cam.
Kim
So then it's my turn, and I'm gonna use my steal to steal Penny back.
Lee
Okay?
Kim
Ugh.
Mia
Fine. The rest of you just divide yourselves equally and whoever can be on my team. Not like it matters anymore. Can I be a friend? We can't all be on Penny's team. Some of you are just gonna have to come over to my team. I'm not happy about it either, but that's soccer for you.
Kim
Okay, let's get started. Penny will do the kickoff.
Penny
Oh, here's my chance to not be perfect. I'm going to act like I'm doing a big kick and then totally whiff it.
Kim
Penny, you okay?
Penny
Yeah. I got this, Max.
Nimini
All the way to the whiff factory.
Penny
Here goes nothing.
Mia
Oh, Penny got a goal on her first kick.
Peter
What?
Penny
Nice shot, Penny.
Mia
Oh, no.
Penny
Not you again. I'm getting out of here.
Kim
Penny, where are you going? We've got another kickoff.
Penny
See, Penny, Max only wants to be your friend because he thinks you can Help him win. All you have to do is never stop winning.
Kim
Penny, what's going on?
Penny
Go ahead without me. I gotta run inside for a minute and return this library book that's overdue.
Lee
Oh, don't worry about it.
Mia
You can keep the book. Penny.
Penny
Mr. Nevins. The librarian. What are you doing out here?
Lee
It's just so fun to watch you play.
Penny
Seriously, team, go ahead without me. I'll be right back.
Nimini
Phew.
Penny
In the classroom by myself. Finally. All this artwork on the wall. And mine has a blue ribbon. The science experiments on the shelf. And mine won first place. The history dioramas. And mine is the only one that hasn't melted or gotten faded by the sun. I know all this stuff should make me feel good, but it just makes me wonder if anyone actually likes me for who I am instead of what I do. Maybe I'll never know. Of course you'll never know. Penny.
Mia
You.
Penny
How did you get in here? In your head? I'm always here, Penny. I'm the closest thing you've got to a real friend.
Kim
You okay, Penny?
Penny
Oh, hey there, Max.
Kim
You look blue. But that might be paint, since you're so good at everything, including art.
Penny
I'm okay, Max. That's right. Don't tell him the truth. He's not really interested in what you're feeling anyway. You've made that clear.
Kim
Who are you talking to, Penny?
Penny
Oh, well, I've been talking to myself. Don't tell him that. He doesn't need to know about our conversations. But it doesn't seem to be helping.
Kim
Well, you can talk to me if you want.
Winifred Triumpher
He doesn't mean it.
Kim
That's what friends are for, right?
Penny
Yeah, I guess so. No, stop it right there. Don't you dare tell him what's really on your mind. Seriously, Max, I'm a bit sad. I feel like everybody's my friend just because I'm good at everything.
Lee
Well, even if that is true.
Penny
That is true.
Kim
I like you for who you are. Isn't that enough?
Penny
I never asked myself that question.
Winifred Triumpher
Because you know the answer.
Penny
You're right.
Mia
What?
Penny
I've got you. And that's all I need.
Kim
Thanks, Penny. Hey, are we best friends?
Penny
If that's okay with you.
Kim
Oh, my gosh. Totally not.
Winifred Triumpher
A best friend who likes you no matter what. Self acceptance is my only weakness.
Mia
No.
Penny
I don't think I'll be hearing from you anytime soon. Voice in my head. Welcome back, everyone. I have an announcement.
Narrator
Two Penny speeches in one day. Oh, boy, are we lucky. Go ahead, Penny.
Penny
Y' all I know you admire me and even like me for all the things I can do well, but I need true friends who like me for myself. Not what I could do, but who I am inside.
Mia
Whoa, Penny, that's wild. But I think I know what you mean here. The whole time I've been putting you.
Peter
Up on a pedestal because you're good at everything, when really I should have been thinking about what you're like.
Narrator
Same goes for me. And me.
Lee
And me.
Mia
Mr. Nevis.
Lee
I should really get back to the library. Bye.
Peter
Wow.
Kim
Now that that's settled, what should we do?
Penny
Should we all jump up and shout the end in sync?
Lee
Uh, yeah.
Mia
The end.
Nimini
That story was absolutely incredible.
Winifred Triumpher
It was fantastic. So fun, so whimsical. That's just the inspiration I needed to keep working.
Nimini
Sorry, what exactly are you working on? Can you fill us in on the backstory?
Winifred Triumpher
I suppose. It was my father's vision. He loved this community so much, so to give back, he decided to use his hot dog fortune to turn our house into a funhouse.
Nimini
Oh, so it's a fun house.
Winifred Triumpher
No, it's not a fun house. It's a fun house. There's a difference.
Lee
What's the difference?
Winifred Triumpher
No idea. That's part of the problem. You see, it all started one summer when Father decided to open a free hot dog stand attached to the side of the house. The community loved it so much that he felt like he had to outdo himself the next year. Which he did with the addition of the aquarium water park room. And then the next year, it was a zero gravity room. And then so on, and then so on, and then so on, and then so on.
Lee
Wow. That sounds incredible.
Winifred Triumpher
It was. Every summer, he wouldn't open the doors for the season until he had outdone himself with a new fun filled room. After he retired, the house was left to me, and I vowed to keep the doors closed until I have built my own fun filled room. That is ultimate.
Nimini
And how's it going?
Winifred Triumpher
Well, that was 20 years ago, so not great. Turns out I did not inherit my father's instinct for what makes things fun.
Lee
You've been in this house building new rooms for 20 years and no one's seen any of them.
Nimini
That's right.
Lee
Why don't you let us take a look?
Nimini
What?
Winifred Triumpher
What if you don't like what I've done? What if you feel that I've made things worse?
Nimini
How could we? We never saw the original house.
Lee
Come on, I'm sure it's great.
Winifred Triumpher
Oh, all right. It's gotta happen sometime.
Mia
Yes.
Winifred Triumpher
Here, I'll unlock the door for you. Welcome to the fun and whimsical curious house.
Nimini
Was that a wolf howl?
Winifred Triumpher
Yes. You should probably avoid the wolf room. That one's not done.
Lee
Noted.
Winifred Triumpher
See you on the other side. Ah, I can't watch. Good luck. I hope I see you again.
Lee
Wait, what do you mean you hope?
Mia
Hmm.
Nimini
All these cobwebs and construction equipment in the front hall don't exactly scream whimsical, do they?
Lee
No. Oh, look, there's the first room.
Nimini
The door is labeled the trip room.
Mia
Ooh, we're going on a trip.
Nimini
Like a little amusement park ride to tour the house.
Lee
So cool. Let's go. Huh. It seems like a normal room to me. Maybe I. Whoa.
Mia
Ooh.
Nimini
Lee, are you okay?
Lee
Yeah, I tripped on this floorboard.
Nimini
Here, let me help you.
Mia
Whoa.
Lee
Nimini, are you okay?
Nimini
I tripped on the edge of this carpet.
Lee
That's funny. We both tripped in the trip room.
Nimini
Oh no. This room is not fun.
Lee
Maybe we should crawl to the next door.
Nimini
Good idea. Okay, we're here. Let's get up. This next one is called the.
Mia
Hey, it's the hot dog room.
Nimini
This must be the original one that Winifred told us about.
Lee
Great. Let's go. Hot dogs, here we come.
Nimini
Is this just a very warm room full of panting dogs?
Lee
Hot dogs. You have got to be kidding me. Who would find this fun? Hiya.
Winifred Triumpher
Hot dog room.
Peter
Right?
Mia
Fun. Fun.
Winifred Triumpher
You guys having fun?
Penny
Yeah.
Lee
So fun.
Winifred Triumpher
I read somewhere that people like puns. Anyway, gotta clear out these dots. It's only safe to have them in a room this hot for about 30 seconds at a time.
Mia
Come on, dog.
Winifred Triumpher
I am so glad you're loving the tour. What a relief. Keep going. I'm not even here.
Nimini
Lee, I'm afraid.
Lee
Me too, Nimini. Me too.
Olivia
We'll be right back after a few words for the grown ups.
Nimini
Lee, we've been in this house for hours and these fun rooms keep getting less fun.
Lee
I don't know. They weren't all terrible. I kind of like the pick up your room room.
Nimini
The one where we just had to clean up a teenager's bedroom.
Lee
There was at least a nostalgia factor to it.
Nimini
What about the snowshoes allowed room in which we were just allowed to wear snowshoes?
Lee
I still think that one would have been good if the room had actually provided snowshoes.
Nimini
And how about the home room?
Lee
Oh yeah, that room where the guy just gave us an hour long lecture about when to use who versus whom. I mean, whom did he think he was Who? That guy?
Nimini
No. Who did he think he was?
Lee
Exactly.
Nimini
No, I didn't mean.
Lee
Who are you talking about whom?
Peter
The guy?
Nimini
No, it's. This is the least fun house I've ever been in.
Winifred Triumpher
Did I hear this is the most fun house I've ever been in?
Mia
Oh, well.
Winifred Triumpher
Oh, you have no idea how happy that makes me. If you can believe it, I was worried that some of these rooms were not so fun. Even a bit boring. And I'm not just talking about the boring room in which I made you bore holes into those old logs.
Nimini
You really went all in on the puns, huh?
Mia
And it paid off.
Winifred Triumpher
Oh, I'm so excited for you to see these last few rooms. You're gonna love them. This is the last time I interrupt, I promise. Good luck.
Lee
Well, look whom the cat dragged in.
Winifred Triumpher
Cool it, Reggie. It's just me.
Peter
Who?
Nimini
All right, we're in the home stretch. Let's hope that this is the last door.
Mia
Huh?
Nimini
It says a room full of quicksand. What do you think that means?
Lee
Well, if we've learned anything, it's probably a pun.
Nimini
But what's the pun? Is there a bunch of quick witted sand in there?
Lee
Or a sandpaper race?
Nimini
Well, there's only one way to find out.
Lee
Yeah, it's not like the room's just gonna be full of quicksand. Let's go. This room is just full of quicksand.
Nimini
Yeah, it is.
Lee
And we're sinking.
Nimini
Yep.
Lee
Should we be panicking right now?
Nimini
Not sure what else we could do.
Lee
Alright, I'll start.
Nimini
Help.
Lee
Help us. We're in quicksand.
Nimini
How can anyone think this is fun? This is the least fun thing I could think of. We never should have come in here.
Mia
You're right.
Lee
This house is a disaster.
Nimini
Oh no. We're sinking fast. We're about to go under.
Lee
Hold your breath. What just happened?
Nimini
I think we just got dumped into a room below the quicksand room.
Lee
I did not enjoy that.
Nimini
Look, there's a door that says staff only.
Lee
Oh, thank goodness. A normal room. Let's go in.
Mia
Whoa.
Nimini
What is this place?
Lee
This looks like Frank Triumph Footer's old office.
Nimini
Look at all these pictures on the wall. It's the grand opening of the Curious house.
Lee
And look over here. It's a statue of the original Triumph Footer hot dog company mascot.
Nimini
And wow, look at all these perfectly preserved scale models of all the curious house rooms that Frank built.
Lee
All this stuff has been so beautifully preserved.
Nimini
Yeah, this room is fun.
Lee
It's too bad the rest of the house is so unfun.
Winifred Triumpher
Did you say un fun?
Nimini
Winifred, we meant your rooms are really, really. I. I'm sorry. We have to be honest. This was the least fun house we've ever been in.
Winifred Triumpher
I see. Well, that's that. I've brought shame to my father's name. I have no choice now. The Curious House is hereby closed forever.
Lee
No, wait. You can't give up.
Winifred Triumpher
But I failed. I failed to build the ultimate room. Don't you see?
Lee
Don't you see? You haven't failed. This is the ultimate room.
Winifred Triumpher
What? But this isn't part of the attraction. This is just where I keep all of my father's old memorabilia.
Nimini
And you've done such an incredible job with that.
Winifred Triumpher
Well, I was trained to be a museum curator before I inherited the family business. So I just made all these glass cases and information plaques for fun.
Lee
And fun. They are very fun. Winifred, this is the most fun room.
Nimini
But my father's legacy is all right here. His legacy was to build a fun house, but I think yours is to build a fun museum. Don't you think it's time to stop and smell the roses?
Winifred Triumpher
My goodness, you're right. I can never top the old man's whimsy. I don't even like puns.
Lee
Actually, most people don't. I'm not sure where you read that.
Winifred Triumpher
But I can build a museum. That was my dream before all of this. Oh, thank you, Lee and Nimini. Thank you for helping me see what was right in front of me this whole time.
Nimini
It's our pleasure. Well, we better get going. The rest of the story. Pirates are probably worried about us.
Winifred Triumpher
Before you go, can I ask you for one more thing?
Lee
Sure, what is it?
Winifred Triumpher
Can we listen to one more of those great stories?
Peter
Yeah.
Lee
And here to introduce it is the author.
Olivia
Hi, my Name's Olivia. I'm 14 years old and I live in Texas. This is my story cuz board.
Mia
Another night of inventing for me. Dr. Blair McMad. Mad scientist. Okay, the rainbow. Brainstorming time. And I do my best brainstorming while riding my hoverboard. My sweet hoverboard. Two wheels of madness attached to a platform of genius. I shall ride you around my laboratory while I think of ideas. Oh, whoops. I really should fix that pothole in the middle of the floor before someone gets hurt. But no time. Right now I need to come up with a new idea for work. No more interruptions.
Kim
Evening, Hun.
Mia
Who dares interrupt me?
Kim
It's me, Tom. Your husband.
Mia
Oh, you.
Lee
What?
Mia
Do you need husband?
Kim
I just wanted to see how my lovely wife's work presentation went today.
Mia
It went terrible.
Kim
Oh no.
Mia
There I was about to give my presentation at the Ohio Institute for Mad Sciences and Technology.
Narrator
Up next, it's Dr. Blair McMad. Please present your newest MAD invention.
Mia
Greetings fellow mad scientists. May I present my newest maddest invention. A cat car. Whoa.
Lee
A cat.
Narrator
Cat car. How does it work? Simple.
Mia
It runs on cats.
Narrator
I still don't get it.
Mia
In the front, there are a bunch of cats on a treadmill. Their little legs power the treadmill which turns the axle and moves the car. Please, if you have a seat inside, I'll demonstrate. Lead mad scientist. Now that you're in, let's close the door. I just plug the address here, for example, the laundromat and the information travels to the cats brains.
Narrator
Then how do you make them go?
Mia
By showing them something they want. This cage of mice.
Narrator
Wait, won't the sight of a mouse make the cats go away?
Kim
Gosh hun, that sounds like a really tough day. I just want you to know your feelings are valid and that if you want to talk, I'm here.
Mia
Mad scientists don't talk, husband. Mad scientists. Science.
Kim
Of course.
Nimini
I'll leave you to it.
Mia
Back to thinking on my hoverboard. I need ideas. Hoverboard. Oh, I wish I had come up with you. Hoverboard, I love you to the moon and back. That's it. I've got it to work.
Narrator
Welcome back, Blair. I trust you have something better for us today.
Mia
I do. Fellow mad scientists, behold A cat rocket. Whoa. Hop on y.
Narrator
Now Blair, this is going to be like last time. Is it? Where you just show them a mouse and they go wild?
Mia
Of course not. I'm just gonna tell them that mice are on the moon.
Narrator
Oh good. But how will they understand?
Mia
Because I'll show them this mouse. Ha. I'm going to the moon.
Winifred Triumpher
This is bad.
Mia
Blair, no. Blair. Blair, no bad. Back for work already, hun? They hated my latest invention. Husband.
Kim
Oh gosh. Need a shoulder rub?
Mia
Not now, Hoverboard. And I need some alone time.
Kim
Of course. Just be careful of that pothole. Love you too, hon.
Mia
All right, Hoverboard, we gotta think or I'll be in deep trouble. Ah, that pothole again. There must be an issue with the summer floor sub.
Nimini
That's it.
Mia
I've got it. To work. Fellow mad scientists, behold.
Narrator
This better not be cat related.
Mia
Don't worry, it is.
Narrator
Oh good. Wait, what?
Mia
A cat submarine.
Narrator
I'm gonna stop you right there. I don't want to have to do this, but from hence henceforth, you are no longer a mad scientist. You've been demoted to a glad scientist.
Mia
No.
Narrator
I'm going to take your cat submarine, put it in the water and sail it away from here.
Mia
Wait. Cats hate water. The cats are attacking me. Little settle, snow. Ah, back home and demoted. I can't believe it. Come, hoverboard, let's ride. Come on, Blair, think, think, think. Don't let anything distract you. Not even that pothole. Whoa.
Penny
Hon.
Kim
I heard a big thump. Doing okay in here, husband?
Mia
I was riding my hoverboard around the room and I hit a completely random pothole that I had no way of knowing about.
Kim
Ah, nuts.
Mia
And the board snapped. I have lost my one and only source of love, patience, and care.
Kim
Well, I'm here. Your husband, Tom. I think you're smart and amazing, and I am here for you. And I always will be. Of course.
Mia
How could I have missed something so important right here in front of me the whole time? Oh, hon, come with me to work.
Peter
What?
Narrator
Blair, what are you doing here?
Mia
Fellow mad scientists, please give me one more chance. I have brought an invention totally mad and cat free. Behold.
Kim
Hey, everyone.
Mia
I present to you a Husbord Huzzboard.
Narrator
How does it work?
Mia
Two wheels of madness connected by my incredibly supportive husband. To move it, all you have to do is stand on him and shift your weight.
Narrator
So it's a hoverboard, but instead of a platform, it's your husband.
Mia
Correct.
Narrator
It's mad. Brilliant.
Mia
Huzzboards are a hit.
Penny
Orders are coming in from all over the U.S. what?
Mia
How did people find out so fast?
Kim
Sorry, hon. I told some friends at work and I guess word got around the U.S.
Mia
Oh, Tom, you are the best husbord I could wish for. Aw, shucks. The end.
Nimini
And now Lee speaks with the author.
Lee
Olivia, you wrote Huzz boards?
Olivia
Yes, I did.
Lee
How did you come up with the idea for this story?
Olivia
So I was actually writing for to get into a high school that I was trying to apply to, and one of the words was husbands. And then I came up with that. But then when I was putting it on Story Pirates, I made a few edits to it and I just made it like, a little bit longer.
Lee
There's a real word called hus. Boards.
Olivia
No, it's like a fake word that they made up that you had to write a creative story about.
Lee
That's so funny. What a weird word for them to come up with.
Olivia
I know.
Lee
Okay, so I also want to Know more about Tom in your story, because Tom feels like. Just seems like a really great guy, you know, like, being willing to become a husbord. Like, can you tell me more about him?
Olivia
I think he was forced to because the scientist was too crazy.
Lee
Is he in love with Dr. McMahon?
Olivia
Yeah. That's the only reason why he agreed to do it in the first place.
Lee
And your story ends with husboards being sold all around the country?
Olivia
Yep.
Lee
Do you imagine, like, who's buying these husbords? Like, are they more popular in certain places? Like, what can you tell me about how they're being sold and where?
Olivia
I think it's like a kit where they. It, like, comes with, like, the wheels. But you have to have a husband first.
Lee
Okay. So you do have to have a husband before you can buy a husbord. Or you can buy one, but it won't work without a husband.
Olivia
Yeah, it doesn't come with the husband.
Lee
What if you don't have a husband or you have a wife and you want a husbord?
Olivia
Well, you can make a wife board, I guess. People boards.
Lee
Spouse boards, Partner boards.
Olivia
Yeah.
Lee
Okay, so you made up this story based on a fake word, right?
Olivia
Yep.
Lee
Can you pay it forward right now by making up your own fake word for other kids listening to write a story about.
Olivia
Hmm, let me think. Shaboink.
Lee
Shaboink. Incredible. You heard it here first, listeners. Time to write a story about Shaboink. Olivia, this has been so fun to talk to you today.
Olivia
Thank you so much.
Lee
All right, bye, Olivia.
Mia
Bye.
Olivia
We'll be right back after a few words for the grownup foreign.
Lee
Welcome back to Story Love, where we take stories written by kids and we read them and talk about them. Peter Lee. Those are our names. Yes. This first story is From Cody, an 8 year old in Virginia. And it's called How We Got the Moon. I had been wondering. This is how we really got the moon. Up in space, there was a wishing star who had a wish. He asked everyone, may you grant this wish for me to be a big giant ball of rock that orbits around my favorite planet, Earth. He searched far and wide. Whoosh. He asked his great uncle Starford, will you grant me my wish? No, said Starford, Whoosh. He asked crazy old star McStucket, will you grant my wish? I can, he answered, Whoosh. He asked his sister Ursa Mabel, so good, will you grant my wish? Why should I? Until he got to Earth's sun and questioned, can you please grant me my wish to be a rock that orbits around the planet Earth. The sun answered, yes, but under one condition. Everyone must call you moon Star, AKA Moon said yes. There was a huge pop, and he instantly turned into the moon. And that's the real ridiculous story of how we got the moon. The end.
Peter
Incredible. Lee, what I love most about this story, and there are many, many great things, is the whole concept. It seems to me this is my interpretation, that all stars are wishing stars.
Lee
Oh.
Peter
Because he's going to every star he knows to make a wish, even though he himself is a star. But I think the rules are you can't grant yourself a wish if you're a star. You have to find another star to do it.
Lee
I think it's. You know, in adapting this, I think it would perhaps be more compelling for the main character to be the only wishing star, like, rather than like a star that is wished upon. This is like a star who has wishes all the time. You know, it's like a little bit of a play on the term.
Peter
Oh, there was a wishing star who had a wish.
Lee
Yeah. Like, can't you imagine a kid hearing the term wishing star and being like, that's got a star that must have a lot of wishes.
Peter
Or it's a wishing star in the traditional sense who grants wishes all day long and then realizes, well, what about me?
Lee
That's really good. Yeah.
Peter
And then it's just trying to find another star, and it's our. Our star, the sun, who actually can get it done.
Lee
Something tells me Peter has a wish of his own.
Peter
I wish that I was a sandwich.
Lee
I thought you were about to sing into the Woods.
Peter
I wish.
Lee
Isn't that from into the Woods?
Peter
I don't know. I'm really good. I wish to go to the festival.
Lee
Oh, yeah, it's like that. Cody, awesome story.
Peter
I'm just happy you cut me off before I could say I wish.
Lee
I was like, there's no way this guy is about to. Yeah, start singing, Sondheim. All right. Would you read the next one, Peter? I would love to.
Peter
This next one comes to us from a 6 year old from Canada named Beth. And the story is called the World where you cannot say help. Yikes. Once upon a time, there was a girl, and she needed help because she was stuck in a tree and she said, help. And her parents said, you can't say help, just get down. But I can't get down. You should have just said that. Okay, but why can't we say help? Because that's the rule. Who says that we can't say help? The mayor. Oh, Then help me down. But we said, you can't say help. Okay. Just get me down. Okay. The girl was down, and then she said, can you get my scooter out? Okay. And the parents got her scooter out, and she hopped on. Where are you going? Just to tell the mayor. Okay. But he might not say yes. Okay, bye. And the girl went to tell the mayor, and the mayor said, why do you ask this question? Because I said help. I thought it made it clear not to say help, but are you going to say yes or no? Let me think about it. But please do not say help again. But you said help.
Kim
Oops.
Peter
But you said help, too. Oops. Okay, let's stop talking about this. How did you get in here in the first place? I scootered. And then she scootered home. Her parents said hi, and she said, hi. And her parents let her in for a cup of tea and maybe some brownies. And her parents asked, sweetie, what did he say? He's still deciding.
Lee
Hmm.
Peter
Okay, but it's time to go to bed. Maybe the next day we'll figure out if he said it or not. And then they all went to bed, except for the dog. The dog hopped on the scooter and rode off. And the next day she went to tell the mayor, but she had no scooter. But she still had a helmet and knee pads and elbow pads and fingerless gloves. So she went to look for her scooter, and she found the dog underneath the tree next to her scooter. And she was like, what happened? And she went and got a translator and put it on the dog. And the dog said, I was scootering. And she said, you're not meant to scooter on my scooter. Okay. And she took her scooter back, and then she took her scooter. And the dog had made it halfway to the mayor's house. She only had to scooter the rest of the way. She went to the mayor's house, and the mayor said, yes.
Mia
Oh, yay.
Peter
But now we have to call it the no saying yes town. But you just said yes.
Kim
Oh.
Peter
Oh. Go and tell your parents, please. So she scootered to the dog and got the dog and scootered home, and she got to her parents and said, this is the end.
Lee
The end.
Peter
Wow. Whoa.
Lee
Beth.
Peter
Whoa.
Lee
Really a lot of details in here. Very, very interested in the logistics, this story. Who's scootering, where, how far they scootered, how much is left to scooter? Making sure you're communicating well, with the mayor and your parents sending messages back and forth, having there be a word that you can't say at all times, this world is. It is the world where you cannot say help. It is a very, very strange world.
Peter
A lot of pressure put on this one kid to sol that the mayor has caused in this town. Although, weirdly, my favorite moment is the dog escaping with the scooter and just getting too tired, I think, and sitting behind it under the tree and her going, what happened? And him saying, I was scootering. To me, it says everything. That's just like, I shouldn't be scootering. I know. I bit off more than I could chew.
Lee
In some ways, it feels like one of the main objectives Beth had in this story was to write the word scooter as many times as possible.
Peter
Scooter. Scootering.
Lee
There's a lot of scooters in here. I wonder if Beth herself has a scooter. I'm going to guess yes.
Peter
I'm going to say there's an 87% chance Beth is a scooter pro.
Lee
Beth, incredible story, my friend. Thank you so much for sending it in. All right, we got one more here From Beckett, a 10 year old in Canada. And Beckett's story is called the Rapping Lawyer.
Peter
Yes.
Lee
There once was a lawyer who only rapped. He was so good. If he lost, he would pay his clients one million gooses.
Mia
Honk.
Lee
And every time he went to court, it became a rap battle. P S. He lives in Arizona. Beckett, a kid in Canada, is like, where should I make this rapping lawyer be from? Where's the Arizona? Yes.
Peter
The capital of American hip Arizona.
Lee
Are you a West coast, east coast or Arizona hip hop?
Peter
I'm a southwest coast. I love that. There once was a lawyer who only rapped. Yeah. I mean, so good. If he lost, he would pay his clients a million gooses.
Lee
I don't think the judges would stand for that in most courtrooms. But I love the idea of a rapping lawyer. There's so much to do here. I mean, it's like, Beckett, could we get an example of a case that this lawyer is trying to see what their opening statements like. How do you question a witness if you're only rapping?
Peter
You need some serious freestyle skills.
Lee
You do. Are you rhyming with whatever they say?
Peter
Yes.
Lee
You're.
Peter
You're taking their line and. And completing it so that it fits the meter and the rhyme of what you said.
Lee
Okay, so like, if I'm the lawyer, I'd. Mr. McNerney I'm gonna ask you one more time. Where were you when you committed the crime?
Peter
I did not commit the crime, my friend.
Lee
Well, for my questioning, this is the end.
Peter
Oh, I am guilty. Perfect. I think we've proved that this is a viable strategy.
Lee
You were very nice to give me friend as the word I needed to rhyme with.
Peter
Oh, you're welcome.
Lee
Do you want to try it? Do you want to give you.
Peter
Sure. I'm the lawyer now.
Lee
Yeah, you're the lawyer. So you have to rhyme with yourself in your question. And then I give an answer and you rhyme with it.
Peter
Ok, so I did a couplet, and then you get a first line and then I have to rhyme it.
Lee
Did we just make up a short form improv game?
Peter
Yeah, I think you did. Now, you weren't there during the crime as you claim. But first, for the court, will you state your name?
Lee
Yes, my name is George Philanthropy Evans.
Peter
Ah, that's a real name. I don't think so. My heavens. Guilty. Our meter was perfect.
Lee
I had to decide whether I was gonna give you an easy one or a hard one.
Peter
I could see you debating exactly that.
Lee
Yeah, but I want to set you up for success.
Peter
Thank you.
Lee
Just like Beckett set us up for success today. Beckett, thank you for your incredible story. To read all of today's Story Love stories, just head to storypirates.com and guess what, Grown Ups. You can find an even longer version of today's story love on YouTube. And grown up Story Love isn't just the name of a segment on our show. It's also the name of our incredible corporate volunteer program to find out more about Story Love, our digital creative writing program, Story Quest, or our non profit arm, Story Pirates. Changemakers. Check the show notes for links. That's it for today's episode. Thanks to today's authors, Mia and Olivia. And guess what? You can still send us your stories and we respond to every single one. Grown Ups. Your link to submit stories is in the show Notes for today's episode. Episode. We'll be back next week with another brand new episode. Until then, stay creative and stay kind.
Mia
Bye.
Lee
The Story Pirates podcast is a production of Story Pirates Studios, executive produced by Lee Overtree and Benjamin Salka. This episode was produced by Sam Baer, Peter McNerney, Andrew Miller and Lee Overtree. Recording sounds, design and mixing by Sam Baer at the Relic Room in New York City. Additional production by Brett Toobin. Theme song by Bobby Lord. Musical scoring by Eric Erson and Jack Mitchell. Our head writer is Peter McNerney. Staff writers are Megan O' Neil and Alexis Simpson. Contributing writers are Lee Overtree and Austin Sanders. Episode artwork by Camilla Franklin. Special guest Glo Tavare. This episode features performances by ben blackman, allison braska, alexandria iona, justin linville, peter mcnerney, andrew miller, lee overtree, jamie watson, and nimini ware. Hey, Peter.
Peter
Oh, hey, Lee.
Lee
I have a question for you.
Peter
Go ahead and ask.
Lee
You know that last story, Husboards?
Peter
Of course. I loved it.
Lee
Well, I was pretty inspired by it. So I was wondering, would you be my hoverboard? Um, I know you're not my husband or anything. You're just Peter. So maybe you could be my peterboard. Gee, I already acquired all the technology I need to turn you into a hoverboard. Well, please, come on. I really want a peterboard.
Peter
Lee, calm down. The answer is yes. Woohoo.
Lee
Okay, lie down on your back.
Peter
Okay.
Lee
And I'll just connect this, this, and. Okay, you're ready.
Peter
Wow, that was easy.
Lee
Here we go.
Mia
Whee.
Lee
Wow, this feels weird. Peter, you make a great hoverboard.
Peter
This really is something. I wouldn't call it pleasant, but something.
Mia
Yeah.
Lee
This rules.
Kim
Wow.
Mia
I'm a peterboard.
Peter
I'm a peterboard. Finally. This is weird.
This episode of Story Pirates delivers its celebrated mix of kid-created stories, zany sketch comedy, and musical numbers. The Pirates—and guest star Glo Tavarez—explore the quirky Triumph Footer Curious House, dramatize two standout stories penned by young writers ("Penny the Multi-Talented Girl" and "Husbordes"), and share laughter-filled commentary and insightful interviews with the authors. As always, the episode encourages creativity, self-acceptance, and the joy of storytelling.
“It's the Triumph Footer Curious House. A strange mansion built by Frank Triumph Footer, the eccentric owner of the Triumph Butter Hot Dog Company.”
—Lee, (02:23)
“His legacy was to build a fun house, but I think yours is to build a fun museum.”
—Nimini, (23:40)
“I may have just won a ton of end of semester awards, but the real prize is getting to spend every day in the classroom with all of you. These are our awards, y’all. So give yourself a round of applause.”
—Penny, (07:20)
“I need true friends who like me for myself. Not what I can do, but who I am inside.”
—Penny, (14:27)
“How does it work? Two wheels of madness connected by my incredibly supportive husband. To move it, all you have to do is stand on him and shift your weight.”
—Blair McMad (Mia), (31:07)
“I think it's like a kit where it comes with the wheels. But you have to have a husband first.”
—Olivia, author, (33:22)
The hosts read and delight in more inventive tales by kids:
"How We Got the Moon" by Cody, 8 (Virginia):
"The World Where You Cannot Say Help" by Beth, 6 (Canada):
"The Rapping Lawyer" by Beckett, 10 (Canada):
“Are you a West coast, east coast or Arizona hip hop?”
—Lee, (42:56)
“Did we just make up a short-form improv game?”
—Lee, (44:32)
Winifred’s self-discovery:
“I can never top the old man's whimsy. I don’t even like puns.”
—Winifred Triumpher, (23:52)
Improvised rap court banter:
“Now, you weren’t there during the crime as you claim. But first, for the court, will you state your name?”
—Peter (as lawyer), (44:32)
“Yes, my name is George Philanthropy Evans.”
—Lee, (44:46)
On inventing new words:
“Can you pay it forward right now by making up your own fake word for other kids listening to write a story about?”
—Lee, (33:53)
“Shaboink.”
—Olivia, (34:08)
The episode is packed with whimsical humor, gentle self-reflection, and joyful celebration of youth storytelling. The playful banter, puns, and musical breaks are balanced with authentic conversations about creativity, friendship, and being true to oneself—delivered in the energetic, inclusive style that defines Story Pirates.
Kids and grownups alike are encouraged to write, submit, and play with ideas—whether it’s building a funhouse (or museum) in your mind, trying a new improv game, or just inventing a word like “Shaboink.”