The Ancient History of Mr. Lollypants and His 27 Tears

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Story Pirates
Episode: The Ancient History of Mr. Lollypants and His 27 Tears
Date: December 18, 2025

---

Episode Overview

This bonus episode celebrates imagination and creativity by showcasing a hilarious, collaborative story written by over 100 kids in the Story Pirates Creator Club. The focus: the zany, persistent quest of “Mr. Lollipants and his 27 Tears,” detailing the chaotic origins of the Infinitely Exponential, Totally Awesome Circus. In typical Story Pirates fashion, the episode blends kid-generated stories, sketch comedy, and lively commentary, offering laughter and inspiration for kids and grownups alike. The episode also features a "Story Love" segment where two more kid-written tales are read and discussed, all in the podcast’s signature silly and celebratory tone.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Story Pirates Creator Club & The Collaborative Storytelling Process

• Lee Overtree welcomes listeners and introduces the special nature of this episode – a story written collectively by the Creator Club.
  “Another new story that was written by not one, not two, but over a hundred different kids in our creator club!” (00:15)
• Lee encourages parents to get involved with the club, highlighting how their zoom sessions spark creativity and community among kids.
• The process is wild, unpredictable, and massively collaborative—a celebration of kid powered ideas.

2. Main Sketch: “The Ancient History of Mr. Lollipants and His 27 Tears” (03:16–11:39)

• Setting the Stage:
  The story opens at the mysterious Infinitely Exponential, Totally Awesome Circus, rumored to be the wildest show on Earth.
• The Quest of Mr. Lollipants:
  Mr. Lollipants, a chronically sad lollipop, searches for happiness and accidentally finds inspiration in a literal "stop" sign.
  • “I was so busy looking for a sign that you failed to see that that stop sign is what I’ve been waiting for.” (05:26)
• The Struggle and Perseverance:
  With the help of Joe the Coconut and Banana Joe, Mr. Lollipants sets out to start a circus. Their first attempts fail hilariously, featuring the likes of:
  • Mishap-laden performances: playing a tape deck, instructing the audience to stare at a head for three hours, robots that eat croissants.
  • The running gag—each failure earns Mr. Lollipants another tear, leading to a total of 27 by the time success arrives.
  • Comic encouragement and support by Frogsworth the Chicken (assistant manager/independently wealthy).
    • “You simply must try again. And if that fails, you must try again and again and again.” (08:18, Frogsworth the Chicken)
• Breakthrough and Grand Success:
  The final, now-legendary circus—bigger, better, wildly inventive, populated by the Fantastical Fortune-Telling Crocodile, Marshmallow Lifting Contest, a wet dog from France, and more.
  • “Here’s a wet dog from France!” (11:28)
  • The act list becomes increasingly silly and delightful, with callbacks to earlier failures now cheered as classic—and all crowned by Mr. Lollipants’ enduring hope and commitment.

3. Story Love: Reading and Reacting to Kid Stories (13:45–23:23)

• Detailed Reactions by Hosts Lee Overtree and Peter McNerney

• Three new stories are read and celebrated, each sparking improvisational banter and playful analysis.

  a. “The Case of the Third Person Infection” by Rosa, Age 10 (13:57–17:55)

  • Noir-style parody about a detective who can’t stop narrating in the third person, and accidentally “infects” others.
  • Notable moment: Discussion of parody and playful repetition skits.
    • “This is a parody of a parody…” (16:31, Peter McNerney)
    • Lee and Peter riff on the word “parody” and parrots, descending into silly, self-referential mockery.

  b. “Carson the Capybara” by Elle, Age 9 (17:55–19:17)

  • A king capybara defeats a mean lion not with might but with love, turning him into a generous sloth.
  • Hosts marvel at the story’s wholesome twist:
    • “Magical love hugs can turn a lion into a sloth.” (18:33, Lee Overtree)
  • They giggle over the whimsical logic and heartwarming outcome, noting the king’s understated importance.

  c. “The Guy Who Sells Skyscrapers” by Colin, Age 8 (19:26–23:23)

  • A skyscraper vendor accidentally looses buildings across town, calls his alien friends for help (thanks to a past adventure in space), and saves the day—ending with a triumphant backflip.
  • Notable moment:
    • “More stories need to end with backflips. I've been saying it for years.” (21:35, Peter McNerney)
  • The hosts discuss wild narrative detours, worldbuilding, humorous logic jumps, and the delight of surprise endings.

4. Recurring Gags, Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Perseverance Through Failure
  “You can’t give up after one failure—there’s always the next one.” (07:51, Joe the Coconut)
• Meetings with Unusual Circus Acts
  • The “Immortal Tardigrade” makes a cameo, later returning as the “Immoral Tardigrade.”
    • “Not only am I a microscopic creature, but I’m also incredibly unethical.” (25:33, Immortal Tardigrade)
• Hosts’ Chemistry and Encouragement
  • Lee and Peter’s banter reinforces creativity, silliness, and positivity, modeling the very inventiveness they hope to inspire in kids.
  • They repeatedly encourage story submission and celebrate every imaginative impulse from their young contributors.

---

Notable Quotes and Timestamps

• “Another new story that was written by not one, not two, but over a hundred different kids in our creator club!”
  Lee Overtree, (00:15)

• “Here I am on my way to work, Mr. Lollipants. Though I should just call myself Mr. Sour Pants. I’m doomed to a life of being sad. If only I could get some sort of sign that would tell me how to be happy.”
  Mr. Lollipants, (04:56)

• “You simply must try again. And if that fails, you must try again and again and again.”
  Frogsworth the Chicken, (08:18)

• “We are Wolfie.”
  Child Storyteller, (17:41)—A non sequitur moment adding to the episode’s infectious randomness.

• “More stories need to end with backflips. I’ve been saying it for years.”
  Peter McNerney, (21:35)

• “Not only am I a microscopic creature, but I'm also incredibly unethical.”
  Immortal Tardigrade, (25:33)

---

Important Segments & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|----------------| | Mr. Lollipants Circus Story Begins | 03:16 | | First Circus Performance & Failures | 06:48–09:12 | | 27 Circuses, 27 Tears – Story Crescendo | 09:12–11:39 | | Story Love Segment Begins | 13:45 | | “The Case of the Third Person Infection” | 13:57–17:55 | | “Carson the Capybara” | 17:55–19:17 | | “The Guy Who Sells Skyscrapers” | 19:26–23:23 | | Immortal/Immoral Tardigrade Outro | 25:27–26:47 |

---

Structure

1. Welcome & Creator Club Info

• Host intro, community engagement (00:07–02:04)

2. Main Story: “The Ancient History of Mr. Lollipants and His 27 Tears”

• Circus origins
• Funny failures, perseverance montage
• Climax and final triumphant circus
• Whimsical, celebratory conclusion (03:13–11:39)

3. Story Love: Kid Submissions

• Detective noir parody
• Capybara fable
• Skyscraper-seller sci-fi caper (13:45–23:23)

4. Playful Banter & Immortal/Immoral Tardigrade Skit

• Fun, imaginative chat with a recurring comic character (25:27–26:47)

---

Tone and Style

• Bright, playful, and fast-paced
• Emphasis on collaborative invention and creative risk-taking
• Hosts embody silly, sincere enthusiasm, encouraging young writers every step

---

For Listeners—Why This Episode Stands Out

This episode is a cornucopia of kid-powered creativity, delightful nonsense, and warm encouragement. It traces how even the wildest ideas can become something special with persistence, the support of friends (real or imaginary!), and a willingness to fail and try again. The Story Pirates’ trademark mix of comedy sketches, songs, and improvisation transforms “mistakes” into the seeds of joy—making this episode both entertaining and inspiring for the whole family.

Transcript

[Immortal Tardigrade]

Lemonade.

[Lee Overtree]

Hey, Story Pirates podcast listeners. Lee here. Today we have a very special bonus episode for you. Another new story that was written by not one, not two, but over a hundred different kids in our creator club. But grown ups first. There is still time to get a personalized video from a Story Pirates podcast host for the Story Pirates fans in your life. And by doing so, so you'll help us finish our season. And you can still get it before Christmas by ordering by December 21st. Just make your tax deductible [e-mail] support. And by the way, if you are lucky enough to have more significant resources to spare, we're still looking for larger patrons who want to have a conversation about becoming credited producers on the show. If this sounds like you, please drop us a line. And like I said, all donations are completely tax deductible. Get your personalized video or get in touch about a larger [e-mail] support. That link is also in the show notes for today's episode. Thank you so much to everyone who has already reached out and donated. We appreciate it so much. Onto the show after a few more words for the grownups.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

I love Story Pilots.

[Immortal Tardigrade]

It just filled me up with joy.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

My mom loves the jokes. Yo, yo, my joke.

[Immortal Tardigrade]

It made me very proud about my writing.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Yeah, we're just getting like, really deep.

[Immortal Tardigrade]

Into, like, I want to say, philosophies.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

I definitely think I can be more creative now. I'm the champion.

[Immortal Tardigrade]

The Story Pirates.

[Lee Overtree]

Okay, everybody, here's what's up. As you may know, every once in a while we invite all of our Creator Club members to join me and Peter on a Zoom to write a story together. And it's a wild experience. Hundreds of different kids from all around the world show up, and together we write incredible stories like the one you're going to hear today about the origins of the world's most popular circus. That's right. I'm talking, of course, about the Infinitely Exponential, Totally awesome circus. And P.S. grown ups, we're doing the whole thing again on Zoom with me and Peter in January. And it's not too late to get your kids involved. We're going to write a brand new story together and then adapt it for the podcast, just like in today's episode. And information on how to join us is in the episode description for today's episode. So grown ups, check it out and join us. And now, without further ado, we present to you a story from the Story Pirates Creator Club. The ancient history of Mr. Lollipants and his 27 tears.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Always.

[Peter McNerney]

Step right up to the greatest show on Earth. Now in its 27th season. It's the infinitely exponential, totally awesome circus. All three tents, Baby Bacon's Big Top, Gooby Dabba, and the Sandwich Circus. All your favorite acts on stage, including Monkey Trapeze, the Fiery Flying Flippolinis, the Immortal Tardigrade, I Shall Never Die, the Glass Breaking Toddler.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Oopsie Poopsie.

[Peter McNerney]

Sandwich Eating Contest on the Trapeze.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

It's a Panini, Underwater bo, Gymnastics, and so much more.

[Peter McNerney]

Hurry. Hurray. Hurray.

[Lee Overtree]

Over here, Sally.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

It's right over here. Oh boy, oh boy. Amir, I can't wait to go to the circus. As soon as we turn this corner, you'll be right there. The Infinitely Exponential, Totally Awesome Circus. Where is it?

[Lee Overtree]

It was supposed to be right here.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

It's gone. Sorry, sir. We didn't see you or your wagon full of rotting cauliflowers there. That's funny. That's the first thing Mr. Lollipants said to me too. Mr. Lollipants? The sour Lollipop who created the Infinitely Exponential, Totally Awesome Circus? That's the one. Say, you two kids wouldn't want to hear the origin story of the Infinitely Exponential, Totally Awesome Circus, would ya? Absolutely. I thought not. Well, I best be on my way.

[Peter McNerney]

No.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

We said yes. Oh, okay then. Once upon a time, the circus was only in the mind of one person. Or should I say, one sad lollipop. Here I am on my way to work, Mr. Lollipants. Though I should just call myself Mr. Sour Pants. I'm doomed to a life of being sad. If only I could get some sort of sign that would tell me how to be happy.

[Peter McNerney]

Hey, pal.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Stop. Wha.

[Peter McNerney]

You almost walked into traffic right past this stop sign.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Gosh. Thank you, kind person. Goodbye.

[Peter McNerney]

Be careful out there.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

She's right, Lolly. You were so busy looking for a sign that you failed to see that that stop sign is what I've been waiting for. I've just got to call my friend Joe the Coconut about this. I'm coming, I'm coming. Hello, Joe the Coconut here. Joe the Coconut. Lollibants. Joe, I've got another one of my ideas. Boy, what is it this time? I just saw a sign on how to finally be happy. A stop sign. It was red and white and had such a fun shape. An aerial view of a circus tent. Obviously, I'm going to start a circus. As far as your schemes go, lp, this one ain't bad. I'm in. We need a venue. I have the Perfect place. Or at least a place. What is it? It's the basement of a restaurant that only sells mint chocolate chip ice cream. Owned by my friend, Banana Joe. Perfect. Meet me at Banana Joe's. Wow. Look at us here at Banana Joe's, four weeks later, ready to put on a circus. Thank you for your help, Joe the Coconut. And thank you, Banana Joe, for letting us use the basement and for bringing us such a big crowd. Of course. After you assured me that the circus would be, quote, really good, I knew people would love it.

[Immortal Tardigrade]

I can't wait to see all the acts.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Oh, the acts.

[Peter McNerney]

Yeah, you know, the performers and such.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Right, of course. All right, Lolly, it's time to start the show. But Break a leg.

[Peter McNerney]

Gentlemen.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the first ever infinitely exponential, Totally Awesome Circus. Circus time.

[Lee Overtree]

Thank you.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Thank you, everyone. Have we got a show for you. Without further ado, our first act. Is this.

[Immortal Tardigrade]

A tape deck?

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

What's he doing? And play.

[Lee Overtree]

Right.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Lolly, get off the stage. Apologies, everyone. That's our show for the evening.

[Lee Overtree]

No refunds.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

No refunds. Over. Oh, no. Joe. This was harder than I thought. I didn't realize that I had to put in an effort. My dream is dead. Mr. Lollipants, you're crying.

[Lee Overtree]

A single tear.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Listen to me. You can't give up. After one failure, there's always the next one. Who would believe in me after that?

[Peter McNerney]

I would. Who are you? I am Frogsworth the Chicken. And I'm a manager.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

A talent manager?

[Peter McNerney]

No, an assistant manager here at Banana Joe's Ice Cream shop. Oh. But I'm also independently wealthy.

[Lee Overtree]

Oh.

[Peter McNerney]

I know nothing about show business. But I think you've got something. You simply must try again. And if that fails, you must try again and again and again. So what do you say, Frogsworth?

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

You had me at independently wealthy. Let's do it. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the second ever Infinitely exponential, Totally Awesome Circus. Thank you. You are in for a treat tonight. Everyone, look at the person's head in front of you. Now, keep doing that for three hours. This was worse than last year. I failed again. Oh, stop. Single tear. Welcome to the seventh ever Infinitely exponential, Totally Awesome Circus. Thank you. You are in for a treat tonight.

[Peter McNerney]

Behold.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

It's a clown that says.

[Immortal Tardigrade]

Hey.

[Peter McNerney]

Hey.

[Immortal Tardigrade]

Boom.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Better, but still bad. I failed again. Single tier. Welcome to the 14th ever infinitely exponential, Totally Awesome Circus. You are in for a treat tonight. Behold, robots that eat croissants. They're confused. Molly. That's an improvement. We're still not there yet. It went on and on. Like this. He put on 27 circuses and cried 27 tears. Until finally they did it. They opened the one that you've heard so much about.

[Peter McNerney]

Dawn.

[Lee Overtree]

We missed it.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

That's what you think, Mr. Lollipants. That's right. It was me the whole time. What a reveal. Welcome to the Infinitely exponential Totally awesome Circus.

[Lee Overtree]

Where did this crowd and big top come from?

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Joe the Coconut. Welcome to the 115th ever infinitely exponential Totally awesome Circus. Feast your eyes upon our list of fantastic acts. The fortune telling crocodile. I could see your future, sir. And Adudas. Wheat and apple pie on sale at concessions.

[Peter McNerney]

Wheat, apple pie.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Hips. Fenwick the horse eats toes all along the stage. The clown that just walks around and says hey.

[Peter McNerney]

Hey.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Marshmallow lifting contest. Mini living apples dancing. A scuffle and a jump. And a kickball chain. And everyone's favorite robots that eat croissants. Did this show get any better? Finally, to show you my appreciation for each of you, here's a wet dog from France. This is the greatest thing I've ever experienced.

[Lee Overtree]

Sally.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Just look at this wet dog.

[Immortal Tardigrade]

Bakkee back guys.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

The end.

[Lee Overtree]

And when we come back, it's time for story love where Peter and I read even more stories written by kids. Hey grownups. Lee Here. You can now experience the beloved Harry Potter stories like you've never heard them before. On audible with Harry Potter the full cast audio editions. Now you know that I love audio only storytelling. I think it's one of the best things you can expose your kids to because there's no screen. Audio storytelling has this special way of activating kids imaginations which I think is super powerful. And the Harry Potter full cast audio editions have the highest possible quality. You can ask for hundreds of unique voices and immersive sound design that brings the wizarding world vividly to life in Dolby Atmos. As well as an electrifying new musical score. The adventure surrounds you. You'll hear footsteps echoing off the walls of Hogwarts and the whoosh of a golden snitch as it darts past your ear. And I love the casting. I just noticed that Matthew McFaddyen is playing Voldemort. Sorry I said his name. I know. But Matthew is one of my favorite actors. He's just incredible in everything he does. I just watched this amazing show with him. He's fantastic. And there's so many other actors that I just personally love doing this. These full cast audio editions are a spellbinding experience for longtime Harry Potter fans and a delightful new way to introduce the Stories to a new generation. The first story in the series is available now. With new audiobooks in the series releasing every month. It's Harry Potter like you've never heard it before. Go to audible.com HP1 and start listening today. Welcome back to StoryLove, where we take stories written by kids and we talk about them. Peter. Hello, Lee.

[Peter McNerney]

Hello.

[Lee Overtree]

I was thinking that today we could talk about stories written by kids.

[Peter McNerney]

That sounds like a plan. And specifically the plan we had when we arrived here.

[Lee Overtree]

That is indeed the plan. Would you read the first story for us?

[Peter McNerney]

I would be delighted, Lee. This story comes to us from a 10 year old from Tennessee named Rosa. And Rosa's story is called the Case of the Third Person Infection.

[Lee Overtree]

What a title.

[Peter McNerney]

It's another day for me, Rick Lawson, when somebody walks into my. Wait, do I have to talk about myself in the third person? What is the point? I, Rick Lawson, no, I did it again. Why, oh why must this happen to me? Rick Lawson.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

No, I did it again.

[Peter McNerney]

Have I always done this? Let's look at my baby pictures. And after some close examination by me, I realized, hey, I did it. I didn't say it in third person. I am gonna go convince other detectives to stop this bad habit. That's the daily case for me, Rick Lawson.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Darn it.

[Peter McNerney]

I said it again. Well, time to stop this curse. Hey, Vicky Burns. Hi, Rick Lawson. It's another day for me, Vicky Burns, when. Wait, wait, Vicky, stop doing that. Doing what? Talking in third person. Okay, I, Vicky Burns, will try. Bye. All right, time to go help Matt Hayes. Hey, Matt Hayes. Hey, Rick Lawson. It's another. No, no, no. Don't say it's another day for me, Matt Hayes. Okay. Why? That's how I, Matt Hayes, talks. I don't care how you talk. It's infecting your brain. But I have to. Hey, you did it.

[Lee Overtree]

Bye.

[Peter McNerney]

Hopefully they will spread the word. Hey, I haven't said I, Rick Lawson, or me, Rick Lawson all day. Pretty much. I beat the infection. The end. Wow.

[Lee Overtree]

So Good.

[Peter McNerney]

I, Peter McNerney, for one, loved that story.

[Lee Overtree]

Wow. I loved it too. I love how noir tropes, like detected. Noir tropes like this have really, really carried on to the next generation. Like. Yeah, it's kind of surprising, isn't it?

[Peter McNerney]

I've thought about this. Cause we get a lot of stories from kids that like to play with this genre thing. But how many new movies or TV shows actually use it?

[Lee Overtree]

Well, there's certainly no earnest ones of it. There's only parodies. So this is like parodies of parodies.

[Peter McNerney]

Yeah. This is a parody of a parody of a parody. Yeah, seemingly. Yeah.

[Lee Overtree]

And the fact that you just said that a few times in a row sounded very parody.

[Peter McNerney]

You think that's where the word parody came from?

[Immortal Tardigrade]

No.

[Peter McNerney]

Don't you sort of wish it was, though?

[Lee Overtree]

Yeah, I do.

[Peter McNerney]

That really changes it. If the word parody just came from its. That was a little parrot.

[Lee Overtree]

Y. Well, I mean, I guess like in some ways, like when a parrot is repeating something someone else said, they're doing a parody of it.

[Peter McNerney]

It is exactly right. That's exactly right. That was a parody of what I just said, for sure. That was a parody of what I just said, for sure. And it makes me feel a little sad. And it makes me feel a little sad. Why is it that if you just repeat and exaggerate what somebody says, it's mockery.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

It's mockery.

[Lee Overtree]

What is it?

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

What is it?

[Peter McNerney]

You think I can. As long as I turn it up, I can send it back to you. Let's try. I'll say something real straight and go, lee, I love your shirt. Oh, Lee, I love your shirt.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Oh, Lee, I love your shirt.

[Lee Overtree]

I see what you're doing, but I feel like it just made fun of you worse.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

We are Wolfie.

[Peter McNerney]

Yeah. Now I look just a little. Yeah, I don't feel good.

[Lee Overtree]

But honestly, this is a very good shirt. Thank you for noticing. I really love this story. Rosa. Thank you so much for sending it in.

[Peter McNerney]

Incredible.

[Lee Overtree]

All right, let's get on to our next one. This one's from a nine year old in California named Elle. And Elle's story is called Carson the capybara. Once upon a time, there was a copy bearer named Carson H. Finton iii, or Carson for short. He was the king and he loved movies. One time he was watching a movie and a mean lion came and ate his candy. Then Carson hugged it and the lion became a sloth. The sloth then bought some candy for everyone in the jungle. The end.

[Peter McNerney]

Lee Vikapybara has love hugs. Yeah. Magical love hugs.

[Lee Overtree]

Magical love hugs can turn a lion into a sloth.

[Peter McNerney]

But not just any sloth. A sloth that then pays it forward.

[Lee Overtree]

That's right. And buys candy for everyone in the jungle.

[Immortal Tardigrade]

Yeah.

[Lee Overtree]

Presumably to eat while they're watching movies.

[Peter McNerney]

Yes. I love also that the capybara, being a king, does not play into the story at all, but it explains maybe how he became king. Right.

[Lee Overtree]

If you can do a love hug to turn a lion into a sloth, a generous sloth, then I think you're probably well suited to be king.

[Peter McNerney]

How long do you think it took the sloth to give candy to everyone in the jungle?

[Lee Overtree]

Well, most jungles are pretty big.

[Peter McNerney]

Yeah, sloth.

[Lee Overtree]

But their borders are ill defined.

[Peter McNerney]

But a sloth is also very slow.

[Lee Overtree]

That's true. I hadn't thought about that. Incredible story, El. We loved it. Thank you so much for sending it in. And we got one more here, Peter. Why don't you read it?

[Peter McNerney]

I'd love to. This last story comes to us from an 8 year old from Texas named Colin. And Colin's story is the guy who sells skyscrapers. All right, just another good day of selling skyscrapers for me. The skyscraper guy?

[Lee Overtree]

Oh, he's got the third person infection.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Yeah.

[Peter McNerney]

Today somebody walks into the store and they ask for a skyscraper. I say, sure, how tall? The person thinks for a second and says, 1,000ft. Then I ask, where would you like it? He replies, on top of town hall. Okay, I say. I get into my crane, I put it on top of town hall, but the whole building starts to wobble. Then it crashes and all the skyscrapers start rolling everywhere. So I call my alien friends.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Hubble wa.

[Peter McNerney]

I went to space once. I met some aliens and we had a little talk. We traded stuff for a bit and became friends. While I was there, I accidentally got hit by an alien ray. And it gave me the superpower of telekinesis. Then they gave me a little comm to talk to them whenever I needed to. This translated so I could understand the alien's language. I didn't know how handy this would be later.

[Lee Overtree]

Okay, I got it. Continue.

[Peter McNerney]

So here I am, skyscrapers rolling everywhere, people running and screaming. And suddenly I remember I can call the aliens. My comm is a little rusty, but it still works. The aliens reply, that's no problem. We need skyscrapers. Anyway, all of the troops of aliens show up and they take the skyscrapers back to their planet. They find out that some power lines broke. Then I say, I have an idea. Then I snap the power line cord. But I found one that's super tight. But it secretly goes up to the aliens and we were able to still talk. Then I put the one skyscraper I wanted to keep back at my house. I climbed up to the top, did a backflip off and shouted the end. Wow.

[Lee Overtree]

Best ending ever.

[Peter McNerney]

More stories need to end with backflips. I've been saying it for years.

[Lee Overtree]

I don't think that there is any story that couldn't end with I climbed up to the top, did a Backflip off and chat at the end.

[Peter McNerney]

I like the idea that the. The end fades the.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Yeah.

[Lee Overtree]

Incredible. Such a good ending. The story's great, too. Do you think that the people in the skyscrapers got taken up to space with the aliens or was there time for evacuation?

[Peter McNerney]

Ooh, you think the aliens took the skyscrapers and sort of went, shake, shake, shake, like when you have a log full of ants. Get out of there.

[Lee Overtree]

I need this log.

[Peter McNerney]

I'm making holiday crafts.

[Lee Overtree]

That's right. With a log I found.

[Peter McNerney]

That's right. I'm going to cut it. You ever see those reindeer? Yeah, yeah, I'm making one of those.

[Lee Overtree]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[Peter McNerney]

Yeah. Do you take a log? This might be a spoiler for some of my family members this year.

[Lee Overtree]

Are you carving reindeers for your family for Christmas?

[Peter McNerney]

I'm carving them, but I got a log and I cut them into segments and I made a head and a body and sticks for antlers and this. And I did.

[Lee Overtree]

That's adorable.

[Peter McNerney]

It was my wife's idea.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Wow.

[Peter McNerney]

Anyway, I may have recently been shaking branches full of ants.

[Lee Overtree]

Wow. Which is why you thought of it.

[Peter McNerney]

It is why?

[Lee Overtree]

Can we talk about this part of.

[Peter McNerney]

The story that I think we both really enjoyed, which is the. So I call my alien friends. I went to space once. It is. Oh, I forgot the backstory. Let me get through it real quick.

[Lee Overtree]

I love that you kept that emotional beat throughout the story. I went to space once. I met some aliens while I was there. Accidentally got hit by an alien ring. Telekinesis gave me a comm so I can understand the aliens language and not any would be later. Okay, back to the story.

[Peter McNerney]

So here I am, skyscrapers rolling everywhere.

[Lee Overtree]

I love getting sidetracked like that.

[Peter McNerney]

Oh, yeah.

[Lee Overtree]

Really, really funny story. Colin, you did it.

[Peter McNerney]

Great work.

[Lee Overtree]

Thanks for sending it in. And that's it for today's story. Love to read all of today's stories. Just head to storypirates.com and remember, you can watch an even longer version on the Story Pirates YouTube page with help from your grown up. Now it's time for you to write us a story. Because the holidays are a great time to sit down and finally write that story you've been thinking about. Grownups can submit [e-mail] and remember, we respond to every single story we receive. That's it for today's bonus episode, Grown Ups. Don't forget to check the show notes for today's episode to find out how your kids can join us for our next Create a Story session in January. We'll be back soon with more new stories. Until then, stay creative and stay kind.

[Peter McNerney]

Bye.

[Lee Overtree]

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 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. Musical scoring by Eric Gerson and Jack Mitchell. Our head writer is Peter McNerney. Staff writers are Megan O' Neil and Alexis Simpson. The ancient history of Mr. Lollipants and his 27 Tears was adapted by Megan O'.

[Peter McNerney]

Neil.

[Lee Overtree]

Episode artwork by Camilla Franklin. This episode features performances by abel aria, chris ferry, caroline lux, martha marion, peter mcnerney, megan o' neil, and sam reef passeroo. All right, so we met the immortal tardigrade in that circus story, but you are telling me that you are the immoral tardigrade.

[Immortal Tardigrade]

Immoral tardigrade at your service. That is correct.

[Lee Overtree]

What does that even mean?

[Immortal Tardigrade]

Well, frankly, Lee, not only am I a microscopic creature, but I'm also incredibly unethical.

[Lee Overtree]

Why not just call yourself, like, the bad tardigrade?

[Immortal Tardigrade]

Why not call yourself unimaginative Guy? Because it doesn't sound good. Immoral is better than bad.

[Lee Overtree]

I see.

[Peter McNerney]

Okay.

[Immortal Tardigrade]

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a pyramid scheme to start.

[Lee Overtree]

All right. Bye, immortal tardigrade.

[Immortal Tardigrade]

Bye now. Takes me a very long time to walk out of a room. I am microscopic, but I insist that you stand there until I'm gone. Oh, I'm running. I'm running Again. Microscopic. I have moved 1cm, which is a long way. It's a long way for a tardigrade. I'm not respecting your time. I'm immoral, but I'm sprinting. Again. Microscopic. Three quarters of an inch. I'm also changing from the imperial system to metric, willy nilly. It's not immoral, it's just annoying. One inch.

[Child Storyteller/Listener]

Wow.

[Immortal Tardigrade]

I'm flying. I insist that you keep waiting. Taking a nap. Good night.