The Real Mount Rushmore

Summary

Podcast Summary: Story Pirates – "The Real Mount Rushmore"

Episode Information:

• Title: The Real Mount Rushmore
• Release Date: July 31, 2025
• Host: Lee Overtree
• Description: In this episode, Story Pirates transforms an imaginative kid-written story about Mount Rushmore into an engaging narrative filled with humor, creativity, and valuable lessons. Additionally, the episode features an edition of "Roll Call Live" where stories written by children are read, discussed, and celebrated.

---

Main Story: The Real Mount Rushmore (00:01 – 10:03)

Introduction by Lee Overtree (00:01):
Lee opens the episode by inviting listeners to explore the lesser-known story behind Mount Rushmore, hinting at surprising twists beyond the famous presidential carvings.

Story Narration:
The tale begins with four beloved U.S. Presidents—George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Teddy Roosevelt—relaxing in a South Dakota park, engaging in unexpected activities such as rapping and playing football. Their camaraderie is depicted through playful interactions and catchy lyrics, highlighting their unique personas.

• Notable Quote:
  George Washington: "I'm George W. I'm the Op Prez. I started this country. Y' all do as I says. You better not diss the whom of the free or you down like a cherry tree."
  (Timestamp: 03:53)

The narrative takes a fantastical turn with the introduction of Medusa, the mythological figure with snakes for hair. Medusa disrupts the presidents' peaceful activities, leading to a conflict that threatens democracy itself.

• Notable Quote:
  Rory: "Medusa, as in the character from Greek mythology, the monster with snakes for hair that has magic Stone powers?"
  (Timestamp: 05:54)

Medusa's antagonistic stance against democracy stems from her past experience of losing an election to a Cyclops, fostering her desire to become the unelected ruler of America. This conflict culminates in an epic showdown where the presidents and Medusa vie for control through the democratic process—an election.

• Notable Quote:
  Park Ranger: "Then we'll have to defeat you in the most American way possible. The ballot box."
  (Timestamp: 08:46)

The story seamlessly blends historical figures with mythical elements, presenting a humorous yet thought-provoking narrative that emphasizes the importance of democracy and the power of collaboration.

---

Roll Call Live: Celebrating Children's Stories (10:36 – 22:57)

Following the main story, the episode transitions into "Roll Call Live," a segment dedicated to sharing and discussing stories penned by young authors. In this edition, special guest Pirate Andrew Barbado joins the cast.

1. Crying Baby Bagel by Marcos (11:29 – 17:20)

Story Overview:
Marcos, a six-year-old from Florida, presents "Crying Baby Bagel," a whimsical tale about a bagel that incessantly cries without a clear reason. The story explores themes of understanding emotions and acceptance.

• Notable Quote:
  Lee Overtree: "The crying baby bagel at the beginning of the story, at least, is not crying for a reason...it's very out of nowhere. It's very strange."
  (Timestamp: 14:00)

Discussion Highlights:
The Story Pirates delve into the emotional underpinnings of the story, relating it to children's experiences with unexplained sadness. They emphasize the importance of acknowledging and validating emotions, even when their causes aren't immediately apparent.

• Notable Insight:
  Lee Overtree: "A lot of times, it's very out of nowhere...we spend a lot of time telling kids right now that it's okay to be sad."
  (Timestamp: 14:01)

This segment reinforces the message that it's acceptable to feel emotions without always understanding their origins, promoting emotional intelligence and self-acceptance among young listeners.

2. I Lost My Tooth by Audrey and Lillian (17:25 – 18:11)

Story Overview:
Authored by seven-year-olds Audrey and Lillian from California, "I Lost My Tooth" narrates the adventures of a boy who loses his wiggly tooth and the subsequent quest to restore the taste of his favorite dessert after it turns muddy.

• Notable Quote:
  Andrew Barbado: "I've never read a story where they use the idea of a sweet tooth in such a specific way. That is so literal."
  (Timestamp: 16:55)

Discussion Highlights:
The Story Pirates praise the creative literal interpretation of "sweet tooth," celebrating the imaginative approach to storytelling. They explore the narrative's humorous take on losing and regaining one's ability to enjoy sweets, highlighting the children's ability to infuse everyday experiences with fantasy elements.

• Notable Insight:
  Park Ranger: "The cure was to wait till he had grown up tooth. Six months later...he tasted a cupcake."
  (Timestamp: 16:50)

This story underscores the blend of humor and creativity, showcasing how children can transform simple concepts into engaging tales with unique twists.

3. Hemingway's by Henry (18:16 – 22:23)

Story Overview:
Henry, a ten-year-old from Louisiana, introduces "Hemingway's," detailing the lavish life of Mike Hemingway in Richville. The story revolves around a predicament where a dragonfly disrupts a high-profile party, leading to a humorous yet critical exploration of wealth and self-reliance.

• Notable Quote:
  Lee Overtree: "There's a beautiful lesson they did."
  (Timestamp: 21:56)

Discussion Highlights:
The Story Pirates analyze the underlying themes of the story, noting its critique of affluence and the challenges associated with it, such as the difficulty in accessing services despite wealth. They appreciate the narrative's focus on self-reliance, as the characters solve their problem without relying on paid services.

• Notable Insight:
  Park Ranger: "They need to adjust some things in their lives...they become helpless."
  (Timestamp: 22:02)

Additionally, the episode highlights the humorous elements, such as the exaggerated difficulty in contacting the "Dragonfly Removal Service," adding layers of satire and social commentary to the tale.

• Notable Quote:
  Andrew Barbado: "We did it ourselves...This is the greatest party of all time."
  (Timestamp: 20:53)

---

Concluding Thoughts and Lessons Learned

Throughout "Roll Call Live," the Story Pirates not only celebrate the creativity of young authors but also extract meaningful lessons from each story:

1. Emotional Understanding:
   "Crying Baby Bagel" teaches children that it's okay to experience emotions without knowing their exact cause, fostering emotional resilience and self-awareness.

2. Creative Problem-Solving:
   "I Lost My Tooth" encourages imaginative thinking and showcases how creative solutions can restore joy and satisfaction, even in challenging situations.

3. Self-Reliance and Critical Thinking:
   "Hemingway's" highlights the importance of self-sufficiency and questions the efficacy of over-reliance on services and wealth, promoting critical thinking about societal norms.

• Notable Quote:
  Park Ranger: "They are self aware enough to know that this money has caused them to become helpless."
  (Timestamp: 22:12)

---

Final Remarks (22:51 – 23:14)

As the episode wraps up, Lee Overtree extends gratitude to the young authors and encourages listeners to continue writing and submitting their stories. The Story Pirates emphasize the value of creativity and kindness, leaving the audience inspired to engage in their own storytelling endeavors.

• Notable Quote:
  Lee Overtree: "Stay creative and stay kind."
  (Timestamp: 23:10)

---

Throughout the episode, Story Pirates successfully blend humor, creativity, and educational insights, making "The Real Mount Rushmore" not only an entertaining narrative but also a source of valuable life lessons for both children and adults. The integration of children's stories in "Roll Call Live" further emphasizes the podcast's commitment to inspiring young minds and celebrating their imaginative endeavors.

Transcript

[Lee Overtree]

Hey, Story Pirates podcast listeners. Lee here you know about Mount Rushmore, right? That big mountain in South Dakota that has a bunch of old US Presidents faces carved into it. Okay, but do you know the real story behind Mount Rushmore? Find out in today's brand new story Grown Ups. Guess what? You can get twice as many new stories on your feed this summer by subscribing to Story Pirates Creator Club. Plus, subscribers get the ad free version of the show, and premium members even get to attend a quarterly video meetup with Lee and Peter, where participants, all the kids help write a brand new story together for the podcast. But most of all, Creator Club members help us support the cost of the show so we can keep bringing it to you every week. If you're already a member of Creator Club, thank you so much. And if you'd like to join, you can do so by visiting storypirates.com creatorclub or. Or by subscribing right in Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Today's brand new story, plus another edition of Roll Call Live with Lee and Peter. Coming up after a few more words for the grown ups.

[Rory]

I love storytelling. I'm very different from everybody. Confusion is the step before curiosity. Okay, that's a really funny ide that we have to send that in. I just get some joy when I hear other people giggling. I believe all of the things in my story. Human beings are just able to create the Story Pirates.

[Lee Overtree]

Welcome back to the Story Pirates podcast. Today's news story has a lot to say about Mount Rushmore. I don't know if it's all exactly true, though, especially the part about Medusa, the ancient Greek lady with snakes for hair. I don't know. You tell me. Here's the author to introduce it.

[Rory]

Hi, I'm Rory and I'm eight years old. And I am Guy. And I am six years old. And I'm Lawson. And I'm six years old and we live in North Carolina. This is our story. The real Matt Rushmore. Okay, Ryan and Larson, my little twin sibs, we've arrived here at the Mount Rushmore airport. That's right, Rory. What a long flight from Oak City. It sure was. But now that we're here, let's buy some tacky souvenirs. It's like you read my mind, Ryan. Twin brain. Okay, little sibs, let's hit the gift shop and get going to Mount Rushmore. Twin brain. And here we are looking at the majestic Mount Rushmore. Look, there are the faces of four of our greatest presidents carved into the side. Those Stone heads are so lifelike. Almost a little too lifelike. I wonder what the real story is behind Mount Rushmore.

[Park Ranger]

Did someone say the real story behind Mount Rushmore?

[Rory]

A park ranger. Have you been behind us the whole time?

[Park Ranger]

Absolutely. And here's the real story behind Mount Rushmore. Okay, we start our tale 210 years ago where we find four of our greatest presidents. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt in a park in South Dakota having a hang.

[Rory]

What?

[Park Ranger]

Go long, Abe. Great toss George over to you, Tommy.

[Rory]

Got it over to Teddy for the TD.

[Park Ranger]

And touchdown Prezzies. Yeah, man. That's four scores. We're four prezzies and we're hanging out A prezi prezzy rizza make you scream and shout we're four prezzies and we're hanging out Our main man George I'll tell you all about. I'm George W. I'm the Op Prez. I started this country. Y' all do as I says. You better not diss the whom of the free or you down like a cherry tree. Hey, there I Go by Tommy J. I was there on Independence Day Writing up a sick new declaration Using quill and ink to cause a sensation I'm a blinking and I'm thinking about my emancipation a proclamation My heart is as big as my really tall hat I spread a lot of freedom cross the freedom loving nation finally it's Teddy R. I'm a conservation star My session specs will take me far Got the Nobel Peace Prize for ending the we're four prezis and we're hanging out our prezzy prezzy riz make you scream and shout we're four prezis and we're hanging out and now we all know what it's all about.

[Rory]

Wait, wait, wait. Hold on, Park Ranger. You're telling us that all the presidents were rappers?

[Park Ranger]

The illest. And once they were done rapping and footballing for the day, they returned to Teddy's Prezi Parlor for gaming and juice. Let's go.

[Andrew Barbado]

Your prezi parlor only has the dopest games and the sweetest juice, Teddy, you know it.

[Park Ranger]

I truly value these epic hangs. No one gets the whole being a president thing like you guys. You said it, George. I love my fellow prezzies. We love you too, Abe. But just as this bro out could not get any broier, a new mysterious figure appeared at the window.

[Rory]

Hello. It's me, Medusa.

[Park Ranger]

Medusa.

[Rory]

Hold up, Park Ranger. Medusa, as in the character from Greek mythology, the monster with snakes for hair that has magic Stone powers?

[Park Ranger]

Yeah.

[Rory]

What is going on in this story? Whoa. Well, I was walking by your parlor and wanted to know if I could hang out.

[Park Ranger]

Sure.

[Rory]

We're expanding our squad. Like how I expanded the country with the Louisiana Purchase. Grab a controller, Medusa. Thanks. Hey guys. You know what I very much strongly dislike?

[Park Ranger]

What?

[Rory]

Democracy.

[Park Ranger]

Whoa.

[Rory]

I ran against a Cyclops in an election for president of the Greek Monsters. And I lost. She was quite the one eyed opponent, so naturally I don't like democracy.

[Park Ranger]

Idk. Medusia elections have always had winners and losers. We actually love democracy. Yeah, and we use our p resi p rizzle to defend it.

[Rory]

Well, guess what? I don't think I want to hang out with you anymore.

[Andrew Barbado]

Harsh.

[Rory]

What if I use my powers to trap you inside some big stone presidential heads? Stone powers activate.

[Park Ranger]

Medusa used her powers to transport us to the top of Mount Rushmore. And we're getting trapped underneath these giant stone heads that look like them.

[Rory]

Now you'll be trapped forever. And I'll ruin democracy by being the unelected ruler of America.

[Park Ranger]

And Medusa, as you know, has been the ruler of America for 210 years.

[Rory]

Sir, I don't think all those guys were alive at the same time. And is Medusa actually the ruler of America? No way that story is true. I mean, look at it. There's no way there's four real presidents in there. Wait, did you guys hear that? It sounded like mumbling. Ryan. We'll have to Twin brain on three. One, two, three. Go home and tell everyone we met a crazy park ranger. Ow. Twin brain fail. Wait, Larston, did you just say climb up there and smash those stone heads with a rock? You can't just smash a national monument. Watch me.

[Park Ranger]

No.

[Rory]

Oh God. I did it. The Mount Rush warheads of Krebble to dust. And we're free, brah. And there are the four presidents. The park ranger was telling the truth all along. Stop.

[Park Ranger]

Medusa.

[Rory]

You might be free, but I'm still the unelected ruler of America.

[Park Ranger]

Then we'll have to defeat you in the most American way possible. The ballot box.

[Rory]

We four prezzies challenge you, Medusa, to an election. You're on.

[Park Ranger]

Whoa. She is going to be like quite the formidable opponent.

[Rory]

It's okay, Mr. Roosevelt. If you all run against Medusa, we can help you by being your running mates.

[Park Ranger]

Let me be clear. I'll run too. Barack Obama.

[Rory]

What are you doing here?

[Park Ranger]

You know me. I just couldn't miss out on all the election excitement. All right, Prezi. High fives. Bully and There you have it, the true story about the real Mount Rushmore. But you might be asking yourself, who will win this election between George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Barack Obama, Medusa and their running mates, Rory Ryan and Larson. There's only one way to find out. Oh yeah, we're five prezis and we're running with flair against a mean monster with snakes for hair.

[Rory]

We're run with you. Save our democracy with the help of.

[Park Ranger]

Voters like you and me. Have you guys seen Hamilton? I mean like, is he around?

[Rory]

The end. We'll be right back after a few words for the grown ups.

[Park Ranger]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever think about switching insurance companies just to see if you could save some cash?

[Rory]

Well, progressive makes it easy. Just drop in some details about yourself and see if you're eligible to save money.

[Park Ranger]

When you bundle your home and auto policies. The process only takes minutes and it could mean hundreds more in your pocket. Visit progressive.com after this episode to see.

[Rory]

If you could save Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates.

[Park Ranger]

Potential savings will vary.

[Rory]

Not available in all states.

[Lee Overtree]

And now it's time for Story Pirates Roll Call.

[Park Ranger]

Send us your stories.

[Andrew Barbado]

We read them all.

[Park Ranger]

We read them all. You know we love Emirate Roll Call.

[Lee Overtree]

And welcome back to Story Pirates Roll Call where we take stories written by real kids from around the world and we read them and we talk about them and we are inspired by them and we laugh with them and we're moved by them. And please wel to the show. Today's special guest story, Pirate Andrew Barbado. Hello.

[Andrew Barbado]

I'm so excited to be here.

[Lee Overtree]

Do you want to read the very first story that we have here?

[Andrew Barbado]

I would be. I'd be honored. Okay, so this story comes to us from a six year old named Marcos in Florida. And it is called Crying Baby Bagel.

[Lee Overtree]

Are you ready?

[Andrew Barbado]

One day there was a crying baby bagel. The crying baby bagel likes bagels, but he did not like fresh carrots. One day the crying baby bagel went into a castle. A knight said, why are you crying? The crying baby bagel said, because I'm just crying. And the knight said, that does not make sense at all. Are you always crying? The crying baby bagel said, yes, I am. Then the crying baby bagel got scared in the castle, all alone, crying for a reason. The reason was the crying baby bagel was scared. And then the crying baby bagel got hit by a potion from the knight that turned the crying baby bagel into a knight. But it had a bagel head. Still, the night Bagel was happy because it does not have to cry anymore.

[Lee Overtree]

The end.

[Park Ranger]

Wow. Yes.

[Andrew Barbado]

First, before we even dive into anything we want to say, I want to have you guys say, crying baby Bagel. Crying baby Bagel.

[Lee Overtree]

Crying baby Bagel. Crying baby Bagel. Crying baby Bagel. Crying Bagel. Crying baby Bagel.

[Park Ranger]

Crying baby.

[Andrew Barbado]

Exactly. That was. Yeah. I didn't realize it when I was not saying it out loud, but it is kind of a fun tongue twister.

[Park Ranger]

There's something that jumped out at me in this story immediately, which is crying baby Bagel likes bagels, but he did not like fresh carrots. Is the implication here that this bagel eats other bagels?

[Lee Overtree]

Yes.

[Park Ranger]

Mm.

[Lee Overtree]

Yes.

[Andrew Barbado]

I was thinking about this before I got here, I'll be honest. This morning, I ate a. An everything baby.

[Park Ranger]

As did I.

[Andrew Barbado]

Okay. So I'm wondering, why is this Bagel crying? I think it could be because there is a fear that so many people love bagels, including the Bagel himself, that he is always in fear of getting eaten. That's how I read it, because the second he stopped crying was when he said, I have the protection. I'm finally a knight. I can ward off anyone who potentially wants to eat me. I'm not as vulnerable.

[Lee Overtree]

I think it's actually very clear from the text that the crying baby bagel at the beginning of the story, at least, is not crying for a reason.

[Park Ranger]

Right.

[Andrew Barbado]

There's no reason.

[Lee Overtree]

Why are you crying? The crying baby bagel says, because I'm just crying, crying. And that tracks with my experience with kids. Right. Like. Cause when you're a kid, you're learning about being sad, and you're learning about crying for, like, the first time. And a lot of times, it's very out of nowhere. It's very strange. It can be because you're tired or hungry. You didn't eat your carrots that day, or because you hate carrots, and you're just tired and hungry, and sometimes you're sad just because you're sad, and that's okay. And actually, we spend a lot of time telling kids right now that it's okay to be sad. And I think that's cool.

[Andrew Barbado]

Yeah. Sometimes you don't know why you're crying, and that truly is okay.

[Lee Overtree]

It's just a character trait.

[Park Ranger]

And I find I had to learn this growing up, that when I. Especially when I was younger, I'd see somebody crying, I'd think, I have to fix this. I need to do something. And I think this knight was very akin to that. Sensibility. Because the bagel says, because I'm just crying. And the knight said, that does not make sense at all. You know, and it's like, sometimes you just need to let people feel their feelings and there's nothing to fix. Just be here.

[Lee Overtree]

Yeah. I learned that from my daughter, who's very young, and when she sees someone crying, she says, they're crying.

[Andrew Barbado]

I love that.

[Lee Overtree]

Right? And then she'll also say to me, and she'll be like, tomorrow I'm gonna cry. She'll be like, I'm gonna cry at camp. And I'll be like, that's awesome. Yeah, you just accepting it, you know, it's just like part of the journey.

[Andrew Barbado]

100%. I know I'm gonna cry tomorrow at camp.

[Lee Overtree]

Right? And then I'm gonna feel better soon.

[Andrew Barbado]

To have a good cry. It's been a minute for me. When's the last time, like I. I'll get emotional. My eyes will well up for like, if I'm like seeing, you know, art that moves me or anything, but it's been too long since I've been like sobbing, crying. Lee, when's the last time you sobbed and cried?

[Lee Overtree]

I don't sob.

[Andrew Barbado]

I don't sob. Right?

[Lee Overtree]

Yeah, I just. My eyes will water. And when that happens, I'll be like, something crazy just happened.

[Andrew Barbado]

Exactly.

[Park Ranger]

Anyway, our next story comes to us from a seven year old from California named Audrey and Lillian. Two authors and their story is called I Lost My Tooth. There once was a boy who had a very wiggly tooth. One day he pulled out his tooth. In celebration of a lost tooth, he and his family ate cake for dessert. Once the boy ate his cake, he realized that the cake tasted like mud. Then he told his parents what the cake tasted like. Then they said it must have been his sweet tooth. But then they said that the cure was to wait till he had grown up tooth. Six months later, the boy now had his grown up tooth and he tasted a cupcake. Just to be sure. And after he ate the cupcake, he said, yum. The end.

[Andrew Barbado]

Incredible.

[Lee Overtree]

Potentially very scary to suddenly not be able to enjoy sweet things.

[Andrew Barbado]

Yeah, I love the. I've never read a story where they use the idea of a sweet tooth in such a specific way. That is so literal way. In a literal way. That is so fun. Audrey and Lillian really came through with that. That tickled me.

[Park Ranger]

Can you. Speaking of being tickled, could you imagine losing your funny bone?

[Andrew Barbado]

Losing your funny bone?

[Park Ranger]

That would be scarier to me than.

[Andrew Barbado]

Losing a sweet tooth.

[Lee Overtree]

Does that happen in here?

[Park Ranger]

No, but same concept. If you lose your sweet tooth, you can't.

[Rory]

It.

[Andrew Barbado]

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

[Lee Overtree]

You lose teeth naturally. You naturally lose your.

[Park Ranger]

If you lost your funny bone, you wouldn't find things funny anymore. That's the logic that I'm extrapolating from the story.

[Lee Overtree]

Funny bone, sweet tooth.

[Andrew Barbado]

I understand what you're going with.

[Park Ranger]

Defend me.

[Andrew Barbado]

Yeah, I'm defending Peter as well as sticking by Lee. I'm playing the middle right now. Okay. I have a question. If they could remove your sweet tooth. Yeah, I wouldn't want that at all.

[Lee Overtree]

No, I love my sweet tooth. I love eating sweets. I'm a big and now for something sweet kind of guy.

[Andrew Barbado]

Yes. Yes.

[Park Ranger]

I'd be torn about it.

[Lee Overtree]

Really. You don't want to eat sweets?

[Andrew Barbado]

I would want.

[Park Ranger]

I do want to eat sweets and that's the problem.

[Andrew Barbado]

You're open to it.

[Park Ranger]

I wouldn't do it.

[Andrew Barbado]

Audrey and Lillian, incredible story. I absolutely loved this.

[Lee Overtree]

We love it. Audrey and Lillian. Thank you so much. Okay, so for this last one.

[Andrew Barbado]

This is exciting.

[Lee Overtree]

I was actually thinking this one is written mostly as dialogue and I was hoping to cast you two, or all of us actually. Maybe you could play Mike.

[Andrew Barbado]

I would love to.

[Lee Overtree]

You could play dad.

[Andrew Barbado]

Great.

[Lee Overtree]

I'll play mom. And I'll also play animal removal person one through three.

[Andrew Barbado]

Okay, great.

[Park Ranger]

And Dragonfly.

[Lee Overtree]

Oh, and Dragonfly. I'll play Dragonfly too. And this story was written by 10 year old Henry in Louisiana. And it's called the Hemingway's. This is a little, little preamble here. Mike Hemingway is a rich kid. He lives in Richville where everyone is rich.

[Park Ranger]

Wow.

[Lee Overtree]

His dad owns Burger Bandit trademark and they have 1 million locations and they are having a party at their house.

[Rory]

Hey, dad.

[Park Ranger]

Yes.

[Andrew Barbado]

There's a dragonfly in the pool.

[Rory]

What?

[Andrew Barbado]

And the party is in one hour.

[Park Ranger]

Okay, I will call Musical notes. Dragonfly removal service. Okay, they're not picking up.

[Andrew Barbado]

Dad, what about the animal removal service?

[Lee Overtree]

Two minutes later.

[Park Ranger]

They're not picking up either.

[Andrew Barbado]

Oh, try the when nobody is picking.

[Park Ranger]

Up if you have a dragonfly in your pool service. Come on. Come on. They did not pick up either. Mike, I think we're going to have to cancel the party. No.

[Lee Overtree]

What are you all yelling about?

[Park Ranger]

The dragonfly. Dragonfly in the pool.

[Lee Overtree]

Oh, no. We should call some professionals.

[Park Ranger]

I called all of them. They did not pick up.

[Andrew Barbado]

I wonder what they are doing.

[Lee Overtree]

Change of scene. Animal Removal Person 1.

[Park Ranger]

This is the life. Drinking smoothies.

[Lee Overtree]

Animal Removal Person 2. Laying on the beach. Animal Removal Person 3 and playing beach ball. Change of scene.

[Park Ranger]

Who knows? Who knows?

[Lee Overtree]

The party is in 30 minutes and we need to get the dragonfly out of the pool.

[Park Ranger]

We can't.

[Lee Overtree]

Surely there must be a way we can do it ourselves.

[Park Ranger]

We can't do stuff ourselves. Okay, what is a dragonfly's favorite food? Flies. Good. We have some in the humongous fridge.

[Lee Overtree]

Come here, dragonfly. Dragonfly.

[Rory]

Oomph.

[Park Ranger]

Nomph. Look at him.

[Lee Overtree]

He ran back to the rich forest.

[Andrew Barbado]

Hey guys, we didn't use money.

[Rory]

We did it ourselves.

[Park Ranger]

Hey, there's the people at the door.

[Lee Overtree]

Let's let them in.

[Andrew Barbado]

This is the greatest party of all time.

[Park Ranger]

The end.

[Rory]

Wow.

[Lee Overtree]

So first of all, incredible performances across the board.

[Andrew Barbado]

Truly right by the.

[Park Ranger]

Yes, I saw every single one of those different characters.

[Andrew Barbado]

Very clearly 1%. Something that can't go without being said is I'm going to guess this person is a story parts fan and an avid listener. Because I will say, as somebody who has has adapted stories for the podcast for me, this story is ready to go.

[Lee Overtree]

It's ready to go.

[Andrew Barbado]

Produce it. They have it all.

[Lee Overtree]

That's right. Absolutely no tweaks.

[Park Ranger]

Need the musical sings Dragonfly Removal Service.

[Andrew Barbado]

Yes.

[Lee Overtree]

And I love that this story is about affluent people. It's a great character study. They're very funny and they're also kind of endearing despite being like completely.

[Park Ranger]

And they have learned something.

[Andrew Barbado]

Oh yeah, there's a beautiful lesson they did.

[Park Ranger]

Hey guys, we didn't use our money.

[Andrew Barbado]

We did it ourselves.

[Park Ranger]

They're self aware enough to know that this money has caused them to become helpless. A dragonfly has caused this much. You know, they need to adjust some things in their lives.

[Lee Overtree]

And there's another lesson in here which is that no matter how rich you are, it can be really hard to get contractors on the phone, period. Henry, Incredible story, my friend.

[Andrew Barbado]

Amazing.

[Lee Overtree]

Andrew, thank you for joining us.

[Andrew Barbado]

Thank you so much for having me. This was truly a blast.

[Lee Overtree]

And to read all of today's Roll Call stories, just head to storypirates.com and remember, you can watch an even longer version of Roll Call on the Story Pirates YouTube page with help from your grown ups. And now it's time for you to write us a story. Because summertime is a great time to write stories. Grownups can submit [e-mail] and remember, we respond to every single story we receive.

[Park Ranger]

That was Roll Call.

[Lee Overtree]

That's it for today's episode. Thanks for listening. And a big thanks to today's authors, Rory, Ryan and Larson. We'll be back next week with more brand new stories. Until then, stay creative and stay kind.

[Park Ranger]

Bye.

[Lee Overtree]

The Story Pirates podcast is a production of Story Pirate 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. Theme song by Bobby Lord Roll Call theme by Andrew Barbado Musical Musical scoring by Jack Mitchell Mitchell Episode artwork by Camilla Franklin The Real Mount Rushmore was adapted by Louis Perlman and features performances by Peter McNerney, Megan O', Neil, Alain Pierre, Rebecca Robles, Austin Sanders, Andy Schneeflock and Heather Woodward. Okay, okay, okay, okay. After so many people begging for it, I am finally ready to reveal my list of my favorite presidents, AKA the US Presidents I would put on Mount Rushmore. And remember, only US Presidents are eligible for this honor. Okay, here's my list. Number one, Mud Mud the Koala. Number two, Franklin P. Dorzalot. Number three, Stinky the Bear. And number four, perhaps my favorite president of all, Clancy. That's right. He just goes by Clancy.