Animal Cookies

A delivery of cookies to Grandma's house becomes a lot harder than it should be.
Written especially for this podcast by Alice. 

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In order to allow us to make these stories we offer a premium subscription and run adverts. The adverts are not chosen by us, but played automatically depending on the platform you listen through (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc) and the country you live in. The adverts may even be different if you listen to the story twice.

We have had a handful of instances where an advert has played that is not suitable for a family audience, despite the podcast clearly being labelled for children. If you’re concerned about an advert you hear, please contact the platform you are listening to directly. Spotify, in particular, has proven problematic in the past, for both inappropriate adverts and the volume at which the adverts play. If you find this happening, please let Spotify know via their Facebook customer care page. 

As creators, we want your child’s experience to be a pleasurable one. Running adverts is necessary to allow us to operate, but please do consider the premium subscription service as an alternative – it’s advert free.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:12):
Yea, hello. My name's Josephine and this is the Animal
Tales podcast, where you suggest the animals featured in our story.
There are new tales to enjoy every Monday and Wednesday,
with a third premium only story every Friday. If you're
enjoying Animal Tales, please take the time to leave us

(00:34):
a review. Reviews help to get us noticed amongst all
the other podcasts out there. Eunice is from Birmingham in
the UK, and he is asked for a story featuring
a lion, a tiger, and a rhino. You can learn
more about these creatures in the animal facts after the story. Okay,

(00:54):
are you ready? That's good, then I'll begin them all cookies.
Eunice carefully put down the icing bag and stood back
to admire his handiwork. The smell of freshly baked cookies
filled the kitchen as he wiped his hands on his apron.

(01:15):
It was Saturday, the day Eunice always went to visit
his grandmother, but this week he'd woken up especially early
in order to make her her favorite sweet treat, homemade cookies.
They turned out really well, much to the boy's relief.
He'd even use some brand new cookie cutters in order

(01:38):
to make them into the shapes of different animals. He
had all sorts, including a lion, a tiger, and a rhino.
There was a giraffe, too, but this had broken while
he was icing it, so he'd eaten that one already.
It was delicious. After wiping the counters and leaving the

(01:58):
bowls in the sink to soak, Eunus carefully collected up
the cookies and put them in a basket to take
to Grandma's house. He made sure to cover them with
a cloth to keep them safe from bugs, then pulled
on his shoes before heading out of the door. It
was a lovely sunny day, and Eunus took a deep

(02:20):
breath of fresh air. There had been a big storm
the evening before, but now the sun was shining bright.
The only signs that bad weather had ever happened were
a few branches that had been blown from the trees
and a couple of large puddles that hadn't tried yet.
Unus turned towards the woods. He walked this path every

(02:44):
Saturday and knew it well. Every turn, every tree by
the wayside, every bump in the track. Unus had it
memorized and he never ever strayed from the path. He
didn't want to get lost, after all. With the basket
in hand and the taste of cookie still on his tongue,

(03:07):
Eunus passed amongst the trees, looking forward to sharing his
tasty treats with Grandma. He'd not gone far when he
arrived at a huge tree blocking the path. It must
have fallen during the storm and now was a confusing
mess of twisting branches and upturned leaves. It towered over him,

(03:30):
stopping him from seeing the other side. The woods here
were thick and dark on both sides, and full of
thorn bushes. He didn't think he could push past them,
nor did he want to disturb any of the creatures
that might be waiting in the shadows. Unus was stuck,

(03:50):
unsure of what to do. If he couldn't think of something,
he'd have to head home. On the brink of turning back,
Eunus heard a rustling sound from amongst the branches of
the fallen tree. Two dark eyes were peering down at him.
Unus realized he was looking into the eyes of a lion.

(04:14):
Are you lost? The lion asked as it climbed down. No,
I know exactly where I am. Unus replied, I just
can't go on because this tree's blocking my path. It's
quite annoying, isn't it, the lion said with a frown.

(04:35):
Luckily for me, my sharp claws and powerful legs mean
I can climb over it just fine. To demonstrate, the
lion pulled himself up the trunk, flexing his claws as
he did. Say you're a big, strong lion, Eunus said,

(04:56):
would you be able to carry me over the tree
so I can continue on my way? The lion thought
about it, maybe, he said, what's in it for me?
Eunice hesitated. What could he do for a lion atop
the tree trunk? The lion gave a long sniff, then said,

(05:21):
I will carry you over on the condition that you
give me one of those delicious cookies that I can smell.
Eunus looked down at his basket, unsure of what to do.
He'd baked them, especially for his grandma, but he supposed
she couldn't have any of them if he couldn't get
to her house. Better to give one away in order

(05:44):
for her to enjoy the rest. All right, it's a deal,
he said. The lion jumped down, and Eunus clambered onto
his back, clutching the basket tightly. The lion then clambered back,
dodging branches as he scrambled up and over, safely delivered

(06:06):
to the other side. Eunus slid from the lion's back,
feeling a little wobbly. Thank you for your help, he said,
reaching into the basket. Here is a cookie. As promised,
he poured out the cookie that looked like a lion. Oh,
it looks just like me, said the delighted beast. Thanks kid,

(06:31):
good luck on your walk. Leaving the lion to enjoy
his cookie, Eunus continued on his way. Sadly, his basket
was a little lighter, but it had been worth it.
Almost halfway to Grandma's house, Eunus realized he'd soon be
arriving at his favorite part of the walk, a bridge

(06:53):
that went over a large river. Eunus enjoyed staring over
the railing into the water in an attempt to spot fish.
He could hear the river up ahead, but after a
few more steps he received a shock. The bridge was
no longer there. Now all he could see was splintered wood.

(07:16):
It must have been washed away. In the storm, he groaned,
there's no way for me to cross. The river was
too deep and wide, leaving him no option. This time.
He really would have to turn back. At that moment,
something orange caught his eye. On the river's far side.

(07:39):
Drinking from the water was a large striped tiger, and
she had spotted him. Are you lost, she called over
the noise of the running water. No, I know exactly
where I am, Eunice replied, I just can't go on
because the bridge has been washed off way. Pity, the

(08:03):
tiger said, it's a shame. You can't leap between the
rocks like I can. Showing off, the tiger leapt, landing
on a rock sticking above the water. She landed with
grace and without even a single hair getting wet. It
gave Unus an idea, as you're so well balanced and graceful,

(08:27):
maybe you could carry me across, Eunice asked the tiger.
Thought about it. I could, she said, but you'd have
to do something for me too. I'm hungry for a fish.
Could you catch me one to eat? I don't have

(08:47):
a fishing rod, said Eunus, or a net, so I
don't think I can catch you a fish, but I
could give you a cookie. The tiger's ears flicked up. Deal,
she said, and leapt the remaining distance from rock to rock.
When she reached Eunus, he climbed onto her back, once more,

(09:10):
holding the basket tightly. In several effortless bounds, the tiger
retraced her rocky path. Before Eunus knew it, they were
on the other side, safe and dry. Here you go,
he said, rummaging inside the basket before handing her the
cookie that looked like a tiger. Oh, it looks like me,

(09:36):
the tiger said, happily. It was a pleasure doing business
with you, leaving her to enjoy her cookie. Eunus continued
along the path, his basket now even lighter. Grandma's house
was at the foot of a tree covered hill, with
the side nearest the path being a steep, rocky cliff.

(09:59):
When he passed the cliff, he should be able to
see her little cottage for the first time. He soon
saw the hill through the gaps in the trees, but
as he neared the cliff he was forced to stop.
There had been a landslide. The whole path had been
swallowed by rocks and dirt. It looked far too unsafe

(10:21):
to climb over, and the debris covered the full width
of the path. Before tumbling over a steep drop for
the third time, Unus was stuck. Surely this time there
was nothing for it. He'd have to turn back, but
before he could, he felt the ground beneath his feet rumble.

(10:44):
Unus feared another landslide until he saw it was just
a large rhino stomping towards him. Are you lost, the
rhino asked abruptly, No, I know exactly where I am.
Unus said, I just can't go on because these rocks
are blocking my path. That has placed you in a pickle.

(11:08):
The rhino said, it's a shame you're not strong enough
to smash those rocks out of the way like I can.
To show what he meant, the rhino charged at one
of the boulders. He hit it with his horn and
the rock split cleanly in half. That's amazing, said Eunus,

(11:31):
as you're so strong and tough. Do you think you
could clear a path for me, Eunus asked. The rhino shrugged.
I dunno, he said, it takes a lot of energy
to do that sort of thing. I might have something
that could help, said Eunus, patting the basket. I'll trade

(11:54):
you a cookie if you can make me a path through,
all right, deal, smiled the rhino, letting out a snort.
He charged at the landslide, smashing a path straight through it.
Thank you so much, Eunus cried. As the dust settled,

(12:15):
he strode after the rhino with ease, pulling a cookie
from the basket. This time it was the rhino shaped one.
That's perfect, laughed the rhino. It looks just like me.
Leaving the rhino to enjoy his treat, Eunus carried on.

(12:37):
He could see the smoke rising from his grandma's chimney.
He was so close. He ran the remaining distance right
up to the garden gate. It had been a long,
difficult journey, but he'd finally made it. He wasn't even
half way across the garden path when his smiling grandma

(12:58):
threw open the door. Eunice, She cried, there you are, Grandma,
Eunus said, giving her a hug. It's so good to
see you. I've so much to tell you about my journey,
but first look, I made you something. He pulled the

(13:18):
towel from the top of the basket and held it
up for her to see inside. Oh, a basket full
of crumbs, Grandma said, how lovely. Eunus suddenly felt very silly.
Oh no, he groaned, I gave them all away. Not

(13:41):
to weary, dear, his grandma laughed as she ruffled his hair.
Come inside and have some tea, then you can tell
me all about it. So over a steaming mug of tea,
Eunus did just that. He told her all about the
fallen tree, and the missing bridge, and the rocky landslide,

(14:04):
not forgetting all the animals who'd helped him along the way.
How kind of them, his grandma said, I'm glad you
shared your cookies, Unus. It was the right thing to
do after they helped you. Eunus was about to thank
her for her understanding when the sound of knocking interrupted them.

(14:26):
Now who could that be, grandma wondered. Opening the door,
she was surprised to see a lion, a tiger, and
a rhino stood in her front garden. Sorry to intrude,
the lion said politely, but we all really really enjoyed

(14:47):
those cookies. Do you, by any chance have any more?
I'm afraid I don't, said Eunus, appearing at his grandma's elbow.
They're all gone, nonsense, said Grandma, rolling up her sleeves
and heading for the kitchen. Cookies are never all gone

(15:09):
when you can just bake some more, Eunus giggled. I
guess you'd all better come inside, He sniggered, Now, who
would like a nice cup of tea? Animals that Lions
are social animals, living and hunting together as a pride.

(15:32):
The females are often all related and help raise the
cubs together. Tigers, though, are quite the opposite. They tend
to live alone, patrolling their territory as they defend it
from other tigers. Their soft toe pads help them to
move silently through the environment. There are five species of

(15:53):
rhino in the world and all are endangered. Africa has two,
called the black rhino and the white rhino. The other
three are found in Asia and include the Javan rhino,
the Samatran rhino, and the Greater one horned rhino. Thank
you for your suggestions, Unice. We hope you enjoyed it,

(16:15):
and thank you to all of you across the world
for listening to it. If you prefer your stories advert free,
then all the animal Tale stories, plus over sixty premium
only stories are available from our Premium service. You can
sign up with Apple or Supercast. Find out how to

(16:36):
do so in the text that accompanies this episode, and remember,
for a tiny fee, it's advert free. Join us next
time for another great animal tale. Good Bye,