The Mountain Parrot

A cheeky kea comes to the rescue of a family pet.
Written especially for this podcast by Simon. 

If you enjoyed this story, please do leave us a review. 

And, if you'd like to suggest an animal for a future Animal Tales story, you can do so by emailing [e-mail]. We would love to hear from you. 


Animal Tales Books!
Collections of Animal Tales children’s stories are available to buy exclusively at Amazon. Simply search for Animal Tales Short Stories or follow this link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CLJQZ9C9?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_sirpi


Become a PREMIUM Subscriber
You can now enjoy Animal Tales by becoming a Premium Subscriber. This gets you:

• All episodes in our catalogue advert free

• Bonus Premium-only episodes (one per week) which will never be used on the main podcast

• We guarantee to use one of your animal suggestions in a story

You can sign up through Apple Podcasts or through Supercast and there are both monthly and yearly plans available.  

Discover a brand new story every Monday, Wednesday and Friday – just for you! 

You can find more Animal Tales at https://www.spreaker.com/show/animal-tales-the-kids-story-podcast


A Note About The Adverts
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.

A Note About The Adverts
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):
Yo, Hello everyone, and welcome to the Animal Tales podcast,
where you suggest the animal for us to write a
story about. My name's Josephine and I've got a brand
new animal story here just for you. There are new
stories every Monday and Wednesday, with a new premium story
every Friday. If you're enjoying Animal Tales, please take a

(00:35):
moment to leave a review so others can find us.
It helps to get us noticed amongst all the other
podcasts out there. Cooper and Theo are from New Zealand
and they were like a story featuring a pet dog
and a Kia. You can learn more about these creatures
in the animal facts after the story. Now settle back, relax,

(00:57):
and I'll begin The Mountain Parrot Picnicers chuckled THEO, Oh,
how I love a picnic. THEO was a Kia, a
large olive green parrot. He didn't live in a jungle,
but on the forested slopes of New zealand Southern Mountains.

(01:20):
It was a beautiful place, with snowy peaks above and
crystal clear lakes far below, making it the perfect place
for sightseers and tourists. THEO liked these visitors because they
often brought food, so he was always on the lookout
for them. At present, THEO was hidden amongst the branches

(01:41):
of a southern beech tree. The picnickers were a little
distance away, on a grassy outcrop that gave him a
wonderful view along the valley below. Oh, sandwiches, giggled THEO
to himself. I think I can smell tuna. He was
going to have to see if he could get one. Keias,

(02:03):
like most parrots, are clever birds, and THEO was a
little cheeky with it. He tried this trick many times before,
and it almost always worked. Dropping from the branch, he
spread his wings wide to reveal a bright orange under side,
and swooped down on to a rock beside the family.

(02:26):
Oh look, mamma, kir squealed a child with delight. It's
so big, said the dad in surprise, setting down a
bottle of water beside him. THEO hopped down and moved
a little closer. It seems interested in our picnic, said
the child. Do you think it's hungry. I don't know,

(02:50):
replied the mum. I don't think we're supposed to feed them.
THEO circled around the family where they were sat, getting
closer and closer until he was right beside the bottle
of water. He smiled to himself, noting that the cap
wasn't in place. This was perfect. Once more, he opened

(03:12):
his wings wide to give them a dazzling display of orange,
knocking the water bottle over into the dad's lap as
he did so. Oh no, I'm soaked, shrieked the dad,
jumping to his feet. Seeing Dad with a big wet
patch on the front of his trousers was too much

(03:33):
for the rest of the family, and they all fell
about with laughter. Grabbing some paper napkins, the dad dabbed
at the dampness to soak it up. Look at the
state of me, he complained. In all the fuss, the
family had forgotten all about the parrot. Hey, where did

(03:55):
the keyr go, asked the child, looking around. Oh, man,
whind the dad That cheeky parrot's taken my tuna sandwich.
Back amongst the branches of the Southern beach, THEO was
eating happily. On a good day, THEO would meet several

(04:17):
groups like this. It all helped to keep his belly full,
although he was careful never to be too greedy or
to take too much from any one picnic, so he
was soon on his way, looking to see if anyone
else was around. Maybe, if he was lucky, they'd have
some grapes he could have. He was flying between the

(04:40):
trees towards another popular tourist spot when he heard a
cry for help below him. Turning sharply, he flew back
between the branches, but couldn't see anyone human or animal anywhere.
Must be my imagination, thought the parrot as he turned,
and once more help came the cry again, clearer. This time,

(05:07):
theo aimed for a nearby branch to act as a perch.
This was a mystery that needed solving. Below him was
a slope covered in rocks and trees, with a few
plants sprouting in between. As far as he could see,
there was nobody there. He'd have to take a closer look.

(05:29):
He landed on one of the rocks that covered the slope.
It was covered in moss and lichen, as were the
hundreds of other rocks he could see. Is anyone there?
He asked? Yes, Yes, came the reply. Are you a
talking rock? Asked theo? Doubtfully, I'm down here, called the voice.

(05:54):
Theo stared at the ground around him. I'm going potty,
he said to himself. There was nobody there, but that
couldn't be right. Keias were clever birds, famous for their
ability to solve problems. He should be able to work
out what was happening here. Keep talking to me, he

(06:16):
told the voice. Um what should I say? Came the reply. Anything, anything,
will do, THEO said, as he began hopping from one
rock to the next. Isn't it strange, said the voice.
I can't think of what to say. That's okay, said THEO.

(06:39):
I found you. He was peering down into a gap
between two rocks that opened into a deep hollow. At
the bottom of the hole sat a small brown dog.
Oh thank goodness, said the dog, trembling. Can you help
get me out? THEO stared at the between the rocks.

(07:01):
It was too narrow to fly through, and the hollow
beneath looks steep sided. I'm not sure I can, admitted
the parrot. But my family they'd be worried, sobbed the dog.
And I'm ever so hungry. Have you been down there long,
asked THEO, since early this morning? The dog whined hm.

(07:28):
THEO said, thoughtfully, Well, I can't leave you here. What's
your name, Cooper answered the dog. Well, Cooper, I'm THEO,
and I'm going to try to help you. Wait here
and i'll see what I can do, announced the keyr below.

(07:49):
Cooper saw the parrot's head disappear, making him sigh Sure,
he said softly, I'll wait here. I mean where else
can I go? It seemed like an age before Theo's
head came back into view, although in reality it had
barely been ten minutes. Still there, asked THEO. Still here,

(08:15):
replied Cooper. I've got you. This, said THEO, and dragged
something to the GAP's edge. Is that a lunch box?
Cooper asked, Sure is, replied THEO. I know it's a
bit cheeky, but they had plenty of food. You need
it more. He nudged it over, sending it falling. Unfortunately,

(08:41):
it was too wide and wedged itself in the gap
between the rocks. Now it's got darker, said Cooper with
a sigh. Sorry about that, said THEO. That wasn't the plan.
Hold on, he needed to get the lunch box out again,
which wasn't going to be easy. Very carefully, he maneuvered

(09:05):
his body into the gap so his feet were on
one side and his back on the other. By pushing
with his feet, he was able to hold himself in
place without falling. Slowly, he walked himself down to the
lunch box. I can't see what's happening, called up Cooper.

(09:26):
Probably just as well, replied theo. His tail was brushing
the lunch box now, but he couldn't use his feet,
as he needed them to help brace himself in place.
He'd have to turn around somewhat awkwardly. He rotated his
body so his tail was pointing up and his head

(09:47):
pointing down. This would allow him to use his beak.
He began pushing and pulling, nudging and knocking the lunch box.
Is it working, asked the dog hopefully, just as the
lunch box slipped, dropping it and its contents across the
hollow's floor below tuna sandwiches, yapped Cooper with delight. Oh really,

(10:16):
said theo with disappointment. His head was hanging into the
hollow now, allowing him to have a good look around.
It was wider than he'd hoped, so he couldn't do
his climbing trick any lower than he currently was. What's
the plan, asked Cooper Between mouthfuls. Can you get me out?

(10:39):
I'm thinking about it, answered THEO, although it sure is
a head scratcher. Can't you get a human to help,
wondered Cooper. Maybe, said THEO. But I'm not sure I
could make them understand, and they're too big to fit
between these rocks. Then I'm I'm stuck here, whimpered Cooper. Forever. Hey,

(11:05):
let's not give up just yet, said THEO encouragingly, as
he scrambled back up. I'll think of something. You just
wait here, Cooper sighed again. Oh you don't have to
worry about that, he said. Another ten minutes went by

(11:25):
before THEO reappeared again. I'm back, he called, cheerfully. Did
you bring help, asked Cooper, sounding hopeful. No, replied the parrot,
But I did bring this. Something tumbled down towards the dog,
causing him to jump against the wall. It was a

(11:47):
long length of extension cable with a plug on the end.
Where did you find an electric cable in the middle
of the mountains, asked the bewildered Cooper. A camper van
parked up not far from here, said the keyr. You
stole it, gasped the dog. No, protested THEO just burrowed it.

(12:13):
I know I'm cheeky, but I'm not that bad. What
am I supposed to do with it? Asked Cooper as
he inspected the swaying length of cable. Well, I reckon,
you should hold on with your teeth and I'll pull
you up, said THEO. Easy as that. I guess it

(12:33):
could work, said Cooper, although he didn't sound all that
sure about it. Let's at least give it a try,
suggested THEO. Come on, clamp on. Cooper took a firm
hold of the cable with his mouth just above the plug.
Within seconds, he was yanked upwards so just his back

(12:56):
paws were on the ground. Another yank drew him up
off of the floor. Up above, THEO was pulling a
length of cable up with his beak, then pinning it
down with his foot so his beak was free to
reach forward and pull back again. How are you doing,
he called out, before taking a grip again, But instead

(13:21):
of an answer, he heard a shrill yip and a thud. Oh,
said Cooper, Woefully, I landed on my tail. Sorry, said THEO,
lowering the extension cable again. I shouldn't have asked you
a question. Should I this time keep your mouth firmly

(13:44):
closed until you're out. They tried again. There was an
uncomfortable moment when Cooper's head caught the under side of
the rock where the gap narrowed, but once past that
it was easy going. He was able to scrabble with
his paws to get himself up and over the edge
to safety. Thank you so much, he panted. I didn't

(14:10):
think I was ever going to get out. You're not
safe yet, said THEO. We'll need to find your family next.
But they could be anywhere, Cooper whined. Perhaps not, said
the parrot. I'm guessing you arrived by car. Yes, nodded

(14:31):
the dog. Then there are only a few places around
here they could have parked. Let's return this electric cable
then we can go looking, suggested THEO. It was slower
going with the dog. Nothing is more direct than flying
somewhere in a straight line. But the camper van was

(14:51):
still where THEO had left it, and he was able
to drop the extension cable near to where he'd found it.
The owners might question how it had moved, but at
least they had it back. Can you remember what your
humans look like? Asked THEO as they approached one of
the car parks. Of course I can, said Cooper, sounding

(15:14):
offended by the question. I never take much notice of them,
if I'm honest, said THEO. There they are, yelped Cooper.
There was a sad looking family arriving back at a car,
looking tired and miserable. They must have been looking for me.

(15:34):
Then go to them, said THEO. But what about you.
You've been so kind and helpful. I don't know what
to say, mumbled Cooper, who've already said thank you, said THEO.
I'm happy with that. Well, it's been a pleasure to
get to know you, THEO, said the little dog, And

(15:58):
you too, replied parrot. Now get going before they go
without you, tail wagging, the dog went to sprint away, actually,
said THEO quickly. There is one thing you could do,
if it's not too cheeky to ask for you anything,

(16:20):
grinned Cooper, great smiled THEO. You couldn't see if they
have any spare sandwiches, could you? Animals that We don't
know exactly how many dogs there are in the world,
but the estimate is somewhere between seven hundred million and

(16:41):
one billion. They have been living with us for fourteen
thousand years and we develop amazing bonds with them as pets.
Kias are large members of the parrot family and are
only found on New Zealand's South Island. They are omnivores,
meaning they're eat a range of foods from berries to insects,

(17:03):
but they really really shouldn't be eating sandwiches. They build
their nests in burrows or amongst the roots of trees,
where there lay between two and five eggs. The oldest
known kia lived to be fifty years old. Thank you
for your suggestions, Cooper and Theo. We hope that you

(17:25):
all enjoyed the story. Wherever you're listening in the world.
There are over four hundred animal tails now and all
are available on our premium service alongside over fifty premium
only stories for a tiny fee. They are all advert free.
Make sure you join us next time for another great

(17:46):
animal tail. Good Bye,