The Mouse-Deer Faces His Fears

A tiny mouse-deer must face the big, scary jungle to rescue a friend.
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. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:12):
Yeah, Hello, My name's Josephine and this is the Animal
Tales podcast, where you suggest the animals featured in our stories.
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

(00:33):
a review. Reviews help get us noticed amongst all the
other podcasts out there. Angus is from Bedfordshire in England,
and he is asked for a story featuring a mouse deer.
You can learn more about these creatures in the animal
facts after the story. Okay, are you ready? That's good,

(00:55):
then I'll begin. The mouse deer faces his fears. Angus's
friend had been missing for two days and he was
very worried. The jungles of the Philippines were a dangerous place,
especially for the small and innocent, and Angus and his

(01:15):
friend Larnie were some of the smallest of them all.
Angus and Larnie were mouse deer, a type of small
hoofed animal about the size of a rabbit. They were
neither deer nor mice, but something else entirely. Angus knew
that their size meant that there were easy targets for

(01:36):
much bigger, scarier animals, so he was always very careful
when crossing the jungle floor. Larnie, though, wasn't nearly as careful.
She loved to explore and to make new friends. She
would happily search, sometimes quite noisily, under bushes, inside caves

(01:58):
and beside waterways, and she would always encourage Angus to
do the same. You have to be more confident, Angus,
she would say. You can't spend all your life huddled
under tree roots and hiding in shadows. There's a big,
wide world out there, with so many animals to meet.

(02:19):
But Angus just couldn't bring himself to be like that.
The world was too big and too scary. Every twig
snap or leaf rustle could mean danger. No, he would
much rather stay safe and hidden than do what Larnie did.
And then Larni went missing. She'd been talking about going

(02:44):
to explore a near by mountain to see what sort
of animals lived near the top. She had estimated that
she would only be gone a day, but now the
sun was rising on day three, Larni still hadn't returned.
Angus didn't know what to do. What if she was
lost or hurt. If so, she would need help, and Angus,

(03:09):
despite his worries, wasn't about to let her down. So
the little mouse deer set out on wobbly legs, jumping
at every sound and doing his best to remain hidden
under broad leaves and hanging branches. Even though he was
incredibly nervous, he was also determined to find his friend.

(03:33):
On arriving at the mountain, Angus looked up at what
was ahead of him. It was thickly covered by trees,
hiding any dangers beneath. Angus gulped. He took a deep
breath and started the climb. For a little mouse deer,
the way was difficult. The first part of the slope

(03:55):
was too steep for trees and plants, and was instead
covered in sharp, jagged rocks. He had to tread carefully,
all the time watching the perilous drop below. With no
plant cover to keep him safe, Angus felt exposed and
in danger. Only his determination to help Larnie pushed him on. Nervously,

(04:21):
Angus tiptoed through the rocks and hadn't gone far when
a dark shadow flew over him. Angus froze, imagining a
gigantic bird of prey bearing down on him. A single
skinny tree grew amongst the rocks, and it was onto
one of its drooping branches that the flying creature came

(04:43):
to rest. Surely, Angus thought it is preparing to eat me,
But when he looked up, he saw it wasn't a
bird of prey at all, or any bird for that matter.
It was an enormous the biggest Angus had ever seen.

(05:04):
It was gold and brown, and its large dark wings
were wrapped around its body. As it hung upside down.
Angus went to scream, fearing the worst. Hey, whoa, there's
no need for that, said the bat. I'm not going
to eat you. You're you're not, Angus asked, Oh, of

(05:29):
course not, the bat said us. Fruit bats only eat fruit.
What a relief, sighed Angus. I do apologize. I'm not
used to being out here alone. Tell me, said the
fruit bat, looking interested. What's a little creature like you

(05:50):
doing trying to climb a mountain. I think my friend's
in trouble up there, Angus explained. I'm doing my best
to rest. Thank you. Her, A little nervous thing like
you is going to the rescue, said the fruit bat
in surprise. You've barely started and you're trembling already. How

(06:13):
about I fly you past these rocks. You'll be safer
amongst the trees. That's so kind of you, Angus said gratefully.
I'm really not enjoying being out in the open like this.
It's no problem, said the fruit bat. He swooped down

(06:33):
and plucked Angus up with his claws. If more animals
around here were as polite as you, than this forest
would be a far more pleasant place. The fruit bat
carried Angus up the slope to where the trees and
undergrowth began. Once more. Thank you, said Angus as he

(06:55):
was set down in the shadow of a large overhanging leaf.
You are most welcome, replied the bat. Now i'm here,
I may as well lend a hand. Maybe we can
find her together. Angus thought this was a wonderful idea.
The fruit bat headed one way to search from above,

(07:17):
and Angus went the other to look from the ground.
He continued onwards, occasionally daring to call out Larni's name
in a loud whisper, but at no point did Larni
call back. He was just building up the courage to
call again when he heard a twig snap loudly. A

(07:39):
large warty pig was staring down at him. The warty
pig snorted angrily, shaking her head. This is my spot,
she huffed, you're standing on my land. With a squeal,
she charged at Angus. Anger was too terrified to move,

(08:02):
quite frozen to the spot, all he could manage was
to squeeze his eyes shut. The waty pig, though, didn't
strike him. Instead, she skidded to a halt in front
of him. You didn't run away, she said, no, Angus

(08:22):
replied as he trembled. I didn't, did I. Nobody's ever
stood up to me before, the warty pig said, on
shure of herself. They always run away. I uh don't
have time to run, he said, trying to sound braver

(08:43):
than he was feeling. I need to find my friend,
and nothing's going to stop me, not even um you.
The waty pig studied the mouse deer closely. What a
curious little animal you are, he said. I must say
that I really admire your loyalty to your friend. If

(09:06):
more animals were as confident as you, this forest would
be a far more interesting place. Angus thanked her. I'll
erh get off your land now, he said. He ducked
into the bushes, and when he was a safe distance away,
let out a sigh of relief. Acting confidently had helped tremendously.

(09:31):
The warty pig may not have been as friendly as
the fruit bat, but had she really been something to
be afraid of? Angers set off again, feeling more confident
after his recent encounters. Perhaps the jungle wasn't as scary
as he'd feared. A low hiss made Anger stop mid step.

(09:54):
A philippine cobra was right in front of him. Foolishly,
he'd been lost in his thoughts, not paying attention. That
mistake had put him almost nose to nose with the
grumpy looking snake. You're standing on my tail, the cobra hissed.

(10:16):
Angus took a quick step backwards, stepping off of the snake.
I'm so sorry, Angus said timidly. The cobra reared up,
unfurling his hood as he did so. I wasn't looking
where I was going, continued Angus, trying to be as
polite as he had been with the fruit bat. I

(10:38):
do apologize. Unfortunately, the cobra didn't seem impressed by such niceties.
That doesn't soothe my poor stamped on tail. The cobra
hissed menacingly. Being polite wasn't working. Perhaps Angus thought he

(10:59):
should try acting more confident, like with the waty pig.
Maybe that would work on the snake. I'm afraid you'll
just have to excuse me, Angus said, straightening up and
looking the cobra in the eye. I'm looking for my friend,
and I'm in a hurry. You're just going to have

(11:20):
to move, please, But the cobra only laughed as he
encircled Angus with his long body. You're too little to
sound that tough, he said. I don't think you're very
tough at all, which is good because I'm feeling peckish.

(11:41):
Angus gulped, realizing that the jungle was a scary, dangerous place.
After all. It didn't seem to matter how polite or
confident he tried to be. The cobra bared his fangs,
and as he did so, something struck him hard on
the back of his hooded head. Leave that little mouse

(12:04):
deer alone, bellowed the fruit bat as it swooped in
a circle. The snake hissed and lashed out, but the
fruit bat was already out of reach. Then the undergrowth exploded,
sending leaves and branches flying. Let him go, squealed the

(12:26):
warty pig as she pounded towards the snake. The cobra
didn't freeze to the spot like Angus had done. It
didn't want to mess with all that muscle and teeth,
so the snake turned tail and fled, disappearing into the
undergrowth of the mountain side without looking back. You you

(12:49):
saved me, Angus said, as the warty pig skidded to
a halt, and just in time too. The worty pig replied,
you were lucky I bumped into my friend here. You
should always be able to rely on a friend, the
fruit bat said. If more animals were friendly, this forest

(13:12):
would be a far happier place. Angus was overwhelmed. He'd
never experience kindness like this before. I really am grateful,
but I have to keep going, he said. I've still
not found Larnie. I'm still happy to help, smiled the

(13:32):
fruit bat. And three of us will be better than two,
insisted the waty pig. Full of gratitude, Angus led the
way through the trees with the fruit bat Flapping overhead
through a gap in the trees, Angus could see just
how far above the forest he now was. Surely they

(13:55):
must be close to the mountain's top. Moments later they
arrived at the highest point, a bare rock surrounded by
twisted trees. This is it, sighed Angus. There's nowhere else
to go, Angus, came a voice, seemingly out of nowhere, Larnie.

(14:19):
He called, his heart racing, Larnie, where are you down here?
Came the reply. Peering over the bare rock, Angus could
see a ledge poking out over a steep drop. On
the ledge was Larnie, looking exhausted and hungry. Oh, Angus,

(14:40):
how I've been hoping that you would come, she cried.
I'm stuck down here hoping, repeated Angus. But you know
I don't like going out into the jungle. Why would
you think I might come? Because you're brave and kind
and my friend, said Larnie, you should always be able

(15:04):
to rely on a friend. Well, I've brought some new
friends with me, said Angus, introducing the warty pig and
the fruit bat. We'll get you up. Just you see,
the fruit bat was able to lift Larnie to safety.
Settling her tired body upon the warty pig's back. You relax,

(15:29):
said the warty pig. I'll carry you until you're home.
They began the long journey back down the mountain, and
as they went, Larnie was keen to get to know
Angus's new friends and to learn more about Angus's adventure.
This he was happy to share, and he took much

(15:50):
pleasure in seeing how delighted she was. So does this
mean you're going to come with me the next time
I go exploring la, he asked excitedly. Wait a moment,
said Angus quickly. I never said that you tumbling off
of a mountain to be trapped on a ledge only

(16:12):
proves my point that this sort of thing is dangerous.
Larnie for a second looked disappointed, until she saw that
Angus was smiling, wanting to say more. Which is why
it might be safer if there were two of us,
he continued. After all, you should always be able to

(16:33):
rely on a friend. Animals fat mouse dear also known
as chevrotaine, look like tiny deer, but they are only
distantly related to those animals. There are several mouse deer
species across Africa and Asia, with the tiniest being the

(16:56):
Java mouse dear at just thirty centimeters that's twelve inches tall.
Mouse deer don't have antlers or horns, but they do
have long, thin canine teeth, like the teeth of a
saber toothed tiger. These teeth are longer in males and
are used when fighting. Some mouse deer have developed an

(17:19):
amazing trick. When threatened, they leap into water and can
remain stood on the bottom for a very long time
until the danger has passed. Thank you for your suggestion, Angus.
We hope you enjoyed it, and thank you to all
of you across the world for listening to it. If

(17:39):
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(18:00):
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another great animal tale. Good Bye,