The Spirit Of The Jungle

An innocent mistake sees two girls become part of the jungle they're visiting.
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 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. We'd be very grateful if you could. Sarah
and Sarnia are from India and are currently living in
the United Arab Emirates. They have asked for a story
featuring a tiger and a monkey. You can learn more
about these creatures in the animal facts after the story. Okay,
are you ready? That's good, then I'll begin the Spirit

(00:59):
of the Jungle. Sarah, come see what I found. Sarah
looked up at the sound of her sister's voice. They
were in the middle of the jungle, along with their
mother and the rest of their tour group, visiting an
ancient temple. It was in ruins now, not much more
than a few tall stacks of stones, but it was

(01:22):
still exciting to see. Sarah ran across to see what
her sister, Sarnia had found. She was crouched beside some rocks,
half buried in the dirt. They formed a perfect circle
and were covered in moss and lichen. I wonder what
it is, Sarnia said. Ah, you found the spirit circle,

(01:46):
the tour guide said, appearing behind them. Spirit circle, Sarah repeated,
what's that? Well, legend says that this temple honored a
jungle spirit. The tour guide explained. The spirit would protect
the jungle from those that would harm it. Hurting the

(02:07):
jungle's animals, cutting down its trees, or fowling the water
would anger the spirit. What would the spirit do, asked Sarnia.
It would turn anyone who harmed the jungle into animals,
making them part of the jungle they had hurt, said
the tour guide, before turning to talk with other members

(02:29):
of the tour party. That sounds fair, Sarah said, I
wonder what sort of animals they got turned into. I
bet it was bugs, Sarnia said, sticking out her tongue,
Like flies and spiders and dung beetles. Sarah giggled, stooping

(02:50):
down to look at the circle of stones. They weren't big.
Each one was about the size of her hand. Although
they were weathered, They appeared to have jasmine flowers carved
into their surfaces. Come on. Sarah's mother, called Sarnia had
already joined her as the tour group headed for a

(03:12):
path through the trees. We're going to see a waterfall.
Although Sarah wanted to stay longer, she didn't want to
get left behind. To help catch up, Sarah cut through
the bushes but tripped over something sticking out of the dirt.
She assumed she'd stumbled over a root, but looking behind her,

(03:34):
she saw it was another stone poking from the leaf litter.
It was just like the stones from the circle, old
and worn, with a jasmine flower carved into one side.
She bent down and picked it up. Sarah called her
mother through the trees. She'd forgotten the tour group. She

(03:57):
really would get left behind if she didn't hurry. Stuffing
the stone into her bag, Sarah pushed through the bushes
to arrive back on the path. In her excitement to
see the waterfall, she forgot all about the stone. Almost
immediately that evening, Sarah and her sister were in their

(04:19):
beds in their hotel room. Outside, it was now pouring
with rain. Despite feeling tired, they had enjoyed every moment
of their long, busy day, and now it was time
to rest. Can I borrow your headphones? Sarnia asked, I
can't sleep with all the noise from the rain. Sure,

(04:41):
Sarah replied, they're in my bag. Sarnia hopped out of
bed to where Sarah's bag sat on a chair. It
was dark in the room, but Sarnia was sure she'd
feel the headphones easily enough. Hey, what's this, she asked,
pulling something heavy from the bag. Why did you pick

(05:03):
up a rock? Sarah sat up the jasmine stone. I
meant to give that to the tour guide, she said.
I completely forgot. I'll talk to mum about it tomorrow.
I'm sure it'll be fine if you forget, Sarnia said,
putting the stone back in the bag. It's just a rock.

(05:26):
There's probably a million million of them in the jungle.
A sudden flash of lightning, instantly followed by a thundercrack,
made the girl shriek, taking them by surprise. Almost immediately,
Sarah felt an itch on her face, wrinkling her nose.

(05:47):
She reached up to scratch it, finding something long and
wiry in her way. Hum Sarah, Sarnia said, slowly, there
are whiskers on your face. Sarah gasped as she looked
back at her sister. And you have a tail, she said, horrified.

(06:11):
Sarnia grasped behind her, finding a long brown tail. There.
Another lightning flash lit up the room, dazzling them both.
In the few seconds it took for their eyes to adjust,
Sarah lost track of where her sister was Sonia. She
called out, are you okay? The room's lights came on,

(06:36):
revealing a small monkey at the light switch. Sarah yelped,
stumbling backwards from the bed, causing her to lose sight
of the monkey for a moment. As she sprawled upon
the floor, Sir Sonia, Sarah called. The monkey's head popped
over the edge of the bed. Sarah, it replied, you're

(07:02):
you're a monkey, Sarah said, Have you seen yourself? Asked
the changed Sarnia. Looking for her hand, Sarah found instead
two large orange paws. They had long claws, thick pads,
and thin black stripes. You're a tiger, Sarnia gasped, But

(07:27):
how Sarah bounced to her feet and began pacing nervously
about the room as the tour guide's words came back
to her. The forest spirit, she said loudly, it would
turn humans into animals if they angered it. You know,

(07:47):
this is actually pretty fun, Sarnia said, swinging across the
ceiling beams and light fittings. Sarnia, this is serious, Sarah insisted.
I think we might have offended the jungle spirit. But
how Sarnia said, landing lightly in the center of her bed.

(08:09):
We stuck to the paths, just like the guide said.
And I don't remember hurting any animals, cutting down any trees,
or poisoning the water. Well, it must be something, Sarah replied.
People don't normally turn into monkeys and tigers, do they. Oh? No,

(08:31):
the jasmine rock. That must be it, said Sarnia. You
took a temple rock, but I didn't mean to. I
mean I picked it up, and then everyone was leaving
and I was going to be left behind. Oh what
a mess, Sarah sighed heavily. We'll just have to go

(08:52):
back to the temple and return it. Maybe the spirit
will turn us back again. I guess it's worth a trial,
her sister said, attempting a somersault. Frustratingly, she appeared to
be enjoying herself. Although I wouldn't mind being a monkey forever.

(09:13):
Sarnia helped to slip Sarah's bag over the wide tiger
head so Sarah could carry the stone more easily. It
wasn't comfortable, but it would do. Next, Sarnia unlatched the
balcony door, allowing Sarah to push it open. Outside, the
rain had stopped its noisy downpour. Can you remember the way,

(09:37):
asked Sarnia. No, but my nose is telling me to
go that way, said Sarah. Good enough for me, said Sarnia,
and leapt into the closest tree. Sarah dropped down to
the ground below. In moments, they were swallowed up by
the shadowy trees. They made good progress, largely thanks to

(10:01):
Sarah's excellent night vision, but it was a good distance
to where their tour had taken place. At some point,
Sarah's sensitive ears heard a soft crying. Some one's in trouble,
she said. Changing direction, Sarnia took the opportunity to jump
onto her sister's back. They soon found the source of

(10:25):
the noise. The storm had felled a large branch, pinning
a giant squirrel to the forest floor. Please help, the
squirrel cried weakly. I can't get up. Sarah stepped forward
to inspect the damage. It was a heavy branch, but

(10:45):
right now she was a large tiger. Pushing with her paws,
she gently rolled the branch away, freeing the squirrel beneath.
Oh thank you, the giant squirrel said, with relief. I
was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I
don't know what I would have done if you hadn't

(11:06):
come along. That's all right, Sarah replied, happy to help.
The squirrel went to take a step but hissed with pain.
Oh my leg, he said. Is it broken, asked Sarnia,
sounding concerned. No, I don't think so, just strained it,

(11:29):
mumbled the giant squirrel. But there's no way I can
get back up my tree. Maybe I can help, Sarnia said.
She helped the squirrel to hold on tightly to her,
then sprang up the tree with ease. The squirrel pointed
to a hollow in the trunk. That's where I live,

(11:51):
he said, and Sarnia helped him inside. My goodness, what
a lovely pair you are. If only all animal were
as helpful as you are. If only you knew, giggled
Sarnia as she returned to the ground. Get better. Soon.
Sarnia returned to Sarah's back and they carried on the nighttime.

(12:16):
Jungle was a dark and noisy place, but Sarah was
confident of where she was going. Sure enough, after much walking,
they finally reached the ruins of the temple. Had she
not been a brave tiger, Sarah was quite sure she'd
have been terrified for a spirit, She called out, are

(12:39):
you there? Nothing's happening, said Sarnia, jumping down from her
sister's back. Maybe it's all just a story and there
is no jungle spirit. Well, that can't be right, said
a new voice. A swirl of leaves spun like a
tornado with the spirit circle before falling away to reveal

(13:03):
a figure. It was that of a small man, but
made from living wood. I'm quite sure I'm not a
story jungle spirit, Sarah gasped. Please, can we have our
old bodies back? I'm afraid that's not how this works,

(13:25):
said the jungle spirit. You did not respect the jungle,
so now you are part of it. But that's not fair,
Sarnia insisted. We kept to the paths, and we didn't
drop any litter, and we were really careful not to
squish any bugs. We even helped a squirrel, pointed out Sarah.

(13:49):
The Jungle spirit huffed, his wooden limbs creaking. Yes, yes,
you did all of that, he said, with a nod
of his head. But that doesn't change that you stole
from me your jasmine stone, said Sarah. I know, but
I really didn't mean to. I wanted to give it

(14:11):
to the tour guide so that it could be returned
to the circle where it belongs. But I almost got
left behind, and we were going to the waterfall, and
I forgot. Sarnia reached into the bag around her sister's
neck and pulled out the stone. See, we brought it back.

(14:31):
The Jungle spirit studied them both, then stepped from the circle.
There was a gap currently filled with a small flowering plant. Carefully,
he bent and scooped the plant up, its roots curling
around his wrist and fingers. It will be nice to
have a complete circle again, he said with a smile.

(14:55):
Sarnia scooted forward and slotted the missing stone into place. Yes,
it fitted perfectly. That's better, grinned the spirit. Does that
mean we don't have to be animals anymore? Asked Sarah,
hopefully for a little longer, said the spirit. Better a

(15:17):
tiger and a monkey crossed the jungle at night than
two girls. Don't you think the night is still young?
And I'm sure you have much to do tomorrow. You'd
best get going. We will, said Sarah, and thank you,
with Sarnia again upon the tiger's back. They disappeared into

(15:38):
the jungle. Sarah awoke to sunlight streaming in through the
balcony door. Sarnia, she saw, was still fast asleep. She
looked at her perfectly normal human hands with wonder had
she really been a tiger and her sister a monkey.

(15:59):
Something on the table caught her eye. There was a
pot with a small jasmine plant inside, with flowers just
like those carved on the stones. It was the plant
the spirit had lifted from the circle. Sarah smiled, It
really did happen. Animal fat. India's tiger is the Bengal tiger,

(16:28):
which it shares with a Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and parts
of China. There may be just three thousand Bengal tigers
left in India itself. Male Bengal tigers are huge, standing
a meter that's three feet at the shoulder and reaching
up to three meters that's nine feet from nose to tail.

(16:51):
There are many species of monkey in India, including various
types of langers and macaques. One of them, the long
tailed man cak, is known for foraging on beaches, earning
itself the alternative name of the crab eating macaque. Thank
you for your suggestions, Sarah and Sonia. We hope you

(17:11):
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the world for listening to it. There are over four
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(17:31):
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