Grownups, February can be a tough month for homeschool families.
Short days, busy schedules, and our bodies telling us to hibernate.
Or maybe that's just me.
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What if?
Visit ixl.com slash what if to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.
Grownups, I'm here today to tell you about Mystery Snake. on Backerkit.
Mystery Snacks is a collection of easy-to-use, all-ages TTRPG mysteries by TTRPG Kids.
They are funding right now on Backerkit.
This game features drop-in scenarios that serve up cozy, silly and twisty whodunit vibes to your table.
They provide their own optional system, or you could just use your favorite role-playing game rules.
These are bite-sized mysteries, easy to use, and I love how they're set up like a cookbook, making it easy for me to run the adventure for my kids without losing track of the mystery myself.
Think Scooby-Doo, Tintin, Nancy Drew, but in your hands for your family.
You can back Mystery Snacks today on Backerkit to get a digital or print copy, along with tons of other cool stuff by TTRPG Kids.
Please go to tinyurl.com slash mysterysnacks1.
That's M-Y-S-T-R-Y-S-N-K-S-1. or search for Mystery Snacks on Backerkit today.
I hope you enjoy solving these mysteries as much as I'm going to.
Enjoy!
Hey there folks, and welcome back to What If World, the show where your questions and ideas inspire off-the-cuff stories.
I'm Mr. Eric, your host, and today we're starting off with a question from a listener named Jacob.
Start now.
My name is Jacob, and my favorite thing is baseball.
And my question is, what if cars could fly?
Jacob, he likes baseball.
He wants to know what if cars could fly.
Okay, okay.
Some of you might be saying, question sounds familiar.
And yes, Jacob asked it in our very first year of doing What If World.
But I've learned so much since then and I really wanted to remaster this episode for all of you.
It's a story about a sports underdog, and I think you're really going to enjoy it.
We'll be back next week with a brand new episode, but until then let's find out what if cars could fly.
Your story starts after a quick break.
Grownups.
As spring approaches, this is the perfect time to reinforce foundations and build confidence.
IXL makes it easy to keep routines steady and learning progress visible, even on the days that feel hard.
IXL is an award-winning online learning platform that fits into your homeschooling or supplements your brick-and-mortar schooling.
They make math, language arts, science and social studies from pre-K through 12th grade more fun and flexible and less stressful for kids and grown-ups alike.
We could use a little extra help with math sometimes and honestly I'm just not up to snuff with the new methods of teaching math.
So I love IXL's practice in clear explanations, helping kids reinforce their learning without burning them out.
Did you know?
Over 15 million students use IXL and more than 75 research studies show it delivers real results.
Peace of mind for homeschool parents and anyone looking for a little educational boost.
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Make an impact on your child's learning.
Get IXL now.
And What If World listeners can get an exclusive 20 off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixlcom slash?
What if?
Visit ixl.com slash what if. to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.
Grown-ups, I'm here today to tell you about Mystery Snake. on Backerkit.
Mystery Snacks is a collection of easy-to-use, all-ages TTRPG mysteries by TTRPG Kids.
They are funding right now on Backerkit.
This game features drop-in scenarios that serve up cozy, silly and twisty whodunit vibes to your table.
They provide their own optional system, or you could just use your favorite role-playing game rules.
These are bite-sized mysteries, easy to use, and I love how they're set up like a cookbook, making it easy for me to run the adventure for my kids without losing track of the mystery myself.
Think Scooby-Doo, Tin-Tin, Nancy Drew, but in your hands for your family.
You can back Mystery Snacks today on Backerkit to get a digital or print copy, along with tons of other cool stuff by TTRPG Kids.
Please go to tinyurl.com slash mysterysnacks1.
That's M-Y-S-T-R-Y-S-N-K-S-1.
Or search for Mystery Snacks on Backerkit today.
I hope you enjoy solving these mysteries as much as I'm going to.
Enjoy!
Once upon a time, there was a little car.
It wasn't the kind of car that many people had or liked.
It was called a Pinto.
And it was an old car.
The color green that you wouldn't really pick out for yourself, but it was the only color car left.
Now, after years and years of driving around, This Pinto got run down and its owner, Papa Lou, decided to trade it in.
Well, I'm all done with this car.
Let me get one of those nice sports cars.
I don't know whether you can go vroom vroom with them and drive around real fast and your hair goes crazy.
I just, oh, it sounds like so much fun.
So Papa Lou traded in his old car.
For a very expensive convertible sports car.
And he drove off with a top down.
Wee!
Bye old Pinto.
Smell ya later.
Now the car might have been old and might have even had a lot of miles on it.
But it still felt like it had a lot of miles left to go.
Unfortunately, nobody else at the dealership felt that way.
Months and months went by, and nobody bought that old car.
So the dealership sent it to Jaloppo's workshop, where an old man named Jaloppo would take apart old cars and use their parts for other cars.
Oh, now let me see this old Pinto.
Hmm.
Oh, still in a very good shape.
Let's see those miles.
Hmm.
That's a lot of miles.
But you still got a lot of miles left in you, huh?
No one had ever talked to the car this way.
It didn't really know how to respond.
It tried its hardest, but all it could do was pop its hood.
Oh, that must have been a yes.
Now let's see what else you can do.
Jaloppo climbed in the old car, took it around for a spin.
It handled really well.
So he took it on the highway to see if it could even drive fast.
Boy, could that car move.
It was little, but it was speedy.
The highway ran pretty close by Whatsocks Stadium, an old ballpark where a baseball game was being played.
As they passed by the stadium, They heard a crack and... Hey, what's that sound, old car?
Suddenly, crash!
A baseball came right through the windshield.
Oh, boy!
It bounced around inside the car and got wedged underneath the brake.
Uh-oh, we can't slow down.
Jaloppo maneuvered the car as well as he could.
And the car itself tried really hard to stay safe too.
But traffic was getting worse up ahead.
They were gonna crash!
The old car thought really hard.
Kinda like it had when it popped the hood.
And suddenly, its doors all flew open.
And then closed.
And then open and closed.
And opening closed faster and faster and faster until they were flapping like wings just as it was about to hit the car in front of it.
That old Pinto was airborne.
Look at you.
I found a flying car.
It flew just long enough for Jalopo to reach under and pull out that baseball.
Then it came crashing down back onto the road.
And Jalapo hit the brakes.
Oh, that was a closer one.
They drove home, and Jalapo set to fixing up this old car.
Before long, it was looking good as new.
Thank you, Papa, said the car.
Oh, that's okay.
Just call me Jalapo.
Did you just talk?
The car's rear view mirror bent up and down a few times.
Like a nod.
I've been listening to you this whole time.
And, well, I guess I sort of learned.
My goodness.
I'm gonna call you Pintopio.
Jalopo drove Pintopio all over New What City.
But it seemed like whenever he wasn't trying to get somewhere in particular, he ended up right outside Whatsocks Stadium again.
Hey, Pintopio, why are we back here?
I don't know.
If not for that baseball, I wouldn't ever learn to fly.
And well, you wouldn't ever fix me up like this.
Hey, what do you say we go see a Yeah, that sounds great.
The security guard at this gate of Whatsock Stadium.
She craned her neck low to take a good look at Jaloppo and Pintopio.
I'm sorry, boys, but I just can't let you two in.
Hey, I bought her two tickets.
I know, I know.
But there's no cars in baseball.
No cars in baseball?
That's right.
No cars on the field.
No cars in the crowd.
It's how it's always been.
Does that have to be how it is today?
Sorry, little car.
I don't make the rules.
I just enforce them.
Come back when you're not a car, maybe.
Chalapo shook his head, turned Pintopio around, and drove away.
Maybe I can fly long enough just to take a peek?
No, Pintopio.
You've never flown so high before.
If you fall from that height all the way above the baseball stadium, we both are going to get really hurt.
Pop, I just... I just want to see one game.
Jalopo raised an eyebrow.
I think I got an idea.
He turned the car toward a nearby park and found a few kids playing a little league game on a tiny baseball diamond.
Popaloo was there, watching Zack and ZZ play a baseball game.
All right, ZZ, knock one out of the park for old Popaloo there.
ZZ hit the baseball, crack, and started running the bases.
Pentopia was so excited.
It opened and closed its car doors, opened and closed them again and again, like clapping.
Run, little ZZ, shouted Jalopo, caught up in the excitement.
Yeah!
Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep!
Go ZZ!
Cheered Pintopio.
The little car suddenly found that everybody was looking at it.
Everybody except ZZ, who finished running the bases.
Oh, hey there, little car.
I don't mean to be rude, but there's no cars in baseball.
Oh, I know, I heard.
I just wanted to watch a little.
A few of the other parents closed around.
What irresponsible person would let their car run loose in a park?
Oh, it's not running loose.
I've taken good care of it.
It's never hurt a soul.
ZZ was waiting impatiently at home plate.
Uh, hey everybody, I just finished running the bases.
Couldn't I get a little applause?
Well, I'm sorry, sweetheart, but we gotta get this car out of here.
It's a menace and a danger and it kind of looks familiar, but I can't recall from where, so I don't trust it.
Dad, it's your old car.
It's just been fixed up.
Let it stay and watch the game.
I drove inside it a hundred times and I never got hurt.
Huh.
Well, I guess it is my car.
Sorry, it's my car now.
And it just wants to finish watching your daughter play baseball.
Well, all right, as long as you stay off the field.
There were a few grumbles from the crowd, but Mostly everyone just wanted to get back to the game, especially the kids.
It was a good game.
Zack got a base hit and caught a fly ball.
ZZ almost had a double play, never mind her inside the park home run.
But at the end of the day, they lost.
Ah, Phooey, I can't believe we lost again.
You two are like the only good players on the team.
Dad, that's not fair, said ZZ.
We've just got a lot of young players and we're trying to get better.
They were walking by Pintopio just then.
Hey, I thought you all played a great game.
And I know there are no cars and baseball, but maybe we could just play a quick game?
Zack spoke up.
Yeah, that sounds great.
Well, I don't know.
Please?
Alright, Zack and Feezy.
Just a quick little game.
But little car, you better not drive anywhere near any of us.
Okay, I promise.
I've got brand new brakes and rearview mirrors.
I'll go slow and safe and I'll play by the rules, I promise.
Jaloppo played catcher.
Papaloo played pitcher.
And Zack and Zeezy were the two fielders.
So Pintopio got the first chance to All right there, little car.
See if you can hit Papa Lou's famous poplar.
He spun his arm around three times fast and whoosh!
The ball took off towards Pintopio, who casually swung open a door like a bat and crack!
The baseball took off clean out of sight.
Pintopio putted around the bases safe and sound.
All right, lucky hit.
Now it's my turn to bat.
Let's see what you got, old Pintopio.
Jaloppo tossed a new baseball to Pintopio, who caught it on the hood and flipped it up to rest right where its windshield wipers were.
Then, with a quick rev of its engines, a little spin and a swipe of those windshield wipers, the ball was taking off as fast as lightning.
Strike one.
What?
I didn't even see the ball.
Strike two.
Strike three.
Huh?
A lot of the other kids and parents hadn't left yet, and they were starting to come back.
Wow, look at this.
This car's playing baseball.
I wanted to pitch out of its tailpipe.
At that moment, a dog wearing a baseball cap with a big question mark on it came running into the park with a baseball in its mouth.
Huh?
Who hit this baseball?
Oh, that was me.
I've been looking all over for this baseball.
I knocked it out of the park a few weeks ago to win a ball game.
What?
No, it's Rover Clemens.
The first and best dog baseball player?
Yeah, we all know who Rover Clemens is, man.
Yeah, it's me, Rover.
Rover Clemens, someone just hit this ball all the way back into my stadium during a game, so I had to run it back here.
But what happened to the game?
Oh, I forgot about the game.
Oh, well, we probably lost that one.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to steal your ball.
It crashed through my windshield and anyway you can have it back now could hit a baseball that far needs to be a baseball player.
Whoa, Rover Clemens.
I mean, you're amazing and everything, but there's no cars in baseball.
Well, before me, there was no dogs in baseball.
True, but?
And before Sandy Colfax Machine, there were no inanimate objects in baseball.
Sandy Colfax Machine?
The greatest baseball printer of all time?
Ugh, we all know who Sandy Colfax Machine is.
Well, I'm a little big for baseball.
And I can sort of fly, which doesn't seem fair.
Huh?
Barry Bonds has about a thousand pounds on you.
And Parrot Martinez has been flying around the baseball field for ten years.
Barry Bonds?
And Parrot Martinez, the first... Shh!
Already?
No, come on.
Well, listen, I see a squirrel now, so I gotta go.
But, uh, you should come to Watsuck Stadium tomorrow.
I'll talk to our manager and see if I can get you a tryout.
Rover Clemens ran off, and the whole crowd stood looking at Pintopio in awe.
Hey, Pintopio?
ZZ walked up to the car.
I know, I know.
There's no cars in baseball.
No, no, it's not that.
I have a present for you.
Or rather, you do.
Huh?
She climbed in Pintopio's backseat and reached under the cushion.
She came out with a beat-up looking what-socks hat.
I was pretty sure I lost this down there, so well, I guess you should have it now.
She put the hat on top of Pintopio.
Good luck tomorrow.
Baseball teams don't normally do tryouts mid-season.
But it seemed like by the time Pintopio and Jalopo got to that stadium, everyone in Knew What City was talking about them.
Lots of people were gathered around the stadium.
Some of them held signs that said, No cars in baseball.
Or who could possibly think it'd be fair to have a car that can fly playing baseball?
But some people had nice signs that read, Drive on, Pintopio, and break a tailpipe.
And there's a first time for everything.
Pintopio slowly drove past that lady giraffe security guard who gave him a little wink.
Good luck, little guy.
And he putted straight out onto the field and right to home plate.
The end.
There you have it, Jacob.
Thanks for your question.
I hope you all enjoyed your story.
I want you to think of one time you tried a new sport or athletic activity and found out you weren't very good at it.
Can you remember?
For me, it was probably basketball.
And football.
And baseball.
Oh, and definitely soccer.
Oh, table tennis big time.
Plus, All the rest.
So now I want you to think of which of those sports you kept playing.
How do you feel about the sports that you kept playing versus the sports that you stopped playing?
Of course, we don't all have time. to get good at every recreational sport out there.
But even if, like Pintopio, you don't think you were built to play one particular sport, you can still learn to enjoy it.
Talk to your grown-up about that one sport or athletic activity that you wish you could try a little more often or get a little better at.
Who knows?
Maybe it'll inspire your next what-if question.
And if it does get your grown-up's permission to email, hello at whatifworldpodcastcom and tell us about it, maybe in the form of a what-if question.
I'd like to thank Karen O'Keefe, my co-creator, my producer, Miss Lynn Craig Martinson for our theme song, and all you kids at home who know that, no matter how we're built, we can find a way to enjoy moving our bodies.
And until we meet again, keep wondering.
