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Welcome to Stories Podcast.
I'm your host, Amanda Weldon.
Today's story is called Dog King and the Long Lost Lego.
An original story written for you by Daniel Hines.
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Dog King and the Long Lost Lego Dog King, he's the king of the dogs Dog King, he's the king of the dogs Dog King, he's the king of the dogs Dog King, he's the king of the dogs His mother was a dog, his father was a king So now he's Dog King, and he's king of the dogs Dog King His bite is worse than his bark!
Dog King.
Because he bites like a shark.
Dog King.
You know he's ruling the streets.
Dog King.
He won't roll over for treats.
His mother was a dog.
His father was a king.
So now he's Dog King.
And he's king of the dogs.
Dog King.
Today we find Dog King, King of the Dogs, sitting on his throne, gazing out at his kingdom.
It was the slushy part of winter where the snow keeps falling, the dirt and salt pile up, the dogs keep peeing and it's all too cold to melt.
Everywhere in Dog King's kingdom, the alley between two laundromats.
Snow was heaped and drifted, making the alley a frosty white maze studded with bright slashes of yellow.
Dog King had already had to dig out his lumpy mattress throne twice, and once Cranberry the Cat had slipped off an icy roof and plunged yowling into a snowbank.
It took them ten minutes to dig her out.
Of course, some of that was because the dogs got a little carried away and dug past the cat all the way to the icy street.
Still, they eventually got Cranberry free and the little cat had been at home with her humans under a heated blanket ever since.
The morning was cold, the sort of icy, snowy stillness that only comes in the winter, when the snow mutes all howls.
It was beautiful, Dog King thought to himself.
Other dogs hated the cold, like Pickles the Chihuahua, currently under a dozen blankets in his pink bike basket at Dog King's side.
Other dogs, like the Huskies and Broadwin the St.
Bernard, loved the snow and were always panting away in the summer.
Dog King loved both and he was looking forward to a long day of napping when there was a commotion at the mouth of his alley.
Help! came a long howl.
They're gonna kill me!
I'm a doomed dog!
Dog King jumped to his feet and Pickles poked his head up from under his blankets, blinking his watery gummy eyes.
Oh!
What's the ruckus? he yawned.
I was just finally getting warm!
Come into the alley, Dog King called, trying to see around the great drifts of snow.
Rambo, the rust-brown pitbull, came skidding around the corner and smashed into a snowdrift across from Dog King.
The snowdrift turned out to be a sleeping Broadwin, buried in a layer of white.
But she only snored, farted, and then rolled back over to sleep.
Dog King!
Pickles!
Rambo said.
I need help!
I've been saying that for years, grumbled Pickles.
Easy, Rambo, said Dog King.
Who wants to get you?
Why are you a doomed dog?
Oh, did you bite a policeman again?
Asked Pickles.
I already told you, that's not how you become a canine unit.
No, much worse, said Rambo miserably.
Did you poop at the school again?
I already told you, that's not what drop-off zone means.
No, much worse.
Did you?
Why don't you just tell us, said Dog King, before Pickles could get Rambo going.
Okay, right, said Rambo.
Well, I was playing Legos with my mom.
She just got a new set that has this whole big castle with banners and secret doors and all kinds of stuff.
Of course I was being a super good boy and not eating any pieces, because they gave me a bone stuffed with peanut butter.
And it was good, too.
Not too chunky.
Not too smooth.
And the bone was just funky enough for a good chew.
Plus, with the peanut butter, you get... Rambo?
Dog King said.
The story?
Sorry, right.
Well, she finished the castle, and I finished the bone, and then she went to work.
And here's the thing she wanted to finish the castle with my other mom tonight, so she saved the last piece.
It's sort of a flag that sits on top of the highest tower.
It was red and wavy and I was looking at it, just napping on the beanbag, you know, and I got to thinking it sort of looks like a piece of bacon.
And then I was thinking, maybe it tastes like bacon too, you know.
So you ate the flag? asked Dog King.
No, said Rambo.
I tasted it, and it was mostly plastic.
So I tasted it again, and still plastic.
So I went for one last little taste, and I accidentally swallowed it.
Oh, so you did eat the flag, said Pickles.
No, it was an accidental taste and swallow situation.
Totally different.
Not to the flag!
And not to your mom, said Dog King.
I don't think they'd kick you out for this, Rambo, but we do have to fix the problem fast.
What do we do? asked Rambo.
How long ago did you eat it? asked Dog King.
Maybe five, ten minutes ago, said Rambo.
Okay, good.
Just yak it up, said Dog King.
What? asked Rambo.
I can't just yak it up.
By this point Broadwyn was fully awake and she shook the blanket of snow off her back and then stretched in the white snowbanks.
Her St.
Bernard fur was like the warmest blanket you'd ever felt, and she sat next to Pickles so the little chihuahua could lean against her body heat.
Oh Rambo, she said.
I've seen you puke at least a hundred times from eating too fast, from getting excited or just out of nowhere, while we walked down the street.
Ah, Broadway, it's different, Rambo said.
I don't do it on purpose.
It just happens.
Well then, let's make it happen, said Dog King.
Are there any other dogs sleeping here?
He called a little louder.
We could use a few paws.
A couple of the snowy lumps in the alley rose and shook themselves off.
One was Luke the Golden Doodle, and another was a stocky mutt named Riker.
Dudes, said Luke, Snowball still clumped to his long fur.
What's the haps?
We need to make Rambo throw up a Lego piece fast, Dog King said.
Everyone, split up and find something to help.
We'll meet back here in five.
The dogs all nodded and got to work, which included a lot of barking wrestling, digging and rolling in the dirty snow.
Riker got distracted by a wrestling match across the street and ran off to tussle, but the rest came back and gathered around Rambo, who was chasing his own nubby tail in circles.
Oh, what you up to there, sugar? asked Broadwin.
I thought I could spin until I yarfed, said Rambo, stumbling into a snowbank butt first.
But it was no good.
Ha!
Genius, as always! but I have the remedy for you right here.
He went behind his basket and came out with an old, ragged, stuffed animal.
It might have been a bear or a lamb at one point, but it was so mangled and dirty it looked more like a hairball than anything.
As Pickles dragged it out of the snow, the other dogs all pulled back.
Dude, that's gnarly, said Luke, burying his snout in the snow.
I tried to bury this guy last week, said Pickles.
Accidentally burrowed into a skunk hole.
Those stink cats tried to blast me, but they just got my doll, Jeffrey, instead.
They didn't know they were messing with a real deal Holyfield fighter.
Ha!
I'm sure you were very brave, said Broadwin.
Pah!
Brave means you have to be scared first, said Pickles.
I was just out there with strong, chapel-roan-style confidence.
You wouldn't get it!
Well, Rambo, said Dog King, bury your nose in there and take a big huff.
That'll sort it out.
Will do, said Rambo, always excited to smell something new.
He went to the skunk spray doll and jammed his nose into it.
Whoa, that's nasty.
Really, that's just terrible.
I need it on my body.
Rambo threw himself down and started rolling in the skunk spray.
No, said Pickles.
Oh, well, so much for that idea, said Broadwin.
You have one, Luke?
I was going to suggest the spinning, but he already gave it a whirl.
Or a twirl.
Well, I found this old box of takeout behind the Chinese place, said Broadwin.
I think it was noodles, or maybe rice.
Anyway, now it's just a box of goo.
Not even Rambo could eat it without getting sick, I think.
Here, sugar, why don't you... Wait, where did it go?
Where did what go? asked Rambo, slurping the last of the slop out of the container.
He stopped as everyone looked at him in disbelief.
What?
Oh, is this someone's lunch?
Sorry, guys.
Well, that leaves you, Dog King, said Broadwin with a sigh.
I hope you have one of your good ideas because I am all out.
Now for a quick ad break.
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February can be a tough stretch for homeschool families.
Shorter days, busy schedules, and motivation that starts to dip.
IXL helps keep learning consistent, focused, and moving forward without stress.
IXL is an award-winning online learning platform that fits seamlessly into homeschooling.
It offers interactive practice across math, language arts, science and social studies from pre-K through 12th grade.
IXL personalizes learning for each child, keeps them engaged and gives parents clear insight into progress.
IXL's interactive practice and clear explanations make it easy to reinforce learning during the winter months without burning kids out.
Everything is organized by grade and subject, so you can quickly find what each child needs without juggling multiple resources.
Over 15 million students use IXL and more than 75 research studies show it delivers real results.
Peace of mind for homeschool parents.
Make an impact on your child's learning.
Get IXL now.
And Stories podcast listeners can get an exclusive 20 off IXL membership when they sign up today at wwwixlcom.
Slash dragon.
Visit wwwixlcom slash dragon to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.
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Well, I don't think we can make Rambo hurl, said Dog King.
So I'm thinking about what's next, and I gotta tell ya, it isn't pretty.
Oh, sweet Georgia Brown, said Pickles.
I am not helping with that.
Sorry, guys, said Rambo.
It's just really hard for me to puke twice in a day.
The dogs all looked at each other as the winter wind swirled snow playfully at the pups.
What, said Rambo.
What, said Luke.
Dude, you already hurled today?
Yeah, said Rambo.
I was so freaked out about the Lego that I threw up on the way over here.
I did it by Mr. Bradley's step since he already doesn't like me.
Dog King sighed with a smile.
Rambo, why don't you take us to the steps?
Why? asked Rambo, hugging the skunked stuffy close.
Plenty of stinky stuff to smell right here.
Just humor me, said Dog King.
Okay, what do you call a dog in the snow?
Rambo asked.
A chili dog, which reminds me, I'm hungry.
Got any more of that Chinese food?
Let's just go, said Dog King, smiling despite himself.
Pickles jumped on Broadwind's back while Rambo led the way over the icy sidewalks, Dog King and Luke bringing up the rear.
Finally, Rambo's little ears perked up.
This is the place, he said and went running.
A second later, his leg slipped out and flew into the air in a fuzzy cartwheel.
Rambo went sliding and rolling across the ground.
Whoosh!
Broadwin had a second to ask what was happening when she went sliding, too.
Thankfully, Pickles leapt free, or he might have been crushed as the broad St.
Bernard went head over tea kettle and slid across the patch of ice like a giant bear-turned-hockey puck.
Pickles landed gracefully on all fours, but then they slipped out from underneath him and with a He did a perfect split with both sets of legs.
Dog King and Luke stopped short and watched their friends slide across the ice.
Dude, did you yark on an ice rink?
What happened? asked Luke.
Ice trap! shouted Pickles.
It's an ice trap!
Everyone, be ready for snowman attacks!
Don't bite until you see the whites of their eyes!
Wait!
Their eyes are cool!
Don't bite until you see the black of their eyes!
Stand ready, everyone!
This wasn't here earlier, said Rambo, rolling off the icy sidewalk and back into the snow.
He managed to snag a still-shouting Pickles to safety, and Dog King helped pull Broadwin back to her feet.
I see what happened, said Dog King, surveying the scene.
You puked on Mr. Bradley's steps, and he came out with a bucket of water and washed it all away.
Then that water froze on the sidewalk.
So, where's the flag? asked Luke.
What flag? asked Rambo.
The Lego flag, you lice for brains! said Pickles.
Oh, yeah.
We gotta find that for sure.
Dog King walked off the sidewalk into the street, looking both ways first, of course.
In the street, he did a couple of little circles, and then his ears perked up.
Well, I found the flag, but that's the good news.
Oh, sugar, what's the bad news? asked Broadwin.
Come and look, said Dog King, nodding his snout at the side of the road.
I'm totally dead, wailed Rambo.
He had puked up the flag, and it was in pretty good shape.
The only problem was that the bucket of water had washed the flag off the sidewalk and into a mostly frozen storm drain.
The dogs could see through the little gap between the street and the sidewalk and the flag was down below in the sewer.
Thankfully, the water was mostly frozen and hadn't washed away, but it was definitely out of reach.
Unless Looks like a job for Pickles said Pickles scooting closer to the storm drain and peering down fit, if I wiggle.
We tie a rope around me, lower me down, I grab the flag, you pull me back up.
You sure, Pickles? asked Rambo.
Sounds a little sketchy.
Maybe for you.
Oh, my great-aunt Norman was an ice climber from the Alps.
They would help the Sherpas along and carry tourists when they passed out.
I'm a rescue dog down to my bones.
A dog of heroism.
A dog of daring action.
A dog... Whoa!
Pickles got so excited about the speech that he forgot to watch his step and slipped on the ice again.
He slipped and started gliding out of control to the storm drain.
Pickles! shouted Dog King.
He and Luke both lunged for the Chihuahua, but they were too late.
Pickles slipped through the storm drain gap and thumped into a small pile of icy snow at the bottom.
Hey, buddy, you okay? called Dog King.
A second later, Pickles' head popped out of the snow and he shook himself off with a humph.
Okay, I'm totally fine.
I did that on purpose.
All part of the plan.
You see the flag? asked Rambo.
Got it, said Pickles.
He picked up the flag and tucked it into his collar with a little bit of gymnastics.
Now you can Uh, dude, said Luke, you forgot about the whole rope thing.
How are we supposed to pull you up?
Well, you, Dog King, help me!
Dog King thought about it for a moment.
There was nothing even kind of rope-like around, and even if there was, they'd never find it.
Everything was coated with feet of snow like big mountains covered in white blankets.
Big mountains.
I've got it, said Dog King.
Save me, cried Pickles.
Everyone, kick snow into the storm drain.
We need to fill it up.
The other dogs didn't question Dog King.
They just found the nearest pile of snow and dug in, throwing snow between their legs into the storm drain with Pickles.
Whoa!
What's the big idea?
Are you trying to bury me? asked Pickles.
Is this a burial, Dog King?
You can't bury me alive!
I'll haunt you, and if you thought I was annoying when I was alive, you just wait until I'm a ghost!
Ah!
We aren't burying you, Dog King laughed.
Just keep walking in circles and packing down the snow as we throw it in.
What's that going to... Oh!
Dog King!
It's making a little hill!
I'll be able to climb out!
That's the idea.
A minute of frantic digging.
Later, the snow was piled up high enough for Pickles to look through the storm drain, he said.
The water is coming faster, and it's washing away the base of my mountain.
The dogs went even faster, but it was no good.
The water was coming too fast and Pickles' mountain was getting smaller, no matter how much snow they kicked.
You gotta jump, bud.
It's too far, said Pickles, watching the storm drain pulling away above him as he shrank into the water.
Jump or swim in the sewers, Dog King said.
No, no, no!
Here I come!
Pickles shouted in a panic, and then he launched himself at the storm grate.
He bounced off the edge, clawed at it with his paws, and then started to slip back into the rushing water below.
Gotcha! said Rambo.
He jammed his big blocky head right through the bars.
Squeeze!
His cheeks squished up, his ears flopped back, but he reached down and chomp!
He grabbed Pickles by the scruff.
He pulled back and his big head and Pickles' little body both popped free and plopped back into the snow.
Ha!
You got me! said Pickles, looking up at Rambo.
And you got the flag, said Rambo.
We're the best, they said together, while the other dogs cheered and laughed.
Thanks, King, said Rambo.
You really saved me on this one.
Now, Pickles, can you give me back the flag?
I should really bring it home.
How about I carry it, said Dog King.
We'll walk you home, just so that there's not another accidental swallowing.
Perfect! said Rambo.
Let's go plant that flag.
Let's go, agreed Pickles.
Dog King, did you see that?
I was like jump, pow, whoosh, and then Rambo was like snag, catch, bam.
Dog King let Pickles tell him the story, even though he'd been there.
And by the time they'd gone two blocks, the storm drain had already become a dragon's cave and the trickle of water a raging river.
They all just laughed, and together, they took the Lego flag back to Rambo's house.
Dog King, as always, leading the way.
Dog king, he's the king of the dogs.
Dog king, he's the king of the dogs.
Dog king, he's the king of the dogs.
Dog king, he's the king of the dogs.
His mother was a dog, his father was a king.
So now he's dog king and he's king of the dogs.
Dog king.
His bite is worse than his bark.
Dog King.
Because he bites like a shark.
Dog King.
You know he's ruling the streets.
Dog King.
He won't roll over for treats.
His mother was a dog.
His father was a king.
So now he's Dog King.
And he's king of the dogs.
Dog King.
Today's story, Dog King and the Long Lost Lego, was an original story written for you by Daniel Hines.
It was edited and produced for you by Ellie Hines and performed for you by me, Amanda Weldon.
The Dog King theme song was written by me and Dan.
If you would like to support Stories Podcast, you can leave us a five-star review on iTunes.
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