And now it's time for Who Smarted?
Hey there, smarty pants.
Trusty narrator here.
As you can hear from my crunchy footsteps, I'm outside.
In the woods, to be precise.
At night.
Don't worry, I'm not lost.
I'm camping.
Of course, it is getting pretty dark and I'm starting to feel a little chilly.
Just a few more sticks, some dried leaves.
Smarty Pants, do you know what I'm going to use this stuff for?
Of course you do.
It's to build a campfire.
In this particular camping ground, they have designated fire pits surrounded by rocks that previous campers have used before.
Alrighty.
First things first, I need to crumple up some newspaper I brought.
Next, I'm going to place the dried leaves on top of the paper.
And lastly, I'll add some smaller twigs from the tree branches.
I've collected something we campers call kindling.
Now all I need is the box of matches that I put in a plastic bag right inside my, Inside my Hmm, my matches aren't in my pockets.
I know that I put them there this morning.
They must have fallen out.
Great.
How can I start a campfire to warm myself without any matches?
Dear camper, I see you're unprepared.
Here, allow me.
Whoa, where'd you come from?
And more importantly, how did you light the newspaper using only the tip of your wing?
Are you some kind of magical firebird?
Well... You are a magic firebird, aren't you?
The name's Phineas J. Sunburst, or my friends call me Phinny.
Uh-huh.
My name is the trusty narrator, but my friends call me trusty.
Also, can I be your friend?
Sure.
Cool.
Can you do the thing with the fire again, Phinny?
Sure.
Anyway, apologies if I startled you.
I'm known for making a big entrance.
You see, I'm what's known in mythology as a... Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Hang on a sec, Finny.
Let's see if the Smarty Pants can guess what you are.
Like I said, Smarty Pants Finny, here is a giant bird-like creature who appeared as a burst of flame and can use its wing to make fire.
So, knowing that, do you think it's A, a genie...
C, a wizard.
You cannot pass!
Or C, a phoenix.
If you said C, a phoenix, you're on fire.
Yikes, and so is my tent.
Good thing I always have a fire extinguisher with me.
Can't go camping without one.
But just, wow, I had no idea phoenixes still existed.
I always thought they were things of legends or mythology from back in the days of early civilization.
Yeah, well, let's just say we're rather selective when we choose to present ourselves these days.
One can simply pop up here or there like a superhero.
Or, like Fox in the Harry Potter movies, helping Professor Dumbledore escape whenever a crisis arises.
No, I guess not.
Well, now that you got my campfire started, thanks for that, by the way.
My pleasure.
And since you're here, maybe you can help the smarty pants learn more about phoenixes?
Just the smarty pants?
And maybe me too.
Things like, what exactly is a phoenix?
Where and when was the myth of the phoenix rising started?
Do all phoenixes possess magical powers?
And is it true that phoenixes can, quote unquote, live to be 500 years or older?
Hmm, got any s'mores?
Of course.
Then I will stay and answer your questions.
Great!
It's time for another whiff of science and mythical history on... Who Smarted?
Who Smarted?
Who's smart?
Is it you?
Is it me?
Is it science?
Or history?
Listen up, everyone!
We make smarting lots of fun on Who Smarted?
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All right, I've got another s'more assembled.
Hit it.
Mmm, it's so much faster using a phoenix to make s'mores than a campfire.
Ah, right.
Anyway, you gonna ask your questions?
I don't have all night.
Got it.
Let's start with a basic one.
How is it you simply appeared out of nowhere?
It's almost as if you just rose from the ashes of an old extinguished campfire.
Ah, you're pretty perceptive, I see.
The way it works kind of depends upon which civilization's mythology we're talking about.
There's the Egyptians, ancient Greeks, Romans, or even much more recently, the Native Americans.
The one thing they all have in common is that phoenixes are usually depicted as a powerful supernatural bird that typically possess special powers.
And we're believed to be immortal.
Whoa.
And by immortal, you mean you can live forever?
And ever, and ever, and ever.
Or at least 500 years.
Wow, these s'mores are delicious.
But also, living to 500 is pretty cool sounding too.
Right, Smarty Pants?
So how old are you, Finny?
Based on the phase of the rising moon and positioning of the stars above us...
Well, you don't look it.
Day over 240, my regal eagle friend.
Good one.
Can I go now?
Hang on.
Not yet.
I need to know more about how the myth of the phoenix began.
Of course.
One thing all phoenixes share is that the firebird has played a significant role in the lore of the many different civilizations who spoke of us.
Oh?
Such as?
Back in the days of ancient Greece and Rome, there was much more fighting to determine which empire would ultimately rule the land.
The Phoenix was often associated with great strength, even having the power to deflect any assault while simultaneously throwing fireballs at the oncoming enemy.
Oh, wow.
And if things got too chaotic, the Phoenix could easily take to the air in rapid speed, transporting scores of soldiers who needed to escape from imminent danger.
Sounds like you're quite the all-purpose heroic warrior.
I don't mean to brag, but yeah.
Going back even further to ancient Egyptian mythology, the phoenix takes the form of an all-present creator of the world known as Benu, who took on the personality of the sun, god Ra, and would fly above the land, calling out in a wonderfully melodic song where various forms of nature should be placed.
Fascinating.
I'm not going to lie, it's pretty fire.
Nice, but I usually make the bad jokes around here.
I gotta say I remember reading somewhere that the phoenix also played a pretty significant role here in the United States for various Native American populations.
Sure did.
In many of the Native American tribes, the phoenix was referred to as the Thunderbird.
Oh, what did this Thunderbird phoenix look like?
It was a very large eagle-like bird with a multitude of colors strewn across its immense muscular body.
And it had the sharpest of talons.
Smarty Pants.
We mentioned how talons are razor-sharp claws from our Birds of Prey episode a while back.
Tell us Phinney, did the Thunderbird have any magical powers they could use to help the Native Americans?
Sure did.
Now, I could tell what it was, or it might be more fun to make a guessing game out of it.
Oh, yes, we love guessing games here on Who Smarted?
Okay, Smarty Pants, which of these Thunderbird powers was most useful to the Native Americans?
Ready?
Go ahead, Phineas.
Was it A, the ability to move mountains?
B, the ability to affect the weather.
Or C, the ability to speak over 100 different languages.
Hmm, they all sound pretty cool.
But which was most helpful, Smarty Pants?
Well, if you said B, the ability to affect the weather, you're right.
By using its power to make it rain, the Native Americans' crops would grow to become fruitful bounties and provide food for the tribe.
But that wasn't its only secret power.
The Thunderbird Phoenix had another, one that isn't talked about too much, for obvious reasons.
Oh, really?
That sounds ominous or worrying.
Yeah, I know.
I gotta warn you, it can get pretty weird.
Really?
Now I have to know what it is.
Well, I can show you.
Wait, you have this power too?
I sure do, but I haven't used it in eons.
Oh boy, you are making me a little nervous here, Finny.
But my curiosity is getting the better of me.
You have to show me.
Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you.
Oh boy, Smarty Pants, we'll find out what this strange Super Phoenix power is right after this quick break and a word from our sponsors.
Who Smarted is brought to you by Squarespace.
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This episode is sponsored by IXL.
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Now back to Who Smarted.
All right Finny, you were about to tell us about another special power.
You possess one you haven't used in a really long time.
Right, right.
Once again.
Rather than just tell you about it, I think it'll be more fun to just do it and see if you can guess what it is.
Sounds like a party.
Okay, just give me a second.
Um, what's that noise?
Uh, looks like there's an ATV headed this way.
An ATV is an all-terrain vehicle, in case you didn't know.
They're good for riding through trails in the woods.
I see.
Are you expecting someone else?
No, not at all.
Hang on, let me grab my flashlight.
Good evening.
I'm Park Ranger Ruth.
Trusty narrator, is it?
Uh, yes.
Is everything okay?
Sure.
Just making my nightly rounds.
Checking that our campers are prepared.
Temps are supposed to dip below 40 degrees tonight.
Oh, well, I appreciate you checking up on me.
I think I'm all set.
I see you've got a nice toasty campfire going.
And plenty of s'mores.
And who's this adorable pooch you've got with you?
Pooch?
What pooch?
Oh.
Is that not your dog?
Oh, this dog.
Sorry, I thought you meant a different dog.
Would you like a s'more?
Not when I'm on duty.
But I'll pet this adorable doggie of yours if you don't mind.
No, no, not at all.
What's her name?
Uh, Thunder Dog.
How old is she?
About 245.
Huh?
In Phoenix years.
Uh, okay.
Just make sure she doesn't get too close to the fire.
I will.
Nice meeting you, Ranger Ruth.
You too, trusty.
Bye, Thunderdog.
Bye.
Oh boy, that was crazy.
Hey, where'd the dog go?
That's great that the Ranger came to check on you.
She seemed nice.
Uh-huh.
And that was quite an impressive trick you played.
You totally caught me off guard there.
I told you it'd be much more fun to show you.
So, smarty pants, which of the following magical powers describes what Phineas just did?
Is it called A, sleight of hand, B, shapeshifting, or C, now you see me, now you don't?
If you said B, shapeshifting, you're right.
Shapeshifting allows phoenixes like me to become anything we want.
I could even become a trusty narrator and take over your show.
Hey!
But I won't.
Phew.
But it's going to cost you a few more s'mores.
Deal.
I'll make him, you cook him.
A big shout out to Kamari in Greensboro, North Carolina, who loves Who Smarted because they get to learn something new all the time.
Well, we sure love and appreciate having you listening, laughing, and learning to Who Smarted.
This episode Phoenixes was written by Dave digging those cryptids Davis and voiced by Connor Quinn, Kim Davis and Jerry Colbert.
Technical direction and sound design by Josh.
How do you get to Phoenix, huh?
Our associate producer is Max, Flight of the Phoenix, Kamaski.
The theme song is by Brian.
Wait, there's a Phoenix, sons?
Suarez.
With lyrics written and performed by Adam Ashes Davis.
Who Smarted? was created and produced by Adam Tex-Davis and Jerry Colbert.
This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.
