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Welcome to Stories Podcast.
I'm your host, Amanda Weldon.
Today's story is called Animal School, an adaptation from the short fable by George Revis, written for you by Daniel Hines.
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Animal School.
Once upon a time, the wise old owl was sitting in his tree watching the other animals play.
He was definitely old, with some of his feathers fading and his beak always sore when it rained, but the animals could only take his word for it that he was wise.
He certainly said it often enough, and owls did have a certain reputation for cleverness, which is why they all went along with him when he had one of the worst ideas the animal kingdom had ever seen.
It all started when he was watching some young animals play under his tree.
It was a group of young friends, including a duck, a rabbit, a squirrel, and an eagle.
They were just messing around, playing tag, with a lot of stumbling and laughing.
It was just a little game, but to the owl, it looked like a terrible waste of time.
Those kids should be learning all the different things an animal needs to know, said the owl.
Of course he didn't know all the different things, but since he thought he was so wise, he figured he knew what was best for everyone.
So he left Duck Rabbit, Squirrel and Eagle to play their little game and he went to their parents.
The owl visited the ducks first and explained to them that their little duckling was wasting his time playing with friends and should be enrolled in school.
Of course, then the owl had to explain what school was and how it was definitely a good idea.
Well, the ducks didn't really get it, but they knew the owl was very wise because he told them so, and in the end they agreed their little duckling could go to the owl school.
And of course, it was his school, because he was the only one wise enough to be a teacher.
After the ducks' parents, he visited the squirrels and rabbits and eagles too, and gave them all the same spiel.
They were all equally confused as the ducks, but decided, since the old owl was so so, so wise, it would be best for their kids to send them to his school.
And so the next day, instead of going out and playing tag and hunting for snacks Duck Squirrel, Rabbit and Eagle all were told by their parents to report to Owl's classroom, which was in the little clearing under his tree by the pond.
What do you think he wants to teach us? asked Duck, waddling along next to Rabbit.
Maybe he'll show us how he spins his head all the way around, said Rabbit, trying and failing to do the same.
Only owls can do that, and I think it looks super cool.
For sure, said Duck.
Oh, hey, Squirrel.
Hey, Eagle.
Hey, you two, said Squirrel.
She was sitting in the dirt eating an acorn and talking to Eagle, who was perched on a limb above her.
What do you think we'll learn? asked Duck.
I hope he teaches us how to spin our heads all the way around, said Eagle.
We were just saying that, said Duck, and they all laughed.
The laughter was cut off by a very serious whoo-hoo call from up above.
They all looked up to see the old owl perched high above them in the tree.
Come on now, class, he said.
Sit on the ground and listen up.
The animals got in a rough line, the eagle hopping down to the dirt even though he hated it.
Okay, you all need to stop messing around and learn all the skills of a successful animal, said Owl.
And up first is the most important skill of all, flying.
Eagle and Duck looked happy, but Squirrel and Rabbit just looked at each other confused.
Um, said Squirrel, we totally can't fly.
Not with that attitude, Owl said.
Now everyone, join me up on this branch up here.
Duck and Eagle launched up and with a few flaps of their wings, they joined Owl on the branch.
Squirrel was able to scramble up the tree in just a few minutes, but Rabbit only looked helpless.
Um, I can't get up that tree.
That's a terrible attitude, said Owl.
Rabbit, you get an F in flying.
Is that, like, good? asked Rabbit.
It's the worst grade possible, snapped Owl.
Now the rest of you, follow me, flapping like so.
He took off, flying across the clearing and landing in another tree across the way.
Eagle followed like a shot, faster than even Owl, and Duck was a few flaps behind.
Um, I can't make it that far, said Squirrel, peering out at the huge gap.
Try or you'll fail, said the Owl from across the way.
All right, here goes nothing. the squirrel said, and then she leapt for all she was worth.
She glided for a second and then dropped down to the ground to plop in the dust next to the rabbit.
She picked herself up and shook off the dirt.
Nice attempt, but not nice enough, said Owl.
You'll get an F like rabbit.
But I don't have wings.
Squirrel said.
Nonsense, said Owl.
Everyone has to learn everything to be the best animal they can be.
Squirrel and Rabbit grumbled, but then Owl and the others came down to the ground next to them.
All right, said Owl.
Next up, every animal needs to know how to run through the forest.
I'm going to fly a few clearings over in that direction, he said, waving a wing.
Everybody run to me, and I'll assess your skill.
Eagle and Duck started to argue, but Owl spread his wings and launched into the air, flying away.
Well, time to go, said Rabbit.
She took off through the trees, running and leaping and bounding, and she got to the owl almost as soon as she had landed.
The squirrel wasn't quite as fast, but she got there a few moments behind.
Wonderful, Owl said.
That's an A for the rabbit and a B for the squirrel.
But where are the others?
The duck came a few minutes later.
He had waddled the entire way, and his webbed feet were scuffed and sore.
What took you so long? asked Owl.
Oh, I'm not much for running, admitted Duck.
I got here as fast as I could.
Hmm, said Owl.
Well, I guess you got here eventually, so you get a C for effort.
A minute later, the eagle flew into view and landed next to them.
Sorry, he said, bowing his beak.
I tried to walk, but it's hard for me.
Really, I just fly most places I need to go, especially if they're far away.
Well, this wasn't flying class.
It was running class, or waddling class in Duck's case, said Owl, very self-important.
Sorry, eagle, but you get an F.
Eagle grumbled, but Owl didn't even care to notice.
He was already on the next lesson, which he considered to be very important for a well-rounded animal.
Now for a quick ad break.
We'll be back with the rest of the story after this.
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This is an ad for Nanimals.
Hi, Stories fans.
Pets are great, but have you ever tried putting a parakeet in your pocket or a cat in your backpack?
Spoiler alert, it won't go well.
But Nanimals are the perfect pals to play with on the go.
Nanimals are mini animal figures with heart meters that fill up the more you pet feed and move them.
They interact with you by making over 70 sounds and silly reactions.
And if you have more than one, Nanimals will interact with each other too.
You can connect them and swap their textured outfits to create different styles.
Nanimals are tactile and tiny, making them a great toy to fidget with on the go.
And since they come with a handy backpack clip, it's easy to take them anywhere.
Nanimals, collect and connect.
Of course, up next is the climbing class, Owl said.
He fluttered up to another tree.
This one had no low branches to grab on, just the rough bark.
Climb up to this branch, Owl said, but then he held up a wing.
But no flying, Eagle and Duck.
This is a climbing test.
Squirrel smiled and shot up the tree in a flash, barely having to think.
An A in climbing for Squirrel, said Owl.
Now, who is next?
The rabbit gritted her teeth and ran full speed at the tree.
She leaped up and planted her little paws and clung on with all her might.
She started to slide back down but hopped up again and another desperate hop and cling and then she scrambled on the branch, nearly falling off in the process.
Good effort, rabbit, said Owl.
For that, I'll give you a bee.
Now what about you two, duck and eagle?
Duck and Eagle looked at each other and hung their heads.
We, uh, we can't climb, said Eagle.
We can fly, though.
This is climbing, not flying, said Owl with a mean little tone he thought was teacherly.
You both get an F. But that's not fair, said Duck, overwhelmed at this point.
I don't have hands, and my feet are webbed.
How am I supposed to climb?
Study and practice, said Owl, dismissing Duck with a wave of his wing.
All right, now for the final class of the day.
We have swimming.
Follow me to the pond now.
Hop, hop.
Owl flew over to the far side of the pond, watching his students from across the water.
For this final test, it couldn't be any simpler.
You just have to swim across to me.
Finally, an easy one, said Duck.
With a happy quack, he splashed into the water.
Quack, quack, quack!
The duck paddled his little feet and was soon sitting next to the owl on the far shore preening his feathers with his beak.
Next! called Owl.
Squirrel took up the challenge and dove into the water.
She was small but she had a good doggy paddle and made it out to the far side of the pond a little waterlogged but no worse for wear.
The rabbit came after her and managed to get across, even though her little head went under a few times.
Eagle, called Owl.
It's your turn.
I can't swim, called back Eagle.
I can only kind of float with my wings.
You'll swim or you'll get an F, called Owl.
Come on now, everyone has to be good at everything.
All right, the eagle said, but not with much confidence.
Here it goes.
Eagle waded into the pond with his wings spread to help him float.
He bobbed into the water and seemed okay for a second, but as his feathers got wetter and wetter, he began to sink.
Come on now, called Owl from the shore.
That's F-grade swimming if I've ever seen it.
Really put in some effort.
Eagle thrashed and splashed even harder, but then all at once he sank below the surface and bubbles came up from beneath.
Eagle was gone under the water.
Eagle, called out his friends.
Definitely an F, said Owl, shaking his head.
Forget the grade, said Duck.
Your eagle's going to drown and you're the teacher.
Go save him.
But, but I can't swim, said Owl.
What? snapped Duck.
You've been failing us all day seeing, we need to know all these different skills and you can't even swim.
Can you even climb? asked Squirrel.
All you can do is fly and boss us around.
Uh, well, stammered the Owl, suddenly not feeling quite so wise.
Forget him, said Rabbit.
We gotta go save Eagle.
Quick!
Right, said Duck, being the strongest swimmer.
He dove into the water and then went under, another trail of bubbles coming up behind him.
For a moment, the pond was still and Squirrel and Rabbit watched, waiting.
Blegh, said Eagle, duck hauling him out of the depths.
Squirrel and Rabbit instantly dove into the water and helped Duck drag Eagle back to the shore.
Eagle coughed up what seemed like a gallon of water and then smiled weakly.
I'll be okay.
Thanks, gang, he said.
And then he tottered over to a sunny patch to help and dry his feathers.
Well, that's enough for swimming, but I think you all deserve an A in rescue, said Owl.
But the others just glared at him.
Your school makes no sense, snapped Squirrel.
We're all good at different things, and that's okay.
We don't need you bullying us into something we're not, and we don't need you getting us hurt.
The disrespect, said Owl.
I almost drowned. said Eagle with a little cough.
We're done with owl school, said Duck.
Go and find someone else to bother.
Well, I will, said Owl.
Someone more grateful.
Owl flew off, and they never saw him in those parts again.
He still considered himself very, very wise, and maybe he was because he never tried a silly idea like animal school ever again.
And the friends eagle duck, squirrel and rabbit.
They stayed friends, helping each other out wherever needed.
If eagle dropped food in the pond, duck would fish it out.
If there was a choice acorn way up on a cliff, eagle would toss it down to squirrel.
And if the rabbit needed a lift, the birds were happy to help.
Animal school hadn't worked out, but the friends?
Those worked out just fine.
Today's story, Animal School, was an adaptation of a short fable by George Revis, written for you by Daniel Hines.
It was edited and produced for you by Ellie Hines and performed for you by me, Amanda Weldon.
If you would like to support Stories Podcast, you can leave us a five-star review on iTunes.
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