Welcome to ABC Story Sisters, a storytime podcast for kids and kids at heart.
I'm your host, Alexa, here with my sisters, Bristol and Charlotte.
Say hi, girls.
Hi.
Each episode will bring you a new chapter from a classic children's book.
And this story is extra special because it's our daddy's favorite, The Jungle Book.
Mowgli sure is having trouble finding her place in the jungle.
Yeah!
First car, then the Dawn Patrol.
What's next?
I'm not sure, but I do know one way to find out.
Shall we swing back into our story, girls?
Yes!
Chapter 4, I Wanna Be Like You.
As the colonel and his elephant patrol marched onward off to continue their morning patrol, Bagheera let out a sigh of relief.
Another close call!
If Mowgli wasn't convinced that the jungle wasn't a safe place for her by now, the panther wasn't sure what it would take.
Bagheera cleared her throat, ready to scold the woman cub for her reckless decisions.
But as soon as she started to speak, the panther realized it was fruitless.
The woman cub was already long gone.
What's up, Baby B?
I heard a new word, Alexa.
Can you tell me what it means?
What was it?
Fruitless.
Ah, that's a good one.
What do you think it means?
Well, you said it's the morning.
Maybe it means Mowgli didn't have any fruit for breakfast.
That's actually a great guess, kiddo.
And I see how you got there using your context clues, but not quite.
Charlotte, can you read the part of the story that has the word fruitless?
Sure.
It says, as soon as she started to speak, the panther realized it was fruitless.
The woman cub was already long gone.
Now Baby B.
The story tells us that Bagheera was trying to talk to Mowgli, but that the woman cub wasn't there to listen.
Do you think that made for a useful conversation or a useless conversation?
Um, a useless conversation?
That's right.
And that's exactly what the word fruitless means.
In fact, the dictionary definition of the word fruitless is failing to achieve the desired results, or useless.
I get it now.
Great.
Now let's get back to the story and see what Mowgli got herself up to this time.
Bagheera spotted the woman cub's tracks, visible on the soft jungle floor after a fresh morning dew.
She followed them for just over a mile, before suddenly, out of the blue, the tracks disappeared.
It was as if the woman cub had vanished into thin air.
As she looked around for any signs of the cub, she noticed a new trail on the jungle floor.
Banana peels!
This could only mean one thing.
Mowgli had been captured by the jungle monkeys!
Realizing there was no time to waste, the panther raced in the direction of the monkey's temple, deep into the center of the jungle.
She arrived just in time to see the woman cub held captive and upside down by a team of monkeys who were presenting the cub to their leader, Queen Mowgli.
Louie, the self-proclaimed queen of the jungle, ate a banana while she looked at the cub up and down.
Careful not to be spotted, Bagheera slinked quietly closer, listening to their conversation and waiting for the perfect moment to take action.
Time out.
What's up, Squirt?
I think it's our perfect moment to take action, too.
I think that's a very fruitful idea.
I see what you did there.
Well today, we have a super special guest to share the stage with us!
Our cousin Finley!
Hi Finley!
Can you help us out by playing the part of Queen Louie?
Sure!
Is everyone ready to get started?
Yes, then let's get to it.
A is for action.
So you're the woman cub.
Let go of me, you buffoons.
You heard her.
Let her go.
That wasn't very nice.
Relax.
I just want to be friends.
What do you want me for?
Here.
You look hungry.
Have a banana.
It's good, isn't it?
Wow, it sure is.
Word have it, you want to stay in the jungle.
I'd do anything to stay in the jungle.
Well then, I can help you with that.
How so?
You see, we're like cousins, you and I. Monkeys and woman cubs.
There's not much that separates us.
I just want to be like you, Mowgli.
But how can I help you be more like me?
That's easy.
If you want to stay in the jungle, all you have to do is teach me how to make a fire.
I can't teach you that.
I thought we were friends, Mowgli.
You don't want to make me angry.
So that's what this is about.
That mangy monkey can't learn how to make a fire or this whole jungle will be doomed.
Stop holding out on your old cousin and show me the secret.
But, but I told you.
I don't know how to make a fire.
That's it.
Well, here we go again.
I tried to be nice, but... Get away from that cub, Louie!
Bagheera to the rescue again!
I'm not sure how many more times I can risk my life for you, kid.
Well, it's a good thing you're a cat.
You have nine lives.
This version of The Jungle Book was written by Jim Rossi and was adapted for this podcast by us.
With a little help from our mom.
If you liked what you listened to, ask a grown-up to help you subscribe to our show.
We'll A, B, C you later.
