Dunk the Turtle!
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Hello! Welcome to Stories Podcast. I'm your host, Amanda Weldon. Today's story is called Dunk the Turtle, a story written for you by Daniel Hines, inspired by the Br'er Rabbit stories.

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This episode of Stories Podcast is sponsored by Squarespace. Squarespace is the all-in-one website platform for entrepreneurs to stand out and succeed online. Whether you're just launching a new venture or managing a successful business, Squarespace makes it possible to create a beautiful website and engage with your audience. And Squarespace makes it so easy to sell anything from products to content to time, all in one place, all on your terms,

with Squarespace Payments. Onboarding is fast and simple. Get started in just a few clicks and start receiving payments right away. It's even easy to invoice clients and create proposals, estimates, and contracts. Simplify your workflow and manage your business on one platform. Also, Squarespace has integrated SEO tools. Every Squarespace website is optimized to be indexed with meta descriptions, an auto-generated site map, and more.

so you show up more often to more people in global search engine results. Head to squarespace.com for a free trial. And when you're ready to launch, squarespace.com slash dragon to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. That's squarespace.com slash dragon for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

The Toyota Tundra and Tacoma are designed to outlast and outlive, combining raw power with precision engineering, all backed by Toyota's legendary reputation for reliability. Climb inside a Tundra and experience the uncompromising strength. With its available i-FORCE MAX engine, the Tundra delivers exceptional power, torque, and towing capacity. Plus, the spacious and high-tech cabin keeps you connected on the run.

or check out a Tacoma. Agile, dependable, and unstoppable, the Tacoma's designed for those who go beyond the trails. Stay ahead of the pack with available off-road features like crawl control, or break out your tunes with the available portable JBL speaker. Toyota trucks are built to last, year after year, mile after mile.

So outlast every adventure and outlive the moment. Buy a Tundra or Tacoma today. Visit buyatoyota.com, Toyota's official website for deals, or stop by your local Toyota dealer to find out more. Toyota, let's go places. Thanks! Enjoy the episode! Dunk the Turtle!

Once upon a time, in early America, when the animals still went wild, there lived a fox named Fletcher. He was clever, like foxes tend to be, and was always going back and forth with the other animals, playing tricks. Usually the fox got the better of the other animals, but the hare and the turtle had started teaming up. You wouldn't think the hare and turtle would be a good team, but they were. The hare would distract the fox, but the fox would distract the fox.

while the turtle would creep in and steal his food or his drink or even once his new hat. It was maddening. Of course, Fletcher the fox wasn't without his blame. He would bully the hare and turtle whenever he got the chance, and even tried to eat them a few times, if you can believe that. So, yeah, they had a contentious back and forth to be sure.

Contentious means they argue a lot and are likely to cause a fight, which is exactly what happened. It started when one day Fletcher was out for a walk. There had been a terrible storm the night before, and some of the forest had actually caught on fire from a strike of lightning. It had burned an acre or two before the rain picked up and drowned it out. Now, that stretch of forest was a smoldering patch of ash.

Hello? Fletcher called out, his every step puffing up little ash clouds. Anyone out here? Anyone need some help? He knew a flash fire could leave lots of animals stuck or stranded, so Fletcher thought he might help as he passed by. And sure enough, a voice answered him, calling slow and deep and echoing strangely.

Over here, it said. Fletcher walked through the ash field until he found a lumpy gray rock. Are you a talking rock? the fox asked.

Fletcher? said the rock. No, it's me, the turtle. Fletcher leaned down and dusted off the rock. Sure enough, under the ash and grime was the patterned shell of the turtle, who everyone called Tippy. She was totally pulled into her shell, and Fletcher could only see her little eyes when he peered inside.

What are you doing out here all buried? he asked. In his mind, the fox was already thinking of how he could take advantage of the situation.

The fire swept right over my little tree I was sleeping in. One second I was snoozing in a nice cool hole under the roots, and the next thing I knew everything was on fire. I pulled into my shell and wiggled as deep as I could in the mud, and eventually the fire burned on by me, and I was just now able to get myself unburied. Wow, said Fletcher, that's pretty lucky.

Yeah, you're telling me, said Tippy. But I think in all the excitement I might have singed my tail. I'd check, but I can't look at my own butt with the shell and all. Well, I could look for you, said Fletcher the Fox, doing his best to sound innocent.

That would be great, but I don't know, mused Tippy. You're always trying to mess with me. I wouldn't put it past you to mess with me now, even though there was just a fire. I would never, said Fletcher, who of course was planning exactly that. I know we give each other a hard time, but you've just been through a lot. Let me take a look at your tail and make sure you're not turning into turtle soup back there.

Maybe, said Tippy, thinking that her tail really did sting. You promise you'll be nice? Of course, lied Fletcher. Let's just take a quick look at that tail and then we can both be on our way. All right then, Tippy said. She slowly slipped her tail out of her shell. Fletcher could see it was burned, but only a tiny bit, like a bad sunburn.

Gotcha, he said, and he bit the tail hard in his little orange mouth. Yow! Tippi yowled. She tried to pull her tail back into her shell, but Fletcher had too good a grip. He pulled and lifted until Tippi was hanging by her tail. Hey, let me go! You promised!

I lied, said Fletcher, talking around the tail. He found it difficult to do so, so he sat down Tippy on her back. The turtle wiggled and kicked her little legs in the air, but the fox wouldn't let her roll back over. On, said the turtle, rocking and wiggling. You're always so mean to me. You stole my food that one time, said Fletcher, only because you tried to eat me.

I wanted to try turtle soup, said Fletcher. But now you won't ever bother me again. I won't bother you if you don't bother me. I've always said that. Too bad, said Fletcher. It's easier to just get rid of you. At this point, Tippi realized that she was in trouble. The hare wasn't around to help, and Fletcher the fox seemed dedicated to getting rid of her. Tippi knew she'd have to figure a way out of this for herself.

What should I do with you, I wonder, Fletcher said. I'm not really in the mood for a turtle lunch. Maybe I'll just throw you back into the fire? I think there's still a little burning at the edge of the field. Tippy had barely survived her first encounter with the fire. She had singed her tail, after all, and she wasn't looking forward to another go. But she knew if she told the fox that, then fire is the first place he'd put her.

She'd need to use a little trickery to change his mind. Oh, the fire sounds lovely, she said to the fox, still wiggling on her back, shell in the ashy dust. I spent a good long night there last night and I learned how to stay nice and toasty in my shell. If you throw me back in the fire, I think I could take a nice warm nap and that would be just the thing I need.

Well, then, uh, you won't be going near the fire, said the fox. I want to punish you, not make you warm and toasty. Tippi hid a little smile and kept on going. Well, if not the fire, then something warm, she said. Been dry is how I want to be. Yes, sirree, that's how this turtle likes it.

Ha, said Fletcher. Maybe I'll take you to the pond and hold you underwater then. How would you like that, you little shellhead? Of course, being a turtle, Tippy loved the water. She spent about half her days in the cool, wet mud and the other half swimming and prowling the grass.

Now for a quick ad break. We'll be back with the rest of the story after this. If you'd like Stories Podcast and other favorite kid podcasts ad-free, subscribe to Wondery Plus Kids on Apple Podcasts. This episode of Stories Podcast is sponsored by Squarespace. Squarespace is the all-in-one website platform for entrepreneurs to stand out and succeed online.

Whether you're just launching a new venture or managing a successful business, Squarespace makes it possible to create a beautiful website and engage with your audience. And Squarespace makes it so easy to sell anything from products to content to time, all in one place, all on your terms with Squarespace Payments. Onboarding is fast and simple. Get started in just a few clicks and start receiving payments right away. It's

It's even easy to invoice clients and create proposals, estimates, and contracts. Simplify your workflow and manage your business on one platform. Also, Squarespace has integrated SEO tools. Every Squarespace website is optimized to be indexed with meta descriptions, an auto-generated site map, and more, so you show up more often to more people in global search engine results. Head to squarespace.com for a free trial and watch

And when you're ready to launch, squarespace.com slash dragon to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. That's squarespace.com slash dragon for 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

The Toyota Tundra and Tacoma are designed to outlast and outlive, combining raw power with precision engineering, all backed by Toyota's legendary reputation for reliability. Climb inside a Tundra and experience the uncompromising strength. With its available i-FORCE MAX engine, the Tundra delivers exceptional power, torque, and towing capacity. Plus, the spacious and high-tech cabin keeps you connected on the run.

or check out a Tacoma. Agile, dependable, and unstoppable, the Tacoma's designed for those who go beyond the trails. Stay ahead of the pack with available off-road features like crawl control, or break out your tunes with the available portable JBL speaker. Toyota trucks are built to last.

Thanks, and now back to the story.

Oh, no, she said to the fox, acting for all she was worth. Please, not the water. Anything but that. Ha ha, too bad, laughed Fletcher the fox. He picked up Tippy in his mouth and half carried, half dragged the turtle down to the little pond nearby. When he got there, he picked Tippy up by her tail and carried her out into the pond.

Please, yelled Tippy, laughing on the inside. No, not the water. Please, anything but the water. You've been a thorn in my side, said Fletcher. Instead of letting me take your stuff, you've started to stand up for yourself. That doesn't work for me, so now you're getting dunked. He dipped Tippy into the water and then raised her out again.

It felt like a nice warm bath for Tippi, but she pretended to splutter and cry. No more, she said. You'll drown me. Of course, Tippi could hold her breath for hours, so this was just more theatrics.

Please be careful, she said. If you let go of my tail, I'll slip into the water and never get out again. Please, please, please be careful, Fletcher. At this, Fletcher only sneered.

Be careful? Oh, but I'm so clumsy. Whoops! He let go of Tippy's tail. She dropped like a rock into the water and then hid herself in the muck at the bottom where she was right at home. Oh, no! laughed Fletcher the Fox, standing waist-deep in the water. Looks like you're gonna drown after all!

He stood there laughing for a long minute, thinking he had finally gotten rid of that annoying turtle. After a minute, he heard another strange sound. He paused and listened. There it was again. A strange sound, and now bubbles, too. What in the world? Fletcher the Fox leaned into the bubbles, and finally, he heard what was making them. Laughter!

Tippy was somewhere deep under the water and she was laughing at him. Fletcher put his paw over his eyes and groaned. Too late, he had just remembered that turtles love the water. What had he been thinking? He had just let that little turtle fool him. You get back up here right now, he shouted. I'm going to deal with you once and for all. Get out of the water this instant.

Fletcher the fox stomped his foot in anger and splashed water up into his own eye. Dang it! Come on now, you lousy shellhead! At this point, Tippy had been swimming all over the pond, warning the other animals that the fox was up to no good. They all loved Tippy and hated the mean fox, so they were more than happy to play along. Knee deep, croaked a big bullfrog. Knee deep, knee deep.

"'It's only knee-deep in the middle of the pond?' asked Fletcher. "'Oh, you're telling me I can wade out and catch the turtle?'

"'Knee deep! Knee deep!' the bullfrog croaked again. "'Wade in! Wade in!' croaked his wife, Mrs. Bullfrog, and then all the other frogs in the pond started to pick up the call. "'Knee deep! Knee deep!' the boys croaked. "'Wade in! Wade in!' said the girls. Fletcher waded in a little deeper."

It got over his knees, so he stopped, wary of a trap. He looked down to try and see Tippy, but instead he saw his own reflection in the water. Not being a big swimmer, the fox didn't know what he was looking at. Who is this handsome devil? he asked aloud. That's your cousin, croaked the bullfrog. That's your cousin. Wow, said Fletcher. I'd

I had a cousin. He reached down to shake his cousin's hand. Put her there, cuz. His hand hit the water and Tippy's friends were waiting. A dozen frogs and little turtles grabbed Fletcher's hand and yanked him down under the water. He shouted and gargled as he got dunked.

Blah! Blah! He tried to shout, his mouth full of water. He rolled and flailed underwater, but he couldn't find the surface. He was going to be drowned like he threatened to do to Tippi. Luckily for Fletcher the Fox, Tippi wasn't that mean. She wanted a little revenge, maybe to teach Fletcher a lesson, but that's all.

So she zeroed in on his fluffy red tail flailing in the water. With a burst of underwater speed, the turtle buzzed through the water and chomped onto the fox's tail.

Ow! The fox screamed, all bubbles underwater. He shot out of the pond and onto the shore, spluttering and coughing and holding his bitten tail. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. He rolled in the grass to dry himself off, and Tippy poked her head out of the water. Truce now, okay? She said. Leave me alone and I'll leave you alone.

I should come in there and teach you a lesson now, Fletcher said, rubbing his tail and glaring at the water. Come and try, croaked the bullfrogs. Come and try, come and try. Well, that was too much for Fletcher. He ran away from the pond as fast as he could, heading for dry land and friendlier critters. But Tippi the turtle stayed in the pond with her friends, and they never saw Fletcher the fox again.

The End Today's story, Dunk the Turtle, was written for you by Daniel Hines and inspired by the Br'er Rabbit stories. It was edited and produced by Andrew Martin 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. Check out all of our merch available at storiespodcast.com slash shop, commission a special video on Cameo, follow us on Instagram at storiespodcast, or simply tell your friends about us.

In case you missed it, Dan and I have a new show. On Stories RPG, we play games just like Starsworn with all your Max Goodname friends and Giga City Guardians featuring the brilliant Firefly. Click the link in the episode description or go to patreon.com slash stories RPG to get ad-free episodes, play along games, and coloring books. We've already got a bunch of episodes over there, so check them out now. Thanks for listening.

The Toyota Tundra and Tacoma are designed to outlast and outlive, combining raw power with precision engineering, all backed by Toyota's legendary reputation for reliability. Climb inside a Tundra and experience the uncompromising strength. With its available i-FORCE MAX engine, the Tundra delivers exceptional power, torque, and towing capacity. Plus, the spacious and high-tech cabin keeps you connected on the run.

or check out a Tacoma. Agile, dependable, and unstoppable, the Tacoma's designed for those who go beyond the trails. Stay ahead of the pack with available off-road features like crawl control, or break out your tunes with the available portable JBL speaker. Toyota trucks are built to last, year after year, mile after mile.

So outlast every adventure and outlive the moment. Buy a Tundra or Tacoma today. Visit buyatoyota.com, Toyota's official website for deals, or stop by your local Toyota dealer to find out more. Toyota. Let's go places.