Paws & Tales

Ned the Beaver: Hello everyone. Ned the Beaver here for Pause and Tales. Oh, we have such good news to tell you.

Tiffany Rockler: What are you doing in here, Ned?

Ned the Beaver: Tiffany, what why are you

Tiffany Rockler: I just heard that Dave Carl has written the first Pause and Tales book. Am I correct?

Ned the Beaver: Yes. I I mean, only if you want that to be true. Of course it's true. What why are you here?

Tiffany Rockler: I am here to promote the book, of course.

Ned the Beaver: Really? You want to help?

Tiffany Rockler: Of course. I want everyone to read this book and learn about repentance and about the mean old vulture that tries to get Stacy mad at the club and how Crocket and Smidge take care of the men they call the Shovels. What could be better than all of that?

Ned the Beaver: Wow, color me surprised. I didn't think you would be interested in this.

Tiffany Rockler: Ned Cleaver, I am nothing if not a team player.

Ned the Beaver: Not exactly how I would describe you.

Tiffany Rockler: So, if all you listeners can hear me now, I want you to all go out and get your own copy of the Overcomers, the very first Pause and Tales book ever.

Ned the Beaver: Amazing, Tiffany. I just did not expect

Tiffany Rockler: I'm buying 100 copies myself, so the very least you could do is get one.

Ned the Beaver: Okay. We we we try not to be mean to the audience. Thank you for stopping by, Tiffany Rockler, on behalf of the very first Pause and Tales book ever, the Overcomers.

Tiffany Rockler: Go right now to pause and tales.org and buy it now.

Ned the Beaver: Kind of mean right there. Um, let's stop the tape. I don't feel safe. Stop the tape, Joel.

Tiffany Rockler: We will stop the tape when I say stop tape.

Chuck Swindoll: Welcome to the world of Pause and Tales. Wild Mountain can be a pretty dangerous place. If you stay on the trail and stick with me, there's adventures to be had there, too.

Stacy: Come on, CJ, jump.

CJ: It's too far.

Stacy: It wasn't too far for me.

Chuck Swindoll: Inside for living is proud to present Pause and Tales.

Guest (Male): Trade you your cookies for my brownie.

Hugh: Give it up, CJ. It'll never happen.

Stacy: The club name. We were going to choose a club name.

Goose: Yeah, why not just the Fortress Club?

Stacy: Sometimes I feel so alone. The name needs to inspire, to elevate. We want to give others something to aspire to.

CJ: How about the Aspirators?

Stacy: CJ?

Hugh: I know. The Capulets.

CJ: How about the amazing Fortress Club?

Goose: Better banana.

Ned the Beaver: Stacy, I'm tired of your suggestions.

CJ: Okay, this is getting good.

Stacy: I I make you tired.

Ned the Beaver: Your suggestions are always stuff like the Soldiers of Power.

Stacy: So?

Goose: And I don't want to be a soldier.

Ned the Beaver: Or the Warriors of Might.

CJ: Everybody liked that one.

Ned the Beaver: On your knees, make it sound like we're going to be running around in tights and capes, and it's it's undignified. Why don't we just call it what it is, the Third Graders Club?

CJ: Oh, that's a great one.

Goose: Good grief. We could just call it the Boring Kids Club.

CJ: CJ, look out.

Goose: Duck.

CJ: Ouch. All right, who threw the apple?

Hugh: Too bad you couldn't see that coming. Anybody with too good eyes should have Oh, I forgot. You you only have one good eye.

CJ: Knock it off, Hugh.

Hugh: Settle down. Hey, Cyclops, you heard who's come to town?

CJ: Hugh, one of these days

Stacy: No, Hugh, tell us.

Hugh: My cousin Joey. Coming on the train this Saturday.

CJ: A good apple, Hugh.

Hugh: We've got some things planned for you guys. We might just take over your fortress.

Ned the Beaver: What brings your cousin to town?

Hugh: Oh, I think he got kicked out of his school. Something about sending someone to the hospital. I don't know the details. We're going to have some fun, though, when Joey comes to town.

CJ: That's just great. All we need is another bully in Wildwood.

Stacy: Oh, this Joey put someone in the hospital.

Goose: Don't you think he just meant go with him in the car?

Ned the Beaver: Good, he pounded someone into a pulp and they had to go to the hospital.

Stacy: I bet this is the cousin that Hugh used to talk about. He spent some time in prison.

Ned the Beaver: You're kidding.

Stacy: No.

Goose: Hugh's cousin Joey is a an ex-convict?

Stacy: They beat someone so bad they spent a week in the hospital.

Ned the Beaver: He must be older than Hugh.

Goose: Then he must be bigger than Hugh.

Stacy: I'm here in such big trouble here. With two of them, they'll be 10 times worse than just Hugh.

Ned the Beaver: They're going to take over our fortress.

Stacy: Together they could be downright dangerous. This could be the worst thing that ever happened to Wildwood.

Goose: What are we going to do, guys?

Stacy: I'm going on a vacation.

Hugh: Hugh, I've got her trapped. If we can catch her and put her in jail with the rest of the town, we can start wrecking Wildwood. It's a good thing you're here, Joey. The club was too much for me alone, but with the both of us there's no way they can escape.

Stacy: You'll never catch me, you fiends. I'll save the club and the rest of the town. Mark my words.

Hugh: I've almost got her. Stand still. I'll get her with my slingshot.

Stacy: Didn't I tell you that I am wearing a suit of armor under this shirt?

Ned the Beaver: Oh, she's like a superhero.

Stacy: Now it's my turn.

Ned the Beaver: Where did she get that rope?

Stacy: It's time to tie up some loose ends.

Ned the Beaver: Hey, I can't move.

Stacy: Timber.

Ned the Beaver: I I've never seen anything like this.

Stacy: And now, Hugh, it's your turn.

Goose: Stacy, are you going to eat your crust?

CJ: What?

Goose: Can I have your crust or are you going to eat it?

Stacy: Ned, want to play kickball?

Ned the Beaver: Not really. Do you?

Goose: No.

Stacy: Sure, Goose. Have the crust.

Chuck Swindoll: Well, the young one started talking about Joey well, about every time they talked. Since they had so little information, they just started adding to what they had.

Stacy: Did you hear about the scar on his face?

Goose: No.

Stacy: Just before he attacks, it turns red as hot coals.

Hugh: Yeah, watch his eyes. If he squints, someone's going to the hospital.

Stacy: We're in such big trouble.

Chuck Swindoll: And before long, they had convinced themselves that Joey was 11 ft tall, had a patch over one eye, and wore a gun belt at all times.

Stacy: We got to make some plans. We need to decide how to handle this.

CJ: Always for running and hiding.

Goose: Hiding is good. Let's hide.

Stacy: I say let's fight.

Ned the Beaver: Maybe we could build a trap and capture them.

Stacy: Good, and then fight them on our terms.

Ned the Beaver: Okay, I'll trap, you fight.

Goose: I am running.

CJ: I'm hiding.

Stacy: Running, hiding, trapping, and fighting. Those range from silly to really dumb. Okay, Mr. Idea Guy, what's your plan?

Goose: I don't know. I think we're missing something.

Ned the Beaver: You sit and think, CJ. I am building a trap. See you.

CJ: Yeah, got to go, too. Something I need to take care of. See you.

Stacy: Goodbye.

Goose: See you.

CJ: See you.

Chuck Swindoll: Now having worked themselves into a bonafide lather, they took off in every direction, each one preparing in their own way to deal with their fears.

Goose: Stacy, Stacy, where are you?

Stacy: In the barn.

Goose: Well, look at you.

Stacy: What do you think, huh?

Goose: About the branches hanging from your neck?

Stacy: Yeah, I am camouflaged. You see, Joey and Hugh won't be able to catch me if they can't see me. Oh, here, I'll stand still. Can you see me?

Goose: A little.

Stacy: What? Do I need more branches or something?

CJ: You want to look like a tree?

Stacy: No, I want to disappear.

CJ: Well, you don't disappear. You look like a moose with some branches hanging over your neck.

Stacy: Well, I'm working on it. You see, I'm in process, you know. What are you doing?

Goose: Getting ready for battle.

Stacy: Oh, I get it. Suit of armor, huh?

CJ: Battle gear. If they attack from the front, I'm protected, and they'll get it with this.

Stacy: Yeah, and you're going to sweep them away.

CJ: You see a broom, but I see a quarterstaff that can deliver a crushing blow like this or this.

Stacy: Wow, pretty dangerous.

CJ: Split. It's an art. With a little more practice Ooh, that hurts.

Stacy: Oh, yeah, looks like a great plan, Stace. If we can just get Joey to put on your trash can and twirl that broom around, he ought to be unconscious in no time.

CJ: Do you see me laughing? I'm not laughing.

Ned the Beaver: How's it going, Goose?

Stacy: Good, pretty good. When's Joey coming again?

Ned the Beaver: Noon on Saturday.

Stacy: Good. I think we'll be ready about dinner Tuesday.

Ned the Beaver: What what exactly are you doing?

Stacy: Escape. Escape is the thing. I have tunnels dug all over the place. If he comes in from the west, I'll have a tunnel going to the east. And if he comes in from the north

Ned the Beaver: I get the picture.

Stacy: I'll have a tunnel going to the south.

Ned the Beaver: I understand fully.

Stacy: If he comes in from the north

Ned the Beaver: What happens if he starts to coming from the south and then circles around to the west and then and spins around and runs in from the east?

Stacy: Oh, no. I hadn't thought about that. I'll be defenseless. I'll be a goner. Okay, change your plans. If I can escape, I'll just be a moving target. I'll just never stop moving. Bob and weave, bob and weave.

Ned the Beaver: Oh, yeah, that'll do it. But there's something missing, distraction. You need to cause a distraction while you run.

Stacy: Oh, yeah, a good idea. Um

Ned the Beaver: Excellent. Now, arm waving. We need some arm waving.

Stacy: Yeah, that helps. Bob and weave, bob and weave, bob and weave, bob and weave.

Ned the Beaver: Wait. Goose, I was kidding. Stop. Come back.

Stacy: Bob and weave, bob and weave, bob and weave.

Guest (Female): Hi everyone. My name is Kayla. I'm 8 years old. Me and my sister Eleanor love listening to Pause and Tales when we're coloring and on long car rides. You'll love it, too, so tune in today.

Tiffany Rockler: Hello, lovely listeners. Tiffany Rockler from Pause and Tales here to tell you all about the very new and very fashionable t-shirts now on sale in our store. We have a wonderful Tiffany Rockler shirt with lovely details.

Ned the Beaver: Now, Tiffany, that is not true.

Tiffany Rockler: Ned, what are you talking about?

Ned the Beaver: Well, we have new Goose t-shirts and Ned t-shirts. Just go online to pause and tales.org to see them.

Tiffany Rockler: Wait. We have no Tiffany t-shirts?

Ned the Beaver: Oh, boy, here it comes. Bye, everybody.

Tiffany Rockler: You all will rue the day.

Chuck Swindoll: Saturday came and being a popular day for traveling, lots of folks were there to see someone off or welcome someone home. Among that crowd was the club. They were there waiting for Joey. Would have made a fine welcome party, too, except for the fact that they were all hiding behind crates and buildings and and each other.

Ned the Beaver: Can you see anything?

Stacy: Keep it down. Look, it's Hugh coming from behind us. Oh, we'll be discovered. Run.

Goose: The hot dog stand. Follow me.

Ned the Beaver: I don't think a hot dog stand is such a good place to hide behind.

Stacy: Okay, he's over by the ramp.

Goose: We did it.

Stacy: Nobody knows we're here. I can see the passenger car good from here. Keep your heads down.

Goose: What do you see?

Stacy: No one's gotten off yet.

Guest (Male): Hot dogs. Come on. Get your hot dogs.

Stacy: Ah, everybody's coming right at us. Come on, follow me.

Goose: Did everybody make it? We made it. Any sign of Joey yet?

Stacy: No, takes a few minutes to get everyone off the train, though.

Goose: Is is that him?

Stacy: He's enormously big and large.

Ned the Beaver: Look at the size of him.

CJ: He's talking to Hugh. It must be him. Oh, no.

Ned the Beaver: Hugh's pointing right at us. He's sending giant Joey over to put us in the hospital.

Stacy: Duck and cover.

Miriam Friff: Uh, excuse me, kids. Uh, hi. My name is Miriam Friff. Oh, I'm just looking for the bathroom. Uh, a kid back there said it was over here somewhere.

Stacy: Oh, yeah, the the bathroom is right over there.

Miriam Friff: Thanks. And sorry to scare you all.

Stacy: We weren't scared.

Ned the Beaver: We were just playing scared.

Goose: Okay, not Joey.

Ned the Beaver: That guy was enormous.

Stacy: Joey, over here.

Goose: Here we go.

Stacy: Someone's coming out. Get down.

Ned the Beaver: There's no place like there's no place like home. Good to see you, Joey.

Stacy: Hi, Hugh. Thanks for meeting me. Can you help me with my suitcase? The latch broke. Look, it takes two hands to hold it closed. It's so big I can hardly move it. Look.

Ned the Beaver: He's smaller than Goose.

Stacy: Maybe he's not like you. Maybe he's a nice cougar.

CJ: If he's that small and he puts someone in the hospital, he must be meaner than we thought.

Stacy: I think small and mean is scarier than big and mean any day.

Ned the Beaver: Come on, fellas. Let's keep it moving. Yeah, blocking the stairs.

Stacy: Oops.

Goose: Did you see that? He picked that guy right up and threw him down the stairs.

Stacy: Oh, are you all right, sir?

Guest (Male): I'm okay. Just tripped over my shoelace. I didn't hurt you, did I?

Stacy: No, I'm fine.

Chuck Swindoll: Well, Hugh took Joey home and the club ran off in all directions. Now fear is a thing that can grab a hold on you and not let go. Now nobody wants to be afraid. The question is, how do you stop? The weekend went along pretty uneventfully for Hugh and Joey. They explored the town and played by themselves.

Ned the Beaver: Wow, your slingshot is just as good as mine. You just got to have a steady hand.

Stacy: Why don't we go and find some of those kids?

Ned the Beaver: What kids?

Stacy: The ones that were at the train station. What do they play?

Ned the Beaver: Well, pretty much wherever I'm not. I've got them pretty well scared of me.

Stacy: All of them?

Ned the Beaver: Especially the third graders. Hey, if you want, we could go and kick them out of their fort. Yeah, I've been wanting to do that for a long time now.

Stacy: Wow, kick them out?

Ned the Beaver: Piece of cake with both of us working together.

Guest (Male): Go. Get in there, now.

Ned the Beaver: He's mad again. This could take a while.

Stacy: Okay, I just go exploring.

Ned the Beaver: Come on, Dad.

Stacy: Joey, the mighty hunter, zeros in on the fierce and evil tree branch. With cat-like reflexes, he jumps. Oops. Ouch, ouch, ouch.

Goose: What were you doing trying to attack me when I wasn't ready?

Stacy: Oh, boy, not good. A could you help me please? My tail is wedged in tight.

Goose: That wasn't smart. A cougar is not supposed to hang from its tail.

Stacy: That's what you deserve for trying to put me in the hospital. I was pretending to attack the branch. I didn't know you were coming around the corner. Oh, this really hurts.

Goose: Okay, but you start to fight and my entire club will swarm down on you like locusts. Here, stand on my shoulder while I get your tail out. I never would have gotten out of there.

Stacy: You're not going to pick a fight?

Goose: With who? With me?

Stacy: I don't think so. What are we talking about? We know all about you. Hugh told us you were sent here cuz you put someone in the hospital, got kicked out of school. Where's your scar?

Goose: Scar? I went with my mom to the hospital. She's having an operation. Dad needs to be at work all day. I came to stay with Hugh and his dad. They're babysitting me.

Stacy: You're not wearing your six-shooter.

Goose: Well, no, why? What's a six-shooter?

Stacy: We were completely afraid of you, terrified.

Goose: Sorry, I really don't get that very much. Mostly people don't know I'm in the room cuz I'm so little.

Stacy: What's your mom in the hospital for?

Goose: She's been sick a long time and they think this might fix her.

Stacy: You okay?

Goose: Well, I'm kind of scared. What's so funny?

Stacy: It's just that we were so afraid if you come in and Well, I'm not sure what we thought you were going to do. We were so afraid. It's just funny to think that you've been afraid. I'm afraid for my mom. I was afraid to ride on the train. I'm a little afraid of Hugh and his dad.

Goose: I don't blame you. Hey, you want to see our fort?

Stacy: Really? You guys will let me in your fort?

Goose: Sure. We're still working on it, but it's going to be great.

Stacy: That sounds great. When did you Ow, my tail hurts when I walk.

Goose: Here, I'll do the walking.

Stacy: Thanks. What's your name?

Goose: CJ.

Stacy: Thanks, CJ.

Goose: The rest of the club is going to crack up to find out that you're not going to try and put us all in the hospital.

Stacy: Me? You wouldn't believe the stories going around about you.

Guest (Male): Hi, I'm Buddy Murray from Prophetstown, Illinois. I'm 13 and Pause and Tales is a part of my daily routine. I can't wait to hear the Snax Great episode.

Stacy: I'm here today with author Dave Carl. I understand you have written the very first Pause and Tales book entitled The Overcomers.

Dave Carl: That's right, Stacy.

Stacy: So, is The Overcomers something very different or is it a continuation of the big Pause and Tales story?

Dave Carl: Good question, Stacy. It absolutely is a continuation of the big Pause and Tales story. The Overcomers is like one giant Pause and Tales episode. I'm excited for folks to see what comes next.

Stacy: Get your copy today at pause and tales.org.

Chuck Swindoll: CJ and Joey walk through the woods heading for the fort. The longer they talked, the more they realized that this whole thing had been a huge mistake.

Goose: The fort is just through the trees there. I can hear the others working. They're getting ready for the big fight with Joey The Terrible.

Stacy: The Terrible? That's what Goose has been calling you. Hey guys, over here. Oops. Oh, didn't see that root.

CJ: Ow, you're on my tail.

Stacy: Sorry. You okay?

Goose: What was that?

Ned the Beaver: CJ's on the ground. Hugh got Joey on top of him.

CJ: Uh-oh, Joey's whooping on CJ.

Goose: Let's go help.

Stacy: Oh, no, it started. Uh, what direction is Joey coming from? What? Is it north or northwest?

CJ: Don't worry, CJ, I'm coming. Ned, help me with these branches. Come on, quick.

Ned the Beaver: We need to get Joey off of him. We needed this distraction.

Stacy: Oh, yeah, that's me. Bob and weave, bob and weave.

Goose: What is going on?

CJ: I have no idea. Hey guys, what's going on?

Goose: He's calling for help. Can't you hear him?

CJ: Ned, another branch over by Stacy.

Goose: Get off of him now before I

Stacy: Stop it. What is going on here?

CJ: We're trying to save you from Joey.

Stacy: Ned, Ned, can you still see me? I think I need more on my neck and my antlers.

Goose: I do not need saving from Joey. We were wrong about him.

Ned the Beaver: What?

Goose: I don't carry a six-shooter. He is not here to put us in the hospital.

Stacy: Where's the scar?

Goose: There is no scar. We were afraid for nothing. He's a good guy.

Stacy: Didn't you put someone in the hospital? You've probably wondered where my voice is coming from, aren't you?

Ned the Beaver: What's with the moose?

Goose: It it's a long story.

CJ: We don't need to fight.

Goose: Not with me, please. The only person that I know is in the hospital is my mom. That's why I'm here.

Ned the Beaver: You put your own mother in the hospital?

Stacy: Oh, my bob and weave, bob and weave. Joey, my arms are getting tired. Bob and weave, bob and weave, bob and weave.

Goose: That was weird.

Stacy: You'll get used to it. Joey's mom is sick and he went with her to the hospital. Hugh deliberately made stuff up to scare us.

Goose: Oh, your mom, is she going to be okay?

Stacy: That's what I'm praying for. She's been sick for a long time. The doctors think this operation will help, but with her in the hospital, there's no one home to watch me. That's why I came to stay with Hugh and his dad.

CJ: Are you scared about your mom?

Stacy: Yeah, I am. I really am.

Ned the Beaver: We were scared of you, and that's why we all did different things to well, escape or fight or well, I feel kind of stupid right now.

Stacy: I've been scared about a lot of things for a long time now. When I get scared, I pray.

Goose: Oh, man, we didn't even think of praying.

Stacy: Well, we were scrambling around and digging and building and well, it never occurred to any of us.

Goose: Oh, man, what were we thinking?

Stacy: My dad told me that if ever I get scared to stop and tell Jesus about it.

Goose: We were so afraid of how big Joey might be. We forgot about how big God is. Maybe we should be called the Gooseball Club. We know better than that. Okay, let's make the first club rule. If we get scared about anything before we do anything else, remind each other to pray.

Stacy: Joey, you are now an honorary member of the club.

Goose: Thanks, guys. What exactly is this club called? Uh-oh, here we go again.

Stacy: Funny you should ask. We thought about this for weeks.

Goose: We need a name that's normal.

Ned the Beaver: Joey.

Stacy: Hugh's coming. Run.

Ned the Beaver: Everyone to the fort.

Goose: Hey guys, why don't we pray first?

Ned the Beaver: Good job, CJ. Go.

Goose: Dear God, please help us not to be afraid of Hugh. Let us know what to do and Oh, yeah, help Joey's mom to get better. Amen.

Ned the Beaver: Joey.

Stacy: Over here.

Ned the Beaver: Whoa, what are you doing with these bombs?

Goose: We're playing, having a good time.

Stacy: Bob, and weave. I can't do this anymore.

Goose: Settle down. It's all right.

Stacy: Joey isn't here to fight. Hugh made up all that stuff.

Ned the Beaver: Yeah, but I did it really well. You guys were cracking me up at the train station.

Stacy: What do you want, Hugh?

Ned the Beaver: Nothing from you. Joey, Dad got this telegram from your dad. Made me come and find you.

Stacy: You're kidding? Let me see. Operation went well. Mom doing fine. Coming home next weekend. See you at the train station a week from Friday. Love Dad. She's doing fine.

Ned the Beaver: Joey, knock it off.

Stacy: Hugh, you knock it off. It's his mom.

Ned the Beaver: What'd you say?

Stacy: Oh, bob and weave, bob and weave.

Goose: He's thankful for his mom being okay. Leave him alone.

Ned the Beaver: It's good news, Joey.

Stacy: Yeah, let's go tell Papa Chuck about this. I think I'll cry, too.

Ned the Beaver: CJ, you coming?

Goose: Club rule number two. When God has done something good for you, we remind each other to pray and thank him.

Ned the Beaver: That's a good rule.

Hugh: You got to be kidding. I'm out of here.

Stacy: Let me go first.

Joey: Jesus, I thank you for friends like these who laugh and who share and who like to climb trees. And thank you for showing them how to love me. Please make me the best friend I can be. Jesus, I thank you for mommy and dad for keeping them safe. They're the best things I have. And thank you for giving them all that they need so they can watch over me. Jesus, I know you can hear me. So why cry you when I'm scared? And you make me brave cuz you're near me. Thank you for being right there.

Sometimes I feel like I'm just some Joe and I'm not very big, but you already know. And still you keep loving me just like I am. So thank you for caring. Thank you for listening. Thank you, Jesus, for being my friend.

Chuck Swindoll: Hi Noon was written and directed by David Carl. Jesus, I thank you was written by Sandy Howell. Music was by Tim Hossman. And our sound designer was Eric Basen. Pause and Tales is an Inside for Living production.