Your Story Hour

Aunt Nikki: Hey everybody, come on! Your story hour's on! Welcome to Your Story Hour. I'm Aunt Nikki.

Uncle Jon: And I'm Uncle Jon and we're here to bring you today's inspiring story.

Hello everyone. Aunt Nikki, I understand that Aunt Carole has a surprise for us today.

Aunt Nikki: Yes she does. Two stories!

Uncle Jon: Two stories! Hooray!

Aunt Nikki: Both stories are based on true incidents about animals who were heroes.

Uncle Jon: Big strong animals were they?

Aunt Nikki: No actually. One was a Border Collie, a medium-sized dog, and the other was a house cat.

Uncle Jon: You're right, neither one of those is a big strong animal. Then what made them heroes?

Aunt Nikki: Well you'll just have to wait and hear the stories to find out.

Uncle Jon: But waiting is so hard!

Aunt Nikki: Then how would you like it if we got started right now? The first story about the Border Collie named Lady is called Lady and Ben.

Aunt Carole: From the moment Dad brought Lady home, everyone loved the friendly little Border Collie. Mom, Jim, Baby Ben, and even Duke the German Shepherd.

Jim: A puppy! She's so cute!

Dad: Actually Jim, she's not a puppy. She's full grown. She's just not as big as old Duke here.

Mom: Border Collies originated in Scotland and they have a natural instinct to herd. In fact, they've been bred for centuries to herd sheep.

Jim: But we don't have any sheep, Mom.

Mom: I know we don't raise sheep. We grow sorghum for our family business, producing molasses.

Dad: Come to think of it, I guess Lady isn't going to have much luck herding molasses. I know, but I just couldn't resist her. She was the friendliest dog at the shelter.

Mom: She certainly seems to be a little sweet dog. How could anyone give her away?

Dad: I don't know. Anyhow, I'm glad I found her.

Jim: Me too, Dad!

Mom: I am too. And it looks like Duke already approves.

Dad: I'd say so. Well little Lady, looks like you have just found your forever home.

Aunt Carole: Lady was happy with her new friends including Duke, but she missed sheep. All her instincts told her she had to herd, so she kept trying to find a substitute.

Dad: No Lady, no. You do not need to herd the geese. We want them in the garden. They eat the weeds and the bugs for us. You'll have to find something else to herd. No, not the mule either.

Jim: Dad, come quick! Duke and Lady are about to get in a fight.

Dad: No Jim, they aren't going to fight. Duke is just telling Lady that he's not a sheep. No Lady.

Aunt Carole: And so it went with Lady constantly trying to find something to herd and Dad always telling her no. As time went on though and Baby Ben began learning to walk, Lady saw her chance.

Mom: Come on Ben, come to mama. You can do it. Take a step. Aww poor Ben, you fell down.

Dad: That's it Lady. You talked Ben into standing up again. All right Ben, try again. Take a step.

Jim: He did it Mom! Ben walked!

Mom: He sure did. And Lady helped.

Aunt Carole: Well son, today we're milling sorghum. How'd you like to help?

Jim: Oh boy!

Mom: But what? I was counting on him to watch Ben for me while I work. Besides, how much help could he be with the milling?

Dad: Well dear, Jim has to start learning the business sometime. Today he can practice keeping the mule moving to turn the wheel that grinds the sorghum stalks in the press.

Jim: Please Mom, I want to learn all about it. I promise I'll give my first jar of molasses to you.

Mom: Never let it be said that I tried to keep a farm boy from working. You go ahead Jim and learn all you can. I'll figure something out for Ben.

Okay little man, I'm going to put you in your playpen so you can play with your toys while I get some work done. I know Ben, you want to practice your walking. I promise I'll take you for a walk as soon as the dishes are done.

For now, here, build something with your blocks. That's it. Duke and Lady will keep you company. Now I'm going inside to wash dishes. I'll leave the kitchen door open so I can keep an eye and an ear on you.

Aunt Carole: The day was warm and quiet outside and the dogs drifted off to sleep while Ben played happily with his toys. Inside the kitchen, mother busily washed the dishes, glancing up frequently to check on him.

Mom: Well this is working out very well. I'm so glad I thought of that playpen. It's a good thing Ben hasn't outgrown it yet.

Aunt Carole: Soon however, Ben lost interest in the blocks and began to look around for something else to play with. Suddenly his interest was drawn to the sun sparkling on the nearby pond. So struggling to his feet, he toddled to the side of his playpen.

And then, just as Mother happened to glance down for a few moments, quick as a flash, Ben climbed up and over the side. Back in the kitchen, Mom was just finishing the dishes. Hmm, I wonder what's going on. That's Lady's bark.

Mom: Oh no! Ben's gone! Ben! Ben! Oh my. Oh thank you Lord. I would never have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

Dad: Hey what's going on? What's wrong Mom?

Mom: Look! Ben! He's by the pond!

Dad: Come on, we have to stop him!

Mom: Yes, but it's all right. We don't have to run, just watch. Look at Lady!

Dad: Yes, Lady. Lady parks herself right in front of Ben and barks at him.

Mom: But he's not stopping.

Dad: Just keep watching. There! Look at Lady! Every time Ben tries to get to the pond, Lady rams into him and knocks him on his bottom.

Jim: That's just how sheep dogs treat baby sheep who don't obey. But Ben isn't a sheep.

Mom: Lady seems to think he is. Her little human sheep.

Aunt Carole: From then on, Lady faithfully watched over Ben, steering him away from anything she thought might be a danger. As the days slipped by, autumn arrived and nights turned frosty and the evening seemed longer than ever.

Dad: Well it's still early and there's nothing to watch on TV.

Mom: I know. I finished my book and my fingers are sore from crocheting.

Dad: Yeah, but if we go to bed now, we'll wake up at 2:00 in the morning and get back to sleep just before the alarm goes off.

Mom: Exactly. Say, why don't we call my folks? Have them come over and play some Dominos.

Dad: Hey, good idea. Since they live just across the road, it shouldn't be a problem. I'll call them right now.

Mom: While you do that, I'll check on the boys one more time. Okay the boys are sound asleep and Lady is curled up on the rug in front of Ben's crib.

Dad: Great. They should sleep through the night. Mom and Dad will be here in a few minutes.

Joe Bob: I win!

Mabel: Not again! I declare Joe Bob, one of these days I'm going to beat you at Dominos if it takes me the rest of my life.

Joe Bob: That's all right Mabel, you just keep trying. Makes life interesting.

Mabel: Oh look at the clock! I had no idea it was so late.

Joe Bob: Well we better get home. We have an early day tomorrow. Goodnight kids!

Dad: Goodnight! Be careful out there!

Mom: Yeah, that frost is right slippery now. I'll check on the boys one more time and then I'm ready for bed.

Dad: I'll go with you.

Mom: It's freezing in here! Do the boys have their covers on?

Dad: Jim does. He looks snug as can be. Oh no! Ben's gone! His crib is empty! Look! The window's been pushed open. No wonder it's so cold.

Mom: Where can he be?

Dad: Let me get the window pushed open wider. Stick your head out. Can you see anything? I can see Ben's footprints in the frost.

Mom: Oh no, he's barefoot.

Dad: But Lady's prints are right beside his.

Mom: Oh good. At least she might keep him from falling into the pond.

Dad: But he's out there and it's so cold. Come on, we have to find him fast!

Aunt Carole: Grabbing a flashlight, the frantic parents rushed out into the night to follow their toddler's tracks in the frost. They were completely unprepared for what they found.

Dad: There! Under the tree! It's Ben! Is he okay or is he...

Mom: He looks all right. He's breathing.

Dad: Oh Lady. Look. She's curled herself around him to keep him warm and Ben seems to be sound asleep. I think he's okay.

Mom: Oh honey. Let's get them back to the house right away. Lady, you're a hero!

Dad: For the second time!

Aunt Carole: As word of Lady's heroism got around, prospective buyers began coming to the farm.

Mr. Matthews: I sure could use me a good dog on my own farm. And I hear yours is the best. I made out this check for you if you'll accept it.

Dad: Well Mr. Matthews, that's a right good price. But I'll tell you what I told the last four people who tried to buy her. Lady is not for sale. She's family.

Uncle Jon: That story blows me away, Aunt Nikki. What an amazing dog.

Aunt Nikki: I know Uncle Jon. And what an escape artist little Ben seemed to be, crawling out of his playpen, crawling out the window.

Uncle Jon: Well it certainly is a good thing Lady was there. No wonder the Bible tells us to treat animals well. We never know when God will use them.

Aunt Nikki: That's right Uncle Jon. Animals are a wonderful gift from God.

Uncle Jon: Yes they are. And I'm so happy that we tell heartwarming stories about our furry friends.

Aunt Nikki: Like the story of Major Barkus, an adorable little dog who stowed away on a school bus when his master's high school band was on route to perform at a parade.

Uncle Jon: Oh yes, I remember this story. When the bus got stuck in the mud during a terrific thunderstorm, Major Barkus went in search for help.

Aunt Nikki: Major Barkus swam across the river and found the nearest house. Then he lived up to his name.

Uncle Jon: He barked and barked until finally the man who lived in the house followed him back to the river and discovered the stranded school bus.

Aunt Nikki: The high school band was rescued all because of the heroism of a little dog. Thinking of animal heroism reminds me of another dog story about Boomer, an ugly Bulldog who was adopted from an animal shelter by a man and his wife.

Uncle Jon: That's right. They actually went to the animal shelter looking for a cat.

Aunt Nikki: But walked away with a Bulldog.

Uncle Jon: That's quite the change, Aunt Nikki. But you know what?

Aunt Nikki: What?

Uncle Jon: Boomer the Bulldog mothered the couple's kittens as good as any mother cat would have. That's the reason they were looking for a cat in the first place.

Aunt Nikki: Aww.

Uncle Jon: Aww is right. Boomer was such a good mother that when the house caught on fire, Boomer wrapped his body around the three kittens so that they wouldn't burn.

When the fireman rescued the Bulldog and his charges, all of them were alive. And it was all because of the loving, caring actions of an ugly Bulldog.

Aunt Nikki: Such a good story. You can listen to these along with many other heartwarming stories on our website. Just go to YourStoryHour.org. That's YourStoryHour.org and click on Shop in the menu.

Uncle Jon: That will show you a list of all our albums full of inspiring stories.

Aunt Nikki: But if you're looking for a particular story, like the story of Boomer the Bulldog for instance, you can type keywords into the search bar at the top of the page.

Uncle Jon: We know you'll love listening to the wonderful stories available on our website. But stories aren't the only thing you'll find.

Before you say another word, Aunt Nikki, I have a question for you.

Aunt Nikki: Oh?

Uncle Jon: How does a dog stop a movie?

Aunt Nikki: A movie? Why is a dog even watching a movie?

Uncle Jon: Do you give up?

Aunt Nikki: I guess I do. Tell us all, how does a dog stop a movie?

Uncle Jon: He presses the pause button.

Aunt Nikki: Oh I get it. Dogs don't have hands so he uses his paws to press the pause button. That's a clever one, Uncle Jon.

Uncle Jon: I thought you'd like it.

Aunt Nikki: And I think I know why you interrupted me to tell it to us all.

Uncle Jon: Oh? So tell me, why did I interrupt you to ask you the riddle?

Aunt Nikki: Because you want the kids to know there are lots of fun jokes and riddles just like that one on the Funny Bones page in Clubhouse, our online magazine.

Uncle Jon: Right you are. When you're on our website, click on Kids' Corner in the menu and then you'll have access to our Clubhouse magazine.

Aunt Nikki: And a coloring book that you can color while listening to the exciting story of The Raven and the Ring.

Uncle Jon: So what are you waiting for? Head on over to our website at YourStoryHour.org.

Aunt Nikki: And what are we waiting for? I think it's high time we start our second story, Tiger the Terrible.

Aunt Carole: As too often happens, Tiger was suddenly left on his own when his family moved away without him. Aunt Mildred, who lived in an apartment house next door, fed him for a week, but her landlord objected.

So thinking of her nephew Timmy, who was now motherless ever since his mom had left the family, she visited her brother George.

George: What's that you have Mildred? It looks like a pet carrier. Oh no. Don't tell me you've gone and adopted a cat.

Mildred: No. You know my apartment building doesn't allow pets. But the neighbors moved away and abandoned the poor thing. I couldn't let him starve.

George: So why are you bringing it here?

Mildred: Well Timmy is almost five and he's been asking for a pet for at least the last three years. Besides, he needs some company and this cat needs a home. So I thought maybe you and...

George: Not a cat. You know I don't like cats.

Mildred: Think of Timmy, George. And think of what will happen to this cat if you don't take him. You can't let the poor animal starve can you?

And you know that most animals taken to shelters are destroyed. Here, let me get him out so you can see.

George: I bet I know why the neighbors abandoned him. Just listen to that hiss.

Mildred: He just needs love. Look how beautiful he is.

George: Beautiful is as beautiful does. And that cat has a very ugly disposition. I wouldn't trust him around Tim.

Timmy: A cat! You brought me a cat! What's his name? I'm going to call him Tiger because he looks just like one. Come here Tiger so I can hold...

George: No! Don't touch that...

Mildred: See? Tiger likes Tim. Take a listen now. No more hissing. In fact, I think I hear... what's that? Yes, purring.

Timmy: Wow. I've wanted a cat ever since I was little. Come on Tiger, I'll show you my room. Now it'll be our room. We'll sleep on the top bunk.

George: That was a dirty trick.

Mildred: Oh go on. You saw how happy Timmy was. And Tiger looked pretty happy too.

George: I don't trust that cat Mildred. Mark my words, one of these days he's going to bite someone. Maybe Tim. Did you see the size of his fangs? He could really hurt.

Mildred: Give him a chance George, please.

George: Well I'll let him stay for a while anyway. Then we'll see. But the first time he bites anyone, he's out. Did you see the size of his fangs?

Aunt Carole: In spite of Dad's worries, Tiger and Tim were instant best friends. They went everywhere together, spent hours playing together, and even took naps together on the top bunk of Tim's bed set.

Tiger and Dad, however, did not like each other at all. In fact, they barely tolerated each other.

George: Tim! Come here and get this cat!

Timmy: What's the matter Daddy?

George: Look what that cat did. He threw up all over our clean floor.

Timmy: He must have a tummy ache. I bet he feels better now.

George: Well I won't feel better until he's out of here. Put him out back for a while. It's a nice day. He can get some fresh air.

Timmy: I'll go out and keep him company.

George: First you will clean up this mess. The bleach wipes are under the sink in the kitchen. Tummy ache. I'll give him a tummy ache if he ever throws up on the floor again. At least he missed the carpet, though I swear he was aiming.

Timmy: Hi Aunt Mildred, come in.

Mildred: Hi Timmy. How are you and Tiger?

Timmy: We're just great Aunt Mildred. Do you know what he did yesterday?

George: And he better not do it again if he wants to keep living here.

Mildred: Oh George, I'm sure he was just being a cat.

George: That's why I don't like cats. And I especially don't like that cat.

Mildred: I'm sure it can't be that bad.

George: Oh yeah? He went into my closet, jumped up, and sank his claws into my best suit and swung back and forth.

Timmy: He was having fun. He thought your suit was a swing.

George: Not funny.

Mildred: Oh lighten up George. You need to learn to relax and enjoy life.

George: I love life. It's cats I can't stand. What good are cats anyway? All they do is eat, throw up hairballs, and sit around looking superior.

Mildred: Tiger makes Tim happy. That's doing something.

George: It's the only reason I let him stay.

George: Tim! That cat's at it again. Just look what he dragged in here.

Timmy: A mouse! Tiger killed a mouse! All by himself! He's a good hunter.

Mildred: Is that the mouse you've been complaining about George?

George: Where did you come from?

Mildred: The door was open.

George: That's because Tim needs to get this dead mouse out of here.

Mildred: Tiger left it, you say?

George: Yes. And right on my favorite chair. Where he put it because he hates me.

Timmy: Tiger doesn't hate you Daddy.

Mildred: Actually George, Tiger leaving a mouse is a sign of gratitude. Rescued animals never forget and they try to do nice things for their rescuer.

George: A dead mouse on my chair is gratitude?

Mildred: Think like a cat for a minute George. You haven't been loved until a cat shares its dead mouse with you.

George: Very funny Mildred. You think it's so great, why don't you help Tim clean it up?

Timmy: Aunt Mildred, will Daddy ever like Tiger?

Mildred: We can only hope Timmy. Maybe as time goes on he will see that Tiger is really a good little animal. Sometimes it takes a while for people to change their way of thinking.

Timmy: I hope it doesn't take too long. I really love Tiger. I'm afraid that Daddy will send him away.

Mildred: We will pray he doesn't. Okay let's get this mouse out of here. We'll need some paper towels and bleach wipes.

Timmy: Bleach wipes are in the kitchen under the sink.

George: Cat! Get off the counter! You cat, stop climbing the drapes! Cat! Don't knock that vase!

Where's my other shoe? Tim have you seen...

Timmy: Here Daddy. It was under the dining room table.

George: How did it get there I wonder? Yuck! This shoelace is all wet. Did that cat drag it out there?

Timmy: Uh huh. I guess he thought it was a toy.

George: Well it isn't. Tell him to leave my shoes alone.

Timmy: I'll tell him Daddy.

George: Hey cat! Get out of my chair!

Timmy: Does he have to move Daddy? He's so comfortable there.

George: Yes, he has to move. This is my chair and I want to sit in it. All right, if you won't move, I'll move you. Ow!

Yeah, you'd better run away you little imp. Just try clawing me again and see what happens to you.

Timmy: Daddy!

George: Look at that. He drew blood. I suppose clawing is a sign of gratitude too.

Aunt Carole: There seemed to be no end to the ways Tiger could think of to annoy Dad. Every day Tim was afraid this was the day Dad would send Tiger away.

The poor child lived in a state of constant anxiety. And Tiger just kept on being... well... Tiger the Terrible. So Tim had a serious talk with the cat.

Timmy: Tiger, you have to be nicer to Daddy. If he sends you away, where will you live? Yeah, I'm worried too. Do you promise to be nicer? Okay now, remember, you have to keep your promise.