"To all little children and to all those crowned with the glory of many years who still retain that priceless possession, the heart of a child, this little volume is affectionately dedicated."


- Thornton W. Burgess











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Episodes


The King and the Bees

Today we read about King Solomon and Queen Sheba in the story “The King and the Bees” which comes to us from the book “Fifty Famous People” written by James Baldwin.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Fifty Famous People
YouTube

Sherlock Holmes

Went looking for a story about Sherlock Holmes but I found a poem about him instead. The poem is titled “Sherlock Holmes” and comes to us from the book “More Misrepresentative Men” written by Harry Graham.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
More Misrepresentative Men
YouTube

The Chronicle of the Pancake

Went looking for a story about George Washington and ended up with a story about a pancake. Today we read the story titled “The Chronicle of the Pancake” which comes to us from the book “The Norwegian Fairy Book.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Norwegian Fairy Book
YouTube

Some Feathered Friends

Today we read the story “Some Feathered Friends” which comes to us from the book “The Burgess Bird Book for Children” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Burgess Bird Book for Children
YouTube

Cousinly Stuff

Check out the blog to check out some owl boxes that I built a few days ago. Today, we read two more chapters from the book “The Tale of Solomon Owl” written by Arthur Scott Bailey.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Tale of Solomon Owl
YouTube

Blazing Chickens

I finally captured an owl with my camera, check out the blog to see the picture. Today, we read two chapters from the book “The Tale of Solomon Owl” written by Arthur Scott Bailey.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Tale of Solomon Owl
YouTube

The Curious Boy

I was thinking of a Richard Elam story I released in Jan 2020 so I figured I should read another story today. Today, we read the story “The Curious Boy” from the book “Young Visitor to Mars.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Young Visitor to Mars
YouTube

The Saucy Squirrels

Lately, while practicing my wildlife photography skills, a lot of my subjects have been squirrels. Today, we read the story titled “The Saucy Squirrels” from the book titled “Animal Chums” written by Jean McIntosh.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Animal Chums
YouTube

Brer Rabbit's Adventure

Today, we read another story from the book titled “Animal Chums” written by Jean McIntosh. We read the story titled “Brer Rabbit's Adventure.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Animal Chums
YouTube

The Owl in the Dovecot

Today, we read the story “The Owl in the Dovecot” which comes to us from the book “Animal Chums” written by Jean McIntosh.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Animal Chums
YouTube

The Owl (from The Grimm Brothers)

Today we read the story “The Owl" which comes to us from the book "Household Tales" written by The Grimm Brothers.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Household Tales
YouTube

The Lobster Dance

Today we read the story “The Lobster Dance” from the book “Alice in Wonderland: In Words of One Syllable” written by Mrs. J.C. Gorham.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Alice in Wonderland: In Words of One Syllable
YouTube

The Charge of the Light Brigade

Sometimes it's the little details. That's how today's story comes about. This is probably referenced in about the space of a paragraph in my recently read book but it talks about “The Charge of the Light Brigade”, a poem written by Sir Alfred Tennyson. Today, we read the poem and a short story from the book “True Stories of Wonderful Deeds.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
True Stories of Wonderful Deeds
Maud, and Other Poems
YouTube

The Drawing of the Sword

“I present to you King Arthur.” That was the line that inspired today's story. Today we read the story “The Drawing of the Sword” from the book “Tales of King Arthur and the Round Table” written by Andrew Lang.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Tales of King Arthur and the Round Table
YouTube

The Owl

Today, we learn a little about some owls with the story “The Owl” which comes to us from the book “Mamma's Stories About Birds” written by Mary Elizabeth Southwell.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Mamma's Stories About Birds
YouTube

About the Telegraph

Today, we learn a little about the telegraph with the story “About the Telegraph” which comes to us from the book “Really So Stories” written by Elizabeth Gordon.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Really So Stories
YouTube

First Stop - Luna

Today, we continue on with the book “Young Visitor to Mars” written by Richard Elam. We read the 3rd chapter with the story “First Stop – Luna.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
Young Visitor to Mars
YouTube

Hurtling Danger

After seeing a shooting star in the sky this morning, I knew I had to do a story involving outer space. Today, we read the story “Hurtling Danger” which comes to us from the book “Young Visitor to Mars” written by Richard Elam.


Links for the episode:

Audio
Young Visitor to Mars
YouTube

Jimmy Scarecrow's Christmas

Today we read a story about a scarecrow and how Christmas happened for him. Today we read the story “Jimmy Scarecrow's Christmas” and is written by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman and comes from the book “The Children's Book of Christmas Stories”.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Children's Book of Christmas Stories
YouTube

Our Frist Great Painter

Today we read a story about a great American painter, Benjamin West. The story is titled “Our First Great Painter” and comes to us from the book “Fifty Famous People” written by James Baldwin.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Fifty Famous People
YouTube

Castaways in Space

Today we read the last story from the book titled “Young Readers Science Fiction Stories” written by Richard Elam. The story is titled “Castaways in Space.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Young Readers Science Fiction Stories
YouTube

A Mild Day in Winter

Have you ever wondered why dogs are always sniffing each other? If you have, you're in luck. Today we learn the reason with the story “Why Dogs Sniff” from the book “The Islands of Magic” written by Elsie Spicer Eells.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Among the Forest People
YouTube

Why Dogs Sniff

Have you ever wondered why dogs are always sniffing each other? If you have, you're in luck. Today we learn the reason with the story “Why Dogs Sniff” from the book “The Islands of Magic” written by Elsie Spicer Eells.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Islands of Magic
YouTube

Why the Owl Flies at Night

Have you ever wondered why most owls fly at night? Well today you are in luck as hopefully we relate the tale of “Why the Owl Flies at Night” from the book “The Islands of Magic” written by Elsie Spicer Eells.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Islands of Magic
YouTube

Why Mr. Great Horned Owl Hatched the Eggs

November is the month of owls, at least for me anyway. I currently am reading a book about owls and am looking forward to the end of the month for an owl prowl at the county park. Today, we read the story “Why Mr. Great Horned Owl Hatched the Eggs” from the book “Among the Forest People” written by Clara Dillingham Pierson.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Among the Forest People
YouTube

How Sammy Jay Was Found Out

I see a Blue Jay in my yard, I read a story about a Blue Jay. Today, we read the story “How Sammy Jay Was Found Out” from the book “Old Mother West Wind” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Old Mother West Wind
YouTube

When Mr. Kingfisher Took to the Ground

Being in nature is a great way to spend time together and also a way to just connect with the world around you. The other day while on a walk I saw a kingfisher. I've seen them before but this one was probably the closest I have been to one. So today we read the story “When Mr. Kingfisher Took to the Ground” from the book “Mother West Wind 'When' Stories” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Mother West Wind "When" Stories
YouTube

The Story of a Pumpkin Pie

Who doesn't love pumpkin pie? While traditionally it is eaten in the fall, I could probably eat it all year round. I don't think I have ever seen it besides in the fall but I guess you probably could. Today we read the book “The Story of a Pumpkin Pie” written by William E. Barton.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Story of a Pumpkin Pie
YouTube

The Flying Ship

Lately, I've been flying drones but maybe my next adventure will be flying a ship! Today, we read the story “The Flying Ship” from the book “The Yellow Fairy Book” written by Andrew Lang.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Yellow Fairy Book
YouTube

The Radio Story

Today, we read the story titled “The Radio Story” from the book “Little Jack Rabbit's Big Blue Book” written by David Cory.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Little Jack Rabbit's Big Blue Book
YouTube

How a Poor Boy Became a Great Scientist

Today, we learn a little bit about Jean Henri Fabre with the story “How a Poor Boy Became a Great Scientist” from the book “Stories of Grit” written by Archer Wallace.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Stories of Grit
YouTube

The Slave Boy Who Became a Great Leader

Today, we learn a little bit about Booker T. Washington with the story “The Slave Boy Who Became a Great Leader” from the book “Stories of Grit” written by Archer Wallace.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Stories of Grit
YouTube

The Immigrant Boy Who Became a King of Industry

Today, we learn about one of the great men who were responsible for creating the America we know today. I won't mention the name here but you may recognize the name. Today, we read the story “The Immigrant Lad Who Became A King of Industry” from the book “Stories of Grit” written by Archer Wallace.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Stories of Grit
YouTube

A Fishing Party

During a recent visit to the zoo, we saw a huge Lego statue of a Kingfisher and then a little later, we saw a Blue Heron, perched on a log stalking prey. So today, we read a story about a Kingfisher and a Blue Heron with the story “A Fishing Party” from the book “The Burgess Bird Book for Children” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Burgess Bird Book for Children
YouTube

How Old Mr. Mink Taught Himself to Swim

Walking and talking about minks and driving past relatives old houses is the inspiration for today's story. Today, we read the story “How Old Mr. Mink Taught Himself to Swim” from the book “Mother West Wind 'How' Stories” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Mother West Wind 'How' Stories
YouTube

The Story of Joliet and Marquette

After visiting Marquette, I figured, we should read about Father Marquette. Today, we read the story “The Story of Joliet and Marquette” which comes to us from the book “Stories of the Badger State” written by Reuben Gold Thwaites.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Stories of the Badger State
YouTube

A Lumberman and Engineer

It's been a while since we have read a story from Mr. Burgess and I saw a beaver on the side of the road eating something so I see no reason we don't read a Burgess story today! Today, we read the story “A Lumberman and Engineer” which comes to us from the book “The Burgess Animal Book for Children.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Burgess Animal Book for Children
YouTube

The Story of What Led to the Siege of Troy

Let's keep it going with some Greek mythology and read the story “The Story of What Led to the Siege of Troy” from the book “Stories from The Iliad” written by Jeanie Lang.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Stories from The Iliad
YouTube

Apollo and Daphne

Today we stick with some Greek mythology and read the story “Apollo and Daphne” from the book “A Book of Myths” written by Jean Lang.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
A Book of Myths
YouTube

Theseus in Crete

Today we read about Theseus, from Greek mythology with the story “Theseus in Crete” from the book “Tales of Troy and Greece” written by Andrew Lang.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Tales of Troy and Greece
YouTube

Three Feathers

Today we read a random story I found. The story is titled “Three Feathers” and it comes to us from the book “More English Fairy Tales.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
More English Fairy Tales
YouTube

New Fields Beckon

Today we read the last chapter of the book “Henry Ford: Highlights of His Life” published by The Henry Ford Museum. The chapter is titled “New Fields Beckon.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Henry Ford: Highlights of His Life
YouTube

John Adams and the Question of Indepedence

Today is Independence Day here in the United States. What better way to celebrate than with a story talking about how the days leading up to the signing of this very important document. Today we read the story “John Adams and the Question of Independence” which comes to us from the book “Revolutionary Heroes, and Other Historical Papers” written by James Parton.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
John Adams and the Question of Independence
YouTube

The Model T is Born

Today, we head back to Detroit with another chapter from the book “Henry Ford: Highlights of His Life” written and published by The Henry Ford Museum.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Henry Ford: Highlights of His Life
YouTube

The First Ford Takes to the Road

Today, we head back to Detroit with another chapter from the book “Henry Ford: Highlights of His Life” written and published by The Henry Ford Museum.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Henry Ford: Highlights of His Life
YouTube

A Boston Tea Party

“I like my coffee black and my tea in the harbor.” I like that saying, it reminds me of “The Boston Tea Party” from American history. So today, we are going to read the story “A Boston Tea Party” from the book “Boys and Girls of Colonial Days” written by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Boys and Girls of Colonial Days
YouTube

Henry Ford, An Introduction

Today's story comes about after a recent visit where we could see Henry Ford's birthplace, located in Greenfield Village. The Village is located in Dearborn, MI and is a great place to visit. Today, we read the first chapter of the book “Henry Ford: Highlights of His Life” which was published by The Henry Ford Museum.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Henry Ford: Highlights of His Life
YouTube

The Great Horned Owl

It's always cool to see wildlife on your travels. It's always cool when you can relate that wildlife to animal friends. Today, we read about our friend Billy Woodchuck with the story “The Great Horned Owl” from the book “The Tale of Billy Woodchuck” written by Arthur Scott Bailey.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Tale of Billy Woodchuck
YouTube

"Uncle Joe Ross" Arrives

Today we talk about my career field of firefighting but we take a step back in time as we look to the late 1800s and early 1900s with the story “'Uncle Joe Ross' Arrives” from the book “The Steam Fire Engine and the old-time fire bell.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Steam Fire Engine and the old-time fire bell
YouTube

Young Base Hits

Softball season is in full swing for me. So I figured why not do a baseball story? I found a book of poems, or ballads, about baseball so today we will read the ballads “Denton 'Cy' Young” and “The Song of the Base Hit” which come to us from the book “Base-ball Ballads” written by Grantland Rice.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Base-ball Ballads
YouTube

The Phoenix Bird

I don't think I have done this story before but this one is near to me as I have a tattoo of a phoenix on my arm. Today, we read the story “The Phoenix Bird” which was written by Hans Christian Andersen and comes to us from the book “What the Moon Saw: And Other Tales.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
What the Moon Saw: And Other Tales
YouTube

Aristaeus the Bee-Keeper

Today, we continue on with our random stories. Today, we read the story “Aristaeus the Bee-Keeper” from the book “A Book of Myths” written by Jean Lang.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
A Book of Myths
YouTube

The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chap 15

Today, we continue on with reading “The Hound of the Baskervilles” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We are going to be reading the next chapter which is Chapter 15.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Hound of the Baskervilles
YouTube

The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chap 14

Today, we continue on with reading “The Hound of the Baskervilles” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We are going to be reading the next chapter which is Chapter 14.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Hound of the Baskervilles
YouTube

The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chap 13

Today, we continue on with reading “The Hound of the Baskervilles” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We are going to be reading the next chapter which is Chapter 13.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Hound of the Baskervilles
YouTube

The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chap 12

Today, we continue on with reading “The Hound of the Baskervilles” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We are going to be reading the next chapter which is Chapter 12.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Hound of the Baskervilles
YouTube

The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chap 11

Today, we continue on with reading “The Hound of the Baskervilles” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We are going to be reading the next chapter which is Chapter 11.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chap 10

Today, we continue on with reading “The Hound of the Baskervilles” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We are going to be reading the next chapter which is Chapter 10.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Hound of the Baskervilles
YouTube

The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chap 9

Today, we continue on with reading “The Hound of the Baskervilles” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We are going to be reading the next chapter which is Chapter 9.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chap 8

Today, we continue on with reading “The Hound of the Baskervilles” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We are going to be reading the next chapter which is Chapter 8.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Hound of the Baskervilles
YouTube

The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chap 7

Today, we continue on with reading “The Hound of the Baskervilles” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We are going to be reading the next chapter which is Chapter 7.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chap 6

Today, we continue on with reading “The Hound of the Baskervilles” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We are going to be reading the next chapter which is Chapter 6.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Hound of the Baskervilles
YouTube

The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chap 5

Today, we continue on with reading “The Hound of the Baskervilles” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We are going to be reading the next chapter which is Chapter 5.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Hound of the Baskervilles
YouTube

The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chap 4

Today, we continue on with reading “The Hound of the Baskervilles” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We are going to be reading the next chapter which is Chapter 4.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Hound of the Baskervilles
YouTube

The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chap 3

Today, we continue on with reading “The Hound of the Baskervilles” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We are going to be reading the next chapter which is Chapter 3.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Hound of the Baskervilles
YouTube

The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chap 2

Today, we continue on with reading “The Hound of the Baskervilles” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We are going to be reading the next chapter which is Chapter 2.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Hound of the Baskervilles
YouTube

The Hound of the Baskervilles, Chap 1

Today, we start reading “The Hound of the Baskervilles” written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. We are going to be reading a chapter an episode for “March is Reading Month.” Today we read chapter 1.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Hound of the Baskervilles
YouTube

Bowser the Hound, Part 9

Today, we finish “Bowser the Hound” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
Bowser the Hound
YouTube

Bowser the Hound, Part 8

Today, we read chapters 36 to 40 of “Bowser the Hound” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
Bowser the Hound
YouTube

Bowser the Hound, Part 7

Today, we read chapters 31 to 35 of “Bowser the Hound” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
Bowser the Hound
YouTube

Bowser the Hound, Part 6

Today, we read chapters 26 to 30 of “Bowser the Hound” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
Bowser the Hound
YouTube

Bowser the Hound, Part 5

Today, we read chapters 16 to 20 of “Bowser the Hound” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
Bowser the Hound
YouTube

Bowser the Hound, Part 4

We're halfway there! Today, we read chapters 16 to 20 of “Bowser the Hound” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
Bowser the Hound
YouTube

The Sunken Treasure

Today, we head on a treasure hunt with the story “The Sunken Treasure” written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This story comes to us from the book “The Junior Classics, Volume 7, Stories of Courage and Heroism.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Junior Classics, Volume 7, Stories of Courage and Heroism
YouTube

Bowser the Hound, Part 3

Today we continue with “Bowser the Hound” written by Thornton W. Burgess. Today, we read chapters 11 through 15.


Links for the episode:

Audio
Bowser the Hound
YouTube

Bowser the Hound, Part 2

Today we continue with “Bowser the Hound” written by Thornton W. Burgess. Today, we read chapters 6 through 10.


Links for the episode:

Audio
Bowser the Hound
YouTube

Bowser the Hound, Part 1

Today we start our 8 or so episode journey by reading the book “Bowser the Hound” written by Thornton W. Burgess. Today, we read chapters 1 through 5.


Links for the episode:

Audio
Bowser the Hound
YouTube

A Fishing party

I don't know about you but when I see a heron, I always stop and look. Once again, because of Mr. Burgess, I don't think I can ever look at animals the same way now they have names. Today, we read the story “A Fishing Party” from the book “The Burgess Bird Book for Children” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Burgess Bird Book for Children
YouTube

Billy Mink Goes Dinnerless

Here we go, the first story of 2023! This is a request from the number fan of the podcast. Today, we read the story “Billy Mink Goes Dinnerless” from the book “Mother West Wind's Animal Friends” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Mother West Wind's Animal Friends
YouTube

How the New Year Knows When to Come

I think this story wraps up 2022. What a year it's been! Thank you for you listening this year to “The Fighting Moose Podcast.” Today, we read the story “How the New Year Knows When to Come” from the book “Really So Stories” written by Elizabeth Gordon.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Really So Stories
YouTube

A Four-Footed Fairy

It's double feature day! Today, we read the stories “A Four-Footed Gentleman” and “The Bad Fairy” from the book “Five Minutes' Stories” written by Mrs. Molesworth.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Five Minutes' Stories
YouTube

Peter Gets a Lame Neck

Today's story is the result of a discussion and a request. We discussed Kirtland Warblers and John requested a Thornton W. Burgess story. Today, we read the story “Peter Gets a Lame Neck” from the book “The Burgess Bird Book for Children.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Burgess Bird Book for Children
YouTube

The Eve of Spruce Tree

Today we put a hold on finishing “Young Reader's Science Fiction Stories” because John said he wanted to read you the last story. So today, we get into the Christmas spirit with a double header today. The first story is “The Eve of St. Nicholas” and the second story is “The Christmas Spruce Tree.” Both of these stories come from the book “The Third Wide Awake Reader” written by Clara Murray.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Third Wide Awake Reader
YouTube

The Flying Mountain

Well, another step closer to finishing the book “Young Readers Science Fiction Stories” written by Richard Elam. Today, we read the story titled “The Flying Mountain.” And for the last story, I think I will have a special guest reader but stay tuned, we will see what happens with that.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Young Readers Science Fiction Stories
YouTube

Cargo for Callisto

This story brings us closer to finishing a book together if you have listened to the other stories from the book “Young Readers Science Fiction Stories” written by Richard Elam. Today we read the story titled “Cargo for Callisto.” If you haven't listened to the other stories from this book, click on the link below for the book and then search for the story titles wherever you get your podcasts.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Young Readers Science Fiction Stories
YouTube

The Life, Atrocities, and Bloody Death of Black Beard

Well it is now officially the Christmas season. However, today, we are not going to be reading a Christmas story. We are going to be reading the story titled “The Life, Atrocities, and Bloody Death of Black Beard” from the book “The Pirates Own Book” written by Charles Ellms.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Pirates Own Book
YouTube

The Maple-Leaf and the Violet

Maple season can't come soon enough! We are excited about the upcoming season and have been reading a lot and watching a lot of YouTube videos. With that being said, we read the story “The Maple-Leaf and the Violet” which comes to us from the book “The Story Hour” and is written by Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora A. Smith.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Story Hour
YouTube

The Lady Goes Wild

So, to continue with the rocket theme, we will continue with the next chapter of the book titled “Young Stowaways in Space” written by Richard Elam. This chapter is titled “The Lady Goes Wild.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Young Stowaways in Space
YouTube

Satellite Zone

I'm excited about rockets. There is a NASA rocket launch coming up and I get to experiment with some rocket engines. So today, we read the story “Satellite Zone” from the book “Young Stowaways in Space” written by Richard Elam.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Young Stowaways in Space
YouTube

How Thanksgiving Came

November is the month of turkeys! Probably not officially but at the end of the month is Thanksgiving and for me, Thanksgiving is always about turkey and family. Well, in today's story, we talk about turkeys, but not in the traditional bird-like sense. Today, we read the story “The Little Turkeys” from the book “The Wide Awake Third Reader” written by Clara Murray.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Really So Stories
YouTube

The Little Turkeys

November is the month of turkeys! Probably not officially but at the end of the month is Thanksgiving and for me, Thanksgiving is always about turkey and family. Well, in today's story, we talk about turkeys, but not in the traditional bird-like sense. Today, we read the story “The Little Turkeys” from the book “The Wide Awake Third Reader” written by Clara Murray.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Wide Awake Third Reader
YouTube

The Goblin and the Grocer

No Hallowe'en is complete without goblins, another staple monster of October. Today, we read the story “The Goblin and the Grocer” written by Hans Christian Andersen and comes to us from “The Pink Fairy Book”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Pink Fairy Book
YouTube

The Witch in the Stone Boat

When you think of Hallowe'en, what is one thing that comes to mind? I you said witches, that's what I was thinking! So today, we are going to read a story about a witch with the Icelandic tale “The Witch in the Stone Boat” from the book “The Yellow Fairy Book” which was edited by Andrew Lang.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Yellow Fairy Book
YouTube

A Haunted House

I think everybody knows of a house that is supposedly haunted. Right off the top of my head I can think of two places and they are both at work! So, today, we will read the story “A Haunted House” from the book “If I May” written by A.A. Milne.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
If I May
YouTube

The Little Pumpkin

One thing that I like to do around Hallowe'en time is carve some Jack O' Lanterns. It is always fun and the best part is the roasting of the seeds in the oven. Some people make pies from pumpkins but for me, the seeds are where it's at. Today, we read the story “The Little Pumpkin” from the book “The Topaz Story Book” and was written by Emma Florence Bush.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Topaz Story Book
YouTube

Twinkling Feet's Hallowe'en

As mentioned last episode, we start reading some Halloween stories. I like Hallowe'en. I'm not obsessed with it like some people are but I think it's always fun to hang out with friends and just spend time walking around the neighborhood and see everybody in their costumes. So today, we read the story “Twinkling Feet's Hallowe'en” from the book “The Topaz Story Book” compiled by Ada and Eleanor Skinner.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Topaz Story Book
YouTube

The Ship of the Desert

When I think of the Middle East, I think of deserts. And when you think of deserts, what do you think of? Camels? Alright! Well, that is what today's episode is all about. We talk about “The Ship of the Desert” which comes to us from the book “The Animal Story Book” edited by Andrew Lang.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Animal Story Book
YouTube

The Story of Fido

What's better than a story about man's best friend? I'm sure there is a lot better but when I looked for a story, “The Story of Fido” just stuck out to me. I have a dog and I love that big black dog. She eats my socks but I still love her. Today's story comes from the book “The Animal Story Book” edited by Andrew Lang.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Animal Story Book
YouTube

The Taming of an Otter

Well, today, we figure out to tame an otter with the story “The Taming of an Otter” from the book “The Animal Story Book” edited by Andrew Lang.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Animal Story Book
YouTube

How Johnny Chuck Ran Away

Today, we stick with our friend Johnny Chuck and read the story “How Johnny Chuck Ran Away” from the book “Mother West Wind's Animal Friends” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Mother West Wind's Animal Friends
YouTube

Johnny Chuck Finds a Use For His Back Door

I seriously believe that without reading Thornton Burgess' stories, animals may not have any names. Today's story is about Johnny Chuck. It comes about because I saw Johnny the other day in my travels around town. With that being said, we will read the story “Johnny Chuck Finds a Use for His Back Door” from the book “Mother West Wind's Anima Friends” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Mother West Wind's Animal Friends
YouTube

Davy Jones

This story has been on the back burner for a while, kind of, as it has always been a thought that I have when I hear the name Davy Jones.. Have you ever heard the name Davy Jones? I'm pretty sure you have but do you know where it comes from? I didn't either, until today. So today, we learn the origins of Davy Jones with the story, “Davy Jones” from the book “Adventures and Enthusiams” written by E.V. Lucas.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Adventures and Enthusiasms
YouTube

When Apollo was Herdsman

Hopefully on Saturday, 2 days from now, the Artemis 1 mission will launch without being delayed again. It was supposed to launch 3 days ago but was scrubbed when a sensor failed. Oh well, don't want to be too hasty and launch without feeling 100% about it. I couldn't find an Artemis story but I did find a story about her brother. Today, we read the story “When Apollo was Herdsman” from the book “Wonder Stories” written by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Wonder Stories
YouTube

Beth and the Twilight Star

I always find it great when an author who has experience in something writes a story. For instance, I'm listening to an audiobook right now and it's about space and the author is a former astronaut. His real life experience in space makes the story that much better. So today, we read about being in space with the story “Beth and the Twilight Star” from the book “Young Readers Science Fiction Stories” written by Richard Elam.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Young Readers Science Fiction Stories
YouTube

The Fisherman and His Wife

It's been a while since we have read any stories from the Grimm Brothers. So today, we read the story “The Fisherman and His Wife” from the book “Grimms' Fairy Tales” written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Grimms' Fairy Tales
YouTube

A New Friend and an Old One

I love the wildlife in my backyard. After filling bird feeders yesterday, I got a pretty close look at a beautiful red Cardinal perched on the bird feeder. So today, we read a story about a Cardinal with the story “A New Friend and an Old One” from the book “The Burgess Bird Book for Children” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Burgess Bird Book for Children
YouTube

Hiawatha's Fishing

Hindsight is always 20/20. I spent a week camping along the shore of Lake Superior in Michigan last week and when preparing today's episode, I thought about how I should have read this poem while sitting on the beach or at least near Lake Superior. Oh well, I guess next time I will try to do that. Today, we read a poem titled “Hiawatha's Fishing” from the book “The Complete Poetical Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Complete Poetical Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
YouTube

Mr. Toad's Old Suit

Going outside after the sun sets is always fun. You get to see lots of animals, like toads, frogs, bats, whatever! Well, the other night, I got to see a toad and a frog in the area between the garage and the house. So today, we listen to Grandfather Frog tell the story “Mr. Toad's Old Suit” which comes to us from the book “Mother West Wind's Children” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Mother West Wind's Children
YouTube

Solomon John Goes for Apples

We try to visit the county fair every year. I mean what's better than a fair corn dog? If you are thinking this story is about corn dogs, I'm sorry to say it is not. It is a story about how “Solomon John Goes for Apples” and is written by Lucretia Hale and comes from the book “The Junior Classics, Volume 6, Old-Fashioned Tales.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Junior Classics, Volume 6, Old-Fashioned Tales
YouTube

The Paddle-Wheel Boat

The yearly Port Huron to Mackinac sailboat race is upon us! It is almost at it's 100th running as it was started back in 1925. Well, I couldn't find a sailboat story I liked but I did find a story about a boat from Mr. James Baldwin. So today, we read the story, “The Paddle-Wheel Boat” from the book “Fifty Famous People.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Fifty Famous People
YouTube

Johnny Chuck Finds the Best Thing in the World

What is the best thing in the world? I would assume that the answer will be different for everybody. For me, I would say that there are a few things but one thing is, the fact that my wife and I will be married for 13 years this year. Lucky #13. Well, in today's story, you will see what happens when “Johnny Chuck Finds the Best Thing in the World” from the book “Old Mother West Wind” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Johnny Chuck Finds the Best Thing in the World
YouTube

The Man Who Spoiled Napoleon's "Destiny"

History seems to pop up in the strangest of places. For instance, a kids cartoon. We were watching the old cartoon show “Pinky and the Brain” the other night and a character in the episode was Napoleon Bonaparte. So after that show I went in search of a story and found today's story. Today we read the story “The Man Who Spoiled Napoleon's “Destiny”” from the book “The Junior Classics, Volume 7, Stories of Courage and Heroism” and is written by W.H. Fritchett.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Junior Classics, Volume 7, Stories of Courage and Heroism
YouTube

The Beginning of Independence

Well, we are a few days after Independence Day so I figured we would stick with some Independence Day material. Today, we read two stories from the book “Four Great Americans” written by James Baldwin. The first story is “The Beginning of the War” and the second is “Independence.” Both of these stories deal with our first president, George Washington.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Four Great Americans
YouTube

A Whistle and Schooldays

Checked out a new podcast on a recommendation from a friend. It was pretty good. The title of the podcast is “Young Ben Franklin.” So today, we are going to read two stories about Mr. Franklin with the stories titled “The Whistle” and “Schooldays” which come to us from the book “Four Great Americans” written by James Baldwin.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Four Great Americans
YouTube

Where Big-Horn Got His Curved Horns

Received a message from a listener the other day. It came about as a result of her child listening to a story from our friend Thornton W. Burgess. In honor of this special occasion, I figured another story from Mr. Burgess was in order. Today, we read the story “Where Big-Horn Got His Curved Horns” from the book “Mother West Wind 'Where' Stories.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Mother West Wind "Where" Stories
YouTube

The Boy Who Set a Snare for the Sun

Has somebody ever played a trick on you and you try to get them back? Well, today, we see what happens with a boy, who thinks the sun was messing with him. We read the story “The Boy Who Set a Snare for the Sun” written by H.R. Schoolcraft from the book “The Junior Classics, Volume 2, Folk Tales and Myths.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Junior Classics, Volume 2, Fairy Tales and Myths
YouTube

Sheridan's Welcome

It's a poetry double feature day! We revisit the book “Poems of American Patriotism” written by Brander Matthews. We read a poem about the Civil War and we will read a poem about World War I. First, we have “Sheridan's Ride” written by Thomas Buchanan Read. Second, we have “America's Welcome Home” written by Henry van Dyke.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Poems of American Patriotism
YouTube

Why Jimmy Skunk Wears Stripes

Skunks are cute to look at but they are surely not cute to smell. Also, why do they have white stripes on them? Well, in today's story, we find out why skunks have a black coat and white stripes. We will read the story titled “Why Jimmy Skunk Wears Stripes” from the book “Old Mother West Wind” written by our old friend “Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Old Mother West Wind
YouTube

The Unknown Captain

As we draw near to Independence Day here in the United States, I figured I would sprinkle some patriotic cheer with some poems from the book “Poems of American Patriotism.” Today will actually be a double feature with the poem “The Unknown Soldier” written by Angela Morgan and the second being the poem “O Captain! My Captain!” written by Walt Whitman.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Poems of American Patriotism
YouTube

The Rescue of Old Glory

June 14th is Flag Day. On this day in 1777 the congress of the United States passed a resolution of how the Flag should look. Flag Day was instituted in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson. Isn't history great? Today, in honor of Flag Day, we read the story “The Rescue of Old Glory” from the book “Tell Me Another Story” written by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Tell Me Another Story
YouTube

An Introduction to that Spanish Gentleman

I get asked a lot by John about back stories of characters or people. So today, as requested by John, we read the story “An Introduction to that Spanish Gentleman” retold by Judge Parry from the book “The Junior Classics, Volume 4, Heroes and Heroines of Chivalry.” This fulfills a couple things. The first being a request from John for another Don Quixote story. Also, it gives him the back story of Don Quixote.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Junior Classics, Volume 4, Heroes and Heroines of Chivalry
YouTube

Boston

When I think of Boston, I think history. After all, the east coast is where all of the first original colonies of the United States were located. We may be heading there soon and if we do, I'm going to be checking out as much history as I can. So today, we read the poem titled “Boston” written by Ralph Waldo Emerson and it comes to us from the book “Poems of American Patriotism.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Poems of American Patriotism
YouTube

Flight of the Centaurus

Science fiction is probably one of, if not the best, genre of literature. I love to read it and just picture in my minds eye these wild and exotic places. Also, you can learn things too. For instance, today I learned that Uranus has a moon called Titania which is where our story takes place. So today, we read the story “Flight of the Centaurus” from the book “Teen-Age Super Science Stories” written by Richard Elam.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Teen-Age Super Science Stories
YouTube

The Origin of Coal

I really don't know how prevalent coal is in everyday life. What I do know, is that there are a few power plants around my house that still burn coal to produce our electricity. I also did see that there is a ferry boat that runs across Lake Michigan that is still burning coal. So today, I figured why not learn about coal with the story “The Origin of Coal” from the book “Field, Forest and Farm” written by Jean Henri Fabre.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Field, Forest and Farm
YouTube

Pollen

We get a little educational today and we look at some botany with the story “Pollen” which comes to us from the book “Field, Forest and Farm” written by Jean Henri Fabre.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Field, Forest and Farm
YouTube

Don Quixote Wages a Battle Against a Giant

Doing some quick review of the past episodes of The Fighting Moose Podcast, I didn't see any episodes with readings about Don Quixote. So today, we will read the story “Don Quixote Wages a Battle Against a Giant” retold by Judge Parry and comes to us from the book “The Junior Classics, Volume Four, Heroes and Heroines of Chivalry.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Junior Classics, Volume Four, Heroes and Heroines of Chivalry
YouTube

A Famous Fight Between an English and a French Frigate

I recall reading somewhere that when the British were fighting the Americans, in the late 1700's, they had to keep a close eye on the French because the French wanted to fight the British as well. Well, in today's story, we read about how the British and the French got into a small naval skirmish with the story “A Famous Fight Between an English and a French Frigate” written by Reverend W.H. Fritchett from the book “The Junior Classics, Volume Seven, Stories of Courage and Heroism.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Junior Classics, Volume Seven, Stories of Courage and Heroism
YouTube

Orestes and the Dragon

The biggest fan of the podcast asked for a story about a dragon so today, he get's a story about a dragon. We read the story titled “Orestes and the Dragon” from the book “The Blue Rose Fairy Book” written by Maurice Baring.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Blue Rose Fairy Book
YouTube

More of the Blackbird Family

Looked in the neighbor's tree and I thought I saw an orange finch. Nope! It was an Oriole, I think the first one I've ever seen in real life. So that was exciting. So I went in search of a story about Orioles and I found today's story titled “More of the Blackbird Family” from the book “The Burgess Animal Book for Children” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Burgess Bird Book for Children
YouTube

Johnny Chuck Joins the Class

Driving down the road, I sometimes see Johnny Chuck rummaging around in the grass in what I assume is something delicious to eat. Well, after seeing him a few times, I decided, we should do a story about Johnny. Today, we read the story titled “Johnny Chuck Joins the Class” from the book “The Burgess Animal Book for Children” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Burgess Animal Book for Children
YouTube

The Fussy Queen Bee

Bees everywhere! Okay maybe not really but I have seen a lot of bees in my yard. I was sitting at the fire pit the other day and a BumbleBee flew by my head and this summer, a project I have, is raising mason bees. So why not do a story about bees? Today, we read the story titled “The Fussy Queen Bee” from the book “Among the Farmyard People” written by Clara Dillingham Pierson.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Among the Farmyard People
YouTube

The Quarrelsome Mole

They're back! At least I think they are, the moles. I noticed the other day that there are some new mounds of earth in my yard and they are most likely from moles. So today, we will read a story titled “The Quarrelsome Mole” from the book “Among the Forest People” written by Clara Dillingham Pierson.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Among the Forest People
YouTube

The Undecided Rattlesnake

Continuing on with the snake theme. Today, we have a story from the book titled “Among the Forest People” written by Clara Dillingham Pierson. The story is titled “The Undecided Rattlesnake.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Among the Forest People
YouTube

Why Mr. Snake Cannot Wink

Sometimes, our dog likes to “taste” the air and looks like a snake with her tongue. So I went in search of a story and found one about snakes titled “Why Mr. Snake Cannot Wink” from the book “Mother West Wind 'Why' Stories” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Mother West Wind "Why" Stories
YouTube

Old Barney Owl

I don't really know when I really started liking owls. I assume I've liked them all my life but I know that since I have been reading the occasional “Guardians of Ga'Hoole” books written by Kathryn Lasky, and visiting the park in the fall to search for owls, it's definitely fun to read about owls. So today, we read an owl story with two chapters from the book “Little Jack Rabbit and the Squirrel Brothers” written by David Cory.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Little Jack Rabbit and the Squirrel Brothers
YouTube

The Treasure of the Dragon

Let's read about some more dragons shall we? Today, we head to Spain with the book titled “Fairy Tales from Spain” written by J. Munoz Escomez. The story is titled “The Treasure of the Dragon.” Now it seems like dragon are universal because when I searched the term “dragon” books from all over the world popped up in the results. That must mean they are or were real right?


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Fairy Tales from Spain
YouTube

The Knights of the Holy Grail

Went in search of Robin Hood and found “The Knights of the Holy Grail.” It's always fun when that happens. I start looking for one story and end up doing another. Like I have said, there are too many stories and not enough time. Anyway, today, we read two stories to be exact the first “The Knights of the Holy Grail” and the second, “Lohengrin the Champion of Elsa of Brabant.” Both of these stories come to us from the book “The Junior Classics, Volume 2: Folk Tales and Myths” and these stories were written by Constance Maud.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Junior Classics, Volume 2: Folk Tales and Myths
YouTube

How The Dragon Was Tricked

When you are reading a book about dragons, you must find a story about dragons. No? Well, I found this one about dragons. Today's story is titled “How the Dragon Was Tricked” which comes to us from the book “The Pink Fairy Book” edited by Andrew Lang.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Pink Fairy Book
YouTube

Captain Butts

I saw today's story title and I knew right away what story I was going to do. I went in search of a story about Blackbeard and one of the books that popped up was the book written by Howard Pyle titled “The Story of Jack Ballister's Fortunes.” I looked through the table of contents and found the story titled “Captain Butts.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Story of Jack Ballister's Fortunes
YouTube

The Wreck of the Visigoth

Well, today was supposed to be about time travel but instead, it's going to be about shipwrecks. Both very interesting topics in my opinion. Today, we read the story “The Wreck of the Visigoth” from the book “Soldier's, Three” written by Rudyard Kipling.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Soldier's, Three
YouTube

Apollo's Sister

On March 22, 2022, NASA rolled out the Space Launch System which will be used to launch the Artemis missions to the moon. During that rollout, they mentioned that Artemis is the sister of Apollo. So today, we read the story “Apollo's Sister” from the book “Old Greek Stories Told Anew” written by Josephine Preston Peabody.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Old Greek Stories Told Anew
YouTube

Flitter the Bat and His Family

We are looking forward to when we can hang out newest creation in the yard. A few weeks ago, John and I built a bathouse. Now in keeping with our newest creation, John suggested that I do a bat story. So today, we read the story “Flitter the Bat and His Family” which comes to us from the book “The Burgess Animal Book for Children” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Burgess Animal Book for Children
YouTube

Some Unlikely Relatives

Well, as mentioned in a previous episode, the birds are back in town. The other day, as we were pulling into the driveway, we saw a cowbird chowing some seed at the birdfeeder. Of course, I had to see if there was a cowbird story and there was. So today, we read the story titled “Some Unlike Relatives” from the book “The Burgess Bird Book for Children” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Burgess Bird Book for Children
YouTube

Peter Learns Something About Spooky

I love the spring-time. It's a time when the sleeping Earth comes back to life after a long winter and plants start getting buds and bird return from their Southern vacations. With the birds starting to come back, with bird feeders cleaned and filled, and suet cakes out, I decided, we need a bird story. So today, we read the story titled “Peter Learns Something About Spooky” from the book “The Burgess Bird Book for Children” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Burgess Bird Book for Children
YouTube

The First President

John and I were on the same page with this story. Before he said anything, I was thinking to myself “I think I want to do a George Washington story.” Not 10 minutes later, he says, “for the next episode, maybe you can do one about George Washington.” So here we go, the story about George Washington, titled “The First President” written by James Baldwin. This story comes to us from the book titled “Four Great Americans” also written by Mr. Baldwin.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Four Great Americans
YouTube

The Kentucky Home

Today, we get historical as we head back to the early 1800s with the story “The Kentucky House” from the book “Four Great Americans” written by James Baldwin. We look at the early years of Abraham Lincoln's life. This story comes from a suggestion from the number one fan of the podcast.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Four Great Americans
YouTube

Goats, Trees, and Hammers

Do you know what Thor's goat's names are? No? Neither did I until I read today's story. So today, we have a double feature. The first story is “Thor's Hammer” and talks about Mjolnir and Thor's goats. Up next, we have the story “The Tree Yggdrasil” which talks about the tree Yggdrasil. Both of these stories come to us from the book “Myths of the Norsemen” written by H.A. Guerber.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Myths of the Norsemen
YouTube

How Old King Eagle Won His White Head

The Bald Eagle is probably the most majestic bird I have ever seen. Granted it's a symbol of America but there aren't too many birds that I will stop and look at and just admire them. If you're like me, maybe you have wondered why they have a white head? Okay, I don't really think that but today we read the story “How Old King Eagle Won His White Head” from the book “Mother West Wind 'How' Stories” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Mother West Wind 'How' Stories
YouTube

Odin's Reward

Let's get in touch with our Viking roots. Today, we will read the story “Odin's Reward.” This story comes to us from the book “Asgard Stories” and is written by Mary Foster and Mabel Cummings.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Asgard Stories
YouTube

The American Flag

When traveling down the road, at least here in the United States, you see an American flag flying all over the place. I don't know how other people feel about their respective flags but for me, seeing the Stars and Stripes always gives me a sense of pride. Today, we read the story “The American Flag” written by Henry Ward Beecher and comes to us from the book “Standard Selections.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Standard Selctions
YouTube

The Rider of the Black Horse

Started off looking for a story about World War 2, ended up with a story about the Revolutionary War. Today, we read the story titled “The Rider of the Black Horse” written by George Lippard and comes to us from the book titled “Standard Selections.” Now I won't reveal who this story is about but when I found out who it was, it reminded me of stories that I have red about this individual. So I will keep you guessing and hopefully you guess right.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Standard Selctions
YouTube

Franklin's Wonderful Kite

As requested by the number one fan of The Fighting Moose Podcast, we read a story about Benjamin Franklin with the story “Franklin's Wonderful Kite” from the book “Four Great Americans” written by James Baldwin.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Franklin's Wonderful Kite
YouTube

Beyond the Earth

Have you ever seen a meteorite streak across the sky? I saw one this morning when I was on the highway. It was pretty sweet to see and it was also one of the times where I wish I had a dash cam. Anyway, that brings us to today's story titled “Beyond the Earth” from the book “Young Visitor to Mars” written by Richard Elam.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Young Visitor to Mars
YouTube

A Great Digger

Wisconsin is “The Badger State.” Many people think I am from Wisconsin since I have a lot of items with Wisconsin references. Anyway, today, we read a story about a badger named Benny with the story “A Great Digger” which comes to us from the book “The Tale of Benny Badger” written by Arthur Scott Bailey.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Tale of Benny Badger
YouTube

Early Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States and ranks highly on my list of favorite presidents we have ever had or currently have. But do you know what it was like in his early days? In case you don't, in today's stories, we will look at his childhood with the stories “School and Books” and “Life in the Backwoods.” Both of these stories come to us from the book “Four Great Americans” written by James Baldwin.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Four Great Americans
YouTube

The Tale of Ginger and Pickles

Cats and dogs. The ever present antagonist to the other. It's funny to mention this because at our house, we do have a cat and we have a dog. But in today's story, we see what happens when a dog and a cat work together when they run a grocery store together. So today, we read the book “The Tales of Ginger and Pickles” written by Beatrix Potter.


Links for the episode:

Audio
The Tale of Ginger and Pickles
YouTube

Mystery Eyes Over Earth

Now, in addition to watching the International Space Station fly overhead, I can watch Tiangong, the Chinese Space Station, fly overhead. We have eyes watching us from space all the time, but what's it really like watching us. I've read stories and seen pictures from astronauts, but what about if we were being watched by extraterrestrials? Well, in today's story we find out. We read the story “Mystery Eyes Over Earth” which comes to us from the book “Teen-Age Super Science Stories” written by Richard Elam.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Teen-Age Super Science Stories
YouTube

The New Year's Bell

Well here we are, the first day of 2022. So why not begin the new year with a new year's story. Today, we read the story “The New Year's Bell” written by Andrea Hofer Proudfoot. This story can be found in the book “The Pearl Story Book” compiled by Ava Skinner and Eleanor Skinner.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Pearl Storybook
YouTube

The Bad Little Goblin's New Year

It's a double feature...kind of. Today, we read the story “The Bad Little Goblin's New Year” written by Mary Stewart. In addition to this story, I include a short poem about New Year's in the introduction titled “The Glad New Year” written by Mary Mapes Dodge. Both of these items come from the book “The Pearl Story Book” compiled by Ava Skinner and Eleanor Skinner.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Pearl Storybook
YouTube

The Christmas Vision

Merry Christmas to you and your family! Today, we read the story “The Christmas Vision” which comes to us from the book “The Christmas Reindeer” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Christmas Reindeer
YouTube

The Cause of the War

Have you ever found or seen cool things in the woods? I have many times, my most recent cool discovery is an old cemetery with headstones with late 1800 and early 1900 dates engraved on them. Well, this discovery leads us into today's story. During my exploration of this cemetery, I found a military grave marker with the “Spanish American War” engraved on it. I don't know much about this war so I went in search of information about it. So today, we read the story “The Cause of the War” which comes to us from the book “The Young People's History of the War With Spain” written by Prescott Holmes.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Young Peoples History of the War With Spain
YouTube

The Little Gingerbread Man

Have you ever read the story “The Gingerbread Man?” If you have, have you noticed that there are a few different variations? Now I don't really know if it is just variations in text or just variations that I found on YouTube but there are a few out there as I found out this week. So today, I will read a version that I found titled “The Little Gingerbread Man” written by George Haven Putnam.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Litte Gingerbread Man
YouTube

Lightfoot, Blacktail, and Forkhorn

Do you have deer in your yard? We did last night. We do a lot of nights but we don't always see them. We saw one last night so it brought about today's story. Today, we read the story “Lightfoot, Blacktail, and Forkhorn” which comes to us from the book “The Burgess Animal Book for Children” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Burgess Animal Book for Children
YouTube

The Birds

Name two people from the American Civil War? Did you name Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee? That's okay if you didn't. Today, we have two stories, which may be one story with two parts, in which we read about Mr. Lincoln and General Lee. Today we read the stories “Saving the Birds” and “Another Bird Story” which comes to us from the book “Fifty Famous People” written by James Baldwin.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Fifty Famous People
YouTube

Mother Turkey and Her Chicks

What is Thanksgiving without a turkey story? Looking back at the episodes released in November, I have really been slacking, there were no turkey stories. Let's fix that today. Today, we read the story “Mother Turkey and Her Chicks” which comes to us from the book “The Sandman's Hour” written by Abbie Phillips Walker.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Sandman's Hour
YouTube

Daniel Webster

How many Webster's do you know? From history...I know of two. In my everyday life, I know a handful. Well, today, we read a short biography about Daniel Webster who was a preacher, mainly, who lived from 1782 to 1852 and was also the Secretary of State under President William Henry Harrison. Today's story comes from the book “The Children's Book of American Biography” written by Mary Stoyell Stimpson.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Children's Book of American Biography
YouTube

Cadmus and Europa

When viewing Jupiter with a telescope or binoculars, you can see four dots next to it. These are the four largest moons of Jupiter, one of which is Europa. According to NASA, this is a celestial body that could possibly sustain life. As with a lot of celestial names, it seems, we get a lot of them from Greek mythology. So today, we read the story “Cadmus and Europa” which comes to us from the book “Old Greek Stories” written by James Baldwin.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Old Greek Stories
YouTube

First Practice

When the home-team wins a hockey game, what better way to celebrate than with a hockey story! Okay maybe this isn't the best way but when the Little Dude wants a hockey story, Little Dude gets a hockey story. Today, we read the story “First Practice” which comes to us from the book “Guarding his Goal” written by Ralph Henry Barbour.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Guarding His Goal
YouTube

Ice Hockey

Thomas Edison and electricity go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly. I wonder if he ate peanut butter and jellys? Anyway, in today's episode, we read a short biography about Mr. Edison with the story titled “Thomas Alva Edison” from the book “The Child's Book of American Biography” written by Mary Stoyell Stimpson.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Winter Sports in Switerland
Article - A Near-Miss Total Lunar Eclipse
YouTube

Thomas Alva Edison

Thomas Edison and electricity go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly. I wonder if he ate peanut butter and jellys? Anyway, in today's episode, we read a short biography about Mr. Edison with the story titled “Thomas Alva Edison” from the book “The Child's Book of American Biography” written by Mary Stoyell Stimpson.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Child's Book of American Biography
YouTube

Guys and Goats

Remember, remember the 5th of November. Why, that's today! I always remember the 5th of November. Also, watch out for trolls under the bridge! Today, we have a double feature. The first story is about Guy Fawkes, who was one of the men who was found to be a conspirator in the Gunpowder Treason and plot. Then, after that we read about “The Three Billy Goats Gruff.” The two books used were “True Stories of Wonderful Deeds” and “East of the Sun and West of the Moon,” respectively.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
True Stories of Wonderful Deeds
East of the Sun and West of the Moon
YouTube

In Squirrel Town

Sometime, to know where you are going, you need to look where you came from. That's true with today's story. It's kind of a continuation of the last episode but not, since instead of going forward with the story, we actually head back to the beginning. Today, we read the story “In Squirrel Town” which comes to us from the book “Hazel Squirrel and Other Stories” written by Howard B. Famous.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Hazel Squirrel and Other Storie
YouTube

Mrs. Screech Owl

We looked for Great Horned Owls...we didn't see any. We looked for Screech Owls...we saw one. This was our second year in a row doing the Owl Prowl at the park and again, the Screech Owl made it a successful trip. So today, we read the story “Mrs. Screech Owl” which comes to us from the book “Hazel Squirrel and Other Stories” written by Howard B. Famous.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Hazel Squirrel and Other Storie
YouTube

When Old Mr. Badger Learned to Stay at Home

I have lived in Michigan my whole life. When it comes to college football and the choice of Michigan or Michigan State, I choose Michigan. However, I really have no allegiance to any Big 10 school so if someone gives me a University of Wisconsin hoodie, I'm going to for sure wear it. If you aren't familiar, the mascot for the University of Wisconsin is the Badger. So today, we read the story “When Old Mr. Badger Learned to Stay at Home.” It comes to us from the book “Mother West Wind “When” Stories” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Mother West Wind "When" Stories

The Master Cat, or Puss in Boots

I would like to see a cat walk around in boots. I know of the cats that I have had in my lifetime, if we ever put any little booties on their feet for whatever reason, they would walk around and try to shake them off all the time. So to see a cat walk around in leather boots, would be a grand sight. Anyway, today, we read the story “The Master Cat, or Puss in Boots” which comes to us from Charles Perrault and his book “The Tales of Mother Goose.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Tales of Mother Goose
YouTube

Electric Tramways Generally

If you travel down the road from my house, and you keep a sharp eye out, you might see two old trolley cars sitting next to a pole barn about 100 feet off the road. I have no idea what they person has in store for these cars but hopefully, they don't just sit there and rot. Anyway, today, we get a little historical about streetcars with the story “Electric Tramways Generally” from the book “Tube, Train, Tram, and Car” written by Arthur Beavan.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Tube, Train, Tram, and Car
YouTube

A Journal of the Plague Year

What are you going to be for Halloween this year? John wanted to be a plague doctor, but unfortunately we couldn't find a mask to fit him. So, of course, after he decided that, I had to find a plague story. So today, we read the story “A Journal of the Plague Year” written by Daniel Defoe. This comes to us from the book “The World's Greatest Books, Volume 20, Miscellaneous Literature.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The World's Greatest Books, Volume 20, Miscellaneous Literature
YouTube

For the Honor of the Tribe

Today, we continue on with “The Boys Scouts of Woodcraft Camp” written by Thornton W. Burgess. John has really liked these stories so far and I would say that I have as well. I was never a Boy Scout but I knew a lot of my friends who were and now, as my friend's kids are growing up, their kids are getting involved in Boy Scouts. Anyway, in today's story, we see what happens in the end of summer races and we get to see which tribe of boys wins “For the Honor of the Tribe.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Boy Scouts of Woodcraft Camp
YouTube

On Guard

A little bit of wildland firefighting, a little bit of morse code, hanging out at an outpost, mix it all up and what have you got? Another great story! Today, we read the story “On Guard” which comes to us from the book “The Boy Scouts of Woodcraft Camp” written by Thornton W. Burgess. In my career I've had to deal with a few brush fires but seeing some of the footage on TV about the wildland fires out in the western United States, that's some crazy stuff! Well, in today's story, we get to see what happens when one of our young Scouts sees a forest fire.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Boy Scouts of Woodcraft Camp
YouTube

The Three Sons

My parent's have three sons, my friend has three sons, and apparently, the King of Ireland had three sons. Today, we read the story “The Three Sons” which comes to us from the book “The Junior Classics, Volume 1, Fairy and Wonder Tales” selected and arranged by William Patten.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Junior Classics, Volume 1, Fairy and Wonder Tales
YouTube

Paper Treasure for Mars

I don't know of too many people who collect stamps. I may have met one person in my whole life but I'm not even sure I can say that. Anyway, I can kind of understand collecting things because I used to collect baseball, football, and X-Men cards. Those cards are still hanging around but I couldn't tell you the last time I bought a pack of sports cards was. Anyway, today, we read a story about two boys taking some collectible stamps to Mars with the story “Paper Treasure for Mars” which comes to us from the book “Young Readers Science Fiction Stories” written by Richard Elam.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Young Readers Science Fiction Stories
YouTube

Mercy Flight to Luna

Mark your calendars for November 19, 2021 at 4:00 am. Here in the Michigan, that should be the time that the maximum eclipse happens. That's right, eclipse, a lunar eclipse to be exact. Pretty much every night you look up in the sky, you should be able to see the moon floating out there in space which is why I went with today's story. Today, we read the story “Mercy Flight to Luna” from the book “Teenage Super Science Stories” written by Richard Elam. Also, included in the show notes is a link to the webpage where I found the information about the upcoming lunar eclipse.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Teenage Super Science Stories
timeanddate.com - Lunar Eclipse
YouTube

Narrative of The Mutiny of the Bounty

Sometimes, you just have to purge some books from the house. Myself, I don't tend to reread books after I have read them so usually, I keep buying books until there are full shelves at home and then I have to purge some to make room or more. That's how we got to today's story since one of the books I purged was “Mutiny on the HMS Bounty.” Anyway, today's story is titled “Narrative of The Mutiny of the Bounty” and comes to us from the book “Great Sea Stories,” edited by Joseph Lewis French.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Great Sea Stories
YouTube

Uncle Thomas tells about the Wreck of the Medusa

Today, we head back to the early 1800s and hear a tale about the wreck of the Medusa. This story comes to us from the book “Tales of Shipwrecks and Other Disasters at Sea” written by Thomas Bingley. This story comes about as a suggestion from John. Also included below, is a link to an article from “The Telegraph” which details the controversy surrounding this shipwreck when a painting was done a few years after the wreck.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Tales of Shipwrecks and Other Disasters at Sea
The Telegraph - Raft of the Medusa
YouTube

Legends of the Corn and The Great Mosquito

Today, we learn about some of the legends of the Iroquois Confederacy. We read two legends, the first being “Legends of the Corn” and the second being “The Great Mosquito.” These legends come to us from the book “The Legends of the Iroquois” written by William Walker Canfield. Also included below are three links. One link is to the Encyclopedia Britannica entry about the Iroquois Confederacy and the other two, refer to the Onondaga Tribe and the Cayuga Tribe of Native Americans, which were part of the original Confederacy.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Legends of the Iroquois
Encyclopedia Britannica - Iroquois Confederacy
Onondaga Nation
Cayuga Nation
YouTube

The Story of Androcles and the Lion

Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my! Those were some of the animals that we saw at the zoo the other day when we were there. It was a great day. The weather was beautiful and most of the animals were walking about in their enclosures. I always love going to the zoo. What I also love, is reading stories. Today, we read the story “The Story of Androcles and the Lion” which comes to us from the book, “The Animal Story Book” which was edited by Andrew Lang.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Animal Story Book
YouTube

The Football Game

It's the weekend and what do you do in the fall in the United States? If it's Friday night, you head to the high school for football. If it's Saturday, you head to the college for football. If it's Sunday, you go to church, and then watch football. That's a lot of football! Now, maybe you don't like all that football but I know some guys who live and breathe the stuff. Either way, you look at it, football is all around us. In fact, I'm looking at some football memorabilia sitting on my desk right now. Anyway, today, we read the story “The Footbal Game” which comes to us from the book “For the Honor of the School” written by Ralph Henry Barbour.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
For the Honor of the School
YouTube

Danger on the Ice Canal

Ever wondered what it's like on other planets? I do and it's awesome to know that I can go to NASA's website and look at pictures that have been sent back from rovers or satellites in space. Anyway, today, we read about the Shannon Twins and their adventure on the ice canals of Mars with the story “Danger on the Ice Canal” from the book “Young Readers Science Fiction Stories” written by Richard Elam.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Young Readers Science Fiction Stories
YouTube

Old Shag

Sometimes I wonder why things go away. Like in today's case. Today's story is titled “Old Shag” and comes to us from Bob Farnham. More specifically, the story comes to us from the magazine “Worlds of If” which was published between 1952 and 1974. That's a pretty long run for a magazine to just stop but I guess there was a reason. Anyway, there is a link to a Wikipedia entry in the show notes about this magazine if you are interested.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Worlds of If
Wikipedia Entry
YouTube

The Gods and The Titans

Today, we hang out in the heavens. Not really, but we talk about Jupiter. Not the planet, but the Roman god. This story comes as a result of me trying to explain to my son where lightning comes from but not really having a good answer since I'm not really sure myself. Anyway, today, we read the story “The Gods and The Giants” which comes to us from the book “Gods and Heroes” written by R.E. Francillon.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Gods and Heroes
YouTube

The Big Show on Titan

The Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn. Last night, we got the telescope out in the front yard and viewed all three of these planets last night. I love being able to get out my telescope and looking at these. I sometimes wish I had a better one so I could get better and closer views of these planets but until I do, I'm happy with what I have. So today, we read a story about one of Saturn's moon with the story “The Big Show on Titan” from the book “Young Readers Science Fiction Stories” written by Richard Elam.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Young Readers Science Fiction Stories
YouTube

The Naughty Puppies

We got a puppy! So on Friday, my family and I added a puppy to the family. She's a Giant Schnoodle named Gracie. We went to the pet store to get some supplies for her on Saturday and while there, she was barking at all the other dogs. So this brought an employee over who talked to us about puppy classes and obedience training. Needless to say, we were very interested because we don't want a naughty puppy. Which is what brought us to today's poem, that's right, poem. I found a poem titled “The Naught Puppies” which was written by an anonymous author.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Naughty Puppies
YouTube

The Haunted Cabin

Let's go exploring! Do you like exploring? I know I do. I like to check out old buildings and think of what it was like when that buidling was occupied. There is even an old automobile factory in Detroit I want to check out but I figure I'll probably stay away from that place. I have heard that it is very dangerous in there due to the disrepair and such. In today's story, we see what happens when two Boy Scouts check out an abandoned cabin with the story “The Haunted Cabin.” This story comes to us from the book “The Boy Scouts of Woodcraft Camp” and is written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Boy Scouts of Woodcraft Camp
YouTube

Old Man Coyote and Howler the Wolf

Do you like getting new books? I know I do. I have books on my shelf that I still need to read and there are probably a few on there that I may never read. It has always fascinated me when I see some of the older movies and they have a library in their house. I told my wife that it would be awesome if we could have a room that is full of books from ceiling to floor and bookshelves full of books. In reality, I don't think that is a smart move or feasible in our house. Until there, I will continue to visit bookstores and libraries. Anyway, our recent trip to the bookstore inspired today's story, which is, “Old Man Coyote and Howler the Wolf.” This story comes to us from the book “The Burgess Animal Book for Children” which comes to us from Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Burgess Animal Book for Children
YouTube

Robin Hood and the Knight

I like to shoot my bow and I like to try and help people. So maybe, I am Robin Hood? Okay, maybe not but I do like Robin Hood stories. And in today's story, we see how Robin Hood helps a man when he is down on his luck. Today, we read the story titled “Robin Hood and the Knight” from the book titled “The Junior Classics, Volume 4, Heroes and Heroines of Chivalry.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Junior Classics, Volume 4, Heroes and Heroines of Chivalry
YouTube

Peter Rabbit's Egg Rolling

Egg rolls are delicious! In fact, I actually made some the other night to go along with dinner. However, in today's story, we don't talk about that delicious side dish, but we read about Peter Rabbit and his game of egg rolling. The story we are going to read is titled “Peter Rabbit's Egg Rolling and it comes to us from the book “Mother West Wind's Animal Friends” and is written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Mother West Wind's Animal Friends
YouTube

The Argo

Gentlemen...start your sails? To tell you the truth, I have no idea how they start a sailboat race but tomorrow will be the start of the annual Port Huron to Mackinac sailboat race, which is always a fun time around town. It's always a great time around town with all the festivities so why not celebrate here with a story about a sailboat. Today, we read the story “The Argo” which comes to us from the book “The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles” written by Padraic Colum.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles
YouTube

The King of the Polar Bears

A few days ago, I found an article from “Times of India” with the title “Works by 'Wizard of Oz' author Frank Baum that you should read.” I read this article because I'm always looking for things to read so I figured I would give it a try. Anyway, one of the books on the list was “American Fairy Tales.” I found a copy of this book on the Gutenberg website and I chose today's story randomly from the table of contents. A link to the article is included in the show notes below.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Times of India Article
American Fairy Tales
YouTube

Two Famous Swimmers

We were swarmed by minks! Not really, but we had about 6 or 7 minks running around us the other day when we were on a walk. It was pretty cool because we saw them climb up over the sea wall and then start running away from us on the boardwalk. After that incident, I knew what I was going to do today's podcast about. So today, we read the story “Two Famous Swimmers” and this story comes to us from the book “The Burgess Animal Book for Children” and is written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Burgess Animal Book for Children
YouTube

The End of the Struggle

This week, we celebrate the formation of two countries. The first happened on July 1. Our friends to the North celebrate the formation of Canada that occurred back in 1867. The second, is the formation of our great country, The United States of America, which occurred on July 4, 1776. Today's story, which is titled “The End of the Struggle” comes to us from the book “True to the Old Flag” written by G.A. Henty. This story relates the end of the war with Britain and how that secured our independence here in the United States.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
True to the Old Flag
YouTube

The Sea Serpent

If you haven't seen it yet, I would recommend seeing the movie “Luca” that was recently released by Disney and Pixar. We watched it last night and I liked it. It kind of reminded me of the 1989 Disney film “The Little Mermaid.” Anyway, today, we read the story “The Sea Serpent.” This story comes to us from the book “The Sea Fairies” written by L. Frank Baum.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
L. Frank Baum Biography
The Sea Fairies
YouTube

The Lamp-Posts of the Great Lakes of North America

Camping, lighthouses, and lightships, oh my! Well, we were camping, next to a lighthouse, and we compared that lighthouse to a lightship. That's how we got to today's story. Today, we read the story, “The Lamp-Posts of the Great Lakes of North America.” This story comes to us from the book “Lightships and Lighthouses” and is written by Frederick A. Talbot.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Lightships and Lighthouses
YouTube

A Landslide in the Cut

Today marks the 250th episode for the podcast! Thank you for your patronage to the podcast. Today, we read the story “A Landslide in the Cut.” This story comes to us from the book “The Steam-Shovel Man” and was written by Ralph D. Paine. This topic suggestion came from John in which he referenced the book “Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel,” a book written by Virginia Lee Burton in 1939. I don't know if he read this book recently or not, as we have a copy at home, but I have fond memories of reading that book when I was a kid so a story about steam shovels I will do.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Steam-Shovel Man
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel - YouTube
YouTube

The Bulls and the Dragon

So for a family movie recommendation, I would recommend you watch “Raya and the Last Dragon” release by Disney in 2021. We watched it last night and it was pretty good. Of course, you guessed it, it is the inspiration for today's episode. Today we hang out with Jason as we read the story “The Brass Bulls” and the story “Jason and the Dragon.” Both of these stories come from the book “Old Time Stories, Fairy Tales, and Myths Retold by Children” written by E. Louise Smythe.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Old Time Stories, Fairy Tales, and Myths Retold by Children
YouTube

The Roosevelt Bears Play Baseball

Strike Three, you're out! That's a sound of summer, at least for me anyway. Nothing is more summer than a game of baseball. For my family and I, we have already been to two games with plans on heading to more. Well, in today's episode, we get to see what happens when two bears play the game of baseball with the story “The Roosevelt Bears Play Baseball” from the book “More About the Roosevelt Bears” written by Seymour Eaton.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
United Shore Professional Baseball League
More About the Roosevelt Bears
YouTube

A Parrot That Had Been Trained to Fire a Cannon

Today's episode was a total accident. I originally intended to do a King Artur story but when I went in search of that book, I found this book instead and then I found this story. It was like that story titles just jumped off the page at me. Today's story is titled “A Parrot That Had Been Trained to Fire a Cannon” and it comes to us from the book “The Junior Classics, Volume 8, Animal and Nature Stories” and these stories were compiled by William Patten.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Junior Classics, Volume 8, Animal and Nature Stories
YouTube

Thought Steam

If you are ever in Grass Lake, MI, I would recommend taking a trip to “The Lost Railway Museum.” It's a nice little museum and you can learn about the history of mass transportation in the early 1900s. That is what inspired today's stories. Up first we have the story “A Train of Thought” written by A.A. Milne and comes from the book “If I May.” Batting second, is the poem “The Song of Steam” written by George Washington Cutter and this comes to us from the book “Great Inventions and Discoveries.”


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
If I May
Great Inventions and Discoveries
YouTube
Lost Railway Museum
Michigan Activity Pass
Youtube - Train Room Gary - Lost Railway Museum

Orpheus and Eurydice

Today's story comes to us from a suggestion from a listener. This listener is probably the most avid listener of the podcast. That's right, it's my son. He made the suggestion about doing a story about Orpheus or Theseus, the guy who played the harp and defeated the sirens. This was a great suggestion because that kid is definitely mine, he loves mythology! Anyway, today, we read the story “Orpheus and Eurydice” from the book “Old Greek Folk Tales Told Anew” written by Josephine Preston Peabody.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Old Greek Folk Stories Told Anew
YouTube

The Mammals of the Sea

Walrus, Seals, and Manatees, oh my! Well, that is the majority of what today's story is about. We learn about 6 or 7 different seal species, walruses, sea otters, and manatees and we reference things about whales. This short story is just packed with trivia about these sea mammals and hopefully you learn some things. We read the story “The Mammals of the Sea” and it comes to us from the book “The Burgess Animal Book for Children” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Burgess Animal Book for Children
YouTube

The Robins Build a Nest

Spring is in the air! Or maybe summer, it was 91 degrees here yesterday! Either way, it is spring time for sure here in Michigan. The trees are popping out, flowers have already bloomed, and there are baby animals all over the place. We did see some little baby birds in a nest yesterday. I don't really know what species of birds they were but my guess is that they were Robins. So here we are with todays story, “The Robins Build a Nest” from the book “Among the Meadow People” written by Clara Dillingham Pierson.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Among the Meadow People
YouTube

The Great Blackbeard Comes Upon the Stage

What is a pirates favorite letter? R you say? Well that's a common misconception, it's actually the C! Haha! That's a great joke and I say it on a somewhat regular basis. However, I'm sure that pirates back in the day were no joke. Today, we learn about Blackbeard, probably the meanest and most feared pirate of his time. We read the story “The Great Blackbeard Comes Upon the Stage” from the book “Buccaneers and Pirates of Our Coasts” written by Frank Richard Stockton.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Buccaneers and Pirates of Our Coasts

Where Mr. Quack Got His Webbed Feet

While looking for a replacement chair to sit in while hunting, I came across a lot of baby chickens and ducks. Well, I had to tell my son about it and so we went back and he got to look at the baby birds. Of course he wanted to get some and have them roam around the back yard. I am waiting to hear back from the city we live in to see if this is allowed. So until I hear back from them, we will read the story “Where Mr. Quack Got His Webbed Feet” from the book “Mother West Wind 'Where' Stories” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Mother West Wind 'Where' Stories
YouTube

Prof. S.B.F. Morse

So, for the past few nights, I have been playing around in the airwaves with morse code. But, who invented morse code? Well, it was invented by a man named Samuel Morse. So today, we read the story “Prof. S.B.F. Morse” from the book “Hidden Treasures” written by Harry Lewis.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Hidden Treasures
YouTube

Why Peter Rabbit Cannot Fold His Arms

It's always sad when you can't do something that you have always been able to do. For example, if you break your thumb, you have a hard time opening a bottle of pop because you can't grip the top. Well what about if you never had the ability? In today's story, we read about “Why Peter Rabbit Cannot Fold His Arms.” This story comes to us from the book “Mother West Wind 'Why' Stories” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Mother West Wind "Why" Stories
YouTube

The Rainbow, After the Thunder-Storm

Last night, we were watching a thunderstorm off to the North. We were driving and saw great, big streaks of lightning going across the sky and we didn't hear the thunder until we exited the vehicle as the thunder was just some slow rolling thunder, not big boomers. The sun had already set at this point which did not allow for the viewing of any rainbows as a result of the storm but watching that storm was pretty fun. Today's story is titled “The Rainbow, After the Thunder-storm” and was written by an Anonymous author.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
The Rainbow, After the Thunder-Storm
YouTube

The Crickets' School

I hate when I tell a joke and you hear “crickets.” Does that happen to you? Well, fortunately, I'm not telling any real jokes today. I'm reading the story titled “The Crickets' School” from the book “Among the Meadow People” written by Clara Dillingham Pierson.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Among the Meadow People
YouTube

Sisyphus and Others

Today's episode is full of awesomeness. First, this is a result of a listener's suggestion. Second, we read some more Greek mythology. Third, it's a double header. That's right, two stories today. The stories are “Tantalus” and “Salmoneus, Sisyphus, Ixion, and Phlegyas.” These stories come to us from the book “Gods and Heroes” written by George Upton.


Links for the episode:

Audio
PDF
Gods and Heroes
YouTube

The Slaying of the Minotaur

Mythological beasts. Who doesn't like them? I love them, especially Greek ones, like Cerberus. Well, today, we don't talk about Cerberus, we talk about the Minotaur. The story we read is titles “The Slaying of the Minotaur” and it comes to us from the book “Tales of Troy and Greece” written by Andrew Lang.


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Tales of Troy and Greece
YouTube

Paul Revere and the Battle of Concord and Lexington

I've been to Lexington, Michigan and Lexington, Kentucky. But before a few days ago, I really had no idea where The Battle of Lexington took place during the Revolutionary War. I did assume it was somewhere in New England but I wasn't exactly sure on where though. Turns out, it's about 11 miles to the Northwest of Boston in Massachusetts. Well, in today's story, we read about Paul Revere and his role in the battles of Concord and Lexington with the story “Paul Revere and the Battle of Concord and Lexington.” This comes to us from the book “American Leaders and Heroes” written by Wilbur Fisk Gordy.


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American Leaders and Heroes
YouTube

Redwing and Yellow Wing

Bird feeders in your yard are great! It has probably been about 6 months or so since we installed a bird feeder in our front yard. The chickadees enjoyed that during the winter months but now we are seeing other birds, like the Redwing Blackbird. This was a bird we identified the other day so of course, I had to find a story about it. Well, I did find a story. The story is titled “Redwing and Yellow Wing” and comes to us from the book “The Burgess Bird Book for Children” written by our friend Thornton W. Burgess.


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Redwing Blackbird (Cornell University)
Northern Flicker (Cornell University)
The Burgess Bird Book for Children
YouTube

Peter Learns Something He Hadn't Guessed

Bluebirds and Robins. That is what today's story is about. Now to my recollection, I have never seen a Bluebird in my life. I have seen tons of Blue Jays and Robins but never a Bluebird. Well, in today's story, Peter Rabbit learns that Bluebirds and Robins are related in the story “Peter Learns Something He Hadn't Guessed” from the book “The Burgess Bird Book for Children” written by Thornton W. Burgess.


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The Burgess Bird Book for Children
YouTube

The Big Space Ball Game

The weather is getting nice here in Michigan so it means more outside time. Warm days usually mean warmer nights and if the sky is clear of clouds, it makes for great stargazing, moon spotting, and space station spotting too. In addition to doing all of that this summer, we are looking forward to watching baseball. In today's story, we read about “The Big Space Ball Game.” This story comes to us from the book “Young Readers Science Fiction Stories,” written by Richard Elam.


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Young Readers Science Fiction Stories
YouTube

Sherlock Holmes

I don't know if there are any short Sherlock Holmes stories. So I went in search of some, and I found a poem about Mr. Holmes. Today, we read the poem “Sherlock Holmes” and it comes to us from the book “More Misrepresentative Men” written by Harry Graham.


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More Misrepresentative Men
YouTube

Why Nibble Bunny Was Puzzled

Today we stat a new book. It is a continuation of the book we just finished and continues on with Nibble Rabbit. The story is titled “Why Nibble Bunny Was Puzzled” and comes to us from the book “Nibble Rabbit Makes More Friends” written by John Breck. When I asked John what he wanted to do for the next podcast, he requested more Nibble so here we go. Like before, I may sprinkle in some other stories but we will see.


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Nibble Rabbit Makes More Friends
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Nibble Digs Into Trouble - and Slips Out

Today marks the end of another book! We read the last chapter of the book “Mostly About Nibble the Bunny” written by John Breck. Todays story is titled “Nibble Digs Into Trouble – and Slips Out.” After this episode is release, I will compile all of the Nibble stories into one large file and release that so if you want to go back and listen to the whole story all in one sitting without having to listen to individual episodes, you can do that.


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Mostly About Nibble the Bunny
YouTube

Nibble Fools Ouphe in his Own Haystack

Well, we're almost there. After today's story titled “Nibble Fools Ouphe in his Own Haystack, there is only one more chapter left in the book “Mostly about Nibble the Bunny” written by John Breck. It's always sad when a book comes to an end but, it's always exciting too because that means we can read another book! I don't know if I will do a whole book again but we will see. I've been wanting to read some Thornton Burgess so I might read a story or two from Mr. Burgess after we finish this book. Plus, I like when I can include some mythology here too, so who knows.


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Mostly About Nibble the Bunny
YouTube

Why the Cow Got Her Horns

Well, today, we get to start something and today we get to continue with something. We start our annual reading month as today is March 1st and March is reading month, in the United States. That's exciting right? In addition to starting reading month, we get to continue our travels with Nibble the Bunny with the story “Why the Cow Got Her Horns” from the book Mostly About Nibble the Bunny written by John Breck.


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Mostly About Nibble the Bunny
YouTube

The Little Bunny Meets the Little Man

Well, today, we continue on with Nibble as he has an encounter with Man. You may remember from last episode that Nibble wanted to go see what Man looks like, well, in today's story, we see what happens when he does encounter Man. We read the story “The Little Bunny Meets the Little Man” and this story comes to us from the book Mostly About Nibble the Bunny written by John Breck.


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Mostly About Nibble the Bunny
YouTube

Nibble Rabbit's Storm Party

In today's story, we read about how Nibble met some Mallard ducks, get's caught in a snow storm, and has to run away from the Hooters. This goes along well with the past week or so of things that happened at our house. I love it when I find stories that link to what has happened or will happen. Anyway, today's story is titled “What Happens When Folks Lose Their Temper” and comes to us from the book Mostly About Nibble the Bunny written by John Breck.


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Mostly About Nibble the Bunny
YouTube

The Tree and the End

Thor is probably one of my most favorite mythological figures. He shows up in comic books, movies, and the name Thor has been used in other products as well. Well, after watching the 2017 movie “Thor: Ragnarok,” I decided to read a couple stories from the Norse myths. I couldn't decide on one so I chose two. The first one is titled “Ygdrasil” and the second titled “The Darkness That Fell on Asgard.” Both of these stories come to us from the book “Legends of Norseland” and these stories were edited by Mara Pratt.


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Legends of Norseland
YouTube

What Happens When Folks Lose Their Tempers

In today's story, we read about how Nibble met some Mallard ducks, get's caught in a snow storm, and has to run away from the Hooters. This goes along well with the past week or so of things that happened at our house. I love it when I find stories that link to what has happened or will happen. Anyway, today's story is titled “What Happens When Folks Lose Their Temper” and comes to us from the book Mostly About Nibble the Bunny written by John Breck.


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Mostly About Nibble the Bunny
YouTube

Nibble to the Rescue!

Today is a continuation of the Nibble story. This is the third story in the book. If I continue on, what I will probably do, is just re-release all of the episodes as an audiobook. I know my son has been after me about releasing another audiobook so that would probably work. Anyway, today's story is titled “Nibble to the Rescue” and comes to us from the book Mostly About Nibble the Bunny written by John Breck.


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Mostly About Nibble the Bunny
YouTube

Nibble Rabbit Learns His Fortune

John loved the story from John. That is, my John, liked the story from Mr. John Breck about a very small bunny having a very big adventure. Well, today, we read the next story in the journey of Nibble to find his mother with the story “Nibbly Rabbit Learns His Fortune” from the book Mostly About Nibble the Bunny written by John Breck.


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Mostly About Nibble the Bunny
YouTube

Where Little Chief Learned to Make Hay

I've got a few old books, but this book may be my oldest. The copyright is 1918 and I don't see a printing date so I have to assume that this book is about 103 years old! That's pretty old. It is nice to see though that Mr. Burgess is still popular after all these years, at least the lady who worked at the bookstore says that she has seen a lot of his book come in and get bought very quickly. Anyway, today, we head to the Green Meadow and Green Forest with the story “Where Little Chief Learned to Make Hay” from the book Mother West Wind “Where” Stories written by Thornton W. Burgess.


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Mother West Wind "Where" Stories
YouTube

A Very Small Bunny Has a Very Big Adventure

For me, when animals are personified in stories, I am always attracted to that. I used to read those kind of stories when I was a kid and I still read them today as an adult. Well, today, we read about some forest friends but not from our usual suspects. This is a totally new author that I just found today when I was going to find a story about Buster the Big Brown Bear. Today's story is “A Very Small Bunny Has a Very Big Adventure.” It comes to us today from the book Mostly About Nibble the Bunny written by John Breck.


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Mostly About Nibble the Bunny
YouTube

Detroit

I may be a little biased but I think Detroit is definitely one of the greatest if not the greatest cities in the United States. I've visited a lot of cities but when people mention Detroit, I get a little hometown pride. One of the things I like to do is head down to Detroit and watch sporting events and go to the concert venues. I've even eaten at some of the fine restaurants. Well, in today's story, we read a little about the early history of this great city and we also take a trip back to Detroit around the year 1916. Today's story is titled “Detroit” and comes to us from the book Great Cities of the United States written by Gertrude Van Duyn Southworth and Stephen Elliott Kramer.


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Great Cities of the United States
YouTube

A Case of Identity

Today, we have a Sherlock Holmes story with the story titled “A Cast of Identity” from the book The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes written by Arthur Conan Doyle. It's always fun reading these stories. In my living room, on my book shelf, I have all of the Sherlock Holmes stories compiled into one book. I pretty much see that book every day so when I get a chance, I like to read a story here and there. I forget how many Sherlock Holmes stories there are all together but hopefully, they will all be recorded for the podcast one day.


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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Buster Returns to the North Woods

Have you ever been stuck somewhere and just want to get back home? I may dare to say that most, if not all of us, have been in that situation. Whether it be work, school, or someplace that isn't home, we just want to leave our current surroundings and escape. Well, in today's story, we see how Buster escapes the basement of Nell's house and escapes to the North Woods with the story “Buster Returns to the North Woods” from the book Buster the Big Brown Bear written by George Ethelbert Walsh.


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--> Buster the Big Brown Bear
YouTube

Nursery Lessons, in Words of One Syllable

John narrates the book Nursery Lessons, in Words of One Syllable. This is a short one but, at least for me, makes me smile as he reads. The other day, my wife told me that she “...knows John loves to read and that he gets that from me.” That's a win in my book if I pass on the love of reading.


Links for the episode:

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Nursery Lessons, in Words of One Syllable
YouTube

Adventure on the Sun's Doorstep

The sun is approximately 94.4 millions miles (151.9 million km) away from Earth. Travelling at the speed of the International Space Station of 17,500 mph (28,163 km/h) it would take you approximately 225 days to reach the sun. That would be a long time stuck in a space ship. Well, in today's episode, we don't travel the whole 94.4 million miles, we only travel about 57 million miles to Mercury, which is the Sun's closest neighbor. Today's story is “Adventure on the Sun's Doorstep” from the book Young Readers Science Fiction Stories written by Richard Elam.


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Young Readers Science Fiction Stories
YouTube

Buster is to be Sent to the Zoo

If you found a bear in your house, that escaped from the circus, what would you do? I'd hide it in my room under clothes! No I wouldn't. I would probably be terrified. Anyway, in today's story we see what happens to Buster after he is discovered in the story “Buster is to be Sent to the Zoo” from the book Buster the Big Brown Bear written by George Ethelbert Walsh.


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Buster the Big Brown Bear
YouTube

Peter Sees Two Terrible Feathered Hunters

I love birds of prey. Around my house, I have seen bald eagles and hawks. I have yet to see him but I have heard him. Hooty visited the neighboorhood about a month ago now. Like I said, I heard him but didn't see him. Well in today's story, we learn about Hooty and also about Terror the Goshawk with the story “Peter Sees Two Terrible Feathered Hunters” from the book The Burgess Bird Book for Children written by Thornton W. Burgess.


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The Burgess Bird Book for Children
YouTube

Buster Tries to Escape and is Discovered

Buster Bear. I know of two authors that have used this name as a character for their stories and I would assume that there are more. I don't know if it was a popular name for bears back in the early1900s but I do like the stories I have found so far. Today's story is “Buster Tries to Escape and is Discovered” from the book Buster the Big Brown Bear written by George Ethelbert Walsh.


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Buster the Big Brown Bear
YouTube

How Orion Found His Sight

Looking up in the night sky and identifying the constellations, or seeing the Space Station zoom overhead, or sometimes spotting other celestial beings is always fun, for me at least. One of the easier constellations to recognize is Orion. He's starting to make an appearance again in the early night sky so I figured, why not do a story about him? So today, we read the story “How Orion Found His Sight” from the book Wonder Stories written by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey.


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Wonder Stories
YouTube

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