Speaker 1: Yale. Hello everyone, and welcome to the Animal Tales podcast,
where you suggest the animal for us to write a
story about. My name's Josephine and I've got a brand
new animal story here just for you. There are over
four hundred animal tales now and all are available on
our premium service, alongside over seventy premium only stories for
a tiny fee. They are all advert free. Eleiana is
from Florida, U s A. And she would like a
story with an alligator, a peacock and an iguana. You
can learn more about these creatures in the Animal Facts
after the story. Now, settle back, relax, and I'll begin
The Beasts of Butterworth House. The Butterworth Estate sat on
the edge of a large, overgrown swamp. It had been
difficult to build the house, for there were lots of trees,
soft ground and animals to contend with, but Charles Butterworth
had insisted it was the perfect place for his new home.
He had moved in the very day the house was finished,
and the next day brought in his menagerie of exotic pets.
Charles Butterworth saw himself as a collector, adding animals from
around the world to show off to his wealthy friends.
He had two zebras, a buffalo, a pair of cappuchin monkeys,
a sloth, a peacock, and an iguana. The animals were
kept within the grounds but were never allowed inside the house,
and because Charles didn't like to get his own hands dirty,
he hired a keeper to look after them. That person
was Eliana. Eliana loved her job from the first moment.
She loved the gardens and the view of the swamp,
but best of all, she loved getting to know the
animals she looked after. But what Eliana did not like
was Charles Butterworth. He threw his slipper at me again,
grumbled Prince the Peacock. He said, I was too loud.
I told you to stay away from his study, Eliana sighed.
His friends tried to put a collar on me yesterday
and walk me with their dogs, complained Ziggy the iguana.
I am sorry about how you were all treated, Eliana sighed.
You do your best, Prince said kindly, But a grand
bird like me deserves better than this boggi. He screelched
his foot down and winced when the dirty water rose
up around his toes. Elianna knew that Charles Butterworth saw
his menagerie as possessions, not creatures that needed care and attention.
They were for showing off, and not a thought was
given to how suitable this home was for them. Elianna
had even dreamed of taking the animals far far away
from the Butterworth estate, somewhere they could run free or
at least be treated with respect. But in reality it
wasn't so simple. Moving two zebras, a buffalo, a pair
of cappuchin monkeys, a sloth, a peacock, and an iguana
was far too difficult to task. So instead Elianna did
what she could, taking care of the animal's needs and
keeping them entertained. Girl, I'm taking the car out, Charles
Butterworth shouted at her one day from his study's window.
I won't be long. Eliana tried not to smile. She
liked it whenever mister Butterworth went out, it was an
opportunity to let the animals roam free for a while.
She made sure to watch him go, then opened the
gates to the animal pens. The animals were soon spreading
out into the wider garden, enjoying their moment of freedom.
Until that is ziggy came, crashing into her feet. Eleiana,
come quick, the iguana cried, there's a monster. Cautiously, Eliana
followed to the garden's edge, beyond which was swamp water
covered in duck weed. Prince the peacock was here facing
off against a very large alligator. Get out, Prince demanded,
this is our garden, garden, the alligator snapped, this is
a swamp, my swamp. Elianna carefully placed herself in front
of the peacock, making sure to keep a wary eye
on the large reptile. Please excuse us, she said, diplomatically.
Everywhere before you is now the Butterworth estate. Your swamp,
i'm afraid is behind you. The alligator only scoffed. Nonsense,
he said, I was hatched on this very spot. This
will always be the swamp. I'm sorry, but mister Butterworth
sees it differently, Eliana explained, feeling caught in the middle. Please,
there's plenty of swamp behind you. I don't agree with your,
mister Butterworth. The alligator replied, and I'm sure none of
my fellow gaiters will either. Please understand, Eliana said, carefully,
Mister Butterworth likes to show off his menagerie, and I
fear he has no love or respect for animals. If
he finds you here, I dread to think what action
he might take. Like I said, grinned the alligator, I
was hatched here. This is my swamp. I'm not afraid
of your mister Butterworth. In fact, he should be afraid
of me. To show the conversation was over, the alligator
lunged forward, heading towards the house. There was nothing any
of them could do to stop him. Oh, Butterworth's not
going to be happy about this, the iguana said joyfully.
He seemed to like the idea of seeing his owner's reaction.
All the peacock, the iguana, and Eliana could do was
follow the large reptile at a safe distance. None of
them wanted to end up court between its long, toothy jaws.
The creature is heading for the house, said Prince, pointing
out the obvious. The door to the kitchen was wide open,
and the alligator was heading straight to it. Doesn't he
understand we're not allowed in there. I don't think he cares,
Eliana groaned. She tried one more appeal to the alligator. Please,
mister Butterworth doesn't like animals in his house, and I
don't like his house on my swamp, the alligator replied
as he entered. I guess we're even. Eliana followed the
trail of muddy wet Prince through the kitchen and into
the beautifully decor hall. Oh my goodness, Prince said, appearing
beside her. His own curiosity had got the better of him,
and Ziggy too. This is even grander than I imagined.
Can you two please wait outside, Eliana asked. There's already
one animal that shouldn't be in here. But I want
to look at the wall paper, insisted the peacock, and
I want to see if the alligator recks the place,
Ziggy chuckled. Eliana considered looking for a cloth to clean
up the mud, but didn't dare take her eyes off
of the enormous reptile. Oh no, the dining room, she cried.
It had several expensive white rugs that the alligator was
now crossing. Oh my, said the delighted peacock. What a
beautiful var It was displayed on a marble column before
the window, but not for long. The heavy tail grazed
the column and the vase swayed. Eliana could do nothing
as it toppled sideways to crash upon the floor. Oh
my stars, the peacock cried, covering his eyes with his wings.
What a ghastly waist. Please no more, begged Eliana, as
the alligator turned into the adjoining room. Mister Butterworth is
not a man you want to upset. They were now
in the study, lined with bookshelves. A large desk stood
opposite a fireplace, over which was hung a hunter's rifle.
Why should I be worried if your mister Butterworth is upset,
asked the alligator gleefully. If he likes I can give
him something to really be upset about. The sound of
a car door slamming made Eliana stiffen. Charles Butterworth was back.
Maybe we should run, suggested Ziggy. Looking frantic, Eliana turned
to look at the broken vase and filthy rugs in
the dining room. There would be no time to hide those.
Stay out of sight, she said to the peacock and
the iguana. At least he doesn't have to know that
you're in here too. Is your butter Man back? The
alligator asked, turning his body sharply I'd like to have
a word. Oh no, you don't, said Eliana, quickly, pulling
the study door closed. Maybe there was still time to
fix this. She dashed through to the hall, pulling the
dining room door closed behind her. Just as Charles Butterworth
entered through the front door. Girl asked mister Butterworth suspiciously,
what are you doing? Ah, I was just getting a
glass of water in the kitchen when I heard the car.
I was coming to open the door for you, Eliana lied,
I see, said mister Butterworth. Well, it's just as well
you're here. I have news to share. Oh, Eliana said,
What sort of news could Charles Butterworth possibly want to
share with her? The estate has been a success, so
I've secured the neighboring land. By the end of next summer,
there'll be a string of beautiful estates just like this one.
Eliana's face went white. But but what about the swamp,
she asked, What of it? It's an un unfortunate I saw,
But it's cheap land. Mister Butterworth replied, I shall have
it drained. But what about the animals who live there?
Eliana said, they'll have nowhere to go. You'll be building
on their homes. Mister Butterworth laughed, silly girl, they're not important,
he said. The business of building homes and making money
is important. If you're so concerned, then perhaps we can
sell some of the creatures to menageries just like mine.
A sudden commotion erupted behind the door beside them. It
was the doorway to Butterworth's study. What the devil is that?
Bellowed mister Butterworth as he reached for the handle and
threw the door open. Inside there was carnage. Books had
tumbled from shep elves, a chair lay in pieces, the
furniture was raked with claws, and there was a mess everywhere.
Amongst it all, an iguana and a peacock were scrambling
to get away from something hidden by the desk. What
is the meaning of this? Shouted Charles Butterworth, as a
flurry of blue and green feathers launched themselves at him.
You despicable man, prince squawked, Look what your greed has
brought into your house. Mister Butterworth cried out, batting at
the peacock with his arms. Get this foul bird away
from me, he yelled. Eleanor managed to lift the peacock free,
but mister Butterworth was furious. How fortunate that peacock feathers
look so pretty when plucked? Leave him alone, demanded, You've
grown too attached to these creatures, mister Butterworth spat. They're
just animals, noisy, smelly, rowdy, wild animals, and they do
not belong in my house. It was at that moment
that the alligator made itself known, with a throaty, booming growl,
capturing mister Butterworth's full attention. It appeared from behind the desk,
its eyes firmly fixed on the home's owner. For a moment,
they stared each other down, then burst into action. The
alligator sprang forward, jaws wide, but mister Butterworth had his
eyes on something else. He vaulted the desk to snatch
the rifle from above the fireplace. As the alligator turned
to face him once more, mister Butterworth raised the gun
and pulled the trigger, and nothing happened. He tried again,
as the color drained from his face. Nothing. Ziggi joined
Eliana and Prince in the doorway as the alligator backed
mister Butterworth to the window. This is my swamp, snarled
the reptile. You've already stolen much from me, and now
I hear you want to do it again and again.
Mister Butterworth's eyes were wide with fear as his shaking
fingers dropped the rifle to fight with the window latch.
Now let's not be hasty, he pleaded. A little late
for that, said the alligator. Wait, shouted Eliana. She had
no love for Charles Butterworth, but she didn't want to
see him swallowed by a gaiter either. It was enough
to make the alligator pause, giving time for the panicked
man to throw open the window and leap to the
lawn outside. But he wasn't alone. The lawn was covered
in alligators, screaming. Mister Butterworth ran, never to be seen again.
I guess this belongs to me now, grinned the alligator.
But what about us, asked Eliana, What about the animals?
The alligator considered it for a moment. You can stay,
he said, but no more. Building deal nodded Eliana. Quickly.
The Butterworth estate became Critter Castle, home to two zebras,
a buffalo, a pair of cappuchin monkeys, a sloth, a peacock,
an iguana and their keeper, and whenever they wanted, an
alligator or two as well. Animals. Fact, American alligators are
apex predators, meaning that they are at the top of
the food chain and have no animals preying on them.
Because of this, they can live long lives in the
wild to around fifty years of age. Peacock is the
name of the male pea fowl. Females are called pea hens.
Despite this, we commonly refer to the species as peacocks,
possibly due to the extravagant colours and display of the male.
Females are much plainer and lack the impressive tail feathers.
Iguanas are found in Central and South America and the
Caribbean islands. They are a large lizard, able to reach
up to two meters that's six point five feet in length.
Thank you for your suggestions, Eliana. Make sure you join
us next time for another great animal tale. Good Bye.