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 now
over one hundred extra stories on the Animal Tales premium service.
Find out how to join in the text that accompanies
this episode, and remember, for a tiny fee, they're all
advert free. Ray is from Perth in Scotland and she
would like a story with a giant otter and a
yellow spotted river turtle. You can learn more about these
creatures in the Animal Facts after the story. Now settle back, relax,
and I'll begin river rummaging. In the dark of the night,
twin headlights cut through the blackness. The car pulled up
beside the quiet river, the only sound being the rumbling
engine until even that shut off. There was not a
soul in sight, just what Cyrus had been hoping for.
Cyrus climbed out of his car. As he tugged his
black cap down onto his head. He popped open the
back of the vehicle, grabbing a fishing rod from within.
But when Cyrus took it to the edge of the river,
it wasn't a fish. Instead, he hurled it into the
water with all his might. The rod landed with a splash,
sending out moonlit ripples as it sank below the surface.
Cyrus smiled. He returned to the car, this time retrieving
a broken lamp and a cracked flower pot. These were
thrown into the river in the same manner as the rod.
They were soon followed by a couple of mugs and
a plastic box. Cyrus knew he shouldn't be dumping his
items into the river, but he simply didn't care. He
didn't care about the pollution he was creating, nor did
he care that innocent animals may get trapped or harmed
by what he was throwing away. He should have taken
all those items to the official dump like normal people did,
but that was a full thirty minute drive away, and
Cyrus was both lazy and selfish. This way was much easier,
even if he did have to do it at night
to avoid getting caught. The final item Cyrus removed was
a tatty rolled up rug. It was fraying, stained, and faded,
which was that's why he no longer wanted it. The rug, though,
was harder to get into the water. Being heavy, he
couldn't throw it like the other objects. Cyrus was forced
to wade out up to his knees, where he did
his best to toss the rug into deeper water. It
sank like a stone. Cyrus then returned to his car. Satisfied,
He shook the water from his shoes, closed up the back,
and reached into his pocket for the car keys. But
there were no khr keys in his pocket, nor were
they in any of the others. He stared at the
ground around him. Had he dropped them, surely he would
have heard them jangle? Oh what had he done with them?
Dropping to his knees, Cyrus crawled around in the dirt,
even checking under the car, but it was difficult to
see in the weak moonlight. What had he done with them?
He had them when he got out of the car.
He remembered that much. Of course, when he'd picked up
the fishing rod, he'd set them down on top of
the rug. Oh. No, had he just locked himself out
of his own car in the middle of nowhere. Cyrus
pressed his face against the rear wind screen, straining to
see there were no shiny keys within. There was only
one explanation he'd accidentally carried the keys on top of
the rug and thrown them away with it. Angrily, Cyrus
banged the roof of his car. He needed those keys.
He had to get home before somebody found him here.
Hurrying back to the edge of the river, Cyrus looked
out across the dark water. Unfortunately he could not swim.
A little down river, a young giant otter was woken
by the sounds of splashing. Normally this was caused by fish,
or frogs or birds, but this splashing sounded more like
a hippo having a bath. Martin, said the giant otter,
poking her friend. Can you hear that, Martin? A yellow
spotted river turtle poked his head out of his shell.
Not until you woke me up, Ray, Martin grumbled, what's
going on? I'm not sure, Ray replied, I'm going to
find out. Perhaps an animal needs help. Then I guess
i'd better come with you, said the river turtle. The
giant otter slipped into the nighttime water, heading towards the noise,
with Martin paddling along behind her. They were surprised to
find that the splashing was being made by a man
dressed all in black. Kicking the water in frustration. What
is he doing, Martin wondered. Only one way to find out,
Ray replied, swimming closer. Are you night fishing? The giant
otter called up to the man. He gave a shriek
of fright, not expecting to receive a visit from an animal. Er. Yes,
said Cyrus guiltily. That's right, I'm night fishing. It's my
first time. I don't think he's night fishing. The river
turtle muttered, but Ray didn't hear him. Most fish swim
away when they hear splashing, and you'd have much better
luck with a rod or a net, said Ray helpfully.
Look there's a better spot down stream, a bit. You'd
catch more fish there. Er, No, I uerh like this spot,
Cyrus said, not wanting to leave where his keys were.
I think I'll stay here. Well, all right, the giant
otter shrugged. Good luck with your fishing, but do try
to keep the noise down. Hold on a moment, cried
Cyrus hastily. Perhaps this otter and turtle were his way
out of this mess. Actually, I could really use your help,
our help, said Martin. What with? Well, I dropped something
by accident into the river, Cyrus explained, my keys, I
really do need them back. Oh dear, said Ray. We'd
be happy to help look for them, wouldn't we. Martin
sure would, nodded the river turtle. Great, said Cyrus, returning
to the river bank. I think I dropped them somewhere
over here, O k said Ray. One more question before
we start. What are keys? Cyrus almost groaned. They're shiny
and small and made of metal, he said. Now please hurry,
leave it to us, said Martin, and the two animals
disappeared beneath the surface. I bet I can find those
keys before you, said Ray cheekily. Oh you're on, Martin replied.
In the shallows, Cyrus was finally feeling hopeful. It was
getting close to dawn and he needed to be out
of here before an early morning jogger or a dog
walker happened by. He couldn't let any one see him
who might connect him to his illegal dumping, so when
the giant otter emerged, looking pleased with herself, he felt
a rush of relief. Did you find my keys, he asked?
Something even better, Ray proclaimed a fishing rod. She lifted
it up out of the water for him to see.
Cyrus couldn't believe his eyes. It was his own broken rod,
the one he'd thrown in not an hour earlier. Now
you can fish properly, ray said, happily, placing the rod
carefully on the river bank beside him. Er thanks, said Cyrus,
hiding his disappointment. But I still really need those keys
on it, said the otter. She disappeared again. Cyrus considered
kicking the fishing rod back in, but was stopped by
the the arrival of the yellow spotted river turtle. Have
you got my keys, Cyrus asked hopefully. I think so,
said the turtle proudly. They're small and shiny. He held
up three spoons and a fork. That's cutlery, Cyrus sighed.
My keys are smaller and on a ring. Hm, got it,
said Martin, putting the cutlery beside the fishing rod. I'll
try again, and back into the water he dived. Cyrus
gave the spoons a nudge with his shoe. Clearly he
wasn't the only one throwing things in this river. Seconds later,
the giant otter emerged once again. I have the keys,
she announced, much to his relief. Thank goodness, sighed Cyrus
as he reached out an open palm, hand them over.
Ray gave him an old soup can. No, this isn't keys,
but it's metal, pointed out Ray. No matter, I'll be
right back. Cyrus dropped the can beside the other items.
This was taking far too long. Now the river turtle
was back again. Are these keys, asked Martin. Nope, said Cyrus,
sagging as the flower pot he'd thrown away earlier was
set down on the bank, shiny and metal. Remember, Oh yeah,
confirmed Martin. I did see something like that. Give me
a minute. As he plunged downwards, Ray came up, much
to Cyrus's dismay. She placed a couple of glass bottles
on the river side. I know these aren't right, she said,
but I thought you might like them anyway. Some of
this stuff is really interesting. It's like a treasure trove
down there. Cyrus didn't know what to say, which was
just as well. As Ray had gone again. The first
rays of dawn were appearing over the trees, filling him
with dread. Hi there, announced a toad, appearing with an
old boot. Cyrus spluttered with disbelief. Who are you? Ray
asked us to help, said the toad as he deposited
the boot amongst the other items. Is that what you
were after? No, sobbed Cyrus. Keys. I need my keys,
right you are, said the toad as he was replaced
by a small cayman with a hub cap in her teeth.
Suddenly there were all sorts of animals helping the giant
otter and the yellow spotted river turtle, and none of
them seemed to understand what keys were. They brought Cyrus bottles, lamps,
plastic containers and food wrappers. They found ropes, fishing nets, drinks,
cans and bags. Some of the bigger animals even managed
to drag out a rusted bike, a boat, oar, a toaster,
and a three legged chair, but no keys. The pile
of junk on the river bank kept growing larger and larger.
Even Cyrus was shocked by just how much had been
dumped there. Surely one of these items must be your keys,
said Ray as she placed a chipped mug on the pile.
Martin placed another one beside it. A small crowd of
animals had now joined in the search, most of which
were waiting to hear Cyrus's response. No wept, Cyrus, rubbing
his aching head, look could you look for a rolled
up tatty rug. The keys are probably near that a rug.
Ray repeated. I guess we could take a look. Thank you,
said Cyrus quietly. The animals went under again as the
water reflected the morning's early light. Surely this was his
last chance. Then, to his delight, the animals reappeared, dragging
out the rolled up rug. Phew, this is heavy, Martin puffed.
It was taking almost all of the animals to carry
the water soaked object. With a heave. They dragged it
to the river bank with a collective groan, and something
shiny caught Cyrus's eye. My keys, he cried, grabbing them
from where they'd been tangled in the rug's fabric. Finally
he could leave. A dog bark announced that some one
was approaching on the river side path, sending the animals scurrying.
One by one. They slipped beneath the water or into
the surrounding grasses and reeds, leaving Cyrus stood beside a
very large pile of wet rubbish. Oh man, he whimpered,
I'm going to be in so much trouble. Two dog
walkers had seen him and were giving a cheery wave.
Nice to see you. Up so early, said one of
the pair. Wow, did all that come out of the river?
H yes, Cyrus mumbled. Can you believe the things people
throw away in there? It's horrendous. The second dog walker agreed,
what awful people to do such a thing. It's not
that difficult to dispose of waste properly. Cyrus felt he
had no option but to unlock the car and start
loading the mess inside, especially when the first of the
joggers went past. More and more people stopped to congratulate
him on his efforts, making him feel doubly bad for
dumping some of it in the first place. With his
car bursting with the discarded objects, the defeated Cyrus drove away,
heading for the dump, precisely where he should have gone
in the first place. Watching him go, Ray asked her
friend did he actually catch any fish? I don't think so,
replied Martin. But just as well, he'd never have got
them inside his car with all that lot. Animals. Fat
giant otters can reach almost two meters in length that's
around six feet. They're found in the rivers of the
Amazon in South America and can live in family groups
of up to twenty otters. Yellow Spotted river turtles are
another Amazon species. The yellow spots are found on their head,
which they tuck sideways under their shell, rather than drawing
their head into the shell like some other turtles. Thank
you for your suggestions, Ray, We hope that you all
enjoyed the story. Wherever you're listening in the world, don't
forget to look at our animal Tales books over on
Amazon Great bedtime reading, especially if you've discovered the joy
of reading for yourself. You join us next time for
another great animal tale. Good Bye,