1 00:00:12,359 --> 00:00:18,719 Speaker 1: Yeah, Hello, and welcome to a special Animal Tales podcast 2 00:00:18,760 --> 00:00:23,640 story for Christmas. Louise is from Australia and she'd like 3 00:00:23,719 --> 00:00:27,280 a story with a Quaker. Remember that you can learn 4 00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:30,480 more about these animals in the facts after the story. 5 00:00:31,320 --> 00:00:33,560 For now, it's time to sit back and get comfy, 6 00:00:33,840 --> 00:00:42,079 because it's time to begin the Quaker's Christmas quest. Louise 7 00:00:42,280 --> 00:00:45,280 hung the last bauble on the tree and flicked on 8 00:00:45,359 --> 00:00:49,200 the lights. She felt quite proud of herself for decorating 9 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:52,039 it all on her own. It was only a week 10 00:00:52,159 --> 00:00:56,200 until Christmas, and the Little Quaker was excited. She was 11 00:00:56,240 --> 00:00:59,759 looking forward to Christmas morning, where she would wake up early, 12 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:03,520 open her presents with her family, and then head down 13 00:01:03,560 --> 00:01:08,799 to the beach for a delicious Christmas dinner barbecue. Louise 14 00:01:08,920 --> 00:01:11,519 was just packing up the last of the boxes when 15 00:01:11,560 --> 00:01:14,439 she heard the postman drop something through her letter box. 16 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:18,359 It was a single red envelope with a stamp in 17 00:01:18,439 --> 00:01:23,000 the corner. It had the words card only scrawled across 18 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:28,280 the bottom corner. Yes, she said, with glee, my first 19 00:01:28,359 --> 00:01:33,959 Christmas card. Tearing open the envelope, the Little Quaker pulled 20 00:01:34,000 --> 00:01:36,959 out the card showing a Christmas tree next to a 21 00:01:37,079 --> 00:01:42,120 roaring fire on a table, sat a steaming pudding, and 22 00:01:42,200 --> 00:01:46,840 outside the window it was snowing. Louise stared at the 23 00:01:46,879 --> 00:01:50,959 picture in wonder. The scene was nothing like her room. 24 00:01:51,799 --> 00:01:55,799 She lived in Australia, where Christmas happened during the summer. 25 00:01:56,239 --> 00:01:58,599 It was far too hot to be lighting a fire, 26 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:05,120 and then Louise had never even seen real snow. She 27 00:02:05,159 --> 00:02:08,199 couldn't help but wonder how wonderful it would be to 28 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:14,759 be surrounded by snow. While opening her presence inside, Louise 29 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:18,800 saw that the card was from her friend Carla A Koala, 30 00:02:18,840 --> 00:02:22,759 who had moved to England earlier in the year. Carla 31 00:02:22,919 --> 00:02:26,680 had added a message which read, Christmas in England is 32 00:02:26,719 --> 00:02:31,319 so similar yet so different. It's much colder and wetter, 33 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:34,960 and they don't even visit the beach. Hope you have 34 00:02:35,000 --> 00:02:40,520 a lovely Christmas, Love Carla. Returning to the picture on 35 00:02:40,560 --> 00:02:44,439 the front, Louise realized that she quite liked how warm, 36 00:02:44,719 --> 00:02:50,159 snugly and pretty the scene looked. The fireplace, the pudding, 37 00:02:50,520 --> 00:02:55,639 and the snow looked so special. I'm going to experience 38 00:02:55,680 --> 00:03:01,319 a Christmas like that, she decided. With the decision made, 39 00:03:01,759 --> 00:03:04,560 the Quaker hopped over to her computer to book a 40 00:03:04,599 --> 00:03:07,879 seat on a plane. She'd never done such a thing 41 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:12,479 before and wasn't really sure what she was doing. Her 42 00:03:12,560 --> 00:03:17,280 eye noticed a flight to somewhere called Nigeria. I wonder 43 00:03:17,319 --> 00:03:22,159 if Nigeria is near England, she thought. Caught up in 44 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:26,319 the excitement, she didn't even bother to check. She just 45 00:03:26,400 --> 00:03:30,159 bought her ticket, packed her bag, and set out for 46 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:35,759 the airport. Nigeria, it turned out, was a country in 47 00:03:35,879 --> 00:03:40,520 central Africa. After a long flight and a taxi ride, 48 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:45,680 Louise eventually found herself in a small Nigerian town. The 49 00:03:45,759 --> 00:03:50,439 houses and buildings were decorated for Christmas with lights, tinsel 50 00:03:50,759 --> 00:03:55,919 and palm fronds, and the streets were bustling with happy animals. 51 00:03:56,840 --> 00:04:01,159 Excuse me, said an ardvark politely as she struggled to 52 00:04:01,199 --> 00:04:07,039 get past Louise. The ardvark was carrying several heavy shopping bags. 53 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:12,400 Please let me help you, the quaker insisted, taking half 54 00:04:12,479 --> 00:04:17,480 the load. The ardvark looked relieved, and the pair quickly 55 00:04:17,519 --> 00:04:22,000 fell into happy chatter as they walked along. It's very 56 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:28,079 busy here, Louise said. Is this all for Christmas? Of course, 57 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:33,720 laughed the ardvark. Christmas is all about family. Here, every 58 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:37,519 one returns home to the villages and towns therefrom to 59 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:41,759 celebrate with family and friends and plenty of good food. 60 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:47,639 How wonderful, said Louise. That sounds like Christmases back home. 61 00:04:49,000 --> 00:04:52,600 They arrived at the Ardvark's home, allowing them both to 62 00:04:52,639 --> 00:04:56,879 set the bags down. Once done, Louise pulled out the 63 00:04:56,959 --> 00:05:00,720 Christmas card that Carla had sent her and asked, does 64 00:05:00,759 --> 00:05:06,480 your Christmas look like this? A little? The Ardvark replied, 65 00:05:07,240 --> 00:05:10,360 but we don't need a big fire, and there's certainly 66 00:05:10,439 --> 00:05:15,519 no snow. Our Christmas involves lots of singing and lots 67 00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:19,560 of food. We wear our best clothes, we set off 68 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:25,720 lots of fireworks, and then we eat some more. Louise laughed. 69 00:05:26,319 --> 00:05:30,439 It sounds like you have a proper party. Then stay 70 00:05:30,480 --> 00:05:36,680 and join us, insisted the Ardvark. The Quaker considered this seriously, 71 00:05:37,160 --> 00:05:41,519 but then shook her head. Maybe next year, she said, 72 00:05:41,920 --> 00:05:46,120 tapping the picture on the card. This year, I'd really 73 00:05:46,279 --> 00:05:51,560 like to experience something like this. The Ardvark insisted that 74 00:05:51,639 --> 00:05:54,759 she at least stay the night, so Louise spent the 75 00:05:54,800 --> 00:05:59,120 time booking another flight. There was still time before Christmas 76 00:05:59,240 --> 00:06:02,759 to find what she was looking for she found a 77 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:07,319 country called the Netherlands. Perhaps this was close to England, 78 00:06:08,720 --> 00:06:13,160 so the following day Louise caught another plane that flew 79 00:06:13,199 --> 00:06:18,240 across Africa and into Europe. Touching down in the Netherlands, 80 00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:22,879 Louise was immediately shocked by the cold. There were no 81 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:27,600 chilling winds like this back home in Australia. Here in 82 00:06:27,639 --> 00:06:33,079 the Netherlands, the air made her shiver. Outside the airport, 83 00:06:33,439 --> 00:06:36,720 she found a Christmas market and decided it would be 84 00:06:36,759 --> 00:06:40,240 wise to buy herself a warm scarf to protect from 85 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:46,399 the cold. The market was extremely beautiful. Little stalls bustled 86 00:06:46,439 --> 00:06:50,759 with animals, Pretty lights hung everywhere, and the smell of 87 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:55,399 hot food filled the air. It didn't take long to 88 00:06:55,480 --> 00:06:59,759 find a stall selling knitted clothes. She was just admiring 89 00:06:59,759 --> 00:07:03,600 the scarves when the owner of the stall, a tawny owl, 90 00:07:03,879 --> 00:07:08,439 spotted her. You look a little chilly, said the owl. 91 00:07:09,360 --> 00:07:14,040 Oh I am, Louise joked. I didn't think about how 92 00:07:14,079 --> 00:07:18,160 cold it would be on my travels. Where are you from, 93 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:25,079 asked the owl. Australia, explained the quaker. My Christmas back 94 00:07:25,120 --> 00:07:28,480 home is always hot, so this year I thought i'd 95 00:07:28,519 --> 00:07:34,519 experience something different. I'm sure, you'll experience a very different Christmas. 96 00:07:34,519 --> 00:07:38,800 In the Netherlands, chuckled the tawny owl. A couple of 97 00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:42,800 weeks ago, we were visited by ciner class who brought 98 00:07:42,879 --> 00:07:47,040 gifts and food, and we had a huge feast. Soon 99 00:07:47,480 --> 00:07:54,279 at Christmas we will celebrate with more gifts, family and food. Oh, 100 00:07:54,319 --> 00:07:59,519 I like that, grinned Louise. That's like having two Christmases. 101 00:08:01,000 --> 00:08:04,000 She fished the Christmas card out from her pocket and 102 00:08:04,120 --> 00:08:07,800 showed it to the owl. Will your Christmas look like this? 103 00:08:09,519 --> 00:08:14,360 Something like that? Yes, that looks very close, the owl said, 104 00:08:15,120 --> 00:08:18,279 although I'm not sure what that food is on the table. 105 00:08:19,759 --> 00:08:23,360 That's a Christmas pudding. It's like a hot fruit cake, 106 00:08:23,839 --> 00:08:30,079 Louise explained. Have you never tried one? No, the owl replied, 107 00:08:30,959 --> 00:08:34,639 In the Netherlands we have a different treat made from chocolate, 108 00:08:34,960 --> 00:08:40,639 almonds and puff pastry. Now that does sound delicious. The 109 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:44,120 quaker admitted, I think I'll have to come back another 110 00:08:44,200 --> 00:08:48,159 year and try some. But this Christmas I have something 111 00:08:48,159 --> 00:08:53,039 else in mind. She bought a scarf and waved goodbye 112 00:08:53,039 --> 00:08:57,440 to the friendly owl. Still feeling chilly, she ducked into 113 00:08:57,440 --> 00:09:01,279 a warm coffee shop and bought herself a deeming hot chocolate. 114 00:09:02,279 --> 00:09:05,480 As she sat there, she studied the Christmas card again. 115 00:09:06,360 --> 00:09:09,240 She really did want to experience all of the things 116 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:12,080 she could see in the picture, so she pulled out 117 00:09:12,120 --> 00:09:19,000 her phone and looked for another flight ah England, she said, excitedly, 118 00:09:19,919 --> 00:09:23,840 that's where I want to go, and luckily for the 119 00:09:23,879 --> 00:09:29,759 little Quaker it was very close. Indeed, Louise arrived in 120 00:09:29,799 --> 00:09:35,879 a very wet, very gray England soon afterwards. Disappointingly, it 121 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:38,720 was nothing like the scene on the card at all. 122 00:09:39,759 --> 00:09:42,399 She realized that she hadn't planned on what to do 123 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:45,799 once she'd arrived, so did the only thing she could 124 00:09:45,799 --> 00:09:52,080 think of. She went to find Carla Louise. Carla cried 125 00:09:52,159 --> 00:09:55,679 as she opened the door to the soggy Quaker. Come 126 00:09:55,759 --> 00:10:01,279 in before you catch a cold. Despite being completmpletely unexpected, 127 00:10:01,759 --> 00:10:06,360 the Coala made her friend instantly welcome. She led Louise 128 00:10:06,440 --> 00:10:09,639 into the living room, where a Christmas tree twinkled and 129 00:10:09,720 --> 00:10:13,679 a fire roared. It was just what the Quaker needed. 130 00:10:15,080 --> 00:10:18,759 What are you doing here, Louise, Carla asked, as she 131 00:10:18,879 --> 00:10:24,519 passed over a hot drink. It was your card, Louise confessed, 132 00:10:24,799 --> 00:10:28,159 pulling it out. I loved it so much that I 133 00:10:28,279 --> 00:10:32,840 wanted to experience a Christmas like it for myself. The 134 00:10:32,919 --> 00:10:39,759 Cooala laughed with delight. How adventurous of you, Carla giggled. Well, 135 00:10:40,320 --> 00:10:44,120 I have the tree and the fireplace, and I even 136 00:10:44,200 --> 00:10:47,559 have the Christmas pudding. But I'm afraid it's not likely 137 00:10:47,639 --> 00:10:53,559 to snow, not with all this rain about. Louise's heart sank. 138 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:58,799 That's a shame. I've never seen snow, the Quaker said. 139 00:10:59,600 --> 00:11:01,759 I think it's the part of the picture I liked 140 00:11:01,799 --> 00:11:09,080 the most cold outside, yet warm and cozy inside. It's close, 141 00:11:09,639 --> 00:11:13,200 Carla said, But if it means that much to you, 142 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:17,919 you'll have to go further north, then I will, said 143 00:11:17,919 --> 00:11:24,080 a determined Louise. I've still got time. So the very 144 00:11:24,159 --> 00:11:27,960 next day, Louise went to where no Quaker had ever 145 00:11:28,039 --> 00:11:33,600 been before, the North Pole. She was glad she'd bought 146 00:11:33,639 --> 00:11:37,399 a scarf, because it was very cold, but very pretty 147 00:11:37,440 --> 00:11:42,320 with its covering of snow. Unfortunately, there wasn't much else. 148 00:11:43,120 --> 00:11:46,879 She couldn't see a single animal or home wherever she looked. 149 00:11:48,120 --> 00:11:51,559 It grew dark early, and the cold began to bite 150 00:11:51,600 --> 00:11:56,000 at her nose and sting her cheeks. Then from out 151 00:11:56,039 --> 00:12:00,399 of the darkness, she saw a light. Snow began to 152 00:12:00,519 --> 00:12:03,320 fall as she followed it to find a lantern hanging 153 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:07,080 beside a thick wooden door, poking from a large mound 154 00:12:07,159 --> 00:12:15,000 of snow. Curious, Louise knocked. Come in, boomed a friendly voice. 155 00:12:15,399 --> 00:12:18,799 As the door swung open to reveal a brightly lit room. 156 00:12:19,799 --> 00:12:25,159 Louise hurried inside, closing the door behind her. It was 157 00:12:25,399 --> 00:12:30,039 like magic. Louise was in a living room with a fireplace, 158 00:12:30,360 --> 00:12:33,759 a Christmas tree, and a window through which the snow 159 00:12:33,919 --> 00:12:39,960 fell silently. You've come an awfully long way, the voice said. 160 00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:44,080 Louise turned to see a man stood in a doorway. 161 00:12:44,799 --> 00:12:48,159 He had a white beard and black boots, and he 162 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:52,440 was wearing a red suit and hat. Sit and warm 163 00:12:52,480 --> 00:12:57,159 yourself by the fire, said Father Christmas. I'll get you 164 00:12:57,240 --> 00:13:02,679 some Christmas pudding. Louise did as he said, taking a 165 00:13:02,720 --> 00:13:06,879 seat in a large arm chair. Father Christmas returned a 166 00:13:06,919 --> 00:13:12,919 moment later carrying two bowls of steaming Christmas pudding. Now, 167 00:13:13,039 --> 00:13:18,120 little Quaker, Father Christmas said, once Louise had eaten, what 168 00:13:18,399 --> 00:13:22,960 brings you to my workshop? I wanted a Christmas that 169 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:28,759 looked like this, Louise explained, showing him Carla's card, and 170 00:13:28,919 --> 00:13:34,159 here it is. Father Christmas studied the card, then let 171 00:13:34,200 --> 00:13:38,720 out a jolly laugh. It does look magical, he said. 172 00:13:39,799 --> 00:13:42,600 He reached up to the mantel piece and lifted down 173 00:13:42,639 --> 00:13:46,519 one of the Christmas cards on display. This is my 174 00:13:46,799 --> 00:13:52,000 favorite card, he said softly. The drawing on the front 175 00:13:52,039 --> 00:13:57,679 showed Father Christmas on a surfboard wearing sunglasses alongside a 176 00:13:57,759 --> 00:14:05,679 surfing kangaroo. That's Australia, Louise laughed. I've always intended to 177 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:10,559 take a holiday there, Father Christmas sighed, but never got 178 00:14:10,600 --> 00:14:15,960 around to it. Do you enjoy Christmas there? Oh? I 179 00:14:16,200 --> 00:14:22,639 love it, Louise said, especially being with my family. Won't 180 00:14:22,639 --> 00:14:25,559 you miss them being on the other side of the world. 181 00:14:26,240 --> 00:14:31,600 Father Christmas asked, I think I will, admitted the Quaker 182 00:14:31,960 --> 00:14:35,679 as she gazed around the cozy room. It was a 183 00:14:35,759 --> 00:14:40,159 lovely place to be, but she realized what made Christmas 184 00:14:40,200 --> 00:14:45,279 really special was who you spent it with. I'll tell 185 00:14:45,320 --> 00:14:50,799 you what, Father Christmas smiled. It's Christmas Eve, so I'll 186 00:14:50,799 --> 00:14:55,360 be leaving soon and Australia's one of my first stops. 187 00:14:55,600 --> 00:15:01,080 Would you care to join me? I'd love to, Louise grinned, 188 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:05,679 and so it was that the little Quaker spent Christmas 189 00:15:05,759 --> 00:15:10,200 Day in the warmth of the Australian sun. All her 190 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:14,840 family were there, as were plenty of presents, mountains of food, 191 00:15:15,320 --> 00:15:20,679 and a fabulous Christmas barbecue on the beach. Louise sat 192 00:15:20,799 --> 00:15:23,919 upon the sand with a full belly and once more 193 00:15:23,960 --> 00:15:28,200 took out Carla's card. She was glad she'd taken her 194 00:15:28,279 --> 00:15:32,159 trip and seen all the different ways people celebrated Christmas, 195 00:15:32,919 --> 00:15:36,000 but it was still nice to be here back home, 196 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:40,879 and as she stared happily at the card, she failed 197 00:15:40,919 --> 00:15:44,519 to notice the lone surfer out on the waves with 198 00:15:44,639 --> 00:15:54,360 a long white beard. Animals fat Quakers are related to 199 00:15:54,480 --> 00:15:59,879 kangaroos and wallabies and move around by hopping. Females also 200 00:16:00,120 --> 00:16:02,960 have a pouch in which to carry their developing baby, 201 00:16:03,200 --> 00:16:07,039 known as a joey. Their tails serve as a way 202 00:16:07,080 --> 00:16:10,679 to store fat, like a camel's hump, and they can 203 00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:13,519 live off this fat store when food and water is 204 00:16:13,600 --> 00:16:19,240 hard to find. Kangaroos are territorial, which means they don't 205 00:16:19,360 --> 00:16:24,240 like kangaroos they don't know invading their space. Quackers, though, 206 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:28,039 are much more relaxed on the islands where they live. 207 00:16:28,399 --> 00:16:32,279 They're even happy to hop up to people. They're also 208 00:16:32,399 --> 00:16:35,759 sometimes called the happiest animal in the world due to 209 00:16:35,799 --> 00:16:39,559 the way that they look like they're smiling. Who knows, 210 00:16:40,080 --> 00:16:44,639 maybe they are. Thank you for your suggestion, Louise. We 211 00:16:44,759 --> 00:16:47,559 hope you enjoyed the tale, and thank you to all 212 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:51,159 of you across the world for listening to it. If 213 00:16:51,159 --> 00:16:54,960 you'd rather listen to animal tales without adverts, then please 214 00:16:55,039 --> 00:17:00,000 consider our premium service. It's available through Apple or Supercars, 215 00:17:00,399 --> 00:17:03,639 and the details are in the text that accompanies this episode. 216 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:08,480 For a tiny fee, it's advert free. Join us next 217 00:17:08,519 --> 00:17:12,119 time for another great animal tale, and have a very 218 00:17:12,440 --> 00:17:14,160 merry Christmas.