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Big Bad Goes Back to School (Classic) | Back to School Anxiety | Stories for Kids · Dorktales Storytime | Stories for Kids Who Love Big Adventures

• 1:11
  Jonathan: Hello, Dork Squad.
• 1:12
  Jonathan: I'm Jonathan Cormur, and you're listening to Dork Tales Storytime, the podcast for kids and their pop culture loving grown-ups.
• 1:23
  Theme Song: It's a beautiful day for a story, adventure, and glory, new friends and old ones too.
• 1:30
  Theme Song: It's an excellent day to get swept away in a tale, so let us regale you.
• 1:45
  Redge: Pencils?
• 1:46
  Serena: Check.
• 1:47
  Jonathan: And sharpened.
• 1:48
  Redge: Erasers?
• 1:49
  Serena: Check.
• 1:50
  Redge: Uh paints and paintbrushes?
• 1:52
  Serena: Check.
• 1:53
  Serena: And we have our freshly prepared canvases.
• 1:57
  Jonathan: I also have scissors, charcoals, glue, crayons, markers.
• 2:03
  Serena: Do you think maybe we've over-prepared for class?
• 2:06
  Redge: Hmm, it's possible.
• 2:09
  Redge: But now we can really let our creativity shine.
• 2:13
  Serena: That's true.
• 2:14
  Jonathan: I'm so glad they're offering art classes at Peregrine's place of learning and educational excellence.
• 2:22
  Redge: Can you believe we get to go learn at one of the most esteemed schools in all of Once Upon a Time?
• 2:30
  Serena: It really is the perfect place to try something new.
• 2:34
  Jonathan: What was the name of our class again, Redge?
• 2:37
  Redge: The school brochure says it's called Blending the Rules 101.
• 2:42
  Redge: And the description is Unleash the Pigments of Your Imagination in this class of invention and inspiration, taught by the famous painting duo Peggy Pigasso and Victor Van Goat.
• 2:59
  Jonathan: I forgot both Pigasso and Van Gogh are teaching this class.
• 3:05
  Redge: Isn't it marvelous?
• 3:07
  Serena: I think this is going to be the perfect evening activity.
• 3:11
  Redge: A good chance to try something brand new.
• 3:14
  Redge: I cannot wait.
• 3:16
  Jonathan: Well, you won't have to wait for much longer.
• 3:19
  Redge: I'll race you there.
• 3:20
  Serena: Alright.
• 3:21
  Jonathan: You're on.
• 3:22
  Redge: Last one to arrive is a silly goose.
• 3:25
  Redge: Wait.
• 3:29
  Serena: What was that?
• 3:29
  Jonathan: I have no idea.
• 3:31
  Jonathan: It's coming from over there.
• 3:37
  Redge: Behind that tree.
• 3:43
  Serena: That sounds a lot like the Big Bad Wolf.
• 3:46
  Jonathan: Hey, you're right, Serena.
• 3:47
  Redge: Let's go find him.
• 3:49
  Serena: Right behind you, Redge.
• 3:50
  Jonathan: The sound was coming from just over.
• 3:52
  Jonathan: Oh, here he is.
• 3:54
  Jonathan: Hi, Big Bad.
• 3:57
  Big Bad: Oh, uh, hello.
• 3:58
  Big Bad: Uh I didn't know anyone would be walking along this path at this hour.
• 4:05
  Redge: We're on our way to our new art class.
• 4:08
  Big Bad: That explains all the paintbrushes.
• 4:10
  Serena: Do you want to come with us?
• 4:12
  Serena: I'm sure there are extra spots open.
• 4:15
  Redge: And we certainly packed enough supplies for everyone.
• 4:18
  Big Bad: Oh uh no, that's okay.
• 4:21
  Big Bad: Uh thank you though.
• 4:22
  Big Bad: I hope you enjoy.
• 4:24
  Redge: Uh all right.
• 4:27
  Jonathan: Yeah.
• 4:27
  Jonathan: We'll just mosey along.
• 4:31
  Serena: Unless there's something you need?
• 4:34
  Big Bad: Who me?
• 4:35
  Big Bad: Uh no, no, I'm fine.
• 4:38
  Big Bad: I'm I'm actually supposed to be taking my own class this evening.
• 4:43
  Redge: Oh, really?
• 4:44
  Redge: How delightful! What are you taking?
• 4:47
  Redge: Dream studies?
• 4:49
  Redge: Introduction to the songs of nighttime?
• 4:52
  Redge: Midnight snack cooking class?
• 4:55
  Big Bad: Uh it's an advanced howling course.
• 4:58
  Serena: That sounds cool.
• 5:00
  Redge: But you're a wolf.
• 5:03
  Redge: Don't you already know how to howl?
• 5:05
  Big Bad: Well, sure, I know the basics, but I want to become a master howler.
• 5:10
  Big Bad: Did you know that there are fifty-two ways to howl at the moon?
• 5:15
  Jonathan: Really?
• 5:16
  Big Bad: Oh yes.
• 5:17
  Big Bad: Each requires a certain pitch, a specific emotion, a very carefully chosen emphasis on the ah and the wooos.
• 5:32
  Big Bad: Uh let's see.
• 5:34
  Big Bad: We've got the danger alert howl, the everybody boogie howl, the tummy grumbling with hunger howl, the calm, cool, collected canine howl, the I just finished a really awesome book, and now I want to talk about it with everyone howl, and the biggest, baddest one of all, the full moon howl.
• 5:59
  Redge: Oh, I never knew it was so much involved with howling.
• 6:03
  Serena: If you're supposed to be heading to class, why are you hiding between these trees?
• 6:08
  Big Bad: Oh, uh, well, I was just warming up my vocal cords, you see?
• 6:14
  Big Bad: You have to make sure to be ready to I'm not going.
• 6:20
  Big Bad: I can't do it.
• 6:22
  Big Bad: I was I was hiding.
• 6:26
  Serena: Oh no.
• 6:27
  Serena: What's worrying you, friend?
• 6:29
  Big Bad: Well, you see, I'm afraid I didn't really nail my intermediate howling class, and the advanced course will be too hard.
• 6:39
  Redge: Well, I'm sure you'll get right back into the swing of things, Big Bad.
• 6:43
  Big Bad: I'm nervous that I've forgotten how to study and how to practice, and there will be new students in the class who I've never met.
• 6:52
  Serena: Hmm, that can be really nerve-wracking.
• 6:55
  Serena: But you're awesome, Big Bad.
• 6:58
  Serena: And after giving it a little time, I bet you'll make some brand new friends.
• 7:04
  Big Bad: And when I went to school last year, it didn't go over so well.
• 7:19
  Jonathan: Oh, what happened?
• 7:21
  Big Bad: It was our last test before the end of the school year, and it was a full moon.
• 7:27
  Big Bad: Just like tonight.
• 7:29
  Big Bad: Professor Canis H.
• 7:31
  Big Bad: Claw took us to a campfire where we sat in a circle and took turns practicing our full moon howls.
• 7:39
  Big Bad: Fang went first.
• 7:41
  Big Bad: He's got a deep rumbling howl that makes the trees tremble.
• 7:46
  Big Bad: Sprints went second.
• 7:48
  Big Bad: She's got such a bright tone that even the birds get jealous.
• 7:53
  Big Bad: And then it was my turn.
• 7:55
  Big Bad: But I forgot one key thing about campfires.
• 8:00
  Serena: What's that?
• 8:01
  Big Bad: The moths come out.
• 8:03
  Big Bad: They're drawn to the light.
• 8:05
  Big Bad: One giant moth was circling the fire, and it accidentally made a big swoop just as I was inhaling, and it got caught in my throat.
• 8:14
  Serena: Oh no.
• 8:15
  Big Bad: Oh yeah.
• 8:17
  Big Bad: I was choking and sputtering, coughing and hollering until the moth flew back out of my mouth again.
• 8:25
  Big Bad: But it was too late.
• 8:27
  Big Bad: All the other wolves were laughing at me.
• 8:30
  Big Bad: I was so embarrassed.
• 8:33
  Jonathan: Oh, I'm sorry, Big Bad.
• 8:35
  Big Bad: I've been dreading going back to start a new school year ever since.
• 8:39
  Big Bad: I can't look those wolves in the eyes.
• 8:42
  Big Bad: What if I make a fool of myself again?
• 8:46
  Redge: Well, first of all, it wasn't fair of them to laugh at you while you were struggling.
• 8:51
  Serena: No, they could have shown more compassion.
• 8:54
  Big Bad: And what about Professor Claw?
• 8:56
  Big Bad: What if she thinks I can't learn the fine art of baying?
• 9:00
  Big Bad: Or the proper way to project a yowl?
• 9:04
  Redge: Hmm.
• 9:05
  Redge: Should we go poke your classmates with our quills and tell them to leave you alone, or else?
• 9:12
  Redge: Or should we demand a meeting with your professor to tell her what's what?
• 9:17
  Redge: That you're the best howler in all of Once Upon a Time?
• 9:22
  Serena: Hold on a minute, Redge.
• 9:24
  Serena: I'm not so sure that it's our business to get involved in.
• 9:28
  Jonathan: Are you saying we should stay out of Big Bad's issues?
• 9:31
  Serena: Well, not completely.
• 9:33
  Serena: First, I want you to know that it's common to have back-to-school jitters.
• 9:38
  Serena: And second, we're rooting for you, Big Bad.
• 9:42
  Serena: We want you to go into tonight feeling confident so that you can be the best version of yourself.
• 9:49
  Big Bad: But how can I, when my big feelings seem to be taking over once again?
• 9:54
  Serena: Remember last time when we all gave our emotions a name?
• 9:58
  Jonathan: Oh yes.
• 10:00
  Jonathan: I was overwhelmed.
• 10:02
  Big Bad: And I was sad.
• 10:04
  Redge: And I named mine Timothy.
• 10:06
  Serena: You might have your stories a little mixed up, Redge.
• 10:09
  Serena: I think you were feeling prickly.
• 10:14
  Redge: Ooh.
• 10:15
  Redge: Yes.
• 10:16
  Redge: Well, I'm always prickly.
• 10:19
  Big Bad: But here I am, not learning my lesson again.
• 10:29
  Serena: Go a little easier on yourself, Big Bad.
• 10:32
  Serena: There's no one and done approach to learning a new skill, and that includes mindfulness.
• 10:39
  Big Bad: There isn't?
• 10:41
  Serena: No, we keep returning to the lessons we've learned before, reflecting on them and refining our understanding of them.
• 10:49
  Redge: We do?
• 10:51
  Serena: Yes, but each time we revisit a challenge, we have an opportunity to see how far we've come since last time.
• 10:59
  Serena: We're able to recognize our growth, try new tools, and practice applying different skills at each opportunity.
• 11:09
  Jonathan: Wow, that's an interesting way to look at growth, Serena.
• 11:14
  Serena: Growth is a spiral, not a straight line.
• 11:17
  Serena: We're always looping back to what we've learned in the past while we move forward and build on what we knew before.
• 11:25
  Big Bad: I've been doing my breathing exercises, but they keep coming out as moans.
• 11:32
  Serena: Sometimes a favorite coping tool isn't the right fit for the moment.
• 11:36
  Serena: That's why very mindful people always have a few handy.
• 11:41
  Serena: Each time we retry in the face of an uncomfortable situation, moments of calm become easier and easier to enjoy.
• 11:51
  Serena: It's a practice.
• 11:53
  Serena: May I share a new tip that I think might work for times like this?
• 11:57
  Jonathan: Oh yes, please.
• 11:59
  Big Bad: Anything.
• 12:01
  Redge: You heard the wolf.
• 12:03
  Serena: Okay, this exercise is top to toes.
• 12:07
  Serena: It's a body scan.
• 12:09
  Serena: I want you to think about sending loving kindness to all parts of your body and your surroundings.
• 12:16
  Serena: From the top of your head to the bottom of your feet.
• 12:20
  Serena: Let's all do this together.
• 12:21
  Serena: Let's start by sitting down and getting comfortable.
• 12:25
  Serena: You can do this anywhere.
• 12:27
  Serena: Standing, sitting, lying down.
• 12:30
  Serena: But since we've got some nice soft grass here, let's sit.
• 12:34
  Serena: Take a deep breath in now.
• 12:37
  Serena: And let it out.
• 12:40
  Serena: Breathe in and breathe out.
• 12:45
  Serena: Breathe in and out.
• 12:50
  Serena: Now let's focus on our bodies.
• 12:53
  Serena: How are we feeling right now?
• 12:55
  Serena: We're going to focus on the top of our head right now.
• 13:00
  Serena: And the forehead and eyes.
• 13:03
  Serena: Relax your forehead and close your eyes if you'd like.
• 13:09
  Serena: Moving down to the mouth and the cheeks, relax.
• 13:15
  Serena: Move your bottom teeth away from your top teeth.
• 13:19
  Serena: You can even relax your chin.
• 13:24
  Serena: Relax your neck.
• 13:25
  Serena: Your shoulders.
• 13:30
  Serena: Keep taking those deep breaths.
• 13:32
  Serena: You can put a hand on your belly and feel it going up and down as you breathe in and out.
• 13:40
  Serena: Let's focus on our legs and knees now.
• 13:45
  Serena: Relax your knees.
• 13:47
  Serena: Let them fall to the sides and be loosey-goosey.
• 13:51
  Serena: Bring your focus onto your whole foot or um paws and ankles.
• 13:58
  Serena: How are they feeling?
• 13:59
  Serena: Tired from walking?
• 14:02
  Serena: You can try making circles with your ankles.
• 14:06
  Serena: Imagine you're drawing a circle with the tip of your big toe.
• 14:13
  Serena: Try this with both ankles.
• 14:15
  Serena: Now let's focus on our toes.
• 14:20
  Serena: Give them a wiggle, scrunch them up tight, and let it go.
• 14:26
  Serena: Relax.
• 14:27
  Serena: Okay, friends.
• 14:30
  Serena: How about another?
• 14:32
  All: Oh please! Absolutely.
• 14:34
  All: If we must.
• 14:36
  Serena: Okay, this is a mindfulness technique to ground you, or feel more connected to what is around you right now.
• 14:44
  Serena: Counting from one to five.
• 14:46
  Serena: We're going to use our five senses for this grounding game.
• 14:52
  Serena: Seeing, feeling, hearing, smelling, and tasting.
• 14:57
  Serena: First, what can you see right now?
• 15:01
  Serena: Look around and name five things you can see.
• 15:05
  Serena: Next, what are four things you can touch right now?
• 15:11
  Serena: It could be your arm or knee, the floor, a book, a table.
• 15:17
  Serena: If it's safe to do so, reach out and touch them.
• 15:22
  Serena: Noticing the texture.
• 15:24
  Serena: Is it rough or smooth?
• 15:27
  Serena: Warm or cool?
• 15:30
  Serena: Hard or soft.
• 15:33
  Serena: Now let's close our eyes and pay attention to what we can hear.
• 15:39
  Serena: Can you hear three different sounds?
• 15:44
  Serena: It could be the sound of my voice, birds chirping.
• 15:49
  Serena: Or if you can hear just one sound, that's okay.
• 15:53
  Serena: You can focus on that one.
• 15:55
  Serena: Two more.
• 15:57
  Serena: These can be a bit tricky depending on where we are.
• 16:01
  Serena: Let's pay attention to what we can smell right now.
• 16:05
  Serena: Outside, we may smell the grass, flowers.
• 16:09
  Serena: If we do this indoors, we might smell dinner on the stove, a scented candle.
• 16:16
  Serena: But if you can't smell anything right now, think of your favorite smell.
• 16:22
  Serena: Finally, let's focus on our sense of taste.
• 16:28
  Serena: We're not eating anything right now, so we can think of our favorite food and how that tastes.
• 16:34
  Serena: I love sugar cane, so I'm thinking about that right now.
• 16:39
  Serena: And we're done.
• 16:44
  Serena: Now, do you feel a bit more calm?
• 16:49
  Serena: Present?
• 16:51
  Redge: Serena, you're the calmest Capybara in the forest.
• 16:56
  Jonathan: Thanks, Serena.
• 16:58
  Serena: Of course.
• 16:59
  Serena: But like I said, we're always learning.
• 17:02
  Serena: I was feeling jittery about doing something new tonight, too, Big Bad.
• 17:06
  Serena: So this was even a good reminder for me.
• 17:09
  Big Bad: Really?
• 17:11
  Serena: Definitely.
• 17:12
  Redge: Sometimes I get nervous when I'm brand new at something and have to try in front of other people.
• 17:19
  Jonathan: Yeah, I experienced that too.
• 17:21
  Big Bad: So I'm not alone?
• 17:24
  Serena: Definitely not.
• 17:25
  Serena: And sometimes it might help to remember a time when you had to do something new, and it went well.
• 17:32
  Serena: You've done this before, and you can do it again.
• 17:35
  Redge: How do you feel now, Big Bad?
• 17:39
  Big Bad: I feel better.
• 17:41
  Big Bad: And I'm ready to go back to school, see my professor and old classmates, and meet my new classmates.
• 17:49
  Big Bad: And I'll be mindful of moths and ready to dodge if anything flies near my mouth.
• 17:55
  Jonathan: And you know you'll be extra fine because you always have friends like us.
• 18:00
  Redge: Exactly.
• 18:02
  Big Bad: Thank you all.
• 18:04
  Jonathan: Come on, let's all walk together to school.
• 18:07
  Big Bad: That would be great.
• 18:09
  Serena: Maybe along the way you could practice some howls and teach us about what you've learned.
• 18:14
  Redge: Ooh, I'd love to learn a howl or two.
• 18:17
  Jonathan: Oh yeah.
• 18:18
  Jonathan: Uh, what was that one about reading a cool book?
• 18:21
  Big Bad: Oh right.
• 18:22
  Big Bad: The I just finished a really awesome book and now I want to talk about it with everyone howl.
• 18:27
  Big Bad: Uh sounds something like this.
• 18:34
  Redge: As an esteemed hedgehog who likes to get groovy.
• 18:38
  Big Bad: You want to hear the Everybody Boogie Howl?
• 18:42
  Redge: You know it.
• 18:44
  Theme Song: Ow ow ow ow owl owl ow ow ow ow owl owl owl ooh.
• 18:56
  Serena: I love it.
• 18:57
  Serena: Hey, do you have a howl that's like a meditation?
• 19:02
  Big Bad: Oh, that would be the calm, cool, collected canine.
• 19:05
  Big Bad: Ow.
• 19:12
  Serena: Beautiful.
• 19:13
  Big Bad: Do you want to hear the superpower level up howl?
• 19:18
  All: Absolutely.
• 19:19
  Big Bad: Well, that one goes kinda like this.
• 19:29
  Jonathan: This has been a Jon in character production.
• 19:31
  Jonathan: Today's story was written by Amy Thompson and edited by Molly Murphy.
• 19:36
  Jonathan: Jonathan, Mr.
• 19:37
  Jonathan: Redge, and the Big Bad Wolf were performed by Jonathan Cormur.
• 19:42
  Jonathan: Serena was performed by Chanel Tsang, the host of Peace Out Podcast, and the author of Peace Out Calm Down Workbook for Kids.
• 19:51
  Jonathan: Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studios.
• 19:56
  Jonathan: Reach out to us on Instagram or email us at DorkTalesStorytime at gmail.com.
• 20:02
  Jonathan: Find links in the show notes or go to dorktalesstorytime.com.
• 20:07
  Jonathan: Now, go be the hero of your own story, and we'll see you next once upon a time.
• 20:17
  Theme Song: So gather your squad