Red Herring Reef Mystery (T.A.L.E. Tour Rewind & Giveaway)

Jonathan and Redge plunge back into the Fantasea, when the magical minivan transformed into a submarine and carried them to the vibrant underwater village of Red Herring Reef. The adventure started as a dazzling tour of colorful coral and amazing art, until an empty frame led to an unexpected mystery to solve. As clues rippled to the surface, they discovered a special kind of magic hiding beneath the waves about finding the confidence to share who you are.

Listen to the original episode 113, Riddle of Red Herring Reef: https://jonincharacter.com/riddle-of-red-herring-reef/ 

We’re having a special Dorktales Storytime merch giveaway!

• Where would your child like to go with us on a future T.A.L.E. Tour? Grownups, you can submit that idea on their behalf for a chance to win a Dorktales Storytime merch prize pack.
• The giveaway is open to families in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia. If you live outside those regions and have a child who would love to participate, please reach out and we’ll be happy to share a digital reward option.
• Last day to submit: Wednesday, February 25, 2026. 
• Seven winners will be randomly selected and announced in a Mr. Redge Hotline episode on March 5.
• Learn more and submit your child’s idea here: https://jonincharacter.com/tale-tour-adventure-playlist/

CREDITS: This episode is a Jonincharacter production. It was produced by Molly Murphy and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks.

Visit the official Dorktales shop, Once Upon A Merch at dorktales-shop.fourthwall.com and use the code WELCOME10 for 10%off your order for a limited time.

Transcript

JONATHAN CORMUR: Hello Dork Squad. I'm Jonathan Cormur and you're listening to Dorktales Storytime, the podcast for kids and their pop culture-loving grown-ups.

THEME SONG: It's a beautiful day for a story, adventure and glory, new friends and old ones too. It's an excellent day to get swept away in a tail, so let us regale you.

JONATHAN: And, weeee’re back… to look back at another Thrilling and Astounding Lore Expedition!

REDGE: or T.A.L.E. Tour as your coolest and cleverest hedgehog host likes to call it!

JONATHAN: And we’re busy getting ready for our brand new Season Seven…

REDGE: Seven!! The splashiest number ever! 

JONATHAN: Nice water reference, Redge. Because today, we’re bubbling beneath the sea to revisit the colorful coral of…

REDGE: An underwater village! An art exhibit! A missing masterpiece! And a mermaid curator with style!

JONATHAN: You got it, Redge. We’re returning to…

REDGE: Red Herring Reef!

INSERT CLIP 1: “Undersea Arrival”

(From EP113 — start with Redge’s nature-documentary-style monologue: “The Fantasea. A vast ocean…” and end after Ariel says “…professional mermaid on the go.”)

REDGE: The Fantasea. A vast ocean spread across the lands of Once Upon A Time. Many have sailed across the waves but few have seen the dark depths…what creatures might be hidden below the surf? What strange coral-ridden lands will we find? Discover the answers today on…Riddles of the Reef!

(Stinger)

JONATHAN: Uh…Redge? What are you doing?

REDGE: I’m documenting our journey under the sea, of course! We’re exploring one of Once Upon a Time’s great oceans for the first time! I think it’s important to make a good record of it!

JONATHAN: I see!

REDGE: This is so exciting! I’m so happy that our magical minivan can become a submarine! Plus…it comes with great new gear!

JONATHAN: Like that magical underwater camera you’re using!

REDGE: And the Mander siblings equipped us with matching bubble helmets and diving suits so now we can swim in style. (Sighs) Simply divine.

JONATHAN: According to this old treasure map I got from the pirates on Plot Hook—

REDGE: You went to my favorite pirate island without me?

JONATHAN: Isn’t it the only pirate island in Once Upon a Time?

REDGE: STILL!

JONATHAN: Anyhow, according to this pirate map, Red Herring Reef should be just ahead!

REDGE: What do you think we’ll see there, Jonathan? A treasure chest? No no, two treasure chests?? Wait…THREE treasure chests???

JONATHAN: I’m not sure. Most pirate maps are pretty vague. There’s just a big red X where the Reef is located and no other details.

REDGE: Classic pirate treasure map stuff.

JONATHAN: Classic.

REDGE: Wait…Jonathan! Look!

JONATHAN: Do you see a big red X?

REDGE: No red X but look at all of those vibrant colors!

JONATHAN: Oh! Wow! There’s so much colorful coral! That must be the reef!

REDGE: I adore rainbows!

JONATHAN: Are those…buildings?

REDGE: Jonathan! I think we’ve stumbled on an underwater village! Here, hold the camera! (Clears throat; documentary voice again) And we’re back, having answered at least one question about the mysterious Red Herring Reef. It seems a small village has been constructed there amidst the colorful coral. Who lives in this underwater settlement? Stick around for more on Riddles of the Reef!

(Stinger)

ARIEL: Come on in everyone, the tour will begin in two swishes of a dolphin’s fin! Oh, why hello there newcomers! I love the bubble helmets! Very seafoam chic!

REDGE: Why thank you! I love your stunning blazer!

ARIEL: Ain’t it great? It’s tailored for the professional mermaid on the go. 

END CLIP

JONATHAN: Val and Sal A. Mander said they designed the Minivan for underwater  exploring.

REDGE: And they delivered! What perfection!

JONATHAN: So true, Redge. And what about meeting Ariel for the first time?

REDGE: Oh, she is simply fin-tastic. That blazer alone deserves a feature in (MOLLY can you come up with a silly fashion magazine name?)

JONATHAN: And she welcomed us right into the charming village of Red Herring Reef and its art event of the season!

REDGE: And just when we thought we were getting a simple art tour from Ariel herself…

JONATHAN: Things took an unexpected turn.

CLIP 2: “The Mystery Begins”

(From EP113 — begin with Ariel saying “Alrighty, flip your fins this way…and end with Redge declaring “We have a mystery on our hands!”)

ARIEL: Alrighty, flip your fins this way for more whozits and whatzits galore! This next piece is a real splash, on loan from Glitter Cove’s Greta the Dolphin. This sculpture is a replica of Donna & Greta’s So-fish-ticated Seaside Snacks! It’s a heartfelt homage to the business they run together in the cove! 

JONATHAN: We’ve been there! One of my favorite places to get a snack! 

ARIEL: Grab a magnifying gizmo and take a close look at all of those miniature details! But be careful not to get lost in the seaweed! 

JONATHAN: Wait…did she make this entirely of seaweed?!

ARIEL: She did! 

SCHOOL OF FISH: Wowwwww! 

REDGE: A whole sculpture in honor of snacks! I’m so moved, I could cry. Jonathan, am I crying? How can you tell if you’re crying underwater?

JONATHAN: Redge… we’re technically in bubble helmets…

ARIEL: Just keep swimming this way! Just keep swimming! Wouldn’t want you to get lost–

REDGE: Wait a minute! This one is just an empty frame.

ARIEL: Wow, hmmm, that’s…um…strange! Swimming along–

REDGE: Strange indeed! Is this some sort of minimalist movement, Ariel? 

ARIEL: Uhh…you know what, let’s take a brief intermission shall we? Go on kids, you can check out our seaglass exhibit down the hall. Very shiny, lots of rainbows! 

SCHOOL OF FISH: OK!

ARIEL: There they go! Wonderful. Actually, Reginald and Jonathan you should join them! The School of Fish always sticks together! 

REDGE: We couldn’t leave you alone if a painting is missing!

JONATHAN: Yes, we’re here to help! 

ARIEL: (Over the top, like she knows something but is hiding it) What! You think the painting is missing? This is so strange! This is…unprecedented! What? Oh boy… well show’s cancelled! Right guys? Do you hear that? My shell phone is ringing I think…

JONATHAN: I don’t hear anything.

REDGE: GASP! You know what this means don’t you? 

ARIEL: Absolutely nothing? 

REDGE: We have a mystery on our hands!

 END CLIP

REDGE: An empty frame and Ariel acting…how shall I put this?

JONATHAN: Very suspicious!

REDGE: Oooh, my detective quills were quivering! My sleuthing skills were on high alert…

JONATHAN: As things kept getting fishier by the moment.

REDGE: Jonathan! I think we’re at my favorite part… me hunting for clues!

CLIP 3: “Ariel’s Big Reveal”

(From EP113 — begin with Redge saying “Phew! Back to the case at hand…” and end with Redge saying “Why on earth…er…on sea would you hide this?” )

REDGE: Phew! Back to the case at hand! (Muttering while looking for clues cont.) STOP!

ARIEL: AH!

JONATHAN: What is it, Redge?

REDGE: I’m not sure…see that patch of kelp over there? Something seems off. 

ARIEL: Off? Over where? Are you sure??

REDGE: The kelp is growing vertically and gently swaying with the waves. But this patch has a gap, as if someone exactly Ariel’s size pushed it to the side to get through. Jonathan, keep filming! Ariel, let’s investigate! I’m going in. OH MY!

ARIEL: I’m sure there’s a perfectly reasonable explanation! 

JONATHAN: It’s…a dead end. 

REDGE: And the trail of clues has run dry! Which is quite a feat! Because we’re underwater! (Sighs) I don’t think we’re ever going to solve this case.

GILL: Is this what y’all were lookin’ fer? 

JONATHAN/REDGE/ARIEL: AH!

ARIEL: Jumping Jellyfish! Gill, where did you come from?

GILL: I found this hidden under the Kelp Desk.

REDGE: (Aside) Wow, Ariel, you weren’t lying. That IS exactly what he sounds like!

ARIEL: I told you! Ahem, thank you, Gill. I’ll take it from here.

REDGE: AHA! The plot thickens! There is one more clue! This painting has your signature on it! 

JONATHAN: Is…is this your piece?

ARIEL: No, that’s a different…Ariel. Ariel, ummm…Kelpdesk. 

REDGE: Kelpdesk?

ARIEL: ALRIGHT! I GIVE IN! YOU’VE GOTTEN IT OUT OF ME. You’re too good of a detective to hide from anymore. Yes. The missing painting… IS MINE.

REDGE: GASP!

ARIEL: I KNOW! Are you getting clammy in here or is it just me? 

REDGE: Why on earth…er…on sea would you hide this? 

END CLIP

JONATHAN: Well, we certainly didn’t see that twist coming. All those clues you followed…

REDGE: They all pointed to one thing. Ariel was keeping a very big secret.

JONATHAN: Not stolen art…

REDGE: But a masterpiece she was too nervous to share!

JONATHAN: I’m so happy we were able to be there to encourage her to come out of her shell and share her art with the world, or at least the under water world.

REDGE: And that’s how our new friend Ariel rediscovered her creative voice! Oh, Jonathan these T.A.L.E. Tour recap shows make me so excited about what’s in store for us and our listeners in Season 7!

JONATHAN: Me too, Redge! And that reminds me…

REDGE: to remind our dear listener friends of something extra special we’re doing to celebrate Season 7?

JONATHAN: Yes, but why don’t you spill the beans?

REDGE: What do beans have to do with winning a Dorktales Storytime merch prize pack?

JONATHAN: Hahaha! You’re right, buddy! 

REDGE: All they need to do is use their imaginations and tell us where they’d like to go with us on a T.A.L.E. tour, right?

JONATHAN: Correct.

REDGE: How about a brand new underwater adventure? Or meet with a favorite prince or princess in Mythdom? Better yet, make up your own story about where we could go together. Remember, anything is possible in the land of Once Upon a Time!

JONATHAN: Grownups, send in your child’s idea to us at dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com.

REDGE: From everyone we hear from, we’ll randomly choose 7 of you to win the Dorktales merch prize pack!

JONATHAN: Redge and I are so excited to hear your ideas! Now, go be the hero of your own story, and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!

THEME SONG: So gather your squad for all to see. It's a universe that we've imagined. There's twists and turns and lessons learned. This is where the unexpected happens. Join our humble hosts and hit the trails of the wonderful, wacky, wild world of Dorktales.

© Dorktales Storytime 2026