Ariel’s Day Out | Little Mermaid Stories for Kids

Redge is taking Ariel, the little mermaid, on a photography adventure through Once Upon a Time to find the most magical and extraordinary things the land has to offer. Her search quickly turns into a day of delightful distractions, from flipping flapjacks at Granny’s Diner, to exploring little thing-a-ma-jigs in the community garden, to having fits of fascination over the library. As Ariel zooms in on unexpected details, she discovers that magical moments can be found in the most ordinary places.

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PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS: This little mermaid adventure stories for kids encourages them to slow down, pay attention to the world around them, and find magic in everyday moments. Ariel’s fascination with everyday objects highlights the value of observation and perspective-taking. When Ariel worries that she has failed at her photography mission, Redge helps her reframe her disappointment and recognize she did achieve what she set out to do, even though the day didn’t go as planned. 

CREDITS: This episode is a Jonincharacter production. This story was written by Kristin Schmitz and Molly Murphy. Ariel and Catl were performed by Sophie, who you can find streaming on twitch.tv/s0ph. All other characters were performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks.

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Transcript

Jonathan 0:21

Hello, Dork Squad. I'm Jonathan Cormur, and you're listening to Dork Tales Storytime, the podcast for kids and their pop culture loving grown-ups. And this is one of our anything is possible lore stories.

Theme Song 0:35

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 tale, so let us regale

Little Mermaid on Land

Theme Song 0:48

you  

Ariel the little mermaid 0:57

That was a great photo, Redge!

Redge 0:59

Why, thank you, Ariel! Oh look! Finally, one where my eyes aren't closed.

Ariel the little mermaid 1:06

Let's do one where we have a silly face. Like uh jellyfish.

Redge 1:12

I didn't think jellyfish were known for having faces, let alone silly ones.

Ariel the little mermaid 1:18

Oh, great point. Okay, well, make your best blobfish face and say blob on three. One, two, three!

All 1:30

Blob!

Ariel the little mermaid 1:33

I love it! Okay, okay. Now, Starfish jump!

Redge 1:37

Starfish jump!

Ariel the little mermaid 1:41

It looks excellent.

Redge 1:43

Ooh, did I really jump that high? I'm like a superhero!

Ariel the little mermaid 1:49

Well, I captured the shot at the perfect angle and at the precise time you jumped to make it look like you were soaring into the sky.

Redge 1:59

Brilliant!

Ariel the little mermaid 2:00

Why, thank you.

Redge 2:02

It's so fun to have you visiting from Red Herring Reef. And on land, right here in my little folktale forest home. And your suit looks fabulous.

Ariel the little mermaid 2:15

Oh, this old thing! Stop, stop! You flatter me.

Redge 2:21

How do you do it?

Ariel the little mermaid 2:23

What can I say? I have great taste, excellent style, vision, pizzazz, panache even.

Redge 2:34

That is true.

Ariel the little mermaid 2:36

Thank you.

Redge 2:37

Uh but I meant uh how are you on land?

Ariel the little mermaid 2:41

Oh, right. I have my ways. It's magic. Sorry, I just can't keep a secret.

Redge 2:50

Well, I'm so happy to take you around today to prepare for Once Upon A Time's first prestigious photo exhibit.

Ariel the little mermaid 2:57

Magical Moments, a photography retrospective. I was thrilled to be selected to share my very own exhibit. I can't believe top curators at the Museum of Mammal-Made Art know who I am.

Redge 3:12

The folks at the MoMMA have excellent taste.

Ariel the little mermaid 3:17

You flatter me again. But they want my exhibit to be the Found Around the Town exhibit. And I spend most of my time under the sea. I don't even know about magic on land. So do you think you might wanna

Redge 3:36

help you find the beautiful and extraordinary all around the land of Once Upon A Time?

Ariel the little mermaid 3:42

That's right.

Redge 3:43

I would be honored! And we should get started right away. First, I was thinking we could get in my magical minivan and travel to one of our greatest, most magical cities.

Ariel the little mermaid 3:56

Right. Yes, we can and we shall. We will get right to work. Absolutely. But making my best blobfish face really worked up an appetite.

Redge 4:10

But your photography

Off to Granny's Diner

Redge 4:12

show.  

Ariel the little mermaid 4:13

Come on, just a quick bite? I want you to show me one of your favorite hometown restaurants here in the folktale forest.

Redge 4:20

Well, okay. We'll grab a quick bite at Granny's Diner. But then I want to take you to Litropia. Deal?

Ariel the little mermaid 4:28

Deal.

Redge 4:29

A hearty meal, and then we'll be off on our adventure.

Ariel the little mermaid 4:33

And maybe we'll get a few snacks for the road.

Redge 4:37

Oh, obviously.

Ariel the little mermaid 4:38

Obviously. Well, isn't this place the cutest? Oh, and it smells so good in here.

Redge 4:55

That's the smell of Granny's famous flapjacks and maple syrup. Here, take a seat at the counter.

Ariel the little mermaid 5:02

Silly seagulls! What is that?

Redge 5:05

What's what?

Ariel the little mermaid 5:07

That! The silver rectangle thingamabob behind the counter!

Redge 5:11

Oh, that. It's called a toaster. Now, here's your menu.

Ariel the little mermaid 5:18

A toaster. Wow. What does it do?

Redge 5:23

A toaster? Well, it uh makes toast. No kidding. Yes, yes, quite. It's very exciting, but we really should order.

Ariel the little mermaid 5:37

Ah! Look at that! The bread just jumped up on its own! Wow, I gotta get a picture of that!

Redge 5:45

Are you two ready to order?

Ariel the little mermaid 5:48

Are you the granny of Granny's Diner?

Granny 5:53

Oh why, yes, I am!

Ariel the little mermaid 5:55

It is so nice to meet you, ma'am. The name's Ariel. Redge has told me so much about you. I'm just in awe of this toaster you have here.

Granny 6:06

What, that ancient thing? I've had it for uh uh forty years, but it still makes the perfect piece of toast every time.

Ariel the little mermaid 6:17

Wow!

Redge 6:18

Yes, that is impressive. Uh hello, granny. Yes, we're ready to order. And we're in a bit of a hurry. I'll have the flippity flop flapjacks, and Ariel will have

Ariel the little mermaid 6:29

toast! Give me all of your toast. I gotta see this beauty in action. What does perfect toast even taste like, I wonder?

Granny 6:39

They're coming right up. I'll be out in a jiffy. Oh, excuse me for a moment. I have to attend another customer. Happy birthday!

Ariel the little mermaid 6:51

Redge! Redge! Look! Oh, it's someone's birthday! How nice! No! Look what Granny has!

Redge 7:01

What, the cupcake she's delivering?

Ariel the little mermaid 7:04

No! That glowing what's a ma- whos- it on top of the cupcake?

Redge 7:09

Oh right! You definitely don't see that in the Fantasea. That's called a birthday candle. You light it on fire, and the birthday celebrant makes a wish and blows out the flame.

Ariel the little mermaid 7:21

And the wish comes true?

Redge 7:25

Sometimes.

Ariel the little mermaid 7:27

Terrific tuna! I love this birthday tradition.

Redge 7:32

I never really thought about it that much. I suppose it is pretty special.

Ariel the little mermaid 7:37

Pretty special? It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen! Can it be my birthday? Wait, well it's not for three months.

Granny 7:49

Order up!

Ariel the little mermaid 7:50

Wow! That was a jiffy! Mmm, look at all that toast!

Redge 7:56

Now let's hurry and eat so we can get going. Now what?

Ariel the little mermaid 8:01

Shiny, glimmering, metally thingy-wingy!

Redge 8:05

Oh, that! That is a spatula! It's used to flip the flapjacks.

Ariel the little mermaid 8:11

A flapjack flipper? Ha! What will they think of next?

Granny 8:17

Oh, Ariel, would you like to try it?

Ariel the little mermaid 8:19

Flip my own flapjack? You betcha!

Redge 8:23

Oh, this is exciting! Let me get the camera.

Granny 8:26

Now, it's all in the rest. You hold it like this, and then ta-da!

Ariel the little mermaid 8:39

Okay, here goes nothing. Tada!

Redge 8:50

Oh, bravo, Ariel! Bravo!

Granny 8:54

That breaks the record for the highest flip I've ever seen. You're a natural!

Ariel the little mermaid 9:01

Awesome anemone! Who's the best? I'm the best! Yeah, who's the best? I'm the best! Ariel! Ariel! Ariel! Woo!

Redge 9:14

Oh, what fun we're having! But I'm sorry to say, we really must be going.

Ariel the little mermaid 9:20

Thanks for everything, Granny! A real magical place you've got here!

Granny 9:26

Anytime, dear, you two come back soon.

Community Garden Surprises

All 9:30

We will!  

Ariel the little mermaid 9:34

Well, I don't know how we're gonna top that.

Redge 9:37

I think we can find even more extraordinary stuff in this magical land.

Ariel the little mermaid 9:43

More extraordinary than the flapjack flip ama whaty?

Redge 9:46

Uh, the spatula.

Ariel the little mermaid 9:48

Right, that.

Redge 9:49

Well, let's hop into the magical minivan and find out. I think we'll capture great shots in the greatest city in the world.

Ariel the little mermaid 9:57

I'm ready, Freddy!

Redge 9:59

Uh, but uh my name is Redge.

Ariel the little mermaid 10:02

Oh, I'm just having a silly time with a rhyme. Oh look, I can't stop. Slime, grime, chime.

Redge 10:10

Dime. That is fun. Uh goodbye for now, folktale forest. To Litropia we go.

Ariel the little mermaid 10:23

Wow, the city is so big! And loud. But where should we even start?

Redge 10:32

Hmm. I have a wonderful idea. What do you think of going to a big, beautiful garden filled with wonders galore?

Ariel the little mermaid 10:42

Oh! You mean this one over here?

Redge 10:45

What? Oh no, no, no, th that's a

Ariel the little mermaid 10:49

Wow, you're right! This place is great!

Redge 10:53

Oh, uh yes, yes, I love the George Washington Carver Community Garden, but don't you want to see the Grand Glossary Gardens instead? It's the largest park in the Litropia.

Ariel the little mermaid 11:06

Let's look around here first.

Redge 11:08

All right, uh just for a minute. It is one of my favorite places.

Ariel the little mermaid 11:13

See? Always worth a visit to one of your favorite places. I love how the community gets together to create something so beautiful. Just look at those gorgeous red circly what chits.

Redge 11:31

Uh those are tomatoes.

Ariel the little mermaid 11:33

Tomatoes for playing the catch? Shhh

Redge 11:38

For eating.

Ariel the little mermaid 11:40

Right, right, of course. They look absolutely delicious.

Cat E. Piller 11:45

Why, thank you.

Ariel the little mermaid 11:46

You're welcome. Wait, who said that?

Redge 11:50

I don't know. I don't see anyone.

Cat E. Piller 11:53

Hey, down here! Look closer! Closer

Ariel the little mermaid 11:58

It's a fuzzy green squirmy thing!

Cat E. Piller 12:02

The name's Pilla. Cat E Pilla. But you can call me Cat , sugar.

Ariel the little mermaid 12:08

Pleased to meet you, Cat. I'm Ariel the Mermaid.

Cat E. Piller 12:13

Mermaid?

Ariel the little mermaid 12:14

It's leg day.

Redge 12:17

And I'm Reginald T. Hedgehog. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.

Ariel the little mermaid 12:23

Can I get a picture with you?

Cat E. Piller 12:25

Why, certainly. I'd be happy to show you around the garden.

Redge 12:31

Well, that's so kind of you, but we really must be going.

Ariel the little mermaid 12:34

Redge a private tour.

Redge 12:39

Well, alright.

Ariel the little mermaid 12:41

Hop on my shoulder, cat.

Cat E. Piller 12:43

Thanks, Ariel. Now, each member of the community gets their own box where they can plant whatever they like. Over here's a vegetable garden.

Ariel the little mermaid 12:54

Ooh, it's so colorful.

Cat E. Piller 12:58

It sure is. Look at all the things you can grow here.

Ariel the little mermaid 13:03

It's lovely. But I was talking about the stick-a-ma-call-it in the corner. I think I've seen something like that on the beaches near the reef. But never as colorful as this one is.

Redge 13:14

I think she means the umbrella.

Ariel the little mermaid 13:17

Umbrella. Ooh. It has every color of the rainbow on it. How magical.

Cat E. Piller 13:26

Well, open it up, Ariel.

Ariel the little mermaid 13:30

Look how big it got!

Cat E. Piller 13:33

Well, that's how it protects you from the rain, so you don't get all wet.

Ariel the little mermaid 13:37

Well, why would you keep water away with a wetter protector? I mean, I breathe in this stuff. It's great.

Redge 13:45

Uh, Ariel?

Ariel the little mermaid 13:47

Oh, right. You land folks like to stay dry and you like your air. Well, that makes this an even more genius invention. Redge, get the camera!

Redge 13:59

Smile! Oh, that's a good one!

Cat E. Piller 14:04

Now, if you walk with me to your right, you'll see the rose garden.

Redge 14:09

It's spectacular!

Ariel the little mermaid 14:12

Oh, it sure is.

Redge 14:14

Ariel? Where did you go?

Ariel the little mermaid 14:16

Over here! Look at this cool rock I found! It's so purpley and glittery! Look how it glistens in the sun!

Cat E. Piller 14:26

She's easily excited, isn't she?

Redge 14:29

You have no idea. See what I mean?

Ariel the little mermaid 14:36

Is that a hairbrush for giants?

Cat E. Piller 14:42

What?

Ariel the little mermaid 14:43

That green brushy thingy with the handle!

Cat E. Piller 14:47

Honey, that's called a rake. It's used to gather leaves.

Ariel the little mermaid 14:52

Leapin' lilybeds! This park has everything!

Cat E. Piller 14:57

Well, I'm glad you've enjoyed yourself.

Redge 15:00

Yes, thank you for showing us around, Cat.

Cat E. Piller 15:03

It was so nice meeting you both.

Ariel the little mermaid 15:05

You too, let me just plop you back by your beautiful tomatoes.

Cat E. Piller 15:10

Thanks, Ariel. Come back again and see me sometime, won't ya?

Ariel the little mermaid 15:14

Oh, we will. Bye-bye!

Redge 15:17

Farewell. Well, that was truly fun. You notice things around the garden that I wouldn't have even thought to look at.

Ariel the little mermaid 15:25

Sometimes it's the little thing-a-ma-jigs that are the most beautiful.

Redge 15:30

Hmm. You know, you may have a

Once Upon a Library

Redge 15:34

point.  

Ariel the little mermaid 15:34

Where to next?

Redge 15:36

Just up ahead is once upon a library, home to Litropia's largest collection of books, complete with a magical archival wing.

Ariel the little mermaid 15:45

Say no more, you had me at magic. Lead the way.

Redge 16:01

Oh, Ariel, in here we have to be quiet.

Ariel the little mermaid 16:06

Oh, I'll try my best.

Redge 16:08

The archival wing is past the help desk.

Ariel the little mermaid 16:11

Ooh, like the kelp desk at the MuSEAum. Let's check it out.

Redge 16:16

Oh but but the archives.

Ariel the little mermaid 16:18

I have to see the on land version of our very own kelp desk.

Redge 16:24

Alright. Let's take a look.

Ariel the little mermaid 16:28

Redge. Redge What is this black twiggy ma whatsit?

Redge 16:34

A fountain pen.

Ariel the little mermaid 16:36

A tiny fountain? What where does the water come from?

Redge 16:41

No, no. A fountain pen. You fill it with ink.

Ariel the little mermaid 16:46

Oh! Like from a squid!

Redge 16:48

Exactly! You fill it up, and then you can write with it.

Ariel the little mermaid 16:53

Squid ink that you can write with. Now I've seen it all. I gotta get a picture of that!

Librarian 17:02

Shh!

Ariel the little mermaid 17:02

Sorry. Wow, what other treasures do they have out? Look, look, look, look, look, look, look, look!

Redge 17:11

What? Uh I just see a study table with some books and

Ariel the little mermaid 17:14

uh There's a teeny piece of art! A whole stack of small art pieces. Oh, how cute! But where are their frames?

Redge 17:27

That's a bookmark.

Ariel the little mermaid 17:29

It's got a beautiful sunset on it.

Redge 17:32

Bookmarks come in all sorts of designs and colors. They're used to keep your place in a book.

Ariel the little mermaid 17:39

Art that you put in the book? Well now I've really seen it all.

Redge 17:45

The best part is you can keep that.

Ariel the little mermaid 17:49

For free?

Redge 17:51

For free

Ariel the little mermaid 17:54

Selfie time.

Librarian 17:57

Shh.

Ariel the little mermaid 17:58

Best day.

Redge 18:01

You know, I just had a thought.

Ariel the little mermaid 18:05

Love that.

Redge 18:06

It really has been a wonderful day. In fact, I think we're ready to head to the photo studio in the MoMMA to develop these shots. Come on!

Ariel the little mermaid 18:27

Wait! Redge! What about the magical archival wing? We never even went there!

Redge 18:34

No need! Hurry along now! We can get those photos developed before the end of the day!

Ariel the little mermaid 18:40

But we can't! I've got no photos of magic. I've gotten distracted. I used the whole day to look at tiny fountains and flippy- whatsa-muh-dingies and shiny perfect toast makers. Why didn't you stop me?

Redge 18:56

Why would I?

Ariel the little mermaid 18:58

Alas! Alak! Whoa is me! I've ruined the whole thing by getting distracted!

Redge 19:05

Well, Ariel, I uh

Ariel the little mermaid 19:08

Oh, whatever shall I do? There's only one thing I can do. I will now put my hand across my eyes and faint. Dramatically

Redge 19:20

But Ariel, don't you see?

Ariel the little mermaid 19:22

No! I can't see a thing! Oh wait, I covered my eyes.

Redge 19:27

No no, Ariel! You did exactly what you set out to do. You found the most magical things in Once Upon A Time.

Ariel the little mermaid 19:35

To whom?

Redge 19:36

To you!

Ariel the little mermaid 19:38

I I hey! You're right! I did find lots of magical things. A whole day's worth, in fact.

Redge 19:48

You flipped a flapjack higher than anyone has flipped a flapjack in the history of Granny's Diner. If that's not magic, I don't know what is.

Ariel the little mermaid 19:58

I did do that.

Redge 20:01

You made a tiny new friend at the garden and snapped photos of a lot of special treasures there.

Ariel the little mermaid 20:07

Like the rock.

Redge 20:09

Yes. Like the rock. And you got a new souvenir.

Ariel the little mermaid 20:14

My bookmark! I love

Little Mermaid Selfies

Ariel the little mermaid 20:16

libraries.  

Redge 20:18

I'd say you had a magical day all around.

Ariel the little mermaid 20:21

Redge, you are absotootly right.

Redge 20:25

I think your photos from today will be perfect for the photography show.

Ariel the little mermaid 20:30

And the Pièce de Resistance.

Redge 20:34

Oh uh bless you.

Ariel the little mermaid 20:36

No, no, I mean the centerpiece. The focal point. The photo that will top all other photos. Drumroll, please! Brrrrrr.

Redge 20:49

I can't wait!

Ariel the little mermaid 20:51

Blobfish face!

Redge 20:54

Awww! The perfect photo!

Ariel the little mermaid 20:57

Onwards! To the studio! Last one there is a slimy seaweed!

Redge 21:03

You're on!

Credits, Contact Us

Redge 21:04 Jonathan 21:06

This has been a Jon in character production. This story was written by Kristin Schmitz and Molly Murphy. Ariel and Cat E. Piller were performed by Sophie, who you can find streaming on twitch.tv forward slash S0PH. All other characters were performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks. We love hearing from you. Contact us at DorkalesStorytime at gmail.com or try our one-way text feature as a safe way to reach out. You can find even more ways to reach us in the show notes. Now, go be the hero of your own story, and we'll see you next once upon a time.