Singing Red

A singing stranger has come to visit the coop. Is he friend or foe?  Listen in to find out. 

New words and phrases in this episode: 

• Bobbed
• Trombone
• Testosterone
• Larynx
• Reginald
• Raccoon
• Kit
• Rabble
• Trash panda
• Buck
• Antlers
• Opportunistic 
• Optimistic
• Omnivorous

After Listening Ask your Listener these questions?

• Who are Boys 2 Men?
• How many types of lynx are there? 
• What does the phrase “cat got your tongue" mean?
• At what ages do boys usually hit puberty?
• What is a baby raccoon called?

Themes: 

• Friendship
• Never trust a cute fluffy tail
• Look out for your friends
• Know how to defend yourself

Transcript

Singing Red  

Xander is down at the coop getting the hens and clucky secure for the evening. Kitten is perched on the coop. 

Coop door sfx and latch click.  

XANDER: All secure for the night chickens. 

CLUCKY: Brawk. Yum yum yum. 

XANDER:  You are sure enjoying those crispy meal worms Clucky. 

BRIGITA: (Crunch) so delicious. Brawk 

XANDER:  You too Brigita. 

MOM: (Bell-stx) Xander! Come on up, it's dinner. 

XANDER:  That's the dinner bell! Time for me to head up. Kitten, come up soon. I'll tell Maddox you are still down here.

KITTEN: Meow. (running footsteps away) 

CLUCKY: Does his voice sound different to you? 

KITTEN: Oh yes, it is getting much deeper. 

BELLA:Why is that? 

KITTEN: Well Bella, it happens to boys as they grow up and change from boys to men. 

BRIDGET:  Is that the name of a boy band?  (SFX) 

KITTEN: Actually yes, Boyz II Men is an American vocal harmony group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They were very popular in the 1990s.  

CLUCKY: Do you think my voice will change? 

KITTEN: No, you are a rooster, not a boy. 

BRIDGET: What causes the change? 

KITTEN: As boys grow, Bridget,  their body releases a hormone called testosterone (macho sfx) 

CLUCKY: A trombone! (trombone SFX)  Like they play in a band? The big brass instrument with the part that slides out. 

BELLA: Didn't Xander recently bring one of those home to play? 

CLUCKY: Yeah he did! You mean to tell me that the instrument is affecting his voice?  Is it like an infection?  Are there miniature trombones that have snuck into his body and he is now filled with trombones floating around inside him? Should he stop playing?  

KITTEN: Meow, no, of course not. Testosterone (SFX) not trombone. (Sfx) It's a hormone or chemical substance produced by the body to help the body grow and develop. A trombone is a large brass musical instrument which would not be able to float around in Xanders body. You can not be infected by trombones.  

CLUCKY: Whew! That’s a relief!

BRIDGET: So this testosterone is changing his voice? 

KITTEN: Yes the testosterone causes his larynx to grow and the…

BRIGITA: Wait a lynx?! Isn't that a type of wild cat? Now he has a cat in his throat? 

CLUCKY: I've heard the phrase "cat got your tongue" but I never really thought that a cat was actually in a human mouth. 

KITTEN: What?! No. I said larynx not lynx. The larynx is more commonly known as the voice box. It has many fleshy chords that vibrate to make sound. As boys hit puberty, around 11-13, their bodies produce the hormone testosterone (Sfx macho sound) which when it comes in contact with the vocal cords causes them to thicken. (Macho sfx “getting pumped”)  This thickening is making Xanders voice sound lower or deeper. 

BRIGITA: He is starting to sound a little more dreamy like the dad person. 

CLUCKY: So there is no lynx in his throat?

KITTEN: That is also not possible. According to an article Maddox and I read in National Geographic, the North American lynx rufus or bobcat are on average 22 lbs and about 3ft tall, far too big to fit in a person's voice box. 

CLUCKY: Did you say bobcat? A lynx and a bobcat are the same thing? 

KITTEN: Actually there are 4 species of lynx that range across western Europe / Central Asia and North America. There are two similar and often confused species in North America known as the bobcat and lynx. Both have short tails, but the lynx is bigger and has tufts of dark fur in between the ears and on the tips of the ears.  Bobcats are only found in North America and Americans gave them the name of bobcat because of their short tails. 

CLUCKY: So that is why they are not “Bill” cats. They are bob cause they have bobbed or short tails. 

BELLA: Bobbed means short? 

BRIDGET: Yep, it can also mean to make a short movement up and down like she bobbed her head.

RED: OH I love to bob my head to music, especially Taylor Swift. I just love her music!  (starts to sing a taylor song...) 

(surprised reaction from all creatures) 

CLUCKY: Who are you? 

RED: So sorry to startle you all.  I was strolling by and decided to listen in on your conversation. My name is Red! Just like my favorite Tay Tay song! 

BRIDGET: Red? That's not a name you hear very often. 

RED: Well my real name is actually Reginald,  but that is so stuffy and boring. I prefer Red!

KITTEN: The name Reginald is English in origin and means ruler or advisor. 

RED: See, stuffy and boring.

BRIGITA: I don’t know, ruler means you could have power. 

RED: Well I do have the power to open up almost everything I come across.  

BELLA:That does sound handy.  In fact, it looks like you have small little hands like a human.  What kind of animal are you Red?  

RED: I am a raccoon.  

BRIDGET::  A Raccoon?  But you seem so nice.

CLUCKY:  How can you be a Raccoon?  I’ve alway heard of how evil and scary raccoons are.  They lurk around at night with their eyes masked, always on the hunt for food.  Not caring about anyone but themselves, always looking for their next meal… (foreboding music) 

BELLA: The black fur around your eyes does make it look like you are wearing a mask…but your tail with the rings looks so cute and fluffy and you like to sing.  How could you be evil?

RED:  (laughs)  Ha, it's a strange mix isn’t it?  But what can you expect from a guy who has been on his own since he was 3 months old?  

KITTEN: What?!  Meow, are you saying you are evil?! 

RED:  Evil sounds so bad… I prefer survivor.  (Possible music track Labyrinth saved in epidemic, not a song but sinister background)  I make the most of what is in front of me, that’s how we survive. My mom taught me and my two brothers that before she left us to fend for ourselves at just 3 months old. 

BRIGITA: (oblivious to the danger) You have two brothers? Are you close? Do you travel in a group? 

RED: No. I have not seen them since the day my Mom left us. 

CLUCKY: What happened? Why did she go? 

RED: I don’t know. We spent the day sleeping in a tree and when we woke up, she was gone.

BRIDGET: Do you think she was attacked by a predator?

RED: No, it’s the way of the raccoon. When you are old enough to survive on your own, your mom leaves and that’s it, you’re on your own. 

BRIGITA: Then why didn’t you stay with your brothers? Wouldn’t it be better to find food together? To keep each other safe? Clucky always says there is safety in numbers. 

CLUCKY: That's right,  I do say that!

RED: Ha! Safety in numbers? Those little kits, I left them in the dust. 

BELLA: What is a kit? 

KITTEN: It’s what you call a baby raccoon. 

RED: They would have just dragged me down. 

BRIDGET: You don’t think you could have worked together to find food and keep each other safe? 

RED: Ha those little weaklings. No, I doubt they lasted the week after Mom left.  

CLUCKY: Brawk!  That seems pretty harsh.  

RED:  It’s a harsh world out there. You’ve got to do what you have to do to survive.  Now tell me, which one of you would like to be eaten first?

(reactions of protest) 

CLUCKY: Now just hold on there Red.  You seem like you could be a nice guy… maybe we misjudged you. No one needs to eat anyone here.  

RED:  You know Clucky, I like that you think I could be a nice guy. Here’s the thing though… you’re wrong.  I am all those stories you have heard.  I do sneak through the night and eat what I like. I even rhyme some of the time.  And it just so happens that chicken is one of my favorite meals.  

BRIGITA:  Well you are out of luck!  Xander locked our coop for the night and it is predator proof.  Even with your paws that look like little human hands, I don’t think you can get in.  

RED:  How sure are you?  Willing to bet your life on it?  

KITTEN:  Stop trying to frighten us!  You can not get in the coop.  I think you should leave. 

RED: Why should I leave this buffet of delicious food and go away?  There are not many locks that can keep me out.  However, as you are not in the coop Kitten, maybe I should start my feast with you.  

CLUCKY:  You stay away from Kitten!  

RED: Why should I?  What are you going to do about it?  Like your friend just said, you are stuck in your coop.  Here kitty kitty, want to play? 

KITTEN:  Don’t talk to me like that.  

RED: Jump (hop noise)  You look lonely up here on top of the coop.  How about I join you for dinner?  

KITTEN: Stay back (swipe noise/hiss) I have claws and I am not afraid to use them. 

RED:  Ooohh feisty!  I don’t mind playing a little with my food before eating.  

(Yells from chickens)

CLUCKY: Nice dodge Kitten

BRIDGET: Scratch him with your claws! 

BELLA: Oh I can’t watch. 

BRIGITA: We believe in you Kitten

CLUCKY: Go Kitten! Great lunge! And down he goes. Umph…. That’s got to hurt. (sfx of a thud of Red falling off the coop).

RED: Ouch! You scratched me.  (cheers from chickens) Quiet up there.  You will be next.  She is no match for me.  

TATUM: She may not be but I certainly am!  Get back, you vile creature!  

RED:  Go away deer, this is none of your business.  

TATUM: I have warned you.  Now meet my hind legs! 

RED: Oof (Flying through the air) No Faaaaair! Oof.  

TATUM: Filthy little trash panda, you had better run away and never return to this spot. 

KITTEN: Oh Tatum!  Where did you come from?!  

CLUCKY: Wow! Tatum you really kicked him far!  Remind me to never get on your bad side. 

TATUM: Clucky, it is important that one know how to defend oneself.  Although I do take a more calm approach to life, I have many ways of defending myself and others.  Kitten are you alright?   

KITTEN: Yes Tatum. A little shaken up, but very thankful you showed up. What a lovely surprise. We haven’t seen you since the evacuation. I’m so happy to see that you’re ok. 

TATUM: Thank you Kitten. It is nice to be back in our forest, even if we have to deal with the rabble.  

CLUCKY:  Scrabble?  I don’t think he wanted to play a board game.  

TATUM: No of course not Clucky, rabble refers to someone who is disorderly and generally unwanted.  

BRIGTA: What did you call him?  A trash panda?  Isn’t that a type of bear?  

BELLA: Is he related to bears?  

TATUM: Yes, in my temper I did call him a trash panda, that was not very nice of me.  Please forgive me. 

KITTEN:  All is forgiven. It’s understandable, he was trying to eat me.  

TATUM: Thank you. It also is not accurate.  Raccoons are sometimes called trash pandas because they like to eat garbage and they look startlingly similar to the red panda.  However, the racoon and the red panda belong to two different animal families.  

CLUCKY: Not sure I want to meet either one.  Tatum, where’s Neil? 

TATUM: While we were in a different part of the forest during the evacuation, he met a young doe that he became quite fond of, so he’s staying with her now. He may be back to visit in the future though. 

Bella: I’m glad to hear that he’s well. I was afraid something happened to him since you’re alone.

TATUM: Never fully alone Bella. I have family that still lives in the forest, but I no longer have young fawns following me closely, so in that aspect, it does feel a little different.

Birgita: Where did you end up during the evacuation? Are you only getting back now?

TATUM: Actually I returned very recently. I took the opportunity to see some old friends and relations. I had a short visit with my two sisters and saw plenty of my nieces and nephews along my travels. I also came across a dear friend from my days as a young fawn. We used to play together all the time as our mothers were friends. He said he might come back to our forest in the near future and perhaps you can meet him. 

CLUCKY: That would be cool! I’ve never met a full grown male deer before! 

KITTEN: They’re called bucks, Clucky.

CLUCKY: Does he have those branches on his head?

TATUM: Antlers? (chuckles) Yes, he does. I hadn't seen him in many years, so I was quite surprised by how big he’s become. And he does have an impressive set of antlers. 

CLUCKY: I wonder how heavy those are. 

TATUM: If he comes by, I’m sure you can ask him then.

BRIDGET: It really is nice to see you again Tatum. What good luck it was that you came by!

TATUM: It wasn’t luck at all. I heard the commotion from quite far away. I’ve encountered this singing raccoon before. I hear him singing his songs, but I usually stay away. You can never fully trust raccoons. They are opportunistic feeders so I became concerned that he had found you, so I came to make sure there was no trouble.

CLUCKY: Optimistic feeders? So they’re always hopeful for eating?

TATUM: Ah, Clucky, I have missed you and the way your brain works. An opportunistic feeder is an animal that will eat anything. They are omnivorous meaning they’ll eat plants or meats. I suppose you could also call them optimistic in that they’re always hopeful to come across food.

CLUCKY: We know an opportunistic feeder!! We just met one!!!

TATUM: Oh, is that so? Another raccoon?

KITTEN: No, actually it was an opossum! Her name was Nine. 

TATUM: Oh, how interesting. I quite like the opossums. They tend to stick to themselves, but the times I’ve come across them they are quite funny. 

CLUCKY: Have you seen them alive or dead? We thought it was a zombie opossum the way she rose up from the dead!

TATUM: Oh very much alive. They don’t see deer as predators so they don’t play dead around us. I have heard about it though. 

KITTEN: Speaking of predators, I should probably get back up to the house before it gets super dark. Maddox will be wondering where I am. 

TATUM: If you’d like me to escort you up the path closer to the house, I’d be happy to Kitten. I want to make sure you get inside safely.

KITTEN: That’s so thoughtful Tatum. That might be a good idea. I’d appreciate that. 

CLUCKY: You never know if Red is still out there lurking about! He’ll think twice if he sees Tatum.  Although, I don’t think I’ll ever forget how his fluffy tail waved in the wind as he flew through the air.  I will sleep well knowing we have such good friends looking out for us.  

Racoon reference links:

• https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/procyon-lotor#conflict
• https://www.skedaddlewildlife.com/location/milwaukee/blog/pandas-and-raccoons-related/
• https://animals.howstuffworks.com/mammals/bobcat-vs-lynx.htm#:~:text=Both%20lynx%20and%20bobcats%20belong,longer%20legs%20and%20bigger%20paws
•