Transcript

MUSIC

Let's have some fun 

with things that rhyme

welcome Kids 

it's poetry time!

Hip Hip Hurray!

Welcome everyone to Kids’ Poetry Club with me, Little Dazzy Donuts. I’m here at the Club getting everything ready for our episode. Queenie is on her way here – she mentioned something about needing a few items ready for next week’s special awards ceremony when we announce the winners of the Summer competition on the topic of Home. Our last awards ceremony went so well that I asked Queenie if she’d be willing to organize it again – I’m sure it will be great fun … and, based on Queenie’s past events for the Club, it’s also likely to be unusual in several respects. While we wait for Queenie, why don’t we take advantage of this time to do our Club registration? This is where you get to shout out your name and get a Club point for being here. So, on the count of three, shout out your name so that I can hear you through your phone, computer, or radio.

Let the drum roll begin. Here goes …. One. Two. Three! ….. Excellent!

SOUND (Foot steps)

Well, our timing is perfect. It sounds like Queenie and Chicken are walking up to the Club. Let’s see what they’ve been up to.

SOUND (Door)

Hi, Queenie. Hi Chicken.

SOUND (Chicken)

Queenie: Oh, hi Little Dazzy Donuts. Sorry we’re a little late.

That’s no worries at all. How’s it going with planning next week’s awards ceremony?

Queenie: It’s going surprisingly well, really. I don’t want to reveal too much ahead of time as I want it to be a surprise … but I can give you a few hints. Ummm … okay … so I don’t think I’m giving too much away by saying that I’ve invited a few friends to join us …. I’ve found the red carpet in the storage cupboard and have ironed it to get out all of the wrinkles … oh, and I’ve already started rehearsals with the sheep.

With the sheep?

Queenie: Yes, sheep. But I can’t say any more than that. You’ll just have to wait until next week’s ceremony. I’m so excited. I just can’t wait to find out who has won. In the meantime, Chicken and I have been out buying a few things so that we have them all ready. Oh, that reminds me … look at what we picked up from the store. It’s a leaflet with a lot of happy looking dogs all over it. I think it’s some sort of talent competition to find the most talented dog.

Here, let me take a look at the leaflet. Ah yes … this is for a leaflet from a local dog charity. It looks like they’re running a fun dog agility competition to raise money for their work rescuing dogs. See, there are different categories that people can enter their dogs into. Things like waggiest tale. It looks like it’s actually happening today.

Queenie: That sounds like fun, and such a good cause too. Dog rescue charities do such amazing work!  Who wouldn’t enjoy watching dogs wag their tails to see who has the waggiest tail? I could watch that for hours as tails wag left, then right, then left, then right, the left, then right … you get the picture.

I do. I’m not sure how long I could watch a dog wagging its tail, but it looks like there are lots of different categories, and so if you got bored watching a wagging tail, you could switch to watching another category.

Queenie: Gosh – that sounds wonderful. I think I’ll go along.

It’s a shame that you don’t have a dog that you could enter. I bet the competition would be even more fun if you had a dog.

Queenie: You’re so right – it would.

SOUND (Chicken)

Queenie: Well, I suppose that you do have a dog, don’t you Chicken.

You do?

Queenie: Of course she does. That said, I’m not sure Chicken’s dog is quite what the charity was picturing when they organized the event. Still, why don’t you pop around and fetch your dog while Little Dazzy Donuts reads me a poem?

SOUND (Chicken)

SOUND (Door)

Well, Queenie,  it just so happens that I have a few dog poems around here that I could read today …. and this one here seems perfect. It’s about a group of dog friends who sound really talented – so much so, that they put a show on for their owners. Now, I wouldn’t be a fan of people making dogs perform … but if the dogs are choosing to do it, well that sounds like fun for them. Here, let me read the poem to you now …

The neighborhood dogs decided

to put on a show

to spotlight their talents.

How could I not go?

The performance began quickly,

once the curtain went up,

with a ventriloquist act

from a beagle and pup.

Then on the trapeze

we saw Rover and Spot,

and slight-of-paw magic

from a Dalmation named Dot.

A family of spaniels

performed as a choir

before a Labrador Retriever

walked the high wire.

Then a rock band of Dachsunds

played sing-a-long hits

while gymnastic Chihuahuas

all did the splits.

I watched quite amazed

sat in the front row,

the night of the strangest

ever dog show.

SOUND (Door)

Hi Chicken.

SOUND (Chicken)

Queenie: Here you are, Little Dazzy Donuts – it’s Chicken’s dog! Would you like to come over to say hi?

Okay … you know, Chicken, I’m not at all sure this is the sort of dog that the competition organizers are expecting.

SOUND (Chicken)

No – I think they’re expecting real live dogs … not large toy dogs on wheels.

Queenie: Oh, I’m sure it’s fine. I don’t expect that it matters too much. I’ve read the leaflet, and it doesn’t say anything about the dog needing to be a real dog. Chicken’s toy dog seems perfect to me. Look … we’ve attached some string to its collar, and so with the wheels and the string, we can even walk it down to the agility competition. Also, I’ve heard that there are breeds of dogs like toy poodles. So, if someone could enter a toy poodle, why can’t Chicken enter a toy dog?

You do make a compelling argument.

Queenie: Okay then, let’s take a look at the competition categories, and see which ones Chicken’s dog could compete in.

Well, the first one on the list is called the obstacle course? It says here that there’s an obstacle course where the dog weaves through a series of poles, jumps over a hurdle, runs up and down a seesaw, and jumps through a tire.

Queenie: Ummm …. That doesn’t sound like Chicken’s dog at all. Is there a category for dogs that move less?

Well, the next option is for dogs with a good sense of smell – it says here that the dog has to find an object that’s hidden in the field.

Queenie: Ummmm … That also doesn’t sound like Chicken’s dog. Okay, so we need a category that requires less running around and less sniffing.

Okay, well the next category is fetch where the dog has to retrieve a series of objects that are thrown, and the winner is the dog that returns them all the fastest.

Queenie: This really isn’t going too well, is it? So, we need a category that involves less running, less sniffing, and less fetching.

Well, that just leaves us with the final category … which is on obedience where the judges look to see how long a dog will sit or stand still. The winner is the dog that stays still the longest.

Queenie: Bingo! That category is perfect for Chicken’s dog.

SOUND (Chicken)

Queenie: That’s right, Chicken. Every day, you leave the dog somewhere in the house, and then go out gardening, and when you return, hours later, the dog is always in the exact same position. That sounds like a winning dog to me. Let’s do it! This is going to be so much fun. Ummm …. So, what do we do next?

That’s a good question, Queenie. How about you practice a little to make sure that the three of you are ready for the competition. You can do that in here, if you want … and I’ll read a poem to you while you practice.

Queenie: That sounds great, Little Dazzy Donuts. Okay, Chicken … you take your dog down to the other end of the Club and tell it to stay … and I’ll stand up this end holding a dog biscuit to tempt it. Then, when you let go of the leash, we’ll see how long the dog stays there before being tempted by the treat that I’m holding.

SOUND (Chicken)

Queenie: Oh, hang on …. I don’t have a dog biscuit. Ummmm ….. I wonder what I have in my backpack here?

SOUND (Backpack)

Queenie: Little Dazzy Donuts … do dogs like granola bars?

I don’t think so, Queenie. But, let’s face it … does it really matter what you hold up given that the dog isn’t real.

Queenie: It matters to me and Chicken. Oh, hang on … look … I have some apple slices. Those should work!

Excellent … okay, Chicken, I’ll hold these apple slices to tempt your dog while Little Dazzy Donuts reads us a poem.

How about I read you a poem called “99 Dogs”? I bet there will be a lot of dogs at the agility competition, and so a poem about 99 dogs sounds a good fit. Here, I’ll read it to you now …

I saw two people, heading off on a walk

with 99 dogs in a pack.

So, I asked them why they had so many dogs,

and they thought for a while and said back,

“We’ve tried having different numbers of dogs.

From “a lot” to “hardly any.”

The lesson we’ve learned is 98’s not enough

but 100 dogs is too many.”

Queenie: Oh, I do like that poem, Little Dazzy Donuts. Although 99 dogs sounds way too many to me. I like the sound of one dog … possibly two at a push … but 99 sounds like a lot of work. Imagine what dinnertime would be like trying to feed all of those dogs. If I ever get a dog, I’m definitely only getting one!

Okay then – how did the practice session go?

Queenie: It went SO WELL – didn’t it Chicken? I held out two apple slices the whole time, and the dog didn’t move once. In fact, it didn’t even blink. I feel so confident that we’re going to win this category.

Wonderful, Queenie … well, why don’t you, Chicken, and the dog head off to the agility competition while I read our final poem. And then you can give me a call to let me know how its all going. I’d love to know if you win.

Queenie: I like that plan.  We’ll head off now. Thanks for all of your help, Little Dazzy Donuts.

Before I read our final poem, I’d like to remind you that, on Wednesday of this week, we’re announcing the Finalists of the poetry and art competitions – you’ll be able to see all of the Finalists on our website, and even think about which ones you’d like to see win. Then, next Monday, we’ll have a special awards ceremony that annonces the winners. As we mentioned earlier, Queenie is planning it … and it sounds like there are sheep involved somehow. I hope you can join us to hear all of the winning poems.

Okay, so let’s read out our final poem before we check in with Queenie and Chicken to see how they’re doing at the agility competition. This final poem is all about a dog that nibbles …. Until she stop nibbling, and starts doing something else instead. It’s called The Story of Nibbly McNibbleson. Here’s the poem now ….

Nibbly McNibbleson was the dog nibbling queen.

She’d nibble everything when she couldn’t be seen.

She nibbled her legs, and she nibbled her paws.

She nibbled so much, her poor body was raw.

Then, she nibbled her blanket the whole of the day,

to the point where she’d nibbled the blanket away.

One day, she tired of nibbling her bed,

and decided she’d try doing licking instead.

So, she licked all the mirrors, the tables, and chairs.

Then, she licked all the rugs and the carpeted stairs.

Her licking won a place in the dog Hall of Fame,

and so Licky McLickerson became her new name.

Sadly, that was our last poem.

SOUND (Phone)

Oh, that’s the phone – I bet it’s Queenie calling to let me know how its going down at the dog agility competition.

Hi, this is Little Dazzy Donuts.

Queenie: Hi Little Dazzy Donuts, it’s Queenie.

SOUND (Chicken)

Queenie: … and Chicken’s here too. The charity people had such a giggle when we turned up … but they’re so sweet. Once they saw that Chicken was serious about entering her dog, they added her straight into the category. After all, it’s all in the name of raising money for a good cause. So, now we’re waiting for it to start. The dogs all look so excited and happy. Oh, somebody blew a whistle.

So, is it about to start?

Queenie: It is! The dogs are all lined up at the far end of the field … and the owners are all down this end of the field holding treats. Chicken is holding some apple slices for her dog. I feel really confident that this is going to go well! Chicken’s dog has been preparing for this forever.

This is so exciting, Queenie. I really hope you win. Why don’t you stay on the phone and tell us what’s happening.

Queenie: Okay … we’re underway …. Oh, this is looking good …. All of the other dogs look a little restless … Oh, one of the dogs just ran off towards a tree. And another is being distracted by some kids with a ball. Gosh, Chicken’s dog just has their eyes on the prize … they haven’t blinked. They’re just staring at the apple slices. Chicken could win this!

So, how many dogs are left in the competition?

Queenie: Let’s count them … there’s 1, 2, 3, 4 … Oh, hang on …. What’s this wrapped around my ankle? It’s a piece of string. I wonder where this came from?

A piece of string? Don’t pull it, Queenie.

Queenie: Did you say, pull it? Okay … I’ll pull it and see what’s at the other end ….. oh my, I’m pulling and pulling …. this is a really long piece of string …. I still haven’t reached the end.

SOUND (Chicken)

Queenie: Oh no ….. it’s Chicken’s dog … I’ve pulled Chicken’s dog all the way up the field! We’ve lost!!!!!

SOUND (Chicken)

Queenie: Oh well, at least we had some fun … Don’t worry, Chicken, I bet that dogs rarely win first time around. Something like this probably takes years of practice. Okay, I have to go now, Little Dazy Donuts. Chicken and I are going to take her dog to meet all of the other dogs. You know what – all of this makes me think that we should get a rescue dog for Kids’ Poetry Club. Wouldn’t that be fantastic? I’ll chat with the charity people while I’m here to find out how it works. I better dash. See you soon!

Bye, Queenie …. Have fun!

Sadly, we’ve almost reached the end of the episode. Before I say goodbye, I should remind everyone that there are lots of ways to join in with the club. If you go to kidspoetryclub.com, you’ll see a wonderful drawing by our Club illustrator, Dot Cherch, based on one of the poems from the episode. You can also see the PodSnack video and download the episode’s PodPack of activities. They’re all free. Plus there’s information on how to send your poems and drawings into the club. You’ll find everything you need at kidspoetryclub.com.

It has been so lovely to spend time with you! Thank you for joining me, Queenie, and Chicken. I hope you enjoyed yourself, and hope you’ll be back for more next time the Club meets. Join us again next week when we’ll be announcing the winners of the poetry and art competition.

As always, let's finish with our short goodbye poem:

We've had some fun 

with things that rhymed

goodbye Kids 

until next time!

This is Little Dazzy Donuts saying .... keep rhyming!!!