Shownotes
Lon Po Po: A Knocking Folktale from China
Faithfully Explore! with Laura
Knock… knock… Did you hear that?
That mysterious sound is the very first clue in today’s adventure.
In this episode of Faithfully Explore!, Laura guides young listeners on a suspenseful journey to China through the traditional folktale Lon Po Po, which means “Grandma Wolf.” Children follow three sisters—Shang, Tao, and Paotze—as they must decide who to trust, notice clues, and use clever thinking to stay safe.
This tale may feel familiar to listeners who know Little Red Riding Hood, but with an important twist: in Lon Po Po, the children rely on teamwork, calm thinking, and ingenuity to outsmart danger—no rescuer required.
What You’ll Explore in This Episode
- A traditional Chinese folktale passed down through generations
- A wolf in disguise and the clues that reveal the truth
- How children can use awareness and reasoning when something feels “off”
- The role of clever problem-solving instead of strength
- Why teamwork and trust matter in scary situations
Belief Backpack Takeaways
Listeners “pack” three big ideas to carry with them:
- Caution & awareness – paying attention to clues and instincts
- Clever thinking – staying calm and using your brain
- Teamwork & trust – working together to stay safe
Cultural Care Note
Lon Po Po and the names in this story exists in many versions, spellings, and pronunciations, reflecting its long oral storytelling history. For this episode, pronunciation research referenced publicly available resources from the Museum of Chinese in America. As with many folktales, no single version is definitive, and variation is part of the story’s living tradition.
Great For
- Children ages 5–12
- Families who enjoy listening together
- Classrooms, libraries, and homeschool settings
- Lessons on safety, SEL, and global storytelling
- Comparing folktales across cultures
After the story, stick around for movement, reflection, and thoughtful discussion as Laura helps listeners connect the story’s lessons to their own lives.
Until next time—stay curious, stay kind, and keep exploring the world through stories.
Transcripts
Hi there, little Explorers.
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:Did you hear that?
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:It sounds like someone's
knocking on the door.
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:Oh, that knock is the very
first clue to our story today.
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:Which is a thrilling folk tale from China.
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:Welcome to Faithfully Explore.
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:I'm Laura, your story friend, and guide.
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:This is the podcast where we
travel the world through beliefs,
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:traditions, and stories that
have been shared for generations.
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:Today, we're journeying to China
through a famous folk tale.
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:A folk tale is a story that's been
told and retold for a very long time.
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:Passed from grandparents to
parents, to kids, sharing lessons,
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:imagination and wisdom along the way.
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:Today's folk tale is called Lon Po Po.
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:In Chinese Po Po means grandma Wolf.
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:Hmm.
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:Pause for a second.
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:Does that name remind you of another
fairy tale you might already know?
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:Keep that thought in mind
because once the door opens,
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:this story is gonna surprise you.
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:Faithfully Explore! Intro:
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:faithfully Explore!
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:is the name.
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:Learning together is our aim.
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:Beliefs around the globe we'll track,
filling up our Belief Backpack.
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:Laura: Once upon a time in a small
village in China, there lived three
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:sisters, Shang, Tao, and Paotze.
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:Shang was the oldest, Tao was
the middle sister, and Little
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:Paotze was the youngest.
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:They lived with their mother
in a cozy little house.
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:One day their mother needed to visit
Po Po, remember, that's how we say
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:grandmother, for Po Po's birthday.
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:Before she left, the mother gathered
the three sisters by the door.
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:Mother: My dear, I'm going to
see Grandma for her birthday.
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:You must stay home tonight.
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:Be good.
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:And remember to lock the
door and no matter who comes,
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:don't open up for strangers.
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:I'll be back tomorrow.
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:Shang: Yes, mama.
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:We'll be careful.
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:Tao: Bye Mama!
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:Give Po Po a big hug for us!
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:Paotze: We will miss you!
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:Laura: The mother kissed each
daughter on the forehead, shouldered
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:her basket, and left toward Po
Po's house in the next village.
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:As dusk fell, the three
sisters did as they were told.
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:They locked the door and settled
in for the evening all alone.
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:Outside the sky grew dark.
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:The only light was the golden glow of
the moon and a few twinkling stars.
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:The girls let a small oil lamp
inside their house and huddled
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:together by the fire telling stories
while they waited for bedtime.
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:Little did they know someone was watching.
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:In the shadows of a nearby tree, a hungry
old wolf, had seen the mother leave.
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:The wolf licked his lips.
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:Wolf: Three tender little girls all alone.
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:Laura: The wolf thought
imagining a delicious supper.
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:He crept closer to the house and saw
the warm light flickering inside.
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:Inside Shang was just about to
say time for bed, when suddenly
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:they heard a knock at the door.
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:The sisters looked at
each other in surprise.
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:Paotze: Who could that be?
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:Mama said no visitors.
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:Shang: Shh, I'll ask.
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:Who is it?
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:Wolf: Oh, it's me.
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:Your dear old Po Po..
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:I've come to visit you,
my precious children.
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:Laura: The door was thick and
the wolf spoke in a crackly high
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:voice, trying to sound like a
grandmother but Shang was cautious.
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:Shang: Why are you here so late Po Po?
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:Mama went to see you at your house.
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:Wolf: My little ones.
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:I was missing you, so I came all this way.
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:Your mother must have just
missed me on the road.
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:Please won't you open the door
and let your lonely Po Po in.
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:Laura: The three girls huddled
behind the locked door, they
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:weren't entirely convinced.
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:Shang peered through a crack in
the wood, but it was dark outside.
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:She could only see a shadowy figure.
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:Now Explorers listening.
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:What do you think?
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:Should the children open the door?
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:If you think they should
open up, give a thumbs up.
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:If you think they should keep
it closed, give a thumbs down.
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:The sisters had been
warned about strangers.
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:Shang bit her lip unsure, but
then little Paotze piped up.
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:Paotze: It's Po Po.
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:I wanna see grandma.
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:Tao: Po Po is very old.
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:Maybe she got tired and
couldn't make it to her house.
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:We should help her.
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:Laura: Finally thinking it might be safe,
since grandma would never harm them.
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:Tao and Paotze lifted the latch.
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:Shang still hesitated, but she
didn't wanna leave "Po Po" outside.
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:So together the three
girls opened the door.
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:In stepped a figure
wrapped in a long cloak.
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:The room was dim, the only
light from the small lamp and
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:the moon through the window.
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:The figure shuffled in slowly.
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:Wolf: Thank you my sweets.
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:Po Po is so tired and cold.
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:Laura: The wolf quickly blew out
the lamp with a gust of breath.
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:Now the cottage was nearly pitch dark
with just a faint glow from the moon.
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:Shang, and her sisters couldn't see
their grandmother clearly at all.
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:The wolf smiled in the darkness
revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth,
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:but the girls didn't see that.
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:They only heard what sounded like their
grandmother coughing and shuffling.
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:Wolf: Ho ho, dear me,
the light hurts my eyes.
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:This old Po Po can't handle
bright lights, you know.
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:Paotze: Poor Po Po you must be very tired.
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:Come rest.
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:Laura: The youngest sister Paotze
took the wolf's hand and led "her"
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:to sit on their mother's big bed.
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:The wolf's hand felt
awfully rough and furry.
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:Not like grandma's gentle hand...
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:but in the darkness Paotze
didn't think much of it.
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:The three sisters gathered around
the bed excited, but a little uneasy.
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:Shang made the oldest and
wisest felt something strange.
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:Why did Po Po come all
this way alone at night?
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:And her voice, it was different.
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:But before Shang could think more,
the wolf patted the bed beside him.
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:Wolf: Come here, my precious ones Po
Po wants to hug her grandchildren.
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:Laura: The wolf pulled the
children close in the dark.
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:Shang brushed against the wolf's
face and noticed something odd.
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:Shang: Your face feels so.
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:Wolf: So what dear?
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:Shang: So cold.
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:Why are your cheeks so rough and...
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:hairy?
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:Wolf: Um, old age my sweet.
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:Po Po has grown...
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:uh...
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:a thick scarf to keep warm.
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:Yes, that's it.
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:Laura: Shang frowned.
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:She still wasn't convinced.
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:Tao then chimed in quietly.
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:Tao: Why is your voice so deep tonight?
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:Wolf: Poor Po Po has a
bit of a cold, my dear,
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:a frog in my throat from traveling so far.
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:Paotze: Lemme feel your hands.
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:Wow, your hands are so big.
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:Wolf: All the better to
hold you with my jewel.
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:Laura: The wolf gathered
the girls even closer.
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:Shang's heart started to pound.
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:This didn't feel right.
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:Through a sliver of moonlight,
she thought she saw a big bushy
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:tail from under the long cloak.
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:Shang gasped softly.
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:This was no grandmother...
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:She realized at last.
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:This is a wolf!
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:Shang knew they had to stay
calm and act carefully.
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:She gently signaled to her sisters
giving Tao and Paotze a little squeeze.
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:They sensed something was wrong, but
they didn't know what exactly yet.
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:Shang had an idea.
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:She remembered the ginkgo tree outside.
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:Ginkgo nuts are a treat, and
in some stories they're said
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:to be magical and give wisdom.
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:Maybe she could trick the wolf with that.
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:Shang: Po Po, oh Po Po!
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:I just remembered...
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:we have a special treat for you.
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:Wolf: Treat what?
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:Treat child.
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:Shang: On the tall ginko tree in
our yard, there are delicious ginko
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:nuts, full of magic and sweetness.
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:We know you love treats, Po Po.
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:If you some ginko nuts,
you'll live forever!
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:Laura: The wolf's mouth watered.
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:He did love tasty treats and anything
magical sounding was tempting.
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:Wolf: Magical nuts.
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:You say live forever.
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:You say, oh, Po Po must
try these ginkgo nuts.
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:Yes!
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:Tao: We can pick some
for you, Po Po, but...
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:the tree is so tall and
the nuts are way up high.
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:Paotze: We might need to climb it...
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:Wolf: Then hurry children.
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:Let's all go get these nuts!
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:Laura: Shang nodded, hiding
a sly smile in the dark.
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:Shang: Yes.
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:Let's go outside.
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:We'll show you the ginkgo tree.
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:Laura: Shang took her sister's
hands and quietly slid off the bed.
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:They all tiptoed toward the door.
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:Careful not to make
the floorboards, creak.
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:Explorers at home, can you tiptoe
in place as quietly as a mouse sh.
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:The wolf followed behind, eager for
the promised treat, and they all
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:stepped out into the moonlit yard.
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:Indeed there by the silvery
light stood a tall ginkgo tree.
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:Its branches reaching to the sky.
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:High up among the leaves, they could see
clusters of pale ginkgo nuts hanging.
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:Wolf: I can't climb that.
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:I'm just a week old.
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:Ah.
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:I mean, my bones are too old
to climb, dears, you climb up
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:and fetch the nuts for Po Po.
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:Shang: Quickly up the tree.
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:Laura: The three sisters scampered up the
ginkgo tree trunk, like three little cats.
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:Can you pretend to climb
a tree too, explorers?
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:Let's all climb together.
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:Reach up, grab a branch, pull yourself up.
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:Now another branch and
climb, climb, climb.
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:The sisters climbed until they
were high above the wolf, perched
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:safely on a strong branch.
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:The wolf paced below.
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:Excited for his treat up in the
tree, Shang gathered her sister's
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:close and quickly revealed her plan.
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:Pause the podcast for a second.
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:Can you think of a good
plan to trick the wolf?
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:Shang: That is not Po Po- it's a wolf.
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:He wants to eat us.
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:Tao: A wolf?!
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:Shang: Yes.
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:We have to be clever and brave.
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:Here's what we'll do.
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:Laura: Shang told them to gather
some ginkgo nuts and pretend they
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:were giving them to the wolf, but
really they would trick the wolf.
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:Back on the ground the
wolf grew impatient.
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:Wolf: Children, my little treasures.
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:Have you got some nuts for me?
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:How about throwing some down?
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:Laura: Shang called back down trying
to sound as sweet as possible.
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:Shang: The best nuts are
up here at the very top.
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:They're so big and tasty.
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:We can't drop them down to you.
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:They might break.
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:Perhaps...
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:perhaps we should pull you up
in a basket so you can taste
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:them fresh from the branch.
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:Wolf: Yes, yes.
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:Pull me up.
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:I wanna taste those magic nuts.
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:Laura: The wolf found a big basket
near the house, and tied a rope to it.
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:The wolf settled himself snugly in
the basket, then gave the free end of
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:the rope to the girls up in the tree.
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:Wolf: Ready?
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:Pull me up.
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:Children pull hard.
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:I can't wait.
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:Laura: The three girls braced themself
on the branch and began to pull the rope
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:with all their might hoisting the basket.
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:Up, up, up.
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:The wolf grinned as leaves
and branches passed by.
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:His dinner, the children, was
so close now or so he thought.
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:But just as the basket was nearly
halfway up, the tall tree Shang winked
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:at her sisters and they all let go
of the rope for a moment and whoosh!
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:The basket fell short way before
the girls caught the rope again.
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:Thump!
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:The wolf inside was jostled hard.
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:Wolf: Ouch.
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:You dropped me.
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:What are you doing up there?
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:Tao: Oh, we're so sorry.
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:Our hands slipped.
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:Are you okay?
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:Wolf: I am fine.
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:Just a bump.
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:Be careful.
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:Children pull me up.
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:I want those nuts.
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:Laura: Said the wolf rubbing
his head still wanted the prize.
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:So the three sisters started pulling
again, straining at the rope.
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:The basket claimed higher.
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:This time, almost to the top of the tree.
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:Shang gave her sisters a determined nod.
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:Now, and together they let go whoosh!
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:Down fell the basket
faster than before, crash!
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:to the ground.
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:Lon Po Po tumbled out and hit
the earth with a big thud.
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:Wolf: Oh my head.
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:Laura: Did that wolf learn his lesson?
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:Not yet.
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:He shakily, got back into the basket,
rubbing his bruises, and called up.
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:Wolf: One more try.
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:Po Po really wants those magical nuts!
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:Oh.
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:Laura: The sisters had to
stifle their giggles now.
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:The wolf still hadn't figured out
that he was the one being tricked.
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:Shang motioned, and they pulled
the rope again with the last of
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:their strength, heaving the wolf
up, up, up through the branches.
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:This time, the basket nearly reached
the branch where the sisters sat.
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:Wolf: Oh, I can almost taste them.
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:Laura: Now that he was higher,
the moonlight fell on his face.
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:Tao and Paotze saw his shaggy
snout and sharp teeth clearly
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:and realized Shang was right.
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:It was a wolf, not their Po Po.
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:The two younger sisters' eyes widened
in fright, but Shang whispered.
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:Shang: Don't be afraid.
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:Ready...
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:one, two, THREE!
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:Laura: Altogether, they let go
of the rope completely and even
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:gave the basket a little push.
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:The basket plummeted from the
top of the tree like a stone.
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:Everyone let's countdown together.
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:3, 2, 1.
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:Boom.
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:The basket smashed the ground with
such force that crack it broke
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:apart and Lon Po Po or the wicked
wolf was flung out headfirst.
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:He hit the ground very
hard and lay utterly.
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:Still the the sisters peered down
the branches at the dark heap below.
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:The nasty wolf did not move at all.
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:At last, Lon Po Po was defeated.
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:Tao: Po Po?
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:Wolf?
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:Are...
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:are you okay?
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:Laura: There was no answer.
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:Lon Po Po lay silent.
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:The girls carefully
climbed down from the tree.
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:They nudged the wolf, but he
did not stir or open his eyes.
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:Lon Po Po would trouble them no more.
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:Realizing they were safe, Paotze
suddenly began to cry, not
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:from sadness, but from relief.
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:Shang hugged her sisters tight.
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:Shang: It's okay.
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:We're safe now.
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:We were so brave and so clever.
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:Tao: Shang, you saved us.
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:Paotze: We all stuck together
and saved each other.
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:Laura: The sky was now turning pale
with the light of early morning.
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:The three tired sisters
went back into their house.
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:They shut the door and made sure it was
locked and finally crawled into their
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:bed, huddling together and falling asleep
in a heap just as the long night ended.
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:The next day, just after sunrise,
their mom returned from Po Po's house.
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:She was worried to find the door still
locked and no girls up and playing.
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:Yet she hurried inside.
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:Mother: Shang?
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:Tao?
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:Paotze?
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:Are you all okay?
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:Laura: The girls woke up with
joyful cries and ran to their
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:mother, hugging her tightly.
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:They quickly told their mom the
whole adventure, how Po Po came in
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:the night, how Shang realized it
was a wolf, and how together they
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:had outsmarted the wicked Lon Po Po.
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:The mother was shocked and grateful.
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:Mother: Oh my dear children,
thank heaven you're safe.
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:I'm so proud of you for
being so brave and smart.
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:Laura: The mother hugged
all three girls at once.
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:Tears of relief in her eyes.
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:That evening, once things had
calmed down, the mother made
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:a special celebratory dinner.
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:They ate happily telling the story
of Lon Po PO over and over with
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:lots of giggles when they described
the wolf plopping to the ground.
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:And from that day on, the three
sisters always remembered that clever
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:thinking and sticking together can
overcome even the scariest of wolves.
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:And they certainly never opened
the door for a strangers again.
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:Wow.
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:Wasn't that an amazing story?
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:You all listened so well.
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:Now let's take a moment to think and
move together after that adventure.
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:First, stretch your arms up
high, like the tall ginkgo tree.
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:Reach, reach, reach,
reach, reach, reach now.
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:Take a deep breath in
and slowly let it out.
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:Ah, nicely done.
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:Now I have a question for you.
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:While you were listening, did you
think, Hey, this sounds familiar.
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:Did you guess what Fairytale
Lon Po Po is a lot like?
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:Did you recognize the parts
that were like Red Riding Hood?
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:Both stories have a wolf in disguise,
a grandmother, and kids who have
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:to figure out who they can trust.
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:Just like in Red Riding Hood, the
wolf tries to trick them but in Lon
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:Po PO, the children stay calm, stick
together, and outsmart the danger.
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:What's inside our belief
backpack this week?
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:This is where we pause and think
about the ideas and lessons we want
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:to carry with us after today's story.
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:So let's think about what we can
learn from Shang, Tao, and Paotze.
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:Go ahead, shout it out.
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:Whisper it to your grownup,
or just think it in your head.
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:Those are all wonderful answers.
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:First, let's remember the idea of
being cautious and paying attention.
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:Shang noticed that
something didn't feel right.
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:Instead of ignoring that feeling, she
asked questions and looked for clues.
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:This reminds us to slow down,
be alert, and trust ourself when
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:something feels strange or unsafe.
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:Next, we pack the lesson
of clever thinking.
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:The sisters didn't use strength
to solve their problem.
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:They used their brains.
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:They made a smart plan and stayed calm.
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:This teaches us that thinking
clearly and creatively can help
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:us solve tricky situations.
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:Finally, we packed the
importance of working together.
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:The sisters stayed close,
listened to one another, and
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:helped each other the whole time.
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:Because they worked as a team,
they were able to stay safe.
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:It reminds us that family,
friends, and helpers make us
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:stronger when we face challenges.
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:So in our Belief Backpack today, we're
carrying caution and awareness, clever
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:thinking, and teamwork and trust.
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:I'm so proud of you for listening
and exploring this story with me.
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:You were brave to handle the suspense
and so clever in answering the questions.
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:Remember, the world is full of amazing
stories like Lon Po Po, and each
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:one teaches us something special.
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:Every time we explore a story or a belief
from around the globe, our hearts and
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:minds grow a little bigger and kinder.
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:Ah, my wonderful little explorers.
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:This is Laura from Faithfully Explorer
saying goodbye Until the next time,
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:stay curious, stay kind, and keep
exploring the wonderful world around you.
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:Faithfully Explore! Outro:
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:Faithfully Explore!
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:is about you.
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:Let's grow kinder together it's true!
