All aboard The Story Ark! In this enchanting episode, Captain Kenny Mears invites listeners to set sail on a heartwarming journey of love, compromise, and family with the story "Ratonita," brought to life by storyteller Wayne Kartchner.

Travel to the vibrant streets of Cobán, Guatemala, where Mita, a beautiful little mouse, and Vajo, a shy house finch, find themselves swept up in a whirlwind romance. Against the odds-and across species-their love blossoms, leading to a wedding that becomes the talk of the animal kingdom. But as Mita and Vajo soon discover, building a life together is more challenging than falling in love, especially when their worlds are so different.

Through creative storytelling and rich cultural detail, "Ratonita" explores:

• The magic of unexpected connections and cross-boundary love
• The importance of understanding, compromise, and perseverance in relationships
• The joys and trials of building a home and raising a family-no matter how unique

Listeners will be charmed by the colorful cast of animal characters, the playful use of Spanish language, and the universal themes of devotion and belonging. This episode is a celebration of love’s power to bridge divides and create lasting legacies.

Featuring special thanks to Wayne Karchner of the Utah Storytelling Guild, this episode promises laughter, warmth, and a touch of magic. Tune in for a story that will leave you smiling and believing in the extraordinary possibilities of love. For more information on Wayne, be sure to check out his profile with The Utah Storytelling Guild: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/wayne-kartchner-2/

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Welcome aboard The Story Ark! In today’s episode, Captain Kenny Mears takes us on a journey that challenges how we see heroes and villains. Featuring master storyteller Laurie Allen, we hear the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood—but this time, it's from the wolf’s perspective.

What if the "Big Bad Wolf" wasn’t so bad after all? Laurie’s humorous and heartfelt retelling reveals a misunderstood mother just looking for a little adult conversation on a rough day. Join us for a fresh, funny, and surprisingly touching look at what happens when we only hear one side of the story.

Plus, stick around for a special announcement about our brand-new show, Uplift Uganda: The Power of One Step Forward. To follow the new show, go to rss.com/podcasts/upliftuganda/ or look it up wherever you listen.

The Story Ark is a production of Food For Thought Audio. For more information, be sure to check out our website: https://foodforthoughtaudio.com/

Special thanks to storyteller Laurie Allen, a proud member of the Utah Storytelling Guild and Story Tours. You can find more information on her profiles on both sites.

Utah Storytelling Guild: https://www.utahstorytellingguild.website/project/laurie-allen/

Story Tours: https://www.storytours.com/story-guides

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Is there life after death? Can love transcend the divide between the living and the dead? These are the questions Elizabeth Atkinson Gibson seeks to ask us with her story "The Cat and The Camellias."