Koko & Kira at the World Cup Final ⚽️🏟️ Cozy Bedtime Stories for Kids

[00:00:11] Hello and welcome back to Koala Moon, a podcast of original children's bedtime stories and meditations designed to make bedtimes a dream. Before we get started on tonight's tale, here is a big cheery wave and a hello to today's special Coco Club members.

[00:00:31] That's you, Harriet from Brooklyn, Annika Dempster from Sherwood Park, Alberta, James in Orlando, Piper and Sawyer in North Carolina. I think that's all of you. Thank you guys for showing up, for signing up and generally for just keeping us going by supporting the show. We all appreciate you so, so much. Okay, tonight then we're joining Koko and Kira when they are desperately seeking something.

[00:01:00] You see, hidden inside Papa Praline's famous chocolate footballs are some exclusive golden tickets to the Koala Kingdom World Cup Final. After days of searching and mountains of chocolate, their hopes begin to fade. Sadly, it seems they'll definitely miss the biggest match of the year and therefore not see the best soccer stars in the world.

[00:01:30] Such as, wait for it, Lionel Messy Mane, Kili Anaconda Mbappe and Jude Bellinghamster. I think Luke has outdone himself with those names, don't you? Sorry, back to the story. Definitely deflated. Coco and Kira tell their Uncle Keith. We know he's very inventive and not afraid to try things.

[00:01:52] And what follows is a heartwarming story of teamwork and an unforgettable night beneath the glow of the koala moon. Shall we head down to join them? Let's first get you into the snoozy mood by snuggling down under your blanket or duvet and nestling your head into your cool pillow. Lovely. Let out a little sigh. And close your eyes, ready to switch on your imagination.

[00:02:20] It's time to begin Coco and Kira at the World Cup Final by Luke Prendergast. Before we begin, here's a quick ad break. Then we'll start tonight's bedtime story. If you'd like to support our podcast, enjoy ad-free listening and unlock all our premium stories, you can join the Coco Club. To join, follow the link in the show notes. What exactly do you learn at a school for royal magic, Sophia?

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[00:04:18] Next Playground helps make screen time feel active, safe and shared. Check out nextplayground.com, that's N-E-X playground dot com to learn more. Deep in the heart of a far away forest, there stood a cozy wooden cabin. Inside the cabin lived a family of koalas.

[00:04:46] Coco, his parents and grandparents and his little sister, Kira the panda. And today Coco and Kira are sitting at their kitchen table staring at a ginormous pile of chocolate footballs. I never thought I'd say this, murmured Kira. But there are simply too many chocolates.

[00:05:13] Way too many, Coco agreed. I don't think we could eat this much chocolate, even if we had one million years, Kira sighed. Coco wrinkled his dark, velvety nose. Well, maybe we could do it in a week. Oh, yes, said Kira nodding quickly.

[00:05:42] We could probably do it in a week. But in one evening? Why, if I ate that much chocolate, I think I might just turn into a chocolate panda. Coco chuckled. Luckily for you, he said, if you did turn into a chocolate panda, I'd probably be too full of chocolate to eat you. Until tomorrow, that is.

[00:06:11] Alright then, come on, we really ought to get started. And almost reluctantly, which was quite unbelievable given that they were talking about chocolate, Coco and Kira reached out their paws, took up a chocolate football leech, and began to unwrap the foil. The reason they had such a big mound of chocolate footballs was because just last week,

[00:06:37] Papa Praline, who ran the very impressive chocolate factory on the outskirts of Sleepy Forest, had made an exciting announcement. To celebrate the final of the Koala Kingdom World Cup, which was taking place that weekend, Papa Praline was giving away two golden tickets to the match. The catch? These two tickets were hidden inside one of the special edition chocolate footballs

[00:07:06] the factory had been producing in honour of the tournament. As soon as Coco and Kira heard about the prize, they just knew they had to find the winning chocolate football. The Koala Kingdom World Cup had been the most exciting event in ages, and all the teams had given it their all.

[00:07:30] Moonbeam Heights had beaten Pillowy Peaks before being eliminated by the Sleepy Foresters. And both Harmony Cove and Lower Starry Skies had been beaten by Wonder Junglers. Now, it was time for the final. Sleepy Forest versus Wonder Jungle. Could anything be more thrilling? Kira cracked open a chocolate football so that it fell into two jagged halves,

[00:08:00] rolling from side to side on the table. The next door. Empty, she said, picking up a fragment of chocolate and taking a bite. Mmm, delicious though. That's Papa Praline for you, said Coco. Best chocolate in the whole wide universe, bar none. Try another.

[00:08:26] And as Kira plucked up another chocolate football, he added, Oh, I wonder who's going to win the final. I bet it's going to be the Wonder Junglers. After all, they've got Lion or Messy Mane. With a tail flick like that Lion's got, no one will be able to stop him from scoring.

[00:08:48] And for a moment, Coco sat in silence, just picturing the striker with his tangled golden mane. Oh, to be that talented at football. Slow-mo might, Kira piped up, puncturing Coco's daydream. She was referring to the beloved goalkeeper on the Sleepy Foresters team.

[00:09:16] His slow motion vision's the only thing that might be able to stop Messy Mane's speed. Hmm, nothing in this one either. That's true, Coco said, unwrapping another chocolate football of his own. Plus, Sleepy Forest is our home team, so we ought to support them. They carried on this way.

[00:09:41] All the most famous kingdom players like Kili Anaconda Mbappe, the swiftest snake on the pitch. Or Jude Bellinghamster, a small but mighty midfielder. Until at last all of the chocolate eggs lay open on the table. Open and, unfortunately, empty. Kira let out a little sigh and then shrugged.

[00:10:11] Oh well, she said. There's always tomorrow. Now, what do we do about all this chocolate? They gobbled down as much as they could, but in the end the pile of chocolate defeated them. So they carried it in armfuls, melted chocolate still shining on their lips,

[00:10:35] and handed it out to their neighbours who were all very happy for a pre-bedtime treat. For the next three days, Coco and Kira emptied their piggy banks, turning them over and shaking them until each and every little silver coin jangled out, so that they could buy as many chocolate footballs as they could from the shops.

[00:11:00] And each evening after dinner, they would sit and peel the foil from the footballs, crack them in two, and sigh in disappointment to find another one empty of any golden ticket. On the evening before the grand final, they came a knock at the door. It was their Uncle Keith. He'd been invited over for dinner.

[00:11:27] He slipped his blue security guard's hat off his head, rung it in his paws, and then spotted Coco and Kira at the table. What's up, you two? He asked. Why the long faces? Gloomily, Coco and Kira inspected each other's faces. I think Kira's face is quite round, actually, Coco said.

[00:11:56] And I'd say Coco's is shaped like a heart, added Kira. Uncle Keith shook his head. Guys, it's an expression. It means you're looking out of sorts, down in the dumps. Come on, you two, why so glump? And what's this pile of chocolate for?

[00:12:21] Uncle Keith pulled out a chair, sat down, and Kira explained the whole sorry affair. That they'd spent all their pocket money on chocolate footballs, and yet still no golden ticket. Coco flicked a scrunched up bit of foil sullenly across the table. Now, there's no chance of us getting to see the grand final of the Koala Kingdom World Cup.

[00:12:51] Kira's bottom lip stuck out in her most disgruntled pout. She was staring down at two open hemispheres of chocolate. Oh, if only we could sneak into the game inside the football, just like the golden tickets have been supposedly snuck into these.

[00:13:15] It's just a joke, of course, or something between a joke and wishful thinking. But at these words, there was a sudden scraping of chair legs against the cabin's wooden floor. Uncle Keith was on his feet, his finger in the air, a bright light dawning in his eyes. What a terrific idea, he exclaimed.

[00:13:44] What is? Asked Coco. Why, the idea that Kira just had. Kira, even though she was still disappointed about not finding a ticket, couldn't help but giggle at the suggestion. Oh, Uncle Keith, she said, clutching her tummy. I'm not sure it is. Imagine how dizzy Coco and I would get spinning through the air,

[00:14:14] trapped in the football when Messymane gives us a whip with his lion's tail. And then we landed on the floor, Coco laughed. I thought, boff, that would hurt. Well, said Uncle Keith, I'm glad that has turned your frowns upside down. But I didn't mean we could sneak you into the stadium inside the football the players kick.

[00:14:44] I meant we could sneak you in inside the football the players win. Now, all at once, Coco and Kira were intrigued. Their ears pricked, their noses twitched, and they gazed at Uncle Keith with unwavering expressions. What do you mean? Coco asked. But Uncle Keith only tapped his nose.

[00:15:13] You'll see, you'll see, he said, already walking towards the door. Meet me at the rear entrance of the Moonbeam Bowl in Moonbeam Heights before the match starts. Mum's the word. But Keith, Coco and Kira's mum called from the other end of the kitchen. You can't be leaving. We haven't even had dinner yet.

[00:15:40] No time to lose, Keith replied, closing the cabin door behind him. See you tomorrow. Don't be late. And just like that, he was gone. Leaving everyone blinking at each other in befuddlement. Little did Coco and Kira know, but Uncle Keith stayed up working much of the night, and for many hours the next day too.

[00:16:06] From inside his workshop could be heard the sounds of hammers and drills, of soaring and banging. And at one point the bright blue fan of sparks from a welding iron could be seen lighting up the gap beneath his workshop door. My, oh my, bread, the white feathered duck remarked to her sister Butter as they drifted past on the gentle currents of the sleepy river.

[00:16:35] I do wonder what Keith is making in there. A racket it sounds like, replied Butter. But even though they had no idea what their uncle Keith was up to, Coco and Kira did as he said. The next evening, as dusk began to fall over the forest, they made their way to the train station and hopped on a train to Moonbeam Heights.

[00:17:04] The dreamy pink-coloured skyscrapers towered above them as they headed down the streets, alongside a growing crowd of other spectators. They were all decked out in brightly coloured football jerseys, chattering excitedly about the upcoming match and clutching tickets tightly in their hands.

[00:17:29] The next day, Coco and Kira tried their best not to let the sight of all these people with sure-fire ways of getting into the stadium worry them. After all, even though they didn't get tickets, they were sure that Uncle Keith had something up his sleeves. They just didn't know what that something was. Soon, the Moonbeam bowl appeared in front of them.

[00:17:56] It resembled, Coco thought, a huge silver cloud floating above the ground, with beams of light shooting out of the interior and scoping across the inky black sky. From within, you could already hear the noise of the crowd, like the low rumble of thunder. Coco and Kira didn't join the queues of spectators lining up at the main entrance.

[00:18:26] Instead, glancing all around them to make sure no one was spotting them acting suspiciously, they crept around the side of the stadium to the rear entrance. Uncle Keith, said Coco, a wide smile spreading across his face. You're here. Keith gave them each a ruffle on the head. I said I would be, didn't I?

[00:18:54] Uncle Keith was in his usual security guard outfit. Blue uniform, blue hat, shiny black leather belt. Beside him was a tall object, at least twice the height of Keith himself. But what that object actually was remained a mystery. It was covered in a long white sheet, like a giant dressed up as a ghost. Kira pointed to the object.

[00:19:23] What's that, Uncle Keith? She asked. Ah, sighed Uncle Keith, grinning. This? This is your ticket to the Koala Kingdom World Cup final. Wanna see it? Coco and Kira nodded enthusiastically. All right then, said Keith. And with a flourish, he pulled the white sheet off the object to reveal.

[00:19:53] It's the Koala Kingdom World Cup trophy, gasped Coco. It stood there in front of them, in shining gold, a tall statue of two golden figures holding up the globe. Uncle Keith, Kira said, her paw pressed to her mouth in shock and awe. How?

[00:20:20] Uncle Keith chuckled, clearly delighted with himself. Well, I'm the resident security guard, aren't I? He said. It's not just the cinema high guard. I'm in charge of guarding the Koala Kingdom World Cup trophy. And that throwaway comment you made last night, Kira, about hiding in a football.

[00:20:47] Well, it gave me an idea. Look at this. Keith reached out, pressed a tiny invisible button on the side of the trophy. And with a click and a hiss, a secret hatch door right in the middle of the globe opened up. Just perfect for a little koala and a panda bear to climb right into.

[00:21:14] Coco and Kira's jaws dropped open so wide they both almost touched the floor. Uncle Keith, Coco whispered. You turned the Koala Kingdom World Cup trophy into a secret hideaway. That made Uncle Keith's eyes go wide.

[00:21:41] Oh no, Coco, he said. This isn't the real trophy. No way. He flicked an imaginary drop of sweat off his brow. This is a replica I made overnight. The real trophy is safely stowed away back in my workshop. And I'll be sure to swap them over tonight after the winner has been announced.

[00:22:07] But for now, if you don't mind, I need you to help me with something very important. Uncle Keith shuffled in closer. And in a low whisper so that no one passing by could hear, told them that just a few days before the Koala Kingdom World Cup organizers had received some bad news. The cup mascot was feeling poorly.

[00:22:38] You mean Orlando the eleven-legged octopus? Coco asked. That's right, said Uncle Keith. He's hurt one of his suckers. And that means he's not allowed to be on his tentacles for a week. A look of worry passed over Kira's face. But who's going to take each of the winning players' hands and parade them around the pitch then?

[00:23:07] She asked. That was one of the best Koala Kingdom final traditions. And it could only really be accomplished by an eleven-limbed octopus, couldn't it? Well, said Uncle Keith with a grin. That's where you two come in. I thought it would be really good fun if you two hid in the trophy.

[00:23:33] And when the winners are announced, you can jump out and surprise everyone. You mean, said Coco, his eyes going wide. We're the mascots. That's right, said Uncle Keith. So, what do you say? Coco and Kira didn't need to say anything.

[00:23:58] They were already yippying and dancing around in a little circle of celebration. Just then there came a noise from within the stadium. The muffled sound of a voice over the loudspeaker. And then the excited cheering of the crowd. The spotlights that had been dancing across the night sky all came together into one focused beam.

[00:24:27] Illuminating the smiling Koala Moon who had paused right above them. It seemed that even the Koala Moon was excited to see the match. Come on, said Uncle Keith. That's our cue. In you get. Chip-chop. It was lucky that koalas and pandas are naturally good climbers.

[00:24:51] Coco and Kira shimmied up the trophy and clambered into the alcove inside the golden globe. Thanks, Uncle Keith, they whispered, then shut the trap door. For a moment, they both sat there, blinking in the darkness. It turned out that the inside of the trophy was very comfy indeed.

[00:25:15] Uncle Keith had kitted it out with soft padding, cushions and a couple of soft blankets, which was very thoughtful of him. A moment later, the trophy began to trundle and vibrate. Uncle Keith was on the move. Look, Coco, Kira whispered. Uncle Keith's put little windows in so that we can see what's going on.

[00:25:43] Sure enough, there were small one-way peep holes that Coco and Kira could press their noses against, assured that no one would be able to see that there were two new mascots secretly hiding in the trophy. Uncle Keith rolled them through the great gates of the rear entrance to the stadium and then straight onto the pitch.

[00:26:09] A wide expanse of grass spread out before their eyes, with white lines and markings, gleaming white goalposts at the far end and beyond that, hundreds and hundreds of smiling faces. Wow, Kira, whistled Coco. I've never seen so many people. Me neither, Kira replied.

[00:26:39] I can't wait for the big surprise. Then she pressed a paw against the glass peephole. Look, Coco. The trophy was swinging around in a wide loop now, revealing two lines of players in formation on the pitch. There were the sleepy forest players dressed in their purple kits, Slow Mo the sloth, the team's captain and goalkeeper,

[00:27:07] As well as Nora the greyhound stretching her legs in preparation for the speediest of sprints, And Kylie the kangaroo bouncing up and down to warm up. Opposite them dressed in rain forest green kit were the wonder jungle team. Jude Bellinghamster's little nose twitched. Kili Anaconda Mbappe rose his head from a spiral of coils,

[00:27:35] And there, flicking his tail back and forth was, Lionel Messi mane, Coco and Kira whispered at once. Only the greatest striker ever known in the koala kingdom. His golden coat rippled under the stadium light, And he gave his shaggy mane a big shake. Then he seemed to look right into Coco's eyes.

[00:28:06] Err, Kira, Coco said. Is Lionel Messi mane looking at us? Kira let out a little chuckle. No, silly, she said. He's looking at the trophy. He's got no idea we're in here. Just then a hush went over the stadium. The crowd stopped their chattering,

[00:28:33] And inside the trophy the loudest noise became the sound of their own breathing. What's happening? Whispered Coco as quietly as he could. Kira reached for his paw. I think the match is about to start, she said. With a rumble they started to move again. Uncle Keith was rolling them down the pitch,

[00:29:00] The green grass flickering past them, Until they came to a halt by the sidelines, Right in the middle of the stadium. Uncle Keith turned the trophy around, So that Coco and Kira had a perfect view of the pitch. Good old Uncle Keith. The players on both sides had moved into their positions.

[00:29:26] A host of purple clothed creatures facing the green clothed players down the pitch. Two stood in the middle, the ball in between them. A whistle blew, and the game began. Oh, how lucky they were to be able to watch the game from here. They must have had the best view in the entire stadium.

[00:29:52] Coco and Kira's heads turned this way and that, As they watched the players chase the ball up and down the pitch. Sometimes, Coco thought that he only need reach out, And he'd be able to grab hold of the fluffy tip of Messy Mane's tail as he sailed by. Or hop out and land right in Kylie the kangaroo's pouch. But of course he couldn't.

[00:30:21] After all, their presence inside the trophy had to remain a secret. For now. So Coco and Kira watched. Paws clasped together. As first Messy Mane and then Jude Bellinghamster scored two goals for the Wonder Junglers. Oh no, Kira sighed. The sleepy foresters are going to lose.

[00:30:49] Wait and see, Coco replied. For though the Wonder Junglers had impressive flair, The sleepy foresters had pluck and grit. They weren't going to go down easy. In the second half of the match, Slow Mo started saving every goal that came his way. Kylie the kangaroo biffed the ball into the back of the opposing net. And shortly after that,

[00:31:18] Nora the greyhound came up the outside so swiftly That she scored another goal for the sleepy foresters. With only one minute to go, It was neck and neck. Now, Coco and Kira held each other's paws very tightly indeed. Messy Mane took another shot. But Slow Mo caught it. And then the most remarkable thing happened.

[00:31:48] Slow Mo, the goalie, started to dribble the ball. And even though he was a sloth, he moved at quite a pace. All the players were taken rather by surprise by his move, Blinking as he dribbled the ball past them. And as the final whistle blew, Slow Mo booted the ball. And it went sailing through the air.

[00:32:14] It flashed white in the light of the koala moon As it reached its peak and then fell, Almost in slow motion itself. In a graceful arc, down through the air, Landing neat as anything in the goal. The sleepy foresters had won. Against all odds, they'd managed it. The stadium filled with the sound of applause.

[00:32:45] What happened next went by in a blur of happiness. The sleepy foresters gathered around their trophy, Hugging and celebrating. Coco squeezed Kira's paw. Now was their time. Coco pushed on the inside of the trapdoor And they both jumped right out of the trophy. For a moment, the sleepy foresters were speechless.

[00:33:13] The crowd were too. Another silence fell over the stadium. But then the applause grew even louder And cheers rang out around the stands. Oh! Kylie the kangaroo exclaimed, Clapping her paws together. Our very own brand new mascots! And the next moment,

[00:33:41] She had lifted Coco and Kira one by one above her head. They were being held aloft by the whole sleepy forest team, Bouncing up and down in the air in celebration of the big win. As they were lowered to the floor, Slow Mo gave them a big smile. You guys, he said with a shake of his head.

[00:34:10] That surprise was almost as good as winning the trophy. Then, almost as quickly as the celebrations had begun, They fizzled out. The spectators left the stadium. The teams shaking each other's paws and hooves and claws Headed for the changing rooms.

[00:34:36] They waved goodbye to Coco and Kira. And just like that, They were alone in the stadium. The spotlights had dimmed. The stands were empty. The only light was the silvery glow of the koala moon. So, what do we do now? Coco asked. For an answer,

[00:35:04] Kira just let out a big old yawn. Golly, she said. After all that excitement, I'm pretty sleepy. Now she mentioned it, Coco was feeling pretty sleepy too. So, one by one, They climbed back into the trophy And settled down on the padded floor.

[00:35:35] Kira took hold of one of the plush cushions, Hugging it close to her. While Coco tugged a blanket over his legs. Let's rest here until Uncle Keith comes to get us. He said. Coco had intended to stay awake, keeping vigil. But, within a few seconds, He and Kira were fast asleep,

[00:36:04] Tucked into the folds of soft blankets Inside the globe of the trophy. The koala moon's gentle light Poked softly through the little peepholes, Keeping an eye on the quiet sleepers. And who knew how much time had passed, When, at last, There came a creaking noise, And the trap door of the trophy

[00:36:33] Opened up. Ho ho ho, Chortled Uncle Keith. What have we here? Two sleeping babies? Coco blinked up blearily at his uncle. Kira didn't even rouse. She just let out a contented snore. Did you enjoy the game? Uncle Keith asked.

[00:37:03] And Coco gave a nod. Good. Keith said. I think the surprise went down very well indeed. Orlando, the eleven-limbed octopus, Is going to be in for some stiff mascot competition next year. Well, you two stay in there, And carry on sleeping. I'll wheel you back home.

[00:37:32] The trap door of the trophy shut again. And a moment later, Came the comfortable, Trundling sensation, Of Uncle Keith, Rolling it out of the stadium. Coco nestled back down into the blankets, His head resting on a cushion, And closed his eyes. What an amazing day it had been.

[00:38:01] Not only to go to the final, But to be the mascots for the winners. They really owed Uncle Keith a big present, When Christmas came around. Well done, sleepy foresters. Coco whispered. Before falling back into a peaceful sleep. And so, Uncle Keith rolled the trophy back home.

[00:38:30] Coco and Kira safe and snug inside. He wove it through the forest paths, Between the whispering pines and the oak trees, That seemed to bow and nod kindly to him. He passed sparrows and robins sleeping in their nests, And a family of hedgehogs cosying down beneath a hedgerow.

[00:38:59] Above him, The light of the koala moon, Filtered down through the leaves, Guiding him back home to his workshop. When he arrived there, He wheeled the trophy inside. He was about to open the trap door, And wake Coco and Kira up. Then, He decided against it. It was so cosy in there,

[00:39:28] It was better to let them sleep. Instead, He tugged some blankets down off the shelves, And made a little bed for himself on the floor. He took off his security guard's hat, And hung it on a hook. Then, He lay down, And let out a big yawn. Uncle Keith closed his eyes, And in a moment,

[00:39:59] He, too, Had drifted off to sleep. I did not take the place, You can sleep in the house. He was gonna have been with his ANDY. So this is