Koko & The Monkey Puzzle Tree🐒🌳 Bedtime Stories For Kids | Rewind

[00:00:10] Hello and welcome back to Koala Moon, a podcast of original bedtime stories and sleep meditations for kids designed to make bedtime a dream. Soon we're going to go for a walk with Koko and Kira through Sleepy Forest. I know that doesn't sound very exciting, but you know, it will be. Much to their happiness, Koko and Kira soon come across something unusual, a big tree covered in cuddly, snoozy monkeys.

[00:00:40] A monkey tree! Only a few days later the monkeys are gone. They've moved on, and the monkey tree is sad about it. Luckily, the Koala and Panda siblings have a genius plan to lure the little primates back again. I wonder what they come up with. What do you think? Hop into bed, and lie back and let's try this.

[00:01:04] Place your hands together and give them a nice firm rub until they're nice and warm. And then once they are warm, place the palms of your hands over your eyes, and then breathe out, just feeling their warmth on your eyelids as you do. Isn't that lovely? So relaxing. Now, just to get a little bit even more relaxed, perhaps roll back your shoulders.

[00:01:32] Move around in bed a little bit until you're in your most relaxing spot, and then just let your body become heavy and still. And close your eyes. And breathe in and out steadily and quietly. Great. Okay, this is Coco and the Monkey Puzzle Tree by Luke Prendergast.

[00:01:59] 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. Ready, everyone? Follow me! All of your family favourites are available on Disney+. I love it! Share the stories you grew up with with your kids, like Bear in the Big Blue House and Roly Poly Oly.

[00:02:28] That sounds like fun! Then discover new stories together. The more the merrier! Like Sophia the First, Royal Magic, Bluey, and Spidey and his amazing friends. Get ready to Spidey Swing! On Disney+. All of these and more available this month. Disney+ forward slash what's dash on. Hey Koala Kids, how's it going? You might be a little surprised to hear my voice instead of Abby's, but don't worry. I'm just popping in with some exciting news before you drift back to those cosy bedtime stories.

[00:02:58] If we haven't met yet, I'm Kelly from our daytime podcast, Koala Shine. A podcast full of fun, adventure-filled daytime stories. You might remember I stopped by a little while ago to tell you about our Hector and Sunny series. And since so many of you loved it, we've created another one just for you. Starting Saturday, May 9th, I'll be sharing a brand new four-part series. The Jupiter Twins, Banished from Magic. We'll be following Jake and Lily as they head off on a mysterious adventure.

[00:03:26] I can't give too much away, but there's a stolen spellbook, some clever doggy detectives, and lots of clues to uncover. Can the Jupiter Twins solve the mystery in time? Or will they lose their magic forever? And who knows? Maybe you can even help solve the mystery by listening out for the clues along the way. So head over to Koala Shine, make sure you're following, and tune in every Saturday in May so you don't miss a single episode. We can't wait for you to join us. See you there!

[00:03:54] Up in the heart of a faraway forest stood a cosy wooden cabin. Inside the cabin lived a family of koalas. Coco lived there with his parents, his grandparents, and his little sister, Kira, the panda bear.

[00:04:19] There were few things Coco and Kira enjoyed doing more on a lazy afternoon, or even an early morning, than taking a stroll through sleepy forest. Even though Coco had lived there for all his whole entire life, and Kira had been there for a long time too, the forest still seemed to contain a never-ending treasure trove of mysteries. Quite simply, in sleepy forest, you could never get bored.

[00:04:49] Whenever they went for a walk, they would somehow find some new, winding pathway through the trees. And down those pathways, they would discover delightful things that neither of them had ever imagined, let alone seen before. They'd found dragonflies that breathed fire. They'd found pale pink flowers with wing-like petals, which, when you got too close, detached themselves from their stems,

[00:05:17] and flapping their petals like a butterfly, fluttered off and away. And they had found all kinds of magical, mysterious trees that didn't seem to grow anywhere else in the forest. Ones whose bark was made of chocolate, or whose leaves glowed in the dark.

[00:05:39] Or who could uproot themselves from the ground, revealing knotted roots resembling legs and feet, and go off walking through the forest. You think, Kira would often ask her older brother, that sleepy forest does it deliberately? What do you mean? Coco would ask her.

[00:06:04] I mean, do you think the forest is constantly creating these new paths and new wonders that never existed before, just to keep us entertained? You know what, Kira, Coco would say. I think you're onto something. Sleepy forest is such a magical, mischievous place. Anything's possible.

[00:06:33] One summer afternoon, Coco and Kira were heading out on one such of their beloved walks. It was the weekend, which meant they didn't have to be at Sleepy Forest Elementary School, and the sun was spilling its warm orange light down through the trees, so that it puddled in copper pools on the forest floor.

[00:06:55] Coco and Kira strapped on their walking boots, packed a little bag of snacks, just in case they got peckish, and waved goodbye to their mum. Then they were on their way, meandering through familiar forest trails, taking a left-hand turn here, a right-hand turn there, until, at last, they came to a junction in the pathway that they'd never seen before.

[00:07:25] Well, I'm sure that when we walked this way just the other day, said Coco, this path wasn't here. Shall we try it? Kira peered down the path. It seemed very peaceful and very pretty indeed, with slender silver birches and tufts of bright grass growing up between them.

[00:07:53] Yeah, said Kira, let's do it. So they turned off the main forest route and down this new and undiscovered path, walking hand in hand and pointing out the beautiful flowers that poked their heads up from the forest floor on either side of them. Soon they passed a little wooden hut built by the side of the path.

[00:08:19] Outside the hut, a wise old jaguar sat before a table. Her coat, black as the inkiest night sky, was flecked with flashes of white like twinkling stars. She was using her delicate claws to fiddle with some tiny pieces of wood on the table. After saying hello, Coco and Kira peered at the jaguar's table.

[00:08:47] They asked her what she was up to. I'm making a jigsaw puzzle, she said, pointing up to the sign above the wooden hut, which read, Jet the Jaguar's Jigsaw Workshop. Oh, Kira sighed. We never knew there was a jigsaw workshop in Sleepy Forest.

[00:09:13] And after they'd watched the jaguar delicately shake the edges of the little wooden jigsaw pieces, they waved goodbye and continued on their journey. Next, they came to a bright pink gecko, who appeared to be whispering to a tree. When they got closer, Coco and Kira saw that in fact the gecko was holding a flower,

[00:09:40] the exact same colour as his body, against the rough bark of the tree trunk and blowing on it. I'm Gary the gecko, he told them when they asked. And my job here in Sleepy Forest is the work of grafting. What's grafting? Kira asked him. Ah, said Gary.

[00:10:07] You see, if you hold one plant against another and blow on it just the right expert way, you can graft them together so that their stem and branches fuse. After that, the two plants grow as one, see? And with that, Gary removed his hands and showed them how the pink flower now grew directly out of the tree trunk.

[00:10:36] Coco let out a little gasp of wonder. Isn't nature incredible? He said, agreed Gary, a smile lighting up his pink face. It truly, truly is. Coco and Kira thanked Gary for showing them all about grafting and continued on their way down the path.

[00:11:05] The silver, slender-trunked trees grew a little denser the further they walked, sending brilliant patterns of golden light and shadow down onto the floor. Bees buzzed languidly from flower to flower, and here and there they heard a bluebird twitter a hello down from the branches.

[00:11:31] But at the end of the path, Coco and Kira found a tree that didn't look at all like all those tall silver trees. In fact, it didn't look like any tree they'd ever seen in sleepy forest before. It had a thick, dark brown trunk and lots of zigzagging branches with small pine leaves.

[00:11:55] But the strangest thing of all was that instead of fruit or pine cones, from the tree's branches hung dozens of little monkeys. They dangled from the branches by the curls of their tails, and they all, at that moment, appeared to be napping. Kira whispered, What kind of a tree is this?

[00:12:25] But before Coco could say another word, to their great surprise, the tree itself answered Kira's question. Hello there, little friends, the tree said. I am a monkey tree. Coco and Kira, in spite of their initial surprise, had met a number of talking trees in their lives.

[00:12:54] Sleepy Forest was full of them. But they had never before encountered a tree like this. A monkey tree? Coco asked curiously. What's that? Why, the tree replied, That is me. I am a tree that grows little monkeys on its branches. And the monkeys are a whole lot of fun.

[00:13:24] Look, I'll wake them up and you can see. With that, the tree gave all of its branches a big shake, which woke the monkeys up. The next moment, the little creatures were scrabbling along the branches and down the tree's trunk, skipping over to Coco and Kira to shake their hands and climb onto their shoulders

[00:13:51] and sprinkle gem-like leaves across their coats. See? The tree sighed happily. Aren't my monkeys wonderfully a good fern? Oh, they are, agreed Kira, who was in the midst of giving one of the cutest monkeys a big, cosy hug.

[00:14:15] I love my little monkeys ever so much, the tree told them. After all, what's a monkey tree without its monkeys? Coco and Kira carried on playing with the monkeys until they got tired, when they all returned to dangling from their branches and let out a chorus of gentle snores.

[00:14:44] They thanked the monkey tree for the fun afternoon and waved it goodbye. On the way home, they agreed that they had to come back to visit the monkey tree more often. And so they did. A couple of times a week, Coco and Kira would take the increasingly familiar path through the silver pines, past Jet the Jaguar's jigsaw workshop,

[00:15:13] past Gary the gecko and his grafting, before finally arriving at the monkey tree that stood at the end of the path. There, they passed many joyous, happy hours, chatting with the monkey tree and playing with the little monkeys. They were so mischievous, always playing games with them and then the next moment so soft and sweet and cuddly.

[00:15:43] The monkey tree in its gaggle of little monkeys was quickly becoming one of Coco and Kira's favourite creatures to visit in the whole of Sleepy Forest. But one summer's afternoon, Coco and Kira reached the end of the path only to discover that there had been a rather large change. The monkey tree, for the first time ever,

[00:16:10] did not have any monkeys dangling from its branches. And what was more, the monkey tree seemed pretty sad about it. Oh dear monkey tree, Kira said, going up and stroking the tree's bark consolingly. What's happened? Where have all your monkeys gone? The tree let out a heavy, world-weary sigh.

[00:16:40] Oh, Kira, he said. Oh, Coco, I was hoping you wouldn't have to see this. And the monkey tree explained that the monkeys had all left to search the forest for a more entertaining place to live. It was a fate that might meet any monkey tree. You didn't know when it could happen or if it would happen.

[00:17:09] But one day, your mischievous, fun-loving monkeys might wake up and decide they wanted to live somewhere more exciting. And once they left, well, they never came back. Oh, sighed Kira, wrapping her arms around the tree's trunk. I'm so sorry, monkey tree. I know you loved your monkeys ever so much.

[00:17:39] How really dear, the tree replied forlornly. After all, what is a monkey tree without its monkeys? Just a tree. Coco was feeling just as sorry for the monkey tree as Kira was. But something was scratching at his mind, some thought or idea,

[00:18:07] and it made him frown. Are you sure they can never come back? He asked. And the tree shook its branches. Never before has a monkey tree's monkeys returned after they've departed. Once they get bored of their tree, off they go. You can't make a tree more entertaining now, can you?

[00:18:38] What the monkey tree said sounded final. And yet, the nagging feeling in Coco's mind wouldn't go away. In fact, as he joined Kira in hugging the monkey tree, the nagging feeling turned into a thought. The thought transformed into an idea. And that idea, well, that idea began to seem to Coco

[00:19:07] more and more like a plan. Kira, he said, folding his hands behind his back and trying to act as casual as he possibly could. Could you, ahem, follow me down this path a little? Why? Kira asked. Oh, um, said Coco, no reason, just, um, follow me

[00:19:37] if you could. Please? Her brother was certainly acting pretty strangely, Kira thought to herself. Maybe the sudden departure of the monkeys was having a funny effect on him too. So, she unclasped her arms from around the monkey tree's trunk, told it they'd be back soon and followed Coco back down the path.

[00:20:05] Why are you being so strange? She asked him. Coco replied, because I've had an idea. Oh, said Kira. An idea? What's your idea? And Coco, leaning in close to whisper in Kira's ear, all so that the monkey tree couldn't hear, told her about his idea.

[00:20:35] Once he was done, Kira clapped her paws together. Her eyes were bright with hope. Oh, Coco, she whispered. What an idea! I think it actually might work. And so, the two of them hurried back down the path. First, they paused where they saw Gary the gecko finding flowers that he could graft on trees.

[00:21:05] They explained to him Coco's idea, speaking carefully, trying not to let their excitement get the better of them. Hmm, Gary sighed, stroking his pink gecko beard. I think I should be able to do it. I've never done anything like it before. Nothing so tricky, that's for sure. But if

[00:21:35] there's any gecko in this green forest who can do it, I'm the one. Next, Coco and Kira headed up the path until they saw Jet, the jaguar, sitting outside her wooden hut, carving jigsaw pieces with her sharp and delicate claws. They stood before her and explained their idea to her, and when they were done, she gave them a big,

[00:22:04] pearly white smile. What a brilliant idea, she said. And you know what, she added, heading into her wooden hut before returning holding a cloth bag. I think I've got just the thing for it. And so the four of them, Coco and Kira, Jet, the jaguar, and Gary, the gecko, all set off down the

[00:22:34] dappled forest path until they reached the end where the monkey tree stood looking glum. You've come back, the tree said morosely. And look, you've brought other friends too, but you shouldn't have brought them really. There's nothing to see here, not since all of my monkeys have departed.

[00:23:04] Now there's nothing left worth seeing. Oh, monkey tree, Kira sighed, going to give the tree another hug. You shouldn't speak that way. You're perfectly wonderful without all your monkeys, except from the fact that you're sad about it. And that's just what we've brought our friends for. Coco's had a brilliant idea, won't you

[00:23:33] listen to it? The monkey tree gave a ruffle of its branches and a single leaf, detached and fluttered lazily to the floor. Okay, the tree said. I'm listening. The thing is, monkey tree, said Coco, stepping forward, his cheeks blushing a little. He was hoping that the tree would like his plan.

[00:24:04] I was thinking about how you said that your monkeys got bored of living here, but that there was no way of making your tree self more fun after they'd chosen to go. Well, I'm just not sure that's true. You see, this is Jet, the jaguar, and she's a jigsaw puzzle maker. And if there's one thing a monkey loves, it's jigsaw puzzles. I've never met a single monkey

[00:24:34] who doesn't like a jigsaw, right? The monkey tree nodded. That's right. Monkeys do love jigsaws, but what does that have to do with me? Well, replied Coco, that's where our other friend Gary the gecko comes in. Gary here is the most expert grafter in all of sleepy forest.

[00:25:04] He can take almost any flower and by whispering to it in just the right way, he can make it combine so that the two beings grow as one. That is pretty impressive, said the monkey tree. How beautiful to be a tree and flower all at once. But what does that have to do with me?

[00:25:35] Ah, said Coco, that's where the plan comes in. He took a deep breath. Jet the jaguar has made a magical kind of puzzle that shifts and changes every day so that it's never the same twice. there's always a new puzzle to do and Gary the gecko is going to take her magic puzzle and graft it to

[00:26:05] you, if you'll let him, that is. That way you'll be able to grow a different puzzle every day and keep your monkeys occupied forever and ever. He doesn't know whether he can do it, he's never done any grafting, quite as difficult as that before. But, monkey tree, will you let us try? While Coco had been speaking, a series of expressions

[00:26:34] had passed over the face of the monkey tree, like clouds passing over the sky. First it looked confused, then surprised. Then the light of hope spread across its rough barky features, until at last, as Coco finished speaking, the monkey tree looked upon the little koala with the purest

[00:27:04] expression of love and gratitude. Oh, Coco, the monkey tree sighed, that has got to be the kindest, most brilliant plan I've ever heard anyone come up with. And you thought it all up for me? Uh, yes, I did, said Coco,

[00:27:33] nodding. I don't like seeing any creature in sleepy forest get down. And if there's a way I can think of to help them, well, if I can, I will. So does that mean you'll try it, monkey tree? The monkey tree gave its branches an energetic shake. Yes, Coco, it said. Of course, I'll try it.

[00:28:05] Jet the jaguar and Gary the gecko worked for many hours. One by one, Jet would remove a puzzle piece from her cloth bag, make any final touch ups needed and hand it to Gary, who would hold it against the monkey tree's bark and whisper words like spells or incantations to it, hoping to make it graft.

[00:28:34] Coco and Kira couldn't see whether it was working. They had to keep their distance so as not to interfere with the process. Instead, they lay on the grass by the path and watched as the sun sunk lower and lower in the sky, sending its darkening dusty orange rays across the lilac expanse as the shadows of the trees grew steadily

[00:29:04] longer with the approach of gentle evening. They yawned. They rolled over to get comfy. They blinked hazily as the silver stars emerged in the sky. And at last, they heard the deep low rumble of Jet the Jaguar's voice. Lil ones, she said.

[00:29:35] Coco, Kira, get up, come and see. They hadn't fallen asleep, but they were dozy. They pushed themselves up onto their elbows, rubbing their eyes, peeking around in the purple twilight. What is it? Kira asked. It took her a little while to remember just what they'd

[00:30:05] been there for, until she saw the branches of the monkey tree in front of her. Such beautiful branches, the bark dark as ever, like melted chocolate, with the fuzz of dark green pine needles all over it. But there was something different too. Kira got up, she padded over to

[00:30:34] the tree, her brother Coco beside her, And together, they peered at the hundreds of tiny little puzzle pieces that dangled like strange leaves or flowers from the branches of the monkey tree. They had been grafted on, and now the jigsaw pieces grew directly out of the tree's branches. It had worked.

[00:31:03] Oh, monkey tree, Kira sighed happily. Oh, no, said the monkey tree, and he gave a hearty laugh. I'm not the monkey tree anymore. I'm now the monkey puzzle tree. Kira reached out a hand to touch one of the dangling jigsaw pieces.

[00:31:33] Monkey puzzle tree, she repeated. I like that. And then Coco touched her arm. Look, he whispered, and he pointed to the dark gaps between the trees, where the bright eyes of a little monkey were glimmering. The monkey stepped out from the shadows and scurried up to the monkey puzzle tree

[00:32:02] to inspect what was new. Then the monkey threw his arms around the tree and clambered up the trunk to his old favourite branch, where he began to play with the puzzle. He gave a loud coo of enjoyment. Over the next few minutes, not one, not two, but a dozen or more monkeys returned to the tree,

[00:32:32] until there were a whole troop of them sitting amongst the branches, playing with their puzzles. The monkey puzzle tree was delighted. How can I ever thank you, he said to Coco and Kira, to Jet and to Gary. It was Jet who answered for all of them. You have nothing

[00:33:01] to thank us for, she said. It was dark now and Coco and Kira were tired. They said goodbye to the monkey puzzle tree and told it that they couldn't wait to come back and visit and see how all the monkeys were enjoying their puzzles. Then they clambered onto Jet the jaguars back and as she carried them home

[00:33:31] through sleepy forest on her soft velveteen back surrounded by the whispering branches and low hooting owls and the quiet snapping of leaves and small twigs underfoot they fell asleep and when they opened their eyes they were so tired

[00:34:00] they only gave Jet a squeeze of gratitude and let their mom carry them upstairs take off their walking boots tuck them into bed she stroked their fur and planted a kiss on each of their foreheads she paused at the door her paw hovering over the light switch and

[00:34:30] for a moment she looked at her two sleeping children how soft and little and kind they looked and then Coco and Kira's mom switched off the light and eased the creaking door closed leaving the two of them to drift deep into their sleeps into the world of

[00:35:00] dreams where they sat like monkeys in the monkey puzzle tree searching for the pieces of the jigsaw that would fit together just like that