The Catstronauts & The Space Otters 🪐 🦦 Cozy 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. I hope you're ready for a super sleepy story tonight as we rejoin Captain Puss Puss and her adventurous band of Catstronauts.

[00:00:32] There are intrepid crew of whiskered intergalactic space explorers who've so far met Morty the mouse on the moon, King Peanut Butter in Candyland, and now they're headed to perhaps the most peaceful planet in the solar system, where they meet a very chilled out, super relaxed bunch of cuddly space otters.

[00:00:54] Before we embark on this latest mission, let's make sure we're totally relaxed and ready to listen. So hop into bed and get comfy. And now imagine a furry, friendly cat nestling down for a nap and relaxing just like that cat.

[00:01:15] Slowly stretch your arms and legs and breathe in. Arch your back and point your toes at the same time and then breathe out a lovely big sigh as you relax. Wrinkle your nose and twitch your lips and your cheeks a few times more as if you had whiskers.

[00:01:41] Now wrinkle and relax your forehead and close your eyes. And then take another lovely breath in and let it out slowly. Perfect. Now it's time to begin the Catstronauts and the Space Otters by Alicia Ainsley. Before we begin, a quick message for the grown-ups.

[00:02:07] If you'd like to support our podcast, enjoy ad-free listening, unlock four bonus stories per month and much, much more, you can join Coco Club. Subscribe in just two taps via the link in the show notes. But now here's a quick word from our sponsors.

[00:02:32] Deep in space, patrolling the solar system, a unique spaceship was sailing at a leisurely pace. This spaceship looked different to others. Instead of being long and narrow with a pointed head like most, this ship was spherical in shape with two pointed turrets on either side of the top that looked like cat ears. Three iron wings stuck out of the ship on either side, perfectly positioned to look like whiskers.

[00:03:01] And large navigation windows were built into the front with bright yellow lights shining out around them like cat eyes. Any regular visitors to space would know immediately who this unusual spaceship belonged to. It was Captain Puspus and her feline crew of cat genals. Captain Puspus regularly guided her adventurous crew through the galaxies in search of new planets to explore.

[00:03:29] And on this particular occasion, they came across something pretty spectacular. The fuzzy captain and her crew were gliding through space at a glacial pace when they drew near to a huge orange planet that oozed warmth. Captain Puspus called out with authority. Smudge, what planet is that? That would be Venus, Captain.

[00:03:59] A white and beige ragamuffin called Smudge replied from his seat at the control desk. Ah yes, of course, Venus. Captain Puspus repeated with intrigue. I think we shall pay Venus a visit. It would be a shame to pass it by when it's so close.

[00:04:20] Following their captain's command, the Catronauts began locking their coordinates into the computer system and prepared to land on the surface of the orange planet. Captain Puspus gazed out of the spaceship window at Venus. She wondered if it had been fully explored before or if perhaps the Catronauts were about to be the first. Either way, it was totally new to her and she couldn't wait to find out.

[00:04:50] As if someone had read her mind, Captain Puspus suddenly heard a sweet voice behind her pipe up. Excuse me, Captain. Captain Puspus turned around to see her chief mechanic Tinkers looking up at her eagerly. Sorry to disturb your thoughts, Captain. But I thought I should tell you something, Tinkers said. I have been to Venus before, several years ago.

[00:05:19] I know a thing or two about the planet if you'd like a guide. I'd be happy to be of service. Captain Puspus was delighted that a member of her crew had inside knowledge on this planet. It would make their venture much easier. Captain Puspus thanked Tinkers for her offer and agreed that she would be of much help. First, they just needed to find somewhere to land.

[00:05:47] As they flew lower, the Catronauts discovered it was harder than anticipated to find a spot to land their ship. The surface of Venus was a mixture of rolling plains and mountain peaks. There appeared to be numerous volcanoes and rivers of bubbling lava flowing all over. Captain Puspus frowned with confusion.

[00:06:13] How could this possibly be a peaceful planet like Tinkers said, with volcanoes erupting all over it? Smudge looked up from the control desk, chewed his claw apprehensively, and questioned. Captain, are you sure you want to land here? The ground looks a bit uneven.

[00:06:37] Captain Puspus glanced at Tinkers the mechanic for reassurance, and the sweet tabby replied, Oh, don't worry, Captain, it is safe to land. Touchdown on that spot of flat land over there. Next to the lava stream shaped like the letter C. Captain Puspus gave the order, and the Catronaut team successfully landed their ship on flat ground.

[00:07:04] The crew suited up in their spacesuits and bulbous helmets, opened the spaceship door, and lowered the metal ramp to the ground. A blaze of warm air swarmed the castronauts, and they all instantly felt cozy in their suits, and a little bit sleepy.

[00:07:26] The scent of rose petals filled their noses, as if they had just stuck their faces in a big bowl of potpourri. The air smelt divine. A sphinx cat called Silas yawned. I suddenly feel like taking a cat nap. Smudge sighed and added,

[00:07:54] Oh, it smells incredible here. What is that? Tinkers giggled and purred with a knowing smile. Just wait and see. The crew of Catronauts walked down the ramp and out onto the dusty terracotta surface of Venus.

[00:08:17] Captain Puspus lifted her little pink nose to the sky and admired the incredible copper-coloured clouds streaking glossy hues through the air like treacle. The sky was like nothing she had seen before. It almost looked like the clouds were on fire. It was beautiful.

[00:08:41] Take a look at this, cried out Smudge, who had wandered over to the edge of a lava river. The Catronauts all gathered and gazed over Smudge's shoulder to see what he was purring about. To their amazement, the bubbling lava was pink and a smelt of flowers.

[00:09:01] I've never seen lava that looks and smells like this before, commented Captain Puspus. Tinkers chimed in at that moment with a fun fact about the lava in perfect tour guide fashion. She explained, All lava on Venus smells like this. The volcanoes may look temperamental, but they are not the same as the ones on Earth.

[00:09:29] In contrast to the scalding molten rock produced on Earth, these Venus volcanoes produce lava that is a perfect temperature to take a bath in. And it smells so good that you could easily inhale its scents and drift away to Dreamland. Why is Dreamland nearby? Smudge asked with confusion.

[00:09:57] It's a figure of speech, Tinkers clarified kindly. Captain Puspus was impressed by Tinkers' knowledge and allowed the enthusiastic tabby to lead the way across the planet.

[00:10:13] The catch-genauts, guided by Tinkers, walked across the orange desert plains, over hills and through valleys, past streams of lava, and they shuffled around craters in the ground. For a while, it seemed like the space-exploring kitties might be the only living creatures on Venus. That is, until they passed around the base of a mountain and spotted something peculiar.

[00:10:43] Whoa! What is that? Silas the Sphinx cried out, pointing into the distance. Far ahead, they could all see what Silas was talking about. The ground was moving, as if it was vibrating, and it appeared to shimmer with a dazzling light. Is it an earthquake? Captain Puspus asked the crew.

[00:11:12] Or a rippling river? Silas suggested. Is the ground made of jelly? Smudge added. But Tinkers smiled and replied, Not exactly. Let's get closer, and I'll show you. The catch-genauts trudged their way across Venus in their big, clumping space boots, all the way over to where the ground was moving.

[00:11:42] However, when they arrived, they discovered that the floor wasn't moving at all. In actual fact, there were thousands of teeny bugs scuttling around. But they weren't just any normal bugs. These bugs sparkled and shimmered like jewels. What are they? Captain Puspus asked curiously.

[00:12:07] Out of the blue, a tiny voice piped up on her shoulder and responded in a squeaky voice. Love bugs! Captain Puspus glanced at her shoulder, and a little bug that sparkled like a gemstone smiled up at her and waved. Hello! The miniature critter said. Captain Puspus giggled and replied, Well, hello there!

[00:12:36] Noticing their outer space visitors, the love bugs all excitedly gathered closer to observe the catch-genauts. Ooh, you're very tall, a chorus of love bugs chimed. Another ensemble of tiny critters commented, Ah, you are covered in fur. You must be hot here on Venus.

[00:13:05] The catch-genauts chuckled and introduced themselves to the love bugs while Captain Puspus inspected them. She had never seen bugs that glittered like crystals before. What brings you to Venus? The love bug on the captain's shoulder inquired. Captain Puspus explained that she and her crew lived in the Milky Way, and travelled the galaxies together, hopping from planet to planet,

[00:13:35] to explore and learn about the interesting places in their solar system and beyond. That sounds fantastic! In that case, we must give you a proper love bug welcome! The bug on the captain's shoulder declared joyously. Here we go! Tinkers muttered under her breath with amusement.

[00:14:01] Captain Puspus and the catch-genauts waited with bated breath as the thousands of teensy love bugs gathered together and stood in perfect formation. We love to sing love songs! The love bug on Captain Puspus's shoulder explained. Then the chatty love bug pulled out a mini harmonica and blew a note on the harmonious instrument.

[00:14:27] He counted them all in, like a conductor with a one, two, three. In their high-pitched voices, the love bugs all began to sing. They crooned lyrics that went like this. You are sweeter than cherry pie. You, my darling, are the apple of my eye. If I could, oh my, oh my, I'd write your name across the sky.

[00:14:55] I'd sing to you by the moon at night. I'd tell you jokes all through the night. And then I'd say sweet dreams sleep tight. Under the stars that shine so bright. The catch-genauts listened to the love bug's tune and couldn't help swaying along. The love bugs were talented singers, and their sweet song made the catch-genauts feel all fuzzy and glowing inside.

[00:15:25] You are very good, Captain Puspus admitted as the catch-genauts applauded the love bug's performance. Thank you, the tiny love bug on the captain's shoulder said, taking a gracious bow. Do you sing too? Captain Puspus tittered and replied, we don't sing.

[00:15:47] Us cats aren't well-renowned for our singing voices, but we are well-known for our intrepid exploring of outer space. The love bugs all began to make sounds of interest again. Ooh, ah, they gasped with fascination. The love bug on her shoulder suggested that if they really wanted to know what it was like to live on dreamy Venus,

[00:16:15] then they should head towards Acne-Montes mountain range. At the top of those golden peaks, you can see hundreds of lava streams, all weaving in and out of each other to create a glorious bubbling tapestry across Venus's ground. Tinker said that she knew the way to Acne-Montes, and offered to lead the crew there. So the catch-genauts said goodbye to the love bugs and set off.

[00:16:45] Led by tinkers, the catch-genauts walked for many miles across Venus's surface in search of Acne-Montes. Usually cats can wander for a long time without getting tired, but bathed in the warmth of Venus's air, with the scent of rose petals drifting on the breeze. It was harder than usual.

[00:17:09] The catch-genauts fought a constant, strong urge to lie down and take a cat nap. Eventually the persevering kitties made it to Acne-Montes. They climbed to the top of the lowest peak and gazed over the other side. The love bugs had been right. Far below, there was a valley full of meandering streams of pink lava.

[00:17:37] They all wove in and out of each other like a long, never-ending chain, creating the outline of a dazzling web on the floor of Venus. The catch-genauts sat and admired the peaceful scene, resting their furry legs and resisting the urge to drift off to sleep right there on the mountaintop.

[00:18:01] As Captain Puspus trailed the streams with her eyes, she noticed that in one of them, several unusual figures were bobbing along on top of the water. Tinkers? Captain Puspus grabbed her attention. What are those over there? Tinkers looked and declared excitedly, This is the best part about Venus.

[00:18:29] Captain Puspus and her crew pulled out their telescopes and zoomed in. They watched with intrigue as a group of otters sailed down the stream of flowing pink lava, all holding hands and blissfully lying on their backs. The otters looked like any normal otters, aside from one big difference.

[00:18:55] Their fluffy fur was made up of all the colours of the rainbow. Can we go meet them? Captain Puspus asked Tinkers, their tour guide. Of course! Answered Tinkers. The space otters are some of the nicest creatures I've ever met! The catch-genauts descended Acne Montes down to the valley of lava streams and watched the otters floating around.

[00:19:26] As they got closer, the multicoloured otters spotted the catch-genauts standing on the bank of a river and lifted their little hands in greeting, although they never let go of each other for a second. Greetings, kitty visitors! A gentle, dozy voice called out from amongst them. Have you come to enjoy the streams too?

[00:19:53] The catch-genauts giggled at the sight of the lazy otters floating along in a long chain. And Captain Puspus replied, We have come to admire the streams, yes. The chatty otter responded, Ah, but you mustn't only admire them. You need to experience them.

[00:20:19] As the vibrant space otters glided closer to the catch-genauts on the shore, one of them exclaimed, Hey everyone, it's Tinkers! Hi Tinkers! It's good to see you again! Tinkers grinned and spoke to her otter acquaintances. It had been several years since Tinkers had last set down her paws on Venus. But for the otters, it didn't seem that long ago.

[00:20:50] Tinkers told her fellow catch-genauts that the last time she had visited, she had met the space otters and swum the streams of Venus with them. It was utterly delightful, she praised. Or, utterly, I should say. It doesn't look like the otters have left the waters since I last visited, either. The dozy-voiced otter added as they wafted closer.

[00:21:18] These streams reach all the way around the planet, so we can ride the current all day and all night if we want to. And our drifting will never come to an end. Would you like to join us? The otter held out their little hand to Captain Puspuss invitingly. The captain hesitated for a moment, a little bit nervous.

[00:21:49] Cats aren't very good in water, but with Tinkers' encouragement, Captain Puspuss took a leap of faith. She held the hand of the space otter and allowed herself to be pulled into the stream. Tinkers had been right. The pink, bubbling lava of Venus felt as soothing and warm as bathwater.

[00:22:13] And thanks to the buoyant, rose-scented salts within the streams, Captain Puspuss floated on her back with ease. The captain laughed as she drifted slowly downstream with a chain of space otters. Quickly, take my paw, she called out to her fellow Catstronauts.

[00:22:36] One by one, Tinkers, Smudge and the others jumped into the lava stream and held paws. The Catstronauts and the space otters relaxed and allowed themselves to be carried away by the current and sailed the rivers of Venus.

[00:22:55] The gentle bobbing of the lava rocked the chain of fuzzy animals backwards and forwards, backwards and forwards, forwards and backwards, backwards and forwards, over and over in a reassuring rhythm. The sound of the liquid, lapping at their furry ears, calmed them.

[00:23:25] And the scent of roses opened their airways fully so that every breath they took cleared their nostrils and filled their lungs up completely. They all floated downstream together, peacefully, for a very long time.

[00:23:48] Captain Puspuss could easily see why the space otters might not have moved from this sleepy river since the last time Tinkers had been here. They drifted across Venus, weaving around the base of the Acne Montes mountain range, gazing up at the flame street sky.

[00:24:17] They flowed along the never-ending maze of river courses and floated back past the land of the love bugs. The catronauts, a little love bug called out excitedly.

[00:24:37] Dozens of sparkling love bugs ran up to the stream's edge and watched as the catronauts and the space otters all floated down the lava stream together. They sighed with adoration and began to serenade them with a sweet lullaby as they drifted along.

[00:24:59] With the combination of the warm rose-scented water, the love bug's song, and the calming, tawny sky that appeared like a sunset. The catronauts couldn't help but gently slip away into a peaceful sleep.

[00:25:19] The lava cradled and carried them along the winding streams for hours and hours, like a lazy river ride, their purring snores intermingled with the sleepy snuffles of the otters. The catronauts hadn't ever been this relaxed before.

[00:25:46] This is so, so nice, Smudge confessed, bobbing along down the stream serenely. We should do this back on the Milky Way. Captain Puss-Puss had to agree. There was something captivating about floating around, holding your friend's paws.

[00:26:14] It made the whole experience feel cozier and even more tranquil, if that was even possible. Captain, can we do this back on the Milky Way? Smudge asked dreamily as he bobbed along softly. Captain Puss-Puss purred with agreement.

[00:26:40] They most certainly could relax like this on the Milky Way. The catronauts were having such a nice time that they remained floating on Venus for hours and hours. But in Earth time, it was actually even longer.

[00:27:03] They were so relaxed that they stayed floating along the rose-scented lava streams until Venus's day started to turn to night. In the night, Captain Puss-Puss eventually opened her eyes and gazed up at the slowly darkening sky. Her whole furry body felt like she had been petted for several hours straight.

[00:27:34] The salts in the streams aided her body to float so that she didn't have to move a muscle for hours. She had simply been able to trust the current to carry her downstream. She gazed at the darkening sky and sighed.

[00:27:57] If the catronauts waited much longer, then it would become too dark to find their spaceship. And they would have to wait until daytime returned to Venus to go home, which could be a very long time. As much as Captain Puss-Puss and her crew would love to stay relaxing on the lazy rivers of Venus, they had a home on the Milky Way to get back to.

[00:28:26] The space otters guided the catronauts back to shore, and the kitty crew hopped out of the water and shook out their suits. Oh, do we have to leave? Silas the sphinx moaned sleepily. Captain Puss-Puss smiled and purred. I'm afraid so.

[00:28:52] The catronauts thanked the space otters for their warm welcome and waved them off as the multicolored fluffy creatures floated away. Luckily, the otters had dropped the catronauts off on land that was close to their spaceship. The adventurous cats could see their ship in the distance, and they happily walked towards it, yawning all the way.

[00:29:21] Once aboard the ship, Captain Puss-Puss gave the orders and the crew prepared to launch back into outer space, towards their home on the Milky Way. Captain Puss-Puss was already dreaming about enjoying a warm glass of milk and dozing off on a stellar stream.

[00:29:46] The cats lazily jetted their ship back out into space and headed home. Sad to leave Venus behind, but inspired to make their home on the Milky Way just as idyllic. Meanwhile, across the solar system, far away on the moon, a curious mouse crawled up to a giant telescope sitting on top of a crater.

[00:30:16] The little mouse's grey fur was splodged with yellow spots, and his round ears twitched with excitement as he sniffled his way across the moon, resisting the temptation to take a bite out of its cheesy surface. This mouse was called Morty. Morty Mouse climbed up to the telescope and looked through the lens.

[00:30:44] The telescope was perfectly set up to gaze at the Milky Way, the place where his good friend Captain Puss-Puss often resided when she wasn't busy exploring other planets. Morty Mouse liked to check in on the captain and her crew now and then.

[00:31:05] To Morty's delight, Puss-Puss and her cat-stronauts were all home in the Milky Way, drifting on the milky streams that spiralled around it. But surprisingly, this time, the cats were all holding paws as they floated around, and they looked more blissful than ever.

[00:31:31] Morty Mouse smiled and wriggled his nose with contentedness. He thought to himself, Maybe I should pay a visit to the Milky Way soon. It seems like the Catstronauts have found the best place in the universe to take a good cat nap.