# Unexpected Guests

An episode of [Animal Tales: The Kids' Story Podcast](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1644596989), 14 Apr 2026, 18 min.

Audio: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/71097598/at487_unexpectedguests_mixdown.mp3

A snowshoe hare encounters two creatures unprepared for the cold. Written especially for this podcast by Simon. If you enjoyed this story, please do leave us a review. And, if you'd like to suggest an animal for a future Animal Tales story, you can do so by emailing podcast@animaltales.uk. We would love to hear from you. Animal Tales Books! Collections of Animal Tales children’s stories are available to buy exclusively at Amazon. Simply search for Animal Tales Short Stories or follow this link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CLJQZ9C9?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_sirpi Become a PREMIUM Subscriber You can now enjoy Animal Tales by becoming a Premium Subscriber. This gets you: • All episodes in our catalogue advert free • Bonus Premium-only episodes (one per week) which will never be used on the main podcast • We guarantee to use one of your animal suggestions in a story You can sign up through Apple Podcasts or through Supercast and there are both monthly and yearly plans available. Discover a brand new story every Monday, Wednesday and Friday – just for you! You can find more Animal Tales at www.animaltales.uk A Note About The Adverts In order to allow us to make these stories we offer a premium subscription and run adverts. The adverts are not chosen by us, but played automatically depending on the platform you listen through (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc) and the country you live in. The adverts may even be different if you listen to the story twice. We have had a handful of instances where an advert has played that is not suitable for a family audience, despite the podcast clearly being labelled for children. If you’re concerned about an advert you hear, please contact the platform you are listening to directly. Spotify, in particular, has proven problematic in the past, for both inappropriate adverts and the volume at which the adverts play. If you find this happening, please let Spotify know via their Facebook customer care page. As creators, we want your child’s experience to be a pleasurable one. Running adverts is necessary to allow us to operate, but please do consider the premium subscription service as an alternative – it’s advert free.

## Transcript

[0:12] Speaker 1: Yes, Hello everyone, and welcome to the Animal Tales podcast
[0:18] Speaker 1: where you suggest the animal for us to write a
[0:20] Speaker 1: story about. My name is Josephine and I've got a
[0:23] Speaker 1: brand new animal story here just for you. If you'd
[0:28] Speaker 1: like to suggest an animal to be featured in a story,
[0:31] Speaker 1: you can email me at podcast at Animaltales dot uk
[0:35] Speaker 1: with your idea. If you can try to catch our
[0:38] Speaker 1: eye with suggestions about animals that we've never written about before.
[0:43] Speaker 1: Umbar is from London, England, and she would like a
[0:47] Speaker 1: story with a peacock, a flamingo and a snowshoe hair.
[0:52] Speaker 1: You can learn more about these creatures in the animal
[0:54] Speaker 1: facts after the story. Now settle back, relax and I'll
[1:00] Speaker 1: begin Unexpected guests. Winter was just around the corner, and
[1:08] Speaker 1: although the forested valleys and meadows were still free of snow,
[1:12] Speaker 1: the white caps of the mountains were always there to
[1:15] Speaker 1: be seen. Umba didn't mind the cold. As a snowshoe hair,
[1:20] Speaker 1: she was built perfectly for it. She had a thick
[1:24] Speaker 1: coat of hair to keep her warm even on the
[1:27] Speaker 1: coldest of days. To day wasn't too bad, just a
[1:31] Speaker 1: gentle chill wind blowing from the north. At least the
[1:36] Speaker 1: sun is shining, she said to herself as she hopped
[1:39] Speaker 1: along the peacefulness of her journey was interrupted by distant
[1:44] Speaker 1: wailing voices. Someone's in trouble, said Umber, and bounded away
[1:50] Speaker 1: to help. She feared an animal had been cornered by
[1:54] Speaker 1: the hungry lynx that stalked this valley. But it wasn't
[1:57] Speaker 1: a lynx at all. Sat upon the trunk of a
[2:01] Speaker 1: fallen spruce tree, was the most bizarre sight Umber had
[2:05] Speaker 1: ever come across. A peacock and a flamingo. The pair
[2:10] Speaker 1: of them were in some distress. Look, Tarquin, a bunny.
[2:15] Speaker 1: We are saved, announced the flamingo, as Umber bounced to
[2:19] Speaker 1: a stop before them. Oh, thank goodness for that, Tatiana.
[2:24] Speaker 1: Our ordeal is over, said the peacock dramatically. Are you hurt,
[2:30] Speaker 1: wondered Umber. Heavens, No, said the flamingo with a wave
[2:35] Speaker 1: of her pink wing. Then are you lost, Umber asked.
[2:41] Speaker 1: Oh no, said the peacock, as he pulled out a
[2:44] Speaker 1: smartphone from beneath his feathers. I can see precisely where
[2:48] Speaker 1: we are. Then, what's the problem, asked the snowshoe hare.
[2:54] Speaker 1: We're so very very cold, wailed Tatiana. The flamingo. Some
[3:00] Speaker 1: would say freezing, added Tarquin. The peacock. It's not so bad,
[3:07] Speaker 1: said Umber. Winter's not even started yet. I can't possibly
[3:13] Speaker 1: imagine it being any colder, announced Tatiana. Neither can, I
[3:19] Speaker 1: agreed Tarquin. Just look at my plumage. I do believe
[3:23] Speaker 1: my tail feathers may have frost bite. It's really not
[3:27] Speaker 1: that cold, insisted Umber. Look why don't you come back
[3:32] Speaker 1: to my place and warm up a little? This bunny
[3:36] Speaker 1: is our champion, squealed the flamingo loudly. Some would say savior,
[3:43] Speaker 1: said the peacock, as he hopped down from the tree trunk. Now,
[3:48] Speaker 1: which way is it to your abode? The two birds
[3:54] Speaker 1: didn't stop talking the entire way there, mostly complaining that
[3:58] Speaker 1: the temperature was about to make their feathers fall out.
[4:02] Speaker 1: Umber's house was a small log cabin built into the hillside,
[4:06] Speaker 1: with a turf roof to help keep it insulated. Even
[4:11] Speaker 1: on the chillis days, her cabin was toasty and warm. Oh,
[4:16] Speaker 1: how splendidly charming, observed Tatiana as Umber invited them inside.
[4:22] Speaker 1: Not at all what we're used to, Tarquin said, But
[4:26] Speaker 1: our needs are dire. It will serve us for now,
[4:31] Speaker 1: Umber lit a fire and encouraged the pair to sit
[4:34] Speaker 1: and warm themselves while she prepared hot drinks. I'm feeling
[4:39] Speaker 1: warmth in my toes already, said Tatiana excitedly. And such
[4:45] Speaker 1: delightful toes you have, too, Tarquin said, tapping his friend
[4:50] Speaker 1: upon her knee. If you don't mind me saying so,
[4:54] Speaker 1: said Umber as she carried in a tray with three
[4:57] Speaker 1: steaming mugs. But if you feel the cold so badly,
[5:01] Speaker 1: wouldn't it have been wise to wear something warm? Darling?
[5:06] Speaker 1: You cannot be serious, Tatiana said, looking shocked, and cover
[5:12] Speaker 1: up these beautiful, gorgeous feathers, Tarquin spluttered. It would be
[5:18] Speaker 1: a crime to hide such splendid plumage. But isn't being
[5:23] Speaker 1: warm more important? Suggested Umber as she set the tray down.
[5:30] Speaker 1: Not when you look as fabulous as the pair of us,
[5:33] Speaker 1: The famingo scoffed, as if the point was obvious. Oh, beverages,
[5:40] Speaker 1: said the peacock, suddenly changing the subject. What have you
[5:44] Speaker 1: prepared for us? Hot chocolate? Said Umber as she handed
[5:49] Speaker 1: out the drinks. Are they, said Tatiana, screwing up her face.
[5:56] Speaker 1: They don't look like hot chocolates to me. It's because
[6:01] Speaker 1: she has not finished them properly, continued Tarquin. Where is
[6:06] Speaker 1: the squatty cream and the tiny marshmallows? I don't have
[6:11] Speaker 1: anything like that, pointed out the snowshoe hair. It's a
[6:15] Speaker 1: long way to carry a bag of shopping, so I
[6:17] Speaker 1: tend to only buy the essentials. But Darling squirty cream
[6:23] Speaker 1: and tiny marshmallows are essentials, shrieked the Famingo. I for one,
[6:30] Speaker 1: couldn't live without them, chipped in Tarquin. Fortunately, Umber was
[6:36] Speaker 1: a very patient snowshoe hair, so she chose to ignore
[6:40] Speaker 1: her guest's rudeness, especially as there was nothing she could
[6:44] Speaker 1: do to change their drinks. They were soon sipping them regardless.
[6:50] Speaker 1: Are you staying near by, she asked the birds. We've
[6:54] Speaker 1: not booked anything yet, said Tatiana. Tarquin was about to
[6:59] Speaker 1: look at the hotel choices on his phone when you
[7:02] Speaker 1: found us. Naturally, we'll be wanting of a five star
[7:06] Speaker 1: establishment with a spa, of course, said Tarquin. Well you'll
[7:12] Speaker 1: not find anything like that around here, said Umba. There
[7:17] Speaker 1: aren't any no five star hotels, screeched Tatiana. No hotels
[7:25] Speaker 1: at all, said the hare. You're in the middle of
[7:28] Speaker 1: the worlderness. But I wanted a cleansing facial, protested Tarquin.
[7:36] Speaker 1: You won't get one of those around here. I'm afraid
[7:39] Speaker 1: the closest you'll get to a JACUZI is to go
[7:41] Speaker 1: and sit in an icy, cold stream. Tarquin. I feel faint,
[7:48] Speaker 1: declared the flamingo loudly. We've strayed beyond civilization. We'll never
[7:54] Speaker 1: be seen or heard from again. Tarquin squawked. You stay here,
[8:01] Speaker 1: said Umber generously. It'll be getting dark soon anyway, so
[8:06] Speaker 1: you'd best stay here where it's warm. I suppose we could,
[8:12] Speaker 1: said Tatiana cautiously. She didn't look too happy at the
[8:16] Speaker 1: thought of it. How many guest bedrooms do you have, exactly,
[8:22] Speaker 1: inquired Tarquin. None, said Umber. There's just my room. But
[8:28] Speaker 1: the bed's big enough if you don't mind sharing, I
[8:31] Speaker 1: can sleep in here sharing, shrieked the appalled flamingo. But
[8:38] Speaker 1: what about my beauty sleep fabulous feathers like ours? To
[8:43] Speaker 1: mind a king sized bed each, said the peacock loudly.
[8:48] Speaker 1: Well you could both sleep in here, and I'll have
[8:51] Speaker 1: the bed, proposed Umber, trying to hide her smile. May
[8:57] Speaker 1: we at least inspect the bedroom before choosing, asked Tatiana
[9:01] Speaker 1: clearly not keen on the sofa one bit. With no
[9:06] Speaker 1: other options, the birds, of course, chose the bedroom. Umber
[9:11] Speaker 1: put fresh sheets on, and even popped out to return
[9:14] Speaker 1: with a small posy of seasonal flowers to brighten the room.
[9:19] Speaker 1: Sleeping on the sofa wasn't nearly as comfortable as her bed,
[9:23] Speaker 1: but she was happy to make do. The following morning,
[9:27] Speaker 1: she was up bright and early as usual, only to
[9:30] Speaker 1: be surprised that her guests didn't stop there snoozing until
[9:35] Speaker 1: nearly eleven o'clock. Oh, darling, is that coffee I can smell?
[9:41] Speaker 1: Asked the Famingo as she wandered sleepily into Umber's small kitchen.
[9:46] Speaker 1: Will Tarquin be joining us? Asked Umber, as she poured
[9:50] Speaker 1: a cup. He's just arranging his feathers, smiled Tatiana. The
[9:56] Speaker 1: poor dear has to have them just right. And how
[10:00] Speaker 1: was your beauty sleep, Umba wondered, Well do you know?
[10:06] Speaker 1: I believe it was rather good, said Tatiana, looking surprised.
[10:12] Speaker 1: Good morning, all, announced the peacock as he strutted into
[10:17] Speaker 1: the room. I'm famished. Is there a menu or do
[10:21] Speaker 1: we just help ourselves to the breakfast buffet? There's a
[10:25] Speaker 1: buffet of sorts, said the hare, producing a box of
[10:29] Speaker 1: golden corn flakes. Is that it, whimpered Tatiana. We're used
[10:36] Speaker 1: to having choices for breakfast, whined Tarquin. You know, simple
[10:42] Speaker 1: things like yogurt, musy, toast, croissants, muffins, bagels, fruit oats, juices, cheeses, jams, omelets,
[10:56] Speaker 1: that sort of thing. You can have a choice here too.
[11:00] Speaker 1: If you like smiled umber, you can have milk on
[11:04] Speaker 1: your corn flakes, or you can have them dry. Ah,
[11:09] Speaker 1: said Tatiana. I should have known you are going to
[11:13] Speaker 1: say something like that. It's the simple life up here,
[11:17] Speaker 1: I'm afraid, said the snowshoe hare, with a smile. Yes,
[11:23] Speaker 1: very simple, agreed the flamingo. Some would say basic, added
[11:29] Speaker 1: the peacock, as he poured himself some flakes. Umba had
[11:34] Speaker 1: something to say to them both, but waited patiently for
[11:37] Speaker 1: them to finish their breakfast. Now, she said, I'm afraid
[11:43] Speaker 1: I have some news to share with you. Have Bird
[11:47] Speaker 1: of Paradise launched a new perfume, clamored Tatiana excitedly. Ah disaster,
[11:54] Speaker 1: screamed Tarquin. We are nowhere near a store. No, it's
[12:00] Speaker 1: got nothing to do with perfume, said Umber calmly. Perhaps
[12:05] Speaker 1: you should just look out the window. They all did
[12:09] Speaker 1: just that, and what they saw caused both birds to
[12:12] Speaker 1: garp with their beaks open. It snowed, said Tatiana. Is
[12:19] Speaker 1: it supposed to do that? Asked Tarquin. It's a little early,
[12:25] Speaker 1: admitted Umber. But it can happen. But what does it mean,
[12:31] Speaker 1: fretted the flamingo. Is it deep? Quite deep, said Umber,
[12:37] Speaker 1: and it will only get deeper. But what will we do?
[12:42] Speaker 1: Wind Tarquin in despair. There's not much you can do,
[12:47] Speaker 1: said Umber. You've not got the clothes to face this
[12:50] Speaker 1: sort of weather, so I'm afraid you're not going anywhere.
[12:55] Speaker 1: But we need to get home, cried Tatiana. It's where
[13:00] Speaker 1: my shampoo is, for my lovely pink feathers, and I've
[13:04] Speaker 1: already done one night without my facial scrub and moisturizer,
[13:09] Speaker 1: lamented Tarquin. I'm sorry, but unless you've got a better idea,
[13:15] Speaker 1: you're stuck here for the winter, explained Umba with a
[13:19] Speaker 1: shrug of her shoulders. And am I add you're most
[13:23] Speaker 1: welcome to do so? I guess we have no choice,
[13:28] Speaker 1: said Tatiana. Sadly. We really are in a right mess,
[13:34] Speaker 1: some would say predicament, Tarquin added quietly, As it turned out,
[13:42] Speaker 1: the situation wasn't quite as dire as the two birds
[13:45] Speaker 1: had imagined. The three housemates soon settled into a familiar routine,
[13:51] Speaker 1: with Tatiana and Tarquin agreeing reluctantly at first to share
[13:56] Speaker 1: the chores. Both were excellent cooks, and once they'd got
[14:00] Speaker 1: to grips with the simple ingredients on offer, were rustling
[14:04] Speaker 1: up all manner of delicious dishes to warm their bellies.
[14:09] Speaker 1: Although the flamingo and peacock weren't able to venture outside
[14:13] Speaker 1: the snowshoe, Hare found it no trouble at all. Equipped
[14:18] Speaker 1: with her fur coat and a pair of enormous broad
[14:21] Speaker 1: feet that stopped her from sinking into the snow, she
[14:25] Speaker 1: was able to make the trek to top up their
[14:27] Speaker 1: groceries whenever needed. She even found them some warm items
[14:32] Speaker 1: of clothing. As the days of winter ticked past, an
[14:37] Speaker 1: interesting change happened to Umba's guests. Separated from the luxuries
[14:42] Speaker 1: they were so used to, they stopped commenting about what
[14:46] Speaker 1: they were missing and spent more time appreciating what they had.
[14:51] Speaker 1: They took pride in looking after the cozy cabin they
[14:54] Speaker 1: showed an interest in Umber and how she lived, and
[14:58] Speaker 1: best of all, began to to step outside, wrapped up warm.
[15:03] Speaker 1: Of course, they didn't go far, but short walks between
[15:08] Speaker 1: the mountains, snow crunching under foot became their favorite thing
[15:13] Speaker 1: to do. And then one day the last of the
[15:17] Speaker 1: snow melted away. It had been disappearing for days, but
[15:22] Speaker 1: neither of the birds had commented on it, as if
[15:25] Speaker 1: mentioning it would hasten the time for them to leave.
[15:29] Speaker 1: But now with all the snow gone, there really wasn't
[15:33] Speaker 1: an excuse to stay any longer. I've enjoyed you staying
[15:38] Speaker 1: with me, said Umba when her guests told her of
[15:41] Speaker 1: their plans. And we've enjoyed being here, said Tatiana, more
[15:48] Speaker 1: than you can ever know. Tarquin continued, But it's time
[15:53] Speaker 1: to return to the world of spa days, cocktails by
[15:57] Speaker 1: the pool side and brunch with friends. Not to mention
[16:01] Speaker 1: my favorite shampoo, smiled the flamingo. I am in such
[16:07] Speaker 1: dire need of a mud pack, teased the peacock. In truth,
[16:12] Speaker 1: neither of them were that bothered. Umber saw them off
[16:17] Speaker 1: at the door, hugging them both tightly, and then the
[16:20] Speaker 1: two birds were off their fabulous, striking plumage, perhaps a
[16:25] Speaker 1: little shabbier than when they'd arrived. They'd gone just ten
[16:30] Speaker 1: paces when they turned around and Tarquin called out, perhaps
[16:35] Speaker 1: we could come again before winter sets in. Would that
[16:39] Speaker 1: be good? Good? Umber repeated? Some would say fabulous animal fat.
[16:53] Speaker 1: Male peacocks shed their tail feathers once a year, only
[16:57] Speaker 1: to regrow them longer and fuller, all that effort just
[17:02] Speaker 1: to impress the girls. The name flamingo means flame colored
[17:07] Speaker 1: and describes their reddish pink coloring. This color comes from
[17:12] Speaker 1: the beta carotene pigment found in the shrimp and algae
[17:15] Speaker 1: that they eat. Snowshoe hares are also known as snowshoe
[17:20] Speaker 1: rabbits because of their short ears. Despite this, they are hairs,
[17:26] Speaker 1: not rabbits. Their ears are shorter to help protect them
[17:30] Speaker 1: from the biting cold. Thank you for your suggestions, Umbah.
[17:35] Speaker 1: We hope that you all enjoyed the story. Wherever you're
[17:37] Speaker 1: listening in the world, don't forget to look at our
[17:41] Speaker 1: Animal Tails books over on Amazon Great bedtime reading, especially
[17:46] Speaker 1: if you've discovered the joy of reading for yourself. Make
[17:50] Speaker 1: sure you join us next time for another great animal tail.
[17:53] Speaker 1: Good Bye,

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