# Just One Photo

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

Audio: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72387521/at504_justonephoto_mixdown.mp3

A lion attempts to sneak into a party to meet a famous film star. 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: Yo. Hello, My name's Josephine and this is the Animal
[0:18] Speaker 1: Tales podcast, where you suggest the animals featured in our stories.
[0:23] Speaker 1: There are new tales to enjoy every Monday and Wednesday,
[0:26] Speaker 1: with a third premium only story every Friday. To learn
[0:31] Speaker 1: more about Animal Tales, please visit our new website at
[0:35] Speaker 1: Animal Tales dot uk, where you can now find stories
[0:39] Speaker 1: more easily by animal type. Yusufh is from Worcester in
[0:44] Speaker 1: England and he would like a story with a lion
[0:47] Speaker 1: and a tiger. You can learn more about these creatures
[0:51] Speaker 1: in the animal facts after the story. Ok. Are you ready?
[0:56] Speaker 1: That's good? Then I'll begin just one photo. Movies were
[1:04] Speaker 1: big business in Rainforest City, and one of its newest
[1:07] Speaker 1: stars was Yusuf, a tiger. Yusuf had been the lead
[1:12] Speaker 1: role in three blockbuster films in a row, and now
[1:16] Speaker 1: Yusuf's latest movie, The Jungle Dragon, had been the number
[1:20] Speaker 1: one film for four weeks running, so to celebrate, he
[1:25] Speaker 1: was holding a party in his Vermeiliad Hills mansion. All
[1:31] Speaker 1: the houses in Vermiliad Hills were big, and many were
[1:34] Speaker 1: owned by film actors, pop stars, and other major celebrities.
[1:40] Speaker 1: This meant that it wasn't unusual to see a curious
[1:43] Speaker 1: member of the public on the streets of Romiliad Hills
[1:47] Speaker 1: hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite star, and
[1:51] Speaker 1: to night was no different. There was a lion on
[1:55] Speaker 1: the prow. That lion was What and what two things
[2:01] Speaker 1: above everything else. The first was movies. What couldn't get
[2:06] Speaker 1: enough of them, considering himself a super fan. The second
[2:11] Speaker 1: was collecting photographs with film stars, not just of film stars,
[2:17] Speaker 1: but with them. What wanted to be in the photo
[2:20] Speaker 1: with them, and that wasn't easy. Movie actors, especially the
[2:26] Speaker 1: famous ones, were protected by security guards and assistants, making
[2:31] Speaker 1: it extremely difficult for ordinary folk to get anywhere close.
[2:36] Speaker 1: But this evening, What had a plan. He was going
[2:40] Speaker 1: to sneak into Yusuf's party and get his photo taken
[2:44] Speaker 1: with his hero. There was one small hitch to this
[2:49] Speaker 1: daring plan. All the guests at Yusuff's party were tigers,
[2:55] Speaker 1: while What was a lion. If he tried to sneak
[2:59] Speaker 1: in as he was, he'd be noticed immediately, meaning his
[3:03] Speaker 1: chances of obtaining a photo would be zero. But What,
[3:08] Speaker 1: knowing this, had come prepared. He had a disguise the
[3:14] Speaker 1: driveway up to the mansion was steep and winding, lined
[3:18] Speaker 1: with the expensive cars of the guests. A gorilla in
[3:23] Speaker 1: a red waistcoat was guiding the finely dressed tigers into
[3:26] Speaker 1: the house, and so the disguised what made sure to
[3:30] Speaker 1: slip amongst them. Entering the mansion's hall, he caught sight
[3:35] Speaker 1: of himself in an enormous gold framed mirror. Pleasingly, the
[3:40] Speaker 1: lion barely recognized himself. He had used a brush on
[3:45] Speaker 1: dye to make his fur more orange, then carefully painted
[3:50] Speaker 1: black stripes on his face and arms. His smartest clothes
[3:55] Speaker 1: finished off the look. Rinning to himself, what set off
[4:00] Speaker 1: to find Usuf and get his photo. Laughter, excited, chatter
[4:06] Speaker 1: and thumping dance music filled his ears as he moved
[4:10] Speaker 1: from luxurious room to luxurious room looking for the movie star.
[4:16] Speaker 1: It was hard to pick him out amongst so many tigers.
[4:20] Speaker 1: Another red waistcoated staff member, a hyena this time, offered
[4:26] Speaker 1: what a drink from a tray, and it was as
[4:29] Speaker 1: he was taking one that he spied Yusuf for the
[4:32] Speaker 1: first time. He was outside on a white sofa beside
[4:37] Speaker 1: the pool. Several other tigers were with him, slipping out
[4:42] Speaker 1: through the door. What got as close as possible. He
[4:46] Speaker 1: was strangely excited to be so close to his hero.
[4:51] Speaker 1: Not only was his plan working, but the tigers around
[4:54] Speaker 1: Yusuf had finished their conversation and were moving away. This
[4:59] Speaker 1: was it, Now was his chance. He thumped down on
[5:04] Speaker 1: to the white sofa with an enormous grin on his face.
[5:09] Speaker 1: Hi useufh, he beamed happily. Great party er, Hi, answered Yusuf.
[5:17] Speaker 1: Curiously have we met before? Oh? No, said what, setting
[5:23] Speaker 1: his drink down on the side table. But I am
[5:27] Speaker 1: definitely a tiger like all these other tigers, yea, said
[5:33] Speaker 1: Yusuf with a frown. Except except you don't normally see
[5:38] Speaker 1: a tiger with a big furry mane. Big furry Maine
[5:46] Speaker 1: repeated what, sounding worried he'd forgotten about his mane. A
[5:51] Speaker 1: man was a bit of a giveaway that you're a
[5:54] Speaker 1: lion and not in fact a tiger. Er, yes, that
[6:00] Speaker 1: I erh forgot to shave this morning. I'm from a
[6:04] Speaker 1: particularly hairy family of tigers, you see, Is that so?
[6:10] Speaker 1: Said YUSUFH. And does your family also have problems with
[6:14] Speaker 1: their stripes? What's that? Asked? What? Because you're leaving yours
[6:21] Speaker 1: behind on my sofa, pointed out Yusuf. What looked down
[6:27] Speaker 1: to where the painted black stripes he had so carefully
[6:30] Speaker 1: applied to his arm were now imprinted on the white fabric.
[6:36] Speaker 1: Thinking he was about to be caught, what shot to
[6:39] Speaker 1: his feet. I'm sorry to have bothered. You really must
[6:43] Speaker 1: be going, he blustered as he backed away rapidly. This, unfortunately,
[6:50] Speaker 1: was in the direction of the swimming pool. In just
[6:53] Speaker 1: three steps, there was no ground beneath his retreating feet,
[6:57] Speaker 1: and so in he plunged backwards. Party goers rushed to
[7:02] Speaker 1: the pool side to rescue the flailing cat. As the frothing,
[7:06] Speaker 1: churning water went to murky orange from the dye and paint.
[7:12] Speaker 1: A large hand gripped his collar, hauling what from the pool.
[7:17] Speaker 1: It was a cross looking rhinoceros in a red waistcoat,
[7:22] Speaker 1: Right MATEI said the rhino sternly. You're coming with me?
[7:28] Speaker 1: What was thrown out? Moments later? What was sat by
[7:34] Speaker 1: the curb side the mansion behind him with the party
[7:38] Speaker 1: in full swing. He was sat in a puddle due
[7:42] Speaker 1: to his soaking wet clothes. Fizzle flumps, He said, I
[7:48] Speaker 1: was so close. If I'm going to get that photo
[7:52] Speaker 1: that I'm just going to have to try again. Half
[7:57] Speaker 1: an hour later, What was striding back up the winding
[8:01] Speaker 1: driveway in a fresh new disguise, a tiger printed onsie.
[8:07] Speaker 1: He'd even thought to pull the hood up, tucking his
[8:10] Speaker 1: mane inside the full body pajama suit meant he was
[8:15] Speaker 1: totally covered in stripes. Nobody was going to think he
[8:20] Speaker 1: was a lion this time. Most of the other tigers
[8:24] Speaker 1: had arrived by now, but the gorilla was still there
[8:27] Speaker 1: by the front door. Hello, there, said What confidently, as
[8:32] Speaker 1: he strode past with a wave. The gorilla, though, looked stunned,
[8:38] Speaker 1: his jaw hanging open. Wow, thought what, I really must
[8:44] Speaker 1: look good. He checked himself out briefly in the hall
[8:49] Speaker 1: mirror again, then marched through the mansion in search of Yusuf.
[8:54] Speaker 1: Thanks to the loud music, What didn't notice the gasps
[8:58] Speaker 1: of surprise from every one that he passed. Annoyingly, Yuseuf
[9:04] Speaker 1: was no longer by the pool. Uh, excuse me, he
[9:08] Speaker 1: said to a shocked looking tigress, But did you see
[9:12] Speaker 1: where Yusef went? All the tigress managed to do was
[9:16] Speaker 1: point back inside What went in that general direction, eventually
[9:23] Speaker 1: catching sight of the film star in the kitchen talking
[9:26] Speaker 1: to a much older tiger. Aha said, what, just one
[9:32] Speaker 1: photo then I'm done. But before he could take another step,
[9:38] Speaker 1: a large hand thumped down on his shoulder. It was
[9:42] Speaker 1: the rhino in the red waistcoat. What do you think
[9:47] Speaker 1: you're doing? The rhino growled. Um just er partying said
[9:54] Speaker 1: what then? Why haven't you got any clothes on? Demanded
[9:59] Speaker 1: the rhino What looked down at himself and then at
[10:05] Speaker 1: the other guests. They may be tigers, but they were
[10:09] Speaker 1: all wearing their best party frocks and outfits. What, though,
[10:14] Speaker 1: was just wearing a tiger printed onesie, making him look,
[10:18] Speaker 1: unfortunately like he was naked. Oh fizzle Flumps, said what?
[10:25] Speaker 1: As he was whisked away by the rhino and deposited
[10:29] Speaker 1: back on the street to get his photo. The lion
[10:34] Speaker 1: was just going to have to think of something else.
[10:39] Speaker 1: What was obvious was that the tiger disguises just weren't working.
[10:44] Speaker 1: But What wasn't going to let that beat him. He
[10:48] Speaker 1: returned to the party in something that he felt was
[10:51] Speaker 1: just as good. Unable to enter through the front past
[10:56] Speaker 1: the gorilla this time, What pushed his way through the
[10:59] Speaker 1: towering bushes and plants, then climbed over the fence. He
[11:04] Speaker 1: landed in a small area to one side of the pool. Perfect,
[11:09] Speaker 1: he grinned. Now all he needed to do was find
[11:14] Speaker 1: usef But he'd taken no more than a couple of
[11:18] Speaker 1: steps when a grumpy looking tiger in a yellow bow
[11:21] Speaker 1: tie thrust an empty glass at him. Get me another
[11:25] Speaker 1: one of those, would you? There's a good fellow, said
[11:29] Speaker 1: the tiger. Ah said what. Realizing the error of his
[11:35] Speaker 1: latest disguise, he had decided to dress in one of
[11:39] Speaker 1: the red waistcoats being worn by the staff at the party.
[11:43] Speaker 1: He had thought that this would allow him to move
[11:46] Speaker 1: about unnoticed, but instead he was being asked to fetch
[11:50] Speaker 1: a drink er right away. Sir said what, and scrambled off.
[11:58] Speaker 1: The last thing he wanted was for that tiger to
[12:01] Speaker 1: kick up a fuss about not getting his drink, So
[12:04] Speaker 1: what made sure to collect one and return with it
[12:07] Speaker 1: as quickly as possible? Ah? Good lad, thank you, said
[12:13] Speaker 1: the tiger in the yellow bow tie, from where he
[12:16] Speaker 1: was seated beside his wife. At last, what could concentrate
[12:21] Speaker 1: on getting his photo? Oh while you're here, said the
[12:26] Speaker 1: plump tigress beside the bow tied tiger. She was wearing
[12:30] Speaker 1: an extraordinary amount of necklaces. Are there any more of
[12:35] Speaker 1: those yummy little pastries? Um, I'll see what I can do,
[12:41] Speaker 1: said What. It took a while to locate some, but
[12:45] Speaker 1: it was worth the delay, just as long as nobody
[12:48] Speaker 1: suspected him. Ah, delightful, said the tigress, as what set
[12:54] Speaker 1: down an entire tray of the tasty treats. Happy to help,
[12:59] Speaker 1: said What, as he turned to go. Amazingly, Yusuf had
[13:05] Speaker 1: appeared just across the room. If what was quick, he
[13:09] Speaker 1: could nip over, get his photo, and be out of
[13:12] Speaker 1: here before any one was any the wiser. Just one
[13:17] Speaker 1: more thing, said the bow tied tiger, before what could move?
[13:22] Speaker 1: What is it, sir? He asked patiently, but never got
[13:27] Speaker 1: to find out. The tigress was suddenly clutching at her
[13:31] Speaker 1: many necklaces and clawing at her throat, her eyes wide
[13:36] Speaker 1: with worry. Vera, my love, Whatever is the matter? Cried
[13:41] Speaker 1: the tiger in the bow tie. She's choking on one
[13:45] Speaker 1: of the pastries, announced What, drawing the attention of everyone
[13:50] Speaker 1: around them. Nobody seemed to know what to do, and
[13:54] Speaker 1: every second that nothing was done was another second where
[13:58] Speaker 1: the tigress was unable to breathe. Somebody do something, wailed
[14:04] Speaker 1: Vera's husband. So what did? Joking is caused when something
[14:11] Speaker 1: blocks the airway to the lungs, in this case a pastry.
[14:16] Speaker 1: What rushed behind the distressed tigress and gave her five
[14:21] Speaker 1: sharp slaps high on her back. In some cases, What
[14:25] Speaker 1: knew this was enough to dislodge the blockage, but the
[14:29] Speaker 1: poor tigress continued struggling, so he hauled her up, put
[14:35] Speaker 1: his arms around her waist from behind, and poured inwards
[14:39] Speaker 1: and up five times. On the fifth tug, the offending
[14:44] Speaker 1: object shot out of her mouth, allowing her to breathe again. Bravo,
[14:51] Speaker 1: good lad, well done, jeered the bow tied tiger as
[14:56] Speaker 1: he helped his relieved wife sit down. That it was amazing,
[15:01] Speaker 1: said Yusuf, rushing over. I do believe you saved Vera's life.
[15:08] Speaker 1: Oh ah, it was nothing, said What. His disguise was
[15:13] Speaker 1: supposed to allow him to move around without anyone taking
[15:16] Speaker 1: notice of him, but now it seemed all eyes were
[15:20] Speaker 1: on him. Jerry called Yusuf, shouting across the crowded room. Jerry,
[15:28] Speaker 1: come here. The red waistcoated rhino came trotting over. What
[15:34] Speaker 1: can I do for you, boss, he asked. One of
[15:38] Speaker 1: your team has just done something truly remarkable, said Yusuf
[15:42] Speaker 1: as he thrust what forward? His quick thinking has saved
[15:47] Speaker 1: a life? Well you know me, boss, said the rhino.
[15:52] Speaker 1: I only employ the best. What's your name, asked Yusuf,
[15:58] Speaker 1: turning to the lion er, what said? What? Quite sure
[16:04] Speaker 1: he was about to be found out? Well? What? I'm
[16:09] Speaker 1: sure Jerry would agree that you've earned the rest of
[16:12] Speaker 1: the night off, grinned YUSEFH. So take off that waistcoat
[16:17] Speaker 1: and come join the party. You're now the official guest
[16:21] Speaker 1: of honor. Oh well, I don't think I deserve that,
[16:27] Speaker 1: spluttered What nonsense, smiled YUSUFH. What you did was truly heroic.
[16:36] Speaker 1: Tell me, is there anything I can do for you? Well,
[16:41] Speaker 1: there is one thing I can think of, said what?
[16:45] Speaker 1: Any chance of a photo? Animal fact? We all know
[16:55] Speaker 1: that tigers have stripes and lions do not. But did
[16:59] Speaker 1: you know that when lions are born, they are covered
[17:02] Speaker 1: in spots. Lions may be ferocious predators, but as cubs,
[17:07] Speaker 1: they are in danger even from other lions, so the
[17:11] Speaker 1: spots act as camouflage, allowing them to remain hidden. Tiger cubs, meanwhile,
[17:18] Speaker 1: are born with their stripes, but also with bright blue eyes.
[17:23] Speaker 1: They don't stay blue for long, though, lasting just a
[17:27] Speaker 1: few weeks. Thank you for your suggestions, Yousuf. We hope
[17:31] Speaker 1: you enjoyed the story, and thank you to all of
[17:34] Speaker 1: you across the world for listening to it. In addition
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[17:52] Speaker 1: Tales dot uk and remember, for a tiny fee, all
[17:57] Speaker 1: the stories are advert free. Join us next time for
[18:01] Speaker 1: another great animal tale. Goodbye,

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