When have your friends been there for you in a time of need? Sometimes being a good friend means protecting others from danger or helping others notice their true worth. Even knowing your own worth can make you a better friend. This is what Herman and worm and Marguerite the caterpillar learn when they become friends and have to support each other through lots of intense moments of suspense and change. This story will be told by Jay O’Callahan but we’ll also enjoy stories from Heather Forest and Michael Reno Harrell.

On today’s episode, enjoy the following:

"Herman and Marguerite" by Jay O’Callahan from Earth Stories (26:32)

Jay O’Callahan first started telling stories to his siblings during their parent’s parties to keep them entertained, and today’s story deals with themes that can resonate with a lot of kids. “Herman and Marguerite” is a story about a worm and a caterpillar who become unlikely friends and need to discover, not only how to have the courage to go through times of tough change themselves, but also how to support each other in their crises. This musical adventure is from a collection of stories called Earth Stories.

"The Town and the Country Mouse" by Heather Forest from Tales Around the Hearth (3:39)

Heather Forest is known for the minstrel style of storytelling. Today’s story, “The Town and the Country Mouse”, where a country mouse and his cousin try to find out who’s lifestyle is better,  is a great example of her unique mix of music and language. This tale is from a collection of stories called Tales From Around the Hearth.

"Greyhound Station" by Michael Reno Harrell from Humor & Heart (15:22)

You might know Michael Reno Harrell for his southern style stories, but having traveled quite a bit, Michael does have a grasp of the wider world, and today’s story gives us a clue for how his love of travel might have started. “Greyhound Station” is about when he would spend his free time as a boy sitting at his town’s local Greyhound Station, listening to the conversations of others. This personal anecdote is part of a collection of stories labeled Humor & Heart.