Dorktales Storytime
Be the hero of your own story with Dorktales Storytime, the award-winning podcast for kids and their pop culture loving grownups. Enter their Once Upon a Time world where hosts, Jonathan Cormur and Mr. Reginald T. Hedgehog, take you on a storytelling journey of curiosity and acceptance. You’ll explore reimagined fairytales and fables with social emotional themes, discover inspiring stories of history’s hidden heroes, and experience imaginary tales of boundless possibilities.
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Reach out to us at dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com
Dorktales Storytime
That’s A Wrap! - Halloween Story for Kids
Jonathan and Redge adventure into The Tomes, the vast desert of Once Upon a Time, when they stumble into a mysterious tomb—and find themselves on a ghoulish (and very goofy) game show. The two must solve haunting riddles, guess what’s missing in an ancient witch’s potion, and test their courage in the chilling, thrilling Malevolent Maze of the Mummy! Can they work together to tackle all the terrifying twists and turns or will they be lost in The Tomes desert forever?
Episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/thats-a-wrap-halloween-story/
GRAB YOUR FREE PDF list of conversation questions for this episode:
https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/ep98freePDF
PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS: In this Halloween episode "That's A Wrap!," young listeners learn valuable lessons in problem-solving, teamwork, and emotional resilience as Jonathan and Redge navigate a spooky maze and solve the mummy's riddles. The episode encourages self-awareness, teaching kids to recognize and manage their emotions, especially when faced with fear or uncertainty. Through teamwork and responsible decision-making, Jonathan and Redge demonstrate how collaboration and staying calm under pressure can help overcome challenges, making this episode a fun and meaningful way to reinforce social-emotional skills.
MORE DORKTALES HALLOWEEN EPISODES
- Goop Hog from Lumen Lagoon: https://jonincharacter.com/goop-hog-halloween-tale/
- Hogenstein: https://jonincharacter.com/hogenstein-a-halloween-tale/
- Sleepy Hallow’s Eve: https://jonincharacter.com/sleepy-hallows-eve/
CREDITS: This episode has been a Jonincharacter production. Today’s story was written and produced by Molly Murphy, and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studio Recordings.
Check out our friends at Armchair Adventures, a join-in story podcast for kids: https://www.madebymortals.org/armchair-adventures/
Brand new secret message from Redge after the credits! Make a comment or ask him a question by texting (it's one way) or emailing dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com (if you want to hear back from him).
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Now, go be the hero of your own story and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!
JONATHAN CORMUR: Hello Dork Squad. I'm Jonathan Cormur and you're listening to Dorktales Storytime, the podcast for kids and their pop culture-loving grown-ups.
THEME SONG: It's a beautiful day for a story, adventure and glory, new friends and old ones too. It's an excellent day to get swept away in a tail, so let us regale you.
REDGE: I’m…so…THIRSTY!
JONATHAN: Here, drink from my canteen!
REDGE: It’s not even the summer anymore. It’s fall! The air is supposed to be crisp! And smell like cinnamon and pumpkins and apples and pie–
JONATHAN: Are you sure you’re not thirsty AND hungry?
REDGE: I keep getting sand in my shoe!
JONATHAN: Redge we’re in The Tomes. The biggest desert in the land of Once Upon a Time!
REDGE: And?!
JONATHAN: Deserts are dry! And sandy! And hot! You know that!
REDGE: Ugh.
JONATHAN: Come on, Redge! We’re on an adventure! You love an adventure!
REDGE: You’re right, you’re right.
JONATHAN: Also wasn’t this your idea?
REDGE: I did sew myself a new adventurer outfit–
JONATHAN: And you said you wanted to wear it immediately…
REDGE: …and we’d never been here before…
JONATHAN: You said, if I remember correctly: (Dramatically) “TO THE GREAT UNKNOWN WE GO, JONATHAN! TO EXPLORE THE VAST SAND DUNES IN THE SCORCHING LANDS OF THE DESERT OF THE MAGICAL LANDS OF–
REDGE: I know, I know! It’s just that we’ve been walking for so long and have come across absolutely noth–
JONATHAN: Redge? You alright?
REDGE: I think I might be seeing things…
JONATHAN: What? Where?
REDGE: To-to the right?
JONATHAN: (Gasps) Well if you’re seeing things, then so am I…
REDGE: A very tall pyramid right in the middle of the sandy desert?
JONATHAN: Yep.
REDGE: So it is real!
JONATHAN/REDGE: Wow!
JONATHAN: Let’s go inside!
REDGE: Are…you sure? It looks…dark and ominous in there.
JONATHAN: Oh I’m sure it’s just fine! This is the adventure your adventurer outfit was made for! Hop on my shoulder. We’ll go in together.
REDGE: Well alright! Here we go…
Ominous music and cave sounds softly in the background.
REDGE: It is rather dark here…
JONATHAN: Wait, I brought a torch!
REDGE: You did?!
JONATHAN: I’ve played enough Dungeons & Dragons to know that adventurers always need torches.
REDGE: Well prepared!
JONATHAN: Wow! This place is so beautiful!
REDGE: Look Jonathan! There are words on the walls! It’s…all the stories that have been told in Once Upon a Time!
JONATHAN: Written in shiny gold ink!
REDGE: Amazing…
JONATHAN: I wonder what’s through this very long and very scary and very strange dark hallway…
REDGE: Only one way to find out.
JONATHAN: In we go!
REDGE: Jonathan! Your torch went out when we stepped into this new chamber!
JONATHAN: I’m…sure it’s fine? Right?
REDGE: Oh I don’t like this one bit…
MYSTERIOUS ANNOUNCER VOICE: Who dares enter the terrifying Tomb of the Tomes?
JONATHAN/REDGE: Ahhh!
REDGE: (Nervously) My what a scary voice you have! I’m uh…I’m–Pssst! Jonathan! What’s my name?!
JONATHAN: Redge!
REDGE: Right! Redge!
JONATHAN: And I’m also Redge!
REDGE: No, you’re Jonathan!
JONATHAN: Sorry I’m nervous!
MYSTERIOUS ANNOUNCER VOICE: SILENCE! Tell me, ghouls. Are you brave enough to face the malevolent, malicious maze of the mummy? BE WARNED: There is no way out!
REDGE: No way out?!
MYSTERIOUS ANNOUNCER VOICE: Unless you adventure further in…
JONATHAN: I…GULP…guess we have no choice then?
REDGE: W-we’re ready? (Laughs nervously)
GAME SHOW ANNOUNCER: Then it looks like we have our next victims… AHEM I mean victorious, VIP contestants. Come on down and join us for the best show on Skele-vision– THAT’S! A! WRAP!
(Game show music and applause)
REDGE: Did this whole room just transform into a game show set, or am I more parched than I previously realized?
JONATHAN: There’s a big flashing game board!
REDGE: And a studio audience of…
JONATHAN: Skeletons and mummies!
REDGE: Look Jonathan, our names are on the podiums!
JONATHAN: I guess…we are the contestants.
REDGE: I have always wanted to be on a game show!
JONATHAN: Time to live out your dream!
GAME SHOW ANNOUNCER: OR your nightmares! OOOOOO!
JONATHAN: Nightmares?!
GAME SHOW ANNOUNCER: But never fear! For our haunted host, ghost-with-the-most, freaky funny mummy has arrived!
Let’s hear it for MORT! ICIAN!
(Game show music a little louder with applause
MORT: Thank you for the welcome into the studio today. And let’s hear it for our announcer, Jackie O’Lantern! (Said like a name, but should still emphasize the pun)
GAME SHOW ANNOUNCER: Aw shucks! Thanks, Mort.
MORT: Welcome contestants, looks like we’ve got a…live one for our show today. Most of us mummies haven’t seen the likes of you around these parts for centuries. So let me be the first to say we’re thrilled to have you on our show…say it with me…
MORT/JONATHAN/REDGE/ANNOUNCER: That’s! A! Wrap!
MORT: You know it takes a lot of dedication to find us out here in The Tomes. I would like to personally apologize for that walk! I mean…it’s bone dry out here!
REDGE: (Between fits of laughter) Ho ho! That’s a good one! Because skeletons! And-and the desert!
MORT: Hey! Thank you, thank you very much, Redge!
REDGE: It really…tickled my funny bone!
MORT: HA HA HA! You’re a scream!
It’s gonna be a great show, folks! So, let’s not wait a moment longer! Our first round of That’s A Wrap begins now! And you know exactly what it is!
REDGE: We…we actually don’t…
MORT: That’s right! Round one is ‘Trick or Treat!’
REDGE: This sounds fun!
MORT: The rules are simple! We’re going to share some riddles and you will buzz in to answer. If you get it right, you get a treat - ONE HUNDRED POINTS! And a piece of candy corn!
But if you get the answer wrong…well you’ll see! Shall we begin?
JONATHAN: Uh–
MORT: Ready or not, here I come with your first question: Count Dracula's mother had three children. The first was named Linus. The second was named Margaret. What was the name of the third?
(Buzzer sound)
MORT: Redge!
REDGE: Dracula!
MORT: That’s right! One hundred points to Redge and a piece of candy corn!
REDGE: Woohoo!
MORT: Next question: I fear light, I am dark, I walk in stride, but leave no mark. What am I?
(Buzzer sound)
MORT: Jonathan!
JONATHAN: A shadow!
MORT: That’s also correct! One hundred points to Jonathan! And, of course, a piece of candy corn to you!
REDGE: We’re doing great, Jonathan!
JONATHAN: Yes!
MORT: For our final riddle…Which is heavier? A pound of candy corn or a pound of pumpkins?
(Buzzer sound)
JONATHAN: Uhh…pumpkins!
REDGE: No Jonathan, he’s trying to trick us! Candy corn?
MORT: You’re both…Incorrect! The correct answer is neither, because a pound is a pound, so a pound of candy corn and a pound of pumpkins weigh the same!
REDGE: Oh drats.
MORT: No points and candy but you do get a TRICK! UNLEASH THE SMELL!
JONATHAN: The smell?!
REDGE: Oh! Oh my….
JONATHAN: Yuck!
REDGE: Ew! It smells like sweaty gym socks in here!
MORT: Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat! HA HA HA! You’ve been TRICKED!
(audience evil laughter)
Moving right along to our next round - the Daily Double Toil and Trouble! Featuring the one, the only, Cackling Caty Combs! (Once again on the name pun. Should be pronounced ‘Catty’ and Combs)
(Applause)
CATY COMBS: (Cackles like a witch) Hi Mort! Happy to be here!
MORT: Catty, what’s today’s Daily Double Toil and Trouble question? And remember contestants, if you get the answer correct, you get double the points!
REDGE: Two hundred points!
JONATHAN: And two pieces of candy corn!
CATY COMBS: That’s correct! To win, l will recite an ancient witch's recipe for a potion of restful slumber and your job is to fill in the missing ingredient…(Clears throat) Here we go!
Today I’m here to share a look
At my witch’s potion book
And a potion casters keep
For a sweet and restful sleep
Put wild rose hips two by two
With stinging nettles for your brew
A little squid ink, just a drop
And THIS final touch to make it pop!
MORT: Alright Redge and Jonathan…what is the final ingredient to make the potion pop!
REDGE: Hmmm…
JONATHAN: Hrrrmmm…
REDGE/JONATHAN: Wait a second!
JONATHAN: Are you thinking-
REDGE: What I’m thinking?
JONATHAN: When we were gardening with Zinnia Fig?
REDGE: The Hedge Witch of the Folktale Forest!
JONATHAN: And she said-
REDGE: Yes! Yes! That when she has trouble sleeping…
JONATHAN: That she grows…
(Buzzer sound)
JONATHAN/REDGE: Lavender!
MORT: That is correct and ringing in the answer at the same time! What a fright! Looks like you both get the points AND the candy!
REDGE: Yippee!
MORT: Thank you Caty Combs for helping us out today.
CATY: Of course Mort, I always love sharing my ancient witch knowledge.
MORT: If you’ve got it, haunt it! That’s what I always say.
CATTY: (Cackles) You know it, Mort! Catch you later!
(Audience applause)
MORT: Bye bye, Catty! Now. Contestants. We’re all tied up at three hundred points. (Lost in thought) I remember when I was only 300 years old. Those were the days. Anywho! (Sounding sinister) It is time…FOR THE END.
REDGE: GULP.
JONATHAN: The…end?
MORT: Of our gameshow!
What do you say we dive into our death-delighting grand finale?
JONATHAN: …sure?
REDGE: Maybe?
MORT: (Sounding ominous) Yes! It’s time for the chilling, thrilling Malevolent Maze of the Mummy. This is the most challenging event of them all…one that will test your courage. Your resolve. Your ability to do sweet stunts.
Deep, in the darkest darkness of the cave is a maze filled with monstrous beasts, obstacles, and strange spells and magics. Once, a ghoulish ghost named Steven thought he could take on all of the terrifying twists and turns….and we all know how that turned out. Some say they can still hear Steven wailing in the center of the maze…trying to find the exit… after CENTURIES. It is our scariest, most dangerous round yet…
And we’ll get to it right after our commercial break!
(Game show music/or commercial music behind the announcer)
GAME SHOW ANNOUNCER VOICE: That’s A Wrap is sponsored by Dee Kay Sports! (should be ‘two words’ but still bring out the decay joke) and their Spirit’s Eve Sports Arena for specters and spectators alike! Enjoy boo-tiful tennis courts, ghoulish golf, and haunted hoops. Get spirited by shopping at the brand new merch store and root for your favorite mummies and mayhem makers making a mark in spellbinding sports.
Oh and the best part? You will lose your head over these prices!
So come on down to Dee Kay Sports: Your emporium for an active afterlife awaits!
(Commercial music fades)
MORT: And we’re back! Thanks again to Jackie O’ Lantern!
GAME SHOW ANNOUNCER: You got it, Mort!
MORT: Our contestants are lined up and ready to take on the Malevolent Maze of the Mummy! Now, I would do this one myself but…I don’t have the guts! Ahh anyways. Let’s get this grand finale going, shall we folks? On your marks!
REDGE: Jonathan, I don’t know about this…
JONATHAN: I think we can handle it…
MORT: Get set!
REDGE: You know what! I love your confidence. We’re on an adventure! We’re brave storytellers and best friends! We can handle a little maze! No problem!
(The sound of a haunting ghost)
Was that coming from inside?! Was that STEVEN?
JONATHAN: (Laughs nervously) Yeah…this will be a piece of cake!
MORT: GO!!
(The sound of intense game show music)
JONATHAN: It’s so dark!
REDGE: Your torches Jonathan!
JONATHAN: Oh yes! Ok our way is lit. To the right!
REDGE: A left now!
JONATHAN: Let’s go straight!
REDGE: Jonathan to the right again quick! A rolling boulder is coming from straight ahead!
JONATHAN/REDGE: AHHH!
(The sound of a cartoonish leap)
REDGE: We did it! We avoided the boulder! Take that! HA HA!
JONATHAN: Redge, wait! Look at all these creeping vines around us on the walls! They look like they might trip us up!
REDGE: Oh no! They also have big, fresh blooming flowers! Our allergies!
JONATHAN: Hop on my shoulder, I have longer legs!
REDGE: Up I go! (Sneezes) Eek! It’s already started!
JONATHAN: Just have to jump….hop…skip…side step…ack! There are more vines than I can handle! They’re getting closer! They’re going to wrap around my legs and I won’t be able to move!
REDGE: Jonathan you must!
JONATHAN: Wait! What if I try that tap dance you taught me for this year’s Maple Leaf Medals show!
REDGE: But we haven’t had a chance to nail it in rehearsals!
JONATHAN: I’ve gotta do something!
(Sound of tap dancing.)
REDGE: (As if instructing) Kick ball change! Kick ball change! Flap for eight, Jonathan! Perfect! Now shuffle off to buffalo! And time step finale!
JONATHAN: It’s working! Redge! It’s working!
(Sound of tap dancing stops.)
REDGE: My fancy footwork choreography always comes in handy! (starts tearing up) This is your best performance yet.
(The growling zombies, can be made by Jonathan and layered)
JONATHAN: REDGE! Zombies at 12 o’ clock!
REDGE: Wearing Dee Kay Sports hockey jerseys!
JONATHAN: It looks like a team…the Zombonies! (Should be pronounced like the ZOM in Zombies and then bone-ies)
They’re about to hit some mini pumpkins our way! Get ready to dodge!
(The sound of hitting hockey pucks)
REDGE: Success!
JONATHAN: Another right!
REDGE: Don’t go left there, there is an overturned cauldron with a lava colored potion all over the ground!
JONATHAN: Good catch!
(The sound of the zombies again)
REDGE: The Zombonies are still skating in our direction! I thought we lost them!
JONATHAN: There are too many of them! I can’t outrun them!
REDGE: Wait…I have an idea! Do you still have your candy corn?
JONATHAN: Yes!
REDGE: Me too!
JONATHAN: You do? You didn’t immediately eat a readily available snack?
REDGE: I know, I’m impressed too. Toss the candy! Maybe these zombies have a sweet tooth and we can distract them!
JONATHAN: It’s working!
REDGE: Run!
(The sound of a wailing ghost cuts through)
JONATHAN: No, we were almost at the end!
REDGE: What is that haunting cry?
STEVEN: OOoOOOoooO is that candy corn?
REDGE/JONATHAN: Steven?
STEVEN: Howdy!
REDGE: Steven! Uh…sorry we can’t stay and talk. We’ve gotta run!
STEVEN: You know I’ve been here ages it feels like, and in all that time I haven’t had any candy corn!
JONATHAN: Follow us! We’ll get you all the candy corn you could ever want!
STEVEN: Oh, well that’s super duper kind.
(The sound of zombies getting closer)
REDGE: QUICKLY STEVEN! Exit is just ahead!
STEVEN: Oh boy, is this exciting!
JONATHAN: I can see the light, Redge!
REDGE: Me too! Just a little further!
(The sound of triumphant music)
MORT: Well how do you like that folks! Let’s hear it for our contestants!
(Audience cheers)
They have escaped our Maze using clever tricks and delicious treats! And they found Steven!
STEVEN: Howdy!
(Audience cheers)
REDGE: Huzzah! We’ve done it! We’ve done it!
JONATHAN: As a team!
MORT: That is true, you finished the maze at the same time and by working together. That would be so heartwarming…you know. If I had a heart.
Anyways, it looks like we’re still all tied up…so the winners are…Redge AND Jonathan! Bravo!
(Audience cheers)
Today’s prize…a lifetime discount at the Dee Kay Sports merch shop! (As an aside) And unlimited ‘buy one get one free’ deals on all Zombonies jerseys.
REDGE: Ooo!
MORT: Oh…and a big bucket of candy!
JONATHAN: Huzzah!
MORT: With the final round complete and our winners crowned, it seems like…say it with me–
REDGE/JONATHAN/MORT/ANNOUNCER: That’s! A! Wrap!
REDGE: Thank you for having us!
JONATHAN: Yes! This was the perfect way to spend our desert adventure! We can’t wait to get home to tell all of our friends!
MORT: If you get home at all…(Evil laugh)
REDGE: Wait…what?
MORT: HA HA HA! I’m kidding! I’m kidding! Just take two lefts here and a right past the Malevolent Mummy Maze. And then the exit is straight down the hall past the popcorn stand.
REDGE: Yum!
JONATHAN: Phew.
MORT: Thank you all for joining us for another episode of our Skele-vision Special. I hope our little scare has been a breath of fresh air. That’s a wrap for us, and we’ll see you post mortem!
(Game show music and audience applauding)
JONATHAN CORMUR: This has been a Jonincharacter production. This story was written and produced by Molly Murphy, and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studio Recordings. Reach out to us on Instagram or email us at dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com. Find links in the show notes or go to dorktalesstorytime.com. Now, go be the hero of your own story and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!
THEME SONG: So gather your squad for all to see. It's a universe that we've imagined. There's twists and turns and lessons learned. This is where the unexpected happens. Join our humble hosts and hit the trails of the wonderful, wacky, wild world of Dorktales.
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