The Mr. Dog Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Mr. Dog Podcast
This is a podcast devoted to Albert Bigelow Paine's classic, Victorian-era stories about the Hollow Tree and the animal friends that live there. Paine wrote three books of Hollow Tree stories, one for each of his three daughters. The last story in the series is called "Christmas at the Hollow Tree Inn" and it's that wonderful final story that we republished with new illustrations, available at mrdogschristmas.com.
We're delighted to share this new rendition of our favorite Christmas story, read by Hollow Tree friend, William McKinney. Learn more about Will and his work at IMDB.
Christmas comes to the Hollow Tree Inn, but not without some behind-the-scenes magic on the part of Mr. Dog.
The Little Lady and the Storyteller have a picnic, and the Hollow Tree folks do too. Mr. 'Coon and the Old Black Crow play a little prank on Mr. 'Possum.
The Little Lady knocks over some flower pots and is quite embarrassed, so the Story Teller decides to tell about a time when Jack Rabbit got himself into a similar situation.
Inspired by Jack Rabbit, the Hollow Tree Folks plant a garden. It turns out a little trickier than expected, and Mr. Crow gets himself in hot water while improvising dinner.
Stomachs grumbling, the Hollow Tree people decide to visit Mr. Bear and his enormous pantry. Jack Rabbit declines to accompany them, and possibly for good reason.
With the snow still banked up over the windows, the Hollow Tree people keep food on the table and the fire blazing... until they can't any more. Mr. Possum's unusual behavior is finally explained.
Mr. Possum tells an incredible story about his relatives, causing the forest friends to question its veracity.
Mr. Robin tells a story about a discontented fox, but it fails to impress Mr. Possum. Mr. Dog lightens the mood with a performance called "The Cat Who Would Be King."
The literary club turns to more frivolous pursuits, as the animals start to get cabin fever. Jack Rabbit turns out to be a bit of a magician.
The Hollow Tree folks come up with a little literary game. Time passes oddly, and Mr. 'Possum gets to be a bit of a grouch.
Grandpaw Hare takes his case to King Lion, and Mr. Turtle makes a surprising revelation.
Snow piles up outside the Hollow Tree. Mr. Rabbit gives a true account of the old foot-race between Tortoise and Hare, and it differs quite a bit from Aesop in the particulars.
Mr. Crow wilts under his workload. The Widow Crow tells him and his friends they're free to find another situation. Soon enough, the forest people find a home.
The Little Lady requests to hear how the three friends found the Hollow Tree in the first place. Mr. 'Possum tells an old story from when he was young, and we learn a bit about how the Mr. 'Coon and Mr. 'Possum met Mr. Crow.
Mr. 'Coon tells a story from his childhood about a run-in with a strange Mr. Dog and a Mr. Man with a long gun. The Hollow Tree people settle in for a long winter with a blazing fire.
The Little Lady asks the Story Teller about the Christmas week after Mr. Dog played Santa. He starts a whole new string of tales. The Hollow Tree folks gather firewood, and Mr. Dog tells a story about the circus.
Mr. Rabbit tells the origin story of Easter. He explains the whole colored-egg debacle, and how his people became so unfairly mixed up in Mr. Man's mess.
Mr. Dog tells the Deep Woods folks about Santa Claus. They decide to try and entice the old fellow to the Hollow Tree.
Mr. Crow thinks up some entertainment for the Hollow Tree folks. Mr. Dog writes a poem to declare his friendship.
The three friends go into business. They have some fun with Mr. Dog, and learn a lesson or two about mixing friends and money.
The 'Coon, the 'Possum, and Jack Rabbit go fishing. They catch one that's much too big for them to handle by themselves.
The Hollow Tree folks coax a performance out of Mr. Turtle. He tells a story about his ancestors, and what they have to do with thunder and lightning.
The Hollow Tree people plan a big May party, and gleefully neglect to invite Mr. Dog. Mr. Robin's good nature makes things complicated.
Mr. Polecat stops by Jack Rabbit's place unexpectedly, and things go smoothly for a little while.
Mr. Dog and the Old Black Crow discuss the paths not taken. Jack Rabbit gives Mr. Dog a lesson in politeness and dancing.
Mr. Dog and the Old Black Crow each tell a story about a pig. Both stories inadvertently reveal a great deal about each teller's personality.
The Little Lady wonders about the moon, and how she's heard that all the stars are other worlds. Mr. 'Coon, Mr. 'Possum and Jack Rabbit all compete to tell the best story about the moon.
The Crow has Mr. Dog over to the Hollow Tree, just like he promised. He tries to play a joke on his friends the 'Coon and the 'Possum, but things don't go as planned.
Mr. Rabbit invites the Hollow Tree folks over for dinner, but an unwelcome guest nearly spoils the party.
We meet the Little Lady and the Story Teller, and are introduced to the Hollow Tree people: Mr. 'Coon, Mr. 'Possum, and the Big Black Crow. The Hollow Tree folks manage to weather a harsh winter thanks to the Crow's forward thinking.