Explore every episode of the podcast YourClassical Storytime

What happens when an old man goes out on a trip to find his wife the perfect cat and returns with far too many mouths to feed? Find out in ‘Millions of Cats,’ the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime — featuring narration by Alex Simpson, music by Bohuslav Martinú, and illustrations and story by Wanda Gág.

What happens when two frogs, one from Kyoto and the other from Osaka, decide to travel the rest of Japan and cross paths along the way? Find out in ‘Two Frogs,’ the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime – featuring narration by Aerin O’Malley, illustrations by Mia Jennings and Japanese classical music.

What happens when a crafty fox tries to trick a friendly stork and a wary rooster? Find out in 'Outfoxed,' the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring narration by Valerie Kahler, music by Dmitri Kabalevsky and illustrations by Mia Jennings.

The silver menorah has been in Reb Noson's family for 400 years, and it’s probably even older than that. But this Hanukkah, it’s gone missing! Find out what happens next in ‘The Lost Menorah,’ the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime – featuring a story by Howard Schwartz, narration by Theodore Bikel and music by the Eaken Piano Trio.

Fry bread takes only a few ingredients to make, but it brings a lot of people together. Find out why it has special meaning for American Indians in ‘Something from Nothing: The Story of Fry Bread,’ the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime.

What happens when a little man from the Maya city of Uxmal plays the instrument that activates an ancient prophecy? Find out in the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, ‘The Little Man From Uxmal.’

What happens when the nicest and best cow has a clumsy run-in with the Ice Fairy? Find out in ‘Sweet Arabella,’ the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime.

What happens when the nicest and best cow has a clumsy run-in with the Ice Fairy? Find out in ‘Sweet Arabella,’ the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime.

It’s Graduation Day at the Service Dog School, and you’re invited to the ceremony! Find out how these highly trained pups help the people who need them most in ‘Dog Days of Summer,’ the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime.

Bruce the goose always swims his morning laps alone, until his life changes forever on one fateful summer day. Find out what happens in ‘Goose, Goose, Baby Goose!’ – the new episode of YourClassical Storytime, with narration by Ryan Lohr, music by Charles Koechlin and illustrations by Mia Jennings.

Nancy Carlson’s classic charmer ‘I Like Me’ is a short but sweet tale of a young pig who learns how to practice good habits of self-esteem and pride – embracing how she looks, what she likes to do and, most importantly, how to be kind to herself. And it’s the newest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring storytelling by Ines Guanchez with the help of a bunch of kids and the music of Luigi Boccherini.

What happens when the world’s greatest harpist gets thrown into the sea by jealous pirates? Find out in the YourClassical Storytime telling of the ancient Greek myth ‘Arion and the Dolphin,’ with art and narration by Ana Freeberg and Ally Thompson, and enchanting harp music performed by Susann McDonald.

Who needs to prepare for winter when you can play all day during the other seasons? But is it possible to have too much fun? Find out in ‘The Ant and the Grasshopper,’ the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime – featuring narration by Scott Blankenship, illustrations by Mia Jennings and music by Antonio Vivaldi.

What happens when a poor, lonely woodcutter meets a talking fox? He becomes Mighty Mikko! Find out how their adventures unfold in this charming adaptation of a Finnish folk tale, the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime – featuring narration by Lynn Norris, music by Jean Sibelius and illustrations by Raul Villanueva.  

When the river creatures face a disappearing water supply, they must turn to the land animals for help. But will the crying Crocodile be able to make peace with the Lion to find a new home? Find out in “Why Crocodiles Have Tears,” the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring narration by Jeffrey Yelverton and music by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.

Ever wonder why you never see an owl in the daytime? The answer makes for quite a story. This classic folk tale from Puerto Rico is one of the misplaced feathers, a colorful coat, and a lesson about selfishness and sharing. Find out more in this episode of Your Classical Storytime, featuring storytelling by John Birge, music by Gioachino Rossini, and illustrations by Mia Jennings.

There are many different versions of ‘The Snow Maiden,’ but this one reminds us to treasure winter as a special time of year instead of always wishing for warmer weather. Find out more in the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring storytelling by Valerie Kahler, music by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov and illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

Thanksgiving is coming, but Lurkey the turkey is nowhere to be found. Can you help the farmer find the wayward bird? Grab paper and crayons and follow along as narrator Melanie Renate and artist Xee Reiter tell the story, with guitar music by Justin Holland, in the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime.

Mexico’s Día de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, is dedicated to remembering loved ones who have passed. Learn more about this special day in the latest episode of ‘YourClassical StoryTime,’ featuring narration by Inés Guanchez, illustrations by Raul Villanueva and traditional Mexican music.

Harriet ends up with quite a haul after she goes trick-or-treating. But what will she do with all of those sweets? Find out in 'Harriet's Halloween Candy,' the new episode of YourClassical Storytime, with a story and art by Nancy Carlson and music by Augusta Holmes.

How does a sleepless king deal with clock towers that simply won’t chime together in his kingdom? Find out in the timely tale “Bells in the Night,” the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime – with storytelling by Valerie Kahler and Michael Barone, music by Leopold and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and illustrations by EJ Thompson.

Once upon a time there was a beautiful, clever storyteller named Scheherazade. Find out how her magical tales captured the heart of a bitter king in “Scheherazade,” the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring narration by Jillene Khan, music by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov and illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

“After the sun has slipped away and the orange sky turns dark blue, fireflies put on a display like only they know how to do!” Go on a sparkly summertime adventure with “Backyard Night Lights,” the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring music by Edvard Grieg, illustrations by Mia Jennings and storytelling by Scott Blankenship.

Who needs to prepare for winter when you can play all day during the other seasons? But is it possible to have too much fun? Find out in ‘The Ant and the Grasshopper,’ the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime – featuring narration by Scott Blankenship, illustrations by Mia Jennings and music by Antonio Vivaldi.

Once upon a time, there was a girl who was no bigger than a thumb – which made her just the right size to be kidnapped by a frog! Find out what happens to her in the wild adventures of “Thumbelina,” the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring narration by Julie Amacher, music by Maurice Ravel and illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

How much can one vegetable grow? Find out in ‘The Giant Carrot,’ the tale of a root so big that it’s going to take some teamwork to get it out of the ground. It’s the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime – featuring Lynne Warfel, with music by Johannes Brahms and illustrations by E.J. Thompson.

What happens when a happy-go-lucky wanderer takes over a village bakery? Find out in the hilarious tale ‘The Merry Prankster,’ the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime – featuring music by Richard Strauss, illustrations by Mia Jennings and narration by Valerie Kahler.

What happens when a boy named Jack climbs a towering beanstalk into the sky? Hint: It involves a magical harp, a golden goose and an ornery giant named Basil. Go on a wild musical adventure with “Jack and the Beanstalk,” featuring storytelling by Scott Blankenship, with illustrations by Nancy Carlson and music by Leos Janacek.  

Rabbit has a problem. After working hard all year to gather vegetables for the winter, Bear comes along and eats them up! What is Rabbit to do? Find out how Rabbit gets out of this mess in the African-American folktale Why the Bear Sleeps All Winter, the new YourClassical Storytime episode — featuring Jeffrey Yelverton, with music by Scott Joplin and illustrations by Xee Reiter and Al Reiter.

Ada Ríos soñaba con tocar el violín. Sin embargo, ella creció con poco dinero en un pequeño pueblo de Paraguay construido sobre un vertedero. ¿Cómo pudo cumplir su sueño? Disfruta de la historia verdadera de la Orquesta Reciclada de Cateura, Paraguay, una orquesta compuesta por niños que tocan instrumentos construidos con basura reciclada, en el episodio más reciente de YourClassical Storytime, “El Violín de Ada,” narrado por Inés Guanchez en español e inglés.

Ada Ríos dreamed of playing the violin. She grew up with little money in a small town in Paraguay built on a landfill. How could Ada fulfill her dream? Enjoy the true story of the Recycled Orchestra of Paraguay, an orchestra made up of children playing instruments built from recycled trash, in the newest YourClassical Storytime episode, Ada's Violin, featuring Ines Guanchez as she shares the story in Spanish and English.

Can you have too many presents, too much holiday food, too much cheer? When little Noelle wishes for Christmas every day, she gets more than she bargained for in the delightful new YourClassical Storytime episode “Christmas Every Day,” featuring traditional music of the holiday season and art by Nancy Carlson.

What happens when a stranger shows up in town with a magical backpack, a small stone and a giant, black pot? It's a lesson in sharing with 'Stone Soup,' the new episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring art by Xee Reiter and music by Francis Poulenc.

What happens when an impatient young apprentice tries to cast his own magic spells for the first time? It's a water catastrophe! Find out how his adventure unfolds in 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice,' the latest installment of YourClassical Storytime, featuring illustrations by acclaimed children's author Nancy Carlson.

Transported mysteriously to Mars, our hero John Carter meets a weird ten-legged companion. But is this strange creature a friend or foe? Find out in ‘A Dog of Mars,’ the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime – with storytelling by Randy Salas, illustrations by E.J. Thompson and music by Gustav Holst.

Four friends -- a violin, viola, cello and bass -- are nervous about meeting their new owners. Will the young musicians learn to play properly and treat their string instruments with care? Find out in 'KinderLute,' the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring music by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and illustrations by Eusebius Williams.

The first day of school can be overwhelming with new friends, new places and new experiences. Especially, if you are a very special kitty. Enjoy the latest YourClassical Storytime episode 'Clover Kitty Goes to Kittygarten,' by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata.

Click the player above or YouTube video below to listen, or download the story to your own device for easy playback at any time.

What happens when an old man discovers a love for singing after a magical flying boat takes him on a journey of self-discovery? See what musical surprises await in the latest YourClassical Storytime episode, Old Nasuk and the Flying Song, an Inuit folk tale that features traditional Inuit throat singing and enchanting music by Claude Debussy, with John Nasukaluk Clare as the guest storyteller and original art by Xee Reiter!(See more of her illustrations in the gallery.)

YourClassical Storytime is supported by Minnesota College Savings Plan.

More: Other YourClassical Storytime adventures

Educators: YourClassical Storytime meets Common Core Standards

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Our telling of Old Nasuk and the Flying Song includes excerpts from the following work:

Claude Debussy:

Images for Orchestra: No. 1 Gigues
Jun Markl, conductor
Lyon National Orchestra

Nocturnes (Nuages, Fêtes, Sirenes)
Ernest Ansermet, conductor
Suisse Romande Orchestra

Courtesy of Naxos of America Inc.

Jean Oqhena / Frank Kuptana

‘Three connected songs’

‘The song floats up within me’

Courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways

Donald James Ross

Throat Singing

Storyteller: John Nasukaluk Clare

Adaptation: Valerie Kahler

Illustrations: Xee Reiter

Producer: Valerie Kahler

Digital producer: Jeffrey Yelverton

Senior digital producer: Randy Salas

Program director: Julie Amacher

What happens when three Billy Goats Gruff run out of food to munch on their mountainside? Will they dare go up against the evil troll, who's blocking the way to a field filled with delicious green grass and sweet clover? See what musical surprises await in the YourClassical Storytime episode 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff,' featuring music from Bedrich Smetana and art by Nancy Carlson!

Are you ready for the cutest dog ever? See what musical surprises await in 'Old Mother Hubbard' -- the new episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring art by Nancy Carlson!

'Run, run as fast as you can! You can't catch me. I'm the Gingerbread Man!' Who can catch this speedy pastry? Find out in 'The Gingerbread Man.' It's the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, with music by Johannes Brahms and illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

Why does the king throw every person that cuts his hair into jail? What is he hiding? Find out in 'The King with Donkey Ears.' It's the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, with music by Hamilton Harty and illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

What happens when four musical animals set off an adventure together and stumble upon a gang of thieves? Find out in the hilarious tale 'The Bremen Town Musicians.' It's the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, with music by Rimsky-Korsakov, Mendelssohn and Rossini, and illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

A vain emperor gets more than he bargained for when two weavers promise to make him a suit with special powers. What happens when he puts it on? Find out in 'The Emperor's New Clothes,' an episode of YourClassical Storytime for the new year!

Children have delighted in the telling of Clement Moore's classic "A Visit From St. Nicholas" -- with its famous opening line, "'Twas the night before Christmas" -- for nearly 200 years. Now our popular version for YourClassical Storytime includes charming illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

What if the wind and the sun had a friendly competition to see which one was the strongest? That’s exactly what happens in ‘The Wind and the Sun,’ the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime – with storytelling by Julie Amacher, illustrations by Nancy Carlson and music by Ludwig van Beethoven.

What happens when a magical girl comes face to face with a cunning tiger in her quiet village? Find out in the Hmong folk tale 'Yer and the Tiger,' the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring traditional music, narration by Ka Vang and illustrations by Xee Reiter.

Do you know how the smooth-backed camel who said nothing but "Humph!" got its hump? Find out in the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring music by Alexander Borodin and original illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

Do you know what a 'tall tale' is? Well, it's a story that's just a little bit bigger than real life. And here's part of one of the biggest, tallest tales of all time: the story of Paul Bunyan and his best buddy, Babe the Blue Ox. It's the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring narration by MPR News great Gary Eichten, music by Erich Korngold and original illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

Do you like apples? Find out about the real man who loved apples so much that he traveled the country to share the fruit with everyone he met in 'Johnny Appleseed.' It's the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring music from Dvorak's 'New World Symphony' and original illustrations by Nancy Carlson.