Sky Surfing Spectacular - Uplifting Stories for Kids

High above the Folktale Forest, teams of geese, sparrows, falcons and seagulls show off their best stunts in the annual sky surfing competition. With flips, spins, swirls, and daring dives, the teams dazzle the cheering crowds and impress the judges. When a member of the Sky Soaring Seagulls gets injured mid-flight, the team’s hopes rest on Shrimp, the nervous fifth alternate’s out-of-town swing’s understudy (try saying that five times fast). Worried he’ll let his teammates down, Shrimp learns from an unexpected source that even the wobbliest wings can still do wonderful things. 

Go to the episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/sky-surfing-spectacular/    

DOWNLOAD COLOR PAGE: https://bit.ly/dorktalesEP117colorpage         

GRAB YOUR FREE PDF list of conversation questions for this episode:
https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/ep117freePDF 

PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS: In this story, young listeners hear that bravery doesn’t mean being fearless, it means trying your best even when you’re nervous. With themes about teamwork, fairness, and including others,  the episode encourages children to celebrate their own strengths, support others, and understand that everyone has an important role to play in a community.

IF YOU ENJOYED THIS STORY about a competition, you may also enjoy the story of the Tortoise and the Hare in EP10: Ready, Set… SLOW!: https://jonincharacter.com/ready-set-slow/ 

CREDITS: This episode is a Jonincharacter production. It was written by Monique Hafen Adams, edited and produced by Molly Murphy and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks.

Big Emotions: Kids Listen Mashups About Feelings - We are part of this exciting new series coming September 16! Find it wherever you listen to podcasts: https://pod.link/1502915722

Chapters

• 1:34 Redge takes Jonathan to the Sky Surfing Spectacular
• 6:32 One of the Sky Soaring Seagulls is injured and Shrimp must take his place.
• 10:36 Who can help Shrimp get ready?
• 16:28 Back to the Sky Surfing competition
• 22:19 Credits, how to contact Jonathan and Redge, Theme Song

Transcript

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.

ANNOUNCER: (Through a microphone or amplified like we’re in a stadium) Ladies and gentlemen! Folks and friends! Welcome to the final qualifying round!

REDGE: Hurry, Jonathan, hurry! It’s about to start!

ANNOUNCER: Today’s contest will decide which two teams will advance to our 16th Annual Synchronized Sky Surfing Spectacular! Only 4 teams remain. 

JONATHAN: Did he say Synchronized Sky Surfing?

ANNOUNCER: Raise your tail feathers and give a squawk for–drum roll please–(drum roll) 

The Graceful Gaggle of Geese! (Several geese honk. Not graceful sounding.) 

The Super Speedy Sparrows! (Zooming sounds of race cars speeding by) 

The Sky Soaring Seagulls! (One loud seagull squawk. A bit too loud. Awkward.) 

And last but certainly not least, Folktale Forest’s reigning champions, you know ‘em, you love ‘em, the FEARLESS FLYING FALCONS! (Sound of fighter jets doing a fly by).

(Huge cheer from the crowds).

Take your seats, friends, and grab your snacks. Up first in our qualifying rounds will be The Sky Soaring Seagulls.

JONATHAN: Wow! This is so exciting, but umm Redge…what IS Synchronized Sky Surfing?

REDGE: Jonathan, have I never taken you to the Annual Synchronized Sky Surfing Spectacular?!

JONATHAN: I can’t say you have…

REDGE: Oh my! I feel as if I’ve failed you as a friend! Synchronized Sky Surfing is an end of summer tradition in the Folktale Forest. Right when the monsoon season starts to taper off and the cool breezes of fall are just on the horizon…

JONATHAN: Like right now?

REDGE: Yes! NOW’S the perfect time for synchronized sky surfing.

JONATHAN: I see. Because of the wind? 

REDGE: Yes! Blustery and breezy!

JONATHAN: And that’s important for sky surfing?

REDGE: Très importante! You couldn’t surf the sky without strong wind resistance beneath your wings. Watch–the Sky Soaring Seagulls are about to take their test flight. You’ll see it in action! Before takeoff, they will angle their bodies just right to be sure they face the wind head-on, ready their wings, latch down their tail feathers for ultimate drag, and LIFT OFF!

JONATHAN: Wow! Look at them go! They’re perfectly in sync. 

REDGE: Not a feather out of place. Each of them moves together in perfect synchronization. The more together they are, the higher their score is with the judges. They’ll take a moment now to test the wind resistance. 

JONATHAN: And with the strong winds, it’s like they’re riding a wave. 

REDGE: The wind keeps them in one spot. It’s great for us spectators. 

SHRIMP: You can say that again!

REDGE: Our good friend, Shrimp, the Seagull! Hello!

SHRIMP: Hi there, Redge! Hi, Jonathan! Wanna french fry?

REDGE (chewing a fry): French fries are the super (said like soo-pair) snack for this festive event.

JONATHAN: Don’t mind if I do! Who are you rooting for, Shrimp?

SHRIMP: The Seagulls, of course! I AM technically part of the team.

REDGE: You are?

SHRIMP: Yes…I’m the fifth alternate’s out-of-town swing’s understudy. 

JONATHAN: The fifth outta under what?

ANNOUNCER: Folktale friends, The Sky Soaring Seagulls have now exited their wind resistance test and are about to begin their routine. We ask for quiet from the crowd.

REDGE (whispering): Watch this, Jonathan. The seagulls are known for their centripetal, or circular spinning, techniques. 

JONATHAN (whispering): Incredible! They’ve formed three perfect rings. One inside the other. 

REDGE (whispering): They use pitch and lift to sway the circles side to side. 

JONATHAN (whispering): So impressive! It’s like a shimmer in the sky. 

SHRIMP (whispering): Each team has their own special techniques and stunts.

REDGE (whispering): The Sparrows are known for their intricate darting maneuvers.

SHRIMP (whispering): The Geese for their angular shapes and formations.

REDGE (whispering): And the Falcons for their fast-paced dives. 

JONATHAN (whispering): And look at the Seagulls! Their ability to keep a few inches away from each other without bumping into each other–

(Distance squawk of a seagull.)

SHRIMP: Uh oh!

JONATHAN: Oh no. The seagulls’ perfect circle!

REDGE: It’s come apart!

ANNOUNCER: It seems one of The Sky Soaring Seagulls is having difficulty staying airborne. Let’s listen in on our live audio bird feed to see what’s going on. 

SEAGULL SURFER (Sounds of radio static & wind): I’m cramping up. Team. I repeat I have a cramp. Located just under my Left Radius. That’s top of my left wing radius. I must abort routine. I repeat. I am exiting the sky space.

ANNOUNCER: Don’t worry, folks. Our PMPs, that’s our Protective Medical Pelicans, are always on standby to keep our contestants safe. The PMPs are flying in to guide our sky surfer safely to the ground.

SHRIMP: A cramp?! That can’t be! They always have their electrolyte booster drinks before the competition. 

 REDGE: The drink helps to keep the team extra hydrated, so their muscles stay in tip-top shape.  

SHRIMP: We’re sponsored by Lyte as a Feather energy drinks. 

JONATHAN: Will they be disqualified now?

REDGE: I’m not sure. This has never happened before.

ANNOUNCER: Our judges are reviewing the rulebook and will determine if this qualifies as a false start or a restart. If it’s a false start, The Sky Soaring Seagulls will be forced to forfeit the competition and try again next year. But if they allow for a restart, The Seagulls will receive a makeup round at the end of the day. 

SHRIMP: Oh no. Oh no no no no no. 

JONATHAN: Shrimp? Are you ok?

SHRIMP: I can’t. They wouldn’t. I couldn’t.

REDGE: Shrimp?

(Shrimp squawks loudly.) 

JONATHAN (shouting over the top of the squawks): Shrimp?!

SHRIMP: They’re gonna need me. If our fallen sky surfer can’t go in, and they get a restart, then I have to take to the skies. And I. AM. NOT. READY. 

REDGE: You’ll do fine, Shrimp. 

SHRIMP: You don’t understand! I haven’t trained in three seasons!

JONATHAN: But aren’t you the fifth swing alternate’s, under…what was it? 

SHRIMP: I’m the fifth alternate’s out-of-town swing’s understudy. 

JONATHAN: Surely there are others who can step in to help before you.

SHRIMP: ALL FIVE ARE OUT OF TOWN! INCLUDING THE SWING!

JONATHAN: Uh oh. 

SHRIMP: What do I do? WHAT DO I DO? 

REDGE: Do you know the routine?

SHRIMP: Of course I know the routine, but I’m too out of shape. I couldn’t possibly keep up. The wind will sweep me away.

ANNOUNCER: This just in! We’ve heard back from our judges, and they will allow for a restart since the injury took place less than 50 seconds into the routine. The Sky Soaring Seagulls will be given a makeup round. Their only condition is the fifth alternate’s out-of-town swing’s understudy must perform in the fallen sky surfer’s place. 

SHRIMP: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

ANNOUNCER: Yes! The Sky Soaring Seagulls’ makeup round will resume tonight just before dusk. Now we turn to the Super Speedy Sparrows as they begin their wind resistance test flight. 

SHRIMP: What am I going to do? I’m going to let everyone down!

REDGE: No, you’re not! 

SEAGULL SURFER: Shrimp! Shrimp! Don’t let us down!

SHRIMP: AH!

SEAGULL SURFER: It’s all my fault! I misplaced my electrolyte booster drink. I always get cramps if I don’t drink it. I couldn’t find it anywhere! Please, Shrimp! You gotta do this! For me! For the Sky Soarers!

SHRIMP: AH!

REDGE: Shrimp. I have an idea.

SHRIMP: You do?

REDGE: Yes, but there’s not much time. We have to hurry to their cave. It’s not far from here. Follow me!

JONATHAN: Redge. Where are we going?

REDGE: To visit the Acro-Bats, of course. This way!

(Transition sounds as they travel.)

REDGE: Hellooooo? Lugo?

JONATHAN: I don’t think anyone’s here, Redge.

SHRIMP: Do you think you have the wrong cave?

REDGE: No, no. I’m sure it’s this one. It overlooks the Fantasea, where the competition is being held.

LUGO: Redge?

REDGE: Ah, Lugo, my bat friend! There you are!

LUGO: Redge, what are you doing here? And would you mind keeping your voice down? Some of us are still sleeping.

JONATHAN: Sleeping?

REDGE: Oh gosh! Of course. Bats are nocturnal.

SHRIMP: Nocturnal? What’s a nocturnal?

LUGO: It means we sleep during the day and are active at night.

REDGE: Forgive our intrusion, Lugo. We need your help before dusk.

LUGO: Help? What do you need? 

SHRIMP: You tell him, Jonathan. I’m too embarrassed. 

JONATHAN: Shrimp is part of The Sky Soaring Seagulls team as the fifth alternate’s swing understudy…ummm…

SHRIMP: The fifth alternate’s out-of-town swing’s understudy.

JONATHAN: Right. That. And it turns out he has to take flight due to an injury.

SHRIMP: BUT I HAVEN’T TRAINED IN FOUR SEASONS!

REDGE: I thought you said it was three seasons?

SHRIMP: I WAS TRYING TO MAKE MYSELF FEEL BETTER! HELP MEEEEEE!
 
 LUGO: You’ve come to the right place! The Acro-Bats are Synchronized Sky Surfing pros.

JONATHAN: You are?

REDGE: Oh yes! They were some of the founding members of the Sky Surfing Spectacular after all. 

SHRIMP: I didn’t know that.

LUGO: Not many do. We were kicked out after the inaugural season.

SHRIMP: Kicked out?

JONATHAN: After the first season? Why?

LUGO: It was ruled unfair to the competition that we were mammals and not birds. 

REDGE: It was shameful that you were kicked out. I still believe it had more to do with viewership.

JONATHAN: What do you mean?

REDGE: Well, I think the organizers thought they’d get better crowds if the event were during the day.

LUGO: But since bats are nocturnal, half the competition was at night. 

SHRIMP: That doesn’t seem fair. 

JONATHAN: No, it does not.

LUGO: But I’m happy to help how I can. I miss Sky Surfing. Let’s take a test flight together, Shrimp. Let’s see you in action. On my count, we’ll do a lap around the cave. One lap, then land right back here. Ready, Shrimp?

SHRIMP: Ummmm, I’ll give it a try. 

LUGO: On my count. Three, two, one!

(Wings flapping. Shrimp huffs and puffs.)

SHRIMP: Whoa whoa whoaaaaa. Ahhhhhh! Oof. (Bumps into something). Where did that rock come from? (Shrimp awkward squawk) Oops! Sorry!

FLAP JACK: Hey! Watch it! I’m sleeping here!

SHRIMP: Oh gully! 

LUGO: Ok! Shrimp, let’s come in for the landing. Nice and steady! 

SHRIMP: WAAAAAHHHHHH!

(Tumbles, rolls, and skids.)

SHRIMP: I’m ok!

LUGO: Not bad, Shrimp.

SHRIMP: Not bad! That was a disaster! The competition is only a few hours away. I’m gonna let everyone down.

JONATHAN: You got this, Shrimp.

REDGE: Yes! Beak up, Shrimp!

LUGO: You’re going to fly the lap again. And this time you’re not going to hit a thing.

SHRIMP: I’m not? 

LUGO: You’ll land perfectly steady this time. Right back where you started. 

SHRIMP: I am?

LUGO: Yes, and you’ll do it with your eyes closed.

SHRIMP/REDGE/JONATHAN: WHAT?!

SHRIMP: With my eyes closed?!

REDGE: Um, Lugo?

LUGO: Trust me. Close ‘em. Close ‘em, Shrimp! Are they closed?

SHRIMP: They’re closed. They’re closed.

LUGO: Now, I want you to imagine the flight pattern. Where was the rock that you bumped? Where was my friend, Flap Jack, who you woke up? Imagine yourself gliding in smoothly without disturbing a single speck of dust as you come down. Do you see it?

SHRIMP: I don’t know….

LUGO: SEE IT!

SHRIMP: AH! Ok ok! Hold on…hold on! I do see it! I do! I can do it.

LUGO: Now, keep your eyes closed. And listen. And when you’re ready. Take flight.

(Flaps of wings. Soothingly wind sounds. A whoosh and a swirl and a dive.)

LUGO: Shrimp?

SHRIMP: Yeah?

LUGO: You can open your eyes now.

SHRIMP: I did it! I DID IT!

REDGE: We knew you could do it, Shrimp! 

JONATHAN: Bravo!

LUGO: Nice work, Shrimp. Let’s go again. 

(Transition sounds back to the competition.)

ANNOUNCER: Welcome back, folks and friends! We’re here for a special qualifying round in our Sky Surfing Spectacular. When The Sky Soaring Seagulls last surfed the windy waves, one player faltered from an injury, and the Seagulls were granted a restart. Now we’re here to see if Shrimp, the fifth alternate’s out-of-town swing’s understudy, can bring the Seagulls to the finals.

REDGE: Woo hoo!

JONATHAN: Go, Shrimp, Go!

LUGO: So proud.

ANNOUNCER: The Sky Soaring Seagulls are readying themselves for their wind-resistant test flight, but wait, what’s this? Shrimp is refusing to compete. I repeat the fifth alternate’s out-of-town swing’s understudy is waving the white flag.

LUGO: No, Shrimp! You can do this! 

REDGE: Come on, Shrimp!

JONATHAN: You worked so hard. Don’t give up now!

ANNOUNCER: And now, what’s this?! The whole Sky Soaring Seagulls team is waving their white flags?! Are they forfeiting the competition completely? Let’s listen in on our live audio bird feed.

SHRIMP: Hi. I’m Shrimp, and I may only be the fifth alternate’s out-of-town swing’s understudy, but I know what’s fair and what isn’t. After talking with my team, we all think this is NOT a fair competition and refuse to continue until it is.

(Shock from the crowd. Gasps.)

SHRIMP: We believe that the best part of the Annual Synchronized Sky Surfing Spectacular is bringing our whole community together. So as a team, The Sky Soaring Seagulls refuse to compete unless the Acro-Bats get a spot in the competition. 

(Shock from the crowd. Gasps.)

SHRIMP: I got a chance to work with Lugo, one of the Acro-Bats, and it’s a real shame to leave any flying creature out of all this fun. So we propose to all the teams…let everyone compete. Let the Acro-Bats take to the surf! 

(Shock from the crowd. Gasps.)

ANNOUNCER: Shock has rippled through the crowd. Let’s see how the other teams react!

JONATHAN: The Graceful Gaggle of Geese has raised the white flag.

REDGE: So have the Fearless Flying Falcons!

JONATHAN: The Sparrows are less pleased. 

SPARROW: This is outrageous! They can’t do this! 

LUGO: Excuse me, Mr. Sparrow…I’ve heard the Super Speedy Sparrows are known for their intricate darting maneuvers. Is that right?

SPARROW: Yeah! So?

LUGO: Bats like to do the same. The way our wings are built allows for quick changes mid-air.

SPARROW: Great. Are you saying you’re better than us?

LUGO: Did you also know that the bones in birds’ wings and the lift from their feathers allow birds to stay airborne for much longer than bats?

SPARROW: What’s your point?

LUGO: When you hit the wind just right, how does it feel?

SPARROW: How does it feel?

LUGO: Think of the first time you took to the sky with your team. How did it make you feel?

SPARROW: It made me feel…like I could do anything. Invincible. Like…like I wasn’t a little sparrow but a huge albatross.

LUGO: Ever heard of the Quetzalcoatlus (ket sul co at lus)?

Pronunciation: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Xi5ckDAtLIc 

SPARROW: You mean, the largest pterosaur ever found?!

LUGO: As big as a small plane!

SPARROW: Yes!

LUGO: That’s how it made me feel. Please, don’t take that away from the Acro-Bats. 

Do you think we could all enjoy competing and let the judges decide the best sky surfers this season? 

SPARROW: I guess…yes! We can do that!

ANNOUNCER: The judges have convened. Will the Acro-Bats be allowed to perform? Looks like the judges have come to a decision. THEY’LL ALLOW IT! THE ACRO-BATS ARE WELCOMED TO THE SPECTACULAR AGAIN! 

(Huge cheers from the crowd.)

SHRIMP: The event will be moved to dusk tomorrow! I’m so happy the Acro-Bats can compete with us now!

LUGO: Shrimp. How could I ever thank you for this! 

SHRIMP: No need to thank me. You’ve already done so much for me! We’ll see you at the competition, friend.

LUGO: See you there! I’ve got a lot to do before tomorrow. 

JONATHAN: Good thing your team is waking up for the night so you can get started! 

REDGE: Good point, Jonathan. 

LUGO: That’s right! Let me call for them! They’ll be thrilled to hear what’s happened!

(Lugo whistles. A flutter of wings comes flying in. Maybe Jonathan can improvise some greetings/some “what’s happening? What’s going on?” murmurs)

LUGO: We’re back in Acro-Bats! Ready to Sky Surf again? Let’s get to work! Get us in position, Flap Jack! 

(More fluttering wings. Bat call sounds and cheers.)

FLAP JACK: Yes, sir! Initiate Formation ABC. Fig! Be sure to circle to the right, not the left! Luna, great wing extension and excellent soaring technique! 

JONATHAN (calling out to the bats): Looking great, guys! 

REDGE (calling out to the bats): See you tomorrow! Good Luck! 

SHRIMP (Calling out to Lugo): Bye, Lugo! Redge? Jonathan? Wanna French fry? 

REDGE: Always! But Shrimp…?

JONATHAN: Shouldn’t you be training with the team?

SHRIMP: Nope! The fourth alternate’s out-of-town swing’s understudy is back tomorrow. I’m off the hook!

JONATHAN CORMUR: This has been a Jonincharacter production. This story was written by Monique Hafen Adams, edited by Molly Murphy, and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks. We love hearing from you! Contact us at dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com or try our one-way text feature as a safe way to reach out. You can find even more ways to reach us in the show notes.

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.

© Dorktales Storytime 2025