Join Captain Dave and his loyal first mate Larry the lobster on a magical journey to Duncan, British Columbia – known as the “City of Totems.” As they embark on this adventure, the captivating children’s story weaves totem pole kid’s stories into its narrative. Young listeners are taken aboard the remarkable mellow submarine that transforms into a yellow bus for exploring Vancouver Island’s treasures.
Perfect for Vancouver Island families, this totem pole story teaches kids about Coast Salish culture while delivering pure storytelling magic that will have children begging for “just one more story.”
This episode features:
Educational Adventure: Young listeners discover the magnificent totem poles carved by the Coast Salish peoples, particularly the Quw’utsun’ people, in an engaging way that honors tradition.
Magical Storytelling: As twilight falls over Duncan in the Cowichan Valley and a full moon rises, something extraordinary happens – the ancient totem poles come to life, glowing with blue light and sharing their timeless stories with wisdom.
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Tags: #SkookumKidsStories #ThePulseCommunity #PulsePodcast #ParksvilleQualicumBeach #MellowSubmarine #CaptainDave #PodcastForKids #ChildrensStorytelling #TotemPoles #IndigenousWisdom #ChildrensStories #Duncan #CowichanBay #VancouverIsland #CoastSalish
Transcription:
The Meadowood Store Garden Centre: The Meadowood Store’s Garden Center is jammed packed with starter plants and veggies, bag soils, manure, and fertilizers. Chris Burger says he won’t be under-soiled. The folks at the Meadowood Store Garden Center will match sale prices from just about anywhere. Enjoy the relaxing drive to Meadowood, where the bargains are tariff-free and are big. Bigfoot big. The Meadowood General Store in Dashwood is the home of Bigfoot. It’s a convenient spot for groceries, deli, propane, and lotto. Come in and have your picture taken with Bigfoot inside or outside the store at 1221 Meadowood Way in Dashwood.
Eddie Van Haddock & The Rockfish: In a little town by the sea where the stories never end, lived Captain Dave and his crew, every child’s favorite friend. With a smile as wide as the ocean and a heart that’s full of dreams, he sails a mellow submarine where magic gleams and beams. Every morning at sunrise, when the world awakes anew, Captain Dave and his crew set sail in waters deep and blue through the ticking clock of time. Where adventures come alive, they laugh and learn and play each day in their underwater dive.
Dave Graham: Far beneath the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean lived Captain Dave, a kind-hearted sailor with a twinkle in his eye and a magnificent white beard that flowed like sea foam. Captain Dave was no ordinary sailor. He commanded the mellow submarine, a bright yellow vessel that glowed like the sun, even in the deepest waters.
By his side was his loyal first mate, Larry the lobster. Larry wasn’t like other lobsters. He wore a tiny sailor’s hat perched between his antennae and carried a small notebook to jot down their adventures. His claws were gentle enough to tie the tiniest knots, but strong enough to help steer the submarine through rough currents.
“Good morning, Captain,” Larry clicked his claws cheerfully one bright Tuesday morning. “Where are we sailing today?”
Captain Dave unfurled his map and spread it across the navigation table. His finger traced a path along the coast of Vancouver Island until it stopped at a small bay. “Today, Larry, we’re visiting Cowichan Bay, and just nearby is a special place called Duncan, known as the city of totems. I’ve heard the most wonderful stories about this place.”
Larry’s eyes grew wide with excitement. “Totems, Captain? What are those?”
Captain Dave smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Totem poles are tall, wooden carvings made by Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest. Each one tells a story of families’ histories and important lessons. They’re like books standing tall for everyone to see.”
Larry scribbled this information in his notebook. “That sounds amazing. Can we see them up close?”
“Indeed we can,” Captain Dave nodded, turning the submarine’s wheel. “Full speed ahead to Cowichan Bay!”
The mellow submarine hummed a gentle tune as it moved through the waters past colorful fish and curious seals. As they approached Cowichan Bay, Captain Dave pressed a special button and the submarine began to transform. Their propellers folded in, wheels emerged from the bottom, and soon the mellow submarine looked just like a peculiar yellow bus—their land traveling mode. They rolled up onto the shore where the water met the land and parked near the docks.
Captain Dave and Larry stepped out into the fresh air. “Ah, smell that, Larry. That’s the scent of adventure,” Captain Dave took a deep breath.
Larry sniffed with his tiny lobster sensors. “And fish. I smell fish too.”
They explored Cowichan Bay, a charming seaside village with boats gently bobbing in the harbor. People waved at the unusual pair—a tall captain with his seafaring lobster companion—as they wandered through the colorful shops and along the wooden boardwalks.
As the afternoon sun began to dip toward the horizon, Captain Dave looked at his special watch. “It’s time to head to Duncan now, Larry. We want to see the totems before sunset.”
They hopped back into the mellow submarine turned bus and drove the short distance to Duncan. As they entered the town, Larry pressed his face against the window. “Look, Captain Dave! There they are!”
All throughout the town stood magnificent totem poles, each one carved with incredible detail. There were eagles with spread wings, bears with salmon in their mouths, wolves with watchful eyes, and many other creatures and figures, all telling different stories.
Captain Dave parked the mellow submarine and they stepped out. They walked slowly down the streets, stopping at each totem pole to admire the craftsmanship. “These were carved by master carvers from the Coast Salish peoples, especially the Quw’utsun’ people who have lived in this valley for thousands of years,” Captain Dave explained. “Each totem has special meaning.”
Larry was busy sketching the totems in his notebook. “They’re so beautiful,” he whispered. “I feel like they’re watching us.”
As twilight settled over Duncan, the streets grew quiet. Most visitors had returned to their homes or hotels, but Captain Dave and Larry continued their tour, moving from totem to totem in the gentle evening light.
When they reached the town square, they found a circle of the most impressive totem poles yet. In the center of the circle stood a smaller, newer totem pole that seemed to shine with a different kind of glow in the fading light.
“This one looks new,” observed Larry, approaching the totem pole carefully.
Captain Dave nodded. “Yes, the wood still smells of cedar and carving tools. It must have been completed recently.”
As the last ray of sunshine disappeared and the moon rose full and bright above them, something magical began to happen. At first, it was just a whisper, a sound like the rustling of leaves. Then came a gentle creaking, like old wood settling. Captain Dave and Larry stood very still.
One by one, the totem poles began to glow with a soft blue light. Then, to the astonishment of the captain and his first mate, the carved faces on the totems began to move.
“Welcome, travelers,” spoke the tallest totem, its eagle head turning to look at them. The voice was deep and resonant, like the echo of waves in a sea cave. “It has been many moons since visitors have stayed to hear our stories.”
Captain Dave removed his captain’s hat respectfully. “We are honored to meet you. I am Captain Dave of the Mellow Submarine, and this is my first mate, Larry the lobster.”
Larry bowed so low his antennae touched the ground. “It’s an incredible pleasure, sir. Um, Mr. Totem.”
A gentle chuckle spread around the circle of totems. “We are the guardians of stories,” explained another totem with the face of a wise-looking bear. “Each night when the moon is full, we awaken to share our knowledge with those whose hearts are open to listening.”
“We would be most grateful to hear your stories,” said Captain Dave, sitting cross-legged on the grass. Larry scrambled up to sit beside him, notebook ready.
One by one, the totems shared their tales. The eagle totem spoke of the importance of vision and perspective, of seeing beyond what is immediately visible. The frog totem told of transformation and renewal, of how change can bring new strengths. The salmon totem shared wisdom about perseverance and the journey home, no matter how difficult the path.
Each story was more fascinating than the last, and Larry’s little claw could barely keep up with his note-taking. Captain Dave listened with deep respect, occasionally asking thoughtful questions that made the totems nod in approval.
After many stories had been shared, Captain Dave noticed that the new totem pole in the center remained silent and still. Unlike the others, it had not moved or spoken.
“And what about this young one?” Captain Dave asked gently, gesturing to the center totem. “Does it have a story to share?”
The eagle totem’s voice softened. “The young cedar has only recently joined us. It was carved with great love by a young carver who is still finding his way. The young cedar does not yet know its purpose or the story it carries.”
Larry put down his notebook and approached the silent totem. “Hello there,” he said kindly. “I’m Larry. I understand being shy. Back in the ocean, I was the quietest lobster in my whole rock pool.”
The young cedar totem’s eyes, carved in a circular pattern, seemed to blink slowly. A tiny tremble ran through its wooden form, but no words came forth.
Captain Dave approached and placed a gentle hand on the smooth cedar. “Sometimes,” he said, “finding your voice begins with listening, and I can see that you’re a very good listener, young cedar. You’ve heard all the stories tonight, haven’t you?”
The totem gave the slightest nod.
“May I ask who carved you?” Captain Dave inquired.
A whisper, soft as cedar shavings falling to the ground: “Thomas.”
“Thomas,” repeated Dave with a smile. “And did Thomas talk to you while he carved?”
Another whisper: “He sang.”
Larry perked up. “Songs can tell stories too. What did he sing about?”
The young cedar’s voice grew just a little stronger. “About his grandfather teaching him to carve, about the forest where I once stood tall as a tree, about hoping I would help people remember.”
“Remember what?” asked Larry gently.
“That’s what I don’t know,” said the young cedar, a note of sadness in its voice. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to help people remember.”
Captain Dave stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Hmm. I wonder, did Thomas leave any clues? Any special carvings or symbols?”
The young cedar considered this. “He carved a small, hidden door at my base. Inside is an empty space. He said someday it would hold something precious.”
“Curious.” Captain Dave and Larry examined the base of the totem pole. Indeed, there was a small, perfectly carved door that blended almost seamlessly with the wood grain. Captain Dave opened it carefully to find an empty hollow inside.
“Interesting,” mused Captain Dave. “A place for something precious.”
Just then they heard footsteps approaching. A young man walked into the square, looking surprised to find anyone there so late at night. He carried a small wooden box in his hands.
“Hello?” he said cautiously. “I’m Thomas. I didn’t expect anyone to be here.”
Captain Dave stood and extended his hand. “I’m Captain Dave, and this is Larry. We were just admiring your beautiful carving.”
Thomas’s face lit up. “You know I carved this one?”
Larry nodded enthusiastically. “The young cedar told us.”
Thomas looked confused for a moment, then smiled as if understanding something magical was happening. “Sometimes I do feel like it speaks to me while I work on it.”
“We hear that you sang to the young cedar while you carved,” said Captain Dave, “songs about your grandfather and memories.”
Thomas’s eyes grew misty. “Yes. My grandfather was a master carver. He taught me everything I know. He passed away last year, but he asked me to create this totem to hold his most precious possession.” He held up the small box. “Tonight marks one year since he left us. I’ve come to place his carving knife inside the totem, as he requested.”
The young cedar totem seemed to stand taller at these words.
“Your grandfather wanted his knife to be kept inside the totem?” asked Larry, his antennae quivering with interest.
Thomas nodded. “This knife has carved over 50 totems throughout our territory. Grandfather said the knife holds the memory of every story it has helped tell. He wanted it to rest here in the heart of my first totem, so that his knowledge would live on in my work.”
Captain Dave smiled warmly. “Young cedar, I believe we’ve found your purpose. You’re a keeper of memories, a guardian of tradition passed from one generation to the next.”
The young cedar totem began to glow with a gentle amber light, different from the blue of the older totems. Its carved face shifted into a smile. “A memory keeper,” the young cedar spoke, its voice clear and strong. “Now I hold the connection between past and future carvers. That is my story.”
Thomas gasped as he heard the totem speak, but somehow he wasn’t afraid. Deep in his heart, he had always known the totems held special magic.
With reverence, Thomas opened the small door at the base of the totem and placed the carved box containing his grandfather’s knife inside. As he did, the young cedar’s glow grew brighter, illuminating the entire square. The older totems around the circle began to hum a deep, melodious song—a song of welcome for the young cedar that had found its voice and purpose.
Captain Dave and Larry watched in awe as Thomas stepped back, tears of joy streaming down his face.
“Thank you,” Thomas said to Captain Dave and Larry. “Somehow you’ve helped bring my grandfather’s wishes to life.”
“It wasn’t us,” said Captain Dave kindly. “The young cedar just needed to hear its own story, the same way we all do sometimes.”
Larry nodded wisely. “Every one of us has a purpose and a story. Sometimes we just need a little help finding the words to tell it.”
The totems continued their gentle song as Thomas, Captain Dave, and Larry sat together in the moonlit square, sharing stories of their own adventures. Thomas told them about his grandfather’s teachings and the meaning behind each carving on the young cedar totem: the salmon for perseverance, the bear for strength, the cedar branches for healing, and at the very top, an open hand reaching up to connect earth and sky.
As dawn approached, the totems gradually fell silent, returning to their daytime stillness. But now, Captain Dave and Larry knew the secret that within each carved figure lived stories waiting to be heard by those willing to listen.
Thomas walked with them back to the mellow submarine. “Will you visit again?” he asked.
“Perhaps during the next full moon,” Captain Dave clasped the young carver’s hand. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world. And perhaps by then, the young cedar will have new stories to share.”
“And I’ll bring a bigger notebook,” added Larry, holding up his now-full pages of totem tales.
As the sun rose over Duncan, the city of totems, Captain Dave and Larry waved goodbye to Thomas and set off in the mellow submarine. They had many adventures ahead, but both knew that they would return to hear more stories from their newfound friends.
“You know, Larry,” said Captain Dave as they rolled back toward the ocean, “the totems taught us something important tonight.”
“That everyone has a story worth telling?” suggested Larry.
Captain Dave nodded. “And that sometimes helping others find their voice is the greatest adventure of all.”
The mellow submarine hummed in agreement as it slipped back into the shimmering waters of Cowichan Bay, carrying with it the memories of the night the totems spoke.
Eddie Van Haddock & The Rockfish: When the night falls softly, and stars light up the sky, Captain Dave tucks his crew in with a gentle lullaby. Dreams of whales and mermaids, of treasures lush and green, Await each little sailor aboard the mellow submarine.
