- 6/24/2025
In the heart of colorful San Antonio, young Tony faces more than just mealtime meltdowns—he’s got food ghosts to deal with! 🍽️👻 This delightful narrated story blends humor, mindfulness, and emotion as Tony learns to manage anger, breathe through big feelings, and discover the power of friendship—with a little help from some ghostly guests.
Narrated by Hank Wilson Written by M.A. Morse Perfect for ages 6–8
#KidsBooks #StoryTime #MindfulnessForKids #ReadAloud #AshbyNavis #HankWilson #SanAntonioStories
Narrated by Hank Wilson Written by M.A. Morse Perfect for ages 6–8
#KidsBooks #StoryTime #MindfulnessForKids #ReadAloud #AshbyNavis #HankWilson #SanAntonioStories
Category
📚
LearningTranscript
00:00In the vibrant town of San Antonio, where colors dance and laughter fills the air,
00:14there's a young boy named Tony. His mother has called him for dinner. But Tony doesn't say,
00:23coming. Instead, he says, I'll be right down, Mom. I'm watching the Spurs.
00:32Oh, I'm finishing my homework, too. Is Tony really working on his homework,
00:38or is he just watching TV? What do you think?
00:43That's Tony's school. Two of those streets are close to Tony's school.
00:47Tony lives in San Antonio, so I think his school is near San Pedro Avenue and Fredericksburg Road.
00:56Can you name two streets near your school?
01:00Tony finally comes to the table. His mother tells him,
01:05Sorry, mijo. That's Spanish for son. There are only leftovers for dinner.
01:10Tony frowns. I'm super annoyed. I really don't like eating leftovers.
01:20What about you? Do you like eating leftovers?
01:24It makes Tony angry. How do you feel about eating leftovers?
01:31Sometimes Tony finds it tough to control his anger.
01:35Like when he gets really, really mad and can't calm down easily.
01:42It can be hard to control our anger.
01:45Does anyone help you when you get angry?
01:51Tony didn't know that when he felt upset, food ghosts would appear.
01:56Sometimes Tony could feel better all by himself, but there were times when he just didn't know how to feel better.
02:12Playing basketball was one thing that made him feel less mad.
02:16Is there anything you do that helps make you less mad?
02:24Tony is still angry over leftovers, so he grabs a basketball and gives it a bounce.
02:29I'm going to shoot some hoops before the sun goes down.
02:33Shooting hoops sounds like fun, doesn't it?
02:36I wonder if it will make Tony feel better.
02:40He still kind of looks angry, doesn't he?
02:43Tony. After a good night's sleep,
02:49Tony's uncle shows up bright and early in the morning.
02:53Hello, Tony. I have something that'll make you very happy.
02:56Tony. What is it, Uncle Chuck?
03:01I brought chorizo tacos.
03:05Chorizo is really good.
03:07But Tony doesn't always think so.
03:10No, I wanted bean and cheese tacos.
03:14It's not fair.
03:16Tony is not happy.
03:20Suddenly, something strange happened.
03:22Two little green ghosts appeared out of nowhere.
03:28Have you ever seen a ghost?
03:31Have you ever seen a green ghost?
03:36Suddenly, more of the green ghosts appear and they keep getting closer and closer to Tony.
03:42Uh, go away.
03:46Leave me alone.
03:48Who are you?
03:52Two of the ghosts sit and watch Tony.
03:56They see more and more other green ghosts have shown up because the boy is angry.
04:03Bring them into the simulation quickly.
04:07His anger has created so many of us taco armadillo ghosts.
04:13Simulation?
04:14Well, that's a strange word.
04:16Wonder what it means?
04:18Well, it's like when you play a video game.
04:21What you see on your computer or tablet isn't what grown-ups call the real world.
04:27It's made up.
04:29But it sure can seem real.
04:31And that's where the taco armadillo ghosts want to take Tony.
04:37They want to keep him angry.
04:41Tony is surprised to find himself in a green place that makes him think it's all a dream.
04:47Remember, a simulation is not a real place.
04:50But in our mind, it can look like a real place.
04:54Tony sees lots of little green taco ghosts and two big red ghosts.
05:00But he's confused.
05:03What's happening?
05:05Where am I?
05:08Tony's Uncle Chuck appears.
05:11Listen to me, Tony.
05:12And do what I say.
05:14And remember, Uncle Chuck is trying to help Tony.
05:20But Tony's confused.
05:21He looks at Uncle Chuck.
05:24This is weird.
05:25What's happening?
05:26I don't like these taco mice.
05:28Can I step on them?
05:31Looks like Tony's getting angry again.
05:35Uncle Chuck looks at Tony.
05:37Actually, these are taco armadillos.
05:43Small, armored mammals that look like mini tanks with bumpy shells.
05:48They roll up into balls for protection and they have a liking for tacos.
05:56Tony is still grumpy.
05:58Do I really need to know this now?
06:01Uncle Chuck smiles and tells him.
06:04No, of course not.
06:07All right.
06:08But pay attention now.
06:11These taco armadillos thrive on tacos and anger.
06:17So, we should help you relax.
06:19Take a deep breath.
06:20Shut your eyes.
06:22Inhale deeply.
06:24Hold for 10 seconds.
06:26And exhale.
06:30Tony closes his eyes and repeats what Uncle Chuck told him.
06:34Take a deep breath.
06:36Hold it for 10 seconds.
06:38And then I breathe out.
06:41Hey, I have an idea.
06:43Why don't we all try to do that?
06:45Take a breath.
06:47Hold it for 10 seconds.
06:481, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
06:57And then breathe out.
06:59I'll bet we can do that every time we start to feel angry.
07:03What do you think?
07:04Tony is smiling.
07:06The ghosts are gone.
07:09Whoa.
07:10I'm amazed.
07:11Taking a deep breath and staying calm actually made those ghosts go away.
07:17Are they gone for good?
07:21How do you feel after you tried taking a deep breath and holding it?
07:26I know it helped make my brain quiet.
07:29I'll bet it helped you too, huh?
07:30I don't know.
07:33Uncle Chuck sighs.
07:35Sorry, bud.
07:37Once the first ghost arrives, it's only a matter of time.
07:42I wonder what he means.
07:45Maybe we'll find out tomorrow.
07:48The next day after school.
07:52Uncle Chuck has taken Tony out to dinner.
07:55Doesn't that menu look good?
07:57I love guacamole and chips and enchiladas verdes.
08:02What about you?
08:04Have you tried Mexican food?
08:06It's really good.
08:08And San Antonio has the best Mexican food.
08:14Uncle Chuck tells him,
08:16Your mom said you can't play rowcraft today since the teacher mentioned you were talking during the test.
08:25Oh, that is so unfair.
08:28My friends are all going to be online playing rowcraft tonight and mom's just ruining everything by not letting me play.
08:35It's ridiculous.
08:38Now, Tony, you've got a couple more churro bites to finish up before you can head home and, you know,
08:45not get to play your game.
08:48Oh, I'll bet Tony's going to have trouble not getting angry.
08:53What do you think?
08:56Well, Tony's anger is getting worse.
08:59Little green lizard looking things start appearing in his mind.
09:02They tell him,
09:04Your anger is powerful, child.
09:06Embrace its fire and you shall soon find yourself trapped within a world of pixels.
09:12Pixels?
09:13What's a pixel?
09:15Well, remember our word simulation and how that's a world that's not real,
09:20but sometimes we can see it on our TVs or on our video games?
09:25What we see is created by millions and millions and millions of pixels.
09:29Little bitty dots.
09:32Now, you can tell people what a pixel is.
09:35It's a little bitty dot that makes up the pictures you see on your TV.
09:42If you thought Tony was getting angry, you were right.
09:46The horned churro lizard gives a gleeful hiss.
09:51Look at that anger, my minion. Seize this opportunity. Pull the boy into the simulation.
09:57Now, the little horned lizards obey.
10:00Tony finds himself surrounded by horned lizards.
10:05Have you ever seen a horned lizard?
10:08I'll bet if you ask your parent or an adult or a librarian to help you search for a picture of one,
10:15you could find a picture.
10:18Tony looks at Uncle Chuck.
10:20Wait a minute. This can't be real.
10:22Horned lizards everywhere. Something's not right.
10:26Uncle Chuck looks around and says,
10:30Hey, Tony.
10:31Let me introduce you to the Texas horned churro lizards.
10:35These awesome creatures from the desert have spiky backs and they absolutely love gobbling up
10:42sugary churros while their clever camouflage helps them hide among the sandy dunes.
10:49Tony is getting cranky again.
10:52Again, do I really need to know this now?
10:58No, of course not.
11:01But to outsmart the Texas horned churro lizard, simply touch any object with your fingertips,
11:08feeling its texture and temperature to stay calm and present.
11:14Do you think that'll help, Tony?
11:17It's different than taking a breath and holding it and counting to 10.
11:21Well, let's see if it helps Tony. Then maybe we can try it.
11:27Tony reaches into his pocket and finds a rock he picked up at school.
11:31I have a bumpy rock in my fingers.
11:34It feels rough and warm.
11:38I feel better.
11:39And the churro lizards don't seem scary now.
11:44I guess it works for Tony.
11:46I don't have a rock, but I do have a small piece of wood.
11:50Maybe I can touch it.
11:53Wow, it works.
11:55I can feel it.
11:56And it does help me relax.
11:59Maybe you can find something small that you can put your fingertips on.
12:03A lot of things have happened.
12:06For a while everything is going okay for Tony.
12:09Then a week later, whoops, Tony yells,
12:13No green sauce!
12:16Looks like he's getting angry again.
12:19What could make him do that?
12:22Hmm, I sense anger in the air.
12:26And is that the scent of cheesy quesadillas I detect?
12:31Pull them into the simulation.
12:34Tony is angry.
12:36Ha, ha!
12:38You want that green sauce, but your quesadillas will stay plain.
12:44Tony sees Uncle Chuck on his phone.
12:47Hey Tony, remember to be careful around the hill country mesquite tree quesadilla ghost.
12:54It enjoys teasing and might try to make you a bit frustrated.
12:59Have you ever been teased and didn't like it?
13:02What about teasing someone else?
13:05Have you ever teased someone else and they didn't like it?
13:11Uncle Chuck tells Tony,
13:13Hill country mesquite tree quesadilla ghost have bark textured like puzzle pieces.
13:19And their branches stretch out like eager arms.
13:22To defeat them, remember the last thing that made you laugh.
13:27And focus on that thought while rubbing your hands together.
13:32Tony starts to smile.
13:35Dude, I was seriously dying of laughter when I watched that video of Mr. Beach Creature.
13:41It was like the funniest thing I ever saw.
13:44He remembers how that video made him feel way better.
13:51Uncle Chuck congratulates him.
13:55Well done.
13:56Just remember, you can't control what happens to you, but you can control how you respond.
14:05For the next two weeks, Tony's life seems calmer.
14:10Now, we're deep in the heart of Texas.
14:14Training for the final battle.
14:17It's a beautiful day in the Texas Hill Country.
14:22And Uncle Chuck reminds Tony and us.
14:25Everyone feels mad sometimes, but I'll show you how to chill your anger before it becomes ghost fuel.
14:32It'll be nice to be able to control our anger and not let it control us.
14:39Uncle Chuck hands Tony a piece of paper.
14:44On the paper, Tony sees these hints.
14:49Take deep breaths like you're inhaling the good vibes and exhaling the bad ones.
14:55Head outside for a chill stroll.
14:59The outdoors is like a natural chill pill.
15:03Find a quiet spot, close your eyes, and imagine a calm place like a tropical island.
15:12Take a break from screens.
15:15Give your eyes a rest and do something fun offline.
15:20Spend time with your furry friends.
15:23They're like happiness experts.
15:27Doodle on a notepad or a piece of paper.
15:30Let your creativity flow.
15:33Use touch, taste, and smell to connect to the present.
15:40Uncle Chuck looks up.
15:43I smell chalupas.
15:46Get ready, here they come.
15:49It's time to play a video game.
15:54Wait, is that a taco armadillo trying to start trouble?
16:00Ha!
16:01I've seen you play video games.
16:03You're such a bacon.
16:05Grrr, oh wait.
16:08Tony closes his eyes and takes in the scent of the fresh breeze.
16:15Taco armadillo and the other ghosts don't want to give up.
16:18Oh!
16:19Two jalapeno ghosts show up.
16:23I've seen NPCs with better reflexes.
16:28Tony doesn't give in.
16:30I'm thinking about my dog Apollo.
16:33He's a husky with thick fur.
16:36The food ghosts send in the salsa ghosts.
16:43I'll bet you're the reason they created easy mode.
16:49I'm focusing on my happy memories of building sandcastles on the beach at South Padre Island.
16:58The ghosts refuse to give up.
17:02You can't pull the plug on my game.
17:06They send in the final boss.
17:10This is the big one.
17:13Ha!
17:14Ha!
17:15Ha!
17:16Surprise!
17:17I know what makes you mad, so I'm gonna win.
17:21That's not fair.
17:24What's not fair?
17:27Well, the big boss is what's inside Tony himself.
17:31He knows all of his secrets.
17:36Tony remembers it's a simulation, so he tells the final boss,
17:41I'm gonna trap you inside this game and launch it into space.
17:46How do you organize a space launch?
17:48You plan it.
17:49Ha!
17:50I get it.
17:51Plan it.
17:52Ha!
17:53Ha!
17:54Okay.
17:55As Tony traps the final boss inside the game, the boss realizes that he lost.
18:00No!
18:01As the ghost disappears, Tony wonders, are they gone for good?
18:09Uncle Chuck tells him, if you can pause and think before reacting, you can prevent those
18:17negative feelings from giving energy to the food ghost.
18:23Now that you know, teach the others.
18:28Tony looks at his younger brothers and sisters.
18:32Hey kids!
18:33Listen up!
18:34Ha!
18:35Ha!
18:36What's that?
18:37It's the end.
18:53The end...
18:55The end...
18:56...
19:00...
19:01You're...
19:02...
19:03...
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