Nyangara the Python

Nyangara the Python

Author: Tanya Batt and Peter Forster May 7, 2026 Duration: 25:39
Send us Fan Mail This story comes from the Shona people of Zimbabwe and was collected by a UK storytelling friend and colleague, Helen East in her book 'The Singing Sack'. While Batt-lamb is uncertain about large snakes, this story celebrates the bravery of a group of children who have the courage to fetch Nyangara, a python with healing powers, to cure their ailing chief. Support the show You can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shop Or join the li...

From the cosy, creative space known as the Batt Cave, performance storyteller Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster bring you A story and a song: musical stories for children. This podcast weaves together original tales and memorable melodies, creating a unique listening experience for young families. Each episode is a gentle adventure, built around themes of friendship, perseverance, and the simple joys found in everyday life-like the surprising power of vegetables. The stories have a quirky, wholesome charm, often leaving you with a sense of hope and the understanding that even difficult feelings don't last forever. Peter's catchy, folk-inspired refrains are designed for easy joining-in, turning each story into a shared musical moment. It’s the kind of audio you’ll find yourself humming long after the episode ends. Perfect for quiet afternoons, car journeys, or winding down before bed, this collection offers more than just passive entertainment; it invites participation and connection. Listening to this podcast feels like being welcomed into a warm, creative corner where imagination is always humming a tune. You'll hear Tanya's expressive storytelling voice, rich with character and warmth, perfectly complemented by Peter's skillful guitar and uplifting songs. Together, they create a world where problems are solved with kindness, sadness gives way to song, and every story has its own soundtrack. It’s a genuine, handcrafted audio experience from Aotearoa, made for singing along and feeling good.
Author: Language: en-nz Episodes: 100

A story and a song: musical stories for children
Podcast Episodes
Cicada plays his drum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:05
Send us Fan Mail Its still hot and summery here in NewZealand and the Cicadas are in full song. Here is a story from the Andaman Islands about the Cicada who loves to play his drum; and how this affects the whole balance…
The legend of the first dragon from China [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:42
Send us Fan Mail Another story from the Batt Cave celebrating the Chinese New Year. This is the story of a boy called Chi Yu and how he uses a magic bead he finds to help out his village during a drought. His kindness is…
A story about the Chinese Zodiac Animals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:07
Send us Fan Mail It's the time of the Chinese New Year , so Tanya and Pete share a story about the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac and how decided the order they appear in. Support the show You can find our audios a…
Tiddalik the frog [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:09
Send us Fan Mail With the start of a new year and it being Australia Day Tanya tells a story from the indigenous Peoples of South East Australia about Tiddalik the frog who is a very thirsty frog indeed! Support the show…
The Kings seed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:28
Send us Fan Mail Tanya and Pete share a story about a king who is looking for a successor to rule his kingdom and comes up with a novel way of selecting the new King. Of course there is a boy called.... (What else!) Jack…
A Mermaid's treasure [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:59
Send us Fan Mail Members of the Batt Cave audience take part in the telling of this story about two children who discover a mermaid on the beach. Treasure is involved, so sit back and enjoy this fun tale told by Tanya an…
A Christmas and New Year special from the Batt Cave [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:16
Send us Fan Mail It's that special time of year again!! Tanya, Pete and Batt lamb are here with two new Christmas songs they have written to celebrate the Southern Hemisphere Christmas and New Year in New Zealand with al…
Peter; The boy who cried wolf!! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:40
Send us Fan Mail To celebrate Pete's Birthday, Tanya and Bat Lamb decide to tell a 'Peter ' story, of which there are many to choose from. They settle on the classic tale of the boy who cried wolf, with Peter in the main…
The time of your life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:21
Send us Fan Mail The time of your life is a story by Tanya Batt and it is her latest picture book published. It tells the story of a boy and his curiosity about the nature of time... can his new watch help him save up ti…
Issun-bōshi- the brave Japanese Tom Thumb [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:10
Send us Fan Mail It's a new Batt Cave session, and it's a new year for Pete.... It's his Birthday!! Tanya , Bat Lamb and Pete celebrate with the story of Issun-bōshi : A boy who is only the small size of a thumb, but he…