I asked for this thread because I played this for the kids at bedtime last night. Once they realized the noises coming out of the computer were for them, they got a huge kick out of it. "Mrs. Twiddlechirp" and "Woodpecker Fu" had them rolling, and they all laughed at the appropriate places.
But even more than the simple joy of children, I was struck by the intro, where Steve said this story came after rejection of several darker tales for EP. As I listened, I could almost hear the author saying, "Take THAT, Mr. Too-Dark-for-My-Podcast." And it occurred to me that I do my best work - the work that other people like the best, at least - when I'm "tossing something out for a laugh". They rarely respond as desired to the stuff I'm really trying to make Good... but they love it when I go off on a goof.
Why is that? I'll let you decide...