Otto's Tales: Today Is September 11th with Jill Simonian | PragerU Kids

Hey parents! Before we start this episode, remember that your family can enjoy hundreds of fun and educational free videos like this one for kids of all ages. Be sure to subscribe to get all the new shows and updates at PragerUKids.com. Welcome to Otto's Tales, storytime brought to you by PragerUKids. I'm Jill, here with Otto, and today we're reading a book about a very important day that happened in United States history. Now, this is a serious story that was scary for a lot of people, but this story also shows us how many heroes there are all around us and how much Americans can love and help each other when we need it. Hey Otto, why don't you get comfy and listen? Okay, let's read Otto's Tales. Today is September 11th. Ruff ruff, I'm Otto. Today is September 11th, a tragic day in our nation's history. It's important to never forget what happened that fateful day in 2001. We also remember how the country came together, strong and united, after facing a very sad and hard time. My best friend Dennis climbed to the top of the kitchen counter. This is our big red firetruck, he said. I'm on top of the ladder. It can be our time machine, I barked. There's a lot to learn on our next adventure, Dennis said. Let's roll. Zoom! We traveled back to New York City. A lovely morning, I said. Sure is pretty. A September day, the sky bright blue, lots of people at work with lots of business to do. At the World Trade Center, we planned to spend several hours. There's a spectacular view atop the Twin Towers. A day like all others, we had nothing to dread. We had a snack in the plaza and Dennis patted my head. But while we were busy eating and talking, very bad men with an evil plan were plotting. In a few short minutes, our world would be changed by 19 terrorists boarding four planes. They hated our country, its people so free, a world without America they wanted to see. Osama Bin Laden was the bad man in charge. His group called Al Qaeda had grown quite large. Just as we finished our yummy treat, a sound was heard by all on the street. Look there, said Dennis. What's that up in the sky? It was a plane flying low that should have been high. The plane hit one of the towers in a fiery flash. There was a huge explosion and a very loud crash. We all stood shocked, not knowing what to do. Was America under attack? No one quite knew. And just then, the other tower was hit by plane number two. The first responders that arrived were so brave. They thought only of the people their efforts might save. The firemen ran toward the buildings as smoke filled the air. They displayed great courage, a trait very rare. There were people helping one another all over the place, young and old, men and women of every background and race. So grateful we were for all the good people tried to do. We climbed into our firetruck, waved and called out, thank you. On to the White House, Dennis said, and zoom, we found ourselves inside an oval shaped room. President George W. Bush spoke to the nation that night. He said, this is a day when all Americans unite. The terrorists tried to scare us and get us to retreat, but our country is strong. America they can't defeat. Dennis chimed in, we saw so many people today doing good. Americans helping each other in any way they could. In the days that followed, American flags filled the sky. The country came together and we know the reason why. We waved goodbye to President Bush, jumped back in our firetruck and gave it a push. Zoom, Dennis shouted, to the future we go. Driving the firetruck with me in tow. We returned to New York on another 11th of September. The city built the 9-11 memorial to help us remember. The place where the towers once stood is now called Ground Zero. People were there to honor the fallen, both victims and heroes. There was so much at the memorial to learn and to see, like what happened that day at the Pentagon and on Flight 93. Dennis, I said, what the terrorists did was wrong. They tried to hurt us, Otto, but America is strong. Look, I said, pointing at those two beams of light. Dennis said, that's a shining memorial lit up every year on this night. It's September 11th, Otto. We call it Patriot Day. The tribute in light is an inspiring display. Then we hopped into our firetruck and once again, Zoom. Sirens blasted. Wee-ow, wee-ow. Back to Dennis's room. That was a very important adventure, I said. Why is that, Otto? Well, I never knew about September 11th and why we must never forget what happened that day. Yes, said Dennis. America was attacked for being strong and free. The terrorists tried to destroy our way of life, but they did not succeed. And Americans came together even stronger after that terrible attack, I said. That's right, said Dennis. Many people acted like heroes that day. Our firefighters, police officers, and first responders displayed the best of America, land of the free and home of the brave. We will never forget them, I barked. And we will never forget September 11th. God bless Patriot Day. God bless Patriot Day. We will never forget. Ruff, ruff. The end. Now, that was a kind of story we've never read before. What did you think, Otto? I agree with you. We should salute all those police officers, firefighters, emergency responders, and everyone who helped so many on that day. We are thankful to be safe now and we will never forget September 11th. America needs us to keep helping each other and keep protecting our way of life. Remember that no matter what happens, Americans can be strong and make things right together, right? Right. Thank you for watching Otto's Tales. Check out some of our other stories too. Keep reading, keep learning, and always remember our American heroes. God bless all of them and God bless you. 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