Episode Description
Created and produced by parents of young children, WBUR’s Circle Round podcast adapts folktales from around the world into sound- and music-rich radio plays for kids ages 3 to 103. Each episode explores universal themes like friendship, persistence, creativity and generosity, and ends with an activity that inspires a deeper conversation between children and grown-ups.
Links from the Episode:
More Information About Circle Round
The show description is created and produced by parents of young children. WBUR Circle Round adapts carefully selected folk tales from around the world in sound and music. Rich radio plays for kids ages four to 10. Each 10 to 20 minute episode explores important issues like kindness, persistence, and generosity.
The length of each episode is about 20 minutes long, and it is absolutely kid ear friendly. It is literally meant for children. This series is ongoing with new episodes available on Tuesdays.
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Transcript from Circle Round
Now we get to hear a clip from a Circle Round episode called The Wind Catcher:
Think about a time you did something nice for someone. Maybe you shared a kind word or you held the door open for a stranger. We’re about to meet some characters who think that helping others will be a burden and weigh them down, but little do they know lending a hand could actually give them wings.
I’m Rebecca Sheer, and welcome to Circle Round where story time happens all the. Today our story is called The Wind Catcher. Versions of this folk tale come from the Marshall Islands, a country made up of thousands of islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Some really great people came together to bring you our adaptation of this tale, including Tony Award winner Leia. So Longa. Star of numerous Broadway musicals, including Flower Drum Song, La Mazara, Miss Saigon, and Once On This Island, Leia is also the voice behind two Disney princesses. Jasmine in Aladdin.
And Mulan in Mulan. So circle around everyone for the wind catcher.
Long, long ago, a mother lived with her 10 sons on a ball meet tropical island in a glittering blue sea. The island was surrounded by many other islands. Each of them covered with white sand, beaches, leafy. And Palm like shrubs known as pondis. All 10 of mother’s sons were strong and strapping and smart.
So when it came time for their island to name a new chief, the people decided that one of the sons would assume the role. But with 10 intelligent, able bodied fellows to choose from, how would they pick which one the islands pondered and. Until mother had an idea, I know friends, we will hold a boat race.
My 10 sons will speed their boats away from our island across the water until they reach the next island over. Whoever arrives at the neighboring island first will become our new. Back in those early times, the only boats the Islanders had were canoes narrow pointy ended vessels that you skim through the water with a paddle.
So over the next weeks, mother’s 10 sons crafted special canoes for the race. The brothers spent long hours sweating on the beach as they scraped out. Tree trunks then polished and oiled the wood till it gleamed the morning of the race. The brothers were buzzing with excitement as they lined up their brand new canoes along the shore.
Listen, guys, you better watch up because I can paddle as fast as a gulf flies. That’s nothing I can paddle as fast as a dolphin. Swims well, I can paddle as fast as a ray. Stings and I can paddle as fast as an eel. Strikes the oldest brother, a burley fellow named Timor, crossed his brawny arms. And I can paddle as fast as all of you show offs combined.
Honestly, I don’t know why you’re even bothering to race against me brothers, especially you. Jabo, all eyes turned to Jabo, the youngest and most mild mannered of the 10. The kind, calm fellow had been quiet all this time. Jab Adaro was about to open his mouth when all of a sudden, who should appear on the beach?
