Circle Round

Public radio and podcast veteran Tonya Mosley (Here and Now, Truth Be Told) plays a clever turtle determined to outwit the local bully in this whimsical tale inspired by stories told in Ghana. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

In this story from the Zulu people of South Africa, Marshall Escamilla (Tumble: A Science Podcast for Kids) and Avi Nash (The Walking Dead, Hosea) star as brothers who are as different as sweet and sour. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Actor and musician Chris Sullivan (This Is Us, Joseph The Spouse) plays the boastful, blowhard title character in this Hawaiian tale about an egotistical chief who gets cut down to size. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Shazad Latif (Star Trek: Discovery, Penny Dreadful) and Anthony Rapp (Star Trek: Discovery, Rent) headline this Middle Eastern/North African tale about sweet figs, bad breath, and the bitter truth. When you need advice, what kind of advisor do you turn to? Someone who’s honest? Trustworthy? Supportive? In today’s story, we’ll meet an advisor who’s none of these things. And the person he’s advising -- a wealthy, powerful sultan -- has no idea! Our story is called “The Sultan’s Figs.” Versions of this tale originally come from North Africa and the Middle East. Voices in this episode include Mike DelGaudio, Shazad Latif and Anthony Rapp. Grown-ups, you can see Shazad and Anthony on the CBS All-Access series, Star Trek. You can also check out Shazad Latif in three Netflix shows -- Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Penny Dreadful and Toast of London -- plus the upcoming indie film, Falling For Figaro. Anthony Rapp has starred in dozens of Broadway plays and musicals, including Rent and If/Then, opposite Idina

Adrian Martinez (Stumptown, Lady and the Tramp) stars in this classic folktale about the big treasures a little honesty can bring. Visit our website, www.wbur.org/circleround and print out our coloring pages! ----------- What does it mean to be “honest”? Being “honest” means being truthful in what you do and say - even if it isn’t easy! In today’s story, we’ll find out why telling the truth can be even more precious than bronze, silver, and gold! Our story is called “The Treasured Axe.” Versions of this tale come from all over the world, from Greece, Latvia and Russia, to Nigeria, Indonesia and Japan, to China, Thailand and Tibet. ------- www.wbur.org/circleround Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

In this bonus episode inspired by a Chinese folktale, an industrious man finds a clever way to teach his brother the value of hard work. ------ If you’re looking for something extra to do while listening to today’s tale, ask a grown-up to print out the coloring page for this week’s story! You can find it at WBUR.org/circleround. At the end of this episode you'll hear more another activity -- an "I did it" jar! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Children's podcast hosts Molly Bloom (Brains On!, Smash Boom Best) and Jane Lindholm (But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids) co-star as twin sisters who reap what they sow in this story with origins in Korea, Tibet, Japan and China. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

In this bonus story with roots in Europe and China, a horse teaches a knight about loyalty and kindness. ------ If you’re looking for something extra to do while listening to today’s tale, ask a grown-up to print out the coloring page for this week’s story! You can find it at WBUR.org/circleround. At the end of this episode you'll hear more another activity -- writing notes. ------ Think about someone in your life who has helped you. Perhaps a teacher helped you learn something new. Or a family member gave you a smile and a hug when you were having a rough day. When people help us out, it’s nice to return the favor, by doing something helpful for them. But in this bonus edition of Circle Round, we’ll meet a character who forgets about that last part, even though his helper saved his life! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Think about someone you admire for their courage. Maybe it’s a person from history, who stood up for what’s right. Perhaps it’s a family member or friend who’s always bold enough to try something new. In today’s story, we’ll meet a character who’s so brave, she’s willing to give up everything she’s ever known. Everything! Our story is called “The Birds and the Trees.” Versions of this tale come from New Zealand, an island nation in the Pacific Ocean. Voices in this episode include James Konicek, Adam Mastroianni, Maurice Emmanuel Parent, Gamalia Pharms, and Krys Marshall. Grown-ups, you can see Krys Marshall on Apple TV’s fictionalized version of the 1960s race to the moon, For All Mankind. Krys is also a mentor with the Young Storytellers Foundation, which seeks to "inspire young people to discover the power of their own voice.” Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

A bonus story from Hawaii, about the magic that happens when we show kindness to strangers in need. ------ If you’re looking for something extra to do while listening to today’s tale, ask a grown-up to print out the coloring page for this week’s story! You can find it at WBUR.org/circleround. At the end of this episode you'll hear more about how to play "Kindness Bingo." ----------- We’ve been hearing a lot from our listeners around the world - listeners like you! And many of you have been asking for more stories to help you get through this time of social distancing, when we’re all spending a bunch more time at home than we’re used to. Today we’re bringing you a special bonus episode of Circle Round.  Our story is called “A Cup of Poi.” Poi is a popular food where our tale originally comes from: Hawaii, the only island state in the United States. It’s all about the magic that happens when we’re kind to others… especially when we’ve never met them before! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's

Have you ever teamed up with other people to get something done?  We’re all keeping our distance from other people, to help everyone stay healthy and safe. But just because we’re keeping a physical distance, it doesn’t mean we have to be separated. Even if we’re not in the same room, or the same building, we can still find ways to join up with others, and accomplish things that we can’t do on our own!  In the story we’re about to hear, we’ll meet some people who really need to work together. But first… they need to get their act together! Our story is called “The Search For Rain.” It’s inspired by a tale from Argentina, the second-largest country in South America. Voices in this episode include Doug Lockwood, Maurice Emmanuel Parent, Gamalia Pharms, Delores King Williams, and Amory Sivertson. Amory is the co-host of Endless Thread, a podcast from WBUR and Reddit that brings stories from the Internet to life -- from mysteries, to histories, to stories about our shared humanity.  This episode was adapted

This week we present a favorite story from the archives: Keith David (Greenleaf) and Tony Award winner James Naughton (City of Angels, Chicago) play a curious, disguised king and a cobbler who proves the power of self-reliance. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Analeigh Tipton (Crazy, Stupid Love; Why Women Kill) and Stephen Tobolowsky (One Day at a Time, The Tobolowsky Files) co-star in this Burmese tale about a king who dreams of finding an elusive white elephant. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Pop singer David Archuleta (American Idol) and stand-up comic Sherry Cola (Good Trouble) headline this Mongolian story about the origins of the country's national instrument: the horsehead fiddle. Voices in this episode include Doug Lockwood, Maurice Emmanuel Parent, Kimberly Schraf, David Archuleta and Sherry Cola. Grown-ups, look for stand-up comedian Sherry Cola on the Freeform network drama, Good Trouble. Singer-songwriter and American Idol star David Archuleta kicks off his Ok, All Right Tour on March 30th, 2020; it will run throughout the US into May. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Orla Brady (Star Trek: Picard, Into the Badlands) stars in this Irish tale about three wise animals, two very different sisters, and one bag of silver coins. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Tony Award winner Kelli O'Hara (The King and I; Kiss Me, Kate) stars opposite real-life husband, director/musician Greg Naughton (The Independents, The Sweet Remains), in this Korean and Japanese tale about eternal love, kindness and youth. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

This Russian and European folktale stars real-life husband and wife Paul Sparks (House of Cards, Sweetbitter) and Annie Parisse (Friends From College) as a king who's taken prisoner, and a queen whose musical prowess sets him free. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

In this adventure story with roots in Russia, Hungary and the Middle East, a magical rooster rewards Rachel Matthews (Frozen 2) for her fearless persistence and precious friendship. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

In this Japanese tale, Alex Landi (Grey's Anatomy, Insatiable) plays a wise judge who finds an ingenious way to determine the real mother of a bouncing baby boy. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Comedian Margaret Cho (The Margaret Cho, Fresh Off The Bloat) headlines this English tale about a greedy woman who bites off more than she can chew. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.