Circle Round

Ever wonder what instrument you're hearing during your favorite 'Circle Round' story? We're revisiting a very special episode featuring the music and mind of Eric Shimelonis, resident sound designer and composer. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

This week, we're bringing back a listener favorite. Richard Kind ("Inside Out") stars in this Middle Eastern folktale about a clever man who teaches his village a thing or two about the dangers of judging a book by its cover. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

French comedian Gad Elmaleh stars in this episode about one little armadillo who doesn't let anyone discourage him from following his dreams. This lively Bolivian folktale tells the origin story of the "charango," a small Andean stringed instrument. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

In this encore, we revisit an Italian folktale starring Bobby Moynihan ("Duck Tales," "SNL") about a father who gives seemingly simple gifts to his three sons. But there is more to these family heirlooms than meets the eye. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Part three of our special summer pop-up series -- recorded live with musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra -- comes from Ghana and the West Indies, and explores the dangers of greed. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Part two of our special summer pop-up series -- recorded live with musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra -- is a tale from the Antilles about an aspiring musician and a giant adventure. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Part one of our special summer pop-up series, recorded live with musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, this Aboriginal story from Australia imagines how the kangaroo got her indispensable pouch. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

This episode was chosen by you, the fans! Thanks for the submissions! In this Irish folktale, Damian McGinty ("Glee," "Celtic Thunder") stars as a musician with a serious case of butterflies. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Jonathan Joss (Comanche Moon, Parks and Recreation) and NPR’s Diane Rehm (The Diane Rehm Show, On My Mind) star in this Seneca tale about a mystical stone who introduces the first stories to the world. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

A.J. Buckley (SEAL Team) and Euan Morton (Hamilton) headline this Irish tale about a lazy fellow who wants to get rich quick, and the conniving leprechaun who has a big trick up his tiny sleeve. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Miriam Shor ("Younger," "The Americans,") stars in this Portuguese folktale about a feathered creature who gives a young, impatient man a lesson he'll never forget. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Comedian Aparna Nancherla (The Standups, Corporate) stars as a rambunctious, Robin Hood-esque cooking vessel in this Danish and Middle Eastern story about generosity and greed. 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.

Broadway star Stephanie Hsu (Be More Chill, The SpongeBob Musical) headlines this magical Vietnamese tale about the unexpectedly sweet rewards generosity and contentment can bring. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

In this playful tale with roots in Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica, Eris Baker (This Is Us) plays a tricky rabbit who presents her fellow animals with an offer they can't refuse. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Jon Cryer ("Two and a Half Men") stars in a story about a man chasing happiness--and the elusive shirt that will make him smile again. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

This Thai story starring Lee Overtree, Peter McNerney and Meghan O'Neill (hosts of Gimlet's Story Pirates podcast) shines a sparkling light on the treasures that come from honesty, integrity and honor. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

In this folktale with roots across Europe and Asia, Broadway legends -- and real-life couple -- Rebecca Luker (The Music Man, The Sound of Music) and Danny Burstein (My Fair Lady, Moulin Rouge) play a clever bird and the prince who tries to catch her. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Alexandra Billings (Transparent, Paddleton) stars in this Indian/Persian/Tunisian/Siberian/Iraqi/Uzbekistani folktale about the power of a keen eye and a quick mind. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

In this Native American story, William Jackson Harper (The Good Place) portrays a tiny creature who teaches the other animals and birds to appreciate what it means to be different. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.