Encore: The Round Mossy Stone

0:00Hey parents, it's Ben Brock Johnson from the WBWR Podcasts team. Circle Round is supported by DoorDash. DoorDash is for those parent moments when the plan falls apart. And as a parent of twins, I can relate. I have a lot of my plates. You know what I often don't have on my plate? Dinner or the groceries with which to make said dinner. Sometimes a swimsuit will go missing even though I thought we had like four of those. Groceries, retail, dinner, supplies, DoorDash can help with all of these things. When DoorDash brings the goods right to our door, dad gets a little more time for himself and a little more time for a good bedtime story. When life gets crazy, DoorDash brings some order to it. Order now. Hey everybody, this is Circle Round. And I'm Ben Brock Johnson. One of the people who helps make the show. And I have a secret. Circle Round Season 10 is coming out soon.

1:02Brand new episodes and boy are they fun. We just need a little more time to make them perfect for you. But for today, we wanted to bring back a Circle Round classic. A story about a familiar trickster who is about to learn a lesson. So Circle Round everyone for the round mossy stone. WBUR Podcasts Boston. Has anyone ever played a trick on you? Playing tricks can be harmless, even funny. But they can also be harmful. Because feelings get hurt and that's not funny at all. In today's tale, a sneaky spider pulls a fast one on his friends. Little does he know. But the tables are about to be turned.

2:04I'm Rebecca Scheer and welcome to Circle Round. Where story time happens all the time. Today our story is called The Round Mossy Stone. Versions of this story come from West Africa and feature a character you've met in many Circle Round episodes. A non-see. Some really great people came together to bring you our version of this folktale, including Beshear, Sylvain, who co-stars in the sci-fi action movie Jurassic World Rebirth. So Circle Round everyone for The Round Mossy Stone. It was a sizzling summer morning and a non-see. The spider was walking through the forest. It's a real scorcher today. Even in the shade.

3:05This is hot as blazes. Honey to cold drink. We gotta be a creek or a stream around here somewhere. Wiping the sweat from his eight eyes. He quickened his stride through the undergrowth until... He chanced upon a shallow stream. With water so clear you could count the pebbles on the sandy bottom. Setting his eight legs in motion, he scurried over and took a big drink. Oh, this water is so cool. So refreshing. I no longer feel the least bit hot. But I sure feel hungry. The truth is, a non-see always felt hungry. For a small critter, he had an enormous appetite. Boy, what I wouldn't give for some delicious ripe fruit, like a mound of mangoes or a bunch of bananas. Of course, that means I'd have to pick fruit,

4:08which means I'd have to do work. And goodness knows, I don't want to do that. It was true. As much as a non-see loved eating, he despised working. But he was a clever spider with a mischievous mind. And as he paced alongside the stream, he began spinning ideas like a web. All right, let's think about this. The animals in the forest are always picking their own fruit, right? Collecting a nice big stash to eat as they please. So what if I trick one of them into picking fruit for me? Or I could convince them that their fruit has gone bad. And I'll volunteer to dispose of it for them. Or a non-see fell silent. For ahead of him, in the shade of a tree, was a stone. The stone was big and round and covered with green moss. So vibrant, so vivid and practically glowed.

5:10The green moss reached all the way around the stone, saved for one bear spot in front, which seemed to be engraved with words. Hmm. It's not every day that you see an engraved stone in the forest. It's not every day that you see an engraved anything in the forest. Let's see what it says. He scuttled over and began to read. Behold a marvel like you've never seen. This big round stone wrapped in moss of green. Well, no sooner had he uttered those words, then he fell to the ground in a faint. And was out, cold. A non-see slept for an entire hour. When he woke up, he tried to piece together what happened. Let's see.

6:11The last thing I remember is coming across this mossy stone, then reading the words engraved on it. Behold the marvel like you've never seen. This big round stone wrapped in moss of green. And just like that. Yeah. He was out like a light again. When he came to an hour later, he also came to a realization. That's it. The word on the stone must be a spell, a magic spell. If you read them out loud, which I definitely will not do, ever again, then you fall fast asleep. Oh, wait a minute. The crafty grin spread across the spider's face. If I play my cards right, then this stone could be my ticket to a free meal. Why it's a trickster's jackpot. Or more, probably a trickster's buffet.

7:14I can't wait to dig in. The unscrupulous arachnid took off through the forest until he found his first unwitting victim. Elephant was piling up mingos with his long great trunk. One look at the luscious fruit and a Nancy's mouth watered. Good day, elephant. What beautiful mangoes you have. Thank you, Anancy. I take them all myself. That sounds like hard work. You must be exhausted. And thirsty. What with this brutal heat and all? Anancy held his breath, hoping elephant would say what he hoped he would say. And guess what? He did. You know, Anancy. I am rather poached. I would love to quench my thirst with a nice cool drink. Well, you're in luck, elephant, because I just found the clearest dream you ever did see. With the coolest water you ever did drink.

8:15Shall I take you there? Elephant paused. He knew all about Anancy and his tricks, but the idea of sipping clear, cool water on a sweltering hot day was irresistible. All right, Anancy. Lead the way. The moment Anancy and Elephant reached the stream, Anancy stuck out a leg and let out a gasp. Elephant, check out that round mossy stone. Does it have word and grade on it? Elephant turned to where Anancy was pointing. Actually, yes, I believe it does. How odd. I wonder what it says. Anancy shrugged. Why don't you read it, elephant? Anancy tingled with anticipation as elephant trundled over to the stone and began to read. Behold a marble like you've never seen. This big round stone wrapped in moss of green.

9:17Well, the second those words left elephant's mouth. You can guess what happened, right? The mammoth creature tumbled to the ground. And conked, right out. Right out. Anancy could hardly contain his glee. My plan worked. Now that elephant is snoozing away, I'll go back and pick off with his mangoes. And wouldn't you know it? He did. Anancy gobbled down at least a dozen mangoes then brought the rest back to his house so he could snack on them later. Meanwhile, back at the stream, an hour went by and elephant woke up. What just happened? Was I so thirsty that I passed out from dehydration? What do you think, Anancy?

10:19Anancy? He stumbled to his wobbly feet and glanced around. Anancy? Where are you? Well, he must have left while I was sleeping. But now that I've up, I'll have some of this cool clear water. Then go home. But when elephant got back to his house, he made a most distressing discovery. His mangoes were missing. And it didn't take long to figure out why. Anancy must have stolen my mangoes while I was sleeping. I never should have trusted that sneaky spider. Never! Well, in the meantime, that sneaky spider was playing the exact same trick on the other animals in the forest. One by one, he showed them the round mossy stone.

11:20They read the magic spell out loud. And after they were down for the count, he scooped up all their fruit. First, he tricked Lion out of her pineapples. Behold the marvel like you've never seen. This big round stone wrapped in moss of green. Then he tricked monkey out of his bananas. Behold a marvel like you've never seen. This big round stone wrapped in moss of green. Hmm. He tricked Antelope out of her avocados. Behold a marvel like you've never seen. This big round stone wrapped in moss of green. He tricked Buffalo out of his papaya's. Hmm. He tricked leopard out of her melons. Ha!

12:20Ante tricked chimpanzee out of his guavas. Oh. But there was one animal, a non-seed hadn't yet fooled. And that was Bush deer. Bush deer had the cloven hooves of a deer. The pointed snout of a mouse. And the rounded body of a bunny. Bush deer was small, no bigger than a chihuahua. So she could easily escape notice as she scared him. And as a non-seed pulled his prank on animal after animal. Bush deer saw everything. It isn't fair for a non-seed to trick everyone out of their hard-earned fruit. I'm going to give that sneaky spider a taste of his own medicine. And something tells me it'll be very hard to swallow. What do you think Bush deer saw? It isn't fair for a non-seed to trick everyone out of their hard-earned fruit. I'm going to give that sneaky spider a taste of his own medicine. What do you think Bush deer is planning? What would you do if you were Bush deer? We'll find out what happens after a quick break.

13:22Hey parents, it's Ben Brock Johnson from the WBWR Podcasts team. Circle Round is supported by DoorDash. DoorDash is for those parent moments when the plan falls apart. And as a parent of twins, I can relate. I have a lot of my plates. You know what I often don't have on my plate? Dinner or the groceries with which to make said dinner. Sometimes a swimsuit will go missing, even though I thought we had like four of those. Groceries, retail, dinner, supplies, door dash can help with all of these things. When DoorDash brings the goods right to our door, Dad gets a little more time for himself and a little more time for a good bedtime story. When life gets crazy, DoorDash brings some order to it. Order now. Little Life Pets

14:22Circle Round is supported by Little Live Pets. Little Live Pets, my magical dragon sky, is an interactive magical companion with over 60 sounds and reactions. She has a magical belly that shows you what she needs. Sky's magical belly screen shows kids exactly what she needs, whether she's feeling hungry, lonely, sleepy, sick, cuddly, or happy. When you care for sky, you earn a gem. Collect all five gems and sky becomes super happy and sings a special song. Bring Joy home with Little Live Pets, my magical dragon sky, today. Available at all major retailers. 100 Years from now in a land far far away. Hang on, it's not so far away at all actually. Hey Circle Round Families, we're here to share a new listening experience from WBUR. The Midnight Rebellion. It's a climate podcast adventure for kids eight and up.

15:23Time-traveling problem solving, laughs and danger is here. Follow the feed to listen. Oh, and bring your goggles and boots. That's the Midnight Rebellion in your feed or wherever you get podcasts. Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Sheer. Today our story is called The Round Mossy Stone. Before the break, a non-see, the sneaky spider discovered around mossy stone engraved with a magic spell. Read the words out loud and you dropped right off to sleep. One might want a non-see trick to the other animals into reading the spell. And one by one, he bustled back to their houses and stole their fruit. What he didn't know was that all this time someone had been watching. Fleet-footed, swift-minded, bush deer.

16:25Now that a non-see has hoodwinked every other animal in this forest, it's only a matter of time before he tries pulling a fast one on me. But I'll be ready. Bush deer raced over to a stand of plum trees and set to work gathering the juicy red fruit. Oh, oh, oh, oh, got it. She brought the plums home, then settled down to wait. And sure enough, who should come ambling over but a non-see? Justice Bush deer had hoped. His eight eyes lit up when he saw her freshly picked fruit. Good day, Bush deer. What succulent plums you have there. Thank you, a non-see. I collected them myself. Then you must be downright drained. Not to mention thirsty. Bush deer smiled to herself. So far, things were going according to a non-see's plan. Little did he know, but they would soon go according to hers.

17:28Actually, a non-see? I've never been so thirsty in my life. What I wouldn't give for a cool, clear drink of water. Then it's your lucky day, Bush deer. Deep in the forest, I discovered the clearest dream you ever did see. With the coolest water you ever did drink. Shall I take you there? Yes, please. Let's go. The moment a non-see and a Bush deer reached the stream, the spider pulled his usual stunt, pointing at the stone and letting out a gasp. Look, Bush deer. Isn't that a curious sight? A non-see paused waiting for that usual response. Instead, all he heard was slurping as a Bush deer plundered her pointed snout into the stream and lapped up the cool, clear water. So a non-see tried again. I said, isn't that a curious sight?

18:28But again, no response. For goodness sake, Bush deer. Would you get your snout out of the stream and listen to me? Bush deer took one more slurps, then glanced up. Oh, I'm sorry, a non-see. Did you say something? Yes, Bush deer. I did say something. I said, isn't that a curious sight? A non-see turned toward the mossy stone. Bush deer followed his gaze. Oh, wow. That is a curious sight. I've never seen such a tall tree. A tree? A non-see stamped one of his eight feet. I'm not talking about a tree, Bush deer. I'm talking about that. Again, he gestured toward the stone. Oh, the thorny bush? No. The creeping vine? No. I'm talking about the stone, Bush deer. The round mossy, one, and grape with words.

19:30Oh, that. Sure. I guess it's kind of curious. It's very curious. I wonder what it says. Can you read it, Bush deer? Bush deer gave an eager nod, then pranced over to the stone and began to read. Behold a marvel like you've never seen. This big round stone warped. No, that's not right. Wronged? No. A non-see clenched his jaw. Rapped. Rapped. It says wrapped, Bush deer. Oh, thanks. Behold a marvel like you've never seen. This big round stone wrapped in... Rapped. Rapped. Ah, of course. This big round stone wrapped in moss of greed. No. Graen? No. Graen? A non-see let out a groan of his own.

20:34It's green, Bush deer. Rapped in moss of green. Oh, that makes sense. One more time. Behold a marvel like you've never seen. This big round stone wrapped in moss of... I'm sorry. What did you say the last word was? Green. The last word is green. Are you sure? A non-seize eight eyes blazed with frustration. His brow grew so furrowed you could have planted an orchard of fruit trees in it. Well, crying out loud, Bush deer. Clearly, it says... Behold a marvel like you've never seen. This big round stone wrapped in moss of green. Uh-oh. A non-see felt a rush of panic, but only for a moment. Because you know what happened next, right? His eight legs gave out. His eight eyes snapped shut and he flopped to the ground.

21:34Uh-uh. Senseless to the world. When he woke up an hour later, he was all alone. Bush deer was nowhere inside. And when he went home, guess what else was nowhere inside? His stolen stash of fruit. Gone were the dozens and dozens of pilferd, mangoes, pineapples, bananas, avocados, papaya, melons and guavas. And do you know why? A non-seasure did. Well, I was asleep. Bush deer must have called the animals together, invited them to come to my house and take back their fruit. Clearly, the enthusiastically accepted the invitation. A non-see let out another groan. Uh-oh. And hung his head in shame. Because not so long ago, he had been worked with greed.

22:36But now he was racked with guilt. Just as Bush deer had hoped, the tables were finally turned. The score was finally settled. And the prankster was finally the pranked. Now it's your turn. Pick an object, any object, and think about a spell it might cast if you use it in a certain way. Perhaps there's a magic banana peel where slipping on it makes you chatter like a monkey. Or a bicycle that makes you crune like an opera singer every time you push the petals. And you'll find some paper and draw a picture of your object and the spell it casts. Once you're done, share your picture with someone you have fun with. And if you'd like, share it with us. Email it to circlearound at wbur.org and we may feature you in the Circle Around newsletter.

23:41This week's episode, The Round Mossy Stone was adapted by me Rebecca Sheer. It was edited by Dean Russell. Our original music and sound designed by Eric Shimelonis. Eric's featured instrument this week was the Korra. You can learn more about this stringed instrument from West Africa and see a photo of Eric playing one on our website, www.wbur.org slash Circle Around. Circle Around's artist is Sabina Hahn. Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for all of your favorite circle round stories. And you can print them out and color them in. Grownups, you can download all of our coloring pages at www.wbur.org slash Circle Around. Special thanks to this week's actors, Evan Casey, Adeland Phelps, Jessica Rao, Mike Truesdale, Dawn Ursula, and the Sheer Sylvain, who co-stars in the sci-fi action flick Jurassic World Rebirth. And if you're listening to this story the week it comes out, please join me in wishing a very happy birthday to the Sheer, who celebrates his big day on September 16th.

24:43Hope you get to have your cake and eat it too, Bashir, without a Nazi sneaking over and stealing it. If you're a Circle Around superfan and are looking for more ways to circle around with us and to support public media during its most challenging time ever, I invite you to join the Circle Round Club. To show our thanks, we'll send you a welcome package with Exclusive Swag. Plus, add free episodes, bonus bedtime stories, presale tickets to live events, and an invitation to meet me and Eric Shimalonis after each show. You can also add on other goodies like our Snuggly Lion Stuffy and a personalized birthday message from me. Sign up for the Circle Round Club today and to show your love for public media at www.wbur.org slash Circle Around. Grow Nups, if you enjoy Circle Around, please spread the word. And if you have a sec, please leave us a five star rating or review on your favorite podcast app. It helps other listeners find the show so we can make the Circle Round Circle even bigger.

25:44Circle Round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR. I'm Rebecca Sheer. Thanks for circling around with us. Now that you've made it to the end of this Circle Round episode, we want to know what's your favorite Circle Round Story? Thousands of fans, just like you, have been telling us about the Circle Round Stories they like best. Take a listen. Maybe one of their favorites is one of yours too. My name is Perry and I live in Adelaide South Australia. And my favorite Circle Round Story is friends in high places. And my favorite part is when Rhino says I can think of one thing, run! My name is Nova and I'm from Adelaide South. I'm from Adelaide South. And my favorite Circle Round Story is the pizza of life. I like to play when their own man says good day.

26:48I'm a name of room and from Creeper to High, my favorite Circle Round is 110. And my favorite part is when sneakers chasing rabbit. I am Madeline and I'm from Richfield, Connecticut. I like this story in the little tree. Hi, my name is Sydney. I'm from New Jersey. And my favorite Circle Round Story is the Basilister because I like the part when the older sister uses her father's shield to turn the Basilister's stump. My name is Whitney and I'm from New Jersey. My favorite episode is the pizza of life. Hi, my name is Whitney and I live in Cedar Hills, Utah. My favorite Circle Round is Crocus Pocus. My favorite part is when the old lady turns into a young lady. Did someone mention a story you've missed?

27:48Not to worry. Grown ups, you can find all of our Circle Round Stories. Plus links to the Circle Round Club, Picture Books, Coloring Pages, and Oso much more on our website, www.ruxlashcircleround.