Circle Round

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7 snips
Nov 11, 2025 • 22min

Little Peacock’s Plumage | Ep. 304

Dive into a whimsical Chinese legend where a kind bird embarks on a journey of generosity. Little Peacock feels overshadowed by others but discovers true meaning in selflessness. From gifting feathers to a hard-working farmer to helping a sick girl experience the joy of fireworks, his acts of kindness shine brighter than mere appearances. Ultimately, the Peacock Fairy rewards his heart over his looks, creating a magical spectacle that uplifts a village. Tune in for a tale that warms the heart!
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Nov 4, 2025 • 27min

Whatever You Like | Ep. 303

Join Mary Faber, a talented actor and singer, Lamont Price, a hilarious comedian, and Josh Gondelman, a witty writer, in a captivating live performance. They delve into the importance of words, showcasing a clever tug-of-war filled with playful exchanges. The story revolves around two siblings facing challenges, a tricky sea captain, and a courtroom showdown that leads to a surprising ruling. With a blend of humor and heart, the cast brings folklore to life, illustrating how words can have weight beyond their surface.
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Oct 28, 2025 • 28min

The Sunlight Tree | Ep. 302

In this lively tale, Lars, a cheeky starling, adds comic flair as he narrates a magical story about kindness and resilience. With a glowing sunlight tree at the center, two sisters, Selma and Svea, find joy despite the greedy Wilhelm's attempts to claim it. As the tree mysteriously withers at his mansion, a brighter tree springs up on the hill, leading to a dramatic showdown where trees take flight to confront greed. This whimsical tale unfolds with humor and heart, reminding us of the power of community and caring.
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12 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 26min

The Tree of Love | Ep. 301

A powerful Greek legend unfolds as a couple's boundless love faces challenges from a skeptical village. When they offer shelter to mysterious travelers, their kindness reveals divine connections. Transformations occur as the gods, testing hospitality, grant the couple a wish to never be parted. In a heartwarming twist, they become intertwined trees, symbolizing eternal togetherness. Listeners are invited to create their own 'Tree of Love' to honor cherished relationships. This tale beautifully intertwines love, kindness, and magical transformations.
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Oct 14, 2025 • 26min

The Stone Horse | Ep. 300

Recorded live in Parker, CO, this Chinese adventure story shows how kindness and hard work can breathe new life into anything... including stone! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.
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Oct 7, 2025 • 28min

The Palace of Cats | Ep. 299

Jeffrey Donovan, known for his captivating storytelling skills and featured in the live performance, dives into a magical Palestinian tale. He narrates Rafi's journey—a kind neighbor enduring hardships who rescues a kitten, revealing her as the gracious Princess Patches. The tale explores themes of generosity as Rafi's act leads to unexpected rewards—turning peels into treasure that benefits his village. Meanwhile, his unkind neighbor Idris learns a hard lesson about selfishness when attempting to replicate Rafi's fortune.
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Sep 30, 2025 • 25min

Encore: The Scholar’s Reward

In this captivating tale, Summer Bishil, known for her roles in The Magicians and Four Samosas, plays a brilliant scholar who introduces the war-hungry Raja to the game of Chaturanga. As they play, the scholar reveals the surprising ripple effects of her unusual request for grains of rice, demonstrating the power of exponential growth. This enchanting story weaves together themes of strategy, kindness, and the transformative potential of peaceful alternatives, leading the Raja to reconsider his obsession with conquest.
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Sep 23, 2025 • 23min

The Right Apple | Ep. 298

Academy Award nominee June Squibb (Thelma, Eleanor the Great) headlines a Jewish Turkish story about taking a wrong turn and finding the right prize. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.
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Sep 16, 2025 • 21min

Sundown on Sunday | Ep. 297

Charlet Takahashi Chung (Wylde Pak, Rugrats) stars in a Japanese folktale about a clever farmer who gives herself a helping hand... and foot! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.
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Sep 9, 2025 • 25min

The Round Mossy Stone | Ep. 296

Bashir Sylvain, known for his role in Jurassic World Rebirth, voices the clever trickster Anansi in a captivating West African tale. Listeners dive into Anansi's mischief as he discovers a magic stone that puts others to sleep, allowing him to steal their fruit. However, the tables turn when Bush Deer, who witnessed the trickery, cleverly outsmarts Anansi by reading the spell slowly, putting him to sleep instead. The story wraps up with Anansi waking up embarrassed and fruitless, leaving a lesson about consequences and cleverness.

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