Circle Round

Jeff Meacham (Black-ish, Vampirina) plays a hapless hero whose life turns upside-down in this humorous tale from Great Britain, Italy, Russia and the Philippines. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Taylor Richardson (The Gilded Age) and Alison Wright (The Americans, Snowpiercer) co-star in this Irish tale about mischievous fairies and the power of music. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

NPR's Peter Sagal (Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!) stars in this Russian story about how fantastically priceless a little generosity can be. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Kennedy Kanagawa (Into The Woods) plays a young man who brings light to a dark world in this tale with roots in Alaska Native and First Nations legends. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Gabe Kunda (Marvel Rivals, Apex Legends) and Natasha Rothwell (The White Lotus, Insecure) co-star in a Ugandan legend about friendship, rivalry, and making music. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Ravi V. Patel (Animal Control, LEGO Masters Jr.) headlines this Indian tale about distinguishing need from greed with help from grain, gold, and a barrel of lies. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Recorded live in Charlotte, NC, this Brazilian tale pits a round-rumped, fleet-footed critter against a teeny-tiny insect in a surprisingly high-flying race. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Joining the live performance, Frank Dominguez, Caroline Lee, and Phil Vavra bring the characters of Rayo, Wren, and the crying pine tree to life. They explore themes of kindness and greed through a charming Japanese legend. Rayo’s gentle nature contrasts sharply with Wren's envy, leading to a delightful twist of poetic justice. The crying pine tree rewards Rayo for his compassion, while Wren learns a sticky lesson about the consequences of greed. Listeners are encouraged to create their own four-line poems, adding a creative touch to the tale.

Join Guy Raz, public-radio host and co-creator of Wow in the World, Mindy Thomas, his co-host known for her energetic storytelling, and Lulu Miller, the insightful host of Radiolab's Terrestrials. They dive into the adventures of a runaway chicken named Inga and explore her incredible journey home. The conversation shifts to the mystery of the 'bio-duck' sound, linking it to Arctic minke whales. Lastly, a Cherokee legend offers a whimsical tale of how the turkey discovered its iconic gobble, featuring unexpected friendships and feather trades.

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!