Circle Round

Actors Nabiyah Be and Evan Whitten face a basilisk in a Polish legend-inspired tale. Siblings explore a circus and battle the creature to save each other and the townspeople. The story highlights bravery, quick thinking, and family bonds, with a reflection on problem-solving and listener favorites.

Brittany Ishibashi stars in a tale about resolving conflicts with wisdom. The story involves a peddler accusing a farmer of robbery, leading to an unconventional witness request. The episode delves into problem-solving, positive traits, and audience engagement.

Ellen Wong (Beacon 23, GLOW) headlines a Chinese legend about how the dragon came to be a powerful symbol of prosperity and luck.

Jorma Taccone (The Lonely Island, Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse) stars in a tale from Hawaii about a fisherman whose magical gift leads to a fishy situation.

Ahmed Mawas, an actor known for his roles in Human Resources and Rescuing Christmas, plays a king in this tale from Persia. A candlemaker entrusts his life savings to the judge, only to find out they have been stolen. The king steps in, disguised as a stranger, to help the candlemaker. The king uncovers a previous cheating incident involving the judge through a talented tailor. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the Circle-Round community.

Comedian Negin Farsad and economic journalist Stacey Vanek Smith face off in a battle of wits, telling the story of Nastrudin's clever tricks. From outwitting a boastful merchant to smuggling dockeys, this tale with roots in North America, China, and the Middle East is full of lessons in humility and creative problem-solving.

Kel Mitchell, known for Good Burger 2 and Kenan and Kel, plays a hungry rhino with a gift for trickery and poetry in this African tale. Animals in a drought-ridden Savannah struggle for food. Rhino's surprise discovery solves his hunger problem, but he secretly enjoys the fruits from a magical tree, leaving the other animals disappointed. They confront Rhino and accuse him of being selfish, ending his trickery.

Maulik Pancholy and Nikesh Patel headline this Indian folktale about a missing diamond ring in a palace vault, with a hint of magic and a guilty attendant. Kids share their favorite CircleRound stories.

A live recording in Boston transports listeners to northern Germany as Gretchen and Freya navigate their daily lives. Gretchen encounters small green people in a clearing filled with spruce trees and discovers a magical phenomenon while collecting spruce cones. She seeks the help of the forest folk to cure her sick mother and successfully heals her. The podcast concludes with expressions of gratitude and a tradition of keeping silver spruce cones.

Actress Christina Anthony and Tony winner Lindsay Mendez play a horse and rider in an enchanted tale. They catch a thief destroying a cornfield. Valentina encounters a talking rainbow-colored horse, brings corn back to life, and surprises her sisters. Valentina fulfills her promise to the horse and asks it to grant three wishes to someone in need.