Circle Round

Adam Goldberg stars in a Portuguese tale about a polka-dotted pigeon's ambitions to become the king's courier. The story unfolds with a rivalry, a royal race, and a test of loyalty with themes of envy and overcoming obstacles.

A new queen inherits a kingdom and engages in a puzzling conversation with an old man named Vidor. Their enigmatic encounter challenges the queen's advisor to decipher its true meaning, leading to a clever twist revealing the essence behind the queen's cryptic questions. Fans share their favorite Circle Round stories, expressing gratitude for the captivating narratives.

A tale of kind and grumpy neighbors unfolds live in a small village setting. A skeptical farmer meets a mysterious stranger who surprises with kindness. Acts of generosity lead to unexpected rewards, highlighting themes of selflessness and consequences. The episode concludes with a call for listener engagement and discussion of fan favorites.

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. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

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. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

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.