Hi, Rebecca Shear here. Before we get to our story, exciting news.
Circle Round is going back on tour. with live recordings across the United States.
Our first stop, Sunday, October 5th in Parker, Colorado at the Pace Center.
And Circle Round Club members are invited to a special post-show meet and greet with me and composer Eric Shimalonis.
Get your tickets at wbur.org slash circle around and click on events.
We're announcing more tour stops soon, so stay tuned.
We look forward to circling around with you live.
WBUR podcasts, Boston. This Circle Round episode was recorded in August 2025 at Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
To be first in line for upcoming Circle Round events, including our annual Tanglewood recording, join the Circle Round Club.
Grownups, sign up your superfan today and support the public media podcast you love. at wbur.org slash circleroundclub.
And now, on with the story. Think about the last time you faced a challenge.
How did you try and tackle it? Sometimes, to overcome challenges, we have to get creative and think in unexpected and unconventional ways.
It's what we call thinking outside the box.
We're about to meet a woman who doesn't just think outside the box.
She thinks inside the jar. Thank you. I'm Rebecca Shear, and welcome to Circle Round, live at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts.
Today our story is called Milk from a Bull.
It's inspired by tales from the Asian countries of India, Siberia, Mongolia, and the Philippines.
Super. Joining me on stage is a star-studded cast of actors, Michael Bobbitt, Marielle Heller, Omar Effendam, and Yorma Takoni. providing musical accompaniment under the direction of our own Eric Shimalonis, is a world-class ensemble from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Kathy Basrak on viola, Rachel Childers on horn,
Chris El Chico on clarinet, Clint Forman on flute, Ben Levy on double bass, and Suzanne Nelson on bassoon.
So circle around everyone for milk from a bowl.
Inside a grand palace, beside a rippling river, there lived a king.
The king had throngs of devoted servants at his beck and call, And his favorite was his royal advisor, Psy.
A wise old man with wrinkly crinkly skin, wispity white hair and rickety crickety legs, Sy had first been advisor to the king's father.
And after so many decades working in the palace, The aged fellow was ready to retire.
Isn't that I wish to leave you, your majesty?
But at my age, I'm ready to slow down. Take it easy.
Spend more time with my daughter. I'm sure you'll find someone worthy to replace me.
But, Cy, how could I ever replace you? You're as sharp as a pin, as clever as a fox.
As bright as a brand new penny. I'm not exactly brand new anymore, sire.
In fact... I'm so old that when I was in school, there was no such thing as history class.
Very funny. And yet it feels like just yesterday that my father first hired you.
I was still a teeny tiny boy, but I'll never forget all the tests he made you pass before bringing you on. the riddles he made you answer, the puzzles he had you solve.
Your father was very thorough. He wanted to make sure he hired the best of the best.
And clearly he did. Which is why I can't lose you, Sigh.
Not yet. All right, Your Majesty. How about this?
I will keep my position as royal advisor until you find a replacement.
Something tells me my successor will be every bit as smart and clever as I am, and a whole lot newer to boot.
The king wasn't the only one who held Psy in high regard.
Everyone in the palace adored him, or almost everyone.
The King's medical advisor, Dr. Dev, wasn't a fan.
Mainly because he wanted Psy's job. Don't understand how that fossil is still working in this palace. nor do I understand why I waste my time advising the king on medical matters when I should be advising him on all matters.
After all, I'm super smart, I'm seriously savvy, I'm superlatively sophisticated, incredibly advanced in the all-important art of alliteration, I would be a much better royal advisor than Psy ever could be.
I must find a way to take his place. One spring day, the king came down with a stomach flu and Dr. Dev came up with an idea.
He waited till the king was napping, then asked Sy for a quick word.
Sigh, I know you and the king are very close, so I want you to know I am doing everything in my power to conquer this malevolent, malicious malady that's making our magnificent monarch so miserable.
I appreciate the sentiment, Doctor, and the alliteration.
But isn't it just a stomach bug? Won't it eventually work its way out of the king's system?
That is precisely what an amateur would say.
I, however, am an expert, an authority expert.
An ace. And this appears to be a very special stomach bug.
One that requires a very... Special medicine.
And what would this very special medicine be?
Well, according to my rigorous research, my scrupulous studies and my in-depth analysis, The king will only get better if he drinks a healthy heaping. helping of milk, from a bull.
Milk? From a bull? Sai cupped a weathered hand over his ear.
Did you say milk from a bull? My ears aren't what they used to be.
That is precisely what I said, Sigh. You must bring the king milk. from a bull.
But that's absurd! You get milk From a cow!
Because a cow is female. So? She's also a mammal.
So? Female mammals are the ones who give birth.
Then make milk to nurse their young, says you.
As far as I'm concerned, the only hope for curing our king is the milk As I said, from a bull.
And you must fetch it. I must fetch it?
Why must I fetch it? Because the king orders you to.
But you're the doctor. Why don't you get the king his bull's milk? because I am needed here, given that I'm such an expert, an authority, and a...
What was the other alliterative appellation I used before?
An ace. Right. Given all that, I must spend the night in the guest room near the king's chambers in case our sickly sovereign needs me.
So you must bring his majesty the bull's milk by first thing tomorrow.
Sai's head was spinning. The king's father had presented countless tricky puzzles back when Cy first applied for the job, but this puzzle seemed downright impossible.
Dr. Dev, if the king wishes me to bring him milk from a ball, then it is my duty to oblige.
However, might I check with him first? Nope, nuh-uh, no, negative.
The king requires rest and dare not be disturbed.
So be on your way, sigh, and take care. Ta-ta.
Toodle-oo. Psy gave his creaky old shoulders a shrug and tottered out of the palace.
It was nearing dinner time and his daughter Neera was expecting him at their cottage.
The moment he trudged through the door, the keen woman sensed something was wrong.
Father... What's the trouble? Your brow is all wrinkled and your shoulders are slumped.
My brow is always wrinkled and my shoulders are always slumped, Neera.
I'm an old man. That's why I keep trying to convince the king I should retire. though as of tomorrow I may very well be fired.
No wonder you look so upset. Tell me what happened.
So Sy joined Neera at the table and told her all about the king's stomach flu and its curious so-called cure.
Wait, are you serious? The king is supposed to drink milk?
From a bull? And he wants you to bring it to him?
That's what Dr. Dev says. Nira paused. She had encountered Dr. Dev a handful of times.
He had always struck her as shady, and his obsessive incorporation of alliteration was infinitely Irritating.
Father, you just mentioned that Dr. Dev is sleeping in the guest room near the king's chamber tonight.
That room faces the river, does it not? It does.
It's all the way on the far corner. and has a wonderful view of the water.
Why do you ask? because I think I know how to help you.
Hang on a sec. Nira hurried to the closet pulled out a basket of dirty laundry.
She removed the soiled shirts, skirts, and skivvies until all the basket held was a bundle of blankets.
Then she tossed in a metal washboard, along with the wooden paddles she used to scrub and beat stains out of wet clothing. and linens.
Father, I'm heading out for a while. Do you mind eating dinner alone tonight?
Not at all, Neera. But tell me, The dirty blankets?
The washboard? The laundry paddles? What scheme are you cooking up with that brilliant brain of yours?
Let's just say that by the end of the night, all your problems will be solved.
Because with help from these items, I am going to take the bull by the horns and reveal Dr. Dev's bull's milk. cure for what it truly is, a cock and bull story.
What is Neera planning? Will she succeed in divulging Dr. Dev's duplicity?
We'll find out after a quick break. What are Circle Round listeners saying about the Circle Round Club, the newest membership opportunity for superfans like you?
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I'm Rebecca Shear. Welcome back to Circle Round live at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts.
Today our story is called Milk from a Bowl.
Thank you. Before the break, Dr. Dev gave Psy, the royal advisor, an impossible task to cure the king's stomach flu.
The wise old man must fetch milk from a bull.
When Sai's daughter Neera heard the story, She knew the jealous doctor was up to no good.
So she grabbed a bundle of dirty blankets, a metal washboard, and two wooden laundry paddles and brought them to the palace.
Nira walked along the river that ran beside the building.
It was late at night, and the moon's silvery reflection rippled on the surface.
Let's see. Father said that Dr. Dev's room is all the way on the far corner, which means it must be that one.
She paused beneath a darkened window. Then one by one, she took her dirty blankets, dipped them in the river, and beat them against the metal washboard with her paddles.
Loudly. Within moments, a glow of light flooded the doctor's room.
The window burst open and there he was, wearing a nightcap, a dressing gown, and an outraged expression.
No, you, down by the river. What's with all the ruckus?
Oh, good evening, Dr. Dev. It's Neera, Psy's daughter.
Neera, what on earth are you doing down there?
Isn't it obvious? I'm doing laundry. I'm dipping these blankets in the river. then using my wooden paddles to beat them against the washboard till they're clean.
It's a common method these days. I know how to do laundry, but why are you doing it here?
And now, in the middle of the night... I'm afraid it couldn't wait.
You see, a short while ago... right around dinner time, my father had a baby.
Pardon? Your father had a what? A baby. But when I went to swaddle the infant, I realized there were no clean blankets in the house, so I came to the river to wash them.
Dr. Dev rolled his eyes. Goodness gracious, Neera.
Are you trying to make a fool of me? Or are you a fool?
Because who ever heard of a male having a baby?
There's not one male mammal in this world that's able to give birth.
It's the females that give birth and nurse their young with milk.
Oh! Is that so? Yes! Well, that's funny.
Because earlier today, didn't you tell my father that the king was ordering him to fetch milk?
From a bull? If a bull can make milk, then why can't a male have a baby?
Dr. Dev fell silent, his cheeks burned. Psy's meddling daughter had trapped him in his own trick.
But before he could muster a defense... What's all this nonsense about me ordering Sai to fetch milk from a bull?
Another window flew open and there was the king, his brow knotted with anger.
Dr. Dev? Explain the meaning of this now.
Dr. Dev opened his mouth to speak. Oh, the king's here.
Good. Um... but he couldn't quite find the words, so Neera intervened.
Your Majesty. Since a cat seems to have gotten the doctor's tongue, I will explain.
My name is Nira. My father is Sy, your royal advisor.
It appears that Dr. Dev was trying to trick my father and scare him into retiring. by giving him a puzzle he could never solve.
Why? Because Dr. Dev has always wanted my father's job.
He was hoping my father would quit and he would be next in line.
Really? Dr. Dev, is that true? I mean, what is true?
I'll take that as a yes. So how about this?
Since you are so eager to abandon your post as medical advisor, I shall allow you to do so.
Permanently. Go pack your bags, Dev. I never want to see you in this palace again.
The disgraced doctor let out an alliterative interjection.
Blast! Blimey! Botheration! then slammed the window and stormed away.
I'm so upset. Once Dev was gone, the king flashed Neera a grin.
You know, Neera, speaking of your father, he does keep threatening to retire, but I dare not let him.
After all, where will I ever find a suitable replacement?
My royal advisor needs to be sharp as a pin, as clever as a fox.
As bright as a brand new... The king stopped short.
For all at once it occurred to him... Perhaps he had already found a suitable replacement right here.
The way Neera outsmarted the doctor, it was clear she had inherited Sai's wisdom and wit.
But the king had to be sure. So, just like his father before him, he decided to issue a test.
Nira, now that you have foiled the Doctor's evil plot, or dare I say his sinister scheme, I'd love to give you something.
Catch. He leaned down and tossed something out the window.
When Neera reached up to catch it, She discovered it was a jar, a large glass jar with a narrow opening at the top.
I appreciate the gift, sire, but what is this jar for?
It's for an assignment. I want you to take this jar, Neera, and bring it back to me with an entire cabbage inside.
Neera cocked her head. An entire cabbage inside?
You want me to bring you an entire cabbage Inside this jar?
Mm-hmm. I do. However there are a few rules.
First, the jaw must be just as it is right now.
Not cracked, broken or splintered in any way.
And second, the cabbage must be whole, not chopped, shredded, sliced, or diced.
Much as I enjoy a good coleslaw, I want the cabbage intact.
Nira examined the jar. The neck was too narrow to stuff a head of cabbage inside.
It was too narrow to stuff her fingers. However, she was intrigued by the King's challenge and eager to answer it.
Very well, your majesty. I will do as you request, but this task may take some time.
I shall return when I can. The king was on tenterhooks as he waited for Neera to come back.
A week passed, and Psy watched with amusement as his boss anxiously paced around the palace.
When will Neera come back, Sai? I know not, Your Majesty.
Then another week went by. When will Neera come back, Sai?
I know not, Your Majesty. Then, a month.
So when will Neera come back, Sai? I know not, your majesty.
Then another month. When will Neera come back, Sai?
I know not, your majesty. Then another.
When will Neera come? I told you, your majesty.
I know not. This is my daughter's challenge, not mine.
I'm staying out of it. Time marched on, and after three whole months, Neera finally returned Sai and the king were in a meeting when Neera marched into the room.
The second the king saw her, his jaw hit the floor.
Oh my goodness! because cradled in her hands was the large, glass, narrow-necked jar he had given her three months ago And stuffed inside that jar was an entire head of cabbage.
I believe you've been waiting for this, Your Majesty.
Yes, I have, but... How did you do it? How did you fit a whole cabbage inside this jar?
Well, she flashed a sly smile. I began by going to our garden and planting some cabbage seeds.
When the first seedling began to sprout, I took the jar and turned it upside down on the dirt, right over the sprout.
And there it stayed. I watered the soil around the jar from time to time.
And since the glass was clear, the seedling got plenty of sun.
So eventually the seedling grew into a cabbage.
And once the cabbage filled the entire jar, I cut off the stem and brought it here.
Sai and the king stared at Neera. Then they stared at each other.
Then... They laughed. That is utterly ingenious.
Extremely inventive. Undeniably inspired.
Entirely innovative. Absolutely exceptional.
All together. What's another alliterative appellation I could use?
Another a little, uh, altogether enterprising.
Thank you. Altogether enterprising. Which, Nira, is why I want to ask you something.
Will you do me the honor of becoming my new royal advisor?
After your father is ready to retire, of course.
Ah, I've been ready for years, your majesty.
And... I couldn't think of a more suitable replacement.
Thank you, Father. And thank you, Sire. The answer is yes.
As you can probably guess, Nira went on to advise the king with honesty, insight, wisdom, and imagination.
And the king grew to trust her judgment completely and Because the notion of this sharp, clever, bright woman leading him astray was even more absurd than the notion of getting milk from a bowl.
Thank you. Now it's your turn. Milk from a bowl is a preposterous ingredient.
And you can brainstorm even more unlikely items by playing Mix and Match.
Find some index cards and write a different noun on each one, a different person, place, or thing.
Divide the cards into two piles. Draw one card from each pile and read each noun out loud, connecting them with the phrase... from a. So if one card says bubbles and the other says banana, you would say bubbles from a banana.
Keep reading your silly combinations until you're out of cards or until you're exhausted from laughing.
This week's story, Milk from a Bowl, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear.
It was edited by Dean Russell. Our composer is Eric Shimalonis, who conducted our players from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Kathy Basrak on viola, Rachel Childers on horn, Chris El Chico on clarinet, Clint Forman on flute,
Ben Levy on double bass, and Suzanne Nelson on bassoon.
Our actors at Tanglewood were Michael Bobbitt, Marielle Heller, Omar Offendum, and Yorma Takoni.
Michael Bobbitt is a theater director, choreographer, playwright, and the executive director of Mass Cultural Council.
His plays and musicals include Make Way for Ducklings, Jumanji, Caps for Sale, Bob Marley's Three Little Birds, and Mirandi and Brother Wind.
Marielle Heller has directed such films as The Diary of a Teenage Girl, starring Kristen Wiig and Alexander Skarsgard, Can You Ever Forgive Me, starring Melissa McCarthy, and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, starring Tom Hanks.
She co-starred on the hit TV series The Queen's Gambit.
Jorma Tacone is a writer, actor, director, musician, and comedian much adored by fans as part of the comedy trio The Lonely Island. and you can hear him on the Lonely Island and Seth Meyers podcast.
Omar Effendam has performed the world over as a rapper and poet, From the Ford Amphitheater in Los Angeles to the FIFA World Cup festivities in Doha, His off-Broadway hit, Little Syria, explores life in America's first Arab-American neighborhood.
Circle Round's artist is Sabina Hahn. Sabina has made a black and white coloring page for all of our Circle Round stories, and you can print them out and color them in.
Grownups, visit our website, wbur.org slash circleround, and click on coloring pages.
Circle 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.
Hi, my name is Jason and I live in Betty Tyler, Alabama.
My favorite story is the farmer and the cow and my favorite part is when the Farmer shouts the cow's name.
Hi, my name is Fiona. from El Cerrito, California.
And my favorite stick around story is the fairy fort.
My favorite part is when the girl plays her harp for all the fairies.
My name is Wesley, and I'm from Pennsylvania, and my favorite Chicago story is The Little Blue Pebble.
Hi, my name is Sadie and I'm from Concord, California.
And my favorite episode is Stella the Brave.
My name is Leo. I am from Texas. My favorite circle around Dory is...
The Fantastic Fiddle. My favorite part is when The restaurant owner leads Pablo to the jail.
My name's Samori. I live in Greensboro, North Carolina.
And my favorite Superman story is The Flame Keeper.
I like when possums cut trees. I'm Celeste, and I live in Greensboro, North Carolina.
And my favorite part in The Young Healer is when He got the baskets and became a healer.
My name is Science. I'm from Kansas, and my favorite circle around is Mississippi.
Tilda because I like it when she goes, it's Miss Tilda!
Did someone mention a story you've missed?
Not to worry. Grownups, you can find all of our Circle Round stories plus links to the Circle Round Club, picture books, coloring pages, and oh so much more on our website, WBUR.org slash Circle Round.
