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. Have you ever felt small?
Maybe you couldn't keep up with the bigger kids during a game, or you weren't quite We've all been there.
And in today's story, we'll get reacquainted with a character who doesn't let her tiny size slow her down.
. . . I'm Rebecca Sheer, and welcome to Circle Round, where story time happens all the time.
Today our story is called A Trio of Tricks.
Versions of this tale come from the Southeast Asian countries of Malaysia.
We'll be right back. Mouse Deer, the clever trickster with the body and face of a mouse and the legs and tail of a deer.
Some really great people came together to bring you our story, including Della Saba from Physical on Apple TV.
Della has voiced characters in many animated movies, including Zootopia, Steven Universe and Ralph Breaks the Internet.
But this summer, listen to her voice in the Netflix series Kung Fu Panda, The Dragon Knight.
So circle around, everyone, for a trio of tricks.
As one of the smallest animals in the forest, Mouse Deer was always in danger of one thing. becoming a larger animal's next meal.
She knew she couldn't outrun the larger animals.
So instead, she had to outwit them. And lucky for Mouse Deer, what she lacked in size, she made up for in smarts. because Mouse Deer was a trickster.
And this story is about how she tricked not one, not two, but three of the larger animals in the forest.
It all began early one morning when Mouster ventured out of her burrow to find breakfast.
It had rained the night before, so the ground was wet and muddy, and the forest was thick with fog.
Oh boy, it's so misty and hazy out here.
I can hardly see a thing. But not to worry, I'll let my keen nose lead me to some tasty fruits, buds, and shrubs.
Someone say take. Mouse Deer froze. With all this fog, she couldn't see much, but she would recognize that sinister voice anywhere.
Uh, Python, is that you? You bet it's me, mouse dear.
I was just hunting for breakfast. And it looks like I've found it.
Mouse Deer knew Python could easily swallow her whole, but as her tiny heart began to race...
So did her clever mind. And as she shifted from foot to foot in the squishy mud... a plan suddenly sprang into her head.
So, uh... Are you saying that you want to eat me for breakfast?
That's exactly what I'm saying, Mouse, dear.
You'll make for a scrumptious start to my day.
But, Python, don't you realize that if you eat me for breakfast, you're gonna upset...
The king. Through the mist, Mouse Deer could see Python cock his scaly head to one side.
Wait a second... What do you mean if I eat you for breakfast I'm going to upset the king?
I mean you'll upset Leopard, the King of the Forest.
His Royal Highness has given me a very important job.
And if you eat me, I'll never be able to follow through.
Now Python cocked his head the other way.
So, you're saying the king of the forest has given you A very important job.
What kind of very important job? Well, if you must know...
Mouse Deer quietly scooped some wet, squishy mud into a big, gooey pile.
He has tasked me with guarding his foil cake.
His royal cake? Oh, yes. You think I'm delicious.
Leopard's royal cake has the most exquisite flavor in the world.
It's no wonder the king doesn't want anyone else to eat it.
Python squinted his piercing dark eyes, trying to get a better look at this exquisite cake. he could scarcely make it out through the haze hmm I usually feast on things like lizards and turtles. and furry critters like you.
But if this cake is as delectable as you say, then I must.
Have a bite. Oh, I could never allow that, Python.
The king will be very angry with me. Look, Mouse Deer, either I eat the cake, or I eat you.
Which one will it be? Mouse Deer pretended to think it over.
Well, oh, all right. You don't give me much choice, so... fine.
You can eat the cake. But listen, Python.
If anyone sees me letting you eat the king's cake, I'll be in big trouble.
So let me run away first, and then you can eat as much cake as you want.
Deal? Quick as a wink, Mouse Deer ran away from Python.
After she'd gone... Python flicked his tongue, opened his jaws, and swallowed the entire royal cake in one gulp.
As the so-called cake slipped down his throat and into his stomach, Python had a nasty realization.
Oh, yeah. This isn't cake. This is mud!
Mousetail! Python tried slithering off after Mouse Deer, but through the fog and mist he couldn't find where the little critter went. so he spit out one last clump of sticky mud.
Gah! Pfft! Pfft! Pfft! then slunk away.
Mouse Deer, meanwhile, bolted to another part of the forest where she gobbled up some tasty fruits, buds, and shrubs.
Mmm. Now that I've eaten my breakfast in peace, I'll go back to my bar for a nap.
All that trickery has me pooped. I'll wake up again for lunch.
So Mouse Deer went back to her burrow for a nap.
When she woke up for lunch and scurried outside, she noticed the fog had not yet lifted.
Oh, boy. The forest is every bit as misty and murky as it was before.
Not to worry. I'll let my keen nose lead me to some tasty fruits, buds, and shrubs.
Did someone say tasty? Mouse Deer stopped short.
The fog was too heavy to see much, but she would know that menacing voice anywhere.
Thank you. Uh, Hawk, is that you? You bet it's me, Mouse Deer.
I was just hunting down lunch, and it looks like I found it.
Whatever she did, Mouse Deer had to come up with a way to avoid Hawk's sharp beak and big stomach.
The wheels in her brain began to turn and turn.
Until suddenly, she knew just what she would do.
What scheme will Mouse Deer cook up next?
What would you do to outsmart Hawk if you were Mouse Deer?
We'll find out what happens after a quick break.
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Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Shear.
Today, our story is called A Trio of Tricks.
Before the break, it was a hazy, misty morning in the forest when Mouse Deer tricked Polly Python into not eating her for breakfast.
Instead, she fooled him into thinking a pile of mud was a royal cake.
Come lunchtime, however, The tiny critter stumbled into another creature intent on gobbling her up.
Hawk! So, uh... Hawk, did you say that you want to eat me for lunch?
That's precisely what I said, Mouse Deer.
You'll make for a most delicious midday meal.
But, Hawk, don't you realize that if you eat me for lunch, you're gonna upset...
The king? Through the mist, Mouse Deer could see Hawk shrugging her great wings.
What do you mean? If I eat you for lunch, I'm going to upset the king.
I mean you'll upset Leopard, the king of the forest.
His Royal Majesty has given me a very essential job.
And if you eat me, I'll never be able to follow through.
Hawk snapped her sharp beak. So you're saying the king of the forest has given you a very essential job?
What kind of very essential job? Well, since you asked.
Mouse Ear glanced around. Then she pointed through the fog toward a wasp's nest up in a tree.
The king has asked me to guard his royal drum.
His royal drum? Oh, yes. Leopard's royal drum makes the most glorious sounds, unlike any drum you've heard before.
It's no wonder the king doesn't want anyone else to play it.
Hawk craned her neck, trying to get a better look at this amazing drum.
She could barely make it out through the mist.
You know, I have always thought of myself as a bit of a musician.
If this drum is as glorious as you say, then I must play it.
Oh, I could never permit that, Hawk. King will be furious with me.
Listen, mouse dear. Either I play the drum or I eat you.
Which one do you choose? Mouse Deer pretended to mull it over.
Well, oh, all right. You can play the drum.
But listen, Hawk, if anyone sees me letting you play the king's drum, I'll be in hot water.
So let me scamper away first, and then you can play the drum as much as you want.
Deal? Deal. Without missing a beat, Mouse Deer scampered away from Hawk.
After she'd gone, Hawk flapped her wings, soared up toward the trees, then struck her beak against the so-called royal drum.
The great bird was hoping to hear it make its beautiful sound.
But instead... Ow! Ow! Ah! Ah! I'm being stung!
The drum is stinging me! Ow! This is not a drum!
I repeat, this is not a drum! This is a wasp's nest!
Mouse Deer! Hawk swooped down and tried flying after Mouse Deer, but even though Though her eyesight was very good, through the haze she couldn't see where the scheming little critter went.
So the great bird fought off one last stinging wasp.
I'll get my revenge, Mouse-deer. Just wait. then soared back to her nest.
Mouse Deer, in the meantime, dashed off to another part of the forest, where she wolfed down some tasty fruits, buds, and shrubs.
Mmm! Now that I've eaten my lunch in peace, I think I'll go back to my bar for another nap.
All this craftiness is exhausting. I'll wake up again for dinner.
So Mouse Deer went back to her burrow for a nap.
By the time she woke up for dinner and went outside, the air was clear, and a moonless night had spread its dark blanket over the place.
Wow. even though the fog has lifted. Now that it's night, it's so dark outside.
But not to worry. I'll let my keen nose lead me to some tasty fruits, buds, and shrubs.
Did someone say tasty? Mouse Deer stood stock still.
She could hardly see a foot in front of her, but she would know that deep, growling voice anywhere.
Uh, Tiger? Is that you? You bet it's me, Mouse Deer.
I was just hunting down dinner. And it looks like I've found it!
For the third time that day, Mouse Deer felt her heart skitter and her mind spin.
She had found a way to trick Python and Hawk into not eating her.
But how could she pull the wool over Tiger's glittering golden eyes and escape his scissor-sharp teeth?
So, uh, Tiger, did you say that you want to eat me for dinner?
That's 100% what I said, Mouse Deer. You'll make for a most appetizing end to the day.
But, Tiger, don't you realize that if you eat me for dinner, you're gonna upset the king?
Through the darkness, Mouse Deer could see Tiger wiggle his whiskers.
What do you mean, if I eat you for dinner?
I'm going to upset the kings. I mean you'll upset Leopard, the king of the forest.
His Royal Majesty has given me a very crucial job, and if you eat me, I'll never be able to see it through.
Tiger tilted his striped head. So let me get this straight.
You're saying the King of the Forest has given you a very crucial job.
What kind of very crucial job? Well, if you'd really like to know.
Mouse Deer squinted her eyes and glanced around.
The truth is, she had no idea what stunt she could pull this time.
Had her luck finally run out? But then, all of a sudden, her eyes landed on Python. the very first animal who had tried eating her that day.
The giant snake was sleeping beneath a nearby tree.
His long, scaly body coiled up. in a ring.
Mouse, dear, I'm waiting and I'm hungry.
So tell me, what kind of job has the king given you?
A smile spread across Mouse Deer's face.
Well, since you're so curious, the king has asked me to guard his foil.
His royal belt? Shh. The king wants to keep it a secret?
After all, Leopard's royal belt is the fanciest, most beautiful belt you ever did see.
There's never been another belt like it.
It's no wonder His Royal Highness doesn't want anyone else to wear it.
Tiger stepped forward, trying to get a better look at this extraordinary belt.
He could barely see it through the darkness.
I've always considered myself a snappy dresser, and a new belt would go so well with my stripes.
If this belt is as beautiful as you say, then I must wear it.
Oh, I could never let you do that, Tiger.
The king will be enraged with me. See here, mouse dear.
Either I wear the belt, or I eat you. Which one will it be?
Mouse Deer pretended to think it through.
Well... Oh, all right. You can wear the belt.
But listen, Tiger. If anyone sees me letting you wear the king's belt, I'll be in a bad way.
So, let me sprint away first and then you can wear the belt for as long as you want.
Deal? Deal. In the twinkling of an eye, Mouse Deer sprinted away from Tiger.
After she'd gone, Tiger walked over to the tree, picked the so-called belt up off the ground. then wrapped it around his waist.
And do you know what happened when he did?
Python woke up with a start and began tightening his scaly body around Tiger's furry belly.
No! No! I'm being squeezed around the middle.
This isn't a belt! This is a snake! Yikes!
Before Python could coil himself all the way around Tiger's belly, the giant cat gave the giant snake a good yank.
And Python fell to the ground. Ow! What did you do that for?
You were squeezing the air out of me. Well, what kind of fool wraps a snake around their body?
Mouse Deer told me you were a belt. She did, huh?
Well, she told me a pile of mud was a cake.
All the commotion had woken up Hawk, who it just so happens had been nesting in the trees above.
And she told me a nest full of wasps was a drum.
Wait a minute. Hawk, did she tell you this drum was the king's drum?
She did. And Python, did she tell you this cake was the king's cake?
She did. So that conniving critter duped all of us.
Yeah, she did. Mouse! Deer! All at once.
The three big fierce creatures took off through the forest.
We're gonna get you, you snipper-snapper!
And flying. We're gonna gobble you up, you pipsqueak.
And slithering. Shh. Never play tricks again, you runt.
Tiger, Hawk, and Python bounded, flew, and slithered all night long.
But when dawn broke... The three animals gave up their search and went back home, dejected and hungry.
Because thanks to Clever Little Mouse Tear, the only thing the big fierce creatures had eaten was humble pie.
¶¶ Now it's your turn. Mouse Deer is a master at thinking outside the box and using her creativity to figure things out.
You too can think outside the box by playing the Outside the Box game. wander around your house and pick up some common objects, like the cardboard tube from a roll of paper towels, a jump rope, a sock, stuff like that.
Gather a family member or two, then pick an object and take turns listing all the different things that one object could be.
A cardboard tube, for instance, could be a flute or baseball bat, or a telescope.
Go from object to object, person to person. and have fun seeing where your imaginations take you.
Thank you. This week's story, A Trio of Tricks, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear.
It was edited by Circle Round's supervising producer, Nora Sachs.
Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shimilonis.
Our artist is Sabina Han. Sabina has drawn a black and white picture for every Circle Round story, and you can print them out and color them in.
Grownups, find all of our coloring pages on our website, wbor.org slash circleround.
Special thanks to this week's actors, Evan Casey, Theodore Chin, Dawn Ursula, and Della Saba.
Grown-ups watch for Della Saba in Physical on Apple TV.
And kids listen for Della's voice in the Netflix series Kung Fu Panda. the Dragon Knight.
Never want to miss an episode of Circle Round?
Follow us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you're listening right now.
And please help us spread the Circle Round word by writing us a five-star review and telling your friends about the show.
Our featured instrument this week was the angklung.
You can learn more about this bamboo instrument from Indonesia and see a photo of Eric Shimalonis playing it on our website.
Again, that's wbur.org slash circleround.
And check this out. We've gone from podcast to the page with our new picture books.
Our first two titles, A Taste of Honey and The Tale of the Unwelcome Guest, are out now.
Visit wbur.org slash circleround to get your copies.
Circle Round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR news station.
I'm Rebecca Shear. Thanks for circling around with us.
One of the best things about creating Circle Round is hearing from listeners like you.
Circle Round fans have been telling us about their favorite Circle Round stories, and we're excited to share some of their voices My name is Malachi and I live in England.
My favourite story is Poor Rich because Poor Rich has dinner with the merchant.
Hi, my name is Eleanor. And I live in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and my favorite town Circle round toy is the magic touch, because I like the pot. when Juma gets free.
My name is Janula. I live in Cornwall, New York.
My favorite sick around story is long hair in the waterfall.
I like the part where when she pulls the wheat out of the ground and all the water comes flowing down.
My name is Eleanor, and my favorite circle around is the building out of the garden. because the little tiny ant saves the day.
My name is Regina, and my favorite story is Friends in High Places.
Hi, my name is Moira and I'm from North Carolina.
My favorite Circle Round story is Porcupine's Plan.
I like the part where Skye He's a bingo to porcupine, and I like porcupine's voice, and I like that porcupine.
My name is Ewan and I live in North Carolina.
And my favorite story is Porcupine's Plan.
Did someone mention an episode you missed?
No problem. You can find every single Circle Round story on our website.
That's WBUR.org slash CircleRound, or wherever you and your grown-ups get your podcasts.
