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 had to think on your feet Thinking on your feet doesn't mean you ponder something over on your tootsies.
It means you use your brain to make quick and quick-witted decisions about what to do next.
In today's story, we'll meet a character who definitely thinks on her feet and winds up putting her best foot...
Forward. I'm Rebecca Shear and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time.
Today our story is called Catch You Later.
Versions of this tale come from Bengal, a region of South Asia that overlaps two countries India, and Bangladesh.
Some really great people came together to bring you our adaptation of this folktale, including Nazneen Contractor, who co-stars in Canada's number one comedy, Children Ruin Everything.
She's also voiced characters in Star Wars Resistance on Disney+, and Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters on Netflix.
Her upcoming Hallmark series, Holidays, premieres this holiday season.
So circle around, everyone. for Catch You Later.
Some time ago, there lived a barber. But the barber didn't have her own shop. where customers came to get their hair cut and their beards trimmed Instead, she carried her shop with her in the form of a canvas bag containing all of her tools. a pair of scissors, a razor, and a round handheld mirror.
With the canvas bag in hand, the traveling barber journeyed from town to town in hopes of finding work.
Haircuts! Quick, quality haircuts here. Just three copper pieces a cut.
The barber was very gifted at her trade, so in every town she visited, customers lined up to receive her services.
If they could afford to pay full price, the barber charged them full price.
That'll be three copper pieces, please. But if they were a few coins short, Not to worry, friend.
This haircut's on me. So as you can see, not only was the barber gifted, she was good-hearted too.
The barber didn't make a whole lot of money cutting hair and trimming beards.
Yet as she traveled around, she managed to earn enough copper pieces to pay for food each day and lodging each night, until one summer when things took an unexpected turn.
Summers were always rainy in the Barber's part of the world, but this summer was the rainiest yet.
Torrents of water poured from the sky, and swift, mighty floods swept across the land washing out all the crops.
Food became scarce, and people began tightening their belts.
Haircuts were soon viewed as a luxury, something only the very, very wealthy could afford.
So as the barber traveled from town to town, Haircuts!
Quick, quality haircuts here. Just three copper pieces a cut.
Customers no longer came flocking her way.
Oh, dear. I haven't cut a single hair or trimmed a single whisker in weeks.
Seems nobody can afford a haircut these days, which means I'm on the verge of going broke.
The barber thought about other trades she might learn.
Maybe I could become a potter. Or a cobbler.
Oh, who am I trying to kid? Cutting hair has been my life.
It's all I've ever known. And besides, people are pinching their pennies so tightly these days, barely anyone is spending money on anything. save for the occasional cup of rice or loaf of bread.
Oh, whatever will I do? In the past, the barber always spent her nights in a boarding house or hotel or inn.
But with business so slow, it wasn't long before she was down to her last copper piece.
Ugh, one copper piece won't get me a room anywhere.
Guess I'll have to camp out in the forest tonight.
So the barber made her way into a tangled thicket of trees that seemed to stretch on for miles.
This forest is so dense, I can barely see the sky.
The moon is out tonight, but you would never know it.
It's dark as a dungeon. I'll spend just one night in the woods, then get out in the morning.
The barber found a great big banyan tree with a deep round hollow in its massive twisted trunk.
She stuffed her bag of tools inside the hollow, then curled up on the ground and went to sleep.
But she hadn't been snoozing long when... Mmm, what have we here?
A strange voice jolted her awake. Could it be a mortal?
Mmm, what a tasty snack this wortel will make.
The barber snapped open her eyes. And what should she see floating in the air before her?
But a ghost. Um, I'm sorry. Did you just say snack?
The ghost smiled a hair-raising smile. Why, yes, I did say snack.
You mortals always make the most delicious morsels.
The barber felt her blood run cold. Growing up, she had heard stories about hungry ghosts who haunted the forests.
Famished phantoms who would feast on anything, including people.
She had never known these stories were actually true.
But one thing she did know, she refused to become this ghost's next meal.
The barber's heart was racing a mile a minute, but her mind was racing even faster as she began to think up.
Okay, Ghost. I know you want to eat me, but I have to tell you, that's really not a good idea.
Oh? And since when is a hungry ghost satisfying his hungry appetite?
Not a good idea. Well, it's not a good idea when you're dealing with someone like me.
I know you think you're the scary one, but trust me, Ghost.
Once you realize what I can do, it's you who will be running away scared.
The ghost scoffed. Me? Scared of a mortal like you?
Never. I wouldn't be so sure about that. the barber reached for her canvas back, the one where she kept her scissors, razor, and handheld mirror.
She held it up toward the ghost. You see this bag?
This is the bag I use for catching ghosts.
Catching ghosts? Yes! And it's funny because the last ghost I caught looks an awful lot like you.
Have a look. The barber yanked the bag open.
When the ghost peered inside, He recoiled in terror.
Gah! because what should he see staring up at him from inside the bag but a gruesome, ghastly ghost.
Or so he thought. What do you think the ghost really saw inside the barber's bag?
We'll find out what it was and what happens next after a quick break.
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I'm Rebecca Shear. Welcome back to Circle Round.
Today our story is called Catch You Later.
Before the break, a poor barber was sleeping in a dark forest. when she was awoken by a hungry ghost who wanted to eat her.
Thinking fast, the barber showed the ghost her canvas bag. and told him she used it to catch ghosts just like him.
When she held the bag open, the ghost could have sworn he saw another ghost inside.
That ghost in your bag! He's so gruesome, so ghastly.
Please don't catch me and put me in your bag with him.
The barber felt a rush of joy and relief.
Her plan was working. Because unbeknownst to the ghost, when the barber opened up the bag, she had held her round mirror across the top with the reflective side facing up.
The ghost had never seen a mirror before.
So when he spied his own reflection, he mistook it for another ghost.
Okay, ghost. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't catch you and put you in my bag.
After all, I catch all the ghosts I find and I stuff them in my bag where they'll never escape.
The barber could have sworn she saw the ghost shiver.
Oh, please, mortal, have mercy. If you keep me out of that terrible bag, I'll do anything you say.
Anything! We ghosts can work all kinds of magic, you know.
And I'll gladly work my magic for you. Just please don't put me in your bag.
The barber pretended to think it over. Hmm, well, if you'll really do anything, Then fine.
Here's what I want. It's the middle of the night, so I'm going back to sleep.
But by the time I wake up in the morning, I want you to bring me one thousand gold coins otherwise Into my bag you go.
The ghost bobbed his head up and down. Yes, mortal.
Whatever you say, mortal. I'll be back in the morning with one thousand gold coins.
And with that, he flew off in a frenzy. We love you.
We love you. The barber breathed a sigh of relief and went back to sleep beneath the banyan tree.
And when she opened her eyes the next morning...
The first thing she saw was a large, brass-bound chest and it was filled to the brim with gold coins.
Hovering above the chest was the ghost. Good morning, mortal.
I've brought you one thousand gold coins. just as you requested.
The barber tingled with excitement. With such a fortune, the good-hearted woman knew she could hold on and still have plenty left to share with friends and strangers in need.
Well done, Ghost. Very well done. But I have one more request.
As a traveling barber, I don't have a home.
So I want you to build me a house just outside this forest.
Can you do that? Or do you want me to stuff you inside my bag?
The ghost responded without hesitation. Of course I can do that.
Give me a few days and you'll be living in the comfiest, coziest house there ever was.
The barber furrowed her brow. "'A few days?'
A few days? Oh, no, Ghost. I want my house sooner than that.
Ghost's eyes widened. How much sooner? Well, you did say you can work all kinds of magic, so I want you to use your magic to build me a house.
Buy Nightfall. Or you will live in my bag forever.
The ghost knew better than to put up a fight.
Very well, mortal. Whatever you say. I will build you a comfy, cozy house by nightfall.
And with that, he flew off in a flurry. Blah, blah, blah, blah Once the ghost was out of the forest, he went to work building the barber's house, using his magic.
He erected the floors. And just as he was starting the walls, who should come drifting by?
Son? His mother. What in the name of all things ghostly do you think you're doing?
What does it look like I'm doing, Mother?
I'm building a house! I can see that. But why?
What do us ghosts need a house for? Unless, of course, we're going to haunt it.
Well, we're definitely not going to haunt this one.
This one will be home to a ghost catcher!
A what? A ghost catcher. A powerful... mortal who catches ghosts so they can never get free.
I must finish building her house by nightfall.
Otherwise, the ghost catcher will lock me in her bag with the other ghastly ghost she's already cast.
The ghost's mother could hardly believe her ghostly ears.
Son, do you hear what you're saying? Who ever heard of a mortal being that's more powerful than a ghost?
Take me to her. I will teach this foolish person to trade.
Treat us ghosts with the respect we deserve.
So the ghost led his mother back into the forest where the barber was waiting beneath the banyan tree.
The ghost's mother let out the ghostliest cackle she could muster.
So this is the powerful mortal who thought she could catch you, son?
Nonsense! I say we show her what's what. and gobble her up for breakfast.
The barber felt her stomach twist. If she didn't do something, she would wind up in the ghost's stomachs.
You say you wish to eat me for breakfast, but that won't be possible.
Because you are about to become my prisoner.
Along with this frightful ghost here! The barber grabbed her bag and yanked it open. did the last time.
She held her round mirror across the opening, hoping the ghost's mother would fall for her trick.
And wouldn't you know it, she did! Oh, that ghost in your bag is frightful.
Whatever you do, please don't put me in your bag with that dreadful creature.
I'll do anything you want. A sly smile crossed the barber's lips.
Well, if you'll really do anything I want.
Then I want you to help your son build my house.
Have it finished by nightfall, and I will let you both go.
Otherwise, it's into the bag you go. the ghost's mother knew better than to push back.
All right, mortal. We will have your house finished by nightfall.
Come on, son, let's get to work. And with that, both ghosts flew off in a flash.
Luster. I don't know. The two ghosts got to work using their magic by nightfall.
They had constructed a comfy, cozy house for the barber.
And the barber finally spent the night under her own roof.
She enjoyed it so much that she decided to turn the front room of her comfy, cozy house into a comfy, cozy barbershop.
And just like before, if customers could afford to pay full price, The barber charged them full price.
That'll be three copper pieces, please. But if they were a few coins short... Not to worry, friend.
This haircut's on me. Once word spread about the barber's new shop, customers came flocking from across the country to get their hair cut and their beards trimmed by the gifted, good-hearted woman.
As for the ghosts, Well, the barber never saw them again.
They did their best to steer clear. because they knew that up against such a talented ghost catcher, They didn't stand a ghost of a chance.
Woo-hoo! Now it's your turn. You too can be a barber by making a paper bag haircut.
You'll need a paper bag, something to draw with, and a pair of scissors.
Make sure you have a grown-up with you to help you out.
First, take your paper bag, and with the open side of the bag as the top, draw a face.
Be sure to leave plenty of room for what will soon become the hair.
Once you've given your bag a face, it's time to give it a haircut.
Snip the open part of the paper bag however you'd like.
Give your bag long hair, short hair, wide hair, narrow hair, straight hair, curly hair, and then...
You can decorate your paper bag haircut with any other materials you have on hand.
Sprinkle on some glitter, glue on some yarn, whatever you'd like.
When you've finished, show your paper bag haircut to someone you have fun with.
And if you'd like, show it to us. Grown-ups, you can snap a photo of your kiddo and their paper bag haircut. and email it to circlearound at wbur.org.
This week's story, Catch You Later, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear.
It was edited by Nora Sachs. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis.
Our artist is Sabina Hahn. Sabina has drawn a black and white coloring page for all 200-plus Circle Round stories, and you can color them in while you listen or listen. anytime.
Grownups, visit our website, wbur.org, circle around, and click on Coloring Pages.
And while you're at WBUR.org slash Circle Round, you can become a member of the Circle Round Club.
You can get an ad-free listening experience, early access to Circle Round events, © transcript Emily Beynon videos about the musical instruments we use, even a personalized birthday message.
Visit wbur.org slash circleround and click on Circle Round Club.
Special thanks to this week's actors, Evan Casey, Dawn Ursula, and Nazneen Contractor.
Nazneen Contractor co-stars in Canada's number one comedy, Children Ruin Everything.
She's also voiced characters in Star Wars Resistance on Disney+, and Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters on Netflix.
Her upcoming Hallmark series, Holidays, premieres this holiday season.
Our featured instrument this week was the dilruba.
You can learn more about this bowed, stringed instrument from India and see a photo of Eric Shimalonis playing one on our website.
Once more, that's wbur.org slash circleround.
Grownups, if you enjoy what you hear on Circle Round, please load up your favorite podcast app and write us a five-star review.
It only takes a minute, and it'll help us keep circling around with you for years to come.
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 with you.
Hello, my name is Dangi. I live in Australia.
And my favorite circle round is when the Royals is by themselves. where they say we are the royal advisors.
My name is Allison. I live in Falls Church, Virginia.
My favorite circle round story is long hair.
I like it because the super zoomy grandma.
It's very funny too. My name is Annabel.
I live in New Freedom, Pennsylvania. My favorite Circle Round story is Stella and the Dragon because I like the part when she says she can throw the boulder to the moon.
My name is Declan. I am from California.
My favorite story is the parakeet's promise because I like the part when the parakeet tells the promise to the farmer.
My name is Piper from Pennsylvania, and my favorite story is the three-legged pot.
And I like the part when the three-legged pot says it's time to skip and skip.
Hi my name is Ezekiel and I live in New Mexico and my favorite took around story is The early bird.
I like the part when Heron tells Hummingbird to go slow instead of fast.
My name is Natalie and I am from Long Beach, California.
My favorite Circle Bounce toy is the 100 Booms. because I like when Calliope plays the harmonica.
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.
