Hi, Rebecca Sheer here. Before we get to today's story, I invite you to circle around with us
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Do you have a favorite story? If so, what makes it your favorite? Does it have fascinating
characters, a twisty, turny plot? Perhaps it tickles your funny bone or tugs at your heart?
We're about to return to a time when the world didn't have stories until a sly little spider
gave us all a tale to tell. I'm Rebecca Sheer and welcome to Circle Around, where story time
happens all the time. Today our story is called the Crystal Story Box. Versions of this
folktale originally come from the Ashanti people of Ghana in West Africa and feature a trickster
you've met in several other Circle Around stories, a non-see. Some really great people came together
to bring you our adaptation of this tale, including comedian, writer and actor Bashir Salahuddin,
co-creator and co-star of Southside on Maxx. He also appears as Hondo in the blockbuster film
Top Gun Maverick. So Circle Around everyone for the Crystal Story Box.
Long, long ago, back in the earliest of times, the earth contained mountains and valleys,
rivers and oceans, animals and people. One thing it did not contain was stories. You see every
single story, every tale, every yarn, every mystery, fable and myth was kept locked in a crystal
box high above the clouds way up in the sky kingdom, the heavenly celestial realm of sky goddess.
So you may ask if everyone on earth knew about sky goddesses, Crystal Box, why didn't they venture
up to the sky kingdom and ask sky goddess to let the stories go free? Well, maybe because they all
knew what the answer would be. Let the stories go free? I will never let the stories go free.
They're far too precious for you earth-bound beings. The story shall remain up here in the sky kingdom
forever. But then, a long came a noncy, the spider, a noncy loved weaving webs, and not just
sticky webs made from strong stretchy silk, a noncy loved weaving webs of deception,
the shrewd, cunning fellow lived by his wits and was so clever, so resourceful he could trick
almost anyone to doing almost anything. But can I trick a heavenly deity like sky goddess into
giving up the box of stories? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm good, but I'm not divine. Still,
there must be some way I can use my wits to free the stories from sky goddesses clutches. There must.
So a noncy spun a strong sticky web all the way from the earth to the sky.
After wiggling his way through the clouds, he found himself face to face with sky goddess.
A noncy. What brings you all the way up to my sky kingdom? Well, sky goddess, I have journeyed here
to humbly ask for something. I have come to ask for the crystal box of stories.
Sky goddess felt a rush of outrage. How dare this any bitty arachnid march up here and make such a
demand? So she decided she would teach him a lesson. Listen, a noncy. I will give you the crystal
box of stories. You will? I will. But only if you give me something first. How about we make
a trade? A noncy flashed sky goddess, a grin. Sure thing, sky goddess. I'll give you whatever you want.
You name it. It's yours. Very well then. I want you to give me a sneaky smile across to sky goddesses face.
Python. A noncy's mouth dropped open. His heart hammered so hard in his abdomen he could
feel it in his thorax. I'm sorry, sky goddess. Did I hear you right? Do you really want me to give you
Python as in the supermassive snake who squeezes the life out of her victims before swallowing them
whole? That's the one. And if you really want that box of stories a noncy, you must bring me what I
ask. Now get to it. As a noncy lowered himself back to earth, he wasn't sure which was spinning faster.
His thread or his mind? Python. How can I possibly bring sky goddess Python? I mean it's clear I
know match for that mammoth reptile and physical strength. So I have to use my mental strength.
But how? A noncy thought and thought. And by the time he was back on solid ground, he had come up with a plan.
Running as fast as his eight legs could go, a noncy scuttled into the thick, tangled forest.
He found a long tree branch and some twisty vines. Then he dragged them to the river.
He knew Python often came to the water's edge for a drink. And indeed, there was the giant snake
coiled up on the bank, lapping at the water with her flickering tongue. A noncy drew in a breath,
then spoke out in an extra loud voice. You know, mal that I think of it. Maybe my friends were right.
Maybe Python isn't that long after all. Python seized her drinking. She lifted her enormous diamond shaped head
and fictored in a noncy's direction. Oh, what did you say? A noncy. A noncy shrugged.
I said, maybe you aren't that long after all. You see this tree branch here?
He pointed to the long branch. Python rolled her slitted eyes. Of course, I see the tree branch.
We snakes don't have the best eyesight, but that branch is so long I couldn't possibly miss it.
And that's the thing. I was talking with some friends and they said this tree branch is so long,
it must be longer than you. Longer than me? Just as a noncy had hoped, the mighty snakes pride was wounded.
How dare your friends slaying about such insults. Don't they know that I am the greatest snake in the land?
If not the world? I'm so big I could swallow all of your friends whole. After squeezing the life out of them, of course.
A noncy suppressed a shutter. That's exactly what I told them, Python. But they wouldn't listen to me.
Gosh, if only there was some way to prove my silly friends wrong.
Python's face lit up. But there is a way. Place that tree branch on the ground and I shall lie down beside it.
I will stretch my prodigious body as long as it will go. Then you can witness how peony the branches
in comparison. And you can tell your foolish friends.
A noncy's heart skipped a beat. What a terrific idea, Python! I don't know how I didn't think of that myself.
I'll lay the branch right here and we'll see how you measure up.
Python grinned, revealing a set of needle sharp teeth.
Then she slithered over to the tree branch and unfurled her hefty body beside it.
Well, a noncy, which is longer, the branch or me? A noncy frowned.
Actually, I'm not sure. Your head and tail keep curling up so I can't tell how long you truly are.
I'll tell you what. He reached for the vines he had taken from the forest.
I'll use these vines to tie you to the branch. That way your body will be perfectly straight.
A noncy set to work weaving the vines over and over around and around.
Until Python's scaly body was perfectly straight and perfectly stuck.
Will am I longer than the branch or not? What have you learned?
What have I learned? A noncy beamed.
I've learned that a tiny critter like me can out with a colossal creature like you if he plays his cards right.
Quick as a wink, he spun a thick layer of thread around Python's tight-up body from the tip of her tail to the top of her head.
Then he woven another web, caught a strong wind and carried the gargantuan snake all the way up to the sky kingdom.
Where Sky Goddess was so stunned, she could hardly speak.
A noncy? You're... you're back?
That I am Sky Goddess and as you can see I've brought you what you asked for.
So now it's time for you to give me what I asked for. The crystal box of stories.
Sky Goddess gave a noncy a long stare. This slight little spider was more clever than she thought.
Clearly she'd have to try a different tack.
Well, the thing is I'm giving the matter some more thought.
And now I realize that my box of stories is so valuable, so precious, it should come at a far greater price than just one silly snake.
No offense, Python.
Non-taken.
Therefore, a noncy?
I need you to bring me something else.
And look out.
My web-slinging friend. Because this one may very well stick.
What will Sky Goddess ask a noncy to deliver next? We'll find out after a quick break.
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Before we get back to our story, did you know that in addition to listening to Circle Round,
you can carry it, eat lunch with it, and read it?
Visit the swag link at wbur.org-circle-round and get your very own Circle Round backpack,
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Now, your swag today at wbur.org-slash-circle-round.
Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Sheer. Today, our story is called The Crystal Story Box.
Before the break, Sky Goddess was hoarding all the world's stories in a crystal box in her Sky Kingdom.
Anonsy the spider spun a web to the clouds and demanded that Sky Goddess give the box to him
so that he could bring it to Earth. But the crafty, possessive deity wasn't about to give up her
precious stories. So she offered Anonsy a seemingly impossible trade. The stories for Python.
Ever the trickster. Anonsy used his wits to capture the proud vain snake and bring her to Sky Goddess.
So the astonished annoyed deity gave Anonsy another assignment.
I need you to bring me. Horn it. A shiver coursed through Anonsy's body. He began trembling so hard.
All eight of his knees knocked together. Um, Sky Goddess? Did I hear you right? Do you really want
me to give you Horn it? As in the big angry wasp with a stinger so sharp it's like a red hot
poker that would render a spider like me motionless. Paralyze me completely. That's the one.
But if you really want that box of stories you must bring me what I ask.
Now get to it. Once more Anonsy's thread and brain were spinning as he lowered back down to Earth.
Well, I can't do what I did with Python and rap horned and vines. That buzzing blustering
crit will slip right through. And then there'll be so furious he'll sting me. But there must be
some way I can use my wits to catch him. But how? Anonsy pondered and pondered. And by the time his eight
feet touched the ground he knew exactly what he would do. Aha! Once again he sent off
through the tangled forest. This time in search of the smooth round gourd known as a calabash.
Once he found one he set to work scooping out the flesh and seeds. Then he filled the
hollowed out calabash with water and scurried to the top of the tree where Horn it kept his hive.
As Anonsy peered down through the branches he couldn't see Horn it but he could see his hive
and he could hear Horn it buzzing around inside of it. Quickly Anonsy took some water from the calabash
and sprinkled it all over his body. Then he turned the calabash over and poured the rest of the water
onto the hive. Hello! Geeper and G-wells! Just as Anonsy expected Horn it came zipping out.
He was as wet as a sponge and as mad as a... well as mad as a Horn it. Is the sky falling?
Because my hive is zzing with the water. It was a sudden storm Horn it. It got me too. Look
at me! I'm drenched and I hear there's another storm on the way. Horn it darted up to Anonsy.
That drew Anonsy is another storm coming in. Tell me quick before I paralyze you with my stinger.
Anonsy swallowed heart then forced his face into a smile.
Well Horn it if another storm does come in that hive of yours isn't going to do you much good.
Oh so how about you fly inside my calabash here? It's big and hollow and completely waterproof.
Horn it didn't hesitate. He shook the water off his body then made a bee line or
Horn it's fine for the calabash. Once he was inside Anonsy grabbed some leaves,
plugged the gourd's mouth then spun a sticky thread around it. Next he woven another web caught
a gentle grease and carried the calabash all the way up to the sky kingdom. When sky got us
saw the calabash and heard Horn it buzzing around inside it she was more shocked than ever.
Anonsy? You... you... I brought you Horn it. I sure did.
But you... you're... I am amazing. Well that's awfully high praise especially coming from you Skygottis
but I'll take it. I'll also take what you promise you'd give me the crystal box of stories.
Skygottis was at a loss for words. Twice now she had challenged Anonsy neither time expecting the
little spider to come through and yet thanks to his big brains he had defeated, humbled and nothing
short of impressed. Skygottis fetched the crystal box of stories and handed it over.
Anonsy? My stories are now yours to do with as you please.
Thank you Skygottis. I promise they'll all live happily ever after.
Anonsy flashed Skygottis a smile then spun another web and dove back down to earth.
On the way he took the crystal box held it out and flipped it over just like that all the stories
that had been locked up for so long went tumbling out of the box and down to the world below.
Happy stories, sad stories, surprising stories with twists, mysterious stories with turns.
They all scattered everywhere and that's why to this day you and I and everyone else in the world
have access to an endless number of stories that can entertain us, inspire us, make us laugh and cry,
think and dream. And we owe it all to a small spider who didn't let an incity-ween-seey body
get in the way of an enormous mind. Now it's your turn. Believe it or not,
this story marks the grand finale of Circle Round's seventh season. Now that we have 250 episodes
under our belt we want to know what's your favorite Circle Round story. If you fast forward to the
end of this or any other Circle Round episode you'll hear a montage of listeners talking about their
favorite Circle Round Tales and you can be one of them. Grown ups, grab a smartphone, open the voice
memo app, hit record and have your Circle Round fans say their name, location and favorite Circle Round
story. When you're done email the sound file to Circle Round at WBUR.org. That's Circle Round at WBUR.org.
You may hear your voice on a future show. This week's episode the Crystal Story Box was
adapted by me Rebecca Sheer. It was edited by Sophie Codner, our original music and sound
designs by Eric Shemelonis. Our artist Sabina Hahn, Sabina has created a black and white coloring
page for every single Circle Round story and you can print them out and color them in. Grown
ups visit our website, www.bUR.org slash Circle Round and click on coloring pages. Special thanks to
this week's actors Ryan Dallas-Sung, Sean Richards, Don Ursula and Bashir Salahudin.
Comedian writer and actor Bashir Salahudin co-created and co-stars in Southside on Max.
Watch for him as Hondo in the blockbuster film Top Gun Maverick and hear him play a non-see in
another Circle Round episode pulling strings. Our featured instrument this week was the talking
drum. You can learn more about this hourglass shaped drum from West Africa and see a photo of
Eric Shemelonis playing it on our website. Again, that's WBUR.org slash Circle Round.
And while you're at WBUR.org slash Circle Round, you can become the newest member of the Circle
Round Club. Not only will your membership help support the public radio podcast you love,
but it will get you all sorts of fun perks, including ad free episodes, bonus bedtime stories,
special Circle Round swag and first dibs on tickets to our live events. You'll also get exclusive
access to the Circle Round Club store. Where for an ad ad donation you can get our handy tote bag,
snuggly plush lion, and a personalized birthday message from me. We're back a sheer.
Join the Circle Round Club today at WBUR.org slash Circle Round. Grown ups if you enjoy
Circle Round, please leave us a five star review on your favorite podcast app. It helps us make the
Circle Round Circle even bigger. Circle Round is a production of WBUR Boston's NPR news station.
I'm Rebecca Sheer. Thanks for circling round 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.
I'm Maya. I'm from the Philippines. My favorite story is the nine sticks and I like the pipe
when they figure out that the one who stole the ring. My name is Carter. I'm from Virginia.
My favorite soul girl out is the uncommon commoner. I like the pipe when the man at the
ends of the carpet will do. Hi my name is Alma and I'm from Portland made in my favorite Circle Round
episode is the whole cart and my favorite part is when the seamstress fixed the motion. My name is
Laura and I live in Portland. I can hear that my favorite story is the winding line. I like the
pipe where that I under amannos go out to find them. My name is Vain and I live in Portland,
Oregon. I like the pulket-outed pitted and I like the pipe where it is the face. Hi my name is
Lennon. I live in Fayetteville, Arkansas and my favorite Circle Round story is the pulket-outed
pitching. I like the part when it turns around and goes back. My name is Siege from Bagley, Minnesota
and my favorite Circle Round story is the basilisk stair. My favorite part is when Natalius says,
oh basilisk, oh basilisk, I've come to steal your treasure. My name is Hannah and my name is
Elie and we live in Georgia and my favorite Circle Round story is the uncommon commoner.
We like the part when the old man says, uncle doodle dooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
