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. When was the last time you helped someone?
Maybe you helped a friend put together a puzzle.
You helped a family member do the laundry.
Or maybe you helped a stranger... When we help others, everybody wins.
But in today's story, when one character refuses to lend a hand, he ends up losing.
Big time. I'm Rebecca Shear, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time.
Today our story is called Donkey Business.
It's inspired by trickster tales from Latin America. the Caribbean, the Middle East, and the European countries of Italy and Spain.
Some really great people came together to bring you our story, including Jennifer Hale and Connor Ratliff. along with guest musician Christian Habel.
Jennifer Hale has lent her voice to hundreds of animated shows, films, and video games, including The Powerpuff Girls, Star Wars, The Clone Wars, Ralph Breaks the Internet, and Star Wars The Old Republic.
Actor and comedian Connor Ratliff is the creator and host of the podcast Dead Eyes.
Watch for Connor in the upcoming feature film Pinball, The Man Who Saved the Game.
Christian Habel has toured with Sting, Barbra Streisand, and Billy Joel. and most recently performed John Williams score for Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny.
So, circle around, everyone, for Donkey Business.
¶¶ There once was a farmer named Carmela.
Carmela lived in a little red house. just up the road from a big grey house owned by a fellow farmer named Enzo.
But even though Carmela and Enzo were neighbors, they weren't exactly what you would call friends.
If Carmela happened to pass by Enzo's house and offer a friendly greeting?
Good morning, neighbor. How are you? Enzo was anything but friendly.
I'm fine. Not that it's any of your business.
And if Carmela tried doing something nice, like bring over a bouquet of wildflowers from her yard?
I just picked them today. Aren't they beautiful?
Enzo's response wasn't nice at all. Ugh, they look like weeds to me.
Perfect food for my sheep. Well, the years went by and one summer, Carmela fell on unexpectedly hard times, Bugs gobbled up her crops, foxes made off with her chickens, and by autumn, The poor woman had nothing to her name but her little red house, her old gray donkey, Luigi. and one last silver coin.
Well, this is terrible. Winter is just around the corner and I'll never make it through if I don't turn my fortune around.
Carmela knew she had to do something. She also knew that while her farm was floundering...
Just down the road, Enzo's farm was flourishing.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think I'll go down the road and ask Enzo if he can help me out.
He's not the friendliest sort, but surely he'll take pity on a neighbor in need.
So Carmela headed over to Enzo's big gray house and rang the doorbell.
Yes? Greetings, neighbor. Not sure if you remember me, but I'm Carmella.
"'I live in the little red house up the road.'
You mean the one with all the dead crops in the yard?
And the abandoned chicken coop? Yes, that's the one.
I had a pretty tough summer, as you obviously noticed.
Oh, I noticed. I pass by your little farm every day and it's downright depressing.
It is, right? So depressing. Unlike your fabulous farm, which clearly is going gangbusters.
I have to commend you on doing so well. Enzo smiled a smug little smile.
I am doing well. I had such a great summer that I've got crops and cash coming out of my ears.
Oh, of course you do. Of course. And actually, that's why I came over here today.
I wanted to ask you... A favor. Enzo's smug smile was replaced by a stern stare.
A favor, huh? What kind of favor? Well, I was wondering if you could lend me some cash.
Times have been so hard. even have two coins to rub together.
I only have one! So I figured I'd ask you.
Farmer to farmer, neighbor to neighbor. If you could help me out, I promise I'll pay you back.
I'll even return the favor. I'll cook you dinner.
I'll help you on your farm. Okay, I'm going to stop you right there.
I'm not going to lend you any money. You're not?
No. I work hard for what I have. Very hard.
So hard that I have neither the desire nor the time to do favors for beggars like you.
Now, good day, neighbor. And with that...
Enzo slammed the door. Wow! That did not go well.
But I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Enzo's always been so sulky and surly.
Now I know he's selfish, too. There must be some way to teach that grumpy, greedy guy a lesson.
Now, Carmela may have lost practically everything she had, but one thing she hadn't lost? her wits.
Carmela had always been a clever woman. So she set to work, devising a plan to get even with Enzo.
First, she went to her kitchen and found a spoon and a half-eaten jar of honey.
Then she rooted around her purse and fished out her last silver coin.
She brought the honey, spoon, and coin out to the yard, where her old gray donkey was grazing on a tiny patch of grass.
Good afternoon, Luigi. Would you like to take a walk, fella?
Yeah. Great. I just have to do a little something first.
Don't move, okay? Carmela bent down, lifted Luigi's tail, then dabbed a spoonful of honey right where his tail met his bottom.
Sorry fella. This is just as awkward for me as it is for you.
No buts about it. Get it? Because it's your butt, your bottom.
Once Luigi's bottom was smeared with honey, Carmella took her silver coin and stuck it to the gooey glob.
All right, fella. I know it isn't every day that you have a coin clinging to your keister, or silver sticking to your seat, or cash coherent to your caboose.
Boy, I could go on all day. But trust me, it will be worth it.
Because if my plan works, then Enzo is about to be the butt of the best joke ever.
A silver coin stuck to a dab of honey on a donkey's...
Dairy air? What do you think Carmela the farmer is cooking up?
We'll find out after a quick break. Support for Circle Round comes from Indeed.
You just realized that your business needed to hire someone yesterday. how can you find amazing candidates fast easy Just use Indeed.
There's no need to wait. You can speed up your hiring with Indeed. and Circle Round listeners will get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility. at indeed.com slash circle round.
Just go to indeed.com slash circle round right now.
Support the show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast.
Indeed.com slash circle round. Terms and conditions apply.
Hiring? Indeed is all you need. mind. What are Circle Round listeners saying about the Circle Round Club?
The newest membership opportunity for superfans like you.
Here's a taste. I love being in the circle around the club because the snuggle times are perfect for when you want to listen to Circle Round, but you don't have that much time.
Grown-ups, get your Circle Round superfan signed up today at WBUR.org slash CircleRoundClub.
Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Shear.
Today our story is called Donkey Business.
Before the break, Carmela the farmer had fallen on hard times But her gruff, greedy neighbor Enzo refused to help her out.
So clever Carmela decided to play a trick on Enzo.
Using a dab of honey as glue, She stuck a silver coin beneath the tail of her old donkey, Luigi.
Then she attached a rope to Luigi's halter and led him down the road.
When they reached Enzo's big grey house, Carmela brought Luigi to a stop.
See this big, beautiful lawn fella? Go ahead, have a taste.
The donkey was never one to turn down a meal, so he put his head down and began to graze.
That's a good boy. Yummy, isn't it? So soft and sweet.
What in the world are you doing? Carmella looked up just as she'd hoped.
Enzo was marching out of his house. And just as she'd expected.
He did not look happy. Carmilla! Are you actually letting that miserable creature of yours gobble up all my beautiful grass?
Carmela smiled. Oh, well, I'm just letting him have a taste, Enzo.
After all, your grass is so healthy and green.
Yes, it is healthy and green. But all the more reason for me not to share it.
Now take that pathetic beast of yours and go graze on your own scrubby lawn.
All right, certainly. We'll get going. But if you don't mind, could Luigi...
Do his business first. Do his business? Oh, you know what I mean.
He's really old, and it's getting harder and harder for him to, you know, hold it in.
Enzo scrunched up his nose. If you're asking me if I'll let your donkey leave his... droppings all over my yard, the answer is most Definitely, unquestionably, unmistakably, undeniably, no.
But alas, it was too late. Oh, I'm so sorry, Enzo.
I told you, when Luigi's gotta go, he's gotta go.
And he just... Went. I can see that. Now clean up this revolting mess before I...
What's this? Enzo knelt down on one knee.
Do my eyes deceive me? Or is there an honest to goodness silver coin? on top of your donkey's deposit.
Carmela's heart skipped a beat. Her plan was working.
The coin had fallen off of Luigi's backside and landed just where she'd hoped it would.
Well, you know, I have always said that Luigi is quite the treasure.
I don't know what I would do without him.
Enzo's eyes glittered with greed. Carmella, now that I know what a treasure your donkey is, I must have him.
How much will you sell him for? Sell him?
Oh. Luigi is not for sale. But if he were, how much would you want?
50 silver coins? No way. 100 silver coins?
Uh-uh. 200, then. No! 300. 300 silver coins plus... one half of my latest harvest.
You want to give me 300 silver coins. Plus one half of your harvest?
Yes! You'll be feasting on corn, wheat, and potatoes all winter long.
All right then. Carmella handed Enzo the donkey's lead rope.
You have yourself a deal. Then she collected her coins and her crops and headed back up the road laughing to herself all the way.
Enzo, meanwhile, led Luigi into his big wooden stable. here you go, my little silver mine.
The sun's going down, so you will spend the night in this cozy, comfy stall.
Now drink some fresh water. Eat some yummy hay, then lie down and go to sleep.
We have a lot of business to do in the morning.
Cha-ching! But when the morning came...
Good morning, my little cash cow. Or should I say cash donkey?
Ha! Enzo was gravely disappointed. What's going on?
From the look and smell of this place, I can tell all that hay went right through you.
Yet I don't see any coins. Not a single one.
Wait a minute! Enzo paused. All of a sudden, everything became clear.
I've been tricked! Oh! That knavish neighbor of mine will pay for this!
I'll pay Carmella a visit right now and give her a piece of my mind.
Well, as you might guess, Carmilla had a hunch that Enzo would be furious when he discovered the trick she played.
So she was ready. When Enzo came stomping over to her little red house with Luigi in tow, Carmela was out in the yard watering a little tree in a pot.
Carmella! You rascal! I have some words for you!
Oh, hello Enzo. And hello Luigi. Are you two out for a walk?
It's such a beautiful morning. Well, my morning hasn't been beautiful at all.
The minute I woke up, I went racing to Luigi's stable.
I searched through all of his... business and not a coin was to be found.
Oh, really? Carmella furrowed her brow.
How strange. I wonder if Luigi isn't feeling well.
I tell you what. Leave him here and I'll take a look at him.
Just as soon as I'm done watering my money tree.
To Carmella's delight, Enzo immediately took the bait.
Money tree, you say? And what, pray tell, is a money tree?
Oh, can't you see? It's a tree that grows money.
Carmela gestured toward the little tree.
And indeed. Each and every branch seemed to be sprouting a silver coin.
This tree is rather young, of course. Just a sapling.
But once it's all grown up, it will be bursting with money. dripping with money, sagging like a big, sparkly, weeping willow of coin.
Now, as you can probably guess, The truth is that Carmela had taken some of the coins she'd gotten from Enzo yesterday and glued them on to the tree.
But as far as Enzo could tell, the coins were growing from the branches like leaves.
A money tree! How marvelous! From the gleam in Enzo's eye Carmella knew she had her greedy neighbor right where she wanted him Carmella, this money tree is magnificent.
No, it's more than that. It's miraculous.
How much will you sell it for? Sell it?
Oh, no, no. It's not for sale. Not for sale?
Listen, Carmela. After this morning's disappointment with your donkey...
I should take back all the money I gave you yesterday and the crops.
But instead, I will make you a deal. I will let you keep everything. if you give me this miraculous money tree.
It's exactly what a man like me deserves.
Carmela smiled to herself and pretended to think things over.
Hmm. Well... If you really want to get what you deserve, Then all right, fine.
I will give you the money tree. But promise me you will be patient.
This tree takes time to grow. At first it will seem like nothing is happening.
But don't be discouraged. Keep watering the tree and giving it plenty of sun And I promise, you will get what you deserve.
So Enzo snatched up the tree and ran down the road back to his house.
He placed the tree in a sunny spot. He gave it plenty of water.
Then... He waited. I must be patient to get what I deserve.
And waited. I must be patient to get what I deserve.
And waited. I must be patient to get what I deserve.
The tree did grow. but it didn't sprout any silver coins.
I must be patient to get what I deserve.
Soon the tree grew so big that Enzo had to transfer it from its pot into the earth.
But still, it didn't sprout any coins. I must be patient to get what I deserve!
And then... At long last, the day finally came when Enzo realized Carmella had tricked him.
Again! He was never going to get any money from the tree.
After being so selfish and stingy and... anything but neighborly.
He was going to get exactly what he deserved.
Nothing. Though the good news is, he did learn something.
The importance of being kinder and more generous to others.
To that end... He allowed Carmella to keep the coins she had tricked him out of, and she used the money to get back on her feet.
She purchased new seeds, she bought new chickens, and she planted a whole new yard of healthy green grass. which her donkey Luigi immediately began to devour, top to bottom.
. . . Now it's your turn. What's one thing you can do this week to be a good neighbor?
Maybe you can bake your neighbors some cookies, offer to fetch their mail, or you can make them a hand-drawn card to thank them. for being a good neighbor.
Woohoo! This week's story, Donkey Business, 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 Han. Sabina has drawn a black and white coloring page for all of our Circle Round stories and you can color them in while you listen.
Grownups, visit our website, wbur.org slash circle round and click it. on coloring pages.
And while you're at wbur.org slash circleround, Just click on Books.
Special thanks to this week's actors, Jennifer Hale and Connor Ratliff.
Jennifer Hale has lent her voice to hundreds of animated shows and films including The Powerpuff Girls, Star Wars The Clone Wars, and Ralph Breaks the Internet.
She's also voiced nearly 200 video games, including Overwatch Mass Effect and Star Wars The Old Republic.
She's the founder of Skills Hub, a coaching site for actors.
Actor and comedian Connor Ratliff has appeared on such TV shows as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Search Party.
He plays George Lucas on The George Lucas Talk Show and is the creator and host of Dead Eyes. the acclaimed podcast about why Tom Hanks fired him from a the 2001 HBO miniseries Band of Brothers.
Watch for Connor in the upcoming feature film, Pinball, The Man Who Saved the Game.
Our featured instrument this week was the fiddle, played by our guest artist, Christian Habel.
Christian has performed with a who's who of music legends. including Barbra Streisand and Billy Joel.
Listen for him performing John Williams' score in the upcoming movie, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
To see a photo of Christian and to learn more about the fiddle and fiddling style, visit our website.
Once more, that's wbur.org slash circleround.
Grownups, if you enjoy what you hear on Circle Round, please tell your friends about the show. and write us a five-star review on your favorite podcast app.
And if you'd like to stay in touch, follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
We are at Circle Round Podcast. 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. with you.
My name is Alex and I live in Manila, Philippines And my favorite Circle Round story is Fair Feathered Friends.
I like the park. where a thrust says, ashes.
My name is Muya. I am from Seattle, Washington.
My favorite Stoker on story is the great ball game.
I like the part when Bab brings peace to every animal.
My name is Daniel and I live in Snohomish, Washington.
And my favorite circle round is Coyote's Flame and the Enchanted Pain brush.
My name is Nira. I am from New York. My favorite circle ride story is Curious Boots, because I like the part where they hear a chop chop.
It's a choppy sound. It's an axe. And do you hear a ticking sound?
It's a shadow, and a rippling sound. It's Hazelette.
My name is Herna. I live in New York. My favorite trick around is finding the light.
My favorite part is when the kid drops the light to the north.
Hi, my name is Eli. I live in Fort Worth, Texas.
My favorite Circle Round story is The Fire in the World.
I like it because the spider gets a fling.
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.
