Hi, Rebecca Scheer here.
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And now on with the story.
WBUR podcasts, Boston.
As you're listening right now, the Circle Round team is in Alaska, where we're grateful to be performers and participants in the Alaska World Arts Festival.
We head back to the Lower 48 soon, so this week we're bringing you an encore edition of Circle Round, a special episode from the archives that's become a true listener favorite.
Not to give away too much, but it involves a goddess, a chameleon, and some seriously fabulous fashion.
Enjoy! Think about some of your talents, your special skills.
Do you write poetry, play soccer?
Maybe you can make up tricky riddles or make other people laugh.
We all have special strengths, and in the story we're about to hear, one character uses his talents to help another character meet her match.
I'm Rebecca Shear and welcome to Circle Round, where story time happens all the time.
Today our story is called Chameleons Contest.
Versions of this tale originally come from the Igbo people of Nigeria in West Africa.
Some really great people came together to bring you our adaptation of this folktale, including Johnna Cabooth and Jay Farrow.
Grown -ups, you can see Johnna Cabooth and Issa Rae's new HBO Max show, Rap Stuff.
Jay Farrow stars in the new Comedy Central film Out of Office.
The Saturday Night Live alum is currently on a comedy tour coming to a city near you.
So, circle around everyone for Chameleons Contest.
Long, long ago in the very beginning of things, the Great Spirit decided to create the earth and sky.
I shall create mountains and trees, rivers and oceans, the sun, the moon and stars.
From there, he created other spirits, gods and goddesses to watch over the things he had brought forth.
Earth goddess, you shall watch over all the land.
It will be my honor, Great Spirit.
Sky God, you shall watch over all the heavens.
It would be my privilege, Great Spirit.
And sea goddess, you shall watch over all the waters.
Sea goddess? Sea goddess?
Here I am, Great Spirit.
You call? Yes, sea goddess.
I was giving you your role as watcher of all the waters.
Oh, that would be amazing.
The waters of this earth are so beautiful.
And the oceans, they're filled with all these amazing shells, corals and pearls.
I can hardly wait to work them into my outfits.
I'm thinking shells for my crowns, corals for my braces and necklaces, and maybe a long, luxurious robe studded with pearls.
Sea goddess, as you can tell, was quite the fashionista, obsessed with clothing and jewelry and looking chic and stylish at all times.
I'm glad you appreciate my creation, sea goddess.
Does this mean you'll take on your new duties?
You bet, Great Spirit.
I can hardly wait. Right off the bat, earth goddess, sky god and sea goddess assumed their tasks dutifully.
They knew the Great Spirit was the supreme being who created every one and everything, and they knew better than to disobey the all -powerful one.
But as time went by, sea goddess began having second thoughts.
Hey, earth goddess, sky god, can we talk for a sec?
What is it, sea goddess?
Is everything all right?
Yes, sky god, everything's fine, especially my new coral necklace.
See how it glitters and gleams?
Isn't it fantastic?
It's great, sea goddess.
Very nice. But why did you call on us?
Well, it's just that I've been thinking about the waters.
After all, the Great Spirit created you to watch over all the waters.
I know that, and I love my job.
I do. And it's not just about treasures like shells and corals and pearls.
I love how the fish in my rivers and lakes and oceans feed so many creatures, and how magnificently my waves crash against the shore.
And have you seen those incredible whirlpools I can make?
I mean, basically, I am amazing.
You're humble, too.
You can say that again.
Listen, I know we always said that the Great Spirit is the supreme being and all that, but I'm thinking, maybe I should be the supreme being.
Okay, slow down there, sea goddess.
Yeah, I mean, as the sky god, my rain provides the water that fills your rivers, lakes, and oceans, and my thunderstorms and tornadoes can be devastating.
And as the earth goddess, I grow crops and provide fresh air and shade with my trees.
Plus, I can rig havoc with my earthquakes and avalanches.
But neither earth goddess nor myself would ever challenge the Great Spirit as the supreme being.
Never. Think about it, sea goddess.
The three of us wouldn't even be here if not for the Great Spirit.
Details, details. All I'm saying is that at the end of the day, I believe that the real Great Spirit is me.
Well, as you can imagine, when the Great Spirit caught wind of sea goddesses boasting, he was not pleased.
So sea goddess really thinks she's more powerful than I am, eh?
I'm too busy keeping the universe going to head to the bottom of the sea.
So I shall send down a messenger to set her straight.
One who will show her what's what.
Now, the Great Spirit could have sent anyone to be his messenger.
So you might be surprised as to whom the supreme being chose.
It was none other than.
Chameleon. Yes, Great Spirit.
What can I do for you?
Chameleon, the sea goddess is challenging my supremacy, and I want you to go down and visit her and set her straight.
That's mighty kind of you, Great Spirit.
I'm very flattered, but you do know I'm only like a foot and a half long, right?
And of all the lizards in the world, I am by far the slowest.
A family of snails crawling through honey could move faster than I do.
Of course I know those things, Chameleon.
I created you after all, but I chose you for one of your strengths.
Something you can do that no one else can.
Oh, you mean move my eyes in two different directions?
Check this out! I need to clean back there.
That is quite special, Chameleon.
But no, that's not what I'm talking about.
I'm talking about your ability to change colors, to blend in with your surroundings.
Oh, that! Yeah, my ability to camouflage is pretty cool, isn't it?
Sure comes in handy when I'm trying to avoid a snakes or a bird, who wants to eat me.
I just match the colors and patterns of whatever I'm near like a rock or plant, whatever.
And they think I vanished.
But, uh, what does any of that have to do with sea goddess?
You'll find that out when you go and visit her, Chameleon.
If all goes as I hope it will, your ability to match your surroundings will show that impertinent goddess that she's no match for me.
What do you think the Great Spirit is planning?
And how will Chameleon's camouflage skills help him with sea goddess?
We'll find out after a quick break.
Did you know Radiolab has a new podcast for kids?
Well, now you do. It's called Terrestrials and it's hosted by me, Lulu Miller.
On every episode, we take a walk into nature to meet a plant or animal behaving in ways that will stun you.
Squirrels who hide secrets in their brain that might help us get to Mars, bugs that make milk and oh yeah, we occasionally sing about it.
Search for Radiolab for Kids wherever you listen to podcasts and get the newest episodes of Terrestrials today.
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Welcome back to Circle Round.
I'm Rebecca Scheer.
Today our story is called Chameleon's Contest.
Before the break, Sea Goddess, the chic stylish watcher of all the waters, was getting a little big for her britches.
She declared she was more powerful than the great spirit, the supreme being who had created the earth and sky, plus all the gods and goddesses.
So the great spirit sent chameleon to the bottom of the sea to set Sea Goddess straight.
As the scaly lizards sink down past fronds of seaweed and schools of fish, he found that thanks to the great spirit's magic, he was able to breathe beneath the water.
Well, that's a relief.
Of course I'm still not sure how my ability to camouflage will help when I talk with Sea Goddess, but surely the great spirit knows what he's doing.
When chameleon reached the sandy bottom of the sea, his bulging eyes grew wide.
Whoa, whoa! Check out Sea Goddess's palace.
The whole thing is studded with jewels and shells.
She's got quite the abode.
Chameleon floated through the palace's massive front door.
After zigging and zagging through hallway after hallway, each one more shimmery and glimmery than the last, he reached a cavernous room where Sea Goddess sat high on a glistening throne.
Chameleon? You're doing here.
Greetings Sea Goddess.
I come here as a messenger from the great spirit.
He heard you questioning his power and saying that you should be the supreme being.
Sea Goddess waved a hand covered with bracelets and rings.
Well, can you blame me for saying I should be supreme?
Look at this room. Look at this palace.
Look at me. I am fabulous.
Chameleon could hardly disagree.
Sea Goddess was fabulous, but she was also full of herself.
Suddenly the crafty little lizard knew just how he'd bring the vain goddess down to size.
You're right Sea Goddess.
You are fabulous, but I'll bet I can prove that I'm every bit as fabulous as you are.
I hereby challenge you to a fashion contest.
Sea Goddess looked chameleon up and down and laughed.
A fashion contest with you?
No offense chameleon, but how can a sluggish scaly lizard possibly win a fashion contest against a goddess?
There's only one way to find out, isn't there?
Unless of course, you're not up for it.
Oh no, I'm up for it.
Wait, right here. I'll come back wearing an ensemble that'll knock your socks off.
Sea Goddess drifted from the room.
When she breezed back in, she was wearing a bright green dress covered with pieces of radiant sea glass that glinted like a mirror.
What do you think of this nifty number chameleon?
There's no way you could possibly...
Sea Goddess stopped short because when she looked down by her side was chameleon and the little lizard appeared to be wearing the exact same dress she was.
Same green color, same pieces of sea glass, everything.
What were you saying Sea Goddess?
There's no way I could possibly wart because clearly I am every bit as stylish as you are.
Perhaps you'd like a rematch.
Sea Goddess blinked her eyes.
Yes, let's have a rematch.
I'm gonna head out and change again and when I come back there's no way you can top me.
For the second time that day, Sea Goddess floated out of the room.
Chameleon could hardly wait for her to come back so he could once again imitate whatever she was wearing and match it color for color, jewel for jewel.
This time when Sea Goddess swept back in she was wearing another gown.
It was sparkly silver with iridescent shells and coral woven throughout.
Feast your eyes on this fantastic frock chameleon.
It's absolutely one of a kind personally made for me by the tailored fish who live in the...
Once more, Sea Goddess fell silent and do you know why?
Because again, Chameleon had swum to her side and blended in with what she was wearing so it appeared that he too was dolled up in a silver gown flecked with shells and coral.
What were you saying Sea Goddess?
The gown was personally made for you because somehow I'm wearing the exact same one.
Maybe we should go another round.
Sea Goddess clenched her fists.
Yes, let's go another round.
So for the third time, Sea Goddess swam out of the room.
When she returned she had on yet another gown.
This one a dark steely blue like the sea during a storm and fringed with red, orange, purple, and pink starfish.
Haha, get a load of this glamorous get -up, Chameleon.
Only I could possibly own a creation as gorgeous as...
Once more, Sea Goddess froze in her tracks because as you may have guessed, Chameleon seemed to be wearing a steely blue gown lined with starfish too.
What were you saying Sea Goddess?
A creation as gorgeous as what now?
The fashion contest continued all day.
The determined deity would change into yet another glorious garment.
Hallegander it. This one Chameleon.
Only to discover that Chameleon was wearing the exact same thing.
This happened over.
And over. What? And over.
No way! Until at last.
I give up. You win.
Are you sure you want to throw in the towels Sea Goddess?
Because I could keep doing this all day.
There's no limit to the dapper duds I can wear.
I can see that. You're just the lowly lizard messenger of the great spirit.
Yet you can dress every bit as fabulously as I do.
Clearly I've been bested and clearly the great spirit is the most powerful of all.
So what can I do but wave the flag?
Though personally I look much better with a blue flag or maybe green or silver or even orange like coral.
Though I do look amazing in red and yellow too.
Well that was the last time that Sea Goddess or any god or goddess challenged the great spirit.
To this day the Igbo people of Nigeria call the great spirit Chukwu.
From the Igbo words Chi meaning spiritual being and Ukwu meaning great in size.
Yet if we believe this story then the great spiritual being didn't prove his power alone.
He had help along the way from a little lizard who overcame a big challenge with flying colors.
Now it's your turn.
How can you use one of your special skills to help others?
Maybe you love doing art and can create a handmade card for a neighbor who's been under the weather.
Perhaps you can do magic tricks and can entertain your family on a rainy day.
Or maybe you're a really good listener and you can help a friend who's going through a tough time.
Think about your skill then think about how you can use your talent to bring a smile to others.
Something tells me that once you're done you'll be smiling too.
This week's story Chameleon's Contest was adapted by me Rebecca Scheer.
It was edited by Circle Rounds supervising producer Nora Sacks.
Our original music and sound designs by Eric Schimelonis.
Our artist is Sabina Han.
Sabina has created a black and white picture for every Circle Round story and you can print them out and color them in.
Grown Ups you can find more than 180 Circle Round coloring pages on our website wbur .org slash Circle Round.
Special thanks to this week's actors.
Theodore Chin, Mike Smith, Dawn Ursula, Johnna Kabuth and Jay Farrow.
Grown Ups check out Johnna Kabuth and Issa Rae's new HBO Max show Rap Stuff.
Jay Farrow stars in the new comedy central film Out of Office.
The Saturday Night Live alum is currently on a comedy tour coming to a city near you.
You can find tour dates on our website wbur .org slash Circle Round.
This week's featured instrument was the balafone.
You can learn more about this wooden xylophone originally from West Africa and see a photo of Eric Schimelonis playing one on our website.
Once more that's wbur .org slash Circle Round.
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It means a lot and now you can find Circle Round in your favorite bookstore.
Our first two picture books A Taste of Honey and The Tale of the Unwelcomed Guest are out now and our third The Great Ballgame is available for pre -order.
Visit wbur .org slash Circle Round to get your copies.
Circle Round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR news station.
I'm Rebecca Scheer.
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.
Hi my name is Robin.
I live in England and my favorite Circle Round is a free legged pot.
My favorite pot is where felix jump on the pot and the pot runs all the North Pole.
My name is Orla. I live in Brooklyn and my favorite Circle Round story is the Spotted Pigeon.
My favorite part is when the Spotted Pigeon finds out that he can't deliver messages for anyone but the king.
My name is Robert and I live in New York City and my favorite Circle is a lone dragon.
My name is Samir and I'm from Brooklyn.
My favorite story is the nine sticks and my favorite part is when the king says where's my treasure.
My name is Desmond.
I live in New York.
My favorite Circle Round is the Crystal Story Box.
My favorite part is when I see the Spotted Pigeon.
I am through the clouds.
My name is Leon. I love a new joy.
What's your favorite Circle Round?
Rhyming Rhino. My favorite part is when the sun falls out of the sea.
My name is Mila and my favorite circle round story is since we like upon my favorite part is when she says it's time to skip and skip.
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.
