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.
Produced by the iLab at WBUR Boston. MUSIC PLAYS
Hi, Rebecca Shear here. Here at Circle Round, we're taking a few weeks off for the summer. as we get ready to present our fifth season of folktales from around the world.
So today we're bringing you a special encore edition from the Circle Round Archives.
A really fun story you may have missed the first time around.
We'll be back with a brand new episode soon.
In the meantime... Enjoy. If you could wish for anything right now, anything at all, what would it be?
Think about what you just wished for. Then, think about this. you yourself might be able to make that wish come true.
How? Well, maybe you can learn something from today's story.
It's about a young boy who's full of wishes... and the magical bird who leads him to an amazing discovery.
I'm Rebecca Sheer, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time.
Today, our story is called The Magpie with Salt on Her Tail.
A magpie, by the way, is a kind of bird, a bird you'll often see in Sweden.
That's the northern European country where our tale comes from.
Some really great people came together to help bring you this folktale, including Rachel Harris and Taryn Killam.
If you're a grown-up listening right now, you may recognize Rachel Harris from the USA Network series Suits. and the Fox comedy Lucifer.
And you might know Taron Killam from Saturday Night Live on NBC. and as the voice of Nature Cat on PBS Kids.
So, circle round, everyone, for the magpie with salt on her tail.
There once was a young man named Theo. And Theo was always wishing for things.
If only I had a horse to ride, or a sled, or a boat!
I wish, I wish, I wish! Theo shared a small house with his parents, who were broom makers in the village.
The family had food to eat. but only just enough.
And they had clothing to wear, but nothing fancy.
Theo knew chances were good that his wishes would never come true.
Then one day, on his way home from the market, he met a wise old woman.
Tell me, my child, why do you look so down in the dumps?
Well, you see, all my life I've wished for things.
Fun toys, fine shoes, fancy pastries for dessert.
But even though my mother and father work hard, we can't afford any of these things.
So I know they'll never be mine. The old woman laughed.
My dear. Clearly, you haven't heard the legend of the magpie.
The Legend of the Magpie? Yes. And old legend says that if you go to the forest and sprinkle a pint Thank you for watching.
Oh, but here's the catch. You must wish quickly. before the salt falls off the bird's tail.
Because if the salt falls off before you make your wish, It will never come true.
Wow! Thank you. From now on, I'm going to carry salt in my pockets wherever I go.
And he did. Now, Magpies... these black and white birds with shiny green and violet wings They were quite common in Theo's village.
But try as he might, he could never get close enough to sprinkle salt on any of their tails.
After a week of chasing down magpies, Theo finally found one that let him come close.
So close, he could almost touch her. Here, birdie birdie.
Good birdie birdie. Now if I can just sprinkle some of this salt on your...
But just like that, the bird flapped her wings and flew to the nearest pine tree, out of Theo's reach.
The same thing happened again and again, all day long.
And by the time the sun set, Theo was so exhausted, he collapsed under the pine tree and fell fast asleep.
Until... Theo! Hey, Theo. Theo woke with a jerk.
Hello? Who's there calling my name? Oh, it's me, up here, in the tree.
Theo craned his neck toward the branches of the pine tree, and can you guess what he saw?
The mad pie. The same one that had been teasing him all day.
Wait, you? Magpie? You can talk? As Theo stared in wonder, the magpie opened and closed her beak.
And as she did, she spoke. Yes, Theo, I can talk The truth is I'm actually an enchanted princess, and you will have your wish, but only if you help me.
Of course I will. I'll do anything. All right.
Here's what you must do. Get me a pocket knife, the finest one you can find. so I may clean my beak and claws.
Then I will sit still so you can sprinkle salt on my tail.
Theo thought this was a fair enough request.
All right, then. Whatever you wish. So the next day, Theo went out picking blueberries. buckets and buckets of them.
He then sold his berries at the market. With the money he made, he bought a pocket knife, the finest one he could find.
He brought it to the magpie in the forest.
Oh, magpie, oh, magpie, I've brought you your knife.
But the magpie just fell. flapped her wings, and shook her head.
Oh, sure. That's no knife for a fine princess such as myself.
It doesn't even have a gold handle. But my wish... I need you to grant my wish.
What if I get you a knife with a gold handle Then will you help me?
The magpie sighed. You know what? I don't even want a knife anymore.
But you can get me a sled. A beautiful sled.
That would be fun. to go sleigh riding once the snow begins to fall.
Again, Theo thought this was a fair enough request.
All right then. Whatever you wish. As Theo made his way out of the forest, he looked at the pocket knife in his hand He thought for a moment.
Suddenly, he knew what he would do. Aha!
First, he found some leftover wood from his parents' broom business.
Then he used the knife to carve. He carved wooden spoons and cutting boards.
He even carved toys for children. He then sold everything he made at the market and eventually earned enough money to buy a splendid sled which he brought to the magpie in the forest.
Magpie, oh Magpie, I've brought you your sled.
It's sleek, it's fast, Perfect for sleigh riding once the snow begins to fall.
Now, may I sprinkle salt on your tail? But the magpie just flapped her wings and shook her head.
Tell me, Theo, do you really think this sled is good enough for a princess?
It should have been made with silver. And gold.
Theo couldn't believe his ears. But I thought you said...
Look, you asked for a knife, I brought you a knife.
You asked for a sled, I brought you a sled.
How much more can you possibly wish for?
An excellent question, Theo. An excellent question indeed.
But here's a question for you. Do you want to sprinkle salt on my tail?
Or not? Theo answered without hesitation.
I do. So, what if I buy you a better sled?
One that's shimmering with silver and sparkling With gold.
Oh, no, no. That won't be necessary. Because now, I want something else.
What do you think the magpie will ask for?
Will Theo ever get to sprinkle salt on the bird's tail?
We'll find out after a quick break. Support for Circle Round comes from Indeed.
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Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Shear.
Today, Our story is called The Magpie with Salt on Her Tail.
When we left off, a young man named Theo was trying to sprinkle salt on a magpie's tail.
Doing so, he'd heard, would make any wish come true.
The magpie told Theo she was an enchanted princess, and if he got her a knife, she let him sprinkle her tail with salt.
But then she changed her mind and asked for a sled.
Last we heard, she'd changed her mind yet again.
I want something different, Theo. I want... carriage, and horses.
Find me those, and you will get to sprinkle your salt on my tail.
Theo was flustered, but he thought this was a fair enough request.
Sort of. All right, then. Whatever you wish.
Poor Theo left with a heavy heart, but he would not give up hope.
Whatever the cost, he was determined to get the magpie her carriage with horses so that he could sprinkle salt on her tail.
Just then, it began to snow. Puff after puff of snow drifted down from the sky.
Before long, the ground was blanketed in white.
Suddenly, Theo knew what he would do. Aha!
He took the sled to the biggest hill in town.
Before long, everyone was there, eager to play in the newly fallen snow.
Theo hired his sled out to anyone and everyone who'd pay for it.
He found many customers since his sled was the fastest and sleekest for miles around.
Soon, Theo had made enough money to buy a horse.
He trained the horse and taught it to do tricks.
He put it in horse shows where he made enough money to buy another horse.
He put that horse in shows too. Soon he had enough money to buy an elegant carriage with silver-spoked wheels.
He braided the horses' manes, attached the horses to the carriage, and drove off to the magpie in the forest.
Oh, Magpie, oh, Magpie, I've brought you your horse and carriage.
The horses know all kinds of tricks, and the carriage has such beautiful silver-spoked wheels.
Now may I sprinkle salt on your tail? But the magpie just flapped her wings and shook her head.
"'You call that a carriage fit for a princess?'
I am royalty and would never ride in an open carriage like that.
And look at those horses. Do you think they're anywhere near tall enough or majestic enough?
Theo could not believe his lousy luck. Well, now that I know that, I can go out and get you different horses. and a different carriage.
I'll just head back to town and... Oh no, none of that will be necessary.
You see, I no longer want a horse and carriage.
I want a castle. A glorious castle with 100 rooms and a garden.
A rose garden. Oh. I positively adore roses.
Get me all of that, Theo, and you will get to sprinkle your salt on my tail.
Theo sighed deeply. All right, then. Whatever you wish.
Using his new horses and carriage, Theo began to drive around town.
People noticed how magnificent the horses were and how smoothly the carriage rode.
Before long, they began hiring Theo to drive them here and there.
Soon Theo earned enough money to buy another horse and carriage, and another.
And another. He hired other drivers to help out. and eventually his horse and carriage business had raked in enough money for Theo to build a castle.
It took about a year, but once everything was finished, Theo drove back to the magpie in the forest.
Oh, Magpie, oh, Magpie, I've built you your castle.
Its walls are made of sparks. cling white marble, its 100 rooms are filled with emerald-encrusted beds and diamond-studded chairs and tables.
And beside the castle... is a rose garden where every kind of rose blooms Red roses, pink roses, white roses, even yellow and orange.
Now, may I sprinkle salt on your tail? This time, the magpie did not lie. flap her wings, or shake her head.
Is it true? You've built me my castle? Oh, I have to see it.
Let's go. When Theo and the magpie reached the castle, the bird flitted about from room to room.
Once she'd taken a full tour, she perched on the banquet table in the great hall.
This castle, Theo... Hmm. It is truly glorious.
Just as I asked. Theo smiled. But... There is something missing.
Theo frowned. Something missing? What could be? could possibly be missing.
I did everything you asked. The 100 rooms.
The Rose Garden! Oh, yes, yes, I know, I know.
But a fine princess such as myself needs to maintain her court.
I need to pay my royal advisors and my butlers and my cooks.
I want three chests filled with gold coins.
Get me those. And at last... You will get to sprinkle your salt on my tail.
Theo clenched his fists in frustration. All right then.
Whatever you wish. Determined to finally sprinkle his salt Theo went back to work.
He used his knife to carve marvelous things out of wood.
He rented out his sled for rides. He rode people around in his many horses and carriages.
By the time five years had passed, he had earned enough gold coins to fill three enormous chests.
He dragged the three chests to the castle and set them down in the banquet hall.
When the magpie flew into the grand room, Theo pried open each chest's massive lid.
Oh magpie, oh magpie. Here are your chests full of gold coins.
Each one weighs as much as twenty elephants.
Now... May I please sprinkle salt on your tail?
The magpie eyed the gold coins. Then she flew over to Theo.
He held out his arm, and she landed gently on his hand.
Yes, Theo, you may. You may sprinkle salt on my tail.
At last. Theo reached into his pocket for a pinch of salt.
With the magpie sitting perfectly still, Theo sprinkled the glittering crystals on her tail feathers.
All right then. So tell me, what is it you want?
Remember. If the salt falls off my tail before you make your wish, your wish will never come true.
Oh! The truth is, Theo had forgotten about that part of the legend.
In fact, he'd been so busy working these past few years... that he'd even forgotten his original wish.
The salt's beginning to fall, Theo. One flip of my tail feathers and it's all gone.
One... Just a moment, just a moment. Let me think.
But for the life of him, When Theo tried thinking about what to wish for, something he didn't have already, his mind went blank.
Three! The magpie flipped her tail feathers, and Theo watched as the rest of his salt went flying across the room.
The magpie then flew across the room herself. and perched on one of the three chests of gold.
Looking at Theo, she opened her beak and began.
To laugh. The magpie's laughter filled the banquet hall.
It echoed off the large walls and the tall, tall ceiling.
It rang in Theo's ears until he couldn't stand it any longer.
Magpie, you make me so angry. Now I know what I want to wish for.
A cage. So I can lock you inside it and never have to deal with you in your out- landish requests ever again.
The magpie stopped laughing. Instead... She glared at Theo, her black eyes shining bright.
Well, that wouldn't be very nice, would it, Theo?
"'locking me away after I granted all your wishes?'
Theo was confused. What do you mean, after you have granted all my wishes?
You haven't even granted one of them. Once again, the magpie glided over to Theo. and once again she perched gently on his hand.
Oh, Theo, don't you see? "'Thanks to me, now you have a fine pocketknife for carving wood.'
You have a swift, speedy sled. You have beautiful horses and carriage.
You have a grand castle, a garden, and now you have gold that weighs as much as 60 elephants.
You have all of this. And you never had to say a word.
Theo stood there, with his mouth and eyes wide open.
It's true. I already have everything I could possibly wish for.
I worked so hard just so I could sprinkle some silly salt on your tail, and in the end...
I needn't wish for anything. Anything at all.
Well, what do you think about that? The magpie flapped her green and violet wings and lifted off from Theo's hand.
She soared out of the grand banquet hall, out of the castle, past the rose garden, and back into the forest. where she hoped to meet another young man or woman who was always wishing for things.
Hmm. Now it's your turn. When's the last time you worked hard to achieve a goal or make a wish come true?
What did you do to make it happen? And how did you keep track?
Find some paper and something to draw with and create a picture showing how you accomplished your goal.
Then share that picture with a grown-up in your life and ask them to tell you about a time they worked hard. hard to make a wish come true?
Today's story, The Magpie with Salt on Her Tail, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shearer. and edited by Circle Round's executive producer, Jessica Alpert.
Original music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis, with special thanks to violinist Christian Habel.
A big circle round of applause for this week's actors.
Laura Gardner... and Taryn Killam. Grownups, you can catch Rachel Harris on the Fox comedy Lucifer. and the USA Network series Suits.
Taryn Killam voices the lead character of the PBS kids show Nature Cat.
And you grown-ups can check out Killing Gunther.
That's the feature film Taryn wrote, directed, and starred in.
Amazon Video. We have so many exciting stories coming up on Circle Round, and we don't want you to miss any.
Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts.
And the more listeners, the merrier. 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.
Hi, I'm Sana and I live in Philadelphia And my favorite story is Ashes for Sale And I like the part when the people stare at the man and laugh.
Hi, my name is Naima. I'm from Philadelphia.
My favorite story is the three-legged pot.
I like the part when the three-legged pot takes Felix to the North Pole.
My name is Ari and I'm from Washington D.C.
And my favorite circle round story is Granny's Leather Bag.
I like the part. when the evil woman turns into stone.
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 Circle Round. Or wherever you and your grown-ups get your podcasts.
