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. There's nothing like a little recognition, right?
Getting cheers and applause when you score a goal in your soccer game. being praised for how hard you worked on a project, But as we're about to hear, when our desire for recognition outweighs our ability to achieve it... things can backfire in unexpected ways.
I'm Rebecca Sheer, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time.
Today our story is called Getting Skunked.
It was inspired by legends told by the Abenaki, Algonquin-speaking peoples from the northeastern part of North America.
Some really great people came together to bring you our version of this tale, including author and Emmy Award-winning actor Terrence Terrell.
Star of the CBS comedy Be Positive. His series of children's books includes Blackie, The She's, The Crowned Kids, and My Little Black Book.
So circle around, everyone, for getting skunked.
Way, way back in the olden times, the most beautiful of all the animals was Skunk.
In modern times, Skunk is black, with white stripes on his back and snout, right?
Well, back when our story takes place, Skunk's silky fur was pure, snowy white.
Not only that, but Skunk didn't spray. He didn't have those glands under his tail that spritz out chemicals that smell like rotten eggs or rancid garlic.
This is the tale of how Skunk came to be the way he is today.
It all started one especially cold winter.
The snow had been falling nonstop for months, and with no sign of spring on the horizon, the people were worried.
Do you see how deep the snow is? And it's getting deeper by the minute!
Soon it'll be higher than our rooftops! How will we hunt for food?
How will we plant our crops? And how will we gather wood for warmth?
Or for cooking. Our children will go hungry.
Our houses will be icy. I say, we talk to Gluskabay.
Yes! He'll know how to help us. Gluskabay was the kind, heroic giant who took care of the people and watched over them.
So they approached Gluska Bay and told him their problem.
I understand your troubles, my people. First thing tomorrow, I will journey to the top of the tallest mountain and visit Snowbird.
She's the one who controls the snow. I will talk with her and see what I can do.
But the next morning, just as Gluskebe was about to set off on his travels, who should pipe up?
Um... Glooscapay, but skunk. Well, hello there, skunk.
Your fur is so white, I didn't see you there in the snow.
What's up, little one? Well, Goosecapay, I was wondering, Is there any chance I could come with you to visit Snowbird?
Maybe help you sweet-talk her a little? Before we go on, something you should know about Skunk... though he was regarded as the most beautiful and sweet-smelling of all the animals.
That was about it. He wasn't praised for his smarts or his bravery or anything else, really.
But Skunk dreamt of being hailed as a hero, and he figured joining Glooscapay's quest could make his dream come true.
Kluska Bay, however, wasn't exactly jazzed by the idea.
Listen, Skok. I appreciate the offer, but look at you.
You're so small. And this snow is so deep.
If you join me on this journey, How will you keep up?
I can do it, Glooscapay. I can. Please let me come along.
Please. So Glooska Bay gave in, and he and Skunk took off towards Snowbird's Mountain.
As they ventured north, the blanket of snow grew deeper and deeper, And Skunk found himself leaping from one of Glooskabay's footprints to the next.
But the hulking giant had such a long stride that Skunk would occasionally miss a footprint.
Then he'd go plummeting under the snow. Um... help?
And Glooscapay would have to pull him back out.
Phew! Thank you. By the time the duo reached the peak of Snowbird's Mountain, Skunk wasn't feeling very heroic.
"'Icicles hung from his white fur, "'and his teeth were chattering so hard he could barely speak.'
But when he and Kluska Bay arrived at Snowbird's perch, the giant did all the talking.
Snowbird! The massive white bird craned her neck toward Gluska Bay.
Tumbling down from her outstretched wings were millions of snowflakes.
Snowbird, you must close your wings and stop making all this snow.
I mean, don't get me wrong. The world needs your snow.
It keeps the soil warm and moist until it's time for planting crops.
It keeps the lakes and rivers full of water But this year, you're making too much!
Look at my little friend here! Glooskabay lifted Skunk by the scruff of his frozen neck.
He's practically an ice cube. It's time for spring to come, Snowbird.
It's time for warmth. It's time for things to grow.
So please, will you close your wings? Snowbird gave Glooska Bay a long look.
Then she nodded her head, folded in her wings, and the snow stopped.
Now that their mission was accomplished, Glooska Bay and Skunk made their way back down the mountain.
By the time they reached the bottom, the sky was a shimmering blue and patches of grass were visible through the melting snow.
When the people caught sight of Gluskabay, they clustered around him and cheered.
You didn't. You got Snowbird to close up her wings.
And now spring can come. And we can plant.
And we can hunt. And our children can run around and play.
Hooray! We will always be grateful. Thank you.
While the people sang Gluskabay's praises, Skunk stood off to the side and grumbled.
Oh, so Gloosket Bay's the big hero, huh?
I'm the one who froze my tail off to reach that kooky bird on top of her mountain.
But Glooscapay gets all the glory instead of me.
No respect, no respect at all. Skunk sighed and gazed up at the sky. the bright blue sky.
And as he did, his mind suddenly clicked.
Wait a minute. I know how to make them respect me.
Cause I'm gonna do something they'll never forget.
What do you think Skunk is planning? We'll find out what it is after a quick break.
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Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Shear.
Today, our story is called Getting Skunked.
Before the break, Gluska Bay trekked to the top of the tallest mountain and convinced Snowbird to close her wings and stop the snow. sweet-smelling white-furred skunk insisted on coming along.
But when Skunk and Glooska Bay returned from their mission, the grateful people hailed Glooska Bay as their hero, and ignored Skunk completely.
No respect! No respect at all! Craving attention and admiration, Skunk began concocting a plan.
He found a big ball of twine and set off toward a mountain nearly as tall as snowbirds, At the top of this mountain was Day Eagle.
And if Snowbird brought the snow, What do you think Day Eagle brought?
That's right, the day. When her great wide wings were open, light came streaming out of them and bathed them. all of Earth.
When she closed her wings, the light disappeared, and the whole world was dark.
By the time Skunk reached Day Eagle's lofty perch, the enormous bird had tucked in her wings and nodded off for the night.
Squinting through the darkness, Skunk began wrapping his twine around Day Eagle's wings.
This will teach him not to underestimate me.
Skunk worked swiftly and silently, wrapping the twine this way and that, tying it in knot after knot.
Then he scurried back down the mountain.
The next morning, there was no morning. Day Eagle's wings were bound so tightly she couldn't open them and shine light upon the earth.
But the people didn't know that. The light!
Where is the light? Why hasn't Day Eagle opened her wings?
Will it be dark on earth forever? Gluskabay was every bit as worried and puzzled as the people were.
He headed straight to the top of Day Eagle's mountain, where he found her wrapped in twine.
Poor bird was contorting her body as she tried to unknot the string with her beak.
Diego! What has become of you? Who tied you up like this?
I don't know, Glooska Bay. Someone must have snuck over while I was asleep.
Luskabe set to work undoing the knots, but there were so many, and they were tied so tightly.
He could only free one of Day Eagle's wings.
I'm sorry, Day Eagle. It's the best I can do.
From now on, I'm afraid one half of the world will be light while the other half is dark.
All I ask is that you keep turning around on your mountaintop so that both sides of the earth get their fair share.
Can you do that? I can. And indeed, ever since.
When it's daytime on one side of the Earth, it's nighttime on the other, and vice versa.
As Gluska Bay rolled the twine back into a ball, he noticed something.
Stuck to the string were bits of fur. White, silky fur.
Aha. Skunk! Galuska Bay went barreling down the mountain and straight to Skunk's den.
The silky white critter was curled up next to a crackling bonfire and was snoozing away.
Skunk! What were you thinking? You nearly threw the world into nighttime forever.
At the sound of Glooscapay's deep voice, Skunk's eyes snapped open.
What are you doing here? And why is it so light outside?
I thought that when I tied up Day Eagle, I...
So you did do it, you little rascal. All at once, Huskabe grabbed a handful of ashes from the fire and smeared them across Skunk's face and back.
My fur! My beautiful white fur! From now on, Just one glance at you and everyone will remember your mischief, my friend.
And as for that sweet smell of yours... Kluska Bay breathed in some of the fire's smoke. then blew it all over Skunk's body.
From now on, you will smell of rotten eggs and rancid garlic. people will see you and run away. for fear of getting your stink.
But, Glooscapay. No buts. However, since you did want to bring on never-ending darkness, From now on, you will only come out at night.
No one will see you during the day. Of course, given your smell, I doubt they'll want to see you Anyway... Skunk hung his streaked head...
All he had wanted was to be admired and adored.
Instead, now he had a striped body, a nocturnal sleep cycle, and a smell so strong it would send anyone running.
And so it is to this day. Now, to be fair, Skunk only sprays his spray when he feels or in danger.
But word to the wise, unless you're a big fan of rotten eggs or... rancid garlic, I wouldn't get too close.
. . . Now it's your turn. What's one compliment you can give someone today?
Maybe you can compliment a teammate for trying so hard during a game.
Or compliment a family member or neighbor for baking such delicious brownies.
Think about your compliment and who you'll give it to then go out and do it.
You'll make someone else feel amazing. And I bet you'll feel amazing too.
This week's story, Getting Skunked, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear.
It was edited by our supervising producer, Amory Severson.
Original music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis.
Our artist is Sabina Han. Want to color while you listen?
Sabina has drawn a black and white picture for every Circle Round story.
You grownups can download them from our website, wbur.org slash circleround.
And while you're there, you can find links to the Circle Round coloring book, soundtrack, and t-shirt.
Special thanks to this week's actors. Anthony Palmini, Jessica Rao, Alejandro Ruiz, David Swanson, and Terrence Terrell.
Grown-ups, watch for Terrence on the CBS comedy Be Positive.
And kids, Terrence's book series includes Blackie, The She's, The Crowned Kids, and My Little Black Book.
Our featured instrument this week was the slide guitar.
To learn more about it and see a photo of Eric Shimalonis playing one, visit our website.
Again, that's wbur.org slash circleround.
Haven't subscribed to Circle Round yet? Never miss an episode by following us on Apple Podcasts or whatever podcast app you use.
And please give us some stars, write a review, or grown-ups, you can help us spread the word on social media.
Our Instagram and Facebook handle is at CircleRoundPodcast.
On Twitter, we are at ComeCircleRound. 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 Hi, my name is Abby.
My favorite circle round is... the uncommon offering.
My favorite part was when the boy in the girl got married.
I am from California. Hi, my name is Avery.
I live in Las Vegas. My favorite story is A Hundred Rooms.
Like the part when Harmony says to the parents, seriously?
If you get much lower, your feathers will all be gone.
I also like the music. Hi, I'm Oscar and I'm from California.
My favorite place is called the Coming Float.
Hi, my name is Levi and I'm from Portland.
Oregon and my favorite Circle round is counting crocodiles because I like the part when she hops on the terrace.
Hello, my name is Nell. I'm from Portland, Oregon.
My favorite episode is The Farmer's Coin because I like when The farmer's neighbors give her the fish and all those foods. and I like when she cuts the fish and she finds the coin.
Hi, my name is Nora and my favorite soccer round story is Growing Courage and my favorite Part is when the monster turns tiny.
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.
