Hi, Rebecca Sheer here.
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WBUR Podcasts Boston This Circle Around episode is one of two recorded live at the Athanayam Center for Thought and Culture in Chicago, Illinois on June 29th, 2024.
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Do you know what it means to put your best foot forward?
It could mean you present yourself in a positive way so that you make a good impression.
It could also mean you try your hardest to do something difficult.
We're about to meet a character whose life depends on putting his best foot forward, but only if he can keep someone else's foot off the ground.
I'm Rebecca Schier and welcome to Circle Around live at the Athanayam Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Today our story is called Giant Steps.
We found versions of this tale from the Jewish community in the West Asian nation of Iraq.
Joining me on stage is a trio of talented actors, James, Connitchek, Kayla Pouley, and Terence Lamont Jr.
And providing musical accompaniment is the one and only Eric Shimalones.
So Circle Around everyone for Giant Steps.
There once lived a woodcutter with nothing more to his name than his tumble down cottage, his trusty axe, and his pet goat, Patunya, a gentle playful animal on whom the woodcutter relied for milk and cheese.
He also relied on Patunya for a company and brought her to work each day so she could graze grass in the forest while he chopped wood.
One morning as the woodcutter was chopping and Patunya was grazing, what should come swooping down through the trees, but a buzzard, the broad, winged, shark-talent bird of prey was clearly hunting some furry critter or another, a mouse perhaps or a rabbit.
Thing is, poor Patunya was certain the buzzard was hunting her.
She lifted her head, let out a blight, then went scampering away.
Patunya, where are you going, Patunya?
Turn around and get back here.
The terrified goat paid no heed.
Instead of turning around, she just disappeared into the dense and tangled trees.
Oh no, my dear friend and my dear food.
If I don't get Patunya back, I'll have no cheese to eat and no milk to drink.
The woodcutter tossed down his axe and took off through the forest.
He tore through brambles.
Patunya! He splashed across streams.
Patunya! He leaped over logs.
Patunya! But it was no use.
His beloved goat was lost and so he realized was he.
Oh dear, I have no idea where I am right now or which way I must go to get back to my cottage.
Did I come running from this way or that way?
The woodcutter meandered around, keeping his eyes peeled for a familiar landmark, but nothing was recognizable.
Eventually, he found himself at the forest's edge.
The moment he stepped into the open air, an extraordinary sight met his eyes.
Stretched out before him, were row upon row of blueberry bushes, but they were unlike any blueberry bushes he had ever seen.
Whoa, check out how huge those bushes are.
They're easily twice my height and their berries are the size of my head.
Beyond the supersized bushes was a supersized house.
The door was bigger than the woodcutters entire cottage and the roof and chimney towered over the tree tops.
Who could possibly live in a house this giant and grow blueberries this giant?
If I didn't know any better, I'd say it had to be a giant.
Or in my case, a giant S. The woodcutter spun around.
Striding toward him on legs like tree trunks was yes, a giant S.
Her fingers were the size of breadlobes and before he knew what was happening, she was wrapping those fingers around his body and lifting him into the air.
Keep still human and keep quiet.
You're coming with me. The woodcutter quivered like a leaf as the giant has carried him into the house.
She locked the door, then set him down on a table so long and wide he could have played tennis on it if his trembling hands could hold onto a racket.
OK, human, you better explain yourself.
What are you doing here?
The woodcutter felt his throat go dry.
Um, well, the truth is, I don't know what I'm doing here.
I lost my goat and then I lost my way and now I just want to go home.
Though I suppose that's out of the question, giving that you're going to eat me in all.
Eat you. The giant tests arched in eyebrow.
You think I'm going to eat you.
Well, yes. Don't giants eat humans?
You bet they do. And if a giant comes across a human like you, you will be toast.
Or you'll be on toast. Maybe between two pieces of toast.
Like a sandwich or in your case a man which the giant has bellowed with laughter.
The trembling woodcutter didn't have the heart or stomach to join in.
What? You didn't like that joke?
How about this one then?
Giants love eating humans so much they're practically human utterians.
Get it? Like veg, aterian.
Only it's a human, aterian?
Because they snarf down so many humans.
Still no laugh? Not even a smile?
Do you not find my jokes funny?
It's just, well, I think I'm the wrong audience for your humor.
You know, I'm just not your ideal crowd.
And besides, how could I possibly laugh when I'm about to be somebody's lunch?
Somebody's lunch? Oh no way, not lunch.
No. Lunch was hours ago.
You need somebody's dinner.
Woo! Lucky for you though, you won't be mine.
The woodcutter felt a surge of relief and confusion.
But I thought you said giants are human utterians.
They are, but not me. I gave up eating your kind years back.
Back when my doctor said your cholesterol was too high.
It was through the roof and look at my house.
Do you see how high the roof is?
So anyway, she put me on this plant-based diet.
No milk, no eggs, no humans.
And you know what? What?
I don't miss it. In fact, I've come to believe eating humans is downright barbaric.
Just the thought of popping a person down my gut like makes me queasy.
Makes me queasy too. But listen, my dietary habits are definitely the exception to the giant rule, especially in this house.
I share the place with my big brother.
And when I say big, I mean big.
You can fit a kitty pool inside his stomach and he gusels down humans like there is no tomorrow.
Well, I guess for the humans, there is no tomorrow.
So you do make jokes. I like a human with a sense of humor.
Almost as much as my brother likes a human with a side of fries.
Luckily, my savage sibling is out for the day, which means we have plenty of time to get you out of here.
Sister? Sister, are you home?
The door is locked. The giant test froze as did the woodcutter's blood.
I thought you said your brother was out for the day.
He was. He must be back early.
But you don't have to worry.
I have a plan. And if it works, I promise you will find your way home.
And my brother will lose his appetite.
What do you think the giant test has up her very long sleeve?
And will the woodcutter make it home or become dinner?
We'll find out after a quick break.
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Before we return to our story, some exciting news.
Circle Round Live is going coast to coast with upcoming events in New York and Alaska.
From September 13 to the 15th, Eric Shimmelonis and I will be at the Alaska World Arts Festival in Homer with live performances of Circle Round stories and all ages storytelling workshop.
On December 8, we're recording two new episodes live at Symphony Space in New York City.
For more info and for tickets to our upcoming happenings, visit wbwar.org slash Circle Round and click on events.
I'm Rebecca Sheer and welcome back to Circle Round live at the Athenaeum Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Today our story is called Giant Steps.
Before the break, a woodcutter lost his goat and his way before finding a giant test.
To his relief, the giant test was kind, good natured and most importantly, vegetarian.
So when her human, a Terry and brother showed up unexpectedly, the giant testivized a plan.
Listen human, I'm going to take you to my brother's room.
You're going to hide beneath his bed and when he falls asleep tonight, you're going to steal one of his shoes.
Steal one of his shoes. Why would I steal one of his shoes?
Because they're magic.
If my brother isn't wearing his magic shoes and he tries to stand up, he'll sink right into the ground.
He's so gargantuan that the earth isn't strong enough to support him.
So if you hide one of his shoes, he'll promise you anything to get it back and he knows he has to keep that promise.
How come? Because this part of the magic spell, one broken promise and boom, the magic of my brother's shoes will be lost forever.
But enough chit chat. Let's get you out of this kitchen.
The giant has scooped up the woodcutter and carried him to her brother's room.
Then she went back to the front door and swung it open.
Sister, what took you so long?
And why did you lock the door?
We never locked the door.
Yeah, I guess we don't do we.
But I was just putting something away.
Anyhow, what brings you home, Sourly?
I thought I'd surprise you, sis.
Figured we could have dinner together.
I'd go hunt down some humans and we could have ourselves a feast.
How many times do I have to remind you, brother?
I'm a vegetarian. I don't eat humans.
Right, right, right. You don't eat humans.
How about a nice steamy human soup?
That counts as vegetarian, right?
Wrong. Human jelly? Wrong again.
What about little humans?
You mean children? No way.
Oh, come on, sis. Don't you remember how tasty humans are?
Those are so succulent, so flavorful, and what a scrumptious aroma!
Why, I can practically smell one right now.
Actually, I can smell one right now.
Is there a human in this house?
A human in this house? How could a human possibly find their way into this house?
You must really be hungry if you're smelling humans.
Hmm, you're right. I am hungry.
Too hungry to go out and do any hunting right now.
Do we have anything in the kitchen?
Actually, yes. We have an entire cup of bony, grisly chickens for you.
And veggie fried rice with pineapple and tangy marinated tofu for me.
After the siblings polished off their dinners, the giant went lumbering to his room from the woodcutter's position beneath the bed.
He immediately understood what the giant has meant when she said her big brother was big.
The giant was twice as tall as his sister, and twice as wide, plopping his behemoth behind on the mattress.
The giant kicked off his magic shoes, then he stretched his bulky body beneath the covers and fell asleep.
The woodcutter waited a few minutes, then he crawled over to one of the magic shoes.
It was bigger than a trampoline, but lighter than he expected, and he scooted it down the hallway with ease.
But the moment he reached the front door, oh no!
His heart sank. The door handle!
It's too high for me to reach!
I was going to hide the shoe outside, but how could I possibly...
what was that? The woodcutter's body tensed, as plotting footsteps came thundering down the hall, but then...
You men, he heaved a sigh of relief.
Giantist, it's you! I thought your brother had woken up.
Nope. Didn't you hear him?
That guy snores like an earthquake, and he could sleep through one.
I figured you needed some help.
Climb into the shoe. The woodcutter did as he was told.
The giant has grabbed the shoe, opened the door, then marched to a massive mount of dirt by the blueberry bushes.
She set the shoe down and handed the woodcutter a spoon, though to him it looked more like a shovel.
If you dig deep enough in this mount of dirt, it could be the perfect place to hide my brother's shoe.
I would help, but I should get back inside, just in case my earthquake over brother wakes up.
Thank you, giantist. I'm so grateful for everything.
You're welcome. I have to tell you, it feels heaps better helping a human than having a heaping helping of human.
A heaping helping, like a generous portion?
Yeah, yeah, I get it. But again, wrong audience.
Right, I'd better go. Good luck.
The woodcutter waved his new friend, goodbye, then climbed out of the shoe and began to dig.
It was hard work, and for a moment he was tempted to fling his shovel aside and make a break for it, but with no idea how to get home through the dark dense forest, or what frightening creatures awaited him there, he kept on digging.
He dug and he dug, making the whole deeper and wider until he was able to bury the shoe.
By the time he was finished, the sun was rising, and inside the humongous house, the giant was rising to...
The first thing he did was sit on the edge of his bed and reach for his magic shoes, but to his alarm.
One of my shoes is missing.
Sister? Sister? Yes, the giant has concealed a smile as she popped her head in the door.
I can't find my other shoe.
Do I have you seen my other shoe?
Your other shoe? The giant has pretended to think.
Didn't you leave it under the bed last night as you always do?
I thought I did, but it isn't there.
I must find that shoe. The flustered giant stuck one foot into his one shoe and went hopping around the room.
Where is it? Then he went hopping around the house.
Where is it? Then he went hopping around the yard.
Where is it? I would do anything to have my shoe back.
You would do anything at the sight of the woodcutter.
The giant's eyes grew wider than dinner plates.
Why, yes. I would do anything after gobbling you up for breakfast, of course.
Oh, I wouldn't do that if I were you, because I know where your shoe is, but I won't take you to it unless you make me a promise.
Three promises, actually.
Three promises? Yes. And I know you have to keep those three promises if you want your magic shoes to work.
So first, you must promise to help me get home.
The giant paused, then gave his colossal shoulders a shrug.
Fine, sure. I'll help you get home.
But all that traveling is bound to make me hungry, even hungerier than I am already.
And you look like a very tasty morsel.
And that's where the second promise comes in.
You must promise you won't eat me.
Won't eat you? All right, I promise I won't eat you.
Instead, I'll chow down on your neighbors.
The woodcutter wagged his finger.
I haven't told you the third promise yet.
The third promise is that you don't eat anyone.
Ever again, humans will be off the menu.
So when you say humans are off the menu, how about a human smoothie?
No. Human juice? Still no.
Human jerky. My sister, she just bought this new food dehydrated and made kale chips over there.
Absolutely not. Oh, okay, fine.
I won't eat humans ever again.
Promise? Promise. The woodcutter and giant got to work unearthing the shoe.
Which was no small feat, considering that the giant was still balancing on one foot.
Once he had both shoes on and both feet back on the ground, he perched the woodcutter on his shoulder.
Then together they set out through the forest.
Thanks to the giant's eagle-eye view, the woodcutter had no problem navigating the way to his tumble-down cottage, where to his relief and delight.
His beloved goat, Petunia, was waiting.
The giant bade the woodcutter farewell, then headed back into the forest.
And as he did, he had a spring in his step and a smile on his face.
You see, the giant had never done a good deed before.
Now that he had his first taste of kindness, he discovered it was down right.
Delicious. Now it's your turn.
You can put your best foot forward in a whole new way by making your own fancy footprint.
Find some paper and trace the outline of your foot.
Your shoe can be on or off.
Now grab some art supplies and turn your footprint into something new.
It could be an object or creature real or imagined, or you can just decorate your footprint and make it fancy.
Once you're done with your fancy footprint, we'd love to see it.
Ask a grown-up to snap a photo of you and your creation, and email it to circlearound at wbur.org.
We may feature it in the Lions' Roar.
Our newsletter for members of the Circle Around Club, more on this fun opportunity for super fans like you in just a bit.
But first, this week's story, Giant Steps, was adapted by me Rebecca Sheer.
It was edited by Dean Russell.
Erick Shimalonis composed our original music and played it live on The Timbini.
You can learn more about these large kettle drums and see a photo of Erick playing them on our website.
wbur.org slash circlearound.
Circle Around's artist is Sabina Han.
Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for all of our Circle Around stories, and you can print them out and color them in.
grownups, visit our website, wbur.org slash circlearound and click on coloring pages.
Special thanks to our Chicago actors, James Connitchek, Kayla Pulley, and Terence Lamont Jr.
And a big Circle Around of thanks to the staff at the Athenaeum Center, and to WBUR's Andrea Omira, Tina Safard, and Deb Taylor.
Looking for more ways to Circle Around with us?
Join the Circle Around Club.
You can support your favorite public radio podcast and get all sorts of goodies, like ad free episodes, bonus bedtime stories, exclusive swag, even a personalized birthday message from me.
grownups visit our website, wbur.org slash circlearound and click on Circle Around Club.
One more thing grownups, if you enjoy Circle Around, please write us a five-star review on your favorite podcast app.
Every review helps, and we appreciate your love and support.
Circle Around is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR News Station.
I'm Rebecca Sheer. Thanks for circling around with us.
Now that you've made it to the end of this Circle Around episode, we want to know what's your favorite Circle Around story.
Thousands of fans just like you have been telling us about the Circle Around stories they like best.
Take a listen. Maybe one of their favorites is one of yours too.
I'm Sam Raula. I'm from Toronto, Canada.
My favorite Circle Around is the Goblin Assistant.
I like the pub where the ghost makes up on the Goblin Assistant.
My name is Cyrus and I live in Chicago, Illinois.
My favorite Circle Around story is the Rainbow Horse.
I like the part where the third sister catches the Rainbow Horse.
My name is Goldie from K&M, so high in my favorite story is the Polka Dad of Kitten.
Hi, my name is Uelz and my favorite Circle On story is the Crystal Star Box.
And my favorite part is when the spider goes and gets worn.
My name is Clinton and I live in San Francisco.
My favorite episode of Circle Around is packing fire.
And my favorite part is where the two animals start laughing.
My favorite episode on the Circle Around podcast is the one with the sea shells because it has the sea turtle in it.
And it makes me think of my aunt, Sarah Fra, on kick-cod.
Hi, my name is Nora. I'm from Long Island, New York.
And my favorite Circle Around story is the rightful error.
My favorite part is when the king says, you know what, I can't just award you the people's goodwill.
You have to earn it for yourself.
I love you. Look back at you.
Did someone mention a story you've missed?
Not to worry. Grown-ups, you can find all of our Circle Around stories.
Plus links to the Circle Around Club, picture books, coloring pages, and oh so much more on our website, www.wru.org slash Circle Around.
