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. See if you can guess this riddle.
I soar without wings. I see without eyes.
I have no limits, yet you can hold me in your hand.
What am I? Pretty tricky, right? Well, the answer is your brain.
Your brain is the strongest thing you have.
And in today's story... We'll meet a character who uses her quick-thinking clever brain to save her family.
Bye. Bye. I'm Rebecca Sheer, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time.
Today our story is called Katya the Quick.
It's inspired by tales from the Jewish tradition. particularly the Eastern European country of Ukraine and the Middle Eastern country of Yemen.
Some really great people came together to bring you our folktale, including Etai Benson and Susanna Flood.
You can see Etai at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater in the Broadway production of Company, nominated for nine Tony Awards.
Susanna Flood is also appearing on Broadway in Birthday Candles, playing at the American Airlines Theater through May 29th.
You grown-ups may also know Susanna from For the People on ABC and Life and Beth on Hulu.
So circle around, everyone. For Katya the Quick.
Bye. Igor, Katya, and their young son Levi. had nothing to their names but a small patch of land and a chestnut-colored horse named Clementine.
Igor and Katya worked hard, yet they couldn't afford to buy even a fraction of the things the family needed.
As a result, their walls were drafty, their roof was leaky, And more often than not, their meals consisted of nothing more than...
Cabbage soup again? We know, son. Times have been hard lately.
Your dad is right, Levi. But hey, things can only get better.
In the meantime, what do you say we lighten up the mood with a riddle?
If there was one thing Katya loved, in addition to her beloved husband and son, of course, it was dreaming up a good riddle.
And she did it all the time. Okay, guys, see if you can guess this one.
I spread a net, but I'm not a fisherman.
I catch things, but never a fish. What am I?
Igor and Levi adored Katya's riddles. And every now and again... I know what you are, Mommy.
They knew the answer. Are you a spider?
That's right, Levi. A spider. But most of the time, what has a mouth but is unable to eat?
They were stumped. This is a tough one, Mommy.
A real tough one. Do you know the answer, Daddy?
I'm afraid I don't, kiddo. Do you? I don't.
Mommy, tell us, what has a mouth but is unable to eat?
It's a river. A river? That's a good one.
A very good one. It's official, Levi. Your mother is the quickest and cleverest woman in all the world.
One morning, after Levi went off to school, Igor walked out to the field only to discover...
Oh, my. A baby horse. A skinny little colt. staggering about on its spindly legs.
Look at you! I knew Clementine was expecting a baby, but I didn't know you'd be coming so soon.
And what are you doing out in the field instead of in the stable?
Well, no matter. Welcome to our family, little one.
Welcome to our family. Igor turned and saw his next door neighbor, a gruff and untrustworthy farmer named Gideon.
Our family? That colt belongs to my family!
My mare was expecting a baby, too. I had no idea, Gideon.
You never told me your mare was pregnant.
That's because I... You know. As Gideon stuttered and stammered, Igor could immediately tell.
His neighbor was lying. It's because I... I am...
Look, it doesn't matter why I never told you.
The point is... That creature is mine! But look at him!
He's the spitting image of his mother. He's got Clementine's chestnut-colored coat, her chocolate brown mane.
So you say. But I say the colt belongs to me.
And I say we take this dispute to the Queen.
The queen was brand new to the throne, but word had it she was a very fair ruler with an eye toward justice.
So Igor and Gideon went to the palace and stood before the queen.
Greetings, gentlemen. What can I do for you today?
The queen listened carefully as Igor and Gideon explained their situation.
When they were done, she flashed both men a smile.
So, you both claim the colt is yours, eh?
Well, here's what we're going to do. Instead of deciding this case, I will ask both of you a series of riddles.
"'Riddles, your majesty?' "'Yes, Gideon.'
A series of puzzling questions posed as a problem to be solved or guessed.
With all due respect, your majesty, I know what riddles are.
I was just surprised is all. Igor, on the other hand, was delighted.
After all, you know how much he and his family enjoyed riddles.
Your Majesty, are you saying that whoever provides an answer to your riddles will get the baby horse?
That's precisely what I'm saying, Igor. Only in this case...
I'm not so much seeking answers as items.
I will describe to you three different items.
The one who brings me all three items will get the baby horse.
So, let's begin. The first item I seek causes no pain, no sorrow. yet makes everyone weep.
The second item is in every book and speaks every language, yet makes not a sound.
And the third item can fill an entire room.
Yet you can hold it in your hand. Think about these three riddles, gentlemen.
Then bring me your items tomorrow. When Igor returned home, he told Katya and Levi about the baby colt and his meeting with the new queen.
Wow, Daddy, I can't believe you met a real queen.
What are the three items she wants you to bring?
The first is something that causes no pain, no sorrow, yet makes everyone weep.
The second is something that's in every book and speaks every language, yet makes not a sound.
And the third is something that can fill an entire room, yet you can hold it in your hand.
Do you have any ideas, kiddo? Levi scrunched up his forehead.
Um, what? No, I don't. But I know someone who might.
Mommy? All this time, Katya had been sitting quietly. listening to her husband's story with a little smile on her face.
Mommy, surely you know the answers to the Queen's riddles?
Right? Well, as a matter of fact... Katya's eyes twinkled brighter than the jewels in the queen's crown.
I do know the answers. I'll spend the evening gathering a few things, and then tomorrow...
That baby horse will rightfully be ours.
What do you think are the answers to the queen's riddles?
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 Katya the Quick.
Before the break, a deceitful farmer named Gideon was trying to claim Igor's new baby horse as his own.
The neighbors went to the queen, who told them she would award the horse to whomever brought her three items.
Something that causes no pain, no sorrow, yet makes everyone weep.
Something that's in every book and speaks every language, yet makes not a sound.
And something that can fill an entire room, yet you can hold it in your hand.
Igor's wife, Katya, was a quick-thinking, clever woman.
The next morning, she sent Igor off to the palace with a small wooden chest.
Here are the items the queen seeks, my darling, but be careful.
Some of them are a little bit fragile. Thank you, my love.
It really is true. You are the quickest and cleverest woman in all the land.
When Igor reached the throne room, he approached the queen with a bow.
"'Good morning, Igor. I'm pleased to see you.
"'Your neighbor Gideon just left.' He told me he had no idea how to solve my riddles, but he begged me to give him the baby horse anyway.
And what did you say, your majesty? I said, no, of course.
I would never let him get off that easy.
But now that you're here, Igor... Have you come bearing answers to my riddles, or are you going to beg my mercy as well?
Actually, I have come bearing answers to your riddles, Your Majesty.
I believe they are right here in this chest.
Wonderful! well then let's see the first item the one that causes no pain no sorrow, yet makes everyone weep.
Of course, your majesty. Igor lifted the lid of the chest and peered inside.
Then he reached in and pulled out... An onion!
Yes, your majesty, an onion! Is that correct?
It is. An onion causes no pain or sorrow. but slice into it and your eyes will water and water.
Very good, Eve. Where's my next item? The one that is in every book and speaks every language yet makes not a sound.
I believe I have that one too, your majesty.
Again, Igor stuck his hand into the chest and lifted out.
A bottle of ink. Indeed, Your Majesty, a bottle of ink.
Is that what you were looking for? Indeed I was.
After all, we use ink to print all our books in every language.
Yet it remains as silent as newly fallen snow.
Bravo, Igor. Now, how about my third item?
The one that can fill an entire room yet you can hold it in your hand.
I'm pretty sure I have it right here, Your Majesty.
Once more, Igor reached into the box and brought out...
A candle! Exactly, Your Majesty! A candle!
Is this the answer you were seeking? It absolutely is!
A candle fills a room with light, yet it's small enough to grasp in your hand.
Carefully, of course. The queen jumped up from her throne and took Igor by the hand.
Igor, you've solved my riddles beautifully.
The baby horse is yours. You must be a very quick and clever man to come up with all those items by yourself.
Igor was an honest fellow, and his conscience wouldn't let him take credit for solving the queen's riddles.
Actually, your majesty, it's my wife who's the quick and clever one.
Katya has never met a riddle she can't solve.
The queen was impressed and intrigued. You see, the new sovereign was still building up her staff, hiring people to be cooks and butlers, dressmakers and footmen.
The trickiest job she was looking to fill was that of royal advisor.
A wise soul who could help her make decisions and solve problems.
At the mention of Igor's clever wife, the queen got an idea.
So, your wife, Katya, she's the one who solved my riddles.
Yes, Your Majesty. It wasn't me at all. I see.
I wonder if Katya can do something for me.
I will send you home with one tuft of cotton, newly picked from the royal cotton fields.
Tell Katia she must use this cotton to spin a hundred yards of cloth.
Igor was confused. With all due respect, Your Majesty, one tuft of cotton be used to spin a hundred yards of cloth?
I don't think you'd even get an inch. That is for Katya to figure out.
If she truly is as Quick and clever as you say she is?
Igor had all the faith in the world in his wife, but But this task seemed downright impossible.
So he went back home and told Katya about the Queen's challenge.
Um... You say the queen wants me to use this one tuft of cotton to spin a hundred yards of cloth?
That's right. Well, in that case... Katya ran outside and came back with a tiny twig.
You tell the queen that I can't spin 100 yards of cotton unless she can turn this twig into a spinning wheel for me to spin the cotton into cloth.
So the next day, Igor went back to the palace and told the queen what Katya said.
When he showed the monarch the twig, Her face broke into a grin.
I like the way your wife thinks. but I want to get a closer look inside her head.
So... I will send you home with one dozen eggs, newly laid by the royal chickens.
Tell your wife she must hatch these eggs, raise the chicks into full-grown chickens, Then bring me a dozen of those chickens' eggs by tomorrow.
Again, Igor was perplexed. Not to cast doubt on what you say, your majesty, but if those eggs were just laid, It could be weeks before they hatch.
Yet you want my wife to hatch the eggs? And raise the chickens?
And bring you their eggs? By tomorrow? How is that even possible?
Like I said yesterday, that is for your wife to figure out.
If she truly is as quick and clever as you say she is, she will find an answer.
So again, Igor went back home and told Katya about the queen's newest challenge.
You say the queen wants me to hatch these eggs.
And raise the chickens and bring their eggs by tomorrow?
That's correct. Well, in that case... Katya hurried to the kitchen and came back holding a single sunflower seed.
You tell the queen that I cannot possibly feed all of the chickens I raise in order for them to lay eggs.
So she must plant this sunflower seed. let the flower grow, then harvest its seeds, And deliver those seeds so we can feed the chickens by tomorrow.
So the following day, Igor went back to the palace and told the queen what Katya said.
When he showed the monarch the sunflower seed, she beamed. my, my, my Your wife is good.
I dare say I'd like to meet her myself. Tell her to come visit me tomorrow.
And... Tell her to come neither with a gift nor without one.
Again, Igor was baffled. Not to speak out of turn, your majesty, but how can someone possibly show up with and without a gift?
Like I said yesterday and the day before.
That is for Katya to figure out. If she truly is as quick and clever as you say she is, she will find an answer.
So, yet again, Igor went back home and told Katya about the queen's newest challenge.
You say the queen wants me to come visit her neither with a gift nor without one?
Those were her exact words. Well, in that case...
Katya's eyes lit up with excitement. I'll be there.
You and Levi can come too. So the next morning, Igor, Katya, and Levi traveled to the palace and met the queen in her throne room.
Good morning, Igor. And you must be Katya.
Oh, and who is this fine young man? My name is Levi, Your Majesty.
Pleased to meet you, Levi. I've heard you have a very clever mother.
Oh, she's the quickest and cleverest woman in all the world.
Well, in that case... The queen turned her eyes toward Katya.
Perhaps you can show me what you've come with, Cut.
It would be my pleasure, your majesty. I have come with this.
Katya opened her hand and held out a live sparrow.
Instantly, the brown bird flapped its wings and took flight.
The queen watched as the bird fluttered out the window and up. toward the sky.
At first she didn't say a word. But then, a wide, dazzling grin spread across her face.
You did it, Katya. You came neither with a gift nor without one.
Brilliant. And now I have a gift for you.
The queen reached under her throne. then held out a beautiful robe of purple velvet.
I've been saving this robe for my new royal advisor.
And now that you've more than proven yourself, Katya, I'd like that advisor. to be you.
You and your family can live in the palace in utmost comfort.
You can even bring that chestnut-colored horse of yours and her beautiful baby.
Will you join me? For Katya, this question was no riddle at all.
Yes, your majesty. It would be our honor to join you.
And so, Katya, Igor, and Levi, and Clementine and her baby... all moved into the royal palace.
And even though Katya spent her days tying her mind in knots as she helped the queen unravel problems, She and her family lived in utmost comfort for the rest of their lives.
Hmm. Now it's your turn. See if you can guess this riddle.
I'm not a shirt, yet I'm sewn. I'm not a tree, yet I'm full of leaves.
I'm not alive, yet I talk wisely. What am I?
Think you know the answer? Send your guesses to circleround at wbur.org.
And to take another look at the riddle, visit our website, wbur.org slash circleround, and click on this week's episode now.
We'll announce the answer on Instagram and Facebook soon.
You can find us at Circle Round Podcast.
This week's story, Katya the Quick, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shearer.
It was edited by Nora Sachs and Circle Round's supervising producer, Anne-Marie Sievertson.
Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis.
Our artist is Sabina Han. Sabina has drawn a black and white picture for every Circle Round story, and you can color them in.
Grownups, you can print out more than 165 coloring pages on our website.
Again, that's wbur.org slash circleround.
Special thanks to this week's actors. Don Ursula, Itai Benson, and Susanna Flood.
Etai Benson is currently starring in the Broadway production of Company, nominated for nine Tony Awards.
He originated the role of Poppy in the Tony Award-winning musical The Band's Visit, and is a Grammy Award winner as principal soloist on the band's visit original Broadway cast album.
You grown-ups may recognize Susanna Flood from For the People on ABC and the Hulu original series Life and Beth.
Susanna is also appearing on Broadway at the American Airlines Theater in Birthday Candles, now playing through May 29th.
Our featured instrument this week was the hammered dulcimer.
To learn more about this stringed instrument shaped like a trapezoid, And to see a photo of Eric Shimalonis playing it, check out our website.
Again, that's wbur.org slash circleround.
Want to help us spread the Circle Round word?
Please give us a five star review on your favorite podcast app. and tell your friends to follow us Circle Round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR news station.
I'm Rebecca Shear. Thanks for circling around with us. 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.
Hi, my name is Hania and I live in Dallas, Texas My favorite Circle Round story is the Enchanted Paintbrush.
Because I like the part where the lady gave the girl the silver paintbrush.
I love your stories. Hi, my name is Red and I'm from Michigan.
My favorite story is the porcupines playing and I like the park. when the porcupine asked for the sun and moon back.
Hi, my name is Willow and I live in Harvard, and my favorite Circle Round story is the three-legged pot because the three-legged pot skips to Felix's house and to get something from him, and Casper gets that thing.
We love you, Rebecca Shear. My name's Anna.
I live in Maine. My favourite Circle Round story is the chattering clams because I like when Beaver smacks the chattering clams into the sand.
My name is Mesa. And I live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. and my favorite story is a busy fairies i like the part where the kid is calling his grandpa and he tells him what to do.
Hi, my name is Olivia and I live in Lower Lake and my favorite story of Circle Round Is the horse of a different color?
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 grownups get your podcasts.
