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. Think about a time you told a story.
Maybe you told the story of something that happened to you in your life.
Maybe you made up a tale from your imagination.
Or perhaps you retold a tale you'd already heard, maybe even on this podcast. we're about to meet a character who claims he has no stories to tell.
And as a result, he gets swept into an adventure that, he hopes, will end happily ever after.
I'm Rebecca Shear, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time.
Today, our story is called Once Upon a Flame.
It was adapted from tales told in the European country of Romania.
You'll also find related but different variations from Scotland and Ireland.
Some really great people came together to bring you our folk tale, including William Maypother. whom you grown-ups may recognize from the hit TV series Lost and the movies Another Earth and On Sacred Ground.
Watch for him this fall in the Western film Outlaws.
So circle around, everyone. For once upon a flame.
One chilly, blustery winter's eve, three traveling merchants happened to cross paths on a country road.
Their names were Milo... Phew! This is some cold!
Matilda I'm shivering in my boots. And Magnus.
We should take shelter for the night. But where?
The merchants glanced around the wide open countryside, their eyes peeled for a house, cottage, or inn.
At first they saw nothing. But then... Look there, through the trees.
Is that a light? I believe so. Let's follow it!
The merchant's feet crunched deep in the snow as they wound their way into a dark forest.
When they came to a clearing, Their chilled faces broke into warm grins. because standing before them was a cozy red brick cottage with tendrils of smoke curling from the chimney.
When they knocked on the door... It was answered by an old woman with hair as white as sugar.
Skin as wrinkly as a prune and a smile as wide as a rainbow.
Greetings. You three look frozen to the core.
Who are you and why are you wandering around in this bitter weather?
Well, madam, I'm Milo. I'm Matilda. And I'm Magnus.
We are traveling merchants. We met on the road and need to take shelter from this storm.
May we please come in? Of course, of course.
Come, sit by the fireplace. It'll warm you up in no time.
The merchants hurried inside and huddled in front of the crackling, blazing flames.
Good madam. We appreciate you taking us in.
What could we pay you for a bite of supper?
And a place to lay our heads. What could you pay me?
Well, since you asked, how about... One story.
The merchants exchanged a confused look.
Uh, we're sorry, madam. But did you say...
One story? That's right. I would charge each of you one story.
The way I see it, there's nothing more precious than a spellbinding story. a tantalizing tale.
So one by one you will spin us a yarn. Then you shall earn your room and board.
How does that sound to you, Milo? Well, it sounds a bit unusual, to be honest.
But count me in. I love a good story. Marvelous.
And Matilda, how about you? I've always enjoyed stories.
Telling them and hearing them. I'm in. Good.
And Magnus, what do you think? Magnus wasn't as quick to respond.
When he did answer the woman's question, It was with a question of his own.
So, um... About this whole telling a story thing, what would you do if, say, We didn't have a story to tell.
If you didn't have a story to tell? The woman paused.
She furrowed her weathered brow. If you didn't have a story to tell, then it will be off with you.
I'll send you back out into the cold. But come now.
Who in this world doesn't have a story to tell?
Magnus said nothing. He just tightened his lips and looked down at his hands.
Well, friends, I have some hearty porridge warming on the stove.
Let's hear your stories, then we'll all dig in.
Milo, shall we begin with you? It would be my pleasure.
Long ago, on opposite ends of town, there lived two brothers.
Felix and Casper. Felix was so rich, that he threw all of his tarnished silver coins into the trash.
But Casper and his wife were poor, so they decided they must sell their one and only cow, clover but instead of selling clover Casper wound up trading her for a talking three-legged pot.
The old woman's smile grew bigger and bigger as Milo shared his story.
She was beaming from ear to ear by the time he came to the end.
Eventually, the pot made off with Felix and carried him all the way to the North Pole.
Then it skipped back to Caspar and his wife and gave them Felix's tarnished silver coins. so the kind couple was rewarded for their kindness.
And thanks to Felix's cold heart, he was left in a very cold place.
Oh, what a charming story. And I love the lesson.
You've definitely earned your supper, Milo.
Now, how about you, Matilda? Tell us your tale.
I'd be happy to. Once upon a time, Owl and Thrush were the best of friends.
Back then, Thrush had feathers that sparkled with every color of the rainbow.
One night, Owl and Thrush found a jewel-filled cave owned by ogres.
The ogres said the birds could bring home some jewels. as long as they never carried more than their own body weight.
The old woman's eyes grew brighter and brighter as Matilda spun her yarn.
They were positively sparkling as Matilda shared the conclusion.
But when Thrush tried carrying more than his own body weight in jewels, The ogres set the cave on fire.
Thrush's colorful feathers got burnt. And because he went back on his promise, he's had drab feathers ever since.
Goodness, that was delightful, Matilda. We could all learn a lot from Little Thrush.
You are more than welcome to a bowl of porridge.
But let's not forget our third storyteller this evening.
Magnus, are you ready to tell your tale?
Magnus shifted uncomfortably. Um, yeah, about that.
Here's the thing. I don't have a story to tell.
There was a moment's silence. Then the old woman let loose with...
A laugh? Oh, come now, Magnus. Surely you're joking with us.
You really don't have a story to tell? Yeah.
Surely you heard stories when you were a young boy.
Well, if I did, I don't remember any. How about when you're a young man?
Nope. Well, how about a true story then?
Yeah, something that's happened in your life.
Milo and Matilda are on to something, Magnus.
Surely you have a real life event that you could share with us.
Enough already, okay? I'm telling you, I don't have any stories to tell.
Look, madam, why can't I just pay you money for my room and board?
Why all this fuss? over something as silly and insignificant as a story.
Silly? Insignificant? The woman fixed Magnus with a cold stare.
You're actually telling me that you believe stories are silly? insignificant?
Despite the entertainment they offer, the education The enrichment.
You are of the opinion that they're nothing but foolish trifles?
Well, if that's truly what you believe, Magnus...
Then you can get out of my cottage. Now!
Before Magnus knew what was happening, the old woman lunged toward him. seized him by the arm and lifted him from his chair.
Hey! Then with a show of surprising strength, She pulled him across the room, drove him out the door, Wait! and slammed it shut behind him.
I can hardly believe my luck. I have no shelter, no warmth, No food?
All because I have no story? But, as Magnus would soon learn, all of that was about to change.
Because unbeknownst to our hapless hero, his story was just beginning.
What do you think will happen next? We'll find out after a quick break.
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I'm Rebecca Shear. Welcome back to Circle Round.
Today, our story is called Once Upon a Flame.
Before the break, three traveling merchants took shelter with an old woman on a cold winter's night.
In exchange for room and board, the woman asked each of the merchants to tell a story.
Milo and Matilda were happy to spin a yarn, but Magnus claimed he didn't have any stories to tell.
So the woman kicked him out of her cottage.
The snowflakes were so thick and clumpy Magnus could hardly see as he stumbled through the forest in search of shelter.
When at last he emerged from the woods, his eyes opened wide.
Up that hill, I see a light. It must be a house.
I hope whoever lives there is home. And they'll take me in.
Magnus raced up the steep, snowy hill as fast as his feet could carry him.
And sure enough, At the very top, he found a tiny one-room house But even though the house was tiny, a big ruckus was going on inside.
Magnus clamped his hands over his ears as he squinted through the window.
Could it be? This house is full of farm animals.
I see two bleating goats, six squawking chickens, and one mooing brown cow.
And look, they're crowding out the poor family who lives here.
I see a man, a woman, four children, plus a grandmother and grandfather.
And they all look positively miserable. Magnus was desperate to get inside and feel some warmth, but he knew better than to knock on the door of the tiny one-room house So, bracing himself against a brisk gust of wind,
He wrapped his arms around his trembling body and set off down the other side of the hill.
When he reached to the bottom, his heart gave a hopeful ping.
Look! through that tall wall of hedges.
I see another light. certainly be a house.
And surely this one won't be anywhere near as crowded.
But when Magnus shoved the hedge's prickly branches aside and pushed his way through...
He clamped his hands over his ears again.
Goodness gracious! Listen to that flute playing!
It's completely off key and off pitch! And it's making the dog howl and the cat yowl.
I may be as frozen as a popsicle, but I am not going inside that house.
So, as another gust of wind buffeted Magnus's frigid frame, He resumed his trip across the snow-covered countryside His hands and feet were numb by now, and his breath froze into frosty white vapor each time he exhaled.
Just when he was certain he couldn't make it any farther, he came to another hill. topped with a brilliant glow that seemed to light up the sky.
That light is surely coming from a very big house.
A spacious one. Surely they'll take me in.
Magnus began trudging up the hill. As he climbed, he could have sworn he heard the pops and crackles of a fire. and he was almost positive he smelled wood smoke.
And when he reached the top... whose bumps rose on every inch of his body, and not just because he was frozen to the core.
It was because the big house at the top of the hill was surrounded by fire.
This is the wildest thing I've ever seen!
There's a circle of fire around this house.
A collection of flames racing and leaping around. without so much as touching the walls, let alone burning them.
By now, the wind was blowing with such force it nearly lifted Magnus off the ground.
Clumps of ice and snow were pelting him from every direction.
Ugh, I can't stay out here any longer. I know I'm standing outside a house encircled by flames, but...
I have to get inside, otherwise I'll freeze to death.
Magnus clenched his fists, lowered his head, then began charging toward the fire.
But the moment he did, an explosion of sparks burst toward him like a firework.
Yikes! Magnus leaped out of the way and tried approaching the house from another side.
But the same thing happened. Yow! He decided he would give it one more try.
But this time... All the flames around the house seemed to unite as one. then come blazing toward him, chasing him like a giant, fiery tidal wave.
Oh no! Magnus turned around and took to his heels.
He could feel the heat scorching his back as he tripped, staggered, and stumbled He stumbled through the snow.
He ran and he ran and he ran. Until eventually, he found himself back in the forest, in front of the tiny red brick cottage in the clearing.
With trembling hands, he grabbed hold of the door latch, gave it a turn, and to his delight...
The door swung open, revealing the old woman, Milo and Matilda. all sitting at the table eating their porridge.
While Milo and Matilda wore a look of surprise...
Magnus! You're back! The old woman wore a look of scorn.
"'Magnus!' I explained the rules of my cartage.' and what you must offer in exchange for my hospitality.
You failed to follow those rules. So give me one good reason why I should allow you to come back in here.
Um, because I'm freezing cold? I need a better reason.
Because I'm ravenously hungry? Better than that.
Because I... I... Magnus took a breath. He could still smell wood smoke in his nostrils.
And that's when it hit him. Because... "'I have a story to tell!'
The old woman stared at Magnus. Her eyes were bright and unblinking.
And then, all at once... She let out a laugh.
A story to tell? Why didn't you say so?
Come in, Magnus. Come in and tell us yours.
So, he did. He joined Milo, Matilda, and the old woman at the table. and told them everything that happened after he got booted from the cottage.
He told them about the tiny one-room house filled with farm animals.
The off-key flute playing with the howling dog and yowling cat? and the big house encircled by flames that reflected off the snow and lit up the sky.
When Magnus finished his tale, Milo and Matilda were agog.
Whoa, that was amazing, Magnus. Yeah, that's some story.
Thank you, friends. But I have to confess, I don't understand any of it.
The house with the animals, the noisy flute playing, the fires...
What did it all mean? The old woman smiled.
Well, Magnus... It just so happens I have the answer to your question.
You do? I do? Let's start with the tiny one-room house.
You see, the people who lived in that house had grown dissatisfied. always complaining that their house was too small.
So someone very wise told them to bring in their farm animals one by one.
And now mark my words, once those animals go back to their places in the barn, The people will realize they had it pretty good on. along, and that it could always get worse.
Magnus tilted his head as he took in the old woman's words.
So. That family was learning a lesson. Life is all about how we look at it.
Huh. But what about the house with the flute playing and the howling, yowling animals?
How do you explain that? Well, inside that house was a budding musician.
Since he's just starting out, his flute playing isn't exactly as... sweet as caramel or as light as the breeze or as bright as the stars.
But he has to start somewhere. And he has to keep trying, no matter who tries to stop him.
If he keeps at it, he'll find that practice doesn't make perfect.
Practice makes progress. Magnus thought for a moment. then grinned.
I totally get it. And that's an excellent lesson.
But I'm still confused about the house surrounded by fire.
What does that mean? The old woman's eyes twinkled, almost like two little flames.
The house surrounded by fire. That was a house where people had fallen asleep. after each one had told a story and the listeners had learned something from it.
Each and every one of those stories and events. lessons had transformed into a blazing, fiery flame.
But... Why? Why? because stories light up our lives.
They keep us safe and protected by teaching us to be better people.
So the fires were just doing their job and protecting the people inside.
That is why you're doing such a good deed when you give someone a story.
And I thank you for your gift, Magnus. I also commend you.
For at long last, my friend, you have a story to tell.
The old woman laid a soft hand on Magnus' shoulder.
She gave a gentle squeeze, then she rose from the table and shuffled off to her room.
The three merchants grabbed some pillows and bedded down on the floor by the fireplace.
Milo immediately nodded off. As did Matilda.
And just as Magnus began to drift into a warm and welcome sleep, He could have sworn he saw flames leaping and dancing outside the cottage windows. and he was almost certain he smelled wood smoke.
Ah! Now it's your turn. Believe it or not, this story marks the finale of Circle Round's sixth season.
Now that our season has drawn to a close, we want you to make up a story of your own with a storytelling jar.
Find an empty jar and some small pieces of scrap paper.
On each piece of paper, write a random word or phrase.
You could write anything. Zebra, football, purple, gigantic.
Here today, gone tomorrow, ready or not, here I come.
Put your pieces of paper inside your jar.
And then with some friends or family members, take turns pulling out a piece of paper.
Read the word or phrase on your paper, then use it as inspiration for a story.
Give your story a beginning, middle and end and let your imagination run wild.
This week's episode Once Upon a Flame was adapted by me, Rebecca Shearer. along with Circle Round's sound designer and composer, Eric Shimalonis.
It was edited by Nora Sachs. Our artist is Sabina Han.
Sabina has drawn a black and white coloring page for all of our Circle Round stories, all six And you can color them in. and click on Coloring Pages.
And while you're at wbur.org slash circleround, you can become the newest member We'll see you next time. early access to Circle Round events, behind-the-scenes videos, even a personalized birthday message from me.
Visit WBUR.org slash Circle Round and click Circle Round Club.
Special thanks to this week's actors, Ryan Delusong, Jessica Rau, and William Maypother.
William Maypother appears in the hit TV series Lost and the movies Another Earth and On Sacred Ground.
Grown-ups watch for him this fall in the Western film Outlaws.
Our featured instrument this week was the piano.
You can learn more about this keyboard instrument with hammers and strings inside and see a photo of Eric Shimalona's playing one on our website.
Again, that's wbur.org slash circleround.
Grownups, if you enjoy Circle Round, please write us a five-star review on your favorite podcast app.
It really helps. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Circle Round Podcast. and tell your friends about the show.
Circle Round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR news station.
I'm Rebecca Shear. Thanks for circling around with us.
We'll be right back. Circle Round fans have been telling us about their favorite Circle Round stories, and we're excited to share some of their voices My name is Skye and I live in Germany.
My favorite episode is The Batherless Stairs.
And my favorite part is when the babblist stared at the Brother's eyes.
Hello, my name is Hannah, and I live in Somerville, Massachusetts, in my favorite Circle Round story. is the three-legged pot because I like the part where the three-legged pot Brings home all this silk and velvet for the two people.
My name is Noah. I live in Somerville. This episode is The Long Day.
My favorite part is when The Royal Messenger makes a huge, giant paper bag.
I'm Ananya. I live in Apex, North Carolina.
My favorite Circle Round story is The Missing Mountain Star.
I like the part when the mountain spirit is just the people a lesson like not chewing off as much as you can take.
We love you. Rebecca is here. Hello, my name is Andres.
My favorite episode is The Scholar's Reward. like the part where the scholar convinces the Raja to stop waging war on other nations.
My name is Sophia and I live in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
My two favorite things are bubble gum and circle around.
I listen to Circle Round every day. And my favorite story is the three-legged pot because I like the part where the three-legged pot Time to skip and skip.
Whee! 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.
