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.
Have you ever gone traveling? Maybe you hopped on a plane and flew away for a week.
Or you packed into the car for a day-long adventure.
Either way, going on a journey can be a lot of fun, right?
It can teach us a lot too. In today's story, we'll meet a princess who loves to travel.
But she learns the most important lesson of all by staying right at home.
Whistling I'm Rebecca Sheer, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time.
Today our story is called The Princess in the Mirror.
It comes from Israel, and we recently had a chance to perform it live on stage with actors, music, and a really excited audience of children and grownups.
The performance was part of the Boston Jewish Film Festival, and we're bringing that live show to you today.
So, circle around, everyone, for The Princess in the Mirror.
Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, there lived a princess named Meera.
Everyone in the kingdom admired Princess Mira, She was a wise young woman with a razor-sharp sense of humor.
In fact, the sound of her bright, bubbly laughter often echoed through the streets.
Mira had an appetite for adventure. She'd often journey to other lands. where she'd learn new languages, encounter interesting people and experience different cultures.
But when it came to these journeys, the princess had two rules.
The first rule was this. I must tell no one that I am a princess.
I don't want special treatment, and I don't want anything fancy.
I want to live simply and enjoy the everyday delights of wherever it is I'm visiting.
Then there was the princess's second rule.
I must only travel alone. I love my family and I love my friends, but there's so much I want to see and do.
Having a partner would only slow me down.
I'm happier on my own. Now, among Mira's best friends were three brothers.
Triplets, in fact. Their names were Asher.
Hello. Eli. Hi. And Ezra. What's up? The princess had known the triplets from the time they were toddlers.
She often invited them to visit her in the palace garden, where they'd sing songs, tell jokes, and play games.
Every time Mira returned from one of her adventures, she would entertain them with tales of her voyage, On land... At the top of the mountain, I was so high up I could touch the clouds...
Or at sea, then the whale jumped up and its eyes were big as grapefruits.
Or everywhere else. Down I crept into the deep, dark cave.
And when I got to the bottom, I looked up and I could see just the tiniest pinprick of sunlight.
Asher, Eli, and Ezra loved hearing Princess Mira's stories.
But the more stories the brothers heard, the more they wanted to be part of them. of being by Mira's side as she climbed those mountains sailed those seas and shimmied down those deep dark caves.
But whenever they asked if they could come along on her next adventure... Pretty please?
With sugar on top? It would mean so much to us, princess.
The answer was always the same. Asher, Eli, Ezra.
All three of you are my dear, dear friends, but I'm happier on my own.
Still, the brothers wouldn't give up. The tales Mira told were so exciting.
And besides, she was so witty and wise, they just wanted to spend more time with her.
Now, the truth is Mira wanted to spend more time with them too. but the thought of bringing all three of them along on her next adventure, it was too much.
Three traveling companions meant three more people to keep track of, three more people to worry about, and three more people to tire out.
And yet, Mira couldn't help but wonder. What if I invited just one of the brothers to come along with me?
Every time I get home, I have no one to help me tell my stories.
It might be nice to have someone by my side.
One day, after the brothers had begged Mira for the millionth time to take them with her, She made an announcement.
Listen, my friends. Next week, I'm heading to the jungle.
I'm going to see jaguars and iguanas and eat passion food straight from the tree.
And this time, I'm inviting one of you to go with me.
The brothers could hardly believe their ears.
One of us? To go with you. But princess.
How will you decide which one? Mira smiled.
She thought long and hard about that one.
Well, I'm not leaving until next week. So each of you has exactly one week to bring me A gift, a gift you believe I will treasure above all other things.
Whoever brings back the most ideal gift wins.
We've known one another for so long, surely you have an idea of what I like.
Of course. Totally. Uh, I think so. All right then.
I'll see you in a week. Take care my friends.
Asher, Eli, and Ezra wished one another luck and set out to find the perfect gift for the princess.
Asher made his way to a neighboring kingdom where he found himself in a grand, bustling city.
In the middle of the city was an outdoor market, brimming with vendors selling silk and satin, furs and spices, But nothing caught his eye as something Princess Mira would especially enjoy.
Until... Excuse me, young man. May I help you with something?
Asher turned and saw an old bearded man.
Oh, hello, sir. Well... I'm looking for the perfect gift for a friend.
She's wise and funny and loves good adventure.
No, sonny boy, you're in luck. It just so happens I have just the thing for you.
The old man turned around and picked up a big carpet.
Uh, carpet? This, my friend, isn't just any old carpet.
It's a magic carpet. It will transport you any place you want to go.
What better gift for a friend who can't get enough adventure?
She can go anywhere she'd like. Anytime.
It's perfect. I'll take it. Asher gave the old man a few gold coins and set off for home.
Meanwhile, another one of the triplets, Eli, had traveled to another neighboring kingdom.
This one was full of magicians. Nearly everyone there was skilled in magic and wizardry.
But no one was selling anything that Eli thought Princess Mira would especially enjoy.
He was just about to give up when he was stopped by a woman wearing a colorful scarf on her head. her silver earrings dangled down to her shoulders.
Excuse me, young man. May I help you with something?
I hope so. I'm looking for the perfect gift for a friend.
She's really smart and tells good jokes.
And she's always going on these adventures.
Well, it just so happens you're in luck.
I have just the thing for you. The woman held up a shiny glass.
A mirror? This my friend isn't just any old mirror.
It's a magic mirror. You think of a place you wish to see, then you look in the mirror.
And voila! That very place will appear. What?
Better gift for a friend who can't get enough adventure.
She can look at her favorite places anytime.
It's perfect. I'll take it. So Asher gave the woman a few gold coins and set off for home.
Now, while Asher and Eli were buying their magic carpets and mirrors, The third triplet, Ezra, was out in the countryside.
He passed through farmlands and orchards and saw every kind of fruit and vegetable you can possibly imagine. but nothing seemed to be the ideal gift for Princess Mira.
Tired and hungry, Ezra plopped down on the ground right beside an apple orchard.
Excuse me, young man. May I help you with something?
I don't know. Uh, maybe you can help me.
You see, I'm trying to buy a gift for a friend, something that she'd really love.
The thing about her is she has this amazing brain.
And she has this incredible laugh. You can hear it echoing throughout the entire kingdom.
And she's all about experiencing new things, yet she also loves keeping things simple.
Nothing fancy, you know? Any chance you can help me out?
The farmer, who was walking her old horse, shrugged.
Well, I certainly don't have much here on my farm.
A few cows, a few goats. My old mayor here, But my family's been growing apples for years and years, They are red as the sunset and sweet as your happiest memory.
But what makes these apples truly special is this—
If you take a bite, the apple will cure any illness you may have or heal any pain.
You have to be careful when you choose to use it, for the apple's magic will only work one time. and you can never come back here for more.
Ezra thought for a moment. What do you think Ezra will do?
Will he buy the apple for Princess Mira?
We'll find out after a quick break. Support for Circle Round comes from Indeed.
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Hiring? Indeed is all you need. side. I'm Rebecca Sheer.
Welcome back to Circle Round. Today's story is called The Princess in the Mirror.
We recorded this episode live as part of the Boston Jewish Film Festival.
When we left off, three brothers, triplets, were seeking the ideal gift for Princess Mira.
The brother who brought her the most ideal gift would get to join her on her next adventure.
Ezra, the third triplet, was wandering the countryside and about to give up his search when a farmer offered to sell him apples.
Magic! apples that could cure any illness or heal any pain.
But the catch? You can only use the apples once.
You know what? I would be honored to buy one of your apples here.
Take everything I have. Ezra gave the farmer his entire fortune, placed the apple in his bag, and headed back home.
When he got there, his brothers, Asher and Eli, were waiting for him.
The triplets told one another about their adventures and showed off what they'd found for Princess Mira.
When Ezra saw the magic mirror Eli had brought home, he suddenly had an idea.
Hey, why don't we try out your magic mirror, brother? that we can see where Princess Mira is right now.
If she's in the palace, we can head over and surprise her with our gifts. gifts.
That is a great idea. Okay, here goes. Mirror, show us where Princess Mira is.
The mirror shook a little. Then it began to glow.
When the brothers looked in the glass, suddenly they saw the princess, and she was in the palace.
But she looked different, pale and thin and frail and lying in her bed.
Could it be? Is our beloved Princess Mira sick?
Asher, your magic carpet, we can ride it to the princess.
Let's go at once. So the three brothers jumped onto the carpet and flew across the kingdom to the palace.
Together, they ran into Princess Mira's room.
When she saw them, She tried to smile and lift her head, but she was too tired and weak.
My friends, is it really you? I'm so sick, I can hardly see.
It is us, princess. We saw you were sick by using this magic mirror I bought for you.
We flew all the way to your bedside using this magic carpet I bought for you.
Oh, how sweet. I asked you to bring me gifts, and so you have.
But magic carpets, mystical mirrors, I'm not sure what use I have for any of those things now.
The doctors aren't sure when I'll ever get well enough to go out and play again.
When Ezra heard these words, he reached into his bag.
Mira, it might be sooner than you think.
May I humbly present my gift. An apple?
One bite of this apple princess and you'll be back to your regular health again.
Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try.
The princess took a bite out of the bright red apple.
Miraculously, just seconds later... the color returned to her face and the brightness returned to her eyes.
Oh, wow. I feel so much better. But... My friends, I've been through so much since I fell ill.
I have to get some rest. Please, come visit me in the palace garden tomorrow.
We will continue our conversation about which one of you gets to join me on my next adventure.
Asher, Eli, and Ezra were so excited they hardly slept a wink that night.
The next morning, they dashed back to the palace to meet up with Princess Mira.
When they got there, she looked healthier than ever as she greeted them with her bright, bubbly laugh.
Asher, Eli, Ezra, I am so happy to see you again now.
Tell me, what gifts have you brought? Who will be the friend that will join me on my next journey?
Eli proudly stepped forward. Well, Princess, I bring you this magical mirror Without it, we never would have known you were sick.
And now you can use it to look at your favorite places anytime you like.
Asher was the next one to step forth. But I, Princess, I offer you this. magic carpet.
Without it, we would never have gotten to your bedside."
And now you can use it to travel anywhere you want to go whenever you feel like it.
The third brother Ezra suddenly felt very sheepish.
Princess, Both Eli and Asher have given you marvelous gifts, gifts you can enjoy again and again.
But that apple I gave you, the one that cured your sickness, It can only be used once and once only.
So now, I'm afraid all I can offer you is a slimy brown apple core.
Princess Mira smiled at the brothers. Then she walked over to Eli and gave him a warm hug.
Eli, this mirror of yours is absolutely amazing.
It saved my life. And for that, I am forever grateful.
Aw, shucks. Next, the princess walked over to Asher and gave him a hug.
And Asher, what can I say? This magic carpet is remarkable.
It too saved my life. And for that, I am forever appreciative.
Aw, it was nothing. Finally, the princess walked over to Ezra.
She looked deep into his eyes. Ezra. You say you can offer me nothing but a slimy brown apple core, but... think about it.
The mirror performs its magic as often as you want or need it to. and the carpet will help anyone fly anytime.
But the apple, that bright red apple, It can be used just once.
You could have saved it for yourself, for one day surely you'll need it.
But instead, You gave it to me and now all that's left is this simple slimy brown apple pie.
And for that... The princess took Ezra's hand.
For that... I invite you to join me on my next adventure.
Oh, princess. And so he did. Ezra and Princess Mira had a glorious time traveling to the jungle together.
Such a glorious time, in fact, that after visiting the jungle, they journeyed around the world.
They learned new languages, met interesting people, ate new foods, and experienced different cultures.
And above all, they did it simply. enjoying the everyday delights of wherever they went.
Now it's your turn. Princess Mira loved to travel.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
Maybe it's on the other side of the planet.
Maybe it's right next door. Find a grown-up you enjoy having fun with and tell them where you would go. and what you'd want to do there, then have them tell you where they would travel.
Maybe one day you can visit those places together.
We have a new folktale every week on Circle Round, and we don't want you to miss any.
You can listen to all our stories on our website, wbur.org slash circle round.
And you can subscribe to Circle Round on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.
It helps other people find the show. Today's story, The Princess in the Mirror, was adapted by our executive producer, Jessica Alpert, and me, Rebecca Shear.
Our talented cast at the Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline, Massachusetts included Rob Neal.
Rachel Bellman, Angel Blaise, Jeremy Brothers, Lizzie Milanovic, Ben Atherton-Zeman, and Lucinda Zeman.
Eric Shimalonis composed our original music and provided live musical accompaniment.
Thanks to Amy MacDonald. Candice Springer and Kristen Holgerson at WBUR.
And a big shout out to the Boston Jewish Film Festival for inviting us to perform.
Circle Round is a production of WBUR. Boston's NPR news station.
I'm Rebecca Shear. Thanks for circling around with us.
