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W-B-U-R podcasts. Boston.
Have you ever been part of a team? Maybe you teamed up with friends to build the tallest
Lego creation ever? Maybe you teamed up with family members to clean your home or cook a meal,
or maybe you teamed up with athletes to play a sport? Being a team player and working toward
a common goal can be really fun. But in today's tale, when our main character decides not to be a
team player, he gets left in the dust. I'm Rebecca Scher and welcome to Circle Around, where storytime
happens all the time. Today our story is called Rhyming Rhino. It was inspired by tales from parts of Africa.
Some really great people came together to bring you our adaptation of this folktale,
including Emmy Award nominated actor and stand-up comedian, Kell Mitchell, known for the classic
and the gloody and show all that. And its movie spin-off Good Burger. Good Burger 2 is streaming now
on Paramount Plus. So Circle Around everyone for Rhyming Rhino.
Long ago, a drought fell upon the rolling tropical grasslands known as the Savannah,
with no rain to quench the earth. The ground turned dry and dusty, and the sun's blazing rays began
baking the grasses, shrubs and trees, a crispy crunchy brown. The animals depended on the grasses,
shrubs and trees for food. So, and journey even farther across the Savannah in search of something to eat.
What do you think? I don't know about that elephant. Elephant shifted her gaze toward
Gazelle as he shook his slender, horned head. What's your concern, Gazelle? Well, if we keep roaming
around with her belly's empty like this, we're going to run out of energy. Bounding across the
Savannah, burn some serious calories, you know. I mean, talk about cardio. Gazelle is right. Now Zee
brought chimed in, flicking her black and white tail. Since this drought started, I've covered
hundreds of miles searching for food. And look at me! I've gotten so scrawny, I can count the ribs
beneath my black and white stripes. Oh, you think that's bad? Now rhinoceros piped up,
glaring at zebra with his beady eyes. Not only am I way below my target weight,
but my stomach is growling so loud it's scaring off the birds that ride on my back to eat ticks.
Elephant stuck out her long great trunk and let out a trumpet.
Friends, there's no need to argue we're all in the same boat. We all need to eat something
and we need to conserve our energy. So, how about a new plan? How about we go out and search for food
one at a time? You mean we take turns? Exactly, Gazelle. Each day at sunrise, one of us will voyage
across the Savannah while everyone else rests. The minute we find some food, we go back and tell the
others. And then we take them to where the food is? That's right, zebra. We lead the way so we can
share what we found. How does that sound? It sounds great! Terrific! All eyes were on rhino
as they waited for his response. I hear you on this plan, elephant. I do, but when you say we share
what we found, do you mean like we share all the food we found or just some of it? I mean all of it,
rhino. At times like these, we have to support each other. Like I said, we're all in the same boat.
So, who'd like to search for food first? Gazelle, you are the swiftest runner among us. How about you?
Sure thing, elephant. I'll set out first thing tomorrow.
So, the next morning, as the flaming red sun was rising in the wide open sky, Gazelle began his search.
Okay, I've got to find food somewhere. Everyone is counting on me.
Gazelle spent all day bounding across the Savannah, but when he returned to the other animals.
Oh, sorry, friends. He had nothing to show for it. I couldn't find a thing. Guess it's burnt grass for dinner tonight.
Again. That's all right, Gazelle. I'm sure you did your best. We'll just try again tomorrow.
Zebra, would you like to have a go? Sure thing, elephant. But the next day, after galloping,
hither and thither beneath the sweltering sun. Oh, sorry, friends. Zebra also came up short.
I gave it my best shot. So the next day, elephant gave it a whirl, yet just like Gazelle and Zebra.
Sorry, friends. She was unsuccessful, too.
But hey, there's always tomorrow. Rhino, I believe it's your turn.
Rhino felt his heart drop. The last thing he wanted to do was wander around the Savannah beneath the
burning sun, and if by some miracle, he actually found some food. The last thing he wanted to do was
share it. But he wasn't about to say that out loud. Um, to be honest, elephant, I don't know if
I'm the best one for this job. I mean, we rhinos don't have very good eyesight. You know,
I might walk right by some delicious batch of grass and not even know it. Okay.
But what about your sense of smell, Rhino? Your nose is so fine-tuned, you could probably smell that grass from a mile away.
Rhino sighed. He knew he was stuck. All right. Fine. I'll take my turn. But if I don't come back,
it's because I passed out from exhaustion, starvation, or some combination of both.
So the following morning, Rhino roused himself awake and took off across the Savannah,
or trudged across more like...
The sun is so hot already! And my stomach is so empty. In fact, it's emptier than that dried up
water hole over there. The one with that strange tree growing above it. I'm not sure what kind of
tree it is, but maybe it's got some fruit on it, or at least a handful of leaves. Rhino
trundled over to the tree and pointed his horned head upward. Ha, shucks! This tree is every bit as
withered and wilted as everything else on the Savannah! Rhino let out a groan as he sprawled his
massive body beneath the tree's brittle branches. Ha, I have never been this famished in my life!
Ha, I'm so tired and hungry and all of this heat! Can anyone give me something to eat?
Hey, that rhymed! I guess starvation is turning me into a poet, and I didn't even know
what to do! Ouch! Rhino let out a wince! Something just hit me on the head! What was it?
Ha, there it is again! Oh, and again! Ha, oh, and again! Rhino raised his head and
squinted up at the tree, as his beady eyes went into focus. His jaw dropped low.
Well, I'll be! If my eyes don't deceive me, I know it's exactly what keeps blocking me
on the noggin, but even more important. I know that I will never be hungry again!
What do you think Rhino saw in the tree? And are his days of hunger really over?
We'll find out after a quick break!
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Before we get back to our story, did you know that in addition to listening to Circle Round,
you can carry it, eat lunch with it, and read it? Visit the swag link at wbur.org-slage-circle-round
and get your very own Circle Round backpack, lunchbox, and picture books. And bonus,
each book comes with an autographed book plate signed by me. Give to WBUR and get some really
cool Circle Round goodies as our way of seeing things. Now, if you're swag today,
wbur.org-slage-circle-round. I'm Rebecca Sheer. Welcome back to Circle Round. Today, our story is
called Rhyming Rhino. Before the break, the animals of the savanna were taking turns
searching for food during a drought. Gazelle came up short, as did zebra and elephant.
But when it was Rhino's turn, he stumbled upon a virtual gold mine. This tree, it looks all
withered and dead. But somehow, all of its branches are bursting with fruit. It was true.
And the fruit on the tree was so plump and ripe, it was falling from the branches.
Hush! And popping Rhino on the head.
Okay, I'm moving out of the way. And I'm digging into all this fruit.
Rhino grabbed a piece of fruit and began to chew. His face lit up with pleasure as the sweet juices
dribbled down his chin. After he swallowed the first piece, he scarfed down another.
Then another. Then another.
Even after he had polished off all the fruit that had fallen. He was still hungry.
Oh, what I wouldn't give for more fruit from this tree. After starving for so long,
I'm still famished as can be. Well, look at that. I rhymed again just like I did be-
Ouch! Once more, fruit after fruit began plummeting from the tree. Rhino jumped out of the way.
And then, all at once, he understood everything. This tree! It's magic! If you tell it,
you want some food and you rhyme while you're doing it, it'll shower you with delicious yummy fruit.
I know I'm supposed to go back and tell the other animals what I found. But...
A mischievous glint came into his eye.
What? What if I don't? What if I keep this tree all to myself? Even if the other animals happen to come across it in their wonderings,
they'll never know it. They're a fruit!
Rhino guzzled down the rest of the fruit.
Oh, that's all! And even though his belly was so full he could hardly move,
he made his way back to the other animals.
Rhino! You're back! Did you find any food?
Tell us, please! Rhino put on the most miserable expression he could muster.
Oh, well, elephant. Because they all seebra? I wish I had better news.
But even though I looked high and low, I didn't find any food I could share with you.
Elephant gave Rhino a smile.
That's all right, Rhino. It sounds like you did your best.
It also sounds like we're having another dinner of scrubby burnt grass.
There are still a few patches left around here. Dig in, everybody!
Elephant gazelle and zebra tucked into their meager meal. But then elephant noticed that Rhino
didn't join them. Go ahead, Rhino. Take your share.
Nah, I'll pass. Even though I tracked far and wide today, my belly feels totally full.
So, go ahead and have my share. Less food for me means more food for you!
Well, that's very noble of you, Rhino. Thank you.
The following day, it was gazelles turned to look for food.
Rhino, meanwhile, snuck back to the tree by the dried up waterhole.
And do you know what he did when he got there?
My belly's so empty. I could break down and cry.
I must have some food. That's no lie.
You guessed it. He made up another rhyme. Then leaped out of the way as the tree began showering him with fruit,
which he heavily gobbled down.
Oh yeah!
Once his stomach was as swollen as a balloon, Rhino waddled back to the other animals.
They greeted him with long faces. Gazelles was the longest of all.
Hey Rhino, I was just telling the others how I didn't find any food today.
Care to join us for some more burnt grass?
Rhino flashed Gazelle what he hoped was a sympathetic smile.
Oh, that's all right, Gazelle. I'm actually not the least bit hungry.
You go ahead and eat my portion. You deserve it.
Over the days that followed, Rhino kept sneaking off to his magic tree and making up another rhyme about his hunger.
My stomach's as empty as an empty cup.
Oh, how I wish I had fruit to fill it up.
And each and every time, the tree would explode with ripe fruit.
Rhino would guzzle it down, then he would return to the other animals with a bulging belly.
And tell them that somehow.
I'm just not hungry.
Now, it's possible this scheme could have stretched on for weeks.
If not for the keen eye of elephant one evening after Rhino had gone to sleep.
Elephant pulled Gazelle and zebra aside.
Listen you two.
Am I getting loopy from all the sun and heat?
Or is Rhino?
No, getting larger.
Gazelle and zebra caught their heads.
Actually, now that you mention it, he is getting larger.
And yet we never see him eat.
How could Rhino get so large if he never eats?
That's precisely what I've been wondering.
The rest of us are getting smaller and thinner.
Yet Rhino is looking hail and hearty as ever.
Tomorrow is Rhino's day to search for food.
I say the three of us follow him.
I have a hunch he's keeping something from us.
Early the next morning, elephant, gazelle and zebra trailed after Rhino as he lumbered off
across the savannah.
They crouched behind a tall rock as he approached a burnt brittle tree.
unaware that he was being watched.
Rhino put on a wofl face then made up another of his rhymes.
This wretched hunger has me tired and sick.
I'll waste away if I don't get food quick.
As usual, the tree showered Rhino with fruit.
And elephant, gazelle and zebra watched with disbelieving eyes as he shoveled it down.
Are you two seeing what I'm seeing?
Is Rhino really snarthing down fruit that magically appeared on that tree?
That's sure what it looks like.
Look at him tearing through that pile.
Is he really going to eat the whole thing?
The answer to zebra's question was yes.
And once Rhino made the first pile disappear, he took a breath.
And then?
If I don't get more food, this day might be my last.
I need to fill my belly and I need to fill it fast.
Once more, plump ripe fruit began falling from the tree.
After Rhino wolfed it all down, he curled up on the ground and fell asleep.
As elephant, gazelle and zebra watched Rhino snoring away,
it suddenly dawned on them why he was so hail and hearty.
It's the tree!
Rhino recites a little poem.
A little dishonest poem.
And the tree showers him with fruit.
We must put an end to this scheme and I know how we'll do it.
Tomorrow, we'll follow Rhino again and we'll make sure the only thing he eats is humble pie.
So the following morning, elephant gazelle and zebra crept behind Rhino as he took the usual path
to his tree and just when he was about to open his mouth and recite another rhyme,
the three animals came bursting out.
A selfish Rhino, this one's been.
He gorges and gazelles.
While his friends grow thin.
Rhino was flabbergasted.
Wait, listen, I can explain everything.
Hi!
Oh!
Rhino ducked his horned head as the tree began sending down fruit faster and harder than ever.
You see?
Oh!
This tree has food all for all of us!
No!
Elephant gazelle and zebra paid Rhino no mind.
They were too busy digging into the fruit and enjoying their first real meal in weeks.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
It was as dry as the part of the savanna baked and scorched beneath the smoldering sun.
So, after trying to pull a fast one on his friends, Rhino finally got what was coming to him.
He got his just desserts and some poetic justice to boot.
Now it's your turn.
Think about something you accomplished as part of a team, something you may have had difficulty doing on your own.
Think about your accomplishment and draw a picture of you and your team working together.
When you're done, share your picture with someone you have fun with, maybe even someone on your team.
And if you'd like, share it with us.
Grow nups you can snap a photo of your circle round fan and their picture and email it to circle round at wbur.org.
We may feature it in a future edition of the Lion's Roar, the monthly newsletter for members of the Circle Round Club.
More info on that in just a bit.
But first, this week's episode, Rhyming Rhino, was adapted by me or Becca Sheer.
It was edited by Sophie Coddner.
Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shemelonis.
Our artist is Sabina Hahn.
Sabina has drawn a black and white picture for all of our circle round stories and you can print them out and color them in.
Grow nups visit our website, wbur.org slash circle round and click on coloring pages.
Special thanks to this week's actors, Fiat Orchin, Camilia Farms, Jessica Rao and Kel Mitchell.
You can see Emmy Award nominated actor and stand up comic, Kel Mitchell and Good Burger 2, streaming now on Paramount Plus.
This week's featured instrument was the Bala phone.
You can learn more about this wooden xylophone originally from West Africa and see a photo of Eric Shemelonis playing one on our website.
Again, that's wbur.org slash circle round.
And while you're at wbur.org slash circle round, you can find all sorts of other cool stuff like information about our upcoming live events,
how to order our circle round picture books, and you can also support our favorite public radio podcast by joining the Circle Round Club.
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Circle round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR News Station.
I'm Rebecca Sheer.
Thanks for circling round with us.
Now that you've made it to the end of this circle round episode, we want to know what's your favorite circle round story.
Thousands of fans just like you have been telling us about the circle round stories they like best.
Take a listen. Maybe one of their favorites is one of yours too.
My name is Isabella from New York. My favorite circle round story is donkey business.
My favorite part is when Enzo said, I must be patient to get what I deserve!
My name is Louisa I'm from New York.
My favorite circle round is donkey business. And my favorite part is when Enzo says, I must be patient to get what I deserve!
My name is Wolfgang and I live in Chanuk, just the Am I Favourite Circle round story of the goat and the garden Am I?
My name is Isabella and the Am starts by the goat. I am Antiole, I stepped on it and you.
My name is Abby and I'm from Minnesota and my favorite circle round is the best goat in the world.
My favorite part is when she takes the shield and the best goat looks at it and turns to stone.
My name is Alex and my favorite circle round story is the woman named Vinnicka or Bartlett because I like the part when she wants it.
My name is Isabella and my favorite circle round story is when Red Fathers Stone is the best goat in the world.
My name is Yusif and my name is Yuz and we are from Savannah, Georgia.
My favorite story is Red Fathers Stone and my favorite part is when Red Fathers Stone is the best goat in the world.
My favorite circle round story is all kind of and my favorite part is when Elephant said,
yummy, yummy, count me in.
My name is Samantha from Sevastia, Maryland and my favorite circle round story is catch you later because I like how the ball ball gives away the goats.
Did someone mention a story you've missed? Not to worry.
Grown ups you can find all of our circle round stories plus links to the Circle Round Club, Picture Books, Coloring Pages and Oso much more on our website WBUR.org slash Circle Round.
