[The Upside-Down Tree: A Lesson on Managing Anger]-[Summer Camp: The Upside-Down Tree]

Circle Round · B1 · 2026-07-08

📋 Summary

The Legend of the Baobab

In this episode of Circle Round, host Erica Henningsen and storyteller Rebecca Shearer explore the African legend of the "Upside Down Tree," also known as the baobab. The story serves as a gentle yet powerful fable about the consequences of unchecked anger and the importance of emotional regulation.

The Great Spirit’s Gift

At the dawn of creation, the Great Spirit gathers all the animals on the savannah to introduce a new gift: trees. These trees are intended to provide food, shade, and homes for the creatures of the world. The animals are instructed to meet at sunrise to select their saplings and plant them with "pride" and "love and care." Every animal, including the Elephant, Giraffe, Eagle, and Monkey, dutifully participates, choosing trees suited to their needs, such as the acacia or the fig tree.

The Consequences of Spite

One animal, however, is notably absent: the Hyena. Known for being "lazy" and "mean," the Hyena skips the meeting because she assumes it will be a "snooze fest." When she finally arrives, she discovers that all the desirable trees have already been claimed. Upon seeing the last remaining sapling—a small, gnarled tree—the Hyena’s "dark eyes" blaze with fury. Feeling entitled to something more "elegant and graceful," her anger boils over. In a fit of spite, she clamps her teeth around the sapling and flings it into the air. The tree lands branches-first, leaving its roots sticking into the sky, thus becoming the "upside-down tree."

Transformation and Reflection

Rather than letting the Hyena’s mischief destroy the tree, the Great Spirit touches it with magic. The baobab becomes one of the most vital resources on the savannah, providing medicine, shelter, and materials for rope and baskets. Ultimately, while the Hyena sought to cause chaos, the "laugh was on her," as the tree she tried to ruin became a cornerstone of life in the environment.

Managing Angry Feelings

The podcast concludes by normalizing the experience of anger, reminding listeners that it is a natural feeling that tells us when things "aren't fair or right." However, the story emphasizes that we must be mindful of what we do with those feelings so they do not "get out of control" or "turn things upside down." The episode suggests practical strategies for children to manage their temper, such as:

Physical outlets: Doing jumping jacks or using clay to release tension.
Expressive outlets: Drawing pictures of one's feelings or writing them down and discarding the paper.
Calming strategies: Listening to music, reading stories, or talking through the frustration with a trusted adult.

By framing the baobab’s unique appearance as a result of a misplaced temper tantrum, the story teaches children that while frustration is inevitable, our actions are a choice—and we have the power to ensure our responses create something positive rather than destructive.

🎯Key Sentences

It's natural to feel angry sometimes.

I might as well hit the sack.

Here's the thing.

You gotta be kidding me!

Great Spirit, say it isn't so!

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📝Key Phrases

get out of control

end on end

heed the call

bright and early

leading the charge

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📖 Transcript

Hi there, listeners.

We're so glad to have you back for Circle Round Summer Camp.

I'm your camp counselor, Erica Henningsen.

All throughout summer, we have selected some of our most beloved stories about life outside and amongst the trees.

Now, this time of year, it can get a little hot outside.

And one thing I know is when we get a little too hot, we can also get a bit grumpy.

Or study on the web version →