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story! This week's Circle Around Episode is a really special one, recorded before a live audience
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Think about it time. You felt warm, not just warm but hot. What did you do to cool yourself off?
Did you gulp an icy drink, jump into a pool or a lake, relax in a nice patch of shade?
Normally, cooling ourselves off is a huge relief, but in today's story, when one of our characters
tries bringing down the heat, she winds up in very hot water.
I'm Rebecca Schier and welcome to Circle Around live at the Parkway Theatre in Minneapolis,
Minnesota. Today our story is called the Buffalo's Shadow. Versions of this tale come from the
southeast Asian nation of Cambodia. Joining me on stage is a trio of talented actors,
Joy Dolow, Adeline Phelps and Aron Woldeslassy, and providing musical accompaniment is the one and
only Eric Shimalones. So Circle Around everyone for the Buffalo's Shadow.
Their once was a traveling merchant riding in the saddle of her chestnut horse,
the merchant journeyed from town to town, buying and selling goods. The merchant was trotting
through the countryside one sunny summer day, when suddenly the wind picked up, the clouds rolled
in and a torrent of rain came pouring down. Yikes! This storm came out of nowhere!
Oh not sure where I can take shelter here in the wide open countryside. I'm a sorry to the next
town, but just as the merchant urged her horse to pick up the pace, a flash of lightning ripped open
the sky, followed by a crash of thunder that rumbled the earth. The commotion through the horse
into a frightened frenzy. He let out a snort, then reared back on his hind legs. The merchant
tried holding up. Whoa there boy! Whoa! But before she knew it, she was tumbling out of the saddle
and hurtling toward the ground, where she landed with a thud. Oh! Rain drops pelted her face as she
lay flat on her back, hearing her horse's hoofbeats grow fainter and fainter. By the time she pulled
herself to a sitting position, the horse was gone. Which means that everything I own is gone too!
My horse's saddle bags were stuffed with all my goods and all my money. But wait! She
rooted around in her pocket. I still have one silver coin on me. And look at that! She glanced
toward the sky. Well the rain stopped falling. That storm blew away just as quickly as it came in.
And now it's sunny again. So I'll just take my silver coin to the next town and see if I can buy
myself some food or dry clothing. All I have to do is get up and find my way. But the moment she tried
rising to her feet. Ow! She felt a stab of pain, shoot down her leg. Ooh! I must have twisted my
ankle when I toppled off my horse. There's no way I can make it to town on foot. What am I going to do?
The merchant sank back to the ground with a sigh. But just then. Come on midnight. Keep it moving.
She heard a voice. She looked up and there was a farmer leading a black water buffalo.
The water buffalo had thick, crescent-shaped horns curling out from its long, narrow head.
And its big, broad body was trembling. For Pete's sake midnight, quit your shaking.
I know that storm freaked you out. But look, it's nice and sunny now. And we must get to town.
As the farmer and water buffalo drew closer, the merchant had an idea. She sat up as straight
and tall as she could and waved her hands. Excuse me, sir. May I please trouble you for a ride?
The farmer halted his buffalo, then stared at the merchant with piercing eyes. Goodness gracious,
I can see you down there. What on earth are you doing sitting in the mud? And what do you mean trouble
me for a ride? I mean, may I trouble you for a ride on your water buffalo? You see my
horse bucked me off and ran away when the storm blew in. And I twisted my ankle. I need to get to
the next town. But I can't walk. So may I please hitch a ride? The farmer frowned.
That'll be a hard no, ma'am. Me and I doesn't do taxi service. At least not for free.
If you're able to offer some money, then perhaps we can talk. Actually, the merchant grinned.
I can offer some money here. She held out the silver coin. The farmer rubbed his hands
together with greed. That's more like it. So yes, you may hitch a ride on midnight. But I warn you,
since he's a rather slow creature, we could be out here for a while. And now that it's sunny again,
it looks like today is going to be a real scorcher. That's all right. I can take a little heat.
I just appreciate your kindness, sir. Oh, you too, midnight. The merchant staggered to her feet,
gave the farmer her coin, then scrambled on to midnight's back. As they took off through the
countryside, the merchant realized the farmer was right. Midnight was no speed demon. The lumber
and creature moved slower than a snail through molasses. The farmer was also right about the day.
It was indeed a real scorcher. The sun was so hot and strong, it dried up any and all traces of
rain and the air grew thick and sticky. The farmer wore a floppy hat with a wide brim. But the
merchants had had been tucked in the saddlebag with the rest of her belongings. So as the sun's
blistering rays beat down on her head, she felt like her scalp was burning and her body was boiling.
Pardon me, sir, but could we please stop for a moment? I must rest in some shade.
Shade? The farmer wrinkled his brow. And where do you think you'll find shade out here in the
countryside? The merchant wiped the sweat from her eyes and looked around. Indeed,
Mary a tree or bush wasn't sight. But then she looked down. Actually, sir, there is some shade.
Where? On the ground. Next to midnight, his body is casting a nice long shadow on the road.
The merchant slid off of midnight's back and nestled into the buffalo's shadow.
In an instant, she felt her temperature go down and her body relax. But just as her eyelids began to droop.
Hey, you! Enough, dearly, Dalying! Time to get a move on!
The merchant sat up with a start. Looming over her was the farmer with an irritated look on his face.
Oh, did I doze off? I didn't mean to. But thank you for letting me borrow your buffalo shadow. It was a
life saver. I feel so much cooler now. The merchant resumed her position on midnight's back
and the trio resumed their journey. When they finally reached the next town,
the merchant lowered herself to the ground and flashed the farmer a great fulcrine.
Thanks again for the ride, sir. I already paid you my one silver coin, so we should be all square.
But as she turned on her one good heel to walk away. All square, you say? We are definitely not all square.
The merchant spun around. But we are. I promise I would pay you one silver coin for a ride on your buffalo.
And I did. Indeed, you did. You paid me one silver coin for a ride on my buffalo.
But you didn't pay me for the shadow. Come again?
The shadow. My buffalo did more than just get you from point A to point B. He gave you shelter from
the sun with his shadow. So you must pay for that shadow. The merchant could hardly believe her ears.
But he just stood there while I rested on the ground next to him. Are you saying I should pay you
for that? No. I'm not saying you should pay me for that. I'm saying you must pay me for that.
But I don't have any money. I gave you my last coin. That's not my problem. You must pay me for that shadow.
Bye tomorrow. Otherwise, you'll be sorry.
The merchant's cheeks and eyes burned as she left the farmer and hobbled across the town square.
On the other side was a large, pillard building. According to the sign, it was the local court house.
Wait a minute. What if I go into the court house and talk with the judge? Surely the judge is wise
and fair and will help me with my case? So the merchant pulled open the doors,
limped to the judges, chambers, and stuck her head inside. Pardon me, your honor. Do you have a moment?
The judge looked up from the papers she was reading. Her face was kind and her smile was warm.
Oh, well, hello there. Yes, it just so happens. I do have a moment. How may I help you?
The merchant eased herself into a chair and told the judge everything that had happened.
How she had been thrown from her horse. How she had paid the farmer one silver coin for a ride on
his buffalo and how now he was demanding even more money for the buffalo's shadow.
He wants you to pay him for the buffalo's shadow? Yes, and since my horse ran off with everything I own,
I'm flat broke. I see. Now, as it happens, the merchant had been correct about the judge.
She was wise and fair. And as the wise, fair woman reflected on the merchant's tail,
her eyes twinkled. Listen, merchant, first thing tomorrow I want you to report to my courtroom.
I shall summon the farmer as well, and by the time we're finished with this case, I promise.
Justice will be served beyond a shadow of a doubt.
What do you think will happen when the merchant and farmer face off in court?
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-slash-circle-round
and get your very own Circle Round backpack, lunch box, 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, your swag today at WBUR.org-slash-circle-round.
I'm Rebecca Sheer and welcome back to Circle Round live at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis,
Minnesota. Today, our story is called the Buffalo's Shadow. Before the break,
a merchant lost everything she owned when her horse threw her to the ground and galloped away,
she also twisted her ankle. So she gave her last silver coin to a farmer in exchange for a ride
on his water buffalo. It was a hot, sticky day, and on the way to town, the merchant rested in the
cool shadow cast by the Buffalo's body. However, when they reached their destination,
the farmer demanded that the merchant pay him for the Buffalo's shadow. The next morning,
the judge summoned the farmer and merchant to her courtroom. No! Good morning!
This court will now come to order! We'll begin with the farmer. I understand you have a complaint
against the merchant. The farmer stood up with a scowl. I do have a complaint, Your Honor. This
merchant took advantage of me and midnight. Midnight? My water buffalo. That humble,
defenseless creature selflessly served this merchant by carrying her on his back and by giving
her shelter from the sun with his shadow. The merchant paid me for the farmer's service,
but she refuses to pay me for the latter. So you're saying she gave you money for the transportation,
but not for the shadow. That is correct, Your Honor. Oh, thank you. You may be seated. The judge
shifted her gaze to the merchant. Merchant, we have heard the farmer's side of the story. Is there
anything you'd like to say in your defense? Please, no need to stand up since you're nursing an injury.
The merchant took a breath. She felt like her stomach was fluttering with butterflies.
Thank you, Your Honor. And the fact is, what the farmer says is true. I did use midnight
shadow to cool myself from the sun, and I didn't pay him for it. But honestly, even if I had
some money, which I don't, whoever heard of having to pay for a shadow, I beg Your Mercy, Your Honor.
And I beg Your understanding. Again, the farmer's spring to his feet. This merchant is trying
to cheat me. Don't you see that she? Yeah, farmer. But you don't even understand. It is not your turn to
speak. Please sit down. Fine judicial, set her up. Now, to recap our case, the merchant gave the
farmer one silver coin in exchange for a buffalo ride into town. Therefore, it is clear to this court
that the farmer has been properly paid for this service. However, in regards to the buffalo shadow,
it is of this court's opinion that the farmer has not properly been paid.
The merchant did a double take. The farmer did a fist pump. Yes! I cannot begin to express how
much I appreciate this Your Honor. But, pray tell, how shall I be paid for the buffalo shadow?
Oh, that you soon shall see! Farmer? Merchant? Please join me outside.
A mild breeze fanned their faces as the judge, farmer, and merchant stepped into the town square.
The sky was clear and blue, safe for the occasional puffy white cloud, and the warm sun bathed
everything in yellow and gold. The judge blinked her eyes, then reached into her robe and pulled out
a silver coin. Now, I know the merchant hasn't a penny to her name right now, so I shall pay the
farmer his just compensation on her behalf. Oh, thank you, Your Honor. Yes, thank you, Your Honor.
The judge shot the farmer a look, then she held out the coin. Farmer, do you see this coin in my hand?
Of course I see the coin in your hand. May I have my just compensation now?
Oh, yes, you may, but only if you look down. What? Look down at the ground and tell me what you see.
Well, I see cobblestones, some pebbles. And what else? I see a shadow of the coin in your hand.
I see a shadow of money. Very good, so you do. Farmer, you marched into my courtroom demanding payment
for the shadow of your buffalo, so now you have received your payment with the shadow of money.
Enjoy your just compensation, sir, at least until the sun goes behind a cloud.
This coin is a trend. Well, I'm pleased to say that not long after this most curious case,
the hardworking merchant got back on her feet in more ways than one. Her ankle healed and after
taking on a number of odd jobs, she saved enough money to give up the traveling life and open her
own shop right there on the town square as for the farmer. Well, he learned a very important lesson
that bright sunny day. When we meet someone who's struggling and needs our help, the least we can do
is reach out and lend a hand because it's an awful lot kinder and more generous than throwing shade.
Now it's your turn. You can use your own shadow to make a shadow puppet. All you'll need is a source of light, a wall and your hands.
Put one hand between the light and the wall so that you can clearly see your hands shadow. Now change the shape of your hands to make all sorts of creatures, real and imagined.
You can also experiment by moving your hands around and changing their distance from the light source.
This week's story, The Buffalo's Shadow was adapted by me, Rebecca Sheer. It was edited by Dean Russell.
Erick Shimalones composed our original music and played it live on the hammered dulcimer. You can learn more about this
trapezoid-shaped instrument dating back more than 1,000 years and see a photo of Eric playing one on our website,
www.ubr.org slash circle around. Circle around artist is Sabina Han. Want to color while you listen? Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for every single circle around story.
All 250 plus and you can print them out and add your own colors.
Grown ups visit our website www.ubr.org slash circle around and click on coloring pages.
Special thanks to our actors and Minneapolis, Joy Dolo, Adeland Phelps and Aron Woldes Lassie.
And a big circle round of thanks to the staff at the Parkway Theatre and to WBUR's Andrea Omira and Tina Safard.
Looking for more ways to circle around with us? You can support your favorite public radio podcast and get ad free episodes, bonus bedtime stories, newsletters, activity emails, exclusive swag and also much more by joining the Circle round club.
Grown ups visit our website www.ubr.org slash circle around and click circle round club.
And one more thing, Grown ups, if you love Circle round and have a moment, please write us a five star review on your favorite podcast app and talk about us on social media.
Our handle on Instagram and Facebook is at Circle round podcast. 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.
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