Hi, Rebecca Sheer here.
Before we get to today's story, I invite you to circle around with us in even more ways by joining the Circle Around Club.
As a member, you'll get access to ad-free Circle Around episodes and bonus bedtime stories, plus music education videos, first dibs on tickets to live events, and a welcome box with Circle Around goodies.
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Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Have you heard the expression, every dog has its day?
What it means is that everyone, every single one of us, will eventually experience luck or success.
In today's story, a wise judge helps a hardworking schoolboy have his day and his dog.
I'm Rebecca Sheer and welcome to Circle Around, live at the Aladdin Theatre in Portland, Oregon.
Today our story is called The Doggies in the Window.
We found versions of this tale from the East Asian Island Nation of Japan.
Joining me on stage is a trio of talented actors, Jordan Beck, Susanna Mars and Pancho Savory, and providing musical accompaniment to the one and only Eric Shimalonis.
So Circle Around everyone for The Doggies in the Window.
Some time ago, in the middle of a bustling town, there was a China shop.
The shops, shelves and windows were lined with cups and saucers, plates and bowls, statues and figurines.
All carefully crafted from fine and fragile ceramic.
The delicate handmade wares were all very beautiful and very expensive.
The shopkeeper charged top dollar for every item she sold.
So one day, when a young schoolboy walked through the door, his clothing, ragged and patched, his shoes worn out and scuffed, the shopkeeper eyed him with suspicion.
May I help you? I hope so, Madam.
I came to ask about... A way out of the price range of someone like you.
Why don't you buy your mother some trinket or other at the second hand store down the road?
But I've been saving up.
Oh, you have have you. Well, trust me, you haven't saved nearly enough for one of those dogs.
In fact, I doubt you've saved enough for anything in this shop.
Just then, who should come striding through the door but the town judge?
The wise man was highly respected by everyone in town, including the shopkeeper, who came hurrying toward him with a beaming face and open arms.
Well, hello, your honor.
It's an honor to have you in my shop.
What may I have the honor of helping you with today?
Actually, Madam. The judge looked from the fawning shopkeeper to the frowning boy.
I believe this young man was here first.
Please go ahead and finish taking care of him.
I'll wait. Oh, oh, there's no need for that, your honor.
I believe this young man was just about to leave.
But I don't want to leave.
Like I was telling you, Madam, I want to buy my mother one of the dogs in the window.
You see, she's always wanted a dog, but she and I could never own a real one.
We could never afford to feed it, and our house in yard are too small for such an active pet.
But a ceramic dog doesn't need to eat.
And even though your dogs are big, they'll always stay still.
So one of them would be perfect.
The shopkeeper fixed the schoolboy with piercing eyes.
Perfect, you say. Tell me, young man, how much money do you have?
Well, I've been doing all sorts of odd jobs around the neighborhood, raking leaves, pulling weeds, washing windows, and I've managed to save...
He counted the coins in his pocket.
50 copper pieces! The shopkeeper perced her lips.
50 copper pieces. Each one of those dogs cost far more than 50 copper pieces.
How dare this rag-a-muffin waste her time and keep the judge waiting?
The judge, meanwhile, sensed the shopkeeper's displeasure and disdain, and decided it was time he entered the conversation.
Young man, 50 copper pieces is quite commendable.
Good for you, for working so hard to save up.
Thank you, Your Honor. I woke up before dawn nearly every day, and I didn't get home till past sundown.
Goodness! Those are longer hours than I work, and I consider myself a very industrious person.
Well, what can I say? I love my mom.
I appreciate everything she's done for me, and I want her to be happy.
That's the store, the shopkeeper.
Then, very slowly, very deliberately, he winked.
What he meant for his wink to say was, listen, if you let the boy pay 50 copper pieces for one of the dogs instead of the full price, then I will secretly pay the difference from my own pocket.
But the snooty shopkeeper was too selfish to grasp the judge's generous plan.
She thought he was trying to strong arm her into lowering her price.
So, hatching a plan of her own, she softened her gaze and gave the schoolboy a syrupy sweet smile.
Listen, young man, after further consideration.
I have decided that 50 copper pieces isn't just enough to buy one dog.
It's enough to buy all three.
The boy's heart sword provided.
You can carry one of the dogs home without any help.
The boy's heart sank. But, madam, those dogs are so big!
Even a grown-up person would have trouble carrying one of them.
Let alone a kid like me? That's not my problem.
You heard my offer and my offer stands.
Carry one of those dogs home without any help or the deal is off.
The boy was quiet for a moment.
Then he slumped his shoulders and hung his head.
All right, then. I guess the deal is off.
Thanks anyway. The shopkeeper wore a look of triumph as the boy trudged toward the door.
The judge, however, wore a look of rage.
After a lifetime dedicated to serving justice, he knew that letting this hardworking boy leave empty handed would be injustice.
So, just as the boy was exiting the shop, the judge went racing over.
Wait, young man. Don't leave.
Why shouldn't I leave, Your Honor?
You saw for yourself. I'm not exactly welcome in this place.
I know. And that's why I want you to do something for me.
I want you to go outside and bring me a rock.
A rock? You have heard the expression like a bull in a china shop, right?
Is a rock any better? Truth be told, I have heard that expression.
But I've also heard another expression.
Every dog has its day. And young man, trust me.
You are about to have yours.
What do you think the judge is plotting?
We'll find out what's up his sleeve after a quick break.
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Before we return to our story, some exciting news.
Circle Round Live is going coast to coast with upcoming events in New York and Alaska.
From September 13 to the 15th, Eric Shimmelonis and I will be at the Alaska World Arts Festival in Homer, with live performances of Circle Round stories and all ages storytelling workshop.
On December 8th, we're recording two new episodes live at Symphony Space in New York City.
For more info and for tickets to our upcoming happenings, visit WBUR.org slash Circle Round and click on Events.
I'm Rebecca Sheer and welcome back to Circle Round Live at the Aladdin Theatre in Portland, Oregon.
Today our story is called The Doggies in the Window.
Before it a good idea to bring a rock into a China shop.
Since today I suppose. Young man, can you put the rock down and give the shopkeeper your 50 copper pieces?
After all, she did say you may have all three ceramic dogs for 50 copper pieces.
The shopkeeper furrowed her brow not too split.
Carry it to the front window.
Okay, lift it high into the air.
And smash one of the dogs to pieces.
Okay, wait, you want me to do what?
Yes, you want him to do what?
I want him to smash one of the dogs to pieces.
But your honor, that is after he smashes it to pieces.
What? Madam, you never said he had to carry the dog home in just one trip.
If the young man smashes the dog, he can carry it home one or two pieces at a time, without any help whatsoever.
Then he will still have two perfectly good, perfectly intact dogs to give his mother for her birthday.
And then the schoolboy let loose a laugh.
The shopkeeper let loose a groan.
Do you know how expensive those dogs actually are?
Each one is worth at least 500 copper pieces, not 50.
If the boy shatters one of them, I will lose a boatload of money.
I hear you, and I understand.
So how about we try something else?
The judge shifted his gaze to the boy.
Young man, we now know you would be more than capable of carrying one dog home without any help.
Which, according to your agreement with the shopkeeper, means you get to buy all three dogs for 50 copper pieces.
I suppose they do, your honor.
Well, in that case, I suspect he'd be willing to give you back two.
If you provide a porter to help him carry home one.
A porter? I don't have a porter.
I don't even have a staff.
I do everything around this place.
I make the orders. I collect the deliveries.
I organize the items. I sell the items.
I even dust and clean the items.
Then you certainly won't mind carrying one of the items.
All the way to this fine young man's house.
The shopkeeper knew better than to argue.
She took a breath, clench her teeth, then hoisted one of the dogs into her arms.
And to hold it, he'd half his day.
Now it's your turn. Think about a gift you've given to somebody you love.
How did you feel when you gave that gift?
How did they feel? Find some paper and draw a picture of you giving your loved one their gift.
When you're done, this in the window was adapted by me Rebecca Schier.
It was edited by Dean Russell.
Erick Shimalonis composed our original music and played it live on the Tysho Goto.
You can learn more about this Japanese stringed instrument and see a photo of Eric playing one on our website.
Wbruh.org slash Circle Around.
Circle Around's artist is Sabina Hahn.
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 to wbruh.org slash Circle Around and click on Coloring Pages.
Special thanks to our actors in Portland, Jordan Beck, Susanna Mars and Pancho Savory.
And a big Circle Around of thanks to the staff at the Aladdin Theatre and to WBUR's Andrea Omira, Tina Saford and Deb Taylor.
Looking for more ways to circle around with us?
Join the Circle Around Club!
You can support your favorite public radio podcast and get ad free episodes, bonus bedtime stories, super fun swag, even a personalized birthday message from me.
Grown ups visit our website to wbruh.org slash Circle Around and click Circle Around Club.
Oh and one more thing, Grown ups.
If you love Circle Around, please write us a five star review on your favorite podcast app.
It'll help us make the Circle Around Circle even bigger.
Circle Around 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 Around episode, we want to know...
What's your favorite Circle Around Story?
Thousands of fans just like you have been telling us about the Circle Around Stories they like best.
Take a listen. Maybe one of their favorites is one of yours too.
Hi my name is Sage, I'm from Ottawa, New Zealand.
My favorite Circle Around Story is something fishy.
My favorite pause when the sea gold comes.
My name is Miles, I'm from San Francisco and my favorite Circle Around Story is the Forest Folk.
And I like the park where the golden spruce gold turn into silver spruce golds.
My name is Chant and I live in Colorado.
My favorite Circle Around Story is the very busy fairies.
My favorite part is when the fairies take over all of her house and all of her says, I need to get them out of here before mom comes home.
My name is Donna, I live in Pomona, California.
My favorite episode of Circle Around is the Poket Dollar Pigeon.
My favorite part is when the Poket Dollar Pigeon choose on the race.
My name is Dash and I live in Omaha, Nebraska and my favorite story is the Pellakites Promise.
My favorite part is when the Pellakites talk to the farmer about the three promises.
My name is Maeve, I live in Omaha, Nebraska.
One of my favorite Circle Around Stories is Treasure Mountain.
And I like that park. Is the Vassalus there?
My favorite part is when the Vassalus looks in his own reflection and turns into stone.
Did someone mention a story you've missed?
Not to worry! Grown ups, you can find all of our Circle Around Stories, plus links to the Circle Around Club, Picture Books, Coloring Pages, and Oso much more on our website, www.ruxlashcircleround.
