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 circleround and click on events.
We're announcing more tour stops soon, so stay tuned.
We look forward to circling around with you live.
WBUR Podcasts, Boston.
Think about a time you faced a difficult decision.
How did you make your choice?
Did you list the pros and cons?
Did you ask a friend for advice?
In today's tale, when a king is in the dark about a tough decision, a magical, mystical being comes along and sheds some light.
Whistling I'm Rebecca Shear, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time.
Today, our story is called The First Counselor.
It's inspired by tales from Sweden, a Scandinavian country in northern Europe.
The First Counselor.
Some really great people came together to bring you our version of this folktale, including Danielle Panabaker and James Wolk.
Danielle Panabaker most recently starred in The Flash on Netflix.
She's appeared in a bunch of other TV series and movies, including Empire Falls and Sky High.
James Wolk has had starring roles in such TV shows as Mad Men on AMC and Happy Face on Paramount+.
You kids can enjoy James in the action-adventure comedy film Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
So circle around, everyone, for the first counselor.
The First Counselor There once lived a mighty king with a mighty problem.
He had been invited to an important summit in a faraway land, and he couldn't decide who should rule over his kingdom while he was away.
I never married.
I have no children.
So the most logical choice is one of my counselors, my royal advisors.
I must name one of them first counselor, head of the government.
But which one should I pick?
The king had six counselors, each with their own quirks.
Counselor Nessa was very fast.
Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today, or right now, or five minutes ago.
Counselor Norvid was very slow.
Slow and steady.
Wins the race.
Counselor Linnea was very young.
In the heart of every young person lies the potential for greatness.
I just lost a baby tooth.
Counselor Ludwig was very old.
With age comes wisdom.
And arthritis.
Oh, and did I mention wisdom?
Counselor Astrid was very loud.
Speak loud and clear for all to hear.
And I do mean all.
And Counselor Anders was very quiet.
Um, Counselor Anders?
Ugh.
Yes?
Um, it's just that all the other counselors piped up just now.
Um, is there something you would like to add?
Not at the moment.
I talk only when I have something to say.
After all, we have two ears and one mouth, so we can listen twice as much as we speak.
Huh, you've got a good point there.
Oh, thank you.
The king knew that his first counselor must be trustworthy, honest, true to their word.
And he spent many a sleepless night trying to decide which of his six counselors best fit that bill.
Late one evening, as the king tossed and turned in bed, he received an unexpected visitor.
His spacious chamber suddenly filled with a warm white light, and there hovering in the air before him was a fairy.
Her long hair flowed past her waist, and her delicate hand grasped a twinkling crystal wand.
Good evening, your majesty.
I am the fairy of this castle.
The king pinched himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
He wasn't.
The fairy of this castle?
I didn't know this castle had a fairy.
Why have I never seen you before?
Because you've never needed me before.
I have lived within these walls ever since your grandparents grandparents, grandparents first built the place.
But I only show myself when a king or queen is facing a particularly difficult dilemma.
A quandary.
A conundrum.
Just like you are right now.
It's true.
I must choose which one of my six counselors should be my first counselor and rule in my place while I'm away.
Can you tell me which one I should pick?
I'm afraid I cannot tell you which counselor you should pick.
But I can help you make your choice.
First thing tomorrow morning, you must call your six counselors together.
Tell them they must travel far up the river to retrieve your golden galley.
My golden galley?
You mean the big patrol boat that was just repaired by the shipwright in the next town?
That's the one.
But why ask my counselors to fetch my golden galley?
I have sailors and servants for that.
Your counselors know how much you love that boat.
Tell them that you trust them and them alone to bring it home safely.
Meanwhile, you and I will have a surprise waiting for them.
The river the counselors would take to fetch the golden galley ran alongside a forest.
The fairy told the king that after he sent the counselors on their way, he must meet her beside the river, at the spot where the trees gave way to clear land.
And then, I promise, you'll be on your way to making your choice.
The fairy flashed a mysterious smile and waved her wand over the king's face.
In an instant his eyelids grew heavy, his body grew still and for the first time in many a night he was out cold.
The next morning, he did as the fairy instructed.
He sent his counselors to fetch his golden galley and row it down the river.
Then he saddled up his horse and took off through the forest.
When he reached the edge of the trees, the fairy was waiting.
Good day, your majesty.
Your counselors have yet to row past this spot, which gives me plenty of time to do this.
She waved her crystal wand, and all of a sudden the king was transformed.
His elegant royal attire was replaced by a threadbare tunic and patched-up breeches.
His neatly trimmed hair was long and stringy.
His clean, shaven face bore a scraggly beard.
His hand held a wood-handled axe.
And his magnificent steed was now a little gray donkey with a stack of freshly chopped wood on its back.
Fairy, you've made me look like a woodcutter, complete with a beast of burden to carry my load.
That's because you are a woodcutter.
For the moment.
Okay.
And this new getup will help me out how?
You shall soon find out.
For now, keep your eyes open.
Your counselors will soon appear.
They will need help, and you will come to their aid.
With your new look, they'll have no idea who you are.
And when they ask how they might reward your assistance, you shall ask them to honor you by having dinner at your cottage.
My cottage?
I have a castle, not a cottage.
Are you sure about that?
One flick of the fairy's wand and just like that, a tiny cottage appeared with peeling walls, a moss-covered roof and rickety windows that rattled in the breeze.
Invite the counselors to visit this cottage tomorrow at sunset.
And soon, I promise, you'll know which counselor should be your first counselor.
Then she smiled her mysterious smile, waved her crystal wand, and was gone.
At that very moment, the Golden Galley came gliding into view, with all six counselors on board.
Up front was quick-moving Nessa.
Can we pick up the pace, people?
Behind her was slow-moving Norvid.
Good things come to those Wait.
Behind him was youthful Linnea.
I just lost another baby tooth.
Then ancient Ludwig.
Anyone else?
This earthquake is acting up right now.
Noisy Astrid.
Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream.
And quiet Anders.
How can we row gently with all that warbling?
The water was calm, the sky was blue, yet the moment the galley glided past the disguised king, a bank of dark clouds scudded in and unleashed a torrent of rain.
The wind picked up, the river turned choppy and churning and the galley was tossed this way and that.
That boat will smash right up against the riverbank unless something is done.
This must be what the fairy was talking about.
She told me my counselors would need some help and I would come to their aid.
Well, here goes.
The king raced to the bank and dove into the river.
He had always been a strong swimmer and in no time flat he was heaving his dripping wet body over the galley's side.
Hiya, folks.
I've come to help you out.
The king was as strong a boatman as he was a swimmer.
Quickly and confidently, he took hold of the rudder and steered the galley to shore.
The storm blew out as quickly as it had blown in, and the sky was clear and blue as the counselors gratefully stepped foot on dry land.
We have no idea who you are, kind woodcutter.
But you just saved our lives.
Tell us, how can we repay you?
We could give you gold.
New clothing.
Tell us what you need.
We'll give anything to such a kind, generous soul.
The so-called woodcutter shook his head.
Repay me?
There's no need to repay me.
I helped you out of the goodness of my heart.
However, if you wish to give me something, you can give me the honor of hosting you for dinner.
Come to my cottage tomorrow at sunset.
The counselors accepted the invitation.
Then they climbed back into the golden galley and continued on their way.
As they drifted around a bend, the fairy appeared.
Without a word, she waved her crystal wand and returned the king to his former appearance, complete with royal garments, shaven face, short hair and trusty horse.
Your Majesty, did everything go according to plan?
Well, uh, you could say that.
I saved my counselors' lives and invited them to this cottage for dinner tomorrow at sunset.
But I have to confess, I am no closer to making my decision than I was before.
That's because we aren't finished yet.
There's one more thing you must do.
Something very important.
And then, your majesty, I promise, you'll know exactly who your first counselor should be.
What do you think the king must do?
And which counselor do you think he'll pick?
We'll find out how our story unfolds after a quick break.
What are Circle Round listeners saying about the Circle Round Club, the newest membership opportunity for superfans like you?
Here's a taste.
I love being in the Circle Round Club because the snuggle times are perfect for when you want to listen to Circle Round but you don't have that much time.
Grownups, get your Circle Round superfan signed up today at wbur.org slash circleroundclub.
Welcome back to Circle Round.
I'm Rebecca Shear.
Today our story is called The First Counselor.
Before the break, the king had to choose which of six counselors should rule in his place while he was away.
The fairy of the castle arranged it so that the king, disguised as a woodcutter, would save the counselor's lives.
When they asked how they could repay him, He told them to have dinner at his cottage in the woods tomorrow at sunset.
After the counselors agreed and continued on their way, the fairy showed up, removed the king's disguise and gave him his next instruction.
Your Majesty, now that you're back in your kingly garb, you must return to the palace.
Invite your counselors to a royal banquet.
Tell them you will announce your choice for first counselor at this grand feast.
I can do that.
And when will this banquet take place?
When will it take place?
The fairy smiled.
Tomorrow at sunset.
The king was gobsmacked.
I can't hold a banquet tomorrow at sunset.
I'm not ready to announce my choice.
And besides, the counselors promised to visit the woodcutter's cottage at the very same time.
The fairy said nothing.
She just flashed another sly grin, waved her crystal wand, and was gone.
The king was stupefied but wishing to follow the fairy's orders, he rode his horse back to the palace and called his counselors together.
Hello, counselors.
As you know, I shall soon embark on my journey.
One of you will act as first counselor and watch over the kingdom while I'm away.
And I shall announce which one of you I've chosen at a banquet.
Tomorrow at sunset.
The counselors traded an uneasy glance.
The king noticed.
Counselors, it seems my invitation has left you speechless.
And I don't blame you.
This banquet is a big deal.
So please get all dialed up in your best finery and join me in the great hall of the castle tomorrow at sunset.
I look forward to seeing you then.
And with that, he turned on his heel and bustled out of the room.
The following day at sunset, the banquet began in the castle's great hall.
As a parade of servants marched in to deliver the first course, the king noticed that one counselor was missing.
His quiet counselor, Anders.
Anders was still missing when the second course arrived.
And the third.
And the fourth, fifth, and sixth.
It was only when dessert was about to be served... Hello, everyone.
Sorry I'm late.
...that Anders finally appeared, breathless and disheveled.
I was just out in the forest, so I could have dinner with the man who saved my life.
Anders flashed a sheepish grin.
His fellow counselors exchanged a guilty look.
They had agreed not to tell the king about the woodcutter.
After all, they didn't want their boss to know they had nearly sunk his beloved golden galley.
And besides, they didn't actually plan on dining with a poor woodcutter instead of a king.
But Anders was different, and as the king gazed into the quiet man's apologetic eyes, he heard a familiar voice.
Remember, your majesty, you want your first counselor to be trustworthy, honest, true to their word.
And who might that be?
The king glanced around, expecting to see the fairy, but she was nowhere to be found.
Yet all at once, a sudden understanding welled up in his heart, and he knew exactly what to do.
For the moment, however, he acted as though he knew nothing.
Instead, he jumped to his feet and shot Anders an incredulous look.
"'Counsellor Anders!'
What's all this about going to the forest to have dinner?
With the man who saved your life?
Sounds like nonsense to me.
Anders heaved a sigh and recounted the story of yesterday's adventures.
The unexpected rainstorm, the heroic woodcutter, the invitation to dinner at the cottage.
So, let me get this straight.
You were going to honor the invitation of a woodcutter, over an invitation from a king.
Anders responded quietly, but quickly.
That is correct, your majesty.
I promised the woodcutter I would dine at his cottage and since he extended his invitation before you extended yours, I felt obligated to follow through.
But when I went to the forest to see him, his cottage was gone.
The king was impressed by Anders' honesty, but he kept up his skeptical act.
Counselor Anders, do you expect me to believe that you arrived late and disheveled because you agreed to have dinner with a commoner whose cottage vanished into thin air?
I don't expect you to believe it, sir, but it's the truth.
The cottage was gone.
And I had to honor the woodcutter's invitation.
I made him a promise.
I gave him my word.
And I always stay true to my word.
On the inside, the king was beaming.
But on the outside, he frowned.
Counselor Anders, given everything you have told us this evening and all that has come to light, I hope you are willing to accept the consequences of your actions.
Anders gave a sad nod.
Of course I am, sir.
I had a feeling you would fire me.
I'll pack my bags and leave the castle.
With a hanging head, he turned to go.
But before he could take one step... No, you shall not pack your bags and leave the castle.
The counselor looked up with a start.
I won't?
No.
Because if you pack your bags and leave the castle, then how will you become my first counselor?
The other counselors gasped.
Anders grinned.
You've chosen me to be your first counselor?
But I disrespected you by showing up late for your banquet and looking in absolute fright.
You did show up late, and you do look a fright.
But you didn't disrespect me.
Quite the opposite, actually.
I don't understand.
Counselor Anders, you didn't disrespect me because the woodcutter whose dinner invitation you honored was me.
The other counselors let out another gasp.
Anders did, too.
A friend helped me disguise myself, to help me figure out who my first counselor should be.
You see, whoever I choose must be trustworthy, honest, true to their word.
And tonight, by honoring your promise to a humble woodcutter, you have proven that you are all of those things and more.
You are the one to rule in my absence, Anders.
I am certain I can safely place my land and people in your hands.
And he was right.
Anders ruled with care and kindness, and the kingdom prospered.
When the king came back from his travels and returned to the throne, he decided to make Anders his permanent first counselor.
And from then on, whenever the king had to take his leave, he knew he could always rely on Anders, the soft-spoken counselor who spoke volumes with his honest and trustworthy heart.
Now it's your turn.
You can practice decision-making by playing Would You Rather.
Find a partner and take turns asking each other to choose between two situations.
You can ask things like, would you rather have a magic carpet or a crystal ball?
Would you rather own a pet dragon or pet unicorn?
Would you rather eat a whole raw onion or an entire lemon?
The list can go on and on.
And in many cases, the laughter can too.
This week's episode, The First Counselor, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear.
It was edited by Dean Russell.
Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis.
Eric's featured instrument this week was the toggle harpa.
You can learn more about this bowed lyre from Northern Europe and see a photo of Eric playing one on our website wburorg slash circleround.
CircleRound's artist is Sabina Han.
Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for every CircleRound story and you can print them out and color them in.
Grown-ups, you can find all of our coloring pages at wbur.org slash CircleRound.
Special thanks to this week's actors.
Evan Casey Paul Date Adeline Phelps, Jessica Rau, Mike Truesdale, Don Ursula, James Wolk and Danielle Panabaker.
James Wolk plays young Walters in the action-adventure comedy film Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
You grown-ups, can see James in such TV shows as Mad Men on AMC, Watchmen on HBO and Happy Face on Paramount.
Danielle Panabaker most recently starred in the Netflix series The Flash.
She also serves as a global ambassador for Room to Read, a nonprofit promoting children's literacy and girls' education in Asia and Africa.
Looking for more ways to Circle Round with us and to support public media?
Join the Circle Round Club.
To show our thanks, we'll send you a welcome package with special swag plus ad-free episodes, bonus bedtime stories, pre-sale tickets to our live events and an invitation to meet me and Eric Shimalonis after each show.
Sign up for the Circle Round Club today and show your love for public media at WBURorg slash Circle Round.
Grownups, if you enjoy Circle Round, please tell your family and friends.
And if you can, please leave us a five-star rating or review on your favorite podcast app.
It helps other listeners find the show so we can make the Circle Round circle even bigger.
Circle Round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR.
I'm Rebecca Shear.
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 Ria, and I live in Ontario, Canada.
And my favorite Circle Round story is the bright yellow hat.
My favorite part is when she saves the tree.
Hi, my name is Celine.
I live in Ontario, Canada.
My favorite trick-or-round story is the three-legged pot.
My favorite part is when the three-legged pot goes wee.
Hi, my name is Natalia.
Hi, my name is Raven.
We live in Austin Texas, and our favorite trick-or-round story is the Peach of Life, because we like the part when the wizard says Good day.
My name is Julia.
I live in Hollywood, Florida.
My favorite Circle Round story is the Zodiac 12.
My favorite part is when Cat finds out the rat is first and when Rebecca Shears says that that's why cats chase mice and rats.
My name is Eden and I live in Colorado Springs Colorado, and my favorite Circle Round story is the Salmon Famine, and I like the part when Coyote says My name is Kajsa and I'm from Anoka Minnesota, and my favorite circle around is the basilisk stair, and I like the part when Natalia saves her brother Conrad by turning the basilisk into stone.
Did someone mention a story you've missed?
Not to worry!
Grownups.
You can find all of our Circle Round stories, plus links to the Circle Round Club, Picture books, coloring pages and oh so much more on our website wburorg slash circleround.
