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WBUR Podcasts Boston.
Do you know what it means to face the music? When we face the music, it doesn't mean we're enjoying
a symphony or dancing at a concert. It means we're facing the consequences of our actions.
In today's story, thanks to the wisdom of a beloved queen, a dishonest man has to face
the music and change his tune. I'm Rebecca Sheer and welcome to Circle Around, where story time
happens all the time. Today, our story is called The Weeping Witness. We found versions of this
tale from Japanese and Persian folklore. Some really great people came together to
bring you our adaptation of this story, including Brittany Ishi-Bashi, who recently starred in
Marvel's Runaways and has voiced characters in such hit shows as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
and the Netflix series Only. So Circle Around Everyone. For The Weeping Witness.
There Once was a Queen, a most beloved queen who ruled her people with compassion,
dedication and most of all, wisdom. The Queen was so wise that when her subjects headed to
spute they couldn't settle. They traveled from across the kingdoms so she could hear their case.
The Shrewd and Clever ruler always listened to their arguments before sifting through all the
evidence and deciding which side was in the right. And somehow, without fail, the Queen's decisions
were never wrong. One spring morning, the Queen's guards led two men into the throne room. One man
was a peddler. The other was a farmer. Both fellows wore scowls on their faces and kept shooting
each other dirty looks. Good morning gentlemen. Though judging from what I'm seeing, I suspect it's
not a very good morning for either one of you. The peddler and farmer exchanged another withering
glance, then the peddler turned to the Queen with a bow. Your Majesty, in all your wisdom you are
correct. It is not a good morning and I'll tell you why. You see, as a peddler, I make my living
traveling from place to place, selling goods. Last week, I happened to travel to a charming little
seaside village. After working hard, peddling my wares all day, I set up my campsite at the edge
of town as I always do. And then, in the dark of night, while I lay sleeping in my tent,
I was robbed by him. The peddler jabbed an accusing finger at the farmer. The farmer threw a hand
to his chest. Your Majesty, this man is spouting nonsense. As a farmer, I am a simple humble fellow
who would never steal from anyone. What's more, I've never even been to this charming little
seaside village of which the peddler speaks. In fact, I have no idea which village he's talking about.
The Queen gazed at the two men. She paused, then drew a deep breath and fixed her eyes on the
peddler. Peddler, you claim this robbery happened in the dark of night while you were asleep.
Is that correct? That is correct, Your Majesty. But I wasn't asleep for long. A sudden
commotion outside my tent startled me awake. I leaped to my feet, threw on my coat and stepped into
the moonlight. Just in time to see this scoundrel scampering off with all my goods and all my money.
The peddler sniffed and wiped his eyes. The farmer rolled his eyes. Oh, please. The
peddler is telling lies, Your Majesty. I told you. I don't even know what village he's talking about.
I have no thief. I haven't said you are a thief farmer. In my court, everyone is innocent
until proven guilty. And one way to tell the innocent from the guilty is to bring in witnesses.
The Queen turned back to the peddler. Peddler, do you have any witnesses who can testify in your
favor? Someone who might have seen the farmer make off with your goods and your money
as you claim he did? The peddler frowned. I'm afraid I haven't any witnesses, Your Majesty.
Like I said, it was the middle of the night and I was on the edge of town and there really was
interliving soar about. Nothing was around really. Except a weeping willow tree. A weeping willow tree?
The Queen cocked her head to the side. You're telling me there was a weeping willow tree?
Yes. I've always had a fondness for weeping willow trees, you see? The way there,
slender branches, droop down to the ground in a cascade of leaves. It's like a beautiful,
delicate curtain of green. So that night I set up my tent beneath a weeping willow tree.
I see. In that case, we do have a witness. The weeping willow tree. We must summon it at once.
The peddlers jaw dropped. The farmers did too. After being at odds all day, the two men finally
agreed on one thing. It was beginning to look like the Queen had lost her marbles.
Oh, with all due respect, Your Majesty, did you say we must summon a tree?
The Queen smiled. That's precisely what I said. So, peddler, I order you to leave the palace at once,
travel back to the charming seaside village where this alleged robbery took place and bring back
the weeping willow tree. Justice must be served, so I must unlock this case. And the key is that tree.
What do you think the wise Queen is up to? Has she really lost her marbles? 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-slaz-circle-round
and get your very own Circle Round backpack, lunch box and picture books. And bonus,
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Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Sheer. Today, our story is called The Weeping Witness.
Before the break, a wise queen was hearing a case between a traveling peddler and a firmer.
The peddler claimed he'd been sleeping under a weeping willow tree, outside a seaside village
when the firmer robbed him. To both men's surprise, the queen ordered the peddler to return
to the seaside village and bring back the weeping willow tree as a witness. So, shaking his head
in bewilderment, the peddler turned on his heel and left the palace. Once he was gone,
the queen turned to the firmer with a smile. Farmer! While we're waiting for the peddler to come
back from his errand, how about some music? The firmer nodded in agreement. Some musical
entertainment would be a welcome diversion right now. And besides, the queen was acting so
strangely, he didn't dare disagree with her. Wonderful! I shall summon my finest musicians and
dancers. The queen rang a bell and a band of musicians came filing in, followed by a team of
dancers dressed in bright, flowing costumes. The queen greeted them warmly, then she clapped her hands
together and to the music began. The tune was a lively one, and as the musicians played,
the dancers leaped and twirled around the room. The firmer was instantly enchanted.
He had never experienced such a marvelous musical spectacle before.
Within moments, the firmer was tapping his toes. Within a few more, he was snapping his fingers.
And before long, the enraptured firmer was up on his feet, swaying and bouncing to the beat.
The queen looked on with an amused grin. After an hour, she glided over to her guest and tapped
him on the shoulder. Tell me, farmer, do you think the peddler is on his way back with the tree?
The firmer was so engrossed in the music, he didn't even turn his head. I seriously doubt
he's on his way back, your majesty. I see. After another hour, the queen tapped the farmer's
shoulder a second time. Tell me, farmer, now do you think the peddler is on his way back with the
tree? Again, the distracted farmer kept his eyes straight ahead. It's highly unlikely he's on his way back,
your majesty. I see. After another hour, the queen tapped the farmer's shoulder a third time.
Tell me, farmer, now do you think the peddler is on his way back with the tree?
The firmer kept dancing. But as he bounced his legs and waved his arms, he threw back his head
and let out. A laugh. With all due respect, your majesty, there's no need to keep asking me this
question. No, why ever not? Well, to get to the seaside village, the peddler has to pass through
a deep forest, then a winding valley, then a series of rugged hills, and once he arrives,
he has to climb to the top of a steep cliff overlooking the sea, because that's where the
weeping willow grows. So even if he does succeed in chopping the tree down, chances are good,
it'll fall right into the water. And after that, there's no way he could possibly.
The farmer stopped short. He also stopped dancing. The queen waved her hand and the music stopped too.
What's wrong, farmer? Cat got your tongue. I believe you were right in the middle of providing an
ever-so-detailed description of the scene of the crime. The same place just a few short hours ago
that you claimed you'd never been to. That is the case. Is it not? The farmer frowned. He knew he was
caught. Yes, your majesty. That's the case. Then this case is closed, and this court finds you
guilty. Guards, the queen snapped her fingers and a team of uniformed men snapped to attention.
Please, find the peddler and bring him back to the palace. I believe the farmer has something
he'd like to tell him and a whole lot of things he'd like to return. As the guards rushed from the
palace, the farmer sighed and hung his head because even though the room was now quiet and the
magnificent concert had come to a close, he knew that thanks to the wise and clever queen,
it was time for him to face the music. Now it's your turn. Who do you turn to in your life when you
have a problem? Is it a family member, a friend, a teacher? Think about your problem, solver.
The make a list of all the reasons you turn to them for help. Do they have amazing patience?
Are they excellent listeners? Do they keep an open mind? Do they practice compassion?
Look at all the reasons you've listed and think about how you can apply these traits to your own
life. Then perhaps you can be the go-to person for others when they need help.
This week's episode, The Weeping Witness, was adapted by me for Becca Schier. It was edited by
Sophie Coddner, our original music and sound design is by Eric Shemelonis, our artist is Sabina
Hon. Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for all of our circle round stories and you
can print them out and color them in. Grownups visit our website, wbwar.org slash circle
round and click on coloring pages. Special thanks to this week's actors,
Theodore Chin, Paul Dottay and Brittany Ishi Bashi. You grownups might know Brittany from
Grace and Frankie and Hawaii 50. You kids might recognize her from Mickey and the Roadster
racers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Brittany also voices characters in the upcoming Netflix
series Ultraman Rising. Our featured instrument this week was the Shemisen. You can learn more
about the traditional Japanese stringed instrument and see a photo of Eric Shemelonis playing it
on our website. Again, that's wbwar.org slash circle round. And while you're at wbwar.org slash
circle round, you can check out our upcoming live events, get your hands on our circle round picture
books and you can support your favorite public radio podcast by joining the Circle Round Club.
Once more, that's wbwar.org slash circle round. Grownups, if you enjoy Circle Round, please
leave us a five star review on your favorite podcast app. It would mean the world to us.
We also invite you to talk about us on social media. You can tag us on Instagram and Facebook
at Circle Round Podcast. Circle Round is a production of wbwar 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 Evelyn and I live in British Columbia. Canada, my favorite Circle Round Story is
hungry hippo. I like the power at the end where he says we're only a foo of glass.
Hello, I'm Evelyn and I live in New Orleans. My favorite story is wrong here in the waterfall.
Now I like the part where my wrong here says come on my military. Drop us this glass so we can get some
fresh cleaning water coming out of this waterfall. My name is Mara. I live in Wormville, Illinois
and my favorite Circle Round Story is the lion's brusque. I like the part where the little
lion's head behind a bush. Hi, my name is Violet and I'm from New Jersey and my favorite Circle
Round Story is bright side. I like it because the landlord says sure I'll throw you a bone.
My name is Esme and I live in California and my favorite story is called the Blizzard Wizard.
And my favorite part is when I on a struck the wolf and she got to ride on the deer.
My name is Arden. I live in California. My favorite story is fire on the other side of the world.
I like the part where the fire rings that's fire from the other side.
Hi, my name is Kala and I live in Bar Harbor, Maine and my favorite Circle Round Story is
Chattowing Clams. I don't have a favorite part. I just like it. I live down from the
winter and I like the upside down street because I like the part where the children's
children's hearts are the food. I love you, you're back as here. 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.
