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 circle around and click on events.
We're announcing more tour stops soon, so stay tuned.
We look forward to circling around with you live.
Produced by the iLab at WBUR Boston. What does it mean to be honest?
Being honest means being truthful in what you do and say. even if it isn't easy.
In today's story, We'll find out why telling the truth can be even more precious than bronze.
Silver and gold. I'm Rebecca Sheer, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time.
Today our story is called The Treasured Axe.
Versions of this tale come from all over the world. from Greece, Latvia, and Russia to Nigeria, Indonesia, and Japan, to China, Thailand, and Tibet.
Some really great people came together to bring you our adaptation of this story, including Adrian Martinez.
You kids listening might recognize Adrian from Lady and the Tramp on Disney+.
And you grown-ups might know him from Stumptown on ABC.
So, circle around, everyone, for the treasured axe.
There once was a poor woodchopper. The woodchopper lived with his dear old mother and his precocious little son, and made just enough money cutting and selling firewood to keep a roof over their heads. and food in their bellies.
Each morning so early that the stars still twinkled in the brightening sky.
The hardworking woodchopper rolled out of his rickety bed and picked up his trusty iron axe.
He'd inherited the well-worn hatchet with the smooth wooden handle from his father, and had been using the tool for so long, it felt like an old friend.
Alright, pal. Time for another morning of chopping firewood in the forest.
If we work quickly enough, we can make it to the marketplace just as it opens and sell our wood rapidly. right up front so everyone will see us when they walk through the door.
One day, after the woodchopper woke up, got dressed, and left his cottage to go to work, he came across a giant oak tree that had fallen alongside a swift, deep river.
Wow! Would you look at this tree! The trunk's so thick, it'll make enough firewood for an entire village.
Well, pal. Better get chopping. The woodchopper sweated and strained, heaved and hoed as he swung his trusty axe against the fallen oak.
But try as he might, the iron blade hardly made a dent.
Man, this trunk is tough. Well, just as the woodchopper uttered those words, do you know what happened?
He swung his axe one last time. And it got stuck.
Oh, no! gripping the smooth wooden handle and gritting his teeth.
The woodchopper yanked. Come on, pal. And tugged.
Let's get you out of there. tugged, easy does it, and yanked, Until... At last...
The axe loosened from the wood, went flying through the air, and landed in the swift deep river with a splash.
Oh, no! My axe! If I don't have my axe, I can't chop firewood.
And if I can't chop firewood, I can't sell firewood.
And if I can't sell firewood, I can't put food on the table.
And if I can't put food on the table, my mother and son will starve.
The woodchopper slumped down on the ground, his head in his hands.
Oh dear, that water looks cold and deep. and my trusty axe must have sunk far to the bottom by now.
It's way too dangerous to jump in and try to rescue it.
What am I gonna do? No sooner had the woodchopper asked that question than the water of the river began to bubble and churn.
Suddenly, a cloud of mist rose from the surface.
And the woodchopper heard a mysterious voice.
Good woodchopper. What troubles you? The woodchopper squinted into the mist.
Eventually, he made out the figure of a woman.
A tall, willowy woman with long, iridescent hair and a flowing robe that sparkled with every color of the rainbow.
It was the goddess of the river, the magical being who watched over the water and protected all its creatures.
Good wood chopper. I've been listening to you cut wood since early this morning when the stars were still twinkling.
The surprised woodchopper blushed. He'd never met a real goddess before.
Well... I was swaying away at this fallen tree here, thinking of all the firewood I could sell. when my trusty old axe got stuck right there in the trunk.
I tried yanking it free when all of a sudden it came loose and went plunging into the river.
Now, I fear I'll never see my treasured axe again.
And my family will go hungry and... The woodchopper watched as the goddess of the river dove deep down into the water.
When she reemerged, she reached out a long, graceful arm.
In her delicate hand... She held an axe.
Is this your treasured axe? Now, you remember what the woodchopper's axe looked like, right?
It was made of battered and worn iron. with a smooth wooden handle.
Well, the axe the river goddess was holding out was made of bronze.
The copper-colored metal glinted in the early morning sun and cast a warm glow across the woodchopper's face.
Oh, river goddess. This bronze axe is definitely a treasure.
With this bronze axe, I could provide for my family for a very long time.
But the truth is... My axe is simple and plain.
It's just an old iron blade with a smooth wooden handle and nothing more.
Much as I'd like to claim this bronze axe as my own, it must belong to someone else.
A smile spread across the river goddess's shimmering face.
Then she dove back into the water. When she returned to the surface, She held out another axe.
Is this your treasured axe? The woodchopper gazed at the axe.
While the last axe was made of bronze, this one was made of solid silver.
As the axe caught the sun's rays, it glimmered and glistened so brightly, the woodchopper had to shield his eyes.
Oh, River Goddess, this silver axe is a beautiful treasure indeed.
It could bring my family a fortune. But like I said...
My axe is ordinary. Nothing fancy at all.
Much as I'd like to claim this silver axe as my own.
It must belong to someone else. The river goddess arched a pearly eyebrow.
Then she dove back down into the water. When she rose up again, she held out yet another axe.
Is this your treasured axe, the woodchopper? gasped.
While the first axe had been made of bronze and the second of solid silver.
Any guesses what this third axe was made of?
That's right. Gold. Oh. River Goddess, this golden axe is a treasure beyond compare.
The glittering axe head alone is worth more money than I could ever make in my entire lifetime.
But it's like I told you. My axe is plain, simple, and old.
Much as I'd like to claim this golden axe as my own, it must belong to someone else.
The river goddess peered deep into the woodchopper's eyes.
Then, slowly, she began descending into the water.
Well, good woodchopper, if you won't claim any of these axes as your own, You should just go home.
It's clear my work here is done. What do you mean?
And what about my treasured axe? Is it really gone forever?
The river goddess sank down even further.
That is for you to find out, woodchopper.
That is for you to find out. Then the goddess's iridescent head slipped beneath the surface, and she was gone. leaving nothing more than a ripple behind.
What do you think the wood shopper will find out?
We'll hear what happens next after a quick break.
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Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Shear.
Today our story is called The Treasured Axe.
Before the break, a hard-working woodchopper lost his trusty old axe in the river.
The goddess of the river offered him three other axes, one made of bronze, one made of solid silver, and one made of pure gold, But the honest man confessed that none of them belonged to him.
After the river goddess disappeared beneath the water, the woodchopper sighed, bowed his head, and, with a heavy heart, dragged his feet back to the tiny cottage he shared with his mother. and sun.
As he approached, his family came bursting through the door.
They were brimming with excitement. Oh, son!
Daddy! You must come inside. Open up your present.
The woodchopper tilted his head. My present? but it isn't my birthday.
Did somebody get me a gift? They most certainly did, my dear.
The family went inside and, sure enough...
Sitting on the kitchen table was a large package wrapped in creamy silk and tied with a blue bow.
A lovely woman brought it over just now.
She had the most gorgeous hair. Iridescent, almost.
Anyway... She told me that she met you today and that you were the most humble hard-working and honest person she'd ever encountered.
So she wanted to give you this gift. The woodchopper's heart raced as he untied the blue bow.
And once he removed the silk wrapping... he found some very familiar objects.
Or treasures, really. one made of bronze, one made of solid silver, and one made of pure gold.
Wow, Daddy, look at those axes. My dear son.
I'll bet you never dreamed of chopping wood with such treasures.
Wait! The woodchopper's mother rummaged beneath the bronze, silver, and gold axes.
There's something else in there. The woodchopper watched in amazement as his mother picked up a velvet bracelet. bag.
She reached inside, and do you know what she pulled out?
That's right. My axe! Indeed, it was the treasured old axe the woodchopper had inherited from his father The well-worn iron hatchet with the smooth wooden handle.
Well, I'll be. It's good to see you again, pal.
Before long, the entire village was buzzing with the news of the woodchoppers' newfound treasures.
Because the woodchopper was such a humble, hardworking, and honest soul, everyone was happy for his good fortune.
Well, almost everyone. Down the road from the woodchopper lived a farmer, and the two neighbors were as different as summer and winter.
While the woodchopper was hardworking, the farmer was lazy.
Hiring dozens of farmhands to work the land while he stayed in bed all day.
And while the woodchopper was honest, the farmer was deceitful. often cheating those farmhands of their daily wages and keeping their money for himself.
As you can imagine, when the lazy, deceitful farmer heard the story about the woodchopper's new axes, the greedy man seethed with jealousy.
If that goody-goody down the road can get all these treasures, just by dropping a shoddy axe into the river, then I can get them too.
So the farmer rummaged around his barn for an old axe, stuffed the axe into a big satchel, and brought it home. to the riverside.
Now, do you remember the woodchopper's treasured axe wound up splashing beneath the water?
If you'll recall, it's because he was working hard, right? sweating and straining, heaving and hoeing as he swung his axe against that giant oak tree?
Then the axe got stuck. He yanked and tugged to pull it out and splash!
Off it went into the swift, deep river. Well, just thinking about all this hard work made the lazy farmer want to go to bed.
So when he arrived at the river, do you think he started swinging his axe?
Sweating and straining, heaving and hoeing?
Most certainly not. Instead, he took his axe from the satchel, dangled the hatchet at the water's edge, and let it fall into the river with a plow.
Then he crouched down on the bank and pretended to cry.
Just as the farmer had hoped, the river began to bubble and churn.
A cloud of mist rose from the water's surface. and the farmer heard the magical voice he'd been dreaming of.
Good farmer. What troubles you? When the farmer caught sight of the river goddess, he frowned and wrung his hands.
Oh, river goddess? I was hacking away at a tree?
When my dear treasured axe got caught in the trunk.
I used my incredible strength to pull it free.
And next thing I knew, it had fallen into the river.
The farmer felt his heart leap as the goddess of the river dove down into the water.
When she emerged again, she reached out her long, graceful arm and held up A bronze axe.
Is this your treasured axe? trembled with delight as he snatched the bronze axe and stuffed it inside his satchel on the riverbank.
Actually, river goddess, that is my treasured axe.
But, silly me. I somehow forgot to tell you, I lost another axe in the river today, too.
One that's a little more silvery. A smile spread across the river goddess's face.
Then she dipped beneath the water. When she came back to the surface, she held out another ax, this one made of solid silver.
Is this your treasured axe? The farmer giggled as he grabbed the silver axe and crammed it into the satchel. next to the bronze axe.
Why, yes! That's my treasured axe! but I'm so embarrassed.
I actually lost Yet another axe in the river today, too.
One that's far more... The river goddess arched a pearly eyebrow.
Then she glided back down under the water.
When she rose up again, she held out an axe made of pure gold.
Is this your treasured axe? The farmer licked his lips as he took the golden axe and laid it inside the satchel. next to the silver and bronze axes.
You know what? That is my treasured axe!
I'd know that golden glint anywhere. Oh, river goddess.
All three of these treasures have been so near and dear to me.
And here I was thinking they were lost forever.
However can I thank you? The river goddess peered deep into the farmer's eyes.
Then, slowly, she began descending into the water.
Well, good farmer. If you truly have your treasures, then you should just go home.
It's clear my work here is done. Then her iridescent head disappeared beneath the surface, and she was gone. leaving nothing more than a ripple behind.
The farmer danced with greedy delight before picking up his satchel and skipping back to his farm.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. But when he got home and unloaded his bag...
He was in for a major surprise. Although the satchel had felt heavy and full as the farmer traveled back from the river, He now discovered, much to his dismay, that the great big bag... was empty.
And so, unlike the humble, hard-working woodchopper, The selfish lazy farmer wound up empty-handed.
He'd lost the bronze axe. He'd lost the silver axe.
He'd lost the gold axe. And, thanks to his greed and dishonesty, he'd lost his own axe, too.
Hmm. Now it's your turn. What's something you own that you treasure?
It could be a favorite toy or... blanket or book, anything you truly hold dear.
Once you've figured out what your treasured object is, Find some paper and draw a picture of you with that object.
Be sure to capture exactly how your treasure makes you feel.
Something tells me you're going to draw yourself wearing a very big smile.
This week's story, The Treasured Axe, was adapted by me, Rebecca Scheer.
It was edited by Circle Round's executive producer, Catherine Brewer.
Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis.
Our artist is Sabina Han. Sabina has drawn a black and white illustration for every Circle Round story, and you can print them out and color them in while you listen or anytime Ask a grownup to visit our website, wbur.org slash circleround, and click on soundtrack and coloring pages.
Special thanks to this week's actors. Dolores King-Williams and Adrian Martinez.
Kids, you can see Adrian in Lady and the Tramp on Disney+.
You grown-ups can check him out on Stumptown on ABC.
And you can keep an eye out for his feature film directorial debut, I, Gilbert.
Our featured instrument this week was the cello, played by guest artist Mary Dorman Fenuff.
You can learn more about this bowed string instrument and see a photo on our website.
Again, that's wbur.org slash circleround.
Our featured instrument this week was the cello.
You can read about this bowed string instrument and see a photo on our website.
Again, that's wbur.org slash circleround.
Never want to miss an episode of Circle Round?
Ask a grown-up to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or whatever podcast app they use.
And please leave us some stars, write us a review or just tell your friends about the show.
Circle Round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR news station.
I'm Rebecca Shear. Thanks for circling around with us.
One of the best things about creating Circle Round is hearing from listeners like you.
Circle Round fans have been telling us about their favorite Circle Round stories, and we're excited to share some of their voices with you.
Hi, my name is Sophia and I'm from Colorado.
My favorite circle around story is Armadillo's song because I like at the end when the armadillo gets to at last sing.
My name is Jojo and I am from New York City.
And I really like Stella and the Dragon.
I feel similar to Stella because she wants to have children and take care of them and I want to be a teacher and teach kids and take care of them.
The children. Did someone mention an episode you missed?
No problem. You can find every single Circle Round story on our website.
That's wbur.org slash circleround. or wherever you and your grown-ups get your podcasts.
