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. Think about a person you really like to hang out with.
Someone who always makes you smile. What is it about this person that you like so much?
What makes the two of you click? There are a lot of things that draw us to other people.
But first, we have to find them. In today's story, we'll hear about a man and woman who hope that when they finally meet their soulmate, It'll also be a meeting of the minds.
I'm Rebecca Sheer, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time.
Today, our story is called Wit and Wordplay.
Versions of this tale come from a bunch of places, including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Yemen and Spain.
Some really great people came together to bring you our telling of this folktale, including Dee Bradley Baker. and Rachel McFarlane.
Grownups, you may recognize their voices from American Dad on TBS.
And kids, you may have read Rachel's new rhyming picture book, Eleanor Wyatt, Princess and Pirate.
So circle around, everyone, for wit and wordplay.
Mm. There once was a king. The king was a kind and generous ruler. and a wise and clever man, his subjects frequently came to him for advice. or for help settling an argument, each and every time, The king would listen carefully, then offer a solution that left everybody smiling.
But despite the king's natural gifts and well-deserved reputation, He was unhappy.
Because what he wanted more than anything in the world... was to find his soulmate, someone to spend the rest of his life with.
The king didn't care where his bride came from.
He didn't care if she was rich or poor. He didn't care if she woke up early or slept in late.
The one thing he was picky about, very picky, Was her mind.
Oh, how I wish. I could find someone whose mind is in tune with my own.
A wise, clever woman who craves knowledge like I do. who relishes language like I do, someone whose wit and wordplay will challenge me. and keep me on my toes forever The king's advisors introduced him to plenty of very nice people. but none of them set his heart or brain on fire.
So the king devised a plan. He would disguise himself as a farmer and travel across the kingdom.
He would put forth three riddles. in hopes that his true soulmate would be able to solve them.
The king pulled on some overalls, laced up a pair of work boots, popped on a wide-brimmed hat, And just as the sun was setting, he got on his horse.
He figured he'd ride all night, then start his quest, and his test, first thing in the morning.
The disguised king and his horse were trotting down a dusty dirt road in the countryside when they caught up with another rider. a woman whose small gray donkey was poking along at a slow, steady pace.
The king noticed the woman was dressed like a farmer, too.
His heart skipped a beat. Aha! He could try out his test tonight.
Good evening, my lady. How are you this fine evening?
The farmer smiled when she noticed the king's overalls, hat, and boots.
It was clear his disguise was working. i'm fine thank you it's a pleasure meeting a fellow farmer way out here at this hour Only, you don't look familiar.
Are you from around these parts? The king shrugged.
Let's just say I'm new to the farming business.
Well, I'm heading home from the market and would love some company if we're heading the same way.
Oh, it seems we are. Wonderful then. As the horse and donkey walked down the road, the king took a deep breath.
This was the moment he'd been waiting for.
So, miss, what do you say? Shall I carry you, or shall you carry me?
The farmer furrowed her brow. Wait, what?
I'm riding a donkey, and you're riding a horse.
Why should anyone carry anyone? The king took another breath.
Okay, so the first riddle didn't go so well, but he still had two more.
Hey! Would you get a load of this field?
The king pointed to a large plot of land they were passing.
Its rows of golden wheat swayed in the evening breeze.
It's quite a beauty, isn't it? I wish my wheat grew that full and tall.
Right? I can't help but wonder, though. The king arched an eyebrow.
Has the wheat already been eaten? The farmer cocked her head.
Wait, what? Obviously, the weed is still growing in the ground.
So how could it already be eaten? The king felt his heart drop, but he did have one riddle left.
He swept his hand out toward the horizon.
Look! Do you see that tower? Over yonder?
The farmer squinted her eyes. Yes, it looks mighty and strong.
It does look mighty and strong. On the outside.
His eyes grew wide. But could it be weak inside the walls?
The farmer was too baffled to answer. Just then, her donkey came to a halt.
Well, here's my farm. It... It was nice meeting you.
The king sighed. Ah, you too. He was disappointed that he hadn't found his soulmate.
But hey, it was only his first day. As he began to ride off, the farmer called out.
Hey, look! It's getting late and cold and there are no inns or hotels for miles around.
If you don't have a place to stay tonight, you and your horse are more than welcome to sleep in our stable.
The king smiled. Thank you, miss. I'd be much obliged.
So the king led his horse into the stable, and they hunkered down for the night.
Now, it just so happens that the farmer, whose name was Vivian, by the way, lived on the farm with her younger sister. whose name was Esther.
Esther was a teacher, Every day she helped spark her students' curiosity and get them excited about exploring. exploring new subjects and gaining new wisdom.
But even though Esther enjoyed her job very much, She was unhappy because what she wanted more than anything in the world was a soulmate, someone to share her life with.
But she didn't want to marry just anyone.
Ugh. How I wish I could find someone whose mind is in tune with my own.
A wise, clever man who craves knowledge like I do.
Who relishes language like I do. Someone whose wit and wordplay will challenge me, keep me on my toes.
Forever. Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so.
More on that later. For now, Esther was in her usual nighttime spot, nestled beneath the covers, curled up with a book, when her big sister Vivian came bursting into the bedroom.
Esther, get your nose out of that book. You will not believe the conversation I just had out on the road.
It was so weird. Esther smiled as Vivian plopped down on her bed.
So weird, huh? Well, tell me about it. don't even know where to begin.
It was the strangest thing ever. So I meet this guy, okay?
Vivian told Esther all about their new visitor in the stable. how he and his horse had approached her on the road, and how he'd asked her three very odd questions.
Like, who should carry whom? When clearly, hello, we're both writing.
Then we see this field of wheat and this crop is just gorgeous, all tall and golden.
Whether the wheat had already been eaten.
But like, duh, it's growing right there in the field.
And finally. You'll love this. Finally... And last but not least... if the tower that looked strong on the outside might actually be weak on the inside.
I mean, what is that? Weak but strong? Strong but weak?
It's totally bonkers, right? For a moment, Esther said nothing.
She lowered her eyes, and when she raised them again, they were sparkling.
Sister. It's not bonkers at all. It's brilliant!
What do you think Esther means? Does she know the answers to the king's riddles?
We'll find out after a quick break. Support for Circle Round comes from Indeed.
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Hiring? Indeed is all you need. mind. Welcome back to Circle Round.
I'm Rebecca Shear. Today our story is called Wit and Wordplay.
When we left off, Vivian the farmer had just told her sister, Esther the teacher, about an odd encounter she had on the way home.
Little did Vivian know, the odd encounter was with the king.
He was disguised as a farmer in hopes of finding his soulmate somewhere out in his kingdom.
The king had asked Vivian three riddles.
To her, they sounded like nonsense. But when she repeated the king's three questions to Esther, the younger sister declared them to be brilliant.
For the fourth time that night, Vivian was confused.
Wait, what? Listen, when this fellow on the road asked which one of you shall...
Harry, the other, what he meant was, shall I tell you a story or shall you tell me a story?
Think about it. A long ride always feels so much shorter and so much easier If you're listening to a tale, it's almost like the storyteller is carrying the person who's listening.
Oh. And when this man asked about the wheat and if it had Already been eaten?
He was talking about the harvest! Think about it.
Maybe the owners of the field were in debt and they owed someone a lot of money.
So maybe they sold the harvest in advance.
In that case, it's like the wheat had already been eaten.
I mean, if they sold it already, it isn't like the owners can eat it themselves.
Uh-huh. Okay, so what about the tower? Esther clapped her hands with glee.
Ooh, the tower! When he pointed to this seemingly strong tower and suggested it might be weak inside...
What he meant was, maybe the people within its walls are hungry and thirsty.
Think about it. If they don't have enough food to eat and water to drink, then their bodies will be weak.
See what I mean? Brilliant! Wow. I have to admit it, sis.
You and this guy would make quite a pair.
Esther blushed. Oh, I don't know about that.
Vivian flashed her younger sister a knowing smile, wished her good night, then headed off to bed.
Esther, meanwhile, gazed out her window. moon was casting a silver glow on the stable where the visitor was sleeping.
Could it be? Is Vivian right? Have I found my soulmate?
Not so fast, Esther. This man has tested my wisdom.
Now is my chance to test his. With a little food for thought.
The next morning, the disguised king was still asleep when Vivian and Esther met in the kitchen for breakfast.
Vivian, listen. Before we eat, I need you to bring our guest this.
Esther handed Vivian. a tray. On it were three things.
A crusty loaf of wheat bread, golden and round, a tall glass of milk, filled to the brim, and a bowl. containing 30 hard boiled eggs.
Please offer this breakfast to our visitor in the stable.
Then ask him three questions. First, is the sun whole?
Second, is the moon full? And third, how many days are left in the month?
After that, come back to me with his answers.
Vivian had no idea what her younger sister was up to, but she agreed.
On her way to the stable, Vivian realized how hungry she was.
She and Esther hadn't eaten yet, and her stomach was growling.
Quickly, Vivian ripped a hunk off the crusty round loaf of golden wheat bread and stuffed it in her mouth.
She washed it down with some milk. Then she devoured two hard-boiled eggs.
When Vivian reached the stable, she presented the tray to the disguised king.
She said it was from her sister Esther. Vivian told the visitor how Esther had answered his three questions, the ones he had posed out on the dusty dirt road.
And now, her younger sister had three questions of her own.
As Vivian repeated each of Esther's questions, the king's smile grew wider and wider as He looked down at the tray and peered at the bread, milk, and eggs.
Well, first, please tell your sister that no, the sun is not whole.
Likewise, the moon is not full. It's missing a sliver.
As for how many days are left in the month, Please tell her we have 28 days left.
Vivian was puzzled. It was a clear day out, and the bright yellow sun sure looked whole to her.
They definitely had a full moon last night, and they were halfway through the month.
What did this guy mean there were 28 days left?
Vivian left the tray in the stable, then returned to the kitchen.
When she told her younger sister the visitor's answers, Esther's face brightened.
Vivian, tell me. Did you bring our visitor all the food I gave you?
All the bread, all the milk, and all the eggs?
Vivian confessed she hadn't. She'd taken one hunk from the crusty round loaf of golden wheat bread, a quick sip of milk and two hard-boiled eggs.
Esther clapped her hands together and laughed.
Then she nodded toward the bread. So, in other words, the sun, the round golden sun, is not whole.
Next, she pointed at the milk. And the milky white moon?
It isn't full! Then she gestured toward the eggs.
And you ate two eggs, right, sister? So of those 30 days in the month, Two are missing, which means 28 days are left.
He got it! Well, admittedly, they weren't easy questions to crack.
Coming from a good egg like yourself? Esther spun around.
In the doorway, she saw a smiling man dressed like a farmer.
She fixed her eyes on his. Easy questions to crack, you say?
Or would they be... Over easy. Ah, I don't know.
Depends how much you want your brains scrambled.
Or... fried. If not whisked away completely.
Maybe we should take a few minutes to boil all of this down.
Or maybe we should take The king blushed.
A lifetime. Well, I think you can guess what happened after that.
The king revealed who he really was. and he and Esther began spending more and more time in each other's company.
Once they were certain that their minds were indeed in tune, they got married.
He became her king, and she became his queen.
Soulmates. Together, they ruled over the kingdom fairly and peacefully. and they spent every day craving knowledge relishing language, and keeping each other on their toes with their wit and wordplay,
Forever. . . . Now it's your turn. Think about someone who keeps you on your toes.
Someone who makes you think and who challenges your mind.
Find a piece of paper and draw a picture of you and that person doing something you enjoy.
Maybe you're reading books. Maybe you're doing a crossword puzzle.
Maybe you're just talking for hours and hours and hours.
Whatever it is, capture that activity on paper and if you can, share it with the person you drew.
Show him or her how much your minds are in tune.
. . . This week's story, wit, and wordplay was adapted by me, Rebecca Shearer. and edited by Circle Round's executive producer, Jessica Alpert.
Original music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis.
Our intern is Gabby Mirzoski. Our artist is Sabina Han.
Special thanks to this week's actors, Lisa Ewan, Dee Bradley Baker, and Rachel McFarlane.
You can hear Dee Bradley-Baker and Rachel McFarlane in American Dad on TBS.
And kids, look for Rachel's new book, Eleanor Wyatt, Princess and Pirate.
It features illustrations by her husband, Spencer Ladero, and was inspired by their daughters.
You can find it at a bookstore or library near you.
The featured instrument in today's story was the cello, played by guest artist Amy Dominguez.
You can read about this member of the String family and see a picture on our website. wbur.org slash circleround.
Haven't yet subscribed to Circle Round? Find us on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts.
And please write us a review. It helps other people find the show.
Circle Round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR news station.
I'm Rebecca Shear. Thanks for circling round with us.
