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.
WBUR podcasts, Boston. Hi, Rebecca Shear here with some very fun news and a special story.
First off, the very fun news. And support public radio and get some really cool stuff.
It's called the Circle Round Club. If you love circling round with us at home, at school, or on the road, Please consider supporting our public radio podcast by becoming a member. grown-ups, visit wbur.org slash CircleRoundClub. and choose the level of Circle Round Club membership that's right for you.
All three levels come with their own perks.
As a blue level member, you'll get brand new exclusive Circle Round swag, a monthly newsletter from me and composer Eric Shimalonis, plus early access to Circle Round events.
Sign up at the Yellow Level and get all of these goodies plus an ad-free feed and and videos about the musical instruments we use, and bonus bedtime stories.
Bite-sized tales we're calling Circle Round Snuggle Time.
Sign up at the orange level and you'll get everything I've mentioned so far. plus a specially designed super cuddly circle round plush lion headband. and a personalized birthday message from me.
It's all at WBUR.org slash Circle Round Club.
But again, I couldn't drop by without sharing a story with you.
So check out this preview of one of our Circle Round Snuggle Times. a tale we call The Lighthouse of the Pampas from the South American country of Uruguay.
When you're done listening, head to wbur.org slash Circle Round Club and choose your level of membership in the Circle Round Club.
Thanks for your support and enjoy this sneak peek of Circle Round Snuggle Time.
If you travel to the pampas or grasslands of South America, you may come across an interesting plant.
It's called the ombu, and it looks a lot like a tree with a big trunk. and an umbrella-like canopy covered with glossy leaves and... clusters of greenish-white flowers that eventually give way to crimson berries.
The Ombu has a nickname, the Lighthouse of the Pampas.
Why? Well, when you're stranded at sea, a lighthouse is a beacon, right?
A sign of safety. And when you're tromping through the dry, hot pampas, the ombu is a beacon to... since its wide canopy provides cool shade from the blazing sun.
But once upon a time, the Ombu didn't have a wide canopy.
Once upon a time, the ombu was nothing more than a little sprout.
In fact, all the plants and trees were little sprouts, each one looking exactly like the next. when their creator, the powerful spirit known as Tupa, brought the plants and trees to the world.
He began by asking them one question. My children, he said, what do you want to be like?
When you grow up, in an instant, All the plants and trees began talking at once, shouting and clamoring about all the things they desired once they grew bigger.
Well, I say all the plants and trees. But the truth is, one of them remained silent.
Ombu stood back from the hubbub and didn't say a word.
Children, Tupa cried out. Children, please, speak to me one at a time.
The first to speak was a tree known as quebracho.
She said. ''When I grow up, I want to be strong.'' and hard and able to resist any blows that fate might send my way.
Very well, Tupa replied. As you wish, so it shall be.
And indeed, to this day, Quebracho has been strong and tough.
In fact, in Spanish, the word quebracho translates to axe-breaker.
The next to state their wish was a plant known as chacaranda, or jacaranda in Spanish.
Tupa? he said. When I grow up, I want to impress everyone with a crown of beautiful flowers. and a wonderful fragrance.
Very well, Tupa replied. As you wish, so it shall be.
And ever since, Jacaranda has bloomed with thousands of fragrant purple flowers each and every year.
The next to come forth with their desire was a tree known as cypress.
Tupa, she said, when I grow up, I want to be lovely and green all year long. and I want to tower above everyone else.
Very well, Cyprus, as you wish, so it shall be.
And wouldn't you know it, to this day, the Patagonian cypress is an evergreen tree that's so tall, Straight and narrow, it's sometimes called the Sequoia of South America.
Once Cyprus got her wish, Tupa went from creation to creation, hearing their requests and granting them.
The last in line was Ombu. Ombu! Tupa said.
We have yet to hear from you. What— is your wish.
What do you want to be like when you grow up?
Well, Tupa, Ombu said, I don't wish to prove how strong I am. or to impress others with my color or fragrance or height.
What do you wish, then? Tupa asked. How will Ongbu answer Tupa's question?
You can find out by joining the Circle Round Club.
Visit wbur.org slash Circle Round Club and choose your membership level today.
That's wbur.org slash circle round club.
Thanks for supporting Public Radio. And as always, thanks for circling around with us.
