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 is something you're curious about?
Maybe you love dinosaurs and want to learn everything about them.
Perhaps you're curious why the sky is blue.
Curiosity keeps life interesting. And as we're about to hear, it can also bring some rich rewards.
¶¶ I'm Rebecca Shear, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time.
Today our story is called Curious Boots.
Versions of this tale originally come from Norway, in northern Europe.
Some really great people came together to bring you our adaptation of this folktale, including Colin Hanks.
Kids, you might recognize Colin from Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle. and grown-ups you might know Colin from Life in Pieces on CBS and the FX miniseries Fargo.
So circle around, everyone, for Curious Boots.
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful castle with spacious sunny windows and glittering fountains of water where people could take a refreshing drink.
But then, the castle fell under a terrible spell.
Thick, thorny vines crawled over the walls and windows, blocking out all sunlight.
The royal guards tried hacking away at the twisty vines with axes, knives, and spears, But their sharp blades didn't even make a dent.
What's more, the enchanted spell made the palace's well dry up. and the sparkling fountains of water disappeared, so the royal guards tried digging a new well.
But every time their shovels and spades hit the ground, the earth turned to stone. and the tools splintered into a thousand pieces.
The castle was getting darker and darker.
And the people at the palace were getting thirstier and thirstier.
So the queen made a decision. I hereby proclaim that any of my subjects who can chop down these enchanted vines, then dig a well and fill it with water. would be richly rewarded.
Very richly rewarded indeed. On the edge of the kingdom, in a patched up little farmhouse, three brothers caught wind of the queen's challenge.
The oldest brother was named Elias. The middle was named Tobias.
And the youngest and smallest brother was named Lucas.
Yeah, that's me, Lucas. But please, you can call me Boots.
Everybody else does. The reason everyone called him Boots is because he always wore these big floppy boots.
You see the family farm didn't bring in much money, so Lucas, or Boots, had to wear his tall, strapping brother's hand-me-downs, including the massive work boots they'd outgrown long ago.
When Elias, Tobias, and Boots told their mother about the queen's proclamation, her eyes lit up.
Oh how wonderful! Times have been hard on our farm. and a reward from the queen could go a very long way.
So, when will the three of you depart for the palace?
Elias and Tobias exchanged an uneasy look.
You mean the two of us, right, Mom? Me and Tobias?
Yeah. There's no way Boots can survive this journey alone.
Boots is so scrawny, he can't even fit into his boots.
Ha ha ha. Very funny, guys. Mother shook her head.
Listen, boys, if you're going to travel across the kingdom, You're going to travel together.
All three of you. But before you go, promise me one thing.
Boots clasped his mother's hand. Anything you say, Mother.
All right. Promise me that no matter what happens, you'll always stay curious.
You'll always ask questions. And each and every time you ask a question, You will not rest until you find the answer.
Will you promise me that? Elias and Tobias shrugged.
Um, sure. Yeah. What he said. Boots smiled.
Of course, Mother. Always stay curious. Consider it done.
The next morning, the three brothers took off for the palace.
They walked until the sun went down. Just as they were setting up camp in the middle of a forest, Boots tilted his head and cupped his ear with his hand.
Huh. I wonder what's making that sound. Elias and Tobias rolled their eyes.
Well, gosh, boo. Given that it's a chopping sound.
And we're in the middle of a... Maybe it's, I don't know, an axe?
Chopping a tree. Okay, fine. Mock me. But Mother said to always stay curious.
And I'm curious to learn what's making that chop, chop, chopping sound.
I mean, no human could possibly chop wood that fast.
So Boots hoisted his satchel over his shoulder and ventured deeper into the woods. he followed the chopping sound up a steep, steep hill.
At the very top he came upon a clearing.
And what he saw there made his jaw drop.
What do you think Boots spied when he reached the clearing?
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. end. Welcome back to Circle Round.
I'm Rebecca Shear. Today our story is called Curious Boots.
Amen. When we left off, Boots and his brothers were journeying to the royal palace.
The queen promised a rich reward to anyone who could chop down the enchanted vines covering the castle walls.
Then dig a well and fill it with water. Before Elias, Tobias, and Boots left the family farm, Their mother told them to always stay curious.
Ask questions and don't rest until you find the answer.
So when the brothers heard a chop, chop, chopping sound in the forest, Boots set out to investigate.
He came upon a clearing, surrounded by a tangle of fallen trees.
Each tree had been hacked cleanly across the trunk.
And what did Boots spot flying through the air? but a tiny little axe, no bigger than your thumb.
Yikes! Boots ducked down as the axe whizzed overhead.
Suddenly... The axe stopped, spun around, and came to rest at Boots' feet.
Hey, nice boots there, friend. A tad on the big side maybe, but nice all the same.
Boots's eyes widened. What are you? Why, I'm an axe, of course.
And you stay in this clearing and chop and chop all by yourself?
I do. But not anymore. Boots cocked his head.
What do you mean, not anymore? Well, now that you're here, I can stop.
I've been waiting a long time for you, friend.
And now I can come with you. So what do you say we make like a tree and leave?
Boots reached for the axe. All right, if you say so.
Then he dropped the axe into his satchel and headed back to his smirking brothers.
Well, little brother? Did you discover what was making that chopping sound?
Boots grinned. Actually, you know what?
I did. And you were right, guys. It was an ax chopping a tree.
Now, what do you say we call it a night?
Huh? The three of us still have quite a journey ahead.
The next day, the brothers walked until the sun went down. just as they were setting up camp on a rocky hill.
Huh. I wonder what's making that sound.
As with the night before. Elias and Tobias rolled their eyes.
Well, gee, boots! Given that it's a digging sound... Maybe it's...
Wait for it. A shovel. Alright, alright, make fun of me, but...
Mother told us to always stay curious. And I'm curious to learn What's making that sound?
I mean, how could a simple shovel possibly break through all this hard stone?
So Boots picked up his satchel and scrambled over the rocks.
He followed the digging sound all the way to a pit.
When he peered over the edge, what did he see but a tiny little shovel? no longer than your pointer finger.
And it was scooping into the stone and scattering fragments of rock all around. over the place.
Whoa! Boots covered his face as shards of stone came hurtling his way.
Just then, the shovel sprang out of the pit and came to a stop at Boots' feet.
Hiya. Oh, fancy boots, friend. I'd wear mine a wee bit smaller if I had feet.
But hey, do each their own. Boots gaped at the shovel.
What? Are you? What does it look like? I'm a shovel.
And you stay in this pit and dig and dig all by yourself?
I do. But not anymore. Boots thought back to his encounter with the axe.
Hang on. You haven't been... waiting for me, have you?
Actually, I have. And now I can finally stop digging and come with you.
So how about we make like a rock and roll?
Boots picked up the shovel. Okay then, if you say so.
He dropped the shovel in his satchel next to the tiny axe then returned to his sneering brothers.
So, little brother. Did you learn? What was making that digging sound?
Boots beamed. Actually, I did. And again, you two were right.
It was a shovel. Now, how about we hit the hay, huh?
We still have a ways to go before we reach the palace.
The next day, the brothers walked until the sun went down.
Just as they were setting up camp in a grassy meadow, Hmm, I wonder what's making that sound.
As with the night before, and the night before that, Elias and Tobias rolled their eyes.
Well, golly, boots. Given that it's a rippling sound... Maybe it's...
Call me crazy, but... A stream? Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Poke fun at me again. But remember... My mother told us to always stay curious, and I'm curious to learn What's making that rippling sound?
I mean, there's not a stream or a brook or a creek in sight.
So Boots grabbed his satchel and set out across the meadow.
He followed the rippling sound to a stream, and when he followed the stream to its source, he discovered all of the water was trickling out of a hazelnut.
Wow! Boots stooped down to get a closer look.
As he did, droplets of water splashed his feet How you doing, friend?
Oh, sorry about the dribble. Those big floppy boots of yours waterproof.
Boots gawked at the hazelnut. "'What are you?'
Can't you tell? I'm a hazelnut. And you sit here and trickle and trickle all by yourself?
I do, but those days are over. Boots thought back to his encounter with the shovel and with the axe.
Let me guess... You've been waiting for me?
Bingo! And now I can finally stop and come with you!
So, let's make like a river and run! Boos scooped up the hazelnut, Well then, if you say so.
He found some moss and plugged up the crack in the nut.
Then he placed the nut in his satchel, next to the shovel and the axe, and found his way back to his snickering brothers.
What's up, little brother? Did you, in your curiosity, discover what was making that rippling sound?
Boots. nodded. Actually, yes. And once more, you two were right.
It was a stream. Now, let's hit the sack.
If we stay on course, we'll get to the palace tomorrow.
When the brothers arrived, they found the queen slumped over in her throne.
She rubbed her temples, let out a sigh, then looked at Elias, Tobias, and Boots with tired eyes.
Welcome, gentlemen. Would you believe you're the last three people in this entire kingdom to show up?
Every single one of your fellow citizens has failed to fulfill my challenge.
But hey, might as well give it one more try.
She waved a hand toward the thick, thorny vines twisting up, down, and across the castle walls.
Let's start with chopping down these vines.
Who will try first? The brothers had decided they would go from oldest to youngest.
So Elias stepped forward. and bowed. Allow me, your majesty.
Elias took an axe from one of the royal guards.
Then he took a deep breath, heaved the axe over his shoulder, and began to chop.
But even though he hacked and whacked with all his might, He couldn't make a dent.
Well, so much for that. The queen motioned for Tobias to give it a try.
Just like Elias, Tobias hacked and whacked with every muscle in his body.
But he couldn't make a dent either. The queen furrowed her brow and pointed at Boots.
It's all up to you, young man. Though, at this point, I suspect my palace will never see sunlight again.
Oh, don't you worry, your highness. I've got this.
Boots reached into his satchel and pulled out the tiny axe.
Immediately, his brothers began to chuckle.
You're going to chop down those enchanted vines with that little thing?
That axe is no bigger than my thumb. It couldn't even clip a foot.
Boots paid them no attention. Instead, he held the little axe up high.
Okay. Chop and chop away, little friend.
To everyone's astonishment, the tiny axe flew out of Boots' hand and whizzed toward the vines.
It whirled through the air, chopping and chopping until all of the vines came crashing to the ground. and glorious rays of sunlight stream through each and every window.
Elias, Tobias, and the queen all stared at Boots.
But how did you... Where did you... That was most impressive, young man.
But you won't earn your rich reward until you fulfill the second part of my challenge. and dig that well.
You've got it. Boots reached into his satchel and pulled out the shovel, the teeny tiny one that's no longer than your pointer finger.
Dig and dig away, little friend. Immediately, the tiny shovel leaped out of Boots' hand. and dove toward the ground.
Fragments of rock exploded exploded in the air as the shovel dug deeper and deeper.
What in the... No way! That's magnificent, young man.
But how will you fill a well that deep with water?
Not to worry, your highness. Again, Boots reached into his satchel.
And can you guess what he pulled out? That's right, the hazelnut.
He plucked the moss out of the crack, then dropped the nut into the well.
Trickle and trickle away, little friend.
Instantly, the hazelnut began trickling and trickling until the well was filled to the brim with fresh, glittering water.
You've done it, young man. Now you may claim your rich reward.
In exchange for all three tasks you've accomplished, I will send you home with gold.
As much gold as you can carry. Thank you, your highness.
Boots held up his satchel. Well, if you don't mind.
I'll take as much gold as you can fit inside this shoulder bag.
And... He kicked off his boots. I'll also take as much gold as you can fit inside these big... floppy boots.
You see, my family's been struggling to get by. and I'll gladly walk back to our farm barefoot if it means we can put that much more food on the table.
The queen gazed at the big floppy boots.
Then she gazed at Boots and smiled. Consider it done.
That night, the brothers began their long journey across the kingdom.
Boots carried his gold-filled satchel, and Elias and Tobias each carried one. big, floppy, gold-filled boot.
But Boots wasn't traveling barefoot. No, after leaving the palace, his older brothers insisted they stop at the marketplace.
They marched right up to a shoemaker and told Boots to pick out a brand new pair of shoes. all his own.
Then the three brothers headed home. laughing and smiling every step of the way.
Hmm. Now it's your turn. What's something you've been curious about and you don't yet know the answer?
Maybe you've been wondering why airplanes stay in the air. how earthworms can see without eyes, or simply what makes your favorite food taste so darn good.
Now that you've asked your question, pick a grown-up and work together to find an answer.
I bet you'll have a whole lot of fun along the way.
This week's story, curious boots, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear.
Circle Round's original music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis.
You can find the music of Circle Round Volume 1
Eric's compilation of music from season one of the podcast.
And I'll see you next time. of Circle Round.
Circle Round's story editor is Virginia Marshall.
Our artist is Sabina Hahn. Sabina has drawn a black and white picture for every Circle Round story, and you can color them in.
Ask a grown-up to visit our website, wbur.org slash circleround. and click on Coloring Pages.
Special thanks to this week's actors John Bell, Elle Borders, Kevin Corbett, Emily DiPietro, Laura Gardner, Adam Mastroianni, Maisie Scarpa, and Colin Hanks.
Look for Colin on the big screen this December in Jumanji The Next Level.
And check out his new Kerchief company with proceeds from every purchase going to charity.
It's called, wait for it, Hank's Kerchiefs.
Get it? Hank's Kerchiefs, handkerchief. Anyway, the featured instrument in today's story was the harpsichord.
You can read about this member of the keyboard family and see a picture on our website.
Have you subscribed to Circle Round yet?
Find us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
And please write us a review. It helps other families find the show.
Circle Round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR news station.
I'm Rebecca Shear. Thanks for circling around with us.
As you're listening to Circle Round right now, did you know that you're not alone?
That's right, hundreds of thousands of other kids are listening too, all over the world.
And many of them have sent us recordings where they talk about their favorite Circle Round stories.
Have a listen. Maybe one of their stories is one of yours too.
My name is Alma, and I live in Olympia, Washington.
My favorite circle around are... The rice cakes and the Ernie, because I like the monster part.
I'm Amelia and I'm from sunny San Diego.
And my favorite story from Circle Round is the hat, the horn, and the purse.
My name is Amir and I'm three and my favorite circle round is the vinegar bottle.
Because the fairies know where the lady is. is My name is Annabel and my favorite story is the golden lamb.
My name is Charlotte and I'm from Denver, Colorado.
My favorite story is A Taste of Honey because I like honey.
And it reminds me of stuff I've did by myself that I'm proud of.
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.
