Think about a time you felt cold.
Did your body shiver?
Did your teeth chatter?
Did your skin prickle up with goosebumps?
Now, ask yourself, what if you felt that way every single day?
Because that's what it's like for the characters in our story.
Until a heroic canine figures out how to bring on the heat.
I'm Rebecca Shear, and welcome to Circle Round, where story time happens all the time.
Today, our story is called Stealing Summer.
We found versions of this tale from many Native American peoples, including the Shoshone, Shasta and Hupa.
Some really great people came together to bring you our version of this folktale, including Mina Harris, best-selling author of five children's books, including Kamala and Maya's Big Idea and Maya's Big Question, coming out March 3rd 2026.
So circle around, everyone, for Stealing Summer.
It was summertime, and the animals were chilled to the bone.
Yes, you heard right.
They were chilled to the bone in summer.
Why?
Why?
Well, usually at this time of year, they were basking in sunshine, enjoying long, glorious days of cloudless skies and balmy temperatures.
But this year, for reasons the animals simply could not fathom, summer never ends.
The skies were steely gray, the air was bitter cold and their breath came out in white puffs whenever they ventured out of their nests and burrows.
Boy, oh boy, it's so frigid out here.
It's like winter never left.
You're right about that, Eagle.
This long, bushy wolf tail of mine has been covered in frost for months.
Same with my black-tipped coyote tail.
Where did summer go?
Why did it never come?
Actually, I can answer that one.
Eagle, Wolf, and Coyote looked up.
Perched in a snow-covered tree was glossy, dark-feathered Raven.
I've got big news, friends.
I happened to find summer.
Eagle, Wolf, and Coyote let out Gasp.
Yep.
I was just as surprised as you are.
But today, I flew all the way around the world.
It was terribly cold everywhere.
I was so chilly, I couldn't feel my talons.
But then I came to the house, a small wooden house in a valley, and I kid you not friends, all around that house the air was warm.
The ground was covered with green grass, colorful flowers, and blossoming trees.
In other words, it was summer.
But how?
I'm glad you asked, Eagle.
The house belongs to an old, old woman, and she keeps Summer locked inside, stuffed in a black bag.
She opens the bag just enough so that Summer can spread its warmth around her house and yard, and she refuses to share it with anyone.
Oh, that's not very nice.
Tell me about it, Wolf.
It's downright selfish.
This woman stole Summer away, and now she's keeping it for herself.
So the only way Summer could visit the rest of the world is if somebody steals it.
The animals darted a glance at Coyote.
They all knew how legendary the pointy-eared canine was for sussing out sly solutions to prickly problems.
Oh, I see.
You all think I can steal back Summer.
Well, can't you?
You always come up with something.
Nobody's quicker than you, Coyote.
Coyote smiled.
I appreciate the praise, friends, but the truth is, I can't steal back Summer.
Not on my own, anyway.
It's a long, dangerous mission and I'll need a team of good friends.
So, will you join me?
The other animals grew quiet.
So quiet, all they could hear was the chattering of their teeth and beaks.
But then... I'll join you, Coyote.
I will, too.
As will I. Thank you.
Now listen up while I lay out the plan.
And trust me, if we all work together, it won't be long before we let Summer out of the bag.
What plan is Coyote hatching?
If you were Coyote, what would you plan?
We'll find out what happens after a quick break.
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Welcome back to Circle Round.
I'm Rebecca Shear.
Today our story is called Stealing Summer.
Before the break, Coyote formulated a plan to rescue Summer from an old woman who was keeping it for herself in a big black bag.
Coyote, Raven Eagle and Wolf made the long trip to the woman's house on the other side of the world.
The air was warm and the yard was lush with flowers.
Coyote led her friends behind a fragrant, blossoming bush and leaned in close.
Okay, folks, it's go time.
Wolf, you'll be the one to kick things off.
You betcha.
Raven, you'll go after Wolf.
Roger that.
And Eagle, you go next.
Aye, aye, Captain.
All right, then.
Let's get this party started.
Whenever you're ready, Wolf, take it away.
Wolf silently counted to three.
Then he leaped out from behind the bush, jerked back his head, and began to howl.
Howl after howl pierced the air until, just as the animals hoped... is going on?
The woman barreled out of her house and came storming over.
You vexatious canine, your infernal howling is disturbing my peace.
Stop it at once.
But Wolf didn't stop it.
Instead, he kept howling.
Did you hear me, you mangy mongrel?
Silence yourself at once and leave me be before I... Tally-ho!
The woman glanced up.
Diving down from the sky and heading directly for her was Raven.
Don't you come near me, you brutish bird!
Shoo!
Fly away!
But Raven did not fly away.
Instead, she set to circling around the woman's head.
Round and round and round I go.
Where I stop, nobody knows.
The woman threw up her hands, trying to swat Raven away.
Get off of me!
Now!
Cut it out!
As you can imagine, between the howling wolf and the swooping raven, the woman was rather distracted.
So distracted, in fact, that she didn't notice a certain bushy-tailed canine come creeping past her and into the house.
Coyote bounded from room to room, keeping her eyes peeled.
Then she saw it.
A big black bag that was warm to the touch.
This must be it.
Coyote jumped up and grabbed the bag in her teeth.
But before she could leave the house... Don't you dare steal my summer.
Standing in the doorway, hands on hips, eyes blazing with fury, was the woman.
Fast as a flicker, Coyote pushed past and beat a hasty retreat.
The woman took off after her.
She was surprisingly speedy for her age, and before long, she was hot on Coyote's heels.
Uh-oh!
Coyote picked up speed, her heart racing with exertion and anxiety.
But then, she heard the voice she'd been waiting for.
Reckon I can take that bag off your hands?
Her eyes flashed upwards, and there was Eagle.
According to plan, he was waiting for Coyote high in a tree.
Thanks a million, Eagle.
It's all yours.
Eagle dove down and snatched the bag in his talons.
And he flapped his wings as hard as he could and flew all the way back to the other side of the world.
Once all the other animals were home safe and sound, Coyote gathered them round.
Okay, friends, here it goes.
The moment of truth begins. and warmth.
She untied the bag and yanked it open.
There was a whoosh of hot air.
And summer came bursting out.
Within moments, the thick snow, slippery ice and silvery frost melted away and the ground was covered with lush grass, colorful flowers and leafy trees.
But as the animals basked in the wondrous warmth, they turned their heads and there, with clenched fists and a face twisted with fury, was the woman.
You took my summer, and you're trying to carry it away!
The animals traded a look.
Then Coyote took a careful step toward the woman.
You know, madam, part of what you say is true.
We did take Summer, but it isn't yours.
I know it's a warm, glorious season.
A season of blue skies and warm breezes and endless sun on your face.
But this warm, glorious season should belong to everyone, not just one person.
And so I have a proposition.
And what would that be?
I propose we share summer.
Share summer?
Yes, share it.
For half of the year, you can have summer on your side of the world.
And for the other half, we'll have summer on our side of the world.
It's the right thing to do.
The fair thing.
So, what do you say?
The woman paused as she thought it over.
Then, slowly... her fists unclenched, and her furious face melted into a smile.
Very well, we will do it.
We will share summer.
And they did.
To this very day, when it's winter on one side of the world, it's summer on the other.
And when it's summer on one side of the world, it's winter on the other.
Thanks to Crafty Coyote and her Fearless, faithful friends.
We all share the seasons.
All the year round.
Now it's your turn.
What's one way you can share?
Can you share with a friend by lending them a favorite book or toy?
Maybe you can share with someone you've never met by donating your outgrown clothing to charities.
Or you could share with a family member by giving them some of your time or splitting your chores.
Think about how you might share, then go out and do it.
You'll help make the world a more thoughtful, kind, and generous place.
This week's episode, Stealing Summer, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear.
It was edited by Dean Russell.
Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis.
Eric's featured instrument this week was the drone flute.
You can learn more about it and see a photo of Eric playing one on our website.
Wburorg slash circle round.
Circle Round's artist is Sabina Han.
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, download our coloring pages at wbur.org slash circle round.
Special thanks to this week's actors.
Kiran Kumar, Susanna Mars, Jefferson A. Russell, Don Ursula, and Mina Harris.
Mina is the founder and CEO of Phenomenal Media, a Tony Award-winning company that elevates the stories of underrepresented women.
She's also a lawyer and best-selling author of five children's books, including her newest, Maya's Big Idea, coming out next month.
If you love our WBUR podcast and want to Circle Round with us in even more ways, visit WBURorg and join the Circle Round Club.
As thanks for your donation, we'll send all sorts of goodies, including special Circle Round swag, an ad-free feed bonus, bedtime stories, audio features about Eric's musical instruments and the chance to order a personalized birthday message from me, Rebecca Shearer.
Sign up for the Circle Round Club and support your favorite public media podcast at WBURorg slash Circle Round.
Grownups.
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Your feedback helps other fans find the show, so we can keep circling round with you for years to come.
Circle Round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR.
I'm Rebecca Shear.
Thanks for circling around 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.
Hi, my name is Nora and I live in Ontario, Canada.
And my favorite circle round story is a biscuit, a basket.
And I like the part when the curious guy gives back his pass.
Hello, my name is Frida and I live in Seattle, Washington.
My favorite circle round story is the star fruit tree.
My favorite part is when the raven gives Kim the gold.
Hi, my name is Leonard and I'm from Minnesota, and my favorite Circle Round episode is Home, Sweet Home, and my favorite part is when Harry goes hop hop, hop.
Hi, my name is Noah, and my favorite toy podcast is The Basilisk's Tears.
My favorite part is when the gold tops the basilisks from getting the bottle.
Hi, my name is Isla and I live in Utah and my favorite circle around story is Rabbit's Wish.
I like that she wants to go back to her normal side and how she's speedy.
My name is Cece and I live in Oak Park Illinois, and my favorite circle around.
Story is Out of Time and my favorite part is when the clockmaker finds the door wide open.
My name is Atlas and I live in Chicago and my favorite circle around is the Mountain Garden, because I like the part when the uncle says sorry.
My name is Shannon.
I'm from Vegas, and my favorite circle around story is the Basilisk Stairs.
Miss Avey, I live in Bloomfield, Colorado.
I don't have a favorite Circle Round story.
I like all of them.
Did someone mention a story you've missed?
Not to worry.
Grownups.
You can find all of our Circle Round stories, plus links to the Circle Round Club, picture books, coloring pages and oh so much more on our website wburorg slash circleround.
