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 Have you ever made a pact?
A pact is an agreement that you make with somebody.
And ideally, you both follow through on your ends of the bargain.
Well, we're about to meet a character who does not hold up his end of the bargain.
And as a result, he ends up getting way less than he bargained for.
Bye. Bye. I'm Rebecca Shear, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time.
Today, our story is called Strong Mind and Kind Heart.
Versions of this folktale come from the Southeast Asian country of Vietnam.
Some really great people came together to bring you our adaptation of this tale. including Christopher Shawn, whom you might recognize from his lead role on Star Wars Resistance on Disney+.
Watch for Christopher as Batman's first sidekick, Nightwing, in the new action role-playing video game Gotham Knights.
So circle around, everyone, for strong mind and kind heart.
Once upon a time, there were two friends.
One of the friends was especially clever.
So everyone called him Strong Mind. The other friend was especially caring.
So everyone called him... kind heart. Strong mind and kind heart had known each other since the day they were born.
They had played together as children. Let's go swimming in the river, strong mind.
I'll bet I could beat you at a race across.
And when they were all grown up, they worked together. watering, weeding, plowing, and planting the fields of a wealthy landlord.
Not only that, but they lived together too, in the only abode they could afford. a leaky thatched roof hut with cold, creaky floors and cracked, peeling walls.
One morning, before the friends went off to work, Kind Heart turned to Strong Mind with a smile.
Strong mind. You know how we're always talking about pursuing our studies and becoming great scholars?
Strong Mind heaved a wistful sigh. I sure do, kind heart.
Ever since we were little, our greatest dream has been to study hard and become advisors to the king.
But come on, we both know we could never afford to go to school.
Our dream will never come true. I wouldn't be so sure about that.
Kindheart laid a hand on his friend's shoulder.
Listen, Strongmind. I haven't told you this, but I've been saving up my wages.
And I've got just enough money to pay for your first year of school.
My first year of school? What about your first year of school?
It's your money, after all. I know, but I want to help you.
You're my best friend, and I want you to live your dream.
I've got enough money for your first year of school so you can go to classes and study.
And after that... I'll keep working to support you.
Until you graduate! And after I graduate?
What then? Well, after you graduate and land your dream job and become an advisor to the king, You can support me while I follow my dream.
What do you say? Can we make a pact? Strong Mind gazed into Kind Heart's eyes.
Then he wrapped him in a hug. Of course we could make a pact.
Thank you, kind heart. I'll never forget your kindness.
So, thanks to Kind Heart, Strong Mind went off to school in the capital city.
Kindheart, meanwhile, stayed home and worked in the landlord's fields.
In the blistering sun, in the pouring rain, in the bone-chilling wind, Kind Heart watered weeded, plowed, and planted, sending all the money he made to his oldest and dearest friend in the world.
He also sent letters. Dear Strong Mind, I hope all is well with you in the capital city.
I'm thrilled that you're finally pursuing your dream.
Dear Strong Mind. Dear Strong Mind. I can't believe you've been gone for a whole year.
Has it been two years already? Your brain must be bursting with knowledge.
We must be having the most incredible time.
With every letter Kindheart sent, Strongmind promptly wrote back, Dear Kindheart, So good to hear from you.
I'm doing great here at school, though I sure do miss my best friend.
Dear Kind Heart. Dear Kind Heart. Indeed, it's been a whole year.
Year number two is through. I've learned so much.
And can't wait. to tell you about it. All thanks to you.
But after some time... Dear Strong Mind.
Kind Hearts Letters? It's been a while since I last heard from you. began to go unanswered.
Perhaps you're just super busy at school?
The longer Kindheart went without hearing from his friend, the more he began to worry.
Was Strongmind all right? Had something terrible happened to him?
But then, while Kindheart was out doing errands in the village one day...
He overheard two villagers chatting in the square.
My goodness, have you heard the news? Strong Mind finished his studies in the capital city and graduated top of his class.
Well, no surprise there. We've always known how brilliant that fellow is.
And now the king knows it too. His royal majesty just hired strong mind.
To be his chief advisor. His chief advisor?
What an honor! And what a paycheck! Word has it, Strong Mind bought himself a brand new house.
A big, beautiful house with his own guards and cooks and everything.
How wonderful! Good for strong mind. As Kind Heart listened to the villagers chat, it pained him that Strong Mind delivered this exciting news himself.
But it thrilled him. that his best friend's dream had finally come true.
And now Strong Mind can make good on his promise and support me as I follow my dream.
Tomorrow, I'll journey to the capital city and pay my oldest and dearest friend a visit.
But when Kindheart reached his friend's big, beautiful house in the capital city, he was stopped at the gate by a stern guard in uniform.
Hold it right there, sir. Who are you? And what business do you have here?
Oh, uh, well, my name is Kindheart. I'm Strongmind's oldest and dearest friend.
I wonder if he's at home? Kind heart. The name doesn't ring any bells, but all right.
One moment, please. The guard spun around and marched into the house.
He found Strong Mind in the lavish library. pouring through a pile of thick books.
Sir, a kind heart is here to see you. Strong Mind scowled.
Tell him to go away. But with all due respect, sir.
He says he's your oldest and dearest friend.
Strongmind rolled his eyes. Listen, he may have been a friend once, but...
That was before I became so successful, with a fabulous job and a fabulous house.
I don't have time for little people like Kind Heart anymore.
Tell him to go away. So that's exactly what the guard did.
But wait! Why would Strong Mind want me to go away?
I'm his oldest and dearest... His oldest and dearest friend.
So you say. But I'd suggest you move along.
Strong Mind wants nothing to do with you.
Stinging with hurt and reeling with confusion, Kind Heart staggered away from the house and out of the city.
He found himself beside a rushing river, where he collapsed on the bank with a sob.
How could my oldest and dearest friend in the world claim that he doesn't know me?
I mean, here he is living the dream, the dream that I helped him achieve.
And suddenly I'm a complete stranger? After I worked so hard for him, hour after hour.
Day after day, week after week, and month after... Help!
Someone... Kind Heart looked out across the water.
And what should he see flailing and thrashing around in the swift current but a woman?
Dagger, can you help me? Please? Of course I can.
Don't you worry. Without hesitating, Kind Heart plunged into the river.
By the time he swam the woman back to shore, her body was still and her eyelids were closed.
Oh, dear me. Are you all right, miss? Can you hear me?
Can you... Clear as a bell. To Kindheart's surprise, The woman popped open her eyes and sprang to her feet.
Well done, kind heart. You passed the test.
Kind Heart was dumbstruck. Test? What test?
And how do you know my name? Oh, we fairies know everything.
Kindheart's jaw dropped. Fairies? Fairies, you say?
Yes. We've had our eye on you for some time now, kind heart.
Some of the other fairies wanted to see just how kind your heart truly is.
So they sent me to pretend I was drowning in the river.
And you saved me! You dove right into that ice-cold water without a second thought.
So, you passed the test. And now, you shall get your reward.
What reward do you think the fairy is talking about?
We'll find out what it is after a quick break.
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Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Shearer.
Today, our story is called Strong Mind and Kind Heart.
Before the break, Kindheart was devastated after being turned away from the big, beautiful house of his oldest friend, Strongmind.
On the way home, Kindheart saved a woman who seemed to be drowning in the river.
But she was actually a fairy. testing his kindness.
And now, she said, she would give him his reward.
Here, kind heart. Take my hand. Kind Heart took the fairy's hand, and before he knew what was happening, the two of them were lifting arms. up into the air.
They went whizzing through the sky Within minutes, they were back on the ground, right in front of Kind Heart's leaky, thatched roof hut.
So, kind heart, this hut, this is the place you once shared with strong mind?
Your oldest and dearest friend? Oldest friend, maybe.
But definitely not dearest. Would you believe he turned me away from his fancy new house in the capital city?
A fancy new house that he wouldn't even have, by the way, if it weren't for me.
Years ago, we made a pact. I toiled for years to support Strong Mind, helping him follow his dream of going to school and becoming a royal advisor.
After that, he was supposed to support me.
Help me follow my dream, yet he claims he doesn't even know me.
It isn't right. The fairy fixed Kindheart with a twinkling gaze.
Don't you worry, kind heart. We'll make things right.
Starting... now. She flicked her fingers and all at once, Kind Heart's thatched roof, what?
Vanished! Then she flicked her fingers once more, and where the hut once stood, with its cold, creaky floors and cracked, peeling walls.
There now loomed a majestic, sky-scraping palace made of sparkling green jade.
Kind Heart watched in wonder as the doors of the Jade Palace opened wide and out streamed dozens upon dozens of guards and butlers, footmen and cooks.
Meet your new staff, kind heart, and welcome to your new home.
I was thinking our first order of business should be throwing a housewarming party.
I'll organize everything, including the guest list.
Just leave everything to me. True to her word, the fairy threw herself into preparing for the party.
She used her magic to create scrumptious plates of food and dazzling decorations.
And as for the guest list, she wrote out just one invitation to just one person only. you Dear Strong Mind, Your presence is humbly requested at a housewarming banquet at the Jade Palace tomorrow.
When it came time to deliver the invitation, the fairies sent an entire fleet fleet of footmen and horses to Strong Mind's big, beautiful house in the capital city.
When Strongmind spotted the magnificent horses and their shiny leather bridles, he was immediately intrigued.
He grabbed the invitation from one of the footmen and eagerly began to read.
Dear Strong Mind, Your presence is humbly requested at a housewarming banquet.
At the Jade Palace tomorrow. Come dine and meet the palace's new owner.
Fancy dress only. Huh. familiar with this Jade Palace, but it sounds downright luxurious.
Right up my alley. Count me in. The next day, Strong Mind put on his poshest attire and journeyed to the Jade Palace.
When he arrived, he was bowled over by its colossal size and glistening jade walls.
As a butler led Strong Mind through a maze of extravagant rooms, he found himself overcome with curiosity.
Hmm. This Jade Palace is so spectacular.
It even rivals the king's castle. I wonder who owns this amazing edifice.
At long last, Strong Mind was ushered into a grand and glorious banquet hall, where he found a lengthy table set with plates of pure silver cutlery of pure gold, and goblets of pure crystal.
Sitting at the head of the table, dressed in a long, flowing gown, was the fairy.
Though to Strongmind, she looked like a regular human.
The fairy lifted her arm and waved a bejeweled hand.
Greetings. You must be Strong Mind. Welcome to the Jade Palace.
I hope you didn't get lost on your way in.
With one thousand rooms under one roof, The new owner and his 200 servants are always getting turned around.
Strongmind's head was spinning. 1,000 rooms, 200 servants, and look at that banquet table.
It was long enough to seat an army. I thank you, madam.
It's an honor to be here. Where might the owner be?
Oh, right. Our host... The fairy smiled.
He's been detained. but he said we should get started without him.
Please, sit down. The moment Strong Mind took a seat, a parade of butlers began carrying coarse after delectable course into the hall.
With every platter of sumptuous, marvelous food, and every glass of strong, expensive wine, Strong Mind grew more and more impressed and more and more envious.
After the dessert course, A platter of pastries piled so high it took two butlers to carry.
Strong Mind wiped his lips with a silk napkin and grinned.
Good madam, this meal has been exquisite.
I must confess, I feel quite envious of our host's life.
The fairy laughed. Her plan was working.
Envious? You? You're the King's chief advisor.
You have everything you could possibly want.
Not everything. As a young man, I had nothing but a pathetic... leaky thatched roof hut in the countryside with peeling walls and creaky floors It was miserable.
Then I became the king's chief advisor, and I got a big house and a big staff of workers...
But all of that pales in comparison with this splendor.
Strongmind leaned forward, his hands trembling with greed.
I tell you. I would trade everything I have to lead the life our host leads.
I would give up my house, my job, Everything.
You'd really give up everything? Strongmind turned his head.
Striding into the hall was a man with a dark mustache and long beard.
A velvet cap was pulled over his eyes. Little did Strong Mind know, but the man was actually Kind Heart in disguise.
You truly would trade everything you have to lead my life?
Strong Mind jumped to his feet and bowed.
Good sir, you must be the owner of the Jade Palace.
And yes, I would trade everything I have in a heartbeat.
I see. Kindheart stroked his fake beard as if deep in thought.
You know, strong mind. It just so happens that I've always dreamt of being an advisor to the king.
Just. Like. You. So! I tell you what. He threw a quick glance at the fairy.
My friend here happens to know a bit of magic, so...
She will see to it that the trade is made.
Really? Strongmind's excited eyes danced between Kindheart and the fairy.
When can we get started? Well, tonight? You will sleep in one of my palace's guest bedrooms.
You may take your pick. There are dozens to choose from.
Then tomorrow, you and I... We'll trade lives.
You will live the life I have been leading.
And I will live the life... You have been leading.
Strong Mind could hardly believe his ears.
He grabbed his host's hand and pumped it up and down.
I thank you, sir. You are doing me a generous favor.
And you're doing me a generous favor, too.
Sleep well, strong mind. Strong Mind took one last sip of wine, then hustled out of the banquet hall to select his sleeping quarters.
After traipsing from floor to floor and room to room, He finally settled on a spacious chamber with velvet tapestries on the walls and a crystal chandelier glittering high above a fluffy feather bed.
He had a big, smug smile on his face as he drifted off to sleep.
I can hardly wait. Tomorrow, all of this? will be mine.
But the next morning, when Strong Mind woke up again...
Something was decidedly different. For starters, he was not sleeping in a fluffy feather bed.
What? And hanging above him, there was no crystal chandelier.
Huh? What's more, the walls around him were not covered with velvet tapestries.
Hey! As Strongmind swiveled his head around, he discovered the entire Jade Palace, was gone.
Instead, he was sitting on a cold, creaky floor.
Above him was a leaky, thatched roof, and around him were walls that were cracked and damaged.
Peeling. It can't be! It can't! And yet, it was...
Strong Mind was back in the old hut he used to share with Kind Heart.
For the fairy had granted his wish. And now Strong Mind was leading Kind Heart's life.
Kindheart's real life before it had been touched with magic.
Oh, no! ¶¶ As for Kind Heart, well, he and Strong Mind traded places, right?
So Kind Heart woke up in Strong Mind's big, beautiful house in the capital city. and he went to work as the king's chief advisor.
At long last, the good, faithful fellow was living the life he had always dreamed of. deep in his kind, kind heart.
Hmm. Now it's your turn. Think about a time you were a good friend Maybe you made an extra special birthday card for a classmate.
Perhaps you helped a buddy put up flyers to find their lost cat.
Maybe you lent an ear, as one of your pals told you about their tough day.
Find some paper and draw a picture of you being a good friend.
After that, share your drawing with your friend.
And if you'd like, share it with us. Grownups, you can snap a photo of your kiddo and their artwork and email it to us at circleround at wbur.org.
Woo-hoo! This week's story, Strong Mind and Kind Heart, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear.
It was edited by Nora Sachs. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shimilonis.
Our artist is Sabina Han. Sabina has drawn a black and white coloring page for every single Circle Round story and you can print them out and color them in.
Grownups head to our website, wbur.org slash circleround, and click on Coloring Pages. and while you're at wbur.org circle round you can also find a link to our brand new picture books We've adapted several of your favorite Circle Round episodes as fun, colorful books, and you can find them all at wbor.org slash circleround.
Just click on Books. Special thanks to this week's actors.
Theodore Chin, Shelley Lee, Jessica Rao, Jefferson A. Russell, and Christopher Sean.
Watch for Christopher in Star Wars Resistance on Disney+.
And check him out as Batman's first sidekick, Nightwing. in the new action role-playing game Gotham Knights.
Our featured instrument this week was the guzheng, a plucked zither dating back 2500 years.
To learn more and see a photograph, visit our website.
Once more, that's wbur.org slash circleround.
Grownups, if you enjoy what you hear on our podcast, please write us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. to Circle Round.
It helps keep Circle Round going strong so we can continue circling around with you for years to come.
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.
My name is Winnie. I live in Japan. My favorite circle around story is a trio of tricks.
My favorite part with one mouse deer tricks the three animals.
It was funny. My name is Avery from Pasadena, California.
My favorite circle round is the tug of war.
I like the part when Hippo and Elephant find out they were doing the tug of war against each other.
Hi, my name is Riley. I live in San Francisco.
And my favorite Circle Round story is Queen of the Forest.
I like the part where Lion declares herself Queen of the Forest because it's really funny to me.
My name is Mateo and I'm from Oakland, California.
My favorite Circle Round story is Carrie's Boots.
My favorite part of Carrie's Boots is when she uses those magical objects to save the Kingdom.
Hi, my name is Terrison. And I live in Hinesburg, Vermont, and my favorite circle around is the Song for the Spirits.
And I like the part when Fisherwoman's brother catches the shark.
My name is May and we live in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
And our favorite story is the best color steer.
Because we like the part when all the people are freed from the stone.
We love you, Rebecca Sheer. 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 Circle Round, or wherever you and your grown-ups get your podcasts.
