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Have you ever experienced envy? That feeling of wanting something that someone else has?
Maybe you envied a friend for a really cool toy they were playing with? Or you envied the
other team when they won the kickball game? It's natural to feel green with envy as the expression
goes, but in today's story, will meet a character who isn't exactly green with envy? He's pokedotted!
I'm Rebecca Shere and welcome to Circle Around, where story time happens all the time.
Today our story is called the pokedotted pigeon. We found versions of this tale from the Southern
European country of Portugal. Some really great people came together to bring you our version
of this folktale, including Adam Goldberg, whom you grown-ups may recognize from the Equalizer on
CBS. So Circle Around everyone for the pokedotted pigeon. On a tall rooftop in a bustling city,
there was a coop of pigeons. The pigeons were owned by a man who rented the birds out as careers.
A career is like a messenger, and using pigeons as careers was pretty common back in the day.
Not only were the birds speedy and reliable, but they could fly over any bumpy terrain, rough waters
or other obstacles that might get in a human messenger's way. Here's how it worked. Actually,
pigeons, since you're all here, could I please borrow one of you as a volunteer?
Oh me! Me! Could you pick me? Me, please? Me. All right, you with the pokedots all over your
feathers. Can you come over here, please? Absolutely. So back in the day, if somebody wanted to send
a message by pigeon, they would take a little piece of paper and write a message on it, like this.
Then they would roll up the paper and stuff it into a little tube like this. Then they would attach
the tube to the leg of a pigeon, like this. Hey, hey, hey, careful with the claw. I just got a
bit of cure. Sorry! So once the message was safely in the tube, the pigeon would then fly off and
deliver it. Neither snore nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays this career from the swift
completion of his appointed grounds. The pigeons on the rooftop had a pretty comfortable life.
Their owner didn't work them too hard and he always fed them good food and fresh water. All in all,
they were filling back. All ready? You've only been gone for a while. I know, I'm that good
and that's why I've got dreams, big dreams, massive dreams, gargantuan dreams. Let me guess,
you dream of becoming the official career to the king. How did you know? I'm the narrator of this
story. We narrators tend to know these things. Well, it's true. I dream of being the king's official
career and delivering all his royal messages. I'm fast, unable, I'm smart. I'd be amazing,
and that's why I'm going to rewrite my destiny and fly this coop. And indeed, he did.
Early one morning, the pigeon's owner let the birds out for a little rooftop exercise. The moment
the coop door swung open, the polka dotted pigeon butted his way to the front, spread his polka dotted
wings and made a break for it. He flew and he flew. And as he flew, he plotted and planned.
Now, I can't just barge into the king's palace and suddenly become his career. After all,
he already has a career. And word has it, that bird is sharp. Fast, but not nearly as sharp
as I am. Eventually, the polka dotted pigeon caught sight of the royal gardens. He swooped
into the branches of an oak tree and fixed his bright round eyes on the palace.
Okay, okay, okay, okay, I'll just sit here until the king sends his career out to deliver a message
then I can jump into action. At that very moment, one of the palace windows burst open
and who should come flying out but the king's career. The polka dotted pigeon noticed a golden
message tube strapped to the courier's leg. But that's not all he noticed. Well, this must be my
lucky day. The king's career looks an awful lot like me. He's polka dotted all over. I mean,
we could be twins. Gosh, this is going to be easier than I thought. The king's career glided
over the garden and out of sight. Meanwhile, the polka dotted pigeon, hour, polka dotted pigeon,
stayed perched in the oak tree and waited. The moment the king's career reappeared,
the polka dotted pigeon flapped his wings and took off from the tree. He followed the courier
through an open window and into a large, lovely room with satin curtains, a crystal chandelier,
and opulent furniture gilded with gold. The courier made a beeline for a silver cage in the corner.
The polka dotted pigeon did too. When the courier caught sight of his unexpected roommate,
his wide eyes grew even wider. Who are you? I'll tell you when just a sack. I gotta do something first.
Without missing a beat, the polka dotted pigeon bent down, snapped open his beak and plucked
the golden tube off the courier's leg. Then, grasping the tube in his claws, the polka dotted
pigeon flew to the open window, dropped the tube outside, and fluttered back to the silver cage.
Sorry about that, can't it be done? You're saying?
Well, I was saying, who are you? And why did you steal my message tube?
Oh, well that's easy. I'm a king's courier. No, I'm the king's courier.
No, I am. Or at least I will be once I take your job.
The king's courier tilted his speckled head. What do you mean take my job? I am the fastest pigeon in all the land.
The king would never replace me. Well, that's what you think, but mark my words,
Bob, your job is gonna be mine. And once it is, you'll have no choice. But to fly the cube.
Which polka dotted pigeon do you think will come out on top?
We'll find out after a quick break.
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I'm Rebecca Sheer. Welcome back to Circle Round. Today, our story is called the Polka dotted pigeon.
Before the break, an ambitious polka dotted pigeon was determined to become the King's
courier or messenger. So he abandoned his rooftop coop in the city and winged his way to the palace.
He was pleased to discover that the King's real courier looked just like him. So he threw away the
courier's golden message tube, then joined his new twin in a sparkling silver cage in one of the
palace's fancy rooms. A minute later, the door to the room burst open. And who should come striding
inside? Greetings, my fine feathered friend. But that King. I trust you managed to deliver my message
without any... What's this? Why are there two pigeons in this cage? Because your majesty,
this imposter, barged in here, and is pretending to be me. Oh no, no, no. This imposter,
barged into my cage, and is pretending to be me. The King's eyes flitted from one bird to the other.
Oh dear, this is quite a predicament. Neither of you is wearing the royal message tube on your
leg, and you look an awful lot alike. You sound an awful lot alike too. Ah, the question is,
do you fly an awful lot alike? Because my real courier is the fastest pigeon in all the land.
And I am he, your majesty. No, I am he, your majesty. No, I am. No, I am. Enough.
In order to figure out who my real courier is, we shall have a race. The two of you will fly all
the way to the river and back. Whichever bird returns to the palace first, must be the speedier one,
and therefore must be my courier. Are you ready? Absolutely, your majesty. I was born ready,
your majesty. Very well. On your mark, get set, go. The two pigeons flapped their wings and
took off. They zipped out the window, soared over the royal gardens, then sailed across the countryside,
passing a paddwork of fields and forests as they raced toward the river. The polka-dotted pigeon flew
as fast as he could, but to his chagrin. Just as the winding blue river came into view,
the king's courier put on a burst of speed and pulled ahead. And that's when our persistent
polka-dotted protagonist had an idea. Instead of continuing his path toward the river,
he jerked his speckled wings to the side. Here we go. And he turned around.
The polka-dotted pigeon whizzed all the way back to the palace, where he came to a smooth,
graceful landing inside the king's silver cage. I'm back, your majesty. I mean, I'm back,
your majesty. So you are. You are the first pigeon to return. Therefore, you must be my real courier.
That I am your majesty, your real courier. And I am so very honored to-
It is right there! The satan curtains rustled as the king's real courier came swooping through
the window and into the cage. Though the king didn't know it was his real courier, of course.
This flying phony cheated your majesty. He didn't even reach the river. He turned around
miles before we reached it. He is a feathered fraud, a big bluffer, a polka-dotted poser,
much as I admire your ingenious eliteration. I'm going to stop you right there if anyone is a
phony or a fraud or a bluffer or- what was the other word you used? A poser? Right! If anyone is
any one of those things, it's you. The polka-dotted pigeon fluttered out of the cage and on to the
king's shoulder. I got here first, Bob. Therefore, I won this race. Therefore, I must be the
king's true courier! The king lifted a hand and patted the polka-dotted pigeons head. I must say
you're right, my friend. You did get back first. And only my real courier could make the journey
that swiftly, so you get to stay. And as for you... He shot a withering glance at the pigeon in the cage.
I have absolutely no idea who you are. But you must go now. Leave this palace at once.
The real courier stared at the king. Then he blinked his round eyes, spread his speckled wings,
and flew off through the window. Once he was out of sight, the king gave the polka-dotted pigeon
another pat on the head. Well, my fine-fethered friend. Thank goodness that is over. Can you imagine
some random bird flying in and masquerading as my courier? It's pathetic, if you ask me.
Pathetic? Oh, yeah, it's super-fetic. I mean, hello, can you go, right? Exactly.
Well, it's time for me to go down to dinner. I'll be sure the princess brings you your meal.
The princess? Your Majesty? Yes. Can you believe my daughter still insists on feeding you all
your meals each day? She's been enamored with you since she was a little girl.
Oh, right. Yes. Yes. She was a little girl, of course. Yes.
You two have become thick as thieves since then. If you're part in the expression, goodness knows
neither of you would ever be a real thief. In any case, she should be up soon. Bon appetite, my fine-fethered
friend. The king placed the pigeon back in the cage, then marched out the door. Within minutes,
a young woman came walking in. On her head, she wore a magnificent crown glittering with jewels.
In her hand, she held a silver platter covered with a lid. Hi there, speckles! How are you this evening?
The polka-dotted pigeon froze. Speckles? Who on earth was speckles? Then, all at once, he realized
he was... Oh, hello, your highness. And I'm great. Never been better. Your highness. Why so formal, speckles?
You've always called me by my first name. The polka-dotted pigeon froze again. Your first name?
Okay, so a shortened version of my first name. Everyone else calls me Albertina, but you nicknamed me
Bertie all those years ago, and it's stuck. Right! Right! The polka-dotted pigeon nodded, his head.
Bertie, of course! I guess that makes us two little birdies, right? I'm a birdie, you're a birdie. Right?
Birdie, birdie. The princess frowned. Did you just crack a joke, speckles? You never crack jokes.
You're the most serious bird ever. Am I? The polka-dotted pigeon's pulse quickened.
Oh, I mean, yes I am. I am so serious. Gravely serious. I was just trying to lighten the mood a
little bit after all that nonsense with that imposter today. Surely you heard about the flying phony,
who pretended to be me. It's downright pathetic. I did hear about it, but I have to admit,
I feel kind of bad for him. Can you imagine being so jealous that you'd actually try to impersonate
someone? Oh, no way. Never. A bird like me is never jealous. After all, I mean, look how amazing
my life is. I've got it made. I'm sitting pretty. I'd say I'm in hog heaven, but you know, I'm a bird.
Another joke? And such proud talk. You're usually so modest and humble, speckles.
The polka-dotted pigeon's pulse was racing by now. If he wasn't careful with this princess,
his goose would be cooked. Oh, no, you're right. I'm so modest and humble. You know, maybe I've
just been cooped up in this cage for too long. Do you mind letting me out so I can stretch my wings a
little bit? Speckles? You know you aren't permitted to leave your cage during dinner time. Those
are the rules. And you love following rules. You sure you're feeling okay, speckles? You're not acting
like yourself. Oh, I'm feeling great. I'm the exact same bird I've always been. I'm your buddy,
your pal. You know, good old freckles. You mean speckles. The polka-dotted pigeon thought he might
faint. Isn't that what I said? That's totally what I said. You probably misheard. You know, all those
jewels on your crown must be affecting your hearing. The princess didn't answer. She just
tilted her crowned head and gave the polka-dotted pigeon a deep searching look. Her gaze drifted from
head to tail, wing to wing. Then, at long last, she spoke. You know, speckles, I can think of one
way for you to show that you truly are yourself. You can deliver a message. Deliver a message.
The polka-dotted pigeon felt a wave of relief. Now that I can do, as you know that feathered fraud
disposed of my little gold message tube today, but strap a new one on, stuff a message inside,
and I am at your service. Wonderful. The princess found one of the king's golden message tubes
and tied it to the polka-dotted pigeon's leg. Then, she scrolled something on a slip of paper
and stuffed it inside. Okay, speckles. Here's what I want you to do. I want you to fly to the pine
forest. Find the tallest tree. Then, wait at the bottom of the tree until this message is picked up.
The polka-dotted pigeon quivered with excitement. He remembered flying over the pine forest during
today's race. This job would be a piece of cake. Well, I'll be on my way then. Your wish is my command.
And with that, he flapped his wings and zoomed out the window. As he coasted through the air,
he felt lighter than air. Not only had he achieved his dream of becoming the king's career,
he had pulled a fast one on the princess. Like I say, I'm fast and sharp.
When he came to the pine forest, he quickly found the tallest tree and dove down to its base.
Okay, the princess said I should wait here until the message is picked up. So, a wait?
And he did. He waited. And waited. And waited.
But no one came to pick up the message. Eventually, the polka-dotted pigeon felt his eyelids grow heavy
and he drifted off to sleep. When he woke the next morning, he resumed his waiting.
He waited all day long. And the day after that. And the day after that. And for all we know,
he's waiting still. What? Well, hang on a second. That's not how the story ends.
Is it? Why am I still under the tree? How come no one's picked up the message?
Maybe because there is no message. Of course there's a message. I saw the princess right at herself
and inside this little gold tube. Take it out and see for yourself. All right.
Uh-huh. What does it say? Nothing. It's a bunch of scribbles. Look.
It is a bunch of scribbles. I mean, I'm a pigeon so I can exactly read. But I know scribbles
when I see scribbles and those most definitely are scribbles. Why would the princess do this to me?
Well, the part of the story that we haven't yet told takes place back at the palace. After you
flew off to deliver the princesses, so-called message, can we rewind to that part, please?
Right, be on my way then. Your wish is my command.
Now, from the moment the princess exchanged words with the polka-dotted pigeon, she knew something
was off. Suspecting he was an imposter. She decided she would put him to the test and asked him to
deliver a message. Little did he know that the moment he said yes, he had already failed the test.
And do you know why? Are you asking me? Or whoever's out there listening to the story right now? Both.
Uh, I have no idea. Well, the reason why is this. You see, the king's real career would never carry
a message from the princess. He would never carry a message from anyone other than the king.
It was forbidden against the rules. And we all know how much speckles loves following the rules.
That's right. And speaking of speckles, once the princess discovered the polka-dotted pigeon's
scheme, she went searching for her favorite feathered friend. She tracked speckles down in the royal
gardens where he was moping beneath an olive tree. She brought him to the king, who immediately
reinstated the bird as his official courier, a position that speckles modestly and humbly holds
to this very day. As for the polka-dotted pigeon, he finally made his way out of the forest and back
to the city where he rejoined his fellow pigeons in the coop on the rooftop with his polka-dotted feathers
ruffled and his tail between his legs. Now it's your turn. It's natural to feel envious sometimes,
to believe that we lack what others have. So one way to ward off envious is to remember what we do
have, especially when it comes to our strengths, talents and achievements. Think about your own
strengths, talents and achievements. Then find some paper and make a list or draw a picture of three
of them. If you're feeling shy or yes modest and humble, think about what a good friend or
close family member would say. Then next time you start feeling green with envy, look at your list
or picture and remember how much there is to celebrate about you. This week's episode,
the polka-dotted pigeon was adapted by me Rebecca Scher. It was edited by Sophie Coddner,
our original music and sound design is by Erikshire Malonis. Our artist is Sabina Hahn.
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 visit our website wbwar.org slash circle-round
and click on coloring pages. Special thanks to this week's actors Paul Dottet, Eric Arrows and
Adam Goldberg. Grownups check out Adam Goldberg and the equalizer on CBS. You can also enjoy
Adam and a bunch of other TV shows and movies, including Entourage, Fargo, Friends, Saving Private
Ryan, Days and Confused and Two Days in Paris. Our featured instrument this week was the Portuguese
Guitar. You can learn more about this 12-stringed pear-shaped instrument from Portugal and see a photo
on our website. Again, that's wbwar.org slash circle-round. And while you're at wbwar.org slash circle-round,
you can check out our upcoming live events, get your hands on our circle-round picture books,
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It helps other listeners find the show and the more the merrier. Circle-round is a production of
WBUR Boston's NPR News Station.
I'm Rebecca Sheer. Thanks for circling round 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 Oliver and I'm from Ottawa. My favorite story is Lachke's too,
and I like the part when the hosts stay on and eat this too. Hi, my name is Loha and I'm from
West Lynn, Oregon. My favorite Circle-round is the Basilist Dance. My favorite part is when
the girl holds up the piece of Alma to the Basilist. My name is Sunny. I'm from Sacramento,
California. My favorite Circle-round story is the three-legged pot. I like the part where the
pot says time to skip and skip. My name is Dore. I live in Santa Washington. My favorite Circle-round
story is clean of the forest and my favorite part is when the insects as I am on a bug, I am an insect.
I love Circle-round. My name is Kair and I live in Maryville, Tennessee, and my favorite Circle-round
is the fast feast. And my favorite part is where the castle got so cold that the gods had to bring
down a beaver. My name is Shana. I live in New York City. I like the horse of a different color.
I like when Valentina throws the apple in the mayor's lap. My name is Ezra. I live in Austin
Texas and my favorite Circle-round story is the unselfish selfish. I like the part where the sea
god calls out to the farmer. Hello my name is Sylvia and I'm from Danville, Kentucky and my
my favorite Circle-round. The Stork King and I like the part when the children go on the hunt.
Hello Rebecca here. We love your story. Did someone mention a story you've missed? Not
to worry. Grown-ups you can find all of our Circle-round stories. Plus links to the Circle-round
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