Welcome to Stories Podcast.
I'm your host, Amanda Weldon.
Today's story is called The Rolling Roll, an adaptation of a Slavic folktale written for you by Daniel Hines.
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The Rolling Roll Once upon a time, high in the mountains, there lived a little old couple.
The old woman was called Momo because that's what her grandkids called her, and the old man was called Papa for the very same reason.
Now, when I say high in the mountains, I really mean it.
There was a little town at the base of the mountain and even that was pretty high, but it was nothing compared to Momo and Papa's place.
They built their cottage right up against the peak, so you had to take a long and windy trail to get there.
It was a snug little house, angled to keep off the snow and kept warm by an old iron stove that they cooked their meals on.
Once a month or so, their kids or grandkids would make the trek up on their mules to deliver more firewood and food.
They'd always say, Momo, Papa, why don't you come move down to the town?
And Momo would say, we like to be alone together.
Of course. added Papa.
You can't forget the view.
And it was true.
From their little house on the peak of the mountain they could see for miles and miles in every direction.
During the day, you could see the distant glacial lakes glittering in the sun.
And at night, you could see the little town at the foot of the mountain twinkling like Christmas.
It was a beautiful view, and they loved their house.
But after the holidays, when all their kids and grandkids left and it was just them and the snow, it got a little lonely.
So one morning, when Papa was out for a walk in the woods and the oven was warm and bright, Momo thought she would bake him a treat to warm him up when he came back inside.
She had used most of her baking supplies over the holidays, but she had just enough sugar and flour for one of Papa's favorite giant rolls.
So she got out the bowl, mixed all the ingredients and then let it rest for just a bit before popping it in the oven.
Soon, their little home smelled like fresh bread and sugar and just a hint of cinnamon.
Oh it's going to be a good one, Momo said, and soon she pulled it from the oven to see she was right.
The roll was perfect, golden brown with a swirl of cinnamon and sugar throughout the middle.
Looks delicious, she said.
Now just have to let it cool.
She set the roll on the window and went about cleaning up the cabin.
Soon she was done and Papa was home.
Brr, he said, shaking the snow off his boots.
Cold out there, but whoa, smells good in here.
I made you a roll, said Momo, and she pointed at the window.
But what she didn't know was that there was a little holiday magic still blowing around the mountain.
And a mischievous little spirit saw the warm roll and thought it would be just the place to play a little prank.
So, without a second thought, the little spirit popped into the roll and waited.
Then, a second later, when Papa approached with a fork and knife, the roll flipped itself out the window with a laugh.
I'm the roll now, said the spirit, already starting to tumble down the hill.
Catch me if you can.
Momo and Papa looked at each other with wide eyes.
Living way up in the mountains.
It wasn't their first encounter with the spirits, but they'd never stolen a roll before.
After it, cried Papa.
They ran out of the house and after the roll.
Unfortunately, being on the top of the mountain, the hill was steep and there was a lot of it.
The roll laughed as it bounced down the mountain.
It thought for sure it would roll all the way to the bottom, but soon it ran right into a big fuzzy wall.
Hey, what's the big idea? said the wall.
The roll looked up and saw the fuzzy wall was actually a big mother bear trundling through the snow.
Before the roll could react, the bear snatched it up in her mouth.
Oh, the bear said.
Not often that a delicious meal runs right into you.
Wait, said the roll.
Before you eat me, I have a little rhyme for you.
I don't like rhymes.
I like rolls, said the bear.
Well, give this one a chance first.
Okay, but it better be quick.
The roll flipped over in the snow and said in a high, clear voice I'm a roll.
I'm a roll scraped from the flour tin, swept from the corn bin, mixed to a bun and fried till I'm done.
I ran from Momo and Papa too, and now that you're looking, I'll run away from you.
And while the bear was trying to puzzle out the rhyme, the roll was already doing its namesake and rolling rolling, rolling down the mountain.
Hey, come back, called the mama bear.
She turned and started chasing the roll.
No one eats my roll.
No one eats my roll, hollered Papa, just behind the bear.
No one eats Papa's roll agreed Momo, just behind Papa.
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The new year is here, and one of my resolutions is to finally get my house organized.
I can't wait to refresh my space and really make it work for my family, and Wayfair has everything I need to make that dream a reality.
I struggle with piles.
I have two dogs, a toddler, and a million hobbies and I never know where to put all of our stuff.
Wayfair has an entire selection of hidden storage.
Think adorable trunks and ottomans that serve a dual purpose of being a cute piece of furniture you could sit on, and then they also open up and store your stuff.
Dog toys, baby toys, blankets, art supplies, you name it.
I can't wait to put it all in a velvet storage ottoman from Wayfair.
Or maybe a decorative trunk.
So many options.
No matter what you're looking to spruce up, from your mudroom to your home office, to your kids' bedrooms Wayfair has everything you need to start 2026 off on the right foot.
Get organized, refreshed, and back on track this new year for way less.
Head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home.
That's W-A-Y-F-A-I-R dot com.
Wayfair.
Every style, every home.
The roll continued down the mountain, bouncing through the snow and yelling, Whee! as it went.
It picked up more and more speed until the bear, Momo and Papa were all the way in the snowy distance.
And just when it thought it would roll all the way into town, it slammed into a big pile of lean gray fur.
Yow! cried one of the wolves in the pack.
Who's throwing snowballs?
Not me, said another wolf.
Well, something hit me.
Oh, sorry about that, said the roll.
I'm just on my way down the mountain.
If you'd all just step aside, I'll be on my way.
But now the wolves were sniffing the air, their sensitive noses catching the sugar and cinnamon in the roll.
Why the big rush, said the largest wolf, a big guy with a silver muzzle and iron gray fur.
You're just in time for dinner.
Oh, what are we having, asked the roll.
Oh, I thought we'd have you, said the wolf, and they all prowled closer.
Wait, said the roll.
Before you eat me, I have a little rhyme I want to say for you.
I don't like rhymes, growled the wolf.
This is a good one, said the roll.
I'm a roll.
I'm a roll scraped from the flour tin, swept from the corn bin, mixed to a bun and fried till I'm done.
I ran from Momo and Papa too, and I ditched the bear and I'll ditch you.
The wolf snapped at the roll, but it was a second too slow.
With a little whoop and cheer, the roll was off down the mountain again.
The wolves howled in rage and tore off after it, never ones to let a meal get away.
After it, they cried, loping down the mountain.
Get in my belly, cried the bear, coming down behind them.
No one eats my roll. hollered Papa, just behind the bear.
No one eats Papa's roll, agreed Momo, just behind Papa.
The roll flew down the mountain, careening off snowbanks and sending up big, fluffy white clouds of spray.
It rolled past some skiers and hit a jump, launching magnificently into the air and then coming down again, bouncing just twice and rolling on faster than ever.
It got going so fast that when it finally hit the little rabbit, they were both sent sprawling into the snow.
Hey, said the rabbit.
Watch where you're going.
Oh, sorry, said the roll.
I'm a roll.
I'm not really good at that whole seeing thing.
Hmm, said the rabbit, dusting the snow off its coat.
You do smell like a roll.
The rabbit hopped closer and smelled deeper.
You really smell like a roll.
Told you, said the roll.
But to be sure, I think I'd better take a bite, said the rabbit, already drooling just a little.
Oh, wait!
First listen to this, said the roll.
I'm a roll, I'm a roll.
Scraped from the flour tin, swept from the corn bin, mixed to a bun, and fried till I'm done.
I ran from Momo and Papa, too.
Lost the bear and the wolves, and I'll lose you!
And with that, the roll bounced over the rabbit and started down the hill again.
I'll get you, yelled the rabbit, hopping on after it.
You're ours, howled the wolves loping down the mountain.
Get in my belly, cried the bear coming down behind them.
No one eats my roll, hollered Papa, just behind the bear.
No one eats Papa's roll, agreed Momo, just behind Papa.
But now the roll was almost at the bottom of the mountain and it wouldn't be able to roll much further.
It was starting to lose speed and looking for a place to hide when it saw a clever fox darting among the trees.
It didn't try to stop the roll, just ran alongside it.
Where are you going so fast, little roll? the fox asked.
I'm being chased, the roll said.
And if they catch me, they'll eat me.
Oh, no.
That's terrible, said the fox.
Want me to hide you?
Yes, said the roll.
That would be wonderful.
Okay, said the fox.
Quick, jump in my mouth and I'll walk right past them.
They'll never even think to check.
The fox said it like it was a great idea, and the roll couldn't help but agree.
Okay, open wide.
Here I come. and the fox opened his mouth and the roll bounced on in.
I'm safe, let's go, it said.
Gulp!
With one mighty chomp and swallow, the fox ate the bun and licked his lips.
The rabbit and wolves and bear and Momo and Papa, all came looking, but they never did find that roll.
At least by that point, Momo and Papa were so close to town they just went and got some groceries and a carriage ride back up the mountain.
And the next day Momo made them both new rolls and they ate them steaming hot, not daring to set them on the window to cool.
And they were delicious.
What's a time your family tried to cook something and it went wrong?
Or, on a more positive note, what would you bake into your perfect roll?
Dan says he likes almond paste and powdered sugar, and I like cinnamon and lots of frosting.
What about you?
The Rolling Roll was an adaptation of a Slavic folktale written for you by Daniel Hines.
It was edited and produced for you by Ellie Hines and performed for you by me, Amanda Weldon.
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