Hi, Rebecca Sheer here.
Before we get to today's story, I invite you to circle around with us in even more ways by joining the Circle Around Club.
As a member, you'll get access to ad-free Circle Around episodes and bonus bedtime stories, plus music education videos, first dives on tickets to live events, and a welcome box with Circle Around goodies.
You'll also get the opportunity to connect with me and Eric Shimmelowness through activity emails and newsletters, not to mention exclusive access to the Circle Around Club store, where you can add on extras like our stuffed Circle Around Lion and a personalized birthday message from me.
Sign up today and support your favorite public radio podcast by visiting wbur.org slash Circle Around Club.
And now on with the story!
The Circle Around episode you're about to hear is one of two recorded live at Town Hall, Seattle, in Seattle, Washington on June 23rd, 2024.
We had a fabulous time meeting our fans in the Pacific Northwest, so big thanks to all who attended.
Want to be first to hear about upcoming Circle Around events?
Join the Circle Around Club and get exclusive early access to tickets.
Grown ups learn more about this super fun opportunity for super fans like you at wbur.org slash Circle Around Club.
Think of a person you've known for a long time, having a long time relationship with someone can be wonderful, like a grown up who's always there for you, or a friend who shows you kindness and trust.
But hanging onto every relationship isn't always the best thing.
In today's story, we'll meet a queen who learns that sometimes, every now and again, the best thing is letting go.
I'm Rebecca Sheer and welcome to Circle Around live at Town Hall, Seattle, in Seattle, Washington.
Today our story is called the Spotted Goat.
This tale comes from Lebanese and Palestinian folklore.
Joining me on stage is a trio of talented actors, Zeke Hamid, Alissa Keen and Diana Apang, and providing musical accompaniment is the one and only Eric Shemalones.
So Circle Around everyone for the Spotted Goat.
Their once was a queen. The queen lived in a palace with no white marble gleaming on every floor, and crystal chandeliers twinkling from every ceiling.
The queen's wine was served in a golden chalice.
Her food was served on a silver platter, and she was served by a battalion of housekeepers, butlers, maids, and stewards, all ready and waiting to answer her back and call.
It seemed like the queen had everything a person could want.
And yet, as she confessed to her chief minister one day, a woman by the name of Zara.
With all due respect, your majesty, I don't.
After all, you heard what the narrator said just now.
You have everything. Oh, you mean the marble floors, the crystal chandeliers, the silver chalices, the golden platter?
Actually, it was the other way around your majesty.
It was golden chalices and silver platters.
Either way, my life may seem rich on the outside, but it doesn't feel rich on the inside.
I don't understand. Look, Zara, you and I grew up in this palace.
My mother was the queen and your mother was her chief minister.
So you know that from the time I was a teeny, tiny princess, not once have I had to solve my own problems or answer my own questions, I've never even had to put on my own shoes.
But what does that matter when those shoes are as fabulous as yours are?
I mean, look at that leather.
It's so soft and buttery.
You could spread it on toast.
Right. And then I could serve that toast on another golden platter.
Another silver platter.
Silver. I want to know what real life is like, Zara.
I want to see firsthand how my people live.
No, not just see it, but experience it.
Therefore, I have decided I shall borrow some of my servants clothing, disguise myself as an everyday citizen, then spend a week traveling around the kingdom in Cognito.
What do you think of my idea?
Now, unlike the queen, Zara relished the luxuries of palace life and had become quite spoiled by them.
So the idea of roughing it out in the kingdom made her shudder.
But she did her best to smile.
Your majesty, since you asked, I think that disguising yourself and living among the common people is an interesting thought, intriguing even.
I'm so glad to hear it because I'm not doing it alone.
You're coming with me. I'm doing what now?
You're coming with me. So change your clothes, pack your bags and meet me outside the palace.
I have two mules settled up and ready to go.
Zara could hardly believe her ears, but since a royal order was a royal order, she rummaged through the servants' quarters for some humble attire, then mounted her mule and took off after the queen.
The pair spent the next days touring villages, towns and cities, and at every stop, the disguised queen took delight in walking freely among her people.
She chatted with them. How are you this fine day?
She shared meals with them.
Your homemade stew was the best I've ever tasted.
And she peppered them with questions about their lives.
What's it like being a tailor?
How did you come to be a school teacher?
What's the most challenging thing about being a grocer?
You must tell me everything.
Everything. Zara, meanwhile, was nowhere near as enthusiastic.
But the chief minister stood quietly by.
Her face plastered into a grin, her foot tapping with impatience.
One summer day, the queen and Zara were riding through the countryside, rolling green hills billowed around them like waves in a sea of wildflowers.
The sun shone high and topped in the blue sky above.
Zara, would you look at this landscape?
It's so wild, so natural, so unlike life in that stuffy palace.
Doesn't it make your spine tingle?
Zara mopped her brow with her sleeve.
Truth be told, it makes my spine trickle.
I have never sweated this much in my life.
Can we please go back to the palace now?
Not yet. I want to pause here and enjoy the beauty that's the queen fell silent.
Because all at once the air was filled with the sound of music.
Listen to that melody. It's positively breathtaking.
Have you ever heard a sound so beautiful?
Yes, the sound of the dinner bell at the palace.
If I have to choke down one more bite of peasant food on this trip, I am going to scream.
The queen paid her minister no mind and suboff to find where the music was coming from.
She rode her mule to the top of a hill, on the other side of the hill, down in the glen below.
A herd of sheep and goats was grazing.
Beside them was a silver-haired shepherd.
His eyes closed and ecstasy as he strummed the strings of the pear-shaped musical instrument known as the Ud.
The queen motioned to Zara and together they trotted down the hillside.
When the shepherd heard hoofbeats approaching, he opened his eyes, put down his ood and stashed it away in a beat-up wooden case.
Greetings. I didn't realize there was another living soul about, saved for my herd here.
I do hope my music wasn't bothering you.
On the contrary, your music was delighting us.
In fact, we were just saying that we've never heard anything so beautiful.
Well, not anything. Pardon me?
You'll have to excuse my friend here.
She's a little overheated.
Well, it is a warm day. Would you like some of my water?
I always bring plenty when I'm grazing my herd in these hills.
I could also share my food if you're hungry.
Zara scrunched up her nose at the thought of more peasant food.
The queen, however, smiled.
That's very charitable of you, sir.
But did you really bring enough food for three people?
Have you not heard the old saying, if you are charitable, you are rich?
So please, be my guests.
The shepherd removed a helping of breads, spreads and pastries from his leather satchel, as he divided his humble fair into three portions.
The queen gazed at him with curiosity.
My good, sir. What is your name?
My name is Omar Madom. Omar, if I may ask, how is it you're so content?
Honestly, Madom, how could I not be content?
I have the wide open sky above me and the good earth below.
I have music to fill my heart and I have my herd who bring me endless hours of enjoyment.
Mostly, anyway. What do you mean?
Well, do you see that spotted goat over there?
Omar gestured toward a nearby hill, perched at the crest, was a spotted goat.
Its head lifted toward the sky as it let out bleat after bleat.
That creature has always been a thorn in my side.
She refuses to stay with the herd and she's always complaining and causing trouble.
With all due respect, why do you keep her?
I guess because she's been with me forever and it doesn't seem right to let her go.
Oh, I see. The queen gave Omar a thoughtful look.
Omar, I wonder, would you consider giving up your herd and working at the queen's palace?
The shepherd's eyes opened wide, so did the chief ministers.
Ah, hang on, your majesty.
I thought we were supposed to be in disguise.
Now the shepherd's eyes opened even wider.
In disguise, wait a minute.
Are you telling me that you're actually the...
But I'm actually the queen.
Yes, I am. And this here is my minister, Zara.
Her chief minister, Zara, Omar rose to his feet and made a graceful bow.
Your royal majesty. And your royal minister, I am honored to make your acquaintance.
The feeling is mutual. That is why I want you to come to the palace, Omar.
I want you to serve as my assistant minister.
Zara here could use someone with such a practical real world perspective.
I could. Yes, you could.
So Omar, will you come work for me?
Omar drew a long breath.
Then he smiled. Of course, your majesty.
It would be my privilege to work as your assistant minister.
Thank you. From the moment Omar stepped foot on the palace's gleaming marble floors, he seemed utterly at home in his new position.
He advised the queen wisely and well, and she came to appreciate his insights.
But you know who didn't?
Zara. I have lived in this palace forever.
Forever! So I know what's best for the queen.
Yet now she brings on this random old codger to give her advice on mere peasant who wouldn't know a golden platter from a silver platter.
A mischief is clean. He meant Zara's eyes.
Perlips curled into a sneer.
I shall see to it that this shabby shepherd is but a flash in the queen's pan.
If my plan works, not only will he be put in his place, he'll be put out to pasture forever!
What do you think the chief minister is plotting?
Will she succeed in sending the shepherd packing?
We'll find out after a quick break.
Support for the Circle Round Podcast comes from Indeed.
Are you hiring? With Indeed, research is over.
Indeed doesn't just help you hire faster.
93% of employers agree that Indeed delivers the highest quality matches compared to other job sites.
And listeners give a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility.
At Indeed.com slash Circle Round.
That's Indeed.com slash Circle Round.
Terms and conditions apply.
Need to hire? You need Indeed.
Before we return to our story, some exciting news!
Circle Round Live is going coast to coast with upcoming events in New York and Alaska.
From September 13th to the 15th, Eric Shemelonis and I will be at the Alaska World Arts Festival in Homer, with live performances of Circle Round stories and all ages storytelling workshop.
On December 8th, we're recording two new episodes live at Symphony Space in New York City.
For more info and for tickets to our upcoming happenings, visit wbur.org slash Circle Round and click on events.
I'm Rebecca Sheer and welcome back to Circle Round live at Town Hall Seattle in Seattle, Washington.
Today our story is called the Spotted Goat.
Before the break, the queen hired a humble music playing shepherd named Omar to be her assistant minister.
The chief minister Zara had been around the palace forever.
She envied Omar's instant favor with the queen and was determined to discredit him.
So one afternoon, she pulled the queen aside.
Your majesty, you and I must talk about that that shepherd.
Your assistant minister, you mean?
I hope you're as captivated by Omar's honesty and integrity as I am.
Oh, quiet. So why not give the fellow a position where honesty and integrity are of paramount importance?
Why not promote him to royal treasurer?
Royal treasurer? The one who keeps tabs on all of my gold, silver and jewels, down in the vault beneath the palace?
That's right. Since the former royal treasurer retired some weeks ago, we've been searching for a replacement and Omar would be perfect.
Would he not? Well, given that only two people in the palace possess a key to the treasury, the royal treasurer and you, I do need someone I can trust and I trusted that fellow from the moment I met him.
So yes, I shall hire him.
He'll start first thing tomorrow.
Omar was surprised by his change in post as royal treasurer.
He had so little interaction with the queen.
Instead, they spent his days locked in the underground vault, keeping careful records of every coin and jewel that flowed in and out.
But whenever he could grab a free moment, he would steal away to his room.
He would close the door behind him, then reach into his closet and pull out a beat up wooden case.
And do you remember what was inside that case?
Do you remember? His ood.
He would open the case, cradle the beloved instrument in his hands, and then he would play.
He would play and play. And as his music filled the room, his mind flooded with memories, wonderful stirring memories of the days when he had the sky above him and the earth below.
When he could make music to his heart's content as he guided his herd up and down the hills, it wasn't that Omar didn't appreciate his new job or all the privileges he'd been given.
But deep in his heart, he had to admit it.
He missed his former life.
Eventually, he would realize the time.
Oh, no. I must get back to work.
Then he would stash the ood back in its case, shove the case in the closet, then grab his treasury key and bustle back to the vault.
Now, you may recall that Omar was one of two people with keys to the treasury.
Can you recall who the other person was?
You betcha Zara, the chief minister, the jealous chief minister.
So one night, after Omar locked up the treasury and returned to his room, Zara crept down to the vault, she took out her key, let herself in, then proceeded to stuff a big sack full of money and jewels laughing gleefully all the while.
This is going to be great.
When she was done, she locked the door behind her and hid all the treasures in her room.
The following morning, Zara rubbed her eyes till they were red and puffy, then she rushed to the queen's chambers as if she had been crying.
Your Majesty, oh, I have terrible news.
The royal treasury was robbed.
Robbed what happened? All I know is the place has been ransacked.
Money is missing. Jewels are missing.
Did someone break in? That's the worst part, Your Majesty.
There are no signs of a break in.
The door isn't damaged.
The lock hasn't been tampered with.
Whoever stole those treasures had a key.
But the only two people who possess a key to the treasury are you and Omar, and his honesty is beyond all doubt.
Is it though? Lest you forget, he was but a peasant when you met him.
Did you think that by hiring him at the palace, he would suddenly become a noble man?
But he is noble in mind and heart.
Not if he robbed your treasury, he isn't.
Have you noticed how he's always sneaking off into his room and closing the door?
I suspect he's hiding the treasures in there.
The queen was heartbroken.
Had her new friend really betrayed her?
After she had given him so much trust, she hurried to the royal treasury where she found Omar.
The old man was pacing the floor and ringing his hands.
Your Majesty, I have no idea what happened.
I'm certain I locked the door before I left last night.
Before you left with the treasure, you mean?
But your Majesty, it's my job to look after the treasure.
Why would I leave with it?
Maybe because you have easy access.
After all, only two people in this palace hold a key to the vault.
You and the chief minister.
Omar froze. For suddenly, it all became clear from the day they met.
The chief minister had shown him nothing but scorn.
Surely Zara had robbed the treasury herself, hoping that he would take the fall.
Your Majesty, you trusted me with that key.
I take that trust very seriously.
Then what is it you're hiding in your room?
I've heard how you sneak away and close the door.
Is that where you're keeping the treasure?
The truth, Your Majesty, is that I do keep a treasure in my room.
But it's not what you think.
Please, follow me. Omar led the queen to his room and motioned her to the closet.
She flung the door open and spied all of Omar's fine new clothes and fancy new shoes.
Then she caught sight of something else, tucked way way in the back.
That wooden case is the treasure in there.
It most certainly is your Majesty.
Take a look. The queen grabbed the case and undid the clasp.
When she peered inside, her face softened.
Her shoulders relaxed and her eyes took on a fond and far away.
Look, it's your ood. The beautiful instrument I heard you playing the first day we met.
Now that I think of it, I haven't heard you play it since.
Is this the treasure you were talking about?
It is, Your Majesty. You see, I long for the melodies I once made on this ood.
But I would be ashamed to play it for anyone at the palace for fear that they would mock me or think I'm shirking my duties.
Do you recall what I told you that first day when I talked about all the things I had?
I do. You had the wide open sky above you and the good earth below.
And you had music to fill your heart.
Yes. But in this new life of mine, I so rarely see the sky or feel the earth or play my music.
And I miss it. The queen was deeply moved by Omar's words and is longing for his old life.
She was certain now that she had been wrong and he had been wronged.
And she knew exactly who it was that had wronged him.
I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions, my friend.
It is clear to me that my chief minister is the real culprit in this crime.
But why would she do such a thing?
If I may guess your majesty, it's because she's your spotted goat.
My spotted goat? That first day out in the hills, I showed you a spotted goat, an ordinary creature that was always complaining and causing trouble.
I didn't have the heart to let her go since we've been together for so long.
I believe Zara is your spotted goat.
And she tried making you a scapegoat.
Exactly your majesty. Exactly.
The queen smiled, impressed yet again by her silver-headed friend's wisdom.
And that very day she made a few changes.
First, she sent her chief minister packing with some special parting gifts.
These are for you Zara. You're very own golden chalice and silver platter, just like the narrator said.
Second, the queen decided that from now on, she would spend time traveling about the kingdom, meeting with her people and learning about their lives.
And third, she offered Omar yet another job.
Do jobs really. She made him the royal shepherd and the royal musician.
So now, at long last, he could have the open sky above him, the good earth below, and plenty of marvelous music in his heart.
Now it's your turn. Thinking about all the things we're grateful for can help us look at the world in a whole new light.
So, starting tonight, before you go to bed, take time for a gratitude check-in.
Sit down with someone you love and tell them one thing you're grateful for.
It could be a person, place or possession.
It could be a memory or moment.
Then tomorrow night, do another check-in and share something else you're grateful for.
After just a few days of gratitude check-ins, you're bound to have a brighter attitude in your mind and a bigger smile on your face.
This week's story, The Spotted Goat, was adapted by me, Rebecca Sheer.
It was edited by Dean Russell.
Erickson Malone composed our original music and played it live on The Ood.
You can learn more about this pear-shaped loot from the Middle East and see a photo of Erick playing one on our website, wbruh.org slash circle around.
Circle around's artist is Sabina Han.
Want to color while you listen?
Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for all 250 plus circle around stories and you can print them out and color them in.
Grown-ups visit our website, wbruh.org slash circle around.
It click on coloring pages.
Special thanks to our actors in Seattle, Zeki Hamid, Alissa Keen and Diana Apang, and a big circle round of thanks to the staff at Town Hall, Seattle and to WBUR's Andrea Omira, Tina Safard and Deb Taylor.
Looking for more ways to circle around with us?
Join the Circle Around Club.
You can support your favorite public radio podcast and get all sorts of fun stuff including add free episodes, bonus bedtime stories, exclusive circle round swag, even a personalized birthday message from me.
Grown-ups visit our website, wbur.org slash circle round and click circle round club.
One more thing, grown-ups, if you enjoy Circle Around, please write us a five-star review on your favorite podcast app.
It'll help us keep circling around with you for years to come.
Circle round is a production of WBUR, Austin'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 Around episode, we want to know what's your favorite Circle Around Story?
Thousands of fans just like you have been telling us about the Circle Around Stories they like best.
Take a listen! Maybe one of their favorites is one of your favorites.
My name is Emily. I live in Calgary and my favorite episode is the snow either.
And my favorite part is when the bear does the biggest yard in the world.
My name is Anna and I live in Brooklyn, Massachusetts and my favorite episode is Lookalike Falls.
Hi, my name is Sophia. I live in San Antonio, Texas.
My favorite stories are the stories about an auntie because I like how he always finds somewhere to get out of a problem.
My name is Tilly. I live in window acting store.
My favorite Circle Around Story is Ketu Later.
I like the pack when the ghost wants to eat the Baba.
My name is Eli and I live in Atlanta, Georgia.
And my favorite Circle Around Story is the people who live live.
What it says, you don't have to pay for three more years or three more months and then it says you have to pay for three more years and three more months it's really funny.
My name is Stoyz and I live in service bringing mail and my favorite support is the ones with I like it because the lion eats the meat.
My name is Vizakad, I live in service bringing mail and my favorite Circle Around is the Upside Down Cheer and I like the part when the Hayena sells the cheer and the lands upside down because it's silly.
Did someone mention a story you've missed?
Not to worry. Grown ups you can find all of our Circle Around stories plus links to the Circle Around Club, Picture Books, Coloring Pages and Oso much more on our website, WBUR.org slash Circle Around.
