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Do you have a dream for your future? Something you wish to be or do? In today's story,
we'll meet a character who has a big dream, and though he's not so big himself, he'll do whatever
it takes to make it come true. I'm Rebecca Sheer, and welcome to Circle Around, where story time
happens all the time. Today our story is called The Young Healer. It was inspired by a tale told
in Angola, a country in southern Africa. Some really great people came together to bring you
our version of this folktale, including Johnnigan Booth, who recently starred opposite Snoop Dogg in
the Amazon MGM comedy The Underdogs, now streaming on Amazon Prime. So Circle Around everyone
for The Young Healer.
Omari lived in a village with his parents. One year Omari's parents fell ill, and though the
village healers did all they could, the young man watched helplessly as his beloved folks grew sicker
and weaker. Until one day they were gone. Omari was devastated, but there was one
sliver of hope, or so he thought. He would be sent to live with his uncle, a wealthy man who owned
a big farm on the other side of the country. I miss my parents so much, but how generous of my
uncle to take me in. Though I never met him, it'll be comforting to live with a kind and care
realism. But as it turns out, uncle was not a kind or caring relative at all. Listen up, kid.
I don't know what sort of easy, peasy life your parents gave you, but if you're going to live with
me, you're going to earn your keep. First thing each morning, I want you out in the fields.
You'll spend the entire day hoeing, planting, and reaping, and don't even think of calling it
quits until well after sundown. Omari felt his heart sink, but knowing his uncle was all the
family he had, he did his best to smile. All right, uncle, how do I say? But once I come back
for our fields each night, can we sit down and have dinner together? I always had dinner with my
parents when they were done with their work. Uncle gaped at his nephew as if he had just spouted
gibberish. Have dinner together. Are you for real? I'm not going to wait until past sundown to
enjoy my meal. When you get back from the fields, you can scrounge around the kitchen for leftovers.
If there are any. I've been known to have quite the appetite.
And thus began Omari's new life on uncle's farm. Each morning he woke up on his lumpy hand-me-down
mattress. He got dressed in his increasingly ragged clothes. How is there another hole in his shirt?
Then he hurried out to the fields where he spent all day hoeing, planting, and reaping.
Once the sun went down, Omari treged back to uncle's house. The farmer was usually fast asleep.
His belly nice and full after a hearty evening meal. So Omari would creep into the kitchen and
scrape together whatever leftovers he could before returning to his lumpy mattress and falling
asleep. It was a far cry from the comfortable life he had enjoyed with his parents,
but there was one thing that brought Omari some comfort and that was the river.
The long winding river ran along the edge of uncle's farm and sometimes before Omari went back
for his nightly leftovers, he would stroll to the river side, nestle down in a cozy spot,
and he would talk to the river as if it were an old friend.
Good evening river, check you out. All bright and sparkly in a moonlight, looking good my friend.
Omari told the river his troubles. Would you believe uncle didn't save me any left I was last night?
Again. He told the river his woes. The sun was so scorching today river, I was certain I
will mill or roast if not some combination of both. But he also told the river his dreams.
Can you keep a secret river? One day I dream of becoming a healer someone who can cure people
of whatever else them and save their lives. I know it's too late to save my parents but if I can
make my dream come true I could save hundreds of people if not thousands. When Omari talked to the
river he never expected it to talk back. But one night as Omari tossed and turned on his lumpy
mattress he dreamed he heard the river's voice. Omari I have listened to you talk about your hopes
and dreams for a new life and the time to start that life is now. Visit me at sunrise Omari.
Keep your eye on the current. When you see three baskets float downstream. Choose the one you find
most pleasing and use whatever is inside to begin your new life. Omari woke shortly before sunrise
and immediately remembered his dream. Figuring he had nothing to lose. He jumped out of bed then sprinted
across the farm to the river. He made it to the bank just as the first rays of light were peaking
over the horizon. Hi river. I'm here. Let's see what you got. Omari gazed at the water. Suddenly
he spotted something floating on the flowing rippling current. It's a basket just like the river said
in his massive. I could probably finish sighted if it was empty but clearly it's not empty. All sorts
of things are sticking at the top but what are they? Omari waited for the basket to come closer.
Whoa those are spears long and pointy and short. I see bows and arrows too. Omari's eyes grew bright.
This basket is full of hunting tools. If I pick this basket I could become a successful hunter.
I could also have plenty of food to eat and sell and I live so much more comfortably than I do now.
But... Omari's eyes dimmed. Well I don't want to be a hunter no matter how comfortable I could be.
That's not my dream. So he let the first basket drift on by. Before long...
A second basket appeared. This basket doesn't look as big as the first one but it feels a brim with
something. What is it? Omari's squinted for a better look. All at once a smile spread across his face.
This basket is full of claws. Beautiful cotton of every color in the rainbow. If I pick this basket
I could become a merchant and sell this kind of for a pretty pin. And I live so much more comfortably
than I do now. But... Omari's smile vanished. But I don't want to be a merchant no matter how comfortable I could be.
That's not my dream. So Omari let the second basket glide by. Within moments a third basket came into
view. This basket was different from the others. Not only was it much smaller but is covered with the lead.
How am I supposed to know what's inside? Omari glanced downstream. The current was especially slow
this morning and the first two baskets the bigger uncovered ones were still within reach. It wasn't too
late to jump into the water and pull one of them out. But then he thought better of it. He extended
his hand and grabbed the small covered basket. I guess I made my choice. Now I'll see what's inside.
And my life will begin.
What do you think Omari will find in the basket? Who will find out what it is after a quick break?
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Before we get back to our story, did you know that in addition to listening to Circle Round,
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I'm Rebecca Sheer. Welcome back to Circle Round. Today, our story is called The Young Healer.
Before the break, Omari had dreams of becoming a healer. His beloved river offered him a
choice of three baskets. He must use one of them to begin a new life. The first basket was
teeming with hunting tools. The second basket was brimming with cloth. Omari decided to hold out
for the third basket, which was covered with a lid. When he pried the lid off and looked inside,
his face beamed with delight. This basket full of cups and bowls, bottles and bandages, herbs and
plants. These are all things that healers use. With the stuff in this basket, I could follow my dream
and become a healer. I could cure people and save lives. There's just one problem. Omari's heart
fell. I don't know how any of this stuff works and how would I ever learn when I have to spend my
day homeing, planting and reaping for my selfish greedy, ungrateful uncle. Omari clenched his fists.
If he had picked one of the other baskets, he would know exactly what to do with their contents.
But now I got this basket crammed with medicine things. But I don't know the first thing about
healing. How can I be so foolish as to follow your dream? Omari sprang to his feet. Who said that?
I did. Omari shifted his gaze to the river. River? Is that you? You can really talk.
You bet I can talk, Omari. And I believe you need a good talking too.
Picking this basket was not foolish. Following your dream is not foolish. But ignoring your heart
and staying trapped in this life, that would be foolish. So what do I do? You will learn.
I will teach you how to use the things in this basket to heal people and save lives.
Visit me each morning at sunrise, Omari. Pay attention. Work hard. And I promise you will become a healer.
And thus began Omari's daily lessons with the river. Under the early morning sky,
he learned about herbs that cured sour stomachs and plants that fought off the rivers.
He learned how to grind roots and crush leaves to make soothing ointment,
and how to simmer flower petals and boil twigs to make nourishing tea.
After each lesson, he scampered off to the fields and spent the rest of the day
hoeing, planting and reaping for Uncle. What night after work? As Omari was about to raid the
kitchen for his usual leftovers, he froze in the doorway. Because sitting at the table was his
uncle. Beside him was a man, and he was sobbing. Uncle didn't notice his nephew. He was too busy
glaring at his weeping visitor. Come on man, get a hold of yourself. You've been crying so hard,
you still haven't told me who you are, or why you came pounding at my door at this God for
sake an hour. I'm sorry, sir. I came from across the river where a horrible sickness has struck my
village. Everyone is falling ill. Even our local healer is sick. I came to your farm to ask,
might you know how to help us? Uncle rolled his eyes. I do not know how to help you,
but I do know how you can help me by letting me sleep. So why don't you get out of here before I-
Wait! Uncle snapped his head toward the doorway.
Nephew, what are you doing here? This man village is sick and I can help. You?
Uncle's lips curled into a smirk. Since when is my good for nothing, Nephew, a miracle healer?
Oh, Mary ignored the snide remark and laid a hand on the man's shoulder. My friend,
I'm sorry to hear what your village is going through. It's hard to watch your love one suffer,
but I promise I can help. If what you say is true, young man, and you really can help my village,
my people will pay you handsomely. Very handsomely. Come, we must leave at once.
But just as Omari and the man turned to go. Not so fast. Let's you forget, kid. I am the one
who took you in when you were all alone in this world. I am your official guardian. Therefore,
if by some miracle you're actually able to heal these people, whatever payment they give you
goes to me so I can officially guard it permanently. Omari sighed. He didn't want to waste precious time
arguing with his selfish greedy, ungrateful uncle, so he grabbed his basket of medicine things
and left the house. The moment he reached the village across the river, he set to work examining
everyone who was sick. Then he rooted through his basket, plucked out some herbs, roots, and leaves,
and boiled them into a steaming broth. He gave his patients their medicine. Then he waited
with in days all of the sick people were well again. The villagers beamed with gratitude as they
sent Omari home with his payment, two cows, two goats, and two chickens. When uncle saw Omari's
payment, he rubbed his hands together with glee. Three pairs of beautiful farm animals for a little
medicinal mumbo jumbo. I'd say you were overpaid kid, but the truth is I was. Now give me my payment.
Omari flashed a smile. Then he took one of the two cows, one of the two goats, and one of the two
chickens and handed them over. What are you doing kid? Why are you giving me just half of your payment?
Omari smiled again. Because uncle, becoming a hila was my dream, and I worked hard to achieve that dream.
I want to heal people all across this land, and I deserve to keep half of what I'm given.
Uncle folded his arms. Well, well, well, get a load of Mr. High and mighty.
Listen kid, I don't care if you heal people all across this earth. There's no way I'm letting you keep half.
No way, you say? Now Omari folded his arms. Then I'll stop healing people. I'll stop bringing home any payment,
or overpayment, and I'll go back to the whole thing, planting and reaping. You won't get any cows,
or goats, or chickens, just my sweat. Uncle was quiet for a moment.
Okay, fine. You can keep half of what you make as a hila. Just be sure you actually heal people, and you don't make them worse.
Well, wouldn't you know it? Omari did heal people. Many people. As word of his skills spread,
he began journeying from village to village, curing all sorts of illnesses and ailments.
And every time he came back to Uncle, the selfish, greedy, ungrateful man was waiting at the door,
eager to snatch his half of Omari's payment. But one day when Omari returned,
Uncle, I'm back! His uncle was not waiting at the door. Instead, he was lying in bed. His eyes were tightly closed.
His body was wrapped with tremors, and his face was drenched with sweat. Uncle, you're burning up with a fever!
How long have you been sick like this? Uncle didn't respond. He didn't even twitch an eyelid.
Oh man, he's completely out of it. Uncle and I may have our differences, but I must heal him. I must.
Omari rummaged through his basket of medicine things. He mixed a little of this, he ground a little of that, then he filled a wooden bowl with sweet, sticky syrup.
Uncle, I don't know if you can hear me, but you must drink this now.
Omari held the bowl to Uncle's lips. Once it was empty, he tucked it into his basket and tipped it out of the room.
The next morning, as Omari was packing for yet another healing trip to yet another village, he heard a knock at his door.
He opened the door, and there was Uncle. Unlike yesterday, the farmer was looking fit as a fiddle.
Hey kid, get back from your trip!
Omari nodded. Clearly, Uncle was so out of it yesterday he didn't remember a thing.
Yes uncle, I am back from my trip. I healed a lot of people. A lot of people. I suppose you like your payment?
Uncle carried on as if he hadn't heard a word.
I gotta tell you kid, I was so sick while you were away sick as a dog. I didn't think I was going to make it.
But wouldn't you know it? I got better overnight. It was a miracle.
A miracle? Oh yeah! I was lying there in my bed, sweating out buckets and shivering like a leaf. When all of a sudden, somebody came into my room.
Really?
And they mixed me up a batch of sweet sticky syrup.
Did they now?
And I gotta say, that sweet sticky syrup of theirs saved my hide.
He paused.
My selfish, greedy, ungrateful, hide.
To Omari's astonishment, Uncle wiped away a tear.
And so, now that I truly know what this miracle worker is capable of, I believe they deserve something.
They deserve to keep everything they earn. Everything they've ever earned.
They also deserve my apology for being the worst official guardian ever.
He took hold of Omari's hand.
I just hope you can find it in your heart.
To forgive me.
Well, Omari did find it in his heart to forgive Uncle.
And not only did Uncle return Omari's half of everything he'd earned.
He rewarded his nephew with his very own piece of land.
And for the rest of Omari's days, he lived on this beautiful patch of earth right beside the river,
where his bright dreamy future had first begun.
Now it's your turn.
You can work toward making your dreams come true by creating a bucket list.
A bucket list includes accomplishments, experiences, and achievements that someone wants to have during their lifetime.
But you can narrow it down by making a bucket list for the year.
Grab a piece of paper and some markers, and either write or draw things that you would like to do, experience, and achieve over the next 12 months.
Once you're done brainstorming, put your list somewhere you can look at it often.
Then have fun as you check items off your list and make your dreams come true.
This week's episode, The Young Healer, was adapted by me, Rebecca Schier.
It was edited by Sophie Coddner.
Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis.
Our artist is Sabina Han. Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for all of our circle-around stories,
and you can print them out and color them in.
Grown-ups visit our website, WBWR.org slash circle-around, and click on coloring pages.
Special thanks to this week's actors, Eric Corrose, Jefferson A. Russell, Ryan P. Schreim, and Johnnigan Booth.
You can see Johnnigan Booth starring opposite Snoop Dogg in the Amazon MGM comedy feature The Underdogs, now streaming on Amazon Prime.
Our featured instrument this week was the Kalimba.
You can read about this African thumb piano and see a photo on our website.
Once more, that's WBWR.org slash circle-around.
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It means the world to do us. Circle-around is a production of WBWR, Austin's NPR News Station.
I'm Rebecca Schere. Thanks for circling round with us.
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