Circle Round

Shazad Latif (Star Trek: Discovery, Penny Dreadful) and Anthony Rapp (Star Trek: Discovery, Rent) headline this Middle Eastern/North African tale about sweet figs, bad breath, and the bitter truth. When you need advice, what kind of advisor do you turn to? Someone who’s honest? Trustworthy? Supportive? In today’s story, we’ll meet an advisor who’s none of these things. And the person he’s advising...

Adrian Martinez (Stumptown, Lady and the Tramp) stars in this classic folktale about the big treasures a little honesty can bring. Visit our website, www.wbur.org/circleround and print out our coloring pages! ----------- What does it mean to be “honest”? Being “honest” means being truthful in what you do and say - even if it isn’t easy! In today’s story, we’ll find out why telling the truth can be...

In this bonus episode inspired by a Chinese folktale, an industrious man finds a clever way to teach his brother the value of hard work. ------ If you’re looking for something extra to do while listening to today’s tale, ask a grown-up to print out the coloring page for this week’s story! You can find it at WBUR.org/circleround. At the end of this episode you'll hear more another activity -- an "I...

Children's podcast hosts Molly Bloom (Brains On!, Smash Boom Best) and Jane Lindholm (But Why: A Podcast For Curious Kids) co-star as twin sisters who reap what they sow in this story with origins in Korea, Tibet, Japan and China. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

In this bonus story with roots in Europe and China, a horse teaches a knight about loyalty and kindness. ------ If you’re looking for something extra to do while listening to today’s tale, ask a grown-up to print out the coloring page for this week’s story! You can find it at WBUR.org/circleround. At the end of this episode you'll hear more another activity -- writing notes. ------ Think about som...

Think about someone you admire for their courage. Maybe it’s a person from history, who stood up for what’s right. Perhaps it’s a family member or friend who’s always bold enough to try something new. In today’s story, we’ll meet a character who’s so brave, she’s willing to give up everything she’s ever known. Everything! Our story is called “The Birds and the Trees.” Versions of this tale come fr...

A bonus story from Hawaii, about the magic that happens when we show kindness to strangers in need. ------ If you’re looking for something extra to do while listening to today’s tale, ask a grown-up to print out the coloring page for this week’s story! You can find it at WBUR.org/circleround. At the end of this episode you'll hear more about how to play "Kindness Bingo." ----------- We’ve been hea...

Have you ever teamed up with other people to get something done?  We’re all keeping our distance from other people, to help everyone stay healthy and safe. But just because we’re keeping a physical distance, it doesn’t mean we have to be separated. Even if we’re not in the same room, or the same building, we can still find ways to join up with others, and accomplish things that we can’t do on our...

This week we present a favorite story from the archives: Keith David (Greenleaf) and Tony Award winner James Naughton (City of Angels, Chicago) play a curious, disguised king and a cobbler who proves the power of self-reliance. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Analeigh Tipton (Crazy, Stupid Love; Why Women Kill) and Stephen Tobolowsky (One Day at a Time, The Tobolowsky Files) co-star in this Burmese tale about a king who dreams of finding an elusive white elephant. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Pop singer David Archuleta (American Idol) and stand-up comic Sherry Cola (Good Trouble) headline this Mongolian story about the origins of the country's national instrument: the horsehead fiddle. Voices in this episode include Doug Lockwood, Maurice Emmanuel Parent, Kimberly Schraf, David Archuleta and Sherry Cola. Grown-ups, look for stand-up comedian Sherry Cola on the Freeform network drama, G...

Orla Brady (Star Trek: Picard, Into the Badlands) stars in this Irish tale about three wise animals, two very different sisters, and one bag of silver coins. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Tony Award winner Kelli O'Hara (The King and I; Kiss Me, Kate) stars opposite real-life husband, director/musician Greg Naughton (The Independents, The Sweet Remains), in this Korean and Japanese tale about eternal love, kindness and youth. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

This Russian and European folktale stars real-life husband and wife Paul Sparks (House of Cards, Sweetbitter) and Annie Parisse (Friends From College) as a king who's taken prisoner, and a queen whose musical prowess sets him free. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

In this adventure story with roots in Russia, Hungary and the Middle East, a magical rooster rewards Rachel Matthews (Frozen 2) for her fearless persistence and precious friendship. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

In this Japanese tale, Alex Landi (Grey's Anatomy, Insatiable) plays a wise judge who finds an ingenious way to determine the real mother of a bouncing baby boy. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Comedian Margaret Cho (The Margaret Cho, Fresh Off The Bloat) headlines this English tale about a greedy woman who bites off more than she can chew. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

In this zany Celtic tale, when fairies come to help Parker Bates (This Is Us) with his chores, he discovers they're far more trouble than they're worth. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Podcast luminary Avery Trufelman (99% Invisible, Articles of Interest) stars as a generous baker touched by magic in this scrumptious Jewish tale. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Maulik Pancholy (30 Rock, Grand Horizons) and Nikesh Patel (Four Weddings and a Funeral) headline this Indian story that asks what's more precious: glittering jewels, or good friends? Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

What would it be like to experience the months of the year--out of order? Joshua Rush ("Andi Mack") and Ailsa Chang (NPR) co-star in this story which has its origins in Russia, Greece, and the Czech Republic. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Patrick Fabian ("Better Call Saul") and Mandy Fabian ("Dropping The Soap") star in a story about a husband and wife whose generosity leads them to an unexpected challenge. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Mykal-Michelle Harris (Mixed-ish) stars as a discontented sapling in this classic "grass is always greener" tale from Germany. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

In this story with roots in Denmark, Raegan Revord (Young Sheldon) plays a generous young woman who proves that small gestures of kindness can make a big difference. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jeannie Mai (Listen Hunnay, The Real) headlines this Chinese and Vietnamese tale about a wise, witty woman who gives a greedy, riddle-loving banker a run for his money. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .