Encore: The Blizzard Wizard

Summary

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Circle Round: "Encore: The Blizzard Wizard"—Summary

Podcast: Circle Round
Host: Rebecca Sheir (WBUR)
Episode: Encore: The Blizzard Wizard
Date: April 28, 2026

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Main Theme & Purpose

This engaging episode of Circle Round revisits the listener-favorite tale, "The Blizzard Wizard"—a high-adventure folktale inspired by stories from the indigenous peoples of far North Siberia. Through sound-rich storytelling for children and families, the episode explores themes of bravery, perseverance, cleverness, the power of warmth (both literal and figurative), and the importance of kindness in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Setting and Introduction to the Heroine (00:13–03:33)

• The story unfolds on the treeless tundra of the far north, where "most of the year it was winter" and life is a struggle against the cold.
• Ayana lives with her mother, a skilled seamstress. Gathering firewood is crucial for survival.
• After an unusually bad storm leaves deep snow, Ayana returns with only a "handful of twigs." Her mother realizes that their hardship is the work of the mysterious "Blizzard Wizard."

2. The Blizzard Wizard's Arrival and the Mother's Capture (03:33–06:35)

• The Blizzard Wizard is described as a "cold-hearted spirit who brings the harshest of weather" (03:40).
• As their fire dwindles, the Wizard bursts in, damages his icy robes on a spark from their last ember, and demands Ayana’s mother come to repair them:
  • Blizzard Wizard: "You will come to my palace of ice and you will repair my robes." (06:12)
• Ayana is left alone, determined to save her mother.

3. Ayana’s Quest: Gifts and Allies (07:51–12:44)

• As Ayana sets off, she is confronted by the sun, who laments her lack of morning greeting:
  • Sun: "Because usually you greet me when I rise... it’s something I always look forward to." (08:34)
• Ayana explains her plight; the sun cannot vanquish the wizard due to time constraints, but gifts Ayana three magical arrows of "light and heat" (09:35).
• Ayana uses the first arrow to save a reindeer from a wolf. Grateful, the reindeer offers her a ride to the Blizzard Wizard’s palace:
  • Reindeer: "You saved my life, young lady. How can I repay you?" (11:03)
• Arriving at the palace, Ayana faces the obstacle of a "deep canyon" around the icy fortress.

4. Cleverness and Sacrifice: Crossing the Canyon (12:44–14:19)

• Ayana improvises by turning her own long black braid into a rope, using her second arrow to cut her hair and swing into the palace (13:30):
  • Ayana: "Perhaps one of them [the arrows] will do the job."
• This act shows both creativity and courage.

5. The Final Showdown (14:19–16:19)

• Ayana is confronted by the Blizzard Wizard:
  • Blizzard Wizard: "Too bad your perseverance is no match for my polar freeze." (14:57)
• Braving the "polar freeze," she uses the third and final arrow. The resulting light and heat melt the Blizzard Wizard’s magic staff—and the wizard himself—destroying his icy power:
  • Blizzard Wizard: "You've struck my staff!... And now it's melted clean away." (15:54)
  • "So did the Blizzard Wizard." (16:14)
• The palace melts; Ayana and her mother are joyfully reunited.

6. Resolution and Activity for Listeners (16:29–end)

• The story closes with Ayana prepared to tell her mother all about her rescue, signifying that their troubles with the Blizzard Wizard are over.
• Rebecca Sheir introduces an interactive activity: making a "sun praise" craft—using sun-shaped paper to share compliments.
• The episode ends with children calling in to share their favorite Circle Round stories.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the harshness of the tundra:

• "Winters weren’t just dark in Ayana’s part of the world—they were cold." (02:14)

On the threat and power of the Blizzard Wizard:

• Mother: "The Blizzard Wizard is the cold-hearted spirit who brings the harshest of weather to the tundra..." (03:40)
• Blizzard Wizard: "Greetings and salutations, humans, ready to be snowed under?" (05:28)

Ayana’s resourcefulness:

• "I must find the Blizzard Wizard’s palace of ice." (06:35)
• "Perhaps one of them [the arrows] will do the job." (13:24)
• Ayana turning her hair into a rope (13:30) represents both sacrifice and cleverness.

Help from allies:

• Sun: "These arrows contain light and heat. They will help you on your journey. Use them wisely and well." (09:51)
• Reindeer: "You saved my life, young lady. How can I repay you?" (11:03)

The showdown:

• Blizzard Wizard: "You know, I admire your perseverance, young lady. Too bad it’s no match for my polar freeze.” (14:57)

Victory:

• Wizard, upon defeat: "I'm melting." (16:14)
• "Ayana had the whole rest of the winter to tell it—without worrying about the Blizzard Wizard taking anyone by storm." (16:41)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:13 – 03:33: Setting the scene, introduction of Ayana, the cold, and the Blizzard Wizard’s legend
• 05:28 – 06:35: The Blizzard Wizard arrives, takes Mother
• 07:51 – 09:51: The Sun gives Ayana the magic arrows
• 10:13 – 12:44: Reindeer is rescued, brings Ayana to the palace
• 13:30 – 14:19: Ayana uses her hair to cross the canyon
• 14:45 – 16:19: Showdown with the Blizzard Wizard, the final arrow melts both him and his magic
• 16:29 – End: Mother and daughter reunite; storytelling activity; listener call-ins sharing favorite stories

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Tone & Language

• The narrative maintains a warm, adventurous, and encouraging tone, filled with vivid imagery and gentle humor. Dialogue is age-appropriate, expressive, and values-driven.
• Rebecca Sheir’s guidance is reassuring and inquisitive, gently prompting listeners to reflect and engage.
• The magical elements are woven seamlessly with character lessons and opportunities for children to imagine themselves as active participants in the story’s moral challenges.

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Engaging Endnote

The episode concludes with practical activities to deepen the experience—crafting "sun praise"—and heartwarming listener feedback, reinforcing the podcast’s community-centered, interactive spirit.

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Circle Round’s "The Blizzard Wizard" offers a classic tale of courage and cleverness, sparkling with magic, resilience, and the warmth of family—sure to inspire young listeners and adults alike.

Transcript

[A]

Wbur podcasts, boston.

[B]

Hi, Rebecca Shear here. This week we're bringing you an encore edition of Circle Round. It's a high adventure tale from the far north and it's definitely become a listener favorite. We'll be back with a new episode next week. Think about what winters are like where you live. Are they chilly and snowy? Or are temperatures more moderate? Today's story takes place in a spot where winters are intense, thanks in part to a supernatural spirit with a very cold shoulder. I'm Rebecca Scheer and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time. Today, our story is called the Blizzard Wizard. Versions of this tale have been told among the indigenous peoples of far North Siberia, near the Arctic Ocean. Some really great people came together to bring you our adaptation of this folktale in including Vivian Lyra Blair, who stars as young Princess Leia in the Disney Star wars series Obi Wan Kenobi and Grown Ups. You can see Vivian in the new feature film the Boogeyman. So circle around everyone for the Blizzard Wizard. In the far north, where the vast treeless tundra reaches as far as as far as the eye can see, a long haired girl named Aiiana lived with her mother, a talented seamstress in Aiyana's part of the world. Most of the year it was winter, which meant plenty of long nights and short days. So soon after, Aiyana greeted the sun as it peaked its head above the horizon.

[C]

Hello sun.

[B]

She bid it farewell as it dipped back down again.

[D]

Goodbye, son.

[B]

But winters weren't just dark in Ayana's part of the world. They were cold. So while Mother huddled by the hearth fire sewing beautiful coats, pants and mittens, Ayana tied her long black hair into a long thick braid, stuffed it into a woolen cap, bundled up in her coat, then ventured out to collect firewood. Wood wasn't easy to come by on the frozen tundra, but Ayana worked hard and usually managed to gather a nice armload of branches and sticks to keep the hut warm. One day, however.

[C]

Mother, I'm back.

[B]

She returned with just a handful of twigs.

[A]

You were gone for hours, Ayana. What kept you?

[C]

In short, the weather. Seems we got a real storm last night. The snow was so deep I could hardly walk. Luckily, I was able to gather a bit of wood, though I don't know how long it will last.

[B]

Ayana set the twigs by the fire, then pulled off her snow covered coat and woolen cap. Her long black braid came tumbling out.

[A]

My goodness, look at your beautiful black braid. It's nearly frozen. I'm afraid to say it, but from the look and sound of things, I believe we've received a rather nasty visit from the Blizzard Wizard.

[B]

Ayana's eyes grew wide as she crouched by the fire.

[C]

The Blizzard Wizard? Who's that?

[A]

The Blizzard wizard is the cold hearted spirit who brings the harshest of weather to the tundra. Draped in flowing frosty robes, with a long white beard and a magical staff made of pure sparkling ice, the Blizzard wizard makes his way across the land. With every step, he summons the snow, turning it from feathery confetti into frosty clumps, swirling and blowing so hard and fast you can barely see your hand in front of your face.

[B]

Ayana felt a shiver run down her back.

[C]

Gosh, as if winters weren't hard enough up here already. So how do we keep the Blizzard wizard away, Mother?

[A]

Well, luckily the two things he fears most are light and heat. So as long as we keep our fire burning here in our hut, we should be safe.

[C]

But we're nearly out of wood, Mother. All we have is what's in the hearth already. Plus the little bit I managed to scrounge up today.

[A]

That's all right. We'll use what we've got and just hope it lasts long enough till we can gather more.

[B]

Ayana and Mother spent the next hours keeping a close watch on the fire. They did their best to keep it still, but as they ran out of wood, the flames in the hearth burned lower and lower until Ayana cried out in alarm.

[C]

Mother, the fire has dimmed to its very last ember. How can we possibly keep the.

[B]

But Ayana didn't have time to finish her sentence because all at once, the entrance to the hut opened wide and a blast of bitter wind came sweeping through. Next thing Ayana and Mother knew, they were clutching each other's shivering bodies as they stood face to face with the Blizzard Wizard.

[E]

Greetings and salutations, humans, ready to be snowed under.

[B]

An explosion of ice and snow erupted from the Blizzard Wizard's fingers. But as he lunged toward Ayana and her mother, the very last spark from the fire flew up toward the roof. It arced through the air, but before landing in the folds of the Blizzard Wizard's billowing white robes and burning a hole right through.

[E]

Look what you've done. Your fire has damaged my snowy robes.

[B]

The Blizzard wizard lifted his magical staff of ice and pointed it at Mother.

[A]

You.

[E]

You're a seamstress, are you not?

[A]

I am.

[E]

Then you will come to my palace of ice and you will repair my robes.

[B]

Now then, before Aiyana or Mother could say or do a thing. He swooshed his staff through the air. Another blast of wind swept through the hut and Aiyana found herself alone, standing up to her knees in a little mound of snow.

[C]

I can't believe it. That cold hearted brute took my mother. But there's no time to fret. I must find the Blizzard Wizard's palace of Ice. And I must set.

[B]

Ayana stuffed her long black braid into her woolen cap, pulled on her coat, then headed out the door with the frozen tundra under her feet and a fiery determination in her heart. What will Ayana do to save her mother? We'll find out what happens after a quick break.

[F]

100 years from now in a land far, far away. Hang on. It's not so far away at all, actually. Hey, Circle Round families. We're here to share a new listening experience from wbur, the Midnight Rebellion. It's a climate podcast adventure for kids 8 and up. Time traveling, problem solving, laughs in danger is here. Follow the feed to listen. Oh, and bring your goggles and boots. That's the Midnight Rebellion in your feed or wherever you get podcasts.

[B]

Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Scheer. Today our story is called the Blizzard Wizard. Before the break, aiiana set off to rescue her mother from the Blizzard wizard and his palace of ice. Ayana began her quest just as the sun was peeking its shiny head above the horizon. Normally, she greeted the sun when it rose, but today she was so lost in her thoughts that she stayed quiet and kept her head low.

[G]

What? No greeting today?

[B]

At the sound of this mysterious voice, Aiyana stopped in her tracks.

[G]

Because usually you greet me when I rise and you say farewell when I sit. It's something I always look forward to.

[B]

Ayana glanced around, then tilted her head up.

[C]

Um, son, Are you really talking to me?

[G]

I am. And I'm wondering what's going on. You seem like you're in your own little world. Tell me what's wrong, but make it quick. I've got to set in just a little while.

[B]

So Ayana told the sun all about the Blizzard wizard and how he had stolen her mother away. She shed a few tears as she spoke, and each one froze into a tiny icicle as it tracked down her cheek.

[G]

Oh, that Blizzard Wizard. He is such a brute. I would vanquish him if I could. But like I said, my time is short this part of the year, so I'll do what I can to help by giving you this.

[B]

Ayana watched as a radiant ball of light came floating out of the sun. When it reached the earth, it turned into a golden bow strung with golden string. Beside it were three shimmering, glowing arrows.

[G]

These arrows contain light and heat. They will help you on your journey. Use them wisely and well.

[C]

I will, mighty son.

[D]

I will.

[C]

Thank you.

[B]

Ayana slung the bow over her shoulder, tucked the arrows in her coat, then continued across the tundra. She hadn't gotten far when she heard.

[C]

Help.

[B]

Another voice. Aiyana flicked her head round, and what should she see bounding her way but a big brown reindeer.

[H]

The wolf is chasing me. Please help me. Please.

[B]

The reindeer went charging past Ayana, and sure enough, hot on the terrified creature's tail was a hungry gray wolf. Without missing a beat, Ayana grabbed the first of the sun's three arrows. She strung it on her bow and aimed it at the wolf. Then she let it fly. The shimmering shaft soared through the air. It didn't hit the wolf, but it struck the ground right next to him and scared him away. As the wolf scampered off, Aiyana felt something nuzzle her shoulder.

[H]

You saved my life, young lady. How can I repay you?

[B]

Ayana flashed the reindeer a smile.

[C]

Repay me? There's no need.

[H]

Sure there is. It looks like you're on a journey. How about I give you a lift and you tell me your story along the way?

[B]

So Ayana climbed onto the reindeer's back and recounted her tale. It turned out the reindeer knew exactly where the Blizzard wizard lived. All the animals did, and they did their best to steer clear of his icy palace. But the reindeer wanted to help Ayana. So with her fleet feet, she loped across the ice and snow for miles and miles and miles, until.

[H]

Here we are. The palace of Ice.

[B]

Ayana looked up. Looming before her was a towering palace with magnificent spires, towers, and turrets, all carved from clear, glistening ice. Through one of the transparent walls, Aiyana could see her mother. The poor woman was crouching on the icy floor with the Blizzard Wizard's snowy robes in her lap. Frozen tears covered her cheeks. Her fingers trembled as she sewed.

[C]

Mother looks so miserable. But I don't see an entrance. How do I get inside the palace?

[H]

Well, it'll help if you cross that first.

[B]

The reindeer tilted her head downward. And that's when Ayana saw it. A deep canyon forming a big gap between her and the palace.

[C]

Oh, no. I suppose the canyon is too wide for you to jump across.

[H]

Sorry to say, but yes.

[C]

That's all right, reindeer. You've helped me get this far. I'll figure the rest out myself. Thank you.

[B]

Ayana hopped down from the reindeer's back. As the reindeer went bounding away, Ayana took a few tentative steps toward the canyon. Just then, Augustus, a gust of wind went sweeping past. Ayana's woolen cap fell loose from her head, and her long black braid came tumbling out. As the thick braid flapped around her head, suddenly she knew just what she would do.

[C]

I still have two of the three arrows the sun gave me. Perhaps one of them will do the job.

[B]

Ayana pulled the second arrow from her coat. Gripping the arrow in one hand, she clutched her long black braid with the other. Then she lifted the arrow, and slicing it sideways like a knife, she chopped her braid right off. Then she got to work. Weaving her long black hair into a rope, she tied a tight loop at one end. Then she hurled the rope toward the other side of the canyon. To her delight, the rope made it all the way across before catching on a craggy outcropping of ice.

[C]

Okay. Now all I have to do is use my rope to swing across the canyon. Then I'll bust inside the palace and save my mother.

[B]

Grasping the rope with all her strength, Aiyana took a running jump, then swung across the canyon.

[E]

Woo hoo.

[B]

To her relief, she made it all the way over. But to her dismay.

[E]

Hello, young lady.

[B]

The Blizzard wizard was waiting on the other side.

[E]

So you've come to rescue your mother, have you?

[B]

Ayana felt her blood run cold, but she took a breath, then fixed the Blizzard wizard with a fierce gaze.

[C]

Yes, I've come to rescue my mother. So let her go.

[B]

Now. The Blizzard wizard smiled, showing a mouthful of frosty white teeth, each one as pointy as an icicle.

[E]

You know, I admire your perseverance, young lady. Too bad it's no match for my polar freeze.

[B]

The Blizzard wizard lifted his magical staff and swished it through the air. All at once, a piercing wind struck Ayana's face, and though the frigid air stung her cheeks and nearly took her breath away, she knew she had no time to lose. With trembling hands, she reached for the sun's third and final arrow. The wind was blowing so hard, she could barely bring the arrow to the bow, let alone aim. But then, summoning all of her courage, all of her hope, and all of her fiery determination, she let the arrow fly.

[C]

Hiya.

[B]

The glowing shaft went rocketing through the air before piercing right through the Blizzard Wizard's magical.

[E]

Oh, no. You've struck my staff. The source of all my power. And now it's melted clean away.

[B]

It was true. The Moment the sun's arrow hit the staff, the ice turned into liquid. And then, before Aiyana's very eyes, so did the Blizzard Wizard.

[D]

I'm melting.

[E]

Melting.

[B]

But that wasn't all. The palace of Ice was melting too. And once Mother was freed from her crystal prison, she came rushing toward her daughter and wrapped her in a hug.

[C]

Aiyana.

[A]

I thought I'd never see you again. How did you get here? How did you defeat the Blizzard Wizard? And what did you do to your hair?

[B]

Ayana grinned. Her mother was in for a very long story, but Aiyana had the whole rest of the winter to tell it without worrying about the Blizzard wizard taking anyone by storm. Now it's your turn. You can add sunshine to someone's day by giving them some sun praise. Kind of like sun rays, but with an added dash of compliments. Here's how you do it. Find some construction paper or cardstock that's yellow, orange, red, or any other sunny color. Have a grownup help you cut a big circle out of your paper or cardstock. This circle will be your sun. Next, cut out some long strips about one inch thick. These will be your rays. Use glue to stick the rays all around your sun. Now think about who you'd like to give your sun praise to. Then once the glue dries, write their name in the middle of the sun. Next, Brainstorm. Praise Compliments. Nice things you'd say about this person. Are they kind? Friendly? Funny? Helpful? Do they make amazing chocolate chip cookies? Write one compliment on each sun ray and when you're done, give this person their sun praise and watch their faces light up. This week's episode, the Blizzard wizard, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear. It was edited by Nora Sachs. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shyamalanis. Our artist is Sabina Hahn. Did you know 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 grown ups. Visit our website, WBUR.org circle round and click on coloring pages. And while you're at WBUR.org CircleRound you can become the newest member of the Circle Round Club. You can get special Circle Round swag ad free episodes, bite sized bedtime stories, early access to Circle Round events, even a personalized audio birthday message from me. Visit wbur.org circleround and click circle Round Club. Special thanks to this week's actors, Amy Brentano, Joe Hernandez, Erika Rose and Vivian Lyra Blair, who stars as young Princess Leia in the Disney Star wars series Obi Wan Kenobi Grown Ups. You can see Vivian in the new feature film the Boogeyman. Our featured instrument this week was the Glockenspiel. You can learn more about this bard percussion instrument and see a photo of Eric Shyamalonis playing one on our website. Once more, that's WBUR.org CircleRound Grown Ups if you enjoy Circle Round, please write us a five star review on your favorite podcast app and tell your friends about the show. And please join our communities on Facebook and Instagram for all sorts of Circle Round fun you can find us. Circle Round Podcast Circle Round is a production of wbur, Boston's NPR News Station. I'm Rebecca Shear. 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.

[D]

Hi, my name is Laila. I live in Malta and my favorite story Circle around stories. Or all of them. But my favorite one is the troop of 10 because I like the part where the King and queen do a breakfast for the troop of ten. Hi, my name is Wibble. I live in Portland, Connecticut. My favorite circle and story is Marshalpin the Shark. My favorite part is when the shark says bye. My name is Aylin and I'm from South Portland, Maine. And my favorite story is Princess Persistence. My favorite part is when the Princess saves my princess. My name is Mayla. I'm from South Portland, Maine, and my favorite one is Princess Persistence. Because when the princess follows the prince, it's so, so funny. My name's Eloise. My name is Luisa and I'm from Northern California. My favorite Circle Round story is the Princess Emma Bee. And my favorite part is when the bee helps the princess to find the right flower. My name is Maya, I'm from Tennessee, and my favorite Circle Round story is the Life of Peach. My favorite part of it is One day say, cockroaches and warding rats. My name is Leon. I'm from Tennessee. My favorite Circle Round story is the Acorn Robbery. My favorite part is when the bird is Watching. I love you, mackerel.

[B]

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 Club, picture books, coloring pages and oh so much more on our website, WBUR. Org CircleRound.