Circle Round: "Stealing Summer" (February 24, 2026)

Episode Overview

This enchanting episode of Circle Round, hosted by Rebecca Sheir, adapts a Native American folktale about an endless winter and a group of animal friends who work together to bring summer back to the world. “Stealing Summer” explores themes of teamwork, resourcefulness, and—most importantly—sharing. The story is told with vivid narration, lively animal characters, and gentle humor, making it accessible and engaging for kids (and adults) of all ages.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. The Mystery of the Missing Summer

• Setting the Scene ([00:09]–[02:00])
  • The episode opens with the animals bewildered and freezing in what ought to be summer.
  • Rebecca Sheir’s narration pulls the listener in:

    "It was summertime and the animals were chilled to the bone… But this year, for reasons the animals simply could not fathom, summer never came." ([01:21])

• The animals (Coyote, Wolf, Eagle, and Raven) lament their icy predicament.

2. Raven's Discovery

• The Revelation ([02:28]–[04:26])
  • Raven claims she knows where summer is kept:

    "The house belongs to an old, old woman and she keeps Summer locked inside, stuffed in a black bag. She opens the bag just enough so that summer can spread its warmth around her house and yard and she refuses to share it with anyone." (Raven, [03:22])

  • The animals realize that to return warmth to their world, they must steal summer back.

3. Planning the Heist

• Formulating a Plan ([04:27]–[05:36])
  • All eyes turn to clever Coyote, known for sly solutions:

    "Oh, I see. You all think I can steal back Summer." (Coyote, [04:38])

  • Coyote emphasizes teamwork:

    "I appreciate the praise, friends, but the truth is I can't steal back Summer. Not on my own anyway. ...I'll need a team of good friends. So, will you join me?" (Coyote, [04:53])

4. The Animal Team Mobilizes

• Roles and Readiness ([06:19]–[07:38])
  • Coyote assigns tasks to Wolf, Raven, and Eagle for their “heist.”
    • Wolf will distract the woman first, followed by Raven and then Eagle.

5. The Great Distraction & Theft

• Action Unfolds ([07:38]–[10:18])
  • Wolf howls to distract the old woman:

    "Wolf silently counted to three. Then he leaped out from behind the bush, jerked back his head and began to howl." ([07:38])

  • Raven swoops around the woman’s head, adding to the chaos.
  • Coyote sneaks into the house and grabs the warm black bag.
  • The woman catches up, but the friends execute a clever handoff:

    "Reckon I can take that bag off your hands?" (Eagle, [10:04])

    • Eagle carries it away in his talons.

6. Restoring Summer and Seeking Fairness

• Summer Freed ([10:33]–[11:08])
  • The animals untie the bag and summer bursts forth, banishing the cold:

    "There was a whoosh of hot air and summer came bursting out." (Narrator, [10:40])

• The old woman arrives, angry at having lost summer.
• Coyote proposes an equitable solution:

  "I propose we share summer. For half of the year you can have summer on your side of the world. And for the other half, we'll have summer on our side of the world. It's the right thing to do. The fair thing." (Coyote, [11:54])

7. Resolution: The Origin of Seasons

• A Lasting Compromise ([12:00]–[12:34])
  • The woman agrees, smiling:

    “We will share summer. And they did. To this very day. When it's winter on one side of the world, it's summer on the other.” (Narrator, [12:34])

• Theme reinforced: Sharing brings fairness and joy to all.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Selfishness and Sharing

  • "This woman stole Summer away and now she's keeping it for herself. So the only way Summer could visit the rest of the world is if somebody steals it back." (Raven, [03:22])

• Teamwork in Action

  • "But the truth is I can't steal back Summer. Not on my own anyway...I'll need a team of good friends. So, will you join me?" (Coyote, [04:53])

• Key Message of Sharing

  • "This warm, glorious season should belong to everyone, not just one person." (Coyote, [11:25])
  • "I propose we share summer... It's the right thing to do. The fair thing." (Coyote, [11:54])

• Origin of the Seasons (Folktale Explanation)

  • "To this very day. When it's winter on one side of the world, it's summer on the other. And when it's summer on one side of the world, it's winter on the other." (Narrator, [12:34])

Episode’s Concluding Activity

• Inspiring Listeners to Share ([12:38]–[13:30])
  • Rebecca Sheir encourages children and families to think of ways to share—be it books, toys, clothes, time, or chores—emphasizing the positive impact sharing can have on the world.

Important Timestamps

• 00:10–02:28: Setting up the mystery—endless winter and missing summer
• 02:28–04:27: Raven reveals who’s hoarding summer, and why
• 04:38–05:36: Coyote calls for a team effort
• 07:38–10:04: The distraction and clever theft unfold
• 10:33: The bag is opened, restoring summer
• 11:25–12:18: Coyote proposes to share summer
• 12:34: Folktale origin of the seasons explained
• 12:38–13:30: Activity: Inspiring real-life sharing

Tone and Atmosphere

• Warm, playful, and inviting
• Narrative highlights teamwork, resourcefulness, and fairness
• Includes musical flourishes, lively animal voices, and educational asides

For Listeners: Takeaway

"Stealing Summer" is a vibrant retelling that encourages kids and families to value sharing and cooperation. The episode illustrates—through clever animal heroes and a folktale origin of the seasons—how working together and considering others leads to a kinder, more harmonious world.

For more stories, activities, and coloring pages, visit WBUR.org/CircleRound