Summer Camp: The Salmon Famine

Summary

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Circle Round: “Summer Camp: The Salmon Famine”

Episode: The Sea and the Sky (Live from Portland, OR)
Date: August 11, 2026
Host: Rebecca Scheer
Target Audience: Kids (and grown-ups), ages 3–103
Source Folktale: Legends from the Philippines

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Episode Overview

In this vibrant, music-infused live episode of Circle Round, host Rebecca Scheer and a talented cast bring to life “The Sea and the Sky,” a playful and meaningful creation folktale from the Philippines. Set in a time before land existed, the story explores the power of friendship, the dangers of deception, and the origins of the Philippine islands through the antics of Sea, Sky, and a scheming trickster bird named Kite. The episode encourages children and adults to reflect on honesty, reconciliation, and cherishing true friendship.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: The World Before Land

• [00:01–01:52]

  • Erika Henningson welcomes listeners, emphasizing Earth’s uniqueness and the importance of nature.
  • The story is introduced, rooted in Filipino folklore, live at the Aladdin Theater, Portland, Oregon.

• [02:49–03:55]

  • Sea and Sky are best friends, spending their days playing, joking, and getting along harmoniously.
  • Memorable Joke Exchange:
    • Sea: “What did one tide say to the other tide? Nothing. It just waved.” ([03:32])
    • Sky/Audience: “What did the cloud do when she became queen?” Audience shouts: “She reigned!” ([03:49])

2. Kite’s Arrival and Devious Plan

• [04:09–06:40]

  • Kite, a sea eagle, flies tirelessly over a world of only Sea and Sky, desperately seeking rest but finding nowhere to perch.
  • Kite discovers land hidden beneath the sea—a potential solution if only it could be raised.

• [06:40–07:16]

  • Kite devises a mischievous scheme to pit Sea and Sky against each other, hoping their conflict will expose the land and give him a place to land.

3. Instigating the Epic Battle

• [09:13–11:00]

  • Kite manipulates Sea, lying that Sky called him “useless” and “unpredictable.”
  • Sea, hurt and angry, churns with waves and storms.

• [11:02–12:44]

  • Kite then tells Sky that Sea called her “worthless” and “too temperamental.”
  • Sky, equally upset, responds with thunder, dark clouds, and fiercely blowing winds.

4. Creation of the Islands

• [13:08–15:05]
  • The battle between Sea and Sky causes waves to rise and winds to blow, churning the surface until the hidden rocks break through—the birth of islands.
  • Their exhaustion ends the battle; Sea calms, and Sky clears.
  • Kite seizes the chance to finally rest on the land now revealed.

5. Resolution and Lessons Learned

• [15:05–15:55]

  • With the fight over, Kite builds his nest, and Sea and Sky reconcile after realizing Kite’s sabotage.
  • They renew their friendship, vowing to always be honest and not let others come between them again.

• Important Value:

  • Friendship, Reconciliation, and Trust—the episode shows how easily misunderstandings can arise when we don’t communicate directly, and how important it is to forgive and rebuild trust.

6. Interactive Call for Kids

• [15:55 onwards]
  • Listeners are asked to reflect on activities they love with their own friends and to draw pictures representing their favorite shared moments.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sea:

  • “Did somebody say my name?” ([02:49])
  • “How dare Sky talk about me like that. I’ll show that high and mighty blowhard just how unpredictable I truly can be.” ([11:16])

• Sky:

  • “What did the cloud do when she became queen?” ([03:49])
  • “How dare Sea say such things about me. I'll show that bubbling body of salt water just how temperamental I truly am.” ([12:56])

• Kite:

  • “If I can't go down to the land, then I must make the land come up to me. The question is how?” ([06:07])
  • “At last, a place to rest.” ([15:01])
  • “A friend is technically someone who trusts and respects you. You think Sea is really your friend?” ([12:03])

• Rebecca Scheer (Narrator):

  • “As you’ve probably figured out, Sea hadn’t said any of these things. Kite made them all up as part of his devious plan. But Sky didn’t know that.” ([12:44])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:01] — Introduction to the summer camp theme and today's story
• [01:53] — Live show kickoff & Filipino folkloric inspiration
• [03:17] — Sea and Sky’s joyful friendship
• [04:09] — Enter the trickster: Kite
• [06:07] — Kite’s longing for a perch and his plan
• [09:13] — Kite begins manipulating Sea
• [10:25] — Kite lies to Sea
• [11:56] — Kite lies to Sky
• [13:08] — Sea and Sky’s escalating conflict
• [14:11] — Creation of the islands
• [15:01] — Kite finally rests
• [15:44] — Sea and Sky reconcile and learn to be honest
• [15:55] — Interactive activity prompt for listeners
• [19:18] — Fans share their favorite Circle Round stories

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Conclusion: Episode’s Message & Ongoing Engagement

The “Sea and the Sky” weaves a timeless message about honest communication, the importance of not letting rumors or tricks disrupt friendships, and the magic of seeing the world’s wonders through folklore. The episode invites children to reflect on their own friendships and share drawings, reinforcing kindness, honesty, and self-expression.

Memorable Message from Sky:
“Since the sky technically starts at the surface of the earth and Sea.” ([15:47])

Final Thought:
Sea and Sky’s story reminds us all: stay honest, stay true, and never let a weary bird (or anyone else!) come between real friends.

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Further Activities & Engagement

• Reflect and Draw: “What's something you enjoy doing with your friends?... Draw a picture of you and your friends having fun. Once you're finished, share your picture with your friends.” ([15:55])
• Fan Submissions: Listeners can send in their artwork to be featured in Circle Round's newsletter.

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For more stories, coloring pages, and ways to engage:
Visit WBUR.org/CircleRound

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Transcript

[Sky]

Hey there, and welcome back, listeners. I'm Erika Henningson, your Circle Round summer camp counselor. We've been celebrating the season with a look back at the best of the best Circle Round stories about nature. Did you know that our planet Earth is very special? There are no other planets we know of with trees and birds and flowers and us people. None of that would exist without the sea and the sky. Sky. Today we'll hear a story about how they helped Earth become the Earth that we know and love. So circle round, everyone, for the sea and the sky.

[Ben Brock Johnson]

Wbur podcasts, boston.

[Rebecca Scheer]

This week we're bringing you one of two live stories we recorded at the Aladdin Theatre in Portland, Oregon on June 22, 2024. Think about the world around you. The land, the water, the sky. Cultures across the globe have long imagined how our world came to be. And every one of these creation stories is different. We're about to hear a creation story in which a high flying trickster sparks an epic battle between the elements. And boy, do the feathers fly.

[Audience Members]

Rebecca.

[Rebecca Scheer]

I'm Rebecca Scheer, and welcome to Circle Round live at the Aladdin Theater in Portland, Oregon. Today. Our story is called the Sea and the Sky. It was inspired by legends from the Philippines, a country of over 7,000 islands in Southeast Asia. Joining me on stage is a trio of talented actors, Jordan Beck, Susannah Mars, and Pancho Savery. And providing musical accompaniment is the one and only Eric Shimalotis. So circle round, everyone, for the sea and the sky. Long, long ago, in the very beginning of things, the world was just sea.

[Sea]

Did somebody say my name?

[Rebecca Scheer]

And Sky.

[Sky]

Pretty sure she did. I'm thinking this story must be about us.

[Sea]

Ooh, I can't wait to hear what happens, Skye.

[Sky]

Neither can I.

[Rebecca Scheer]

See, back in those days, Sea and Sky were the best of friends. Just like you probably do with your best friends. Sea and Skye played games.

[Sea]

I spy with my little eye something blue.

[Sky]

Is it me?

[Sea]

Yeah, and me too.

[Rebecca Scheer]

They told jokes.

[Sea]

What did one tide say to the other tide? Nothing. It just waved.

[Sky]

What did the cloud do when she became queen?

[Audience Members]

She reigned.

[Rebecca Scheer]

In short. Sea and sky got along famously. Little did they know that was about to change. It all began with the appearance of a hawk like bird known as Kite.

[Kite]

Technically, I'm more of a sea eagle than a hawk. I use my yellow talons to snatch up fish and crabs. And I have striking brown and white feathers and a short tail and broad wings.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Well, thank you for that clarification. And speaking of wings, Kite spent hour upon hour flapping those wings. Without any rest. Because, remember, the world was just sea and sky with no land in sight. So, as you can imagine, Kite was exhausted.

[Kite]

I can't keep flying around like this. My tired wings are on the verge of giving out. I must find a place to perch. Maybe there's a spot in the sky that I missed.

[Rebecca Scheer]

So Kite summoned all of his strength and lofted upward, higher than he ever had before. Ugh.

[Kite]

Just as I suspected. There's nothing up here but clouds. And since clouds are technically masses of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere, I can't exactly perch on them. I'll have to try the sea.

[Rebecca Scheer]

So he took a great big breath and plunged into the water, deeper than he ever had before. And that's when he saw it.

[Sky]

Indeed.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Far, far below the surface were thousands of rocky, stony formations, some large, some small, some jagged, some smooth. Kite held his breath for as long as he could as he marveled at the wonder before him. Then, when he was certain his lungs were about to burst, he streaked out of the water and into the open air.

[Sea]

Land.

[Kite]

I saw land. I mean, land is technically any part of the Earth's surface that isn't covered by a body of water. And this land is most definitely covered. Which would be fine if I was a fish with gills and not a bird with lungs. So if I can't go down to the land, then I must make the land come up to me. The question is how?

[Rebecca Scheer]

Kite pondered.

[Audience Members]

Hmm.

[Rebecca Scheer]

And puzzled until he was struck by an idea.

[Kite]

Aha.

[Rebecca Scheer]

A rather mischievous idea. Ever heard the expression no rest for the weary? Or the expression no rest for the wicked? Well, this weary bird suddenly knew a wicked way to get some rest, and

[Kite]

it's going to take a whole lot of unrest to make it happen.

[Rebecca Scheer]

What do you think Kite is planning? We'll find out what our sneaky SN Sea Eagle is up to after a quick break.

[Ben Brock Johnson]

Hey, parents, it's Ben Brock Johnson from the WBUR Podcasts team. Circle Round is supported by Doordash. Doordash is for those parent moments when the plan falls apart. And as a parent of twins, I can relate to. I have a lot on my plate. You know what I often don't have on my plate? Dinner. Or the groceries with which to make said dinner. Sometimes a swimsuit will go missing. Even though I thought we had, like, four of those groceries retail dinner supplies. Doordash can help with all of these things. When doordash brings the goods right to our door, dad gets a little more time for himself and a little more time for a Good bedtime story. When life gets crazy, Doordash brings some order to it. Order now,

[Midnight Rebellion Narrator]

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. It's 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.

[Rebecca Scheer]

I'm Rebecca Scheer, and welcome back to Circle Round live at the Aladdin Theater in Portland, Oregon. Today, our story is called the Sea and the Sk. Before the break in a world of just sea and sky, a mischievous Kite was seeking a place to rest. When the bird stumbled across thousands of rock formations underwater, he got an idea. Kite knew that Sea and Sky were the best of friends. So he decided he would use their friendship to to his advantage. Sailing over the water one day, he called out to see. Hey, Sea.

[Kite]

Sea.

[Sea]

Yes, Kite? What can I do for you?

[Kite]

Actually, I believe it's I who can do something for you. You know Sky?

[Sea]

Of course I know Sky. She and I are best friends.

[Kite]

That's not what she said.

[Sea]

What do you mean? What did she say?

[Kite]

Some awfully mean things, truth be told. I shouldn't repeat them.

[Sea]

Yes, you should. What did sky say?

[Kite]

Well, for starters, she said that you are a useless body of salt water.

[Sea]

What?

[Kite]

She also said you're too unpredictable. Sometimes your waters are calm, sometimes they're rough. So it's impossible to rely on you.

[Sky]

No.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Now, as you can probably guess, Skye hadn't actually said any of these things. Kite was making it all up as part of his plan. But C didn't know that.

[Sea]

How dare sky talk about me like that. I'll show that high and mighty blowhard just how unpredictable I truly can be.

[Rebecca Scheer]

C let out a roar and began to bubble and churn. His waters turned a deep black blue as he sent wave after foam topped wave, crashing upwards directly towards Sky. Sky, meanwhile, was confused and concerned. But before she could ask C what was troubling him, who should come flying by?

[Kite]

Hey there, Sky. But, Kite, how's it going?

[Sky]

Not so great, if you must know. Look at C. My friend is in a terrible mood.

[Kite]

Your friend? A friend is technically someone who trusts and respects you. You think C is really your friend?

[Sky]

Well, of course he's my friend. We have a great relationship.

[Kite]

That's not what he said.

[Rebecca Scheer]

What do you mean.

[Sky]

What did he say?

[Kite]

Oh, you know. Only that you're a worthless expanse of nothingness.

[Audience Members]

What?

[Kite]

He also said you're too temperamental. Sometimes you're bright and clear. Sometimes you're gray and stormy so no one can count on you. No.

[Rebecca Scheer]

As you've probably figured out, C hadn't said any of these things. Kite made them all up as part of his devious plan. But sky didn't know that.

[Sky]

How dare C say such things about me. I'll show that bubbling body of salt water just how temperamental I truly am.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Sky turned black as night and released a crash of thunder. Then she summoned gust after gust of powerful wind and sent the gales surging downward, directly towards Sea. The winds pushed against Sea's frothy waves and sent the water surface spraying every which way, including up.

[Sea]

Oh, nice trick, Sky. Trying to show me how powerful you are.

[Sky]

I don't need to try. See? I'm far more powerful than you'll ever be.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Kite, meanwhile, was watching the action like a spectator checking out their favorite sport. Of course, he had to keep flitting around in order to avoid getting soaked or swept away. But his dark eyes sparkled with joy.

[Kite]

This is exactly what I hoped would happen. Sky is blowing Sea's water all over the place. And then she's sucking it up to make clouds. Masses of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere.

[Rebecca Scheer]

It was true. Sky was getting cloudier and cloudier. And Sea was sinking lower and lower. Down, down, down. His waters dropped until what should become visible but land. That's right. The thousands of rocky formations Kite had spotted beneath the water were now protruding above the water. And then, just like that, everything went quiet. Sea and sky had grown so weary they couldn't fight anymore. Sea became smooth and clear. Sky became bright and blue. And Kite spread his wings, swooped down to the rocks and perched on the tallest one with a sigh.

[Kite]

At last, a place to rest.

[Rebecca Scheer]

And what a beautiful place it was. Where once there was nothing but water, there were now thousands upon thousands of islands, full of rugged mountains, rolling hills and wide open valleys. We now know these 7641 Islands as the Philippines. And it was on one of these islands that Kite built his nest. As for Sea and Sky, well, after apologizing for their actions and scolding Kite for his, they managed to rebuild their friendship and stay close.

[Sky]

Like, really close.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Since the sky technically starts at the surface of the earth and Sea.

[Kite]

Wait, it does?

[Rebecca Scheer]

Yes, Technically, it does. And so, now that Sea and Sky were back to being the best of Friends, the pair made a solemn vow they would always be honest with each other, faithful and steadfast and true. And what's more, they would never let the wicked actions of a weary bird come between them again. Now it's your turn. What's something you enjoy doing with your friends? Do you tell jokes and play games like Sea and Sky do? Do you make crafts or take walks? Think about your favorite friend activities, then draw a picture of you and your friends having fun. Once you're finished, share your picture with your friends. But first, share it with us. Grown Ups. You can email a photo of your Circle Round fan and their artwork to circleroundbur.org we may feature it in a future edition of the Lions Roar, the monthly newsletter for members of the Circle Round Club. More on this super fun, super fan opportunity in just a bit. But first, this week's story, the Sea and the sky was adapted by me, Rebecca Scheer. It was edited by Dean Russell. Eric Shyamalonis composed our original music and played it live on the Koolin Tong. You can learn more about this gonged ensemble and see a photo of one that Eric built by himself while we were on tour on our website WBUR.org CircleRound Circle Round's artist is Sabina Hahn. Want to color while you listen? Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for every single Circle round story, all 250 plus and you can print them out and add your own colors. Grown Ups. Visit our website WBUR.org CircleRound and click on coloring pages. Special thanks to our actors in Portland, Jordan Beck, Susannah Mars and Pancho Savery and a big Circle Round of thanks to the staff at the Aladdin Theatre and to WBUR's Andrea O', Meara, Tina Safford and Deb Taylor. Looking for more ways to Circle Round with us? Join the Circle Round Club. You can support your favorite public radio podcast and get ad free episodes, bonus bedtime stories, super fun swag, even a personalized birthday message from me Grown ups. Visit our website WBUR.org CircleRound and click Circle Round Club. Oh, and one more thing grownups. If you love Circle Round, please write us a five star review on your favorite podcast app. It'll help us make the Circle Round circle even bigger. 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.

[Audience Members]

My name is Harvest, I live in Cleveland, Ohio and my favorite Circle Round is the best. I like the part when the basilisk sees its own wet eyes. Then it turns to stone. Hi, my name's Ricky. I live in Seattle, Washington. My favorite Circle Round story is the Whole Cart. My favorite part is when the standstress says I get your coins and your hands. My name is Ayla and I for Baby Jalen Rising Kid. And my favorite Vocal World story is the Unwelcome Guest. And my favorite part is when he gets in the bath. I'm Henry and I live in Pennsylvania. My favorite Circle Round story is Amos and the Ogre. Cause I like the part when Amos tricks the ogre. My name is Rachel. My name is Liam and I live in Laurie, North Carolina. And my favorite story is the Laughing Bull. I like when he gets turned away from the animals. Hi, my name is Evan. I'm from Texas. My favorite story is the Blizzard Wizard. I like when the Blizzard wizard melts. My name is Francis. I live in Philadelphia. My favorite Circle Round story is the Great Ball Game. I like the part where bat eats all the mosquitoes.

[Rebecca Scheer]

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.