Circle Round: "Birbal's Barrels" (Ep. 309)

Released: December 9, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of WBUR’s Circle Round, host Rebecca Sheir adapts a classic Indian folktale starring Birbal, the legendary advisor to the Emperor known for his sharp intellect and wit. The story addresses themes of greed, honesty, and justice through a dispute between two merchants, Arvind and Asha, and Birbal's clever approach to revealing the truth. As always, the episode encourages children and grown-ups to discuss important moral lessons and ends with a creative, hands-on activity.

Main Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

Introduction to the Theme: Greed vs. Need

• The episode opens with a riddle whose answer is "greed," framing the folktale’s focus on distinguishing between what we want and what we truly need.
  • [00:31] Rebecca poses the riddle:

    "I grow with every bite I get, but never full or satisfied. Yet I'll empty wallets, ruin kings, yet still demand the finest things. The answer is greed."

Birbal and the Dispute of the Two Merchants

Characters:

• Birbal – Wise advisor, acting as judge
• Arvind – Merchant, accuses Asha of owing him 500 gold pieces
• Asha – Wealthy merchant, denies the loan
• Court Clerk and Asha’s steward

The Case Is Laid Out

• Arvind recounts: After many years apart, he met his old friend Asha, believed she was in need, and claims to have lent her 500 gold pieces.

• Asha sternly denies borrowing any money, insisting her wealth comes from hard work and not from a loan.

  • [03:55] Arvind (pleading):

    "You were all, oh, Arvind. I owe a very important person 500 gold pieces. And if I can't scrape together 500 gold pieces, I shall be ruined. Ruined?"

  • [04:12] Asha (denying):

    "I said no such thing."

  • [06:45] Asha clarifies:

    "I did not borrow any money. Therefore, I do not owe any money. The reason I'm doing so well is because of hard work, not some bogus loan."

• Birbal asks for proof; Arvind has none, since the loan was based on trust.

• Birbal, in his classic style, suspends judgment and hints he'll use unusual means to reveal the truth.

  • [07:42] Birbal (to clerk):

    "Bring me two barrels of grain. If all goes as I hope, those barrels will help me discover which one of our merchants is as sound as a barrel and which one is as crooked as a barrel of fishhooks."

Birbal's Clever Investigation

The Barrel Test

• Disguising himself, Birbal delivers a barrel of grain to both Arvind and Asha—each with an extra gold coin hidden beneath the lid.
• He requests that both sell the grain at the market and bring the proceeds (including any found gold) to the palace.

Arvind’s Reaction

• [12:48] Arvind discovers the coin:

  "There's a gold coin stuck on the bottom of the lid... I'm lucky I opened this barrel before I sold it."

Asha’s Reaction

• [14:20] Asha similarly finds the coin but chooses to keep it:

  "The Emperor must have billions of these gold coins lying around. The treasury will never notice if one is missing. Steward, take this coin and place it in my money box." [14:44]

The Truth Comes Out

The Merchants Return

• Both merchants return with money bags; Asha's is noticeably heavier.
• Birbal questions the discrepancy and directly asks about the gold coins hidden in the barrels.

Honest Arvind

• [17:13] Arvind explains:

  "I found the extra gold coin stuck in the lid of the barrel. I figured I would return it to the royal treasury where it rightfully belongs."

Deceitful Asha

• Asha feigns ignorance about the coin.

• [18:34] Asha:

  "A gold coin in the lid. There was no gold coin stuck in my barrel's lid. There must be some mistake."

• Birbal, having sent for Asha's steward and the missing coin, reveals Asha's dishonesty in front of everyone.

  • [19:25] Steward:

    "It's the gold coin you found stuck in the lid of the Emperor's barrel... but here it is."

  • [20:02] Birbal (the verdict):

    "If anyone in this room is mistaken, it's Asha. Mistaken to think she can overcharge an innocent customer... mistaken to think she can get away with stealing a gold coin... and very mistaken to think she can lie about owing her honest, hard-working colleague 500 gold pieces. Which is why Asha shall pay Arvind double the amount she borrowed."

  • Asha apologizes, Arvind forgives her, and the case becomes a lesson in honesty and greed.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [00:31] Rebecca Sheir:

  "I grow with every bite I get, but never full or satisfied..."

• [07:42] Birbal:

  "I'd like you to visit the Royal Granary and bring me two barrels of grain... those barrels will help me discover which one of our merchants is as sound as a barrel and which one is as crooked as a barrel of fishhooks."

• [17:24] Birbal (to Arvind):

  "I appreciate your honesty, Arvind. And of course, your fair and excellent salesmanship."

• [20:02] Birbal (the moral):

  "If anyone in this room is mistaken, it's Asha... very mistaken to think she can lie about owing her honest, hard-working colleague 500 gold pieces."

Important Timestamps

• [00:31] Introduction & riddle about greed
• [02:11] Birbal meets the two merchants in court
• [07:42] Birbal outlines his plan with the barrels
• [10:33] Birbal prepares the barrels with hidden coins
• [12:48] Arvind finds the gold coin in his barrel
• [14:20] Asha finds, then takes, the gold coin in her barrel
• [17:02] Counting the proceeds and Birbal’s questioning
• [19:25] The steward returns the hidden gold coin to Birbal
• [20:02] Birbal’s verdict and the resolution

Activity: Make Your Own Barrel of Fun

• [21:19] Rebecca encourages listeners to make a "barrel of fun":
  • Use an empty yogurt container, decorate it as a barrel, and fill it with paper squares listing fun activities. When you have free time, draw a square and do the activity.

Takeaways and Moral Lessons

• Honesty is always the best policy
• Greed can lead to one’s downfall, while integrity brings reward and forgiveness
• True justice may require clever thinking and creative solutions

Episode Tone & Style

• Warm, musical, and playful—ideal for young listeners but with enough wit for adults.
• Clear, engaging performances by an accomplished cast.
• Interactive and imaginative, encouraging participation and conversation.

For more episodes, coloring pages, and activities, visit WBUR's Circle Round.