Circle Round – Episode: Call of the Cuckoo

Release Date: May 6, 2025

Introduction

"Circle Round," a beloved WBUR podcast created and produced by parents of young children, masterfully adapts folktales from around the world into engaging, sound-rich radio plays. Aimed at children aged 3-103, each 15 to 25-minute episode explores important themes such as kindness, persistence, and generosity, concluding with activities that foster deeper conversations between children and adults. In the episode titled "Call of the Cuckoo," adapted by Rebecca Sheer, listeners embark on a heartwarming and thought-provoking journey that delves into the complexities of anger management and the power of brotherly support.

Story Summary

Struggling Through Winter (00:00 – 05:57)

The story opens with two brothers, Balthazar and Barnaby, facing the harshest of winters. Their countryside cottage is cold and damp, their potato fields are buried under ice, and their livestock have ceased production, leaving them in dire straits.

• Barnaby (02:16): "Balthazar, how will we survive this long, long, bleak winter? We're down to our last bag of potatoes and I'm down to my last straw of patience."

• Balthazar (02:27): "I hear you, Barnaby. It's so brutal out there. Our chickens have stopped laying eggs and our cow has stopped giving milk."

Realizing the severity of their situation, Balthazar decides to seek employment to provide for them, assuring Barnaby that together they can overcome the adversity.

The Farmer's Unusual Conditions (03:20 – 05:57)

Balthazar finds work at a neighboring farm, where a welcoming Farmer offers him a job with seemingly fair compensation: five silver pieces a week, along with food, drink, and shelter. However, the job comes with two stringent conditions:

1. Work Until the First Cuckoo Call of Spring
2. Never Lose His Temper

• Farmer (04:09): "Boy, oh, boy, I sure am glad you came along. I've been seeking some help here on the farm, so I'd like to hire you as a farmhand."

• Farmer (04:35): "While working for me, you must never blow your top, flip your lid, flip, fly into a rage. Lose your temper, Balthazar, and I will pay you nothing. Instead, you will pay me 100 gold pieces."

Confident in his steady demeanor, Balthazar agrees and signs the contract (05:10). He begins his duties by mowing the overgrown meadow diligently from dawn till dusk.

The Breaking Point (07:39 – 11:55)

As evening falls, the farmer confronts Balthazar, criticizing him for working beyond daylight hours by including moonlight and starlight as part of his working time.

• Farmer (07:25): "Balthazar. What are you doing here? I told you to work as long as there was light."

Exhausted and hungry, Balthazar challenges the farmer's unreasonable demands, leading to his eventual loss of temper.

• Balthazar (10:00): "That's it. I can't stand it anymore. So why don't you take your cockamamie conditions and hare brained rules and find some other lackey to follow them? I am out of here."

The farmer, adhering strictly to the contract, demands Balthazar pay the penalty of 100 gold pieces (10:26):

• Farmer (10:30): "According to my cockamamie conditions, the first one of us to lose our temper must pay the other 100 gold pieces. That's what it says in the contract you signed, does it not?"

Unable to pay, Balthazar returns home despondent, sharing his ordeal with Barnaby (11:00 – 11:55).

Barnaby's Plan (12:02 – 18:54)

Determined to help his brother, Barnaby devises a plan to confront the farmer and negate the penalty. He takes on the same job but negotiates a higher penalty of 200 gold pieces, ensuring that if either he or the farmer loses their temper, the other must pay the stipulated amount.

• Barnaby (14:14): "I'm sorry, ma'am, but 100 gold pieces. That's not nearly enough. How about we up the ante and make it 200 gold pieces?"

The farmer, confident from her previous encounter with Balthazar, accepts Barnaby's terms, believing she can induce him to lose his temper as well (15:10 – 17:46). However, Barnaby remains composed, strategically managing his emotions to avoid triggering the penalty.

Clever Resolution (19:15 – 25:17)

Barnaby and Balthazar collaborate to outsmart the farmer. Barnaby deliberately engages in behavior that provokes the farmer, leading her to exhibit signs of frustration.

• Barnaby (23:28): "Boss, am I sensing that you're blowing your top?"

Upon confirming the farmer has lost her temper, Barnaby invokes the contract, demanding payment of the 200 gold pieces. The farmer, now indebted, agrees to pay, recognizing the brothers' cleverness in navigating the contractual trap.

• Farmer (23:58): "Fine. I'll pay you 200 gold pieces. It will be worth it to have you out of my life."

With the penalties settled, Balthazar and Barnaby use the coins to repair their cottage and secure enough provisions to survive the remainder of the winter, strengthening their bond and resourcefulness.

Notable Quotes

• Barnaby (02:16): "Balthazar, how will we survive this long, long, bleak winter? We're down to our last bag of potatoes and I'm down to my last straw of patience."

• Farmer (04:35): "While working for me, you must never blow your top, flip your lid, flip, fly into a rage. Lose your temper, Balthazar, and I will pay you nothing. Instead, you will pay me 100 gold pieces."

• Balthazar (10:00): "That's it. I can't stand it anymore. So why don't you take your cockamamie conditions and hare brained rules and find some other lackey to follow them? I am out of here."

• Barnaby (12:02): "Balthazar, I think I know what to do. And if my plan works, you won't have to pay that stingy farmer anything because she'll be the one paying the price."

• Barnaby (23:28): "Boss, am I sensing that you're blowing your top?"

• Farmer (23:58): "Fine. I'll pay you 200 gold pieces. It will be worth it to have you out of my life."

Themes and Insights

"Call of the Cuckoo" masterfully explores several profound themes:

1. Anger Management: The farmer's stringent conditions highlight the challenges and consequences of suppressing anger. The story illustrates how repressing emotions can lead to tension and conflict.

2. Perseverance and Resilience: Balthazar and Barnaby's unwavering determination to overcome adversity showcases the importance of persistence in the face of hardship.

3. Cunning and Strategy: The brothers' collaborative plan to outsmart the farmer emphasizes the power of strategic thinking and teamwork in resolving conflicts.

4. Contracts and Fairness: The narrative delves into the implications of contractual agreements, especially when terms are manipulated unfairly, underscoring the necessity for equitable dealings.

5. Brotherly Support: The bond between Balthazar and Barnaby reinforces the significance of familial support and solidarity during challenging times.

Conclusion

In "Call of the Cuckoo," listeners are treated to a richly woven tale that not only entertains but also imparts valuable life lessons. Through the experiences of Balthazar and Barnaby, the story underscores the importance of managing emotions, the strength found in unity, and the cleverness required to navigate unfair circumstances. Rebecca Sheer's adaptation is a testament to "Circle Round's" commitment to delivering meaningful and engaging content that resonates across generations. As the episode concludes, listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own ways of handling anger, fostering conversations that promote emotional intelligence and resilience.