Circle Round: "Copper and Dumplings"

Live at the Cleveland Museum of Art's Gartner Auditorium
Date: March 24, 2026
Host: Rebecca Sheir
Performed by: Nina Domingue, Xavier Hype, Bob Keefe
Musician: Eric Shimalonis (Koto)

Episode Overview

In this heartwarming episode, the Circle Round team adapts a Japanese folktale about a clever baker who uses wit and empathy to protect herself from magical goblins called Tengu. Exploring themes of courage, vulnerability, and the power of conversation, "Copper and Dumplings" is both entertaining and gently instructive, encouraging listeners (young and old) to talk about their fears and find creative ways to feel safe.

Key Discussion Points and Story Breakdown

Introduction & Setting (00:10–02:49)

• Rebecca Sheir welcomes the audience and frames the episode with a discussion on fear:

  "Think about a time you felt afraid. Fear is a normal and common emotion. We all feel it, and talking with someone about what scares us can really help. In fact, as we'll hear in today's tale, when we talk with someone about our fears, it can be downright magical." (00:15, Rebecca Sheir)

• Setting: A baker lives at the edge of a forest, renowned for her sweet rice dumplings sold at low prices despite her modest means.

The Baker’s Hardship (02:49–03:44)

• As the baker ages, her ability to make dumplings and earn a living diminishes.
• One cold night, she is hungry and worried when unexpected visitors arrive.

The Tengu Arrive (03:44–05:09)

• Enter the Tengu: Two scary, winged goblins with red faces barge into her home, seeking warmth and threatening to use their magic if not welcomed.

• Quote:

  "You need to work on your hospitality, human." (04:56, Tengu 1)

Tea & Tension (05:09–07:17)

• Despite her fear, the Baker offers hospitality—tea and warmth—even as the Tengu threaten her.

• The Baker keeps calm and tries to stall:

  "Clearly, you two gentlemen are upset and cold, so please make yourselves cozy by the fire. I'll brew up some tea." (05:17, The Baker)

• The Tengu press her to admit whether she’s scared of them.

The Baker Outsmarts the Tengu (07:17–11:47)

• The Baker cleverly claims that nothing about the Tengu frightens her but she is terrified of other things.

• The Tengu’s curiosity is piqued. After some prodding, the Baker confides:

  • She is afraid of rice dumplings:

    "Yes. Sweet, sticky rice dumplings. They terrify me." (08:52, The Baker)

  • She is even more afraid of copper pieces:

    "What I am petrified of more than anything are copper pieces." (10:07, The Baker)

  • She gives false reasons for her fears (being overwhelmed by money and unwanted attention).

• The Baker then asks what the Tengu are afraid of, and after some hesitation, they admit:

  "There is one thing that scares us..." (11:56, Tengu 1)

The Tengu’s Secret Fear (14:32–15:57)

• Tengu reveal: Their greatest fear is thickets—tangled, thorny brush:

  "Those dense clumps of twisty, thorny brambles and brush are dreadful. They get all tangled in our wings and our hair. They catch us and trap us." (15:00–15:20, Tengu 2 & 1)

• Comic misunderstanding:

  "She said it again."
  "No, you doof. She said ticket." (16:17–16:24, Tengu 1 & 2)

The Baker’s Plan (16:28–17:41)

• That night, the Baker gathers thicket brambles and surrounds her cottage with them.
• In the morning, the Tengu are unable to reach her, so they opt for revenge instead.

The Tengu’s Revenge and the Baker’s Triumph (17:41–19:43)

• The Tengu dump sacks of rice dumplings and copper coins into the Baker's home via the chimney, enacting what they think would be her worst nightmare.

• The Baker pretends to panic:

  "Oh, no. Oh, dear. I'm scared out of my wits. I'm quaking in my boots. I wish those copper pieces would stop pouring down. Someone make them stop, please." (19:23–19:43, The Baker)

• The twist: This is exactly what the Baker needed—plenty of dumplings to sell and copper coins to save, ensuring her happiness.

Resolution & Message (19:43–20:30)

• The Baker prospers and never sees the Tengu again.
• Moral: Fear can sometimes be overcome or even used creatively, and talking about it helps.

Activity for Listeners: Courage Cards (20:30–21:30)

• Rebecca Sheir encourages:

  "When you feel afraid, what can help you feel safe? ... Maybe you can cuddle with a grown up and tell them what's on your mind. Find some index cards or cut some paper into rectangles and make your own courage cards. On each card, draw one thing that gives you courage and makes you feel safe." (20:50, Rebecca Sheir)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Baker's clever response to the Tengu’s threats:

  "No, you don't scare me." (06:49, The Baker)

• Tengu reveal their fear:

  "Those dense clumps of twisty, thorny brambles and brush are dreadful. They get all tangled in our wings and our hair. They catch us and trap us." (15:00–15:20, Tengu 1 & 2)

• Baker’s feigned terror:

  "Oh, no. Oh, dear. I'm scared out of my wits. I'm quaking in my boots." (19:23, The Baker)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:10–00:50: Introduction and theme of fear
• 03:44: Tengu enter the story, initial confrontation
• 08:42: Baker claims to fear rice dumplings
• 09:57: Baker claims to fear copper pieces
• 11:56: Tengu admit to fearing thickets
• 16:28: Baker gathers thicket brambles
• 18:21: Tengu dump rice dumplings down the chimney
• 19:08: Tengu dump copper coins
• 20:30: Activity: Making courage cards

Tone & Style

Circle Round maintains a gentle, witty tone throughout, making even the episodes' scary moments playful and reassuring. The live audience adds laughter and warmth, while the musical backdrop (Japanese koto) deepens the immersion. The Baker is portrayed as quick-witted and empathetic, while the Tengu are funny, blustery villains with a soft inside.

Summary for New Listeners

Even if you haven't heard the episode, this enchanting Circle Round tale demonstrates--with humor, cleverness, and a dash of magic--how facing and sharing our fears can bring about surprising opportunities and, sometimes, a bit of good fortune. The story closes with a practical, empowering activity, inviting families to talk openly about what gives them courage.

For coloring pages, activity guides, and more Circle Round stories, visit: WBUR.org/CircleRound