Crocus-Pocus

Summary

Circle Round Podcast Episode Summary: "Crocus-Pocus"

Introduction

In the March 18, 2025 episode of Circle Round, produced by WBUR, host Rebecca Shear introduces listeners to the enchanting folktale, "Crocus-Pocus." Adapted from a Sicilian legend, this episode weaves a narrative rich in themes of kindness, generosity, and perseverance. Featuring the talented voices of Jacob Lavalle and Amanda Warren, the story immerses listeners in a magical journey that transforms tragedy into wonder.

Story Overview

Crocus-Pocus follows the journey of Nicola, a young grape grower who inherits his family's vineyard after the passing of his parents. Determined to uphold his family's legacy, Nicola faces a series of adversities that threaten his livelihood.

Nicola's Struggles

Nicola's dedication is evident from the outset. As Rebecca Shear narrates, “Nicola was determined to keep the family business thriving” (00:02). However, his resolve is soon tested when a relentless summer brings unexpected challenges:

• Unfavorable Weather: Heavy clouds and continuous rain disrupt the vineyard's harmony. Nicola laments, “Good gracious. If the grapes get too much water, they'll swell, then split, then rot. This rain is definitely not helping things” (03:13).

• Caterpillar Infestation: The vineyard is plagued by caterpillars, further diminishing the grape yield. Nicola expresses his despair, “Good golly. Those pesky parasites are nibbling up the vines and fruits. Come harvest time, I'll hardly have a harvest at all” (03:33).

By autumn, Nicola's harvest is meager, leaving him with just a single basket of grapes. Faced with the prospect of a long, hungry winter, he decides to take his remaining produce to the bustling marketplace.

The Marketplace Encounter

Navigating through a vibrant marketplace filled with abundant vendors, Nicola feels the sting of inadequacy. He observes, “Every vendor seemed to have had a bountiful harvest except for me” (04:19). Undeterred, he attempts to sell his grapes:

“Grapes for sale. Plump, ripe grapes for sale. Their number may be small, but their flavor is mighty.” (05:02) – Nicola

Despite his efforts, shoppers overlook his stall, leaving Nicola disheartened. Contemplating giving up, he prepares to leave when an unexpected encounter changes his fate.

Meeting the Old Woman

Nicola bumps into an elderly woman who appears frail and destitute. Her appearance is strikingly humble:

“That's all right, young man. You seem like you're distracted, like your head is in the clouds.” (05:48) – Old Woman

Sharing his woes, Nicola reveals the vineyard's plight and the meager harvest:

“After I lost my parents this year, I inherited their vineyard. And the summer was brutal on the harvest. I worked my tail off, but all I have to show for it is this measly basket of grapes.” (06:23) – Nicola

Moved by her own hardships, the old woman requests some of his grapes. Despite his limited stock, Nicola's compassion prevails:

“I guess I'd rather make someone else's day by helping them in their time of need. So please, help yourself.” (07:39) – Nicola

The woman gratefully accepts the grapes, and as she consumes them, a miraculous transformation unfolds.

The Magical Transformation

As the old woman eats the grapes, her appearance radically changes. Her hair darkens, her posture straightens, and her tattered dress transforms into a beautiful gown adorned with lace:

“Nicola, by giving your very last grapes to a soul in need, you've proven that you are a truly compassionate and generous young man.” (10:21) – Young Woman

She reveals her true identity and bestows a magical gift upon Nicola:

“Go back to your vineyard, Nicola. Then take the grapes in this basket and plant them in the ground. After that, enjoy your reward.” (11:09) – Young Woman

The Reward and Prosperity

Following the woman's guidance, Nicola plants the grapes in his vineyard. The next morning, he discovers that each planted grape has blossomed into a vibrant crocus flower. Intrigued by their beauty and fragrance, Nicola experiments by drying the stigmas—the sticky middle parts of the flowers—and creating a unique spice.

Returning to the marketplace with his newfound product, Nicola introduces his exotic spice:

“Spice for sale. Exotic spice for sale. Sweeter and fresher than anything you've ever tasted.” (13:56) – Nicola

The response is overwhelming. Customers are enamored by the spice's remarkable flavor, leading to Nicola's prosperity. The crocuses he planted turn out to be the source of saffron—the world’s most expensive spice—ensuring that Nicola never experiences want again.

Themes and Lessons

"Crocus-Pocus" elegantly underscores the virtues of kindness and generosity. Nicola's selfless act not only aids another but also plants the seeds for his own success. The transformation of the old woman symbolizes the magic that can result from compassionate deeds. Key takeaways include:

• Compassion Pays Off: Nicola's willingness to help despite his own hardships leads to unforeseen rewards.

• Perseverance Amid Adversity: Despite facing environmental and pest challenges, Nicola's dedication to his vineyard remains steadfast.

• Belief in the Impossible: The magical elements of the story encourage listeners to maintain hope and openness to miracles.

Notable Quotes

• Nicola on Giving Up: “Maybe I should just throw in the towel and quit.” (05:21)

• Old Woman's Gratitude: “Oh, so tasty.” (07:59)

• Nicola's Amazement: “For every purple grape I planted yesterday, there now grows a purple flower.” (12:36)

• Young Woman on Compassion: “Nicola, by giving your very last grapes to a soul in need, you've proven that you are a truly compassionate and generous young man.” (10:21)

Listener Engagement and Activity

Concluding the story, Rebecca Shear invites young listeners to reflect on kindness by creating a "kindness garden." The suggested activity encourages children to:

1. Brainstorm Acts of Kindness: List small ways to show kindness to others.
2. Create a Garden Illustration: Draw a flower garden where each flower contains the phrase "I can" followed by an act of kindness.
3. Share the Creation: Show the kindness garden to someone special or share it with the Circle Round community by emailing a photo.

Behind the Scenes

The episode credits acknowledge the creative team behind "Crocus-Pocus," including:

• Adaptation: Rebecca Shear
• Editing: Dean Russell
• Music and Sound Design: Eric Shyamalonis, featuring the mandolin
• Artwork: Sabina Hahn, providing black and white coloring pages for each story
• Voice Actors: Amanda Warren and Jacob Lavalle, who bring depth and emotion to the characters

Conclusion

"Crocus-Pocus" is a testament to the enduring power of folktales in imparting valuable life lessons. Through Nicola's journey, listeners are reminded that acts of kindness can lead to unexpected and magical outcomes. The episode not only entertains but also inspires children and families to cultivate compassion and generosity in their daily lives.

Listener Testimonials

At the episode's end, listeners from around the world share their favorite Circle Round stories, highlighting the show's global reach and impact. These testimonials reinforce the show's mission to adapt diverse folktales into engaging audio experiences for all ages.

Join the Circle Round Community

Listeners are encouraged to support Circle Round by joining the Circle Round Club, offering benefits like ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and personalized messages. Additionally, fans are invited to leave reviews and participate in the vibrant Circle Round community online.

For more stories, activities, and to join the Circle Round Club, visit WBUR.org/CircleRound.

Transcript

[Rebecca Shear]

WBUR Podcasts Boston. Have you ever had a bad day? When we're having a bad day, it can be helpful if we talk about it. If we sit down with someone we trust and share how we're feeling, we're about to meet a character who isn't just having a bad day, he's having a bad summer. And when he talks about it with a complete strange things go from tragic to magic. I'm Rebecca Scheer, and welcome to Circle Round, where story time happens all the time. Today, our story is called Crocus Pocus. You'll find versions of this tale from the southern Italian island of Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Some really great people came together to bring you our version of this folktale, including Jacob Lavalle and Amanda Warren. Jacob Lavalle has appeared in such TV shows and movies as Sesame Street, John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch, the Plot Against America, and 8 Bit Christmas. His newest film, the Unbreakable Boy, is in theaters now. Amanda Warren is known for her roles in East New York, Dickinson, the Leftovers, the Burial, and the Night Agent, now in its second season on Netflix. So circle around everyone for crocus pocus. Have you ever seen the little cup shaped flower known as the crocus? Most crocuses originally come from Asia and North Africa, but there's one type of crocus, the pale purple long flowered crocus that comes from Europe, more specifically, from the Italian island of Sicily. And according to legend, it was all thanks to a young grape grower named Nicola.

[Nicola]

Ah, time to wake up and get to work in the vineyard.

[Rebecca Shear]

The vineyard had been in Nicola's family for generations. He recently inherited it from his parents, a pair of hard working grape growers who taught Nicola everything they knew before they passed away. Now that they were gone, the vineyard was Nicola's responsibility. And though he was still rather young, he was determined to keep the family business thriving. So day after day, he woke up early, went to bed late, and spent every hour in between tending the vineyard. But then, in the middle of summer, everything went wrong. First, heavy clouds rolled in and stretched across the sky like a thick gray blanket.

[Nicola]

Good grief. The grapes need six hours of sun a day to ripen properly. These cloudy skies won't do it all.

[Rebecca Shear]

But the cloudy skies just got cloudier, growing thicker and grayer before unleashing a non stop torrent of rain.

[Nicola]

Good gracious. If the grapes get too much water, they'll swell, then split, then rot. This rain is definitely not helping things.

[Rebecca Shear]

The rain eventually subsided But Nicola's troubles didn't, because then the vineyard was infested by caterpillars.

[Nicola]

Good golly. Those pesky parasites are nibbling up the vines and fruits. Come harvest time, I'll hardly have a harvest at all.

[Rebecca Shear]

As it turns out, Nicola was right. Come autumn, when it was time to pick the grapes, there were barely any grapes to pick.

[Nicola]

Good gravy. I've been walking up these rows of vines for hours. And while I've managed to pick some sweet purple grapes, the whole crop barely fills one basket.

[Rebecca Shear]

Still, Nicola was on his own now. And just like his parents before him, he knew he must make a living.

[Nicola]

Or do my best to make a living. I'll take this basket of grapes to the marketplace and see what I can sell.

[Rebecca Shear]

The marketplace was buzzing with shoppers shopping and vendors vending when Nicola arrived. Weaving his way through the crowd. He passed the olive grower whose kiosk was bursting with plump, shiny olives. He saw the nut cellar, whose stall was filled with glossy brown almonds and chestnuts. The orchardist had plenty of apples. The beekeeper had plenty of honey. Every vendor seemed to have had a.

[Nicola]

Bountiful harvest except for me. Still, I've got to sell this basket of grapes. Otherwise it'll be a long, hungry winter.

[Rebecca Shear]

Nicola held up his basket and did his best to drum up business.

[Nicola]

Grapes for sale. Plump, ripe grapes for sale. Their number may be small, but their flavor is mighty.

[Rebecca Shear]

Unfortunately, the shoppers paid him no mind. They just bustled past, their arms loaded with boxes and bags of other vendors wares.

[Nicola]

Good grief. Nobody wants to buy my grapes. I wanted to make my parents proud. But even though I love the family vineyard, maybe I'm too young to grow grapes on my own. Maybe I should just throw in the towel and quit.

[Rebecca Shear]

Nicola hung his head and turned to leave. But just then.

[Nicola]

Oh, I'm so sorry.

[Rebecca Shear]

Nicola looked up and realized he had bumped into an old woman.

[Old Woman / Young Woman]

That's all right, young man. No need to apologize. You seem like you're distracted, like your head is in the clouds.

[Rebecca Shear]

The woman's long hair was white as sugar and her weathered face was crisscrossed with wrinkles. Her hunched back was curved like a question mark, and her ragged dress was patched and torn.

[Nicola]

Actually, my head is in the clouds. But they're not the pretty, white, puffy clouds. They're the heavy, gray, stormy ones.

[Old Woman / Young Woman]

Oh, tell me more.

[Nicola]

Well, after I lost my parents this year, I inherited their vineyard. And the summer was brutal on the harvest. I worked my tail off, but all I have to show for it is this measly basket of grapes.

[Old Woman / Young Woman]

I'm awfully sorry to hear that, young man. And I'm awfully sorry about your parents. I don't wish to add to your troubles, but I've fallen on hard times and I haven't a penny to feed myself. I've been wandering around this marketplace asking for help, but everyone has either ignored me or turned me away. So I wonder, might you spare some of your grapes?

[Rebecca Shear]

Nicola looked down at his basket. With so few grapes to sell, he couldn't afford to give any away. But when he looked up at the old woman, he felt his heart soften.

[Nicola]

You're more than welcome to eat some of my grapes, madam. As many as you like.

[Old Woman / Young Woman]

Are you certain? Don't you need to sell these grapes so you can make a living?

[Rebecca Shear]

Nicola shrugged.

[Nicola]

I guess I'd rather make someone else's day by helping them in their time of need. So please, help yourself.

[Rebecca Shear]

The woman's face crinkled into a grin. She reached a weathered hand into the basket, plucked out a bunch of purple grapes, and began to eat.

[Old Woman / Young Woman]

Oh, so tasty.

[Rebecca Shear]

Nicola watched the woman devour the grapes, and with every piece of fruit she ate, something began to happen.

[Narrator / Listener]

Something.

[Rebecca Shear]

Something so surprising, so unexpected and so utterly impossible that Nicola could hardly believe his eyes. What do you think happened as the old woman ate the grapes? We'll find out after a quick break. The reviews are in and super fans like you are loving the Circle Round Club, an exciting opportunity to support public radio and get cool stuff, including ad free episodes and a personalized birthday message from me.

[Narrator / Listener]

What I like about the Circle Round Club is that Rebecca Shear sends extra messages and it supports the show and there are no ads.

[Rebecca Shear]

Grown ups support public radio and sign up [e-mail] CircleRoundClub welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Scheer. Today our story is called Crocus Pocus. Before the break, a young grape grower named Nicola inherited his parents vineyard. During his first season in charge, everything went wrong and come harvest time, all he had to sell at the marketplace was one basket of grapes, which he generously offered to a poor old woman. And as she devoured the fruit, do you know what happened? Her long white hair grew dark, her curved back grew straight, and the patches and tears in her dress disappeared before Nicola knew it. Standing tall and radiant before him was a young woman, her hair as black as midnight, her beautiful gown dripping with lace.

[Old Woman / Young Woman]

Nicola, by giving your very last grapes to a soul in need, you've proven that you are a truly compassionate and generous young man.

[Rebecca Shear]

Nicola fought to find his voice.

[Nicola]

I. I was just doing the right thing, ma'am. It's what my parents would have done. But wait. How did you know my name?

[Old Woman / Young Woman]

That matters not, Nicola. But now that you've done something for me, I wish to do something for you.

[Rebecca Shear]

The woman motioned toward the basket of grapes. Somehow, it was every bit as full as it was before. As if no fruit had been eaten.

[Old Woman / Young Woman]

Go back to your vineyard, Nicola. Then take the grapes in this basket and plant them in the ground. After that, enjoy your reward.

[Rebecca Shear]

With that, there was a flash of light, and the woman was gone.

[Nicola]

Great heavens, that was wild.

[Rebecca Shear]

Nicola glanced around the marketplace. He assumed a crowd would come scurrying over, peppering him with questions about the miraculous event that just took place. But everyone continued about their business as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

[Nicola]

Okay, so the woman said I should take my grapes and plant them. But let's get real. One of the first things my parents taught me is that you can't grow a grapevine from a whole grape. You snip a cutting from an existing vine and then you plant that. Planting a grape and expecting results is preposterous. But then, so is meeting an old woman who magically transforms into a young woman before vanishing into thin air.

[Rebecca Shear]

Nicola took his basket and returned to his vineyard. Then, very carefully, he planted each purple grape in the ground. The next morning, when he woke up and came outside, his jaw dropped so low he nearly tripped over it.

[Nicola]

Goodness gracious. For every purple grape I planted yesterday, there now grows a purple flower.

[Rebecca Shear]

It was true. Sprouting up all over the field was the little cup shaped flower known as the crocus. Nicola knelt down to get a closer view.

[Nicola]

Look at that. The stigma of each flower, the sticky part in the middle that collects pollen is bright red and it smells so sweet.

[Rebecca Shear]

He dipped his nose inside a flower and took a whiff. The stigma brushed against his lips and suddenly his mouth was bursting with a remarkable flavor.

[Nicola]

Mmm. It tastes sweet like honey and fresh like flowers in newly mown hay. I'll bet that if I picked a whole bunch of stigmas and let them dry, I could sell a pretty amazing spice.

[Rebecca Shear]

Nicola got to work picking crocuses and drying their stigmas. After a few days, he returned to the marketplace. Once again, he passed the olive grower, the nut seller, the orchardist and beekeeper. Only this time, he was bearing more than a basket of grapes. He was carrying dozens of tiny bottles, each one filled with with his Brand new spice.

[Nicola]

Spice for sale. Exotic spice for sale. Sweeter and fresher than anything you've ever tasted.

[Rebecca Shear]

Within moments, Nicola was surrounded by a gaggle of curious customers. Just one sniff of the spice and all of them reached into their purses and wallets and began showering Nicola with coins.

[Nicola]

Thank you for your purchase, sir. Pleasure doing business with you, ma'am. Hope you enjoy the spice, Miss.

[Rebecca Shear]

By day's end, Niccolo was out of bottles and flush with coins. Because as it turns out, the crocuses he had grown were long flowered. Crocuses, the species that produces saffron, a highly prized spice that's become famous for its use in foods, drinks, medicines and dies. But saffron isn't just legendary for its uses, it's legendary for its price. Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. So, as you can imagine, our young Nicola suddenly found himself set for life. Still, he continued working hard, growing his purple crocuses and purple grapes. And he never knew want again. Which just goes to show you, amazing things can happen when you let compassion, kindness and generosity take root inside your heart and bloom. Now it's your turn. What are some small ways you can show kindness to others? Brainstorm a short or long list. Then find some paper and draw a picture of a flower garden. Inside each flower, write the words I can, followed by an act of kindness from your list. Show your kindness garden to someone you have fun with. And if you'd like, show it to us. Ask a grown up to snap a photo of you and your garden and email it to circleroundbur.org with your permission, we may feature you in the Lion's Roar, the monthly newsletter of the Circle Circle Round Club. More on this superfun club for superfans like you in a moment. But first, this week's episode, Crocus Pocus was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear. It was edited by Dean Russell. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shyamalonis. Eric's featured instrument this week was the mandolin. You can learn more about this member of the lute family and see a photo of Eric playing one on our website, WBUR.org CircleRound. Circle Round's artist is Sabina Hahn. Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for all of our Circle Round stories. And you can print them out and color them in Grown Ups. Visit our website WBUR.org CircleRound and click on coloring pages. Special thanks to this week's actors, Amanda Warren and Jacob Lavall. Grown Ups. You can see Amanda Warren in a blue bevy of movies and television shows including Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Roman J. Israel, the Burial, the Leftovers, East New York, Dickinson and the Night Agent, now in its second season on Netflix, Jacob Lavalle has appeared in such TV shows and movies as Sesame Street, John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch, the Plot Against America and 8Bit Christmas. His newest film, the Unbreakable Boy, is in theaters now. And Fun Fact, this is Jacob's second appearance on Circle Round. You can find his first episode, Porcupine's Plan wherever. You listen to Circle Round, love Circle Round and want to circle round with us in even more ways while also supporting public radio. Join the Circle Round Club and get ad free episodes, bonus bedtime stories, music education videos, super Fun Swag, a monthly newsletter and early access to our live events. You can also add on cool perks like our snuggly Circle Round lion, our Handy Dandy tote bag, and a personalized birthday message from me. Sign up [e-mail] CircleRound Grown Ups. If you have a moment, please leave us a 5 star rating or review on whatever podcast app you're using right now. It helps other listeners find the show so we can make the Circle Round circle even bigger. Circle Round is a production of wbur, Boston's NPR News station. I'm Rebecca Scheer. 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.

[Narrator / Listener]

Hi, my name is Arti. I live in Dubai. My favorite Circle in the story is the Basilisk Stairs. I like when Britonia says, oh Basilisk. Oh Basilisk, I could steal your treasures. Hi, my name is Dorothy. I live in Dubai. My favorite ship story is the Basilisk Stare. My favorite part is when Natalia says basilisk. Oh Basilisk, I've come to steal your treasure. My name's Mavis. I'm from Arlington, Mass. And my favorite snow cornstarch is Unselfish Shelf. And I like the part where the man says, help me, please help me. My name is Coco. I live in Virginia. My favorite Circle Lounge story is the Lion's Whisker because I like the part. One Hawaiian gives the little girl and the little boy a whisker. My name is Charles and I live in Farmington, Utah. And my favorite episode is Stella and the dragon. And I like the part when Steve Stella walks out of her house and she sees 100 kids. Hi, my name is Soli and I'm calling from Atlanta, Georgia. And my favorite story is the Three Legged Pot. I like the part where the pot goes wee. My name is Lauren, I live in Pittsburgh, California. My favorite Circle Round story is the most fabulous fur of all. My favorite part is when the rabbits steals the friend and the friends give it back to the new friend.

[Rebecca Shear]

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.