Circle Round – "Down the Garden Path"

Podcast: Circle Round
Host: Rebecca Sheir (WBUR)
Episode Date: February 18, 2026
Live Recording: Symphony Hall, Boston, February 7, 2026
Musical Collaboration: Boston Symphony Orchestra
Cast: Michael Bobbitt, Michael Cerverus, Callie Crossley, Faith Salee
Story Inspiration: Buddhist tales from India and Tibet
Theme: Helping others, self-sacrifice, and the value of community (Kindness, Persistence, Generosity)

Episode Overview

In this live episode of Circle Round, “Down the Garden Path” adapts a Buddhist folktale centered on compassion, cleverness, and unlikely friendships. The story concerns a king forced to choose between saving his beloved palace and preserving the cherished blossom tree in his royal garden—a decision that ultimately requires help from the most unexpected of places.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Setting the Stage (00:48–03:27)

• Introduction to the Blossom Tree: The King's pride and joy, a tall, blossoming tree in the palace’s gardens.

  • "The blossom Tree was the jewel of the King's garden, the apple of his eye." (C, 01:26)

• King’s Ritual: Daily visits to the tree bring him peace amid royal duties.

  • “When I'm here with you, it's the only time I feel relaxed and at peace. What would I do without you?” (D, 03:49)

2. Crisis Strikes: The Pillar Problem (04:06–08:11)

• Palace in Peril: Plaster falls from the King's ceiling, revealing a collapsing, rotten pillar.
• Seeking a Solution: The carpenters search the city for a sturdy replacement.
• Heartbreaking Dilemma: The only suitable tree is the beloved blossom tree.
  • “The only tree in the city strong enough for this job is the blossom tree.” (E, 07:09)
• King’s Painful Decision: Though it breaks his heart, he orders the tree to be cut down to save the palace residents.
  • "Very well, then. We will cut down the blossom tree." (D, 07:42)
  • He sorrowfully bids farewell to the tree, prioritizing others’ safety.

3. The Blossom Tree’s Despair and a Kind Neighbor (08:37–11:24)

• Blossom Tree’s Spirit: Revealed to be conscious and devastated by the impending doom.
  • "It's the only home I've known. Whatever shall I do?" (F, 09:20)
• Enter Kusha Grass: A modest patch at the tree’s base offers hope and a plan.
  • “Listen, blossom tree, I may not be big in size, but I am big in brains.” (A, 10:48)
• Foreshadowing a Clever Solution: Kusha grass hints at enlisting help.

4. The Clever Rescue (13:25–16:56)

• Woodcutters Arrive: Ready to chop the tree, they find its trunk strangely soft and mushy.
  • “The trunk… it's rotten. It's all soft and mushy.” (E, 13:54)
• King Grieves: Mistaking this for death, he mourns the loss of his tree.
  • “This can't be possible. Just yesterday, the tree was thriving. How could it be dead?” (D, 15:05)
• New Idea: The King proposes binding several lesser trees with strong brass bands to create a new pillar, sparing the blossom tree.

5. The Truth Revealed (17:12–20:42)

• Miraculous Recovery: The King discovers the tree is perfectly healthy—no rot at all.
  • “Blossom tree, you look exactly as you did yesterday. There's not a soft spot we seem… All this talk of you being rotten is nonsense.” (D, 17:49)
• The Chameleons’ Trick: The Kusha grass asked its chameleon friends to camouflage themselves on the tree’s trunk, creating the illusion of rot.
  • "Climb up the tree's trunk...then camouflage, turn yourselves the exact same color as the tree." (A, 19:29)
  • The woodcutters were fooled by the soft, squishy texture (the chameleons), sparing the tree.

6. Lessons and Takeaways

• Main Message: Anyone—no matter how small—can make a difference through kindness and creative problem-solving.
• Helper’s Wisdom: The Kusha grass teaches that size doesn’t dictate one’s ability to help.
  • “I may not be big in size, but I am big in brains.” (A, 10:48)
• Community Impact: The tree is saved, the palace and its workers are unharmed, and a new unlikely friendship is born.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Compassion:
  “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others.” (C quoting Dalai Lama, 00:48)

• King’s Love for the Tree:
  “When I'm here with you, it's the only time I feel relaxed and at peace.” (D, 03:49)

• Pain of Choice:
  “Oh, blossom tree, sweet blossom tree. The last thing I want is to chop you down. But what choice do I have?” (D, 08:11)

• Kusha Grass’s Confidence:
  “I may not be big in size, but I am big in brains.” (A, 10:48)

• Resourcefulness:
  “If there's not one tree in this city that can replace the pillar, then don't use one.” (D, 16:04)

Important Segment Timestamps

• The Blossom Tree’s Introduction: 01:26
• King Discovers the Pillar Crisis: 04:06
• Carpenter’s Dilemma & King’s Sacrifice: 07:00–08:11
• Blossom Tree and Kusha Grass Dialogue: 09:31–11:24
• Woodcutters Find the “Rot”: 13:39–13:54
• King’s New Solution for the Pillar: 16:04
• Tree is Found Healthy (Revelation): 17:49
• Kusha Grass and Chameleon Plan Explained: 18:53–20:42

Concluding Activity: Friendship Bingo (20:42–21:21)

• Post-story Activity: Kids are encouraged to make a "Friendship Bingo" board, listing ways to be a good friend and tracking their good deeds.
  • “It could be as simple as giving a hug, offering a kind word, or letting a buddy borrow your favorite book or toy.” (B, 20:50)

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a warm, engaging, and accessible tone, using rich description and gentle humor. Dialog is both emotional and uplifting, with a focus on empathy and community.

Summary

“Down the Garden Path” teaches that helpers can arise from anywhere, and even the smallest among us can make a powerful difference through cleverness and compassion. Kusha grass—a minor, overlooked presence in the garden—saves the day, demonstrating that everyone has unique gifts to offer. The King learns that solutions require creativity and collaboration, and in the end, kindness preserves both his beloved tree and the palace community.

For more stories and activities, visit WBUR.org/CircleRound.