Down the Garden Path

Summary

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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

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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)

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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.

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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.

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

Transcript

[A]

Wbur podcasts boston.

[B]

This Circle Round episode was recorded live with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra plus a star studded cast of actors at Symphony hall on February 7, 2026. You can learn more about our live events and all things Circle Round, including our picture books, Merch newsletter and Circle round club at WBUR.org CircleRound.

[C]

The spiritual leader known as the Dalai Lama said, our prime purpose in this life is to help others. Helping others makes the world a better place. There is no doubt about it and as we'll hear in today's story, we can be helpers no matter who we are or how big or small. I'm Rebecca Scheer and welcome to Circle Round live at Symphony hall in Boston, Massachusetts. Today, our story is called down the Garden Path. It's inspired by Buddhist tales from India in South Asia and Tibet in East Asia. Joining me on stage is a star studded cast of actors Michael Bobbitt, Michael Cerverus, Callie Crossley and Faith Salee. Providing musical accompaniment under the direction of our own Eric Shimalonis is a world class ensemble from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Kathy Basrak on viola, Rachel Childers on horn, Chris El Chico on clarinet, Clinch for on flute, Ben Levy on double bass and Suzanne Nelson on bassoon. So circle around everyone for down the Garden Path. The blossom Tree grew outside the royal palace in a sprawling garden filled with so many flowers and plants you couldn't begin to name them all. The blossom tree had reddish brown bark and a trunk so tall and upright it looked like a pillar. Strong, leafy branches thrust up and out in every direction. Come spring, those branches exploded with white and pink blossoms so tender and delicate they made your heart quiver. The blossom tree was the jewel of the King's garden, the apple of his eye. And every morning before he dove into a long day of edict writing, banquet planning and other royal duties, he strolled down the garden path to pay his favorite trip tree a visit.

[D]

Good morning, blossom tree. It's wonderful to see you. Is it just me or are your leaves particularly green today?

[C]

The king loved sitting beneath the blossom tree with the gentle breeze fluttering its leaves and the dappled light streaming through its branches.

[D]

You know what, tree? When I'm here with you, it's the only time I feel relaxed and at peace. What would I do without you? I hope I never have to find out.

[C]

One day the King was in his royal office composing yet another royal edict, when something plopped onto his royal desk.

[D]

It's a little white clump. It's kind of powdery Kind of flaky. What on earth could it.

[E]

Oh.

[C]

Now another white clump fell, this time on the king's head.

[D]

What is happening? It's as if these flaky white clumps are raining down from the ceiling.

[C]

The king lifted his gaze, and that's when he saw it. A long, jagged crack across the plaster. Immediately, he summoned his head. Carpenter.

[D]

Carpenter. The ceiling of this room is caving in. And now plaster is raining down everywhere. Look at that crack.

[C]

The carpenter glanced up as his eyes followed the crack's zigzagging path from the middle of the ceiling to the corner of the room. His mouth dropped into a frown.

[E]

Your Majesty, I'm afraid I have terrible news. Do you see that big wooden pillar in the corner?

[D]

How can I not see it? It's one of the pillars that holds up this entire palace.

[E]

Not for much longer, it won't. The ceiling is cracking because the pillar is coming apart. I don't know how we missed it, but the wood is rotting and growing soft. If we don't replace that pillar soon, the palace will collapse and all of us will be crushed.

[C]

The king shuddered. He wasn't the only one who called the palace home. Living under its roof were countless attendants, valets, handmaidens, and other workers. He couldn't put them in danger or leave them homeless.

[D]

All right, carpenter. Gather the royal woodcutters and scour the city for something, anything, to replace the rotting pillar. We have no time to lose.

[C]

The carpenter and woodcutters spent all day journeying from park to park, square to square, garden to garden, carefully measuring every tall tree they came across. But as the sun dropped below the horizon, they returned to the palace empty handed.

[D]

What's going on? Why didn't you bring back a tree to replace the pillar?

[C]

The carpenter hung his head.

[E]

We didn't bring back a tree, your Majesty, because it's already here.

[D]

What are you talking about?

[C]

The carpenter hesitated.

[E]

Well, sir, the only tree in the city strong enough for this job is the blossom tree.

[D]

The blossom tree?

[C]

The king's hand flew to his mouth.

[D]

That can't be true.

[E]

You know how tall and mighty that tree is. Sir, if you wish to save this palace, you must cut down the blossom tree. It's our only hope.

[C]

The king was torn between concern for the palace and its workers and his everlasting love for the tree.

[B]

But even though it pained his heart.

[C]

He knew he had to choose.

[D]

Very well, then. We will cut down the blossom tree. It's too late to get started now, so you and your team shall report to the royal garden first thing tomorrow, just before daybreak.

[E]

Of course, your Majesty.

[C]

The King bid the carpenter farewell. Then he rose to his feet, exited the palace and hurried to the blossom tree.

[D]

Oh, blossom tree, sweet blossom tree. The last thing I want is to to chop you down. But what choice do I have? The palace isn't just my home. It's home to countless others. Good, hard working people. I'm so sorry, tree. So very sorry.

[C]

He fell to his knees and wrapped the tree in an embrace. After a long, tearful squeeze, he rose to his feet, wiped his eyes and went back to the palace. Now, little did the King know, but.

[B]

His words had not fallen on deaf ears.

[C]

For inside the blossom tree was a spirit. And the tree's spirit could hear every word the King uttered. It always could. And after watching the distraught monarch hurry away with his father face in his.

[B]

Hands, the spirit of the blossom tree began to cry.

[F]

I can't believe the King is turning me into a pillar. My spirit has lived inside this tree for so very long. It's the only home I've known. Whatever shall I do?

[C]

The blossom tree wept and wept until.

[B]

Blossom tree.

[F]

Huh? Who's there?

[A]

It's me, your neighbor.

[C]

My neighbor?

[F]

I can see all around me and no one is talking.

[A]

That's because I'm not around you. I'm under you.

[C]

The spirit of the blossom tree looked down. And there, poking up near the base of its trunk, was a patch of the stiff, silvery green plant known as Kucha Grass.

[F]

Well, hello there. I'm surprised I never noticed you before.

[A]

Yeah, that's all right. Not many do notice me. Save for the bugs and insects who play hide and seek among my blades. And the camouflaging chameleons who lay in wait to gobble up those insects.

[F]

They do?

[A]

Oh, yes. Any patch of koosha grass you come across is bound to be crawling with chameleons. But look, we're getting off track. The reason I spoke up is because I know how to help you.

[F]

How to help me not become a pillar in a palace?

[A]

That's right.

[F]

No offense, but what can a little patch of grass do to save a big, mighty tree?

[A]

Listen, blossom tree, I may not be big in size, but I am big in brains.

[F]

Since when does grass have a brain?

[A]

You know what I mean. I have a plan, Blossom Tree. A pretty darn good one. And if it works, I assure you the King's woodcutters won't just realize they're barking up the wrong tree. They'll make like a tree and leave.

[C]

What is the Kusha Grass planning? We'll find out after a quick break.

[B]

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.

[G]

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

[B]

Grown ups support public radio and sign up [e-mail] CircleRoundClub.

[C]

I'm Rebecca Scheer and welcome back to Circle Round live at Symphony hall in Boston, Massachusetts. Today, our story is called down the Garden Path. Before the break, the king decided he would save his palace from collapse by cutting down his beloved blossom tree. The spirit of the tree was devastated until the Kusha grass that grew around its base offered to help. Come daybreak, the king's woodcutters marched into the garden. Sharp metal axes swung from their belts as they followed the head carpenter to the blossom tree.

[E]

Listen up, folks. First we must find the best place to chop the tree down. I'm thinking we might want to do our first hack right around here.

[C]

He laid his hand at the base of the trunk, just above the roots. But the moment he did.

[E]

Ew. Ew.

[D]

Ew.

[C]

Ew.

[F]

Ew. Ew.

[B]

Ew.

[C]

He recoiled in disgust.

[E]

The trunk. It's rotten. It's all soft and mushy.

[B]

Up and down, the woodcutters jostled for.

[C]

Forward to feel the tree themselves. And indeed, the trunk was spongy to the touch.

[E]

I don't know what happened, but there's no way we can use this tree to build a new pillar. I'll go tell the king.

[C]

The carpenter found the king in his dining room, sipping his morning tea and crying into it, too.

[E]

Your Majesty, I have news.

[C]

The king looked up with red rimmed eyes.

[D]

So it is done. The tree is gone. Woe is me.

[E]

Actually, sir, the tree still stands.

[C]

The king was so shocked, he nearly dropped his porcelain teacup.

[D]

You mean you didn't chop it down?

[E]

We couldn't, because the tree, sir, is dead.

[D]

Dead?

[C]

Now the king did drop his teacup. It fell to the floor and shattered.

[D]

This can't be possible. Just yesterday, the tree was thriving. How could it be dead?

[E]

That I do not know, sir. But when we went to cut it down, we discovered its trunk was all mushy and squishy. The blossom tree had rotted overnight.

[C]

Now it was the King's heart that shattered. But remembering his promise to protect his fellow palace residents, he squared his shoulders and put on a brave face.

[D]

All right then. If the blossom tree truly is dead, then we must find something else to replace the pillar.

[E]

That's easier said than done, sir. I told you, there's not one tree in this city with enough sturdiness or stature.

[D]

Not one.

[E]

Not one.

[C]

The king furrowed his brow. Then slowly he unfurrowed it.

[D]

Hang on a minute, Carpenter. If there's not one tree in this city that can replace the pillar, then don't use one.

[E]

Come again?

[D]

Tell me, would it be possible to bind several trees together?

[E]

Bind them together? I suppose so. We'd have to use something strong, like bands of brass.

[D]

Excellent. No, I don't know. I didn't think of this before. I want you to go out into the city and bring back three of the strongest trees you can. They won't be as strong as the blossom tree is or was. But if you bind them together, you can use them to replace the pillar.

[E]

A brilliant idea, sir. We'll get to work right away.

[C]

Once the carpenter left to summon his crew, the king rose to his feet and stepped outside. The early light of dawn cast a magical glow across the the garden as he approached his dear and dead friend.

[D]

All right, blossom tree, I'm coming to say goodbye for real this time. I don't know what happened last night. Perhaps you died of a broken heart. I know my heart is breaking. No.

[C]

As he approached the tree, he covered his face with his hands, fearful of the devastation he would find. But when he put his hands down, what it wasn't devastation he found at all.

[D]

Blossom tree, you look exactly as you did yesterday. There's not a soft spot we seem.

[C]

He ran his hand over the reddish brown bark.

[D]

Your bark feels as sturdy as ever. Your leaves are green and bright. All this talk of you being rotten is nonsense. Nonsense.

[C]

He flung his arms around the tree and gave it a squeeze. If he didn't know better, he would swear it squeezed back. Now I know what you're wondering. You're wondering how did the blossom tree survive? Right? It's a very good question. Well, do you remember what the Kusha Grass said? How it told the blossom tree it had a plan?

[A]

And if it works, I assure you the King's woodcutters won't just realize they're barking up the wrong tree. They'll make like a tree and leave.

[C]

As we learned earlier, the Kusha Grass had long escaped the blossom trees notice. But it was well known among other creatures. Including the bug eyed reptiles known as chameleons. Chameleons can camouflage right. They can disguise themselves by changing colors. And these chameleons loved camouflaging in the silvery green kucha grass so they could stealthily hunt down bugs and insects. So, on that perilous night, when it seemed the blossom tree was done for, the Koosha grass called on its pals, the chameleons, and requested a favor.

[A]

My dear, dear friends, the blossom tree is in danger and needs to be saved. I want you to climb up the tree's trunk, covering every last inch. Then I want you to camouflage, turn yourselves the exact same color as the tree.

[C]

Then just sit there silently until the.

[A]

Woodcutters come and go. And believe me, once they feel your soft, mushy skin, they will most definitely go.

[C]

And as we now all know, they most definitely did. As a result, a bunch of palace workers got to keep their home. A king got to keep his tree. And what's more, that tree got to make a new friend. A clever, inconspicuous patch of grass who unexpectedly saved the day.

[B]

Now it's your turn. You can find ways to be a good friend by playing Friendship Bingo.

[C]

To start, get a big piece of.

[B]

Paper and draw a large square. Divide the square into nine little squares, three rows of three in each little square. Ask a grown up to help you write one thing you can do to be a good friend. It could be as simple as giving a hug, offering a kind word, or letting a buddy borrow your favorite book or toy. Hang your Friendship Bingo board wherever you can see it. Each time you do a friendly act, fill in that square with a marker or sticker before or after your board is filled in.

[C]

We invite you to share it with us.

[B]

Grown ups snap a photo of your Circle Round fan and their Friendship Bingo and email it to circleroundbur.org with your permission, we may feature you in your monthly Circle Round newsletter. The Lion's Roar this week's story down the Garden Path was adapted by me, Rebecca Scheer. It was edited by Dean Russell. Circle Round's composer is Eric Shimalonis, who conducted our world class ensemble from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Kathy Basrak on viola, Rachel Childers on horn, Chris El Chico on clarinet, Clint Foreman on flute, Ben Levy on double bass and Suzanne Nelson on bassoon. Our cast at Symphony hall included Michael Bobbitt, Michael Cerverus, Callie Crossley, and Faith Salee. Special thanks to everyone at the bso including Chad Smith, Tony Fogg, Mark Rulison, Kesmir Durinette, James Campbell, Dana Falloon, Jason Lenhard, Stephen Ponchak, Amy Aldrich, Jason Lyon and Kelly Carmesino. 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. While you're at WBUR.org CircleRound you can explore our Circle Round picture books, our merch and swag, and you can sign up for for your monthly Circle Round newsletter, the Lion's Roar. Again, it's [e-mail] CircleRound looking for more ways to Circle Round with us? Join the Circle Round Club and support your favorite public media podcast while getting.

[C]

All sorts of cool perks including ad.

[B]

Free episodes, bonus bedtime stories, audio features about Eric's musical instruments, plus the chance to add on goodies like our Circle Round T shirt, Lion Stuffy and a personalized birthday message from me. Grown ups. Visit WBUR.org CircleRound and click on Circle Round Club. Love the stories you hear on Circle Round Grown Ups.

[C]

Please leave us a five star rating.

[B]

Or review on your favorite podcast app and please tell your friends about the show. With your help, we can make the Circle Round Circle grow even bigger. Circle Round is a production of WBURG Boston's npr. 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.

[G]

My name is Isla Mae and I'm from Anchorage, Alaska. My favorite Circle Round episode is the crowning achievement. I like it because they try and get all the bird beaks. My name is Harry, I'm in Denver, Colorado and my favorite Circle Round story is La Pizzeria. My favorite wind the Lovers Give Moody Blood and Cockroaches. Hi, My name is Riley and I live in Mountain View, California. And my favorite Circle Round store is Olive. My name is Ellis and I live in Montre, North Carolina. And my favorite episode is a Biscuit, a basket. And my favorite part is whenever he dumps, he opens the basket and mosquitoes come out. My name is Lynley and I live in Montreat, North Carolina. My favorite episode is the Crystal Story Box and my favorite part is when Anansi ties up Python and brings her to the Sky Goddess's palace. My name is Dylan and I live in Phoenix, Arizona. My favorite story is Ashes for Sale and my favorite car is When Fruity Troops Join in the Selling Ashes. My name is Zelda. I live in Los Angeles, California. I don't have a favorite Circle Round story because they're all so good.

[B]

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.