Circle Round Podcast Episode Summary: "Encore: Counting Crocodiles"

Introduction "Circle Round," produced by WBUR, is a beloved podcast that adapts folktales from around the world into engaging, sound-rich radio plays for children and families. Hosted by Rebecca Scheer, each episode explores meaningful themes such as kindness, persistence, and generosity, culminating in activities that encourage deeper conversations between children and adults. In the episode titled "Encore: Counting Crocodiles," released on June 10, 2025, listeners are transported to the lush forests of Southeast Asia, where cleverness and teamwork help overcome adversity.

Story Summary The story of "Counting Crocodiles" unfolds in a vibrant, dense forest near a winding river, home to a variety of animals including monkeys, bats, woodpeckers, lizards, moles, magpies, and the protagonist, Mouse Deer (also known as Kanchil). Mouse Deer is small in size but renowned for her intelligence and resourcefulness.

Each day, Mouse Deer and her friends visit the river to drink, but they live in constant fear of Old Crocodile, a massive and perpetually hungry predator. The situation becomes dire when an unusually hot and dry summer leaves the forest plants withered and the animals starving.

Determined to help her friends, Mouse Deer devises a plan to obtain rambutans—a sweet and creamy fruit—from a tree on the opposite bank of the river. However, crossing the river safely poses a significant challenge due to Old Crocodile's presence.

Mouse Deer employs a series of ingenious tricks to outsmart Old Crocodile:

1. First Trick: She falsely claims to spot a floating log upstream, knowing that Old Crocodile cannot swim upstream. However, in reality, crocodiles can swim against the current, leading Old Crocodile to pursue the nonexistent log.

2. Second Trick: Mimicking the act of taking a drink, she uses a twig to simulate her thin legs dipping into the water. Old Crocodile, believing it's a potential meal, bites the twig. Mouse Deer cleverly escapes unharmed, reinforcing Old Crocodile's misconception of her vulnerability.

3. Final Trick: Mouse Deer announces that the King of the Forest is hosting a grand feast and needs an accurate count of attendees. Old Crocodile, eager to attend, agrees to help count his fellow crocodiles. As they line up, Mouse Deer counts them while discreetly collecting rambutans from the tree. The distraction allows her to gather enough fruit to feed all the hungry animals.

Through her cleverness and courage, Mouse Deer successfully secures food for her community, demonstrating the power of intelligence and teamwork in overcoming challenges.

Key Themes and Insights

• Cleverness Overcomes Strength: Mouse Deer's intelligence and strategic thinking enable her to outwit a much stronger adversary, emphasizing that brains can triumph over brawn.

• Community and Generosity: The story highlights the importance of helping one's community and the positive impact of sharing resources during times of need.

• Resourcefulness in Adversity: Faced with a drought and scarcity, Mouse Deer exemplifies resourcefulness, finding creative solutions to ensure the well-being of her friends.

Notable Quotes

1. Mouse Deer's Introduction:

   • Tia Sircar as Mouse Deer [01:33]: "Oh, okay. Well, as a mouse deer, I look a lot like an actual deer, just a whole lot smaller. I'm no bigger than a rabbit, and while I don't have antlers, I do have hooves and four slender legs, though they're no longer than a pencil. Does that just about do it?"

2. Old Crocodile's Menace:

   • Jason Ennis as Old Crocodile [02:29]: "That's right. I'm old crocodile. I weigh as much as two whole cows combined from head to tail. I'm as long as a giraffes tall, and my appetite is bigger than an elephant. I'm always hungry."

3. Mouse Deer's First Trick:

   • Tia Sircar as Mouse Deer [05:02]: "Oh, don't you worry about that big bully. I just need to test out a few things and then we'll all be eating delicious ripe rambutons in no time."

4. The Final Ruse:

   • Tia Sircar as Mouse Deer [11:35]: "Well, Old Crocodile, I've heard it through the grapevine that the King of the Forest, Great Leopard himself is throwing a party. A grand feast. And everyone is invited."

5. Moral of the Story:

   • Rebecca Scheer [16:05]: "What's one thing you can do to help a friend? Maybe you can feed their fish. If they go out of town, you can let them borrow your favorite book. Or you can just offer an encouraging word."

Conclusion "Encore: Counting Crocodiles" is a captivating tale that not only entertains but also imparts valuable lessons about ingenuity, cooperation, and selflessness. Through the adventures of Mouse Deer, listeners learn that even the smallest among us can make a significant difference when faced with challenges. The episode encourages children and adults alike to think creatively and act generously within their communities.

Activity Suggestion Inspired by the episode, families are encouraged to discuss ways they can support their friends and community members. Whether it's sharing resources, offering a helping hand, or simply being present, these small acts of kindness can have a profound impact, much like Mouse Deer's actions in the story.

For more coloring activities and to engage further with "Circle Round," visit WBUR.org/CircleRound and explore the available resources to enhance your storytelling experience.