Encore: Counting Crocodiles

Summary

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.

Transcript

[Rebecca Scheer]

Produced by the iLab at WBUR Boston. If one of your friends was in trouble, how far would you go to help them? We're about to meet a character who goes to great lengths to help her friends. Not only does she go above and beyond, she goes over her enemies heads. I'm Rebecca Scheer, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all all the time. Today our story is called Counting Crocodiles. Our version comes from tales told in the southeast Asian countries of Indonesia and Malaysia. You'll also hear variations from Japan. Some really great people came together to bring you our story, including Tia Sircar, whose voice appears in multiple Star wars projects, including Star Wars Rebels, Star Forces of Destiny, and Disney Infinity 3.0. You grown ups might also know Tia from the Good Place on NBC. So circle around everyone for Counting Crocodiles. In Indonesia and Malaysia, the word kanchil has two meanings. Clever person and mouse deer. In the story you're about to hear, you'll find out why. But first, what exactly is a mouse deer? Well, why don't we let her explain?

[Tia Sircar]

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?

[Rebecca Scheer]

That just about does it. Mouse deer. Now, back to our story. Long, long ago, mouse deer lived near a wide and winding river in a lush, dense forest teeming with monkeys and bats, woodpeckers and lizards, moles and magpies. Each and every day, mouse deer and her forest friends went down to the river to get a drink. But each and every day, mouse deer and her forest friends feared for their lives. Why? Let's just say it had a whole lot to do with this fellow.

[Jason Ennis]

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. So when I spy a tasty critter coming to the river, I quietly cruise over. And then, bam. I open my massive jaws and I strike. Those foolish little creatures never see what's coming.

[Rebecca Scheer]

So now do you see why mouse deer and her friends were so nervous when they came to the river for a drink? One year, the summer was especially hot and dry, and all the lush green plants in the forest began to dry up and wither away. The forest animals were beside Themselves with worry.

[Jason Ennis]

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.

[Rebecca Scheer]

We haven't seen a drop of rain in weeks. Without rain, there aren't any plants. Without plants, there isn't any food. Whatever will we do? Mouse Deer, do you have any ideas? All eyes turned to Mouse Deer. For while Mouse Deer was one of the smallest animals in the forest, she was also one of the cleverest.

[Tia Sircar]

Actually, my friends, I do have an idea. Across the river, on the opposite shore, I spotted a rambutan tree.

[Rebecca Scheer]

A rambutan is a round, spiky fruit with sweet and creamy flesh inside.

[Tia Sircar]

But get this folks. Even though it hasn't rained in ages, somehow the rambutan tree across the river was bearing fruit. Plump, juicy fruit just ripe for the picking.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The animals mouths watered at the thought of gobbling down plump juicy rambutans. And there was just one problem.

[Jason Ennis]

But Mouse Deer, you say the rambutan.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Tree is across the river on the opposite shore. How can we get over there without running into Old Crocodile? The mere mention of Old Crocodile's name sent shivers down everyone's spine. Everyone's spine that is, except for Mouse Deer.

[Tia Sircar]

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.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The next morning, Mouse Deer ventured out of the forest and crept toward the river. Where, as usual, Old Crocodile lay in wait. His long body submerged beneath the water. All that stuck out was a portion of his back, bumpy and dark and glistening.

[Tia Sircar]

Okay, first I need to see how easy it is to trick Old Crocodile. I've heard he has a particularly small brain. But let's see how small his mind is.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Mouse deer took a deep breath, then raised her voice and called out.

[Tia Sircar]

Oh, how thick thirsty I am for some water. It's a good thing Old Crocodile is nowhere to be found. Why, all I see floating out there on the river is a wooden log. And as everyone knows, wooden logs always drift upstream against the current. While crocodiles always float downstream.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Now of course what Mouse Deer said was not true. It's actually the opposite. A wooden log would float downstream in the river. It's the crocodile who can swim upstream against the current. And yet, right before Mouse Deer's very eyes, the so called log in the river began to move. Yes, upstream.

[Tia Sircar]

Well, that was easier than I thought. Old Crocodile totally fell for my trick. But I think I'll test him one more time. Just to see how much I can get away with.

[Rebecca Scheer]

So the next morning, Mouse Deer returned to the river. Her bright brown eyes traveled from one side of the water to the other.

[Tia Sircar]

Hmm. I don't see any signs of Old Crocodile, but that doesn't mean he isn't lurking around here somewhere. Let's find out.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Just like yesterday, Mouse Deer took a deep breath, then raised her voice and.

[Tia Sircar]

Called out, oh my, my my. What a scorching hot morning it is. I sure could use some water. I think I'll wade my skinny little legs into the river and take a nice big drink.

[Rebecca Scheer]

But instead of wading her skinny little legs into the river, do you know what Mouse Deer did? She snapped a skinny little twig off a nearby bush, then plunged one end of the slender stick into the water. In an instant, just as she had hoped, something grabbed onto the stick and held on tight. Any guesses what that something or someone was? That's right. It was Old Crocodile. Believing the twig truly was one of Mouse Deer's legs, the greedy fellow had snuck over and clamped his mighty jaws around it. Mouse Deer tried not to laugh as she continued her ruse.

[Tia Sircar]

Oh no. Something is biting my leg hard. I'm a goner. I'm a goner. Goodbye world.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Then, with a big smile on her face, Mouse Deer let go of the twig and went scurrying back the forest.

[Tia Sircar]

It's official. Old Crocodile has a small brain and a small mind. My friends and I will be feasting on ripe rambutons in no time. There's just one last trick to go.

[Rebecca Scheer]

What do you think Mouse Deer's final trick will be? And which will it work? We'll find out after a quick break.

[Unknown]

Support for Circle Round comes from Indeed. You just realized that your business needed to hire someone yesterday. How can you find amazing candidates fast? Easy. Just use Indeed. There's no need to wait. You can speed up your hiring with Indeed and Circle Round listeners will get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility@indee indeed.com circleround just go to indeed.com circleround right now and support the show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.comCircleround terms and conditions apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need.

[Rebecca Scheer]

What are Circle Round listeners saying about the Circle Round Club, the newest membership opportunity for superfans like you? Here's a taste.

[Unknown]

I love being in the Circle Round Club because the snuggle times are perfect for when you want to listen to Circle Round, but you don't have that much time.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Grown ups get your Circle Round super fan signed up [e-mail] CircleRoundClub I'm Rebecca Scheer. Welcome back to Circle Round Today. Our story is called Counting Crocodiles. When we left off, a drought was raging and the forest animals were hungry. Clever little Mouse Deer promised her friends ripe rambutons from across the river. But first she had to outwit Old Crocodile, the ferocious, hungry beast who guarded the water. Mouse Deer played two tricks on Old Crocodile and the fierce but foolish creature fell for them both. Now Mouse Deer was preparing for her third and final ruse. One bright, hot morning, Mouse Deer grabbed a big sack and pranced over to the river. When she saw Old Crocodile's spiky, glistening back protruding from the water's surface, she put a big smile on her face and called out in a friendly voice.

[Tia Sircar]

Oh, Crocodile, Crocodile, I have some wonderful news for you.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Old Crocodile lifted his long pointy snout out of the water.

[Jason Ennis]

Wonderful news, you say? What kind of wonderful news?

[Rebecca Scheer]

Mouse Deer's smile grew even bigger.

[Tia Sircar]

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.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Old Crocodile smacked his razor sharp jaws.

[Jason Ennis]

A grand feast? I like the sound of that.

[Tia Sircar]

I thought you would. But the King wants to make sure he has enough luscious, delectable food for everyone. So I thought I'd help him out and see how many animals plan on attending. You know, so that His Majesty knows how much scrumptious, mouth watering food he should prepare.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Old Crocodile pictured table after table covered with luscious, delectable, scrumptious, mouth watering food. His massive belly began to rumble.

[Jason Ennis]

You can count us in, Mouse dear. My fellow Crocodiles and I would be honored to attend the King's feast.

[Tia Sircar]

Oh, fantastic. I'm sure the King will be delighted to see you. Now then, how many of you will be coming?

[Rebecca Scheer]

Old Crocodile narrowed his glittering yellow eyes.

[Jason Ennis]

Let's see here. There's me, of course. Plus all my brothers and sisters and all their husbands and wives. Not to mention all the children and all the grandchildren. Oh dear. I'm afraid it's far too many for me to count.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Mouse Deer shook her head.

[Tia Sircar]

Oh, not to worry, not to worry. I'd be happy to do all the counting for you. How about if you summon your fellow crocodiles? Then you all line up across the river so I may walk across your heads and take an accurate tally.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Old Crocodile raised his tail into the air, then splashed it down into the water. He repeated this motion several times, and within minutes the river Was swarming with crocodiles. Big crocodiles, little crocodiles, young and old. One by one, the creatures lined up side by side, Their spiny bodies stretching all the way from one side of the river to the other.

[Tia Sircar]

Wonderful, folks, wonderful. Now let's start that count.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Still clutching her sack, Mouse deer hopped onto the head of old crocodile, who was first in line.

[Tia Sircar]

1.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Then she hopped onto the head of the second crocodile.

[Tia Sircar]

2.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Then the third 3. From crocodile to crocodile, mouse deer hopped.

[Tia Sircar]

28, 29, 30.

[Rebecca Scheer]

On and on and on.

[Tia Sircar]

54, 55, 56.

[Rebecca Scheer]

And when at last she counted the final crocodiles.

[Tia Sircar]

73, 74, 75. There are 75 crocodiles.

[Rebecca Scheer]

She leaped onto the opposite riverbank and flashed the creatures a warm grin.

[Tia Sircar]

Thank you, my friends. That was so very helpful. But to make sure my number is accurate, I'd like to take just one more count. If you'll give me a moment, I'll come back across the line and count all of you again.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Quick as can be. Mouse deer made a beeline for the rambutan tree. She picked as many rambutons as she could and stuffed them into her sack. Then she dragged the bulging sack back to the riverbank and made her way back across the line of crocodiles.

[Tia Sircar]

1, 2, 3.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Counting all the while.

[Tia Sircar]

46, 47, 48.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Until once again, she counted the last few.

[Tia Sircar]

73, 74, 75.

[Rebecca Scheer]

And sprang down to the bank.

[Tia Sircar]

Okay, that settles it. There are officially 75 crocodiles. Well, thanks for the lift, folks, and see you later, alligator. Or should I say, after a while, Crocodile?

[Rebecca Scheer]

Before old crocodile and his family could say a word, Mouse deer went flouncing back into the forest. Where she shared her bounty of fruit with her hungry forest friends.

[Jason Ennis]

Thank you, mouse dear.

[Rebecca Scheer]

These rambutons are delicious.

[Jason Ennis]

But how did you do it?

[Rebecca Scheer]

How did you get across the river? Well, how did you get past old crocodile? And so, as the animals scarfed down their ripe, delicious fruit, Mouse deer, or conchil, which you may recall also means clever person, told her friends everything that happened. She told them how old crocodile had believed her ruse about the king's party. How the greedy creature had fallen for her story and swallowed it whole without swallowing her. Now it's your turn. 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. If they're feeling down, Think about how you can help your friend. Then go out and do it. They'll feel great and you will too. This week's story, Counting Crocodiles was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear and it was edited by Josh Swartz. Circle Round's original music and sound design is by Eric Shyamalonis. Our artist is Sabina Hahn. Want to color while you listen? Sabina Hahn has drawn a black and white picture for all 100 plus circle round stories and you can color them in. Ask a grown up to Visit our website WBUR.org CircleRound and click on soundtrack and coloring pages. Once you've finished your coloring page, your grown up can share it with us on Instagram. Our handle is CircleRound Podcast. Special thanks to this week's actors Elle Borders, Amy Brentano, Jason Ennis, James Konicek, Chris Tucci and Tia Sircar. You can hear Tia Sircar in multiple Star wars projects including Star Wars Rebels, Star Forces of Destiny and Disney Infinity 3.0 and Grown Ups. You can see Tia in the Good Place on NBC. Our featured instrument this week was the Ankhlung. You can learn more about this bamboo instrument from Indonesia and see a photo of Eric Shyamalonis playing it on our website. Again, that's WBUR.org CircleRound never want to miss an episode of Circle Round. Why not subscribe Grown Ups? You can find us on Apple Podcast Podcasts or whatever podcast app you use. And please leave us some stars. Write us a review or just tell your friends about the show. Circle Round is a production of wbur, Boston's NPR station. I'm Rebecca Scheer. Thanks for Circling Round with us. One of the best things about creating Circle Round is hearing from listeners like you. Circle Round fans have been telling us about their favorite Circle Round stories and we're excited to share some of their voices with you.

[Unknown]

Hi, my name is Polly. I live in Alaska. My favorite Circle Round is Fire on the Other side of the World because I like the part where the spider keeps calling out and she can do it so she makes a clay pot and herself to the other side of the world to get the fire. My name is Charlotte and my favorite Circle Round story is the Farmer's Coin. My name is Carys and I'm from Atlanta and my favorite Circle Round story is the Mountain Spring because I like the part where the old woman becomes young again.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Did someone mention an episode you missed? No problem. You can find every single Circle Round story on our website. That's WBUR.org CircleRound or wherever you and your grown ups get your podcasts.