Circle Round Podcast Episode Summary: "Encore: Hungry Hippo"

Podcast Information

• Title: Circle Round
• Host/Producer: WBUR
• Description: Circle Round adapts carefully-selected folktales from around the world into sound- and music-rich radio plays for children aged 3-103. Each episode explores important themes such as kindness, persistence, and generosity, concluding with an activity that fosters deeper conversations between children and adults.
• Episode: Encore: Hungry Hippo
• Release Date: June 24, 2025

Introduction

In the special encore edition of Circle Round titled "Hungry Hippo," host Rebecca Scheer presents an engaging adaptation of an African folktale that delves into themes of trust, selfishness, and the consequences of one's actions. This episode, enriched with vivid soundscapes and captivating performances, invites listeners into the life of Hippo, a once-content gourmand who faces unforeseen challenges due to his reluctance to share.

Story Narrative

The Dawn of Hippo

The tale begins in the time after the Supreme Spirit created the earth and sky, populating it with various animals destined for different habitats. Among these creatures was Hippo, who, unlike his modern counterpart adept in aquatic environments, roamed the grassy plains. Initially no larger than a golden retriever, Hippo possessed an insatiable appetite that set the stage for his eventual downfall.

Hippo's Appetite and Selfishness

As Hippo indulged in endless grazing, his body began to grow disproportionately large. Despite his burgeoning size, Hippo remained on land, consuming grass voraciously. His refusal to share his abundant food with fellow land dwellers became a notable trait. Whenever asked to share, Hippo would retort defensively:

• Zebra: "Hey, Hippo, how about sharing that grass?"
  Hippo (Scott Lawrence) [03:08]: "Are you out of your mind, zebra? I will not share this grass. This grass is mine."

This pattern continued with other animals:

• Wildebeest [03:30]: "Hippo, could you please share the grass?"
  Hippo [03:35]: "No way, wildebeest. I will not."

• Gazelle [03:43]: "A hippo. Mind if I have some?"
  Hippo [03:46]: "Dream on, gazelle."

• Warthog [03:49]: "Hippo, could you maybe share?"
  Hippo [03:54]: "Buzz off, warthog. Seriously, can't a hippo just eat his grass in peace?"

Consequences of Excess

Hippo's unchecked appetite led to significant physical changes. His once modest frame ballooned to one of the largest on the plains, rivaled only by elephants and rhinoceroses. However, this growth came at a price. As Hippo's body expanded, his brownish-gray hide stretched thin, making him susceptible to the harsh conditions of the dry season. The increasing heat exacerbated his discomfort, prompting him to seek relief.

Hippo's Transformation Request

Desperate to escape the relentless sun, Hippo observed his water-dwelling counterparts — Turtle, Otter, and Crocodile — enjoying the river's coolness.

• Turtle [05:40]: "Ah, how amazing does this cool water feel on such a hot day? You guys, it feels amazing."
  Crocodile [05:54]: "I sure do, Otter. Thank goodness the Supreme Spirit created us to live in the water so we don't have to suffer beneath that sweltering sun."

Inspired, Hippo devised a plan to transform his existence from land to water creature, believing this change would alleviate his suffering. He approached the Supreme Spirit with his request:

• Hippo [07:34]: "I know you're all-powerful and everything, and far be it from me to second guess any of your all-powerful decisions, but I'm pretty sure I'd thrive a whole lot better if I lived in the water."

The Supreme Spirit, recognizing Hippo's plight, agreed to grant his wish under specific conditions aimed at restoring balance and trust:

• Supreme Spirit [08:26]: "I will turn you into a water creature. But you'll have to make a few changes."

The terms were clear:

1. Dietary Shift: Hippo must cease eating grass and switch to a diet of fish.
2. Sharing Obligation: He must share his fish with other water dwellers.

• Hippo [09:19]: "Got it, Supreme Spirit. I'll do it. I'll start eating fish, and I'll share them with my fellow water creatures."

The Supreme Spirit warned of severe consequences should Hippo break this pact:

• Supreme Spirit [09:30]: "If you break your promise and break my trust, there will be a price to pay. And mark my words, Hippo, that price will be nearly as enormous as you are."

Breach of Trust

Initially, Hippo embraced his new life in the water, relishing the coolness and the abundance of fish:

• Hippo [12:04]: "Oh, what a relief. I feel so comfortable, so refreshed... I'll have no problem keeping my promise to the Supreme Spirit. No problem at all."

However, temptation prevailed when fellow water creatures sought his generosity:

• Turtle [13:33]: "Hiya Hippo. Welcome to the Water. Any chance you could share some fish? Yeah, you know, we love eating fish too."
  Hippo [13:46]: "Somehow you water animals are just as delusional as the land animals are. These fish are mine. Now beat it."

Hippo's refusal to share fish directly violated his promise, leading to the Supreme Spirit's intervention:

• Supreme Spirit [14:22]: "Hippo, what in the world do you think you're doing?"
  Hippo [14:27]: "What in the world do I think I'm doing? I think I'm doing exactly what you told me to, Supreme Spirit. I'm gobbling up all these delicious fish Omnomnom."

Consequences Imposed

The Supreme Spirit upheld the original agreement and imposed stringent penalties to ensure Hippo's compliance:

1. Dietary Retractation: Hippo would no longer consume fish and must return to eating grass, albeit with a significantly reduced appetite to prevent overconsumption and ensure grass availability for others.

   • Supreme Spirit [15:28]: "You will go back to eating grass. ... I will give you a smaller appetite. Much smaller."

2. Behavioral Monitoring: To verify Hippo's adherence, he must frequently display his mouth wide open while in the water, exposing his jaws to prevent fish hoarding.

   • Supreme Spirit [16:44]: "You will stretch your mouth open very wide... so that I can keep an eye on you."

3. Territorial Marking: Additionally, Hippo's dung would be spread in scattered piles along the riverbank, serving both as territorial markers and proof of his dietary compliance.

   • Supreme Spirit [17:42]: "When you eat... you will spin your tail very, very quickly... your dung will spray every which way... to make sure they're not hiding any fish bones."

Enduring Legacy

These imposed behaviors explain real-life hippo characteristics:

• Wide Mouths: Hippos frequently open their mouths wide, sometimes up to 4 feet, which aligns with the story's stipulation for monitoring.
• Dung Spraying: The natural behavior of hippos spreading dung across the riverbank resembles the tale's explanation of proof for dietary adherence.

Key Themes and Lessons

1. Trust and Its Fragility: The central theme revolves around trust — both in personal relationships and in one's commitments. Hippo's initial dishonesty led to a loss of trust, resulting in tangible consequences.

2. Selfishness vs. Community: Hippo's reluctance to share his grass and later his fish underscores the importance of generosity and considering the needs of others in a community.

3. Consequences of Actions: The story illustrates that selfish actions can lead to unintended and often severe repercussions, emphasizing the value of integrity and honoring one's promises.

4. Adaptation and Change: Hippo's transformation from land to water creature highlights the challenges and responsibilities that come with change, especially when it involves relinquishing certain freedoms for greater well-being.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Hippo [03:08]: "Are you out of your mind, zebra? I will not share this grass. This grass is mine."

• Hippo [08:12]: "I can do that, Supreme Spirit. I can go from being an herbivore to a pescatarian, no problem."

• Supreme Spirit [09:30]: "If you break your promise and break my trust, there will be a price to pay. And mark my words, Hippo, that price will be nearly as enormous as you are."

• Hippo [14:38]: "But I didn't tell you to gobble up all of the fish. ... Have you already forgotten the other half of your promise?"

• Supreme Spirit [16:44]: "You will stretch your mouth open very wide... so that I can keep an eye on you."

• Supreme Spirit [17:42]: "When you eat... you will spin your tail very, very quickly... your dung will spray every which way... to make sure they're not hiding any fish bones."

Conclusion and Activity

The story of "Hungry Hippo" serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of trust and the ethical imperative to share and care for others within a community. Hippo's journey from selfishness to facing the dire consequences of his actions encapsulates valuable life lessons for both children and adults.

Activity Suggestion: Create a Kindness Jar

To reinforce the episode's themes of generosity and kindness, listeners are encouraged to craft a "Kindness Jar." Here's how:

1. Materials Needed:

   • Pieces of paper
   • Scissors
   • A jar

2. Steps:

   • Cut and Write: With the help of a grown-up, cut the paper into strips. Write one kind action on each strip, such as helping with chores, eating lunch with a new friend, making a card for someone, giving a compliment, or offering a hug.

   • Assemble the Jar: Place all the strips into the jar.

   • Daily/Weekly Acts: Each day or week, draw a strip from the jar and perform the kind action. This practice not only fosters empathy but also strengthens bonds within the community.

Final Thoughts

"Hungry Hippo" is a beautifully adapted folktale that intertwines moral lessons with captivating storytelling. Through Hippo's experiences, listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own behaviors and the impact they have on those around them. By embracing kindness and honoring trust, the story advocates for a harmonious and cooperative existence.

Additional Resources:

• Coloring Pages: Visit WBUR.org/CircleRound to access black and white coloring pages related to the story.
• Picture Books: Adaptations of Circle Round episodes are available as colorful books for further reading.
• Featured Instrument: Learn more about the Djembe, the African drum featured in this episode, on the Circle Round website.

Credits:

• Adaptation: Rebecca Shear
• Editing: Nora Sachs
• Music and Sound Design: Eric Shyamalonis
• Artist: Sabina Hahn
• Voice Actors: Jonathan Kormer, Hrishikesh Hirway, Jessica Rau, Erica Rose, Nick Sholly, Dawn Ursula, and Scott Lawrence

Listen and Support: If you enjoyed "Hungry Hippo," please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast platform to help Circle Round continue bringing inspiring stories to listeners worldwide.