Encore: Hungry Hippo

Summary

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

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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.

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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.

Transcript

[Rebecca Schear]

WBUR Podcasts, Boston. Hi. Rebecca Scheer. Here. Here at Circle Round, we're taking time off as we get ready to bring you the ninth season of our WBUR podcast, featuring dozens of folktales from around the world and an exciting lineup of live episode recordings across the United States. This week, we're bringing you a special encore edition of the podc, a really fun story you may have missed the first time around. Enjoy. We'll start today's show with a riddle. Ready? Here goes. You can have me, but cannot hold me. You can gain me, yet quickly lose me. If treated with care, I can be great. And if betrayed, I will break. What am I? Any guesses? The answer is trust. When you gain someone's trust, they feel they can rely on you. But in today's story, we'll meet a character who loses the trust of a God. I'm Rebecca Scheer, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time. Today, our story is called Hungry Hippo. Versions of this tale originally come from eastern central and southern Africa. Some really great people came together to bring you our adaptation of this story, including Scott Lawrence, whose voice you may know from Star Resistance on Disney, and the Star wars virtual reality series Vader Immortal, where he plays the title role of Darth Vader. So circle around, everyone, for Hungry Hippo. Way, way back, after the supreme Spirit created the earth and sky, the powerful deity created the animals and decided which ones would fly in the sky, which ones would swim in the water, and which ones would walk, run, and crawl on the land. Among those who would spend their life on land was hippopotamus. If you've seen a hippo, then you probably know they spent their time in the water, right? But way, way back, Hippo dwelled on the land where he roamed and munched the grassy plains. Hippo was a much smaller animal in those days. He was no larger than a golden retriever. But despite hippo's small size, he had a very big appetite.

[Scott Lawrence]

Oh, this patch of grass might be the tastiest one I've found yet. So crunchy, so sweet, so full of fiber. Yet so utterly delicious. Mmm.

[Rebecca Schear]

Mmm.

[Scott Lawrence]

Mmm. Mmm.

[Rebecca Schear]

Thing is, much as Hippo loved to eat, one thing he did not love to do. Hey, Hippo, how about sharing that grass? Was. Share.

[Scott Lawrence]

Ha. Are you out of your mind, zebra? I will not share this grass. This grass is mine.

[Rebecca Schear]

No matter which of his fellow land dwellers asked if Hippo could please share the grass.

[Scott Lawrence]

Uh, Hippo, could you please share the grass?

[Rebecca Schear]

He always said no no way, wildebeest.

[Scott Lawrence]

I will not.

[Rebecca Schear]

This happened again.

[Supreme Spirit]

A hippo. Mind if I have some?

[Scott Lawrence]

Dream on, gazelle.

[Rebecca Schear]

And again.

[Scott Lawrence]

So, Hippo, could you maybe share? Buzz off, warthog.

[Rebecca Schear]

And again. You know, Hippo, I was thinking maybe.

[Paramount Pictures]

I could have a bitey.

[Scott Lawrence]

Take a hike, antelope. Seriously, can't a hippo just eat his grass in peace?

[Rebecca Schear]

Hippo's selfishness grew and grew, and so did he. Because the more grass he ate, the bigger his barrel shaped body got. And before long, Hippo was one of the hugest animals on the plains, second only to elephant and rhinoceros. But with Hippo's big size came an even bigger problem. You see, as Hippo's body grew larger, his brownish gray hide stretched tighter and tighter to cover it. So when the dry season rolled around and the fiery sun baked the grassy plains below, Hippo felt himself baking too.

[Scott Lawrence]

Oh, my poor hide. It feels so tight and cracked and dry. How will I make it through the dry season without frizzling like a fritter?

[Rebecca Schear]

Hippo found a tall tree and parked himself beneath its shade.

[Scott Lawrence]

But I'm still hot.

[Rebecca Schear]

He whipped his bristly little tail this way and that, trying to fan himself.

[Scott Lawrence]

But I'm still hot.

[Rebecca Schear]

He threw his body to the ground and rolled around in the dust.

[Scott Lawrence]

But I'm still hot.

[Rebecca Schear]

He shuffled to the cool blue river and took a drink at the water's edge.

[Scott Lawrence]

But I'm still hot.

[Rebecca Schear]

As Hippo wallowed in his misery, he suddenly caught sight of Turtle, Otter and Crocodile, three of the water dwelling animals as they splashed around in the river.

[Turtle]

Ah, how amazing does this cool water feel on such a hot day? You guys, it feels amazing, Turtle. Don't you agree, Crocodile?

[Scott Lawrence]

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. Am I right?

[Rebecca Schear]

Totally.

[Turtle]

Crocodile. 100%.

[Rebecca Schear]

As hippo enviously stared at Turtle, Otter and Crocodile, he suddenly got an idea.

[Scott Lawrence]

Forget about the grassy plains. What I need is to live in the water. To spend my days wading in the river instead of roaming around on land. The water would protect my hide from the heat and I'd always be cool and refreshed.

[Rebecca Schear]

Hippo dipped one of his feet into the river. It sure felt good on his stubby toes.

[Scott Lawrence]

You know what? I'm going to ask the Supreme Spirit if I can become a water creature. I'm so miserable in this heat. She's sure to grant my request.

[Rebecca Schear]

So Hippo lumbered off to The Supreme Spirit's towering, lofty mountain and asked the mighty deity to turn him from a land creature into a water creature.

[Supreme Spirit]

Now hold on there, Hippo. Are you serious? You're really asking me to turn you from a land creature into a water creature?

[Scott Lawrence]

I am. I. I mean, 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.

[Supreme Spirit]

But Hippo, I created you to thrive on the land.

[Scott Lawrence]

I know that, Supreme Spirit. But with all due respect, this summer heat, oh, it's killing me. Look at my hide. It's all dry and cracked.

[Supreme Spirit]

Right. But to be fair, Hippo, your hide wouldn't be so dry and cracked if it weren't stretched so thin. And it wouldn't be stretched so thin if you hadn't grown so large from eating all that grass and keeping it to yourself.

[Scott Lawrence]

What can I say? I've got a healthy appetite.

[Supreme Spirit]

So I've noticed. Listen, Hippo, I know how miserable you are, and I can't bear to see any of my creation suffer. So I'll tell you what. I will turn you into a water creature.

[Scott Lawrence]

You will?

[Supreme Spirit]

I will. But you'll have to make a few changes.

[Scott Lawrence]

Of course. I'll do anything, Supreme Spirit. Anything. Good.

[Supreme Spirit]

First, you'll have to give up eating grass and start eating fish.

[Scott Lawrence]

I can do that, Supreme Spirit. I can go from being an herbivore to a pescatarian, no problem.

[Supreme Spirit]

Very good. But once you start eating fish, Hippo, you must promise you won't keep them all for yourself. You must share them with your fellow water dwellers.

[Rebecca Schear]

Hippo felt a rush of dread.

[Listener]

Share?

[Rebecca Schear]

He had never shared anything before, and certainly not food. But he was so desperate to spend his scorching hot days in the water, what else could he say except you've.

[Scott Lawrence]

Got it, Supreme Spirit. I'll do it. I'll start eating fish, and I'll share them with my fellow water creatures.

[Supreme Spirit]

Promise?

[Scott Lawrence]

I promise.

[Supreme Spirit]

Then consider your wish granted. But remember, I'm doing you a big favor here. So 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.

[Rebecca Schear]

What do you think? Will Hippo honor his agreement with the Supreme Spirit, or will he pay the price? We'll find out what happens after a quick break.

[Paramount Pictures]

Support for Circle Round comes from Paramount Pictures This July. Get ready for an adventure that will blue you away It's Smurfs. Papa Smurf has been taken by evil wizards and if the Smurfs can't stop them, it'll mean the end of the universe. Smurfs has an all star cast with Nick Offerman, John Goodman, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne and lots of others, including Rihanna as Smurfette who leads the mission to rescue Papa Smurf. Rihanna also does some of the music on the great new soundtrack. Smurfs is in theaters July 18th. Bring the whole Smurfin family.

[Rebecca Schear]

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

[Listener]

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 Schear]

Grown ups get your Circle Round superfans signed up [e-mail] CircleRoundClub welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Shear. Today our story is called Hungry Hippo. Before the break, Hippo had eaten so much grass, his barrel shaped body had ballooned to an enormous size and his stretched out brownish gray hide had become dry and cracked in the blazing sun. The Supreme Spirit took pity on Hippo and granted his request to become a water dwelling creature. So with newfound happiness in his heart, Hippo waddled down to the cool blue river and dove in with a splash.

[Scott Lawrence]

Oh, what a relief. I feel so comfortable, so refreshed, so, so hungry. My stomach is growling like a mama lion protecting her cubs. I haven't eaten it in hours and I'm thirsty. Famished. I promised the Supreme Spirit that I would give up grass and start eating a diet of fish. So I guess it's time to give those slippery little snacks a try.

[Rebecca Schear]

Hippo plunged his head under the water, opened his jaws and gulped down a mouthful of fish.

[Scott Lawrence]

Mmm, not bad.

[Rebecca Schear]

Then he gulped down another mouthful.

[Scott Lawrence]

Really not bad. Then another mmm, really, really not bad. These fish are so good. I'll have no problem keeping my promise to the Supreme Spirit. No problem at all.

[Rebecca Schear]

Now remember, eating fish wasn't the only promise Hippo had made to the Supreme Spirit. Do you remember what the other promise was? That's right. He had also promised to share. He gave the Supreme Spirit his word that once he lived in the water, he would share fish with the other water animals. But as hippos stood there chowing down in the river, can you guess what he did? Or rather, what he didn't do?

[Turtle]

Hiya Hippo. Welcome to the Water. Any chance you could share some fish? Yeah, you know, we love eating fish too.

[Scott Lawrence]

And we'd be honored to join you for a meal. Join me for a meal? Share some fish? Turtle? Otter? Crocodile. Somehow you water animals are just as delusional as the land animals are. These fish are mine. Now beat it.

[Rebecca Schear]

Indeed. Just like that, Hippo forgot all about his second promise to the Supreme Spirit. Well, when the Supreme Spirit learned that Hippo had gone back on his word, the great deity swept down from the mountain to confront him.

[Supreme Spirit]

Hippo, what in the world do you think you're doing?

[Scott Lawrence]

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.

[Supreme Spirit]

But I didn't tell you to gobble up all of the fish. Hippo, when you asked me to change you into a water dweller, you assured me you would share the fish. Yet look at you. You're hoarding them all for yourself. Have you already forgotten the other half of your promise?

[Rebecca Schear]

Hippo froze mid gulp.

[Scott Lawrence]

Right about that. Listen, Supreme Spirit, I can explain everything.

[Supreme Spirit]

There's nothing to explain. We made a bargain, Hippo. I trusted you and you broke that trust. You let your selfishness get the better of you. So now, just as I warned, you must pay the price.

[Rebecca Schear]

Hippo felt the bristles of his little tail stand on end.

[Scott Lawrence]

Uh, and what pre tail might that price be?

[Supreme Spirit]

Well, Hippo, from this day forward, you may continue to live in the water, but you will no longer eat any fish.

[Scott Lawrence]

No longer eat any fish? Then what will I eat?

[Supreme Spirit]

That's simple. You will go back to eating grass.

[Scott Lawrence]

Okay. But there's no grass in the river.

[Supreme Spirit]

Indeed. Every time you get hungry, you must crawl out of the water and go back to the land to eat grass. But you won't eat nearly as much grass as you did before. To ensure that there's plenty of grass left for those other animals, I will give you a smaller appetite. Much smaller.

[Rebecca Schear]

And to this day, that's true. Even though hippos weigh a lot, like as much as a small car, they're pretty light eaters, especially compared with other animals their size. But as the Supreme Spirit went on to explain, a smaller appetite wasn't the only price Hippo would pay.

[Supreme Spirit]

And furthermore, Hippo, in order to make sure that you're just eating grass and not any fish, I will need proof.

[Scott Lawrence]

Uh, what kind of proof?

[Supreme Spirit]

Well, as you wade around in the water, you will stretch your mouth open very Wide. Wide enough for me to make sure you're not hiding any fish in there. You will do this many times throughout the day so that I can keep an eye on you.

[Rebecca Schear]

And that's true to this day too. Hippos frequently stretch their mouths open really wide. At full stretch, their mouths can measure 4ft from top jaw to bottom. That's tall enough for a six year old kid to stand up in. Not that they'd want to, but.

[Supreme Spirit]

Wait, Hippo, there's one more thing.

[Scott Lawrence]

There is?

[Supreme Spirit]

Yes. You've broken my trust once and I can't take you at your word anymore. So it won't be enough for me to check that there are no fish in your mouth. I'll also need proof on the other end.

[Scott Lawrence]

Uh, what do you mean on the other end?

[Supreme Spirit]

Well, you know that bristly little tail of yours?

[Scott Lawrence]

Yes.

[Supreme Spirit]

After you eat your fill of grass, all the fiber your body can't use will pass through your digestive system. And when it comes out the other end, you will use your bristly little tail to spread your dung along the riverbank.

[Scott Lawrence]

Uh, come again?

[Supreme Spirit]

After you eat, when it's time to do your business, you will come up and out of the river. Then you will spin your tail very, very quickly. So quickly that your dung will spray every which way and it will land in scattered piles along the riverbank. Then I will come down and inspect those piles to make sure they contain no fish bones.

[Rebecca Schear]

Hippo could hardly believe his ears.

[Scott Lawrence]

What?

[Rebecca Schear]

And chances are you can hardly believe your ears either. But honest to goodness, it's true. To this day, when hippos come to the riverbank to relieve themselves, they twirl their tails really, really fast, like an airplane propeller or an electric fan. So as they do their business, their dung sprays in all directions and lands in a scattered heap. Now, scientists say that hippos create this dung tornado as a way of marking their territory. But if you believe our story, it's also a way for these immense animals to prove they've been true to their word. And that despite their huge mass, we're.

[Scott Lawrence]

Only full of grass.

[Rebecca Schear]

Now it's your turn. Hippo had trouble being kind to others. But there are plenty of ways you can practice acts of kindness every day. And to help you along, why not make a kindness jar? First, find some pieces of paper and ask a grown up to help you cut the paper into strips on each strip of paper. Have your grown up help you write one kind thing you can do for someone else. Maybe you can help somebody with a chore or eat lunch with a new friend. Perhaps you can make a card for someone or give a family member a compliment or a hug. Once you've written an act of kindness on each strip of paper, put them all in a jar. Then every day or every week, pick a strip from the jar, read what it says, then do what it says. It'll be super fun for you and super meaningful for somebody else. This week's story, Hungry Hippo, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear. It was edited by Nora Sachs. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shyamalonis. Our artist is Sabina Hahn. Sabina has drawn a black and white coloring page for all 190 plus Circle Round stories and you can print them out and color them in grown ups. Head to our website WBUR.org CircleRound and click on coloring pages. And while you're at WBUR.org CircleRound you can also find a link to our new picture books. We've adapted several of your favorite Circle Round episodes as fun, colorful books and you can find them [e-mail] CircleRound just click on books. Special thanks to this week's actors, Jonathan Kormer, Hrishikesh Hirway, Jessica Rau, Erica Rose, Nick Sholly, Dawn Ursula and Scott Lawrence. Listen for Scott Lawrence in Star Resistance on Disney and the Star wars virtual reality series Immortal, where he plays Darth Vader. This week's featured instrument was the Djembe. To learn more about this African drum and see a photo of Eric Shyamalonas playing it, visit our website. Again, that's WBUR.org CircleRound Grown Ups. If you enjoy what you hear on Circle Round, please write us a five star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to to podcasts. You'll help us keep Circle Round going strong so we can keep Circling Round with you for years to come. Circle Round is a production of wbur, Boston's NPR News station. 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.

[Listener]

Hi, my name is Ifrita and I come from Loughborough, United Kingdom and my favorite Circle Round story is the Cobbler's Soul. My favorite part is when the cobbler uses his three gifts against the devil. Hi, my name is Cole and I live in Framingham, Massachusetts. My favorite Silk island story is the Twin Monkeys. My favorite part is when there's twin monkeys and twin brothers because me and my brother are twins. My name is Elijah and I'm from California, and my favorite episode is the Blizzard Wizard. And my favorite part is when the girl sees her mother. My name is Phoebe, I live in Connecticut, and my favorite story is the Zodiac 12. My favorite part is the part where he says in New York, get ready, go. My name is Max and I live in Brooklyn, New York. And my favorite story is that blue Petal. My favorite part is when he turns into an eagle. My name is Teddy from Brooklyn, New York, and my favorite story is Mr. Crystal Box. My favorite part is when the spider gets all the stories back to Earth. My name is Charlie and I'm from Coral Springs, Florida. I like all the Circle Round stories, but my my most favorite is Hot Potatoes because I like the part where the tortoise tricks the hare, even though the hare is the trickiest on the savannah.

[Rebecca Schear]

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.