Encore: Strong Mind and Kind Heart

Summary

Podcast Summary: Circle Round – “Encore: Strong Mind and Kind Heart”

Introduction

In the special encore edition of WBUR’s beloved podcast Circle Round, host Rebecca Shear presents an engaging retelling of the Vietnamese folktale, “Strong Mind and Kind Heart.” Designed for children and families, this episode explores themes of friendship, kindness, and the true meaning of success through a richly narrated story enhanced with sound and music.

Meet the Friends: Strong Mind and Kind Heart

The story centers around two lifelong friends, Strong Mind and Kind Heart. Strong Mind is celebrated for his intelligence, while Kind Heart is admired for his compassion. Their unbreakable bond dates back to childhood, where they played and dreamed together. As adults, they work diligently on the land of a wealthy landlord, sharing a modest, leaky thatched roof hut.

“Let’s go swimming in the river, Strong Mind.”
— Kind Heart [02:21]

“I’ll bet I could beat you in a race across.”
— Strong Mind [02:23]

The Pact: A Promise of Friendship

One morning, Kind Heart proposes a transformative pact to Strong Mind. He has been secretly saving money to fund Strong Mind’s education, enabling him to pursue his dream of becoming a royal advisor.

“I haven’t told you this, but I’ve been saving up my wages... can we make a pact?”
— Kind Heart [04:04]

Strong Mind, initially hesitant, is deeply moved by Kind Heart’s generosity and agrees to the pact, envisioning a future where their dreams are mutually supported.

Strong Mind’s Rise and Kind Heart’s Struggle

With Kind Heart’s unwavering support, Strong Mind attends school in the capital city, excelling academically and eventually securing a prestigious position as the king’s chief advisor. Meanwhile, Kind Heart remains in the countryside, tirelessly working the landlord’s fields and sending money and letters to his friend.

“I’m thrilled that you’re finally pursuing your dream.”
— Kind Heart [04:57]

However, over time, Strong Mind becomes increasingly distant and absorbed in his new life. His lack of communication and eventual rejection leave Kind Heart heartbroken and confused.

“Tell him to go away.”
— Strong Mind [08:04]

The Test of Kindness: Encounter with the Fairy

Distraught by Strong Mind’s abandonment, Kind Heart experiences a moment of despair by the river, where he rescues a seemingly drowning woman. To his astonishment, the woman reveals herself as a fairy testing his kindness.

“Well done, Kind Heart. You passed the test.”
— Fairy [10:02]

Impressed by his unselfish act, the fairy grants Kind Heart a magical reward, transporting him back home and transforming his humble hut into a magnificent jade palace.

Reversal of Fortunes: Trading Lives

In his new opulent home, Kind Heart organizes a lavish housewarming party, extending an exclusive invitation to Strong Mind. Tempted by envy and the fairy’s clever manipulation, Strong Mind attends the banquet at the jade palace. Throughout the evening, his greed intensifies, leading him to accept the fairy’s proposition to trade lives with Kind Heart.

“I would trade everything I have to lead the life our host leads.”
— Strong Mind [18:45]

The next morning, Strong Mind awakens in the very hut he once shared with Kind Heart, while Kind Heart enjoys the luxurious lifestyle of a royal advisor. This magical swap serves as a poignant lesson on the true value of friendship and humility.

Conclusion and Reflections

The tale concludes with a heartfelt moral: true success encompasses both intelligence and a kind heart. Strong Mind’s realization of his misplaced priorities underscores the importance of maintaining genuine relationships over personal ambition.

Listener Activity

To engage young listeners and foster meaningful conversations, Circle Round encourages children to reflect on their own acts of friendship. The activity prompts kids to:

1. Think about a time they were a good friend.
2. Draw a picture depicting their act of kindness.
3. Share their artwork with friends or family members.

Submitters can also share their creations with the show via email, fostering a community of kindness and creativity.

Behind the Scenes

The episode, adapted by Rebecca Shear and produced by WBUR’s talented team, features stellar performances from cast members including Theodore Chin, Shelley Lee, Jessica Rao, Jefferson A. Russell, and Christopher Shawn. Notably, Christopher Shawn is highlighted for his roles in Star Resistance on Disney and as Batman’s first sidekick, Nightwing, in the video game Gotham Knights. The story is enriched with original music by Eric Shyamalonis and beautifully illustrated by Sabina Hahn, whose coloring pages are available on the Circle Round website.

Final Thoughts

“Encore: Strong Mind and Kind Heart” is a captivating episode that not only entertains but also imparts valuable life lessons. By blending traditional folktales with modern storytelling techniques, Circle Round continues to inspire and educate listeners of all ages.

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

Transcript

[Rebecca Shear]

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 ed of the podcast, a really fun story you may have missed the first time around. Enjoy. Have you ever made a pact? A pact is an agreement that you make with somebody and ideally you both follow through on your ends of the bargain. Well, we're about to meet a character who does not hold up his end of the bargain and as a result, he ends up getting way less than than he bargained for. I'm Rebecca Shear and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time. Today, our story is called Strong Mind and Kind Heart. Versions of this folk tale come from the Southeast Asian country of Vietnam. Some really great people came together to bring you our adaptation of this tale, including Christopher Shawn, whom you might recognize from his lead role on Star Resistance on Disney. Watch for Christopher as Batman's first sidekick, Nightwing, in the new action role playing video game Gotham Knights. So circle round, everyone, for Strong Mind and Kind Heart. Once upon a time, there were two friends. One of the friends was especially clever, so everyone called him Strong Mind. The other friend was especially caring, so everyone called him Kind Heart. Strong Mind and Kind Heart had known each other since the day they were born. They had planned played together as children.

[Kind Heart]

Let's go swimming in the river, Strong Mind.

[Strong Mind]

I'll bet I could beat you in a race across.

[Rebecca Shear]

And when they were all grown up, they worked together, watering, weeding, ploughing and planting the fields of a wealthy landlord. Not only that, but they lived together too, in the only abode they could afford, a leaky thatched roof hut with cold, creaky floors and cracked, peeling walls. One morning before the friends went off to work, Kind Heart turned to Strong Mind with a smile.

[Kind Heart]

Strong Mind, you know how we're always talking about pursuing our studies and becoming great scholars.

[Rebecca Shear]

Strong Mind heaved a wistful sigh.

[Strong Mind]

I sure do, Kind Heart. Ever since we were little, our greatest dream has been to study hard and become advisors to the king. But come on, we both know we could never afford to go to school. Our dream will never come true.

[Kind Heart]

I wouldn't be so sure about that.

[Rebecca Shear]

Kind Heart laid a hand on his friend's shoulder.

[Kind Heart]

Listen, Strong Mind, I haven't told you this, but I've been saving up my wages And I've got just enough money to pay for your first year of school.

[Strong Mind]

My first year of school? What about your first year of school? It's your money, after all.

[Kind Heart]

I know. But I want to help you. You're my best friend and I want you to live your dream. I've got enough money for your first year of school so you can go to classes and study. And after that, I'll keep working to support you until you graduate.

[Strong Mind]

And after I graduate? What then?

[Kind Heart]

After you graduate and land your dream job and become an advisor to the King, you can support me while I follow my dream. What do you say? Can we make a pact?

[Rebecca Shear]

Strong Mind gazed into Kind Heart's eyes. Then he wrapped him in a hug.

[Strong Mind]

Of course we can make a pact. Thank you, Kind Heart. I'll never forget your kindness.

[Rebecca Shear]

So thanks to Kind Heart, Strong Mind went off to school in the Capital City. Kind Heart, meanwhile, stayed home and worked in the landlord's fields. In the blistering sun, in the pouring rain, in the bone chilling wind. Kind Heart watered, weeded, plowed and planted. Sending all the money he made to his oldest and dearest friend in the world. He also sent letters.

[Kind Heart]

Dear Strong Mind, I hope all is well with you in the Capital City. I'm thrilled that you're finally pursuing your dream. Dear Strong Mind. Dear Strong Mind, I can't believe you've been gone for a whole year now. Two years already. Your brain must be bursting with having the most incredible time.

[Rebecca Shear]

With every letter Kind Heart sent, Strong Mind promptly wrote back.

[Strong Mind]

Dear Kind Heart, so good to hear from you. I'm doing great here at school. Though I sure do miss my best friend. Dear Kind Heart. Dear Kind Heart, indeed. It's been a whole year. Number Two is through. I've learned so much and can't wait to tell you about it. All thanks to you.

[Rebecca Shear]

But after some time. Dear Strong Mind, Kind Hearts letters.

[Kind Heart]

It's been a while since I last.

[Rebecca Shear]

Heard from you began to go unanswered.

[Kind Heart]

Perhaps you're just super busy at school.

[Rebecca Shear]

The longer Kindheart went without hearing from his friend, the more he began to worry. Was Strong Mind all right? Had something terrible happened to him? But then, while Kind Heart was out doing errands in the village, one day, he overheard two villagers chatting in the square.

[Villager 1]

My goodness. Have you heard the news? Strong Mind finished his studies in the Capital City and graduated top of his class.

[Strong Mind]

Well, no surprise there. We've always known how brilliant that fellow is.

[Villager 1]

And now the King knows it too. His Royal Majesty just hired Strong Mind to be his chief advisor.

[Strong Mind]

His chief advisor. What an honor.

[Villager 1]

And what a paycheck. Word has it Strong Mind bought himself a brand new house. A big, beautiful house with his own guards and cooks and. And everything.

[Strong Mind]

How wonderful. Good for Strong Mind.

[Rebecca Shear]

As Kindheart listened to the villagers chat, it pained him that Strong Mind hadn't delivered this exciting news himself. But it thrilled him that his best friend's dream had finally come true.

[Kind Heart]

And now Strong Mind can make good on his promise and support me as I follow my dream. Tomorrow, I'll journey to the capital city and pay my oldest and dearest friend a visit.

[Rebecca Shear]

But when Kindheart reached his friend's big, beautiful house in the capital city, he was stopped at the gate by a stern guard in uniform.

[Guard]

Hold it right there, sir. Who are you? And what business do you have here?

[Kind Heart]

Oh, well, my name is Kind Heart. I'm Strong Mind's oldest and dearest friend. I wonder if he's at home.

[Guard]

Kind Heart? The name doesn't ring any bells, but all right. One moment, please.

[Rebecca Shear]

The guard spun around and marched into the house. He found Strong Mind in the lavish library pouring through a pile of thick books.

[Guard]

Sir, a Kind Heart is here to see you.

[Rebecca Shear]

Strong Mind scowled.

[Strong Mind]

Tell him to go away.

[Guard]

But with all due respect, sir, he says he's your oldest and dearest friend.

[Rebecca Shear]

Strong Mind rolled his eyes.

[Strong Mind]

Listen, he may have been a friend once, but that was before I became so successful with a fabulous job and a fabulous house. I don't have time for little people like Kind Heart anymore. Tell him to go away.

[Rebecca Shear]

So that's exactly what the guard did.

[Kind Heart]

But wait. Why would Strong Mind want me to go away? I'm his oldest and dearest.

[Guard]

His oldest and dearest friend. So you say, buddy. But I'd suggest you move along. Strong Mind wants nothing to do with you.

[Rebecca Shear]

Stinging with hurt and reeling with confusion, Kind Heart staggered away from the house and out of the city. He found himself beside a rushing river, where he collapsed on the bank with a sob.

[Kind Heart]

How could my oldest and dearest friend in the world claim that he doesn't know me? I mean, here he is, living the dream. The dream that I. I helped him achieve. And suddenly I'm a complete stranger. After I worked so hard for him. Hour after hour, day after day, week after week and month after.

[Rebecca Shear]

Help. Someone please help. Kindheart looked out across the water, and what should he see, flailing and thrashing around in the swift current, but a woman.

[Kind Heart]

Tiger.

[Drowning Woman]

Can you help me, please?

[Kind Heart]

Of course I can. Don't you worry.

[Rebecca Shear]

Without hesitating Kindheart plunged into the river. By the time he swam the woman back to shore, her body was still and her eyelids were closed.

[Kind Heart]

Oh, dear me. Are you all right, Miss? Can you hear me?

[Drowning Woman]

Can you?

[Fairy]

Clear as a bell.

[Rebecca Shear]

To Kind Heart's surprise, the woman popped open her eyes and sprang to her feet.

[Fairy]

Well done, Kind Heart. You passed the test.

[Rebecca Shear]

Kind Heart was dumbstruck.

[Kind Heart]

Test? What test? And how do you know my name?

[Fairy]

Oh, we fairies know everything.

[Rebecca Shear]

Kind Heart's jaw dropped.

[Kind Heart]

Fairies? Fairies, you say?

[Fairy]

Yes. We've had our eye on you for some time now, Kind Heart. Some of the other fairies wanted to see just how kind your heart truly is. So they sent me to pretend I was drowning in the river. And you saved me. You dove right into that ice cold water without a second thought. So you passed the test. And now you shall get your reward.

[Rebecca Shear]

What reward do you think the fairy is talking about? We'll find out what it is after a quick break. 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.

[Drowning Woman]

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.

[Rebecca Shear]

Grown ups support public radio and sign up [e-mail] CircleRoundClub welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Shear. Today our story is called Strong Mind and Kind Heart. Before the break, Kindheart was devastated after being turned away from the big, beautiful house of his oldest friend, Strong Mind. On the way home, Kind Heart saved a woman who seemed to be drowning in the river, but she was actually a fairy, testing his kindness. And now she said she would give him his reward.

[Fairy]

Here, Kind Heart, take my hand.

[Rebecca Shear]

Kind Heart took the fairy's hand, and before he knew what was happening, the two of them were lifting up into the air. They went whizzing through the sky, and within minutes, they were back on the ground right in front of Kind Heart's leaky thatched roof hut.

[Fairy]

So, Kind Heart, this hut, this is the place you once shared with Strong Mind, your oldest and dearest friend.

[Kind Heart]

Oldest friend, maybe, but definitely not dearest. Would you believe he turned me away from his fancy new house in the capital city? The fancy new house that he wouldn't even have, by the way, if it weren't for me. Years ago, we made a pact. I toiled for years to support Strong Mind, helping him follow his dream of going to school and becoming a royal advisor. After that, he was supposed to support me, help me follow my dream. Yet he claims he doesn't even know me. It isn't right.

[Rebecca Shear]

The fairy fixed Kindheart with a twinkling gaze.

[Fairy]

Don't you worry, Kind Heart. We'll make things right. Starting now.

[Rebecca Shear]

She flicked her fingers, and all at once, Kind Heart thatched Ruf Hotel vanished. Then she flicked her fingers once more, and where the hut once stood, with its cold, creaky floors and cracked, peeling walls, there now loomed a majestic skyscraping palace made of sparkling green jade. Kindheart watched in wonder as the doors of the Jade palace opened wide and out streamed dozens upon dozens of guards and butlers, footmen and cottage.

[Fairy]

Meet your new staff, Kind Heart. And welcome to your new home. I was thinking our first order of business should be throwing a housewarming party. I'll organize everything, including the guest list. Just leave everything to me.

[Rebecca Shear]

True to her word, the fairy threw herself into preparing for the party. She used her magic to create scrumptious plates of food and dazzling decorations. And as for the guest list, she wrote out just one invitation to just one person.

[Fairy]

Dear Strong Mind, your presence is humbly requested at a housewarming banquet at the Jade palace tomorrow.

[Rebecca Shear]

When it came time to deliver the invitation, the fairies sent an entire fleet of footmen and horses to Strong Mind's big, beautiful house in the capital city. When Strong. When Strong Mind spotted the magnificent horses in their shiny leather bridles, he was immediately intrigued. He grabbed the invitation from one of the footmen and eagerly began to read.

[Strong Mind]

Dear Strong Mind, your presence is humbly requested at a housewarming banquet at the Jade palace tomorrow. Come dine and meet the palace's new owner. Fancy dress only, huh? I'm not familiar with this Jade palace, but it sounds downright luxurious. Right up my alley. Count me in.

[Rebecca Shear]

The next day, Strong Mind put on his poshest attire and journeyed to the Jade Palace. When he arrived, he was bowled over by its colossal size and glistening jade walls. As a butler led Strong Mind through a maze of extravagant rooms, he found himself overcome with curiosity.

[Kind Heart (disguised)]

Hmm.

[Strong Mind]

This Jade palace is so spectacular, it even rivals the king's castle. I wonder who owns this amazing edifice.

[Rebecca Shear]

At long last, Strong Mind was ushered into a grand and glorious banquet hall, where he found a lengthy table set with plates of pure silver, cutlery of pure gold, and goblets of pure crystal. Sitting at the head of the table, dressed in a long, flowing gown, was the fairy. Though to Strong Mind, she looked like a regular human. The fairy lifted her arm and waved a bejeweled hand.

[Fairy]

Greetings. You must be Strong Mind. Welcome to the Jade Palace. I hope you didn't get lost on your way in. With 1,000 rooms under one roof, the new owner and his 200 servants are always getting turned around.

[Rebecca Shear]

Strong Mind's head was spinning. 1,000 rooms, 200 servants. And look at that banquet table. It was long enough to seat an army.

[Strong Mind]

I thank you, madam. It's an honor to be here. Where might the owner be?

[Fairy]

Oh, right.

[Rebecca Shear]

Our host, the Fairy, smiled.

[Fairy]

He's been detained, but he said we should get started without him. Please sit down.

[Rebecca Shear]

The moment Strong Mind took a seat, a parade of butlers began carrying course after delictable course into the hall with every platter of sumptuous, marvelous food and every glass of strong, expensive wine. Strong Mind grew more and more impressed and more and more envious. After the dessert course, a platter of pastries piled so high it took two butlers to carry. Strong Mind wiped his lips with a silk napkin and grinned.

[Strong Mind]

Good madam, this meal has been exquisite. I must confess I feel quite envious of our host's life.

[Rebecca Shear]

The fairy laughed. Her plan was working.

[Fairy]

Envious? You? But you're the king's chief advisor. You have everything you could possibly want.

[Strong Mind]

Not everything. As a young man, I had nothing but a pathetic, leaky thatched roof hut in the countryside with peeling walls and creaky floors. It was miserable. Then I became the king's chief advisor, and I got a big house and a big staff of workers. But all of that pales in comparison with this splendor.

[Rebecca Shear]

Strong Mind leaned forward, his hands trembling with greed.

[Strong Mind]

I tell you, I would trade everything I have to lead the life our host leads. I would give up my house, my job, everything.

[Kind Heart (disguised)]

You'd really give up everything?

[Rebecca Shear]

Strong Mind turned his head. Striding into the hall was a man with a dark mustache and long beard. A velvet cap was pulled over his eyes. Little did Strong Mind know, but the man was actually Kind Heart in disguise.

[Kind Heart]

You truly would trade everything you have.

[Kind Heart (disguised)]

To lead my life?

[Rebecca Shear]

Strong Mind jumped to his feet and bowed.

[Strong Mind]

Good sir, you must be the owner of the Jade Palace. And yes, I would trade everything I have in a heartbeat.

[Kind Heart (disguised)]

I see.

[Rebecca Shear]

Kind Heart stroked his fake beard as if deep in thought.

[Kind Heart (disguised)]

You know, Strong Mind, it just so happens that I've always dreamt of being an advisor to the King, just like you. So I tell you what.

[Rebecca Shear]

He threw a quick glance at the fairy.

[Kind Heart (disguised)]

My friend here happens to know a bit of magic, so she will see to it that the trade is made.

[Rebecca Shear]

Really? Strong Mind's excited eyes danced between Kindheart and the fairy.

[Strong Mind]

When can we get started?

[Kind Heart (disguised)]

Well, tonight you will sleep in one of my palace's guest bedrooms. You may take your pick. There are dozens to choose from. Then tomorrow, you and I will trade lives. You will live the life I have been leading, and I will live the life you have been leading.

[Rebecca Shear]

Strong Mind could hardly believe his ears. He grabbed his host's hand and pumped it up and down.

[Strong Mind]

I thank you, sir. You are doing me a generous favor.

[Kind Heart (disguised)]

And you're doing me a generous favor too. Sleep well, Strong Mind.

[Rebecca Shear]

Strong Mind took one last sip of wine, then hustled out of the banquet hall to select his sleeping quarters. After traipsing from floor to floor and room to room, he finally settled on a spacious chamber with velvet tapestries on the walls and a crystal chandelier glittering high above a fluffy feather bed. He had a big smug smile on his face as he drifted off to sleep.

[Strong Mind]

I can hardly wait. Tomorrow, all of this will be mine.

[Rebecca Shear]

But the next morning, when Strong Mind woke up again, something was decidedly dangerous different. For starters, he was not sleeping in a fluffy feather bed.

[Kind Heart (disguised)]

What?

[Rebecca Shear]

And hanging above him, there was no crystal chandelier. Huh? What's more, the walls around him were not covered with velvet tapestries.

[Strong Mind]

Hey.

[Rebecca Shear]

As Strong Mind swiveled his head around, he discovered the entire Jade palace was gone. Instead, he was sitting on a cold, creaky floor. Above him was a leaky thatched roof, and around him were walls that were cracked and peeling.

[Strong Mind]

It can't be. It can't.

[Rebecca Shear]

And yet it was. Strong Mind was back in the old hut he used to share with Kind Heart. For the fairy had granted his wish. And now Strong Mind was leading Kind Heart's life. Kind Heart's real life before it had been touched with magic.

[Kind Heart]

Oh, no.

[Rebecca Shear]

As for Kind Heart, well, he and Strong Mind traded places, Right? So Kind Heart woke up in Strong Mind's big beautiful house in the capital city. And he went to work as the kings chief advisor. At long last, the good faithful fellow was living the life he had always dreamed of. Deep in his kind, Kind Heart. Now it's your turn. Think about a time you were a good friend. Maybe you made an extra special birthday card for a classmate. Perhaps you helped a buddy put up flyers to find lost cat. Or maybe you lent an ear as one of your pals told you about their tough day. Find some paper and draw a picture of you being a good friend. After that, share your drawing with your friend. And if you'd like, share it with us grown ups, you can snap a photo of your kiddo and their artwork and email it to [e-mail] this week's story Strong Mind and Kind Heart 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 every single Circle Round story and you can print them out and color them in grownups. 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 brand 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 Theodore Chin, Shelley Lee, Jessica Rao, Jefferson A. Russell and Christopher Shawn. Watch for Christopher in Star Resistance on Disney and check him out as Batman's first sidekick, Nightwing in the new action role playing game Gotham Knights. Our featured instrument this week was the Gucheng, a plucked zither dating back 2500 years. To learn more and see a photograph, visit our website Once more, that's WBUR.org grown ups. If you enjoy what you hear on our podcast, please write us a five star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to Circle Round. It helps keep Circle Round going strong so we can continue circling round with you for years to come. Circle Round is a production of wbur, Boston's NPR News Station. I'm Rebecca she. 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.

[Drowning Woman]

Hi, my name is Kalim. I'm from Ethiopia and my favorite story is the Crocus Pocus and I love when the old lady turned into a young woman. My name is Uma and I'm from Portland, Maine. And my favorite Circle Round story is Giant Steps. I like the part where the giant tells the woodcutter a bunch of jokes like the humanitarian joke. My name is Elan and I live in Buellton, California. And my favorite Circle Round story is Chameleon's Contest. And I like the part when Chameleon says Are you sure you want to throw in the towel? Because I could keep doing this all day. My name is Parker, I live in Seattle, Washington and my favorite episode is the Cross Crystal Story box. And my favorite part is when Anansi the spider drops all the stories on earth. Hi, my name is Nova and I live in Oakland, California. And my favorite story is like falls. And my favorite part is when the king comes back. I'm a yognat and I live in Oakland, California. My favorite circle round story is the Persimmon Sisters and my favorite part is when the two sisters stop fighting. Hi, my name is Mary and I'm from Alabama. And my favorite sick rom story is Misery Loves Company. And I like the part when Misery talks to the farmer.

[Rebecca Shear]

Did someone mention a story you've missed? Not to worry grownups. 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.