Encore: The Fairy Fort

Summary

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Circle Round – Encore: The Fairy Fort

Host: Rebecca Sheir
Release Date: January 6, 2026
Podcast: WBUR’s Circle Round

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Episode Overview

This episode revisits the beloved Irish folktale "The Fairy Fort," adapted for listeners young and old. Through the experiences of siblings Muriel and Declan, the story dives into themes of belief, respect for tradition, consequence, and reconciliation, all woven together with magic and music. The episode captures the mischief and magic of fairies while highlighting the importance of respecting boundaries and making amends.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Segments

Setting the Scene (00:00–03:08)

• The family: Muriel, her little brother Declan, and their mother live in a yellow farmhouse in the Irish countryside.
• Each family member has morning chores—Muriel milks cows, Declan feeds pigs, Mother gathers eggs.
• Muriel practices her small rosewood harp, while Declan loves exploring outside.

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The Fairy Fort Warning (03:08–05:38)

• Declan invites Muriel to pick wild bluebells for their mother.
• Muriel declines but warns Declan:
  • Quote: “Can you promise me that you won't pick any bluebells from the fairy fort?” (04:31, Muriel)
• Declan, dismissive, declares he doesn’t believe in fairies:
  • Quote: "I know fairies aren't real. They're just a made up idea. They don't actually exist." (05:10, Declan)
• Muriel insists, but Declan ignores her warning and sets out alone.

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Declan Breaks the Rule (05:38–07:51)

• In the meadow, Declan finds a circular mound—the fairy fort—overflowing with bluebells.
• He rationalizes that picking a few flowers won’t matter, ignoring Muriel's warning.
  • Quote: "Even if the fairy fort were real, which it isn't...There are so many flowers here. The fairies will never notice if I pick a handful or two." (06:30, Declan)
• He brings the bluebells home; Muriel is alarmed upon learning the source.

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Trouble at Bedtime & the Fairy’s Revenge (08:05–11:42)

• Muriel warns Declan about fairy revenge—that the fairies will wake up, see the missing bluebells, and retaliate (08:05).
• That night, Declan experiences a stinging sensation whenever he tries to sleep, as if his bed is full of thorns.
• Quote: "I don't know what happened, Sister. All I know is I climbed into bed and felt like it was full of thorns. Like a Blackberry bramble had somehow sprung right out from the mattress." (10:07, Declan)
• No one else feels the thorns. Muriel concludes the fairies must be responsible.
• Quote: "Well, then, I think someone is playing a trick on you. And a rather nasty trick at that." (11:14, Muriel)

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Seeking Advice from Mother (11:42–13:18)

• The siblings rush to their mother for help.
• Mother confirms the fairies have cast a spell and only making peace will break it.
  • Quote: "The only way to break a fairy spell is to make peace with them. You must do something that will please them." (12:45, Mother)
• Attempts at ideas: returning the bluebells, giving silver coins, or food—all rejected. Mother hints that fairies love music and dancing.

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Muriel's Gift to the Fairies (13:18–17:15)

• Muriel realizes her music may be the solution. She ventures at night to the fairy fort, harp in hand.
• At the fairy fort, Muriel is confronted by scowling fairies angry at being disturbed:
  • Quote (from the fairies): "You're the one whose brother stole our bluebells... now you've come to disturb our party." (14:37–14:56)
  • Chorus: “Get out of here, human person, before we punish you just like we did your brother.” (14:56–15:02)
• Waiting for a break in the fairy music, Muriel bravely plays her harp for the fairies.
• Her music entrances them, turning their anger to delight:
  • Quote (from a fairy): "Such beautiful music you play, human person. It's the perfect music for our party." (16:05, Fairy)
• The fairies reward her performance with applause and offer her a wish.
• Muriel’s request: reverse the spell on Declan, nothing more.
  • Quote: "All I ask is that you please help my little brother and reverse your spell." (16:45, Muriel)
• The fairies agree—on the condition Muriel returns to play for them again.

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Resolution & Moral (17:15–17:25)

• Muriel finds Declan sleeping peacefully—proof the spell is lifted.
• True to her promise, Muriel continues to visit the fairy fort, enriching the fairy parties with her music.
• Lasting lesson: Kindness, respect for others (even mysterious ones), and creative offering can make amends for mistakes.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On disbelief:
  • Declan: "I know fairies aren't real. They're just a made up idea." (05:10)
• On consequence:
  • Muriel: "Well, something tells me you'll be believing in both those things before long." (08:05)
• Moment of transformation:
  • Fairies: "Such beautiful music you play, human person. It's the perfect music for our party." (16:05)
• Forgiveness and promise:
  • Muriel: "All I ask is that you please help my little brother and reverse your spell." (16:45)
  • Muriel: "I absolutely will come back and play for you. I promise I will. Thank you fairies. Thank you." (17:15)

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Activity Segment: Make Your Own Fairy Bells (17:25–18:25)

• Instructions to create fairy bells:
  1. Find a small stick.
  2. Thread string or yarn with bells and beads.
  3. Wrap string around the stick, then hang it outside your window.
  4. If you hear the bells tinkle, a mischievous fairy might be nearby!

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Additional Notes and Featured Elements

• Cast: Taylor Richardson, Alison Wright, and others.
• Featured instrument: The Irish Harp.
• Story adapted by: Rebecca Sheir; original music by Eric Shimolonis.

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Listener Favorites Montage (20:47–22:23)

• Young listeners share their favorite Circle Round stories, adding a communal, celebratory close to the episode.

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Tone and Language

The tone is playful, gently suspenseful, and warm throughout, reflecting the show's aim to foster curiosity, kindness, and imagination in both children and adults. Characters feel close-knit and authentic, and the fairies are depicted as mischievous but ultimately reasonable.

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Takeaway

"The Fairy Fort" is a charming parable about respecting the unknown, correcting one's mistakes, and the remarkable power of offering one's unique gifts in reconciliation. The gentle narration, lively dialogue, and enchanting music make this encore episode a treat for listeners of all ages.

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Transcript

[Rebecca Shear]

Hey, Circle Round fans, we've added stops to our 2025, 2026 circle round live tour, and you're invited. Join us for live episode recordings in Los Angeles on January 18, Boston on February 7, and Cleveland on March 14. We can't wait to circle round with you live. Get your [e-mail] CircleRound. Hi, Rebecca Shear here wishing you a happy, healthy new year here at Circle Round. We're taking time off this week to gear up for a bucket of exciting live recordings. Join us for Circle Round Live in Los Angeles on January 18th, Boston on February 7th, and Cleveland on March 14th. Get your [e-mail] CircleRound. And now we're pleased to present an encore edition of Circle Round, an episode from the archives that's become a big listener favorite. We'll be back with a new episode next Tuesday. Have you ever made mischief? A little harmless mischief can be fun. My son recently put a whoopee cushion on my chair at the dinner table and, well, we all had a good laugh about that. But in today's story, the mischief doesn't come from a playful young boy. It comes from some impish fairies. And they don't just make mischief, they wreak havoc. I'm Rebecca Scheer and welcome to Circle Round, where story time happens all the time. Today, our story is called the Fairy Fort. Versions of this tale come from Ireland, a country in Northern Europe. Some really great people came together to bring you our adaptation of this folktale, including Taylor Richardson and Alison Wright. Taylor Richardson stars in the Gilded Age on HBO Max Emmy nominated actress Alison Wright stars in Snowpiercer on TNT as well as the Americans and Betty and Joan on fx. So circle around everyone for the Fairy Fort. Muriel and her younger brother Declan lived with their mother in a pale yellow farmhouse in the countryside. In the summer, when Muriel and Declan were off from school, every day began the same way. After a hearty breakfast of fried eggs, potatoes and Mother's famous soda bread, it was time for morning chores. Muriel went to the barn to milk the cows.

[Muriel]

Nellie, Elsa, time for your milking.

[Rebecca Shear]

Declan went to the pig pen to feed the pigs.

[Declan]

Good morning, you porkers. Ready for some yummy scraps?

[Rebecca Shear]

And Mother went to the hen house to collect fresh eggs.

[Mother]

Good day, ladies.

[Rebecca Shear]

Whoa.

[Mother]

It looks like you had a busy night.

[Rebecca Shear]

After chores, Mother went off to do her sewing while Declan and Muriel enjoyed some free time before lunch. While Declan went outside to play, Muriel usually sat at the kitchen table and practiced her harp. Muriel's harp was made from gleaming Rosewood with dozens of strings stretching up and down its curvy frame. But it wasn't a big, tall harp like the ones you see in an orchestra. It was much smaller, just the right size for holding in your lap as you plucked its strings. One summer day, after breakfast and morning chores, Muriel was at the kitchen table practicing a lively jig when Declan came running in.

[Declan]

Muriel. Muriel.

[Muriel]

Yes, little brother?

[Declan]

I was wondering. Instead of practicing your harp this morning, how about you take a break and come outside with me? It's high season for wildflowers. We can go to the meadow and pick bluebells for Mother. You know they're her favorite flower.

[Muriel]

Bluebells are Mother's favorite, aren't they? But I'll have to pass. I'm trying to learn this jig and I need to keep practicing. You go out and enjoy yourself. But wait.

[Rebecca Shear]

Declan paused by the door.

[Declan]

What is it?

[Muriel]

Can you promise me one thing? Can you promise me that you won't pick any bluebells from the fairy fort?

[Declan]

The fairy fort?

[Rebecca Shear]

Declan rolled his eyes.

[Declan]

Are you talking about the circular mound of earth surrounded by a ring of trees where the so called fairies supposedly make their home?

[Muriel]

So called fairies supposedly make their home? Declan, you've heard Mother's stories. Fairies are real and so was their fort. And if you mess with it in any way, the fairies will use their magic and mischief to get revenge on you.

[Rebecca Shear]

Declan rolled his eyes again.

[Declan]

Look, Muriel, just because I'm the little brother doesn't mean you have to treat me like a baby. I know fairies aren't real. They're just a made up idea. They don't actually exist.

[Rebecca Shear]

Now Muriel rolled her eyes.

[Muriel]

Well, I may be the big sister, but I do believe in fairies. And I'm telling you, Declan, stay away from the fairy fort, you hear?

[Rebecca Shear]

But Declan didn't answer. He had already dashed out the door and headed for the wide rolling meadow where the sun splashed. Fields were exploding with wildflowers.

[Declan]

Oh my. Look at all these blossoms. Golden buttercups, red clover, purple columbine. But what's this?

[Rebecca Shear]

Declan found himself staring at a ring of trees. As he peered through the branches, he noticed the trees stood around a grassy hill with thousands of bluebells growing at the top.

[Declan]

Goodness me, I've never seen so many bluebells growing in one place. This is the perfect spot to pick bluebells for Mother. Of course, I know what Muriel would say if she saw this place. Circular mound of earth, ring of trees, blah blah, blah. But come on. Even if the fairy fort were real, which it isn't. There are so many flowers here. The fairies will never notice if I pick a handful or two.

[Rebecca Shear]

So Declan made his way through the trees and up the hill, where he filled his basket with bluebells. Once he had gathered a nice bouquet, he returned to the pale yellow farmhouse where Muriel was still practicing her harp.

[Declan]

Big sister, look.

[Rebecca Shear]

Muriel tucked her harp in her satchel and gazed at Declan's bouquet.

[Muriel]

My goodness, little brother, what lovely bluebells.

[Declan]

I could have picked dozens more. There must have been thousands of them growing on this funny round hill surrounded by a circle of trees. I can't wait to show them.

[Muriel]

Hold on a second.

[Rebecca Shear]

Muriel held up her hand.

[Muriel]

Did you say a funny round hill surrounded by a circle of trees? The bluebells were growing on a funny round hill surrounded by a circle of trees? Well, yes, Declan, what did I tell you? That was the fairy fort. You picked flowers from the ferry fort. I told you that you mustn't ever.

[Declan]

Look, sister, I know what you told me, but I also know what I believe, or what I don't believe, rather. And I don't believe in fairies or their fairy fort.

[Muriel]

Well, something tells me you'll be believing in both those things before long. According to mother stories, the fairies sleep during the day. Then at sundown they wake up and party all night long with music and dancing. But when the fairies wake up tonight and discover some of their bluebells are missing, I suspect they won't be throwing a party. I suspect they'll be throwing a fit and they'll want revenge. On.

[Rebecca Shear]

What do you think? Will the fairies work their magic and mischief to get revenge on Declan? Or is Declan right and the fairies are nothing more than a fairy tale? We'll find out after a quick break. Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Scheer. Today our story is called the Fairy Fort. Before the break, Muriel worried that her little brother Declan had picked bluebells from the fairy fort, a circular mound of earth surrounded by a ring of trees. Muriel feared that when the fairies awoke at sundown to throw their usual all night party, they would discover the missing flowers and get revenge. Declan, meanwhile, didn't even believe in fairies. Little did he know that in a few short hours he'd be singing a different tune. That night at bedtime, Declan brushed his teeth, washed his face, then headed to his room. But the moment he lay down on his bed. Ouch. He jumped right off. At the sound of Declan's carrying on, Muriel came bolting into the room.

[Muriel]

Little brother, what's wrong?

[Rebecca Shear]

Declan Pointed a quivering finger at his bed.

[Declan]

I don't know what happened, Sister. All I know is I climbed into bed and felt like it was full of thorns. Like a BlackBerry bramble had somehow sprung right out from the mattress.

[Rebecca Shear]

Muriel peered at Declan's mattress. She certainly didn't see any BlackBerry brambles. Carefully, she swept her hand across the flannel sheets.

[Muriel]

I don't know, Declan. Your bed seems fine to me, but.

[Declan]

It doesn't feel fine. Something was stinging me, I swear.

[Muriel]

All right, don't worry. You can sleep in my room tonight.

[Rebecca Shear]

So Declan joined Muriel in her room. But the moment he lay down on her bed. Ouch. He leaped the thorns.

[Declan]

Sister, they're here too. I can feel them stinging me.

[Rebecca Shear]

Muriel sat down on the mattress. She didn't feel a thing.

[Muriel]

I don't understand what's going on, Declan, you're not trying to play a trick on me, are you?

[Declan]

Of course not.

[Muriel]

Well, then, I think someone is playing a trick on you. And a rather nasty trick at that.

[Rebecca Shear]

Oh, no. Muriel's eyes went wide. Declan's did, too, because he knew just what his sister was thinking.

[Declan]

Muriel, you don't believe the fairies are doing this to me, do you? As revenge for picking their bluebells?

[Muriel]

I can't think of any other explanation.

[Rebecca Shear]

Declan swallowed hard. Suddenly believing in fairies didn't seem like such a babyish thing after all.

[Declan]

So what do we do?

[Muriel]

I don't know. But I know someone who might.

[Rebecca Shear]

The siblings joined hands and raced to the kitchen, where Mother was sipping her evening cup of tea.

[Mother]

Muriel. Declan. What is it, dears? You look as though you've seen a ghost.

[Rebecca Shear]

So the siblings told Mother all about the bluebells, the ring of trees around the circular hill, and the thorns Declan felt every time he lay down in bed. When they were finished, the wise woman let out a sigh.

[Mother]

Well, children, I tried to warn you. What did I tell you about picking flowers from the fairy fort? But you've gone and done it. And now those impish sprites are most displeased. So displeased they've cast a spell on our Declan here.

[Muriel]

What can we do to break the spell, Mother?

[Mother]

The only way to break a fairy spell is to make peace with them. You must do something that will please them.

[Declan]

I know. I could return the bluebells I picked that might please them.

[Mother]

Oh, it'll take far more than that, I'm afraid.

[Muriel]

Alright, so how about a gift then? What if we bring them something they find pleasing?

[Mother]

Possible. Very possible. The question is, what?

[Rebecca Shear]

Declan scratched his head.

[Declan]

Riches Silver coins, perhaps?

[Mother]

Oh, the fairies have no use for money.

[Muriel]

Fancy food. We could bring it to their party.

[Mother]

Fairies don't eat human food, love. But they do like to party and dance and play music.

[Rebecca Shear]

At the mention of music, Muriel let out a gasp. Because suddenly she knew how to please the fairies. Or at least how to try.

[Muriel]

Listen, you two. There's something I need to do. You both stay here in the house. And Declan, don't try sleeping in any beds. Just sit with mother and wait for me to return.

[Rebecca Shear]

Muriel pulled on her boots, grabbed her satchel and sprinted out the door. The moon and stars lit her way as she hurried into the meadow. When she came to the ring of trees, she could see the fairy fort through the branches. And it was twinkling with lights and bursting with music.

[Muriel]

Oh, my mother was right. The fairies do know how to party. And what wonderful dance music they play. It's no wonder they.

[Mother]

What are you doing here, human person?

[Rebecca Shear]

Muriel froze. A swarm of fairies came streaming from the mound. Their tiny eyes blazing and their tiny faces scowling.

[Mother]

You're the one whose brother stole our bluebells. He came here to disturb our fort and now you've come to disturb our party.

[Listener Voices]

Get out of here, human person, before we punish you just like we did your brother.

[Rebecca Shear]

The fairies shot Muriel a withering glance before flitting back into the fort. Then the music struck up again and the fairies resumed their dancing. Muriel felt her heart pound and her body shake. For a moment she thought she should just leave well enough alone and quite go home. But then she thought of her brother. And when she heard a pause in the fairy's music as if the pint sized musicians were taking a break, she saw her opportunity and decided to seize it.

[Muriel]

Here goes nothing.

[Rebecca Shear]

With trembling hands, she reached into her satchel and pulled out her harp. She knelt down, cradled it in her lap and began to play. As note after note drifted through the air, the fairies began gliding out from the fort again. Only this time their eyes weren't blazing and their faces weren't scowling. Instead, their eyes were bright and their faces were beaming.

[Mother]

Such beautiful music you play, human person. It's the perfect music.

[Rebecca Shear]

Music for our party.

[Listener Voices]

We must dance.

[Rebecca Shear]

And so they danced. They spun and twirled and whirled, pranced and swayed and jigged. And when Muriel's music came to an end, the little sprites broke into a big round of applause.

[Mother]

Well played, human person.

[Rebecca Shear]

You've made our party all the merrier.

[Listener Voices]

How, pray tell, can we reward you?

[Rebecca Shear]

Muriel shook her head and smiled.

[Muriel]

Oh, I don't need any reward. All I ask is that you please help my little brother and reverse your spell.

[Rebecca Shear]

The fairies went into a huddle and exchanged some hushed words. Then they looked back at Muriel.

[Mother]

We shall grant your wish human person and reverse your brother's spell, but only.

[Rebecca Shear]

If you promise to come back and play for us.

[Listener Voices]

Our parties won't be the same without you.

[Rebecca Shear]

Muriel felt a rush of relief and gratitude.

[Muriel]

I absolutely will come back and play for you. I promise I will. Thank you fairies. Thank you.

[Rebecca Shear]

The pale yellow farmhouse was quiet when Muriel got back tiptoeing upstairs. She was pleased to find Declan all snow up in his bed, fast asleep. So the fairies made good on their promise. And after that fateful day and night, Muriel made good on her promise too. She returned to the Fairy Fort to play her harp for the fairies, those tiny creatures with an enormous love for magic, mischief and music. Now it's your turn. You can know when there are fairies around by creating your own fairy bells. To make your fairy bells, start with a smallish sized stick. Find some string or yarn and thread it with jingly bells and beads. Next, wrap your string around your stick from end to end. Then use more string to hang your stick somewhere outside your window. And next time your fairy bells tinkle, you'll know a mischievous fairy might be close. This week's story, the Fairy Fort was adapted by me, Rebecca Scheer. It was edited by Nora Sacks. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shimolonis. Our artist is Sabina Hahn. Ross. Sabina has drawn a black and white coloring page for all 200 plus Circle Round stories and you can color them in grown ups. Visit our website WBUR.org CircleRound and click on coloring pages. And while you're at WBUR.org CircleRound you can become a member of the Circle Round Club. You can get ad free episodes, bite sized bedtime stories, early access to Circle Round events, behind the scenes videos, you even a personalized birthday message. Visit WBUR.org CircleRound and click Circle Round Club. Special thanks to this week's actors Evan Casey, Anne Marie Sivertson, Chris Stinson, Taylor Richardson and Alison Wright. Grown ups. Watch for Taylor Richardson in the Gilded Age on HBO Max. Season 2 comes out soon. Check out Alison Wright in Snowpiercer on TNT and coming up you can see her in the second installment of the Ryan Murphy series Feud Capote's Women. Our featured instrument this week was the Irish Harp. You can learn more about this traditional harp of medieval Ireland and Scotland and see a photo of Eric Shyamallonis playing one on 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 your favorite podcast app. It only takes a minute and it'll help us keep circling around with you for years to come. Circle Round is a production of wbur, Boston's NPR News Station. I'm Rebecca Shear. 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 Circle Round stories they like best. Take a listen. Maybe one of their favorites is one of yours too.

[Listener Voices]

My name is Isabelle, I live in Toronto, Canada and my favorite Circle Round is the Rhystic. My favorite part is when the man said I want some gold coins. My name is Luca, I live in Redmond, Washington and my favorite Circle Round is the Lion's Whiskey. And I like the part when the lion gives the whisker to the brother and sister. My name is Olivia, I live in Washington, D.C. and my favorite story is the Cow and the Farmer. My favorite part is Mo. My name is Henry, I live in Virginia and my favorite circle around story is Very Busy Fairies and my favorite part is when the fairies ride the vacuum around the house. My name is Kieran and I live in Nashville, Tennessee. My favorite folk around story is the three legged part. I like the part when it says it's time to skip and skip wee.

[Muriel]

Hi.

[Listener Voices]

My name is Maya. I live in Radlandska. My favorite Circle Round story is the Three Clever Brothers. I like the part when they explain how they knew what the merchant's camel looked like. My name is. I live in Boston. My favorite Circle Round story is the Golden Flute because I like when Ty starts blowing in the flute. He's not a good flute player so he just goes.

[Rebecca Shear]

Did someone mention a story 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.