Encore: The Rooster in the Sky

Summary

Circle Round Episode Summary: "Encore: The Rooster in the Sky"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Circle Round
• Host/Author: WBUR
• Description: WBUR's Circle Round adapts folktales from around the world into engaging radio plays for children and families. Each episode explores themes like kindness, persistence, and generosity, concluding with activities to deepen conversations between children and adults.
• Episode: Encore: The Rooster in the Sky
• Release Date: June 3, 2025

---

Introduction

In this episode of Circle Round titled "The Rooster in the Sky," host Rebecca Shear weaves a captivating folktale inspired by Russian narratives, also echoed in Hungarian and Middle Eastern stories. The tale centers around Tatiana, a resilient woman living alone in the countryside, who embodies perseverance and gratitude amidst adversity.

---

Tatiana's Struggle and Resourcefulness

00:00 - 02:00
Rebecca Shear introduces Tatiana, a solitary woman enduring the hardships of countryside life. Her humble hut becomes increasingly dilapidated over the years, reflecting her challenging circumstances.

Tatiana:
"Oh, there is hardly a crumb left in this entire house. If I don't find something to eat soon, I'll starve. But no use complaining. Better to do something. Think, Tatiana, think."
(02:00)

Despite her dire situation, Tatiana refuses to succumb to negativity. She recalls her grandmother's wisdom about using acorns as a food source, showcasing her proactive mindset.

---

Gathering Acorns and the Magical Encounter

02:17 - 06:48
On a crisp autumn day, Tatiana sets out to gather acorns from the forest, filling her sack diligently. However, upon returning home, a mishap scatters the acorns, forcing her to make do with what remains. Her determination leads her to grind the acorns into flour using her grandmother's old handmill, resulting in a satisfying meal.

The next morning brings a miraculous sight: an oak tree grows through her hut, prompting Tatiana to climb its towering trunk in search of more acorns. At the peak, amidst the clouds, she encounters a plump yellow rooster with a bright red crest.

Rooster:
"Cock a doodle doo. See what I have for you"
(06:09)

The rooster presents Tatiana with a gleaming golden handmill.

Tatiana:
"What a spectacular hand mill. And it's really for me... Thank you, Rooster."
(06:52)

Impressed by the rooster's generosity, Tatiana invites the rooster to stay, gaining a loyal companion in her solitude.

---

The Golden Handmill and the Greedy Merchant

07:54 - 14:18
Tatiana and the rooster enjoy the benefits of the golden handmill, producing delicious treats effortlessly. However, their peace is disrupted when a wealthy and greedy merchant seeks refuge at Tatiana's doorstep, claiming his horse is lost and expressing extreme hunger.

Eager to help, Tatiana shares her bounty, unknowingly allowing the merchant to steal the golden handmill during the night.

Tatiana:
"Oh, rooster, that greedy man stole our hand mill. This is horrible. What are we going to do?"
(14:10)

Determined to reclaim the stolen mill, the rooster vows to return it to Tatiana.

---

The Rooster's Quest and the Merchant's Downfall

14:18 - 19:38
The rooster embarks on a heroic journey to the merchant's opulent mansion. Upon arrival, it confronts the merchant, who stubbornly claims ownership of the mill. As the merchant orders his servants to dispose of the rooster, the magical bird uses its powers to thwart his efforts.

• At the Well:
  Rooster:
  "Cock a doodle doo. Drink the water I've been thrown into."
  (15:59)
  The rooster drains the well of its water, rendering it empty.

• In the Kitchen:
  Rooster:
  "Cock a doodle doo soak the flames right through."
  (17:09)
  The rooster extinguishes the stove's fire, preventing its destruction.

Amidst the merchant's lavish party, the rooster's persistent crowing exposes the merchant's deceit, causing panic among the guests. The golden handmill is ultimately returned to Tatiana, restoring peace and justice.

Tatiana:
"So you did, rooster, so you did."
(19:30)

---

Resolution and Moral

19:38 - 22:32
With the golden handmill restored, Tatiana and the rooster continue their harmonious life, ensuring they never go hungry again. The story emphasizes the virtues of resilience, generosity, and the triumph of good over greed.

Rebecca Shear concludes the story by encouraging listeners to reflect on acts of kindness in their own lives.

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Key Insights and Lessons

• Resilience in Adversity: Tatiana's refusal to complain exemplifies the strength of maintaining a positive outlook despite challenges.

• Generosity and Friendship: The rooster's selfless gift and subsequent efforts to reclaim the handmill highlight the importance of true friendship and generosity.

• Overcoming Greed: The merchant's downfall serves as a cautionary tale against the perils of greed and dishonesty.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Tatiana on Gratitude:
  "But no use complaining. Better to do something. Think, Tatiana, think."
  (02:00)

• Rooster's Introduction:
  "Cock a doodle doo. See what I have for you."
  (06:09)

• Gift Acceptance:
  "What a spectacular hand mill. And it's really for me... Thank you, Rooster."
  (06:52)

• Merchant's Greed:
  "Can you believe it, folks? All you have to do is turn the crank and out come all these delectable treats."
  (18:16)

• Rooster's Defiance:
  "Cock a doodle doo. That mill doesn't belong to you."
  (16:24)

---

Conclusion and Activity

The episode wraps up by inviting listeners to engage in activities that reinforce the story's themes. Rebecca Shear encourages drawing and sharing acts of helping others, fostering a sense of community and empathy among young audiences.

---

Final Thoughts

"The Rooster in the Sky" is a heartwarming tale that beautifully illustrates the power of perseverance, kindness, and the importance of standing up against injustice. Through Tatiana's journey and the magical rooster's assistance, listeners are reminded of the value of positive action and the enduring strength of genuine friendships.

Transcript

[Rebecca Shear]

Hey there, grown ups. We want to learn more about you and why you listen to Circle Round. Take our short 10 minute survey and get a special bonus story from me, Rebecca Shear. Find a link in the show notes of this episode or visit WBUR.org survey produced by the Ilab at WBUR Boston. Have you ever heard someone complain? Maybe you've even complained yourself. We've all been there. It's easy to start grumbling when we're annoyed or frustrated or upset. But in today's story, we'll meet a character who refuses to complain when things don't go her way. Instead, she tries turning grumbles and groans into great big grins. I'm Rebecca Shear and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time. Today, our story is called the Rooster in the Sky. It was inspired by tales told in Russia. You'll also hear versions of this tale in Hungary and across the Middle East. Some really great people came together to bring you our adaptation of this story, including Rachel Matthews. Rachel stars as Honeymaren in the animated hit movie Frozen 2, now available on digital. So circle around, everyone, for the Rooster in the Sky. Way out in the countryside, not far from a thick green forest, lived a woman named Tatiana. Tatiana lived all alone in a drafty little hut with creaky wooden floors. Life was hard way out in the countryside, and with each passing year, Tatiana's hut grew draftier. Her floors grew creakier and her cupboards grew emptier.

[Tatiana]

Oh, there is hardly a crumb left in this entire house. If I don't find something to eat soon, I'll starve. But no use complaining. Better to do something. Think, Tatiana, think.

[Rebecca Shear]

It was a crisp autumn day, and as Tatiana gazed out her window, she spotted a furry brown squirrel scampering through a pile of crunchy fallen leaves. Clamped between the squirrel's sharp teeth was a shiny round acorn.

[Tatiana]

That's it. Acorns. Granny was a baker and, and I remember she used to say that if you ever ran out of flour, you could gather acorns from the oak trees, dry them on the stove, then grind them up in a hand mill and bake. Good things to eat. Might as well give it a try.

[Rebecca Shear]

So Tatiana found a great big sack and carried it over to the thick green forest. As she walked from oak tree to oak tree, she kept her eyes peeled for acorns. By the time she got back to her hut, the sack was so full it was bulging. But the minute Tatiana stepped through her front door, she tripped on a loose board in the Creaky wooden floor. Whoa. And the sack went flying through the air.

[Tatiana]

Oh, no.

[Rebecca Shear]

Acorns scattered everywhere. Most of the nuts rolled right through the cracks in the floor and disappeared beneath the house.

[Tatiana]

Oh, after all that hard work, look what happens. But no use complaining. I still have some acorns left to grind. Better get to work.

[Rebecca Shear]

Tatiana went to the ramshackle shed behind her hut and found Granny's old handmill. The hopper was dingy, the grinding wheel was rusty, and the crank needed a good oiling. But with some work, Tatiana was able to grind her remaining acorns into flour. Then she used the acorn flour to cook up a few golden brown Bellini or Russian pancakes.

[Tatiana]

Mmm. Not bad.

[Rebecca Shear]

For the first time in a long time, Tatiana went to bed with a nice full belly. But the next morning, when she got up to go gather more acorns from the forest.

[Tatiana]

Oh, my.

[Rebecca Shear]

She could hardly believe her eyes. One of the acorns that fell through the creaky wooden floor had sprouted. And there in the middle of her hut was an oak tree. Its thick gray trunk was growing right through the ceiling.

[Tatiana]

My goodness, with a tree growing through the ceiling? Now it'll be even draftier in this place.

[Rebecca Shear]

Place.

[Tatiana]

But no use complaining. Now that I have my very own oak tree, I won't have to gather acorns from the forest. I'll have all the acorns I need right here. I just have to climb the tree and find them.

[Rebecca Shear]

So Tatiana grabbed her sack and shimmied up the oak tree's trunk. The tree was so tall, it took her a while to reach its branches, but when she did, she discovered they were all bare.

[Tatiana]

What? No acorns? Well, no use complaining. I just need to climb higher.

[Rebecca Shear]

Tatiana scrambled from one branch to the next, rising higher and higher. Each time she glanced down, her drafty little hut looked smaller and smaller. Eventually, she was so high up, she could couldn't see her house at all. Before Tatiana knew it, she reached the top of the oak tree. Surrounding her were pillowy white clouds in a vast expanse of shimmering blue.

[Tatiana]

The sky. I've actually reached the sky. Still no acorns to be found. But no use complaining. I did my best after all. Guess I'll just climb back down and go back to the forest for more.

[Rooster]

Cock a doodle doo See what I have for you Cock a doodle do.

[Rebecca Shear]

See what I have for you Tatiana turned her head. To her surprise, perched next to her in the oak tree was a plump yellow rooster with a bright red crest.

[Tatiana]

Well, hello there. And Tell me Rooster, what is it you have for me?

[Rebecca Shear]

The yellow rooster lifted a glossy wing. Tucked underneath was a gleaming new hand mill made entirely of gold. The hopper, the grinding wheel, the crank. Every single part of the mill sparkled and glittered in the sun.

[Tatiana]

What a spectacular hand mill. And it's really for me. I mean, goodness knows I could use a new handmill. Granny's old one is absolutely falling apart. But this one's so fancy. Too fancy even. Oh, why am I complaining? Thank you, Rooster. Tell me, how can I repay you for such a magnificent gift?

[Rebecca Shear]

The plump yellow rooster blinked its beady copper colored eyes.

[Rooster]

Cock a doodle do take me home with you. Cock a doodle do take me home with you.

[Rebecca Shear]

Tatiana thought about how lonely it was way out in the countryside and how nice it would be to have a companion. So she placed the golden handmill in her sack, scooped her new feathered friend under her arm, then climbed back down the tree to her hut. She put the golden hand mill on the shelf and and headed for the door.

[Tatiana]

Well Rooster, since I didn't find any acorns up in the oak tree, I'd better go back to the forest and gather some more. Why don't you make yourself comfortable while.

[Rooster]

I cock a doodle do give the crank a turn or two. Cock a doodle doo give the crank a turn or two.

[Rebecca Shear]

Tatiana stopped in her tracks.

[Tatiana]

Turn the crank, you say? All right, I'll give it a go.

[Rebecca Shear]

Tatiana took the handmill off the shelf, grasped the glistening gold crank and gave it a turn. And can you guess what happened? Oh, you know what that music means. We'll find out what happens next after a quick break.

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[Rebecca Shear]

Before we return to our story, a quick reminder and request to take our short survey so we can learn how to make your Circle Round experience even more fun. It takes 10 minutes and all survey takers get a bonus story from me, Rebecca Scheer. Click the link in the show notes or visit WBUR.org survey Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Shear. Today our story is called the Rooster in the Sky. When we left off, Tatiana had climbed a massive oak tree up to the sky, where she found a talking yellow rooster with a bright red crest. The rooster gave Tatiana a sparkling gold hand mill for grinding flour. And when Tatiana brought the bird and the mill back to her house, her new feathered friend encouraged her to turn the mill's crink. So she did. After one turn out popped a bellini.

[Tatiana]

Ooh.

[Rebecca Shear]

The same golden brown Russian pancake she'd cooked up yesterday. After another turn out popped a bublik, sort of a Russian bagel. And after yet another turn out popped a pirogue, a kind of stuffed Russian pie.

[Tatiana]

Well, well, well. No use complaining about anything anymore. Thanks to this golden hand mill, I'll never go to bed with an empty belly again.

[Rebecca Shear]

She flashed the rooster a grin.

[Tatiana]

And neither will you, friend. Thank you for this marvelous gift.

[Rebecca Shear]

For the next week, Tatiana and the rooster used the hand mill to feast on bellini, bubliki and pierogi to their heart's content. Until one fateful night when Tatiana heard a knock at the door. It was very late, and the rooster had long ago gone to bed.

[Tatiana]

Hmm. Who could possibly be at the door? No one ever travels this far out in the countryside. Perhaps someone has gotten lost.

[Rebecca Shear]

Indeed, someone had gotten lost. A wealthy merchant who was journeying home from a long trip abroad. Tatiana welcomed the man into her hut.

[Merchant]

Sorry to bother you, madam, but my horse must have taken a wrong turn, and we've been wandering the countryside ever since. He's been grazing on grass, but I've never been so hungry in my entire life. Any chance you could share a bite to eat?

[Tatiana]

Oh, I can do better than that. Sit down.

[Rebecca Shear]

Tatiana took the golden handmill off the shelf and gave it a crank. As dozens of bellini, bubliki and pierogi popped onto the merchant's plate, his eyes practically popped out of his head.

[Merchant]

What a remarkable contraption. I must have that hand mill. Name your price.

[Rebecca Shear]

Tatiana shrugged.

[Tatiana]

This hand mill isn't for sale, sir. It was a gift, and I could never part with it.

[Rebecca Shear]

Now, what Tatiana didn't know is that the merchant was a very greedy man. And he knew that handmill could make him a fortune. He could earn gobs of money selling endless bellini, bubliki and pierogi. Or he could sell the hand mill itself and retire with more gold than a king. So the merchant took a deep breath and put on his warmest smile.

[Merchant]

I'm sorry, madam. Please forget I said anything about buying that handmill of yours? I won't bring it up again. But listen, it's late and it's dark, and my horse and I don't have anywhere to spend the night after this scrumptious meal of bellini, bubliki and pierogi. Could we sleep out back in your shed?

[Rebecca Shear]

Perhaps not suspecting that the merchant was up to no good, Tatiana nodded.

[Tatiana]

Absolutely. You and your horse can stay here as long as you'd like.

[Rebecca Shear]

But the next morning, when Tatiana and the rooster woke up, the merchant and his horse were gone. And much to Tatiana's dismay, so was the golden handmill. Tatiana felt her eyes burn with tears.

[Tatiana]

Oh, rooster, that greedy man stole our hand mill. This is horrible. What are we going to do?

[Rebecca Shear]

The rooster jumped up and began strutting toward the door.

[Rooster]

Cockadoodle do. I'll bring the mill back to you. Cock a doodle doo. I'll bring the mill back to you.

[Tatiana]

Bring it back. That thief is long gone by now. Rooster, you'll never.

[Rebecca Shear]

Before Tatiana could say another word, the plump yellow rooster with the bright red crest hurried out the door and down the road. Somehow, the rooster knew just where to go. After traveling for days and days, it reached the merchant's enormous mansion. Then the bird hopped onto the grand iron gate and began crowing with all its money.

[Rooster]

Cock a doodle do, that mill doesn't belong to you. Cock a doodle do, that mill doesn't belong to you.

[Rebecca Shear]

Hearing the commotion, the merchant came bursting through the front door. He was wearing a fancy coat and his eyes were big and round as a pair of bubliki.

[Merchant]

Listen, you pesky creature. That mill does belong to me. I took it and now it's mine.

[Rebecca Shear]

The greedy man clapped his hands. Immediately, a team of servants came scurrying out of the house.

[Merchant]

Servants, as you know, I am entertaining guests in the dining room and can't be bothered with this nonsense. Take this irritating yellow rooster and throw him into the well.

[Rebecca Shear]

As the merchant stormed back inside, the servants grabbed the rooster, brought it to the well, and chucked the bird over the edge. But the moment the rooster hit the water, it began to crow.

[Rooster]

Cock a doodle doo. Drink the water I've been thrown into. Cock a doodle doo. Drink the water I've been thrown into.

[Rebecca Shear]

And would you believe it? The plump yellow rooster drank up every drop of water in that well until it was completely empty. Then the bird shook its feathers, flew to the top of the well, and began to crow.

[Rooster]

Cock a doodle doo. That mill doesn't belong to you. Cock a doodle doo that mill doesn't belong to you.

[Rebecca Shear]

The furious merchant stomped back outside. His face was redder than the rooster's crest. This time the greedy man let out a whistle. Immediately, a team of cooks came running out of the house.

[Merchant]

Cooks, take this bothersome yellow rooster and throw him into the stove. I have a party to host.

[Rebecca Shear]

As the merchant strode back inside, the cooks seized the rooster, brought it to the kitchen, then flung it into the stove. But the moment the bird's feathers touched the flames, it began to crowd.

[Rooster]

Cock a doodle doo soak the flames right through Cock a doodle doo soak.

[Rebecca Shear]

The flames right through and would you believe it? The plump yellow rooster spit out every drop of water it had swallowed in the well until it had soaked all the flames and the fire in the stove fizzled out. The bird flapped its wings, then glided out of the kitchen and into the dining room, where it landed quietly in the middle of the room, dozens of party guests sat clustered around a massive table. All of the guests wore elegant clothing, silken gowns, festive suits. And everyone was feasting on porcelain plates piled high with smoked salmon and salted herring, cabbage rolls and caviar, plus bellini, bubliki and pierogi. And do you know where those bellini, bubliki and pierogi came? That's right. The golden Hand Mill. Standing at the head of the table was the merchant, proudly showing off the mill to the astonished crowd.

[Merchant]

Can you believe it, folks? All you have to do is turn the crank and out come all these delectable treats. First a bellini, then a bublik.

[Rebecca Shear]

Then suddenly the yellow rooster with the bright red crest fluttered its wings and flew out of its hiding place in the corner. Then the bird began swooping and diving around the room, crowing all the while.

[Rooster]

Cock a doodle, do. That mill doesn't belong to you.

[Rebecca Shear]

Immediately the frightened guests leapt from their seats and raced out the door. The merchant chased after them.

[Merchant]

Wait, wait. Please don't go. I can explain. Come back. Come back. Please come back.

[Rebecca Shear]

But the guests did not come back. After all, they didn't want to be associated with a dishonest thief, which the merchant clearly was. The rooster, meanwhile, snatched up the golden handmill and carried it all the way back to the countryside and into the hands of a very appreciative Tatiana.

[Rooster]

Cock a doodle doo I brought the mill back to you. Cock a doodle doo I brought the.

[Rebecca Shear]

Mill back to you.

[Tatiana]

So you did, rooster, so you did.

[Rebecca Shear]

From then on, the two friends lived peacefully and comfortably in the little hut near the thick green forest. Sure, they occasionally found things to complain about, but even if they did belly ache every now and again, thanks to their magic hand mill, they never went to bed with empty bellies again. Now it's your turn. The rooster went to great lengths to help a new friend. Who's someone in your life that you would go out of the way to help if they were in a jam? Is it a family member? Friend? Think about that person. Then find a piece of paper and draw a picture of you helping them. After that, share it with them. And if you'd like, share it with us. Ask a grown up to post your picture on Instagram and be sure to tag us CircleRoundPodcast this week's story, the Rooster in the sky was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear. It was edited by Circle Round's executive producer, Kathryn Brewer. Circle Round's original music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis. To get your copy of the music of Circle Round Volume 1, our soundtrack from our first season, visit our website wbor.org circleround and click on soundtrack and coloring pages while you're there. You can find dozens of black and white illustrations, one for every Circle Round story, all created by our artist Sabina Hahn. Print some out and color them in while you listen or anytime. Special thanks to this week's actors James Konicek, Nick Sholley and Rachel Matthews. Rachel stars as Honeymaren in Frozen 2, now available on digital. You can find the hit animated film on blu ray starting February 25th. Our featured instrument this week was the Goose Lee. You can read more about this stringed instrument and see a picture on our website. Once more, that's WBUR.org CircleRound Never want to miss an episode of Circle Round. Ask your grown up to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or whatever podcast app they use and please leave us some stars. Write us a review or just tell your friends about the show. Circle Round is a production of Double Boston's NPR News station. I'm Rebecca Scheer. Thanks for Circling Round with us. One of the best things about creating Circle Round is hearing from listeners like you. Circle Round fans have been telling us about their favorite Circle Round stories and we're excited to share some of their voices with you.

[Listener]

Hi, my name is Arye. I like to Circle Round of the three legged pot. I like the part when the pot skip to the North Pole. Hi, I'm Mae and I'm from Michigan. And my favorite story of Circle Round is Stellen the Dragon. Cause she has a hundred of kids and it's really cool. And it's to believe you're not scared of nothing. And she gets all of the the money of the dragon.

[Rebecca Shear]

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