Encore: The Scholar's Reward

Summary

Circle Round Podcast

Episode Title: Encore: The Scholar's Reward
Original Air Date: September 30, 2025
Host: Rebecca Scheer
Featured Guests: Summer Bishil, Michael Maliakel
Duration: ~25 minutes

Episode Overview

In this special encore episode, Circle Round presents "The Scholar’s Reward," a folktale with roots in India that cleverly blends the invention of chess with a lesson about the ripple effects of our actions. The story explores themes of nonviolence, wisdom, and the unintended consequences that can grow from even the smallest choice. Designed for children and families, this episode invites listeners to think about kindness, generosity, and the power we have to create lasting change.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

The Obsession with War (02:59–04:29)

• Setting: Ancient India, under the rule of a Raja (king) obsessed with war.
• Raja’s Perspective: The Raja is enthralled by conquest, constantly sending his army—comprised of infantry, elephants, charioteers, and cavalry—on new invasions.
• Backdrop: No one in his kingdom, not even his generals or advisers, supports this endless warfare. The people are weary and devastated by the destructiveness ("It’s incredible how much devastation one war can cause." — Advisor, 05:01).

Advisors Seek a Solution (04:29–05:12)

• The Raja’s advisors secretly meet to come up with a plan to curb his passion for war.

The Arrival of the Scholar (05:12–07:02)

• A mysterious scholar arrives at the palace, claiming she can end the Raja’s obsession with war.
• She requests a private meeting with the Raja and presents him with a leather case and a drawstring purse, hinting at a special gift.

The Introduction of the Game (07:00–08:53)

• The scholar reveals a checkered board with 64 squares and beautiful hand-carved black and white pieces.
• Notable Quote:
  Scholar (07:49): “I'm glad you asked, your Excellency. The pieces, the board, they are for waging war.”
• She promises the Raja he can stage battles as often as he wishes, but without real armies or destruction.

Explaining the Game's Symbolism (11:02–12:53)

• The board represents the battlefield; each piece stands for a division in the Raja’s army, symbolizing a miniature, bloodless war.
• Notable Quote:
  Scholar (12:19): “Both players have their own armies... They take turns moving their pieces across the board in hopes of capturing their opponent’s pieces. And whoever succeeds in capturing the Raja, the King, they win the game and the war.”

The Scholar’s Reward—The Rice Doubling Request (14:14–18:44)

• The Raja, thrilled with the game, promises the scholar any reward. She asks only for "one grain of rice" placed on the first of the 64 board squares, doubling the number each day for 64 days.
• Initial skepticism:
  Raja (15:37): “Oh come now, scholar. Even if you double the rice every single day... you’re bound to get little more than a cup, if not less. Is that really all you want?”

The Exponential Surprise (16:53–18:44)

• As days pass, the rice multiplies outlandishly: from 1 grain, to 16, to 128, to 255, then soaring to over 4 billion by the 32nd square, and eventually to totals greater than the entire kingdom’s stores.
• Notable Quote:
  Raja (18:20): "Over 4 billion grains of rice. We're only halfway through the board and the royal granary is nearly empty."
• The Raja realizes the immense consequences of something that started so small—mirroring his underestimation of war's impact.

The Scholar's Lesson and the Ripple Effect (19:30–21:00)

• The Raja cannot fulfill the reward; the scholar is unperturbed.
• Scholar (20:10): “Just as you had no idea what a major effect one war would have. Or 2. Or 4. Or 8. Or 16.”
• The king finally sees the parallel: just as one grain of rice became an incomprehensible quantity, one war led to countless repercussions.

Resolution and Ongoing Ripple (21:00–22:30)

• The Raja abandons war, appoints the scholar as his chief advisor, and spends his days playing chess ("Chaturanga")—a peaceful substitute for battle.
• The lesson: small actions can create far-reaching, sometimes unimaginable consequences.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Advisor (05:01):

  “It’s incredible how much devastation one war can cause.”

• Scholar (12:19):

  “Whoever succeeds in capturing the Raja, the King, they win the game and the war. Then they can reset the board and start all over again.”

• Raja (18:20):

  "Over 4 billion grains of rice. We're only halfway through the board and the royal granary is nearly empty."

• Scholar (20:10):

  “Just as you had no idea what a major effect one war would have. Or 2. Or 4. Or 8. Or 16.”

• Raja (21:00):

  “The wars I waged, the many, many wars—they led to such devastation, such loss. Far beyond anything I could comprehend until now.”

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Key Timestamps

• 02:59: Introduction of the Raja and the scale of his warring.
• 04:29: Advisors meet in secret to address the spiral of war.
• 05:12: The scholar introduces herself and her plan.
• 07:00: Scholar presents the board—the origins of chess.
• 11:02: Scholar aligns the pieces with the divisions of war.
• 14:14: The scholar makes her seemingly modest rice request.
• 16:53: The rapid escalation of the rice doubling and the Raja’s growing alarm.
• 18:20: The impossibility of fulfilling the scholar’s request becomes clear.
• 20:10: The scholar reveals the story’s core lesson about ripple effects.
• 21:00: The Raja internalizes the lesson and changes his ways.

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Story Activity & Takeaway

Activity Prompt (22:30): Rebecca invites listeners to artistically map the “ripple effect” of kindness:
Draw yourself doing a kind act, then draw how that act inspires others to pass kindness along—a visual demonstration of how small actions can ripple through a community.

Big Takeaway:
Even the smallest action can have enormous, unpredictable consequences—be it kindness, destruction, or the spark of a new idea.

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Episode Extras

• Music & Sound: Original music and sound design by Eric Shyamalonis, featuring the tabla, a hand drum from India.
• Coloring Pages & Activities: Listeners can access coloring pages and lesson plans for further engagement at WBUR.org/CircleRound.
• Mini Listener Reactions (24:47–26:30): Young fans share their favorite Circle Round stories in their own words, underscoring the joy and impact of story-sharing within the community.

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Tone and Language

Friendly, engaging, and accessible for children and adults. The narrative is imaginative and intentional, using clear analogies and gentle explanations to convey complex ideas simply.

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Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a warm, thoughtful retelling of how a clever scholar uses the game of chess—and the concept of exponential growth—to teach a war-hungry king about consequences. Spirited performances, lush sound design, and an activity for kids and families all combine to make "The Scholar’s Reward" a memorable parable about peace and the far-reaching power of even your smallest actions.

Transcript

[Rebecca Scheer]

Hi, Rebecca Scheer here inviting you to Circle Round with us live. Circle Round is hitting the road this fall with live episode recordings in Parker, Colorado, Boston, Massachusetts, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Get your tickets at WBUR.org CircleRound we're announcing more tour stops soon. Join the Circle Round Club and you'll be first in line for tickets. Club members are also invited to a special meet and greet with me and Eric Shimonis after each show. Visit WBUR.org CircleRound now.

[Scholar]

WBUR podcasts Boston.

[Rebecca Scheer]

If you're a Circle Round superfan and you're listening the week this episode comes out, then you know we've got some exciting events coming up, including live recordings in Colorado, North Carolina, and Massachusetts. Select tickets remain, so get [e-mail] CircleRound while we're gearing up for our live shows, please enjoy this special encore edition of Circle Round, a story that's gotten countless fans hooked on a certain game. Which game is it? You'll soon find out. Have you ever noticed what happens when you toss a pebble into a pond or lake? First, circles appear on the surface, right? Then they ripple outward and seem to go on forever. That's called a ripple effect. And as we'll hear in today's story, just like a little pebble can create big ripples in the water, our actions can create big ripples, too, beyond our wildest dreams. I'm Rebecca Scheer, and welcome to Circle Round, where story time happens all the time. Today, our story is called the Scholar's Reward. Versions of this tale come from the Southeast Asian country of India. Some really great people came together to bring you our adaptation of this folktale, and including Summer Bischel and Michael Maliakel. Summer Bischel stars in the Magicians on Syfy, as well as the recent indie film For Samosas. Michael Maliakel is starring as the title character in the hit Broadway musical Aladdin. So circle around everyone for the Scholar's Reward. Long ago in India, there was a raja or king who had an enormous palace, a massive staff of servants, and a colossal obsession with war.

[Raja]

Oh, how I love the thrill of battle, the excitement of attack, the exhilaration of sending my army to invade other lands.

[Rebecca Scheer]

And from the comfort of his enormous palace, the rajah was always sending his army to invade other lands. And what an army it was. In those days, the army consisted of four divisions, or arms. First, there was the infantry, the foot soldiers who marched into battle. Then there were the elephants. Yes, elephants. Massive, lumbering animals whose mighty trumpeting Call struck fear in the hearts of the enemy. After the elephants came the charioteers, the brave soldiers who rolled in on swift horse drawn chariots. And after the charioteers came the cavalry, the gallant riders who galloped into battle on horseback. All four divisions were led by a general who was personally appointed by the Rajah himself. But here's the thing. Not even the general approved of the Rajah's warring ways. In fact, no one in the kingdom did. Everyone had grown weary of the Rajah's never ending invasions. Including his own advisors, who called a private meeting to see what could be done.

[Raja]

My fellow advisors, we must find a way to end the Rajah's obsession with war.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Indeed, the people in these lands we're invading, they've done nothing wrong.

[Raja]

Yet so many villages, towns and cities have been destroyed. So many lives have been lost.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Yes, and not just soldiers lives, but the lives of everyday citizens.

[Raja]

Think of all the destruction. Think of all the family and friends left behind.

[Rebecca Scheer]

It's incredible how much devastation one war can cause.

[Raja]

But how can we get the Rajah to understand that?

[Rebecca Scheer]

While the advisors were puzzling over what to do, a stranger arrived at the palace. In one hand she carried a leather case. In the other, she carried a drawstring purse. She told the advisors she was a scholar from a land far, far away.

[Scholar]

And I have traveled many, many miles to your kingdom because I know how to end the Raja's obsession with war. All I ask is that I may meet with the Raja privately, so I may give him a special gift.

[Rebecca Scheer]

As you can imagine, the advisors were very excited to meet someone who might end the Rajah's warring. So they wasted no time escorting the scholar to the Raja's chamber. An opulent room with polished marble floors, glittering chandeliers, and a fancy table inlaid with gold. Seated at the table, studying a colorful map of all the surrounding countries, was the Raja.

[Raja]

Oh. Greetings, advisors. I was just searching this map to see which land I should invade next. But who have we here? A guest.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The scholar bowed.

[Scholar]

Indeed, your Majesty, I am a scholar who has traveled long and far to bring you a special gift. May I show it to you in private?

[Rebecca Scheer]

The Raja pushed his map aside.

[Raja]

Of course. Come sit down with me, scholar, and show me your gift. Advisors, you may be dismissed.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The advisors hurried from the room as the scholar sat down at the table across from the Raja. Then she reached into her leather case and pulled out a board.

[Raja]

You're giving me a board?

[Scholar]

Not just any board, your Majesty. Do you see how it's painted with a checkered pattern of 64 black and white squares.

[Raja]

Yes.

[Scholar]

Well, on those squares you place these.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The scholar reached into her drawstring purse. One by one, she plucked out an assortment of hand carved pieces. Half of the pieces were black and half were white. The Raja watched with curiosity as the scholar lined up the black pieces on one side of the board and the white pieces on the other side.

[Raja]

I must say, Scholar, these pieces are very beautiful. Such intricate carvings. But the pieces, the board, what are they for?

[Scholar]

I'm glad you asked, your Excellency. The pieces, the board, they are for waging war.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The Raja shook his head.

[Raja]

But I'm already waging war all the time. There's rarely a moment. I'm not sending my entire army into battle. The infantry, the elephants, the charioteers, the cavalry.

[Scholar]

I understand that, your Highness. But these pieces, this board, they will allow you to wage war anytime you'd like, as often as you'd like, without sending a single foot soldier, elephant, charioteer or cavalryman into the fray.

[Raja]

But that's impossible.

[Scholar]

It is not, your Majesty. You see this board and these pieces, they're part of a new game I've invented. And if you play this game wisely, you can march into battle anytime you want. You just have to trust me.

[Rebecca Scheer]

This new game the scholar has brought, what do you think it is? And will it really help the Raja wage war with without actually going to battle? We'll find out after a quick break.

[Dean Russell]

Hey, I'm Dean Russell, senior producer for WBUR Podcasts. This summer, the game changed for us. Congress cut all support for public media, but WBUR will lose at least $1.6 million this year. And every year we're counting on people like you to help close the gap. Because even though the going has gotten tough, we're not backing down. We're doubling down on our commitment to you. Go to WBUR.org to stand with us.

[Rebecca Scheer]

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.

[Circle Round Listeners]

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 Scheer]

Grown ups support public radio and sign up [e-mail] CircleRoundClub welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Scheer. Today our story is called the Scholar's Reward. Before the break, a powerful Raja was constantly invading other lands, much to the dismay of everyone in his kingdom. Then a mysterious scholar arrived who said she could stop the Raja from waging war. She presented the Raja with a new game played with black and white pieces on a black and white checkered board. The scholar explained to the Raja that in the game, the board was a symbol for the battlefield.

[Scholar]

And to play the game. Your Majesty, you move the pieces around the battlefield. Each player starts on their side of the board and then they move across as if marching off to war.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The mere mention of battlefields and war had the Raja intrigued.

[Raja]

Hmm. Tell me more.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The scholar pointed to a tall game piece topped with a beautifully carved crown.

[Scholar]

This piece represents you, you, Majesty. It is the Raja, the King. And this piece.

[Rebecca Scheer]

She pointed to the next piece over.

[Scholar]

This piece represents the General.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Now, she gestured toward a series of smaller pieces, all identical and lined up in a row.

[Scholar]

These pieces represent the infantry, the foot soldiers who march on the front lines. As for the rest of the pieces, these are the elephants. These are the charioteers. And these pieces in the corners of the board are the cavalry.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The Raja's eyes and face lit up my army.

[Raja]

All four divisions? They're all on this board?

[Scholar]

That's right, you, Highness. Both players have their own armies in the form of these pieces. They take turns moving their pieces across the board in hopes of capturing their opponent's pieces. And whoever succeeds in capturing the Raja, the King, they win the game and the war. Then they can reset the board and start all over again.

[Raja]

It's brilliant, Scholar. Just brilliant. I love it. Let's play a game.

[Rebecca Scheer]

So they did. The Raja and the Scholar played the very first game of chess. Only back then it was called Chaturanga, which in the Sanskrit language of India means four limbed or four arms. Just like the four arms of the Raja's army. The Raja and the Scholar spent the entire day playing the game. By nightfall, the Raja was hooked.

[Raja]

Scholar, this game you've taught me is marvelous. It has all the excitement and strategy of a real life battle, yet none.

[Scholar]

Of the real life destruction. Your Majesty, unlike in real war, where the loss of one life or village or town or city can affect so many people, this game is played without violence, without devastation. Without.

[Raja]

Right. Right. My point is, this game is amazing. And I must reward you for introducing it to me. I'll give you anything you wish, Scholar. Anything.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The scholar gave the Raja a long, hard look.

[Scholar]

You'll give me anything, Your Excellency?

[Raja]

Yes, anything. Name it and it's yours.

[Scholar]

Well, in that case, I will take one grain of rice.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The Raja was taken aback.

[Raja]

One single grain of rice. Surely I can Give you more than one grain of rice. That's a measly reward for someone who's changed my life in such a significant way.

[Scholar]

Very well.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The scholar pointed at the black and white checkered board.

[Scholar]

There are 64 squares on this board. I would like you to give me 64 days worth of rice. But I want you to give it to me in the following fashion. On the first day, you will place one grain of rice on the first square. On the second day, you will double it and put two grains of rice on the second square. On the third day, you will double it again and put four grains of rice on the third square.

[Raja]

And let me guess. On the fourth day, I'll double it again and put eight grains of rice on the fourth square.

[Scholar]

That's right, your Majesty. Each day you will double the amount of rice you give me. All the way until the 64th day and the 64th square.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The Rajah gazed at the scholar. Then he slapped his knee and let out a laugh.

[Raja]

Oh come now, scholar. Even if you double the rice every single day, on the 64th day, you you're bound to get little more than a cup, if not less. Is that really all you want for teaching me this brilliant battle game?

[Scholar]

Yes, you, Majesty. That's really all I want.

[Rebecca Scheer]

So the Raja paid a visit to the royal granary where his staff kept the royal supply of grains. Like wheat, millet and. Yes, rice. And on the first day, the Raja.

[Raja]

Presented the scholar with one grain of rice.

[Scholar]

Thank you, your Majesty.

[Rebecca Scheer]

On the second day, the Raja presented.

[Raja]

The Scholar with two grains of rice.

[Scholar]

Thank you, your majesty.

[Rebecca Scheer]

On the third day, the Raja presented.

[Raja]

The scholarly with four grains of rice.

[Scholar]

Thank you, Your Majesty.

[Rebecca Scheer]

On the fourth day, the Raja presented.

[Raja]

The scholars with eight grains of rice.

[Scholar]

Thank you, your Majesty.

[Rebecca Scheer]

And on the fifth day, the Raja presented the scholar with. Well, actually. Why don't you figure it out. On the fourth day, it was eight grains of rice. So what's double that? You guessed it.

[Raja]

Sixteen grains of rice.

[Scholar]

Thank you, your Majesty.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Fast forward to the eighth day. The end of the first row on the board. And on that eighth day, the Raja.

[Raja]

Presented the scholar with 128 grains of rice.

[Scholar]

Thank you, your Majesty.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The Raja asked the Royal Treasurer to do the math and add the 128 grains of rice to all the grains of rice the scholar had received so far. And when the total came back, it.

[Raja]

Was a mere 255. Eight entire squares and eight entire days. And all I've given out is 255 grains of rice. This woman may call herself a scholar, but I'm beginning to believe she's a fool. With this doubling scheme of hers, the rice is barely adding up.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Well, little did he know what was to come. By the end of the first row on the board, the scholar had received a total of 2, 255 grains of rice. Right? Well, by the end of the second row she had received a total of.

[Raja]

Over 65,000 grains of rice.

[Rebecca Scheer]

By the end of the third row, she had received a total of over.

[Raja]

16 million grains of rice.

[Rebecca Scheer]

And by the end of the fourth row, she had received a Total of.

[Raja]

Over 4 billion grains of rice. We're only halfway through the board and the royal granary is nearly empty. I don't know how I'll make it through the next four rows and the next 32 days. Perhaps that scholar isn't a fool. One grain of rice has grown very great. Very great indeed.

[Rebecca Scheer]

And yet that one grain still had a lot of multiplying to do. The Raja had the Royal Treasurer do even more math. And by her calculations, on the 64th day and the 64th square, the Raja would have to present the Scholar with.

[Raja]

A grand total of 9,224,373,376,854,775,808 grains of rice. There's not nearly that much rice in the royal granary, let alone in this entire country.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The Raja's heart fell. For he knew he had no choice but to go back on his promise and tell the scholar he could not fulfill her reward. But when he did, she wasn't the least bit surprised.

[Scholar]

Of course you can't fulfill my reward. Your Majesty, I. On the 64th day alone, you would owe me nine quintillion 223 quadrillion. 300 grams.

[Raja]

I know, I know. Or at least now I know. When we started this whole experiment, I had no idea what a major effect one grain of rice could have.

[Scholar]

Just as you had no idea what a major effect one war would have. Or 2. Or 4. Or 8. Or 16.

[Rebecca Scheer]

All of a sudden, the Raja understood everything. For the first time, the far reaching consequences of his war happy actions became crystal clear.

[Raja]

Oh my dear, dear woman. How did I not see it before? The wars I waged. The many, many wars they led to. Such devastation, such loss. Far beyond anything I could comprehend until now.

[Rebecca Scheer]

And so, thanks to the Scholar's wisdom, the Raja gave up his obsession with war. And he never attacked another land again. What's More, he invited the scholar to become his chief advisor so he could rely on her wise counsel each and every day. And when she wasn't counseling him, she was sitting across from him. As the pair played their favorite game, they took turns moving their black and white pieces on a black and white checkered board with eight rows, 64 squares, and nearly infinite possibilities. Now it's your turn. At the start of the episode, we talked about a ripple effect. Find some paper and some markers, crayons or colored pencils and get ready to draw the ripple effects of kindness. On the left side of the paper, draw a picture of you doing an act of kindness for someone. Maybe you give a friend a smile, you hold the door open for a stranger, or you help a family member with a chore. We'll call that person Person A. Chances are your act of kindness will make Person A feel so special they'll be inspired to share kindness with somebody else. So, to the right of your first picture, draw Person A sharing an act of kindness with Person B. Then draw Person B sharing another act of kindness with Person C. Your drawing can go on for as long as you'd like. How far can your first act of kindness reach? How many people are inspired to be kind? I think you'll find that the ripple effect can go on and on. This week's story, the Scholar's Reward, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shearer. It was edited by Nora Sachs. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shyamalonis. Our artist is Sabina Hahn. Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for every single Circle Round story Grown ups. You can find nearly 200 coloring pages and print them out on our website, WBUR.org CircleRound while you're there, you can also find all sorts of circle round swag including our Team T shirt, coloring book, CD, tote bag, water bottle, cuddly stuffed lion, plus our new picture books. They're [e-mail] CircleRound Special thanks to this week's actors, Theodore Chin, Jessica Rao, Jefferson A. Russell, Summer Bishl and Michael Maliakel. Summer Bishl stars in the Magicians on Sci Fi and in the recent indie film 4 Samosas. And if you're in New York City, check out Michael Maliacal starring as the title character in the hit Broadway musical Aladdin. Our featured instrument this week was the Tabla. You can learn more about this centuries old hand drum with Indian roots and see a photo of Eric Shyamalanis playing it 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 Apple Podcast or whatever podcast app you use. It helps other listeners find the show. 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 Round stories they like best. Take a listen. Maybe one of their favorites is one of yours too.

[Circle Round Listeners]

My name is Luna. I live in Oaxaca. And my favorite Circle Round story is One Good Turn. And my favorite part is when Fox puts Snake back under the Rock. I'm Marilyn. I am in Texas. My favorite SoCal run story is Horse for Hire. My favorite part is when he rents the horse.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Thank you.

[Circle Round Listeners]

Rebecca Schiel My name is Maeve. I live in Vacaville, California. My favorite story is the Always Stick. My favorite part is when Bo says I'll forget it. My name is Leah. I'm from Aquinna, Massachusetts. My favorite Circle Round story is the Patched Up Coat. My favorite part is when the soldier gives the woman and the man his coat and he gets a silver coin. Hi, my name is Oakland. I'm from Omaha, Nebraska. My favorite Circle Round is the Bristle Drizzle I like to call it. One night Anna hugs her mouth. Hi, my name is Clint. My favorite story is Cow elves and Cowbells. My favorite part is when the merchant finds a cow in the well and he says, is that a cow? My name is Joe. I'm from Egan, Minnesota. And my favorite Circle Round story is the three legged part because I like the part when the man says you can skip and skip and skip all you want to the north, but and then the pot actually does skip all the way to the North Pole. And I like that part because it's funny.

[Rebecca Scheer]

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.