Hot Potatoes

Summary

Circle Round Podcast Episode Summary: "Hot Potatoes"

Podcast Information

• Title: Circle Round
• Host/Author: WBUR
• Description: Circle Round adapts folktales from around the world into engaging radio plays for children and families, exploring themes like kindness, persistence, and generosity.
• Episode: Hot Potatoes
• Release Date: January 21, 2025

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Introduction

In the "Hot Potatoes" episode of Circle Round, host Rebecca Shear brings to life a captivating folktale inspired by the Tonga people of South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. The story centers around Hare, a crafty trickster, and his interactions with other animals on the savannah, ultimately delivering a lesson on cleverness and humility.

Story Overview

Setting the Scene The episode begins on a blisteringly hot day on the savannah, where Hare is desperately searching for water to quench his thirst.

Rebecca Shear [02:00]: "Hare was desperate for a drink. From the tips of my long, pointy ears to the back of my short, bushy tail."

Hare Tricks Antelope and Lizard Hare first encounters Antelope at a water hole. Using his charm, he convinces Antelope to help him plow the land to grow melons, promising to split the harvest equally. However, Hare deceives Antelope by trapping her with a vine, denying her access to water, and seizing the entire water supply for himself.

Hare [05:09]: "That's your problem, Antelope, not mine. And now, this is my water hole, not yours."

Similarly, Hare repeats his trick with Lizard, ensuring he drains another water hole while leaving both Antelope and Lizard at a loss.

The Encounter with Tortoise Undeterred by his previous failures, Hare approaches Tortoise with the same offer to farm melons and share the harvest. Unlike Antelope and Lizard, Tortoise is wary but decides to join Hare in stealing sweet potatoes from Boar, a known bully.

Tortoise [09:02]: "Look, even if we did try and steal Boar's sweet potatoes, aren't you worried about getting caught?"

Hare dismisses Tortoise's concerns, boasting about his cleverness.

Hare [09:35]: "After all, you know what everyone says. I am by far the cleverest critter on the savanna."

The Clever Plan As Tortoise and Hare execute their plan to steal sweet potatoes, Tortoise devises a strategy to outsmart Hare. While Hare becomes burdened by the heavy sacks of roasted sweet potatoes, Tortoise ingeniously hides inside Hare's sack, consuming the sweet potatoes. When Hare realizes the sack is filled with empty skins, he confronts Tortoise, who reveals her successful trickery.

Tortoise [19:01]: "Thanks for the ride, Hare. And for the meal. Oh, and thanks for reminding me who the cleverest critter on the savanna really is."

Key Themes and Lessons

Cleverness vs. Trickery The episode contrasts Hare's deceitful trickery with Tortoise's genuine cleverness. While Hare relies on manipulation and selfishness, Tortoise uses her intelligence and quick thinking to achieve a fair outcome.

Consequences of Deception Hare's attempts to deceive others ultimately backfire, highlighting the moral that deceit may offer short-term gains but leads to long-term consequences.

Teamwork and Fairness Tortoise's approach emphasizes collaboration and fairness, showcasing how working together with honesty yields better results for everyone involved.

Notable Quotes

• Rebecca Shear [02:14]: "An old proverb from Africa says, truth is like oil. No matter how much water you pour on it, it will always float."

• Antelope [05:06]: "You'll pay for this, Hare. One of these days, he'll pay for this, Hare."

• Hare [09:35]: "I am by far the cleverest critter on the savanna."

• Tortoise [19:01]: "Thanks for the ride, Hare. And for the meal. Oh, and thanks for reminding me who the cleverest critter on the savanna really is."

Conclusion and Activity

At the end of the episode, Rebecca Shear encourages children to identify their own "superpowers" — unique abilities that help them in daily life, such as patience, humor, or resilience. She suggests that children share these superpowers with a grown-up to foster deeper conversations and mutual understanding.

Rebecca Shear [19:17]: "Find a grown up and tell them all about your superpower. Then ask them to share one of theirs. Something tells me that after you talk, you both will feel super."

Additional Information

• Adaptation and Production: Adapted by Rebecca Sheer, edited by Dean Russell, with original music and sound design by Eric Shimalonis.
• Featured Instrument: Bolophone, an ancestor of the marimba, xylophone, and vibraphone.
• Artist Contribution: Sabina Hahn provided a black and white coloring page for the story.
• Special Thanks: Actors Ryan Dallasung, Jessica Rao, Erica Rose, and Arlen Escarpeta.

Listeners are encouraged to support the podcast by joining the Circle Round Club for exclusive content and perks.

Listener Engagement

The episode concludes with listeners sharing their favorite Circle Round stories, showcasing the show's global and diverse fanbase. Names and locations of listeners from Belgium, Washington, Oregon, Alabama, Maryland, Massachusetts, and California are mentioned, highlighting the wide reach and impact of the podcast.

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Final Thoughts "Hot Potatoes" is a delightful and morally rich tale that emphasizes the value of honesty, cleverness, and teamwork. Through engaging storytelling and memorable characters, Circle Round delivers important life lessons in an entertaining and accessible manner for both children and adults.

Transcript

[Rebecca Shear]

Hi, Rebecca Shear here with some really Fun News. On February 8th, Circle Round LIVE is coming to Symphony hall in Boston and you're invited Join us for a live recording of two new episodes featuring me, composer Eric Shyamalonis, plus Boston Symphony Orchestra players and a star studded cast. Get your Tickets [e-mail] CircleRound.

[WBUR]

WBUR podcasts Boston.

[Rebecca Shear]

An old proverb from Africa says, truth is like oil. No matter how much water you pour on it, it will always float. In other words, no matter how much you try to hide the truth, it will eventually reveal itself. As we'll hear in today's story, when one tricky character tries covering up the truth, an even trickier character blows his cover. I'm Rebecca Scheer and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time. Today. Our story is called Hot Potatoes. It was inspired by tales from the Tonga, a Bantu ethnic group who who are part of the Tsonga people of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Some really great people came together to bring you our adaptation of this tale, including Arlen Escarpeta, who stars as Zeke Wallace on the NBC series Found. So circle around, everyone for Hot Potato. It was a blisteringly hot day on the savannah, and Hare was desperate for a drink.

[Hare]

Oh, I'm so thirsty. If I don't find water soon, I'll dry up into a husk. From the tips of my long, pointy ears to the back of my short, bushy tail.

[Rebecca Shear]

Under a blazing sun, Hare bounded across the grasslands in search of a water hole. When he finally found one, who should he find standing beside it, her horned brown head raised high and alert. But Antelope.

[Hare]

Hey there, Antelope.

[Rebecca Shear]

Whatcha doin'antelope? Narrowed her eyes. She knew hair was a tricky one with a notorious reputation for pulling pulling pranks.

[Antelope]

What am I doing, you ask? What does it look like I'm doing, Hare? I'm guarding over this water hole I found. I spent hours looking for it, and in this sweltering weather, I'm not letting one drop go to waste.

[Rebecca Shear]

I see Hare put on his most winning grin.

[Hare]

Tell me something, Antelope. What do you think of melons?

[Antelope]

Melons?

[Rebecca Shear]

Antelope's face lit up.

[Antelope]

I love melons. They're so sweet, so juicy. They'd be especially refreshing in this heat. Why do you ask?

[Hare]

Well, I'm with you. Melons would be refreshing in this heat. And that's why I was going to grow some.

[Antelope]

Grow some?

[Hare]

Sure. Care to help me do some farming? We can Split the melons 50. 50.

[Rebecca Shear]

At the thought of chomping down a sweet, juicy melon, Antelope lowered her guard.

[Antelope]

You can count me in, Hare. What do we do first?

[Hare]

First we have to plow. Plowing loosens up the earth and makes it ready for planting seeds. See that?

[Rebecca Shear]

Hare motioned toward a fallen tree branch.

[Hare]

That hefty branch will make for an ideal plow. So how about I go grab some melon seeds while you drag the branch across the ground? You're so big and strong, we'll be ready for planting in no time.

[Rebecca Shear]

Antelope's face tightened with worry.

[Antelope]

But that branch is much too big to hold in my mouth, Hare. And I can't exactly grasp it. With my hooves, I won't be able to balance.

[Rebecca Shear]

Hare was well aware of this fact, but he pretended to think, gosh, Antelope, you're right.

[Hare]

So I'll tell you what. How about if I tie the stick to your middle? Then you'll have no problem plowing.

[Rebecca Shear]

Quick as a wink, Hare grabbed a long vine, wrapped it around Antelope's belly, and tied it to the branch. He jammed one end of the branch deep into the earth, and Antelope immediately began to struggle.

[Antelope]

Hare, now I can't move. The branch is stuck in the ground.

[Hare]

Is it?

[Rebecca Shear]

Hare shrugged.

[Hare]

That's your problem, Antelope, not mine. And now, this is my water hole, not yours.

[Rebecca Shear]

And with that, he drank up every last drop in the water hole and bounded away.

[Antelope]

You'll pay for this, Hare. One of these days, he'll pay for this, Hare.

[Rebecca Shear]

But Hare did not hear. He had already hopped over to another waterhole, this one watched over by Lizard.

[Hare]

Hey there, Lizard. Whatcha doin'lizard?

[Rebecca Shear]

Gave Hare a sideways glance. He, too, was well aware of Hare's reputation as a trickster.

[Lizard]

Don't even try it, Hare. This is my water hole. You can't dupe me into sparing a drop.

[Hare]

I see.

[Rebecca Shear]

Hare gave his whiskers a wiggle.

[Hare]

Actually, to tell you the truth, I wasn't even interested in your water, Lizard. I was looking for someone to help me do some farming and plant some luscious, succulent melons. We would split the harvest.

[Rebecca Shear]

Of course, at the thought of biting into a luscious, succulent melon, Lizard forgot all about Hare's schemes.

[Lizard]

It just so happens I adore melons. You can count me in, Hare. What do we do first?

[Hare]

First we have to plow. You see that big stick over there? How about I go grab some melon seeds while you drag the stick across the ground? You're so nimble and quick, we'll be ready for planting in no time.

[Rebecca Shear]

Lizard's forehead creased with concern.

[Lizard]

My legs are too short to hold that stick hair. And my mouth is too small to clamp it in my teeth.

[Rebecca Shear]

Hare, of course, was well aware of this fact. But again he pretended to think, gee, Lizard, you're right.

[Hare]

So I'll tell you what. How about if I tie the stick to your strong tail? Then you'll have no problem plowing.

[Rebecca Shear]

Quick as a wink, Hare seized another long vine and tied the stick to Lizard's tail. Then he lodged one end of the stick deep into the ground.

[Lizard]

But, Hare, now I can't move. The stick is stuck.

[Hare]

Is it?

[Rebecca Shear]

Hare laughed.

[Hare]

That's your problem, Lizard, not mine. And now, this is my water hole, not yours.

[Rebecca Shear]

And with that, he guzzled down every last Dr. In the water hole and scampered away.

[Lizard]

You're gonna get what's coming to you, Hare. Anytime now. You're gonna get what's coming, you hear?

[Rebecca Shear]

But Hare did not hear. He had already sprung over to another waterhole, this one guarded by Tortoise. But when Hare came sauntering over, offering to split his melon harvest with her.

[WBUR]

I think I'll pass. Hare, much as I'd love to do some farming with you, I'll just sit here and drink my water.

[Hare]

I see.

[Rebecca Shear]

Now, you might assume that Hare was disappointed by Tortoise's answer. But let's just say the crafty fellow had more than one trick up his sleeve.

[Hare]

Fine, Tortoise, fine.

[Lizard]

I get it.

[Hare]

Farming is hard work. And who wants to work hard in this weather? So I'll tell you what. Boar has been doing some farming of his own. He's been growing a big patch of sweet potatoes. What do you say you and I go steal some, uh.

[WBUR]

Steal some?

[Rebecca Shear]

Tortoise shot Hare a disapproving look.

[WBUR]

Stealing is wrong, Hare.

[Hare]

Not when you're stealing from a bully like Boar. Come on, Tortoise. You know how mean and blustery that wild pit can be.

[Rebecca Shear]

It was true. Boar was a bully, always pushing the other animals around. But Tortoise still had doubts.

[WBUR]

Look, even if we did try and steal Boar's sweet potatoes, aren't you worried about getting caught?

[Hare]

Getting caught?

[Rebecca Shear]

Hare rolled his eyes.

[Hare]

Come now, Tortoise, a smooth, sly fella like me is never worried about getting caught. After all, you know what everyone says. I am by far the cleverest critter on the savanna.

[Rebecca Shear]

Tortoise felt a wave of annoyance because she had a reputation for cleverness as well. And she knew she could outwit and outsmart Hare any day. So now she decided to prove it.

[WBUR]

You know what, Hare? Since you're certain your wily ways will keep us safe, then sure, count me in. We'll steal some sweet potatoes from Boar.

[Hare]

That's the spirit.

[Rebecca Shear]

Hare flashed Tortoise a triumphant grin, then took off for the sweet potato patch. Tortoise followed, a smile growing across her face with each shuffling step.

[WBUR]

My round, stubby feet may not be as quick as Hare's, but my sharp, shrewd mind is even quicker. And if my plan works, Hare will not be eating sweet potatoes at the end of the day. He'll be eating humble pie.

[Rebecca Shear]

What do you think our sharp, shrewd, shell wearing friend is plotting? We'll find out after a quick break.

[Indeed]

Support for Circle Round comes from Indeed. You just realized that your business needed to hire someone yesterday. How can you find amazing candidates f easy? Just use Indeed. There's no need to wait. You can speed up your hiring with Indeed and Circle Round listeners will get a $75 sponsored job credit. To get your jobs more [e-mail] circleround just go to indeed.com circleround right now and support the show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.comCircleround terms and conditions apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need.

[Rebecca Shear]

Circle Round superfans have been raving about the Circle Round Club, an exciting way to support our public radio podcast and get ad free episodes, exclusive swag, early access to events, and bonus bedtime stories. Check out this rave review.

[Listener]

One thing I like about Circle Round Club is all the bedtime stories. It's really fun, and they're almost like a mini sort of Circle Round story, except they're much shorter.

[Rebecca Shear]

Grown ups get your Circle Round superfans signed up [e-mail] CircleRoundClub welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Scheer. Today our story is called Hot Potatoes. Before the break, Hare tricked Antelope and Lizard and drank up all their water. But Tortoise wasn't so easily deceived. The slow, steady creature knew she could outwit a trickster like Hare. So when he suggested the two of them steal from Boar's sweet potato batch, Tortoise agreed.

[Hare]

All right, Tortoise, Boar's sweet potato patch is right over there. I'm pretty sure he takes his afternoon nap right around this time. So while he's snoozing away, let's scurry on over and swipe Some spuds.

[Rebecca Shear]

Tortoise and Hare dug up dozens and dozens of potatoes from the patch. Enough to fill two large sacks. Then they lit a small fire behind a nearby tree and emptied their sacks into the flames. Before long, the air was filled with the irresistible aroma of roasting tubers.

[Hare]

Mmm, Mmm.

[Antelope]

Mmm.

[Hare]

These sweet potatoes smell good.

[Listener]

Mmm.

[WBUR]

They sure do. What do you say we eat some right now?

[Hare]

Right now?

[Rebecca Shear]

Hare shook his head.

[Hare]

No, we just roasted them. Have you ever had the roof of your mouth burned by a hot potato? It is no fun. I say we divide the potatoes first, then we eat them later.

[Rebecca Shear]

Hare began picking up the hot potatoes and dividing them into the two sacks.

[Hare]

Okay. One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me. One for you, one for me.

[Rebecca Shear]

But the moment he was done.

[Hare]

What was that?

[Rebecca Shear]

Hare's body went stiff. His long, pointy ears swiveled this way and that.

[Hare]

Is that a grunting sound I hear? Kind of a. Kind of a snuffle?

[Rebecca Shear]

Tortoise cocked her head to the side.

[WBUR]

I don't know, Hare. I'm not hearing a grunt or a snuffle.

[Hare]

I think I am. And grunts and snuffles are precisely the kind of sounds that Boar makes. Especially when he's angry. Like, say, when he's been rudely awakened from a nap.

[WBUR]

Wait. Are you saying that we woke Boar up?

[Hare]

Maybe. And if we did, it won't be long before he comes after us. Tortoise, how about I watch over the potatoes while you go see if Boar's sleeping or not?

[Rebecca Shear]

Tortoise paused. She knew full well that Hare hadn't heard a thing. It was all a ruse. He was hoping that while Tortoise went to check on Boar, he could sneak off with both sacks of potatoes, leaving none for her.

[Antelope]

Hmm.

[WBUR]

I don't know, Hare. If I leave you alone and Boar is awake, that brutish bully might sneak up on you from behind, and I won't be here to protect you. Better for us both to go see what's up. You go left, I'll go right, and we'll meet behind this tree when the coast is clear.

[Hare]

Sure, Tortoise. Whatever you say.

[Rebecca Shear]

Hare smiled to himself. He knew how slow Tortoise was, so he figured he'd give it a few minutes. Then he'd go back and pilfer the potatoes once Little Miss Slowpoke was out of sight. But Tortoise had a plan of her own. The moment Hare leaped off to the left, she started to shuffle to the right. But then she stopped, turned around and Crawled inside Hare's sack of stolen sweet potatoes. Once she was all comfy and cozy, she opened her mouth and began sucking the potatoes right out of their skins. Mmm.

[WBUR]

Delicious. And not too hot at all.

[Rebecca Shear]

Moments later, Hare came hurrying back. When he caught neither hide nor Hare of his rival, he did exactly what Tortoise had prepared. He dumped all the potatoes from her sack into his.

[Hare]

Now I can get all the bounty, and little miss slowpoke can get all the blame.

[Rebecca Shear]

Hare took a breath, Then cupped his paws around his mouth and called out.

[Hare]

You better stop stealing those sweet potatoes, Tortoise. Boar is bound to catch you. And you know how big and strong he is.

[Rebecca Shear]

And with that, he hoisted his sack over his shoulder and took off, running as fast and as far as he could. But he realized he was quickly losing steam.

[Hare]

Oh, gosh. This sack is heavier than I expected. And all this running has made me so hungry. I think I'll stop for a snack.

[Rebecca Shear]

Hare paused beside a thicket of bushes. Then he stuck a paw into the sack and pulled out a potato skin.

[Hare]

That's odd. The skin must have slipped off one of the potatoes somehow.

[Rebecca Shear]

Hare tried again. He stuck his paw back into the sack and pulled out another potato skin.

[Hare]

What's going on? This sack is so heavy. There have got to be some actual potatoes in here.

[Rebecca Shear]

So Hare tried again another potato skin.

[Hare]

And again another potato skin.

[Rebecca Shear]

And again another potato skin. This happened over and over until finally Hare stuck his paw into the sack and did not pull out another potato skin. Instead, his furry paw struck something hard and rough. And when he yanked open the sack and peeked inside, surprise. There was Tortoise, her hard, rough shell strewn with empty potato skins.

[WBUR]

Thanks for the ride, Hare. And for the meal. Oh, and thanks for reminding me who the cleverest critter on the savanna really is.

[Rebecca Shear]

And with that, she shimmied out of the sack and crawled away with a stomach full of potatoes and a smile on her face. Now it's your turn. Turtle may be a slow mover, but she has the superpower ability to think fast. What's one of your superpowers? An ability that helps you in the world. It could be as simple as the ability to tolerate really spicy foods or stay super calm at the dentist. Perhaps your superpower is sense of humor. Or your ability to practice patience. Find a grown up and tell them all about your superpower. Then ask them to share one of theirs. Something tells me that after you talk, you both will feel super. This week's episode, Hot Potatoes was adapted by me, Rebecca Scheer. It was edited by Dean Russell. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis. Eric's featured instrument this week was the bolophone. You can learn more about this ancestor of the marimba, xylophone and vibraphone and see a photo of Eric playing one on our website WBUR.org CircleRound. Circle Round's artist is Sabina Hahn, who's created a black and white coloring page for every Circle Round story and you can print them out and color them in. Ask your grown ups to Visit our website WBUR.org CircleRound and click on coloring pages. Special thanks to this week's actors, Ryan Dallasung, Jessica Rao, Erica Rose and Arlen Escarpeta. Arlen stars in the NBC series Found, now streaming on Peacock. Want to circle Round with us in even more ways? Join the Circle Round Club and get ad free episodes, a monthly newsletter, super fun swag, plus early access to our live events. You can also add on cool perks like our snuggly Circle Round lion and a personalized birthday message from me. Sign up today and support the public radio podcast you love on our website. Once more, that's WBUR.org CircleRound for now. When you're done listening to this episode, please leave us a five star review on whatever podcast applied you're using. It helps other listeners find the show so we can make the Circle Round circle even bigger. 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.

[Listener]

Hello, my name is Lucia, I live in Belgium and my favorite Circle Round story is Coyote's Flame because I like the part when coyote, squirrel, chipmunk and frog create the sun. My name is Lucas and I live in Bellevue, Washington. And my favorite Circle story is the Laughing Bird. I like the part where the kookaburra keeps waking up the other animals. My name is Noah, I'm from Portland, Oregon and my favorite Circle Round is the Snow Eater. My name is Morgan, I live in Mohil, Alabama. I love all the Circle Round stories, but my most favorite is the Three Legged Pot. My favorite part is when the three Legged pot said time to skip and skip wee. My name is Abby and I'm from Maryland and my favorite Circle Round story is the Laughing Bird and my favorite part is when Kookaburra gets to join the sky people. My name is Adele and my favorite sock around podcast is the Polka Dotted Pigeon because I like to put when the king sees two pigeons in the cage. My name is Odette and I live in Framingham, Massachusetts and my favorite circle round story is Donkey Business cause I like to part when she plays a trick on Enzo. I'm Luna Pearl and I come from Los Angeles. My favorite story is Brownie Snowstorm.

[Rebecca Shear]

Did someone mention a story you've missed? Not to worry, grown ups. You can find all of our Circle Rounds stories plus links to the Circle Round Club, picture books, coloring pages, and oh so much more on our website, WBUR.org CircleRound.