Circle Round Podcast

Episode: Little Peacock’s Plumage | Ep. 304
Date: November 11, 2025
Host: Rebecca Scheer
Guest (Actor): Alfred Sandwich Singh

Episode Overview

This episode adapts the Chinese folktale "Little Peacock’s Plumage" into a vibrant, sound- and music-rich story. The narrative explores the theme that true beauty—and The things that set us apart—come from the goodness in our actions and the kindness in our hearts, not outward appearance. Through Little Peacock’s journey, young listeners learn about generosity, selflessness, and what it means to truly stand out.

Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

The Peacock Fairy’s Challenge (00:39–03:16)

• Introduction of the Peacock Fairy:
  A mystical being, part human, part peacock, revered for her magical abilities.
  "The Peacock Fairy was a mystical, supernatural being with the head and arms of a human and the slender, iridescent body of a peacock." (01:44)

• Announcement:
  The Peacock Fairy declares she will choose an apprentice among the peacocks and issues a challenge:

  • Each peacock must return at midnight, looking as different as possible from the others.
  • The apprentice will be chosen based on their appearance.

Little Peacock’s Kindness on the Road (03:36–11:04)

Helping the Farmer (04:05–05:22)

• Little Peacock encounters a farmer sweltering in the unseasonable heat.
  • Offers his blue, green, and gold tail feathers to create a fan so the farmer can cool off and finish his work.
  • Farmer: "You would really give me some of your blue, green and gold feathers just so I could cool down?" (04:58)
  • Little Peacock’s selflessness marked by willingness to give away beauty.

Helping the Boy (05:22–06:42)

• Little Peacock meets a boy upset about not being able to give his mother a birthday gift.
  • Again offers his tail feathers to craft a beautiful wreath.
  • Boy: "You'd really give me some of your feathers just so I could make her a present?" (06:17)

Helping the Brides (07:08–11:04)

• Stumbles upon two women (brides) anxiously preparing for their wedding.

  • They argue over forgotten flowers for the centerpieces.
  • Little Peacock suggests using his tail feathers instead.
  • Bride: "You would give us your tail feathers just so we could have centerpieces at our wedding?" (10:43)

• By the end, Little Peacock's tail is nearly bare.

  • "Little Peacock's once full tail was decidedly less full now, but he didn't mind." (06:42)

The Sick Girl and the Spring Festival (11:10–12:45)

• Sees a sick little girl awaiting the Spring Festival, longing for peacock-feather-like fireworks.
  • Wishes he had feathers left to make her happy, but he has none.

The Midnight Selection (12:55–15:08)

• All peacocks return to the waterfall, adorned in flowers, pebbles, seashells, and golden anklets—except for Little Peacock, who arrives with a plain, bare tail.
  • "Some had decorated their tails with jasmine and lotus flowers. Others had strung garlands of shiny pebbles around their necks." (13:09)
  • Peacock Fairy inspects them all.
  • On encountering Little Peacock:
    • Peacock Fairy: "You certainly look different from everyone else, little one. What happened to your tail feathers?" (14:22)
    • Little Peacock: "I gave my tail feathers away to people who needed them far more than I do." (14:36)

The Surprise Choice & Magical Reward (15:14–17:19)

• Peacock Fairy chooses Little Peacock as her apprentice, valuing his inner kindness over outward adornment.

  • Peacock Fairy: "You're the one who truly set yourself apart from the rest. Not with what you have on the outside, but what you have on the inside." (15:40)

• Restoring Little Peacock’s Tail:

  • The Fairy magically gathers one feather from each peacock, creating a dazzling new tail for Little Peacock.
    • "all at once...a single feather lifted off each of their tails...came together to form a massive, dazzling fan." (16:32)
  • His tail becomes more beautiful than ever, sparkling like fireworks:
    • "his tail feathers began to glimmer and glow until finally they looked like a kaleidoscope of blue, green and gold fire." (17:01)

The Grand Finale & Lasting Legacy (17:25–18:37)

• Little Peacock uses his new tail to fly impossibly high, creating the spectacle of fireworks in the sky for the sick girl and her village.

  • Little Girl: "Daddy, look. The fireworks. The fireworks are here. I feel better already." (17:47)
  • Villagers dance and sing together, ushering in the Spring Festival and healing joy.

• Moral:
  If you see fireworks exploding in the sky, you might just spot Little Peacock—his generous heart shining bright.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On true beauty:
  "You're the one who truly set yourself apart from the rest. Not with what you have on the outside, but what you have on the inside."
  —Peacock Fairy (15:40)

• Choosing compassion over appearance:
  "Your backside may be empty and bare, but your heart is full, abundant, brimming with kindness and generosity."
  —Peacock Fairy (15:58)

• On sharing beauty:
  "If you see fireworks exploding in the sky and you look very, very carefully, you might find Little Peacock with his fiery tail and his generous heart burning bright."
  —Narrator (18:07)

Activity Segment (18:37–19:03)

• Interactive Takeaway:
  Listeners are invited to make their own "TP peacock" out of a toilet paper roll and construction paper, encouraging family creativity and further discussion about the story’s themes.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Challenge announced: 02:19–03:16
• Helping the Farmer: 04:05–05:22
• Helping the Boy: 05:22–06:42
• Helping the Brides: 07:08–11:04
• Sick Girl/Festival Scene: 11:10–12:45
• Peacock Fairy's inspection: 13:34–14:22
• The Reveal/Selection: 14:36–15:40
• Magical reward: 16:32–17:19
• Fireworks Finale: 17:25–18:07
• Arts & Crafts activity: 18:37–19:03

Episode Tone & Style

The episode maintains a gentle, encouraging, and whimsical tone, with compassion, empathy, and joy at its core. Rebecca Scheer’s narration is warm and accessible, guiding young listeners (and adults) through the story’s events and gentle moral lessons.

Final Thoughts

"Little Peacock’s Plumage" offers a heartfelt reminder that kindness and generosity truly mark us as unique and beautiful, no matter what we look like on the outside. This adaptation, filled with memorable characters, musical elements, and listener activities, is a rich resource for families to spark deeper conversation about what it means to have a good heart.