Little Peacock’s Plumage | Ep. 304

Summary

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Circle Round Podcast

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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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)

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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.

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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)

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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Transcript

[Rebecca Scheer]

Hey Circle Round fans. Our Circle Round Live Tour continues with live recordings in North Carolina, Massachusetts and California. Join us in Charlotte on November 22nd, Los Angeles on January 18th, and Boston on February 7th. And remember, after each show, Circle Round Club members can meet Eric Shimalonis and me, Rebecca Scheer. Get your tickets and join the [e-mail] CircleRound WBUR Podcasts, Boston Ever heard the saying beauty is skin deep?

[Narrator]

It means that how we look on the outside isn't as important as what we're like on the inside.

[Rebecca Scheer]

In today's story, this idea of beauty being skin deep is put to the test. But but instead of skin, it's feathers. I'm Rebecca Scheer and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time. Today, our story is called Little Peacock's Plumage. Versions of this tale come from the East Asian country of China. Some really great people came together to bring you our story, including Alfred Sandwich Singh, whom you grown ups may know.

[Narrator]

From the book of Boba Fett on.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Disney and Silicon Valley on hbo. Alfred appears in the new film Train Dreams, in theaters now and coming to Netflix on November 21st. So circle around everyone for Little Peacock's Plumage.

[Narrator]

The Peacock Fairy was a mystical, supernatural.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Being with the head and arms of a human and and the slender iridescent.

[Narrator]

Body of a peacock.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The Peacock Fairy knew all sorts of.

[Narrator]

Magic and she could use her powers to conjure up nearly anything.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The peacocks of the world admired her.

[Narrator]

Greatly and longed to learn her spells.

[Rebecca Scheer]

So you can imagine their excitement when.

[Narrator]

One day many moons ago, the Peacock.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Fairy called all of them to the.

[Narrator]

Foot of a shimmering waterfall and made the an announcement.

[Peacock Fairy]

My fine feathered friends, I have decided I shall take on an apprentice. An assistant who shall help me work my magic by learning all of my spells. And one of you shall take the job.

[Narrator]

The peacocks let out a gasp.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Becoming the Peacock Fairy's apprentice would be the ultimate honor. But how would she make her choice?

[Peacock Fairy]

I suppose you're wondering how I will make my choice with so many of you to choose from. It won't be easy. So that's why I am issuing a challenge. I want you to come back to this waterfall at midnight. Make yourself look as different as possible from the others. Once you've all returned and I've taken a good look at you, I shall select my apprentice.

[Narrator]

The peacocks beamed with their fan shaped tails of blue, green and gold.

[Rebecca Scheer]

They were already among the most stunning.

[Narrator]

And resplendent of birds.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The idea of making themselves even more Stunning and resplendent.

[Narrator]

Had them all aflutter. Well, all but one.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Little Peacock was the smallest of the bunch and the most picked on.

[Peacock Fairy]

Ugh.

[Little Peacock]

I'm so little and scrawny, there's no way the Peacock Fairy would ever pick me to be her apprentice. I guess I'll just go on my way and forget about it.

[Narrator]

As his fellow birds bustled away, Little Peacock heaved a sigh and shuffled down the road. He was passing a field when he caught sight of a farmer. It was the end of winter, but.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The weather was unsettling.

[Narrator]

Reasonably warm, and the hard working man was drenched in sweat. Little Peacock went scurrying over.

[Little Peacock]

Pardon me, sir. It's awfully hot out here and you look like you might pass out. If you don't mind me asking, shouldn't you take a break?

[Narrator]

The farmer mopped his brow.

[Farmer]

Oh, I wish I could take a break, Little Peacock, but I have to harvest these crops so I can take them to market. It's never this hot this time of year and the sun is draining the life out of me.

[Narrator]

Little Peacock thought for a moment, then he flashed to the farmer a grin.

[Little Peacock]

How about you take some of my tail feathers and turn them into a fan? That should help you beat the heat. Then you can get your work done.

[Narrator]

The farmer blinked his tired eyes.

[Farmer]

You would really give me some of your blue, green and gold feathers just so I could cool down?

[Narrator]

Little Peacock nodded and plucked some plumage from his tail. The farmer spread them into a fan and waved it over his face.

[Boy]

Ooh, I feel better already.

[Farmer]

Thank you, Little Peacock.

[Narrator]

Little Peacock smiled and continued down the road. But as he rounded a bend, he he heard the sound of someone crying. He picked up his pace and there, sobbing by the roadside, was a boy.

[Little Peacock]

Excuse me, young man. Might I ask, why are you crying?

[Narrator]

The boy wiped his tears with the back of his hand.

[Boy]

It's my mother's birthday tomorrow. Times have been hard and I can't afford to buy her a gift. She's been so good to me and I wanted to get her something special.

[Narrator]

Little Peacock grinned.

[Little Peacock]

How about you take some of my tail feathers? You can turn them into a wreath. It would look awfully nice hanging on your mother's door.

[Narrator]

The boy's teary eyes grew bright.

[Boy]

You know, blue, green and gold are Mother's favorite colors. You'd really give me some of your feathers just so I could make her a present?

[Narrator]

Little Peacock nodded and plucked more feathers from his tail. The boy took hold of them and beamed.

[Boy]

These feathers are so pretty. Mother's going to love them. Thank you, Little Peacock.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Little Peacock's once full tail was decidedly.

[Narrator]

Less full now, but. But he didn't mind.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The other peacocks were always calling him.

[Narrator]

A useless runt, so it felt good to be of help. As he continued down the road, he glanced up and noticed the sun was about to set.

[Little Peacock]

Hmm. I should probably get home. I've been out for a while and could use some dinner.

[Narrator]

As Little Peacock headed toward his nest, he came across two more people. A pair of women dressed in fancy clothing and having an odd I can't.

[Bride]

Believe our wedding reception is in less than an hour and you forgot to order the centerpieces. I ordered all the vases. I thought you were in charge of ordering the flowers to put in them. No, you were supposed to order the flowers. Are you sure about that?

[Rebecca Scheer]

Yes.

[Little Girl]

Positive?

[Rebecca Scheer]

Yes.

[Narrator]

As the couple feuded and fought, an idea bounced into Little Peacock's head. A brilliant notion for how he might stop the bickering and bring about some peace.

[Rebecca Scheer]

How do you think Little Peacock will step in and help? We'll hear what he has in mind after a quick break. Support for Circle Round comes from Audible. Get ready for Harry Potter like you've never heard it before in a captivating new audio production that brings the wizarding.

[Narrator]

World magically to life. You'll hear footsteps echoing down the halls of Hogwarts and the whoosh of a golden snitch as it zips past your ear.

[Rebecca Scheer]

With a new musical score and an A list cast of voices, it's a delightful way to introduce the Harry Potter stories to a new generation. Harry potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is available now. Listen on [e-mail] HP1 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.

[Listener 1]

What I like about the Circle Round Club is that Rebecca Shear 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 Little Peacock's Plumage. Before the break, the Peacock fairy announced.

[Narrator]

She was seeking an apprentice to help with her magic.

[Rebecca Scheer]

She ordered all the peacocks to meet.

[Narrator]

Her at the waterfall at midnight and.

[Rebecca Scheer]

To make themselves look as different from the others as possible.

[Narrator]

The peacocks were all very excited, save.

[Rebecca Scheer]

For the smallest one, Little Peacock figured he was so slight and ordinary there was no way the Peacock Fairy would ever choose him.

[Narrator]

As he walked down the road, he wound up giving away tail feathers to people who needed help. A farmer desperate to cool off.

[Rebecca Scheer]

A boy in need of a birthday gift for his mother. And when Little Peacock encountered a pair of quarreling brides who needed flowers for.

[Narrator]

Their wedding, he decided to step in.

[Little Peacock]

Hello, you two. Congratulations on your wedding. I was thinking, since you already have vases for your wedding tables, how about filling them with my tail feathers?

[Narrator]

The women quit squabbling and stared at Little Peacock.

[Bride]

You would give us your tail feathers just so we could have centerpieces at our wedding?

[Narrator]

Little Peacock nodded and pulled the last bunch of feathers from his tail, and.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The women were all smiles.

[Bride]

This is so kind of you. Thank you, Little Peacock.

[Narrator]

Little Peacock grinned and headed toward home. Night was falling, and the cool evening.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Air felt chilly on his bare backside.

[Narrator]

As he passed through a moonlit village, he saw something that stopped him in his tracks. Through a window, he spotted a little girl lying in bed. She looked pale and sickly. Beside her sat her father, gently stroking her hair.

[Little Girl]

Daddy, is it spring yet? It feels like I've been sick in bed forever. And the doctor said I'd get well again come springtime.

[Father]

I know, pumpkin. And the way the sun was shining today, you would think that spring had sprung. But it's still winter. I'm afraid the first day of the Spring Festival is a ways away.

[Little Girl]

Oh, I love the Spring Festival. That first night when fireworks explode in the air like a peacock's feathers shooting through the sky. It's the best. I swear, if I could see those fireworks right now, I would be all better again.

[Narrator]

As Little Peacock gazed through the window, his mind began to whirl.

[Little Peacock]

Wait a minute. Fireworks exploding in the air like a peacock's feathers shooting through the sky.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Ugh.

[Little Peacock]

If only I had some feathers left, I could fly up into the air and spread them in the moonlight so the little girl thinks they're fireworks and she'd get better again. But alas, I've given all my plumage away.

[Narrator]

Little Peacock sighed and went home. He ate dinner and tried to fall asleep, but he couldn't drift off. So just before midnight, he decided he'd.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Return to the waterfall and see what the other peacocks were up to. When he arrived, they were all there.

[Narrator]

Strutting around and showing off their new looks.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Clearly, they had gone to great lengths to set themselves apart.

[Narrator]

Some had decorated their tails with jasmine and lotus flowers. Others had strung garlands of shiny pebbles around their necks.

[Rebecca Scheer]

One peacock was wearing a crown Crafted from seashells.

[Narrator]

Another wore golden anklets made from wheat stalks.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The Peacock Fairy stood at the foot of the waterfall, gazing at the gussied.

[Narrator]

Up crowd with glittering eyes.

[Peacock Fairy]

Greetings, friends. Thank you for coming back to see me. I must say I am impressed by how different you all look. But in order to select my apprentice, I must examine each of you one by one.

[Narrator]

Slowly, she paced up and down the.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Rows of proud, preening birds, giving each one a.

[Narrator]

A careful look.

[Listener 1]

Hmm.

[Peacock Fairy]

Interesting. Very creative. Fascinating choice.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Standing at the very back, fretting with despair over how plain he looked, was Little Peacock when the Peacock Fairy reached him.

[Narrator]

She paused.

[Peacock Fairy]

Well, what do we have here? You certainly look different from everyone else. Little one. What happened to your tail feathers?

[Narrator]

Little Peacock hung his head.

[Little Peacock]

I. I gave them away, Peacock Fairy.

[Peacock Fairy]

You did what?

[Little Peacock]

I gave my tail feathers away to people who needed them far more than I do. And you should have seen the looks on their faces when I offered them my plumage. The farmer looked like he might dance. The boy looked like he might sing. To say nothing of the brides at the wedding. But now I'm left with nothing.

[Narrator]

The Peacock Fairy grew quiet.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Little Peacock expected her to laugh or.

[Narrator]

Give him a good scolding, but instead she smiled.

[Peacock Fairy]

Little Peacock, you are the apprentice I choose.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The other birds were gobsmacked. Little Peacock was the most gobsmacked of all.

[Little Peacock]

You choose me to be your apprentice? Why would you choose me? All the other peacocks are so fancy, so distinctive. Why would you pick a scrawny, runty, bareback bird like me?

[Peacock Fairy]

Because, Little Peacock, 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.

[Little Peacock]

What do you mean?

[Peacock Fairy]

Don't you see, Little Peacock? Your backside may be empty and bare, but your heart is full, abundant, brimming with kindness and generosity. And so, my amiable apprentice, it is time to show you some magic.

[Narrator]

The Peacock Fairy flicked her hand and the other peacocks gave a start. Because all at once, as if plucked by unseen fingers, a single feather lifted.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Off each of their tails and went.

[Narrator]

Floating through the air. The feathers drifted and glided until they came together to form a massive, dazzling fan. The Peacock Fairy flicked her hand again.

[Rebecca Scheer]

And the magnificent fan of feathers zoomed down to Little Peacock's backside and stuck there.

[Boy]

Whoa.

[Little Peacock]

I have a tail again.

[Peacock Fairy]

Yes, you do. But that's not all.

[Narrator]

The Peacock Fairy knelt down and whispered some magic words in Little Peacock's ear. And just like that, his tail feathers began to glimmer. And glow until finally they looked like a kaleidoscope of blue, green and gold fire.

[Peacock Fairy]

Now go Little Peacock. Show what you can do.

[Narrator]

Little Peacock flapped his wings and lifted off the ground. He flew higher and farther than any peacock possibly could, with his tail sparking and sparkling behind him like a shooting star.

[Rebecca Scheer]

When he reached the village and soared.

[Narrator]

Over the sick girl's hut, she stared at the sky with awe.

[Little Girl]

Daddy, look. The fireworks. The fireworks are here. I feel better already.

[Narrator]

She leaped out of bed and raced outside. Her father followed.

[Rebecca Scheer]

When the other villagers caught sight of.

[Narrator]

The fireworks, they too ran outside and.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Started singing and dancing in the street.

[Narrator]

To this day it's said that 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.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Now it's your turn. You can make your own TP peacock. To make the peacock's body, find an empty toilet paper roll and cover it.

[Narrator]

With construction paper of any color.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Draw or glue on two eyes and a beak.

[Narrator]

Then find more construction paper and cut it into feather shapes.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Tape or glue the feathers onto the back of your TP tube in a.

[Narrator]

Fanned out shape and voila.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Your TP Peacock is complete. Show your creation to someone you love and if you'd like, show it to us Grown Ups. Snap a photo of your Circle Round fan and their peacock and email it to circleroundbur.org with your permission, we may feature you in our Circle Round newsletter, the Lion's Roar. If you haven't yet signed up for this free monthly bulletin featuring sponsored special announcements, behind the scenes articles, and yes, photos of your art and creations, visit WBUR.org CircleRound this week's episode Little Peacock's Plumage was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear. It was edited by Amarie Sivertson. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shyamalonis. Eric's featured instrument this week was the Gujiang. You can learn more about this plucked zither dating back 2500 years and see a photo at WBUR.org CircleRound Circle Round's artist is Sabina Hahn. Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for every single Circle Round story and you can print them out and color them in Grown Ups. You can download all of our coloring [e-mail] CircleRound Special thanks to this week's actors, GM Hakeem, Jessica Rao, Erica Rose, Dawn Ursula, Matt Zambrano and Alfred Singh. Grown Ups. You can see Alfred Singh in the new movie Train Dreams in theaters now and coming to Netflix on November 21st. If you love Circle Round and want to support public media during a time.

[Narrator]

When the federal funding is hard to.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Come by, I humbly invite you to join the Circle Round Club. To show our thanks. We'll send you a welcome package with exclusive swag, an ad free feed, bonus bedtime stories, presale tickets to live events.

[Narrator]

And an invitation to meet me and.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Eric Shimalonis after each show. You can also add on goodies like our Snuggly Lion Stuffy and a personalized birthday message from me. Sign up for the Circle Round Club and show your love for public [e-mail] CircleRound Grown Ups if you enjoy Circle.

[Narrator]

Round, please spread the word.

[Rebecca Scheer]

And if you have a sec, please leave us a five star rating or review on whatever podcast app you're using right now. 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.

[Narrator]

I'm Rebecca Shear.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Thanks for Circling Round with us. Now that you've made it to the.

[Narrator]

End of this Circle Round episode, we want to know what's your favorite Circle Round story?

[Rebecca Scheer]

Thousands of fans just like you have been telling us about the Circle Round stories they like best.

[Narrator]

Take a listen.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Maybe one of their favorites is one of yours too.

[Listener 1]

My name is Maxime. I live in the Netherlands. My favorite Circle Round is Them All. My name is Amelia. I live in the Netherlands. My favorite Circle Round story is the Chameleons Contest. My favorite part is when the Chameleon challenges the Goddess of the Seas. Hi, my name is Rose and I live in Chicago, Illinois. And my favorite Circle Round story is Latchkey Zoo. And my favorite part is when the daughter teaches their neighbors a lesson because they didn't learn to share. My name's Anya. My favorite Circle Round is Out of Time and I'm from Minnesota. My name is Lycia and I'll live in Minnesota. One of my favorite Circle Round episodes is the Very Busy Fairies. My favorite part is when they all make a mess and he has to call his grandpa.

[Little Girl]

I'm Minna.

[Listener 1]

I live in the United States of America. My favorite episode is the Snow Eater. My favorite part is when the Snow Eater eats all the snow. My name is Finley. I live in Barrington, New Hampshire. I can't pick a Circle Round, so my favorite one is all of them.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Did someone mention a story you've missed?

[Narrator]

Not to worry grown ups.

[Rebecca Scheer]

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. More on our website, WBUR.org CircleRound.