Out of Time

Summary

Circle Round Podcast: "Out of Time" Episode Summary

Release Date: May 27, 2025

Introduction

In this captivating episode of Circle Round, titled "Out of Time," host Rebecca Shear presents a beautifully adapted Japanese folktale that intertwines themes of cleverness, justice, and the subtle power of storytelling. Aimed at children and families, the episode not only entertains but also fosters meaningful conversations between young listeners and grown-ups.

Story Overview

The Clockmaker's Dilemma (00:24 - 06:15)

The tale begins with a dedicated clockmaker who has poured months into crafting a magnificent gold and silver clock commissioned by the Governor. Early one morning, she discovers her shop in disarray and the precious clock missing. A quick chase ensues, leading her to suspect a tall, skinny, bald figure with a shuffling gait fleeing the scene.

Notable Quote:
The clockmaker laments, “[...] that gold and silver clock was worth a fortune. And I worked so hard on it. I must get it back. But how?" ([03:43]).

Desperate to recover her masterpiece, the clockmaker seeks the wisdom of Judge Ursula at the local courthouse. Despite her thorough description, the judge knows she needs a more insightful approach to identify the true culprit among two similar-looking suspects.

The Courtroom Confrontation (06:45 - 20:30)

Judge Ursula convenes a courtroom packed with curious townsfolk eager to witness the resolution. Upon presenting the two suspects—both matching the clockmaker’s description—the judge engages them in a unique interrogation.

Notable Quote:
Judge Ursula declares, “...by the time this day is through, their talons will be revealed.” ([09:01]).

She asks each suspect to share a story about the cleverest person they’ve ever heard of. The farmer tells of a village boy who cleverly confessed to stealing rabbits by keeping a food journal, while the fisherman narrates a tale of a thief using a clever trick to steal the mayor's silk sheets without waking him.

The Judge’s Insight (17:57 - 20:30)

Judge Ursula listens intently to both stories, recognizing a pattern of honesty versus deceit. She reveals her own story, mirroring the current case, and deduces that the farmer, who admires honesty, must be innocent. Conversely, the fisherman, who admires clever dishonesty, is identified as the true thief.

Notable Quote:
Upon uncovering the truth, Rebecca narrates, “She [the judge] knew the man who admired honesty was innocent. And the man who admired dishonesty was guilty.” ([20:11]).

The fisherman flees the courtroom when confronted, but further investigation leads to the discovery of the stolen clock in his attic. Justice prevails as the clock is returned to the grateful clockmaker, and the town celebrates the judge’s clever use of storytelling to uncover the truth.

Themes and Insights

"Out of Time" emphasizes the significance of storytelling as a tool for revealing deeper truths and understanding human nature. Judge Ursula’s methodical approach showcases how stories can reflect personal values and moral alignments, aiding in discerning honesty from deceit.

Notable Quote:
Rebecca Shear concludes the narrative with, “[...] justice was served. All thanks to a clever judge who appreciated the power of a good story and always remembered the importance of reading between the lines.” ([20:11]).

Conclusion

This episode serves as the grand finale of Circle Round's eighth season, celebrating nearly 300 episodes by engaging listeners in a timeless story that underscores the value of wisdom, honesty, and the nuanced layers within each tale. The clockmaker’s journey and Judge Ursula's ingenuity offer a memorable lesson on the impact of keen observation and the power of narratives.

Listener Engagement

Following the story, Circle Round invites listeners to share their favorite episodes, featuring heartfelt testimonials from fans across various locations. This interactive segment fosters a sense of community and encourages ongoing participation in the show's rich storytelling tradition.

Behind the Scenes

Special thanks are given to contributors, including Brittany Ishibashi, who voices key characters, and Dean Russell, the editor. The episode's original music, featuring the traditional Japanese koto, enriches the auditory experience, providing cultural authenticity and depth to the narrative.

Join the Circle Round Community

Listeners are encouraged to support Circle Round by joining the Circle Round Club, offering benefits like ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and personalized messages. Additionally, fans are prompted to leave reviews and ratings to help expand the show's reach, ensuring that more families can enjoy these enriching folktales.

For more stories, coloring pages, and interactive activities, visit WBUR.org/CircleRound.

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.

[Evan Casey]

WBUR podcasts, Boston.

[Rebecca Shear]

Think about your favorite story. If I asked, you could probably tell me its plot, right? The series of events that unfold. But what if I were to ask you about its theme, the message the story is trying to convey? Sometimes the message of a story is easy to figure out, but as we'll hear in today's episode, sometimes it's hidden and requires some serious reading or listening between the lines. I'm Rebecca Scheer and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time. Today, our story is called out of Time. We found versions of this tale from the East Asian island nation of Japan. Some really great people came together to bring you our version of this folktale, including Brittany, and you kids may recognize her voice from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mickey and the Roadster Racers, and Ultraman Rising Grown Ups. You'll know Brittany from Grace and Frankie, Hawaii 5O and Marvel's Runaways. Watch for her in the upcoming Apple TV comedy series Brothers. So circle round, everyone, for out of Time. There once was a clockmaker who designed and built beautiful clocks inside a little shop in the middle of town. The clockmaker had spent months working on her most exciting project yet, a gold and silver clock for the Governor. One morning, she got to work at the crack of dawn so she could put the finishing touches on the Governor's clock and get it delivered. But just as she was fishing her keys from her purse to unlock her shop, she made a distressing discovery.

[Theodore Chin]

The front door is wide open. Somebody must have broken in.

[Rebecca Shear]

The clockmaker hurried inside. She didn't see any thieves, but what she did see made her heart clenched. The place had been ransacked. Tools were scattered everywhere. The floor was strewn with splintered wood and smashed glass. And what's worse, the Governor's clock is gone. The clockmaker raced outside, unsure of what to do. And that's when she saw it. A lone figure taking off down the street, clutching a bulging bag in their arms. The figure was blocks away, but the clockmaker immediately noticed several details about them. First, they were nearly as tall as a lamp post, as skinny as one, too. Second, their head was as bald as an egg. And third, they ran with a halting, shuffling gait, like a racehorse past its prime.

[Theodore Chin]

That must be the thief. I can't let Them get away.

[Rebecca Shear]

The clockmaker took off like a flash, but she was too late. The tall, skinny, bald, shuffling figure was gone.

[Theodore Chin]

Oh, drat. That gold and silver clock was worth a fortune. And I worked so hard on it. I must get it back. But how?

[Rebecca Shear]

Her eyes flitted about the empty streets. Then they lit up the courthouse.

[Theodore Chin]

There it is, just a few doors down. I'll head on over and see the judge. I've heard she's very wise and very fair. Surely she can help.

[Rebecca Shear]

It was barely past sunrise, but the judge was already in her office, shuffling through papers. She invited the clockmaker in and listened to her woeful tale about the break in.

[Theodore Chin]

Not only did they ransack my shop, your honor, they made off with a very valuable clock. I was building it for the Governor and I spent so much money on materials. If I can't make the same, I'll be ruined. And the governor will be so disappointed.

[Rebecca Shear]

The judge's brow furrowed with concern.

[Ursula]

I'm sorry to hear this news. Tell me, did you happen to see the person who broke into your shop?

[Theodore Chin]

Not exactly. By the time I arrived, they had already bolted down the street.

[Ursula]

But you caught a of them, right? Could you describe them in any way?

[Rebecca Shear]

The clockmaker tapped her chin.

[Theodore Chin]

Well, they appeared to be tall.

[Ursula]

Mm.

[Theodore Chin]

And skinny.

[Ursula]

Okay.

[Theodore Chin]

They had a bald head.

[Rebecca Shear]

Uh huh.

[Theodore Chin]

And they ran with this kind of shuffling gait. Big strides, but not very smooth.

[Ursula]

I see. Did you notice anything else?

[Theodore Chin]

That's it. They weren't very close when I spotted them, so I couldn't get a good look.

[Ursula]

That's all right. You've given me plenty to go on. Meet me tomorrow morning in my courtroom. 8am sharp.

[Rebecca Shear]

The following morning, the courtroom was packed with people. Word of the stolen clock had spread throughout town and everyone was eager to see who the suspects were and how the judge would decide the case. The clockmaker was torn between excitement and anxiety. By the end of the day, she would either know who the thief was and get the governor's clock back, or she would leave empty handed and have an awful lot of explaining to do to the most powerful person person in the land.

[Ursula]

Good morning, everyone. This court will now come to order. Guards, please bring in the suspects.

[Rebecca Shear]

All eyes swiveled to the door. Two musclebound guards marched in. Behind them were two men, both of them tall, skinny and bald, and walking with a shuffling gait.

[Ursula]

The court will now commence questioning. Clockmaker, does one of these men look like the person who robbed your shop?

[Rebecca Shear]

The clockmaker looked from one suspect to the other.

[Theodore Chin]

I'm sorry, your honor, but both men look like the person who robbed my shop. I couldn't pick out which one actually did it.

[Rebecca Shear]

The judge nodded, then leveled her gaze on the suspects.

[Ursula]

Gentlemen, will you please approach the bench?

[Rebecca Shear]

After the two suspects shuffled over, the judge began peppering them with questions, which the two men answered quickly and easily.

[Ursula]

Where were you the morning of the crime?

[Brittany Ishibashi]

I'm a farmer by trade, so I was out in my fields.

[Evan Casey]

I work as a fisherman, so I was in a boat on the river.

[Ursula]

Do you have a witness who could provide an alibi? An individual who could prove your whereabouts?

[Brittany Ishibashi]

My farmhands. I greet them every morning when they get to work.

[Evan Casey]

You could ask my boss. He's always at the fishing shack when I clock in.

[Ursula]

Have you been to the clockmaker's shop before?

[Brittany Ishibashi]

I have not.

[Evan Casey]

Nope. Never been there in my life.

[Rebecca Shear]

The judge turned to the clockmaker.

[Ursula]

Clockmaker. Both suspects claim they have never visited your shop. Is what they say true?

[Theodore Chin]

I make a point of chatting with each and every customer, your honor. I've got to say, I have no memory of chatting with either of these men.

[Ursula]

Interesting.

[Rebecca Shear]

The judge leaned forward in her chair. Her face was still, but her eyes were dancing.

[Ursula]

Ladies and gentlemen, there's an old saying. The clever hawk hides its talons. Despite the testimony our suspects have given thus far, I am certain that one of them is the clever hawk. And mark my words, by the time this day is through, their talons will be revealed.

[Rebecca Shear]

What do you think the judge will do next? What would you do if you were the judge? We'll find out what move she makes after a quick break.

[Dean Russell]

Support for Circle Round comes from Indeed. You just realized that your business needed to hire someone yesterday. How can you find amazing candidates fast? 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]

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 out of time. Before the break, a wise judge was trying to decide which of two situations similar looking men was guilty of robbing the clockmaker's shop.

[Ursula]

Ladies and gentlemen, we have heard some convincing testimony from both of our suspects. I have asked them a series of questions and they have answered. But there's one more question I'd like to pose. Farmer, fisherman, will you please tell us a story?

[Brittany Ishibashi]

A story?

[Ursula]

Yes. A tale, a yarn, an anecdote. I'd like each of you to tell a story about the cleverest person you've ever heard of. A person so intelligent, so witty, you can't help but hold them in admiration. How about you go first, farmer?

[Rebecca Shear]

The farmer thought for a moment, then rose to his feet.

[Brittany Ishibashi]

My story is about a farmer just like me. But while I only grow vegetables, this farmer also raised rabbits.

[Ursula]

Rabbits?

[Rebecca Shear]

Yes.

[Brittany Ishibashi]

He was the only rabbit farmer in his humble little village. Well, one morning the farmer woke up and discovered that one of his rabbits was missing. He searched high and low, but he couldn't find the cute little bunny anywhere. And this mystified him because his rabbit stayed locked in the barn overnight and there was no sign of a break in.

[Ursula]

Sounds like a very clever thief.

[Brittany Ishibashi]

You've got that right. In fact, the thief was so clever that the same thing happened the next morning. And the next one morning after another, the farmer woke up and discovered another rabbit was missing.

[Ursula]

So what did he do?

[Brittany Ishibashi]

Well, he gave it some thought and then he got an idea. His sister was the local school teacher. She taught every youngster in the village. So he asked his sister to give her students an assignment. Every day for a week, they must keep a journal of everything they eat. And at the end of the week, when the teacher looked through the assignments, do you know what she found?

[Ursula]

Do tell.

[Brittany Ishibashi]

Well, this was a humble village, so all of her students had written about humble foods. Vegetables, rice, beans. But one student wrote about something else. He wrote about rabbit.

[Ursula]

Rabbit stew?

[Brittany Ishibashi]

Yes. He went on and on about how his dad had surprised the family every day by bringing home a rabbit so they could cook it up. And. Well, you know. Anyway, the teacher told her brother what she found and instantly he knew who the culprit was. He went to the village judge. The kid's father was brought to court and. And he confessed his crime. And that is why the rabbit farmer is the cleverest person I've ever heard of.

[Rebecca Shear]

The judge flashed the farmer a grin.

[Ursula]

Well, though, I'm very sorry for the rabbits. That is a very good story about a very clever person. Thank you farmer. Now let's hear a story from our second suspect. Fisherman, tell us a tale about the cleverest person you've ever heard of.

[Rebecca Shear]

The fisherman stood up with a smile.

[Evan Casey]

It would be my pleasure, your honor. As it happens, my story is also about a theft.

[Ursula]

Is that so?

[Evan Casey]

Sure is. It all started with these two thieves and they were arguing about which one of them was the better crook. So the first thief was said to the second thief, I'm so good at robbery, I could steal the silk sheets off the mayor's bed while he's sleeping on them. Of course, the second thief didn't believe that for a minute. So he bet the first thief 10 gold pieces that he couldn't steal the silk sheets off the mayor's bed while the mayor was sleeping on them.

[Ursula]

It does sound like a rather unlikely heist.

[Evan Casey]

Well, the first thief gladly accepted the bet. In the middle of the night, he slipped inside the mayor's mansion. He snuck into the bedroom, he tiptoed to the great big four poster bed. And there was the mayor, fast asleep on his shiny silk sheets. So what did the thief do? He reached into his pocket and pulled out a feather.

[Ursula]

A feather?

[Evan Casey]

Yes. He took this feather and he used it to tickle the mayor's face. The mayor didn't wake up. He just groaned a little and rolled over toward the edge of the bed. Now that the mayor had moved, the thief took one side of the silk sheet, untucked it, then bunched it up in the middle of the bed.

[Ursula]

So one side of the mattress was now bare.

[Evan Casey]

That's right. Next, the thief crept to the opposite side of the bed and tickled the mayor's face again. The mayor groaned and rolled over the other way. He rolled right over the bunched up sheet and onto the bare mattress. Which gave the thief a chance to untuck the rest of the sheet, snatch it off the bed, then slip out of with proof that he won the bet.

[Ursula]

And the mayor didn't wake up.

[Evan Casey]

He did not. He just kept snoozing away. So the first thief brought the mayor's sheets to the second thief. He collected his 10 gold pieces, then he moseyed on home with a pocket full of money and fancy new linens for his bed. And that is why the first thief is the cleverest person I've ever heard of.

[Rebecca Shear]

The judge's eyes twinkled.

[Ursula]

Thank you, fisherman. That is also a very good story about a very clever person. And you know what? It's inspired me to tell a story of my own.

[Rebecca Shear]

The judge pushed back her chair. Then she got to her feet, came out from behind the bench, and began pacing around the courtroom.

[Ursula]

There once was a judge, a very wise and clever judge. But one day, this judge was given a case which she simply could not decide. There were just two suspects, but they looked very similar. So similar that the one and only witness couldn't tell which one she spied running from her shop after it was robbed.

[Rebecca Shear]

The judge paused and glanced about the room. She could tell she had everyone's attention.

[Ursula]

The judge began peppering the two suspects with question after question, but their answers weren't very helpful. So she decided she'd try something else. She asked each suspect to tell a story, but not just any story. She asked them to tell a story about the cleverest person they had ever heard of. Someone whom they admired for their intelligence and wit. And then the darndest thing happened.

[Rebecca Shear]

The judge smiled. The room was so quiet, you could have heard a clock ticking on the other side of the courthouse.

[Ursula]

You see, one of the suspects told a story about an honest man who used a trick to catch a dishonest thief. The other suspect told a story about a dishonest thief who used a trick to steal from an honest man. So one suspect clearly admired honesty, while the other suspect clearly admired dishonesty. Which, lo and behold, is what led the judge to make her decision. In a flash, she knew the man who admired honesty was innocent. And the man who admired dishonesty was guilty.

[Rebecca Shear]

She snapped her head toward the fisherman. One look at her glowering expression and he knew his goose was cooked. In an instant, he rocketed out of his seat and began pushing his way toward the exit.

[Evan Casey]

I've got to get out of here. Everybody out of my way.

[Rebecca Shear]

The room erupted in chaos. The judge ordered her guards to seize the fisherman and search his house. And when they did, can you guess what they found stashed away in his attic? The stolen gold and silver clock. The precious timepiece was promptly returned to the clockmaker, who happily put on the finishing touches before delivering it to the governor. And so, in the end, justice was served. All thanks to a clever judge who appreciated the power of a good story and always remembered the importance of. Of reading between the lines. Now it's your turn. This episode marks the grand finale of Circle Round's eighth season. Now that we've shared nearly 300 episodes with you, we want to know, what is your favorite Circle Round story? If you fast forward to the end of this or any other Circle Round episode, you'll hear recordings from fans like you talking about their favorite tales and you can be one of them. Grown ups head to a quiet spot in your home, then grab a smartphone and use the Voice Memo app to record your Circle Round fan saying their name, location and favorite Circle Round story. Once you're done, email the recording tocircleroundbur.org we look forward to hearing from you. This week's episode, out of Time 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 Koto, the official national instrument of Japan. You can learn more about this plucked zither with a thousand year history in Japan and see a photo on our website 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 while you listen. Grown Ups. You can find all of our coloring [e-mail] CircleRound Special thanks to this week's actors, Evan Casey, Theodore Chin Dawn, Ursula and Brittany Ishibashi. You kids may recognize Brittany's voice from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Mickey and the Roadster Racers and Ultraman Rising. You may also remember her from our 2024 Sweet Circle Round episode, the Weeping Witness, Love Circle Round and Looking for even more ways to Circle Round with us? Join the Circle Round Club. As a member, you'll be supporting public media while also getting ad free episodes, bonus bedtime stories, early access to live events, exclusive Circle Round swag. You can even order a personalized birthday message from me, Rebecca Shear Join our community of superfans and show your support for public media by visiting WBUR.org CircleRound Grown Ups. If you enjoy Circle Round, please leave us a 5 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. I'm Rebecca Trekashir. 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.

[Isla]

My name is Isla and I I'm from Toronto. My favorite Circle Round story is the Blizzard wizard and my favorite part is when Ayana's mother gets trapped in the Crystal Prison. My name is Sophia, I live in Silver Spring, Maryland and my favorite circle round episode is the Chattering Prince. My favorite part is when the Baron Elton say I am looking for some critter to eat for dinner. My name is Celsi, I'm from Hudson, New York. And my favorite SoCal worm story is the Goat in the Garden. And my favorite part is when the billy goat says don't you know who I am? I'm the billy goat from the hills and mountains. So you get out. My name is Patrick, I live in Charleston, South Carolina. My favorite Circle Room story is Home sweet Home. My favorite part is when leopard Runs away. Hi, my name is Natalie and I live in Fairfax, Virginia. And my favorite circle round story is the Princess and the Bee. And my favorite part is one that be helped to find the right flower. My name is Esther and I live in Massachusetts. I love the lions whisker because I like when they get angry and to say we need your lions whisker so making us stop fighting. My name is Oliver, I live in Belmont, Massachusetts and my my favorite circle round is all of them. I like all of the parts.

[Rebecca Shear]

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.