Circle Round - "Over the Sea" (Ep. 311)
Host: Rebecca Scheer
Guests/Voices: Tatiana Ali (plus other featured voice actors)
Release Date: January 20, 2026
Episode Theme & Purpose
"Over the Sea" adapts an Aboriginal Australian folktale, brought to life as a vibrant, sound- and music-rich radio play. The story centers around a group of Australian animals seeking a new home and explores themes of problem-solving, teamwork, resourcefulness, the pitfalls of selfishness, and the rewards of helping others. The playful narrative is designed to spark thoughtful conversations between kids and grown-ups about kindness and cooperation.
Key Discussion Points & Narrative Highlights
1. The Problem: Finding a New Home
- Opening (00:01-02:46):
- Rebecca Scheer invites listeners to imagine their idea of home, then introduces the plight of a group of animals (Koala, Kangaroo, Platypus, Starfish, and others), living in a barren, unwelcoming land.
- Eagle brings news of a lush, beautiful land across the sea:
"I found us a new home. And it's amazing." (Eagle, 02:13)
- Excitement turns to uncertainty when the animals realize the journey across the sea is daunting.
2. The Solution: Whale’s Canoe
- Starfish's Suggestion (03:07-03:39):
- Starfish proposes using Right Whale's famous bark canoe, known for being large enough for all, but…
"They all knew about Whale's legendary canoe. They also knew about Whale's legendary selfishness." (Narration, 03:39)
- Starfish proposes using Right Whale's famous bark canoe, known for being large enough for all, but…
- Seeking Permission (04:32-05:49):
- Starfish bravely asks Whale to borrow the canoe; Whale's answer is emphatic:
"Not a chad, Starfish. Nuh. No way." (Whale, 04:49)
- Starfish bravely asks Whale to borrow the canoe; Whale's answer is emphatic:
3. A Trickster Plan
- Plan B (06:39-08:07):
- Starfish, undeterred, devises a plan:
"That's why you are going to take it." (Starfish, 07:55)
- The group expresses doubt about outfoxing Whale, but Starfish promises a distraction.
- Starfish, undeterred, devises a plan:
4. The Distraction: Grooming the Whale
- The Lice Ruse (09:37-10:43):
- Starfish tells Whale he’s infested with lice (technically, small crustaceans) and offers help by picking them off with her arms.
- Starfish encourages Whale to nap during the process:
"Long enough that you might just want to close your eyes. Take a nap. It'll make the time go faster." (Starfish, 11:14)
5. The Escape
- The Animals Take the Canoe (11:53-12:29):
- With Whale asleep, the animals take the opportunity to untie and launch the canoe.
- Whale wakes and begins to suspect:
"Did I just hear paddles in the water? Is somebody riding my canoe?" (Whale, 12:29)
6. Discovery and Consequence
- Caught! (13:47-15:50):
- Whale realizes he’s been tricked, becomes furious, and in his rage, Starfish—clutching his head—punctures his skin, creating the first blowhole.
"Left behind was a gaping hole. And all of a sudden, what should come blowing out of that hole but a spurt of water?" (Narration, 15:17)
- Starfish is flung into the air and lands hard, irrevocably changing the shape of her arms.
- Whale realizes he’s been tricked, becomes furious, and in his rage, Starfish—clutching his head—punctures his skin, creating the first blowhole.
7. The Origin Stories
- Starfish’s Curly Arms and Whale’s Blowhole (15:50-16:55):
- Starfish's arms, once smooth, become curved and bumpy as they are today.
- Whale now has a blowhole atop his head.
- Koala’s Muscles (16:55-17:39):
- Koala, previously with skinny arms, paddles so fiercely that her arms become strong and muscular:
"Koala worked the paddle with so much force that her skinny, scrawny arms grew strong and muscular, just like they are today." (Narration, 17:28)
- Koala, previously with skinny arms, paddles so fiercely that her arms become strong and muscular:
8. Resolution
- The animals reach the beautiful land (Australia), while Starfish chooses to remain at the bottom of the sea, forever hiding from Whale.
- Whale is said to still swim the Australian coast, searching for Starfish.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Character/Speaker | Quote or Description | |-----------|-------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:13 | Eagle | "I found us a new home. And it's amazing." | | 04:49 | Whale | "Not a chad, Starfish. Nuh. No way." | | 06:07 | Starfish | "Well, that was a Whale of a rejection." | | 07:55 | Starfish | "That's why you are going to take it." | | 10:32 | Starfish | "I'll use my arms to pluck off all your lice." | | 12:29 | Whale | "Did I just hear paddles in the water? Is somebody riding my canoe?" | | 15:17 | Narration | "...what should come blowing out of that hole but a spurt of water?" | | 17:28 | Narration | "...her skinny, scrawny arms grew strong and muscular, just like they are today." | | 18:15 | Narration | "We all can be helpers, no matter how big or small we happen to be." |
Timestamps for Major Story Beats
- Introduction & Home Problem: 00:01 - 03:01
- Discovering the New Land: 02:00 - 03:01
- Whale’s Canoe Dilemma: 03:07 - 04:46
- Starfish’s Proposal and Whale’s Refusal: 04:32 - 05:49
- Starfish’s Plan B and Rallying the Group: 06:39 - 08:07
- The Distraction Begins: 09:37 - 11:35
- The Heist (Taking the Canoe): 11:53 - 12:29
- Whale’s Realization & Blowhole Creation: 13:47 - 15:50
- Starfish’s Transformation: 15:53 - 16:55
- Koala’s Transformation: 16:55 - 17:28
- Resolution & Return to Australia: 17:39 - 18:30
Tone & Style
- Playful and warm, age-adjusted for children but universally accessible
- Light humor and animal wordplay (e.g., "Whale of a rejection"; "crikey")
- Reflective and gentle moral lessons
Activity & Reflection Prompt
At the episode’s conclusion, Rebecca encourages listeners to draw a picture of a time they helped someone, echoing the story's central message:
"Helping and being helped can feel amazing. And as Starfish showed us, we all can be helpers, no matter how big or small we happen to be." (Narration, 18:15)
Additional Notes
- Featured Instrument: The didgeridoo, a traditional Aboriginal Australian wind instrument, is highlighted in the episode’s sound design.
- Star Guest: Tatiana Ali is a voice actor in this episode and is acknowledged for her children's book and philanthropic work.
- Community Engagement: The episode ends with young listeners sharing their favorite "Circle Round" stories, enhancing the sense of global community.
Summary
"Over the Sea" is a lighthearted, musical retelling of an Aboriginal Australian origin story. Clever Starfish orchestrates a daring, if sneaky, plan to help her friends reach a new home. Along the way, the story "explains" the physical features of Australian animals—Whale’s blowhole, Starfish’s curly arms, Koala’s muscles—while reinforcing that collaborative problem-solving and compassion can lead to brighter futures for all. The episode’s signature inclusivity reminds listeners that “we all can be helpers, no matter how big or small."