Summer Camp: The Bird of a Different Feather

Summary

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Circle Round: Summer Camp – The Bird of a Different Feather

Podcast: Circle Round, WBUR
Host: Rebecca Scheer
Guest Cast: Evan Casey, Kevin Corbett, Dawn Ursula
Musician: Eric Shimalonis
Date: August 4, 2026
Recorded Live: Roundhouse Theatre, Bethesda, MD

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Episode Overview

This lively episode of Circle Round revisits a favorite folktale from Africa, exploring the origins of the guinea fowl’s signature spotted plumage. Recorded before a live family audience, the tale brings together music, humor, and interactive storytelling, all while imparting meaningful lessons about friendship, courage, and ingenuity. The episode ends, as always, with an imaginative activity that gets listeners to think hands-on about the story's message.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

Introduction to the Animal World

• 00:02–00:49
  Erica Henningson sets the scene with excitement about animals and outdoor storytelling at "Circle Round Summer Camp".
• Main theme: How do animals come to look the way they do? This story explores the origins of the guinea fowl’s unique appearance.

Setting up the Tale: The Guinea Fowl’s Secret

• 00:49–03:08
  Host Rebecca Scheer introduces the live setting, the folktale’s African roots, and the main cast.
• Listeners meet the guinea fowl, a bird described as “dark, glossy, speckled with thousands of tiny, bright white spots.”
• Notably, legend says guinea fowl weren’t always spotted.

The First Rescue: Guinea Fowl Saves Cow

• 03:56–06:23
  Long ago, guinea fowl and cow are best friends sharing their mornings on the savanna.
• Lion lurks, ready to pounce on Cow.
• Guinea Fowl acts quickly, squawking and creating a dust storm to warn Cow and confuse Lion, saving his friend:

Guinea Fowl (Narrator): "I must save my best friend." [05:00]
Guinea Fowl (squawking): "Cow. Get out of here, Squahawk. It's Lion!" [05:17]

• Lion is left alone and frustrated.

The Second Rescue: History Repeats Itself

• 06:43–08:24
  The next day the pattern repeats: Guinea Fowl foils Lion’s plan again, squawking and using dust for confusion.

Lion: “Not again. Guinea Fowl, how dare you ruin my breakfast two days in a row!” [07:55]

• Lion grows determined to change tactics.

Lion Plots Revenge: Targeting Guinea Fowl

• 10:31–12:01
  On the third morning, Lion shifts focus. He lies in wait as Guinea Fowl emerges from his tree.

Lion: "This time I won’t go after his bovine friend. I’m going after him." [08:24]
Lion: "I can see Guinea Fowl’s dark, glossy feathers as he snoozes away." [11:17]

• The suspense builds as Lion is poised to strike.

Clever Survival: Guinea Fowl’s Counterattack

• 12:01–13:13
  As Lion pounces, Guinea Fowl bravely fights back, pecking while kicking up dust.

Guinea Fowl: “You’ve messed with the wrong bird, Lion!" [12:18]
Lion: “Ouch. My head. Ow. My back. Ooh, my tail.” [12:31]

• Guinea Fowl escapes to Cow’s house, breathless and grateful.

Cow’s Big Idea: The Origin of the Spots

• 13:13–16:16
  Cow thanks Guinea Fowl for saving her twice, determined to reciprocate.

Cow: "Twice now you've saved my life, so it's my turn to save yours. Now close your eyes and don't move." [14:17]

• Cow uses a calabash (gourd) of milk and sprinkles it on Guinea Fowl, creating bright white spots.

Guinea Fowl: "Holy cow."
Cow: "Cow." [15:45–15:46]

• The new spots serve as camouflage in the trees, making Guinea Fowl harder for Lion to see.

Lion Outsmarted: Camouflage Achieves Victory

• 16:16–18:12
  Lion tries once more to catch Guinea Fowl:

Lion: “Do my eyes deceive me, or is Guinea Fowl not up there?” [16:35]

• Thanks to the spots, Guinea Fowl blends perfectly into the branches.

Rebecca Scheer: “The speckled pattern provided the perfect camouflage and made guinea fowl all but disappear…” [17:08]

• Pun-filled banter celebrates the story’s resolution:

Rebecca Scheer: “I guess you could say that guinea fowl’s spots have kept him from being spotted.” [17:56]
Guinea Fowl: "Ha. I see what you did there." [18:12]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On friendship and favors:

  Rebecca Scheer: "Ever heard the saying, one good turn deserves another? ... He does a friend a big favor by getting her out of a tight spot. And in return, he gets some spots of his own." [00:49]

• On cleverness and teamwork:

  Cow: “Actually, next time that big brute sees you, I think I know a way for him not to see you at all.” [13:49]

• Final puns and humor:

  Rebecca Scheer: "Noticed I have a soft spot for puns?" [18:32]
  Guinea Fowl: "Can somebody stop her, please?" [18:44]
  Rebecca Scheer: "We can end this story… on the spot." [18:51]

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Key Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp (MM:SS) | |-----------------------------------------------|----------------------| | Opening / Camp Introduction | 00:02–00:49 | | Story Setup & Guinea Fowl Description | 00:49–03:08 | | 1st Rescue – Guinea Fowl Saves Cow | 03:56–06:23 | | 2nd Rescue – History Repeats | 06:43–08:24 | | Lion's Revenge (change of strategy) | 08:24–10:31 | | Lion Waits, Guinea Fowl Trapped | 10:31–12:01 | | Guinea Fowl’s Escape & Cow’s Plan | 12:01–16:16 | | Guinea Fowl Gets His Spots | 15:45–16:16 | | Lion Outsmarted, Story Resolution | 16:16–18:12 | | Punny Close & Camouflage Activity | 18:12–19:10 |

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Interactive Activity (Post-Story)

Fun with Camouflage:
Rebecca encourages kids and families to create their own camouflage creatures using paper and coloring materials, echoing the story's theme of adaptation and survival.

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Episode Tone and Takeaways

• Playful and Engaging: Driven by live audience laughter, musical accents, and interactive banter.
• Key Lessons:
  • The power of quick thinking and teamwork
  • The value of gratitude and returning favors: “One good turn deserves another.”
  • Adaptation and camouflage as life-saving tools, embodied in the origin of the guinea fowl’s spots

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This Circle Round episode delivers an entertaining, sound-rich folktale while weaving important messages for listeners of all ages. Through storytelling, humor, and audience participation, it celebrates friendship, ingenuity, and the wonders of the animal world.

Transcript

[Erica Henningson]

Happy August, everyone. It's your camp counselor, Erica Henningson with another story from our Circle Round Summer Camp series. Each week we're revisiting some of your favorite Circle Round stories celebrating the great outdoors. And one of the things I love most about nature are the animals. Do you ever wonder how they came to look the way they do? Bright and dark, tall and tiny, slimy and spotted. Today we're going to travel to the African savanna to learn how one creature came to be. So circle around, everyone for the bird of a Different Feather.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Wbur podcasts, boston. The Circle Round episode you're about to hear is a very special one recorded before a live audience of very enthusiastic kids and grown ups at Roundhouse Theater in Bethesda, Maryland on May 28, 2023. Ever heard the saying, one good turn deserves another? It means if someone does us a favor, then we should do a favor back. We're about to meet a fellow who does a friend a big favor by getting her out of a tight spot. And in return, he gets some spots of his own. I'm Rebecca Scheer, and welcome to Circle Round live at Roundhouse Theatre in Bethesda, Maryland. Today, our story is called the Bird of a Different Feather. Versions of this tale come from parts of Africa. Joining me on stage is a trio of actors whose voices you've heard in many circle Round stories. Evan Casey, Kevin Corbett, and Dawn Ursula. And providing musical accompaniment is the one and only Eric Shimalonis. So circle around everyone for the Bird of a Different Feather. Have you ever seen a guinea fowl? The guinea fowl is a game bird, like a turkey, partridge or pheasant. Like many other game birds, the guinea fowl has a kind of almond shaped body. It also has a long, slim neck. But what makes the guinea fowl stand out, in addition to its loud and some might say harsh squawk squaw are its feathers.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

It's true. My dark, glossy feathers are speckled with thousands of tiny, bright white spots.

[Rebecca Scheer]

That's right, guinea fowl. But according to legend, you didn't always have those spots. Remember, your feathers used to be just dark and glossy with nary a spot to be seen. Oh, yeah,

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

But then that thing happened.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Yes, that thing. And in fact, I thought we would tell everyone about that thing today. Are you up for it? Or should I say, are you game?

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Ha. I see what you did there. I'm a game bird, so game game. Very funny. But yes, I'm game. Let's do this.

[Rebecca Scheer]

All right. It all began Long, long ago, when Guinea Fowl made his home on the dry and dusty plains. One hot, sunny morning, he set off across the plains to have breakfast with his best friend, Cow. Guinea Fowl and Cow always met near a tall, craggy boulder surrounded by a scrubby patch of sweet grass. Cow would graze on the grass while Guinea Fowl used his sharp little beak to peck in the dirt for beetles, crickets and grasshoppers. This morning, as Guinea Fowl approached the boulder, he discovered that Cow was already there, happily munching her breakfast. But he also discovered that Cow wasn't alone.

[Cow (Character)]

Oh, no.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Look who's hiding behind the boulder. It's lion indeed.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Fierce, ferocious lion was crouching in the shadows, getting ready to spring out and turn Cow into his next meal.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Seems like Cow has no idea that lion is even there. I must save my best friend.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Thinking fast, Guinea Fowl bristled. His dark feathers stretched his wide wings. And then, half flying and half running, he made a mad dash toward the boulder.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Squahawk.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Squawking all the while.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Squahawk. Cow. Get out of here, Squahawk. It's Lion. Squahawk. He's trying to eat you, Squahawk.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The moment Cow heard her best friend's voice.

[Guinea Fowl (Character)]

Guinea Fowl.

[Rebecca Scheer]

She snapped to attention and trotted away.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Thank you, Friend.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Before lion could take off after her, Guinea Fowl came charging over. With his long tail dragging and his strong wings flapping, he raced around the boulder, kicking up clouds of dry, sandy earth and enveloping lion in a thick, hazy mass of dust.

[Lion (Character)]

What's happening here, Guinea Fowl? Choo. Is that you? I heard you squawking just now.

[Rebecca Scheer]

But Guinea Fowl didn't answer. He just zipped around the boulder, then dashed off again in search of another spot to peck for beetles, crickets and grasshoppers. To Lion's relief, the dust eventually cleared.

[Lion (Character)]

Ah, much better.

[Rebecca Scheer]

But to Lion's dismay, he found himself alone. No Cow, no Guinea Fowl.

[Lion (Character)]

That pesky, squawky Guinea Fowl has scared off my breakfast. But I won't let him stop me next time. No way, no how.

[Rebecca Scheer]

And with that, lion skulked off, his big, empty belly growling like a. Well, like a lion. The next morning, Guinea Fowl woke up extra early. He was determined to get to the boulder before Cow did and keep a lookout for Lion. But when he arrived, he saw that cow had beaten him to it. And unfortunately.

[Cow (Character)]

Oh, no.

[Rebecca Scheer]

So had Lion. Once more, the mean, mighty creature was lurking in the shadows, getting ready to pounce. So I'll bet you can guess what Guinea Fowl did next. He bristled his dark feathers, stretched his wide wings, then made a beeline for the boulder. Squah squawking all the while.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Squahawk. Squahawk. Squahawk.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Just like yesterday, guinea fowl cow snapped to attention and trotted away.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Thank you, friend.

[Rebecca Scheer]

And just like yesterday, guinea fowl went tearing toward lion, dragging his tail, flapping his wings and kicking up great clouds of dust.

[Lion (Character)]

Not again. Guineafowl2 how dare you ruin my breakfast two days in a row.

[Guinea Fowl (Character)]

Choo.

[Rebecca Scheer]

But Guinea Fowl didn't answer. He just careened around the boulder at topside, then scurried off. By the time the dust had settled, what a relief. Cow was long gone, as was guinea fowl.

[Lion (Character)]

That pesky, squawky guinea fowl has ruined my breakfast again. But this is the last time, I tell you. The last time. Because tomorrow I'm not going to stalk his bovine friend. I'm going to stalk him.

[Rebecca Scheer]

What do you think? Will lions succeed in catching guinea fowl? Or will guinea fowl call foul? See what I did there? We'll find out what happens after a quick break.

[Ben Brock Johnson]

Hey, parents, It's Ben Brock Johnson from the WBUR Podcasts Team. Circle Round is supported by DoorDash. DoorDash is for those parent moments when the plan falls apart. And as a parent of twins, I can relate. I have a lot on my plate. You know what I often don't have on my plate? Dinner. Or the groceries with which to make said dinner. Sometimes a swimsuit will go missing. Even though I thought we had like four of those groceries. Retail dinner supplies. Doordash can help with all of these things. When Doordash brings the goods right to our door, dad gets a little more time for himself and a little more time for a good bedtime story. When life gets crazy, DoorDash brings some order to it. Order now,

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

100 years from now in a land far, far away. Hang on. It's not so far away at all, actually. Hey, Circle Round families. We're here to share a new listening experience from wbur, the Midnight Rebellion. It's a climate podcast adventure for kids 8 and up. Time traveling, problem solving, laughs in Danger is here. Follow the feed to listen. Oh, and bring your goggles and boots. That's the Midnight Rebellion in your feed or wherever you get podcasts.

[Rebecca Scheer]

I'm Rebecca Scheer, and welcome back to Circle Round. Live at Roundhouse Theatre in Bethesda, Maryland. Today our story is called the Bird of a Different Feather. Before the break, Guinea Fowl saved his best friend, Cow, from the hungry jaws of lion two days in a row. So on the third day, lion decided he wouldn't try to eat cow. He would try to eat guinea fowl. Lion knew that guinea fowl roosted or slept at the top of a tree. So early the next morning, before the crack of dawn, lion crept to a bush not far from Guinea Fowl's tree and huddled behind it.

[Lion (Character)]

I can see Guinea Fowl's dark, glossy feathers as he snoozes away in that tree. The moment he comes down, I will use my mighty paws and my powerful legs to spring out and capture him. He won't have any time to eat his breakfast because he's going to be mine.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Eventually, lion saw guinea fowl wake up and make his way toward the ground. The moment the bird's feet touched the dry and dusty earth, lion let out a roar.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Roar.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Then he leaped out from behind the bush, his teeth and claws bared.

[Lion (Character)]

I've got you now, Guinea Fowl.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Guinea Fowl gaped at Lion. The clever bird knew he didn't have a second to lose. So he did the first thing he could think of. He bristled. His dark feathers stretched his wide wings. And then, half flying and half running, he began squawking and skittering right in Lion's direction.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Squawhawk. You've messed with the wrong bird, Lion Squawkawk.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Next thing lion knew, he was being pecked all over as Guinea Fowl lashed out with his sharp little beak.

[Lion (Character)]

Ouch. My head. Ow. My back. Ooh, my tail.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Lion wriggled and squiggled on the ground, and with every twist and turned, his powerful body sent up big, billowing clouds of dust.

[Lion (Character)]

Oh, no. Not again.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Guinea Fowl didn't waste a minute. Quick as a wink, he took off across the plains. He didn't stop running until he reached the bush willow shrub, where cow made her home.

[Guinea Fowl (Character)]

Guinea Fowl, what are you doing here? Aren't we meeting for breakfast?

[Rebecca Scheer]

Guinea Fowl paused to catch his breath.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

No, we're not meeting for breakfast because lion just tried making me his breakfast.

[Guinea Fowl (Character)]

Oh, you poor thing. Now you know how I feel. Were you all alone when he pounced?

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

I was. He was lying in wait right beneath my tree. I fought back with every ounce of strength I had. And let me tell ya, next time that big brute sees Me? He will not be happy.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Cow was quiet for a moment. Then she flashed her feathered friend a smile.

[Guinea Fowl (Character)]

Actually, next time that big brute sees you, I think I know a way for him not to see you at all.

[Cow (Character)]

What?

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Explain what you mean.

[Rebecca Scheer]

But Cow did not explain. Instead, she took a quick glance around, then brought over a dried, hollowed out calabash or gourd.

[Guinea Fowl (Character)]

Okay, Guinea Fowl, twice now you've saved my life, so it's my turn to save yours. Now close your eyes and don't move.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Guinea Fowl's heart was racing, but he closed his eyes and did his best to stand still.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

So Cow, what exactly is it that

[Guinea Fowl (Character)]

you I said don't move, Guinea Fowl. And that includes your beak.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Sorry.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Guinea Fowl stood stock still. Then all at once he felt something sprinkling and spattering his feathers.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Um, is it the rainy season already? Are there raindrops falling from the.

[Guinea Fowl (Character)]

What did I say about not moving?

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Sorry.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Guineafowl waited as more droplets spattered his feathers.

[Guinea Fowl (Character)]

Okay, we're almost there. Just a few. Few more and done. You can open your eyes now and take a look at yourself.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Guinea Fowl opened his eyes and craned his neck to look at his almond shaped body. And what should he see speckled all over his dark, glossy feathers, but thousands of tiny bright white spots.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Holy cow.

[Guinea Fowl (Character)]

Cow.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Where did these spots come from?

[Rebecca Scheer]

Cow grinned and nodded toward the hollowed out calabash. Guinea Fowl noticed it was filled with milk.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Wait. You used your milk to give me spots?

[Cow (Character)]

But why?

[Guinea Fowl (Character)]

Let's just say that next time you and lion cross paths, it will all be clear.

[Rebecca Scheer]

A few days later, once lion was done nursing his pecking wounds, he decided he would try catching Guinea Fowl again. Early in the morning, before the crack of dawn, he hid himself in the bush near Guinea Fowl's tree. But as he fixed his bright golden eyes on the treetop.

[Lion (Character)]

Huh? Do my eyes deceive me or is Guinea Fowl not up there? There? Usually I can spy his dark glossy feathers in the tree, but right now all I see are branches and leaves. That sneaky fellow must have moved on to another tree. So I'll move on with my day. But mark my words, I'll track down that bird eventually. There's no way Guinea Fowl can hide from me.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Of course, as lion skulked off, little did he know that actually there was a way Guinea Fowl could hide from him. In fact, the sneaky fellow just did. Because the Whole time Lion was watching the tree, guinea fowl had been up there snoozing in the branches. But there was one big reason why lion couldn't see him. Or rather, there were thousands of tiny reasons. Tiny, bright white reasons. Any idea what I'm talking about? That's right. Guinea fowl's bright white spots. The speckled pattern of white spots on a dark background provided the perfect camouflage and made guinea fowl all but disappear into the branches and leaves. And that's how it's been ever since. So I guess you could say that guinea fowl's spots have kept him from being spotted.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Ha. I see what you did there.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Right, and it's all because you saved your best friend by thinking on the spot.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Ha.

[Rebecca Scheer]

You did it again because she was in a tight spot.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Uh huh.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Have you noticed that I have a soft spot for puns?

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Really?

[Rebecca Scheer]

What?

[Guinea Fowl (Character)]

You don't.

[Rebecca Scheer]

You don't think my humor is spot on?

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Can somebody stop her, please?

[Rebecca Scheer]

All right, fine, fine. We can end this story.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Thank goodness.

[Rebecca Scheer]

On the spot.

[Guinea Fowl (Narrator/Character)]

Uh, Squahawk.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Now it's your turn. You can have fun with camouflage by making your own camouflage creature. On a piece of white paper, draw the outline of a creature. It can be a real creature, like an animal, bug, fish, fish or bird. Or it can be imaginary. Either way, use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to decorate your creature with a pattern and include whatever colors you'd like. Then ask a grown up to help you cut your creature out. Next, on a new piece of white paper, draw your same pattern, being sure to cover the entire sheet. Now take your creature and position it on your background and glue or paste it in place. Then show your camouflage creature to a family member or friend and see if they can spot it. This week's story, the Bird of a Different Feather was adapted by me, Rebecca Scheer. It was edited by Nora Sachs. Eric Shyamalonis composed our original music and played it live on the Djembe. You can learn more about this goblet shaped drum from Africa and see a photo of Eric Shyamalonis playing one on our website, WBUR.org CircleRound. Circle Round's artist is Sabina Hahn. Sabina has created a black and white picture for every Circle Round story and you can color them in while you listen or anytime. Grown ups. You can find all 200 plus circle round coloring [e-mail] circleround and while you're there, you can become the newest member of the Circle Round club. You can get ad free episodes, bite sized bedtime stories, behind the scenes music videos from Eric, monthly newsletters from me. You can even get a personalized birthday message, visit WBUR.org CircleRound and click Circle Round Club. Special thanks to this week's actors Evan Casey, Kevin Corbett and Dawn Ursula and a big Circle Round of thanks to the staff at Roundhouse Theatre including Ryan Roulette, Ed Zukreski, Hannah Grove dejarnet, Brian Andrade, Jesse Osheim, Delaney Bray, Chris hall and Maureen McNary. Love Circle Round and never want to miss an episode. Follow us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you're listening right now and if you have a moment, please write us a five star review. It helps other listeners find the show and it will help us keep Circling Round with you for years to come. Circle Round is a production of wbur, Boston's NPR News Station Foreign I'm Rebecca Scheer. 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 is one of yours too.

[Cow (Character)]

My name is Ettie and I live in Hobart. My favourite episode is the three Legged Pot. My favorite bit is when the pot goes it's time to skip and skip wee. Hello. My name is Phila, I live in Cincinnati, Ohio. My favorite Circle round is strong mind and kind heart and I like the part when the fairy makes the jade palace. My name is Tatri and I live in Jacksonville, Florida. And my favorite circular is the Basilisk tale. And I love the part where the sister saves the brother and the brother does downstairs. My name is Knox and I'm from Tennessee and my favorite Circle Round story is the Basilisk stairs. And my favorite part is where the tire turns the basilisk and the stone and the people come running into the room. My name is Elan, I'm from Del Rio, Tennessee. My favorite took around story is is Kangaroo and Joey too. I like the part when Dingo says but I'm just a dingo and then she said just a dingo. My name is Kalyx, I live in Cincinnati and my favorite circle out story is the Gloomy Pine Tree. Right, the part when the rabbit absorbed the pine tree.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Did someone mention a story you've missed? Not to worry grownups. 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.