Circle Round – “Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins”

Podcast: Circle Round, WBUR
Episode Date: April 7, 2026
Host: Rebecca Sheir
Featured Voice Cast: Sterling K. Brown, Mandy Moore, Chris Sullivan

Episode Overview

In this playful retelling, Circle Round presents “Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins,” a folktale found across Mexico, Central Asia, Siberia, and among many Indigenous peoples of the southern plains in the United States. The story addresses the dangers of boasting and the power of cleverness over brute strength, engaging young listeners through witty dialogue, memorable characters, and lessons about humility and resourcefulness.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Introducing the Boastful Coyote Twins and the Clever Swift Fox

• [00:01–02:24]
  • Rebecca Sheir sets the scene, describing the coyote twins as “the fastest and speediest animals around,” but also “not quite the sharpest thorns on the prickly pear.”
  • The coyote twins (voiced with humor and sibling rivalry) boast about their abilities:
    • “All the other animals totally wish they were us.” (Coyote Twin 1, [02:03])
    • Their banter is lighthearted and comedic, full of quick interjections and silly asides (“Mmm, prickly pear.”—Coyote Twin 1, [01:51]).
  • Swift Fox is introduced as smart, quick, and modest about his skills.
    • “Oh, please, don’t make me brag. Unlike those cocky coyote twins, I don’t need to toot my own horn.” (Swift Fox, [03:02])

2. The First Trick – The Pine Tree and the Prairie Chickens

• [03:32–08:02]
  • Swift Fox approaches the coyote twins with a tempting offer: help him catch prairie chickens.
  • When the twins refuse to share, Swift Fox convinces them to hide at the top of a pine tree so the chickens aren’t scared away.
  • The twins awkwardly climb, getting scratched and sticky, only for Swift Fox to dash away, leaving them stranded and embarrassed.
  • Memorable quote:
    • “Toodaloo twins.” (Swift Fox, [07:11])
  • The twins realize they’ve been tricked and vow revenge:
    • “He tricked us into climbing up this tree so we would look like fools.” (Coyote Twin 1, [07:43])

3. The Second Trick – The Falling Cliff

• [08:09–14:42]
  • After escaping the tree, the twins find Swift Fox at the base of a cliff, dramatically “holding up” the rock wall.
  • Swift Fox claims the cliff is about to collapse and begs the twins to help “hold” it.
  • With comedic skepticism, the twins are drawn in, especially after pebbles conveniently tumble down (caused by a bunny family above).
    • “You have to help me hold it up or we’re all doomed.” (Swift Fox, [11:11])
    • “I’m beginning to think Swift Fox is on the level.” (Coyote Twin 1, [12:31])
  • The twins spend all day straining against the cliff while Swift Fox promises to fetch help – and never returns.

4. The Realization and Moral

• [15:11–16:53]
  • Exhausted, the twins finally abandon their “post” and realize the cliff isn't falling.
  • As they notice nothing has changed, the truth dawns:
    • “Does this mean the cliff was never in danger of falling in the first place?” (Coyote Twin 1, [16:45])
  • The coyote twins fume, having been outsmarted twice.
    • “They realized they had been tricked again. And despite their fabulously fleet feet, they would never ever be swift enough to out Fox Fox.” (Rebecca Sheir, [16:53])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:03 | Coyote Twin 1 | “All the other animals totally wish they were us.” | | 03:02 | Swift Fox | “Oh, please, don’t make me brag. Unlike those cocky coyote twins, I don’t need to toot my own horn.” | | 07:11 | Swift Fox | “Toodaloo twins.” | | 07:43 | Coyote Twin 1 | “He tricked us into climbing up this tree so we would look like fools.” | | 11:11 | Swift Fox | “You have to help me hold it up or we’re all doomed.” | | 12:31 | Coyote Twin 1 | “I’m beginning to think Swift Fox is on the level.” | | 16:45 | Coyote Twin 1 | “Does this mean the cliff was never in danger of falling in the first place?” | | 16:53 | Rebecca Sheir | “They realized they had been tricked again. And despite their fabulously fleet feet, they would never ever be swift enough to out Fox Fox.” |

Activity & Takeaway

• [After 16:53]
  • Rebecca Sheir encourages listeners to celebrate their own strengths by creating a “strengths chain” out of paper, writing or drawing a different strength on each loop.
  • This creative activity helps reinforce the episode’s theme of recognizing and appreciating one’s unique abilities.

Featured Music & Art

• This week’s unique instrument is the pedal steel guitar, introduced with an engaging description.
• A coloring page for this story is available on the Circle Round website, inviting kids to continue engaging with the episode as they listen.

Overall Themes

• The dangers of arrogance and the value of humility.
• Cleverness and intelligence can outsmart boastfulness and brute strength.
• Playful humor, wordplay, and lively performances make moral lessons accessible and fun for listeners of all ages.

Conclusion

This episode of Circle Round is a delightful, sound-rich exploration of wit vs. ego, skillfully brought to life by a talented cast. With memorable characters, silly dialogue, and kid-friendly moral guidance, “Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins” is testament to the podcast’s skill at adapting folktales for modern listeners while encouraging both laughter and reflection.