Podcast Summary: Circle Round – "The Big Green Bag"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Circle Round
• Host/Author: WBUR
• Description: WBUR's Circle Round adapts carefully-selected folktales from around the world into sound- and music-rich radio plays for kids ages 3-103. Each 15 to 25-minute episode explores important issues like kindness, persistence, and generosity, culminating in an activity that fosters deeper conversations between children and grown-ups.
• Episode: The Big Green Bag
• Release Date: May 13, 2025

Introduction and Theme

In the episode titled "The Big Green Bag," hosted by Rebecca Shear, Circle Round delves into the classic theme of distinguishing between wants and needs. The narrative is a beautifully adapted folktale with contributions from talented actors Tim Bagley and Rebecca Mader, who bring depth and emotion to the characters. The story emphasizes the consequences of greed and the importance of understanding true necessities versus superficial desires.

Story Synopsis

A Wealthy Man's Dissatisfaction ([00:51] - [02:31])

The story introduces a very wealthy man living in opulence—a swanky house adorned with a spacious swimming pool, a soaring fountain, manicured gardens, and priceless statues. Despite his apparent abundance, the man is perpetually dissatisfied, always longing for more:

Tim Bagley (02:31): "Why own just one swanky house when I could have two? A country house and a city house. And why settle on a mere swimming pool when I could have my own private lagoon or lake? I could fill it with swans and flamingos and all the fish a man could eat."

This discontent stems from his inability to appreciate his current wealth, leading him to seek ever-increasing luxuries.

Descent into Gambling ([03:11] - [05:24])

In a bid to amass more riches, the man makes a reckless decision to gamble away everything he possesses, betting on card games and dog races:

Tim Bagley (03:11): "Deal me in, I'm bettin it all."

However, the odds are never in his favor, and he soon loses all his wealth, leaving him with nothing but the clothes on his back and an empty stomach. Desperate and destitute, he begins to beg from town to town:

Tim Bagley (03:36): "Anyone have a coin to spare or a bite of food? Food."

Encounter with the Green-Clad Woman ([05:09] - [07:42])

One day, as the man trudges down a country road, he meets a mysterious woman dressed in a long green cloak with sparkling emerald eyes. She possesses a large green bag tied with a green ribbon that piques his curiosity:

Rebecca Mader (06:20): "Oh."

Tim Bagley (06:21): "Excuse me, did you just say your green bag is getting tossed into the sea?"

The woman offers him a loaf of bread, which he consumes greedily without gratitude:

Rebecca Mader (05:09): "Perhaps you'd like to pull off a hunk of bread so you can."

Tim Bagley (05:17): (Eats the bread)

She then proposes a deal: if he takes her big green bag to the shore and tosses it into the sea without opening it, she promises to eliminate all his cares and worries.

Rebecca Mader (06:36): "Well, I will make all of their cares disappear. Their worries will be a thousand thing of the past. But only if they promise not to open the bag. They must keep it exactly as it is, with all of its contents intact. If anything comes out, they will suffer an unimaginable fate."

Tempted by the promise of a worry-free life, the man accepts the challenge:

Tim Bagley (07:09): "That settles it, ma'am. I will toss your green bag into the sea."

He assures her he will honor the agreement, setting the stage for the unfolding drama.

The Man's Curiosity and Consequences ([09:00] - [11:59])

With the bag slung over his shoulder, the man's curiosity about its contents grows as he travels. Passing by a thick green forest, the temptation becomes too strong:

Tim Bagley (09:43): "How about if I pop into this forest and take a quick look in the bag? I'll keep everything inside. I won't mess with anything and the woman will be none the wiser."

He decides to sneak into the forest to peek inside the bag, despite the woman's clear instructions. Upon opening it, he discovers a multitude of bugs:

Tim Bagley (10:23): "Yuck. This entire thing is filled with bugs."

The sight repulses him, and as the bugs escape into the air and forest, the woman reappears, furious at his betrayal:

Rebecca Mader (11:06): "You knew what you were doing. You opened the bag!"

Realizing his mistake, the man attempts to rectify by trying to gather the countless insects, but it's an impossible task:

Tim Bagley (11:38): "Trust me, ma'am, I am trying to do as you say. But there are thousands of these things. Millions. Even a man like me could never gather all of them."

Acknowledging his failure, the woman decides to enforce the promised consequences. With a wave of her arms, the man undergoes a magical transformation into a woodpecker:

Narrator (Rebecca Shear) (11:59): "For this was the unimaginable fate the woman warned about. Right there in that forest the man had transformed into the very first woodpecker."

Now forever trapped in avian form, the man-turned-woodpecker continues to search for the bugs, symbolizing his never-ending quest to fill the bag and rid himself of his woes.

Lessons and Moral

"The Big Green Bag" imparts several valuable lessons:

1. Gratitude vs. Greed: The wealthy man's inability to appreciate what he has leads to his downfall. His greed blinds him to the value of his existing possessions.

2. Understanding Wants vs. Needs: Initially, the man fails to distinguish between essential needs and superficial wants, leading him to make poor decisions.

3. Consequences of Actions: His choice to gamble everything and later to break the woman's trust results in severe consequences, emphasizing the importance of keeping promises and respecting agreements.

4. Curiosity and Discipline: The man's inability to resist curiosity and stay disciplined leads to his transformation, showcasing the importance of self-control.

Conclusion and Activity

At the end of the story, the host, Rebecca Shear, invites listeners to engage in an interactive activity designed to reinforce the episode's themes:

"Think about the things that you feel give you a happy life. Then find some paper, cut it into squares and draw each item on a separate square. Pair up with a grownup and sort your items into two wants and needs. Talk with your grownup about why you feel each of them is a want or a need. Then ask your grown up to tell you about their wants and needs and see which ones match up."

This activity encourages children and their caregivers to reflect on and discuss the difference between desires and necessities, fostering meaningful conversations about values and priorities.

Notable Quotes with Attributions and Timestamps

• Tim Bagley ([02:31]): "Why own just one swanky house when I could have two? A country house and a city house. And why settle on a mere swimming pool when I could have my own private lagoon or lake? I could fill it with swans and flamingos and all the fish a man could eat."

• Rebecca Mader ([06:36]): "Well, I will make all of their cares disappear. Their worries will be a thousand thing of the past. But only if they promise not to open the bag. They must keep it exactly as it is, with all of its contents intact. If anything comes out, they will suffer an unimaginable fate."

• Tim Bagley ([07:09]): "That settles it, ma'am. I will toss your green bag into the sea."

• Tim Bagley ([10:23]): "Yuck. This entire thing is filled with bugs."

• Rebecca Mader ([11:06]): "You knew what you were doing. You opened the bag!"

• Tim Bagley ([11:38]): "Trust me, ma'am, I am trying to do as you say. But there are thousands of these things. Millions. Even a man like me could never gather all of them."

Production Credits

• Adaptation: Rebecca Shear
• Actors: Tim Bagley (wealthy man) and Rebecca Mader (green-clad woman)
• Editing: Dean Russell
• Music and Sound Design: Eric Shyamalonis (featured instrument: Tsambal, a Romanian hammered dulcimer)
• Artist: Sabina Hahn (created black and white coloring page for the story)

Conclusion

"The Big Green Bag" is a captivating tale that seamlessly blends folklore with modern storytelling techniques. Through engaging characters and a compelling narrative, Circle Round effectively conveys important life lessons about gratitude, the distinction between wants and needs, and the repercussions of one's actions. The episode not only entertains but also encourages listeners to engage in reflective activities that reinforce its core messages.

For those who haven't listened yet, "The Big Green Bag" offers a rich and meaningful experience, making it a valuable addition to the Circle Round collection.