The Donkey’s Tail

Summary

Circle Round Podcast Summary: "The Donkey’s Tail"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Circle Round
• Host/Author: WBUR
• Episode Title: The Donkey’s Tail
• Release Date: April 15, 2025
• Duration: Approximately 16 minutes
• Target Audience: Children ages 3-103
• Description: Circle Round adapts folktales from around the world into engaging radio plays enriched with sound and music, exploring themes such as kindness, persistence, and generosity. Each episode concludes with an activity encouraging deeper conversations between children and adults.

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Introduction

In the April 15, 2025 episode of Circle Round, titled "The Donkey’s Tail," host Rebecca Scheer presents a captivating folk tale from North Africa and the Middle East, featuring the beloved trickster figure, Nasruddin. This episode, enriched by the talents of Syrian American rapper and poet Omar Effendom, delves into themes of wisdom, justice, and clever problem-solving, all while maintaining the show's signature sound- and music-rich storytelling style.

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Plot Summary

1. The Theft of Hoda’s Shoes

At the outset of the story, Nasruddin is depicted engaging in his morning chores—mowing the lawn, feeding his donkey Delilah, and tending to his herb garden. The tranquility is interrupted when Hoda, the new art teacher at the local school, approaches him in distress.

• Timestamp [02:02]: Hoda arrives barefoot, tearful and anxious.
  Hoda: "Oh, Nasrudin, my bare feet are the problem. My shoes are gone. I think they were stolen."

Hoda explains that during a dinner party hosted by the headmaster to celebrate the first week of classes, her newly hand-painted leather shoes vanished after she removed them outside the door upon arrival. Nasruddin empathizes and pledges to help uncover the thief.

2. Assembling the Suspects

Nasruddin convenes a meeting in his yard with all the teachers who attended the dinner: the headmaster, the math teacher, the history teacher, the science teacher, and the composition teacher.

• Timestamp [05:07]: Nasruddin states,
  Nasruddin: "Listen, Huda, you deserve to get your shoes back, and I am going to help you."

3. The First Test: Delilah the Donkey

Nasruddin devises a plan involving his donkey Delilah to identify the thief. He instructs each teacher to enter the stable, hold Delilah’s tail, and gently tug it. According to Nasruddin, if the tugger is guilty, Delilah will bray loudly.

• Timestamp [07:20]:
  Nasruddin: "If her tail is tugged by the person who's guilty, she’ll open her mouth, throw back her head and bray so loudly that all of us will know who the culprit is."

Each teacher takes their turn, but Delilah remains silent throughout, leaving everyone puzzled.

4. The Second Test: Rubbing Nasruddin’s Nose

Undeterred, Nasruddin introduces a second test. He asks each teacher to approach him and rub his nose. Unbeknownst to the teachers, Nasruddin had smeared mint on Delilah's tail, which transferred to his own nose. Innocent teachers would carry the fresh scent, while the guilty party, avoiding Delilah’s tail, would have their hands retain the scent of guilt.

• Timestamp [12:28]:
  Nasruddin: "One by one, I want you to approach me. Once you draw close enough, I want you to reach out both of your hands and rub my nose."

As each teacher participates:

• Headmaster’s hands smell of mint—innocent.
• Math Teacher’s hands are warm and comforting—innocent.
• History Teacher scratches an itch—innocent.
• Science Teacher scratches left—innocent.
• Composition Teacher scratches all over—guilty.

5. The Revelation and Resolution

After the tests, Nasruddin accuses the composition teacher based on the absence of the mint scent on her hands, indicating her guilt.

• Timestamp [13:56]:
  Nasruddin: "You, madam. You are the one who made off with Huda's shoes."

Confronted, the composition teacher admits her wrongdoing, returns the stolen shoes, and apologizes. The headmaster, acknowledging her misdeed, decides to let her go and seeks a trustworthy replacement for her position.

Nasruddin not only resolves the theft but also earns an additional role as the new composition teacher, showcasing his versatile wisdom and community spirit.

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Notable Quotes

1. Rebecca Scheer [00:08]:
   "An old Persian proverb says, thinking well is wise, planning well, wiser, but doing well is the wisest and best of all."
   Context: Introduction to the episode's theme emphasizing the importance of action over mere planning.

2. Hoda [02:02]:
   "Oh, Nasrudin, my bare feet are the problem. My shoes are gone. I think they were stolen."
   Context: Hoda’s initial plea for help sets the story in motion.

3. Nasruddin [04:01]:
   "Huda, I am deeply sorry to hear your story. It appears that one of your new colleagues has swindled you."
   Context: Nasruddin showing empathy and readiness to investigate.

4. Nasruddin [07:20]:
   "If her tail is tugged by the person who's guilty, she’ll open her mouth, throw back her head and bray so loudly that all of us will know who the culprit is."
   Context: Explaining the logic behind the first test involving Delilah.

5. Nasruddin [14:32]:
   "Among the plants I grow in my garden is a particularly fragrant variety of mint... I could smell the aroma of mint on their hands. But when you did, she shot."
   Context: Revealing the cleverness behind the second test to identify the culprit.

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Themes & Insights

1. Wisdom in Action:
The episode underscores the value of not just thinking and planning but taking decisive actions to solve problems. Nasruddin exemplifies this through his inventive methods to uncover the truth.

2. Justice and Fairness:
Nasruddin’s approach ensures that justice is served without direct accusation, allowing the culprit to confess through subtle yet effective means. This highlights fairness and the importance of rightful resolution.

3. Community and Trust:
The story emphasizes building trust within a community. Despite initial frustrations and suspicions, Nasruddin fosters unity by addressing the issue collectively and respectfully.

4. Clever Problem-Solving:
Nasruddin’s use of Delilah and the mint-scented nose test showcases wit and intelligence, encouraging listeners to think creatively when faced with challenges.

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Conclusion

"The Donkey’s Tail" is a delightful and engaging adaptation that brings to life the timeless wisdom of Nasruddin. Through clever storytelling, enriched with sounds and music, the episode not only entertains but imparts valuable lessons on justice, community, and the power of thoughtful action. The concluding activity invites listeners to use their imagination, further deepening the narrative's impact by encouraging creativity and personal connection.

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Production Credits:

• Adapted by: Rebecca Shear
• Edited by: Dean Russell
• Music and Sound Design: Eric Shyamalonis (featured Comanche instrument)
• Artwork: Sabina Hahn
• Actors: Amy Brentano, Terrence Lamont Jr., Erica Rose, and Omar Effendom

Special Note:
Listeners are encouraged to participate in creative activities inspired by the story, such as designing their own imaginative pair of shoes and sharing their creations with the Circle Round community.

Transcript

[Narrator]

WBUR Podcasts, Boston.

[Rebecca Scheer]

An old Persian proverb says, thinking well is wise, planning well, wiser, but doing well is the wisest and best of all. In other words, thinking, planning and coming up with ideas is smart, but smartest of all is putting our ideas into action. We're about to meet a man who puts his plan into action in a very wise and witty way. I'm Rebecca Scheer, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time. Today, our story is called the Donkey's Tale. You'll find versions of this story from North Africa and the Middle east, where it's one of many tales featuring a wise trickster you've met in several other Circle Round stories. Nasruddin Some really great people came together to bring you our version of this folk tale, including Syrian American rapper and poet Omar Effendom, who has performed all over the world, from the Ford Amphitheater in Los Angeles, California, to the FIFA World cup festivities in Doha, Qatar. So circle around, everyone for the Donkey's Tale. One sunny morning in fall, Nasruddin was outside doing chores. He mowed his lawn. He fed his donkey. He was kneeling in his herb garden, filling a basket with fresh picked mint, when he heard a distressed voice.

[Narrator]

Oh, Nasrudin, I need your help.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Nasruddin glanced up and there was Hoda, the new art teacher at the local school. Her eyes were teary, her lower lip was trembling, and her feet were bare.

[Nasruddin]

Huda, what's the problem? And why are you in bare feet?

[Narrator]

Oh, Nasrud Din, My bare feet are the problem. My shoes are gone. I think they were stolen.

[Nasruddin]

Stolen?

[Narrator]

Yes. Last night, the headmaster invited all the teachers to dinner to celebrate our first week of class. I was more than happy to attend. After all, as the newest teacher, I've been hoping to get to know my colleagues better.

[Nasruddin]

Of course, it was generous of the headmaster to host such a gathering, right?

[Narrator]

And I was so excited about it that I put on my new dress and my new leather shoes. They're hand painted. I decorated them myself and they looked so great.

[Nasruddin]

I'm sure they did. I've heard you're quite the artist.

[Narrator]

Thank you. Well, when I arrived at the headmaster's house, I simply had to show my shoes to everyone. Then I slipped them off and left them outside the door.

[Nasruddin]

Indeed, it is customary to remove one's shoes when one pays a visit. What happened next?

[Narrator]

Well, we spent the next hours eating and drinking and talking. Then, one by one, the other teachers went home. I was having such a lovely time. I was the last to leave and when I looked outside the door, my shoes were missing. I looked everywhere, but I could find neither hide nor hair of them.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Nasruddin raised an eyebrow.

[Nasruddin]

Huda, I am deeply sorry to hear your story. It appears that one of your new colleagues has swindled you. Tell me, who else was at this dinner?

[Narrator]

Well, the headmaster, of course, and the math teacher, the history teacher, the science teacher, and the composition teacher.

[Nasruddin]

Ah, composition. That was always my favorite class. Putting ideas together to write a good essay or story. I just loved it. I enjoyed art as well. Until one teacher told me my picture was so bad he wondered how it could even draw a breath.

[Narrator]

That's terrible.

[Nasruddin]

And yet admittedly clever. But enough about me. You were saying five other people were at this dinner.

[Narrator]

Yes, and I'm still getting to know them all. I couldn't even guess which one of them would stoop so low.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Nasruddin was quiet for a moment. Then he put down his basket of mint and looked the art teacher in the eye.

[Nasruddin]

Listen, Huda, you deserve to get your shoes back, and I am going to help you. I shall invite your colleagues to my house this afternoon and put them through a test. By the time the sun sets, the truth will be revealed and your feet will be covered.

[Rebecca Scheer]

A few hours later, Huda was back in Nasruddin's yard. She was joined by the headmaster and her fellow teachers.

[Nasruddin]

Greetings, everyone. I appreciate you coming to see me, though I wish the circumstances were more pleasant. You see, when all of you gathered at the headmaster's house last night, one of you made off with Huda's hand painted shoes.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Nasrudin searched the suspect's faces, hoping to spy a glimmer of fear or remorse. All he saw was surprise.

[Nasruddin]

It appears this news has caught you off guard. Yet I am certain one of you is guilty. So if you are the thief who deprived this new teacher of her beautiful hand painted shoes, confess now and you will be forgiven.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Nasruddin folded his arms and waited. No one spoke up.

[Nasruddin]

Come on, people. Cat got your tongue? I said, if you are the thief, confess your crime now and you shall be forgiven.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Again Nasrud Din waited again. No one answered.

[Nasruddin]

Very well then. Since none of you will cop to this crime, I'll have to coax it out of you another way. See that stable over there?

[Rebecca Scheer]

He pointed at a little wooden building in the back of his yard.

[Nasruddin]

That stable is where Delilah lives. She's my donkey. I've had her for years and years. And with Delilah's able assistance, I shall reveal the culprit.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The suspects looked confused. Hoda looked cross.

[Narrator]

Nasruddin, I've heard you're known for your clever ways, but a donkey? How could a beast of burden possibly help you find a thief?

[Nasruddin]

Delilah technically may be a beast of burden, but she's also a beast of brilliance, as you are about to witness.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Nasruddin fixed the suspects with a stare.

[Nasruddin]

Ladies and gentlemen, we are going to do a little test. One by one, I want each of you to step into the stable, close the door behind you. Then, very gently, I want you to take hold of the tufted end of Delilah's tail and give it a tug.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The suspects looked even more confused, and Hoda looked even more cross.

[Narrator]

Nasruddin, where are you going with this?

[Nasruddin]

Trust me, Hoda. I know what I'm doing. And so does Delilah. You see, if her tail is tugged by a person who is innocent of this crime, she will stay quiet. She'll just stand there peacefully, munching her oats and straw.

[Narrator]

And if her tail is tugged by the person who's guilty.

[Nasruddin]

Easy. She'll open her mouth, throw back her head and bray so loudly that all of us in this yard, nay, all of us in this city, will know who the culprit is. So let's begin, shall we? How about you kick things off, Mr. Headmaster?

[Narrator]

It would be my pleasure.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The headmaster threw back his shoulders and marched to the stable. He opened the door, he closed it behind him. And when he emerged moments later, Delilah remained silent.

[Narrator]

Well, looks like I'm innocent.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The math teacher went next. She opened the door, she closed it, and when she came out again.

[Narrator]

Looks like I'm innocent too.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The same thing happened with the history teacher.

[Narrator]

Guess I didn't do it.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The science teacher? I didn't do it either. And the composition teacher.

[Narrator]

And I didn't do it either.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Hoda fixed Nasruddin with angry, piercing eyes.

[Narrator]

Nasrud Routine. Delilah didn't bray once, even though all my colleagues went inside and tugged her tail. I guess your little test didn't work.

[Nasruddin]

On the contrary, Huda. It isn't that my little test didn't work. It's that my little test has only just begun. And if all goes well, trust me, we are going to sniff out the culprit.

[Rebecca Scheer]

What will Nasserddin do next? What would you do if you were in the wise man's shoes? We'll find out what happens after a quick break.

[Sponsor]

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 Scheer]

What are Circle Round listeners saying about the Circle Round Club, the newest membership opportunity for superfans like you? Here's a taste.

[Listener]

I love being in the Circle Round Club because the snuggle times are perfect for when you want to listen to Circle Round, but you don't have that much time.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Grown ups get your Circle Round superfan signed up [e-mail] CircleRoundClub welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Scheer. Today our story is called the Donkey's Tale. Before the break, the headmaster threw a dinner party for all the teachers at his school, including the new art instructor, Hoda. But when it was time to leave, she discovered her hand painted shoes had been stolen. Nasruddin wanted to find out which party guest made off with the shoes, so he invited the headmaster and teachers to his yard, then told them to enter his stable one by one and tug the tail of his donkey, Delilah. He assured them that when the thief pulled her tail, the donkey would bray. And yet she never made a peep.

[Nasruddin]

Ladies and gentlemen, you just experienced the first part of my test. We shall now move to the second. I shall stand right here in this spot. One by one, I want you to approach me. Once you draw close enough, I want you to reach out both of your hands and rub my nose.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Hoda let out a groan.

[Narrator]

Ugh. I'm sorry, Nasruddin, but how is that going to help?

[Nasruddin]

Huda, I understand your frustration, but I promised I would sniff out the culprit and I will. So, Mr. Headmaster, shall we begin with you?

[Narrator]

I suppose.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The headmaster stepped up, stuck out his hands, and rubbed Nasrud Din's nose.

[Nasruddin]

Goodness, your hands are cold and yet oddly refreshing.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The math teacher went next.

[Nasruddin]

Goodness, your hands are hot and yet oddly comforting.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Then the history teacher do you mind.

[Nasruddin]

Scratching to the right a little? I have the most annoying itch.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Then the science teacher do you mind.

[Nasruddin]

Scratching to the left?

[Rebecca Scheer]

Then the composition teacher do you mind scratching all over?

[Nasruddin]

Ah, perfect.

[Rebecca Scheer]

After each suspect had taken their turn, Hoda nodded her brow in frustration.

[Narrator]

Nasruddin, for the life of me, I cannot see how this second test is any better than the first.

[Nasruddin]

You have every Right to be skeptical, Hodo. My methods are rather unconventional, but they're also rather effective. Because the rascal who stole your shoes is standing right there. There.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Nasrudin pointed an accusing finger at the composition teacher.

[Nasruddin]

You, madam. You are the one who made off with Huda's shoes.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The teacher's eyes grew wide. Me?

[Narrator]

How could I be a thief? I teach valuable writing skills to the next generation. I hold their futures in my hands.

[Nasruddin]

You also hold proof of your guilt in your hands.

[Narrator]

What?

[Nasruddin]

Allow me to explain.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Nasruddin motioned toward his herb garden.

[Nasruddin]

Among the plants I grow in my garden is a particularly fragrant variety of mint. Before everyone came over this afternoon, I picked some of that mint and smeared it all over my donkey's tail. When Huda's colleagues rubbed my nose, I could smell the aroma of mint on their hands. But when you did the he shot.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The composition teacher a glare.

[Nasruddin]

All I could smell was the stench of guilt. Because unlike everyone else who actually tugged Delilah's tail, you didn't touch it because you knew you were guilty and you feared Delilah would rat you out. Clearly, at some point during the dinner party, you snuck out and stole Huda's shoes. So go home. Bring back the shoes and give them to Huda, along with a much needed apology.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The composition teacher hung her head and trudged home to fetch the shoes. Hoda flashed Nasrud Din a grin.

[Narrator]

You did it, Nasrud Din. You figured out who stole my shoes. It was the composition teacher. The former composition teacher, you mean.

[Rebecca Scheer]

The headmaster sighed and shook his head.

[Narrator]

After what that woman has done, I.

[Nasruddin]

Am letting her go and sending her packing.

[Narrator]

Hopefully I can find someone honest to replace her. Might you know anyone?

[Rebecca Scheer]

A sly twinkle came to Hoda's eye.

[Narrator]

Actually, I believe I do know someone, Mr. Headmaster. You see, when it comes to putting great ideas together.

[Rebecca Scheer]

She threw an arm around Nasruddin.

[Narrator]

This guy wrote the book.

[Rebecca Scheer]

And so it was that Nasruddin added another job to his donkey keeper, garden grower, mystery solver, and composition teacher. So now the wise and witty man could be a true righter of wrongs. Now it's your turn. Use your imagination to dream up the most amazing pair of shoes you can think of. What would your shoes look like? What would they be made out? Of? What colors would they be? Would they have special powers like wings to make you fly or skis to help you glide on water? Find some paper and draw a picture of your shoes. Then share your picture with someone you love. And if you like, share it with us. Ask a grown up to snap a photo of you and your drawing and email it to circleroundbur.org with your permission, we may feature you in the Lion's Roar, the monthly newsletter of the Circle Round Club. More on this super fun club for super fans like you in just a moment. But first, this week's episode, the Donkey's Tale, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear. It was edited by Dean Russell. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shyamalonis. Eric's featured instrument this week was the Comanche. You can learn more about this stringed, bowed instrument originating in the Eastern Mediterranean and see a photo of Eric playing one on our website, WBUR.org CircleRound's artist is Sabina Hahn. Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for every Circle Round strip and you can print them out and color them in Grown Ups. Visit our website WBUR.org CircleRound and click on coloring pages. Special thanks to this week's actors, Amy Brentano, Terrence Lamont Jr. Erica Rose and Omar Effendom. Omar's critically acclaimed Off Broadway hit Little Syria explores what life was like in our nation's first Arab American neighborhood by bridging live music and hip hop with storytelling traditions from Syria. If you want to circle round with us in even more ways while also supporting public media, I invite you to join the Circle Round Club. As a member. You'll get ad free episodes, bonus bedtime stories, music, education videos, newsletters and updates, plus early access to tickets for our live events. You can also get your own snuggly Circle Round Lion, Handy Dandy tote bag, even a personalized birthday message from me. Join the Circle Round Club [e-mail] CircleRound Grown Ups. If you have a moment, 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 wburg, Boston's NPR News station. 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 one of yours.

[Listener]

My name is Veda and I'm living in Ireland and my favorite episode is the Blizzard Wizard. My favorite part is when the girl rescues her mother from the Blizzard Wizard. My name is Matilda and I live in Columbus, Ohio. My favorite Circle Round story is the All Wish Stick and my favorite part is when the giant crab comes to get My name is Hunter and I live in Aruba Valley, California and my favorite circle around was the Crystal Box and my favorite part was when Anansi climbed up the spider web. My name is Zephyr, I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My favorite Circle round is all tied up. My favorite part is when the little master ties up the giants. My name is Sloane and I'm from Atlanta, Georgia and my favorite stick around story is Long Hair and the Waterfall because I can imagine the waterfall and it seems so calming from all the desert ness. My famous Aviva and I live in Lakes, New Jersey and my favorite circle round story is Clever Manka and my favorite part is when Monka says well he said I could take home something so I took on mute hello, my name is Soren, I'm from the United States and my favorite Circuit round is all of them.

[Rebecca Scheer]

Thank you Rebecca Shear did someone mention a story you've missed? Not to worry grown ups. You can find all of our Circle Rounds stories plus links to the Circle Round Club, picture books, coloring pages and oh so much more on our website, WBUR.org CircleRound.