Circle Round: "The Salmon Famine" – Detailed Summary

Podcast Information

• Title: Circle Round
• Host/Author: WBUR
• Description: Circle Round adapts folktales from around the world into rich, sound- and music-filled radio plays for children and families. Each episode tackles important themes such as kindness, persistence, and generosity, concluding with an engaging activity to spark deeper conversations between children and adults.
• Episode: The Salmon Famine
• Release Date: February 18, 2025

Live Recording at Symphony Hall The episode was recorded live in February 2025 at Boston's Symphony Hall, the prestigious home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. This live setting added a vibrant energy to the storytelling experience, with a stellar cast of actors and the orchestral accompaniment enhancing the narrative’s depth.

Cast and Musical Contributors

• Actors: Josh Gondelman, Hari Kondabolu, Faith Salee, and Bethany Van Delft
• Musical Accompaniment: Directed by Eric Shyamalonis, featuring a sextet from the Boston Symphony Orchestra:
  • Kathy Basrak on viola
  • Chris El Chico on clarinet
  • Flint Foreman on flute
  • Ben Levy on double bass
  • Suzanne Nelson on bassoon
  • Austin Ruff on horn

Story Overview: "The Salmon Famine"

Introduction to the World and Characters The tale unfolds in a time when animals ruled the world. The protagonist, Coyote, is depicted as the craftiest and cleverest of all creatures, known for his mischievous tricks and cunning nature. Coyote resides along a wide, winding river, eagerly anticipating the annual Running of the Salmon—a crucial event where salmon migrate upstream from the ocean to their birthplace.

Coyote (00:10): "This Circle Round episode was one of two recorded in February 2025 at Boston's Symphony Hall..."

The Crisis: Absence of Salmon This particular summer, the salmon fail to appear, leading to a looming famine. Coyote, along with other riverine animals, grows concerned as the expected feast of plump, delicious salmon does not materialize.

Narrator (03:53): "However, this particular summer, something unexpected happened. The salmon didn't show up."

Discovery of the Dam Determined to uncover the mystery behind the missing salmon, Coyote transforms into different creatures to investigate. His journey leads him to discover a massive dam constructed from logs and stones, effectively trapping the salmon and preventing them from reaching the river's upper reaches.

Narrator (04:51): "The dam is catching the salmon as they swim upstream. And look. It's trapping them so they can't move."

Introduction of the Giant Sisters Emerging from the forest are three giant sisters—each unique in stature and demeanor. They are seen hoarding the salmon for themselves, using their immense strength to capture and cook the fish.

Giant Sister 1 (05:34): "Look at all these yummy salmon we've caught."

Coyote's Plan: Shape-Shifting and Deception Realizing the necessity of his cunning to free the salmon, Coyote employs his shape-shifting abilities. He initially transforms into a baby giant to gain the sisters' trust, convincing them to take him into their household to serve them.

Coyote (06:37): "Coyote was a shape shifter. He could magically transform into any creature he wanted."

Giant Sister 1 (07:55): "Aw, little baby."

Escaping the Cave and Attempting to Break the Dam After being brought to the giants' cave, Coyote awaits the right moment to act. Once the sisters depart to gather supplies, he reverts to his true form and attempts to dismantle the dam. His initial efforts are insufficient, leading him to adopt stronger forms—a wolverine, wolf, moose, and bear—to enhance his strength and effectiveness.

Narrator (13:19): "Coyote wrenched a log from the dam. Then he tore out a stone... But the dam was so large that even after hours of work, Coyote could hardly see a difference."

Confrontation and Resolution As Coyote perseveres, the giants return, discovering his attempts to destroy the dam. A confrontation ensues, where the giants attempt to thwart Coyote's efforts. However, Coyote's clever use of wooden spoons as makeshift helmets protects him from their blows, allowing him to complete his mission. The salmon are finally freed, and Coyote confronts the giants about their selfishness.

Coyote (19:10): "I'm not stealing anything. I'm giving these fish back to the other animals along the river who need the salmon to survive."

Lesson on Sharing and Generosity Through his trials, Coyote imparts a vital lesson to the giant sisters about the importance of sharing resources for the greater good. The episode underscores themes of generosity and the consequences of hoarding.

Coyote (19:05): "You must learn to share. Gosh."

Activity Segment: Encouraging Personal Growth The episode concludes with an activity encouraging listeners to reflect on their achievements. Children and grown-ups are prompted to create "I can" strips, recognizing and celebrating personal accomplishments to foster a sense of achievement and confidence.

Coyote (19:35): "Now it's your turn. Think about some of the great things you've achieved..."

Key Takeaways and Insights

1. Importance of Sharing: The central theme revolves around the necessity of sharing resources. The giant sisters' refusal to share the salmon leads to a famine that threatens the entire community.

2. Cunning and Persistence: Coyote's intelligence and persistence are pivotal in overcoming obstacles. His ability to adapt and change strategies illustrates the value of flexibility in problem-solving.

3. Community and Cooperation: The story emphasizes that communal well-being depends on cooperation and equitable distribution of resources.

4. Responsibility and Consequences: Actions have repercussions not just for individuals but for the entire ecosystem. The giants face consequences for their greed, highlighting moral responsibility.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Coyote (05:08): "The moment Coyote asked that question, he heard the sound of thundering footsteps..."

• Narrator (13:42): "Boy, oh boy, this job is bigger than I thought. But I should call it a day."

• Giant Sister 1 (19:02): "How dare you steal them from us, Coyote."

• Coyote (19:10): "I'm not stealing anything. I'm giving these fish back to the other animals along the river who need the salmon to survive."

Conclusion "The Salmon Famine" is a compelling folktale adaptation that combines traditional storytelling with rich auditory experience, making it accessible and engaging for listeners of all ages. Through Coyote's adventures, the episode imparts valuable lessons on sharing, cooperation, and the impact of individual actions on the community. The live orchestral accompaniment and talented voice actors enhance the narrative, creating an immersive and memorable experience. The concluding activity fosters personal reflection and growth, aligning with the podcast's mission to inspire meaningful conversations between children and adults.

For more stories and activities, visit WBUR.org/CircleRound.