The Underestimated Beetle | Ep. 307

Summary

Circle Round Podcast: “The Underestimated Beetle” | Ep. 307

Release Date: December 2, 2025
Recorded Live at Dale F. Halton Theater, Charlotte, NC
Host: Rebecca Sheir
Guests: Frank Dominguez, Caroline Lee, Phil Vavra (actors), Eric Shimalonis (music)

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Episode Overview

This episode of WBUR’s Circle Round, titled “The Underestimated Beetle,” is inspired by a Brazilian folktale and playfully explores the theme of underestimation and the value in looking beyond appearances. The story invites listeners to question their assumptions about others and understand that true ability isn’t always visible at first sight. With its sound-rich dramatization and lively cast, the episode delivers a tale of cleverness, self-belief, and unexpected triumph – with a musical, humorous flair perfect for children and families. At its close, Rebecca Sheir shares a creative drawing activity tied to the story’s central lesson to prompt conversation and artistic expression.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Introduction to Underestimation

• Definition: Rebecca Sheir kicks off by defining what it means to underestimate someone—thinking they're less capable than they are.
  • Notable quote: “You assume they're less capable than they truly are. You sell them short by not realizing their actual abilities or intelligence or potential.” (00:38)

2. Meet Imperial Tortoise Beetle (“Beetle”)

• Beetle interrupts to correct Sheir:
  • “Exoskeleton.” (02:44)
  • Fun science interlude: Beetle explains insect anatomy, entertains kids with terms like “hypopharynx” (insect tongue) and clarifies words like “mucus” and “hemolymph” (the beetle version of blood).
• Beetle yearns for a colorful shell, admiring the vibrant rainforest animals.
  • “If only I had bright colors… why yearn for something I’ll never have?” (04:11)

3. A Challenging Encounter with Agouti

• Beetle meets Agouti, a speedy, smug rainforest rodent who immediately taunts her for being slow:
  • Agouti: “I thought you were snail. But snail is a sprinter compared to you…” (05:27)
• Agouti and Beetle debate who’s faster, filled with witty retorts about insect anatomy.
  • Beetle (dryly): “That slime is called mucus, a complex watery gel …” (05:50)
  • Agouti: “I challenge you to a race…” (07:33)
• Parrot arrives, proposing a prize to the winner.

4. Parrot’s Special Prize and the Race Setup

• The prize is not an item, but a choice:
  • Parrot: “Whoever wins the race shall get to make a choice. A very special choice. And once you make it, trust me, things will never look the same.” (09:02)
• The reward: a new coat or shell in any color the winner wishes.
  • Parrot: “Whoever reaches the finish line first may choose a new coat of any color…” (12:22)
• Agouti wants a flashy, jaguar-like coat; Beetle quietly reveals her hope for vibrant colors.

5. The Race: Beetle vs. Agouti

• A comedic action montage:
  • Agouti bolts: “I’m blazing, I’m blazing… I’m bolting, I’m bolting… I’m hurdling, I’m hurdling… I’m hustling, I’m hustling…” (13:35-13:58)
• At the finish line, Agouti is stunned to see Beetle is already there.

6. The Twist: Beetle Outsmarts, Not Outruns

• Beetle reveals she flew rather than ran:
  • “Nobody ever said anything about having to run the race, Agouti. So I flew.” (15:05-15:10)
• Agouti, and the audience, learn a lesson in not making assumptions:
  • Parrot: “When you saw this little creature crawling, you made a big assumption … You judged her only by what you observed in that moment. Therefore, you underestimated her.” (15:25)
• Parrot emphasizes the importance of getting to know someone, to uncover their hidden strengths.

7. Beetle’s Wish and Transformation

• Beetle chooses to be as splendid as Parrot:
  • Beetle: “In truth, I’d like to look like you, Parrot. All shimmering gold and emerald green and sapphire blue.” (16:36)
• Parrot grants the wish; Beetle becomes the jewel-toned insect seen in the rainforest today.

8. Moral and Closing Reflections

• Agouti departs, humbled, vowing never to jump to conclusions.
  • “Agouti hung his head and skulked away, vowing never to jump to conclusions again.” (16:54)
• Beetle celebrates her hard-won new colors, teaching the lesson: never underestimate anyone’s hidden potential.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “My shell is actually called an exoskeleton.” — Beetle (02:48)
• “Oh, if only I had bright colors…” — Beetle (04:11)
• “Parrot’s plumage… So bright and sparkly they look like precious jewels.” — Beetle (04:31)
• “I want to watch you chew on my fumes with your mannequins, maximums, laboratories and libraries.” — Agouti’s comic word scramble (08:26)
• “Nobody ever said anything about having to run the race, Agouti. So I flew.” — Beetle revealing her trick (15:10)
• “If you take the time to get to know someone, you’ll learn … If you don’t take that time, you’re just judging a book by its cover.” — Parrot’s wisdom (16:00)
• “Ever since, the imperial tortoise beetles… have been gold and green and blue. So bright and sparkly they look like a jewel.” — Closing narrative (16:54)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:38 — What “underestimated” means
• 02:44–04:11 — Beetle corrects terminology and reveals her wish
• 05:27–07:05 — Agouti’s challenge and insect science humor
• 09:02–09:23 — Parrot introduces the “choice” prize
• 12:22–13:23 — The race rules and preparations
• 13:35–14:13 — Agouti’s energetic, comedic racing montage
• 15:05–15:25 — Beetle’s flying action and the lesson revealed
• 16:00–16:28 — Parrot’s explanation of the story’s moral
• 16:36–16:54 — Beetle’s wish granted and Agouti humbled

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Listener Activity Prompt

• Rebecca Sheir invites children (and grown-ups) to imagine and draw themselves as an animal with their dream coat or shell, linking creativity to the story’s central theme of self-expression and looking beyond appearances.
  • “If you were an animal wearing the coat or shell of your dreams, what would you look like? Find some paper and plenty of things to color with...” (17:15)

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Final Thoughts

This episode delivers its message with humor and warmth, driven by the live audience energy, witty writing, and interactive education about beetles and the dangers of underestimation. The playful cast chemistry and musical interludes make it engaging from start to finish, while the story’s lesson endures: You never know what wonders might lie beneath someone’s surface—so don’t judge a beetle by her shell!

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For more stories, activities, and information, visit:

WBUR.org/CircleRound

Transcript

[A]

Hey, Circle Round fans, We've added stops to our 2025, 2026 circle round live tour, and you're invited. Join us for live episode recordings in Los Angeles on January 18, Boston on February 7, and Cleveland on March 14. We can't wait to circle round with you live. Get your [e-mail] CircleRound WBUR Podcasts, Boston. This Circle Round episode was recorded live at the Dale F. Halton Theater in Charlotte, North Carolina. You can learn more about our live events and about all things Circle Round, including our picture books, Swag newsletter and Circle round [e-mail] circleround. Do you know what it means to underestimate someone? It means you assume that they're less capable than they truly are. You sell them short by not realizing their actual abilities or intelligence or potential. In today's story, a larger animal underestimates a smaller one in a rather high flow flying way. I'm Rebecca Scheer and welcome to Circle Round Live at the DLF Halton Theatre in Charlotte, North Carolina. Today, our story is called the Underestimated Beatle. It's inspired by tales from Brazil, the largest country in South America. Joining me on stage is a trio of talented actors, Frank Dominguez, Caroline Lee and Phil Vavra. Providing musical accompaniment is the one and only Eric Shimalonis. So circle around, everyone. For the Underestimated Beatle. Visit the lush rainforests of Brazil, and you may see a rather distinctive insect known as the imperial tortoise beetle. Now, all beetles have a hard, protective shell, right? And the imperial tortoise beetle's shell.

[B]

Exoskeleton.

[A]

What was that?

[B]

My shell is actually called an exoskeleton.

[A]

Exoskeleton, Right. Thank you. Imperial tortoise beetle.

[B]

You can just call me Beetle. Did I enter the story too early?

[A]

Oh, no, no, no. We were just getting to the part about what makes you so distinctive. You know, your exoskeleton. Right. Exoskeleton. I will remember that. And, you know, it's really quite the sight. All shimmering gold and emerald green and sapphire blue. So bright and sparkly it looks like a precious jewel.

[B]

Yes, but it didn't always look this way.

[A]

And that's the tale we're about to tell.

[B]

Are you ready to tell the tale of my exoskeleton? I'm always ready to tell the tale of my exoskeleton. Though, now that I think of it, exoskeleton doesn't exactly roll off the hypopharynx.

[A]

Roll off the what?

[B]

The tongue. An insect's tongue is called a hypopharynx.

[C]

Oh.

[B]

So, since exoskeleton is kind of unwieldy.

[A]

Let'S just say show works for me. So long, long ago, back when the world was ruled by animals, Beetle's shell was brown. Dull, drab brown. Beetle didn't mind her plain hue. Yet every now and again, she would look at the other animals in the rainforest and feel a sense of yearning.

[B]

Oh, if only I had bright colors. Like Toucan with her orange and yellow beak. Or scarlet macaw with feathers as red as the sun. And while poison dart frog may be extremely, well, poisonous, his bright blue spots are incredible.

[A]

The animal whose colors Beetle admired most was parrot.

[B]

Could parrot's plumage be any more stunning? His feathers are shimmering gold and emerald green and sapphire blue. So bright and sparkly they look like precious jewels. But why yearn for something I'll never have?

[A]

One day, Beetle decided to explore a new part of the rainforest. She was crawling beside a winding stream, heading toward a great big brazil nut tree, when all of a sudden.

[D]

Well, well, well. What do we have here?

[A]

Beetle looked up. Crouched beneath the tree, cracking brazil nuts with a mouthful of sharp teeth, was an animal she had never seen before. He was brown and furry, with long whiskers, thin legs and a prominent rump. He looked to be some sort of rodent, like a cross between a squirrel and a guinea pig.

[D]

I've got to say, I've never seen anything like you, little one. When I spied you inching this way, and I do mean inching, you were crawling so slowly I thought you were snail. But snail is a sprinter compared to you. If he challenged you to a race, you would be eating his dust. Or his trail of slime.

[B]

Mucus.

[D]

What?

[B]

That slime is called mucus, a complex watery gel made of proteins and mucopolysaccharides made of wood. Never mind. Look, my name is Beetle. I don't usually visit this part of the forest, and for your information, I'm not that slow. I move quickly enough.

[D]

Do you, though? I mean, I know we just met, but something tells me that when you started your journey to this part of the forest, this brazil nut tree was still a sapling, if not a seed.

[A]

Beetle cringed. Thanks to this rude rodent, her blood was beginning to boil.

[B]

Hemolymph.

[A]

What?

[B]

Beetles don't have blood. We have hemolymph.

[A]

Oh, okay. Her hemolymph was beginning to boil.

[B]

Look, mister, I have had it with your insults. Who are you, anyway?

[A]

The rodent puffed out his furry chest.

[D]

Agouti is my name and speed is my game. Don't let my appearance fool you. I may have skinny legs and a plump rump, but I can run faster than a rabbit.

[A]

Beetle began to wonder which was greater, Agouti's speed or his smugness.

[B]

You may be fast, Agouti, but if I need to get somewhere quickly, I always find a way get somewhere quickly?

[E]

You?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

I can move fast if I have to.

[D]

Really? Okay, then how about you prove it and put your money where your mouth is?

[B]

You mean my mandibles, maxillae, labium and labrum?

[D]

Your whatcha?

[F]

What?

[B]

I don't actually have a mouth as an insect. I have mandibles, maxillae, a labium and a labrum.

[D]

Whatever. The point is, I challenge you to a race through the rainforest.

[A]

Beetle blinked her eyes.

[B]

You want me to race you?

[D]

Uh, yeah. That is, unless you're too scared. Do you have butterflies in your tummy?

[B]

Abdomen. What? My tummy is called an abdomen. And no, I'm not scared.

[D]

Great. Then let's talk about prizes. The winner of the race has got to receive a prize.

[C]

Is that so?

[A]

Agouti and Beetle glanced up. And there, fluttering down from the top of the brazil nut tree, was Parrot. The dappled light streaming through the branches made his gold, green and blue feathers sparkle.

[C]

I believe I heard that you two are holding a race.

[D]

You bet we are, Parrot.

[B]

Agouti wants to see which one of us is faster.

[D]

Oh, I know which one of us is faster. I just want to watch you chew on my fumes with your mannequins, maximums, laboratories and libraries.

[B]

You mean my mandibles, Maxillate, labium and labrum.

[D]

Whatever.

[C]

Well, if you two really are holding a race, then Agoti is right. The winner should receive a prize, and I would like to offer one.

[B]

That isn't necessary, Parrot.

[D]

Oh, yes, it is. Tell us about the prize. I bet it's a really fancy item.

[A]

Parrot cocked his head.

[C]

The prize isn't so much an item as a choice. A choice?

[A]

Yes.

[C]

Whoever wins the race shall get to make a choice. A very special choice. And once you make it, trust me, things will never look the same.

[A]

What choice will Parrot offer the winner? And who will that winner be? We'll find out what happens after a quick break.

[F]

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[A]

Support for Circle Round comes from Audible. Get ready for Harry Potter like you've never heard it before in a captivating new audio production that brings the wizarding world magically to life. You'll hear footsteps echoing down the halls of Hogwarts and the whoosh of a golden snitch as it zips past your ear. With a new musical score and an A list cast of voices, it's a delightful way to introduce the Harry Potter stories to a new generation. Harry potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is available now. Listen on [e-mail] HP1 the reviews are in and super fans like you are loving the Circle Round Club, an exciting opportunity to support public radio and get cool stuff including ad free episodes and a personalized birthday message from me.

[E]

What I like about the Circle Round Club is that Rebecca here sends extra messages and it supports the show and there are no ads.

[A]

Grown ups support public radio and sign up [e-mail] CircleRound Club. I'm Rebecca Scheer. Welcome back to Circle Round Live at the Dale F. Halton theatre in Charlotte, N.C. today. Today our story is called the Underestimated Beetle. Before the break, quick and agile Agouti made the equation acquaintance of little brown beetle. Seeing how slowly beetle crawled, the speedy rodent challenged the insect to a race. Parrot overheard the conversation and offered the winner a prize.

[C]

Whoever reaches the finish line first may choose a new coat of any color. Tell me what you wish and I'll have it made to order.

[A]

Agouti's whiskered face lit up.

[D]

What a cool prize. I love how fast I am, but I've never been a fan of my coat. It's all brown and boring. I want a coat like Jaguar's with its yellow fur and black spots.

[B]

I don't mind being plain brown, but I do like the idea of a bright, beautiful coat or shell.

[A]

Parrot stuck out his beak and marked a line in the dirt.

[C]

This is the starting line right here in front of the brazil nut tree. When I say go, the two of you shall take off from this line and race through the forest. You shall follow the winding stream until it empties into the river and whoever reaches that spot first is the winner.

[A]

Beetle and Agouti got into position. Parrot stretched his gold, green and blue wings out to either side.

[C]

All right racers, on your mark.

[B]

Get set, go.

[A]

The moment Parrot brought his wings down, Agouti took off like a shot. Woo hoo.

[D]

Here I go.

[A]

The round rumped, fleet footed rodent ran faster than he ever had before. He blazed past glossy leafed mahogany trees.

[D]

I'm blazing. I'm blazing.

[A]

And bolted through thickets of ferns.

[D]

I'm bolting. I'm bolting.

[A]

He hurtled over moss covered rocks.

[D]

I'm hurdling. I'm hurdling.

[A]

And hustled under clinging vines.

[D]

I'm hustling, I'm hustling.

[A]

The terrain was tough and his feet were burning. But Agouti was determined to walk away with that brand new coat.

[D]

Don't you mean run away? Check out this speed.

[A]

At last, Agouti came to the place where the stream met the river and where Parrot was waiting.

[C]

Welcome to the finish line, Agouti.

[B]

Yes, welcome.

[A]

Agouti's mouth dropped open because Parrot was not alone. Standing by his side was Beetle.

[D]

What is going on here? How did you manage to beat me, Beetle? I ran that race like my rump was on fire.

[B]

I know you did, but that's the thing, I didn't run.

[D]

Well, you didn't exactly crawl if you finished the race before I did.

[B]

I didn't crawl either. Instead, I used these.

[A]

She gave her brown body a wiggle and just like that, out from her sides popped two tiny wings.

[B]

Nobody ever said anything about having to run the race, Agouti. So I flew.

[A]

She beat her wings and lifted into the air. Agouti's eyes went wide as saucers.

[D]

You can fly. I didn't know you could fly.

[B]

There's a lot you don't know about me, Agouti. Isn't that right, Parrot?

[C]

Ah, it sure is, Agoti. When you saw this little creature crawling around, you made a big assumption. You assumed she was slow. You assumed she would be eating snail's dust or mucus. The point is, you judged her only by what you observed in that moment. Therefore, you underestimated her.

[D]

I under what? A what?

[A]

We explained it at the start of the story. It means you assumed that she was less capable than she truly is.

[C]

Exactly. But here's the thing, Agoti. If you take the time to get to know someone, you'll learn what they're really like. You'll learn about their abilities, their assets, the things that make them tick or fly. If you don't take that time, you're just judging a book by its cover. And now Beetle's cover is about to look a whole lot different.

[A]

Parrot gazed over at Beetle.

[C]

Tell me, Beetle, what kind of coat or shell would you like?

[B]

In truth, I'd like to look like you, Parrot. All shimmering gold and emerald green and sapphire blue. So bright and sparkly I look like a jewel.

[C]

Very well, consider your wish granted and Agouti, consider your lesson learned.

[A]

Agouti hung his head and skulked away, vowing never to jump to conclusions again. As for Beetle, she flew away, proudly displaying her brand new prize. And ever since since the Imperial tortoise beetles of the Brazilian rainforest have been gold and green and blue. So bright and sparkly they look like a jewel. It's all thanks to an eensy, weensy, underestimated insect who soared to victory. Now it's your turn. If you were an animal wearing the coat or shell of your dreams, what would you look like? Find some paper and plenty of things to color with. Then draw a picture showing your spectacular coat, share it with someone you love, and then share it with us. With your permission, we may feature you in your Circle Round newsletter. The Lion's Roar Grown Ups Email a photo of your Circle Round fan and their drawing and email it to circleroundbur.org. This week's story, the Underestimated Beatle, was adapted by me, Rebecca Scheer. It was edited by Anne Marie Sivertson and performed by Frank Dominguez, Caroline Lee and Phil Vavra. Eric Shyamalonis composed our original music and played it live on the Cavaquino and you can learn more about this small four stringed Portuguese instrument and see a photo of Eric playing one on our website WBUR.org Circleround Circle Round's artist is Sabina Hahn. Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for all of our Circle Round stories and you can print them out and color them in while you listen. Grown Ups Visit our website WBUR.org CircleRound and click on coloring pages. And while you're at WBUR.org CircleRound you can also check out our Circle Round picture books, live events and sign up for your Circle Round newsletter. The Lion's Roar. Again, it's [e-mail] circleround and if you're looking for even more ways to Circle Round with us, please join the Circle Round Club and you'll support your favorite public media podcast while getting all sorts of cool stuff including ad free episodes, bonus bedtime stories, exclusive swag, and the chance to add on goodies like our Snuggly Lion Stuffy and a personalized birthday message from me. Grown ups. Visit WBUR.org CircleRound and click on Circle Round Club. One more thing Grown Ups. If you enjoy Circle Round, please leave us a five star rating or review on your favorite podcast app. Every rating and review will help us keep Circling Round with you for years to come. Circle Round is a production of WBUR Boston's npr. 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 Circle Round stories they like best. Take a listen. Maybe one of their favorites is one of yours too.

[E]

My name is Maven. I am from Vancouver, Washington. My favorite Circle Round story is the First Light. I like the part when they all work together and use the sticks to push up the clouds. My name is Abigail and I live in North Carolina. My favorite story is the Truth of Time. I like the part when the people scatter all the gold around the palace things. My name is Madeline and I live in Cary, North Carolina. And my favorite Circle Round story is the crowning achievement. And I like the part when the princess puts the crown on the bird. My name is McKenna and I'm from Arizona. And my favorite Circle round is the Buffalo Shadow. And my favorite part is when the guy says, I'm not saying you have to pay me for the shadow. You must pay me for the shadow. Hi, my name is Aiden. My location is Stockton, California. My favorite story round is the Mountain Guardian. My favorite part is when he got all the diamonds from the Mountain Guardian. My name is Xavier. Where I live is at Stockton, California. My favorite Circle Round episode is the Mountain Guardian. My favorite part is when she got all the gold in the basket. My name is Hugo. I live in Tucson, Arizona. My favorite Circle Round is the Chattering Clams. My name's Leona. I'm from Cuba, Idaho. My favorite Circle Round story is all of them. My favorite part is all of them.

[A]

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.