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)
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.
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.
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)
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
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)
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!