True Colors

Summary

Circle Round: “True Colors”

WBUR | Host: Rebecca Sheir | Release date: August 19, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this vibrant episode, Rebecca Sheir brings to life “True Colors,” an African folktale-inspired story that explores the themes of kindness, creativity, and revealing one’s true character. Through the journey of Tortoise and her encounters with various animals, listeners learn about the power of generosity and the consequences of selfishness and mockery. The drama unfolds with rich sound design and memorable performances from actors, and concludes with an activity encouraging families to express their own “true colors.”

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Story Breakdown and Key Insights

1. Setting the Scene: A Drab World and a Creative Spark

• All animals on the savanna look the same—dull brown from head to tail.
• Tortoise stands out, not by birth, but by curiosity and creativity.
• Using natural brushes and paints, Tortoise transforms her shell and skin with vibrant colors and patterns.

  “Let’s see, I’ll use this brush to dab a little yellow over here. … And what if I paint some shapes and patterns? Yes.”
  — Tortoise (Heather Burns) [02:51]

2. Hyena’s Cruel Trick

• Hyena, known for his mischief and mean-spirited jokes, mocks Tortoise’s slow pace and artistic efforts.
• He tricks Tortoise, wedging her in a tree as a form of humiliation.

  “Well, now that you’ve gotten yourself into a tricky situation with no exit, I guess you could say you’ve painted yourself into a corner.”
  — Hyena (Ajay Naidu) [05:31]

3. Compassion and Reciprocity

• Leopard comes by, decries Hyena’s behavior, and helps Tortoise escape.
• In gratitude, Tortoise offers to paint Leopard’s coat, bestowing beautiful “rosettes.”

  “They’re wonderful. Thank you, Tortoise.”
  — Leopard [08:26]

4. The Word Spreads: A Colorful Transformation

• Zebra admires Leopard’s new coat and requests one too; Tortoise paints Zebra with bold stripes.
• News travels fast; soon, all the animals line up for a customized look—Giraffe, Guinea Fowl, Python, and many more.

  “Thanks to Zebra, in no time at all, one plain brown animal after another came flocking to Tortoise in hopes of receiving their own colors, patterns and designs.”
  — Narrator (Rebecca Sheir) [10:28]

5. Hyena Returns: Jealousy and Ultimatum

• Hyena, noticing he’s missing out, demands Tortoise paint him as well—this time, threatening her.
• The other animals rally in support of Tortoise.

  “Give me my own colors or I’ll put you back in that tree and I’ll make sure you never come down.”
  — Hyena [14:55]

6. True Colors Revealed

• Tortoise, unfazed, agrees but paints Hyena a coat that reflects his unpleasant personality—smudgy, blotchy, messy.

  “Well, Hyena, I did say I would paint you a coat that showed off your unique personality and distinctive character. And since your personality and character are so unpleasant and unseemly, I gave you a coat that’s unsightly. One that shows off your true colors.”
  — Tortoise [16:51]

• Hyena, ashamed, hides from the world henceforth, appearing only at night.

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Tortoise’s Artistic Vision:
  "My skin is a creamy shade of gold. And the spots, dashes and streaks on my shell look really cool."
  — Tortoise [03:18]

• Leopard’s Thanks:
  "They’re wonderful. Thank you, Tortoise."
  — Leopard [08:26]

• Hyena’s Threat:
  "Listen, Slowpoke, give me my own colors or I’ll put you back in that tree and I’ll make sure you never come down."
  — Hyena [14:55]

• Tortoise’s Wisdom:
  "Since your personality and character are so unpleasant and unseemly, I gave you a coat that’s unsightly. One that shows off your true colors."
  — Tortoise [16:51]

• Moral Wrap-Up:
  “That was the last time Hyena appeared in the light of day. From then on, he became nocturnal, only coming out in the dark of night so he wouldn’t have to show his coat or his character to the world.”
  — Narrator [17:14]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Tortoise decorates herself and meets Hyena: 00:00–05:57
• Leopard rescues Tortoise and receives a new coat: 06:18–08:30
• Zebra and other animals receive their colors: 08:41–13:10
• Hyena demands his own colors; Tortoise responds: 13:26–16:51
• Story moral and activity prompt: 17:14–18:18

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Activity and Listener Engagement

At the end of the episode, Rebecca encourages listeners to imagine themselves as their favorite animal and draw what their true colors would be, inviting submissions for the Circle Round newsletter.

“Imagine yourself as your favorite animal. If your feathers, fur, scales, hide or hair could be any color or colors, what would you choose? Find some paper and draw a picture showing your true colors. Let your imagination run wild and when you’re finished, share your drawing with us.”
— Rebecca Sheir [17:43]

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Tone and Storytelling Style

The episode’s tone is gentle, imaginative, and encouraging, ideal for children and adults alike. The story subtly but effectively addresses big themes—kindness, the consequences of meanness, and the beauty of inner character—through playful dialogue, memorable banter, and engaging sound design. Rebecca’s narration is warm and inviting, and the actors bring both humor and heart to their animal characters.

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For more episodes, activities, and show info, visit WBUR’s Circle Round.

Transcript

[A]

Hi, Rebecca Scheer here. Before we get to our story, exciting news. Circle Round is going back on tour with live recordings across the United States. Our first stop, Sunday, October 5th in Parker, Colorado at the Pace center and Circle Round Club. Members are invited to a special post show meet and greet with me and composer Eric Shimalonis. Get your [e-mail] circleround and click on events. We're announcing more tour stops soon, so stay tuned. We look forward to circling around with you live. WBUR Podcasts Boston do you know what it means to show your true colors? Showing your true colors means showing your true character, what you're really like way deep down. We're about to meet a mean hearted animal who shows his true colors. His and as a result, his outside winds up matching his inside. I'm Rebecca Scheer and welcome to Circle Round where story time happens all the time. Today. Our story is called True Colors. It's inspired by tales told among indigenous groups in central, eastern and Southern Africa, including the Bantu, Zulu and Tumbuka. Some really great people came together to bring you our version of this folktale, including actors and real life couple Heather Burns and Ajay Naidu. Heather Burns has appeared in such movies as Manchester by the Sea, Miss Congeniality 1 and 2, you've got mail and two weeks notice, and the TV series Bored to Death. She recently starred opposite Adam Driver in the Off Broadway play Hold on to Me Darling. Ajay Naidu played Samir in the cult film Office Space and has appeared in countless movies, TV shows and theater productions worldwide. So circle around everyone for true colors. Way back in the early times, when animals first appeared on the grassy plains known as the savanna, they were all the same color. Their hair, hides, scales, feathers and fur were all a dull, drab shade of brown. But there was one animal who looked different, and that animal was Tortoise. Granted, at first her leathery skin and thick shell were as brown as dried mud. But Tortoise was a creative sort. And one day she got a creative idea. Using brushes made from tree bark and dried grass and and paints made from roots, leaves and berries, she set to work turning her body into a canvas.

[B]

Let's see, I'll use this brush to dab a little yellow over here. I'll use this brush to add some black and cream over there. Oh, and what if I paint some shapes and patterns? Yes.

[A]

When she was done, she shuffled to a nearby waterhole and gazed at her reflection.

[B]

Wow. Not too shabby. For my first artistic effort, my skin Is a creamy shade of gold. And the spots, dashes and streaks on my shell look really cool. I wonder if I should add just one more stripe to the.

[C]

Hello there, slowpoke.

[A]

Tortoise turned her head and there was Hyena, the savanna's most notorious troublemaker. The bushy tailed rascal was always tricking the other animals and mocking them with his legendary laugh.

[C]

So how's it going, Tortoise? Other than slowly, of course. I tell ya, if you moved any slower, you'd be going backward. In fact, you're so slow, even the snails tell you to hurry up.

[B]

That's very funny, Hyena. Such a quick wit you have.

[C]

I do have a quick wit, don't I? Unlike you, you're so slow you don't have a quick anything.

[B]

Ha ha, very clever.

[C]

Thanks. And hey, nice colors on your shell and skin. Did you paint them yourself?

[B]

Actually, I did.

[D]

Cool.

[C]

Then that gives me an idea.

[A]

Quick as a wink, Hyena grabbed Tortoise, lifted her up and stuck her between the branches of an acacia tree. The thick, gnarled limbs were so close together that Tortoise was wedged in tight.

[B]

Hyena, please get me out of this tree. I can't move. I'm stuck.

[C]

So it seems. But hey, you're a painter, right?

[B]

Yes.

[C]

Well, now that you've gotten yourself into a tricky situation with no exit, I guess you could say that you've painted yourself into a corner.

[A]

Get it?

[C]

See ya around, Slowpoke.

[B]

Wait. Hyena. Hyena. He's gone. How am I going to get down? Hello? Can somebody help me, please? I'm trapped in a tree.

[A]

As Tortoise writhed and wriggled, squirmed and squiggled, Leopard wandered past and brought his sinewy brown body to a halt.

[E]

Tortoise, what are you doing up there? What happened to you, Hyena?

[B]

Happened to me? He stuck me up here as a joke. Too bad he was the only one laughing.

[E]

Typical hyena. That scoundrel is a bad lot with a bad sense of humor. Here, let me help you.

[A]

Leopard clambered up the trunk and used his powerful paws to pull Tortoise free from the branches.

[B]

Thank you, leopard. I thought I'd be lodged in that tree forever. How can I repay your kindness?

[E]

Oh, there's no need to repay me for any.

[A]

Leopard paused and cocked his brown head.

[E]

Tortoise, your skin and your shell. I didn't notice when you were up in the tree, but they're no longer a dull, drab brown like the rest of us animals, they're colorful and patterned. They're magnificent.

[B]

Thank you, Leopard. I painted them myself. And actually, if you'd like, I could paint you too.

[E]

Me?

[B]

Yes. I could use my paints to decorate your fur. Give it something special.

[E]

Well, if you really mean it, then yes. Please work your magic.

[A]

Tortoise fetched her art supplies and got to work coating Leopard's brown body with yellow, gold and orange paint. Then she gave him a smattering of black rose shaped speckles from the top of his head to the tip of his tail.

[E]

Wow, look at these colors. And look at these spots.

[B]

I call them rosettes since they're shaped like little roses. I thought they would be a fun touch.

[E]

They are. They're wonderful. Thank you, Tortoise.

[B]

It's the least I can do. After all, you've saved my life. Now go wear your colors with pride.

[A]

Tortoise was cleaning up her brushes and paints when another animal came walking over. It was Zebra, with her tufted brown tail swishing behind her and her spiky brown mane standing on end.

[D]

Hiya, Tortoise. I just ran into Leopard and I had to ask him about that glorious new coat of his. He said you made it for him.

[B]

I did. I guess I'm becoming a bit of an artist.

[D]

A bit of an artist? That's an understatement. You're really good. Tortoise say.

[A]

Zebra tilted her brown head.

[D]

Any chance you'd give me a new coat too?

[B]

It would be my honor, Zebra. And I know just what kind of coat to give you.

[A]

Tortoise uncovered her black and white paints and began streaking Zebra's body with stripes. She used more of the black paint to tint Zebra's mane and hooves.

[B]

Look at me.

[D]

With these gorgeous stripes and my black mane and hooves. I am a sight to behold. Thank you, Tortoise. How can I repay you?

[B]

There's no need for that. Your kindness and praise are payment enough.

[D]

Well, if you don't mind, I'm going to tell all the other animals about your spectacular skills. We all want to stand out in our own way and. And with your help, now we can.

[A]

Thanks to Zebra. In no time at all, one plain brown animal after another came flocking to Tortoise in hopes of receiving their own colors, patterns and designs. Little did they know. But their painting party would be interrupted by an unwelcome guest. A malicious, mischievous scamp whose true colors were about to be revealed. Who do you think will come and crash the painting party? We'll find out who it is. And what happens next After a quick break, what are Circle Round listeners saying about the Circle Round Club, the newest membership opportunity for superfans like you? Here's a taste.

[F]

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.

[A]

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 True Colors. Before the break, Hyena stranded Tortoise in the crook of a tree. When Leopard came along and freed her, she thanked him by painting his plain brown coat with beautiful colors and rosettes. Once the other animals caught wind of Tortoise's artistic talents, the dull brown critters were excited and grateful to receive makeovers.

[G]

And thanks for these cool spots and patches. Tortoise, I can't believe you managed to paint them all the way up my long neck.

[B]

You're welcome, Giraffe. It wasn't easy, but it was my pleasure.

[D]

I am loving these dark gray feathers.

[C]

With these tiny white speckles. And my blue face looks so sharp.

[D]

Thank you, Tortoise.

[B]

You're welcome, guinea fowl. If you're happy, I'm happy.

[G]

Wow. I had no idea I would look so superb in yellow and green. Tortoise. And I can't thank you enough for the dark zigzags on my back. They're splendid.

[B]

You're welcome, Python. It's great to have another satisfied customer.

[A]

On and on it went, with animal after animal, oohing and ahhing over their new colors until what's shakin, folks? Everyone froze and stared at Hyena.

[C]

So, are you dullards holding the world's most boring party? It's no wonder I wasn't invited. After all, I'm a barrel of laughs. Wait a minute.

[A]

He scrunched up his round black eyes.

[C]

Why does everybody look so different? I mean, Giraffe has spots and patches now. Guinea fowl is dark gray with white speckles. Python is yellow and green with zigzags on my back.

[G]

Aren't they snappy?

[C]

Honestly, they're a little showy and tacky for my taste. But they suit you.

[G]

Thanks.

[C]

Listen, you chuckleheads, I want spiffy colors, too.

[D]

Where did you get them?

[A]

There was a long, pointed pause.

[B]

And then they got them from me.

[A]

Hyena leveled his gaze on Tortoise.

[G]

Well, well, well.

[C]

If it isn't our little Artiste, how long did it take you to paint each of these animals, Slowpoke? A hundred years. And how did you manage to get out of that acacia tree? I was hoping you'd be stuck up there for a hundred years.

[B]

I got help from a friend, Hyena. Not that you would know what a friend is, given how mean you are to everyone.

[C]

Listen, Slowpoke, give me my own colors or I'll put you back in that tree and I'll make sure you never come down.

[G]

How dare you threaten her, Hyena.

[C]

Tortoise has been nothing but kind and.

[G]

Generous to all of us.

[B]

Thanks, friends, but I can handle this myself.

[A]

Tortoise took a breath and stared straight at Hyena.

[B]

All right, Hyena. You want your own colors? I'll give you your own colors. I'll paint you a one of a kind coat that will show off your unique personality, your distinctive character.

[C]

I like the sound of that.

[G]

Good.

[B]

Please have a seat and close your eyes. These colors are going to be so very special. I want them to be a surprise.

[A]

Now, as you can imagine, Tortoise had painted all of the other animals with focus and concentration, carefully applying one color here, another color there. With Hyena, however, all of that care and concentration went out the window. Instead, Tortoise's paintbrush slopped and splashed as she smeared color after color on his coat. Yellow, gray, black, white. She spattered and splattered, sploshed and smudged until finally.

[B]

Okay, you can look now.

[A]

Hyena opened his eyes and bounded to a water hole. But the moment he saw his reflection.

[C]

What have you done, Tortoise? My fur. It's all blotted and blotchy and smeared. It looks like I've been rolling around in mud and pebbles and filth.

[A]

I'm a mess.

[B]

Well, Hyena, I did say I would paint you a coat that showed off your unique personality and distinctive character. And since your personality and character are so unpleasant and unseemly, I gave you a coat that's unsightly. One that shows off your true colors.

[A]

Hyena didn't say a word. He took one more glance at his sloppy, slapdash coat, then slunk away with his bushy, blotchy tail between his legs. That was the last time Hyena appeared in the light of day. From then on, he became nocturnal, only coming out in the dark of night so he wouldn't have to show his coat or his character to the world. Now it's your turn. Imagine yourself as your favorite animal. If your feathers, fur, scales, hide or hair could be any color or colors. What would you choose? Find some paper and draw a picture showing your true colors. Let your imagination run wild and when you're finished, share your drawing with us. Grown Ups. Snap a photo of your Circle Round fan and their artwork and email it to circleroundbur.org with your permission, we may feature you in an upcoming edition of the Circle Round newsletter which we will soon make available to all fans. So stay tuned about how you can sign up this week's episode True Colors was adapted by me, Rebecca Scheer. It was edited by Dean Russell. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shamallonis. Eric's featured instrument this week was the Mbira. You can learn more about this throughout 3000 year old instrument traditional to the Shona people and see a photo of Eric playing one on our website. That's WBUR.org CircleRound'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 Grown Ups. You can find them [e-mail] CircleRound Special thanks to this week's actors Joe Hernandez, Kiran Kumar, Erica Rose, Mike Smith, Dawn Ursula, Heather Burns and Ajay Naidu. Ajay Naidu has appeared in countless theater productions, TV shows and movies including the cult film Office Space where he starred as Samir. Heather Burns has appeared in such movies as Manchester by the Sea, Miss Congeniality 1 and 2, you've got mail and two weeks notice and the TV series bored to Death. She has appeared in many plays in New York and London and recently star starred opposite Adam Driver in Hold Onto Me Darling. Looking for even more ways to circle round with us and to support public media? Join the Circle Round Club As a member. You'll get ad free episodes, bonus bedtime stories, pre sale tickets to our live events, plus exclusive access to special Circle Round goodies including tote bags, T shirts, our Lions Stuffy and a personalized birthday message from me, Rebecca Shear. Join our growing community of super Fans [e-mail] CircleRound Grown Ups. If you enjoy Circle Round, please tell your friends and if you have a moment, please leave us a five star rating or review on your favorite podcast app. It helps other listeners find the show so we can make the Circle Round circle even bigger and keep Circling Round with you for years to come. Circle Round is a production of WBURG 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 round stories they like best. Take a listen. Maybe one of their favorites is one of yours too.

[F]

Hi, my name is Viola and I live in Sweden. My favorite circle round story is the Call of the Cuckoo because my favorite part is when Barnaby takes so much time to put on his clothes and when the farmer blows her top and flips her lid. Hi, my name is Cody and I'm from Houston, Texas. My favorite circle round story is Misery Loves Company because I like when Alexandra tricks Misery into going into the cave. My name is Kimble. I'm from New York. My favorite is the Basilisk. I like when Matoya goes down the steps and saves his whole bridle. My name is and I live in Bangor, Maine. My favorite Circle asteroid is Miss Tilda because I like the pot and miss Tilda wears a pumpkin on her head. My name is Archer. I live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My favorite Circle Round story is the Free Clever Brothers. I like the part when the Free Clever Brothers say the animal clue. I love your shows. My name is Annika and I live in Natick, Massachusetts. My favorite story is the Price Master and my favorite part is when the Price Master yells master. My name is Kazia and I live in Newark, Massachusetts. And my favorite circle round is the Ninth Deck. Because I like the park where it figures out who the rascal is.

[A]

Did someone mention a story you've missed? Not to worry, grown ups. 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.