Circle Round: “Whatever You Like” | Ep. 303

Live from Symphony Hall, Boston
Release Date: November 4, 2025
Running Time: ~25 minutes
Host/Narrator: Rebecca Scheer
Featuring: Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians and actors Mary Faber, Josh Gondelman, Lamont Price, Jessica Rao

Episode Overview

“Whatever You Like” is a clever, wordplay-driven adaptation of tales from Jewish and Indian folklore, performed live with musical accompaniment from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The story spotlights the value of thinking critically and weighing our words, as well as themes of fairness, cleverness, and familial bonds. The episode wraps up with a playful invitation to listeners to create their own wordplay, fostering creativity and family connection.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

Introduction: The Power (and Slipperiness) of Words

• [01:07] Rebecca Scheer opens with a witty saying:

  "Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana. Words can be tricky. Sometimes they're as slippery as a banana peel. And as we'll hear in today's story, if you don't weigh your words, they can easily be twisted."

Meet the Characters

• Seema – the responsible sister
• Avi – her playful younger brother
• Father – a merchant who is often away on business
• Sea Captain – the crafty antagonist

Home Alone: Seema’s Struggles with Avi

• [03:37] Seema tries to put Avi to bed, triggering a comic exchange of double negatives:
  Seema: “Time to go to bed?”
  Avi: “No.”
  …eventually, Seema flips Avi’s “no”s back on him, tricking him into agreeing to bedtime.

  “Wait. You used your words to trick me.” — Avi ([04:18])

Hard Times and Wordplay at Home

• Food and money run short as Father is delayed overseas.
• [05:47] Seema says, “we’re going to have to tighten our belts” and Avi, taking it literally, protests:

  “Ugh, I hate wearing belts. They make my belly hurt.”

• A reverse wordplay moment where Avi nearly tricks Seema into giving him sugary cereal:

  “You used your words to trick me.” — Seema ([06:36])

The Sea Captain’s Arrival and the Letter’s Loophole

• [06:49] The Sea Captain, in tall boots and a proud coat, brings the children's father’s box... but keeps the silver coins, only handing over the empty box.
• [08:05] The captain hands over a letter—a key plot device:

  “She will give my children whatever she likes as a reward for her troubles. She may keep the rest for herself.”

• The captain claims the right to keep the coins because, “what I would like is to give you this box. The coins I shall keep for myself.”

Off to Court: Seeking Justice

• Feeling wronged, Seema and Avi take the Sea Captain to court.
• In court, the judge reviews the letter’s ambiguous wording. All agree the letter is authentic ([14:17]).
• The Sea Captain confidently argues she followed the instructions, all proof being “right there in black and white.” ([15:59])

Seema’s Clever Solution

• [17:30] Seema requests another reading of the letter, studies it carefully, and devises a plan.
• [18:19] She asks the captain to officially write and sign a statement declaring she likes the coins but not the box.
• [20:03] Seema springs the trap:

  “Now give me and my brother the 100 silver coins.”

• The captain protests, but Seema turns the words against her.

The Judge Rules

• [20:53] The judge sides with Seema:

  "Captain, the merchant's letter stated, and I quote, the sea captain will give my children whatever she likes and keep the rest for herself. Clearly you liked the 100 silver coins. You said so yourself. You wrote it, too. Therefore, the 100 silver coins which you liked so very much are rightfully the children's. And the box which you didn't like is rightfully yours." ([21:17] Judge)

• The Sea Captain is outsmarted:

  "Wait. You used your words to trick me." — Sea Captain ([21:57])

Triumph and Reunion

• Avi recognizes the captain’s attempted trickery:

  “Because I think you used our father's words to try and trick us.” ([22:05] Avi)

• Seema and Avi receive their rightful coins.
• The story concludes with Father returning home for good, and the siblings joyfully reunited.
• [22:58]

  “…the idea of finally being together as a family wasn’t just something the two siblings liked, it was something they loved.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Wordplay at Home:

  “You used your words to trick me.” — Avi ([04:18])
  “You used your words to trick me.” — Seema ([06:36])

• The Story’s Crux:

  "She will give my children whatever she likes as a reward… keep the rest for herself.” — Letter from Father ([08:26], [14:17])

• The Clever Twist:

  “Now give me and my brother the 100 silver coins.” — Seema ([20:03])
  "The proof is right there in black and white." — Seema ([20:28])
  "This silly girl is neither silly nor out of order. If anyone is out of order, it’s you." — Judge ([20:53])

• Resolution:

  “…the 100 silver coins which you liked so very much are rightfully the children’s.” — Judge ([21:17])
  “Wait. You used your words to trick me.” — Sea Captain ([21:57])

Activity Invitation: Play with Puns

[23:27] Host Rebecca Scheer talks about pun-making as a fun family activity:

“There are many ways to play with words, and one of my personal favorites is the pun. A pun creates humor using a word or phrase with multiple meanings or using similar sounding words. Find a grownup and start brainstorming jokes with a question and answer that involve puns.”
Examples:

• "Why did the bike take a nap? ... It was too tired." ([23:49])
• "Why wouldn’t the shrimp share its toys? ... It was a little shellfish." ([23:53])

Listeners are encouraged to send their jokes to Circle Round.

Community & Credits

• Musical performances by members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Eric Shimalonis.
• Special guest actors include Mary Faber, Josh Gondelman, Lamont Price, Jessica Rao.
• A shout-out to kids sharing their favorite Circle Round stories ([27:15] onward).

Summary Takeaways

• Theme: The power (and potential pitfalls) of language—how the meaning of words can be twisted and why clarity and cleverness matter.
• Character lesson: Standing up for oneself, careful reading, and wit can right wrongs—even when you’re young.
• Fun: The episode brims with humor and wordplay, encouraging families to play with language together.

For more stories, episodes, and creative activities, visit wbur.org/circleround.