Stories Podcast: "The Rolling Roll" (Jan 22, 2026)

Host: Amanda Weldon
Story Adaptation: Daniel Hines

Episode Overview

In this charming, lively retelling of a Slavic folktale, host Amanda Weldon narrates "The Rolling Roll," a whimsical story about a magical roll that escapes from an elderly couple's mountain cottage and embarks on a mischievous adventure down the snowy slopes. The episode blends humor, suspense, and gentle lessons through memorable animal encounters, rhyming challenges, and a magical twist, making it perfect for family listening and imaginative bedtime routines.

Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

1. Setting the Scene: Momo and Papa’s Mountain Life

• [03:45] Introduction of Momo and Papa, an elderly couple living high in the mountains, isolated but happy in their snug cottage with a beautiful panoramic view.
  • Quote: “We like to be alone together.” – Momo
  • Quote: “Of course, you can’t forget the view.” – Papa
• Grandchildren visit monthly, urging them to move to town, but the couple cherishes their solitude and the scenery.

2. Baking the Special Roll

• [05:00] Post-holiday, feeling a bit lonely, Momo decides to bake Papa’s favorite treat—a giant cinnamon-sugar roll—using the last of her supplies.
  • Quote: “Oh, it’s going to be a good one.” – Momo, smelling the baking roll.

3. Magical Mischief and the Escape

• [06:20] A mischievous mountain spirit, still lingering after the holidays, enters the fresh roll, animating it.
• [06:50] As Papa approaches, the roll springs to life, flips out the window, and tumbles down the mountain, shouting:
  • Quote: “I’m the roll now! Catch me if you can.” – The spirit-inhabited roll

4. The Chase Begins

• [07:20] Momo and Papa dash after the runaway roll, initiating a wild pursuit down the mountain.
  • Quote: “After it!” – Papa
  • Quote: “No one eats my roll!” – Papa

5. The Roll’s Encounters

a. Meeting the Mother Bear

• [08:00] The roll crashes into a mother bear, who almost eats it.
  • Quote: “Not often that a delicious meal runs right into you.” – Mother Bear
• The roll distracts her with a rhyme and escapes:
  • Quote (roll’s rhyme): “I’m a roll, I’m a roll, scraped from the flour tin... I ran from Momo and Papa too and now that you’re looking I’ll run away from you.”

b. Wolves on the Scent

• [09:20] Next, a wolf pack blocks its path, each entranced by the roll’s sweet scent.
  • Quote: “You’re just in time for dinner.” – Silver-muzzled Wolf
• The roll recites a new rhyme, eludes them, and tumbles away.
  • Quote (roll’s rhyme): “... I ditched the bear and I’ll ditch you!”

c. A Run-In with the Rabbit

• [10:30] The roll collides with a rabbit, who wants a taste.
  • Quote: “To be sure, I think I’d better take a bite.” – Rabbit
• Another rhyme—and the roll keeps rolling.

d. Acceleration and Escalation

• [11:10] The chase grows ever larger, with Momo, Papa, the bear, wolves, and the rabbit all in hot pursuit.
  • Chorus chants: “No one eats my roll!” – Papa and Momo in unison

e. The Clever Fox's Trick

• [12:00] At the mountain’s bottom, Fox offers to hide the roll in his mouth to protect it.
  • Quote: “Want me to hide you?... Quick, jump in my mouth and I’ll walk right past them.”
• The roll agrees—Fox snaps up the roll with a “gulp!”
• Quote: “I’m safe—let’s go!” – The roll’s last words

6. Resolution and Moral

• [13:00] Momo and Papa, foiled but unfazed, continue into town, do groceries, and return home for another round of fresh rolls (this time not cooled near any windows!)
• Quote: “And they ate them steaming hot, not daring to set them on the window to cool. And they were delicious.” – Narrator

Notable Quotes

• On peaceful mountain living:

  • “We like to be alone together.” – Momo [03:55]
  • “You can’t forget the view.” – Papa [04:02]

• The spirit’s big entrance:

  • “I’m the roll now! Catch me if you can.” – The roll [06:52]

• Encounters and Escape Rhymes:

  • “I’m a roll. I’m a roll. Scraped from the flour tin, swept from the corn bin, mixed to a bun and fry til I’m done...” – The roll (various segments: [08:35], [09:48], [10:42])

• Comedic refrain throughout the chase:

  • “No one eats my roll!” – Papa [09:57], echoed by Momo

• Final twist:

  • “Quick, jump in my mouth and I’ll walk right past them.” – Fox [12:10]
  • “I’m safe—let’s go!” – The roll [12:18]
  • Narrator: “Gulp! With one mighty chomp and swallow, the fox ate the bun and licked his lips.” [12:25]

Memorable Moments

• The roll’s playful rhymes that buy it precious seconds of escape from each animal challenger.
• The recurring group chant (“No one eats my roll!”) as more characters join the chase, adding comic chaos.
• The clever fox’s deceptive offer, delivering the classic fable lesson about trusting strangers who seem too helpful.

Discussion Prompts (as suggested by the host, [13:50])

• “What’s a time your family tried to cook something and it went wrong?”
• “What would you bake into your perfect roll?” (“Dan says he likes almond paste and powdered sugar, and I like cinnamon and lots of frosting. What about you?”)

Structure and Tone

• The episode maintains a warm, conversational, and gently humorous narrative tone throughout.
• Rhymed refrains add musicality and help reinforce story beats for young listeners.
• The pacing matches classic fairy tale storytelling—build-up, escalating action, a trickster twist, and a gentle, satisfying resolution.

Takeaway

"The Rolling Roll" delights with playful language, dynamic chases, and a clear, timeless folktale message: beware of too-easy promises, and perhaps, keep your baked goods off the windowsill! The episode delivers laughs, light suspense, and a bedtime-friendly conclusion, while inviting families to share their own kitchen stories and dream up delicious variations of the runaway roll.