WEBVTT
1
00:00:09.480 --> 00:00:14.179
Did you know that 2024 is the year of the dragon?
2
00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:17.460
Or if you're hearing this episode sometime in the future,
3
00:00:17.460 --> 00:00:22.160
2024 was the year of the dragon. In the Chinese calendar,
4
00:00:22.579 --> 00:00:26.079
each year is linked with one of 12 animals. The
5
00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:30.460
dragon is considered a powerful symbol of prosperity and good fortune.
6
00:00:31.030 --> 00:00:34.570
And we're about to hear one Chinese legend as to why.
7
00:00:42.100 --> 00:00:45.740
I'm Rebecca Shear, and welcome to Circle Round, where story
8
00:00:45.780 --> 00:00:49.219
time happens all the time. Today our story is called
9
00:00:49.240 --> 00:00:52.679
The Lone Dragon. Versions of this tale come from China,
10
00:00:52.939 --> 00:00:54.960
the largest of all countries in Asia.
11
00:00:55.399 --> 00:00:56.859
The Lone.
12
00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:01.170
Dragon Some really great people came together to bring you
13
00:01:01.369 --> 00:01:05.689
our adaptation of this folktale, including Ellen Wong, star of
14
00:01:05.709 --> 00:01:08.739
the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and the animated
15
00:01:08.760 --> 00:01:12.299
Netflix series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. You grown-ups may also
16
00:01:12.340 --> 00:01:15.060
know Ellen from The Carrie Diaries on The CW and
17
00:01:15.079 --> 00:01:16.439
the Netflix series Glow.
18
00:01:17.140 --> 00:01:20.769
So circle around, everyone, for the Lone Dragon.
19
00:01:21.010 --> 00:01:23.750
Lone Dragon.
20
00:01:35.480 --> 00:01:39.689
Long, long ago, in a wide, wide valley, there lay
21
00:01:39.709 --> 00:01:44.489
a village. The villagers were farmers who worked hard planting
22
00:01:44.629 --> 00:01:49.969
and harvesting wheat, millet, and soybeans. Towering above the village
23
00:01:50.290 --> 00:01:53.230
was a mountain, and at the top of that mountain
24
00:01:53.290 --> 00:01:54.489
there lived.
25
00:01:56.540 --> 00:01:57.579
A dragon.
26
00:02:01.219 --> 00:02:04.079
The mountain was so high that the villagers never saw
27
00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:07.569
the dragon. Though they often heard him growl and roar
28
00:02:07.629 --> 00:02:11.530
down the steep cliffs and across the craggy ridges, sometimes
29
00:02:11.590 --> 00:02:13.289
they even heard him speak.
30
00:02:14.530 --> 00:02:22.599
I'm one who frightens. I'm one who's feared. I live alone.
31
00:02:23.580 --> 00:02:26.979
Who dares to come near?
32
00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:33.020
The villagers were so frightened of the dragons that they
33
00:02:33.199 --> 00:02:35.699
issued urgent warnings to their children.
34
00:02:36.300 --> 00:02:38.680
You must never go near the dragon.
35
00:02:38.939 --> 00:02:41.900
You mustn't even go up the mountain.
36
00:02:42.300 --> 00:02:43.810
Or anywhere near it.
37
00:02:44.370 --> 00:02:46.930
That beast will swallow you in one bite.
38
00:02:47.349 --> 00:02:50.050
He'll roast you to a crunchy crisp.
39
00:02:50.629 --> 00:02:53.969
We must leave that monster alone.
40
00:02:57.120 --> 00:03:00.509
One year, a drought fell upon the land. The lack
41
00:03:00.550 --> 00:03:04.449
of rain left the villagers' fields parched and cracked. And
42
00:03:04.509 --> 00:03:08.030
as the desperate people watched their wheat, millet, and soybeans
43
00:03:08.169 --> 00:03:12.849
shrivel and wilt, a nagging idea wormed its way into
44
00:03:12.889 --> 00:03:13.370
their heads.
45
00:03:14.189 --> 00:03:17.509
This drought! It must be the dragon's fault!
46
00:03:17.870 --> 00:03:18.280
Yes!
47
00:03:18.900 --> 00:03:19.620
The dragon!
48
00:03:20.090 --> 00:03:24.129
That evil beast put a curse on our village. Now
49
00:03:24.210 --> 00:03:26.090
we really must stay away from him.
50
00:03:26.590 --> 00:03:28.389
Far, far away.
51
00:03:28.770 --> 00:03:32.509
Before he brings us even more misery and woe.
52
00:03:33.409 --> 00:03:35.590
As all of this was going on, it just so
53
00:03:35.659 --> 00:03:38.560
happens that one of the villagers had a birthday coming up.
54
00:03:39.199 --> 00:03:42.639
Her name was Lynn. And even though everyone in the
55
00:03:42.659 --> 00:03:45.639
village had been pinching their pennies since the drought began,
56
00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:48.860
Lynn's parents wanted to throw her a party.
57
00:03:49.639 --> 00:03:53.039
We know times are hard, Lin. But this village could
58
00:03:53.319 --> 00:03:58.169
use a celebration. And a good-natured, kind-hearted girl like you
59
00:03:58.669 --> 00:04:00.129
deserves a party.
60
00:04:00.590 --> 00:04:03.289
Your mother's right, Lin. So we're going to scrape together
61
00:04:03.330 --> 00:04:07.870
what we have and throw you the best birthday bash ever.
62
00:04:08.629 --> 00:04:13.159
Thank you so much, Mother and Father. This is so
63
00:04:13.319 --> 00:04:17.339
generous of you. I can't wait to celebrate with all
64
00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:20.459
of my family and my neighbors and.
65
00:04:21.399 --> 00:04:22.680
and the dragon!
66
00:04:24.399 --> 00:04:26.639
Lin's parents exchanged a look.
67
00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:28.490
Um, Lin?
68
00:04:29.269 --> 00:04:30.610
Did you just say.
69
00:04:31.129 --> 00:04:31.850
The dragon?
70
00:04:32.470 --> 00:04:32.889
I did!
71
00:04:34.290 --> 00:04:37.910
Look, I know you grown-ups have been telling us kids
72
00:04:37.970 --> 00:04:41.850
to stay away from the dragon, but haven't you been
73
00:04:41.889 --> 00:04:42.569
listening to him?
74
00:04:43.290 --> 00:04:45.029
It's hard not to, Lin.
75
00:04:45.050 --> 00:04:46.829
His voice is like thunder.
76
00:04:47.370 --> 00:04:51.110
But have you been listening to what he's been saying?
77
00:04:52.670 --> 00:04:54.089
I'm one who frightens.
78
00:04:54.610 --> 00:04:59.410
I'm one who's feared. I live alone. Who dares to
79
00:04:59.490 --> 00:05:03.870
come near? Can't you see?
80
00:05:03.889 --> 00:05:06.370
The dragon is lonely.
81
00:05:06.769 --> 00:05:07.550
Lonely?
82
00:05:07.569 --> 00:05:07.639
Yes.
83
00:05:07.649 --> 00:05:08.970
He says so himself.
84
00:05:13.310 --> 00:05:16.550
He knows he frightens us. He knows we fear him.
85
00:05:16.589 --> 00:05:21.250
And that's why he's alone. Because none of us dare
86
00:05:21.329 --> 00:05:26.209
come near. So, I'm inviting him to my party so
87
00:05:26.250 --> 00:05:30.740
that he feels happy and wanted and will stop roaring
88
00:05:30.839 --> 00:05:31.680
at our village.
89
00:05:33.240 --> 00:05:35.579
Lin spun on her heel and raced out the door,
90
00:05:36.060 --> 00:05:39.699
her swift fleet feet carrying her straight toward the mountain.
91
00:05:42.009 --> 00:05:43.269
Wait!
92
00:05:43.649 --> 00:05:47.449
Come back! The dragon will eat you!
93
00:05:47.470 --> 00:05:50.129
If he doesn't roast you first!
94
00:05:51.870 --> 00:05:55.209
But Lynn paid her parents no mind. She just picked
95
00:05:55.269 --> 00:05:58.129
up speed. And when she reached the bottom of the mountain,
96
00:05:58.649 --> 00:06:02.379
she discovered that the trail upward was tangled with overgrown
97
00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:05.300
tree roots and scattered with jagged rocks.
98
00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:08.560
The villagers have kept away from the mountain for so
99
00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:09.839
long that this trail.
100
00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:14.399
Hasn't been used in ages. But I must follow it.
101
00:06:15.420 --> 00:06:16.019
I must.
102
00:06:16.939 --> 00:06:20.240
Lin took a deep breath and began climbing up the path.
103
00:06:20.920 --> 00:06:26.500
She stumbled over roots. She tripped over rocks. And when
104
00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:28.620
she was about a third of the way to the top,
105
00:06:31.779 --> 00:06:35.560
she heard the dragon's thunderous voice rumbling from above.
106
00:06:36.629 --> 00:06:38.370
I'm one who frightens.
107
00:06:39.990 --> 00:06:41.870
I'm one who's feared.
108
00:06:43.250 --> 00:06:47.949
I live alone. Who dares to come near?
109
00:06:49.269 --> 00:06:53.649
Suddenly, Lin felt a burst of heat. And when she
110
00:06:53.689 --> 00:06:57.110
looked up, a bright orange ball of flames was hurtling
111
00:06:57.149 --> 00:07:00.829
down the mountainside and speeding her way. Yikes!
112
00:07:00.870 --> 00:07:02.949
The dragon is breathing fire!
113
00:07:02.970 --> 00:07:07.089
Fire! She dove into a scraggly bush, just in time
114
00:07:07.129 --> 00:07:10.870
for the fireball to go streaking past. Without wasting a minute,
115
00:07:11.230 --> 00:07:14.069
Lynn scrambled out of the thicket and went tearing back
116
00:07:14.110 --> 00:07:17.930
down the mountainside, the dragon's roars echoing in her ears
117
00:07:18.269 --> 00:07:24.120
all the while. Back at the bottom, Lynn collapsed on
118
00:07:24.139 --> 00:07:26.620
the ground and pulled her wobbly knees.
119
00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:30.500
To her chest. Maybe my parents are right. Maybe the
120
00:07:30.519 --> 00:07:35.370
dragon really does want... I mean, those roars sound so angry,
121
00:07:35.529 --> 00:07:37.709
so furious, so.
122
00:07:38.930 --> 00:07:42.910
Lin stopped short. Because all of a sudden, the dragon
123
00:07:42.990 --> 00:07:48.970
was no longer roaring. Instead, he was doing something else entirely.
124
00:07:49.649 --> 00:07:55.199
Something Lin never expected. Not in a million years.
125
00:07:58.100 --> 00:07:59.680
The End.
126
00:08:00.819 --> 00:08:03.759
What do you think Lynn is hearing? We'll find out
127
00:08:03.800 --> 00:08:17.019
what it is after a quick break. I'm Rebecca Shear.
128
00:08:17.170 --> 00:08:20.629
Welcome back to Circle Round. Today our story is called.
129
00:08:20.670 --> 00:08:22.029
The Lone Dragon.
130
00:08:22.670 --> 00:08:23.410
The Lone Dragon.
131
00:08:31.350 --> 00:08:35.009
Before the break, a kind-hearted girl named Lin was having
132
00:08:35.049 --> 00:08:38.690
a birthday party and wished to invite a dragon, the
133
00:08:38.730 --> 00:08:42.149
same dragon whom her fellow villagers blamed for the drought
134
00:08:42.269 --> 00:08:46.019
that was destroying their crops. The dragon lived high atop
135
00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:50.200
a mountain. Lin tried climbing to the summit, but halfway
136
00:08:50.299 --> 00:08:53.240
up she was nearly burned by the dragon's fiery breath.
137
00:08:53.980 --> 00:08:57.919
So she scurried back down, only to suddenly hear a
138
00:08:58.299 --> 00:09:00.629
most unexpected sound.
139
00:09:03.570 --> 00:09:07.490
Wait a minute. Is the dragon.
140
00:09:08.460 --> 00:09:13.440
Crying? Lin put a hand to her ear. Indeed, the
141
00:09:14.100 --> 00:09:19.820
dragon's roars had turned into sobs. Through his tears, he
142
00:09:19.879 --> 00:09:23.919
suddenly began to speak in the saddest voice Lin had
143
00:09:24.210 --> 00:09:25.039
ever heard.
144
00:09:25.070 --> 00:09:36.879
I always frighten. I'm always feared. Forever alone. No one
145
00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:39.350
dares to come near.
146
00:09:40.570 --> 00:09:44.009
Lin sat stock still as she took in the dragon's words.
147
00:09:44.649 --> 00:09:46.169
Forever alone.
148
00:09:47.450 --> 00:09:49.730
No one dares to come near.
149
00:09:52.409 --> 00:09:53.080
I was right.
150
00:09:54.379 --> 00:09:55.259
I was right!
151
00:09:56.419 --> 00:09:58.559
Lin smiled and jumped to her feet.
152
00:09:59.159 --> 00:09:59.970
She threw back her.
153
00:10:00.230 --> 00:10:04.240
shoulders, stuck out her chin, and with more determination than ever,
154
00:10:04.720 --> 00:10:09.100
she clambered her way back up the mountain. And this time,
155
00:10:09.299 --> 00:10:12.840
she made it all the way to the top. When
156
00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:17.230
she reached the summit, there was the dragon.
157
00:10:17.950 --> 00:10:19.330
He was lying on his belly.
158
00:10:19.889 --> 00:10:23.309
And his bearded face hung low as his sleek, scaly
159
00:10:23.370 --> 00:10:27.929
body shuddered with sobs. Lin noticed that the plump tears
160
00:10:28.070 --> 00:10:31.070
pouring from his eyes were pooling into a glittering puddle
161
00:10:31.110 --> 00:10:35.110
beneath him. She took a breath, then called out in
162
00:10:35.149 --> 00:10:36.370
a gentle voice.
163
00:10:36.909 --> 00:10:39.529
Dragon, may I speak with you?
164
00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:43.600
The dragon froze. Then he jerked up his horned head
165
00:10:43.700 --> 00:10:47.389
and sprang to his clawed feet. When his bulging eyes
166
00:10:47.509 --> 00:10:51.490
fell on Lin, he bared his pointy teeth with a growl.
167
00:10:53.549 --> 00:10:59.980
Speak with me? May you speak with me? No, you
168
00:11:00.029 --> 00:11:05.220
may not speak with me. Haven't you heard? I'm one
169
00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:08.340
who frightens. I'm one who's feared.
170
00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:10.039
I live alone.
171
00:11:10.059 --> 00:11:12.940
Who dares to come near?
172
00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:17.019
I have heard you say that. Many times, but just
173
00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:21.690
now I heard you say something else about being forever
174
00:11:21.909 --> 00:11:26.330
alone because no one dares to come near.
175
00:11:27.029 --> 00:11:30.730
The dragon blinked his eyes. They were still wet with tears.
176
00:11:31.629 --> 00:11:31.929
You.
177
00:11:32.990 --> 00:11:36.149
you heard me say that? I did.
178
00:11:37.309 --> 00:11:42.500
But it's not true anymore because I've dared to come near. But.
179
00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:44.039
but why?
180
00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:44.129
Why?
181
00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:50.480
Don't you know that your fellow villagers despise me? They
182
00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:55.570
warn their children about me. They blame me for their misfortune.
183
00:11:56.429 --> 00:11:58.330
Like this dreadful drought.
184
00:11:59.450 --> 00:12:01.289
It had nothing to do with me.
185
00:12:01.309 --> 00:12:03.129
I swear.
186
00:12:03.149 --> 00:12:08.980
I know how the villagers can be. But I also
187
00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:14.000
know they're wrong. Wrong about you. And wrong about this drought.
188
00:12:14.809 --> 00:12:18.809
And I want to make things right. Please, come to
189
00:12:18.850 --> 00:12:19.690
my birthday party.
190
00:12:20.269 --> 00:12:22.070
Be my special guest.
191
00:12:23.250 --> 00:12:27.730
The dragon fell silent. His bulging eyes bulged even more.
192
00:12:28.549 --> 00:12:30.149
Then they softened.
193
00:12:31.629 --> 00:12:34.929
What's your name, young lady?
194
00:12:34.950 --> 00:12:35.019
Lin.
195
00:12:36.070 --> 00:12:36.370
Lin.
196
00:12:39.830 --> 00:12:42.889
No one has ever invited me to a party before.
197
00:12:44.299 --> 00:12:49.080
No one has even spoken to me before. They've spoken
198
00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:54.360
about me, sure. Telling all sorts of tall, scary tales.
199
00:12:55.379 --> 00:13:03.169
But never to me. Until now. Until you. And for that,
200
00:13:04.309 --> 00:13:05.990
I am so grateful.
201
00:13:06.929 --> 00:13:10.149
A tear trickled down the dragon's whiskered cheek.
202
00:13:10.889 --> 00:13:11.429
Then another.
203
00:13:12.389 --> 00:13:20.840
And another. Before long, he was full-out sobbing again. Only
204
00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:25.980
this time, he was sobbing with joy. His eyes overflowed
205
00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:29.360
with gushing, grateful tears until Lin was up to her
206
00:13:29.460 --> 00:13:32.360
knees in shimmering, crystal-clear water.
207
00:13:33.960 --> 00:13:39.779
I would be honored to attend your party, Lin. But first,
208
00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:42.580
there's something I'd like to do.
209
00:13:43.570 --> 00:13:44.059
Hop on!
210
00:13:45.289 --> 00:13:48.029
The dragon knelt down, and Lin climbed on to his
211
00:13:48.110 --> 00:13:51.230
broad back. Next thing she knew, the two of them
212
00:13:51.269 --> 00:13:55.090
were lifting off the ground. As the dragon's enormous body
213
00:13:55.169 --> 00:13:58.529
took to the air, the deep pond of tears splashed
214
00:13:58.649 --> 00:14:03.200
and sprayed every which way, sending cool, refreshing water all
215
00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:06.100
the way down the mountain and into the village like
216
00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:13.860
a shower of rain. The alarmed villagers burst out of
217
00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:17.659
their houses. When they saw the dragon, they gasped. But
218
00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:20.559
when they saw Lin riding on his back, and the
219
00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:23.620
drops of rain that seemed to be falling from the sky,
220
00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:25.080
they grinned.
221
00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:27.539
The dragon has brought us rain.
222
00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:30.879
Cool, life-giving rain.
223
00:14:31.470 --> 00:14:34.429
We will never speak ill of him again.
224
00:14:35.149 --> 00:14:37.149
And they kept true to their word.
225
00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:41.860
The villagers had a wonderful time celebrating with the dragon
226
00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:44.899
when he attended Lin's birthday party as the guest of honor.
227
00:14:45.610 --> 00:14:49.830
They no longer feared him or distrusted him. Instead, they
228
00:14:49.909 --> 00:14:54.330
treated their new friend with respect and appreciation. And whenever
229
00:14:54.370 --> 00:14:58.320
their fields grew dry, they even did a special dragon
230
00:14:58.549 --> 00:15:02.279
dance to honor him and humbly ask for more cool,
231
00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:07.830
life-giving rain. Since then, Dragon dances have made their way
232
00:15:07.870 --> 00:15:11.350
into festive occasions like Lunar New Year, where a long,
233
00:15:11.490 --> 00:15:15.450
flexible dragon puppet swoops and soars down the street with
234
00:15:15.490 --> 00:15:18.889
help from a team of nimble dancers. The dance is
235
00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:23.740
meant to drive away evil spirits, welcome in prosperous times,
236
00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:29.500
and express gratitude to the mighty dragon, this wise, powerful
237
00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:46.570
symbol of strength, fortune, and luck. Now it's your turn.
238
00:15:47.190 --> 00:15:50.009
One traditional way to celebrate the Lunar New Year is
239
00:15:50.110 --> 00:15:53.730
a reunion dinner where families gather to celebrate their hopes
240
00:15:53.909 --> 00:15:54.730
for the new year.
241
00:15:55.429 --> 00:15:56.389
What are some hopes.
242
00:15:56.309 --> 00:15:59.049
You have for the year ahead? Is there a skill
243
00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:02.580
you want to learn or improve? A cool project you
244
00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:05.460
hope to complete? Maybe you hope to keep your room
245
00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:08.519
clean or get along better with a sibling. Draw a
246
00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:11.080
picture of your hope for the year ahead then share
247
00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:13.639
it with someone you love. And if you'd like, share
248
00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:16.210
it with us. Grown-ups, snap a photo of your kiddo
249
00:16:16.350 --> 00:16:20.250
and their drawing and email it to circleround at wbur.org.
250
00:16:20.730 --> 00:16:23.730
We may feature it in The Lion's Roar, the official
251
00:16:23.789 --> 00:16:26.570
newsletter of the Circle Round Club. If you're not yet
252
00:16:26.610 --> 00:16:29.210
a member, you can join this growing community of Circle
253
00:16:29.269 --> 00:16:32.669
Round superfans and get all sorts of cool stuff by
254
00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:43.240
signing up today at wbur.org slash circleround. This week's episode,
255
00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:47.039
The Lone Dragon, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear. It
256
00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:50.730
was edited by Sophie Codner. Our original music and sound
257
00:16:50.750 --> 00:16:52.230
design is by Eric Shimalonis.
258
00:16:52.590 --> 00:16:53.809
Our artist is Sabina Han.
259
00:16:54.389 --> 00:16:56.789
Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for
260
00:16:56.929 --> 00:16:59.129
all of our Circle Round stories, and you can print
261
00:16:59.149 --> 00:17:03.110
them out and color them in. Grown-ups, visit our website, wbur.org,
262
00:17:03.149 --> 00:17:09.670
and click on Coloring Pages. Special thanks to this week's actors,
263
00:17:09.970 --> 00:17:14.230
Theodore Chin, Paul Date, Kim Miller, and Ellen Wong. Ellen
264
00:17:14.250 --> 00:17:16.730
Wong stars in the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,
265
00:17:16.869 --> 00:17:19.970
as well as the animated Netflix series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.
266
00:17:20.470 --> 00:17:22.690
You grown-ups can also see Ellen in The Carrie Diaries
267
00:17:22.769 --> 00:17:27.359
on The CW and the Netflix series Glow. In April 2024,
268
00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:29.859
watch for Ellen in the newest season of the MGM
269
00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:35.190
Plus sci-fi series Beacon 23. Our featured instrument this week
270
00:17:35.269 --> 00:17:38.230
was the pipa. To learn more about this ancient plucked
271
00:17:38.289 --> 00:17:41.029
instrument popular in Taiwan and to see a photo of
272
00:17:41.109 --> 00:17:46.029
Eric Shimalonis playing it, visit our website. Again, that's wbur.org
273
00:17:46.049 --> 00:17:51.170
slash circleround. And while you're at wbur.org slash circleround, you
274
00:17:51.190 --> 00:17:54.190
can check out our upcoming live events, get your hands
275
00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:56.859
on our Circle Round picture books, and you can support
276
00:17:56.880 --> 00:18:00.279
your favorite public radio podcast by joining the Circle Round Club.
277
00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:03.819
Once more, that's WBUR.org slash Circle Round.
278
00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:06.180
Grownups, if you enjoy Circle Round.
279
00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:10.109
Please leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast app.
280
00:18:10.410 --> 00:18:13.069
It helps other listeners find the show. We also invite
281
00:18:13.089 --> 00:18:15.509
you to talk about us on social media. Tag us
282
00:18:15.609 --> 00:18:19.529
on Instagram and Facebook at Circle Round Podcast. Circle Round
283
00:18:19.589 --> 00:18:22.599
is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR news station.
284
00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:27.470
I'm Rebecca Shear. Thanks for circling round with us.
285
00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:33.819
Now that you've made it to the end of this
286
00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:37.900
Circle Round episode, we want to know, what's your favorite
287
00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:41.589
Circle Round story? Thousands of fans just like you have
288
00:18:41.609 --> 00:18:44.329
been telling us about the Circle Round stories they like best.
289
00:18:44.869 --> 00:18:47.450
Take a listen. Maybe one of their favorites is one
290
00:18:47.490 --> 00:18:48.369
of yours, too.
291
00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:52.410
My name is Esther. I live in Switzerland.
292
00:18:53.049 --> 00:18:58.410
My favorite story is the crowning of Stephen. My favorite
293
00:18:58.450 --> 00:19:01.910
part is when it gives the crown to the little
294
00:19:02.210 --> 00:19:03.210
baby bird.
295
00:19:03.650 --> 00:19:07.730
And I really like second round. I'm Jonah. I live
296
00:19:07.750 --> 00:19:12.259
in Switzerland. My favorite episode is the three-legged pot.
297
00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:18.400
I really like it because the three-legged pot is so funny.
298
00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:22.960
My name is Mimi, and I live in Smithers, British Columbia.
299
00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:26.799
And my favorite circle round story is Granny's Leather Bag.
300
00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:29.880
And I like the part when the woman turns into stone.
301
00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:33.940
My name is Clue, and I live in San Francisco.
302
00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:37.519
And my favorite circle round story is the Lion's Whisker,
303
00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:41.009
because I like the part where they put a lion's whiskers.
304
00:19:41.410 --> 00:19:44.930
And I teach it to Melissa. Thank you, Rebecca Shea!
305
00:19:45.609 --> 00:19:48.920
My name is River, and I live in Everston, and
306
00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:53.160
my favorite Circle Round story is the Tale of Kilowaster
307
00:19:53.500 --> 00:20:00.140
because I like the part when Kangaroo keeps on calling Kangaroo. Hi,
308
00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:04.329
my name is Iris. I live in Everston, Illinois, and
309
00:20:04.349 --> 00:20:07.109
I like every Circle Round story.
310
00:20:07.990 --> 00:20:11.509
My name is Ellis. I live in Bow, Washington.
311
00:20:12.130 --> 00:20:16.049
My favorite Circle Round story is Once Upon a Flame
312
00:20:16.650 --> 00:20:20.440
because I like the part where the old woman kicks
313
00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:20.940
him out.
314
00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:22.740
We love you, Rebecca Shearer!
315
00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:25.240
Did someone mention a story you've missed?
316
00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:26.279
Not to worry!
317
00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:29.359
Grown-ups, you can find all of our Circle Round stories,
318
00:20:29.609 --> 00:20:33.009
plus links to the Circle Round Club, picture books, coloring pages,
319
00:20:33.150 --> 00:20:37.829
and oh so much more on our website, WBUR.org slash CircleRound.
1
00:00:09.480 --> 00:00:14.179
Did you know that 2024 is the year of the dragon?
2
00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:17.460
Or if you're hearing this episode sometime in the future,
3
00:00:17.460 --> 00:00:22.160
2024 was the year of the dragon. In the Chinese calendar,
4
00:00:22.579 --> 00:00:26.079
each year is linked with one of 12 animals. The
5
00:00:26.100 --> 00:00:30.460
dragon is considered a powerful symbol of prosperity and good fortune.
6
00:00:31.030 --> 00:00:34.570
And we're about to hear one Chinese legend as to why.
7
00:00:42.100 --> 00:00:45.740
I'm Rebecca Shear, and welcome to Circle Round, where story
8
00:00:45.780 --> 00:00:49.219
time happens all the time. Today our story is called
9
00:00:49.240 --> 00:00:52.679
The Lone Dragon. Versions of this tale come from China,
10
00:00:52.939 --> 00:00:54.960
the largest of all countries in Asia.
11
00:00:55.399 --> 00:00:56.859
The Lone.
12
00:00:57.840 --> 00:01:01.170
Dragon Some really great people came together to bring you
13
00:01:01.369 --> 00:01:05.689
our adaptation of this folktale, including Ellen Wong, star of
14
00:01:05.709 --> 00:01:08.739
the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and the animated
15
00:01:08.760 --> 00:01:12.299
Netflix series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. You grown-ups may also
16
00:01:12.340 --> 00:01:15.060
know Ellen from The Carrie Diaries on The CW and
17
00:01:15.079 --> 00:01:16.439
the Netflix series Glow.
18
00:01:17.140 --> 00:01:20.769
So circle around, everyone, for the Lone Dragon.
19
00:01:21.010 --> 00:01:23.750
Lone Dragon.
20
00:01:35.480 --> 00:01:39.689
Long, long ago, in a wide, wide valley, there lay
21
00:01:39.709 --> 00:01:44.489
a village. The villagers were farmers who worked hard planting
22
00:01:44.629 --> 00:01:49.969
and harvesting wheat, millet, and soybeans. Towering above the village
23
00:01:50.290 --> 00:01:53.230
was a mountain, and at the top of that mountain
24
00:01:53.290 --> 00:01:54.489
there lived.
25
00:01:56.540 --> 00:01:57.579
A dragon.
26
00:02:01.219 --> 00:02:04.079
The mountain was so high that the villagers never saw
27
00:02:04.140 --> 00:02:07.569
the dragon. Though they often heard him growl and roar
28
00:02:07.629 --> 00:02:11.530
down the steep cliffs and across the craggy ridges, sometimes
29
00:02:11.590 --> 00:02:13.289
they even heard him speak.
30
00:02:14.530 --> 00:02:22.599
I'm one who frightens. I'm one who's feared. I live alone.
31
00:02:23.580 --> 00:02:26.979
Who dares to come near?
32
00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:33.020
The villagers were so frightened of the dragons that they
33
00:02:33.199 --> 00:02:35.699
issued urgent warnings to their children.
34
00:02:36.300 --> 00:02:38.680
You must never go near the dragon.
35
00:02:38.939 --> 00:02:41.900
You mustn't even go up the mountain.
36
00:02:42.300 --> 00:02:43.810
Or anywhere near it.
37
00:02:44.370 --> 00:02:46.930
That beast will swallow you in one bite.
38
00:02:47.349 --> 00:02:50.050
He'll roast you to a crunchy crisp.
39
00:02:50.629 --> 00:02:53.969
We must leave that monster alone.
40
00:02:57.120 --> 00:03:00.509
One year, a drought fell upon the land. The lack
41
00:03:00.550 --> 00:03:04.449
of rain left the villagers' fields parched and cracked. And
42
00:03:04.509 --> 00:03:08.030
as the desperate people watched their wheat, millet, and soybeans
43
00:03:08.169 --> 00:03:12.849
shrivel and wilt, a nagging idea wormed its way into
44
00:03:12.889 --> 00:03:13.370
their heads.
45
00:03:14.189 --> 00:03:17.509
This drought! It must be the dragon's fault!
46
00:03:17.870 --> 00:03:18.280
Yes!
47
00:03:18.900 --> 00:03:19.620
The dragon!
48
00:03:20.090 --> 00:03:24.129
That evil beast put a curse on our village. Now
49
00:03:24.210 --> 00:03:26.090
we really must stay away from him.
50
00:03:26.590 --> 00:03:28.389
Far, far away.
51
00:03:28.770 --> 00:03:32.509
Before he brings us even more misery and woe.
52
00:03:33.409 --> 00:03:35.590
As all of this was going on, it just so
53
00:03:35.659 --> 00:03:38.560
happens that one of the villagers had a birthday coming up.
54
00:03:39.199 --> 00:03:42.639
Her name was Lynn. And even though everyone in the
55
00:03:42.659 --> 00:03:45.639
village had been pinching their pennies since the drought began,
56
00:03:46.240 --> 00:03:48.860
Lynn's parents wanted to throw her a party.
57
00:03:49.639 --> 00:03:53.039
We know times are hard, Lin. But this village could
58
00:03:53.319 --> 00:03:58.169
use a celebration. And a good-natured, kind-hearted girl like you
59
00:03:58.669 --> 00:04:00.129
deserves a party.
60
00:04:00.590 --> 00:04:03.289
Your mother's right, Lin. So we're going to scrape together
61
00:04:03.330 --> 00:04:07.870
what we have and throw you the best birthday bash ever.
62
00:04:08.629 --> 00:04:13.159
Thank you so much, Mother and Father. This is so
63
00:04:13.319 --> 00:04:17.339
generous of you. I can't wait to celebrate with all
64
00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:20.459
of my family and my neighbors and.
65
00:04:21.399 --> 00:04:22.680
and the dragon!
66
00:04:24.399 --> 00:04:26.639
Lin's parents exchanged a look.
67
00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:28.490
Um, Lin?
68
00:04:29.269 --> 00:04:30.610
Did you just say.
69
00:04:31.129 --> 00:04:31.850
The dragon?
70
00:04:32.470 --> 00:04:32.889
I did!
71
00:04:34.290 --> 00:04:37.910
Look, I know you grown-ups have been telling us kids
72
00:04:37.970 --> 00:04:41.850
to stay away from the dragon, but haven't you been
73
00:04:41.889 --> 00:04:42.569
listening to him?
74
00:04:43.290 --> 00:04:45.029
It's hard not to, Lin.
75
00:04:45.050 --> 00:04:46.829
His voice is like thunder.
76
00:04:47.370 --> 00:04:51.110
But have you been listening to what he's been saying?
77
00:04:52.670 --> 00:04:54.089
I'm one who frightens.
78
00:04:54.610 --> 00:04:59.410
I'm one who's feared. I live alone. Who dares to
79
00:04:59.490 --> 00:05:03.870
come near? Can't you see?
80
00:05:03.889 --> 00:05:06.370
The dragon is lonely.
81
00:05:06.769 --> 00:05:07.550
Lonely?
82
00:05:07.569 --> 00:05:07.639
Yes.
83
00:05:07.649 --> 00:05:08.970
He says so himself.
84
00:05:13.310 --> 00:05:16.550
He knows he frightens us. He knows we fear him.
85
00:05:16.589 --> 00:05:21.250
And that's why he's alone. Because none of us dare
86
00:05:21.329 --> 00:05:26.209
come near. So, I'm inviting him to my party so
87
00:05:26.250 --> 00:05:30.740
that he feels happy and wanted and will stop roaring
88
00:05:30.839 --> 00:05:31.680
at our village.
89
00:05:33.240 --> 00:05:35.579
Lin spun on her heel and raced out the door,
90
00:05:36.060 --> 00:05:39.699
her swift fleet feet carrying her straight toward the mountain.
91
00:05:42.009 --> 00:05:43.269
Wait!
92
00:05:43.649 --> 00:05:47.449
Come back! The dragon will eat you!
93
00:05:47.470 --> 00:05:50.129
If he doesn't roast you first!
94
00:05:51.870 --> 00:05:55.209
But Lynn paid her parents no mind. She just picked
95
00:05:55.269 --> 00:05:58.129
up speed. And when she reached the bottom of the mountain,
96
00:05:58.649 --> 00:06:02.379
she discovered that the trail upward was tangled with overgrown
97
00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:05.300
tree roots and scattered with jagged rocks.
98
00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:08.560
The villagers have kept away from the mountain for so
99
00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:09.839
long that this trail.
100
00:06:09.600 --> 00:06:14.399
Hasn't been used in ages. But I must follow it.
101
00:06:15.420 --> 00:06:16.019
I must.
102
00:06:16.939 --> 00:06:20.240
Lin took a deep breath and began climbing up the path.
103
00:06:20.920 --> 00:06:26.500
She stumbled over roots. She tripped over rocks. And when
104
00:06:26.540 --> 00:06:28.620
she was about a third of the way to the top,
105
00:06:31.779 --> 00:06:35.560
she heard the dragon's thunderous voice rumbling from above.
106
00:06:36.629 --> 00:06:38.370
I'm one who frightens.
107
00:06:39.990 --> 00:06:41.870
I'm one who's feared.
108
00:06:43.250 --> 00:06:47.949
I live alone. Who dares to come near?
109
00:06:49.269 --> 00:06:53.649
Suddenly, Lin felt a burst of heat. And when she
110
00:06:53.689 --> 00:06:57.110
looked up, a bright orange ball of flames was hurtling
111
00:06:57.149 --> 00:07:00.829
down the mountainside and speeding her way. Yikes!
112
00:07:00.870 --> 00:07:02.949
The dragon is breathing fire!
113
00:07:02.970 --> 00:07:07.089
Fire! She dove into a scraggly bush, just in time
114
00:07:07.129 --> 00:07:10.870
for the fireball to go streaking past. Without wasting a minute,
115
00:07:11.230 --> 00:07:14.069
Lynn scrambled out of the thicket and went tearing back
116
00:07:14.110 --> 00:07:17.930
down the mountainside, the dragon's roars echoing in her ears
117
00:07:18.269 --> 00:07:24.120
all the while. Back at the bottom, Lynn collapsed on
118
00:07:24.139 --> 00:07:26.620
the ground and pulled her wobbly knees.
119
00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:30.500
To her chest. Maybe my parents are right. Maybe the
120
00:07:30.519 --> 00:07:35.370
dragon really does want... I mean, those roars sound so angry,
121
00:07:35.529 --> 00:07:37.709
so furious, so.
122
00:07:38.930 --> 00:07:42.910
Lin stopped short. Because all of a sudden, the dragon
123
00:07:42.990 --> 00:07:48.970
was no longer roaring. Instead, he was doing something else entirely.
124
00:07:49.649 --> 00:07:55.199
Something Lin never expected. Not in a million years.
125
00:07:58.100 --> 00:07:59.680
The End.
126
00:08:00.819 --> 00:08:03.759
What do you think Lynn is hearing? We'll find out
127
00:08:03.800 --> 00:08:17.019
what it is after a quick break. I'm Rebecca Shear.
128
00:08:17.170 --> 00:08:20.629
Welcome back to Circle Round. Today our story is called.
129
00:08:20.670 --> 00:08:22.029
The Lone Dragon.
130
00:08:22.670 --> 00:08:23.410
The Lone Dragon.
131
00:08:31.350 --> 00:08:35.009
Before the break, a kind-hearted girl named Lin was having
132
00:08:35.049 --> 00:08:38.690
a birthday party and wished to invite a dragon, the
133
00:08:38.730 --> 00:08:42.149
same dragon whom her fellow villagers blamed for the drought
134
00:08:42.269 --> 00:08:46.019
that was destroying their crops. The dragon lived high atop
135
00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:50.200
a mountain. Lin tried climbing to the summit, but halfway
136
00:08:50.299 --> 00:08:53.240
up she was nearly burned by the dragon's fiery breath.
137
00:08:53.980 --> 00:08:57.919
So she scurried back down, only to suddenly hear a
138
00:08:58.299 --> 00:09:00.629
most unexpected sound.
139
00:09:03.570 --> 00:09:07.490
Wait a minute. Is the dragon.
140
00:09:08.460 --> 00:09:13.440
Crying? Lin put a hand to her ear. Indeed, the
141
00:09:14.100 --> 00:09:19.820
dragon's roars had turned into sobs. Through his tears, he
142
00:09:19.879 --> 00:09:23.919
suddenly began to speak in the saddest voice Lin had
143
00:09:24.210 --> 00:09:25.039
ever heard.
144
00:09:25.070 --> 00:09:36.879
I always frighten. I'm always feared. Forever alone. No one
145
00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:39.350
dares to come near.
146
00:09:40.570 --> 00:09:44.009
Lin sat stock still as she took in the dragon's words.
147
00:09:44.649 --> 00:09:46.169
Forever alone.
148
00:09:47.450 --> 00:09:49.730
No one dares to come near.
149
00:09:52.409 --> 00:09:53.080
I was right.
150
00:09:54.379 --> 00:09:55.259
I was right!
151
00:09:56.419 --> 00:09:58.559
Lin smiled and jumped to her feet.
152
00:09:59.159 --> 00:09:59.970
She threw back her.
153
00:10:00.230 --> 00:10:04.240
shoulders, stuck out her chin, and with more determination than ever,
154
00:10:04.720 --> 00:10:09.100
she clambered her way back up the mountain. And this time,
155
00:10:09.299 --> 00:10:12.840
she made it all the way to the top. When
156
00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:17.230
she reached the summit, there was the dragon.
157
00:10:17.950 --> 00:10:19.330
He was lying on his belly.
158
00:10:19.889 --> 00:10:23.309
And his bearded face hung low as his sleek, scaly
159
00:10:23.370 --> 00:10:27.929
body shuddered with sobs. Lin noticed that the plump tears
160
00:10:28.070 --> 00:10:31.070
pouring from his eyes were pooling into a glittering puddle
161
00:10:31.110 --> 00:10:35.110
beneath him. She took a breath, then called out in
162
00:10:35.149 --> 00:10:36.370
a gentle voice.
163
00:10:36.909 --> 00:10:39.529
Dragon, may I speak with you?
164
00:10:40.200 --> 00:10:43.600
The dragon froze. Then he jerked up his horned head
165
00:10:43.700 --> 00:10:47.389
and sprang to his clawed feet. When his bulging eyes
166
00:10:47.509 --> 00:10:51.490
fell on Lin, he bared his pointy teeth with a growl.
167
00:10:53.549 --> 00:10:59.980
Speak with me? May you speak with me? No, you
168
00:11:00.029 --> 00:11:05.220
may not speak with me. Haven't you heard? I'm one
169
00:11:05.279 --> 00:11:08.340
who frightens. I'm one who's feared.
170
00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:10.039
I live alone.
171
00:11:10.059 --> 00:11:12.940
Who dares to come near?
172
00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:17.019
I have heard you say that. Many times, but just
173
00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:21.690
now I heard you say something else about being forever
174
00:11:21.909 --> 00:11:26.330
alone because no one dares to come near.
175
00:11:27.029 --> 00:11:30.730
The dragon blinked his eyes. They were still wet with tears.
176
00:11:31.629 --> 00:11:31.929
You.
177
00:11:32.990 --> 00:11:36.149
you heard me say that? I did.
178
00:11:37.309 --> 00:11:42.500
But it's not true anymore because I've dared to come near. But.
179
00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:44.039
but why?
180
00:11:44.059 --> 00:11:44.129
Why?
181
00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:50.480
Don't you know that your fellow villagers despise me? They
182
00:11:50.519 --> 00:11:55.570
warn their children about me. They blame me for their misfortune.
183
00:11:56.429 --> 00:11:58.330
Like this dreadful drought.
184
00:11:59.450 --> 00:12:01.289
It had nothing to do with me.
185
00:12:01.309 --> 00:12:03.129
I swear.
186
00:12:03.149 --> 00:12:08.980
I know how the villagers can be. But I also
187
00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:14.000
know they're wrong. Wrong about you. And wrong about this drought.
188
00:12:14.809 --> 00:12:18.809
And I want to make things right. Please, come to
189
00:12:18.850 --> 00:12:19.690
my birthday party.
190
00:12:20.269 --> 00:12:22.070
Be my special guest.
191
00:12:23.250 --> 00:12:27.730
The dragon fell silent. His bulging eyes bulged even more.
192
00:12:28.549 --> 00:12:30.149
Then they softened.
193
00:12:31.629 --> 00:12:34.929
What's your name, young lady?
194
00:12:34.950 --> 00:12:35.019
Lin.
195
00:12:36.070 --> 00:12:36.370
Lin.
196
00:12:39.830 --> 00:12:42.889
No one has ever invited me to a party before.
197
00:12:44.299 --> 00:12:49.080
No one has even spoken to me before. They've spoken
198
00:12:49.159 --> 00:12:54.360
about me, sure. Telling all sorts of tall, scary tales.
199
00:12:55.379 --> 00:13:03.169
But never to me. Until now. Until you. And for that,
200
00:13:04.309 --> 00:13:05.990
I am so grateful.
201
00:13:06.929 --> 00:13:10.149
A tear trickled down the dragon's whiskered cheek.
202
00:13:10.889 --> 00:13:11.429
Then another.
203
00:13:12.389 --> 00:13:20.840
And another. Before long, he was full-out sobbing again. Only
204
00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:25.980
this time, he was sobbing with joy. His eyes overflowed
205
00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:29.360
with gushing, grateful tears until Lin was up to her
206
00:13:29.460 --> 00:13:32.360
knees in shimmering, crystal-clear water.
207
00:13:33.960 --> 00:13:39.779
I would be honored to attend your party, Lin. But first,
208
00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:42.580
there's something I'd like to do.
209
00:13:43.570 --> 00:13:44.059
Hop on!
210
00:13:45.289 --> 00:13:48.029
The dragon knelt down, and Lin climbed on to his
211
00:13:48.110 --> 00:13:51.230
broad back. Next thing she knew, the two of them
212
00:13:51.269 --> 00:13:55.090
were lifting off the ground. As the dragon's enormous body
213
00:13:55.169 --> 00:13:58.529
took to the air, the deep pond of tears splashed
214
00:13:58.649 --> 00:14:03.200
and sprayed every which way, sending cool, refreshing water all
215
00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:06.100
the way down the mountain and into the village like
216
00:14:06.139 --> 00:14:13.860
a shower of rain. The alarmed villagers burst out of
217
00:14:13.879 --> 00:14:17.659
their houses. When they saw the dragon, they gasped. But
218
00:14:17.679 --> 00:14:20.559
when they saw Lin riding on his back, and the
219
00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:23.620
drops of rain that seemed to be falling from the sky,
220
00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:25.080
they grinned.
221
00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:27.539
The dragon has brought us rain.
222
00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:30.879
Cool, life-giving rain.
223
00:14:31.470 --> 00:14:34.429
We will never speak ill of him again.
224
00:14:35.149 --> 00:14:37.149
And they kept true to their word.
225
00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:41.860
The villagers had a wonderful time celebrating with the dragon
226
00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:44.899
when he attended Lin's birthday party as the guest of honor.
227
00:14:45.610 --> 00:14:49.830
They no longer feared him or distrusted him. Instead, they
228
00:14:49.909 --> 00:14:54.330
treated their new friend with respect and appreciation. And whenever
229
00:14:54.370 --> 00:14:58.320
their fields grew dry, they even did a special dragon
230
00:14:58.549 --> 00:15:02.279
dance to honor him and humbly ask for more cool,
231
00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:07.830
life-giving rain. Since then, Dragon dances have made their way
232
00:15:07.870 --> 00:15:11.350
into festive occasions like Lunar New Year, where a long,
233
00:15:11.490 --> 00:15:15.450
flexible dragon puppet swoops and soars down the street with
234
00:15:15.490 --> 00:15:18.889
help from a team of nimble dancers. The dance is
235
00:15:18.960 --> 00:15:23.740
meant to drive away evil spirits, welcome in prosperous times,
236
00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:29.500
and express gratitude to the mighty dragon, this wise, powerful
237
00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:46.570
symbol of strength, fortune, and luck. Now it's your turn.
238
00:15:47.190 --> 00:15:50.009
One traditional way to celebrate the Lunar New Year is
239
00:15:50.110 --> 00:15:53.730
a reunion dinner where families gather to celebrate their hopes
240
00:15:53.909 --> 00:15:54.730
for the new year.
241
00:15:55.429 --> 00:15:56.389
What are some hopes.
242
00:15:56.309 --> 00:15:59.049
You have for the year ahead? Is there a skill
243
00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:02.580
you want to learn or improve? A cool project you
244
00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:05.460
hope to complete? Maybe you hope to keep your room
245
00:16:05.519 --> 00:16:08.519
clean or get along better with a sibling. Draw a
246
00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:11.080
picture of your hope for the year ahead then share
247
00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:13.639
it with someone you love. And if you'd like, share
248
00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:16.210
it with us. Grown-ups, snap a photo of your kiddo
249
00:16:16.350 --> 00:16:20.250
and their drawing and email it to circleround at wbur.org.
250
00:16:20.730 --> 00:16:23.730
We may feature it in The Lion's Roar, the official
251
00:16:23.789 --> 00:16:26.570
newsletter of the Circle Round Club. If you're not yet
252
00:16:26.610 --> 00:16:29.210
a member, you can join this growing community of Circle
253
00:16:29.269 --> 00:16:32.669
Round superfans and get all sorts of cool stuff by
254
00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:43.240
signing up today at wbur.org slash circleround. This week's episode,
255
00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:47.039
The Lone Dragon, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear. It
256
00:16:47.080 --> 00:16:50.730
was edited by Sophie Codner. Our original music and sound
257
00:16:50.750 --> 00:16:52.230
design is by Eric Shimalonis.
258
00:16:52.590 --> 00:16:53.809
Our artist is Sabina Han.
259
00:16:54.389 --> 00:16:56.789
Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for
260
00:16:56.929 --> 00:16:59.129
all of our Circle Round stories, and you can print
261
00:16:59.149 --> 00:17:03.110
them out and color them in. Grown-ups, visit our website, wbur.org,
262
00:17:03.149 --> 00:17:09.670
and click on Coloring Pages. Special thanks to this week's actors,
263
00:17:09.970 --> 00:17:14.230
Theodore Chin, Paul Date, Kim Miller, and Ellen Wong. Ellen
264
00:17:14.250 --> 00:17:16.730
Wong stars in the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,
265
00:17:16.869 --> 00:17:19.970
as well as the animated Netflix series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.
266
00:17:20.470 --> 00:17:22.690
You grown-ups can also see Ellen in The Carrie Diaries
267
00:17:22.769 --> 00:17:27.359
on The CW and the Netflix series Glow. In April 2024,
268
00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:29.859
watch for Ellen in the newest season of the MGM
269
00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:35.190
Plus sci-fi series Beacon 23. Our featured instrument this week
270
00:17:35.269 --> 00:17:38.230
was the pipa. To learn more about this ancient plucked
271
00:17:38.289 --> 00:17:41.029
instrument popular in Taiwan and to see a photo of
272
00:17:41.109 --> 00:17:46.029
Eric Shimalonis playing it, visit our website. Again, that's wbur.org
273
00:17:46.049 --> 00:17:51.170
slash circleround. And while you're at wbur.org slash circleround, you
274
00:17:51.190 --> 00:17:54.190
can check out our upcoming live events, get your hands
275
00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:56.859
on our Circle Round picture books, and you can support
276
00:17:56.880 --> 00:18:00.279
your favorite public radio podcast by joining the Circle Round Club.
277
00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:03.819
Once more, that's WBUR.org slash Circle Round.
278
00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:06.180
Grownups, if you enjoy Circle Round.
279
00:18:06.339 --> 00:18:10.109
Please leave us a five-star review on your favorite podcast app.
280
00:18:10.410 --> 00:18:13.069
It helps other listeners find the show. We also invite
281
00:18:13.089 --> 00:18:15.509
you to talk about us on social media. Tag us
282
00:18:15.609 --> 00:18:19.529
on Instagram and Facebook at Circle Round Podcast. Circle Round
283
00:18:19.589 --> 00:18:22.599
is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR news station.
284
00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:27.470
I'm Rebecca Shear. Thanks for circling round with us.
285
00:18:32.039 --> 00:18:33.819
Now that you've made it to the end of this
286
00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:37.900
Circle Round episode, we want to know, what's your favorite
287
00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:41.589
Circle Round story? Thousands of fans just like you have
288
00:18:41.609 --> 00:18:44.329
been telling us about the Circle Round stories they like best.
289
00:18:44.869 --> 00:18:47.450
Take a listen. Maybe one of their favorites is one
290
00:18:47.490 --> 00:18:48.369
of yours, too.
291
00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:52.410
My name is Esther. I live in Switzerland.
292
00:18:53.049 --> 00:18:58.410
My favorite story is the crowning of Stephen. My favorite
293
00:18:58.450 --> 00:19:01.910
part is when it gives the crown to the little
294
00:19:02.210 --> 00:19:03.210
baby bird.
295
00:19:03.650 --> 00:19:07.730
And I really like second round. I'm Jonah. I live
296
00:19:07.750 --> 00:19:12.259
in Switzerland. My favorite episode is the three-legged pot.
297
00:19:12.940 --> 00:19:18.400
I really like it because the three-legged pot is so funny.
298
00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:22.960
My name is Mimi, and I live in Smithers, British Columbia.
299
00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:26.799
And my favorite circle round story is Granny's Leather Bag.
300
00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:29.880
And I like the part when the woman turns into stone.
301
00:19:30.920 --> 00:19:33.940
My name is Clue, and I live in San Francisco.
302
00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:37.519
And my favorite circle round story is the Lion's Whisker,
303
00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:41.009
because I like the part where they put a lion's whiskers.
304
00:19:41.410 --> 00:19:44.930
And I teach it to Melissa. Thank you, Rebecca Shea!
305
00:19:45.609 --> 00:19:48.920
My name is River, and I live in Everston, and
306
00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:53.160
my favorite Circle Round story is the Tale of Kilowaster
307
00:19:53.500 --> 00:20:00.140
because I like the part when Kangaroo keeps on calling Kangaroo. Hi,
308
00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:04.329
my name is Iris. I live in Everston, Illinois, and
309
00:20:04.349 --> 00:20:07.109
I like every Circle Round story.
310
00:20:07.990 --> 00:20:11.509
My name is Ellis. I live in Bow, Washington.
311
00:20:12.130 --> 00:20:16.049
My favorite Circle Round story is Once Upon a Flame
312
00:20:16.650 --> 00:20:20.440
because I like the part where the old woman kicks
313
00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:20.940
him out.
314
00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:22.740
We love you, Rebecca Shearer!
315
00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:25.240
Did someone mention a story you've missed?
316
00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:26.279
Not to worry!
317
00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:29.359
Grown-ups, you can find all of our Circle Round stories,
318
00:20:29.609 --> 00:20:33.009
plus links to the Circle Round Club, picture books, coloring pages,
319
00:20:33.150 --> 00:20:37.829
and oh so much more on our website, WBUR.org slash CircleRound.