WEBVTT
1
00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:13.439
There's an old saying that goes, a little body often
2
00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:17.780
harbors a great soul. In other words, even if we're
3
00:00:17.899 --> 00:00:24.010
physically small, we can possess big intelligence, character, and inner strength.
4
00:00:24.829 --> 00:00:28.149
In today's tale, this expression comes to life with help
5
00:00:28.190 --> 00:00:32.229
from a curious young woman named a devastating drought, and
6
00:00:32.289 --> 00:00:43.130
a tiny critter with a delicious secret. I'm Rebecca Shear,
7
00:00:43.299 --> 00:00:48.140
and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time. Today,
8
00:00:48.240 --> 00:00:52.079
our story is called The Long Crimson Thread. Versions of
9
00:00:52.100 --> 00:00:54.560
this tale come from the country of Wales in the
10
00:00:54.619 --> 00:00:55.380
United Kingdom.
11
00:00:55.520 --> 00:00:57.060
The Long Crimson Thread.
12
00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:01.229
Some really great people came together to bring you our
13
00:01:01.310 --> 00:01:05.239
version of this tale, including Mark Pellegrino and Jessica Vann.
14
00:01:06.099 --> 00:01:08.739
Jessica Vann has starred in the feature films Soul Searching
15
00:01:08.859 --> 00:01:11.799
and A Hollywood Christmas. She's also starred in Rush Hour
16
00:01:11.879 --> 00:01:15.560
on CBS, the MTV comedy Awkward, and recently guest-starred on
17
00:01:15.640 --> 00:01:20.079
Justified City Primeval on FX. Mark Pellegrino currently stars in
18
00:01:20.140 --> 00:01:23.319
American Rust on Amazon. Watch for Mark in Beverly Hills
19
00:01:23.379 --> 00:01:27.209
Cop Axel Foley, coming to Netflix on July 3rd. So
20
00:01:27.269 --> 00:01:40.900
circle around, everyone, for the long crimson thread. Catherine and
21
00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:44.069
her father lived in a cozy thatched-roof cottage in a
22
00:01:44.150 --> 00:01:48.790
country town. The town was surrounded by rolling pastures, where
23
00:01:48.810 --> 00:01:52.430
the townspeople raised cattle and horses and grew fields of
24
00:01:52.510 --> 00:01:57.640
wheat and potatoes. One summer, The weather turned unusually hot
25
00:01:57.859 --> 00:02:00.939
and dry, and though the townspeople kept their eyes on
26
00:02:00.980 --> 00:02:05.409
the sky, desperately searching for just one rain cloud, all
27
00:02:05.420 --> 00:02:09.490
they could see was the endless sun, its bright, scorching
28
00:02:09.569 --> 00:02:13.110
rays baking their crops and turning their pastures to dust.
29
00:02:14.090 --> 00:02:17.750
As the summer wore on, everyone grew weaker and weaker
30
00:02:17.810 --> 00:02:21.169
with hunger, including Catrin and her father.
31
00:02:22.550 --> 00:02:24.969
Catrin, our cupboards are so empty.
32
00:02:25.490 --> 00:02:30.770
There's nothing for breakfast but this one potato. Oh, that's
33
00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:35.020
all right, Father. You can have it. I'm happy to
34
00:02:35.060 --> 00:02:38.120
give up my share. That's my Catrin.
35
00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:42.120
Her heart's always full, even when her stomach is empty.
36
00:02:42.939 --> 00:02:47.000
But no way, daughter. You are a growing girl. You
37
00:02:47.080 --> 00:02:51.080
need your nourishment. So you eat this potato. And I'll...
38
00:02:51.159 --> 00:02:55.740
The potato dropped to the floor as Father leapt onto
39
00:02:55.780 --> 00:02:56.199
his chair.
40
00:02:56.639 --> 00:02:57.120
Father!
41
00:02:57.139 --> 00:03:03.250
What's wrong? Father didn't respond. He just swallowed hard, then
42
00:03:03.310 --> 00:03:07.210
thrust a quivering finger over Catrin's head. When she turned
43
00:03:07.289 --> 00:03:09.889
to see what he was pointing at, what should she
44
00:03:10.009 --> 00:03:19.460
spy crouched in the corner of the room but a small, white, whiskery, Mouse! Oh, Father,
45
00:03:20.039 --> 00:03:21.319
it's so adorable.
46
00:03:21.819 --> 00:03:22.460
Adorable?
47
00:03:22.479 --> 00:03:26.530
I have never told you this, Catrin, but ever since
48
00:03:26.599 --> 00:03:29.419
I was a boy, I've been terrified.
49
00:03:28.810 --> 00:03:30.870
Of, of, of, of.
50
00:03:31.030 --> 00:03:32.389
Of mice?
51
00:03:32.870 --> 00:03:34.189
Oh, please don't say that word.
52
00:03:35.009 --> 00:03:38.889
Just hearing that word makes me shiver all over, so please, Catrin,
53
00:03:39.409 --> 00:03:43.250
can you take that, that thing outside while I go
54
00:03:43.289 --> 00:03:46.610
lie down? My heart's racing faster than a jackrabbit.
55
00:03:48.490 --> 00:03:51.949
His father staggered off to his bedroom. Catrin gazed at
56
00:03:51.990 --> 00:03:55.960
the mouse. Its eyes were bright and round, its nose
57
00:03:56.120 --> 00:04:02.300
pointed and twitching. Oh, listen, little fella. You heard what
58
00:04:02.379 --> 00:04:03.599
father said just now.
59
00:04:04.139 --> 00:04:08.460
I need to take you outside. But before I do,
60
00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:12.469
tell me something. Did you come into our house because
61
00:04:12.530 --> 00:04:17.680
you're hungry? I can't really tell if that's a yes
62
00:04:17.860 --> 00:04:22.579
or a no. But given this awful drought, I'll assume
63
00:04:22.740 --> 00:04:27.110
it's a yes. After all, it isn't just us villagers
64
00:04:27.149 --> 00:04:30.410
who are starving. The horses are so skinny you can
65
00:04:30.470 --> 00:04:33.889
count their ribs. And the cows haven't been able to
66
00:04:33.949 --> 00:04:35.370
give milk in weeks.
67
00:04:36.910 --> 00:04:40.310
So, here. She picked up the potato and cut off
68
00:04:40.350 --> 00:04:40.730
a slice.
69
00:04:41.329 --> 00:04:42.189
Have a snack.
70
00:04:43.180 --> 00:04:45.730
Catrin assumed the critter would grab the food in its
71
00:04:45.819 --> 00:04:50.490
tiny claws and start nibbling away. But it didn't. It
72
00:04:50.529 --> 00:04:53.730
just kept staring at her with those bright, round eyes.
73
00:04:55.110 --> 00:05:03.500
So, you're not hungry. But how is that possible? I mean,
74
00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:06.740
I'm so hungry I could eat my shoe. Yet your
75
00:05:06.819 --> 00:05:11.019
belly is round, your white fur is shiny, and your.
76
00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:11.259
Catrin?
77
00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:11.699
Catrin?
78
00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:14.660
Have you gotten rid of that, that.
79
00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:16.420
That mouse?
80
00:05:17.139 --> 00:05:21.360
I told you not to say that word.
81
00:05:21.379 --> 00:05:21.480
Sorry.
82
00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:26.189
Quickly, Catrin scooped the mouse into her hand and walked
83
00:05:26.269 --> 00:05:29.490
out the door. A wall of heat closed around her
84
00:05:29.550 --> 00:05:31.689
as she stepped into the blazing sun.
85
00:05:32.589 --> 00:05:36.269
Okay, listen, friend. I know it's like a zillion degrees
86
00:05:36.370 --> 00:05:39.910
out here, but you can't stay in my house. Father
87
00:05:39.949 --> 00:05:41.529
will have nightmares for weeks.
88
00:05:42.660 --> 00:05:44.399
You do understand, right?
89
00:05:46.040 --> 00:05:46.339
Good.
90
00:05:47.139 --> 00:05:50.000
Catrin knelt down and set the mouse on the burnt grass.
91
00:05:50.689 --> 00:05:54.129
The furry creature fixed her with a long and meaningful gaze.
92
00:05:54.870 --> 00:05:58.949
Then it let out another squeak and went scuttling away.
93
00:05:59.850 --> 00:06:03.850
Catrin didn't expect to see her fuzzy friend again. Little
94
00:06:03.870 --> 00:06:07.360
did she know, the well-fed critter would make another appearance.
95
00:06:08.040 --> 00:06:19.060
One that would change everything. What do you think will
96
00:06:19.079 --> 00:06:31.399
happen next? We'll find out after a quick break.
97
00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:33.879
100 years from now in a land far, far away.
98
00:06:33.899 --> 00:06:34.819
Hang on.
99
00:06:35.490 --> 00:06:38.750
It's not so far away at all, actually. Hey, Circle
100
00:06:38.790 --> 00:06:41.750
Round families. We're here to share a new listening experience
101
00:06:41.790 --> 00:06:46.550
from WBUR, The Midnight Rebellion. It's a climate podcast adventure
102
00:06:46.610 --> 00:06:50.230
for kids 8 and up. Time-traveling, problem-solving, laughs in danger,
103
00:06:50.470 --> 00:06:53.970
it's here. Follow the feed to listen. Oh, and bring
104
00:06:54.009 --> 00:06:57.290
your goggles and boots. That's The Midnight Rebellion, in your
105
00:06:57.310 --> 00:06:59.379
feed or wherever you get podcasts.
106
00:07:01.899 --> 00:07:06.810
Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Shearer. Today, our
107
00:07:06.860 --> 00:07:19.060
story is called The Long Crimson Thread. Before the break,
108
00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:22.839
Catrin and her father were visited by a mouse, a
109
00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:26.660
rather well-fed mouse, which was interesting given that a drought
110
00:07:26.779 --> 00:07:30.680
was raging and everyone in town, people and animals included,
111
00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:35.500
had grown hungry and thin. The next morning, While father
112
00:07:35.540 --> 00:07:38.579
went out searching for food, Catrin sat at the table
113
00:07:38.939 --> 00:07:42.639
reading her favorite book. Or at least trying to read
114
00:07:42.699 --> 00:07:43.680
her favorite book.
115
00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:49.139
Ugh, I'm so hungry I can't focus. I keep reading
116
00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:53.000
the same sentence over and over and over and over.
117
00:07:54.129 --> 00:07:57.629
Catrin looked up. Standing on the table before her was
118
00:07:57.689 --> 00:08:02.050
the white mouse. Clutched in its claws was a yellow
119
00:08:02.670 --> 00:08:06.829
grain of wheat. The mouse tilted its head, then dropped
120
00:08:06.850 --> 00:08:08.829
the wheat on top of Catrin's open book.
121
00:08:11.170 --> 00:08:16.810
Aw, thank you, fella. But where did you get this wheat?
122
00:08:17.449 --> 00:08:20.540
The fields are so bone dry, no one's been able
123
00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:21.620
to grow a thing.
124
00:08:22.420 --> 00:08:24.939
The mouse stared at Catrin with its bright round eyes.
125
00:08:25.680 --> 00:08:29.139
Then it tipped its furry head to one side and
126
00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:32.480
scurried away. Fifteen minutes later.
127
00:08:33.960 --> 00:08:36.720
The mouse came back and dropped a second grain of
128
00:08:36.779 --> 00:08:37.980
wheat on Catrin's book.
129
00:08:39.059 --> 00:08:40.110
Thank you, fella!
130
00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:44.470
Then the mouse returned with a third grain. Then a fourth.
131
00:08:45.870 --> 00:08:49.970
Then a fifth. When the mouse returned again, bringing with
132
00:08:50.009 --> 00:08:53.210
it a sixth grain of wheat, Catrin lifted the creature
133
00:08:53.429 --> 00:08:55.970
into her hand. Listen, fella.
134
00:08:56.710 --> 00:08:59.730
I want to tell you how much I appreciate these
135
00:08:59.870 --> 00:09:01.029
fresh grains of wheat.
136
00:09:01.889 --> 00:09:02.490
As you know.
137
00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:08.000
The wheat in our fields shriveled up and died weeks ago. So,
138
00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:14.500
can you tell me where you've been finding these grains? Oh, right.
139
00:09:15.080 --> 00:09:16.059
Of course you can't.
140
00:09:17.299 --> 00:09:22.299
But you can show me where you've been finding them, right?
141
00:09:23.950 --> 00:09:27.299
I'm going to take that as a yes. But to
142
00:09:27.450 --> 00:09:30.350
be on the safe side, I need you to say
143
00:09:30.409 --> 00:09:31.809
so for just a moment.
144
00:09:32.500 --> 00:09:35.210
Catrin nestled the mouse in her pocket and found a
145
00:09:35.309 --> 00:09:39.990
spool of bright crimson thread. She snipped off a long length,
146
00:09:40.309 --> 00:09:43.330
then knotted one end around the mouse's leg.
147
00:09:44.070 --> 00:09:48.049
Okay, fella, this may be a harebrained idea, but it's
148
00:09:48.149 --> 00:09:50.929
worth a shot. Off you go now!
149
00:09:51.649 --> 00:09:54.470
Catrin placed the mouse on the floor. It stared at
150
00:09:54.529 --> 00:09:58.990
her for a moment before letting out a squeak and
151
00:09:59.149 --> 00:10:03.259
scampering toward the back door. Then it flattened its slender body,
152
00:10:03.740 --> 00:10:08.120
squeezed beneath the crack, and disappeared with the long crimson
153
00:10:08.179 --> 00:10:12.519
thread trailing behind. Catrin didn't miss a beat. She raced
154
00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:15.100
to the door, threw it open, and followed the mouse
155
00:10:15.299 --> 00:10:18.830
and thread as they sped across the backyard. The mouse
156
00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:22.450
moved much faster than Catrin did. Mice are zippy creatures,
157
00:10:22.549 --> 00:10:25.629
after all. But thanks to the bright red string, Catrin
158
00:10:25.649 --> 00:10:27.529
was able to trace the mouse's path.
159
00:10:29.629 --> 00:10:34.190
Okay, it's running through the backyard. It's moving across the garden.
160
00:10:34.210 --> 00:10:38.029
Oh boy, now it's going through a hole in the
161
00:10:38.070 --> 00:10:41.710
stone wall. Guess I better climb over.
162
00:10:43.549 --> 00:10:46.669
Summoning all of her strength, Catrin went clambering over the wall.
163
00:10:47.289 --> 00:10:49.850
When she reached the other side, she caught a glimpse
164
00:10:49.909 --> 00:10:53.250
of the long crimson thread moving into the forest.
165
00:10:53.590 --> 00:10:55.480
Oh boy, oh boy!
166
00:10:55.929 --> 00:11:00.379
This is some wild goose chase! Or wild mouse chase?
167
00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:04.360
In any case, I'd better quicken my step!
168
00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:09.220
Catrin followed the thread through the woods. She crunched through leaves,
169
00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:12.659
hopped over tree roots, and jumped over fallen logs before
170
00:11:12.750 --> 00:11:17.629
emerging into a grassy field. The grass was burnt and brown,
171
00:11:17.909 --> 00:11:21.039
which didn't surprise Catrin at all. But what she saw
172
00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:24.279
in the middle of the field made her jaw drop.
173
00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:30.620
Whoa, it's a huge mound of earth. And the mouse
174
00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:32.529
just disappeared inside it.
175
00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:35.559
But wait, it's coming back.
176
00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:41.409
And look, it's got another grain of wheat in its claws.
177
00:11:44.110 --> 00:11:50.159
Oh my goodness. I must get father! Catrin spun on
178
00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:52.580
her heel and went hurrying back the way she came.
179
00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:56.139
She was so weak with hunger and so exhausted from
180
00:11:56.200 --> 00:11:59.500
running that her lungs felt like they might explode and
181
00:11:59.559 --> 00:12:02.769
her legs felt like they might fall off. But eventually,
182
00:12:03.110 --> 00:12:06.629
she reached her thatched-roof cottage where father greeted her with
183
00:12:06.669 --> 00:12:09.639
a smile. Catrin, there you are.
184
00:12:10.450 --> 00:12:12.669
I didn't find any food this morning, but I'm happy
185
00:12:12.690 --> 00:12:13.330
I found you.
186
00:12:13.350 --> 00:12:15.370
I was wondering where you'd gone.
187
00:12:16.179 --> 00:12:20.830
Oh, Father, I need you to fetch two shovels and
188
00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:22.629
come with me. What?
189
00:12:23.429 --> 00:12:25.830
Oh, there's no time to explain.
190
00:12:26.330 --> 00:12:29.389
Just find two shovels and let's go.
191
00:12:30.789 --> 00:12:34.269
Father grabbed two shovels, then followed Catrin as she hurried
192
00:12:34.330 --> 00:12:37.590
through the backyard, across the garden, over the stone wall,
193
00:12:38.029 --> 00:12:41.330
through the forest, into the grassy field, and over to
194
00:12:41.370 --> 00:12:43.049
the great earthing mound.
195
00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:44.840
Catrin.
196
00:12:45.740 --> 00:12:48.120
Where are we? What are we doing here?
197
00:12:48.940 --> 00:12:53.559
Well, as for where we are, I actually have no idea.
198
00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:58.250
But as for what we're doing, well, I think we're
199
00:12:58.289 --> 00:13:03.450
about to save our village from starvation. So, grab one
200
00:13:03.470 --> 00:13:05.590
of these shovels and dig.
201
00:13:05.610 --> 00:13:08.870
The father did as he was told, and he and
202
00:13:08.909 --> 00:13:11.990
Catrin set to work plunging their shovels into the ground.
203
00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:19.639
The hole they dug got deeper and wider until their
204
00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:25.429
shovels struck something hard. It looks like a door.
205
00:13:26.190 --> 00:13:29.090
A cellar door made of stone.
206
00:13:30.230 --> 00:13:34.250
Let's open it. Together, Catrin and Father took hold of
207
00:13:34.289 --> 00:13:39.029
the heavy door. When they heaved it open, they discovered
208
00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:43.720
it led to a crumbling stone stairway. Slowly, they crept
209
00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:47.559
down the uneven steps. At the bottom was a cool,
210
00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:52.120
dry room made of stone. It was a cellar. And
211
00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:55.759
what's more, it was filled floor to ceiling with great
212
00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:57.440
big piles of.
213
00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:58.330
Wheat!
214
00:13:58.990 --> 00:14:03.090
And it's so fresh. It's so yellow. Catrin, how did
215
00:14:03.110 --> 00:14:06.090
you know about this place? A little friend told me.
216
00:14:06.110 --> 00:14:08.289
Or showed me, anyway.
217
00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:12.039
And look! There he is now.
218
00:14:12.059 --> 00:14:16.039
Eek! As the white mouse came scampering down the steps,
219
00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:19.500
Father leaped into Catrin's arms. Catrin!
220
00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:22.769
Are you telling me you learned about this place from a.
221
00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:23.850
from a.
222
00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:28.970
from a... From a mouse? I told you not to
223
00:14:29.009 --> 00:14:29.629
say that word.
224
00:14:30.830 --> 00:14:35.129
Sorry. But yes, my new friend here helped me find
225
00:14:35.169 --> 00:14:38.690
this place. And now he'll help us save our village!
226
00:14:40.330 --> 00:14:44.720
Once word spread of the mysterious underground granary, everyone in
227
00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:49.159
town flocked to the grassy field. Using bags and buckets,
228
00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:52.519
wheelbarrows and carts, they scooped out as much grain as
229
00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:56.039
they could, then used it to make enough bread, cakes
230
00:14:56.139 --> 00:15:00.179
and biscuits to keep everyone well-fed for months, until they
231
00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:03.169
were able to replant their fields and grow more food
232
00:15:03.210 --> 00:15:07.169
for themselves. Nobody knew who had hidden all that wheat
233
00:15:07.250 --> 00:15:10.519
in the secret granary. But before long, they all knew
234
00:15:10.610 --> 00:15:13.570
who had found it. And from then on, the white
235
00:15:13.629 --> 00:15:16.809
mouse was always welcome in everyone's house.
236
00:15:17.830 --> 00:15:18.169
Eek!
237
00:15:18.570 --> 00:15:22.490
Well, maybe not always welcome, but it was always respected
238
00:15:22.909 --> 00:15:26.450
and honored as the bold little creature who saved the
239
00:15:26.490 --> 00:15:38.159
town in a big way. Now it's your turn. You
240
00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:40.820
can make your own mouse friend by creating a mouse
241
00:15:41.059 --> 00:15:44.340
finger puppet. To start, use something round to trace a
242
00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:46.860
circle on a piece of paper. Ask a grown-up to
243
00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:49.139
help you cut out a quarter of that circle. It
244
00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:52.179
should look like a slice of pizza or pie. Then
245
00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:54.590
apply glue along the edge and roll it up to
246
00:15:54.629 --> 00:15:57.250
make a cone. The cone will be the mouse's body.
247
00:15:57.590 --> 00:16:00.250
The pointy end is its nose. Use the rest of
248
00:16:00.289 --> 00:16:03.090
your paper to cut out circles or ovals to make ears.
249
00:16:03.769 --> 00:16:06.330
Then use paper, string, or pipe cleaners to make the
250
00:16:06.370 --> 00:16:09.820
tail and whiskers. Glue everything in place, then color in
251
00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:12.919
the mouse's eyes and nose. Now put your mouse on
252
00:16:12.940 --> 00:16:16.659
your finger and voila! You have your very own puppet.
253
00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:23.529
This week's episode, The Long Crimson Thread, was adapted by me,
254
00:16:23.629 --> 00:16:27.610
Rebecca Shear. It was edited by Sophie Codner. Our original
255
00:16:27.690 --> 00:16:31.610
music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis. Our artist
256
00:16:31.690 --> 00:16:34.340
is Sabina Hahn. Sabina has created a black and white
257
00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:36.970
coloring page for all of our Circle Round stories, and
258
00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:39.730
you can print them out and color them in. Grown-ups,
259
00:16:39.889 --> 00:16:45.289
visit our website, wbur.org slash circleround, and click on Coloring Pages.
260
00:16:46.330 --> 00:16:50.309
Special thanks to this week's actors, Mark Pellegrino and Jessica Vann.
261
00:16:50.909 --> 00:16:54.389
Mark Pellegrino has starred in the TV shows Lost and Supernatural,
262
00:16:54.570 --> 00:16:58.289
and currently appears in American Rust on Amazon. Watch for
263
00:16:58.320 --> 00:17:01.460
Mark in Beverly Hills Cop Axel Foley, coming to Netflix
264
00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:04.369
on July 3rd. Jessica Vann has starred in the feature
265
00:17:04.410 --> 00:17:07.869
films Soul Searching and A Hollywood Christmas. She's also starred
266
00:17:07.910 --> 00:17:11.339
in Rush Hour on CBS, the MTV comedy Awkward, and
267
00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:15.940
recently guest starred on Justified City Primeval on FX. Our
268
00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:18.900
featured instrument this week was the cruth. You can learn
269
00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:22.289
more about this ancient stringed instrument with a long history
270
00:17:22.329 --> 00:17:25.329
in Wales and see a photo of Eric Shemelonis playing
271
00:17:25.470 --> 00:17:30.789
one on our website. Again, that's wbur.org slash circleround. And
272
00:17:30.809 --> 00:17:34.109
while you're at WBUR.org slash Circle Round, you can nab
273
00:17:34.210 --> 00:17:38.910
our Circle Round swag, including backpacks, lunchboxes, and our series
274
00:17:38.950 --> 00:17:41.990
of Circle Round picture books, autographed by me, Rebecca Shear.
275
00:17:42.609 --> 00:17:44.930
You can also become the newest member of the Circle
276
00:17:45.049 --> 00:17:47.710
Round Club. As a member, you can support the public
277
00:17:47.750 --> 00:17:50.670
radio podcast you love and get a bevy of perks,
278
00:17:50.769 --> 00:17:55.519
including ad-free episodes, bonus bedtime stories, and first dibs on
279
00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:58.660
tickets to our live events. You'll also get exclusive access
280
00:17:58.700 --> 00:18:01.130
to the Circle Round Club store. where you can get
281
00:18:01.190 --> 00:18:05.519
super special extras, including our tote bag, our cuddly plush lion,
282
00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:09.299
and a personalized birthday message from me. Become a member
283
00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:14.130
today at WBUR.org slash Circle Round. Grown-ups, if you enjoy
284
00:18:14.190 --> 00:18:17.369
Circle Round, please leave us a five-star review on your
285
00:18:17.509 --> 00:18:20.509
favorite podcast app and tell your friends about the show.
286
00:18:21.009 --> 00:18:23.329
It'll help us keep circling round with you for years
287
00:18:23.369 --> 00:18:26.920
to come. Circle Round is a production of WBUR, Boston's
288
00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:33.430
NPR news station. I'm Rebecca Shearer. Thanks for circling around
289
00:18:33.450 --> 00:18:39.529
with us. Now that you've made it to the end
290
00:18:39.569 --> 00:18:42.890
of this Circle Round episode, we want to know, what's
291
00:18:42.990 --> 00:18:47.269
your favorite Circle Round story? Thousands of fans just like
292
00:18:47.309 --> 00:18:49.529
you have been telling us about the Circle Round stories
293
00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:52.579
they like best. Take a listen. Maybe one of their
294
00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:54.460
favorites is one of yours, too.
295
00:18:54.480 --> 00:19:00.519
Hi, my name is Allie. I'm from Los Angeles, California.
296
00:19:01.170 --> 00:19:04.970
My favorite story is the nine sticks.
297
00:19:05.509 --> 00:19:09.779
My name is Thomas. I live in Washington, D.C., and
298
00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:14.279
my favorite circle round story is the rhyming rhino. I
299
00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:17.819
like the part where all the food falls into its head.
300
00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:23.299
My name is Madeline, and I'm from Phoenix, Arizona, and
301
00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:28.900
my favorite circle round story is the bestest stare. I
302
00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:32.859
like the part where the basilisk comes in the stone.
303
00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:37.140
My name is Liam and I live in Colorado. My
304
00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:42.349
favorite episode is the polka dotted pigeon. My favorite part
305
00:19:42.910 --> 00:19:46.089
is when the pigeon finds out the note that the
306
00:19:46.210 --> 00:19:49.970
princess sent him to deliver was actually just scripted.
307
00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:55.200
My name is Sammy, and I live in Shreveport, Louisiana,
308
00:19:55.700 --> 00:20:00.559
and my favorite circle around story is the vapor stogger,
309
00:20:00.859 --> 00:20:05.049
and I like when she says, burn Duke Crisp.
310
00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:09.789
My name is Robert. I live in Santa Fe, New Mexico,
311
00:20:09.809 --> 00:20:13.869
and my favorite trick around is the hungry hippo, and
312
00:20:13.950 --> 00:20:17.690
I like the part when he sprays his dung everywhere.
313
00:20:18.190 --> 00:20:22.680
Hi, my name is Nikki, and I live in Chicago, Illinois.
314
00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:26.339
My favorite trick around story is the oncoming camera. My
315
00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:29.460
favorite part is when he says, I'll be happy to
316
00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:32.589
tell you the answer for another hundred coins.
317
00:20:33.109 --> 00:20:36.089
My name is Cora. I'm from South Massachusetts. And my
318
00:20:36.130 --> 00:20:38.849
favorite Circle Round story is the Forest Broke. I like
319
00:20:38.869 --> 00:20:41.509
the part when the Forest Broke takes the cake. My
320
00:20:41.549 --> 00:20:46.180
name is Grant. I'm from Salem, Massachusetts. My favorite Circle
321
00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:48.680
Round story is the Rooster in the Sky. I like
322
00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:51.940
the part where Tatiana gets the golden hammock.
323
00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:54.460
Did someone mention a story you've missed?
324
00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:55.480
Not to worry.
325
00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:58.599
Grown-ups, you can find all of our Circle Round stories,
326
00:20:58.839 --> 00:21:02.220
plus links to the Circle Round Club, picture books, coloring pages,
327
00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:07.059
and oh so much more on our website, WBUR.org slash CircleRound.
1
00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:13.439
There's an old saying that goes, a little body often
2
00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:17.780
harbors a great soul. In other words, even if we're
3
00:00:17.899 --> 00:00:24.010
physically small, we can possess big intelligence, character, and inner strength.
4
00:00:24.829 --> 00:00:28.149
In today's tale, this expression comes to life with help
5
00:00:28.190 --> 00:00:32.229
from a curious young woman named a devastating drought, and
6
00:00:32.289 --> 00:00:43.130
a tiny critter with a delicious secret. I'm Rebecca Shear,
7
00:00:43.299 --> 00:00:48.140
and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time. Today,
8
00:00:48.240 --> 00:00:52.079
our story is called The Long Crimson Thread. Versions of
9
00:00:52.100 --> 00:00:54.560
this tale come from the country of Wales in the
10
00:00:54.619 --> 00:00:55.380
United Kingdom.
11
00:00:55.520 --> 00:00:57.060
The Long Crimson Thread.
12
00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:01.229
Some really great people came together to bring you our
13
00:01:01.310 --> 00:01:05.239
version of this tale, including Mark Pellegrino and Jessica Vann.
14
00:01:06.099 --> 00:01:08.739
Jessica Vann has starred in the feature films Soul Searching
15
00:01:08.859 --> 00:01:11.799
and A Hollywood Christmas. She's also starred in Rush Hour
16
00:01:11.879 --> 00:01:15.560
on CBS, the MTV comedy Awkward, and recently guest-starred on
17
00:01:15.640 --> 00:01:20.079
Justified City Primeval on FX. Mark Pellegrino currently stars in
18
00:01:20.140 --> 00:01:23.319
American Rust on Amazon. Watch for Mark in Beverly Hills
19
00:01:23.379 --> 00:01:27.209
Cop Axel Foley, coming to Netflix on July 3rd. So
20
00:01:27.269 --> 00:01:40.900
circle around, everyone, for the long crimson thread. Catherine and
21
00:01:40.959 --> 00:01:44.069
her father lived in a cozy thatched-roof cottage in a
22
00:01:44.150 --> 00:01:48.790
country town. The town was surrounded by rolling pastures, where
23
00:01:48.810 --> 00:01:52.430
the townspeople raised cattle and horses and grew fields of
24
00:01:52.510 --> 00:01:57.640
wheat and potatoes. One summer, The weather turned unusually hot
25
00:01:57.859 --> 00:02:00.939
and dry, and though the townspeople kept their eyes on
26
00:02:00.980 --> 00:02:05.409
the sky, desperately searching for just one rain cloud, all
27
00:02:05.420 --> 00:02:09.490
they could see was the endless sun, its bright, scorching
28
00:02:09.569 --> 00:02:13.110
rays baking their crops and turning their pastures to dust.
29
00:02:14.090 --> 00:02:17.750
As the summer wore on, everyone grew weaker and weaker
30
00:02:17.810 --> 00:02:21.169
with hunger, including Catrin and her father.
31
00:02:22.550 --> 00:02:24.969
Catrin, our cupboards are so empty.
32
00:02:25.490 --> 00:02:30.770
There's nothing for breakfast but this one potato. Oh, that's
33
00:02:30.900 --> 00:02:35.020
all right, Father. You can have it. I'm happy to
34
00:02:35.060 --> 00:02:38.120
give up my share. That's my Catrin.
35
00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:42.120
Her heart's always full, even when her stomach is empty.
36
00:02:42.939 --> 00:02:47.000
But no way, daughter. You are a growing girl. You
37
00:02:47.080 --> 00:02:51.080
need your nourishment. So you eat this potato. And I'll...
38
00:02:51.159 --> 00:02:55.740
The potato dropped to the floor as Father leapt onto
39
00:02:55.780 --> 00:02:56.199
his chair.
40
00:02:56.639 --> 00:02:57.120
Father!
41
00:02:57.139 --> 00:03:03.250
What's wrong? Father didn't respond. He just swallowed hard, then
42
00:03:03.310 --> 00:03:07.210
thrust a quivering finger over Catrin's head. When she turned
43
00:03:07.289 --> 00:03:09.889
to see what he was pointing at, what should she
44
00:03:10.009 --> 00:03:19.460
spy crouched in the corner of the room but a small, white, whiskery, Mouse! Oh, Father,
45
00:03:20.039 --> 00:03:21.319
it's so adorable.
46
00:03:21.819 --> 00:03:22.460
Adorable?
47
00:03:22.479 --> 00:03:26.530
I have never told you this, Catrin, but ever since
48
00:03:26.599 --> 00:03:29.419
I was a boy, I've been terrified.
49
00:03:28.810 --> 00:03:30.870
Of, of, of, of.
50
00:03:31.030 --> 00:03:32.389
Of mice?
51
00:03:32.870 --> 00:03:34.189
Oh, please don't say that word.
52
00:03:35.009 --> 00:03:38.889
Just hearing that word makes me shiver all over, so please, Catrin,
53
00:03:39.409 --> 00:03:43.250
can you take that, that thing outside while I go
54
00:03:43.289 --> 00:03:46.610
lie down? My heart's racing faster than a jackrabbit.
55
00:03:48.490 --> 00:03:51.949
His father staggered off to his bedroom. Catrin gazed at
56
00:03:51.990 --> 00:03:55.960
the mouse. Its eyes were bright and round, its nose
57
00:03:56.120 --> 00:04:02.300
pointed and twitching. Oh, listen, little fella. You heard what
58
00:04:02.379 --> 00:04:03.599
father said just now.
59
00:04:04.139 --> 00:04:08.460
I need to take you outside. But before I do,
60
00:04:09.060 --> 00:04:12.469
tell me something. Did you come into our house because
61
00:04:12.530 --> 00:04:17.680
you're hungry? I can't really tell if that's a yes
62
00:04:17.860 --> 00:04:22.579
or a no. But given this awful drought, I'll assume
63
00:04:22.740 --> 00:04:27.110
it's a yes. After all, it isn't just us villagers
64
00:04:27.149 --> 00:04:30.410
who are starving. The horses are so skinny you can
65
00:04:30.470 --> 00:04:33.889
count their ribs. And the cows haven't been able to
66
00:04:33.949 --> 00:04:35.370
give milk in weeks.
67
00:04:36.910 --> 00:04:40.310
So, here. She picked up the potato and cut off
68
00:04:40.350 --> 00:04:40.730
a slice.
69
00:04:41.329 --> 00:04:42.189
Have a snack.
70
00:04:43.180 --> 00:04:45.730
Catrin assumed the critter would grab the food in its
71
00:04:45.819 --> 00:04:50.490
tiny claws and start nibbling away. But it didn't. It
72
00:04:50.529 --> 00:04:53.730
just kept staring at her with those bright, round eyes.
73
00:04:55.110 --> 00:05:03.500
So, you're not hungry. But how is that possible? I mean,
74
00:05:03.759 --> 00:05:06.740
I'm so hungry I could eat my shoe. Yet your
75
00:05:06.819 --> 00:05:11.019
belly is round, your white fur is shiny, and your.
76
00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:11.259
Catrin?
77
00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:11.699
Catrin?
78
00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:14.660
Have you gotten rid of that, that.
79
00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:16.420
That mouse?
80
00:05:17.139 --> 00:05:21.360
I told you not to say that word.
81
00:05:21.379 --> 00:05:21.480
Sorry.
82
00:05:22.879 --> 00:05:26.189
Quickly, Catrin scooped the mouse into her hand and walked
83
00:05:26.269 --> 00:05:29.490
out the door. A wall of heat closed around her
84
00:05:29.550 --> 00:05:31.689
as she stepped into the blazing sun.
85
00:05:32.589 --> 00:05:36.269
Okay, listen, friend. I know it's like a zillion degrees
86
00:05:36.370 --> 00:05:39.910
out here, but you can't stay in my house. Father
87
00:05:39.949 --> 00:05:41.529
will have nightmares for weeks.
88
00:05:42.660 --> 00:05:44.399
You do understand, right?
89
00:05:46.040 --> 00:05:46.339
Good.
90
00:05:47.139 --> 00:05:50.000
Catrin knelt down and set the mouse on the burnt grass.
91
00:05:50.689 --> 00:05:54.129
The furry creature fixed her with a long and meaningful gaze.
92
00:05:54.870 --> 00:05:58.949
Then it let out another squeak and went scuttling away.
93
00:05:59.850 --> 00:06:03.850
Catrin didn't expect to see her fuzzy friend again. Little
94
00:06:03.870 --> 00:06:07.360
did she know, the well-fed critter would make another appearance.
95
00:06:08.040 --> 00:06:19.060
One that would change everything. What do you think will
96
00:06:19.079 --> 00:06:31.399
happen next? We'll find out after a quick break.
97
00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:33.879
100 years from now in a land far, far away.
98
00:06:33.899 --> 00:06:34.819
Hang on.
99
00:06:35.490 --> 00:06:38.750
It's not so far away at all, actually. Hey, Circle
100
00:06:38.790 --> 00:06:41.750
Round families. We're here to share a new listening experience
101
00:06:41.790 --> 00:06:46.550
from WBUR, The Midnight Rebellion. It's a climate podcast adventure
102
00:06:46.610 --> 00:06:50.230
for kids 8 and up. Time-traveling, problem-solving, laughs in danger,
103
00:06:50.470 --> 00:06:53.970
it's here. Follow the feed to listen. Oh, and bring
104
00:06:54.009 --> 00:06:57.290
your goggles and boots. That's The Midnight Rebellion, in your
105
00:06:57.310 --> 00:06:59.379
feed or wherever you get podcasts.
106
00:07:01.899 --> 00:07:06.810
Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Shearer. Today, our
107
00:07:06.860 --> 00:07:19.060
story is called The Long Crimson Thread. Before the break,
108
00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:22.839
Catrin and her father were visited by a mouse, a
109
00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:26.660
rather well-fed mouse, which was interesting given that a drought
110
00:07:26.779 --> 00:07:30.680
was raging and everyone in town, people and animals included,
111
00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:35.500
had grown hungry and thin. The next morning, While father
112
00:07:35.540 --> 00:07:38.579
went out searching for food, Catrin sat at the table
113
00:07:38.939 --> 00:07:42.639
reading her favorite book. Or at least trying to read
114
00:07:42.699 --> 00:07:43.680
her favorite book.
115
00:07:44.879 --> 00:07:49.139
Ugh, I'm so hungry I can't focus. I keep reading
116
00:07:49.199 --> 00:07:53.000
the same sentence over and over and over and over.
117
00:07:54.129 --> 00:07:57.629
Catrin looked up. Standing on the table before her was
118
00:07:57.689 --> 00:08:02.050
the white mouse. Clutched in its claws was a yellow
119
00:08:02.670 --> 00:08:06.829
grain of wheat. The mouse tilted its head, then dropped
120
00:08:06.850 --> 00:08:08.829
the wheat on top of Catrin's open book.
121
00:08:11.170 --> 00:08:16.810
Aw, thank you, fella. But where did you get this wheat?
122
00:08:17.449 --> 00:08:20.540
The fields are so bone dry, no one's been able
123
00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:21.620
to grow a thing.
124
00:08:22.420 --> 00:08:24.939
The mouse stared at Catrin with its bright round eyes.
125
00:08:25.680 --> 00:08:29.139
Then it tipped its furry head to one side and
126
00:08:29.259 --> 00:08:32.480
scurried away. Fifteen minutes later.
127
00:08:33.960 --> 00:08:36.720
The mouse came back and dropped a second grain of
128
00:08:36.779 --> 00:08:37.980
wheat on Catrin's book.
129
00:08:39.059 --> 00:08:40.110
Thank you, fella!
130
00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:44.470
Then the mouse returned with a third grain. Then a fourth.
131
00:08:45.870 --> 00:08:49.970
Then a fifth. When the mouse returned again, bringing with
132
00:08:50.009 --> 00:08:53.210
it a sixth grain of wheat, Catrin lifted the creature
133
00:08:53.429 --> 00:08:55.970
into her hand. Listen, fella.
134
00:08:56.710 --> 00:08:59.730
I want to tell you how much I appreciate these
135
00:08:59.870 --> 00:09:01.029
fresh grains of wheat.
136
00:09:01.889 --> 00:09:02.490
As you know.
137
00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:08.000
The wheat in our fields shriveled up and died weeks ago. So,
138
00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:14.500
can you tell me where you've been finding these grains? Oh, right.
139
00:09:15.080 --> 00:09:16.059
Of course you can't.
140
00:09:17.299 --> 00:09:22.299
But you can show me where you've been finding them, right?
141
00:09:23.950 --> 00:09:27.299
I'm going to take that as a yes. But to
142
00:09:27.450 --> 00:09:30.350
be on the safe side, I need you to say
143
00:09:30.409 --> 00:09:31.809
so for just a moment.
144
00:09:32.500 --> 00:09:35.210
Catrin nestled the mouse in her pocket and found a
145
00:09:35.309 --> 00:09:39.990
spool of bright crimson thread. She snipped off a long length,
146
00:09:40.309 --> 00:09:43.330
then knotted one end around the mouse's leg.
147
00:09:44.070 --> 00:09:48.049
Okay, fella, this may be a harebrained idea, but it's
148
00:09:48.149 --> 00:09:50.929
worth a shot. Off you go now!
149
00:09:51.649 --> 00:09:54.470
Catrin placed the mouse on the floor. It stared at
150
00:09:54.529 --> 00:09:58.990
her for a moment before letting out a squeak and
151
00:09:59.149 --> 00:10:03.259
scampering toward the back door. Then it flattened its slender body,
152
00:10:03.740 --> 00:10:08.120
squeezed beneath the crack, and disappeared with the long crimson
153
00:10:08.179 --> 00:10:12.519
thread trailing behind. Catrin didn't miss a beat. She raced
154
00:10:12.620 --> 00:10:15.100
to the door, threw it open, and followed the mouse
155
00:10:15.299 --> 00:10:18.830
and thread as they sped across the backyard. The mouse
156
00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:22.450
moved much faster than Catrin did. Mice are zippy creatures,
157
00:10:22.549 --> 00:10:25.629
after all. But thanks to the bright red string, Catrin
158
00:10:25.649 --> 00:10:27.529
was able to trace the mouse's path.
159
00:10:29.629 --> 00:10:34.190
Okay, it's running through the backyard. It's moving across the garden.
160
00:10:34.210 --> 00:10:38.029
Oh boy, now it's going through a hole in the
161
00:10:38.070 --> 00:10:41.710
stone wall. Guess I better climb over.
162
00:10:43.549 --> 00:10:46.669
Summoning all of her strength, Catrin went clambering over the wall.
163
00:10:47.289 --> 00:10:49.850
When she reached the other side, she caught a glimpse
164
00:10:49.909 --> 00:10:53.250
of the long crimson thread moving into the forest.
165
00:10:53.590 --> 00:10:55.480
Oh boy, oh boy!
166
00:10:55.929 --> 00:11:00.379
This is some wild goose chase! Or wild mouse chase?
167
00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:04.360
In any case, I'd better quicken my step!
168
00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:09.220
Catrin followed the thread through the woods. She crunched through leaves,
169
00:11:09.340 --> 00:11:12.659
hopped over tree roots, and jumped over fallen logs before
170
00:11:12.750 --> 00:11:17.629
emerging into a grassy field. The grass was burnt and brown,
171
00:11:17.909 --> 00:11:21.039
which didn't surprise Catrin at all. But what she saw
172
00:11:21.139 --> 00:11:24.279
in the middle of the field made her jaw drop.
173
00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:30.620
Whoa, it's a huge mound of earth. And the mouse
174
00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:32.529
just disappeared inside it.
175
00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:35.559
But wait, it's coming back.
176
00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:41.409
And look, it's got another grain of wheat in its claws.
177
00:11:44.110 --> 00:11:50.159
Oh my goodness. I must get father! Catrin spun on
178
00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:52.580
her heel and went hurrying back the way she came.
179
00:11:53.259 --> 00:11:56.139
She was so weak with hunger and so exhausted from
180
00:11:56.200 --> 00:11:59.500
running that her lungs felt like they might explode and
181
00:11:59.559 --> 00:12:02.769
her legs felt like they might fall off. But eventually,
182
00:12:03.110 --> 00:12:06.629
she reached her thatched-roof cottage where father greeted her with
183
00:12:06.669 --> 00:12:09.639
a smile. Catrin, there you are.
184
00:12:10.450 --> 00:12:12.669
I didn't find any food this morning, but I'm happy
185
00:12:12.690 --> 00:12:13.330
I found you.
186
00:12:13.350 --> 00:12:15.370
I was wondering where you'd gone.
187
00:12:16.179 --> 00:12:20.830
Oh, Father, I need you to fetch two shovels and
188
00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:22.629
come with me. What?
189
00:12:23.429 --> 00:12:25.830
Oh, there's no time to explain.
190
00:12:26.330 --> 00:12:29.389
Just find two shovels and let's go.
191
00:12:30.789 --> 00:12:34.269
Father grabbed two shovels, then followed Catrin as she hurried
192
00:12:34.330 --> 00:12:37.590
through the backyard, across the garden, over the stone wall,
193
00:12:38.029 --> 00:12:41.330
through the forest, into the grassy field, and over to
194
00:12:41.370 --> 00:12:43.049
the great earthing mound.
195
00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:44.840
Catrin.
196
00:12:45.740 --> 00:12:48.120
Where are we? What are we doing here?
197
00:12:48.940 --> 00:12:53.559
Well, as for where we are, I actually have no idea.
198
00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:58.250
But as for what we're doing, well, I think we're
199
00:12:58.289 --> 00:13:03.450
about to save our village from starvation. So, grab one
200
00:13:03.470 --> 00:13:05.590
of these shovels and dig.
201
00:13:05.610 --> 00:13:08.870
The father did as he was told, and he and
202
00:13:08.909 --> 00:13:11.990
Catrin set to work plunging their shovels into the ground.
203
00:13:14.220 --> 00:13:19.639
The hole they dug got deeper and wider until their
204
00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:25.429
shovels struck something hard. It looks like a door.
205
00:13:26.190 --> 00:13:29.090
A cellar door made of stone.
206
00:13:30.230 --> 00:13:34.250
Let's open it. Together, Catrin and Father took hold of
207
00:13:34.289 --> 00:13:39.029
the heavy door. When they heaved it open, they discovered
208
00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:43.720
it led to a crumbling stone stairway. Slowly, they crept
209
00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:47.559
down the uneven steps. At the bottom was a cool,
210
00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:52.120
dry room made of stone. It was a cellar. And
211
00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:55.759
what's more, it was filled floor to ceiling with great
212
00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:57.440
big piles of.
213
00:13:57.460 --> 00:13:58.330
Wheat!
214
00:13:58.990 --> 00:14:03.090
And it's so fresh. It's so yellow. Catrin, how did
215
00:14:03.110 --> 00:14:06.090
you know about this place? A little friend told me.
216
00:14:06.110 --> 00:14:08.289
Or showed me, anyway.
217
00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:12.039
And look! There he is now.
218
00:14:12.059 --> 00:14:16.039
Eek! As the white mouse came scampering down the steps,
219
00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:19.500
Father leaped into Catrin's arms. Catrin!
220
00:14:20.519 --> 00:14:22.769
Are you telling me you learned about this place from a.
221
00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:23.850
from a.
222
00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:28.970
from a... From a mouse? I told you not to
223
00:14:29.009 --> 00:14:29.629
say that word.
224
00:14:30.830 --> 00:14:35.129
Sorry. But yes, my new friend here helped me find
225
00:14:35.169 --> 00:14:38.690
this place. And now he'll help us save our village!
226
00:14:40.330 --> 00:14:44.720
Once word spread of the mysterious underground granary, everyone in
227
00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:49.159
town flocked to the grassy field. Using bags and buckets,
228
00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:52.519
wheelbarrows and carts, they scooped out as much grain as
229
00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:56.039
they could, then used it to make enough bread, cakes
230
00:14:56.139 --> 00:15:00.179
and biscuits to keep everyone well-fed for months, until they
231
00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:03.169
were able to replant their fields and grow more food
232
00:15:03.210 --> 00:15:07.169
for themselves. Nobody knew who had hidden all that wheat
233
00:15:07.250 --> 00:15:10.519
in the secret granary. But before long, they all knew
234
00:15:10.610 --> 00:15:13.570
who had found it. And from then on, the white
235
00:15:13.629 --> 00:15:16.809
mouse was always welcome in everyone's house.
236
00:15:17.830 --> 00:15:18.169
Eek!
237
00:15:18.570 --> 00:15:22.490
Well, maybe not always welcome, but it was always respected
238
00:15:22.909 --> 00:15:26.450
and honored as the bold little creature who saved the
239
00:15:26.490 --> 00:15:38.159
town in a big way. Now it's your turn. You
240
00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:40.820
can make your own mouse friend by creating a mouse
241
00:15:41.059 --> 00:15:44.340
finger puppet. To start, use something round to trace a
242
00:15:44.440 --> 00:15:46.860
circle on a piece of paper. Ask a grown-up to
243
00:15:46.899 --> 00:15:49.139
help you cut out a quarter of that circle. It
244
00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:52.179
should look like a slice of pizza or pie. Then
245
00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:54.590
apply glue along the edge and roll it up to
246
00:15:54.629 --> 00:15:57.250
make a cone. The cone will be the mouse's body.
247
00:15:57.590 --> 00:16:00.250
The pointy end is its nose. Use the rest of
248
00:16:00.289 --> 00:16:03.090
your paper to cut out circles or ovals to make ears.
249
00:16:03.769 --> 00:16:06.330
Then use paper, string, or pipe cleaners to make the
250
00:16:06.370 --> 00:16:09.820
tail and whiskers. Glue everything in place, then color in
251
00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:12.919
the mouse's eyes and nose. Now put your mouse on
252
00:16:12.940 --> 00:16:16.659
your finger and voila! You have your very own puppet.
253
00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:23.529
This week's episode, The Long Crimson Thread, was adapted by me,
254
00:16:23.629 --> 00:16:27.610
Rebecca Shear. It was edited by Sophie Codner. Our original
255
00:16:27.690 --> 00:16:31.610
music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis. Our artist
256
00:16:31.690 --> 00:16:34.340
is Sabina Hahn. Sabina has created a black and white
257
00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:36.970
coloring page for all of our Circle Round stories, and
258
00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:39.730
you can print them out and color them in. Grown-ups,
259
00:16:39.889 --> 00:16:45.289
visit our website, wbur.org slash circleround, and click on Coloring Pages.
260
00:16:46.330 --> 00:16:50.309
Special thanks to this week's actors, Mark Pellegrino and Jessica Vann.
261
00:16:50.909 --> 00:16:54.389
Mark Pellegrino has starred in the TV shows Lost and Supernatural,
262
00:16:54.570 --> 00:16:58.289
and currently appears in American Rust on Amazon. Watch for
263
00:16:58.320 --> 00:17:01.460
Mark in Beverly Hills Cop Axel Foley, coming to Netflix
264
00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:04.369
on July 3rd. Jessica Vann has starred in the feature
265
00:17:04.410 --> 00:17:07.869
films Soul Searching and A Hollywood Christmas. She's also starred
266
00:17:07.910 --> 00:17:11.339
in Rush Hour on CBS, the MTV comedy Awkward, and
267
00:17:11.400 --> 00:17:15.940
recently guest starred on Justified City Primeval on FX. Our
268
00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:18.900
featured instrument this week was the cruth. You can learn
269
00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:22.289
more about this ancient stringed instrument with a long history
270
00:17:22.329 --> 00:17:25.329
in Wales and see a photo of Eric Shemelonis playing
271
00:17:25.470 --> 00:17:30.789
one on our website. Again, that's wbur.org slash circleround. And
272
00:17:30.809 --> 00:17:34.109
while you're at WBUR.org slash Circle Round, you can nab
273
00:17:34.210 --> 00:17:38.910
our Circle Round swag, including backpacks, lunchboxes, and our series
274
00:17:38.950 --> 00:17:41.990
of Circle Round picture books, autographed by me, Rebecca Shear.
275
00:17:42.609 --> 00:17:44.930
You can also become the newest member of the Circle
276
00:17:45.049 --> 00:17:47.710
Round Club. As a member, you can support the public
277
00:17:47.750 --> 00:17:50.670
radio podcast you love and get a bevy of perks,
278
00:17:50.769 --> 00:17:55.519
including ad-free episodes, bonus bedtime stories, and first dibs on
279
00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:58.660
tickets to our live events. You'll also get exclusive access
280
00:17:58.700 --> 00:18:01.130
to the Circle Round Club store. where you can get
281
00:18:01.190 --> 00:18:05.519
super special extras, including our tote bag, our cuddly plush lion,
282
00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:09.299
and a personalized birthday message from me. Become a member
283
00:18:09.339 --> 00:18:14.130
today at WBUR.org slash Circle Round. Grown-ups, if you enjoy
284
00:18:14.190 --> 00:18:17.369
Circle Round, please leave us a five-star review on your
285
00:18:17.509 --> 00:18:20.509
favorite podcast app and tell your friends about the show.
286
00:18:21.009 --> 00:18:23.329
It'll help us keep circling round with you for years
287
00:18:23.369 --> 00:18:26.920
to come. Circle Round is a production of WBUR, Boston's
288
00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:33.430
NPR news station. I'm Rebecca Shearer. Thanks for circling around
289
00:18:33.450 --> 00:18:39.529
with us. Now that you've made it to the end
290
00:18:39.569 --> 00:18:42.890
of this Circle Round episode, we want to know, what's
291
00:18:42.990 --> 00:18:47.269
your favorite Circle Round story? Thousands of fans just like
292
00:18:47.309 --> 00:18:49.529
you have been telling us about the Circle Round stories
293
00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:52.579
they like best. Take a listen. Maybe one of their
294
00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:54.460
favorites is one of yours, too.
295
00:18:54.480 --> 00:19:00.519
Hi, my name is Allie. I'm from Los Angeles, California.
296
00:19:01.170 --> 00:19:04.970
My favorite story is the nine sticks.
297
00:19:05.509 --> 00:19:09.779
My name is Thomas. I live in Washington, D.C., and
298
00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:14.279
my favorite circle round story is the rhyming rhino. I
299
00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:17.819
like the part where all the food falls into its head.
300
00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:23.299
My name is Madeline, and I'm from Phoenix, Arizona, and
301
00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:28.900
my favorite circle round story is the bestest stare. I
302
00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:32.859
like the part where the basilisk comes in the stone.
303
00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:37.140
My name is Liam and I live in Colorado. My
304
00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:42.349
favorite episode is the polka dotted pigeon. My favorite part
305
00:19:42.910 --> 00:19:46.089
is when the pigeon finds out the note that the
306
00:19:46.210 --> 00:19:49.970
princess sent him to deliver was actually just scripted.
307
00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:55.200
My name is Sammy, and I live in Shreveport, Louisiana,
308
00:19:55.700 --> 00:20:00.559
and my favorite circle around story is the vapor stogger,
309
00:20:00.859 --> 00:20:05.049
and I like when she says, burn Duke Crisp.
310
00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:09.789
My name is Robert. I live in Santa Fe, New Mexico,
311
00:20:09.809 --> 00:20:13.869
and my favorite trick around is the hungry hippo, and
312
00:20:13.950 --> 00:20:17.690
I like the part when he sprays his dung everywhere.
313
00:20:18.190 --> 00:20:22.680
Hi, my name is Nikki, and I live in Chicago, Illinois.
314
00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:26.339
My favorite trick around story is the oncoming camera. My
315
00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:29.460
favorite part is when he says, I'll be happy to
316
00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:32.589
tell you the answer for another hundred coins.
317
00:20:33.109 --> 00:20:36.089
My name is Cora. I'm from South Massachusetts. And my
318
00:20:36.130 --> 00:20:38.849
favorite Circle Round story is the Forest Broke. I like
319
00:20:38.869 --> 00:20:41.509
the part when the Forest Broke takes the cake. My
320
00:20:41.549 --> 00:20:46.180
name is Grant. I'm from Salem, Massachusetts. My favorite Circle
321
00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:48.680
Round story is the Rooster in the Sky. I like
322
00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:51.940
the part where Tatiana gets the golden hammock.
323
00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:54.460
Did someone mention a story you've missed?
324
00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:55.480
Not to worry.
325
00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:58.599
Grown-ups, you can find all of our Circle Round stories,
326
00:20:58.839 --> 00:21:02.220
plus links to the Circle Round Club, picture books, coloring pages,
327
00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:07.059
and oh so much more on our website, WBUR.org slash CircleRound.
