This Circle Spherical episode initially was launched on Mar. 8, 2022.
Take into consideration a time someone confirmed you kindness.
Perhaps a member of the family gave you a praise, or a pal helped you remedy an issue.
We’re about to satisfy a personality who’s all about being type to others – and the result’s really magical!
Our story known as “The Magic Contact.” Variations of this story initially come from East Africa.
Voices on this episode embody Feodor Chin, Thais Harris, Anthony Palmini, Erika Rose, Nick Sholley, Mike Smith, Alexia Trainor, Daybreak Ursula and Edi Gathegi. Grown-ups, take a look at Edi Gathegi within the American Western movie, “The Tougher They Fall,” and within the house drama “For All Mankind” on Apple TV+.
This episode was tailored for Circle Spherical by Rebecca Sheir. Unique music and sound design is by Eric Shimelonis. Our artist is Sabina Hahn.
GROWN-UPS! PRINT THIS web page so everybody can coloration whereas listening. We’re additionally conserving an album so please share your image on Facebook and Instagram, and tag it with #CircleRoundPodcast. To entry all of the coloring pages for previous episodes click on HERE. Our resident artist is Sabina Hahn and you’ll be taught extra about her HERE.
Now it’s your flip!
What’s one good deed you are able to do this week?
Perhaps you’ll be able to donate further toys to a charity, choose up trash or recycling you discover in a park, or write a thank-you be aware to somebody who’s all the time there for you – whether or not it’s a librarian, a postal employee, a bus driver, or a member of the family!
Take into consideration your one good deed, then exit and do it. And keep in mind that little acts of kindness can do a lot!
Musical Highlight: Mbira
Conventional to the Shona individuals of Zimbabwe, the mbira is a kind of lamellophone: a musical instrument that produces sound by plucking skinny, versatile metallic tongues (“lamellae”) hooked up to a soundboard or resonator. The lamellae are all completely different sizes and play completely different notes.
Specialists say the mbira dates again 3,000 years. Nevertheless, in these early days the lamellae weren’t product of metallic, however relatively wooden or bamboo.
As with the extra fashionable mbira variant often called the kalimba (which you’ll hear in our episodes, “She Tells Seashells,” “The Young Healer” and “Sweet and Sour”), you maintain the mbira’s board in your fingers, then you definitely pluck the metallic lamellae along with your thumbs. That’s why the western world usually refers back to the mbira because the “thumb piano”!
To be taught extra in regards to the mbira, you’ll be able to hear composer Eric Shimelonis speak about it in “What Am I Hearing?,” our particular music episode of Circle Spherical!
Script:
NARRATOR: There as soon as had been two brothers – twins, truly! Their names had been Juma and Imani. Juma and Imani had been raised by their mom – a sort, beneficiant lady whom her sons liked with all their coronary heart.
When the twins grew up, and it was time for them to exit and make their manner on the planet, one thing surprising occurred. Mom fell unwell – so unwell she needed to take to her mattress.
JUMA: Oh, Mom! Imani and I can’t go away you want this!
IMANI: Juma’s proper! We should keep right here! And handle you!
MOTHER: That’s very candy, my sons. However I don’t need to cease you from making your manner on the planet!
NARRATOR: Mom turned to Juma.
MOTHER: Juma. You had been born a handful of minutes earlier than Imani was… so how about you exit into the world first, whereas Imani stays residence and takes care of me. As soon as I am nicely once more, he can observe you.
JUMA: In fact, Mom. That’s a wonderful concept!
NARRATOR: So Juma kissed his household goodbye, then set out on a sailboat throughout the ocean.
He had been drifting on the waves for a couple of days when he noticed an island.
JUMA: Ooooh! Take a look at this stunning place! I don’t see any individuals, however get a load of these fruit bushes! Their branches are dripping with bright-red fruit! This may very well be a pleasant place to cease for some time.
NARRATOR: Juma went ashore and commenced choosing and consuming fruit.
JUMA: (as he chews) Mmmm! This fruit is scrumptious! So candy! So juicy! However oh – there are pits inside! Undoubtedly don’t need to eat these! I’ll simply spit them out. (ad-lib spitting pits onto floor)
NARRATOR: However the second the pits hit the bottom… an unbelievable sight met Juma’s eyes.
JUMA: May or not it’s?!? Every pit is rising into an entire new fruit tree! Within the blink of an eye fixed! It’s getting taller… and taller… and now it’s as tall as all the opposite bushes! And it’s bursting with bright-red fruit! I’ve by no means seen something like this!
NARRATOR: Juma grabbed some barrels from his boat, and commenced loading them up with fruit.
JUMA: I’m going to deliver this magical fruit to a different island. With the way in which these bushes develop, I will have an limitless provide to promote!
NARRATOR: Juma hoisted his sails and put his boat again to sea. After a couple of days, he got here to an island that was brimming with individuals. He made his option to the bustling market and set out his barrels of fruit.
JUMA: (calling out, salesman-like) Magical fruit right here! Get your magical fruit! Spit out the pit and watch a brand new tree develop in a flash!
NARRATOR: It wasn’t lengthy earlier than a curious crowd gathered. However when Juma went to reveal the magical powers of his fruit – chewing a handful of them… then spitting out the pits…
JUMA: (ad-lib spitting pits onto floor)
NARRATOR: …nothing occurred!
JUMA: So sorry, women and gents. Maybe these items of fruit weren’t ripe sufficient. Let me attempt once more.
NARRATOR: So he did! He grabbed one other handful of fruit and commenced to chew. However as soon as extra, when he spit the pits out…
JUMA: (ad-lib spitting pits onto floor)
NARRATOR: …nothing occurred!
PERSON 1: Ah, this man is a phony!
PERSON 2: A pretend!
PERSON 3: A complete fraud!
PERSON 4: We knew your “magical fruit” was too good to be true!
NARRATOR: Juma was flummoxed.
JUMA: However women and gents! I guarantee you! I’m not a phony! On the island the place I picked this fruit, it labored like a attraction! I swear! I simply spit the pits out and proper there earlier than my very eyes –
NARRATOR: Earlier than Juma might say one other phrase, he felt somebody seize his shoulder.
GUARD: So that you’re the one making up tales about “magical fruit,” huh?
NARRATOR: Juma whirled his head round. Standing earlier than him was a burly man in uniform.
GUARD: Hear, pal. I’m a part of the Queen’s royal guard. And it’s my obligation to inform you that on this island we’re sincere! As a result of Her Royal Majesty despises dishonesty! She loathes mendacity! She forbids any fibs!
JUMA: However I’m not telling any fibs! And I’m not mendacity! I’m telling you, this fruit –
GUARD: Sufficient arguing, mister! I’m taking you to the palace dungeon and placing you behind bars. Queen’s orders.
[SOT: dungeon cell door closes]
NARRATOR: In the meantime, again at residence, Mom and Imani had been fully unaware of Juma’s misfortune. As an alternative, the pair was in excessive spirits, as a result of Mom had lastly recovered from her sickness!
MOTHER: (wholesome once more) Imani, now that I’m feeling match as a fiddle, it’s your flip to make your manner on the planet. Now go on the market and make me proud!
IMANI: You wager I’ll, Mom!
NARRATOR: So, like his twin brother earlier than him, Imani kissed his mom goodbye, then headed out in his boat.
Little did he know that forward of him lay some stormy seas… and a few unimaginable adventures!
[theme music in]
NARRATOR: What do you suppose will occur to Imani? And what about his twin brother, Juma? Will he ever go free?
We’ll discover out, after a fast break.
[theme music out]
[BREAK]
[theme music in]
NARRATOR: Welcome again to Circle Spherical. I’m Rebecca Sheir. As we speak our story known as “The Magic Contact.”
[theme music out]
NARRATOR: Earlier than the break, twin brothers Juma and Imani set off to make their methods on the planet. Juma went first, and wound up in jail. However Imani didn’t know that! So when it was his flip to depart residence and go touring, he was in excessive spirits as he hopped into his boat and took to the ocean.
[SOT: storm at sea]
NARRATOR: Sadly, the ocean was not type to Imani. The clouds rolled in, the wind picked up, and sheets of rain surged down from the sky. After being tossed for days throughout the uneven, foam-topped waves, Imani ran aground on a chilly, rocky island.
IMANI: Take a look at this place! So bleak and dreary! I positively don’t need to keep lengthy, however the sea is just too tough to move out once more. I’ll anticipate the skies to clear and have a snack. All that crusing has me famished!
NARRATOR: Imani plopped down on a rock and reached into his bag for a pot of cooked millet. However simply as he was spooning the grain into his mouth…
BIRD: Excuse me, sir? Any likelihood you might share a few of that?
NARRATOR: Imani appeared up. Perched on a cliff above him was a black and white fowl. Its physique was scrawny and its feathers had been tough and matted.
IMANI: Was that you just speaking simply now, fowl? Or did these loopy waves toss my boat and my brains?!?
BIRD: Oh, it was me, alright. And I’m sorry to trouble you, sir, however the storm stranded me on this desolate island and I haven’t eaten in days!
NARRATOR: The fowl fluttered down and perched on Imani’s shoulder. Imani gave the scraggly creature a pat.
IMANI: I’d be completely happy to share my millet with you, fowl. And please – name me Imani!
NARRATOR: The ravenous fowl caught its beak into the pot and devoured up all of the millet.
BIRD: Wow! That hit the spot! I recognize your kindness, Imani. And I promise – sooner or later I will repay you someway!
NARRATOR: Then the fowl unfold its wings and took off throughout the island.
Imani felt his abdomen growl; he was nonetheless hungry! So he reached into his bag and fished out a small jar of honey. However simply as he was about to suck down a spoonful…
ANT: Pardon me, sir? Any likelihood you might share a few of that?
NARRATOR: Imani appeared down. There, on the bottom, was an ant! Its little black physique was all shriveled, and it gave the impression to be strolling with a limp.
IMANI: Was that you just speaking simply now, ant? Or am I listening to issues?
ANT: Oh, it was me, alright. And I’m sorry to interrupt, sir, however I’m downright famished! This island is so rocky and barren, and I’ve had a satan of a time discovering something to eat!
NARRATOR: The ant wiggled its antennae. Imani knelt down and gave the creature a smile.
IMANI: I’d be completely happy to share my honey with you, ant. And please – name me Imani!
NARRATOR: Imani drizzled all of his honey on the bottom, and the ant went to work lapping up the sticky, candy stuff.
ANT: Mmm! That was simply what I wanted! I recognize your kindness, Imani. And I promise – sooner or later I will repay you someway!
NARRATOR: Then the ant scurried away.
Imani rummaged by means of his bag and located a cup of rice. However simply as he was about to stay a fistful into his mouth…
JINN: I encourage your pardon, sir? Any likelihood you might share a few of that?
NARRATOR: Imani appeared up. Floating within the air earlier than him was a jinn! His mom had instructed many tales about these supernatural spirits, however this was the primary time Imani had truly seen one!
IMANI: Woah! Was that you just speaking simply now, jinn? Or am I so hungry I’m hallucinating?!?
JINN: Yup! It was me! I hope I didn’t freak you out, sir, however evil spirits have banished me to this island and it’s an absolute wasteland! I’ve been with out meals for days!
NARRATOR: Imani gave the jinn a sympathetic nod.
IMANI: I’d be completely happy to share my rice with you, jinn. And please – name me Imani!
NARRATOR: The jinn took maintain of the rice and poured each single grain down its gullet.
JINN: Yum! That was excellent! I recognize your kindness, Imani. And I promise – sooner or later I will repay you someway!
NARRATOR: Then the jinn disappeared with a poof.
[SOT: poof]
IMANI: Nicely that was loopy! I met a speaking fowl… an ant… I even met a jinn! However I’m so hungry I might move out – and it’s apparent I received’t discover any meals on this dismal place. Now that the skies have cleared, I’ll get again in my boat and transfer on.
NARRATOR: So Imani hoisted his sails and took off throughout the calm, peaceable water.
Earlier than lengthy he caught sight of one other island… and to his delight, it was lined with…
IMANI: …Fruit bushes!
NARRATOR: Now, as you may guess, this was the very same island that his brother Juma had discovered!
However Imani didn’t know that! So he docked his boat, sprinted to the fruit bushes, and stuffed handfuls of the bright-red fruit into his mouth.
IMANI: This fruit is delectable! However wait – it has pits inside! Higher spit them out. (ad-lib spitting pits onto floor)
NARRATOR: In fact, the second Imani spit out the pits, and the pits hit the bottom, you already know what occurred, proper?
IMANI: Would you have a look at that?!???
NARRATOR: They immediately blossomed into new bushes!
IMANI: My goodness! Not solely is that this fruit scrumptious, juicy, and candy, however it’s magic! I’ll deliver a bunch with me to my subsequent vacation spot. I wager it might are available in very useful.
NARRATOR: However simply as Imani went to fetch some barrels from his boat…
JINN: [SOT: reverbed] Imani, wait!
NARRATOR: Imani flicked his head round. He couldn’t see anybody, however he might have sworn he heard the jinn! The supernatural spirit with whom he’d shared his rice on the desolate, barren island!
IMANI: Jinn?? Is that you just??? Are you right here?
JINN: [SOT: reverbed] Not precisely… I’m nonetheless caught on that bleak, forlorn island! However I’ve used my powers to observe over you ever because you left! And since I promised I’d repay you in your kindness, I need to inform you – that fruit you’re choosing… it received’t develop simply anyplace!
IMANI: It received’t?
JINN: [SOT: reverbed] No! It would solely develop on the soil of the island the place you’re standing proper now! When you take the fruit with you, you should take a number of the soil with you, too. Solely then will the fruit work its magic and develop earlier than your very eyes.
NARRATOR: Imani felt his coronary heart overflow with gratitude.
IMANI: Thanks, jinn! Thanks a lot!
JINN: [SOT: reverbed] At all times completely happy to assist a pal in want, Imani!
NARRATOR: Imani smiled to himself as he crammed his barrels with fruit and soil. Then he received again in his boat and sailed off.
He quickly arrived at one other island – and as destiny would have it, it was the identical island the place his twin brother was imprisoned! However once more, Imani didn’t know that. So he snatched up his barrels and hustled over to {the marketplace}.
IMANI: Magical fruit right here! Get your magical fruit! Spit out the pit and watch a brand new tree develop within the blink of an eye fixed!
NARRATOR: Imani anticipated a crowd to assemble spherical, wanting to catch sight of his marvelous, mystical fruit. However as an alternative…
PERSON 1: Magical fruit, you say???
PERSON 2: You’re significantly gonna play that trick once more?!?
PERSON 3: Final time you pulled that stunt, you wound up locked within the Queen’s dungeon!
PERSON 4: Given how a lot she despises dishonesty and loathes mendacity, I can hardly imagine she allow you to out!
NARRATOR: At first, Imani was completely confused.
IMANI: Wait! What are you speaking about? I’ve by no means been to this island earlier than! You have to be speaking about somebody who appears to be like identical to me! Somebody who – (gasp as he realizes) OHHHHH!
NARRATOR: Immediately, Imani understood. They have to be referring to his twin brother! By which case, Juma was locked within the Queen’s dungeon!
Imani rushed to the palace and demanded to talk with the Queen. However when the Queen caught sight of Imani, her royal face broke right into a scowl.
QUEEN: You once more!! Want I remind you that as a result of I despise dishonesty, as a result of I detest mendacity, as a result of I forbid any fibs, I threw you into the dungeon…? How on the planet did you get away?
IMANI: However that wasn’t me, Your Majesty! It was my twin brother! And he didn’t imply to deceive you! These fruits he dropped at this island… he couldn’t get them to develop as a result of he didn’t know their secret! However I do! (beat) Please, Your Highness. Give me an opportunity to show myself. Very first thing tomorrow, come to the palace backyard and I’ll present you this miraculous fruit.
NARRATOR: The Queen gave Imani a really lengthy, very stern look.
QUEEN: (grudgingly) Alright. Advantageous. Tomorrow morning you could present me this so-called miracle. However keep in mind. When you fail, you can be forged into the dungeon along with your treacherous twin, and the 2 of you’ll stay out your dishonest days behind bars!
NARRATOR: The subsequent morning, Imani woke earlier than dawn, hurried to the palace backyard, and sprinkled the magic soil upon the bottom. By the point the Queen arrived, Imani had lined the complete backyard with a skinny layer of the enchanted earth.
QUEEN: Nicely, younger man? I don’t have all day! Present me this supposed magic of yours!
NARRATOR: Imani grabbed a chunk of fruit and popped it into his mouth. He started to chew, and chew… after which…
IMANI: (ad-lib spitting pit on to floor)
NARRATOR: … he spat the pit onto the bottom – proper on high of the magic soil. And identical to that, an entire new tree started to develop! Springing from the earth within the blink of an eye fixed!
The Queen was gobsmacked.
QUEEN: That was phenomenal! Extraordinary! (beat) I need to attempt it for myself!
NARRATOR: She reached into Imani’s barrel of fruit and popped a handful into her mouth. Then she started spitting…
QUEEN: (ad-lib spitting seed on to floor)
NARRATOR: …and spitting…
QUEEN: (ad-lib spitting seed on to floor)
NARRATOR: …till – a lot to her delight – the royal backyard was stuffed with magical fruit bushes!
QUEEN: This fruit of yours is completely spectacular, younger man!
IMANI: Thanks, Your Majesty. Now that you already know I used to be telling the reality, will you please free my brother from his cell?
NARRATOR: The Queen gaped at Imani as if he had three heads.
QUEEN: Free your brother?!? No, I can’t free your brother! A fib is a fib, and he instructed me an actual whopper!
IMANI: However Your Highness! I guarantee you – my brother didn’t comprehend it was a fib! He simply didn’t know the key! Solely I do know the key!
QUEEN: (intrigued) I see… Younger man, you look like some form of magician, and that intrigues me. (beat) So I inform you what. When you can work two extra feats of magic, I’ll free your brother.
NARRATOR: On the considered his brother going free, Imani’s coronary heart leapt. However on the considered having to carry out two extra magic tips, his coronary heart fell.
IMANI: Um, Your Majesty, with all due respect, is there any manner you’ll be able to simply let my brother go with out me having to –
QUEEN: (interrupting) Completely not! You need to work extra magic, or your brother won’t ever see the sunshine of day. (beat) Right here is the very first thing I would like you to do.
NARRATOR: The Queen pointed a bejeweled finger.
QUEEN: Do you see that area over there?
IMANI: You imply that vast area that stretches on for miles and miles?
QUEEN: That’s the one! I would like you to plant it. Not with that fruit of yours, however with wheat – all of the wheat within the royal storehouse. Your complete area have to be planted by tomorrow morning. (beat) Now get to it!
NARRATOR: Because the Queen marched away, Imani felt a pit kind in his abdomen. How might he probably do because the Queen requested? He spent the remainder of the day making an attempt to formulate a plan, however by dusk he hadn’t give you a single concept.
IMANI: Oh, man. That area is larger than my hometown! How on the planet will I single-handedly plant it with wheat?
BIRD: That’s simple! You received’t!
NARRATOR: Imani glanced up, and are you aware who he noticed?
IMANI: Fowl!
NARRATOR: The identical fowl with whom he had shared his millet on the desolate island!
BIRD: I instructed you I’d discover a option to repay you, Imani. So right here I’m! (beat) Or relatively, right here we’re! I introduced alongside a couple of buddies!
NARRATOR: Imani heard a fantastic whoosh of wings, and abruptly the evening sky stuffed with black-and-white birds – so many birds they blocked out the moon and stars!
The birds swooped into the royal storehouse, scooped up grains of wheat of their beaks, then went about planting the sphere, dropping the wheat on the earth then utilizing their wings to easy the soil.
By morning, the job was finished, and Imani was overcome with gratitude.
IMANI: Thanks, fowl! Thanks a lot!
BIRD: At all times completely happy to assist a pal in want, Imani!
NARRATOR: The black and white fowl took off into the air, adopted by its flock of buddies. As soon as the final feathered creature was out of sight, the Queen got here driving over on horseback. She galloped up and down the sphere, her gleaming eyes mounted on the bottom.
QUEEN: (in shock/resentful that he succeeded) Nicely, younger man! Appears you managed to plant my complete area by morning!
IMANI: (prepared to return clear) I did, Your Highness! Although in the event you should know, I truly had a bit of little bit of –
QUEEN: (resentment effervescent over as she snappishly interrupts) I don’t care what you had. You handed my take a look at; that’s all that issues. However you continue to have yet one more trick to carry out. (beat) Do you see that tree over there?
NARRATOR: Imani peered into the gap.
IMANI: You imply that tall one with a trunk as extensive and broad as a home?
QUEEN: That’s the one! I would like you to chop by means of that tree with one stroke of a sword. Only one. When you succeed, I’ll free your brother.
NARRATOR: Then the Queen circled and galloped away.
Imani spent the remainder of the day racking his mind, making an attempt to determine how he might probably minimize down such a large tree with only one stroke of a sword.
IMANI: Oh boy. I’m in actual bother now! There’s no manner one hack can knock that tree down!
ANT: I wouldn’t be so certain of that!
NARRATOR: Imani glanced down, and are you aware who he noticed?
IMANI: Ant!
NARRATOR: The identical ant with whom he’d shared his honey on the rocky island!
ANT: I instructed you I’d discover a option to repay you, Imani. So right here I’m! (beat) And I didn’t come alone.
NARRATOR: Imani heard a rustling, tapping, skittering sound, and abruptly the bottom was swarming with ants!
The military of ants marched over to the tree and scuttled up its trunk. They chewed a gap, burrowed inside, then started consuming their manner by means of the trunk’s wooden.
By morning, the bark of the trunk nonetheless stood in place, however the within the trunk was all hollowed out. Imani felt a rush of gratitude.
IMANI: Thanks, ant! Thanks a lot!
ANT: At all times completely happy to assist a pal in want, Imani!
NARRATOR: Because the ants marched up and over the hill, the Queen got here driving over. She hopped off her horse and handed Imani a metal sword.
QUEEN: Alright, magician. Let’s see what you are able to do!
NARRATOR: Imani took the sword, lifted it excessive within the air, then introduced it down throughout the tree’s trunk. As a result of the within was hole, the big tree instantly toppled over!
[SOT: tree falls]
NARRATOR: And guess what?
So did the Queen! She was so astounded by what Imani did that she fainted to the bottom!
QUEEN: (ad-lib cartoonish faint)
[SOT: thud]
NARRATOR: When she lastly got here to, she knew she had no alternative however to make good on her promise and set Juma free; she was a staunch supporter of honesty, in any case.
However earlier than the dual brothers might set sail and go away her island…
QUEEN: Imani – wait! I ponder… Will you keep right here and be a part of my courtroom as the brand new royal magician? You may forged your spells all around the palace! Everywhere in the kingdom, even!
NARRATOR: Now, in the event you had been Imani, what would you say? Sure or no?
Nicely, Imani answered with out hesitation. And he stated:
IMANI: No.
NARRATOR: As a result of he knew the Queen needed a magician whose magic comes from a wand, or a hat, or an enormous ebook of wizardly spells.
However Imani’s magic got here from one thing else completely: a sort, beneficiant coronary heart. And he was wanting to exit and share that coronary heart with the world.
