Have you ever lost something dear to you?
If so, how did it feel?
Probably not so great, right?
In today’s tale, an unassuming bird loses a treasured possession. Not because it goes missing, but because a bushy-tailed, double-crossing thief steals it away!
Our story is called “Seven Silver Rings.” It comes from several indigenous groups in present-day North America, including the Seneca and Shawnee.
Voices in this episode include real-life son and dad Igor Shimelonis and Eric Shimelonis, and real-life married duo Marielle Heller and Jorma Taccone.
Marielle Heller has directed numerous films, including “The Diary Of A Teenage Girl,” “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” and “A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood.” Coming up, she’s set to write and direct a live-action remake of the classic animated movie, “FernGully: The Last Rainforest.”
Writer, actor, director, musician and comedian Jorma Taccone is one-third of the comedy trio, “The Lonely Island.” He’s the author of the children’s book, “Little Fox and the Wild Imagination,” and co-host of “The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast.” His latest film is the grown-up action-comedy thriller, “Over Your Dead Body.”
And fun fact: Marielle and Jorma are no strangers to Circle Round! You can hear one or both of their voices in a bunch of our episodes, including “Queen of the Forest,” “Milk From a Bull,” “The Seamstress and the Deev,” “Something Fishy,” “Lookalike Falls,” “Treasure Mountain,” and “The Bags of Seeds.”
This episode was adapted for Circle Round by Rebecca Sheir. It was edited by Dean Russell. Original music and sound design is by Eric Shimelonis. Our artist is Sabina Hahn.
(Sabina Hahn for WBUR)
GROWN-UPS! PRINT THIS so everyone can color while listening. We’re also keeping an album so please share your picture on Facebook and Instagram, and tag it with #CircleRoundPodcast. To access all the coloring pages for past episodes click HERE. Our resident artist is Sabina Hahn and you can learn more about her HERE.
Now It’s Your Turn
We know we should respect the belongings of others. But it isn’t always easy! To help us out, we can consider these three questions.
- How would we feel if somebody took one of our belongings without asking?
- Why is it important to ask for permission before we take something that belongs to someone else?
- If we do take something that belongs to someone else, and we don’t ask permission, how might we apologize and make things right?
Pair up with a grown-up and talk over these questions. The more you explore, the more you’ll understand how our actions affect others – and vice-versa!
Musical Spotlight: Harmonica
Eric Shimelonis plays the harmonica, also known as a French harp or mouth organ. (Courtesy of Rebecca Sheir)
The harmonica is a type of aerophone: a musical instrument that produces sound by causing a body of air to vibrate without strings or membranes. In this case, the air vibrates when you blow air across tiny metal strips on the instrument. By changing the shape of your mouth (what’s known as “embouchure”), you can change certain pitches by “bending” them down.
The harmonica is one of the most bought and sold instruments across the world. Though it was invented in Germany in the early 1800s, its predecessor, the sheng, was popular in China over 3,000 years ago. (You can hear Eric Shimelonis playing this ancient Chinese instrument in our 2021 episode, “The Governor’s Puzzle.”)
Much of the harmonica’s popularity comes from its small, convenient size, and from its musical versatility. You’ll hear it used in a great number of genres, including American folk music, blues, classical music, jazz, country, and rock.
Script:
NARRATOR: If you’ve seen the nocturnal mammal known as Raccoon, then you know he has a stocky body, short limbs, and dexterous front paws with slender little fingers. His fur is grayish-brown, save for the black mask that surrounds his eyes, and the black rings that go up and down his bushy tail.
But once upon a time, Raccoon didn’t have that mask – or those rings! He was grayish-brown all over!
This is the story of how everything changed.
It began late one night, as Raccoon prepared to go out hunting.
RACCOON: Let’s see… First I think I’ll pinch some eggs from the birds! Then I’ll nick some nuts from the squirrels… And if I’m still hungry – which, given MY appetite, I no doubt WILL be – I’ll creep into the corn field and filch some cobs from the farmer!
NARRATOR: I should probably point out here that most of Raccoon’s “hunting” actually consisted of “stealing.”
RACCOON: (correcting NARRATOR) I like to think of it as “permanent borrowing”! Without asking permission or forgiveness!
NARRATOR: Uh-huh. (beat) And Raccoon’s favorite thing to steal –
RACCOON: (correcting) “Permanently borrow”!
NARRATOR: …was anything SHINY. Shiny rocks, shiny pebbles, shiny buttons and beads… he was wild about them all. And on this particular night, as he set out to steal some food…
RACCOON: (correcting) “Permanently borrow”! How many times do I have to tell you????
NARRATOR: …he spied something so shiny, so sparkly, it stopped him right in his tracks.
RACCOON: (GASP!) Look at THAT!
NARRATOR: He was passing by Raven’s house at the time. Through the window, he could see that the jet-black diurnal bird was sleeping… with seven silver rings stacked by her side.
RACCOON: Those rings! They’re so beautiful! See how they glimmer and glisten! Shimmer and shine! (beat) I must have them for myself!
NARRATOR: Raven was a big bird, with pointy claws and a razor-sharp beak. Raccoon knew that if he snuck into her house and woke her up, he’d be in trouble!
RACCOON: I must find a way to get the seven silver rings without getting caught! (beat) And I know just how I’ll do it!
NARRATOR: Quick as a flash, Raccoon scampered back to his house. He rummaged and scrabbled around until he found just what he was looking for.
RACCOON: Black face mask? Check! Amazing plan to make off with Raven’s seven silver rings without her noticing? CHECK!
NARRATOR: Raccoon slipped the black face mask over his eyes and returned to Raven’s abode. He crept to the window, took in a deep breath, then let out…
RACCOON: (ad-lib ghostly MOAN)
NARRATOR: … a MOAN!
RACCOON: (ad-lib ghostly MOAN) (actor should continue long enough to cover action that follows)
NARRATOR: …a rather GHOSTLY moan – so loud and scary it roused Raven from her slumber!
RAVEN: (waking suddenly) Oh dear! What is that horrible sound?
RACCOON: (ad-lib ghostly MOAN)
NARRATOR: Raven glanced around. When she laid eyes on the moaning, masked figure outside her window, she fought to keep the tremor from her voice.
RAVEN: (frightened but trying to sound brave) Uhhh, l-listen you! I don’t know who you are, or what you want, but you’d better leave! R-r-right now!
RACCOON: (ad-lib ghostly MOAN)
RAVEN: (frightened) I-I mean it! If you don’t get out of here, then I am going to… to…
RACCOON: (ad-lib ghostly MOAN)
RAVEN: …to GET OUT OF HERE!!!
NARRATOR: The terrified bird gave a squawk and raced out the door.
RAVEN: (squawk!)
NARRATOR: Raccoon watched with a smile as Raven spread her wings, lofted into the air, and disappeared into the night sky.
[SOT: bird flying away]
RACCOON: Golly! That was easier than I thought it would be! Now that Raven’s flown off, I can make off with her dazzling rings!
NARRATOR: But when he tried scooping the rings into his furry, grayish-brown arms, he realized he had a problem.
RACCOON: I can’t carry all seven rings at the same time! I can’t wear them, either; my fingers are too small and thin!
NARRATOR: Raccoon put his mind to work. And that’s when he came up with a new plan. One by one, he began sliding the rings over his grayish-brown tail!
RACCOON: (as he puts on rings) One… two… three… four… five…
NARRATOR: The moment he was done…
RACCOON: …six… seven!!!!
NARRATOR: … he took to his heels and raced back home. By the time he got there, it was morning – and the exhausted nocturnal critter promptly fell fast asleep.
RACCOON: (ad-lib funny sleeping/snoring sounds)
NARRATOR: Meanwhile, Raven was heading home, too. She was delighted to discover the moaning, masked figure was gone. But she was dismayed to realize that something else was gone, too!
RAVEN: My seven silver rings! They’re nowhere to be seen!
NARRATOR: Raven’s bright eyes roved back and forth, as she tried to figure out where her rings might be.
RAVEN: Let’s see… The rings were beside me when that mysterious moaner showed up. Once they scared me off, they must have scuttled in and stolen my rings!
NARRATOR: A scowl crossed Raven’s face. Anger flooded her jet-black chest.
RAVEN: If that sneaky thief thinks they can pull a fast one on me, they are gravely mistaken. Because whoever they are, I will find them! I will track them down and make them pay! (dramatic) And when I do, they’ll realize they messed with the wrong bird!
NARRATOR: What do you think will happen next? Will Raven sniff out the thief?
We’ll find out, after a quick break!
[BREAK]
NARRATOR: Welcome back to Circle Round. I’m Rebecca Sheir. Today our story is called “Seven Silver Rings.”
NARRATOR: Before the break, Raccoon played a trick on Raven by STEALING her seven silver –
[SOT: score music winds down when RACCOON interrupts]
RACCOON: (interrupting) Okay. I know I’m not supposed to enter the scene yet… but what did I tell you at the start of the story? I don’t think of it as “stealing.” I think of it as – (NARRATOR interrupts)
NARRATOR: … “Permanently borrowing”? (beat) I’m sorry, Raccoon. But I don’t buy it.
RACCOON: (annoyed) Fine. Be that way! I’ll see you in a few.
NARRATOR: See ya! (beat) Okay, where were we…?
[SOT score music back in]
NARRATOR: Right! Raccoon STOLE Raven’s rings. He was wearing a mask at the time, and it was night, so Raven had no idea who the culprit was. But their ghostly moans were unmistakable. So come morning, she went out into the forest, and approached each animal one by one, asking them to deliver their best moan.
RAVEN: Alright, Bear! You’re first. Let it rip!
BEAR: Uh… okay… (ad-lib moaning)
RAVEN: Yeaaaaah… that’s not it. (beat) How about YOU, Badger?
BADGER: (ad-lib moaning)
RAVEN: That’s not it either. (beat) Eagle?
EAGLE: (ad-lib moaning)
RAVEN: Nope. (beat) Fox?
FOX: (ad-lib moaning)
RAVEN: Nuh-uh. (beat) Rabbit?
RABBIT: (ad-lib moaning)
RAVEN: Not even close! Ugh!
NARRATOR: Raven spent all day hearing moan after moan. By sundown, there was just one moan she hadn’t yet heard.
Can you guess whose?
[SOT: knock]
RAVEN: Raccoon? [SOT: knock] Raccoon! [SOT: knock] I need to talk to you! Open the door!
NARRATOR: Raccoon hadn’t yet woken for the night – until the shouting and knocking cut through his sleep.
RACCOON: (groggy) Uch! What’s all that racket???
RAVEN: Raccoon! [SOT: knock] Let me in! [SOT: knock] It’s RAVEN!
RACCOON: RAVEN???
NARRATOR: Raccoon’s eyes snapped open. And that’s when he made a troubling discovery. He was so tired when he got home that morning that he’d forgotten to remove the black mask from his face! And the silver rings from his tail!
With trembling paws, he yanked off the mask. Then he scrambled to pull off each of the rings.
RACCOON: (nervously pulling off rings) One… two… three… four… five…
NARRATOR: When he was done…
RACCOON: …six… seven!!!!
NARRATOR: … he stashed the mask and the rings under his blanket, then hustled to the door.
[SOT: door open]
RACCOON: Hiya, Raven! What can I do for ya?
RAVEN: ‘What can you do for me,’ Raccoon? I’ll tell you what you can do for me! (beat) You can MOAN!
NARRATOR: As you can imagine, this was not the response Raccoon expected.
RACCOON: Ummmm, I can do WHAT now?
RAVEN: You can MOAN! (beat) Last night someone came over to my house, they scared me away with these ghostly moans, then they made off with my seven silver rings! So… MOAN!
NARRATOR: Raccoon gave his grayish-brown head a shake.
RACCOON: No offense, Raven, but you’re barking up the wrong tree! I don’t even know HOW to moan! Is it like a… (ad-lib very un-moanlike sound)??? Or maybe…(ad-lib a second very un-moanlike sound)??? Or something like (ad-lib a third very un-moanlike sound)???
NARRATOR: While Raccoon made one decidedly un-moan-like sound after another…
RACCOON: (ad-lib a fourth very un-moanlike sound) [SOT: continue beneath narration that follows]
NARRATOR: …he got so into it, so carried away, that he started throwing his arms around and swishing his tail back and forth. And that’s when Raven cut him short.
RAVEN: (cutting RACCOON off) ENOUGH! (beat) I just realized that I don’t need to hear your moans, Raccoon. (beat) Because I can SEE your GUILT!
NARRATOR: Raccoon felt a rush of panic. He glanced at his blanket, certain that one of the rings must have revealed itself. But all seven were still hidden from sight. So what “guilt” was Raven “seeing”?
RAVEN: Tell me, Raccoon… Have you ever heard… of TARNISH?
RACCOON: “Tarnish”…?
RAVEN: Yes! The black residue that forms when metals like brass, copper, or SILVER come into contact with certain chemicals in the air! Or certain oils on the body! Like, say, the oils in… FUR??? (beat) I’d like to say that I caught you red-handed, Raccoon. But instead, I’ve caught you BLACK-TAILED!!!
RACCOON: What are you talking about???
NARRATOR: Raccoon whirled around to face his tail. And that’s when he saw it. Lining the bushy, grayish-brown appendage were seven black rings.
RAVEN: Let me guess. After frightening me with your mysterious mask and your ghostly moaning, you stuck my seven silver rings around your tail! And when you came back to your house, you didn’t take them off. So as you slept the day away, the silver tarnished! And left behind seven black rings!
NARRATOR: Raccoon knew his goose was cooked. He hung his head… tucked his newly-striped tail between his legs… then heaved a sigh and showed Raven what was under the blanket.
RAVEN: I knew it! You have the black mask AND the seven silver rings! Last night’s moaning ghost… WAS you!
RACCOON: Yes. It was. And I’m sorry, Raven. I’ll never do it again.
RAVEN: No you will not! Because I will never let you forget what you did. From this day forward, Raccoon, you shall bear the marks of your theft!
RACCOON: Come again?
RAVEN: To remind you of your wrongdoings, your eyes shall be surrounded by black fur, just like the mask you used to deceive me! And your tail shall be ringed with black stripes, to remind you of the rings you STOLE!
RACCOON: (sheepish) Um… don’t you mean permanently borrowed?
RAVEN: No! I do NOT!
RACCOON: (chastened) Noted.
NARRATOR: So… thus it was that Raccoon went from grayish-brown all over to grayish-brown with a black mask around his eyes, and black rings around his tail.
And yet, despite these eternal reminders of his misdeeds, Raccoon never learned his lesson. To this day, the fuzzy nocturnal critter still strikes – scuttling around like a thief in the night – as he pinches, pilfers, swipes, and – no two ways about it – steals.
