WBUR Podcasts, Boston. WBUR Podcasts, Boston. Think about what winters are like where you live. Are they chilly and snowy, or are temperatures more moderate? Today's story takes place in a spot where winters are intense, thanks in part to a supernatural spirit with a very cold shoulder. WBUR Podcasts, Boston. I'm Rebecca Shear and welcome to Circle Round, where story time happens all the time. Today our story is called The Blizzard Wizard. Versions of this tale have been told among the indigenous peoples of far north Siberia, near the Arctic Ocean. Some really great people came together to bring you our adaptation of this folktale, including Vivian Lyra Blair, who stars as young Princess Leia in the Disney Plus Star Wars series Obi-Wan Kenobi, and grown-ups you can see Vivian in the new feature film, The Boogie Man. So, Circle Round everyone, for The Blizzard Wizard. In the far north, where the vast, tree-less tundra reaches as far as the eye can see, a long-haired girl named Ayana lived with her mother, a talented seamstress. In Ayana's part of the world, most of the year it was winter, which meant plenty of long nights and short days. So soon after Ayana greeted the sun as it peaked its head above the horizon, Hello, son! She bit it farewell as it dipped back down again. Goodbye, son. But winters weren't just dark in Ayana's part of the world, they were cold. So, while mother huddled by the hearthfire, sowing beautiful coats, pants, and mittens, Ayana tied her long black hair into a long thick braid, stuffed it into a woolen cap, bundled up in her coat, then ventured out to collect firewood. Wood wasn't easy to come by on the frozen tundra, but Ayana worked hard and usually managed to gather a nice arm load of branches and sticks to keep the hut warm. One day, however... Mother, I'm back! She returned with just a handful of twigs. You were gone for hours, Ayana. What kept you? In short, the weather. Seems we got a real storm last night. The snow was so deep I could hardly walk. Luckily, I was able to gather a bit of wood, though I don't know how long it will last. Ayana set the twigs by the fire, then pulled off her snow-covered coat and woolen cap. Her long black braid came tumbling out. My goodness! Look at your beautiful black braid. It's nearly frozen! I'm afraid to say it, but from the look and sound of things, I believe we've received a rather nasty visit from the Blizzard Wizard. Ayana's eyes grew wide as she crouched by the fire. The Blizzard Wizard? Who's that? The Blizzard Wizard is the cold-hearted spirit who brings the harshest of weather to the tundra. Draped in flowing frosty robes with a long white beard and a magical staff made of pure sparkling ice, the Blizzard Wizard makes his way across the land. With every step he summons the snow, turning it from feathery confetti into frosty clumps. Swirling and blowing so hard and fast, you can barely see your hand in front of your face. Ayana felt a shiver run down her back. Gosh, as if winters weren't hard enough up here already. So how do we keep the Blizzard Wizard away, Mother? Well, luckily, the two things he fears most are light and heat. So as long as we keep our fire burning here in our hut, we should be safe. But we're nearly out of wood, Mother. All we have is what's in the hearth already, plus the little bit I managed to scrounge up today. That's all right. We'll use what we've got and just hope it lasts long enough till we can gather more. Ayana and Mother spent the next hours keeping a close watch on the fire. They did their best to keep it stoked, but as they ran out of wood, the flames in the hearth burned lower and lower until Ayana cried out in alarm. Mother, the fire has dimmed to its very last ember. How can we possibly keep the... But Ayana didn't have time to finish her sentence, because all at once, the entrance to the hut opened wide and a blast of bitter wind came sweeping through. Next thing Ayana and Mother knew, they were clutching each other's shivering bodies as they stood face to face with the Blizzard Wizard. Greetings and salutations, humans, ready to be snowed under. An explosion of ice and snow erupted from the Blizzard Wizard's fingers, but as he lunged toward Ayana and her mother, the very last spark from the fire flew up toward the roof. It arc'd through the air before landing in the folds of the Blizzard Wizard's billowing white robes and burning a hole right through. Look what you've done! Your fire has damaged my snowy robes! The Blizzard Wizard lifted his magical staff of ice and pointed it at Mother. You! You're a seamstress, are you not? I am. Then you will come to my palace of ice and you will repair my robes. Now! Then, before Ayana or Mother could say or do a thing, he swooshed his staff through the air. Another blast of wind swept through the hut and Ayana found herself alone, standing up to her knees in a little mound of snow. I can't believe it! That cold-hearted brute took my mother! But there's no time to fret. I must find the Blizzard Wizard's palace of ice and I must set Mother free. Ayana stuffed her long black braid into her woolen cap, pulled on her coat, then headed out the door. With the frozen tundra under her feet and a fiery determination in her heart. What will Ayana do to save her mother? We'll find out what happens after a quick break. The Brains On Universe is always expanding with shows about science, history, and debate. The shows are fun for kids and their adults. Brains On features kids' questions about the world answered through the lens of science. What happens when you dream? Can we live on Mars? Do plants sleep? The skits, interviews, songs, and explanations will have everyone laughing and learning. Forever Ago explores the history of everything. From bubble gum and surfing to the national anthem in Pride Flags. Forever Ago helps you explore the before. On Smash Boom Best, you get to judge which is cooler on topics like chocolate versus cheese, Spider-Man or Batman, books, or movies. Strong opinions and stronger arguments are encouraged and rewarded. Find Brains On Forever Ago and Smash Boom Best wherever you get podcasts. Or head to BrainsOn.org to learn more. Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Shear. Today our story is called The Blizzard Wizard. Before the break, Ayanna set off to rescue her mother from the Blizzard Wizard and his palace of ice. Ayanna began her quest just as the sun was peeking its shiny head above the horizon. Normally she greeted the sun when it rose, but today she was so lost in her thoughts that she stayed quiet and kept her head low. What? No greeting today? At the sound of this mysterious voice, Ayanna stopped in her tracks. Because usually you greet me when I rise and you say farewell when I set. It's something I always look forward to. Ayanna glanced around then tilted her head up. Um, son? Are you really talking to me? I am, and I'm wondering what's going on. You seem like you're in your own little world. Tell me what's wrong, but make it quick. I've got to set in just a little while. So Ayanna told the sun all about the Blizzard Wizard and how he had stolen her mother away. She shed a few tears as she spoke, and each one froze into a tiny icicle as it tracked down her cheek. Oh, that Blizzard Wizard. He is such a brute. I would vanquish him if I could, but like I said, my time is short this part of the year. So I'll do what I can to help by giving you this. Ayanna watched as a radiant ball of light came floating out of the sun. When it reached the earth, it turned into a golden bow strung with golden string. Beside it were three shimmering glowing arrows. These arrows contain light and heat. They will help you on your journey. Use them wisely and well. I will, mighty sun. I will. Thank you. Ayanna slung the bow over her shoulder, tucked the arrows in her coat, then continued across the tundra. She hadn't gotten far when she heard... Help! Another voice. Ayanna flicked her head round. And what should she see, bounding her way but a big, brown reindeer? The wolf is chasing me. Please help me. Please. The reindeer went charging past Ayanna, and sure enough, hot on the terrified creature's tail was a hungry, grey wolf. Without missing a beat, Ayanna grabbed the first of the sun's three arrows. She strung it on her bow and aimed it at the wolf. Then she let it fly. The shimmering shaft soared through the air. It didn't hit the wolf, but it struck the ground right next to him and scared him away. As the wolf scampered off, Ayanna felt something nuzzle her shoulder. You saved my life, young lady. How can I repay you? Ayanna flashed the reindeer a smile. Repay me? There's no need. Sure there is. It looks like you're on a journey. How about I give you a lift and you tell me your story along the way? So Ayanna climbed onto the reindeer's back and recounted her tale. It turned out the reindeer knew exactly where the Blizzard Wizard lived. All the animals did, and they did their best to steer clear of his icy palace. But the reindeer wanted to help Ayanna. So with her fleet feet, she loped across the ice and snow for miles and miles and miles until... Here we are. The Palace of Ice. Ayanna looked up. Looming before her was a towering palace with magnificent spires, towers, and turrets all carved from clear, glistening ice. Through one of the transparent walls, Ayanna could see her mother. The poor woman was crouching on the icy floor with the Blizzard Wizard's snowy robes in her lap. Frozen tears covered her cheeks. Her fingers trembled as she sewed. Mother looks so miserable, but I don't see an entrance. How do I get inside the palace? Well, it'll help if you cross that first. The reindeer tilted her head downward, and that's when Ayanna saw it. A deep canyon, forming a big gap between her and the palace. Oh no. I suppose the canyon is too wide for you to jump across. Sorry to say, but yes. That's alright, Reindeer. You've helped me get this far. I'll figure the rest out myself. Thank you. Ayanna hopped down from the reindeer's back. As the reindeer went bounding away, Ayanna took a few tentative steps toward the canyon. Just then, a gust of wind went sweeping past. Ayanna's woollen cap fell loose from her head, and her long black braid came tumbling out. As the thick braid flapped around her head, suddenly she knew just what she would do. I still have two of the three arrows the sun gave me. Perhaps one of them will do the job? Ayanna pulled the second arrow from her coat. Gripping the arrow in one hand, she clutched her long black braid with the other. Then she lifted the arrow, and slicing it sideways like a knife. She chopped her braid right off. Then she got to work weaving her long black hair into a rope. She tied a tight loop at one end. Then she hurled the rope toward the other side of the canyon. To her delight, the rope made it all the way across, before catching on a craggy outcropping of ice. Okay. Now all I have to do is use my rope to swing across the canyon, then I'll bust inside the palace and save my mother. Grasping the rope with all her strength, Ayanna took a running jump, then swung across the canyon. Woohoo! To her relief, she made it all the way over, but to her dismay. Hello, young lady. The Blizzard Wizard was waiting on the other side. So, you've come to rescue your mother, have you? Ayanna felt her blood run cold, but she took a breath, then fixed the Blizzard Wizard with a fierce gaze. Yes, I've come to rescue my mother, so let her go, now! The Blizzard Wizard smiled, showing a mouthful of frosty white teeth, each one as pointy as an icicle. You know, I admire your perseverance, young lady. Too bad it's no match for my polar freeze! The Blizzard Wizard lifted his magical staff and swished it through the air. All at once, a piercing wind struck Ayanna's face, and though the frigid air stung her cheeks and nearly took her breath away, she knew she had no time to lose. With trembling hands, she reached for the sun's third and final arrow. The wind was blowing so hard she could barely bring the arrow to the bow, let alone aim. But then, summoning all of her courage, all of her hope, and all of her fiery determination, she let the arrow fly. Haya! The glowing shaft went rocketing through the air, before piercing right through the Blizzard Wizard's magical staff of ice. Oh no! You've struck my staff! The source of all my power! And now it's melting clean away! It was true. The moment the sun's arrow hit the staff, the ice turned into liquid. And then, before Ayanna's very eyes, so did the Blizzard Wizard. I'm melting! Melting! But that wasn't all. The Palace of Ice was melting too. And once Mother was freed from her crystal prison, she came rushing toward her daughter and wrapped her in a hug. Ayanna! Oh, I thought I'd never see you again. How did you get here? How did you defeat the Blizzard Wizard? And what did you do to your hair? Ayanna grinned. Her mother was in for a very long story, but Ayanna had the whole rest of the winter to tell it, without worrying about the Blizzard Wizard taking anyone by storm. Now it's your turn. You can add sunshine to someone's day by giving them some sun praise. Kind of like sun rays, but with an added dash of compliments. Here's how you do it. Find some construction paper or cardstock that's yellow, orange, red, or any other sunny color. Have a grown-up help you cut a big circle out of your paper or cardstock. This circle will be your sun. Next, cut out some long strips about one inch thick. These will be your rays. Use glue to stick the rays all around your sun. Now think about who you'd like to give your sun praise to. Then, once the glue dries, write their name in the middle of the sun. Next, brainstorm praise. Compliments. Nice things you'd say about this person. Are they kind, friendly, funny, helpful? Do they make amazing chocolate chip cookies? Write one compliment on each sun ray. And when you're done, give this person their sun praise and watch their faces light up. This week's episode, The Blizzard Wizard, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear. It was edited by Nora Sacks. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Chimolones. Our artist is Sabina Hahn. Did you know Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for all of our circle round stories? And you can print them out and color them in? Grown-ups, visit our website, WBUR.org, slash circle round, and click on coloring pages. And while you're at WBUR.org, slash circle round, you can become the newest member of the Circle Round Club. You can get special circle round swag, add free episodes, bite-sized bedtime stories, early access to circle round events, even a personalized audio birthday message from me. Visit WBUR.org, slash circle round, and click circle round club. Special thanks to this week's actors, Amy Brantano, Joe Hernandez, Erica Rose, and Vivian Lyra Blair, who stars as young Princess Leia in the Disney Plus Star Wars series Obi-Wan Kenobi. Grown-ups, you can see Vivian in the new feature film, The Boogie Man. Our featured instrument this week was the Glockenspiel. You can learn more about this bard percussion instrument and see a photo of Eric Chimolones playing one on our website. Once more, that's WBUR.org, slash circle round. Grown-ups, if you enjoy Circle Round, please write us a five-star review on your favorite podcast app and tell your friends about the show. And please join our communities on Facebook and Instagram for all sorts of circle round fun. You can find us at Circle Round Podcast. Circle Round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR news station. I'm Rebecca Shearer. Thanks for circling round with us. Now that you've made it to the end of this Circle Round episode, we want to know what's your favorite Circle Round story? Thousands of fans just like you have been telling us about the Circle Round stories they like best. Take a listen, maybe one of their favorites is one of yours too. Hi, my name is Leila. I live in Malta and my favorite Circle Round stories are all of them. But my favorite one is the Troupe of Ten because I like the part where the king and queen do a breakfast for the Troupe of Ten. Hi, my name is Wibble. I live in Portland, Connecticut. My favorite Circle Round story is Marshup and the Shulk. My favorite part is when the Shulk says bye. My name is Ava and I'm from South Portland, Maine. And my favorite story is Princess Persistence. My favorite part is when the princess saves my prince. My name is Leila. I'm from South Portland, Maine. And my favorite one is Princess Persistence because when the princess follows the princess, it's so, so funny. My name is Al-Aulisa and I'm from Northern California. And my favorite Circle Round story is the princess and the bee. And my favorite part is when the bee helps the princess to find the right flower. My name is Maya. I'm from Tennessee. And my favorite Circle Round story is The Life of Pete. My favorite part of it is when they take cockroaches and water red. My name is Leon. I'm from Tennessee. My favorite Circle Round story is the Acorn Robbery. My favorite part is when the bird is watching. I love you, Lucas. Did someone mention a story you've missed? Not to worry. Grownups, you can find all of our Circle Round stories, plus links to the Circle Round Club, picture books, coloring pages, and oh so much more on our website, WBUR.org slash Circle Round.
