The Sunlight Tree | Ep. 302

This Circle Round episode is a very special one. Recorded live with players from the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast of actors at Symphony Hall on October 11, 2025. To learn more about our live shows, visit wbor.org slash circle round and click on events. And now, on with the story! Do you have a favorite tree? Maybe it's a kind of tree, like a birch or a pine. Perhaps it's a specific tree, like that old oak you love to climb in the park, or the maple whose crispy leaves you love jumping into after they fall. Today's story is all about a very special tree, one that doesn't shed leaves. It sheds light! I'm Rebecca Sheer and welcome to Circle Round Live at Symphony Hall in Boston, Massachusetts. Today our story is called The Sunlight Tree. It's inspired by tales from Sweden, a Scandinavian country in northern Europe. Joining me on stage is a star-studded cast of actors Mary Faber, Josh Gondelman, Lamont Price and Jessica Rau. Providing musical accompaniment under the direction of our own Eric Chimolognes is a world-class ensemble from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Kathy Bassreck on viola, Rachel Childers on horn, Chris Elchico on clarinet, Clint Foreman on flute, Ben Levy on double bass and Suzanne Nelson on bassoon. So Circle Round everyone, for The Sunlight Tree! In a quaint wooden hut, atop a quiet wooded hill, there lived two sisters, Selma and Sveya. Selma and Sveya shared the hut with their pet bird, a glossy jet-black starling named Lars. That's me, Lars! I suppose I should mention Lars could talk. Oh yeah, I love talking. I could talk and talk all day if given the chance. I bet you could. Thing is, Selma and Sveya don't know that I can talk. I figured it might be kind of weird for them. So do you mind not saying anything? I won't breathe a word. And how about you? Do you mind keeping things on the down low? Thank you. I like these people. I like them too. But do you mind piping down Lars? We need to carry on with the story. Oh, no problem. I do make a return of parents, right? Oh yes you do. You play a very important part. Alright, then carry on. Thanks. So the wooden hut on the wooded hill was very small, but it was also very bright. Day in and day out, its walls glowed with sunlight, even when skies were cloudy and gray. And do you know why? I do, I do! Thanks Lars, but I was talking to the audience and we need to carry on with the story. Right, go ahead. Thanks. Where were we? You were saying that our wooden hut on the wooded hill is filled with sunlight. Even when skies are cloudy and gray. Ah yes, thank you Selma and Svea. You're very welcome. Selma and I would have gotten here earlier, but we were down in the village giving away fruit from our sunlight tree. It's actually a pear tree. Svea and I planted it outside our window when we moved in. And all year round? No matter the season. It blossoms and bears fruit. The bright white flowers and golden yellow pears give off this brilliant light. So it's like the sun is always shining in our hut. And that's why you call it the sunlight tree. Now come along Lars. We have more pears to give away in the village. Caw! Remember, they don't know I can talk. Caw! Caw! Caw! Now, something you should know about Selma and Svea's hut and Selma and Svea's tree is that neither actually belonged to Selma and Svea. The sisters were tenants or renters on a grand estate. The woman who owned the estate had recently passed away. She left everything to her son, Vilhelm, including a massive mansion at the bottom of the hill and all the land surrounding it, including the hill itself. Vilhelm wasn't interested in hobnobbing with his mother's old tenants, so he paid them no attention. But as he heard talk of this mysterious pear tree up the hill, his curiosity peaked. Would a pear tree really blossom and bear fruit all year long and give off a glow like the sun? There's only one way to find out. He jumped on his horse and trotted up the hill. When he laid eyes on the sunlight tree, he nearly fell out of his saddle. Jumping Jehoshaphat, it is true. The tree is covered with fruit and the hut is filled with sunshine. Indeed it is, sir. Every day of the year. Vilhelm glanced past the tree and saw two women with a dark, stocky bird fluttering above their heads. You must be Vilhelm. I am Selma. And I am Spea. And this is Lars. Caw! It's kind of you to pay us a visit. Your mother used to come by all the time, but we've never seen you on our hill before. I'm sorry, our hill? Vilhelm's lips curled into a sneer. This is my hill. Since I own the estate now, this hill is mine. This hut is mine. So do you know what else is mine? He reached up and grabbed a pear off a branch. This tree is mine. That's why I am going to take it. I shall have my gardeners dig it up, bring it down the hill, then plant it outside my window. It's awfully dark inside my mansion. The hill casts the most dismal shadow. But with this tree outside my window, my entire abode will sparkle like the sun. The sisters traded a worried glance. Mr. Vilhelm, with all due respect, if you pull this tree from the soil, it will die. Why not take a clipping and plant that instead? A clipping? I don't want a lousy clipping. I want the whole tree. I deserve the whole tree. Then how about if we take a clipping? Please, to keep us a memento? Huh? Figuring it would get the sisters and their pesky bird off his back, Vilhelm agreed. The sisters took their clipping, and later that day a brigade of gardeners armed with shovels and spades trekked up the hill, dug up the tree, and carted it back down on a wagon. Vilhelm's mansion was a maze of rooms, each one grander than the next. He had the gardeners plant the tree outside the great hall, a spacious ballroom with bronze chandeliers and giant arched windows that should have filled the space with natural light, if not for the shadow casting hill. However, with my new sunlight tree growing outside, this hall will be blazing with light, miraculous breathtaking light. Vilhelm ordered his gardeners to treat the tree with the utmost of care. Thus you can imagine his dismay when, within a matter of days, the tree's blossoms withered and fell. Dug on it! Only after that, its pears shriveled and dropped. Dagnabbit! So next thing Vilhelm knew, the once resplendent tree was bare and brown. Drat and darnation, the sunlight tree is dead! DEAD! No offense buddy, but you should have seen this coming. Vilhelm glanced up, perched on one of the tree's lifeless branches was the starling from up the hill. So first those vexing sisters have a magic tree, now they have a talking bird and an awfully rude one at that. Why don't you mind your own business birdbrain? Ha! Look who's being rude now! I'm just speaking the truth man. Salmon's veya warned you not to dig up the sunlight tree and you didn't listen. But maybe I shouldn't be so harsh. After all, thanks to you, we have a whole new sunlight tree. Look! Lars extended a wing toward the wooded hill. Filtering through the trees was the most radiant light Vilhelm had ever seen. Salmon's veya planted that cutting you left them. And just like that, it sprouted into a tree. A great big beautiful tree. Even brighter than the first. And you're calling me a birdbrain? Ahahahah! Ahahahah! Ahahahah! The laughing bird spread his wings and soared up the hill cackling all the while. Vilhelm was not pleased. Go ahead you birdbrain laugh. With all you want, because trust me, I will get my revenge. And when I do, you'll see, the last laugh will be mine. Ahahahah! Ahahahah! Ahahahah! Ahahahah! Ah! Ah! Ahahahah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! What I like about the Circle Round Club is that Rebecca Shear sends extra messages and it supports the show and there are no odds. Grownups, support public radio and sign up today at wbr.org slash circle round club. I'm Rebecca Shear. Welcome back to Circle Round Live at Symphony Hall in Boston, Massachusetts. Today our story is called The Sunlight Tree. Before the break, Selma Sveya and their pet, Starling Lars. Yes, me, Lars! Yes, it is! And the second half of the story just started. So, do you mind taking a little break until you officially enter the scene? Uh, how soon do I enter? Oh, um, hang on. Oh, actually you enter toward the bottom of this page so hold on just a sec. Now, as I was saying, before the break Selma Sveya and Lars bid a sad farewell to the Sunlight Tree. Their landlord, Vilhelm, transplanted the tree to the bottom of the hill so it could shine its light into his dark, shadowy mansion. But within days of being moved, the tree died. So Vilhelm turned to plan B. And next thing the sisters knew, the greedy estate owner was galloping up the wooded hill with a smug look on his face and a team of builders at his rear. Selma Sveya, fancy seeing you atop this hill, given that you don't live here anymore. The sisters were confused. What do you mean we don't live here anymore? This is our home! Caw! It's not your home anymore because I am evicting you. I'm kicking you out. But why would you evict us? We've been paying our rent. Caw! This isn't about rent. It's about soil. You see, when I replanted the Sunlight Tree outside my mansion at the bottom of this hill, it died. Oh no. Oh dear. Duh. Meanwhile, your new Sunlight Tree is thriving. Just look at it. It's so bright I'm getting a tan. Well, it's definitely flourishing. And it grew so quickly. Exactly. Clearly the soil at the top of this hill is more suitable for a Sunlight Tree than the soil at the bottom. Therefore, I shall move up here. What? Caw! I have ordered my builders to tear down the hut and replace it with a castle, a glorious palace through whose windows this new Sunlight Tree will glow and shine, lighting up every gilded wall, marble floor, and priceless work of art. The sisters felt tears spring to their eyes. Oh please, Mr. Wilhelm. Don't kick us out. You can double our rent. Triple it. Just don't part us from our hut. Or our beloved tree. Wilhelm groaned. Ugh. How many times do I have to tell you? It is not your hut. It is not your tree. Everything on this hill belongs to me, including the hill itself. So be gone, lest I send for the constable and have you arrested. The sisters gazed sadly at the hut. Then they gazed sadly at each other. Then, without a word, they went to the Sunlight Tree, wrapped their arms around its trunk, and gave it a loving squeeze. Oh, so we're tree-hugging now. Talk about melodramatic. It's just a tree. You'll survive. Now get out of here. I have a castle to build. Well, when the unfortunate news of Selma and Sveya's eviction spread through the village, everyone stepped forward to help. The village farmer offered a plot of land in his meadow. The carpenter donated materials for a new hut. Other neighbors came through with clothing, food, and furniture. Meanwhile, atop the wooded hill, Wilhelm's team was hard at work on his castle. When it was finished, he decided to throw a lavish ball. He invited high-ranking members of the nobility and gentry, who came flocking up the hill, dressed to the nines, and eager to see the Sunlight Tree. Can you believe it, folks? Have you ever beheld such a marvel? Such a miracle? I daresay you haven't. Wilhelm relished his guests' aww-struck expressions. Clearly, they were very impressed. But then, all of a sudden, the expressions on their faces changed. One by one, smiles vanished. Brows furrowed, and lower lips began to quiver and shake. What's going on, folks? You seem distressed. Wilhelm followed his guests' gazes, and that's when his smile vanished. His brow furrowed, and his lower lip began to quiver and shake. And do you know why? Well, Wilhelm had built his castle atop the wooded hill, right? So it was surrounded by all kinds of trees, maples, pines, oaks, and before his and his guests' very eyes, every single one of those maples, pines, and oaks gathered up its branches and stretched them to either side. As if each tree had sprouted two mighty wings, the Sunlight Tree did the same. And then, wouldn't you know it, all of those mighty, leafy wings began to flap. They flapped, and they flapped, picking up momentum and speed until every tree broke free from the earth and lifted into the air. Nicely done, friends. Not bad for your first flight. Wilhelm looked up, and there was that pesky starling, hovering in front of the trees as if leading an army. All right, friends. Now forward! Fly! Lars lowered his head and began to swoop and dive. The trees followed suit, whizzing around in great loops and arcs. They moved closer and closer to the castle, crowding over the windows and walls until the entire place went dark. The party guests panicked, stumbling all over each other as they scrambled for a way out. Wait! Don't leave! Stay! But staying was the last thing anyone wished to do. And as they bolted for the door, do you know what happened? The trees lifted away, all at once clearing the way so that everyone could get out. Wilhelm tried to follow, but before he reached the exit, the trees crowded back in again, and he was trapped in the shadows. What have I done? What have I done? You've made a big old mess. That's what you've done. Wilhelm gazed upwards, and there, flying in circles in the dark, was the starling. You could have left Selman's Faye alone. You could have left them to enjoy their sunlight tree. Instead, you are all mine, mine, mine. Me, me, me. Maybe next time, you won't be such a bird-brain. Lars fluttered to the window and gave it a tap, and just like that, the trees backed away. They floated into the air and glided back to their original spots on the hill. Then they settled back down, dug in their roots, and stood tall and proud just like before. But one tree did not return to its original place. Any guess which one? Anyone? You've got it! The sunlight tree! It lifted up into the air, higher and higher before gliding away from the wooded hill. The tree drifted and floated, and when it reached Selma and Svea's new hut, it lowered down to earth and plunged its roots into the soil. And there it stood, back with its kind and rightful owners, filling their home and their hearts with light. Now it's your turn. If you could have a tree that produced something magical, what would it be? Maybe its branches would always be bursting with ice cream cones, or its leaves would be made from picture books. Find some paper and draw a picture of your tree. Share it with a family member or friend, and then, if you like, share it with us. Grown-ups, email a photo of your Circle Round fan and their artwork, and email it to circleround at wbr.org. With your permission, we may feature it in our Circle Round newsletter, The Lion's Roar. If you haven't yet signed up for this monthly email full of sneak previews, peeks behind the scenes, and more, visit wbr.org slash Circle Round. This week's story, The Sunlight Tree, was adapted by me, Rebecca Scheer. It was edited by Dean Russell. Circle Round's composer is Eric Shimlonis, who conducted our world-class ensemble from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Kathy Basrak on viola, Rachel Childers on horn, Chris Elchico on clarinet, Clint Foreman on flute, Ben Levy on double bass, and Suzanne Nelson on bassoon. Special thanks to everyone at the BSO, including Chad Smith, Tony Fogg, Mark Rulison, Angie DeSosio, James Campbell, Dana Faloon, Jason Lenhardt, Steven Ponczak, Amy Aldrich, Jason Lyon, and Kelly Carmesino. And a big Circle Round of applause for our actors at Symphony Hall, Mary Faber, Josh Donnellman, Lamont Price, and Jessica Rau. You grown-ups may know actor-singer and puppeteer Mary Faber from TV shows like Parks and Recreation and Kidding. She's graced the Broadway stage in musicals like Avenue Q, American Idiot, and How to Succeed in Business without really trying. She's appearing at Bat Boy, the musical, at New York City Center through November 9. Josh Gondelman is a stand-up comedian and Emmy award-winning writer you NPR fans know from wait-wait, don't tell me the NPR News Quiz. Grown-ups, you can find his comedy specials, People Pleaser and Positive Reinforcement, streaming online. And you kids can hear him in oodles of Circle Round episodes recorded live at Symphony Hall and Tanglewood. Named best comedian in Boston by Boston Magazine and one of Comedy Central's comics to watch by Comedy Central, Lamont Price has brought his humor to every major comedy festival. He's also appeared in Triumph the Insult Comic Dog's election special on Hulu and in Funny or Dies, Oddball Comedy Tour. Singer and actor Jessica Rau has appeared in dozens of Circle Round stories including live episodes from Los Angeles and San Francisco. She has voiced characters in many video games including Cobra Kai, The Karate Kid's Saga Continues. You kids can hear her voice in the films Wish, Sing and Pitch Perfect 3. Circle Round's artist is Sabina Hahn. 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, www.br.org.slash.CircleRound and click on Coloring Pages. Love the stories you hear on Circle Round? Leave us a 5-star rating or review on your favorite podcast app and please tell your friends about the show. With your help, we can make the Circle Round circle even bigger. Circle Round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR news station. I'm Rebecca Scheer. Thanks for Circling Round with us! One of their favorites is one of yours too. My name is Clara. I live in London, England. My favorite Circle Round story is getting stunked. I like the part when skunk turns black. My name is Kala and I live in Washington, DC. And my favorite Circle Round story is the Zodiac 12. My name is Max. I live in Washington, DC. And my favorite Circle Round story is as clear as a bell. My name is Frank. I live in Houston. 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