WBUR Podcast, Boston. There's an old Spanish saying, las mentiras tienen las patas cortas. Translated to English, it means lies have short legs. In other words, falsehoods and fibs can't get far without being caught. As we'll hear in today's tale, sometimes lies don't just have short legs. They have long tails, too. I'm Rebecca Sheer and welcome to Circle Round, where story time happens all the time. Today our story is called Leader of the Birds. It was inspired by tales from the Maya, and indigenous people from a region including modern day Guatemala and Belize, plus parts of southern Mexico, Honduras and El Salvador. Some really great people came together to bring you our story, including Caroline Michelle Smith and Christopher Rivas. Caroline Michelle Smith has appeared on such TV shows as The Shy, and Just Like That and Russian Doll. Her newest film is Familiar Touch. Christopher Rivas wrote the picture book, You're a Good Swimmer, The Memoir, Brown Enough, and hosts the podcasts, Ruby Rosa and Brown Enough. He also starred in a Circle Round episode from 2022. We'll reveal which one at the end of the story. So, Circle Round everyone, for Leader of the Birds. ["The Shy Song"] If you've seen the member of the pheasant family known as the peacock, then you know that male peacocks are some of the most beautiful birds in the world. With iridescent plumage of sapphire blue, emerald green, and shimmering gold, they can spread their long tail feathers into a big dramatic fan, as wide and tall as a twin size bed. However, while their feathers may be gorgeous, their voices are anything but ["The Shy Song"] shrill and jarring. The peacock's voice sounds like a wailing cat ["Noooo"] or a broken trumpet ["Noooo"] or a combination of both. ["Noooo"] But back in the beginning, when Creator Spirit first introduced birds to the world, peacock's voice ["Me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me"] was nothing like a wailing cat or broken trumpet. It was rather pleasant, actually And it made Peacock rather proud. Absolutely. Le-le-le-le-le. But much as Peacock loved his voice, he loathed his feathers. Because in those days, Peacock's feathers were, well, blah as can be-be-be-be-be. That's right. Peacock's plumage was as dull and drab as a rainy afternoon. So he yearned for feathers that were fabulous. I'd be a sight to see, see, see, see. Um, hang on a sec. Peacock, not to interrupt just as we're getting started, but could you maybe speak some of your lines, too? This is a podcast, not an opera. That's fine by me, me, me. Sorry, I get carried away. That's OK. So if Peacock started off with a pleasant voice and plain feathers, how did he become the way he is today? Well, it all began one sunny morning when Creator Spirit gathered the birds in a clearing in the forest to make an announcement. My fine feathered friends, I believe it is time for you birds to elect a leader, a ruler to make laws, solve problems, and maintain order. The question is, who should this leader be? There was a brief silence. Then Peacock spoke or sang up. It should be me, me, me, me, me. After all, a leader makes a lot of speeches, right? And who doesn't want a leader with a sweet, melodious voice? However, to maintain order, a leader needs strength. Turkey chimed in next, stretching her wide wings and snapping a branch off a tree. I'm the strongest bird of all, so our leader should be me. But a leader needs vision. Now Eagle piped up, his sharp yellow eyes glittering. From up above, I can see everything you birds do. And I can judge you for your acts. Soon all the birds were sounding off, insisting to the others why they should be the new leader. But Creator Spirit noticed that one bird remained quiet. Nighthawk? You haven't said a word. Would you like to share why the bird should vote for you? Nighthawk shrugged her long, slender wings. I don't know, Creator Spirit. I guess I'm a decent flyer. She offered a humble smile and walked it into the air. After a series of steep dives, sharp turns, and daring loops, she gracefully soared back to Earth. Most of the birds were mesmerized by Nighthawk's fantastic flight. But peacock was mesmerized by something else, Nighthawk's fantastic feathers. In those days, her plumage was an iridescent swirl of sapphire blue, emerald green, and shimmering gold. That was a wonderful display, Nighthawk. Thank you. And thanks to all of you for suggesting why you should be the bird's new leader. Tomorrow we shall hold an election. Meet me at dawn, ready to cast your vote. Till then, farewell. As the birds exited the clearing, peacock hung back. His dull, drab head bowed low. Oh, whoa, is me, me, me, me, me. I may sing like an angel, but Nighthawk can fly like an acrobat, and she has the most glamorous feathers. With that combination, all the birds are sure to vote for her. Unless. A devilish grin crossed his face. What if I can make sure Nighthawk doesn't get a single vote, and all the birds vote for me instead? Because let's face it, if anyone deserves to be leader of the birds, it's me. And when I win this election, it'll be a real feather in my cap. What is peacock planning? Will his sneaky scheme succeed? We'll find out after a quick break. Hey, grownups. Mindy here from Wow In The World, the number one podcast for curious kids and their grownups. And now you can join me every Friday for two What's In A Wow People Who Wow edition, the Get Into Know You game show that separates the wows from the what's of some of the world's most interesting people. Want to play along? Listen to Two What's In A Wow People Who Wow edition on the Wow In The World podcast feed and meet a new person who wows every Friday. Welcome back to Circle Round. I'm Rebecca Scheer. Today our story is called Leader of the Birds. Before the break. The birds were about to elect a new leader. Peacock yearned to win the election. But while his voice was pleasant, his feathers were plain. Nighthawk on the other hand had gorgeous feathers. Sapphire blue, emerald green, and gold. She was also an impressive flyer. Peacock worried that Nighthawk would get all the votes. So he decided to play a trick. Pasting on the friendliest smile he could muster, he crossed the forest and paid Nighthawk a visit. Hey there, Nighthawk. How you doing? I'm great, Peacock. How are you? I'm good. I'm pretty good. But I've been thinking about this election thing. Creator Spirit says we need one bird to make laws, solve problems, and maintain order. But I can't help but wonder why just one. Nighthawk cocked her blue, green, and gold head. Are you saying we should have more than one bird in charge? I sure am. Peacock leaned in close, as if sharing a secret. From what I hear, I've got this election in the bag with my beautiful singing voice. All the birds plan on voting for me, me, me, me, me, me, me. Really? Oh, yeah. Word has it I'm going to win this election. The hands down, wings down too. And when I become the new leader, I want you to lead with me as my partner. I just ask one thing in return. And what would that be? Peacock folded his drab wings over his drab chest. Your feathers. My feathers. Nighthawk's beak dropped open. You want my feathers? Just till after the election. And once I get the birds vote, you can have them back. And then you'll announce that I'm your co-leader? Sure. Nighthawk paused and thought it over. OK, Peacock. I'll let you borrow my feathers. Nighthawk made quick work of plucking out her plumage. And Peacock made quick work of putting it on. After pasting the blue, green, and gold feathers all over his body, he puffed out his chest with pride. Well, how do I look? Nighthawk, who was now as bald as a ping-pong ball, shivered. You look great, Peacock. Though I have to admit, I had no idea how cold I would be without feathers. You'll give them back after the election, right? And we'll lead the birds together. But she didn't get an answer. Because Peacock had already bounded away in a dazzling blur of blue, green, and gold. Peacock stayed up all night, too excited to sleep. Come dawn, he raced to meet Creator's Spirit and the birds in the clearing. Good morning, folks. I hope you didn't start voting without me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me. The birds stared at Peacock, their beaks a-gap. His once dull head was crested with bright feathers, and his long, lustrous tail was spread out in a wide, breathtaking fan. You look amazing, Peacock. Absolutely regal. Between your feathers and your voice, you've got my vote for leader of the birds. Mine, too. As the birds twittered their agreement, Peacock gave Creator's Spirit a grin. Well, Creator's Spirit, there you have it. I was just elected leader of the birds. Shall we make it official? Creator's Spirit said nothing. Instead, the deity's eyes traveled down Peacock's colorful body, from his colorful head to his colorful neck to his colorful wings. When they landed on his colorful tail, they rested there, unblinking. Creator's Spirit, shouldn't we swear me in or whatever? As you just heard, I just won the election unanimously. Everybody voted for me. Everybody. Creator's Spirit's brow knotted with anger. Everybody voted for you. What about Nighthawk? Did Nighthawk vote for you? Oh, wait. Nighthawk isn't here. All I see of Nighthawk are her feathers, because you are wearing them. Peacock felt a rush of panic, but he tried playing it cool. You're right, Creator's Spirit, I am wearing Nighthawk's feathers. She wanted so badly for me to win this election, she was certain that prettier plumage would get me the vote, so she insisted on taking off her feathers and giving them to me. I insisted on what? The birds swiveled their heads to the edge of the clearing, and there, pale, thin, and trembling with cold, was Nighthawk. I didn't give you my feathers, Peacock. I let you borrow them, because you promised that if I did, I would be your co-leader when you won the election. But it was all a lie. You were just using me to gain power. How could you be so selfish? Creator's Spirit shot Peacock a look so sharp it could have cracked a bird's egg. Peacock is what Nighthawk says true. Is it true? Peacock's colorful chest surged with panic. Well, the thing is, um... Enough. Creator's Spirit fired Peacock a scowl, then flashed the other birds a smile. My fine feathered friends, Nighthawk has been done a disservice, a dishonest, deceitful, devious disservice. So I want you to do her a kindness. I want each of you to pluck out one of your feathers. Bring it to Nighthawk so she may have a new coat of plumage to keep her warm. The birds did as they were told. They plucked out a feather and adorned Nighthawk's head and face. Thank you, friends. Her chest and belly. Much obliged, friends. Her wings and tail. I'm so grateful, friends. When they were finished, Nighthawk had a whole new look. She was covered in shades of gray, brown, black, and white, with a bright crescent-shaped patch on the underside of her long, slender wings. Creator's Spirit gave the birds a satisfied nod, then leveled Peacock with a steely gaze. Peacock, those green, blue, and gold feathers you wear are gorgeous, stunning, every bit as beautiful as your voice. And you may keep them. I can keep them? Yes. But you must understand this. True beauty, real beauty, isn't something one wears on the outside. It's something one has on the inside. And it rises to the surface when we show kindness, love, and care, just like your fellow birds showed for Nighthawk. Indeed. They did. But you, Peacock. You showed the opposite. And so, while you may keep your beautiful feathers, you must lose your beautiful voice. From now on, your sweet, melodious song shall become a harsh, grating screech. But Creator's Spirit, can't you take pity on me, me, me, me? No! Peacock's beak fell open. What have you done? My voice sounds like a wailing cat, or a broken trumpet, or a combination of both. And ever since, that shrill and jarring voice has served as an unforgettable reminder that when we show kindness, love, and care, we can hit the right note with anyone. Unlike Peacock, who's forever doomed to hit the wrong one. Now it's your turn. If you were choosing a leader, what are three qualities you would want them to have? Brainstorm your top three qualities, then share them with a family member or friend. And as you go about your daily life, try to demonstrate those qualities. Even if you don't want to rule the world, it never hurts to show a little leadership. This week's episode, Leader of the Birds, was adapted by me, Rebecca Scheer. It was edited by Dean Russell. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis, whose featured instrument this week is the ocarina. You can learn more about this ancient wind instrument and see a photo of Eric playing one on our website, www.r.org.com. www.circleround.com. 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 color them in. Grownups download our 300 plus coloring pages at www.r.org.com. www.circleround.com. Special thanks to this week's actors, GM Hakim, Erica Rose, Christopher Rivas, and Carolyn Michelle Smith. Carolyn Michelle Smith has appeared on such TV shows as The Shy, and Just Like That, and Russian Doll. Her newest film is Familiar Touch. Christopher Rivas wrote the picture book You're a Good Swimmer, The Memoir, Brown Enough, and hosts the podcasts Ruby Rosa and Brown Enough. You longtime circle round fans will remember him as Fox in our 2022 episode The Wheat and the Chaff. Circle round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR. I'm Rebecca Scheer. 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's Alia, and I live in Waymouth, England, and my favorite circle round story is Stenner and the Dragon, and my favorite artist, when Stenner finds all her 100 children. My name is Anna. I live in Burwood, Pennsylvania, and my favorite story is Blizzard Wizard. I like the part when him and his castle melts. My name is Aveline, and I live in California, and my favorite circle round story is the lion's rescue. My favorite part is where they feed the lion, because it's very, very, very, very thoughtful and kind. Hi, my name is Felicity. I live in Poolswell, Maryland, and my favorite circle round story is a biscuit and a basket. And my favorite part is when the little girl frees some tiger. I'm George, and I live in St. Paul, Minnesota. My favorite circle round story is the song of the horse. I like the part when Sue finds the horse. My name is Theodore, and I live in Jersey City, New Jersey, and my favorite circle round episode is the Zodiac 12, because I like the part when the cat says, rat, you cheated me, and now you're going to pay. My name is Lily. I live in Washington, DC, and my favorite circle round story is of beans and bunnies from July 8th. 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.
