Over the Sea | Ep. 311

WBUR Podcasts, Boston. Think about the place you call home. What does your home look like? What does it feel like? Is it comfy and cozy, welcoming and warm? We're about to meet some animals whose home is none of those things. So they decide to settle someplace new. Little do they know, but they'll have a whale of a time getting there. I'm Rebecca Scher and welcome to Circle Around, where story time happens all the time. Today our story is called Over the Sea. It comes from the Aboriginal peoples of Australia, who have lived on this continent between the Pacific and Indian oceans for over 50,000 years. Some really great people came together to bring you our version of this folktale, including actress, singer and producer Tatiana Ali, from the fresh prints of Bel Air and Abbott Elementary. As part of Scholastic's Rising Voices series, she's written a new children's book called Aussie and the Octopus. So Circle Around everyone for Over the Sea. Long ago, in the world's earliest days, the animals that you'll find in what we now call Australia, lived somewhere else entirely. Koala, kangaroo, platypus and all the rest resided in a distant land across the sea. It was a flat windblown place, desolate and barren. So it wasn't exactly home sweet home. Then one day, eagle came gliding down from the sky with an announcement. Listen up everyone. Today I flew far, far across the sea, farther than I've ever flown before. And guess what? I found us a new home and it's amazing. What does it look like, eagle? It's beautiful Koala. It has grassy plains and dazzling beaches, red deserts and lush rain forests. It also has majestic mountains, winding rivers and the most crystal-clear lakes you ever did see. So, if we moved to this new land, there would be plenty of food for us to eat. Gobs of it kangaroo. This land is as fertile as can be. But how do we get there? Well, platypus, that's where we're in a bit of a pickle. This land is very far across the sea. If we all wish to travel together, I have no idea how we'll make the trip. There was a moment of silence as the animals pondered this dilemma until how about we float? All eyes turned to starfish. Back when our story takes place, the arms radiating from starfish's body were straight and smooth, not curved and bumpy like they are today, and she wiggled all of them with excitement. We could cross the sea in a canoe. And you know who has a big bark canoe that could fit all of us inside it, right? Well, the animals traded an uneasy glance. They all knew about whales legendary canoe. They also knew about whales legendary selfishness. The big, bossy sea mammal never shared anything with anyone. We appreciate the suggestion starfish. But you know how stingy whale is. He's the most tight fisted among us, not that he technically has fists. Not once has he ever let that canoe out of his sight. He would never lend it to us. But it wouldn't hurt to ask would it? I'll simply say that all of us animals are moving to a new land across the sea. So could he please lend us his canoe? He may very well be into it. Unfortunately, when starfish went and made her proposal, good day whale. All of us animals are moving to a new land across the sea. So could you please lend us your canoe? Whale was not into it. Not a Chad starfish, not a no way. Whale gave his head a shake back in those early days. His head was smooth and flat with no blowhole on top. But it was every bit as gigantic. So when he shook it from side to side, he nearly caused a tidal wave. My canoe is my treasure. My jewel. My pride and joy. Just look at her. He motioned toward a sleek vessel tethered to a jagged rock near the shore. The canoe was crafted from a long sheet of bark folded and tied at the ends with rope. Isn't she a bute? I would never let you borrow her starfish. Never. Never. Ever. Never. Ever. Never. Never. Ever. Ever. Never. Ever. Ever. Ever. Ever. Now leave me alone before I lose count of ever's. Starfish knew she couldn't win this debate. So she turned and shuffled away. Her many arms slumped into feet. Well, that was a whale of a rejection. The other animals were right. Whale is too selfish to share with us. But I would give my right arm to use that canoe of his and my upper right arm and my left arm and my upper left arm. Cracky. I would give all my arms. That's it. Starfish gave her arms a flex. Well, maybe up in the arms about sharing his canoe. But I have a plan. And if it works, I'll get my hands on that canoe using my arms. What is starfish planning? What might you plan if you were starfish? We'll hear what happens after a quick break. The reviews are in and super fans like you are loving the Circle Around Club an exciting opportunity to support public radio and get cool stuff, including ad free episodes and a personalized birthday message from me. What I like about the Circle Around Club is that Rebecca shares some extra messages and it supports the show and there are no ads. Grownups support public radio and sign up today at wbr.org slash Circle Around Club. I'm Rebecca Sheer. Welcome back to Circle Round. Today our story is called Over the Sea. Before the break, the animals were desperate to leave their cold, barren country and move to a new land across the sea. When starfish asked whale if she and her friends could borrow his canoe for the trip, the super sized and super selfish sea creature said no. So starfish cooked up a plan B. She gathered eagle, koala, kangaroo and platypus together and laid out her plot. You were right everybody. Asking whale for his canoe got me nowhere. That's why you are going to take it. The animals beaks, jaws and bills dropped open. Starfish! How are we supposed to take whale's canoe when he never lets it out of his sight? Eagle's right. He's always guarding over it. He sure is koala. If he sees us trying to steal it away, we're toast. Worst than that kangaroo, we're burnt toast. Look friends, I can assure you well we'll not see you making off with his canoe because I'm going to distract him. Keep him occupied. When I give you the signal, you hop into the boat and start battling. Okay? The animals reluctantly agreed and starfish, wearing her most winning smile, headed back to the coast. As usual, there was whale with his big bark canoe moored to its jagged rock. Hi there whale. I've come to do you a favor. Whale rolled his grapefruit-sized eyes. A favor you say? And does this favor have anything to do with my canoe? Actually, it has something to do with your lice. Why what? Your lice. Those pesky little critters crawling all over your head. Whale gave his smooth, flat head a twitch. Now that I think about it, my head is kind of itchy, but I don't see any lice. That's because the lice are so tiny. Though technically they're not really lice. They're small crustaceans known as siamets who live and feast on the skin of whales and other marine mammals. Ew! Gross! I know! And that's why I'm here. To help you chase those pesky parasites away. And how about you do that starfish? Easy! With these! Starfish stuck out her smooth, straight arms. I'll use my arms to pluck off all your lice. You'll be much comfier and cleaner when I'm done. Whale thought for a moment. All right, fine. But make it quick. He lowered his smooth head so starfish could clamber on. Once she was in place, she put her many arms to work, plicking off the lice one by one. Frankie! There are more of these buggers than I thought. There must be thousands of them. Millions even. This could take a while. How long? Long enough that you might just want to close your eyes. Take a nap. It'll make the time go faster. Whale mulled the notion over. Actually, that's not a bad idea. Promise me you'll wake me up when you're done? Of course I will. And I'll just nod off then. Good night. Whale's eyes fluttered shut. He grew very still. The moment starfish was certain he was out cold. She waved her arms toward the shore. Okay, team! Time to jump into action! In a flash, Eagle, Koala, kangaroo, and platypus popped out from behind a boulder. They busled to the jagged rock and began untying the canoe. As they did, they were joined by a bunch of other animals. Wombat and a kidna, Wallaby and Emu, all of them worked together to undo the knots and push Whale's canoe into the sea. But the moment they hopped in and started paddling, do you know what happened? Whale woke up! What was that? Did I just hear paddles in the water? Is somebody riding my canoe? Starfish put on her most reassuring face. Huh? Your canoe is just fine, Whale. You must be hearing things. After all, your ears are crawling with ice. Don't you worry, though. I'll fix that in a jiffy. She sat to work scratching around Whale's ears in hopes of silencing the splash of canoe paddles as the animals floated away. Oh, that scratching feels nice. Is it helping Starfish? It sure is, Whale. It's more helpful than you know. Now why don't you close your eyes again and get some rest? Nah, I'm feeling all bright-eyed and bushy tailed now. And besides, I don't want to miss out on this heavenly scratching. And in any chance you can go to my other end and give my tail a scuff. Whale turned his head and justured toward his flukes. But the moment he did, his great-fruit-sized eyes grew as big as watermelons. Water on earth? My canoe is gone! Somebody made off with my canoe! He peered out to the horizon. And that's when he saw it. The vanishing shape of his beloved canoe, chuckful of paddling animals. I've been tricked. Conned. Socked in. You were trying to distract me, Starfish, so that your friends could steal my canoe. Starfish trembled with indignation. Steel. It wasn't so much steel as borrow. Like I told you, Whale, we found this incredible new home across the sea. And the only way to get there was to- To swipe my canoe? Nicket? Pinch it? Well, I'm about to give you a swipe-nick and pinch. You'll never forget. Whale gritted his teeth and plunged under the waves. Then he heaved his massive body up and out of the sea, spiraling in midair before landing again and sending the water churning. Starfish dug her arms into Whale's head and held on tight. So tight, in fact, that she actually punctured the skin and broke right through. Left behind was a gaping hole. And all of a sudden, what should come blowing out of that hole but a spurt of water? What in the world was that? What happened to my head? It was an accident, Whale. I just- I- I- But Starfish could say no more, because at that moment, Whale grieved again, leaping out of the water and propelling himself even higher. Starfish tried to maintain her grip, but it was no use. Her little body was tossed way up toward the sky. She went sailing through the air, soaring in a big arc before landing on a rock. The same jagged rock where Whale once tied his canoe. Starfish ached all over. When she was finally able to lift an arm, she let out a gasp. Because what was once a straight, smooth appendage was now curved and bumpy. Thanks to her fall, all of her arms were curved and curly and covered in tiny spines, just like they are today. Meanwhile, as Starfish was beholding her accidental makeover, Whale was pursuing the canoe. The steamed-up sea mammal streamed through the waves, squirting water through his blowhole. The animals dug their paddles into the sea, straining every muscle to make the canoe go faster. Eagle was at the helm. Whale is gaining on his friends. If he catches us, we'll be drowned. We'd have to pick up the base. I'm doing my best, Eagle, but my arms are too short. I'm with Kangaroo. As a platypus, I barely even have arms. Can you help Koala? Well, my arms are nice and long. Maybe they can paddle us to safety. What Koala said was true. Her arms were long, but in those early days of the world, they were also skinny and scrawny, but she tightened her grip and began paddling as hard as she could. And guess what? Within moments, the canoe picked up speed. Koala worked the paddle with so much force that her skinny, scrawny arms grew strong and muscular, just like they are today. In no time flat, the animals reached their new home. The beautiful fertile land we now call Australia. They were eventually joined by Starfish, but she didn't choose to live with them on land. Instead, she made her home on the bottom of the sea. That way she could stay hidden from whale. Who, to this day, swims up and down the Australian coast, searching for the starfish who put the blowhole on his head and pulled the wool over his eyes. Now it's your turn. Think about a time you helped a friend or family member solve a problem. Maybe you offered helpful advice or went to hand when something broke around the house. Draw a picture of how you helped someone get out of a bind. Then draw a picture of how you, and they felt afterwards. Helping and being helped can feel amazing. And as Starfish showed us, we all can be helpers, no matter how big or small we happen to be. This week's episode, Over the Sea, was adapted by me, Rebecca Scheer. It was edited by Dean Russell. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis. Eric's featured instrument this week is the Didgerie Dew. You can learn more about this ancient Australian aboriginal wind instrument and see a photo of Eric playing one on our website, wbur.org slash circle round. Circle round artist is Sabina Han. Sabina has created a black and white coloring page for all 300 plus circle round stories and you can print them out and color them in. Grown ups, you can download all of our coloring pages at wbur.org slash circle round. Special thanks to this week's actors, Fiat Orchin, Susanna Mars, Jessica Rout, and Tatiana Ali from the Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Abbott Elementary. As part of Scholastic's Rising Voices series, Tatiana has written a new children's book called Acy and the Octopus. She also has a line of handmade baby quilts called Baby Yams. 100% of the proceeds go to black and indigenous midwives and dolas. If you love circle round and want to circle round with us in even more ways while also supporting public media, join the Circle round club. As thanks for your support, we'll send you exclusive swag and ad free feed. Bonus bedtime stories, weekly emails from me, and audio features from Eric about our musical instruments. You can also add on goodies like our snuggly lion's stuffy, fun yellow t-shirt, and a personalized birthday message recorded by me. Sign up for the Circle round club and show your love for public media at wbur.org slash circle round. Grown ups, if you enjoy circle round, please spread the word. And if you can, please leave us a five-star rating or review on whatever podcast after using right now. It helps other listeners find the show so we can keep circling round with you for years to come. Circle round is a production of WBUR Boston's NPR. I'm Rebecca Sheer. 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. My name is Tani and I'm from Kikari Ranta and my favorite story is that you have left a leg that powdered a tongue into trees. My name is Tolia and I live in California and my favorite Circle round story is the nine sticks because I like stories where beer, Boston. My name is Quarer from Indiana and Abelist. 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