WBUR Podcasts, Boston. I'm Rebecca Shear and welcome to Circle Round, where story time happens all the time. Today our story is called Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins. Versions of this tale have been told in Mexico, Central Asia and Siberia, and among indigenous peoples from the southern plains of the modern day United States. Some really great people came together to bring you our story, including Sterling K. Brown, Mandy Moore and Chris Sullivan. Co-stars on the NBC show This Is Us and co-hosts of the Rewatch Podcast This Was Us. So, Circle Round everyone, for Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins. The Coyote Twins I'm just reading my lines. Okay, so the Coyote Twins weren't quite the sharpest thorns on the prickly pear. Mmm, prickly pear. Oh, so juicy. But they were fleet of foot, which made them rather big of head. In other words, they were cocky. All the other animals totally wish they were us. Yeah, they do. Because we're amazing. Yeah, we are. We can run super-duper fast. Yeah, we can. We've never met anyone more talented. Yeah, we have. I mean, no, we haven't. I mean, you know what I mean. You know. As you can imagine, the other animals were growing weary of the Coyote Twins' boasting, especially the petite, bushy-tailed, pointy-eared canine known as Swift Fox. That would be me. Swift Fox isn't just a description. It's an official scientific name. And it comes from the fact that I'm, well, Swift. I'm only as big as a house cat, but I can run nearly as fast as the Coyote Twins, which is helpful if I want to catch a meal or avoid becoming one. That is true, but I would argue that the Swift in Swift Fox refers to something else as well. Wouldn't you say? Oh, please, don't make me brag. Unlike those cocky Coyote Twins, I don't need to toot my own horn. Then I'll toot it for you, because Swift Fox had a Swift mind. He was clever, nimble, and sharp. And after years of putting up with the Coyote Twins, he decided he'd use that Swift mind to teach the boastful bullies a lesson. Early one morning, while the Coyote Twins were snoozing beneath some pine trees, Swift Fox came prancing over. Good day, Twins. The Coyote Twins peaked open an eye and scowled. Ugh, for crying out loud, Swift Fox, can't you see we're getting our beauty rest? Not that we really need any. Why don't you go bother someone else? Yeah, get out of here. Swift Fox gave a shrug. Look, Twins, I can get out of here if you really want me to. But if I do, then you won't get to eat the Prairie Chickens. At the mention of the brown and white striped birds known as Prairie Chickens, the Twins sat bolt upright. Prairie Chickens? We love Prairie Chickens. Especially chowing down on them. They're so plump. And tasty. And that's why I need to stick around. Any minute now a whole mess of Prairie Chickens are coming to meet me. They are? What for? That's the fun part. I played a little trick and told them I'd fallen ill. Very ill. Just as I hoped, one of the chickens took pity on me and promised to make me a special medicine. I convinced her and her friends to bring me a huge supply right here by these pine trees. Once those unsuspecting birds show up, we can have ourselves a feast. Hang on a minute. What do you mean we can have ourselves a feast? Big, strong coyotes like us do not share with puny little foxes like you. Never, ever, ever. Swift Fox gave another shrug. I get it. I'm small and I'm puny and you don't want me around. But don't you two realize you need me. It's me the Prairie Chickens are coming to see. If they lay eyes on two big, strong coyotes like you, they're gonna buzz off. And you don't want them to buzz off, do you? Buzz off? Don't Prairie Chickens make more of a clucking sound, you know, like... No, no, it's more of a... Or is it a cackle? What I meant is you don't want the chickens to run away, right? Oh, of course we don't. So how about I stay here while you two go and hide somewhere close, but out of sight, like say up there. Swift Fox pointed to the top of a pine tree. The coyote twins traded a glance, then lunged toward the tree and began to climb. Now, coyotes may be talented runners, but when it comes to climbing, they're pretty awkward. And the thing about pine trees is they're tough to climb. For anyone, their branches are brittle and sparse, their needles are pokey and sharp, their gloomy, gummy sap gets everywhere. So as the twins scrambled up the tree, branches snapped beneath their feet. Needles stabbed at their faces, sap saturated their fur. But at last, with pounding hearts, heaving chests, and sticky, bedraggled bodies, they reached the top. They gave each other a weary high-five, then glanced at the ground. What they expected to see were a bunch of delicious prairie chickens bustling over for their appointment with Swift Fox. But instead, toodaloo, twins! All they saw was Swift Fox sprinting away on his swift little legs and laughing. The coyote twins were flummoxed, downright discombobulated, but then it dawned on them. Swift Fox played a trick on us! Wait a minute. He tricked us AND the prairie chickens! There are no prairie chickens, you dolt. He tricked us into climbing up this tree so we would look like fools! We can't let him get away with this! I say we find him and eat him! Yeah! Of course, we have to get down first. Now, if you think it's tough for a coyote to climb up a pine tree, you should see them trying to climb down. You're on my tail! But after much scrapping and scrabbling, the twins reached the ground. Using their keen ears and noses, they followed Swift Fox's trail. They found him at the bottom of a cliff. He was standing with his back to the steep stone wall, pushing against it with legs braced and teeth clenched. You're not going to escape by pushing against that cliff, Swift Fox! Yeah! You're not gonna escape from us at all! Cause now that we're here, we are gonna eat you! Unless you make like a tree and bark! Wait, wait, wait, wait. Isn't it make like a tree and leave? Yeah, right. Swift Fox locked eyes with the twins, but he didn't run. Instead, he kept pushing. Oh boy, thank goodness you big strong coyotes are here. You have to help me hold it up or we're all doomed! What is Swift Fox talking about? What do you think he needs help holding up? We'll find out what it is after a quick break. The reviews are in and super fans like you are loving the Circle Round 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 Round Club is that Rebecca Shear sends 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 Round Club. I'm Rebecca Shear and welcome back to Circle Round. Today our story is called Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins. Before the break, Swift Fox played a trick on the coyote twins by dooping them into climbing a pine tree, then running away. The coyote twins were determined to get revenge and to make the cunning canine their next meal. When they raced after him, they found him at the bottom of a cliff, pressing his back against the rock. Come on you two, I can't hold it up by myself. If anyone can do the job, it's two big strong coyotes like you. The cocky coyotes were disarmed by Swift Fox's flattery and stumped by his statement. Oh, what are you talking about Swift Fox? What do you need us big strong coyotes to help you hold up? Ugh, don't you see? It's the cliff. It started to fall the moment I got here and now I'm holding it up. The coyote twins shared a look, then they doubled over with laughter. You really expect us to fall for another trick, Swift Fox? There's no way that cliff can fall. But there is a way you can fall. Yeah, into our bellies. The coyote twins licked their lips. Swift Fox shook his head. You two don't understand. The last thing you want to do is eat me. If you do, this cliff wall will give way and crush us into pancakes. Mmm, pancakes. I'm being serious. When I came by just now, I saw these little rocks tumbling over the edge and I knew I had to prop up the cliff before it could... YAAAAAAAH! Swift Fox gave a cry as if the pushing was becoming too much. The moment he did, a cascade of loose pebbles came dropping down the cliff face. See what I mean? The cliff is falling down! The coyote twins looked up in alarm. Uh, I'm beginning to think that Swift Fox is on the level. On the level? I thought he was against the wall. On the level means telling the truth, you nitwit. Holding nothing back. But I thought he was holding the cliff back. Ugh. Suddenly, another smattering of pebbles tumbled over the edge of the cliff. And do you know why? Spoiler alert, it isn't because the cliff was falling down. It was because a family of rabbits had built their burrow at the top of the cliff. Whenever they heard a loud noise, be it a Swift Fox cry or a coyote groan, the petrified bunnies ran for cover, scrambling into their burrow and sending a shower of pebbles over the edge. Swift Fox knew all about the rabbits, but the coyote twins did not. The terrified creatures sprang to Swift Fox's side, facing the cliff with their teeth gritted and their shoulders shoving against the rock face. No! No! No! Swift Fox lowered his head to conceal his grin. Push harder, you two! Come on! Push with all your might! And they did. The coyote twins strained. No! The coyote twins heaved. No! As they did, they began to tire. No! Ugh. What are we gonna do? We coyotes are big and strong, but we can't hold up this cliff forever. You have a point there. So, I'll tell you what. Given how big and strong you are, how about you two keep pushing while I go get help? If I round up enough animals, maybe we can drag over a log or a rock or something else to prop the cliff up. That is, unless you're afraid to take all the weight yourselves. The coyote twins rolled their eyes. Afraid to take all the weight? We big, strong coyotes aren't afraid of anything. That's what I figured. So, you two keep pushing and I'll be right back. Slowly, Swift Fox stepped away from the wall. Then he flashed the twins' smile and scurried off as fast as his swift legs could carry him. The clueless coyotes kept pushing. No! They pushed all day long and by sundown, their muscles ached, their heads throbbed, their throats were parched and dry, but Swift Fox had not yet returned. Where is that silly fox? Oh, it beats me, but I sure am exhausted. Tell me about it. Well, my body's quivering like jelly, my tongue is glued to the roof of my mouth and my eyes are bulzing so far out of my head that... That's not what I meant. Listen, Twin, we cannot keep pushing like this. I say we jump away from the wall and head for the hills. Head for the hills? But what if the hills are falling too? I mean, let's shake a leg. My legs already are shaking. No, I mean, let's get out of here. No! Why didn't you say so? Coyote twins closed their eyes, breathed in deep, then took a flying leap away from the wall. No! The moment their fleet feet hit the ground, they headed for the hills. But after a little while, they realized something. All they heard around them were the natural sounds of nature. No rumbling of falling rock, no roar of tumbling stone. And when they slowed their pace and glanced behind them, their eyes went wide. The cliff didn't fall! It looks just like it did before. Does this mean... That we did such a great job holding it up that it stayed glued in place? No, you goose. Goose? I'm a coyote. What I was about to ask is, does this mean the cliff was never in danger of falling in the first place? No! Goose! The coyote twins couldn't contain their rage. They snapped their jaws. They growled. And howled. Because in that moment, they realized they had been tricked again. And despite their fabulously fleet feet, they would never ever be swift enough to outfox fox. The End Now it's your turn. We all have special skills and strengths. You can celebrate your own by making a Strengths Chain. First, cut a piece of paper into strips. On each strip, write or draw one of your strengths. Your strength can be general, like, I am persistent or I show kindness. Or it can be specific, like, I can name a dozen dinosaurs or I can clean my room in no time flat. Using tape or a glue stick, link your strips together by making loops and forming a chain. Ask a grown-up to help you hang your Strengths Chain somewhere you can see it. Then add more links as you develop new strengths. This week's episode, Swift Fox and the Coyote Twins, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear. It was edited by Dean Russell. Our original music and sound design is by Eric Chimalonis, whose featured instrument this week is the pedal steel guitar. You can learn more about this very cool guitar built into a table and see a photo of Eric playing one on our website, wbor.org slash circle round. 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 while you listen. Grown-ups, download our coloring pages at wbor.org slash circle round. Special thanks to this week's actors, Chris Sullivan, Mandy Moore and Sterling K. Brown. Chris Sullivan's many film and TV credits include Mercy, Presence and the Nick. You kids may know him as Taserface from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Chris also writes and plays music under the name Joseph the Spouse. Mandy Moore stars in the new comedy film The Breadwinner. Since 2010, she's played Rapunzel in countless Disney movies, TV shows and video games, including Tangled, Ralph Breaks the Internet, and Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure. Sterling K. Brown stars in the hit political sci-fi drama Paradise, available on Hulu and Disney+. He's lent his tremendous talents to many, many films and TV shows including Black Panther, American Crime Story, Washington Black and American Fiction, for which he received an Oscar nomination. Grown-ups, you can see Chris Sullivan, Mandy Moore and Sterling K. Brown in the award-winning NBC series This Is Us, and you can hear them on the ReWatch podcast This Was Us. Circle round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR. I'm Rebecca Shear. 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. I'm Michael and I'm from Israel and my favorite story is all of them. My name is Max and I'm from Boxford, Massachusetts, and my favorite Circle Round is the one-speckled head, because I like a part when they take care of the head. My name is Zoe. I live in Boxford, Massachusetts, and my favorite Circle Round is the Pika and the Puka, because my favorite part is when the Puka flies the Piper to the Fairies' Cave. My name is William. I'm from Ohio, and my favorite Circle Round show is the round mossy stone, and my favorite part is when the elephant says, what just happened? My name is Edith. I live in Reston, Virginia, and my favorite episode is the sea in the sky. My favorite part is the whole episode. Hello, my name is Otto, and I'm from South Pasadena, California, and my favorite Circle Round story is Home Sweet Home, and I like to fight with the cheetah runs away. Hello, my name is Lucas, and I'm from South Pasadena, California. My favorite episode of Circle Round is the flamethrower. My favorite part is when Pawsome runs down the mountain and lights the fire. Hi, my name is Zarafer. I live in Vermont. My favorite Circle Round story is Hot Potatoes. My favorite part is when the stories still so sweet potatoes. 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, www.r.org. Circle Round.
