The Empty Barrel | Ep. 222

Have you ever had a chore to do?

Perhaps you’ve set the table at dinnertime, or you’ve helped fold the laundry and put it away.

Some of us adore chores, some of us don’t. And in today’s story, we’ll meet a woman who doesn’t quite believe her chore is a barrel of fun… until it leads to a boatload of adventure!

Our story is called “The Empty Barrel.” It comes from the Jewish community in the North African country of Morocco.

Voices in this episode include: Feodor Chin, Igor Shimelonis, Dawn Ursula, and Anjali Bhimani. Fans of the gaming world will know Anjali Bhimani from her roles in “Overwatch” and “Apex Legends.” Her newest game is “Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical.” If you’re a Circle Round superfan, you’ll remember Anjali from our season-five finale episode, “The Neverending Stories.”

This episode was adapted for Circle Round by Rebecca Sheir. It was edited by Sofie Kodner. Original music and sound design is by Eric Shimelonis. Our artist is Sabina Hahn.

GROWN-UPS! PRINT THIS so everyone can color while listening. We invite you to share your picture on Facebook and Instagram, and tag it with #CircleRoundPodcast. To access all the coloring pages for past Circle Round episodes click HERE. Our resident artist is Sabina Hahn and you can learn more about her HERE.

Now It’s Your Turn!

Layla used her smarts – and imagination – to solve a problem, and help others. Think about a time you used your wits and creativity to solve a problem.

What was the problem? How did you solve it? And how did you come up with your creative solution?

Find a grown-up and tell them your story. Then have them tell you about a time they did some creative problem solving!

Musical Spotlight: Qanun

The stringed musical instrument known as the qanun (a.k.a. Kanun, ganoun) holds an important place in traditional Middle Eastern and North African music. While its exact origins are unknown, many music historians trace its roots to either ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia.

Today, you’ll hear the qanun playing solo or in ensembles throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and certain regions of Asia. Interestingly, Qanun is an Arabic term that refers to laws established by Muslim sovereigns, especially the body of administrative, economic and criminal law promoted by Ottoman sultans.

Like a zither or dulcimer, the qanun has many strings stretched over a wooden soundboard. To play it, you place it on a table (or your lap) and use picks (“plectra”) attached to your fingers to strum or pluck the strings. With its large range of notes and an expressive sound that can be delicate or dramatic, the qanun helps Eric Shimelonis achieve a powerful magic touch in this Moroccan Jewish tale!

Story Transcript:

NARRATOR: Layla the woodworker lived in a humble cottage, where she spent her days chopping trees and crafting beautiful bowls and birdhouses, trinkets and toys, which she sold at the market.

Layla made a modest living. And she was content with what she had.

Well, mostly content.

Because the one thing the woodworker didn’t have, was…?

LAYLA: …A well! (SIGH) If only this cottage of mine had a well beside it! I would have plenty of water for cooking and washing… Instead, I have to carry a barrel all the way to the river to fetch water, then lug it all the way back!

NARRATOR: It was true. When the working day was done, Layla hoisted an empty barrel onto her back. In the waning light of the setting sun, she lugged the barrel to the river, filled it with water, then dragged it back home. After a good night’s rest, she woke up with enough water to last her all day.

One morning, when Layla went to get water to boil some eggs, she made a startling discovery.

LAYLA: My barrel! It’s empty! (beat) But how could this be? Just last night it was filled all the way to the brim! How odd…

NARRATOR: She searched the barrel for holes or cracks, but couldn’t find a single one. So she returned to the river, filled the barrel again, then hauled it back home.

But when she woke up the next morning…

LAYLA: My barrel is empty! Again!

NARRATOR: The same thing happened the next morning...

LAYLA: No water?!??

NARRATOR: …and the next morning…

LAYLA: Not even a drop?!??

NARRATOR: …until finally, Layla made a decision.

LAYLA: Tonight, I will hide inside this barrel and see what’s happening to my water!

NARRATOR: At sundown, Layla stepped inside the empty barrel, fastened the lid, then did her best to stay still as the minutes and hours ticked by. And then…

NARRATOR: …right around midnight…

NARRATOR: …she heard an unmistakable sound.

LAYLA: (inside barrel, whispering to herself) Wings! I hear… wings! And they’re getting closer, and closer, and… (ad-lib surprise, etc. as she gets lifted into the air) WOOOOOAAAAHHHHHH!

NARRATOR: Layla clutched the sides of the barrel as it began to sway back and forth!

LAYLA: I think this barrel is lifting off the ground! And now it’s flying! With me inside it!!!!

NARRATOR: The barrel flew and flew, until eventually…

LAYLA: (as barrel lands) OOF!

NARRATOR: …it landed.

With trembling hands, Layla lifted the cover. When she peered over the edge, she got two big surprises. The first was…

LAYLA: (surprised) …The sun! It’s come up again! Gosh. I must have been flying all night!

NARRATOR: And the second surprise…?

LAYLA: (GASP) The sea! I’ve landed far above the sea! On a tall, steep cliff! (beat) But how did I get here?

ALBATROSS: Oh! That’s simple. I brought you!

NARRATOR: Layla glanced up. Perched in a tall tree was the large, sharp-billed seabird known as an albatross.

LAYLA: YOU brought me here?

ALBATROSS: I did!

LAYLA: And you speak?

ALBATROSS: I do!

NARRATOR: Layla’s head was spinning. But it was about to spin even more. Because as she gaped at the talking albatross in the tree, she noticed something hanging from the branches. But they weren’t flowers, or fruit. Instead, they looked an awful lot like…

LAYLA: … DIAMONDS?!? Are diamonds really hanging from that tree? And did a talking albatross really bring me here, or am I just having a really strange dream?

NARRATOR: The albatross spread its wings and glided to the ground.

ALBATROSS: Well… if you really want to know… then yes. Diamonds really are hanging from that tree. And no, you’re not dreaming. A talking albatross really did bring you here. (beat) Though technically… I’m not actually an albatross.

LAYLA: You’re not!?? You look like an albatross to me! Sharp bill… sturdy legs… strong wings…

ALBATROSS: True. But I’m actually… a person! (beat) Or, I was. That is, until an evil witch came sweeping into my village across the sea. She made off with all the people, then turned each and every one of us into an albatross!

NARRATOR: Layla felt her head spin. Again!

LAYLA: So… let me get this straight. A witch… took all the people in your village… and turned you into seabirds? (beat) But why?

ALBATROSS: One word. (beat) THAT!

NARRATOR: The albatross extended a wing toward the diamond tree.

ALBATROSS: This precious tree of hers can only grow with fresh water – not sea water! So the witch transformed us into albatrosses so we can use our strong wings to fly around and fetch fresh water!

LAYLA: But, where is everyone else? You’re the only one I see!

ALBATROSS: (SIGH) Well… an albatross is a mighty bird. But even mighty birds get tired. And whenever we get too tired to carry water, the witch turns us… into something else.

NARRATOR: Layla shuddered.

LAYLA: (nervous to hear the answer) And what would that “something else” be…?

NARRATOR: The albatross gestured toward the tree again.

ALBATROSS: A DIAMOND!!!! (beat) And I’m the only villager who hasn’t yet met this tragic fate.

NARRATOR: Layla stared at the diamonds. There must have been hundreds hanging from the tree, all of them sparkling and glittering in the sun.

LAYLA: I am so sorry! (beat) But why don’t you escape? You’ve got strong wings; you can just fly away, and go somewhere the witch will never find you!

ALBATROSS: I could… but I don’t want to leave my friends and family behind! So I’ve been pacing myself… conserving my strength… so that I can stay an albatross long enough to figure out how to reverse the witch’s spells! (beat) And now that you’re here…maybe you can help me?

NARRATOR: Layla smiled.

LAYLA: Of course I’ll help you! (beat) Where is the witch now?

NARRATOR: Before the albatross could answer, a fearsome voice rang out.

WITCH: Where is the witch, you ask??? (beat) I’m RIGHT HERE! And now that you’re here, you will become my newest albatross!

NARRATOR: Layla whirled around and came face to face with a tall, cloaked woman. Her hair was jet-black and wild. Her eyes were fierce and bright.

Layla’s heart began to pound. Her hands grew cold and her brow grew damp.

She knew she must find a way to reverse the witch’s spells! But could she do it without becoming a well-water-snatching albatross herself?????

There was only one way to find out!

NARRATOR: What will Layla do next?

What would you do if you were in the woodworker’s shoes?

We’ll find out what happens … after a quick break.

[BREAK]

NARRATOR: Welcome back to Circle Round. I’m Rebecca Sheir. Today our story is called “The Empty Barrel.”

NARRATOR: Before the break, a witch turned an entire village into albatrosses, then sent the seabirds to fetch fresh water for her tree by the sea. When the birds grew too weak to do their jobs, the witch turned them into diamonds.

Layla the woodworker was determined to save the villagers – without becoming an albatross herself! So she began to hatch… a plan.

LAYLA: (hatching her plan) Listen, witch. I know you say you’ll turn me into an albatross. But I don’t believe you can.

WITCH: Is that so?

NARRATOR: The witch folded her arms and stuck out her chin.

WITCH: I will have you know that I am so powerful, I’ve turned hundreds of people into albatrosses! 

LAYLA: Alright, fine. Whatever you say. (beat) (baiting the witch) But if you’re truly so “powerful,” then can you turn all those albatrosses back into people again? (beat) Like this one here!

NARRATOR: Layla pointed at the albatross who had carried her across the sea.

LAYLA: Can you really change him back into a person again? (beat) I’ll bet you can’t!

NARRATOR: The witch’s eyes blazed.

WITCH: You have a lot of nerve talking to me like that. I absolutely can turn this albatross back into a person! (beat) Watch this!!!

NARRATOR: She took a breath, then threw her hands high above her head.

WITCH: HA!!!

NARRATOR: When she brought them down again, she pointed them straight at the albatross.

WITCH: HO!!!!

NARRATOR: All of a sudden, there was a burst of smoke…

NARRATOR: …and when the haze cleared…

ALBATROSS: (same voices as before, but now a person) Wow! Look at me!

NARRATOR: …the albatross was a person again! A short, stocky man who began jumping around for joy!

WITCH: You see? I’ve done it! I’ve turned an albatross into a person! (beat) Now are you convinced how great my powers are?

NARRATOR: Inside, Layla smiled. Outside, she shrugged.

LAYLA: I have to say, witch… I’m not convinced! (beat) I mean, if your powers were really so amazing, you couldn’t just turn an albatross into a person…

NARRATOR: She cocked her head toward the tree.

LAYLA: …You could turn a diamond into a person, too!

NARRATOR: The witch’s mouth curled into a sneer.

WITCH: Are you serious? Of course I can turn a diamond into a person! (beat) Watch this!!!

NARRATOR: She raised her hands high above her head.

WITCH: HA!!!!

NARRATOR: When she brought them down again, she thrust them toward a diamond on the tree.

WITCH: HO!!!!

NARRATOR: This time there was an explosion of light.

NARRATOR: And when the light faded…

BOY: Oh my goodness!

NARRATOR: …there was a boy wearing a cap and overalls. His eyes were shining with delight and surprise.

WITCH: So! Now do you believe how great my powers are?

NARRATOR: Again, Layla shrugged.

LAYLA: (totally baiting the witch) You know, I wish I could say I believed it, but… I can’t! You’ll have to prove yourself some other way.

NARRATOR: The witch clenched her teeth in frustration.

WITCH: (frustrated) Alright! Fine. (beat) Watch this!

NARRATOR: She tossed her hands into the air.

WITCH: HA!

NARRATOR: Then she proceeded to point her fingers in the direction of diamond…

WITCH: HO!

NARRATOR: …after diamond…

WITCH: (more forceful than last) HO!

NARRATOR: …after diamond.

WITCH: (even more forceful than last) HO!

NARRATOR: And after an explosion of light so blinding it was like the sun had plummeted down to earth…

NARRATOR: …there were all the villagers! Dancing, twirling, hugging and cheering on the top of the cliff.

WITCH: Alright! The deed is done! (beat) So now do you believe how great my powers are?

NARRATOR: Layla could’t believe how well her plan was working. But she wasn’t finished yet.

LAYLA: Listen, witch. I’ve seen you transform an albatross into a person. I’ve seen you transform diamonds into people. But what would really, truly convince me that you are the most powerful witch in all the world would be if you transformed… yourself.

NARRATOR: The witch narrowed her fiery eyes.

WITCH: “If I transformed myself”???!!!?

LAYLA: Yes! If you used your extraordinary powers to transform yourself into, I don’t know… a DIAMOND, perhaps…????

NARRATOR: The witch didn’t say a word. She just took a deep, deep breath. And then, with more fury than ever, she shot her hands up into the air!

WITCH: HA!!!!

NARRATOR: She waved them around in a frenzy, before pointing them directly at… herself!

WITCH: HO!!!!

NARRATOR: There was a big swirl of wind, like a miniature cyclone…

NARRATOR: …and then the witch… was gone.

Layla looked up at the tree, and that’s when she saw it: a single bright diamond, sparkling and glittering on one of the branches.

Without missing a beat, Layla raced over, plucked the diamond from the tree, and then – with every ounce of strength she could muster – she flung it over the cliff and into the sea.

LAYLA: (ad-lib throwing, such as:) Hiiii-yaahhhhhhh!

NARRATOR: When the gemstone struck the water’s surface, there was a burst of smoke… then an explosion of light… then the diamond – and the witch – disappeared beneath the crashing waves.

NARRATOR: The villagers crowded around Layla, showering her with gratitude for breaking the spell – and defeating the witch.

But then, the short, stocky man and the boy in overalls motioned for everyone to quiet down.

ALBATROSS: (as person) Hang on, friends! Hang on! (beat) Listen. I’m as happy to be free from the witch as you are! But I have to ask… how are we going to get home?

BOY: He’s right! Our village is far across the sea! And we no longer have wings to fly!

NARRATOR: Layla flashed everyone a grin.

LAYLA: But you don’t need to fly. Not when you can FLOAT! (beat) We’ll take the diamond tree here… and we’ll turn it into a boat! I’m a woodworker by trade, and though I’ve never built a boat before, if we all work together I’m sure we can do it. All we need are the right tools!

NARRATOR: The villagers searched the witch’s cottage and found hammers and nails, plus a big bolt of fabric and a sturdy ax.

Gripping the ax in her hands, Layla gave the tree a few chops.

NARRATOR: And the moment it hit the ground…

NARRATOR: … her eyes opened wide.

LAYLA: The tree’s trunk… is hollow! And tucked inside it… is a chest! A chest filled with diamonds! Real diamonds that the witch was hiding away!

NARRATOR: Layla set about divvying up the diamonds. As luck would have it, there were just enough for everyone to get one diamond apiece – Layla included.

LAYLA: Alright, friends! Now that we have our treasures, let’s build our boat!

NARRATOR: And they did! They constructed a nice, solid sailboat, just big enough to fit them all. Then they carried the vessel down to the sea, pushed it into the water, and set sail.

Layla made sure her new friends reached their village safely, before sailing back to her own home. By the time she stepped foot in her humble cottage, it was dusk, and the sun was about to set.

LAYLA: Ugh. Usually around this time I grab my big wooden barrel and trek to the river to fetch water. But after today’s adventures, I think I’ll just go to bed.

NARRATOR: The next morning, she woke up and went off to the market. Not to sell her wooden bowls and birdhouses, trinkets and toys… but to sell her new diamond from the diamond tree.

She received a handsome sum of money in exchange. Some she set aside as savings. Some she gave to charity. The rest she used for herself: to build a fine, deep well beside her humble cottage.

But… even though Layla never again had to carry water… she definitely had one gem of a story to tell!