The Hiding Place | Ep. 262

Have you ever played hide and seek?

If so, then you’ve probably come up with all sorts of fun places to conceal yourself from the seeker.

In today’s tale, an honest peddler believes he’s found the perfect place to hide a precious possession… until a double-dealing trickster seeks it out!

Our story is called "The Hiding Place.” We found versions of this tale from Egyptian and Jewish lore.

Voices in this episode include Aaron Bartz, Erik Christopher Peterson, and Cara Ricketts, who play Draco Malfoy, Scorpius Malfoy and Hermione Granger in the Tony Award-winning Broadway show, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” now running at the Lyric Theatre in New York City.

This episode was adapted for Circle Round by Rebecca Sheir. It was edited by Dean Russell. 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’re also keeping an album so please share your picture on Facebook and Instagram, and tag it with #CircleRoundPodcast. To access all the coloring pages for past episodes click HERE. Our resident artist is Sabina Hahn and you can learn more about her HERE.

Now it’s your turn!

If you wanted to hide something precious, what’s the most super-top-secret hiding place you can think of? Is it the bottom of the ocean? The top of a mountain? Inside a crater on the moon?

Find some paper and draw a picture of your hiding place. Share your artwork with someone you have fun with. And then if you like, share it with us! Grown-ups, you can snap a photo of your Circle Round fan and their picture and email it to circleround@wbur.org.

With your permission, we may feature it in “The Lion’s Roar,” the monthly newsletter for members of the Circle Round Club! You can learn more about this super-fun opportunity for super-fans like you, here.

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. You can also hear Eric Shimelonis playing this wide-ranging instrument in our episode, “The Empty Barrel”!

Story Transcript:

NARRATOR: Solomon the peddler rode his rickety wagon from city to city and town to town, hawking his hodgepodge of wares.

SOLOMON: Step right up and get your cups and candles! Your textiles and tools! All at low, low prices, all for a limited time!

NARRATOR: Every now and then, business was as brisk as a buzzing bee, and coins came flying into Solomon’s cash box.

SOLOMON: Thank you for your purchase, sir! I appreciate your business, ma’am! Thanks for being a valued customer, madam!

NARRATOR: But most of the time, business was as slow as a tired turtle. And by the end of the day, Solomon’s cash box held little more air than air.

Still, the peddler kept at it. He worked all day, every day, refusing to take time off. And little by little, his savings grew… until at last, his cash box was filled to the brim with silver pieces!

SOLOMON: Wow! I’ve never had this much money before! So I’m going to do something I’ve never DONE before: take a vacation!

NARRATOR: Solomon rolled through the countryside with a smile on his face. Before long, he saw a bustling city in the distance – one he had never been to before.

SOLOMON: Wow! That city looks like a great place to take some time off! Thing is, I’ve got an awful lot of cash with me. How can I make sure my silver pieces are safe during my stay?

NARRATOR: At the edge of the city, Solomon came upon a big, broad field. And that’s when he had an idea.

SOLOMON: I’ll hide my silver pieces… in this field! I’ll set aside some coins for spending money… then I’ll bury the rest and come back for it later. (beat) But first, let’s see how much I’ve got. One… two… three…

NARRATOR: One by one, Solomon counted his silver pieces, until at last…

SOLOMON: … five-hundred-ninety-eight… five-hundred-ninety-nine… six hundred! I’ve got six-hundred silver pieces in this cash box! Wow!

NARRATOR: Solomon set aside one-hundred silver pieces for spending money. So… if he had six-hundred silver pieces total… how many did he have left in his cash box…?

That’s right! Five-hundred!

So, with his 500 silver pieces clinking in his cash box, Solomon hurried across the field. At the far end of the field was a grove of tall, leafy trees. Solomon glanced over both shoulders… decided no one else was about… then quickly dug a hole near the trees. He laid the cash box inside, then covered it with dirt.

SOLOMON: Alrighty then! My five-hundred silver pieces are safe! And I am on holiday!

NARRATOR: Solomon had a lovely time in the city. He feasted on fine food in charming cafes… he shopped for new clothing at elegant stores… and each night he enjoyed a different play or opera at the theater.

Once he had used up all of his spending money, he decided his vacation was over.

SOLOMON: Well that was delightful! Now I’ll go back to the grove, unbury the rest of my money, and I’ll be on my way.

NARRATOR: Solomon checked out of his hotel and returned to his hiding place. But to his dismay, when he plunged his shovel into the soil…

SOLOMON: Oh no!!!!

NARRATOR: …he did NOT see a cash box full of five-hundred silver pieces! Instead…

SOLOMON: …all I’m seeing is DIRT! Which means that someone must have stolen my cash box! But how? And who? I could have sworn I was alone when I buried it in the –

NARRATOR: Solomon stopped short. For suddenly, he caught sight of something on the ground.

SOLOMON: Footprints! There’s a trail of strange footprints, leading from my hiding place… into the trees! This could be a clue!

NARRATOR: Solomon dropped his shovel and followed the footprints through the grove. On the other side was a house: an enormous, sprawling abode with stately pillars, gleaming brick walls, and more windows and chimneys than Solomon could count.

SOLOMON: Woah! Who knew such a massive house was on the other side of this grove? I wonder who it belongs to?

NARRATOR: Just then, a window on the ground floor burst open, and a man’s voice came drifting through.

MAYOR: Ah! Much better! It was getting so stuffy in here, I could hardly focus on counting my money! (beat) Now, where was I? … Ah yes. Four-hundred-ninety-one… Four-hundred-ninety-two… Four-hundred-ninety-three…

NARRATOR: Solomon tiptoed to the open window. Peering inside, he saw a big, wood-paneled study. Seated behind a large desk, dressed in a tuxedo jacket and tie, was a man counting silver pieces…

MAYOR: Four-hundred-ninety-seven… Four-hundred-ninety-eight…

NARRATOR: …out of SOLOMON’s cash box!

MAYOR: Four-hundred-ninety-nine… Five-hundred! There are five-hundred silver pieces in this cash box! It’s a lucky thing one of my servants spotted that stranger hiding it on the other side of the grove the other day. Talk about buried treasure!

NARRATOR: Solomon’s breath caught in his throat. This well-to-do fellow had stolen his money! But the peddler wasn’t about to march into the gigantic house and demand it back! What if the man in the tuxedo claimed it was his? What if he had Solomon arrested for trespassing?

With a spinning head and hammering heart, Solomon sprinted back through the grove.

SOLOMON: Oh man! I am in a real jam. All my money is either spent… or stolen! (beat) No use griping, though. Better to DO something! Like get myself a job in the city! …At least until I find a way to get my money back… 

NARRATOR: So Solomon dusted himself off and went back into the city. When he spotted a “Help Wanted” sign in a grocery window, he breezed in and waved at a woman loading a shelf with pickle jars.

SOLOMON: Greetings, ma’am! Are you the owner of this establishment?

NARRATOR: The woman flashed Solomon a smile.

DALIA: I am the owner of this establishment! How may I help you?

SOLOMON: Actually, I think the question is: how may I help you? I noticed the sign in the window and I wish to offer my services. My name is Solomon, and I have plenty of experience with sales. I’m a peddler by trade.

DALIA: It’s a pleasure to meet you, Solomon! My name is Dalia. But tell me: if you’re a peddler by trade, then why aren’t you out peddling?

NARRATOR: Solomon’s shoulders slumped.

SOLOMON: It’s a long story. And a sad one. You don’t want to hear it.

DALIA: Oh but I do! (beat) Here. Grab some pickles. You can help me stock while you tell me everything.

NARRATOR: So Solomon picked up a jar and began recounting his tale. When he got to the part about the wealthy man in the big house, Dalia cut him off.

DALIA: Hang on a second! Are you talking about the enormous brick house at the edge of the city? The one with the stately pillars? And more windows and chimneys than you can count?

SOLOMON: That’s the one! Do you know the fellow who owns it?

DALIA: “Do I know the fellow who owns it?” EVERYBODY knows the fellow who owns it! (beat) He’s the mayor!

NARRATOR: Solomon was so shocked he nearly shattered a pickle jar.

SOLOMON: Are you saying the mayor of this city stole my money?

DALIA: That’s EXACTLY what I’m saying. But I’m not nearly as surprised as you are. Our mayor is legendary for two things: his arrogance… and his greed. Two years ago, he had the nerve to double taxes on the working people of this city. One year ago, he had the gall to TRIPLE them! Just so he could line his fancy pockets!

SOLOMON: That isn’t fair!

DALIA: The word “fair” isn’t exactly in our mayor’s vocabulary. As your story demonstrates. (beat) But listen.

NARRATOR: Dalia leaned in close.

DALIA: I’ve been seeking a way to cut our big-headed mayor down to size. And now that you’re here, I think I’ve found an idea. (beat) Have you ever heard the expression, “Fighting fire with fire”?

SOLOMON: I sure have!

DALIA: Well hold on to your hat, my peddling friend. Because you and I are going to do MORE than fight fire with fire. We’re going to fight GREED… with GREED!

NARRATOR: What do you think Dalia is plotting?

How would YOU help Solomon if you were the grocer?

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 Hiding Place.”

Before the break, Solomon the peddler took a well-deserved holiday in an unfamiliar city. But first, he buried a cash box containing five-hundred silver pieces in a field, near a grove of trees. But when he went back to retrieve his money, he discovered the cash box had been stolen… by the greedy mayor!

When a grocer named Dalia heard Solomon’s story, she was determined to help the peddler out – and teach the mayor a lesson.

DALIA: Okay, Solomon. I have a plan for how to get your money back. Meet me at the mayor’s house at sundown. And follow my lead!

NARRATOR: A few hours later, Dalia and Solomon were standing in the shadow of the mayor’s massive abode. Dalia held out a plump satin pouch.

DALIA: Whaddya think? Does it sound like money?

SOLOMON: It sure does! What’s actually in that pouch?

DALIA: Metal buttons! We sell them at the grocery for cheap. But as far as the mayor is concerned, they’re coins, okay? Lots and lots of coins. (beat) Just keep that in mind, and play along.

NARRATOR: Dalia led Solomon up the marble steps to the carved wooden door. When she rapped the iron knocker, a butler answered, asking the grocer to state her business.

DALIA: Well to be honest… it isn’t MY business that brought me here. It’s HIS.

NARRATOR: She motioned toward Solomon.

DALIA: I’ve told him how wise and knowledgeable our brilliant mayor is, so he’d like to get his advice. (laying it on really thick) About this BIG POUCH OF MONEY!!!!

NARRATOR: Dalia gave the pouch a jingle. And just as the butler was turning around, who should come dashing to the door – drawn to the sound of money like a dog to a whistle – but the mayor!

MAYOR: Did I just hear... a BIG POUCH OF MONEY?

NARRATOR: Dalia batted her eyes.

DALIA: Why yes you did, Mister Mayor! That’s a sharp pair of ears you have!

MAYOR: They are sharp, aren’t they? They’re but two of my many outstanding attributes. (beat) But enough about ME. Let’s talk about YOU! Or more accurately, your MONEY! That’s an awful lot of cash to be carrying around!

DALIA: And that’s why we’re here, Mister Mayor! I am a local grocer, and I happened to meet this fellow in my store today. He’s a stranger to this city and doesn’t know a soul. Isn’t that right…? Stranger…?

NARRATOR: Dalia nudged Solomon in the elbow.

SOLOMON: Ummm, yes! That’s right! I do not know a soul! Not a one!

DALIA: As it happens, this stranger came to our city with a whole bunch of MONEY. He brought a cash box, filled with five-hundred silver pieces… and this satin pouch, filled with three-hundred silver pieces.

MAYOR: Five-hundred silver pieces and three-hundred silver pieces…?

NARRATOR: The mayor’s eyes widened as he did the math.

MAYOR: Goodness gracious! You brought eight-hundred silver pieces to this city!!???! (beat) But… if you have the three-hundred silver pieces here in this satin pouch… then what happened to the other five-hundred? The ones in the cash box?

DALIA: Well that’s the thing! This stranger decided he would keep them safe… by hiding the cash box in a hole in the ground!

MAYOR: In a hole in the ground, you say…?

NARRATOR: A look of guilt flashed across the mayor’s face. He let out a nervous laugh.

MAYOR: Heh heh! Hiding your money in a hole in the ground is an ingenious idea! No one would EVER think to look there! Not even a brilliant fellow like myself!

DALIA: Right…? But as you can see, he DIDN’T hide this pouch! He’s been carrying it around with him all this time. And having to look after it and keep it safe in a strange city is stressing him out!

NARRATOR: Again, Dalia gave Solomon a nudge.

SOLOMON: That’s right! It is stressing me out. I’m losing sleep over it. Hair, even!

DALIA: Soooo… this stranger has come to you, Mister Mayor, to receive your wisdom. What he wants to know is… Should he keep the money in the pouch and continue carrying it around? Or should he go back to his hiding place and bury it with the rest of his money?

NARRATOR: This time, a look of greed crossed the mayor’s face. He turned to Solomon with a syrupy-sweet grin.

MAYOR: Well, stranger. I must say: I am flattered that you came to me for advice. You did the right thing. And so, good man… in my infinite, endless, and inexhaustible wisdom… here is what I think you should do. I think you should bury this money in your hiding place.

SOLOMON: You do???

MAYOR: I do! Go back to your hiding place and bury this money with the cash box! (beat) But – don’t do it right away! Instead… how about you stay at my house for dinner? And enjoy a nice, leisurely meal?

NARRATOR: Both Solomon and Dalia knew exactly what the mayor was thinking. He was assuming that his theft of the cash box hadn't yet been discovered! And if he acted quickly, and returned the box to its hiding place, he could come back later and find even MORE money buried there!

The grocer and peddler exchanged a look, then turned to the mayor with smiles.

DALIA: Mister Mayor. It is so generous of you to invite us to dinner!

SOLOMON: And we are honored to accept. We look forward to joining you at the table!

MAYOR: Actually…

NARRATOR: The mayor’s pupils twitched.

MAYOR: …I shan’t be sitting down with you right away. I have some… BUSINESS to attend to first. Very pressing business. (optional throat clear) If you’ll excuse me…

NARRATOR: Then he turned on the heels of his shiny shoes and scurried away.

Dalia and Solomon, meanwhile, were ushered into a cavernous dining room. And just as they took their seats at the mile-long table, can you guess who they spotted through one of the windows…? Racing across the yard with a cash box and shovel in his arms…?

That’s right!

The mayor!

Some time later, he came striding into the dining room. Only now, his arms were empty, his breath was short, and his shiny shoes were caked with dirt.

MAYOR: Greetings, friends! I trust you’re enjoying your meal?

DALIA: We ARE! But I should be going. I’ve got some cleanup to do at the grocery.

SOLOMON: And I’m eager to check my hiding place! If my cash box is safe, I’ll hide the rest of my money there too! (beat) That IS what you said I should do… right, Mister Mayor?

MAYOR: Yes! Of course! And something tells me your cash box will be safe. Very, very safe. (beat) Thank you for visiting, you two. It’s been most… ENRICHING.

DALIA: And thank YOU, Mister Mayor.

SOLOMON: It’s been rather “enriching” for US as well!

NARRATOR: Moments later, Dalia and Solomon were rushing out the door and sprinting through the grove of trees. When they reached Solomon’s hiding place, they grabbed sticks, branches and stones… and began to dig.

And can you guess what they found buried in the ground?

That’s right! Solomon’s newly-returned cash box, with all 500 silver pieces inside!

Dalia gazed at Solomon. Solomon gazed at Dalia.

SOLOMON: Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

DALIA: I think I am!

NARRATOR: Solomon picked up the cash box, Dalia picked up the satin pouch, and together, they swapped the contents. So now the pouch was filled with five-hundred silver pieces… and the box was filled with cheap metal buttons! Dalia and Solomon lowered the box into the hole and buried it, as deep as possible, before scampering away.

A short time later, under the light of a shimmering moon, who should come creeping through the grove… but the mayor.

He cackled with greedy delight as he plunged his shovel into the ground.

MAYOR: Ha ha ha ha!

NARRATOR: He cackled even more as he unearthed the cash box.

MAYOR: Ha ha ha ha!

NARRATOR: But when he pried off the lid and looked inside…

MAYOR: Ha ha ha – WHAT??????

NARRATOR: …his cackling ceased. Because instead of finding a precious pile of silver pieces… all he found was a cheap heap of metal buttons.

The mayor buried his face in his dirt-smeared hands. For all at once it became clear: thanks to his grasping ways, he was beaten by his own greed, and left with trinkets… instead of treasure.