Maushop and the Shark | Ep. 279

Think about one of your strengths.

Do you have an ear for music? A flair for telling jokes? Perhaps you have a special talent for writing or sports or baking the most delicious cookies ever.

We all have special strengths. And as we’ll hear in today’s story, sometimes they come in handy in the most unexpected ways!

Our story is called “Maushop and the Shark.” It comes from the Wampanoag: an Indigenous tribe in North America who have inhabited present-day Massachusetts and Eastern Rhode Island for more than 12,000 years.

Voices in this episode include Feodor Chin, Zaki Hamid, Joe Hernandez, Anthony Palmini, Jessica Rau and Román Zaragoza, who stars as Sasappis in the hit CBS comedy, “Ghosts.” Román is a mixed-race actor, director and producer of Akimel O’otham, Mexican, Japanese and Taiwanese descent who has worked with Native Voices at the Autry, the only Native American Equity theatre company in the U.S., for over a decade.

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!

What are some of your strong suits?

Find a piece of paper, and down the left-hand side write your name, one letter below the next. Now use those letters as the starting point to list your strengths.

So if your name is Cal, “C” might stand for “creativity.” “A” might stand for “always willing to try hard,” and “L” could stand for “loving,” “leader” or “learning new things is my jam”!

Share your strong suits with someone you have fun with. And if you'd like, share them with us! Have a grown-up snap a photo of you and your strengths and send it to circleround@wbur.org. With your permission, we may feature you in “The Lion’s Roar,” the monthly newsletter of the Circle Round Club!

Musical Spotlight: Acoustic Guitar

You play the acoustic guitar with two hands: one hand plucks the strings while the other “fingers” the frets (i.e. the metal strips on the instrument’s neck). The resulting sound resonates through the guitar’s body ( or “sound box”) and is projected acoustically through the air.

Experts debate about where and when the first acoustic guitar was made, but we know that the oldest surviving guitar-like instrument — the tanbur — dates back to 1500 BCE in Egypt, and consisted of a pear-shaped sound box with a long neck and three strings. Other guitar-like variants developed through the ages. Interestingly, their names eventually converged around the Persian word tar, meaning “string”: i.e. kithara (Greece), chartar (Persia), sitar (India), guitarra (Spain), chitarra (Italy), and, of course, “guitar” (United States, etc.).

While the acoustic guitar is not traditionally a Native American instrument, it’s become a widely-adopted and important tool in modern Native American music. Its versatile ability to play so many melodies and rhythms allows it to complement traditional Native American instruments like drums and flutes.

Story Transcript:

NARRATOR: Way, way back in time, there lived a kind and helpful giant named Maushop.

Maushop made his home in the crystal-clear waters of a sparkling bay. And he cared for the people who lived by the bay, showing them how to use the earth’s gifts to make what they needed.

MAUSHOP: My dear people! See how you can cut and sew deerskin to make clothing! How you can hollow out trees to make canoes! You can build houses from saplings and bark, vines and reeds… and you can use stones and wood sticks to make fish traps! So you can catch and eat fish from the bay!

NARRATOR: Maushop was all about helping the people. But Maushop had a twin brother who was all about harming them. His name was Matahdou, and he made it his business to bring dangerous things to the earth… treacherous things… like…

MATAHDOU: …Disease! Yes! I shall create illnesses and ailments to make the people sick and weak! Ha ha ha! I shall create confusion, to muddle and mix up their minds. Ha ha! And I shall create fear, to unsettle and unnerve their hearts! (ad-lib more laughter)

NARRATOR: Among Matahdou’s other creations was a creature that dwelled in the sea: a big, sneaky fish with razor-sharp teeth and tough, scaly skin, whom Matahdou named…

MATAHDOU: …SHARK!

NARRATOR: Now. Unlike modern-day sharks, this shark didn’t have a triangle-shaped dorsal fin on its back. Still, Shark was a strong, swift swimmer who loved feasting on the other creatures of the sea – especially the fish in the people's traps! He would swim into the bay, whizz over to a trap teeming with fish, then use his pointy teeth to tear it apart and swallow the bounty inside.

The people did not like this one bit. Nor did their benevolent helper, Maushop.

MAUSHOP: Oh dear… it sounds like my brutish brother has created a cold-blooded bully! I think it’s time Shark and I had a little chat. Perhaps I can talk some sense into him!

NARRATOR: So Maushop went to the shore and called out.

MAUSHOP: Shark! Shark! I’d like a word with you please!

NARRATOR: Within moments, Maushop saw Shark’s body skimming through the water. The creature paused, then stuck his head above the surface and fixed Maushop with a scornful sneer.

SHARK: Well well well! Look who it is! It’s my brilliant creator’s goody-goody brother, Maushop! Always going out of his way to (condescending tone) help the people! And save the people!

MAUSHOP: Yes, Shark! That’s exactly what I do. And that is why I am here. The people are in trouble!

SHARK: (faux-innocent) Because of little old ME…?

MAUSHOP: No! Because of BIG old you! And your big old APPETITE! (beat) Listen, Shark. The people appreciate that an immense animal like you needs to eat. But they do NOT appreciate you tearing up their traps and gobbling up their fish! (beat) So. Could we please make an agreement? You may eat as much as you’d like, provided it doesn’t come from the people's traps!

NARRATOR: Shark gave Maushop a long, hard look.

SHARK: Hmmmm… (faux-sincere) That’s a fascinating proposition you make, Maushop. You’ve given me a lot to chew on. (beat) But you know what? I’d rather chew on something else… like the people’s fish! Ha ha ha ha ha! …So goodbye, Maushop. See you around!

NARRATOR: Maushop’s face was grim as he watched Shark dart away.

MAUSHOP: Boy oh boy! That did NOT go as I hoped. I’ll try again tomorrow.

NARRATOR: So he did. But after he made his impassioned plea…

MAUSHOP: Will you please stay away from the people’s fish?

NARRATOR: …Shark made another hasty retreat, turning his finless back on Maushop and swimming off.

SHARK: (snarky) Toodle-oo, Maushop!

NARRATOR: The same thing happened the next day…

SHARK: (snarky) Ta-ta!

NARRATOR: …and the next…

SHARK: (snarky) Byyyye!

NARRATOR: And soon, Maushop was so sick and tired of Shark blowing him off…

SHARK: See ya! Wouldn’t wanna BE ya!

NARRATOR: … that he reached for his spear, held it up high, then hurled it in Shark’s direction.

MAUSHOP: (ad-lib spear-hurling efforting sound)

NARRATOR: The pointy weapon sailed through the air…

[SOT: spear through air]

NARRATOR: …before landing right in the middle of Shark’s smooth back!

SHARK: (ad-lib reaction sound) Ooooo!

NARRATOR: Maushop could see the spear’s triangular blade sticking out of the water as Shark swam away.

MAUSHOP: Well! At least now the people will see Shark coming! By the blade that sticks up and cuts through the waves! (beat) But that doesn't exactly solve their problem. I MUST figure this out. I MUST!

NARRATOR: Maushop put his mind to work, pondering his options. He only came up with one.

MAUSHOP: (sigh!) I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this, but I’ll go and talk with my twin brother. While I doubt he will take pity on the people, perhaps we can reach an understanding!

NARRATOR: But the moment Matahdou heard Maushop’s plea…

MATAHDOU: Pssht! Are you kidding me?

NARRATOR: …he gave his twin the brush-off.

MATAHDOU: Look, Maushop. My spectacular new creation may eat whatever he wants, wherever he wants, whenever he wants. And you can’t do a thing about it! Ha ha ha ha!

NARRATOR: Maushop was at the end of his rope. He knew he must find a way to help the people! And as we’ll soon hear, he DID – by thinking outside the box… and under the sea!

How will Maushop solve the people’s problem? What would YOU do if YOU were Maushop?

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

[BREAK]

NARRATOR: I’m Rebecca Sheir. Welcome back to Circle Round. Today our story is called “Maushop and the Shark.”

Before the break, Maushop’s twin brother created Shark: a menacing creature that kept stealing fish from the people’s traps.

The people asked Maushop for help. The benevolent giant tried reasoning with Shark, and his twin brother, but it was to no avail.

So Maushop put on his thinking cap. He sat on the shore, staring at the sea, hoping for a burst of inspiration. And within moments, he got one.

Or rather… he got three!

PORPOISE 1: Last one to the shore is a rotten squid!

PORPOISE 2: You are going DOWN, buddy!

PORPOISE 3: You’ll never beat US!

NARRATOR: Maushop smiled as a trio of porpoises swam into the shallow waters of the shore. Porpoises are marine mammals – like their cousins, the dolphins. But porpoises’ heads are shorter and rounder, and their bodies are smaller and thicker.

PORPOISE 1: Made it! Looks like BOTH of you are rotten squids! (beat) So? Which game should we play next?

PORPOISE 2: I dunno! How about Hide and Seek! Or Follow the Leader?

PORPOISE 3: Or Freeze Tag! Or Simon Says!

MAUSHOP: Orrrr… how about you play… Jump the Shark!!!

NARRATOR: The porpoises were so busy brainstorming games, they hadn't noticed the gentle giant on the shore.

PORPOISE 1: (as they notice Maushop) Oh hi Maushop!

PORPOISE 2: What is Jump the Shark?

PORPOISE 3: We’ve never heard of that game!

PORPOISE 1: And you know us!

PORPOISE 2: We spend ALL DAY playing games!

PORPOISE 3: We’re some of the most playful creatures in the sea!

MAUSHOP: I know you are! But “Jump the Shark” is a new game, actually. I just invented it.

PORPOISE 1: A new game??

PORPOISE 2: Cool!!!

PORPOISE 3: How do you play?

MAUSHOP: Well… to win this game, you need to do ONE THING: you must get Shark to stop eating the people’s fish!

NARRATOR: If you’ve ever seen a porpoise, then you know they have kind of a smile on their face, right? Well, when these porpoises heard Maushop’s idea, their smiles vanished.

PORPOISE 1: Nobody messes with Shark, Maushop!

PORPOISE 2: That fish is so mean and nasty, he won’t listen to anybody!

PORPOISE 3: And have you seen his teeth?

PORPOISE 1: Those chompers could tear us apart!

PORPOISE 2: Nose to tail!

PORPOISE 3: There is NO WAY we could fight him!

MAUSHOP: But I’m not asking you to FIGHT him! I’m asking you to persuade him to leave the people's fish alone. (beat) By using your strength.

PORPOISE 1: ‘Using our STRENGTH’??!!?

PORPOISE 2: But Shark is bigger than we are!

PORPOISE 1: And faster! 

PORPOISE 2: And again! Those TEETH!

MAUSHOP: I’m not talking about “strength” as in force or heft or even teeth! I’m talking “strength” as in skill! Ability! Something you’re especially good at. A strong SUIT! (beat) And as porpoises, what might YOUR strong suit be? What do you do best?

PORPOISE 1: Well… like we said before… we love playing games!

PORPOISE 2: So what we do best… is have fun!

PORPOISE 3: Yeah! We are experts in playing and having fun!

MAUSHOP: Then use that strength to your advantage! And convince that shark to leave the fish traps alone. And find his meals somewhere else!

NARRATOR: The next time Shark came skulking into the bay, the porpoises were ready. The moment he made a beeline for the fish traps, the porpoises made a beeline for HIM!

PORPOISE 1: Hiya, Shark!

PORPOISE 2: Wanna play?

PORPOISE 3: Yeah! Let’s play!

PORPOISE 1: / PORPOISE 2: / PORPOISE 3: (ad-lib gleeful/playful laughter)

NARRATOR: Before Shark knew what was happening, the porpoises were circling around him, leaping in and out of the water and laughing with glee.

SHARK: Get away from me, you clowns! Can’t you see I’m busy? Leave me alone!!!

PORPOISE 1: But we don’t WANT to leave you alone!

PORPOISE 2: We want you to PLAY with us!

PORPOISE 3: Yeah, Shark! PLAY with us!!!

NARRATOR: The porpoises circled faster…

PORPOISE 1: Play with us!

NARRATOR: …and faster…

PORPOISE 2: Play with us!

NARRATOR: …and faster…

PORPOISE 3: Play with us!

NARRATOR: …until Shark was downright dizzy.

SHARK: How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t want to PLAY! I want to EAT! Now BEAT IT!

NARRATOR: But the porpoises did not “beat it.” Instead, they took turns rushing at Shark…

PORPOISE 1: Here I come!

NARRATOR: …leaping over his body…

PORPOISE 2: Here I go!

NARRATOR: …then splashing into the water on the other side.

[SOT: splash]

PORPOISE 3: There I went!

NARRATOR: From there, they dove down and swam beneath him, using their dorsal fins to tickle his belly as they passed.

SHARK: (laughing/giggling as he gets tickled) Stop that! (laughing) I’m telling you! (laughing) Get – ! (laughing) …away! (laughing) (extend laughter long enough to cover the following)

NARRATOR: Well, as you can very well guess, the porpoises did NOT “get away.” They kept leaping and splashing and tickling…

SHARK: (laughing/giggling)

NARRATOR: …until Shark couldn’t take it anymore. He plunged under the water, far below the frisky, fun-loving porpoises, then swam as fast as he could to the deepest, farthest part of the sea.

The porpoises were smiling wider than usual as they watched him go.

PORPOISE 1: Maybe he wants us to chase him! Like Tag!

PORPOISE 2: Or follow him! Like Follow the Leader!

PORPOISE 3: Or SEEK him! Like Hide and Go Seek!

MAUSHOP: OR… he wants you to leave him alone. Since YOUR strong suit definitely is NOT his.

NARRATOR: The porpoises gazed at Maushop, who had come wading into the water.

MAUSHOP: I was watching everything from the shore, my friends. You did an excellent job! You scared Shark off! With your FUN! (beat) Speaking of which, these long legs of mine have been known to run really fast. Last one to the sandbar is a rotten herring!

PORPOISE 1: / PORPOISE 2: / PORPOISE 3: (ad-lib cheers as they take off in a race)

NARRATOR: Thanks to the fun-loving porpoises, mean old Shark thought twice before returning to the bay and snatching the people’s fish. In fact, it’s been said that even now, if you head to the sea, and you see porpoises playing off-shore, chances are good that Shark won’t be coming by any time soon.

Because as far as he’s concerned, when it comes to fun and games…? It’s basically game over.