The First Councilor | Ep. 295

Think about a time you faced a difficult decision.

How did you make your choice? Did you list the pros and cons? Did you ask a friend for advice?

In today’s tale, when a king is in the dark about a tough decision, a magical, mystical being comes along and sheds some light!

Our story this week is called “The First Councilor.” It’s inspired by tales from Sweden, a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe.

Voices in this episode include: Evan Casey, Paul Dateh, Adelin Phelps, Jessica Rau, Mike Truesdale, Dawn Ursula, James Wolk and Danielle Panabaker.

James Wolk plays Young Walters in the action-adventure-comedy film, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3.” You grown-ups can see James in such TV shows as “Mad Men” on AMC, “Watchmen” on HBO and “Happy Face” on Paramount+. Danielle Panabaker most recently starred in the Netflix series, “The Flash.” She also serves as a global ambassador for Room to Read, a nonprofit promoting children's literacy and girls' education in Asia and Africa.

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

You can practice decision-making by playing “Would You Rather?”!

Find a partner and take turns asking each other to choose between two situations. You can ask things like:

Would you rather have a magic carpet or a crystal ball?

Would you rather own a pet dragon or pet unicorn?

Would you rather eat a whole raw onion or an entire lemon? (Yuck!)

The list can go on and on… and, in many cases, the laughter can, too!

Musical Spotlight: Tagelharpa

The tagelharpa (“tail-hair harp”), also known as the stråkharpa (“bowed harp”), is a three- or four-stringed bowed lyre from northern Europe. The tagelharpa was traditionally built by hollowing out a single block of wood and gluing a soundboard on top.

Historical evidence suggests the instrument goes back to at least the 14th century. While once popular throughout Scandinavia, today it’s played mainly in Estonia, particularly among the nation's Swedish community. Some experts believe the tagelharpa is related to the crwth, a traditional Welsh instrument you heard Eric Shimelonis play in “The Long Crimson Thread”!

Script:

NARRATOR: There once lived a mighty king with a mighty problem. He had been invited to an important summit in a faraway land… and he couldn’t decide who should rule over his kingdom while he was away.

KING: I never married. I have no children. So the most logical choice is one of my councilors: my royal advisers! I must name one of them First Councilor. Head of the government. But which one should I pick?

NARRATOR: The king had six councilors, each with their own quirks.

Councilor Nessa… was very fast.

NESSA: (fast, high energy) Never put off til tomorrow what you can do today! Or right now! Or five minutes ago!

NARRATOR: Councilor Norvid… was very slow.

NORVID: (slowly, carefully) Slow… and steady… wins… the race!

NARRATOR: Councilor Linnéa… was very young. [lin-NEE-ah]

LINNÉA: (youthful and energetic) In the heart of every young person lies the potential for greatness. (GASP!) I just lost a baby tooth!

NARRATOR: Councilor Ludvig… was very old.

LUDVIG: (old and creaky) With age comes wisdom. And arthritis. Oh – and did I mention wisdom?

NARRATOR: Councilor Astrid… was very loud.

ASTRID: (talking very loudly) Speak loud and clear for all to hear! And I do mean ALL!

NARRATOR: And Councilor Anders… was very quiet. (pause) Councilor Anders…?

ANDERS: (quiet, hesitant) Yes…?

NARRATOR: Um, all the other councilors piped up just now. Is there something you would like to add?

ANDERS: Not at the moment. I talk only when I have something to say. After all, we have two ears and one mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak!

NARRATOR: Ah! You’ve got a good point there!

ANDERS: Thank you!

NARRATOR: The king knew that his First Councilor must be trustworthy. Honest. True to their word. And he spent many a sleepless night trying to decide which of his six councilors best fit that bill.

Late one evening, as the king tossed and turned in bed, he received an unexpected visitor.

His spacious chamber suddenly filled with a warm white light, and there… hovering in the air before before him… was a fairy! Her long hair flowed past her waist, and her delicate hand grasped a twinkling crystal wand.

FAIRY: Good evening, Your Majesty! I am the fairy of this castle!

NARRATOR: The king pinched himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.

He wasn’t.

KING: “The fairy of this castle”??? I didn't know this castle had a fairy! Why have I never seen you before?

FAIRY: Because you’ve never needed me before! I have lived within these walls ever since your grandparents’ grandparents’ grandparents first built the place. But I only show myself when a king or queen is facing a particularly difficult dilemma. A quandary. A conundrum! Just like YOU are right now.

KING: It’s true! I must choose which of my six councilors should be my First Councilor, and rule in my place while I’m away. Can you tell me which one I should pick?

FAIRY: I’m afraid I cannot tell you which councilor you should pick. But I can help you make your choice. (beat) First thing tomorrow morning, you must call your six councilors together. Tell them they must travel far up the river to retrieve your golden galley.

KING: My golden galley? You mean the big patrol boat that was just repaired by the shipwright in the next town?

FAIRY: That’s the one!

KING: But why ask my councilors to fetch my golden galley? I have sailors and servants for that!

FAIRY: Your councilors know how much you love that boat. Tell them that you trust them and them alone to bring it home safely. Meanwhile, you and I will have a surprise waiting for them.

NARRATOR: The river the councilors would take to fetch the golden galley ran alongside a forest. The fairy told the king that after he sent the councilors on their way, he must meet her beside the river, at the spot where the trees gave way to clear land.

FAIRY: And then… I promise… you’ll be on your way to making your choice!

NARRATOR: The fairy flashed a mysterious smile and waved her wand over the king’s face. In an instant, his eyelids grew heavy, his body grew still, and for the first time in many a night, he was out cold.

KING: (ad-lib sleep sounds)

NARRATOR: The next morning, he did as the fairy instructed. He sent his councilors to fetch his golden galley and row it down the river. Then he saddled up his horse and took off through the forest. When he reached the edge of the trees, the fairy was waiting.

FAIRY: Good day, Your Majesty! Your councilors have yet to row past this spot. Which gives me plenty of time… to do THIS!

NARRATOR: She waved her crystal wand and all of a sudden the king was transformed!

His elegant royal attire was replaced by a threadbare tunic and patched-up breeches. His neatly-trimmed hair was long and stringy. His clean-shaven face bore a scraggly beard. His hand held a wood-handled axe, and his magnificent steed was now a little gray donkey, with a stack of freshly-chopped wood on its back.

KING: Fairy! You’ve made me look like a woodcutter! Complete with a beast of burden to carry my load!

FAIRY: That’s because you ARE a woodcutter! …For the moment.

KING: Okayyyy… and this new get-up will help me out HOW…?

FAIRY: You shall soon find out. For now, keep your eyes open. Your councilors will soon appear. They will need help… and you will come to their aid. With your new look, they’ll have no idea who you are. And when they ask how they might reward your assistance, you shall ask them to honor you… by having dinner at your cottage.

KING: My cottage? I have a castle! Not a cottage!

FAIRY: Are you sure about that…?

NARRATOR: One flick of the fairy’s wand and just like that a tiny cottage appeared, with peeling walls, a moss-covered roof, and rickety windows that rattled in the breeze.

FAIRY: Invite the councilors to visit this cottage tomorrow at sunset. And soon… I promise… you’ll know which councilor should be your First Councilor!

NARRATOR: Then she smiled her mysterious smile… waved her crystal wand… and was gone.

At that very moment, the golden galley came gliding into view, with all six councilors on board. Up front was quick-moving Nessa.

NESSA: (fast, high-energy) Can we pick up the pace, people???

NARRATOR: Behind her was slow-moving Norvid.

NORVID: (slowly) Good things come… to those… who wait!

NARRATOR: Behind him was youthful Linnéa…

LINNÉA: I just lost another baby tooth!

NARRATOR: Then ancient Ludvig...

LUDVIG: Anyone else’s arthritis acting up right now?

NARRATOR: …Noisy Astrid...

ASTRID: (loudly singing) Row row row your boat gently down the streeeeeeeam!

NARRATOR: …and quiet Anders.

ANDERS: (quiet) How can we row “gently” with all that warbling?

NARRATOR: The water was calm. The sky was blue. Yet the moment the galley glided past the disguised king, a bank of dark clouds scudded in and unleashed a torrent of rain!

The wind picked up, the river turned choppy and churning, and the galley was tossed this way and that.

KING: That boat will smash right up against the river bank unless something is done! (GASP!) This must be what the fairy was talking about! She told me my councilors would need some help, and I would come to their aid! (beat) Well? Here goes!

NARRATOR: The king raced to the bank and dove into the river. He had always been a strong swimmer and in no time flat, he was heaving his dripping-wet body over the galley’s side.

KING: Hiya, folks! I’ve come to help you out!

NARRATOR: The king was as strong a boatman as he was a swimmer. Quickly and confidently, he took hold of the rudder and steered the galley to shore.

The storm blew out as quickly as it had blown in… and the sky was clear and blue as the councilors gratefully stepped foot on dry land.

NESSA: (fast) We have no idea who you are, kind woodcutter…

NORVID: (slow) …but you just saved our lives!

LINNÉA: (youthful) Tell us how we can repay you!

LUDVIG: (aged) We could give you gold…

ASTRID: (loud) …new clothing…

ANDERS: (quiet) Tell us what you need. We’ll give anything to such a kind, generous soul!

KING: Repay me?

NARRATOR: The so-called woodcutter shook his head.

KING: There’s no need to repay me! I helped you out of the goodness of my heart! However. If you wish to give me something, you can give me the honor of hosting you for dinner! Come to my cottage… tomorrow at sunset.

NARRATOR: The councillors accepted the invitation. Then they climbed back into the golden galley and continued on their way.

As they drifted around a bend, the fairy appeared. Without a word, she waved her crystal wand and returned the king to his former appearance – complete with royal garments, shaven face, short hair, and trusty horse.

FAIRY: Your Majesty! Did everything go according to plan?

KING: You could say that. I saved my councilor’s lives and invited them to this cottage for dinner, tomorrow at sunset. (beat) But I have to confess: I am no closer to making my decision than I was before!

FAIRY: That’s because we aren’t finished yet! There’s one more thing you must do. Something very important. (mysterious, enticing) And then, Your Majesty, I promise… you’ll know exactly who your First Councilor should be!

NARRATOR: What do you think the king must do? And which councilor do you think he’ll pick?

We’ll find out how our story unfolds, after a quick break.

[BREAK]

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

Before the break, the king had to choose which of his six councilors should rule in his place while he was away.

The fairy of the castle arranged it so that the king – disguised as a woodcutter – would save the councilors' lives. When they asked how they could repay him, he told them to have dinner at his cottage in the woods, tomorrow at sunset.

After the councilors agreed and continued on their way, the fairy showed up, removed the king’s disguise, and gave him his next instruction.

FAIRY: Your Majesty. Now that you’re back in your kingly garb, you must return to the palace. Invite your councilors to a royal banquet. Tell them you will announce your choice for First Councilor at this grand feast.

KING: I can do that. And when will this banquet take place?

FAIRY: When will it take place…?

NARRATOR: The fairy smiled.

FAIRY: Tomorrow. …At sunset. 

NARRATOR: The king was gobsmacked.

KING: I can’t hold a banquet tomorrow at sunset! I’m not ready to announce my choice! And besides, the councilors promised to visit the woodcutter's cottage at the very same time!

NARRATOR: The fairy said nothing. She just flashed another sly grin… waved her crystal wand… and was gone.

The king was stupefied. But, wishing to follow the fairy’s orders, he rode his horse back to the palace and called his councilors together.

KING: Hello, councilors! As you know, I shall soon embark on my journey. One of you will act as First Councilor, and watch over the kingdom while I’m away. And I shall announce which one of you I’ve chosen… at a banquet! 

NESSA: / NORVID: / LINNÉA: / LUDVIG: / ASTRID: / ANDERS: (ad-lib cheering)

KING: …tomorrow at sunset!

NARRATOR: The councilors traded an uneasy glance. The king noticed.

KING: It seems my invitation has left you speechless! And I don’t blame you. This banquet is a big deal! So please. Get all dolled up in your best finery and join me in the great hall of the castle tomorrow at sunset. I look forward to seeing you then!

NARRATOR: And with that he turned on his heel and bustled out of the room.

The following day at sunset, the banquet began in the castle’s great hall. As a parade of servants marched in to deliver the first course, the king noticed that one councilor was missing: his quiet councilor, Anders.

Anders was still missing when the second course arrived.

And the third.

And the fourth, fifth and sixth!

It was only when dessert was about to be served…

ANDERS: (quiet-ish but audible; out of breath) Hello, everyone! Sorry I’m late!

NARRATOR: …that Anders finally appeared, breathless and disheveled.

ANDERS: I was just out in the forest. So I could have dinner with the man who saved my life!

NARRATOR: Anders flashed a sheepish grin. His fellow councilors exchanged a guilty look. They had agreed not to tell the king about the woodcutter. After all, they didn’t want their boss to know they had nearly sunk his beloved golden galley! And besides, they didn’t actually plan on dining with a poor woodcutter instead of a king!

But Anders was different. And as the king gazed into the quiet man’s apologetic eyes, he heard a familiar voice.

FAIRY: Remember, Your Majesty! You want your First Councilor to be trustworthy! Honest! True to their word! And who might that be…?

NARRATOR: The king glanced around, expecting to see the fairy… but she was nowhere to be found. Yet all at once, a sudden understanding welled up in his heart… and he knew exactly what to do.

For the moment, however, he acted as though he knew nothing. Instead, he jumped to his feet and shot Anders an incredulous look.

KING: Councilor Anders! What’s all this about going to the forest to have dinner…??? With the man who saved your life…???? Sounds like nonsense to me!

NARRATOR: Anders heaved a sigh and recounted the story of yesterday’s adventures. The unexpected rainstorm, the heroic woodcutter, the invitation to dinner at the cottage…

KING: So… let me get this straight. You were going to honor the invitation of a woodcutter… over an invitation from a king?

NARRATOR: Anders responded quietly, but quickly.

ANDERS: (quiet) That is correct, Your Majesty. I promised the woodcutter I would dine at his cottage. And since he extended his invitation before you extended yours, I felt obligated to follow through. But when I went to the forest to see him… his cottage was GONE!

NARRATOR: The king was impressed by Anders’ honesty. But he kept up his skeptical act.

KING: Councilor Anders. Do you expect me to believe that you arrived late and disheveled because you agreed to have dinner with a commoner whose cottage vanished into thin air?

ANDERS: I don’t expect you to believe it, sir. But it’s the truth! The cottage was gone! And I had to honor the woodcutter’s invitation. I made him a promise! I gave him my word! And I always stay true to my word.

NARRATOR: On the inside, the king was beaming. But on the outside he frowned.

KING: (faux-serious, stern) Councilor Anders. Given everything you have told us this evening… and all that has come to light… I hope you are willing to accept the consequences of your actions.

NARRATOR: Anders gave a sad nod.

ANDERS: (sigh) Of course I am, sir. I had a feeling you would fire me. I’ll pack my bags and leave the castle.

NARRATOR: With a hanging head, he turned to go. But before he could take one step…

KING: No! You shall NOT pack your bags and leave the castle!

NARRATOR: The councilor looked up with a start.

ANDERS: I won’t????

KING: No! Because if you pack your bags and leave the castle… then how will you become my First Councilor?

NARRATOR: The other councilors gasped.

NESSA: / NORVID: / LINNÉA: / LUDVIG: / ASTRID: (GASP!!!!)

NARRATOR: Anders grinned.

ANDERS: You’ve chosen ME to be your First Councilor? But I disrespected you by showing up late for your banquet! And looking an absolute fright!

KING: You DID show up late. And you DO look a fright. But you DIDN’T disrespect me. Quite the opposite, actually.

ANDERS: I don’t understand…

KING: Councilor Anders. You didn’t “disrespect” me because that woodcutter whose dinner invitation you honored…? Was ME!

NARRATOR: The other councilors let out another gasp.

NESSA: / NORVID: / LINNÉA: / LUDVIG: / ASTRID: (GASP!!!!)

NARRATOR: Anders did, too.

ANDERS: (GASP!)

KING: A friend helped me disguise myself, to help me figure out who my First Councilor should be. (beat) You see, whoever I choose must be trustworthy. Honest. True to their word. And tonight, by honoring your promise to a humble woodcutter, you have proven that you are all of those things and more. You are the one to rule in my absence, Anders. I am certain I can safely place my land and people in your hands.

NARRATOR: And he was right! Anders ruled with care and kindness, and the kingdom prospered.

When the king came back from his travels and returned to the throne, he decided to make Anders his permanent First Councilor. And from then on, whenever the king had to take his leave, he knew he could always rely on Anders: the soft-spoken councilor who spoke volumes with his honest and trustworthy heart.