Sundown on Sunday | Ep. 297

An old Japanese proverb says: “Fall down seven times, stand up eight."

In other words, when you face challenges or setbacks – when you “fall down” – remember your ability to persist and persevere.

We’re about to meet a farmer who does just that. And even though she falls down again and again, she doesn’t just “stand up”; she tries climbing to the clouds!

Our story is called “Sundown on Sunday.” It’s inspired by tales from the East Asian island country of Japan. Voices in this episode include: Erika Rose, Ryan Shrime, Dawn Ursula and Charlet Takahashi Chung.

You kids may know Japanese/Korean-American actress Charlet Takahashi Chung from Netflix’s “Carmen Sandiego,” the new Hulu series “Wylde Pak,” and Nickelodeon’s “Rugrats,” where she plays rugrat Kimi Watanabe. Charlet also stars as the voice of D.Va on “Overwatch,” and has appeared in a bunch of grown-up TV shows including “Grace & Frankie” and “Shameless.”

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

Pretend you could climb to the clouds. What might it look like when you get there?

Get a piece of paper and draw your world above the clouds. Would there be houses made of clouds? Cloud animals? Cloud ice cream?

Let your imagination run wild, then share your picture with someone you have fun with. And if you’d like, share it with us!

Grown-ups, snap a photo of your Circle Round fan and their world above the clouds, then email it to circleround@wbur.org. We may feature you in the new Circle Round newsletter!

Musical Spotlight: Shakuhachi

The shakuhachi is a traditional Japanese flute with five finger holes. Unlike the Western flute, which you hold horizontally and play by blowing across a tone hole, the shakuhachi is vertical and “end-blown”: i.e. you hold it up and down like a recorder, then blow against a notch (a.k.a. “fipple”) cut into the top.

The instrument’s name comes from its traditional dimensions. “Shaku” is a Japanese unit of length (11.93 inches or 30.3 centimeters). “Hachi” means "eight," referring to 8/10 of a shaku (9.6 in. or 24 cm.). Thus, “shakuhachi” means one shaku and eight hachi (approximately 21.5 in. or 54 cm.). These days, shakuhachi can vary in size; the longer the instrument, the lower the basic pitch with all holes closed.

The shakuhachi was derived from the Chinese bamboo flute known as the xiao in the 8th century. When the shakuhachi became popular in Japan, it was primarily used by wandering monks as a tool for meditation. While the instrument eventually left the confines of religious music, it has traditionally been played by men in Japan until very recently. The first-ever concert of international women shakuhachi masters was held at the Big Apple Shakuhachi Festival in New York City in 2004!

Script:

NARRATOR: Mika lived on a farm in the country, where she grew turnips, radishes, and cabbage on a modest plot of land.

The farm had been in the family for generations: Mika’s mother grew up there, as did her mother, and her mother before that! Mika was determined to keep the place going. And though it was very hard work, she was happy. Content.

But then… one year… something happened that had never happened before. All of the crops – the turnips, the radishes, the cabbage – they all refused to grow! No matter how much Mika watered and weeded, she couldn’t coax one sprout from the earth!

MIKA: I am at the end of my rope! And the bottom of my piggy bank! With no crops to fill my belly – or to sell at the market – I’m never going to get by! What should I do?

NARRATOR: Mika mulled and mused, until she came upon an idea.

MIKA: Aunt Midori! I'll go see Aunt Midori!

NARRATOR: Aunt Midori grew up on the farm with Mika’s mother… but Midori decided very early on that the farming lifestyle was not for her. Toiling in the fields from dawn until dusk was not her cup of tea. So she left the family business, went into banking, and struck it rich.

MIKA: I haven’t really heard from Aunt Midori in a while. But now that she’s found success as a banker, I’m sure she can help me out!

NARRATOR: Mika rifled through her closet for a dress that wasn’t stained with dirt. Once she found a frock with only a handful of smudges, she laced up her boots, saddled up her horse, and set off for Aunt Midori’s house: a sprawling mansion surrounded by meadows and fields.

She found Midori in her wood-paneled study, hunched over a marble table and adding accounts in a ledger book.

MIKA: Good day, Aunt Midori!

NARRATOR: Midori looked up and smiled – but only with her mouth. Her eyes suggested she was not pleased.

MIDORI: (not thrilled, faking nice-ness) My goodness! What a lovely surprise! It’s so nice to see you, Mika.

NARRATOR: Mika returned her aunt’s forced grin with a real one.

MIKA: (grinning) It’s nice to see you too! It’s been a long time. I’m so proud of how well you’ve done!

NARRATOR: Midori smiled again. Only this time, it was authentic. And arrogant.

MIDORI: (arrogant) I HAVE done well, haven’t I? I’ve managed to make a fortune in the banking business. It’s a far cry from those pathetic days working my fingers to the bone as a farmer. Which, judging from your clothing, is what you’re still doing now.

NARRATOR: She cast a disdainful glance at Mika’s stained dress and muddy boots. Mika shrugged.

MIKA: I am still working as a farmer. I’m carrying on the family tradition and keeping the old farm going. And that's why I’m here. Somehow, this season I haven’t been able to grow a thing! Not one turnip, radish, or cabbage!

MIDORI: (pretending to care) Ohhhh. What a pity!

MIKA: I’m not asking for pity, Aunt Midori. I’m asking… for LAND.

MIDORI: Land?

MIKA: Yes! Now that you’ve made your fortune… and you live in this amazing house, surrounded by all these beautiful meadows and fields… I wonder. Could you please lend me a plot of land? Even the tiniest one, so I can grow some crops to eat and sell?

NARRATOR: What Mika didn't realize is that while Aunt Midori’s wealth had grown since she left the family farm, her greed had grown, too! And in that moment, that greed got the better of her... and she decided to play a trick on her niece.

MIDORI: Mika. While I appreciate your earnest request, I can NOT lend you a plot of land.

MIKA: You can’t?

MIDORI: No. (beat) But I can GIVE you one!

NARRATOR: Mika’s heart fluttered.

MIKA: Are you serious? You can GIVE me some land?

MIDORI: I can! Up in the northeast corner of my property, I have a rather large plot. It runs beside a country road. There’s nothing on the plot but dirt, and it’s a wee bit rough. But if you can get it all smoothed out and ready for planting… it’s yours!

MIKA: Wow! Thank you, Aunt Midori! I’ll get to work right away! If the plot is that big, it’ll probably take me at least a week to smooth it out… maybe two… but then I can – (gets cut off mid-sentence)

MIDORI: Oh! I’m sorry! Did I forget to mention? You must have the plot ready for planting… by sundown on Sunday.

MIKA: Sundown on Sunday?

NARRATOR: Mika wrinkled her brow.

MIKA: But today is Saturday! Which means that Sunday… is tomorrow!

MIDORI: I’m a big successful banker now, Mika. I think I know the days of the week! (beat) But if you want this land to be yours, you must do as I say. Smooth it out by sundown tomorrow… or the deal is off.

NARRATOR: Mika knew her hands were tied. So she accepted her aunt’s offer, grabbed some tools, and set off for the northeast corner of the property.

MIKA: Maybe the land won’t be all that big – or all that rough! I’m a hard worker. Maybe I WILL be able to get it ready for planting by sundown on – (GASP!) Oh no.

NARRATOR: The second Mika laid eyes on the plot, her heart plummeted to her toes.

MIKA: Aunt Midori said this land was “a wee bit rough.” But boy oh boy! That was an understatement! 

NARRATOR: Indeed it was. The field was marked off by four wooden poles. The land between the poles was rutted… and rugged… covered all over with clumpy, lumpy clods of dirt. It looked more like the surface of the moon than a field to be farmed!

MIKA: Even if I got to work right now, and kept going nonstop, there is no way I could smooth out this plot by sundown on Sunday! …Not on my own, anyway!

NARRATOR: Mika leaned on a wooden pole and gazed at the field. Then she gazed at the country road that ran beside it. It was unpaved and made of dirt. A group of people strolled past. As Mika watched their feet kick up great clouds of dust, it suddenly hit her.

MIKA: Wait a minute! Now that I think of it… maybe I won’t HAVE to smooth out the plot on my own! Maybe I can find myself a helping hand! Or more accurately… a helping FOOT!

[theme music in]

NARRATOR: What is Mika plotting for the untamed plot of land?

We’ll find out what she’s up to, after a quick break.

[theme music out]

[BREAK]

[theme music in]

NARRATOR: I’m Rebecca Sheir. Welcome back to Circle Round. Today our story is called “Sundown on Sunday.”

[theme music out]

NARRATOR: Before the break, Aunt Midori offered Mika a sneaky deal: she would give her a sizable plot of land if her niece could smooth it out and get it ready for planting… by sundown tomorrow.

When Mika trekked to the northeast corner of Midori’s property to get started, she discovered that the plot was a mess! It was surrounded by four wooden poles, and the rough dirt between them was all lumpy, clump and bumpy.

Aware that she could never smooth out the field in time, Mika concocted a plan. She yanked a wooden pole out of the ground, then tucked it under her arm and set off down the road.

She walked to the village marketplace: a bustling hubbub of merchants and market goers haggling over silks and spices, fruits and fabrics, lanterns and lamps.

She found a spot in the very middle, then held up her pole and cried out.

MIKA: Attention, please! Attention! My name is Mika, and I have a special invitation for each and every one of you! (beat) You are hereby invited to come to the banker’s house tomorrow… and watch me climb to the clouds! On this wooden pole!

NARRATOR: Mika hoped her curious declaration would catch the market goers’ attention. To her delight, it did!

PERSON 1: What was that you said, miss?

PERSON 2: You’re going to climb to the clouds??!?

PERSON 3: On that wooden pole?

PERSON 4: Are you for real?

PERSON 5:  Because if you think you can climb to the clouds on a wooden pole…

PERSON 6: …then your HEAD is in the clouds!

PERSON 1: / PERSON 2: / PERSON 3: / PERSON 4: / PERSON 5: / PERSON 6: (LAUGHTER)

MIKA: Go ahead! Laugh if you want to! I don’t mind! Because tomorrow at sunrise… on the northeast corner of the banker’s property… I am going to climb to the clouds! And you’re all invited to come and watch me!

PERSON 1: / PERSON 2: / PERSON 3: / PERSON 4: / PERSON 5: / PERSON 6: (LAUGHTER)

NARRATOR: Despite the ridicule, the next morning hundreds of intrigued onlookers came flocking to the northeast corner of Midori’s property.

MIKA: Good morning, everyone! Thank you for joining me. As promised, I shall now climb to the clouds… using this wooden pole!

NARRATOR: Mike held up the pole. Then she stuck one end into the dirt, driving it down as far as she could. Once it seemed stable, she wrapped both hands around it and began to climb!

MIKA: (as she climbs) Okay! Here I go! Climbing up to the – WHOA!

NARRATOR: In no time flat, the wooden pole toppled over… and Mika tumbled to the ground.

She dusted herself off, then sprang back to her feet.

MIKA: Not to worry, friends! Not to worry! It seems I was trying to climb to the clouds in the wrong spot! Let’s go to a different part of this field and I’ll try again.

NARRATOR:  Mika led the crowd to another part of the field. Once more, she planted the pole in the dirt and began to climb.

MIKA: (as she climbs) Alright! I’m on my way!

NARRATOR: But…

MIKA: WHOOOOAAAA!

NARRATOR: … she soon came crashing down, again.

MIKA: Apparently that wasn’t the right spot either. But I’m certain it’s around here somewhere. Follow me!

NARRATOR: Mika led the crowd all over the plot. But even though she tried…

MIKA: (as she climbs) This time I know I’m gonna – WHOOOOAAAA!

NARRATOR: …and tried…

MIKA: (as she climbs) I’ve got a good feeling about this – WHOOOOAAAA!

NARRATOR: …not ONCE did she succeed in climbing to the clouds.

The hours ticked passed. The sun moved across the sky. And as the final rays of daylight gave way to the pink glow of dusk, the crowd decided they had had enough.

PERSON 1: Come on, Mika!

PERSON 2: You’ve tried climbing that pole in all four corners of this field!

PERSON 3: And in the middle! 

PERSON 4: And in all points in between! 

PERSON 5: Clearly you’re never going to climb to the clouds!

PERSON 6: So we are outta here!

NARRATOR: Mike watched as the hundreds of onlookers shook their heads, turned their backs, and trudged off down the road. Once they were gone, she raced to Aunt Midori’s house. Despite the late hour, the banker was in her study, working at her marble table with the velvet curtains drawn and the lamps blazing.

When she saw her niece, her expression was equal parts scowl, sneer, and smirk.

MIDORI: Mika! You’re back! Let me guess: you did not succeed in smoothing out the land? It was too rough and rugged? Even for an experienced farmer like yourself?

MIKA: Actually…

NARRATOR: Mika strolled to the window.

MIKA: …I DID succeed in smoothing out the land! See for yourself!

NARRATOR: She yanked open the velvet curtains. When Midori spied the moonlit plot of land, her eyebrows shot up and her jaw dropped down.

MIDORI: Holy smokes! It can’t be!

NARRATOR: And yet… it was! Because Mika was right! The formerly ragged, rugged field was now splendidly smooth – not a lump, bump or clump to be seen!

And do you know why?

Well, Mika spent all day leading a curious crowd around the field, right? And as they walked around, their hundreds and hundreds of tromping, tramping feet flattened the land… leaving it smooth and ready for planting.

And Mika DID plant. Now that the land belonged to her, she sowed the field with turnips, radishes and cabbage, plus squash, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens. And the hardworking farmer was happy. Content. So blissful and joyful it’s like she was walking on a cloud!