The Right Apple | Ep. 298

Have you ever gotten lost?

Maybe you and your family were on a road trip and you took a wrong turn. Or you were hiking and you mistook one trail for another.

We’re about to meet three characters who get lost in the forest. And what they end up finding isn’t an exit; it’s an eye-opener!

Our story is called “The Right Apple.” It’s inspired by Jewish tales from Turkey, or the Republic of Türkiye: a transcontinental country located across Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia.

Voices in this episode include: Joe Hernandez, Kiran Kumar, Erika Rose, Dawn Ursula and June Squibb.

With an acting career spanning six-plus decades, Academy Award nominee June Squibb has starred in such movies as “Nebraska,” “Thelma,” and the new Scarlett Johansson film, “Eleanor the Great.” You kids will recognize June's one-of-a-kind voice from animated features like "Ralph Breaks the Internet," "Toy Story 4," "Soul" and "Inside Out 2.” Broadway fans, watch for June on the great white way later this year, when she plays the title role in the new play, “Marjorie Prime.”

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

Imagine you had the magic walking stick from this week’s story. What special feast would you create?

Draw a picture of your feast, then share it 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 drawing, then email it to circleround@wbur.org. We may feature you in the Circle Round newsletter, “The Lion’s Roar”!

If you haven't yet signed up for this free monthly bulletin featuring special announcements, behind-the-scenes articles, and photos of your art and creations, visit our home page: wbur.org/circleround.

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 episodes “The Hiding Place” and “The Empty Barrel”!

Script:

NARRATOR: On a chilly autumn night… in a misty moonlit forest… three lost travelers happened to cross paths. Enis came from up north.

ENIS: I’ve been winding my way through this forest for hours! It’s like a labyrinth in here!

NARRATOR: Erek came from down south.

EREK: Tell me about it! I’ve wandered past that same laurel tree at least half a dozen times!

NARRATOR: And Esma came from the west.

ESMA: We must find somewhere to take shelter! It’s too brisk to sleep outdoors, and who knows what wild, hungry creatures roam these woods? Especially at night!

NARRATOR: The travelers surveyed the darkening scene around them. Then Esma let out a gasp.

ESMA: (gasp!) Do you see that? Through that dense thicket of pines and oaks?

NARRATOR: Enis and Erek craned their necks to where she was pointing.

ENIS: Well I’ll be! It looks like a cottage!

EREK: With light glowing in the windows and smoke streaming through the chimney! Perhaps they’ll take us in!

NARRATOR: So Enis, Erek and Esma raced toward the cottage and knocked at the door.

WOMAN: May I help you?

NARRATOR: An old woman answered, with curly hair as white as snow and twinkling eyes as blue as the sky. Clutched in her weathered hand was a gnarled walking stick.

ENIS: Greetings, madam! The three of us lost our way and are seeking a place to sleep.

EREK: Perhaps a warm meal as well?

ESMA: Might we spend the night with you? We’ll happily pay for our room and board!

NARRATOR: The woman’s face crinkled into a grin.

WOMAN: There’s no need to pay me a cent! All three of you may spend the night, free of charge. Now come in! I was just about to enjoy a late supper; you’re more than welcome to join me!

NARRATOR: When the travelers followed the woman into the cottage, they were struck by how sparse it was. The main room contained nothing more than a rickety table and chairs, a set of dusty shelves, and a small hearth with a crackling fire. Through a doorway was a small bedroom, with just a lamp and mattress.

WOMAN: Please! Have a seat at the table. Are you ready for a feast?

NARRATOR: The travelers exchanged a look. The rickety table was bare. The dusty shelves were empty. No pots or pans were simmering on the hearth.

ENIS: Ummm… much as we’d LOVE a feast, madam… we don’t see any food!

EREK: Should the three of us go out and gather some?

ESMA: I spotted a bunch of wild garlic growing in the woods! And a whole thatch of nettles! We could boil up a stew!

WOMAN: That’s a kind offer, friends. But it won’t be necessary.

NARRATOR: The woman raised her walking stick high in the air. She gave it a swish…

…and just like that, atop the bare table was a linen tablecloth, porcelain plates, silver cutlery, and a pair of gleaming candlesticks. The travelers were agog.

ENIS: (too blown away to finish sentence) Did that just…?

EREK: (too blown away to finish sentence) Did you just…?

ESMA: (too blown away to finish sentence) Did we just…?

NARRATOR: The woman didn’t answer. Instead, she swished the stick again…

…and a mouthwatering meal appeared: steaming, fragrant soup… rich, thick stew… grilled meats… roasted vegetables. There was even a flask of wine and four crystal goblets.

ENIS: Holy moley!

EREK: Holy smokes!

ESMA: Holy mackerel!

WOMAN: Oh! You want some mackerel, too? Grilled or baked? Or perhaps you prefer pan-fried…?

NARRATOR: Esma stopped the woman before she could swish her stick again.

ESMA: No, madam! Please! You’ve given us plenty already! And we are truly grateful. (beat) Aren’t we, Enis and Erek?

NARRATOR: Enis and Erek didn't answer. They just stared bug-eyed and slack-jawed at the feast on the table.

ESMA: (raising her voice) I SAID… aren’t we GRATEFUL, Enis and Erek? …Enis and Erek!

NARRATOR: The two travelers snapped to attention.

ENIS: Um, yeah!

EREK: We’re very grateful!

ENIS: But mostly… we’re curious!

EREK: What’s the deal with your walking stick, madam?

NARRATOR: The woman smiled.

WOMAN: I’ll explain after the meal. Now please. Enjoy!

NARRATOR: The travelers ate and drank to their hearts’ content. And when they were done, the woman swished her stick…

…and everything that had magically appeared on the table dis-appeared!

The woman laid the stick down, then fixed her guests with her twinkling sky-blue eyes.

WOMAN: Friends. You asked about my stick. I received it as a gift – many moons ago. I’ve had it for as long as I can remember. And now that I’m getting up there in years, I would like to pass it on… to one of YOU.

NARRATOR: The travelers' mouths dropped open.

ENIS: You would give away your stick?

EREK: To one of us!

ESMA: That’s too much, madam!

WOMAN: Please! I would like one of you to have it. Provided you can do as I ask. (beat) You see, behind my cottage lies a sparkling stream. On the far side of that stream is an apple tree. Bring me the right apple from that tree, and you may have my walking stick.

NARRATOR: The travelers traded a glance.

ENIS: With all due respect, madam… how will we know which apple is “the right apple”?

EREK: Can you be more specific?

ESMA: What is it you have in mind?

NARRATOR: A mysterious grin crossed the woman’s lips. Instead of answering, she shuffled to the bedroom and came back with three blankets.

WOMAN: Here. Take these blankets. It’s late and you should get some sleep. Tomorrow you can try your hand at bringing me the right apple. (beat) But for now, good night! …And GOOD LUCK!

[theme music in]

NARRATOR: What do you think will happen when our travelers look for “the right apple”? And what is “the right apple,” anyway?

We’ll find out, 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 “The Right Apple.”

[theme music out]

NARRATOR: Before the break, a mysterious woman showed three lost travelers a magic walking stick. Swish the stick over a table, and it would produce a grand feast!

The woman told Enis, Erek and Esma she would give one of them her stick… provided they could bring her the right apple from the tree across the stream.

The following morning – after a delicious breakfast magically produced by the walking stick – Enis, Erek and Esma wrote their names on slips of paper. They dropped them into a hat, then the old woman reached in and drew the slips out one by one.

WOMAN: Enis! It looks like YOU will go first. Then Erek… then Esma.

ENIS: Sweet! I’ll get that apple right now! And the stick will be mine!

NARRATOR: Enis sprinted out the door and across the stream. The apple tree on the other side was tall and sturdy, with hundreds of shiny red apples on its branches.

ENIS: My goodness! These apples are so beautiful! And bountiful! How am I supposed to know which is the right one?

NARRATOR: His gaze drifted from the bottom of the tree to the top.

ENIS: A-ha! That apple up there! At the very tippy-top! It’s higher than all the rest. Since it’s the hardest apple to get… I’ll bet it’s the right apple, too!

NARRATOR: Enis hoisted himself into the branches and began to climb. After plucking the apple from the uppermost limb, he clambered back to the ground. But just as he was about to cross the stream…

BUTTERFLY: Pardon me! May I please have some of your apple?

NARRATOR: Turning his head, what should Enis find perched on his shoulder but a delicate little butterfly, with wings as blue as the sky.

ENIS: I’m sorry – were you just talking to me…?!???

BUTTERFLY: I was! I asked if I could please have some of your apple!

NARRATOR: Enis shook his head.

ENIS: No way can you have some of my apple! I NEED this apple! For myself! Go get an apple of your own.

NARRATOR: After waving the butterfly away, Enis hurried over the stream and back to the cottage.

ENIS: Here it is! The right apple!

NARRATOR: The woman took the apple from Enis and held it up to her twinkling blue eyes.

WOMAN: (sigh) No, Enis. This is NOT the right apple.

ENIS: But it was at the tippy-tippy-top of the tree! I climbed all the way up to get it! That was a lot of hard work!

WOMAN: I’m sure it was! But it’s not the right apple! (beat) So it’s time for Erek to give it a try.

NARRATOR: Enis sagged in defeat. Erek puffed up with pride.

EREK: This is gonna be a breeze! A cakewalk! As easy as apple pie! (beat) See ya soon, folks!

NARRATOR: He bolted out the door and across the stream. One glance at the apple tree, and he was every bit as perplexed as Enis was.

EREK: Golly! With so many apples to choose from, how am I supposed to know which is the right one? (GASP!) Wait!

NARRATOR: He edged closer and scrunched up his eyes.

EREK: That apple there! It’s the ripest and plumpest of the bunch! So shiny and red… (beat) Since it’s the best-looking apple… I’ll bet it’s the right apple, too!

NARRATOR: He yanked the apple from its branch and turned back to the stream. But before he could hop across…

BUTTERFLY: Pardon me! May I please have some of your apple?

NARRATOR: Erek looked up and there, fluttering above him, was the little blue butterfly!

EREK: Excuse me?? Was that YOUR voice I just heard????

BUTTERFLY: It WAS! I asked if I could please have some of your apple!

NARRATOR: Erek shot the butterfly a withering glance.

EREK: You absolutely can NOT have some of my apple! This apple is mine. I need it! Go find your own!

NARRATOR: Then he shoo’d the insect away, stuffed the apple in his pocket, and raced back to the cottage.

EREK: Hiya, folks! I’ve found the right apple!

NARRATOR: But before he could even pull the apple from his pocket, the old woman frowned.

WOMAN: No, Erek. You have NOT found the right apple.

EREK: Are you sure? You haven’t even seen it! It was the plumpest, ripest, reddest, shiniest apple on that entire tree!

WOMAN: That may be so, but it’s not the right apple! Which means it’s time for our third contestant.

NARRATOR: She shifted her gaze… to Esma.

WOMAN: Bring back the right apple, Esma, and the walking stick is yours!

ESMA: I’ll do my best!

NARRATOR: Esma gave the woman’s hand a squeeze. Then she hastened out the door and bustled across the stream to the tree.

ESMA: Goodness! There are so many apples growing on this tree that I don’t know which one to pick!

NARRATOR: She stood still for a moment. Then suddenly, her face lit up.

ESMA: Wait a minute! Maybe I don’t HAVE to pick one! The ground is littered with fruit that has ripened already. Instead of yanking off an apple that might still be growing, I’ll choose one of the ones that have fallen. They still look as fine as can be!

NARRATOR: She knelt down and scooped an apple off the ground.

ESMA: This one will do nicely. I’ll take it back to the cottage and see what the woman says!

NARRATOR: Esma turned around with a grin. But before she could jump across the stream…

BUTTERFLY: Pardon me! May I please have some of your apple?

NARRATOR: Esma paused and looked down. Standing beside the stream was – you guessed it – the blue butterfly!

ESMA: Hello, little one! I didn’t know butterflies could talk! But then I also didn’t know that magical walking sticks could produce a feast… (beat) Anyway. What was it you asked?

BUTTERFLY: I asked if I could please have some of your apple! I’m so very hungry!

NARRATOR: Esma knelt down and examined the insect. Its wings were drooping; its antennae hung limply over its face.

ESMA: Goodness! You LOOK hungry! (beat) Of course you can have some of my apple! Here!

NARRATOR: She laid the apple down. And the moment she did, do you know what happened?

The butterfly vanished!

In its place… stood the old woman!

WOMAN: Hello, Esma!

NARRATOR: Esma was stunned.

ESMA: It’s – it’s YOU!

WOMAN: It IS me. And YOU have found the right apple.

ESMA: I have…?

WOMAN: Yes! Don’t you see, Esma? The right apple wasn’t the hardest one to reach… or the prettiest one to look at… the right apple was the one that you’re willing to SHARE! (beat) So here.

NARRATOR: The woman blinked her sky-blue eyes and held out the walking stick.

WOMAN: This stick is yours, my dear. All I ask is that you use it in the same spirit with which you earned it. Share its bounty with others!

NARRATOR: She placed the stick in Esma’s hands…then disappeared.

That was the last time Esma saw her new friend. But she did as she was told. And whenever she used her magic walking stick, she invited anyone who was poor, hungry, or struggling to share in her bounty.

Because Esma understood what we ALL should understand. When we can do something to share with others, and make their lives just a little bit better…?

THAT is the most magical thing of all.