The Palace of Cats | Ep. 299

Think of a time you showed generosity.

Maybe you said something kind to the new kid at school or helped an elderly neighbor with chores. Perhaps you held the door open for someone or offered a friendly smile.

Being generous can make us feel great. But as we’ll hear in today’s tale, it can offer other rewards, too – including some we never expected!

Our tale is called “The Palace of Cats.” It was inspired by Palestinian lore. You’ll find related versions from Italy and Greece.

We recorded this episode before a live audience of excited kids and grown-ups at the PACE Center in Parker, CO. Joining host Rebecca Sheir on stage was a quartet  of Colorado-based actors: Jeffrey Donovan, Kenya Mahogany, Michael McNeill and Matt Zambrano. And playing live music on the doumbek (learn more about this traditional Middle Eastern drum below) was Eric Shimelonis.

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

When people are generous to us, we can show our thanks by sending a thank-you note!

Think of someone who’s shown you kindness. Now find some paper and write a short letter – or draw a picture – that expresses your gratitude.

Once you’re done, ask a grown-up to help you pop your thank-you note in the mail. When the recipient gets it, it’s sure to make them smile!

Musical Spotlight: Doumbek

The goblet-shaped drum known as the doumbek (also known as darbuka, derbeke or dumbec) has been a staple of Middle Eastern music for centuries. Experts trace its origins to ancient Mesopotamia, where people used it in rituals and celebrations. Over time, the doumbek was introduced across the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Eastern Europe.

The traditional doumbek was crafted from clay or ceramic, with a drumhead made from fish or goat skin. Modern doumbeks are often made from metal, especially aluminum and brass. The heads are now synthetic (made through a chemical process by humans, rather than being produced by nature), which allows for greater durability and projection in different musical settings.

Script:

NARRATOR: In a little hillside village… in a tiny thatched-roof cottage… lived an old man named Rafi.

RAFI: (to audience) Great googly-moogly! Look at all these wonderful people! … How did the lot of you squeeze into my tiny thatched-roof cottage? This place is so small, you could drop a wash-cloth on the floor and have wall-to-wall carpet! (LAUGH)

NARRATOR: Rafi’s hair was as white as sugar. His face was as wrinkled as parchment. His joints were as creaky as rusty hinges.

But his eyes were bright and alert behind his spectacles. His smile was welcoming and warm. And, as everyone in the village knew, so was his heart.

[SFX: door knock]

RAFI: Good day, Mr. Darwish! Sorry you’re stuck home with that broken ankle. Might I run some errands for you? (beat) Or… given my rickety knees… hobble some errands…? (LAUGH)

[SFX: door knock]

RAFI: Congratulations on the quintuplets, Mrs. Khan! I brought them some of my favorite picture books! I was going to knit socks for those five bundles of joy… but with my eyesight, five pairs would take five years! (LAUGH)

NARRATOR: Rafi was so kind, so generous, he never hesitated to offer a helping hand… or a listening ear.

​​RAFI: (joking) Of course, that “listening ear” has a hearing aid… and that “helping hand” has arthritis… but no matter. I’ll bend over backwards for my friends. … Just not literally. I’d throw my back out! (LAUGH)

NARRATOR: Spring, summer and fall were pleasant in Rafi’s hillside village. The skies were sunny and the temperatures were mild.

Winter, however, was another story. The weather turned wet and cold. And one winter, it was wetter and colder than ever.

Trickles of rain seeped through the thatched roof of Raf’s cottage, and the wind whistled through gaps in the walls.

RAFI: Well blow me backwards! It’s so cold in here I nearly chipped my dentures on my morning coffee! (beat) And gadzooks! I’m all out of firewood!

NARRATOR: Rafi was no longer spry enough to chop wood, so he tended to gather fallen branches and twigs from the hillside.

RAFI: Of course, in this wretched weather, the notion of going out to gather wood is just about as appealing as another hip surgery! (beat) Perhaps I’ll ask my neighbor Idris for wood. He’s not the most personable fellow, but last time he left town I did offer to walk his Rottweiler. Though, as it turned out, that colossal canine wound up walking ME instead…!

NARRATOR: So Rafi pulled on his coat and knocked at Idris’s door.

[SFX: door knock]

IDRIS: (gruff) Yeah? (beat) Oh. It’s YOU.

RAFI: (with a smile) Yes! It’s me! And good day to you TOO, Idris! (beat) I wonder if I could please have some of your firewood. I’m all out, and my cottage is as chilly as a penguin’s breakfast! (LAUGH)

NARRATOR: Idris didn’t laugh. He didn’t even crack a smile.

IDRIS: (brusque) Look, Rafi. I can’t give you any firewood. I need it all for myself! This winter has been miserable!

RAFI: So I’ve noticed! But perhaps you could spare one log…?

IDRIS: No!

RAFI: One stick…?

IDRIS: No!

RAFI: One twig…?

IDRIS: No, no, and NO! Gather your own firewood, Rafi! In this weather, it’s every person for themselves!

NARRATOR: And with that…

IDRIS: Good luck!

NARRATOR: …Rafi’s anything-but-neighborly neighbor slammed the door.

RAFI: Well THAT didn’t go well. Though it was kind of him to wish me luck. Goodness knows I’ll NEED it in THIS weather!

NARRATOR: Rafi pulled up his collar, braced himself against the wind, and started up the hillside.

Thanks to the storm, the ground was littered with fallen wood. But before Rafi could lift a twig…

PATCHES: MEOWWWWW!!!

RAFI: (GASP!) Jumpin’ Jupiter! Was that… a cat? Did a helpless feline get stranded in this wretched weather?

PATCHES: MEOWWWWWW!!

NARRATOR: Rafi wiped the rain off his spectacles and glanced around. And that’s when he saw it. Quivering and shivering at the top of a tree… was a kitten!

RAFI: Hello, kitty! You’re so high up I can hardly see you!

PATCHES: MEOW!

RAFI: Don’t worry! I’ll get you down! Mind you, I haven't climbed a tree since the invention of the wheel… but fear not! I will come to your rescue!

NARRATOR: Rafi took a breath and began to climb.

RAFI: (efforting as he climbs) Whew! Fortunately, this tree is as old and gnarled as I am! It has plenty of knots and knobs to grab a hold of! So sit tight, kitty! I’m on my – (stops short) (GASP!) Leapin’ lizards!

NARRATOR: Rafi’s mouth opened so wide you could count the false teeth in his dentures. Because as he climbed closer to the kitten, he made an astonishing discovery.

This kitten was unlike any kitten he had ever seen before. There was something extraordinary about her. And though Rafi didn’t yet know it, he was about to embark on an extraordinary adventure!

What do you think is so different about the kitten in the tree? And what will happen next?

We’ll find out, after a quick break. 

[BREAK]

NARRATOR: I’m Rebecca Sheir. Welcome back to Circle Round, live at the PACE Center in Parker, Colorado! Today our story is called “The Palace of Cats.”

Before the break, it was winter, and Rafi’s uncharitable neighbor Idris refused to share his firewood.

So Rafi went out to collect his own. But as he shuffled up the hillside, he found a kitten stuck in a treetop. When he climbed up to rescue her, he made an astonishing discovery.

RAFI: My dear little kitty! Your furry little body is dressed in a ball gown! With sparkles and spangles all over! And is that a crown on your head??? Jeepers creepers! My spectacles must be all fogged up from the cold and rain!

PATCHES: Nope! Your spectacles are fine. Gowns and crowns are par for the course… when you’re feline royalty! 

NARRATOR: Rafi was so startled he nearly tumbled from the tree.

RAFI: Kitty! Did you just talk to me? And did you say… “feline royalty”?

PATCHES: Yes! And yes! I am Princess Patches, daughter of the Cat King! And if I don’t get back to the palace soon, Father will be furious! He told me not to go climbing in this weather, and clearly I didn’t listen. So now I’m stuck! Will you please help me down?

NARRATOR: Rafi’s sugar-white head was swimming. But he reached out to the kitten, scooped her into his arms, then brought her back to firm ground.

PATCHES: Thank you for coming to my rescue, sir! (beat) What is your name?

RAFI: (still pretty surprised) Rafi…

PATCHES: Rafi! Come with me to the palace, won’t you? Father would love to meet the intrepid hero who saved his disobedient daughter’s life! 

NARRATOR: Princess Patches scampered off, and Rafi followed. When she paused beside a stand of oak trees, Rafi glanced down, and there… built into the side of the hill… was a little wooden door. The princess tapped the door with her paw. It swung open to reveal a large striped cat wearing an elegant robe and crown.

KING: There you are, Patches! I’ve been worried sick about you! (beat) Who’s your friend?

PATCHES: His name is Rafi! He saved my life! (sheepish) Since I sorta-kinda-maybe broke my promise, and went climbing, and got stuck in a tree…?

NARRATOR: The king fixed Patches with a scolding look. Then he fixed Rafi with a grateful one.

KING: Well! While I am most displeased that Patches broke her promise… I am very pleased that you came to her aid, Rafi! (beat) Come! Get out of the cold and join us!

NARRATOR: Rafi couldn’t believe the sight that greeted him on the other side of the door. He was standing in a splendid palace… with velvet sofas, polished tables, and golden lamps twinkling from a high, vaulted ceiling!

KING: Welcome to the palace of cats! Our family has lived here for generations.

NARRATOR: The king led Rafi to a marble fireplace. A cat wearing a butler uniform fetched a fuzzy blanket and hot cup of tea, and Rafi felt warmer and cozier than he had all winter.

RAFI: Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty. This winter weather isn’t easy for a golden-ager like me!

KING: But Rafi! It is I who should be thanking you! And to show my gratitude, I would like to offer… a gift.

NARRATOR: The king showed Rafi two plump, burlap bags.

KING: These bags are for you. Bring them home and place them under your bed tonight. When you wake up tomorrow, you may take them out and enjoy their contents.

RAFI: I am most appreciative, Your Majesty! May I ask what’s inside?

NARRATOR: The king smiled.

KING: One bag contains onion peels. The other contains garlic peels. 

NARRATOR: Rafi paused. Onion and garlic peels were a rather unusual gift – especially from a king – but then, this was an unusual day!

RAFI: Thank you, Your Majesty! I shall use these onion and garlic peels in good health! …Or, given my age, in mediocre-to-middling health. (LAUGH)

NARRATOR: Rafi bid farewell to the king and princess, then slung the bags over his shoulder. They weren’t especially heavy and he traveled home with relative ease. Back at his cottage, he fixed himself some dinner, then he shoved the bags under his bed, slipped between the covers, and dropped off to sleep.

RAFI: (ad-lib funny old-man snoring sounds)

NARRATOR: The next morning, when he climbed out of bed and reached for the bags, he noticed something odd.

RAFI: These bags feel so much heavier today! And why are they making a clinking noise????

NARRATOR: He pulled the bags open, and nearly fell over!

RAFI: By jove and by jingo! These bags no longer contain onion and garlic peels! They contain silver and gold coins! 

NARRATOR: Rafi felt a surge of delight. Because in that instant, he knew exactly how he would spend his newfound riches.

First, he hired a work crew to re-thatch his leaky roof and shore up his whistling walls. Next, he went out shopping, picking up special gifts for everyone in the village.

[SFX: door knock]

RAFI: Principal Ali! I bought new desks for your students! I know the old ones were on their last legs. …Kind of like ME! (LAUGH)

[SFX: door knock]

RAFI: Farmer Amin! I heard you lost your rooster, so I got you a new one. And he’s quite the crower. His cock-a-doodle-doo is so loud, I don’t need my hearing aid to hear it! (LAUGH)

NARRATOR: From block to block Rafi traveled, showering the villagers with gifts. His last stop… was Idris’s house.

[SFX: door knock]

IDRIS: (gruff) Yeah? (beat) Oh. It’s YOU.

RAFI: Yes! It’s me! And good day to you TOO, Idris! (beat) I’ve brought you a gift.

NARRATOR: Idris’s cold expression turned curious.

IDRIS: A gift??? Since when do you have money, Rafi? That thatched-roof cottage of yours has been falling apart for years!

RAFI: Not anymore! I received a bit of a windfall recently. And I used part of it to buy THIS!

NARRATOR: He showed Idris a leather dog collar.

RAFI: It’s for your Rottweiler! Last time I walked him I noticed how worn-out his old collar was.

NARRATOR: Idris fixed his gaze on the shiny new collar.

IDRIS: The leather is so new it gleams! And look! There’s a bronze tag with my dog’s name on it!

RAFI: Gold, actually. The tag is gold.

IDRIS: Gold??!?!?? (beat) Rafi! You have to tell me where this “windfall” came from!

NARRATOR: Rafi hadn’t planned on telling anyone about Princess Patches and the Cat King. After all, who would believe such a far-fetched tale? But, figuring he had nothing to lose, he began to explain. He described the cat palace hidden in the hillside… the king’s bags of onion and garlic peels…

RAFI: The king told me to put the bags under my bed. And when I woke up in the morning, they were filled with silver and gold coins!

NARRATOR: Idris was torn between disbelief and desire. If this cat palace truly did exist, he must get some onion and garlic peels for himself!

IDRIS: Rafi… You said the cat king’s palace is hidden behind a door in the hillside…? Beside a stand of oak trees…?

RAFI: That’s right! (beat) Oh! But I forgot to tell you the reason he gave me my gift. You see, I was out gathering wood when I saw his daughter stuck in a —

NARRATOR: But that’s as far as Rafi got. Idris had already thrown on his coat, jumped into his boots, and taken off up the hillside.

When he reached the little wooden door, he banged on it with all his might.

IDRIS: Hello? Hello!

NARRATOR: The door swung open, and there – sparkling and glittering in her gown and crown – was Princess Patches.

PATCHES: May I help you?

NARRATOR: Idris stuck out his chin and smirked.

IDRIS: YES, Princess. You CAN help me. You can tell your father to give me some of those onion and garlic peels! Just like he gave Rafi!

PATCHES: Rafi…?

NARRATOR: The princess tilted her crowned head.

PATCHES: How do you know Rafi?

IDRIS: Oh! Rafi and I go way back! Obviously, he goes much farther back than I do. That geezer is so old, his birth certificate was chiseled on a stone tablet! (LAUGH) But seriously. Your father gave Rafi some onion and garlic peels. And I want them, too!

KING: You do, do you?

NARRATOR: Idris blinked his eyes and there, walking up behind the princess, was the Cat King.

IDRIS: Yes, King! I want onion and garlic peels! (beat) (conspiratorially) Though we both know what they REALLY are, right…? But you only find out after you put them under your bed…?

NARRATOR: The king and princess traded a look.

KING: (laying it on thick; hatching a plot) Well…! Any friend of Rafi is a friend of ours. Aren’t they, dear daughter?

PATCHES: (laying it on thick; playing along) Absolutely, dear father!

NARRATOR: The king flashed Idris a grin.

KING: Well sir? If it’s onion and garlic peels you want… it is onion and garlic peels you shall get!

IDRIS: I like the sound of that!

NARRATOR: The king presented Idris with two plump, burlap bags. Idris yanked their tops open and peered inside.

IDRIS: Wow! Look at all of those onion and garlic peels! I can hardly wait to see what becomes of them in the morning! (LAUGH)

NARRATOR: And then… without so much as a thank-you… Idris heaved the bags over his shoulder, turned on his heel, and sped off down the hill.

Come nightfall, he stashed the bags under his bed and went to sleep. After a night of glorious dreams of wealth and riches, he awoke in the morning with a smile.

IDRIS: (contented sigh) Ahhhh!

NARRATOR: But that smile didn’t last long.

IDRIS: Uggggghhh!

NARRATOR: Because when Idris sprang out of bed, he noticed how pungent the air was.

IDRIS: (sniffs the air) Ich! It smells like rotten fish in here! Or dirty diapers…? Or rotten fish WEARING dirty diapers…? (beat) What is going on?

NARRATOR: He dropped to his knees and reached for the bags. When he tore them open, he felt his stomach twist!

IDRIS: Uccch! These bags don’t contain silver and gold coins! They contain onion and garlic peels! The same onion and garlic peels as yesterday! Only now, they’re all moldy! And slimy! …Rancid! And spoiled!

NARRATOR: And indeed, they were!

Because you see… that was the magic of the Cat King’s gift. The onion and garlic peels would transform into whatever their recipient deserved!

That’s why Rafi – who was so rich in kindness – received riches.

And that’s why Idris – who was so stinking selfish – received… well…?

IDRIS: (ad-lib funny grossed-out gagging sounds)

NARRATOR: …Stink.

IDRIS: (one more grossed-out gagging sound)