The Bolt of Silk | Ep. 318

Think about a time you felt peaceful, calm, and at ease.

In today’s tale, a mysterious magic-maker seeks to end peace, calm, and ease… until a brave heroine stands up to restore some harmony!

Our story is called “The Bolt of Silk." Versions of this tale come from Egyptian, Palestinian, and Sudanese folklore.

Voices in this episode include: Kiran Kumar, Susannah Mars, Dawn Ursula, and Samantha Béart. Samantha is a classically-trained actor best known for voicing oodles of beloved video-game characters, including Karlach in “Baldur's Gate 3” and Darth Nul in “Star Wars: The Old Republic.”

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 brings you peace? Is it a person? A place? An activity?

Find some paper and draw a picture of something or someone that makes you feel peaceful. When you’re done, share it with someone you love. And then, if you’d like, share it with us!

Grown-ups: snap a photo of your Circle Round fan and their picture and email it to circleround@wbur.org. With your permission, we may feature your photo in your monthly Circle Round newsletter, The Lion’s Roar. If you’re not yet on our email list, sign up here!

Musical Spotlight: Oud

With 11 or 13 strings running up and down its short, fretless neck and gourd-shaped body, the oud is believed to have originated in Persia more than 3,500 years ago.

The Arabic word “oud” translates to “stick” or “from wood”; appropriately, oud-makers use rounded strips of wood to craft the backside of the instrument, and one flat sheet of wood to create the front. Traditionally, oud players have plucked or strummed the oud’s strings with a ‘plectrum’: a long, flat pick that resembles a nail file.

You can hear Eric Shimelonis playing the oud in many other Circle Round stories, including “The Spotted Goat,” “The Unwelcome Guest,” “The Fire Within,” “The Sharpest Tack,” “Written in the Stars” and  “The Sultan’s Figs”!

Script:

NARRATOR (host Rebecca Sheir): There once was a kind old woman named Naila.

Naila always started her days the exact same way. She woke up bright and early…

NAILA: (ad-lib waking up sounds: yawn, etc.) Rise and shine!

NARRATOR: … she pulled her creaky bones out of bed…

NAILA: Come on, knees! I need you to cooperate!

NARRATOR: … then fetched her walking stick, to take her morning stroll.

NAILA: More like a morning SHUFFLE! If I walked any slower, I’d be mistaken for a glacier!

NARRATOR: Naila “shuffled” through the quiet streets in the broadening daylight until she reached her favorite spot in the town square: a comfy wooden bench shaded by a palm tree.

NAILA: (SIGH!) How lovely it is to sit here and watch the world go by! …AND to rest these creaky old knees!

NARRATOR: No one ever seemed to notice Naila. Yet everyone seemed to know that this bench was hers. It was always empty, ready and waiting for her to come and sit.

But then… one summer morning… Naila got to the town square and found her favorite spot taken! Sitting on the bench under the palm tree was an unfamiliar woman draped in a long crimson cloak. Naila hobbled over and smiled.

NAILA: Good morning, madam! May I join you? This bench happens to be my favorite spot. I find it so very peaceful!

NARRATOR: The woman glanced up. Her eyes were piercing and sharp.

SORCERESS: (mysterious, foreboding) “May you join me”? I suppose you could. But be warned: this “peaceful” spot is about to get a whole lot LESS “peaceful”!!!

NARRATOR: Naila took a step back.

NAILA: (nervous, confused) I’m afraid I don’t follow. What do you mean, it’s about to get ‘a lot less peaceful’?

SORCERESS: (mysterious) Ohhh… you’ll see.

NARRATOR: Naila and the woman sat in silence. As the morning wore on, the square began filling up. And once it was bustling with townspeople, the woman stuck out her arm and swept it through the air.

No sooner had she made that gesture than all the people in the square began to fight!

[SOT: crowd fight]

NARRATOR: Couples were picking arguments. Children were calling each other names. The grocer was shouting at the butcher, who was hollering at the cobbler. …It was pure mayhem! Naila turned to the woman in alarm.

NAILA: Madam! I have lived in this town my entire life and I’ve never seen everyone so angry! What do you suppose has gotten into them?

SORCERESS: Oh! That’s easy!

NARRATOR: The woman’s face stretched into a cold grin.

SORCERESS: It’s ME! 

NAILA: What do you mean???

SORCERESS: Turning people against each other… causing all sorts of distress, despair and all-around discord… it’s all part of my job… as a SORCERESS!

NAILA: A SORCERESS????

NARRATOR: Naila’s blood turned cold.

NAILA: You…? Are a sorceress???

SORCERESS: Indeed! And as such, there’s nothing I love more than sowing the seeds of suffering and sorrow! Tumult and turmoil!

NAILA: Well you can’t stay here, sorceress! You must LEAVE! At once!

SORCERESS: Oh please! I can work my magic anywhere I like. And I like it HERE! I have no intention of leaving this town any time soon, my dear. So you’d better get used to me!

NARRATOR: Naila felt a clench of outrage. She had no intention of “getting used” to the sorceress. Instead, she intended to drive her away.

NAILA: (working on/hatching her plan) You know, sorceress… what you said before…? About sowing the seeds of suffering and sorrow? And tumult and turmoil?

SORCERESS: (with a smile) Those ARE a few of my favorite things!

NAILA: Well, the more I think about it… couldn’t ANYONE do that? There are plenty of people in this world who cause agony and anguish, grief and destruction, all on their own! (beat) Why, even I could do it!

SORCERESS: You???

NARRATOR: The sorceress scoffed.

SORCERESS: You’re a little old lady! You could NEVER do what I do! NO ONE could!

NAILA: I’ll bet I CAN! And if I DO, you must promise me you’ll leave this town. Forever!

NARRATOR: The sorceress stared at Naila like a cat would stare at an especially scrumptious mouse.

SORCERESS: Alright then! If you can show me how a little old lady like you can work darker magic than a sorceress like me, I will leave this town. But if you CAN’T show me… you’d better watch your step.

NARRATOR: A chill rushed down Naila’s spine. But she took a breath, then motioned across the town square.

NAILA: Do you see that little shop over there? The one with windows full of colorful fabric?

SORCERESS: Yes. What of it?

NAILA: Well, that shop belongs to a cloth merchant. She got married a year ago, to a baker. The two of them have been living in marital bliss ever since.

SORCERESS: So I’ve noticed! I’ve managed to stir up trouble with a million different couples. But I can’t shake the happiness of those two! It’s impossible!

NAILA: Impossible for YOU, maybe! But NOT for ME. Once I’m through with them, that “happy” couple will be ready to call it quits. (beat) Meet me tonight, outside the cloth merchant's house. And bring your bags. Once you see the havoc I’ve wreaked, you’ll be on the first train out of town!

NARRATOR: What do you think Naila will do? What would you do if you were Naila?

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

[BREAK]

NARRATOR: I’m Rebecca Sheir and welcome back to Circle Round. Today our story is called “The Bolt of Silk.”

Before the break, Naila bet she could wreak just as much havoc as the sorceress could… without magical powers. If the old woman succeeded, the sorceress must leave town.

The sorceress accepted the bet, and Naila got to work. Her target? The most happily married couple in town.

She went back to her house and filled her purse with coins. Then she returned to the town square and stepped into the cloth shop…

[SOT: shop door open]

NARRATOR: …where the merchant greeted her with a wave.

MERCHANT: Good day, madam! How may I help you?

NAILA: Greetings! I’ve come to buy… a gift.

MERCHANT: Marvelous! May I ask who it’s for?

NAILA: Well? The truth is… I don’t know who it’s for! (beat) I mean, I DO know. It’s just that I’ve never met him. But my daughter has fallen madly in love with him!

MERCHANT: Aw!! There’s nothing quite like true love!

NAILA: That's what I thought, too. Until I found out that this man is married! 

MERCHANT: Married???

NAILA: Oh yes. But my daughter is nuts about this guy. Totally ga-ga. And apparently the feeling is mutual. He told her that he would run away with her… leave everything behind, including his wife… if she can give him one thing.

MERCHANT: And what would that be?

NAILA: A bolt of cloth! The most BEAUTIFUL bolt of cloth in the world!

NARRATOR: A look of recognition dawned on the merchant’s face.

MERCHANT: (realizing) A-ha! So that’s why you've come to my shop!

NAILA: Bingo! (beat) You must understand. My daughter is my one and only child. She is the light of my life and I adore her! So when she comes to me and says she’ll die of a broken heart if she can’t be with her beloved, what else can I do but help her out?

NARRATOR: The merchant was very quiet. Naila could tell her made-up story xhad sparked the woman’s interest – and sympathy.

MERCHANT: Madam. I believe I have just the thing for you. Wait right here!

NARRATOR: The merchant bustled to the back store room. When she returned, in her arms was a big roll of beautifully embroidered silk.

MERCHANT: This silk was imported from a far-away land. It’s very rare, and too expensive to put on display with the rest of the merchandise. So I keep it in the back. What do you think?

NAILA: I think it’s perfect! (beat) Could you wrap it for me, please?

MERCHANT: Of course! I’ll even use my special gold paper.

NARRATOR: The merchant swathed the bolt of silk in shimmering gold gift wrap. Naila paid her handsomely, then shuffled out to the town square.

NAILA: Okay! Now that part ONE of my plan is in motion, it’s time for part TWO!

NARRATOR: Clutching the gold-wrapped package under her arm, she made her way across town. When she reached the house the merchant shared with her husband, the baker, she knocked at the door.

[SOR: knock]

[SOT: house door open]

BAKER: Good day, madam! May I help you?

NARRATOR: Naila flashed the baker a weak grin.

NAILA: (pretending to sound weak, sickly) Ohhh! I certainly HOPE you can help me! I was walking through town when suddenly I felt so faint! Woozy! Completely out of sorts! I don’t know if it’s the heat – or these old bones of mine – but I need to rest! May I please come in?

NARRATOR: To Naila’s delight, the baker fell for her act.

BAKER: Of course you can come in! Here! Take my arm!

NARRATOR: The aroma of butter and cinnamon filled the air as the baker led Naila to the sitting room.

BAKER: Make yourself comfortable on the sofa and I’ll bring you a cold drink! Some food, too! I just took a batch of pastries out of the oven. I made them for my wife – they’re her absolute favorite – but I’m sure she won’t mind if you have a couple!

NARRATOR: While the baker busied himself in the kitchen, Naila got to work. She took the gold-wrapped package and stuffed it behind a big, fluffy pillow on the sofa. When the baker bustled in, the package was hidden from view.

BAKER: Here you go, madam! I brought you a glass of cold milk and some pastries. Enjoy!

NARRATOR: Naila sipped the milk and nibbled the pastries. Then she thanked the baker, bid him farewell, and tottered out of the house.

Later that day, when the cloth merchant came home from work, the baker was waiting at the door, a tray of pastries in hand.

BAKER: Welcome back, dearest!

MERCHANT: (gasp!) Darling! You baked my favorite pastries!

BAKER: I sure did! Try one!

NARRATOR: He popped a pastry into the merchant’s mouth.

MERCHANT: (eating the pastry) Mmmm! It’s nice and sweet! Just like you.

BAKER: (jokingly) Of course, they’re also flaky. UN-like me!

MERCHANT: You’ve got that right! You’re anything BUT flaky! You’re the most trustworthy person I’ve ever known! And thanks to you, this first year of marriage has been the happiest year I’ve ever known.

BAKER: I’ll drink to that! (beat) Speaking of which, how about some milk to go with your sweets, my sweet? Make yourself comfy on the sofa while I pour two glasses.

NARRATOR: The baker bustled to the kitchen, and the merchant settled down on the sofa. But when she rested her head on the big, fluffy pillow, a puzzled expression crossed her face.

MERCHANT: Hmm! Why does this pillow feel so lumpy? Is something stuck behind it?

NARRATOR: She grabbed the pillow and tossed it aside. And can you guess what she found?

That's right! The gold-wrapped package of silk! The one she had sold to the old woman! So that her daughter could give it to her married boyfriend!

At first, the merchant was dumbfounded. How did the package get HERE?

But then… snippets of the day’s conversation went zigzagging through her mind

NAILA: I don’t know who it’s for!... But my daughter has fallen madly in love with him!… He told her that he would run away with her if she can give him one thing. The most BEAUTIFUL bolt of cloth in the world!

NARRATOR: The merchant froze. Could this mysterious “married man”... be her husband?

MERCHANT: (tears welling up) It couldn’t be! Yet it truly seems like it is! How could my love betray me like this? How could he be untrue? (beat) I can’t bear to face him. I’ll go to my shop and spend the night, then I’ll figure things out in the morning. (beat) Oh, my heart is broken! BROKEN!

NARRATOR: The merchant sniffled and wiped her eyes. Then she drew herself to her feet, grabbed the package of silk, and burst out the door – tears blurring her vision with every step.

By the time the baker came in with the milk, the merchant was gone.

BAKER: Honey? Where’d you go? Honey????

NARRATOR: Meanwhile… as this dramatic scene was playing out… two witnesses were huddled outside in the bushes, watching through the window and hanging on to every word.

And can you guess who they were?

You’ve got it! It was Naila and the sorceress!

As the heartbroken merchant burst out of the house and disappeared down the road, Naila turned to the sorceress with a look of triumph.

NAILA: Well? I said that if you met me here tonight, you would see the havoc I wreaked. And now you have! Thanks to my work, the supposed happiest couple in the world is about to call it quits!

NARRATOR: The sorceress stared at Naila, open-mouthed.

SORCERESS: But it can’t be! A little old lady like you couldn’t possibly…!

NAILA: And yet I DID. You saw it with your own evil eyes. (beat) Now take your seeds of suffering and sorrow, tumult and turmoil, and leave this town, sorceress. And don’t even think of coming back!

NARRATOR: The sorceress shot Naila a glare. Then she tossed her crimson cloak over her shoulder, swept out an arm… and was gone.

Naila drew in a deep breath. There was something very important she must do now – otherwise she would be no better than the sorceress.

She took up her walking stick and shuffled to the cloth shop. The door was locked, so she gave a quick knock.

[SOT: knock]

[SOT: shop door open]

NARRATOR: When the merchant opened the door, her eyes were red and puffy, and her face was streaked with tears.

MERCHANT: (teary) The shop is closed! I’m not seeing any customers until – (interrupted herself) (GASP!) It’s YOU!

NARRATOR: Naila felt a wave of guilt. She knew she must make things right.

NAILA: Indeed, ma’am! It is I. I’m looking for more of that silk you sold me today.

NARRATOR: The merchant scowled.

MERCHANT: (hurt, angry) Are you now? You mean one bolt wasn’t enough?

NAILA: It would have been. But on my way home from your shop, I got terribly dizzy. My head started swimming, my knees went weak… so I knocked at the door of a kind stranger. (best) I believe he was… a BAKER?

NARRATOR: The merchant's ears perked up.

MECHANT: A baker…???!!??

NAILA: I think so! When he led me inside to rest on the sofa, he offered me the most delicious pastries! 

MERCHANT: Pastries…???!!??

NAILA: Oh yes! The sweetest, flakiest treats I have ever tasted! But when it was time for me to go, I forgot the package of silk!

MERCHANT: You… FORGOT it???!!

NAILA: I did! Silly goose that I am, I must have left it on the sofa in his house. I stuck it behind this big, fluffy pillow. And now I can’t remember the address!

NARRATOR: The merchant’s jaw dropped wide open. Then, without a word, she hurried to the store room. She came back carrying the gold-wrapped package of silk. Naila feigned surprise, throwing a hand to her mouth.

NAILA: (feigning surprise) (GASP!) My bolt of silk! How did it get back HERE?

NARRATOR: The merchant sighed.

MERCHANT: (sigh) Well, it’s like this. The house you stopped at today… was MINE!

NAILA: (gasp!) No!

MERCHANT: Yes! It was my husband who offered you pastries! The sweetest, most trustworthy man in the world! And now I must go home and give him the biggest hug in the world. Do you mind stepping out while I lock up?

NARRATOR: Naila grinned and left the shop. Then she watched as the merchant locked up and hastened home to her sweetheart.

That was the last time Naila dabbled in sowing the seeds of sorrow and turmoil. Instead, she gratefully went back to her old routine. And from what I hear, she’s still starting her days the exact same way. She wakes up bright and early…

NAILA: (ad-lib waking up sounds) Rise and shine!

NARRATOR: … she pulls her creaky bones out of bed…

NAILA: Oh, HIPS! Are YOU the ones giving me grief today?

NARRATOR: … then she fetches her walking stick, shuffles to her favorite spot, and sits… beaming from ear to ear as she watches the world go by.