Leader of the Birds | Ep. 324

There’s an old Spanish saying: “Las mentiras tienen las patas cortas.”

Translated to English, it means “lies have short legs.” In other words, falsehoods and fibs can’t get far without being caught!

As we’ll hear in today’s tale, sometimes lies don’t just have short legs. They have long tails, too!

Our story is called “Leader of the Birds.” It was inspired by tales from the Maya: an indigenous people from a region including modern-day Guatemala and Belize, plus parts of southern Mexico, Honduras, and El Salvador.

Voices in this episode include GM Hakim, Erika Rose, Christopher Rivas, and Carolyn Michelle.

Carolyn Michelle has appeared on such TV shows as “The Chi,” “And Just Like That,” and “Russian Doll. Her newest film is "Familiar Touch.” Christopher Rivas wrote the picture-book “You’re a Good Swimmer,” the memoir “Brown Enough,” and hosts the podcasts “Rubirosa” and “Brown Enough.” You longtime Circle Round fans will remember him as Fox in our 2022 episode, “The Wheat and the Chaff”!

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

If you were choosing a leader, what are three qualities you would want them to have?

Brainstorm your top three qualities, then share them with a family member or friend. As you go about your daily life, try to demonstrate those qualities. Even if you don’t want to rule the world, it never hurts to show a little leadership!

Musical Spotlight: Ocarina

Round-shaped flutes have been made for thousands of years from stone, wood, coconut, and clay. These “vessel flutes” often were used by ancient cultures to charm the birds, please the gods, and lift people into a higher state of consciousness. Such flutes are now known as ocarinas.

Experts say people were playing these instruments as many as 12,000 years ago. Among those people were the Mayans and Aztecs in Central America and the Incas in South America.

These nations developed clay ocarinas shaped like birds (and other animals). Eric Shimelonis chose the ocarina to score this week’s story because of the instrument’s cultural connections… and because the tale revolves around a world of birds!

Script:

NARRATOR: If you’ve seen the member of the pheasant family known as the peacock, then you know that male peacocks are some of the most beautiful birds in the world.

With iridescent plumage of sapphire-blue, emerald-green, and shimmering gold, they can spread their long tail feathers into a big, dramatic fan – as wide and tall as a twin-size bed!

However… while their feathers may be gorgeous, their voices are anything but.

[SOT: real peacock call]

NARRATOR: Shrill and jarring, the peacock’s voice sounds like a wailing cat…

[SOT: real peacock call]

NARRATOR: …or a broken trumpet…

[SOT: real peacock call]

NARRATOR: …or a combination of both!

[SOT: real peacock call]

NARRATOR: But back in the beginning… when Creator Spirit first introduced birds to the world… Peacock’s voice…

PEACOCK: (singing) Me me me me meee!

NARRATOR: … was nothing like a wailing cat or broken trumpet. It was rather pleasant, actually. And it made Peacock rather proud.

PEACOCK: (singing) Ab-so-lute ly ly ly ly leeeee!

NARRATOR: But much as Peacock loved his voice, he loathed… his feathers. Because in those days, Peacock’s feathers were… well…?

PEACOCK: (singing) BLAH-as-can be be be be beeeeee!

NARRATOR: That’s right! Peacock’s plumage was as dull and drab as a rainy afternoon. So he yearned for feathers that were fabulous!

PEACOCK: (singing) I’d-be-a-sight-to see see see see – (gets interrupted)

NARRATOR: (interrupting) Hang on a sec! (beat) Um, Peacock? Not to interrupt just as we’re getting started… but could you maybe SPEAK some of your lines, too? This is a podcast. Not an opera.

PEACOCK: (singing) That’s-fine-by me me me – (stops himself) Sorry. I get carried away.

NARRATOR: That’s okay!

So! If Peacock started off with a pleasant voice – and plain feathers – how did he become the way he is today?

Well… it all began one sunny morning, when Creator Spirit gathered the birds in a clearing in the forest, to make an announcement.

CREATOR SPIRIT: My fine feathered friends! I believe it is time for you birds to elect… a leader! A ruler to make laws, solve problems, and maintain order. The question is: who should this leader be?

NARRATOR: There was a brief silence. Then Peacock spoke – or sang – up.

PEACOCK: (singing) It-should-be me me me me meeee! (speaking) After all, a leader makes a lot of speeches, right? And who doesn’t want a leader with a sweet, melodious voice?

TURKEY: However! To maintain order, a leader needs strength! 

NARRATOR: Turkey chimed in next, stretching her wide wings and snapping a branch off a tree.

TURKEY: I’m the strongest bird of all, so our leader should be ME!

EAGLE: But a leader needs vision!

NARRATOR: Now Eagle piped up, his sharp, yellow eyes glittering.

EAGLE: From up above I can see everything you birds do! And I can judge you for your acts!

NARRATOR: Soon all the birds were sounding off, insisting to the others why they should be the new leader.

But Creator Spirit noticed that one bird remained quiet.

CREATOR SPIRIT: Nighthawk??? You haven't said a word! Would you like to share why the birds should vote for you?

NARRATOR: Nighthawk shrugged her long, slender wings.

NIGHTHAWK: I don’t know, Creator Spirit! I guess I’m a decent flier…?

NARRATOR: She offered a humble smile, then lofted into the air. After a series of steep dives, sharp turns, and daring loops, she gracefully soared back to earth.

Most of the birds were mesmerized by Nighthawk’s fantastic flight. But Peacock was mesmerized by something else: Nighthawk’s fantastic feathers! In those days, her plumage was an iridescent swirl of sapphire-blue, emerald-green, and shimmering gold.

CREATOR SPIRIT: That was a wonderful display, Nighthawk! Thank you! And thanks to ALL of you for suggesting why you should be the bird’s new leader. (beat) Tomorrow we shall hold an election. Meet me at dawn, ready to cast your vote. …Til then, farewell!

NARRATOR: As the birds exited the clearing, Peacock hung back… his dull, drab head bowed low.

PEACOCK: (sadly singing) Oh-woe-is me me me me meeeee! (beat) (SIGH) I may sing like an angel… but Nighthawk can fly like an acrobat! AND she has the most glamorous feathers! With that combination, all the birds are sure to vote for her! (beat) Unless…

NARRATOR: A devilish grin crossed his drab face.

PEACOCK: What if I can make sure Nighthawk doesn’t get a single vote? And all the birds vote for ME instead? Because let’s face it: if anyone deserves to be leader of the birds, it’s ME! And when I win this election, it’ll be a real feather in my cap!

NARRATOR: What is Peacock planning? Will his sneaky scheme succeed?

We’ll find out, after a quick break.

[BREAK]

NARRATOR: Welcome back to Circle Round. I’m Rebecca Sheir. Today our story is called “Leader of the Birds.”

Before the break, the birds were about to elect a new leader.

Peacock yearned to win the election. But while his voice was pleasant, his feathers were plain. Nighthawk, on the other hand, had gorgeous feathers: sapphire-blue, emerald-green, and gold. She was also an impressive flier.

Peacock worried that Nighthawk would get all the votes. So he decided to play a trick. Pasting on the friendliest smile he could muster, he crossed the forest and paid Nighthawk a visit.

PEACOCK: Hey there, Nighthawk! How ya doin’?

NIGHTHAWK: I’m great, Peacock! How are you?

PEACOCK: I’m good. Pretty good. (beat) But I’ve been thinking about this election thing. Creator Spirit says we need one bird to make laws, solve problems, and maintain order. But I can’t help but wonder… why just one?

NARRATOR: Nighthawk cocked her blue, green, and gold head.

NIGHTHAWK: Are you saying we should have more than one bird in charge?

PEACOCK: I sure am!

NARRATOR: Peacock leaned in close, as if sharing a secret.

PEACOCK: From what I hear, I’ve got this election in the bag. With my beautiful singing voice, all the birds plan on voting for (singing) me me me me meeeee!

NIGHTHAWK: Really?

PEACOCK: Oh yeah! Word has it I’m gonna win this election hands-down – wings-down, too! And when I become the new leader, I want YOU to lead WITH me! As my partner! (beat) I just ask one thing in return.

NIGHTHAWK: And what would that be?

NARRATOR: Peacock folded his drab wings over his drab chest.

PEACOCK: Your feathers.

NIGHTHAWK: My feathers?!!???

NARRATOR: Nighthawk’s beak dropped open.

NIGHTHAWK: You want my feathers?!!???

PEACOCK: Just til after the election! Once I get the birds’ vote, you can have them back.

NIGHTHAWK: And then you’ll announce that I’m your co-leader?

PEACOCK: (lying) Sure!

NARRATOR: Nighthawk paused and thought it over.

NIGHTHAWK: Okay, Peacock! I’ll let you borrow my feathers.

NARRATOR:  Nighthawk made quick work of plucking out her plumage. And Peacock made quick work of putting it on! After pasting the blue, green and gold feathers all over his body, he puffed out his chest with pride.

PEACOCK: (proud) Well…? How do I look?

NARRATOR: Nighthawk, who was now as bald as a ping-pong ball, shivered.

NIGHTHAWK: (shivering) You look great, Peacock! Though I have to admit… I had no idea how COLD I would be without feathers! (beat) You’ll give them back after the election, right? And we’ll lead the birds together?

NARRATOR: But she didn’t get an answer. Because Peacock had already bounded away in a dazzling blur of blue, green, and gold.

Peacock stayed up all night, too excited to sleep. Come dawn, he raced to meet Creator Spirit and the birds in the clearing.

PEACOCK: Good morning, folks! I hope you didn’t start voting without (singing) me me me me meeeee!

NARRATOR: The birds stared at Peacock, their beaks agape. His once-dull head was crested with bright feathers, and his long, lustrous tail was spread out in a wide, breathtaking fan!

TURKEY: You look AMAZING, Peacock!

EAGLE: Absolutely regal!

TURKEY: Between your feathers and your voice, you’ve got MY vote for leader of the birds!

EAGLE: Mine too!

[SOT: birds chirping, tweeting, squawking]

NARRATOR: As the birds twittered their agreement, Peacock gave Creator Spirit a grin.

PEACOCK: Well, Creator Spirit? There you have it! I was just elected leader of the birds! (beat) Shall we make it official?

NARRATOR: Creator Spirit’s eyes traveled down Peacock’s colorful body – from his colorful head to his colorful neck to his colorful wings. When they landed on his colorful tail, they rested there, unblinking.

PEACOCK: Um, Creator Spirit…? (beat) Shouldn’t we swear me in or whatever? (beat) As you just heard, I just won the election! Unanimously! …Everybody voted for me! 

CREATOR SPIRIT: (slow, angry) "Everybody"...?

NARRATOR: Creator Spirit’s brow knotted with anger.

CREATOR SPIRIT: (angry) “Everybody voted for” you? (beat) What about… Nighthawk? Did Nighthawk vote for you? (facetious) Oh wait! Nighthawk isn’t here! All I see of Nighthawk… are her FEATHERS! (beat) Because YOU are WEARING them!

NARRATOR: Peacock felt a rush of panic. But he tried playing it cool.

PEACOCK: (trying to play it cool) You’re right, Creator Spirit! I AM wearing Nighthawk’s feathers! She wanted so badly for me to win this election! She was certain that prettier plumage would get me the vote! So she insisted on taking off her feathers and GIVING them to me!

NIGHTHAWK: (angry, shivering) I insisted on WHAT???

NARRATOR: The birds swiveled their heads to the edge of the clearing. And there… pale, thin, and trembling with cold… was Nighthawk.

NIGHTHAWK: (angry, shivering) I didn’t GIVE you my feathers, Peacock! I let you BORROW them! Because you promised that if I did, I would be your co-leader when you won the election! (beat) But it was all a lie! You were just using me to gain power! How could you be so selfish???

NARRATOR: Creator Spirit shot Peacock a look so sharp, it could have cracked a bird’s egg.

CREATOR SPIRIT: (angry) Peacock!!!! Is what Nighthawk says true?

PEACOCK: (nervous) Is it true…?

NARRATOR: Peacock’s colorful chest surged with panic.

PEACOCK: (nervous) Well … the thing is… ummmm… uhhhh…

CREATOR SPIRIT: (cutting PEACOCK off) Enough!

NARRATOR: Creator Spirit fired Peacock a scowl, then flashed the other birds a smile.

CREATOR SPIRIT: My fine feathered friends! Nighthawk has been done a disservice. A dishonest, deceitful, devious disservice. So I want YOU to do her a KINDNESS. I want each of you to pluck out one of your feathers. Bring it to Nighthawk, so she may have a new coat of plumage to keep her warm!

NARRATOR: The birds did as they were told. They plucked out a feather and adorned Nighthawk’s head and face....

NIGHTHAWK: (still shivering but improving) Thank you, friends!

NARRATOR: …her chest and belly…

NIGHTHAWK: (improving) Much obliged, friends!

NARRATOR: …her wings and tail.

NIGHTHAWK: (improving) I’m so grateful, friends!!

NARRATOR: When they were finished, Nighthawk had a whole new look. She was covered in shades of grey, brown, black, and white, with a bright crescent-shaped patch on the underside of her long, slender wings.

Creator Spirit gave the birds a satisfied nod, then leveled Peacock with a steely gaze.

CREATOR SPIRIT: Peacock. Those green, blue, and gold feathers you wear are gorgeous. Stunning. Every bit as beautiful as your voice. And you may keep them.

PEACOCK: I can keep them????

CREATOR SPIRIT: Yes! But what you must understand is this. TRUE beauty — REAL beauty – isn’t something one wears on the OUTside. It’s something one has on the INside. And it rises to the surface when we show kindness, love, and care – just like your fellow birds showed for Nighthawk.

NIGHTHAWK: Indeed they did!

CREATOR SPIRIT: But YOU, Peacock. You showed the opposite! (beat) And so… while you may keep your beautiful feathers… you must LOSE your beautiful VOICE! From now on, your sweet, melodious song shall become a harsh, grating screech!

PEACOCK: But Creator Spirit! Can’t you take pity on (starts singing) me me me — [SOT: real peacock screech] 

NARRATOR: Peacock’s beak fell open.

PEACOCK: What have you done? My voice sounds like a wailing cat!  [SOT: real peacock screech] Or a broken trumpet! [SOT: real peacock screech] Or a combination of BOTH! [SOT: real peacock screech] 

NARRATOR: And ever since, that shrill and jarring voice has served as an unforgettable reminder that when we show kindness, love, and care, we can hit the right note with anyone.

…Unlike Peacock, who’s forever doomed to hit the wrong one!

[SOT: real peacock screech]