Encore: Counting Crocodiles
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Support for this podcast comes from It's Revolutionary, a podcast from Massachusetts 250. The podcast explores past, present, and future revolutions of Massachusetts, including one you might not expect, picture books. Stick around until the end of this podcast for that episode. And follow It's Revolutionary wherever you get your podcasts for more stories. Produced by the iLab at WBUR, Boston.

If one of your friends was in trouble, how far would you go to help them? We're about to meet a character who goes to great lengths to help her friends. Not only does she go above and beyond, she goes over her enemies' heads. I'm Rebecca Sheer, and welcome to Circle Round, where storytime happens all the time.

Today our story is called Counting Crocodiles. Our version comes from tales told in the Southeast Asian countries of Indonesia and Malaysia. You'll also hear variations from Japan.

Some really great people came together to bring you our story, including Tia Sarkar, whose voice appears in multiple Star Wars projects, including Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, and Disney Infinity 3.0. You grown-ups might also know Tia from The Good Place on NBC. So circle around, everyone, for Counting Crocodiles.

In Indonesia and Malaysia, the word kancil has two meanings. Clever person and mouse deer. In the story you're about to hear, you'll find out why. But first, what exactly is a mouse deer? Well, why don't we let her explain? Oh, okay. Well, as a mouse deer, I look a lot like an actual deer. Just a whole lot smaller. I'm no bigger than a rabbit.

And while I don't have antlers, I do have hooves and four slender legs, though they're no longer than a pencil. Does that just about do it? That just about does it, Mouse Deer. Now, back to our story. Long, long ago, Mouse Deer lived near a wide and winding river in a lush, dense forest teeming with monkeys and bats, woodpeckers and lizards, moles and magpies.

Each and every day, Mouse Deer and her forest friends went down to the river to get a drink. But each and every day, Mouse Deer and her forest friends feared for their lives. Why? Let's just say it had a whole lot to do with this fellow. That's right. I'm Old Crocodile. I weigh as much as two whole cows combined.

From head to tail, I'm as long as a giraffe is tall. And my appetite is bigger than an elephant. I'm always hungry. So when I spy a tasty critter coming to the river, I quietly cruise over. And then, bam! I open my massive jaws and I strike!

Those foolish little creatures never see what's coming. So now do you see why Mouse Deer and her friends were so nervous when they came to the river for a drink?

One year, the summer was especially hot and dry, and all the lush green plants in the forest began to dry up and wither away. The forest animals were beside themselves with worry. Oh, dear, oh, dear, oh, dear. We haven't seen a drop of rain in weeks. Without rain, there aren't any plants. Without plants, there isn't any food. Whatever will we do? Mouse, dear.

Do you have any ideas? All eyes turned to Mouse Deer. For while Mouse Deer was one of the smallest animals in the forest, she was also one of the cleverest. Actually, my friends, I do have an idea. Across the river, on the opposite shore, I spotted a rambutan tree. A rambutan is a round, spiky fruit with sweet and creamy flesh inside. But get this, folks.

Even though it hasn't rained in ages, somehow the rambutan tree across the river was bearing fruit. Plump, juicy fruit, just ripe for the picking. The animal's mouths watered at the thought of gobbling down plump, juicy rambutans. There was just one problem. But, Mouse Deer... You say the rambutan tree is across the river? On the opposite side.

Sure. How can we get over there? Without running into Old Crocodile. The mere mention of Old Crocodile's name sent shivers down everyone's spine. Everyone's spine, that is, except for Mouse Deer. Oh, don't you worry about that, Big Bully. I just need to test out a few things, and then we'll all be eating delicious, ripe ramboutons in no time.

The next morning, Mouse Deer ventured out of the forest and crept toward the river. As usual, Old Crocodile lay in wait. His long body submerged beneath the water. All that stuck out was a portion of his back, bumpy and dark and glistening. Okay, first I need to see how easy it is to trick Old Crocodile. I've heard he has a particularly small brain, but let's see how small his mind is.

Mouse Deer took a deep breath, then raised her voice and called out. Oh, how thirsty I am for some water. It's a good thing old Crocodile is nowhere to be found. Why, all I see floating out there on the river is a wooden log. And as everyone knows, wooden logs always drift away.

Upstream, against the current, while crocodiles always float downstream. Now, of course, what Mouse Deer said was not true. It's actually the opposite. A wooden log would float downstream in the river. It's the crocodile who can swim upstream, against the current. And yet, right before Mouse Deer's very eyes, the so-called log in the river began to move, yes, stream. Ha ha!

Well, that was easier than I thought. Old Crocodile totally fell for my trick. But I think I'll test him one more time, just to see how much I can get away with. So the next morning, Mouse Deer returned to the river. Her bright brown eyes traveled from one side of the water to the other. Hmm. I don't see any signs of Old Crocodile. But that doesn't mean he isn't lurking around here somewhere. Let's find out.

Just like yesterday, Mouse Deer took a deep breath, then raised her voice and called out, "Oh, my, my, my! What a scorching hot morning it is! I sure could use some water. I think I'll wade my skinny little legs into the river and take a nice big drink." But instead of wading her skinny little legs into the river, do you know what Mouse Deer did?

She snapped a skinny little twig off a nearby bush, then plunged one end of the slender stick into the water. In an instant, just as she had hoped, something grabbed onto the stick and held on tight. Any guesses what that something or someone was? That's right. It was Old Crocodile.

Believing the twig truly was one of Mouse Deer's legs, the greedy fellow had snuck over and clamped his mighty jaws around it. Mouse Deer tried not to laugh as she continued her ruse. Oh no! Something is biting my leg! Hard! I'm a goner! I'm a goner! Goodbye, world! Then, with a big smile on her face, Mouse Deer let go of the twig and went scurrying back to the forest. Huh!

It's official. Old Crocodile has a small brain and a small mind. My friends and I will be feasting on ripe ramboutons in no time. There's just one last trick to go. What do you think Mouse Deer's final trick will be? And will it work? We'll find out after a quick break.

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Support for this podcast comes from It's Revolutionary, a podcast from Massachusetts 250. A recent episode highlights revolutionary picture book creators like Dr. Seuss and Eric Carle. For Eric Carle, he felt that the artwork found in the pages of the picture book is a child's first introduction to art. Stick around until the end of this podcast for that episode and follow It's Revolutionary wherever you get your podcasts for more stories.

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Grownups, support public radio and sign up today at wbur.org slash circle round club. I'm Rebecca Shear. Welcome back to Circle Round. Today our story is called Counting Crocodiles. When we left off, a drought was raging and the forest animals were hungry.

Clever little Mouse Deer promised her friends ripe rambutans from across the river. But first, she had to outwit Old Crocodile, the ferocious hungry beast who guarded the water. Mouse Deer played two tricks on Old Crocodile, and the fierce but foolish creature fell for them both. Now Mouse Deer was preparing for her third and final ruse. One bright hot morning, Mouse Deer grabbed a big sack and pranced over to the river.

When she saw Old Crocodile's spiky, glistening back protruding from the water's surface, she put a big smile on her face and called out in a friendly voice. Oh, Crocodile, I have some wonderful news for you. Old Crocodile lifted his long, pointy snout out of the water. Wonderful news, you say?

What kind of wonderful news? Mouse Deer's smile grew even bigger. Well, old crocodile, I've heard it through the grapevine that the king of the forest, Great Leopard himself, is throwing a party. A grand feast. And everyone is invited. Old crocodile smacked his razor-sharp jaws. A grand feast. I like the sound of that.

I thought you would. But the king wants to make sure he has enough luscious, delectable food for everyone. So I thought I'd help him out and see how many animals plan on attending. You know, so that his majesty knows how much scrumptious, mouth-watering food he should prepare. Old Crocodile pictured table after table covered with luscious, delectable, scrumptious, mouth-watering food...

His massive belly began to rumble. You can count us in, Mouse, dear. My fellow crocodiles and I would be honored to attend the king's feast. Fantastic! I'm sure the king will be delighted to see you. Now then, how many of you will be coming? Old Crocodile narrowed his glittering yellow eyes.

Let's see. There's me, of course, plus all my brothers and sisters and all their husbands and wives. Not to mention all the children and all the grandchildren. Oh, dear. I'm afraid it's far too many for me to count. Mouse Deer shook her head. Oh, not to worry, not to worry. I'd be happy to do all the counting for you.

"How about if you summon your fellow crocodiles, then you all line up across the river so I may walk across your heads and take an accurate tally?" Old Crocodile raised his tail into the air, then splashed it down into the water. He repeated this motion several times, and within minutes the river was swarming with crocodiles. Big crocodiles, little crocodiles, young and old.

One by one, the creatures lined up side by side, their spiny bodies stretching all the way from one side of the river to the other. Wonderful, folks, wonderful! Now, let's start that count.

Still clutching her sack, Mouse Deer hopped onto the head of Old Crocodile, who was first in line. One. Then she hopped onto the head of the second crocodile. Two. Then the third. Three. From crocodile to crocodile, Mouse Deer hopped. Twenty-eight. Twenty-nine. Third. On and on and on. Fifty-four. Fifty-five. Fifty-six.

And when, at last, she counted the final crocodiles... 73, 74, 75. There are seven crocodiles. She leaped onto the opposite riverbank and flashed the creatures a warm grin. Thank you, my friends. That was so very helpful. But to make sure my number is accurate, I'd like to take just one more count.

If you'll give me a moment, I'll come back across the line and count all of you again. Quick as can be, Mouse Deer made a beeline for the rambutan tree. She picked as many rambutans as she could and stuffed them into her sack.

Then she dragged the bulging sack back to the riverbank and made her way back across the line of crocodiles. One, two, three. Counting all the while. 46, 47, 48. Until once again, she counted the last few. 73, 74.

And spraying down to the bank. Okay, that settles it. There are officially 75 crocodiles. Thanks for the lift, folks.

And see you later, alligator. Or should I say, after a while, crocodile. Before old crocodile and his family could say a word, Mouse Deer went flouncing back into the forest where she shared her bounty of fruit with her hungry forest friends.

Thank you, Mouse Deer. These rambutans are delicious. But how did you do it? How did you get across the river? Well, how did you get past Old Crocodile? And so, as the animals scarfed down their ripe, delicious fruit, Mouse Deer, or Conchil, which you may recall also means clever person, told her friends everything that happened next.

She told them how Old Crocodile had believed her ruse about the king's party, how the greedy creature had fallen for her story and swallowed it whole without swallowing her. Now it's your turn. What's one thing you can do to help a friend?

Maybe you can feed their fish if they go out of town. You can let them borrow your favorite book. Or you can just offer an encouraging word if they're feeling down. Think about how you can help your friend, then go out and do it. They'll feel great, and you will too. This week's story, Counting Crocodiles, was adapted by me, Rebecca Shear. It was edited by Josh Swartz.

Circle Round's original music and sound design is by Eric Shimalonis. Our artist is Sabina Han. Want to color while you listen? Sabina Han has drawn a black and white picture for all 100-plus Circle Round stories, and you can color them in.

Ask a grown-up to visit our website, wbur.org slash circleround, and click on Soundtrack and Coloring Pages. Once you've finished your coloring page, your grown-up can share it with us on Instagram. Our handle is at circleroundpodcast. ♪

Special thanks to this week's actors, Elle Borders, Amy Brentano, Jason Ennis, James Konacek, Chris Tucci, and Tia Sercar. You can hear Tia Sercar in multiple Star Wars projects, including Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars Forces of Destiny, and Disney Infinity 3.0. And grown-ups, you can see Tia in The Good Place on NBC.

Our featured instrument this week was the angklung. You can learn more about this bamboo instrument from Indonesia and see a photo of Eric Similonis playing it on our website. Again, that's wbur.org slash Circle Round. Never want to miss an episode of Circle Round? Why not subscribe? Grownups, you can find us on Apple Podcasts or whatever podcast app you use. And please leave us some stars, write us a review, or just tell your friends about the show.

Circle Round is a production of WBUR, Boston's NPR station. I'm Rebecca Shear. Thanks for circling round with us. One of the best things about creating Circle Round is hearing from listeners like you. Circle Round fans have been telling us about their favorite Circle Round stories, and we're excited to share some of their voices with you today.

Hi, my name is Polly. I live in Alaska. My favorite circle around is fire on the other side of the world because I like the part where the spider keeps calling out and she can do it. So she makes a clay pot and whips herself to the other side of the world to get the fire.

My name is Charlotte and my favorite circle round story is The Farmer's Coin. My name is Karis and I'm from Atlanta and my favorite circle round story is The Mountain Spring because I like the part where the old woman becomes young again.

Did someone mention an episode you missed? No problem. You can find every single Circle Round story on our website. That's wbur.org slash circle round or wherever you and your grownups get your podcasts. Support for this podcast comes from It's Revolutionary, a podcast from Massachusetts 250. Follow wherever you get your podcasts and listen on for a preview of a recent episode about picture books.

You're listening to It's Revolutionary, a podcast celebrating 250 years since the shot heard around the world was fired right here in Massachusetts. I'm Jay Feinstein. From revolution to revolution, we're exploring the people and places in Massachusetts that shape America. Today's episode is about Massachusetts' unique celebration of creativity.

I think Massachusetts is an incredible place for an artist to be or a thinker to be. I mean, Massachusetts is kind of famous for being the champion of original ideas. I love to tell kids that America is one of the coolest ideas. One form of expression that's often overlooked is picture books.

But here in Massachusetts, picture books are a matter of state pride, says picture book author Peter Reynolds, who might be most famous for his 2003 book, The Dot. Massachusetts is this amazing mixture of arts and culture and politics and innovation.

For some reason, we specialize in picture book creators. For example, Eric Carle, author of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, spent much of his life in Northampton. He founded the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, which celebrates this unique art form. Tucked beside a meadow and an apple orchard, it's a peaceful haven for creativity and curiosity.

Do you ever try the apples? We do, and you can eat the apples, yes. The orchard, I believe, is over 100 years old. As Jennifer Shantz, executive director of the museum, gives me a tour, I'm struck by the museum's tall ceilings and abundant natural light. There's so much natural light, so much. Yeah, and I think whenever I come into the museum, I always feel like the weight of the world is just floating off my shoulders because it's just a beautiful, happy place. ♪

If you don't look closely, you might think you're in a fine arts museum until you notice the eclectic pages from dozens of different illustrators on the wall or the cozy reading corner for kids. Eric Carle really wanted to celebrate and elevate the art of the picture book because, you know, sometimes picture book is seen as, not seen as the same level as, say, fine art. But for Eric Carle, he felt that the artwork found in the pages of the picture book is a child's first introduction to art.

So he really wanted a space, a museum, to celebrate that and show its significance and importance. That's Courtney Raring, director of education at the museum, who says picture books help us see the world in new ways. We get to learn about different people and their lives and different experiences, different cultures and beliefs and traditions. So we get a more kind of global understanding of the world. We're made up of different experiences and beliefs and cultures.

And I think picture books celebrate that. There's really great opportunities there where kids can see themselves, but they get to see others as well. Another picture book creator, Dr. Seuss, grew up 20 miles down the road in Springfield. The amazing world of Dr. Seuss Museum in Springfield is a whimsical space where visitors of all ages can immerse themselves in his fantasy land. Museum president Kay Simpson walks me through its colorful halls.

What people say is that they love this museum because it brings the books of Dr. Seuss to life. It's like the characters are stepping out of the pages.

As a picture book creator, Dr. Seuss was attuned to what kept kids turning the page, play. Playfulness is a defining feature of his books, which feature rhyming made of words and illustrations that leap from the page. He was very aware that the books that had been written to help kids learn how to read prior to that were just words.

for lack of a better word, uninteresting. They weren't engaging, and he wanted to engage children. Through its colorful design and interactive exhibits, the museum embodies Dr. Seuss's innovative approach to making reading exciting for kids.

In one exhibit, kids literally write on the wall. This is something Dr. Seuss's parents let him do. Now, a lot of parents wouldn't do that. As a matter of fact, they'd be running around after, you know, their kids with Clorox wipes. Both museums encourage kids and adults to embrace creativity, which is truly revolutionary.

And this extends beyond picture books. Peter Reynolds believes the most revolutionary thing of all is to pick up a pen and create something for yourself. Pick up a pen. Be fearless. You know, make your dot.

Sign it. Put it on the fridge. Be proud. Don't say anything derogatory about your dot. Just be proud. Be proud of your mark. Paul Reynolds, Peter's twin brother and collaborator, says embracing creativity is an act of freedom. 250 years ago, battles raged across Massachusetts where the people's voices were beginning to rise to say, we're writing a different story. And we will stay committed to this until we create something

this amazing place where ideas can happen, ideas will flow freely, and that an arts culture environment would be able to thrive. ♪♪ It's Revolutionary is a podcast from MA250. For more stories, check out massachusetts250.org or wbur.org slash ma250. ♪♪