Encore: A Biscuit, A Basket

Ben Brock Johnson (0:00)

Hey Circle Round listeners, it's Ben Brock Johnson here, one of the people behind the show. We're hard at work on a new season of Circle Round. And in the meantime, we're bringing you our greatest hits. Today's story is all about good deeds, bad intentions, and biscuits. Lots of nice, delicious biscuits.

Are you feeling hungry? Because I am. Anyway, Circle Round, everyone, for a biscuit, a basket.

Rebecca Sheir (0:42)

Think about a time you offered help. Maybe you offered to help a grown up with a chore, or a classmate with a project. We're about to meet a hard-working woman who offers to help someone, and in return, she gets a gift that keeps on giving.

I'm Rebecca Shear, and welcome to Circle Round, where story time happens all the time. Today, our story is called A Biscuit, A Basket. Versions have been told by people across Asia, Europe, Africa, and North and South America. We've taken most of our inspiration from versions told in India. Some really great people came together to bring you our folktale, including Saara Chaudry, who stars in The Muppets Mayhem on Disney Plus, and Holly Hobby on Hulu. She also stars in the award-winning animated film, The Breadwinner. So Circle Round, everyone, for A Biscuit, A Basket.

Myra and her mother lived in a tumbledown farmhouse in the countryside. Mother was getting older and frailer by the day. So Myra worked hard to support them both. Each morning, she rose bright and early to gather eggs from the chickens.

Saara Chaudry (2:14)

Good morning, ladies.

Rebecca Sheir (2:17)

Then she sold the eggs in the nearest village.

Saara Chaudry (2:20)

Fresh eggs. Farm fresh eggs here.

Rebecca Sheir (2:24)

But one summer, the chickens stopped laying eggs.

Myra tried everything. She changed their food. She put softer straw in their nests. But she and Mother were dismayed to find it was all in vain.

SPEAKER_4 (2:40)

Myra, now that the chickens aren't laying any eggs, what are we going to do? We can't afford to buy a new flock, but we can't afford to starve either.

Saara Chaudry (2:56)

I know, Mother. I know.

So how about I journey to the big city and find myself a job? I'll make a bit of money, then I'll come back home and we can get back on our feet.

SPEAKER_4 (3:08)

That sounds like a fine plan, Myra.

You've always been such a hardworking, kind-hearted girl. Good luck, my dear.

Rebecca Sheir (3:23)

The big city was far away from Myra's tumbledown farmhouse.

To get there, she crossed rolling plains and rushing rivers.

She walked through grassy fields and meadows, and as she was passing through a thick, jungly forest, she suddenly heard a voice.

SPEAKER_5 (3:43)

Someone help me!

Saara Chaudry (3:45)

Please!

SPEAKER_5 (3:46)

I can't move!

Rebecca Sheir (3:48)

Myra tried to find where the voice was coming from. She walked this way and that, and in the middle of a sun-dappled clearing, what should she encounter but...

Saara Chaudry (3:58)

a tiger?

Rebecca Sheir (3:59)

Indeed, a large female tiger was splayed out on the ground, her big, striped body tangled in a big rope net.

SPEAKER_5 (4:09)

Oh, I'm so glad you've come by.

I've been caught in this hunter's trap for hours, and I have hungry cubs who need me. They'll never survive if I don't come home. Can you please help free me?

Rebecca Sheir (4:25)

Myra's kind heart urged her to set the tiger free, but her sensible head thought twice.

Saara Chaudry (4:31)

I could absolutely free you if you promise you won't turn around and eat me.

SPEAKER_5 (4:38)

Eat you?

Rebecca Sheir (4:39)

The tiger's yellow eyes sparkled.

SPEAKER_5 (4:42)

I promise I won't eat you. Instead, if you save my life and my cubs, I will reward you with something you can use for the rest of your life.

Rebecca Sheir (4:55)

Myra was intrigued. Times were so hard lately, perhaps it was worth seeing what the tiger had in mind.

So she pulled a pocket knife from her knapsack, held it to the rope trap and slashed the trap open. Immediately, the tiger sprang to her feet.

SPEAKER_5 (5:13)

I'm free.

SPEAKER_4 (5:14)

I'm free.

Rebecca Sheir (5:17)

She leaped up and bounded behind a thicket of bushes. When she came out again, balanced on her head was a basket.

SPEAKER_5 (5:25)

This basket is for you.

Rebecca Sheir (5:28)

Myra noticed that the basket was plain but sturdy, expertly woven from strong, thick bamboo.

Saara Chaudry (5:36)

Thank you, Tiger. I'm sure this basket will come in very handy to hold things.

Not that Mother and I have many things to hold in our tumbledown farmhouse, but... No.