The Young Healer | Ep. 242

Do you have a dream for your future? Something you wish to be or do?

In today’s story, we’ll meet a character who has a big dream. And though he’s not so big himself, he’ll do whatever it takes to make his dream come true!

Our story is called “The Young Healer.” It was inspired by a tale told in Angola, a country in southern Africa.

Voices in this episode include Erika Rose, Jefferson A. Russell, Ryan P. Shrime, and Jonigan Booth. Jonigan Booth made his first TV appearance in “This Is Us” on NBC. You can see him starring opposite Snoop Dogg in the Amazon/MGM comedy feature “The Underdoggs,” now streaming on Amazon Prime. And fun fact: we featured Jonigan’s sister Jonica on our 2022 episode, “Chameleon’s Contest”!

This episode was adapted for Circle Round by Rebecca Sheir. It was edited by Sofie Kodner. 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!

You can work toward making your dreams come true by creating a bucket list!

A bucket list includes accomplishments, experiences and achievements that someone wants to have during their lifetime. But you can narrow it down by making a bucket list for the year.

Grab a piece of paper and some markers and either write or draw things that you would like to do, experience and achieve over the next twelve months.

Once you’re done brainstorming, put your list somewhere you can look at it often. Then have fun as you check items off your list and make your dreams come true!

Musical Spotlight: Kalimba

In the Bantu language of South Africa, kalimba means “little music.” The kalimba is a modern version of the mbira: an instrument which you’ll hear in such Circle Round episodes as “The Lion’s Whisker,” “Cow Wells and Cow Bells”, “Leopard’s Rhythm” and “Three Little Critters.”

Both instruments make sound when you use your thumbs or fingers to pluck thin metal strips known as “tines.” The tines are mounted on a wooden soundboard; the board can be either hollow or flat.

With its bright, bell-like sound, the kalimba may be used as a solo instrument or as accompaniment for dancers and singers. You can hear Eric Shimelonis play the kalimba in other Circle Round stories including  “Sweet and Sour” and “She Tells Seashells.”

Story Transcript:

NARRATOR: Omari lived in a village with his parents. One year, Omari’s parents fell ill. And though the village healers did all they could, the young man watched helplessly as his beloved folks grew sicker… and weaker… until one day they were gone.

Omari was devastated, but there was one sliver of hope – or so he thought. He would be sent to live with his uncle: a wealthy man who owned a big farm on the other side of the country.

OMARI: I miss my parents so much. But how generous of my uncle to take me in! Though I’ve never met him, it’ll be comforting to live with a kind and caring relative!

NARRATOR: But as it turns out, Uncle was not a “kind” or “caring” relative. At all.

UNCLE: Listen up, kid. I don’t know what sort of easy-peasy life your parents gave you. But if you're going to live with me, you’re going to earn your keep! First thing each morning, I want you out in the fields. You’ll spend the entire day hoeing, planting, and reaping – and don’t even think of calling it quits until well after sundown!

NARRATOR: Omari felt his heart sink. But, knowing his uncle was all the family he had, he did his best to smile.

OMARI: Alright, Uncle. I will do as you say. (beat) But once I come back from the fields each night, can we sit down and have dinner together? I always had dinner with my parents when they were done with their work!

NARRATOR: Uncle gaped at his nephew as if he had just spouted gibberish.

UNCLE: “Have dinner together”!?? Are you for real? I’m not going to wait until past sundown to enjoy my meal! When you get back from the fields you can scrounge around the kitchen for leftovers. If there ARE any. I’ve been known to have quite the appetite! (laugh)

NARRATOR: And thus began Omari’s new life on Uncle’s farm. Each morning, he woke up on his lumpy, hand-me-down mattress…

OMARI: (YAWN!) Time to get to work!

NARRATOR: …he got dressed in his increasingly ragged clothes…

OMARI: How is there another hole in this shirt???

NARRATOR: …then he hurried out to the fields, where he spent all day hoeing, planting and reaping.

Once the sun went down, Omari trudged back to Uncle’s house. The farmer was usually fast asleep, his belly nice and full after a hearty evening meal. So, Omari would creep into the kitchen and scrape together whatever leftovers he could, before returning to his lumpy mattress and falling asleep.

It was a far cry from the comfortable life he had enjoyed with his parents. But there was one thing that brought Omari some comfort. And that…

NARRATOR: … was the river.

The long, winding river ran along the edge of Uncle’s farm. And sometimes, before Omari went back for his nightly leftovers, he would stroll to the riverside… nestle down in a cozy spot… then he would talk to the river, as if it were an old friend.

OMARI: Good evening, river! Check YOU out, all bright and sparkly in the moonlight! Looking good, my friend!

NARRATOR: Omari told the river his troubles…

OMARI: Would you believe Uncle didn't save me any leftovers last night? AGAIN??? 

NARRATOR: He told the river his woes…

OMARI: The sun was so scorching today, river! I was certain I would melt. Or roast... If not some combination of both!

NARRATOR: But he also told the river… his dreams.

OMARI: Can you keep a secret, river? (beat) One day, I dream of becoming… a healer! Somebody who can cure people of whatever ails them! And save their lives! (beat) I know it’s too late to save my parents. But if I can make my dream come true, I could save hundreds of people. If not thousands!

NARRATOR: When Omari talked to the river, he never expected it to talk back. But one night, as Omari tossed and turned on his lumpy mattress, he dreamed he heard the river’s voice!

RIVER: [SOT: reverb] Omari! I have listened to you talk about your hopes and dreams for a new life. And the time to start that life… is now. (beat) Visit me at sunrise, Omari. Keep your eye on the current. When you see three baskets float downstream, choose the one you find most pleasing. And use whatever is inside to begin your new life!

NARRATOR: Omari woke shortly before sunrise and immediately remembered his dream. Figuring he had nothing to lose, he jumped out of bed, then sprinted across the farm to the river. He made it to the bank just as the first rays of light were peeking over the horizon.

OMARI: (having just sprinted fast) Alright, river! I’m here! Let’s see what you’ve got.

NARRATOR: Omari gazed at the water. Suddenly, he spotted something floating on the flowing, rippling current!

OMARI: It’s a BASKET! Just like the river said! (beat) And it’s MASSIVE! I could probably fit inside if it were empty. (beat) But clearly it’s NOT empty. All sorts of things are sticking out from the top. But what are they?

NARRATOR: Omari waited for the basket to come closer.

OMARI: Woahhh! Those are spears! Long and pointy and sharp. I see bows and arrows, too!

NARRATOR: Omari’s eyes grew bright.

OMARI: This basket is full of hunting tools! If I picked this basket, I could become a successful hunter! I could have plenty of food to eat – and sell – and I’d live so much more comfortably than I do now! (beat) Buuuut…

NARRATOR: Omari’s eyes dimmed.

OMARI: …But I don’t WANT to be a hunter. No matter how comfortable I could be. That’s not my dream.

NARRATOR: So he let the first basket drift on by.

Before long, a second basket appeared.

OMARI: This basket doesn’t look as big as the first one… but it’s filled to the brim with something. What is it?

NARRATOR: Omari squinted for a better look. All at once, a smile spread across his face.

OMARI: This basket is full of cloth! Beautiful cotton, of every color in the rainbow! If I picked THIS basket, I could become a merchant, and sell this cotton for a pretty penny. And I’d live so much more comfortably than I do now! (beat) Buuuut…

NARRATOR: Omari’s smile vanished.

OMARI: …But I don’t WANT to be a merchant. No matter how comfortable I could be. That’s not my dream.

NARRATOR: So Omari let the second basket glide by.

Within moments, a third basket came into view. This basket was different from the others. Not only was it much smaller, but…

OMARI: …it’s covered! With a lid! How am I supposed to know what’s inside?

NARRATOR: Omari glanced downstream. The current was especially slow this morning, and the first two baskets – the bigger, uncovered ones – were still within reach. It wasn’t too late to jump into the water and pull one of them out.

But then he thought better of it. He extended his hand and grabbed the small covered basket.

OMARI: I guess I’ve made my choice! Now, I’ll see what’s inside. (beat) And my new life… WILL BEGIN!

NARRATOR: What do you think Omani will find in the basket?

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

NARRATOR: I’m Rebecca Sheir. Welcome back to Circle Round. Today our story is called “The Young Healer.”

NARRATOR: Before the break, Omari had dreams of becoming a healer. His beloved river offered him a choice of three baskets; he must use one of them to begin a new life.

The first basket was teeming with hunting tools. The second basket was brimming with cloth. Omari decided to hold out for the third basket, which was covered with a lid.

When he pried the lid off and looked inside, his face beamed with delight.

OMARI: This basket is full of cups and bowls! Bottles and bandages! Herbs and plants! (realizing) These are all things that healers use! With the stuff in this basket, I could follow my dream! And become a healer! I could cure people and save lives! (beat) There’s just one problem.

NARRATOR: Omari’s heart fell.

OMARI: I don't know how any of this stuff works! And how will I ever learn, when I have to spend my days hoeing, planting and reaping for my selfish, greedy, ungrateful uncle?

NARRATOR: Omari clenched his fists. If he had picked one of the other baskets, he would know exactly what to do with their contents!

OMARI: (frustrated) But now I’ve got this basket crammed with medicine things, and I don’t know the first thing about healing! How could I be so foolish as to – (gets cut off)

RIVER: (finishing his sentence) …as to follow your dream?!???

NARRATOR: Omari sprang to his feet.

OMARI: Who said that?!?

RIVER: I did!

NARRATOR: Omari shifted his gaze… to the river.

OMARI: River??? Is that YOU? You can really talk?

RIVER: You bet I can talk, Omari! And I believe YOU need a good talking-TO! (beat) Picking this basket was NOT “foolish.” Following your DREAM is NOT foolish. But ignoring your heart, and staying trapped in this life… THAT would be foolish.

OMARI: So… what do I do?

RIVER: You will learn. I will teach you how to use the things in this basket to heal people, and save lives! (beat) Visit me each morning at sunrise, Omari. Pay attention. Work hard. And I promise: you will become a healer!

NARRATOR: And thus began Omari’s daily lessons with the river.

Under the early-morning sky, he learned about herbs that cured sour stomachs… and plants that fought off fevers.

He learned how to grind roots and crush leaves to make soothing ointment… and how to simmer flower petals and boil twigs to make nourishing tea.

After each lesson, he scampered off to the fields, and spent the rest of the day hoeing, planting and reaping for Uncle.

One night after work, as Omari was about to raid the kitchen for his usual leftovers, he froze in the doorway. Because sitting at the table… was his uncle. Beside him was a man… and he was sobbing!

MAN: (ad-lib big crying)

NARRATOR: Uncle didn’t notice his nephew. He was too busy glaring at his weeping visitor.

UNCLE: (not friendly at all) Come on, man! Get a hold of yourself! You’ve been crying so hard, you still haven’t told me who you are, or why you came pounding at my door at this godforsaken hour!

MAN: (through tears; trying to get a hold of himself) I’m sorry, sir! (beat) I come from across the river, where a horrible sickness has struck my village! Everyone is falling ill. Even our local healer is sick! (beat) I came to your farm to ask: might you know how to help us?

NARRATOR: Uncle rolled his eyes.

UNCLE: I do NOT know how to help you. But I DO know how YOU can help ME! By letting me SLEEP! So why don’t you get out of here before I  – (gets interrupted)

OMARI: (interrupting) Wait! 

NARRATOR: Uncle snapped his head toward the doorway.

UNCLE: Nephew! What are you doing here?

OMARI: This man’s village is sick! And I can help!

UNCLE: YOU????

NARRATOR: Uncle’s lips curled into a smirk.

UNCLE: Since when is my good-for-nothing nephew a miracle healer?

NARRATOR: Omari ignored the snide remark and laid a hand on the man’s shoulder.

OMARI: My friend. I’m sorry to hear what your village is going through. It’s hard to watch your loved ones suffer. But I promise: I can help.

YOUNG MAN: If what you say is true, young man… and you really can help my village… my people will pay you handsomely. Very handsomely. (beat) Come. We must leave at once!

NARRATOR: But just as Omari and the man turned to go…

UNCLE: NOT SO FAST! (beat) Lest you forget, kid: I am the one who took you in when you were all alone in this world. I am your official guardian. Therefore – if by some miracle you’re actually able to heal these people – whatever payment they give you… goes to ME. So I can officially guard it. Permanently.

NARRATOR: Omari sighed. He didn't want to waste precious time arguing with his selfish, greedy, ungrateful uncle. So he grabbed his basket of medicine things and left the house.

The moment he reached the village across the river, he set to work examining everyone who was sick. Then he rooted through his basket, plucked out some herbs, roots and leaves, and boiled them into a steaming broth.

He gave his patients their medicine. Then… he waited. Within days, all of the sick people were well again!

The villagers beamed with gratitude as they sent Omari home with his payment: two cows, two goats, and two chickens. When Uncle saw Omari’s payment, he rubbed his hands together with glee.

UNCLE: Three pairs of beautiful farm animals for a little medicinal mumbo-jumbo???? I’d SAY you were overpaid, kid! But the truth is, I was. (beat) Now give me my payment.

NARRATOR: Omari flashed a smile. Then he took one of the two cows… one of the two goats… and one of the two chickens… and handed them over.

UNCLE: What are you doing, kid??? Why are you giving me just HALF of your payment?

NARRATOR: Omari smiled again.

OMARI: Because, Uncle. Becoming a healer was my dream. And I worked hard to achieve that dream! I’m going to heal people all across this land. And I deserve to keep half of what I’m given.

NARRATOR: Uncle folded his arms.

UNCLE: Well well well! Get a load of Mister High and Mighty! (beat) Listen, kid. I don’t care if you heal people all across this EARTH! There’s no way I’m letting you keep half.

OMARI: “No way,” you say?

NARRATOR: Now Omari folded his arms.

OMARI: Then I’ll stop healing people! I’ll stop bringing home any payment – or OVER-payment – and I’ll go back to hoeing, planting and reaping. You won’t get any cows, or goats, or chickens. Just my SWEAT. 

NARRATOR: Uncle was quiet for a moment.

UNCLE: Okay. Fine! You can keep half of what you make as a healer. Just be sure you actually heal people – and you don’t make them WORSE!

NARRATOR: Well, wouldn’t you know it, Omari DID heal people. Many people! As word of his skills spread, he began journeying from village to village, curing all sorts of illnesses and ailments. And every time he came back to Uncle, the selfish, greedy, ungrateful man was waiting at the door, eager to snatch his half of Omari’s payment.

But one day when Omari returned…

OMARI: Uncle! I’m back!

NARRATOR: …his uncle was NOT waiting at the door. Instead, he was lying in bed. His eyes were tightly closed. His body was wracked with tremors. And his face was drenched with sweat.

OMARI: Uncle! You’re burning up with fever! How long have you been sick like this?

NARRATOR: Uncle didn’t respond. He didn’t even twitch an eyelid.

OMARI: Oh man. He’s completely out of it. (beat) Uncle and I may have our differences, but I must heal him! I must!

NARRATOR: Omari rummaged through his basket of medicine things. He mixed a little of this, he ground a little of that, then he filled a wooden bowl with sweet, sticky syrup.

OMARI: Uncle, I don’t know if you can hear me. But you must drink this. Now!

NARRATOR: Omari held the bowl to Uncle’s lips. Once it was empty, he tucked it into his basket and tiptoed out of the room.

The next morning, as Omari was packing for yet another healing trip to yet another village, he heard a knock at his door.

[SOT: knock]

NARRATOR: He opened the door, and there… was Uncle! Unlike yesterday, the farmer was looking fit as a fiddle.

UNCLE: Hey kid! You’re back from your trip!

NARRATOR: Omari nodded. Clearly Uncle was so out of it yesterday, he didn’t remember a thing!

OMARI: Yes, Uncle! I am back from my trip! I healed a lot of people. (thinking of his uncle) A LOT of people. (beat) I suppose you’d like your payment?

NARRATOR: Uncle carried on as if he hadn’t heard a word.

UNCLE: I gotta tell you, kid. I was so sick while you were away! Sick as a DOG! I didn’t think I was going to make it! (beat) But wouldn’t ya know it, I got better! Overnight! It was a miracle!

OMARI: A miracle…?

UNCLE: Oh yeah! I was lying there in my bed – sweating out buckets and shivering like a leaf – when all of a sudden… somebody came into my room!

OMARI: Really!

UNCLE: And they mixed me up a batch of sweet, sticky syrup!

OMARI: Did they now?

UNCLE: And I gotta say: that sweet, sticky syrup of theirs saved my hide! (beat)

NARRATOR: He paused.

UNCLE: (a bit teary-eyed) My selfish… greedy… ungrateful hide.

NARRATOR: To Omari’s astonishment, Uncle wiped away a tear.

UNCLE: (teary, sincere, careful) And soooo… now that I truly know what this miracle worker is capable of… I believe they deserve something. They deserve to keep everything they earn – everything they’ve EVER earned! (beat) They also deserve my apology. For being the worst “official guardian” ever.

NARRATOR: He took hold of Omari’s hand.

UNCLE: (sincere) I just hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me!

NARRATOR: Well, Omari did find it in his heart to forgive Uncle. And not only did Uncle return Omari’s half of everything he’d earned… he rewarded his nephew with his very own piece of land.

And for the rest of Omari’s days, he lived on this beautiful patch of earth, right beside the river, where his bright, dreamy future had first begun.