We all know that looks can be deceiving. Not everyone or everything is exactly as it seems to our first judgment. Many times, small things can have large effects. For example, tiny bacteria are so small that we can’t even see them, but they help us digest our food, break down garbage, and keep the world clean. We don’t notice they’re there, but if they were gone, we would know it. So, big things can have big effects, but you should never underestimate something small.

On today’s episode, enjoy the following:

“The Most Powerful Being in the World” by Antonio Rocha from Cross Roads: Stories from Brazil & the World (12:07)

Antonio Rocha (pronounced haw-sha) is originally from Brazil. He came to the United States to study mime with mime master Tony Montanaro. Since then he has blended mime with verbal storytelling to enhance his tales. This story is about two proud rats. They are proud, not in a bad way, but of their daughter, and they want what’s best for her. So, when it’s time for her to get married, they want to find the most powerful being in the world to be her husband. Thus begins their quest, traveling all around, to find the most powerful being to be their daughter’s husband.

“What is Strength?” by Len Cabral from It’s How You Say It (5:15)

Len Cabral descends from Cape Verde, a country located off the coast of Africa. Since 1976 he has been telling stories and has garnered international acclaim. He tells stories from Africa, the Caribbean, Cape Verde, and the rest of the world, including his own original tales. This one is about a contest. In order to find out who is the strongest, the animals hold a competition. All the animals are there, and many of them are very strong. But when the human takes a turn, the animals have to ask, is that really strength? Or is it something far more sinister.

“The View from Here” by Allison Downey from Allison Downey: a Selection of Stories and Songs (5:56)

Allison Downey has lived and traveled all over the world, collecting a rich variety of stories. Recently, she has been recovering from treatment for a rare form of cancer, which she talks about on her blog. She says, in her own words, “...as I’m returning to the stage...I really come with a renewed strength of spirit and a deeper vision and voice.” This story details the events of an outdoor adventure she had as a fifteen year old when she found herself at a camp in Wyoming. The group she is with goes rock climbing and she has to learn a few things in order to succeed after getting stuck on a cliff face.

“Lost in the Ooze” by Ted Fink from The Flight of the Spielkamrad & Lost in the Ooze (6:09)

It’s probably safe to say that most of us have learned about the dangers of addiction. And addiction can happen with a lot of things, not just illegal drugs. But sometimes we can use a reminder to be careful of things that make us forget about things that should be important. Ted Fink started writing poetry when he was just five. From there, his writing grew to encompass stories, music and other things. His tale “Lost in the Ooze” was designed to help listeners understand the perils of addiction and why it can be harmful.

“Bellybuttons” by Bill Harley from The Town Around the Bend (5:10)

When Bill Harley was young, he wanted to become the second baseman for the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. Instead, he became a storyteller and songsmith, and a good one at that. In his collection The Town Around the Bend, he tells tales about a town with the peculiar name of Around the Bend. Lots of peculiar things happened there, and in this story, he tells about a belly button mix up. In it, you’ll learn just what the point of a belly button is, and what happens when you don’t have one.

“Sundays on Walker’s Bend” by Bruce Walker from Good for your Soul (8:25)

Bruce Walker says of himself “I am a husband, father, grandfather, minister, entrepreneur, teacher, performer, and pretty nice guy.” That list is certainly respectable, and his stories are more than respectable as well. He was Born in Oklahoma City but moved to Alabama and has lived there ever since. In this story he tells about growing up with his family on Walker’s Bend.