The Apple Seed

Tellers and stories on BYUradio.

Laughter is an expression that knows no boundaries. Despite age gaps or cultural differences, people from all over the world and all walks of life know how to let out a laugh. Such an expression edifies and unifies even the most unlikely of creatures. In this episode, these stories and songs not only talk about laughing but they also make you laugh with their outlandish charm. Stories and songs included in this episode:

The Little Woman Who Laughed by Stephanie Beneteau (1:05)

A Japanese tale about a little woman who chases a runaway rice ball and laughs in the face of danger. Stephanie has been the direcor of the the Quebec Intercultural Storytelling Festival since 2015. Learn more about Stephanie Beneteau by visiting www.stephaniebeneteau.com

I've Got a Bullfrog by David Holt (15:16)

A song about a giant pet frog. Four-time Grammy Award winner, David Holt hosts the PBS National show "David Holt's State of Music". To learn more about David Holt visit www.davidholt.com

I Ain't Know, Bo! by Tim Lowry (19:06)

Tim's experience as a fifth grade teacher in a Baptist elementary school and teaching english to Russian immigrants and the eventual crossover between the two. Tim is the ambassador for the Sweet Tea Trail of his hometown Summerville, SC. Learn more about Tim Lowry by visiting www.storytellertimlowry.com

Bellybuttons by Bill Harley (51:27)

When a bag of bellybuttons were left on a shelf during the people making process of a town everyone's laughter leaked out. This story is taken from Bill's album, The Town Around the Bend. Learn more about Bill Harley by visiting www.billharley.com

Being a kid carries its own excitement and rough patches. So does life when you're not a kid. That's why when you're an adult its important to get back in touch with your inner kid every now and then and sprinkle some silliness into your perspective. Let your heart be lighter with the giggles and viewpoints that childhood and children can bring whether it be about a sibling or the beginning of the universe. Stories and songs included in this episode:

Zanzibar by Bill Harley (1:17)

The journey to a creative take on a school report, full of jitters and distractions that kids know so well. Bill Harley incorporates his childhood into a lot of his work and has won two Grammy awards along with several other prestigious awards. Learn more about Bill Harley by visiting www.billharley.com

Nobody Could Believe It by Linda Gorham (28:57)

A modern take on "The Rabbi's Gift", this story shows how one gift can change an entire school. With a flair for tweaking fairy tales, Linda Gorham has been engaging audiences for 25 years and in 2016 she won the Distinguished National Service Award by the National Storytelling Network. Learn more about [Teller] by visiting lindagorham.com

Maynard Moose by Willy Claflin (38:35)

Recorded at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, Maynard Moose tells the beginning of the world according to the "moose tradition". Known for his expansive tales and talents, as well as his famous sidekick Maynard Moose, you can learn more about Willy Claflin by visiting www.willyclaflin.com

There Goes My Brother Again by Bill Harley (51:33)

Little brothers have a way of changing your life. Whether that change is for better or for worse is up to debate.

Tellers and Stories on BYUradio.

Family is not a term we loosely throw around. When we call someone family that denotes a special connection, a type of bond that is resilient through hard times and long years. A bond like that can be created through genetic connection but in no way is it limited to that. Friends are often described as the family we choose. Teachers can become figures in our family, just as we can become part of theirs. However it came to be, there's something special about ties like family. Stories and songs included in this episode:

WZIX by Kim Weitcamp (1:16)

After writing her dad a song, Kim's mother asks if there's one for her. A story from Kim's childhood about winning an album for her mom from the local Oldies radio station ensues. This story was pulled from a collection entitled "Penny, Candy, Love" and for more of Kim Weitcamp's award-winning work you can visit www.kimweitkamp.com

I've Got Your Back by Diane Ferlatte accompanied by Erik Pearson (24:44)

A story of how encountering opposition can demonstrate how good friends, like family, have your back. Diane has been telling stories and traveling around the world for workshops and festivals for decades now. Learn more about Diane Ferlatte and what she calls her "musical sidekick", Erik Pearson by visiting www.dianeferlatte.com

John McCutcheon (41:22)

Recorded at the 2012 Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, this set of stories are anchored by a song John wrote for his youngest son as he went into kindergarten. Primarily a folk singer, John has written numerous kinds of songs for children to adults. Learn more about John McCutcheon by visiting www.folkmusic.com

There are many forms of love: romantic love, familial love, even neighborly love. And whatever form it takes today's stories show that love can save lives, fuel long searches and journeys, and bind people together. Having love on your side can benefit you and those around you. Featuring storytellers: Simon Brooks, Antonio Rocha, Brendan Nolan, and Nathalie Vachon.

The Three Feathers by Simon Brooks (1:08)

Romantic love is what sends Henry off on a treacherous quest, but along the way he doesn't forget to extend neighborly love and is rewarded three-fold because of it. Simon Brooks was born and raised in England and has won awards for his storytelling from Parent's Choice and Storytelling World. Learn more about Simon Brooks at www.diamondscree.com

The Horse That Saved Six Lives by Antonio Rocha (27:42)

When trouble arises love can push family and their beloved animals to great lengths in order to save the day. Told by Antonio Rocha, a Brazilian mime and storyteller. To learn more about Antonio Rocha visit www.storyinmotion.com

The Dream of Aengus by Brendan Nolan (38:28)

This story is a traditional tale from Ireland about Aengus, the god of love, youth, and poetry. It recounts a reoccuring dream that leads Aengus to search for his love. Brendan Nolan is from Ireland and focuses a lot of his musical and storytelling work on traditions from there. Learn more about Brendan Nolan at www.brendannolan.com

How the Mountain Got its Spirit by Nathalie Vachon (51:27)

In this story the Beaver learns that love often means looking outside of ourselves, even letting go of something we hold dear for the benefit of someone or something else. Nathalie Vachon is a storyteller, writer, painter, and teacher in the Toronto Beaches community. To learn more about her visit www.nathalievachon.com

This compilation of stories weaves magic, as well as a little trickery, into the circumstances of rather ordinary individual's lives to teach valuable lessons. They highlight that kindness will win out over cruelty, courage over fear, and the advice parents extend is worth adhereing to. Told with a wonderful incorporation of sound and a touch of spookiness, the stories included in this episode are:

The Cruel Miller (1:13)

A Jack tale in which a mean miller learns the value of those different from him. Jess Smith is a Scottish storyteller dedicated to help those around her promote understanding however she can. Learn more about Jess Smith by visiting www.jesssmith.co.uk

Davy and the Devil (15:32)

Davy loses his job as a fisherman and soon after encounters the Devil with whom he strikes a deal. Told by Megan Hicks whose collection of fairy tales, "No Tricks. Just Magic" was given a Storytelling World Award. She's also won a Parents' Guide to Children's Media Award for her collection of stories entitled "Groundhogs Meet Grimm". Learn more about Megan Hicks by visiting www.meganhicks.com

The Skull (28:35)|

A young orphan girl spends the night in a strange castle, courageously carrying out the tasks a skull dictates to her. Recipient of the Excellence Oracle Award from the National Storytelling Network Circle, Beth Horner marvelously incorporates the auditory presence of bones in this charming tale that initially sounds rather frightening. Learn more about Beth Horner by visiting bethhorner.com

The Witch of Cape Anne (42:55)

For a mischevious boy the tale of a woman who haunts the local river becomes more real for him than he ever thought it could be. Pat Mendoza cultivated an extensive repetoire during his lifetime through his unique heritage and experiences. You can learn more about Pat Mendoza by reading his obituary at www.denverpost.com

We’ve selected a bunch of our favorites from this week’s episodes to bring to you, including “The Ghost Dog” by Brian Fox Ellis, Sheila Arnold's stories about her sister Vicki, and “The Pedlar of Swaffam” by Heather Forest.

In Washington Irving’s short story, “Rip Van Winkle,” the title character escapes to the Catskill mountains, falls asleep, and awakens to realizes that he has accidentally dozed off for over twenty years. There are many morals to the story that advise readers and listeners how a waking life is surely more exciting than an unconscious one—but we can’t help but wonder, just what did Rip Van Winkle dream about all those years that kept him from waking up?

Dwelling on dreams can sometimes lead to a disconnection from reality, but today we’re sharing fairy and folk tales of realities that were shaped by potent and powerful dreams. When you have a chance to make your dreams come true, shouldn’t you take it?

Stories included in this episode:

The Peddlar of Swaffham

This English folktale from Swaffham, Norfolk that dates back to 1699. Similar legends can be found throughout European and the Middle Eastern history, including a version of the tale called, “The man who became rich through a dream” in One Thousand and One Nights. Learn more about Heather Forest's work by visiting www.heatherforest.com

Hidden Treasure

In this piece by Regi Carpenter, the storyteller realizes that sometimes the meaning of our dreams isn't clear until some time has passed. Learn more about Regi Carpenter by visiting regicarpenter.com

The Pearl That Shone by Night

A young man faces off with his brother after being visited by the girl of his dreams while he sleeps. What follows is a magical quest that includes a luminous pearl and a dragon king. Learn more about Judy Lubin by visiting www.storytellermagic.com

The Forest

A woman falls victim to a fairy dream, but love her family turns out to be stronger than any magic. Find more of Barbara Schutzgruber's work by visiting weavestory.com

Tellers and stories on BYUradio.