January 4, 2022

Folktales Week Middle East Night (1-4-2022)

by Chompers

Background show artwork for Chompers

Hear the answer to this morning's parable from the Middle East.

Where to Listen

Transcript

>> Rachel: Welcome back! It’s time for Chompers, your morning and night toothbrushing show. 


Start brushing on the top of your mouth, and brush the inside, outside and chewing side of each tooth. 


>> Kids: 3, 2, 1 Brush! 


>> Rachel: It’s Folktales Week and tonight we have the rest of our story from the Middle East.  All of the shah’s advisors are arguing about the right answer to the shah’s parable.  The shah asked them: What is the sweetest melody?


Some advisors think it’s the flute.


SFX FLUTE


>> Rachel: Some advisors think it’s the harp.


SFX HARP


>> Rachel: And still other advisors think the sweetest melody comes from a violin.


SFX VIOLIN


>> Rachel: Switch to the other side of the top of your mouth and keep brushing.


All of the advisors were arguing over which instrument makes the sweetest sound! But one advisor, Merza Zaki, decided to stay out of it, because he had a plan.


After a few days had passed, he invited the shah, all of the advisors, and a lot of other important people to a big dinner.  


As the night began, musicians came in to entertain everyone with their music.


SFX FLUTE // SFX HARP // SFX VIOLIN SOLO THEN TOGETHER


>> Rachel: Switch to the bottom of your mouth, and brush the molars in the way back


But as it got later and later, there was music -- but no food.  People were getting hungry -- they’d been invited to dinner, so they’d brought their appetites! But there wasn’t even a bowl of rice or a glass of water! 


The guests didn’t want to be rude though, so they continued to listen to the music, hoping the sound of their grumbling tummies didn’t drown it out. (SFX rumbling) 


SFX FLUTE // SFX HARP // SFX VIOLIN SOLO THEN TOGETHER


>> Rachel: Switch your brushing to the other side of the bottom of your mouth, but don't brush too hard.


Finally around midnight Merza Zaki snapped his fingers and a waiter came in with a big pot of delicious smelling food. The waiter opened the lid and clinked a spoon against the big pot.


SFX CLINK CLINK


>> Rachel: All of the guests smiled! Finally, dinner!


And the Shah smiled too - Merza Zaki had solved his parable:


The sweetest melody isn’t the sound of any one instrument -- it’s when a hungry person hears the sound of dinner being served!


That’s it for Chompers tonight, but come back tomorrow for more folktales!


Until then, rinse before you- 


>>Kids: 3, 2, 1 spit!