Encore: Exploring the Legend of the Fairy Fort on Circle Round Podcast

bouquet, he began his trek back to the farmhouse. But as soon as he stepped foot outside the ring of trees, a strange rustling sound filled the air.DECLAN: What’s that noise?NARRATOR: The rustling grew louder and louder, until all of a sudden, the air around Declan was thick with swirling leaves and petals!DECLAN: Yikes! What’s happening?!NARRATOR: Declan tried to take a step forward, but something invisible seemed to be pulling him back. And then — out of thin air — a tiny, gnarled old man appeared at his side.DECLAN: Who… who are you?OLD MAN: A friend of the fairies, that’s who I am! And I come from the fairy fort!DECLAN: The fairy fort? It… it is real?NARRATOR: The old man cackled.OLD MAN: Oh, it’s real, alright! And because you dared to pick bluebells from its sacred hill, we fairies have cast a spell on you! From now on, whenever you try to speak, all that will come out of your mouth is the language of the animals!DECLAN: The language of the animals?NARRATOR: Suddenly, Declan’s words turned into a series of tweets, squawks, and clucks!DECLAN: Bawk bawk! Squeak chirp!NARRATOR: The old man cackled again.OLD MAN: Ha! Now, whenever you want to speak to your mother, your sister, or anyone else, you’ll sound like the birds and beasts of the forest! Let that be a lesson to you, young man! And remember: respect the fairies… or else!NARRATOR: With that, the old man vanished, leaving Declan to find his way back home, as he tried — and failed miserably — to communicate with the world around him. When Muriel saw her brother’s predicament, she gasped in horror. But as she rushed to his side, she couldn’t help but think: maybe, just maybe, this was the mischief her little brother needed to learn his lesson!