265. Cecilia asks: What if cats could knit socks?

When Heyna the Hyena tries out to play Pawccer in the Whirling Cup, all the dog and cat players can’t figure out what team to put her on. Will she get to play, or will she use her magical knitting powers to sabotage her favorite game?

Lessons include: We can all grow through inclusivity; Attacking others in anger will never help matters, no matter how justified your anger may be.

The book that helped inspire today’s story, along with your questions!

This story is inspired in part by our friend’s new children’s book, “The Great Ball Game.” Adapted by Rebecca Sheir and illustrated by Ojibwe Woodland artist Joshua Pawis-Steckley, "The Great Ball Game” is inspired by Native American and First Nations tales about a dispute between the animals and the birds over who is best. You can find it — along with Circle Round’s other picture books, “The Tale of the Unwelcome Guest” and “A Taste of Honey” — at your favorite online bookseller or at your local bookstore. You can find the links to all of Rebecca’s book and her amazing podcast, Circle Round, on her website: WBUR.org/circleround

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Eric and Karen O'Keeffe make What If World. Our producer is Miss Lynn. Character art by Ana Stretcu, episode art by Lynn Hickernell, podcast art by Jason O’Keefe, and theme song by Craig Martinson.