In this conversation listeners learn about the important contributions of four black leaders from the 1700s. Benjamin Banneker loved learning and became an inventor and writer. Jean Babtiste Pointe du Sable started a trading post and began a settlement that became Chicago. Phillis Wheatley became known as North America's first black poet. Richard Allen was a famous preacher who started a black church and inspired other black religious leaders to start churches. RL4-001.

The Choco Food Corporation announces that they are closing their chocolate division due to competition from foreign chocolate producers. When a group of students hear the broadcast by the WQRS-TV news team, they decide to initiate an e-mail campaign in support of the company. The word spreads and the company pledges to produce chocolate for a minimum of another year. RL4-002.

In this African story, a variety of animals suffered through a long dry season. They decided to dig a hole so that they would have a pool of water in case they faced a drought again. Jackal avoided helping dig the hole, but later he returned to drink from the pool and then to swim in it. The animals worked together to catch him, and he was sentenced to death. But he outwitted them and ran away. The animals continued to live together peacefully. RL4-003.

Elizabeth Blackwell was a young lady in the 1800s when she decided she wanted to become a doctor. Unfortunately, at that time, people believed that women should be nurses. She convinced a doctor to help her get into medical school where she excelled and proved herself. After continuing her training in Paris and London, she returned to New York where she first opened a dispensary and then founded a hospital. RL4-004.

In this French tale, a young girl's father dies, leaving her almost penniless. Her greedy brother treats her unkindly, yet Fortunée displays persistent kindness. The Queen of the Woods gives Fortunée a jeweled jug of fragrant water which helps her break the magic spell holding a prince captive. Fortunée learns of her true origins and agrees to let the prince court her. RL4-005.

An old woman and an old man have a cat that loves to eat. They decide they have to lose the cat in the woods. But the cat overhears their plans. When the old woman feeds the cat breakfast, the cat swallows the whole bowl of porridge and the old woman too. Then it proceeds to swallow everything in sight. Finally a billy goat butts it in the stomach and all the people pop out of the cat. This Norse folk tale also appears in other cultures. The students can create additional characters and write new versions featuring other animals and characters. RL4-006.

Every day Jake walks by an abandoned house. He asks about it at the diner and discovers that people believe it's haunted. He decides to try to buy it, only to discover that the former owner has stipulated in his will that it can't be bought until the buyer has lived in the house for one week. Jake spends his first night there, discovering that the ghosts everyone fears are simply having a good time. RL4-007.

When the sea king’s wife falls ill, the physicians tell him that only the fresh liver of a monkey will cure her. The king sends the jellyfish, who in those days had a back like a shell, to fetch a monkey. The jellyfish tells the monkey why he is being captured, and the monkey tricks the jellyfish into returning him back to his island. RL4-008.

In this tale from India, Princess Sivatra falls in love with young Sayavan. She is dismayed to learn that he will die within a year. She marries him anyway, but when the year draws to a close she pleads with the gods for his life. When death comes, her persistence saves Sayavan and restores his father to his throne and former good health. RL4-009.

Roberto and his family worked as migrants, following the crops throughout the seasons of harvest. As the family picked lettuce and celery, Roberto dreamed of how he could teach himself to play a guitar he had been given. Born with a talent for singing, Roberto worked hard to develop his music into a career that took him away from the fields. RL4-010.

It is 2015 and the Alexandra School is opening its doors for the first time. Many things have stayed the same, but at this school students will have computers at their desks and no classroom teachers. Chet can’t believe his luck, and especially looks forward to having a robot in place of a teacher. But he’s in for a surprise when he discovers that some things never change. RL4-011.

In this adaptation of a folktale from Spain, a young woman disobeys her new husband and peeks in a chest. When her husband and home disappear, she must journey to the sun, moon, and wind to find her way to him. With the help of some magic, she uses her wit and perseverance to rescue her husband. RL4-012.

In this discussion of the past, present, and future of the Inuits, several key people share their feelings about the changes. A shaman emphasizes the importance of keeping the traditions. A businessman and a teacher discuss the positive effects of modernization. A young girl describes how her family tries to keep to the old ways. And a hunter discusses his experiences with both ways of life. RL4-013.

In this adaptation of a tale by the Brothers Grimm, Prince William falls in love with a princess. His dying father makes him promise to marry the daughter of a nearby king to strengthen an alliance. The princess learns of his engagement and disguises herself and eleven other young women as huntsmen. They arrive at William's kingdom and become friends as they hunt together. Finally, William's advisor proves they are women. They reconcile and marry. But how does the advisor prove this? RL4-014.