A teddy bear, a worn-in jacket, a bike.

We all have an ordinary object that holds extraordinary value in our life and tells something

about our story.

This universal idea is explored in 10,000 things, a new podcast about modern-day artifacts

of Asian America and the people who transformed them into something remarkable.

Hosted by me, Shinye Pi, and produced by KyoW, Seattle's NPR station, follow 10,000

things that's 10,000 spelled out on your favorite podcast app.

As the night draws in and the fire blazes on the hearth, we warm the children by telling

them stories.

Rumpel Stiltskin teaches them not to make promises they can't keep.

And my stories are for the education of the grownups and my stories are all true.

I'm Tim Halford, gather close and listen to my cautionary tales.

There may be times and places where it's a good idea to talk back to a military officer,

but Germany, in 1906, isn't one of them.

So the young corporal doesn't.

The corporal, let's call him Corporal Muller, has been leading his squad of four privates

down Syltastrasse in Berlin only to be challenged by a captain.

The captain is about 50.

A slim fellow with sunken cheeks, the outline of his skull prominent above a large white

moustache.

Truth be told, he looks strangely down on his luck.

But Corporal Muller doesn't seem to take that in.

...