Wishbone (1995) s01e06 Episode Script

What's the story, Wishbone?
What's this your dreaming of?
Such big imagination
on such a little pop.
What's the story, Wishbone?
Do you think it's worth a look?
It kinda seems familiar,
like a story from a book.
Shake a leg now, Wishbone.
Let's wag another take.
Sniffing out adventure
with Wishbone on the trail.
Come on Wishphone.
Watch the story Wishbone.
Watch the story, Wishbone.
Watch the story.
Wishbone.
Watch the story, wish phone.
Watch the story, wish phone.
Watch the story, wish phone.
Man, this has got to be my lucky day.
Ellen, thank you so much for
hosting this party for my brother.
Oh, it's the least I can do.
The performance he's putting together
is going to raise a lot of money.
I think so.
Excuse me, Mom, Mrs. Talbot.
We need to have a final
technical rehearsal.
We should be back in
plenty of time for dinner.
Okay.
Okay.
How about a little something now?
Just to tide me over.
Oh, potato pancakes and applesauce.
Nice.
But my personal favorite, pigs in a blanket,
because they're right in front of me.
Wishbone be good.
Oh, hey, don't worry about me.
You run along.
I'll just mingle.
Oh, boy, I am starving.
This is going to take real brains.
It means.
Classic African-American folk tales.
Yes, that's it!
Anansi.
The Ashanti people of West Africa began
telling the story of Anansi the spider.
Anansi stories are so popular,
I'm known around the world!
In the West Indies man,
one fie call me Anansi.
Enhati, I'm called Timalis.
That's French don't know.
you know.
In America, I became Aunt Nancy.
Go figure.
So, like a Nancy, the
trickster, I'll expect.
A sneak attack!
First, I got a case to joint out.
Okay, quiet, steady,
smooth, no big sound
Wow, would you look at all that
Whispone, get
Good grip, Ellen.
Been working out.
Ugh.
Oh, sit.
Sure, I'll sit.
But sit where?
Hmm-hmm.
See, I believe I'm still sitting.
I'm still sitting.
I've had enough of this sitting.
I've got plans for this feast.
Plans within plans.
I am Ananzi.
Clever trickster of African legend.
Small.
and hungry.
Anansi stories are usually
told at feast times.
It started in Africa, but in all
places, I am clever and hungry.
If you leave some food that disappears,
it just might be an Anansi.
Spinning my web of mystery
I bounce!
Mm!
Wishbone down!
Oh, really gotta work on my timing!
What?
Just want cable outside.
Uh-huh.
I'll repact the whole
system when I get there.
Oh, yes.
This is the neat.
Okay.
How's the audio?
Hey, David.
How's it going?
Great.
Hi, Mom.
Hi, baby.
Oh, no!
Just use more extension cords.
David, honey?
Something wrong?
No, just a few technical problems.
Well, I didn't help you, David.
No, he's my uncle. I can handle it.
Knock knock!
David, I just got back
from the box office.
Your uncle's show tomorrow is sold out.
The benefit is a hit.
That's great news!
Oh, is this.
This is my Uncle Homer, the storyteller.
Oh, well, I am just
so thrilled to meet you.
Oh, Ellen, would you get this?
On behalf of the Historical Society,
I welcome you to O'Ddale,
and thank you for donating
your services to our cause.
Oh, would you mind?
Oh, not at all.
Just make it out to Miss Wanda Gilmore.
You know, the society
really needs the money.
Just make it out to my dear Wanda.
The building needs a complete
renovation, the wiring, the plumbing.
I'm glad to do it.
Uh, the historical society
is the perfect place
for a performance of stories
from the African tradition.
Everybody out!
Too many cuts, spoiled soup.
My special recipe, gumbo needs privacy.
Out!
Why don't we show you a little bit
of the dances we've been working on?
A preview divine.
Yeah, yum, yum, yum.
I'm glad you hear it.
These need mustard right away.
Now, if I could just get a
little bit of room, then we just
can start that rehearsal, that preview.
David, David, David,
you want to help us out?
I'll still have a lot of
things out to check out.
David, you know, you don't
have to do it all yourself.
It's no problem, Mom.
This show's going to be great.
Now, just five minutes of your time, Mr.
Mr. Moller, uh, uh, Joe, Sam, um,
could you help us out a minute here?
Let's let's show them some of the dances.
Oh, I don't know.
Oh, please, honey.
Come on, Joe, it'll be fun.
Wait, okay.
The audio setup, it's special.
Back at the auditorium.
Well, we'll just have to make do.
I'll keep the rhythm.
There you go.
An African storytelling,
dance helps us remember.
By moving and feeling the rhythm, you
begin to hear the sound of the story.
Begin.
Stories are in the muscles,
as well as the head.
That reminds me of a
dance that we used to do.
You know what it reminds me of.
Girl.
At the hustle.
One, two, three, four,
one, two, three, four.
Yeah, one, two, three, seven, one,
one, two, three, seven, eight,
Aurora, Roller Disco.
Man, just take me back.
Oh, way back.
Mom, I didn't know you
used to like dancing.
Well, we all, yes.
Oh, back in the day, your mother
and I used to practice for hours.
Now, most line dancers like the hustle.
or the electric slide have African roots.
Hey, Dad, you know how
in our dance class we
learned the samba and
the Mambo and the tango?
Homer says they all come
from African dances, too.
Really?
Sure, sure.
Now, take your basic African
hip isolation, mix in a
little Brazilian and Cuban
steps, and there you go.
There you go, Ellen.
That's what you're all.
Excuse me.
Hello.
Emily.
May I have this dance?
Careful, welcome.
I'm good, something like that.
Oh, she does.
Don't touch anything.
I'll be right there.
Guys, we need to get
down to the auditorium.
Now, mom, dad's gumbo,
should be ready at 6.45?
Check, honey.
Honey?
Come on.
Everybody.
Hey, how's it going?
Great.
Ow!
David, did you need any help with that?
No, it's pretty complicated.
Well, I hooked up my
stereo system at home.
Um, this is more than
a home stereo system.
See, I designed it myself.
I'm the only one who knows how it works.
Well, we could help you if you'd
No, no, there's so much to explain.
It'd be better.
better if I just do it.
I don't know.
I'm just a dog, but
this doesn't look good.
I'm thinking Anansi.
What about you?
Did I ever tell you the story of Anansi?
The spider?
Who was very small?
And he lived very high.
At the top of the great tree of life.
You all know Anansi was very
Clever.
Well, Anansi, he knew
he was clever as well.
But he didn't get much respect.
He sat in his tree waiting for someone,
anyone, to call on him with a problem.
Problems here. Get your problems solved.
You got problems. I got
solutions. One time only.
Get
I'll tell your business is slow.
Nobody wants my advice.
In those days, the sky god had given
everyone a little bit of wisdom.
He couldn't give out too much at
once because wisdom is so strong.
It had to grow as the world grew.
The problem is there's
too much loose wisdom.
I need to get it all.
So everyone will have to come to me.
Pts, listen here.
Let me take that wisdom off your hands.
Anansi went all over town, tricking
people out of their wisdom.
And what he could not
bargain for, he stole.
Hey, best deal in town. Leave it to me.
I'll double your wisdom
or my name's not Anansi.
Trust me.
Anansi, he went on until he
had stolen all the wisdom.
he could find.
Anansi, he put all the
wisdom into his calabash.
It's mine. Oh, mine.
Anansi, he knew that at the
top of the tree of life,
he could hide the wisdom
and keep it all for himself.
He tied the calabash round his
neck and started to climb the tree.
He
Hmm.
I think I may be able to climb the tree.
be in trouble.
He jumped, scratched,
but he couldn't get up.
The calabash got in his way.
Hey, what are you looking at?
Hello, if you're not part of the
solution, you're part of the problem.
Anansi, he knew he had to get to the
top before his trick was discovered.
Anazzi, sir.
I just thought if he
put that calabash behind
your back instead of
in front, I bet you can
climb that tree.
Well, the girl was right,
and Anansi, he knew it.
Yeah, okay, thanks, but let's
just keep this between you and me.
Okay.
Anansi, he tied the calabash
to his back and quick.
Scratch, ran to the top of the tree.
Anansi was sad.
Here I am.
I stole all the wisdom in the world,
and that child knows more than I do.
I don't deserve this wisdom.
I have to give it back.
Anansi let the wisdom.
wisdom fly.
It flew all over the world and
everyone got a small piece.
Some of this wisdom
entered into the souls of
people and they began to
hear magic from within.
Well, that's another story.
Okay, guys, we're ready to go.
Uh, David.
Emily, look, I'm busy right now.
Okay, just a few technical problems here.
Oh, gee. I found the problem, guys.
Can I say something here?
Let me just a minute, guys.
There we go.
Look, Emily, I know what I'm doing.
Look, Emily, I know what I'm doing.
A dance recital with explosions!
This thing's gonna be a hit!
Why is it dark?
Oh, great.
There's a lot.
Come in.
Knock.
Oh, any luck?
We tried all over.
Every place is booked.
The Shriners are in town.
There's a virtual reality convention.
I don't know. I guess
we'll have to cancel.
How's David?
He was too embarrassed to
go to church this morning.
Fire marshal inspected the auditorium.
The entire electrical system is shot.
Well, David shouldn't feel bad.
We were raising money to fix
the wiring in the first place.
I told him that, but he won't listen.
He is so upset, he won't even eat.
He won't eat!
This is an emergency! You guys get the
Marines! I'll call the White House!
I'm gonna go talk to him.
I'd better go with you.
I mean, let's face it.
Who can resist my child?
Hey, David, what's up?
I don't know.
Cheer up, pal!
I know what it's like
to be in the doghouse!
Broom!
Do you feel lower than a snake's belly?
Pushbone, what are you doing?
Do you want to hide from the wall?
Look at that.
What's gotten into him?
Oh, so you want to play tough, huh?
How about a major dose of cute?
Oh, look, David, I'm being so cute.
Come on.
My best stuff. Guaranteed crowd pleasers.
Okay, here it is.
The big finish!
Take my paw!
Please!
Ha ha ha ha!
Thank you!
Thank you, you've been the best
audience I've had in minutes.
Really. Really.
Mm-hmm.
Good luck. The kids like a rock.
Come on, David. It wasn't your fault.
Yes, it was. I totally blew it.
Yeah. Kaboom!
I'm sorry.
But listen.
We've got to do something or they're
going to cancel the whole show.
Do it without me. I can't think anymore.
Hey, David.
David, we need your help.
Yeah, you know more about
putting on a show than any of us.
Really?
Look how it turned out.
You guys don't need me.
You've just had a small setback.
Don't let that shut you down.
If you believe in yourself,
anything's possible.
You can fly if you want to.
There's an old story about flying.
You mean an Nazi story?
No, no.
This is a story about a man named Baba.
And a boy named Juana.
Hmm.
You know how everyone got wisdom?
Well, it was so strong that people even
began to grow wings and fly like birds.
One of these was Juana.
A slave ship? I must find Baba.
In Swahili Baba means father.
He watched over the wisdom.
Wanah, which means son was his helper.
Then, all men were fathers,
all boys were sons,
because we are one people.
We belong to each other.
Baba!
Baba!
I saw a slave ship. They're
heading this way. What will we do?
Evil was a slave ship.
coming. Baba sent Juana to
find out what was happening.
The slave traders captured our
people and hurted them onto boats.
In this confusion, people
could not hear one another.
Their wings cracked and broke off.
It seemed as if they had
never flown, never been free.
They were forced to forget
the magic they had inside.
The slave traders came
and destruction followed.
Nearly all the wisdom plants
were damaged. Many died.
Baba, the slave ship is leaving.
We have to help our people.
You know, Juana, we cannot
take our wings with us.
I know, but we can take
our wisdom with us.
They packed the few belongings, taking
with them the precious plants of wisdom.
They hid on the ship and brought
their ancient wisdom to America.
Excuse me. I'm sorry. Uncle Homer.
I don't feel like a story right
now. I just want to be left alone.
Listen to us. You can help us. You've got
the imagination. You've
got the imagination.
and we're counting on you.
You have to say that
because you're my uncle.
I have to say it because it's the truth.
I bet everybody thinks I'm a total loser.
Forget about what
everybody else might think.
What do you think?
I just feel bad.
I mean, I tried so hard
to think of everything.
I still messed up.
I still messed up.
My being in charge of the show was
going to be my gift to the family.
David, the best gift you
can give is to keep trying.
He's right, David. Never give up.
And never stop yourself from flying.
Baba and Juana didn't give up.
In America, our people were made
to forget that they ever had weas.
The slave owners made them drink
sorrow and filled them with shame
to block out our wisdom.
But Baba and Juana hid in the
woods and tended the wisdom plans.
The plants grew very slowly.
One woman remembered a little.
Her day of freedom seemed like a dream.
It's not a dream.
Hold on.
How long, brother?
Soon, sister.
Soon.
Finally.
enough wisdom had grown for Baba
to make a medicine.
I need to visit the fields.
To pass this out.
They will be watching.
Leave everything to me, Baba.
I'll clear the way.
Do you forget how to work?
How'd you like to pick on
someone who can fight back?
Come on, give me your best shot!
Catch me if you can!
Baba!
It's begun!
The time has come!
I'll keep them running!
While brave Juana led the overseers off,
Baba slipped into the field.
He gave the woman some wisdom
and whispered the magic word.
Zikiliza Pinti Yangu
Fungwamoyonah Mbwa.
Zako, Zitaota.
Listen, daughter.
Open your mind,
and your wings will grow.
As he spoke, Binti felt the
glow of the ancient wisdom,
and she rolls into the air like a bird.
Fly, Benty!
Fly!
You ain't going nowhere.
What's that?
That is a brand new day.
It's the old man?
Stop!
You can't stop us!
Freedom will come!
The spirit of freedom fed by the
ancient wisdom of Africa spread.
The wings of the Motherland live on.
You can fly with your imagination.
If we're going to save this benefit,
we're going to need your help.
We'd need law.
What's so funny?
What's so funny?
I just had a crazy idea.
Is there any other country?
Let's hear it.
We can make a whole new story.
Yeah. How David fell apart.
No.
No.
How Oakdale came together.
What's your idea?
Well, what about Little Lights?
What do you mean?
I have a plan, but I definitely
need everybody's help.
You got it.
Whatever you need.
What are we waiting for, people?
Action!
What's up!
Oh, this little item of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine, everybody!
Oh, thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da.
Woo!
I want to begin this
I want to begin this
performance with a dance.
I want to begin this
performance with a dance.
In the African tradition, when we tell our
stories, we say that we talk, that talk,
but we also walk, that walk.
Dance, movement.
Performance is part of our storytelling.
I call this scratch, that scratch.
Dance is celebration.
It is both praise and prayer.
Hey!
Hey! You use your body to tell a story.
All stories start that way.
From the inside, out.
No matter what form it ends up being,
a book, a movie, or a computer game.
All stories start from inside
you and move out to the world.
If you want to tell a story a
story, you don't need anything you.
more than you already have.
You imagine your body speaking.
And what happens is,
you imagine the truth.
In the African American folk tale,
Baba says,
Open your mind and your wings will grow.
Here's a crew member testing
out a flying harness.
It's kind of like a pair of
short pants attached to wires.
Very fashionable.
Once the tangles are worked out,
it's time to hoist up the actress.
The spirit of freedom, fed by the
ancient wisdom of Africa, spread.
You can sniff out
wishbone books and other
great things to read
at your local library.