Paws & Tales

Ned the Beaver: Hello, everyone. Ned the Beaver here for Paws and Tales. Oh, we have such good news to tell you.

Tiffany Rockler: What are you doing in here, Ned?

Ned the Beaver: Tiffany, what what Why are you

Tiffany Rockler: I just heard that Dave Carl has written the first Paws and Tales book. Am I correct?

Ned the Beaver: Yes. I I mean, only if you want that to be true. Of course it's true. What Why are you here?

Tiffany Rockler: I am here to promote the book, of course.

Ned the Beaver: Really? You want to help?

Tiffany Rockler: Of course. I want everyone to read this book and learn about repentance and about the mean old vulture that tries to get Stacy mad at the club and how Crocket and Smidge take care of the men they call the Shovels. What could be better than all of that?

Ned the Beaver: Wow, color me surprised. I didn't think you would be interested in this.

Tiffany Rockler: Ned Cleaver, I am nothing if not a team player.

Ned the Beaver: Not exactly how I would describe you.

Tiffany Rockler: So, if all you listeners can hear me now, I want you to all go out and get your own copy of the Overcomers, the very first Paws and Tales book ever.

Ned the Beaver: Amazing, Tiffany. I just did not expect

Tiffany Rockler: I'm buying 100 copies myself, so the very least you could do is get one.

Ned the Beaver: Okay. We we we try not to be mean to the audience. Thank you for stopping by, Tiffany Rockler, on behalf of the very first Paws and Tales book ever, the Overcomers.

Tiffany Rockler: Go right now to paws and tales.org and buy it now.

Ned the Beaver: Kind of mean right there. Um, let's stop the tape. I don't feel safe. Stop the tape, Joel.

Tiffany Rockler: We will stop the tape when I say stop tape.

Host (Insight for Living): Welcome to the world of Paws and Tales. A wild mountain can be a pretty dangerous place. If you stay on the trails and stick with me, there's adventures to be had there, too.

Guest (Male): Come on, CJ, jump.

CJ: It's too far.

Guest (Male): It wasn't too far for me.

Host (Insight for Living): Insight for Living is proud to present Paws and Tales.

Miss Harbor: Stacy, what did you get on your spelling test?

Stacy: What does it matter? I got a B plus. I got a C minus. When in my life will I ever have to spell out the word sincerely? And I got a D on my math test. I'm having such a crummy week.

Miss Harbor: Stacy, here's your report back. That should cheer you up.

Stacy: An A? Good job. High five. Whoopee. Or not. What's Aesop's Fables?

Goose: All Greek stories. You know, the Ant and the Grasshopper or the Lion and the Mouse.

Miss Harbor: CJ, here's yours. I must say I never knew there was a history of burping.

Goose: C plus. Thank you, Miss Harbor.

Miss Harbor: Marsha, here you go. Good job.

Miss Harbor: Q in pen next time, please.

Goose: Stacy, you did better than me on your report.

Stacy: That doesn't make up for math and spelling.

Miss Harbor: Okay, class. For the next two weeks, we're going to be studying art. This should be a time of pure creativity for each one of you. Nothing you do can be wrong. It's what's inside your heart that I want to come out on paper. Are you ready?

Stacy: Cool. Yeah.

Miss Harbor: All right then. I need each of you to grab a smock from this box and find a place at an easel. One child on either side of each, please.

Goose: Stacy, come share this one with me.

Stacy: I'm coming.

Miss Harbor: You should each have two paintbrushes, a jar of water, and a palette of paints right in front of you. Try not to mix the paint in the bottles. Wash off your brush when you change colors. You may paint anything you want. I'll come around and listen to your ideas and help you with techniques. Let's get started.

Stacy: That's not right. Miss Harbor, I need you. Goose, will you stop dancing around like that? You're bumping the easel.

Goose: I can't stop, Stacy. Moving around helps. A little blue here and some more brown way over there. Wow, yeah, yeah, that's more like it.

Stacy: I'm just tired of this project and this stupid star.

Goose: Oh, wait right there, mister. You are crying for some mountain moss green. Wow.

Stacy: I'm done. I can't take any more humiliation.

Miss Harbor: Stacy, how is your constellation coming along?

Stacy: Not good. I wanted five points for this star, and now it has six. And none of them are the same length. This is all It's all wrong.

Miss Harbor: There is no wrong in this art class. We're just trying things out.

Stacy: I'm not good at this. I'm not good at anything.

Miss Harbor: Stacy, you know that's not true.

Goose: Oh, I see fuchsia in your future.

Miss Harbor: Goose dear, what are you doing? Oh my. Class, class, please, gather over here. Let me turn this around.

Goose: How's that?

Stacy: Wow.

Guest (Male): Awesome.

CJ: I can't believe that finished.

Guest (Male): I love it.

Goose: What?

Guest (Male): Awesome.

Goose: Is there something in my teeth again? Oh, what's the matter?

Miss Harbor: Nothing Nothing is wrong, Goose. You're painting. It's It's quite remarkable.

Goose: Wow, Goose, that's really good.

Miss Harbor: It makes me feel like I could step in and be there.

Stacy: How'd you do it, Goose?

Goose: I don't know. Maybe it's in the footwork. So, I think I worked up a blister.

Host (Insight for Living): Well, it only took Goose about five minutes to paint her picture, but it took about 15 to clean up the mess. That day, everyone discovered that Goose had a real gift. And no one was more surprised than Goose. Everyone was so pleased for her. Well, almost everyone. Stacy was so discouraged that she couldn't even talk about it till next day.

Stacy: Come on, Goose. You had to have some sort of art lessons.

Goose: No, it It just kind of made sense to me.

Stacy: Can we just change the subject?

Miss Harbor: Well, I guess we better. I don't smell them. You said she'd bake.

Stacy: I reminded her this morning. Mom said she'd bake them and leave some wrapped on the porch.

Goose: I can't smell anything. Did she bake?

Stacy: I see cookies. Last one on the porch is a rotten egg. Look out, it's muddy. Oh, my pants are splattered.

Goose: This is pretty good mud. Not too wet, not too dry.

Stacy: Whoa, that is one big box of cookies.

Goose: We are so rich. Mud and cookies.

Stacy: The cookies are here in that basket. I don't know what the box is. It says to Stacy.

Goose: You're kidding.

Stacy: It doesn't say who it's from.

Goose: I'll open it. Stacy, this is exciting. Open, open, open.

Stacy: Okay, okay. This is really weird.

Goose: Open, open, open. Wow, it's a magnifying glass.

Stacy: It's so beautiful. There's writing on the handle. It says look closer and see where your gifts may be.

Goose: More gifts? Open, open, open.

Stacy: No, Goose. I think it's supposed to mean something else. What do you think, Stacy?

Miss Harbor: I am not sure. Who could this be from? It looks expensive. It looks like it's made of brass.

Stacy: Whoa, it is heavy.

Goose: Oh, maybe it's from a secret admirer. How romantic.

Stacy: Not likely.

Goose: Why not?

Stacy: I'm just saying that it would be candy or flowers or

Goose: I think it's from someone who has a deep, dark secret and wants me to use this to find a treasure. Oh, what about Mrs. Collins? Her house is filled with stuff just like this.

Stacy: You're right. She's definitely a suspect. But why would she do it? I need a cookie.

Goose: I think just about everyone except you is a suspect. What we need to do is get organized. We need to look for clues and interview possible witnesses.

Stacy: Like real detectives.

Goose: Exactly. We need to collect every clue possible. Let's go to the general store and see if Mr. Crawford sells these. All right. We are on a caper.

Stacy: I don't think that's the right word.

Goose: Sure it is. We are on an exciting thing of excitement.

Stacy: I think a caper is a bad thing you do.

Goose: You guys are nuts. We are on an exciting detective caper.

Stacy: In that case, I better have a closer look at these cookies.

Goose: Good idea, Sherlock.

Stacy: Here, Goose. You'd better examine this very suspicious looking cookie while I interrogate its delicious friend.

Guest (Male): Hi, I'm Lyle from North Carolina. We have a many reasons I love listening to Paws and Tales is because Ned the Beaver, he just cracks me up.

Stacy: I'm here today with author Dave Carl. I understand you have written the very first Paws and Tales book entitled The Overcomers.

Dave Carl: That's right, Stacy.

Stacy: So, is the Overcomers something very different or is it a continuation of the big Paws and Tales story?

Dave Carl: Good question, Stacy. It absolutely is a continuation of the big Paws and Tales story. The Overcomers is like one giant Paws and Tales episode. I am excited for folks to see what comes next.

Stacy: Get your copy today at paws and tales.org.

Miss Harbor: Okay, we know that Mrs. Collins and Mrs. Merryweather didn't see anything because they were visiting Mrs. Shufflebee.

Stacy: Oh, Papa Chuck was working at the church, so he didn't see anything either.

Goose: I just finished with two cookies who witnessed the whole thing but refused to talk.

Stacy: There's got to be something we've overlooked. What are we missing?

Goose: I don't think there are any clues. This person is good.

Stacy: Let's ask Mr. Crawford. Afternoon, Mr. Crawford.

Mr. Crawford: Well, good afternoon, kids. Such nice smiling faces. What can I do for you?

Stacy: I was wondering if you have ever sold anything like this before.

Mr. Crawford: Hmm, oh my, no. You know, I have some magnifying glasses but nothing is nice as this.

Stacy: It's made of brass.

Mr. Crawford: Ha, it's a beauty. And pretty expensive, too. You'd have to go to Frontera for an item like this.

Stacy: And I thought we were so close.

Goose: Oh, I know. Um, we'd like an alphabetized list of everyone who has ever bought string and brown wrapping paper in this fine establishment, please.

Mr. Crawford: Excuse me?

Goose: We are on a detective caper.

Mr. Crawford: I don't think you're using that word right.

Goose: You guys, I am on a caper.

Mr. Crawford: Oh, yeah, I thought a caper was something you eat.

Stacy: We're trying to find out who gave this magnifying glass to Stacy. It was tied up in a big box and placed on Stacy's porch. We're trying to solve a mystery.

Mr. Crawford: Hmm, a real mystery, huh? Well, if I found myself in your shoes, I'd try to think of who might have reason

Stacy: Shoes? Whoever left the box had to walk through the mud. Footprints. Thanks, Mr. Crawford. There, look over there.

Goose: Where?

Stacy: Footprints. Look. They lead right from the porch over into those bushes.

Goose: Wow, you're good, Stace.

Stacy: Real mysteries always have clues. Come on. The footprints go right through here

Goose: and then disappear.

Stacy: Where did they go?

Goose: The pine needles are too thick. Wait, what's this?

Stacy: It looks like a note tied to a branch.

Goose: Read it, read it, read it.

Stacy: The writing is so small, I can't read it.

Goose: If only we had a magnifying glass.

Stacy: Nobody likes a smart aleck. It says use your gift to find the giver. Find the place that will make you quiver. The owner was fabled to have a sliver.

Goose: What?

Stacy: The owner was fabled to have a sliver. Find the place that will make you quiver.

Goose: I got it.

Stacy: You got what?

Goose: It 's the fable of the Lion and the Mouse.

Stacy: How do you know that?

Goose: I just did a report on Aesop's Fables. Do you know what this means?

Stacy: What what means?

Goose: Find the place that will make you quiver. Where's the creepiest place in Wildwood?

Stacy: You don't mean

Goose: You couldn't mean

Stacy: We have no choice but to go down to the dark den, overgrown fog den, Run Down Mansion owned by the strange old lioness, Madame Kildare.

Miss Harbor: I can't believe she just went up there by herself. I am getting nervous just standing here by the gate.

Goose: I want another caper.

Stacy: We are not on a caper. What was that?

Goose: A bird, CJ. This really is a creepy place, huh?

Stacy: Yeah, creepy.

Goose: Stewart Fillmore says that on a full moon, Madame Kildare roars so loudly that it shakes his bedroom window.

Stacy: My mom says that Madame Kildare is perfectly nice but likes to keep to herself. She used to be an actress.

Goose: I saw her once. Her face was really pale and her eyes were huge and wild looking. Her lips were red from her most recent victim.

Stacy: My mom says she wears too much makeup.

Goose: Well, why does she roar when there's a full moon?

Stacy: I don't know. Maybe she roars when she's on a caper.

Goose: I'll ignore that. She shouldn't have gone up there by herself. She's been gone a long time now. But what if Ah.

Stacy: What was that?

Goose: That was a wild and desperately hungry, blood-curdling roar.

Stacy: That's what I thought it was.

Goose: Howl me, howl my. And it's not even a full moon. The Stewart didn't say that she roared like that in the middle of the afternoon. Oh, she's probably been gobbled up by now. Run up there and see.

Stacy: I'm not going up there. Maybe we should get help.

Goose: Bad caper. Goose CJ, let's get a new one.

Stacy: Goose, we need to think.

Miss Harbor: Hey guys.

Stacy: What's with you?

Goose: You're alive. You're alive.

Stacy: What happened in there?

Miss Harbor: Nothing. That that terrible roar. What was that all about?

Stacy: Oh, Madame Kildare was really nice. She used to be a famous stage actress. We got to talking about the Lion and the Mouse story and she started acting out her part in the play. It was when the mouse pulled out the sliver and the lion roared in pain.

Goose: Oh, I was so scared.

Stacy: Stacy, you're unbelievable. Goose and I thought that you were Never mind. She gave me the next clue. Someone gave her this and told her to give it to me. She wouldn't tell me anything more about it.

Goose: This is the best caper I've ever been on.

Stacy: You are not on a caper. This is a mystery. Whoever is leaving these clues, they are on a caper.

Miss Harbor: Magnifying glass, please.

Goose: Magnifying glass. Ouch. Sorry, got carried away.

Miss Harbor: The note says keep on doing what you normally do and in that act, you will find your last clue.

Goose: We are on a real life caper.

Stacy: I still don't think that's the right word.

Guest (Male): Hi, my name is Zachary from New Jersey. My favorite Paws and Tales character is Ned cuz he is so funny. Wait till you hear what happens next on today's episode.

Tiffany Rockler: Hello, lovely listeners. Tiffany Rockler from Paws and Tales here to tell you all about the very new and very fashionable t-shirts now on sale in our store. We have a wonderful Tiffany Rockler shirt with lovely details.

Ned the Beaver: Tiffany, that is not true.

Tiffany Rockler: Ned, what are you talking about?

Ned the Beaver: Well, we have new Goose t-shirts and Ned t-shirts. Just go online to paws and tales.org to see them.

Tiffany Rockler: Wait, we have no Tiffany t-shirts?

Ned the Beaver: Oh boy, here it comes. Bye, everybody.

Tiffany Rockler: You all will rue the day.

Host (Insight for Living): Despite all their efforts, they could not find the last clue. CJ had long ago headed home for dinner. The girls ate over Stacy's house and worked over this mystery each in their own way.

Goose: Goose, you did everything just like you normally do and no new clue?

Stacy: Yeah. I hope my mom set the table. No clue. I dried and put all the dishes away. No clue.

Goose: Goose, you're spilling popcorn everywhere. Sorry. Oh, what else do you normally do?

Stacy: I don't know. This is making me crazy.

Goose: Somebody's gone to an awful lot of trouble for you. Why would someone think you're so special?

Stacy: I didn't mean it like that.

Goose: It's probably because of my painting. They love me for my art.

Stacy: I'm kidding. Big time.

Goose: Well, I like your painting.

Stacy: I don't. I tried really hard at that and you you just slapped paint on like you were swatting at a fly. And then it turns into something that would take a future to see.

Goose: You know, Stacy, you can't be good at everything. You have a lot. You're you're smart, you're brave. You need to stop and be thankful for what you have. That should be something that you normally do every day.

Stacy: Wow, Goose. That was really wise.

Goose: Yeah? Ha, happens sometimes.

Host (Insight for Living): Goose kept working on the clues and who left them. She went on thinking and jumping and eating popcorn till her dad came to take her home. Stacy was working on what Goose had said. She went on thinking and picking up spilled popcorn right up until bedtime.

Stacy: Dear Lord, thank you for all the gifts you've given me. I really am thankful. And I'm sorry I was jealous of Goose today and help me to do better in school. In Jesus' name, amen.

Goose: Did you brush your teeth like you normally do?

Stacy: Yeah, and made my bed. I even forgot to pick up my room like I usually do.

Goose: All right. It's all about consistency. Do the same thing all the time.

Stacy: Goose, I got something to say. I'm sorry I snapped at you last night. You're really good at art. I mean really really good. And I'm sorry I had a bad attitude.

Goose: Oh, that's okay, Stacy.

Stacy: Thanks. You're a good friend.

Goose: Oh no.

Stacy: What?

Goose: You normally wouldn't be that thoughtful.

Stacy: Very cute.

Goose: Don't forget Mrs. Shufflebee's flowers just like you normally do.

Stacy: All right already. I'll catch up.

Miss Harbor: Hey Stacy, Goose, wait up.

Stacy: Hi, CJ. Any more clues?

Miss Harbor: Nope.

Stacy: Mr. Shufflebee, I'll be right back. I've been working on this all night. I think it's either Mrs. Collins or Papa Chuck.

Goose: Could be. We'll just have to wait and see how this caper works out.

Stacy: Enough of this caper stuff. I looked it up and a caper can be a criminal act, a caper can be a prank, a practical joke, or it can be a shrub that you eat. We are on none of those things. We are on a mystery. No more caper.

Miss Harbor: Mr. Shufflebee, here you go. I hope that Mrs. Shufflebee likes Wild Lavender.

Ned the Beaver: Well, it'll be hard to outdo the daisies you picked yesterday. But you know, Wild Lavender might just be the ticket.

Stacy: How's she feeling today?

Ned the Beaver: Yeah, you know, I just picked up this tonic from the pharmacist. And I'm sure that along with this lavender, she'll perk right up.

Stacy: I hope so. Have a nice day, Mr. Shufflebee.

Ned the Beaver: I'll do that. Hold on. I have a little something for you.

Stacy: Wow, this is the biggest walnut yet. Thank you, Mr. Shufflebee. See you tomorrow.

Ned the Beaver: We'll see you then. Oh, wait, wait, wait. I knew I was forgetting something. I'm supposed to give this to you. I'm not sure why but I was told it's important.

Stacy: Oh wow. Thanks. I got to run. Look, CJ, Goose, my clue. Mr. Shufflebee had my clue.

Miss Harbor: What does it say?

Goose: Magnifying glass.

Stacy: Okay. Do you know how special you are? I heard it from a little star. Teachers care more than you think, by far.

Goose: Teachers? That must be a clue. But what does it mean?

Stacy: It's Miss Harbor. Come on. Miss Harbor, is this from you?

Miss Harbor: That was quick. I knew you'd figure it out but not this fast.

Stacy: I really like it. I mean, I love it but I don't get it.

Miss Harbor: Well, I've seen how much you've struggled lately with math, spelling, and most recently with art.

Stacy: I had a pretty bad attitude.

Miss Harbor: I once went through something very similar. Someone gave this to me. Now I'm giving it to you. I just wanted you to remember what your strengths are.

Stacy: And they would be

Miss Harbor: Not just anyone could have solved those clues, Stacy. It took a great mind, your mind. You have a great imagination. That is one of your strengths or as I like to call them, your gifts.

Stacy: Is that what you meant by gifts in the inscription?

Miss Harbor: Exactly. I also know that you have another gift, courage. It would take a lot of courage to go to Madame Kildare's house.

Stacy: She was really nice.

Miss Harbor: You know that now but did anyone else go up to the door with you?

Stacy: No.

Miss Harbor: No, I didn't think so. Come here, Stacy. I want you to look in your desk and tell me how many walnuts are in there.

Stacy: 10 15. I'll clean them out.

Miss Harbor: Do you even like walnuts?

Stacy: Not really.

Miss Harbor: Then why do you keep picking flowers for Mrs. Shufflebee?

Stacy: Well, she's been sick a long time and she misses being outside. I just thought she'd like some flowers.

Miss Harbor: That is called compassion, Stacy. Don't you see how easily that comes to you? Just as easy as painting comes to Goose.

Goose: And compassion is lots more important than being able to paint.

Miss Harbor: Did you keep our secret?

Goose: Of course I did.

Stacy: Wait a minute. You knew it was Miss Harbor all along?

Goose: Yes, I did. And by not telling you and going through the whole thing with you, that was kind of a practical joke, wouldn't you agree?

Stacy: You were on a caper, weren't you?

Goose: You were solving a mystery. I was on a caper.

Stacy: Thank you for the magnifying glass, Miss Harbor.

Miss Harbor: You are very welcome.

Stacy: I had fun and I really do feel better. I even think I could have fun in art class.

Goose: Just feel the love in the room. Groo pug. Okay. That's good, Stacy. Stacy, I can't breathe.

Stacy: Sorry.

Miss Harbor: Well, I think it's time to get this school day started.

Guest (Male): Good morning, Ned.

Miss Harbor: Good morning, everyone.

Ned the Beaver: Good morning, Miss Harbor.

Miss Harbor: Let's all find your places, please. Let's do things a little out of order today and get out our art supplies.

Guest (Female): We've got different gifts but that's okay. God has made us all that way. Go Celebrate his presence with our praise. The Lord And we'll glorify his name.

Host (Insight for Living): Running fast and good in math, spell like a bee. He can write, she can draw exceptionally. Super smart, great big heart, everyone's good at something. Taking care, being there, giving a lift. Geography, biology, performing a skit. Comforting, listening, everyone's got their gifts. Remembering, fixing things, giving your time wise. Telling jokes, blowing notes, making a rhyme. God sharing smiles, extra miles, everyone's good at something. Compassionate, considerate, keeping your wits. He can teach She's a peach when you're in the pits. Sewing clothes, having nose, everyone's got their gifts. One thing is surely true. No cookie cutting going on when God made you.

Look close and you can't help but see. You're like a snowflake, a fingerprint God made no two the same. So, find your gifts and use them all to glorify his name. Some can pitch, cook a dish, or play the guitar. Some can plan or program their VCR. Lend a hand, understand everyone's good at something. Born to lead, plant a seed, oh what a list. Fly a kite, ride a bike. What have I missed? Encouraging dancers sing. Everyone's got their gifts. One thing is surely true. No cookie cutting going on when God made you. Look close and you can't help but see.

You're like a snowflake, a fingerprint God made no two the same. So, find your gifts. You've got to find your gifts. So, find your gifts and use them all to glorify his name. To order a copy of today's program, a closer look, just log on to paws and tales.org. A closer look was written by Amy Robertson and directed by David Carl. Find Your Gifts was written by Sandy Howell and Matt Maguire. Music was by John Campbell and our sound designer was Jerry Swafford. Paws and Tales is an Insight for Living production.