Paws & Tales

Stacy: Hey, Ned.

Ned: Hey, Stacy. Up here. Read this really quickly for me.

Stacy: Where's Dave?

Ned: Oh, he's busy. So, read this really quick. Roll, Joel!

Stacy: Hey, everyone. Stacy here from Paws & Tales. I'm here to tell you about how fun it is to work with Ned while recording Paws & Tales. Oh, what is this?

Ned: It's a commercial spot, a new one. Keep going, quick!

Stacy: It is such an honor to work with a pro like Ned because—this seems less about Paws & Tales and more about you.

Ned: It's a new direction we're trying.

Stacy: I love to be a part of Paws & Tales because we tell families about how much God loves them, and who does not need to be reminded about that?

Ned: What? That's not on the script!

Dave Carl: Hey, guys. Sorry I'm late. Here are the scripts.

Stacy: Oh, Ned's been writing some copy of his own. Pretty interesting.

Dave Carl: Ned, really?

Ned: The moment is passed! It won't work now. Never mind, Dave. Never mind! Joel, stop tape.

Dave Carl: I never started, Ned.

Ned: I can't work like this!

Insight for Living: Welcome to the world of Paws & Tales. Wild Mountain can be a pretty dangerous place. If you stay on the trails and stick with me, there's adventure to be had there too. Insight for Living is proud to bring Paws & Tales.

Howdy! Welcome to Wildwood. The talk in town today is all about Officer Hunt's latest case. A real whodunnit. It all started with a call from Captain Reginald Horatio. Valuable cargo was disappearing from his ship, the Shilo, and he couldn't catch the thief. Officer Hunt went down to the wharf to talk to the captain.

Officer Hunt: When did you first notice cargo missing from the Shilo?

Captain Reginald Horatio: About three months ago, a crate of spices could not be accounted for. I didn't think much of it at the time. Cargo often gets misplaced.

Officer Hunt: But the disappearances continued?

Captain Reginald Horatio: Yes. The second time it was two bundles of imported fabric, then a crate of fine China, a chest of jewelry, foodstuffs, silverware, clothing.

Officer Hunt: So, why did you wait until now to call me?

Captain Reginald Horatio: I wanted to handle it internally, not make a big fuss about it. Problem is, we're scheduled to pick up a large shipment of gold next week. If it's stolen, I'm ruined.

Officer Hunt: Do you have any suspects?

Captain Reginald Horatio: I'm afraid not.

Officer Hunt: I'll need all the information you have on your crew and the dockworkers that offload the Shilo and—

William: Excuse me, Captain.

Captain Reginald Horatio: What is it, William?

William: Begging your pardon, sir. I couldn't help but overhear. I know the one you're looking for. His name is Slade.

Officer Hunt: Slade. Sounds familiar.

William: Timber wolf, about your size with whiskers. Wears a black eyepatch, knit cap, navy pea coat. Hangs out at the Bag o' Nails on the wharf. Always snooping around sticking his nose where it don't belong.

Captain Reginald Horatio: But that hardly makes him a thief.

William: Oh, he's a thief all right. Seen him pickpocket with me own eyes I have. Heard he lurks around the warehouses at night, too. Slade's your man, mark my words.

Officer Hunt: I appreciate the tip.

William: Just thought you should know. I'll be getting back to the heave-ho then.

Officer Hunt: What do you know about him, Captain?

Captain Reginald Horatio: William? A bit slow, crustier around the edges, but a good sailor. Does volunteer work in town—soup kitchen, I think. He could be right about Slade.

Officer Hunt: It's the only lead we've got. I'll see what I can dig up.

Captain Reginald Horatio: Are you a praying man, Officer Hunt?

Officer Hunt: Not as much of one as I should be, I suppose.

Captain Reginald Horatio: Me either of late, sad to say. I should have been praying about this thief all along instead of waiting until things got so bad.

Officer Hunt: That's the way most of us are, I'm afraid.

Captain Reginald Horatio: Aye, but I'll be praying for your success just the same and that God's will be done.

Officer Hunt: Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.

Ms. Harbor: Good morning, Mr. Montgomery, Matilda.

Matilda: Good morning, Ms. Harbor. Ain't you looking nice today, dearie? A regular flower, lovely as a rose.

Ms. Harbor: Matilda!

Matilda: Well, facts is facts. The homeless shelter ain't exactly a bouquet of smiling faces, but you always manage one. A long of fresh air you are. Ain't she, Mr. Montgomery?

Mr. Montgomery: Well, now that you bring it up, Matilda, I agree. Since you've started teaching here, Ms. Harbor, I've noticed a marked improvement in the residents' attitudes. I hope you're enjoying your work.

Ms. Harbor: Very much so. But I think Matilda's taught the residents here more than I have. She seems to know something about everything.

Matilda: Oh, go on.

Mr. Montgomery: Now, don't be modest, Matilda. Remember the leak we had under the kitchen?

Matilda: T'warn't nothing.

Mr. Montgomery: Nothing? She excavated the basement, installed a new subfloor, and replumbed the entire system, Ms. Harbor.

Ms. Harbor: Let's see. That would make you a plumber, a carpenter, and an automotive engineer.

Mr. Montgomery: Automotive engineer?

Ms. Harbor: Matilda's going to teach me how to tune up the shelter's truck this afternoon.

Mr. Montgomery: Well, it seems there's no end to both your interests. I must say, the sight of you up to your elbows in grease is something I'd like to see.

Ms. Harbor: Why don't you join us?

Mr. Montgomery: It's very tempting, but I can't. I have business that will keep me away all day.

Ms. Harbor: Some other time then.

Mr. Montgomery: Absolutely. You can teach me what Matilda has taught you. Meanwhile, I expect to hear a full report on your lesson tomorrow morning.

Ms. Harbor: Oh dear, you may be disappointed. I'm afraid I'm not very mechanical.

Mr. Montgomery: Nonsense. I have a feeling that you can do whatever you put your mind to, Ms. Harbor. I'm very glad you're here—both of you. Good day, ladies.

Matilda: Get a load of that, will you? "You can do whatever you put your mind to. I'm very glad you're here."

Ms. Harbor: What?

Matilda: He's sweet on you, that's what.

Ms. Harbor: Oh, Matilda.

Matilda: You'd have to be blind as a moth to miss it. Make a fine catch too, handsome bachelor like that. Twenty years ago and 30 pounds ago, I'd have gone after him myself. Well, duty calls. Another needy soul looking for a bit of breakfast, I suppose.

Ms. Harbor: Why doesn't anyone come to the front door?

Matilda: Too ashamed, I suspect. Can't say as I blame them. Pride is about all that some of these homeless folks have left, dearie.

Guest (Male): Hey! William! Over here, mate.

William: Oh, hi, chums.

Guest (Male): Looking for someone? I said you look like you're looking for someone.

William: No, I'm just making sure the place is safe, that's all.

Guest (Male): Safe? The Bag o' Nails? You've got to be kidding.

William: All right then, safe enough. For what? For this.

Guest (Male): Why, I say, that's a nice pearl necklace, William. Are they real?

William: Of course they're real. Fine irregular texture and silvery luster. Prime merchandise these are. What do you say, gents? Any takers?

Guest (Male): How much?

William: Two hundred.

Slade: Out of my way!

William: Not so fast, Slade.

Slade: Let them alone, William.

William: I'm going to have to have a little talk with Slippers. This used to be a respectable place, but now he's letting all sorts of riff-raff in.

Slade: The only riff-raff I see is you standing in front of me, William. Now get out of my way before I knock you out of my way.

William: You'll try!

Slippers: Break it up! Break it up! Or I'll clobber the both of you!

William: You saw him, Slippers. He started it. He jumped me first. Everyone saw him.

Slade: That's a lie. Get out of here, Slade. I was minding my own business.

Slippers: You heard me. Take a swim. Cool off.

Slade: Yeah, sure, fine. I don't want any trouble.

Slippers: And you back off too, William.

William: All right, Slippers. All right.

Slippers: Everyone back to the tables. Go on. Go on, pops. Tickle them keys.

Guest (Male): You all right, William?

William: Fine, fine. Just needed to teach that hooligan a lesson, that's all.

Guest (Male): Looked like he was the one doing the teaching.

William: That cur never laid a finger on me. He's all talk.

Guest (Male): Oh, aye. I guess he taught that bruise right onto your chin, aye?

William: Forget about him. Let's get back to the merchandise. So, what do you say, gents? Who wants to surprise your lady with a nice string of—what's the matter? They're gone! My pearls are gone!

Guest (Male): What?

William: They were right here in my pocket before. Why, that stinking rotten Slade! He lifted them! He stole my pearls!

Grace: Hi, I'm Grace from Massachusetts. My favorite Paws & Tales character is Goose because she is so funny. Wait until you hear what happens on today's episode.

Stacy: Hey, everyone. Stacy here from Paws & Tales. We've had kids from all over the country send in their announcer recordings, and they are heard every day on the program. But we haven't heard one from you! Just head over to pawsandtales.org and pop into the clubhouse to get one of the announcer scripts. Record yourself on your parents' phone and send it in to us so we can get your voice heard around the world. That's pawsandtales.org. This is so exciting!

Matilda: Morning, Ms. Harbor. Working early again, are we?

Ms. Harbor: Teachers are only as good as they are prepared, Matilda.

Matilda: Reminds me of Mr. Montgomery, his dedication to the shelter, working every hour of the day and night. You're two peas in a pod, you are.

Ms. Harbor: Oh, you're not going to start again on what a fine husband he'd make, are you?

Matilda: Furthest thing from my mind, dearie. But now that you brought it up—

Ms. Harbor: Matilda!

Matilda: Now, just between us girls, come on.

Ms. Harbor: Well, he is handsome, I'll grant you that.

Matilda: Yes!

Ms. Harbor: But I mean, I hardly know anything about him. For example—

Matilda: Oh dear, someone at my back door. And just when it was getting juicy! We'll have to take up our chat just a little bit later then, okay?

Ms. Harbor: That Matilda. That Matilda. Okay, let's see now. Supply room? That way. Oh, this must be it.

Mr. Montgomery: Oh! Ms. Harbor!

Ms. Harbor: Mr. Montgomery, I'm so sorry.

Mr. Montgomery: Can I help you?

Ms. Harbor: Oh dear, the supply room. I was looking—

Mr. Montgomery: This is my office. The supply room is down the hallway.

Ms. Harbor: My apologies. I'm afraid I'm rather confused.

Mr. Montgomery: You're in awfully early.

Ms. Harbor: Yes, the classroom needs to be restocked, and I always like to be prepared. Matilda tells me you're an early riser, too.

Mr. Montgomery: Oh, well, yes. Always chasing loose ends, putting out fires, that kind of thing. Let me show you to the supply room.

Ms. Harbor: Thank you.

Mr. Montgomery: I keep my office under lock and key, like all the other rooms. There's a history of things disappearing around here.

Ms. Harbor: Oh, that's dreadful. Shall we?

Mr. Montgomery: Forgive me for startling you. Sometimes I just get so wrapped up in my work. Say, how about joining me for a cup of hot tea?

Captain Reginald Horatio: You wanted to see me, Captain?

Captain Reginald Horatio: Yes, William. Come in. Officer Hunt has something to tell you.

William: Oh?

Officer Hunt: Yes. These look familiar?

William: My pearl necklace!

Officer Hunt: I found it in Slade's pocket. Caught him red-handed and took him into custody. Looks like you were right about him.

William: I knew it!

Officer Hunt: He's now resting comfortable behind bars, so it seems the mystery of the vanishing cargo has been solved, thanks to you.

Captain Reginald Horatio: And my congratulations as well, William. Well done.

William: You can count on me anytime, Cap. Glad to be of service.

Officer Hunt: And so the investigation is officially closed.

Captain Reginald Horatio: Not a moment too soon, either. The Shilo sails in four bells for the gold.

Matilda: Keep your frills on, I'm coming! What you want then?

Guest (Male): Got me a package, Miss Tillie.

Matilda: All right, all right, here you go. Now off with you now.

Guest (Male): Be seeing you, Miss Tillie.

Matilda: One ring next time! I ain't deaf yet!

Ms. Harbor: Another visitor?

Matilda: Ms. Harbor! Scared the breath right out of me.

Ms. Harbor: Sorry, I've been looking for you.

Matilda: Well, you should have tried the basement. Just come up from preparing care packages. Going to be a cold one tonight and the street folks have been coming around for blankets and such things like that.

Ms. Harbor: We had an auto repair lesson, remember?

Matilda: Forgot all about it! Not to worry, truck's parked right out back. We'll get started straight away.

Ms. Harbor: I've been reading the carburetor manual. It's rather technical.

Matilda: Ms. Harbor, first things first. Let's just start with the spark plugs today, dearie.

Insight for Living: As planned, Captain Reginald set sail on the Shilo for a week's voyage to pick up the gold. A treasure chest of 562 coins. On the night of the seventh day, he returned to Tranquility Bay just as the evening fog rolled in. With the Wildwood Bank scheduled to receive the gold in the morning, Captain Reginald got busy in his cabin preparing the necessary paperwork when—

William: Cap!

Captain Reginald Horatio: Yes, what is it?

William: Cap! Sir!

Captain Reginald Horatio: What is it, William?

William: The gold, Cap! It's gone!

Guest (Female): Hi, I'm Loralei from Huntington Beach, California. One of the many reasons I love listening to Paws & Tales is Goose. She just cracks me up. Wait until you hear what happens next time, and stay tuned, there's more Paws & Tales coming right up.

Guest (Male): Hi, I'm Grayland from Massachusetts. Don't go away, there's more Paws & Tales coming right up.

Dave Carl: Hey there, everyone. Dave Carl here. We want to put your kid on an episode of Paws & Tales saying something like this:

Henry: Hi, I'm Henry from North Carolina. If I could spend the day with CJ, I'd want to build a tree house together.

Dave Carl: Now, we have some suggested scripts for you, waiting just inside the clubhouse. We can't wait to hear what you all come up with. Record them, send them in, and we'll broadcast them to the world!

Insight for Living: Things didn't look good for Captain Reginald. The theft of the gold shipment would surely put him out of business. After saying a quick prayer, he ran off to find Officer Hunt, leaving William alone aboard ship to gloat.

That's right, William was the thief all along. As soon as Horatio was gone, the thieving crewman packed up his belongings in anticipation of a clean getaway, or so he thought.

William: Bamboozled the whole lot of them. A bunch of fools, that's what they are—Reginald, Hunt, and Slade.

Slade: Is that a fact?

William: Slade!

Slade: I'd stay perfectly still if I was you, William. My trigger finger is right itchy tonight.

William: How did you get out of jail?

Slade: I have my ways. Did you really think I'd let you get away with it? Set me up to be the fall guy while you get the gold?

William: Slade, I—

Slade: Where is it?

William: I don't—

Slade: I'm not going to ask you twice, William. Take me to the gold. Now!

William: All right, all right! Just keep calm.

Mr. Montgomery: It's about time. William, where in the world have you—he was a bit delayed. By me. What's the meaning of this?

William: He cornered me on the ship, Monty. I had no choice but to bring him here.

Slade: So, you're the partner, hey?

Mr. Montgomery: I don't know what you mean.

Slade: Sure you do. William stole so much stuff from Horatio's ship, he had to have someone selling it for him. Never thought it was you, though. A perfect setup. Nice homeless shelter, no one would ever suspect.

Mr. Montgomery: Suspect? Suspect what? I don't even know what you're talking about.

Slade: Come off it. We both know William ain't smart enough to come up with this on his own.

William: Hey!

Slade: Having him plant the pearls on me during our fight—that was a stroke of brilliance. Make me look like the thief so I get arrested and the coppers turn down the heat, leaving the two of you free and clear to steal the gold.

You lay low a couple of days and when the coast is clear, black-market the goods from the ship and slip out of town with the loot. Perfect plan, only you didn't count on me popping up again, did you?

Mr. Montgomery: Look, Mr. Slade, is it? You have the wrong person. I barely know this man.

William: Oh, stop pretending, Monty. He's got the whole thing figured out.

Mr. Montgomery: Quiet, you! You're in enough trouble as it is. And so are you, Mr. Slade. But if you give yourself up now, I promise I'll put in a good word for you with the authorities.

Slade: Playing it straight to the end, hey? And it might work, too, except for one thing.

Mr. Montgomery: Really?

Slade: Yeah. That tie pin you're wearing. It's part of one of the stolen shipments. Now look here, Slade, there's no reason why we can't work something out. I mean, there's enough gold for everyone.

William: Yeah, yeah, we can split it.

Mr. Montgomery: Split? Sure, three ways. We each get a third.

Slade: A third?

Mr. Montgomery: Or you could have half.

William: Hey, William, he's got the gun.

Mr. Montgomery: Half works for me. The gold is down in the basement. We can divide it right now. What do you say, Mr. Slade? Is it a deal?

Slade: Well, it would be, if it weren't for a slight problem. Officer Hunt.

William: Why should he be a problem?

Slade: Because, you buckos, I am Officer Hunt!

Mr. Montgomery: What?

William: A disguise! A blooming disguise! Oh no!

Officer Hunt: Come on in, Captain! Hands up there!

Mr. Montgomery: That's low, Hunt. That's dishonest.

Officer Hunt: It's called going undercover. The whiskers, eye patch, sailor's uniform—they let me keep an eye on things around the wharf.

Mr. Montgomery: Very clever.

Officer Hunt: Thank you. You're both under arrest for the theft of various cargo and goods and grand larceny in the amount of 562 gold coins.

Captain Reginald Horatio: Good work, Hunt.

Officer Hunt: Now, I believe I heard something about the gold being in the basement. So, if you gents will lead the way, we'll take a look. Hunt, you were right. They're not smart. I didn't really know what was going on here.

William: He's lying! Montgomery thought up everything. I just did what he said.

Mr. Montgomery: Be quiet, William!

William: Quiet, both of you. Please, I don't want to go back to jail. I'll tell you everything.

Mr. Montgomery: William!

Officer Hunt: Start with where you put the gold.

William: It's right over—hey! It's gone!

Mr. Montgomery: What?

Officer Hunt: Well, well. It seems your evidence has vanished.

William: But it was right there!

Mr. Montgomery: Will you be quiet?

William: Quiet nothing! We worked hard for that. Somebody took our gold!

Matilda: What would I do without you, Slippers? Hauling that chest would have broken my back.

Slippers: Thanks, Miss Tillie.

Matilda: This blow this town, hey dearie? Not so good, busted bucket! I have to have a look under the hood.

Slippers: What's the problem?

Matilda: Nothing I can't fix. Now you stay put. It's gone! Somebody stole my—distributor cap wire!

Ms. Harbor: Matilda! Thanks for the auto repair lessons, Matilda. I never could have imagined that they would help me catch a gold thief.

Matilda: Well, you're smart, dearie. But not too smart. After all, you're all alone with a tough broad and her 350-pound bouncer. Slippers, say hello to the lovely Ms. Harbor.

Slippers: Charmed, I'm sure.

Ms. Harbor: Uh-oh.

Matilda: Now kindly hand over that distributor wire, or I'll tie you into a pretty knot like a pretzel and feed you to the sharks.

Officer Hunt: I don't think so, Slippers.

Slippers: Hunt!

Officer Hunt: Back away, Slippers. Hands up there. You and Matilda join William and Montgomery over there.

Ms. Harbor: Hunt! Reginald! Am I glad to see you!

Officer Hunt: Likewise. You just saved the case for me. Now I have all the evidence I need to put these four away for a long time. Captain, if you'll be so good as to cover me—

Captain Reginald Horatio: I'd be delighted. All right, everyone up against the wall.

Insight for Living: So Matilda was secretly out-theeving the thieves, hey?

Captain Reginald Horatio: Looks that way. She took their stolen goods and passed them off as care packages. Slippers sent to customers and collected the money. So when she saw Montgomery and William arrive with the gold, she knew she'd hit the jackpot.

Captain Reginald Horatio: But how did you know about Matilda's activities, Ms. Harbor?

Ms. Harbor: I saw her handing out packages at the back door. She said she had just come from the basement, but the back room doesn't have any stairs to the basement.

Captain Reginald Horatio: Secret passage, hey?

Ms. Harbor: Right. I snooped around downstairs and found piles of stolen gold—donations, as she called them. That's when Montgomery and William arrived with the treasure chest.

Captain Reginald Horatio: Oh, it was quite a shock. Until then, I had no idea Montgomery was a crook.

Captain Reginald Horatio: Didn't they see you?

Ms. Harbor: I was hiding in the shadows. That's when I discovered the secret passage. Backed right into it. As soon as William and Montgomery left, I slipped up the passage and almost ran into Slippers and Matilda sneaking down.

Officer Hunt: While we were arresting William and Montgomery, Matilda and Slippers were busy stealing the gold.

Ms. Harbor: And I was busy pulling the distributor wire. I figured they'd use the truck as a getaway.

Captain Reginald Horatio: Oh, what a tangled web we weave!

Officer Hunt: Indeed.

Captain Reginald Horatio: Well, this dinner is my sincere thanks to the both of you. I'd be paddling a dinghy if that gold had been lost. I thank the Lord for you both.

Officer Hunt: All in a day's work, Captain.

Captain Reginald Horatio: Speaking of thanking the Lord, would you both bow with me? Heavenly Father, thank you for your blessings. Thank you for Officer Hunt and Ms. Harbor, and thank you for teaching me once again to rely on you. Amen.

Insight for Living: Amen. So ended the mysterious case of the vanishing cargo. Officer Hunt saw clearly now that we're often blinded by our own sight. He'd use that bit of wisdom for good by disguising himself as Slade to discover the truth and gain justice.

William, Montgomery, and Matilda, on the other hand, thought a respectable appearance would cover their evil ways. They were wrong as water running uphill. Little did they know, God sees not as a man sees, for a man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Guest (Male): Once there was a crooked man. He always had a crooked plan. I guess he didn't understand that God could see his heart. He hid beneath his coat and hat. A phony smile he had down pat. But somewhere under all of that, God could see his heart.

God saw him sneaking, tippy-tippy-toeing all around. No hide and seeking, cause with God you are always found. Oh, but the crooked man, he bent the rules. Yes, he was sly. He twisted the truth into a lie. It never worked, I'll tell you why. God could see his heart.

He was a crooked man. He had an angle on everything. But things never seemed to work out like he planned. So the crooked man began to think things over. Can I hide out in the dark of night? No, you would still be in God's sight. Oh, but what if I'm hush-hush as I creep and crawl? It doesn't matter, God can see it all. But I cover my tracks, I don't leave a clue. God is everywhere, he'll still see you.

Then the crooked man saw with quite a start, that God could see his heart. God saw right through him. There's no coat or hat that he could hide behind. And when that God got to him, he could see that he'd been out of line. And so the story ends. The crooked man saw his mistake. He changed his ways and changed his fate. And now he's on the path that's straight, and God can see his heart.

Insight for Living: To get a copy of today's program, "Blinded By The Sight," you can place your order online at pawsandtales.org. "Blinded By The Sight" was written by Gary Armstrong and directed by David Carl. "The Crooked Man" was written by Sandy Howell and Nick Brown. Music was by Tim Hosman and our sound designer was Eric Basil. Paws & Tales is an Insight for Living production.