Paws & Tales

Gooz: Winter is just around the corner!

David Carl: Yes it is. Even in Wildwood, the temperatures are starting to fall.

Gooz: Do you know what the biggest problem in the whole gigantic world is?

David Carl: I do not. What is it?

Gooz: What to wear to school! I get so excited about going to school that I don't plan stuff out very well. I wore my shirt on backwards last week, don't you know?

David Carl: I think I've got a suggestion for you. Here is one of our newly made Paws & Tales t-shirts. It has the Paws & Tales logo on the front so you'll never be confused and wear it backwards.

Gooz: That is so clever! Did you think of that? Nice job there, Dave.

David Carl: It's just kind of normal.

Gooz: It would be so great if people could just go onto pawsandtales.org and order them in various sizes and all, and get the shirt that will make going to school easier and not all backwards. It's a real problem.

David Carl: Gooz, I think you are a genius.

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. Come on CJ, jump! It's too far! It wasn't too far for me! Inside for Living is proud to present Paws & Tales.

It all started with a fire. The emergency was dire. Could have cooked a million hot dogs in that friar. But on top of burning down a house, it made us all perspire.

Chief Williams: I could use a hand over here. Give me a hand with this. Kurt, we're pulling this shovel into position. Officer Hunt, start unloading the shovels and get a crew digging a clearing around the fire and the woods. Don't want this to turn into a forest fire. Okay, let's go, go, go!

Guest (Male): Well, most everyone in town has come to fight the fire at Collins' mansion. The furthest part of the west wing has pretty much been burned up, and there's a real possibility that the rest of the house could go too if Chief Williams can't get this under control. For a proper sort of an elk, Stag Williams is a real mover when trouble comes to town. He's fast, smart, and he's a good leader.

Over on the hill there is Mrs. Daisy Collins, just watching it all. What a terrible thing to happen to such a sweet old bear. She was widowed ten or eleven years back. Her husband was the richest man this side of Wild Mountain. That old mansion he built is so big, and has been built onto so many times, that there are rooms no one has been in for decades. Mrs. Collins loves to have the kids over to explore and play there. She does love the young ones.

Stacy: Madge, what are they doing so close to the fire? That Stag Williams is going to get himself hurt.

Guest (Female): He's doing his job. Now just be still, let them do their work. Looks like they're just about to get it under control. Would you look at how well the kids are helping? Staying back and out of the way, but working like a team.

Chief Williams: Good job everyone! Make sure you get it all. There could be one hot spot and get it going all over again. Any idea what got it started?

Officer Hunt: Not yet. As soon as it's safe, Officer Hunt and I will start the investigation. Could be a lantern got knocked over, candle in the curtain, that sort of thing. Mostly we'd never find out how a fire gets started. I think we got it down here. I'm going around to see the other side.

Guest (Male): What a mess. The damage the fire did and then everything that got soaked with water. Mrs. Collins has got to be beside herself.

Miss Collins: I suspect Mrs. Collins is more concerned with all of us than a few rooms of her house.

CJ: They're over here, Mrs. Collins! How is everyone?

Papa Chuck: All fine and accounted for.

CJ: We helped to pull the hose all the way over here to help fight the fire.

Miss Collins: I was watching, and I was so impressed to see how well you all worked together.

Gooz: It's a little known fact that weasels are very strong. Papa Chuck, kids, are you all well?

Papa Chuck: Fine.

CJ: We're fine, Mrs. Collins. I'm so sorry about the fire. How do you think it started?

Miss Collins: I haven't the foggiest notion. It's been years, many years since I've been in this part of the house.

Papa Chuck: Let's get this hose back to the truck. Good job everyone.

Gooz: I'll take this part.

Papa Chuck: Gooz, it's a little known fact that weasels are very brave when they need to be.

Gooz: I did not know that. I was scared stiff.

Miss Collins: I thought you looked exceptionally brave.

Gooz: I was inspired myself. Really? Because of me?

Stacy: CJ, let's look around. Maybe we can investigate some ourselves.

CJ: Stacy, don't start that again.

Stacy: This could be a big case here.

CJ: We're cubs. I don't even know what we're looking for.

Stacy: That's why they call it a mystery. Oh brother.

Stacy: I'm going to start over here, you can start over on your side.

CJ: Fine. Remember, the smallest clue can break the case. Everything has to be a big production, like we're going to find anything but charcoal. What in the world? Oh no! Stacy, Stacy, come here!

Stacy: CJ, get out of there! It's caving in! I can't! CJ, hang on! CJ! CJ, you okay?

CJ: Yeah, fine.

Stacy: Amazing work, Papa Chuck.

Chief Williams: Thanks. The rest of the roof is about to fall, too. You're right. Okay everyone, clear the area. This is an unstable structure. Let's get some axes in here and knock down all the weakened beams. Did you see that?

Miss Collins: See what? Are you cubs all right?

CJ: Yes, Mrs. Collins.

Stacy: CJ, Papa Chuck ran from the fire truck over to you like I've never seen anything like it. He was like a runaway train, and then he held up the whole side of the house like it was made of paper.

CJ: You always exaggerate everything.

Miss Collins: She's right, son. I haven't seen him move like that for a long time. Grizzlies are very fast and very strong, but the older animals still tell stories of Papa Chuck and the mighty things he's done in the early days. Believe me, he is no ordinary bear.

Papa Chuck: You okay, son?

CJ: Yeah, thanks Papa Chuck. Under that wall that just fell, I know how the fire got started.

David Carl: Ned the Beaver here. Did you know that we have a big blank wall in the clubhouse that needs to get filled up? So how about this? Parents, take a photo of your child listening to Paws & Tales wherever they happen to listen. It could be comfy places, funny places. We'd love to see them. I will personally post these photos on that blank wall for all to see. I've got some tape right here. Just send them into pawsandtales.org. This is so fun!

Guest (Female): I'm Sammy from Camden. My favorite character is CJ because sometimes he relates to me. Wait till you hear what happens next in today's episode.

Song: Whoever started this is so in trouble. I know the feeling, it can burst your bubble. Someone played with fire, something went amiss. Who's responsible for this?

CJ: Just before the wall fell, I was looking around and I saw a book of matches, some firecrackers, and cougar tracks.

Papa Chuck: You sure?

CJ: Papa Chuck, I'm positive. I know cougar tracks when I see them. We can dig through the pile and find the matches and firecrackers, but I doubt that the tracks will still be there.

Stacy: Makes perfect sense. Surprised they didn't suspect it from the start.

Gooz: What happened guys? What's going on?

Stacy: Looks like Hugh McLaw caught the house on fire while he was playing with firecrackers.

Gooz: You started the fire!

Chief Williams: Okay, this is getting out of hand here. I do not want any more talk about this until I have a chance to talk with Hugh myself.

Gooz: It's not like he hasn't done this sort of thing before. Remember when he was pushing those big boulders off of the hill by the docks for fun? One of them bounced right into the side of Skippy's boat. It almost sank.

Stacy: What about the time Hugh was swinging from the rope on the school flagpole and the pulley thing broke right off?

Chief Williams: Hugh has a pretty bad track record, but just let Chief Williams handle it.

Stacy: Remember when he dug that hole too close to the railroad? Just look who's peeking through the trees. Hello there, Hugh McLaw.

Chief Williams: Hugh, come over here, son. Don't change the subject, Hugh. Were you playing with firecrackers by the Collins mansion?

Hugh McLaw: You took all my firecrackers away!

Chief Williams: Hugh, misleading someone is exactly the same thing as lying to them. Lying only causes more trouble. This is serious, and we will not be finished here until I get the truth.

Hugh McLaw: It was an accident! One of them had a bad fuse and it went too fast. I thought it was going to go off in my hand, so I just tossed it away. If Mrs. Collins took better care of her house, there wouldn't have been that stack of pine needles against the building to catch on fire.

Chief Williams: You look at me good, son. This is not the result of some old pine needles. You disobeyed me and your own father by playing with firecrackers again. You were wrong, and you will understand this. Whenever you disobey, someone gets hurt. It happens every time.

Hugh McLaw: I know. I'm sorry.

Chief Williams: That's the first step. When I get back to town, I will talk with your father about how to pay for the damages.

Hugh McLaw: Don't tell my dad!

Chief Williams: Son, this is well out of my hands here. You've done some serious damage.

Guest (Male): Well, Hugh was finally beginning to see the error of his ways while everyone else was cleaning up the mess. Piles of burnt lumber were scattered about, and occasionally there was still a flare-up that needed putting out.

Gooz: Hey, look guys, over there! Another fire has kicked up!

CJ: I'll get it, Gooz.

Gooz: No, I got it. I'll just chop it and knock it out like Stag Williams does.

CJ: Put the axe down, you're going to hurt someone.

Gooz: It's a widely known fact that weasels are very strong for their size. Oh! That stick is on fire!

Stacy: Papa Chuck, the curtains are on fire!

Papa Chuck: Get back everyone. Stacy, go get Stag Williams. Tell him we need a fire hose back here now. Go!

Chief Williams: What's the matter, hon?

Stacy: The fire started up again on the other side and we need help. Papa Chuck needs a fire hose in there now.

Chief Williams: I'll get the hose. You go make sure there are folks working the pump on the truck.

Stacy: Gotcha. Hey guys, we need everyone on the pumps again. The fire started back up.

Hugh McLaw: I can help. Hey everybody, I can help! It's getting bad in there. I need a shovel. Hey everybody, I can help!

CJ: I got a shovel here.

Hugh McLaw: Let me. Did you see that? It was an accident. He just ran into it. Look, you can see a shovel dent in his forehead.

Papa Chuck: I need that shovel now.

CJ: Here, I got it. I got the hose, where do you want it?

Papa Chuck: Over here, quick!

Miss Collins: Is he all right?

Gooz: He ran right into a swinging shovel. I saw it from the hill. Let's get him out of here.

David Carl: Hello, Dave Carl here. Where does your kid listen to Paws & Tales? We'd love to know. You can upload a photo of your kids listening to Paws & Tales in the car, half-buried in pillows, while coloring or doing a puzzle. So many ways to listen. We will be posting a bunch of these photos on pawsandtales.org. Just think, your kid's photo could be on the wall of the clubhouse in Wildwood.

Guest (Female): Hi, I'm Beth from Frisco, Texas. My favorite Paws & Tales character is Gooz because she is so silly. Wait till you hear what happens next on today's episode.

Song: Whoever started this is so in trouble. I know the feeling, it can burst your bubble. Someone played with fire, something went amiss. Who's responsible for this?

Guest (Male): The second fire was quickly put out by Papa Chuck and Chief Williams. Hugh went home fit as a fiddle but with a real distinctive bump on his forehead. Although it's been two days since the fire, Gooz is overcome with grief for starting up that second blaze. Mrs. Collins has put together a rather spectacular picnic lunch for everyone in town, her way of saying thanks for all their help.

CJ: Gooz, nobody's blaming you. You were trying to help and it was an accident.

Gooz: I don't think I'll ever be able to look Mrs. Collins in the eye again.

Chief Williams: Okay everyone, before we begin, I just want to say thanks again for all your help. We worked together as good as any professional crew of firefighters. Makes me proud to call you my friends. While we are having our fill of this sumptuous banquet, I will be honoring some special people. But for now, let's give thanks.

Oh Lord, thank you for all these special folks here. Thanks that we were able to get to the fire quickly and thanks that no one was seriously hurt. You give us so much that we don't deserve. We love you, Father, and thanks for the food. Amen.

Hugh McLaw: Can I leave now?

Chief Williams: Now Hugh, you just sit down and enjoy yourself. Mrs. Collins has done a wonderful and gracious thing here. She did it for all of us.

Hugh McLaw: She's got to be so mad at me. If she sees me here, she'll flip her lid.

Chief Williams: Mrs. Collins has asked especially that you be here today.

CJ: Hey guys, can you believe this spread?

Hugh McLaw: Do I have to sit across from him? It was an accident, Hugh. You ran into my shovel.

Hugh McLaw: You deliberately swung at me.

Chief Williams: Easy, fellas. Sit down and act like gentlemen and enjoy this meal. Okay everyone, first of all, swallow that last bite you just took. Mrs. Collins has something she would like to say.

Miss Collins: Thank you all. This is as loud as I can get, Edward B. Champ, so just be still. I simply cannot convey my gratitude to all of you for your assistance in fighting that fire. However, I would like to give a special bit of thanks and appreciation to one person who I feel deserves some recognition for bravery and willingness to help when assistance was desperately needed. I would like to give this official Wildwood firefighter's hat to Pinky Goozler.

Gooz: What?

Miss Collins: Most folks call her Gooz. Come on up there, Gooz. There's no mistake. Come on up, Gooz. You are being recognized for your help in fighting the fire and because you felt so bad about a simple mistake. I wanted you to know that you are appreciated and loved for who you are.

Hugh McLaw: You've got to be kidding me! She started the second fire. How can they just forget that?

Chief Williams: No one forgot anything, Hugh. They simply forgave Gooz for a well-intentioned mistake.

Hugh McLaw: She doesn't deserve that.

Chief Williams: You're absolutely right. That's grace. Getting something good you do not deserve. Many of you have been asking me how much the damage will cost to repair. Well, I got that information this morning and it will cost approximately $57,000.

Hugh McLaw: I don't feel very good. It'll take Hugh's dad the rest of his life to pay that off. I'm going to be sick to my stomach.

Chief Williams: Hang in there, Hugh. Officer Hunt and Chief Stag Williams have completed their investigation and concluded that Hugh McLaw was the one responsible for the fire and thus responsible for payment. But also in this envelope is a check for $57,000 that will cover the damage. Hugh, you do not owe me anything. Your debt has been forgiven.

Hugh McLaw: I don't get it.

Chief Williams: She paid off your debt. She forgave you.

Hugh McLaw: I don't owe anything? Maybe a thank you. Go on, son. Mrs. Collins, I never meant to. No one has ever done anything like this for me before. I'm sorry.

Miss Collins: I forgive you, son.

Chief Williams: Okay you all, let's get back to the eating and celebrating.

Song: What would you do if you were Hugh and did a thing you knew you shouldn't do? Would you ask for forgiveness? Forgive your neighbor too? That's what God said we should do. Now Hugh's been caught and so he owes some money. But someone shouted, "Hey, I'll pay that honey." What a big surprise, what a thankful face, all because someone gave him grace. When Jesus stood on the mountain and told us how to pray, he said ask God to forgive you as you forgive others each day. There'll be more mistakes that you'll be seeing, because each of us is just a human being. So remember this, Christ the Lord forgives and he'll make you good as new.

David Carl: To order a copy of today's program, Grace to Hugh, just log on to pawsandtales.org. Grace to Hugh was written and directed by David Carl. Music by John Campbell and What Would You Do If You Were Hugh was written by Sandy Howell. Paws & Tales is an Insight for Living production and a proud member of the HisKids.net alliance.

Hi, this is David Carl, creator and producer of Paws & Tales. There's nothing we feel more strongly about at Insight for Living than the teaching of scriptures and teaching them accurately. It's been our mission here for over 20 years. Paws & Tales is all about teaching the truths of scripture.

But your kids are going to be so engaged, so busy laughing and singing along, they may not even know that they're learning. Now chances are as a grown-up you've learned some things about God, things that are not in the Bible. It could take years, perhaps the rest of your life to unlearn them. But if you learn the truth of God from the scriptures while you're still young, think of the freedom. Think of the joy that would be a part of your everyday life.

That's what we want to do. By listening to Paws & Tales, your kids will learn about prayer. They'll learn that sin is serious, that it can have consequences that go on for generations. They'll also learn that the God of scripture is a forgiving God, a God of infinite grace.

They'll learn that the Bible is an exciting book that has stories that are more amazing than anything they've ever heard because they're true. If every child could know these things, think of the difference it would make in their lives. Well, that's why we've created this children's radio program called Paws & Tales.

Now Wildwood is a town where CJ, a nine-year-old grizzly cub lives. His friends include Stacy, a nine-year-old brown bear who is as smart and brave as they come. Then there's Ned, a beaver, Marsha, a moose calf, and Gooz, just your typical third grader who happens to be a weasel. They're all caught up in all sorts of adventures, sometimes getting themselves into some pretty serious trouble.

When they need help, they'll often head right off to Papa Chuck's fix-it shop. Now Papa Chuck is a grizzly bear that's become a kind of a grandpa to the kids in the town. Aside from fixing things around the house, he's there to help introduce the kids to the things God has in mind for them. Big things. Things that CJ in particular cannot even imagine yet.

In fact, there will be things going on in Wildwood that will threaten Papa Chuck and the entire town unless there are those who will step up and say, "Here am I, Lord, send me." That's what Paws & Tales is all about. Communicating God's truths and that we are called by him to a life of adventure and sometimes hardship, but by the grace of God and through his power, we can become overcomers.

Thanks Dave. To begin a Bible learning adventure in your family, join us in Wildwood each week right here on this station. Or bring the fun of Paws & Tales home for your cubs. For tapes and CDs of each episode, just log on to pawsandtales.org. That's pawsandtales.org. Paws & Tales is an Insight for Living production and a proud member of the HisKids.net alliance.