Paws & Tales

Dave Carrol: Hi, this is Dave Carrol, creator of Paws & Tales. You might be surprised to know that each and every episode of Paws & Tales, the audio series, requires a bunch of actors, a writer, a score composer, a songwriter, singers, genius web people, and a master of snacks. Okay, there is no master of snacks. That was just in my head.

To get Paws & Tales out to the world, we are in need of folks who have a vision to reach families for Jesus just like we do. If you'd like to help, just log on to pawsandtales.org and go to the donate button. A gift of any size will help us to introduce Paws & Tales to families around the world. Thank you for joining the club by helping us invite more folks to imagine God's love.

Insight for Living: Welcome to the world of Paws & Tales. Wild Mountain can be a pretty dangerous place. 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.

Howdy and welcome to Wildwood, home of, among other things, the Footlight Theater, where the club is involved in final rehearsals for Miss Harbor's play, The Conquering Hero.

Stacy: Papa Chuck, the door to the castle is broken again.

Papa Chuck: Did you slam it again?

Stacy: Yeah.

Papa Chuck: It's a prop, Stace. It's not a real door.

Stacy: Sorry.

Papa Chuck: Well, I can't get to it till I finish painting these flats. Opening night is a week from tonight. No more slamming!

Goose: Did you hear that everyone? The door is a flimsy prop door. Not real. Not built strong enough to slam. For the last time, let's take it easy on the props. Ned, is that a pillow on your head?

Ned: No.

Goose: Ned.

Ned: Yes, Goose.

Goose: A beret? You're wearing a beret.

Ned: All the best stage managers wear berets.

Goose: Where exactly did you find a beret?

Ned: Just at the beret store. But let's all get into our places.

Goose: It looks kind of like a pillow.

Ned: I made it out of a pillow, all right!

Goose: I was right. Apparently, all the best mediocre stage managers wear pillows.

Stacy: Look, he comes. All hail the conquering hero! Or is it, "See, he comes?" Ned, is my line "look" or "see"?

Ned: I don't know, I thought it was "hark." How... this is ridiculous. My cape is too long. Oh, that's just great. Now my cape's long and ripped. Could somebody help me here?

Miss Harbor: Okay, let's go, everyone. Ten minutes to rehearsal. Shake a leg. Stacy, have you seen our conquering hero?

Stacy: No, Miss Harbor.

Miss Harbor: Well, let's make sure everyone's in their place in ten. Stacy, would you come back here and help me with—oh, Mr. Wright! Heavens, what's the matter?

Mr. Wright: Stage fright. I'm fine.

Miss Harbor: Oh, you're anything but. Here, have a seat. Just relax.

Mr. Wright: Thank you. I'm feeling much better.

Miss Harbor: Oh, it looks like our little plan backfired.

Mr. Wright: I'm afraid so. Just the thought of being on stage in front of a crowd is enough to set me off. And it's only rehearsals. Thanks for giving me a chance, but I'll have to drop out of the play.

Miss Harbor: No, we're going to beat this together.

Mr. Wright: I don't see how.

Miss Harbor: Oh, I'm not sure I do either. But I have an idea. Meet me backstage after rehearsal.

Insight for Living: So the cast gathered in their places, and with a buzz of excitement, rehearsal began.

Stacy: Three bells and all's well! Captain, Captain, they're coming! They've surrounded the castle!

Guest (Male): We're surrounded. We're surrounded.

CJ: We're surrounded, Captain. We're doomed. I know my lines. I just can't say them.

Miss Harbor: Let's keep it moving, everyone. CJ!

CJ: Alert the men and secure the drawbridge.

Ned: What was that? Was that my cue?

CJ: Alert the men and secure the drawbridge. That's what I said.

Ned: That's not in the script. CJ, stop improvising. Miss Harbor, he's making things up again.

Ned: I'm sorry I missed my cue, but I can't understand a thing he said.

Miss Harbor: CJ, what's the matter?

CJ: I'm fine. I just need a minute. I just need a minute.

Ned: I can't work like this!

Miss Harbor: CJ, what's going on?

CJ: I can do it.

Miss Harbor: CJ.

CJ: It's my tooth. It hurts. I just need some ice or something. I'll be fine. I can do this.

Miss Harbor: You are in so much pain you can barely speak. I don't think ice is the answer. Perhaps it's time for the understudy.

CJ: No, I can do it!

Miss Harbor: Ned, take over for the rehearsal, please. CJ isn't feeling well.

Ned: You must be kidding. I can't. I mean, what he's just...

Miss Harbor: Ned, you are his understudy. You're supposed to be ready to take over at a moment's notice.

Ned: I don't know the lines!

Miss Harbor: Oh. All right, take five. I need time to think.

Goose: Five-minute break! Don't leave the stage. We are back in five.

Ned: CJ, what's going on?

CJ: I've got a bad tooth, Chuckie. Major pain.

Ned: Oh no, this is bad.

Marsha: Marsha, we need cool heads here. How long have you had this?

CJ: A couple of weeks.

Stacy: Weeks? Why didn't you say something?

CJ: Are you kidding? I knew if Miss Harbor found out, she'd send me to the dentist. I can make it till after the play.

Ned: I'd have a witty response, but I'm not sure what he just said. So, are you afraid you'll lose your part in the play, or are you afraid of the dentist?

CJ: Uh...

Ned: Oh, great. It's both. We have no conquering hero.

CJ: Okay, so it's both. Ned, why didn't you learn your lines? You were so mad you didn't get CJ's part, and now you don't... I really want to do this. And the dentist is going to... I don't know what.

Ned: The dentist is going to go donuts? Is it just me?

Stacy: The dentist is going to what?

Goose: I'm not afraid of the dentist. Drilling, scraping, grinding, shots. I'm not entirely comfortable with them either.

CJ: I'm doomed. If I drop out of the play, I'll ruin it for everyone.

Ned: This means the end of the play. I may never get another chance.

Stacy: Listen, there's a simple way out of this.

Ned: Who knew the understudy would be called? Oh, I should have learned the lines.

Stacy: Your only option is to find a toothache remedy and fast.

Ned: That's a great idea!

Goose: Super! We can all work together on the cure. My grandmother knows lots of home remedies.

Stacy: Mine too.

Ned: I'll start learning my lines.

Goose: I'll get the snacks.

Stacy: Snacks? Why are you getting snacks?

Goose: What? Hey, we've got to eat.

CJ: Thanks, you guys. You're the best.

Ned: What? What did he say?

Stacy: Just learn your lines.

Nayo: Hi, I'm Nayo from North Carolina. One of the many reasons I love to listen to Paws & Tales is because of Ned the beaver. He just cracks me up.

Dave Carrol: Hello, Dave Carrol 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.

Mr. Wright: Wow, you have an incredible place here.

Madame Kildare: Thank you, Mr. Wright. A lifetime spent on the stage and screen, gloriously frozen in these photographs. My shrine to the golden age.

Miss Harbor: Madame Kildare, with all of your experience on stage, we thought that you might know... we thought that you might know of a cure for my stage fright.

Madame Kildare: Stage fright. Yes, nasty thing, that. And indeed, I do know a cure, having myself engaged the very beast in a struggle of titanic proportions.

Miss Harbor: You had stage fright?

Madame Kildare: Early in my career. I had no choice but to slay the ghastly dragon before it slew me. Or is it slew before it slayed me?

Mr. Wright: How'd you do it?

Miss Harbor: Yes, what's your secret?

Madame Kildare: Breathing, good man.

Mr. Wright: Breathing?

Madame Kildare: Controlled breathing, Mr. Wright. I've developed a system, a simple discipline you can master if you are willing to learn.

Mr. Wright: I am, I am!

Madame Kildare: Good. Then shall we begin now? And in a few hours, you will be the envy of the Footlight Theater.

Miss Harbor: This is very exciting.

Madame Kildare: Please, stand. We begin by inhaling a deep breath, but in three short increments. Like so. You try.

Mr. Wright: Three short increments.

Madame Kildare: Superb! Then we exhale the same. Like that?

Mr. Wright: Bravo, Mr. Wright, bravo! Continue, as you will please. Inhale... exhale.

CJ: Hi, Stacy.

Stacy: You look terrible.

CJ: Terrible would be an improvement. I feel worse.

Stacy: Well, your problem is solved. I brought the perfect cure, a treasured home remedy of my grandmother's.

CJ: A jar of dead grass?

Stacy: Herbs. These are herbs. 24 separate ones.

Goose: Hey, guys! I got licorice, gum, and jawbreakers. CJ, your worries are over. I hold in my hand the surefire toothache balm.

CJ: Really?

Marsha: It's my great-grandmother's secret formula.

Stacy: Sorry, Marsha. CJ's going to try my cure first.

Marsha: Grass? That's your cure, grass?

Stacy: They're herbs! 24 to be exact. CJ needs something more aggressive. I've got powdered quibbit.

CJ: What it?

Stacy: It looks like porridge. Everyone knows herbs have healing power.

Marsha: That's a myth!

Stacy: It's a fact!

Marsha: Myth!

CJ: Stop! Ow, it hurts! Just mix them both together now.

Goose: Taffy?

Stacy: Goose!

Goose: Stacy, empty your jar into Marsha's bowl and let's see how happy we can make Mr. Tooth.

Stacy: I don't think that's a very good idea. There. That's all of it.

Goose: Now what? Stir it around with your finger. Now scoop some out and pack it around your tooth.

CJ: Here goes.

CJ: Hmm, tastes kind of good.

Stacy: So, how's the pain?

CJ: I think it's working.

Ned: No, no, no! Don't talk. Let it set for a second.

Stacy: You know, we could sell this stuff at Mr. Peeble's Pharmacy.

Ned: Ah, yes! The ultimate toothache cure. Marsha and Stacy's Miracle Balm.

Stacy: Why not Stacy and Marsha's?

Marsha: Marsha and Stacy's. What, CJ?

CJ: There's something wrong. I'm stuck!

Ned: Uh-oh. We may have a problem here.

CJ: I can't open my mouth!

Marsha: Marsha, get the bowl. Our tooth balm is turning hard as a rock. I think we made cement.

Stacy: Cement! We've glued CJ's jaw together! Look what your porridge stuff did!

Marsha: My stuff? It wasn't my stuff! Not the herbs!

Mr. Wright: A very good morning to you, Papa Chuck!

Papa Chuck: Well, good morning, Mr. Wright. New bulbs for the old Footlight marquee?

Mr. Wright: There's just a few things that need... you got a second?

Papa Chuck: Absolutely. My pleasure. Beautiful day, isn't it?

Mr. Wright: Yes, it is. If you'll hold these, I'll swap them out.

Papa Chuck: You seem pretty chipper today.

Mr. Wright: I have fantastic news. I'm a new man.

Papa Chuck: Really?

Mr. Wright: My struggle with stage fright is over.

Papa Chuck: You're kidding! No more anxiety?

Mr. Wright: No more panic attacks or sweaty palms. I'm telling you, I'm a changed man.

Papa Chuck: How'd you do it?

Mr. Wright: Madame Kildare's controlled breathing technique. By applying it, I can lower my heart rate, blood pressure, and level of fear.

Papa Chuck: Well, I'm glad to hear it. I've got some good news myself.

Mr. Wright: Oh, what's that?

Papa Chuck: The Conquering Hero is sold out. Can you believe it?

Mr. Wright: Sold out?

Papa Chuck: You'll be performing in front of a packed house.

Mr. Wright: Packed.

Papa Chuck: I think it's the first sellout in the history of Footlight Theater. Mr. Wright? Are you okay? You're turning red.

Mr. Wright: Must... breathe.

Papa Chuck: Take it easy. Don't faint on me! I'm coming. Good night! I got you. Oh boy. Miss Harbor!

CJ: Oh no, no more home remedies! This set me off. My other tooth's hurting. I'm in more pain now than when I started.

Stacy: This isn't a home remedy book. It's the Encyclopedia of Dentistry. My dad says the first step to solving a problem is knowledge. If we can identify exactly what's wrong with your tooth, we can fix it. Now, what are your symptoms?

CJ: Pain, pain, and more pain. Especially when I bite down or have something cold or hot.

Stacy: That's a good start. Increasing pain, bite discomfort, temperature sensitivity. Goose, you do the exam. Whatever else you find, we'll look up in the book.

Goose: Okay, now open wide, CJ.

CJ: All right, but don't be poking around with anything.

Goose: Okay, CJ, crack her open. Just make it quick. Whoa, wow!

CJ: What?

Goose: You could use a box of breath mints.

CJ: Goose!

Goose: Okay, we got swelling of the gum, we got redness, we got tooth discoloration, we got a weasel who's about to gag. I'm over.

Stacy: Okay, I found it.

Goose: Well, what's your diagnosis?

Stacy: Oh, did you read that? Boy, look at the time. I better be running along.

CJ: Stacy, what did you find?

Stacy: I'm not going to tell. You know, sometimes knowledge can be highly overrated. I think ignorance is the way to go here.

Goose: Stacy, what'd you find?

Stacy: Your gums are inflamed. Worse, your tooth is infected. Worst still, you'll have to see the dentist.

CJ: Okay, I can handle this. No need to panic. So what are we talking here? Small cavity, tiny filling?

Stacy: It looks like Dr. Cook may have to—oh, I'm so sorry, CJ. Dr. Cook may have to pull your tooth.

Maisy, Corinna, Joey: Hi, this is Maisy, Corinna, and Joey from Ozark, Missouri. Don't go away, there's more Paws & Tales coming right up.

Goose: Do you know what's the biggest problem?

Dave Carrol: I guess I don't.

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

Dave Carrol: 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.

Goose: It would be so great if people could just go on pawsandtales.org and order one.

Dave Carrol: Goose, I think you're a genius.

Papa Chuck: Hey, CJ, where are you headed?

CJ: Hi, Papa Chuck. Going down to the Footlight.

Papa Chuck: What's with your mouth?

CJ: Bad tooth. I have to tell Miss Harbor I'm dropping out of the play.

Papa Chuck: Dropping out? Does it hurt that bad?

CJ: Yes, sir. I thought the pain would go away, but it's gotten worse. I wanted to be in that play so bad. My mom's sending me over to Dr. Cook's.

Papa Chuck: You're looking a little nervous there.

CJ: Scared, and scared a lot. Some conquering hero.

Papa Chuck: I don't particularly like going to the dentist myself. Even had a tooth pulled once.

CJ: You did?

Papa Chuck: Sure. I know what you're going through. Part of growing up is learning to face things you don't want to face. If you hadn't kept this a big secret, Dr. Cook probably would have taken care of it pretty quick, and it'd all be over with by now.

CJ: I know.

Papa Chuck: Well, even heroes get scared.

CJ: Name one.

Papa Chuck: Oh, Moses, Joshua, Elijah. All the great ones were scared silly at times. God told Joshua over and over not to be afraid.

CJ: So how do you just stop being afraid?

Papa Chuck: I truly don't think you can, son.

CJ: Oh, great.

Papa Chuck: Well, not by yourself. You'll need to turn it over to God. Pray. Tell Him what you're afraid of. Let Him carry the load. He'll be right there with you right through your fears.

Insight for Living: They prayed right there on Main Street in front of Dr. Cook's dental office. When they finished, CJ was still scared, but as he walked inside, it made all the difference in the world knowing he wasn't alone.

Guest (Female): Okay, CJ, hop into the chair. The doctor will be right with you.

CJ: I can come back tomorrow if he's busy. Oh, that won't be necessary. Okay, Lord, I'm afraid of the scraping and the drilling and the pulling.

Mr. Wright: Well, hello, CJ!

CJ: Mr. Wright, what are you doing here?

Mr. Wright: Fixing teeth. We dentists are good at that, you know.

CJ: But I didn't know you were a dentist.

Mr. Wright: Have been for 37 years. Retired a few years back. Only help out Dr. Cook now and then.

CJ: Where is Dr. Cook?

Mr. Wright: On vacation. Open wide now. That's it. Mhm. Yeah. Okay. Well, I'm afraid I've got some very bad news. I have to drop out of the play. Yeah, I just can't beat this stage fright thing. Tried every cure. Nothing works. Fear's a funny thing, isn't it? Uh-huh. Oh well, guess I'll just have to live with it. Okay, all done. Now that wasn't so bad, was it?

CJ: You're done? You're not going to pull my tooth?

Mr. Wright: No. Looks like a piece of popcorn shell was wedged between your teeth.

CJ: What?

Mr. Wright: Your tooth is fine.

CJ: You mean I was afraid all this time for nothing? I can't believe it.

Mr. Wright: Believe it. I wish the solution to my problem was so simple.

CJ: Maybe it is.

Mr. Wright: What do you mean?

CJ: Well, you said it's your problem, and maybe that's the problem.

Mr. Wright: I don't follow.

CJ: Maybe you should try giving your fears to God like I did.

Mr. Wright: You gave your fears to God? How do you do that?

CJ: I'm kind of new at this, but I prayed, told Him why I was afraid, and He helped me.

Mr. Wright: Well, I'll have to give it some thought, CJ.

Insight for Living: Well, opening night came faster than anyone could have guessed. And well, despite all their rehearsing and preparing, everyone was more than a little nervous.

Goose: I'm nervous.

Stacy: I'm scared.

Ned: I'm not going to make it. Do you hear all those people out there?

Papa Chuck: Stacy, do not slam the door. It's just a prop.

Stacy: Don't worry, you're making me nervous.

Ned: I can't remember any of my lines. Ned, don't hit your head on—think, think, ow! My head. What's with the door? It's supposed to be a flimsy prop door.

Papa Chuck: Papa Chuck kind of beefed it up so it wouldn't break again.

Ned: Oh, that's just great. Did anyone tell Ned? No.

CJ: Hey, guys. Mr. Wright, everyone. I'm really scared too. Maybe we should have a quick prayer.

Papa Chuck: Good idea.

Stacy: I think we should. Go, CJ.

CJ: Dear Lord, we really need You now. The theater is full of people. And we need Your strength and peace. Help us all to remember our lines. And thanks for being with us all the time. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Miss Harbor: Amen. Thank you, CJ. Places, places, everyone! We're on! Let's go! Oh boy, oh boy.

Insight for Living: Wonderful! Good job, everybody! Way to go, everyone. They loved it!

Guest (Male): How was I?

Miss Harbor: You make a fine hero, CJ.

Papa Chuck: I second that.

CJ: Thanks. Did you hear that applause? We're a hit.

Mr. Wright: Mr. Wright, you did it!

Guest (Male): With my knees knocking and a lot of prayer. Say, I've got a couple of requests. First, I've got some questions about God. Papa Chuck, I was wondering if you've got some time to talk them over.

Papa Chuck: Yes, I do.

Guest (Male): My second request is for you, Miss Harbor, regarding your next play.

Miss Harbor: Yes?

Guest (Male): How about a bigger part?

Miss Harbor: I think we might be able to work something out.

Papa Chuck: Good for you. Well done, well done, all of you. Bravo!

Madame Kildare: That means a lot coming from you, Madame Kildare.

Stacy: Did you really like it?

Madame Kildare: Well, young lady, it was very... oh, Madame Kildare, I've been looking for you. Curtain call, everyone. Okay, hurry now. Come on, places, places!

Insight for Living: (Song: Be Strong and Have Good Courage).

When the lights hit the stage and it's time to go on, you know it really gives me quite a scare. I kind of go into shock, my knees start to knock, I turn whiter than a polar bear. Well let me share with you what it is that I would do, I pray Lord won't You calm my fear. And I know that I am heard because I believe His holy word, and it tells me God is always near.

It says be strong and have good courage, trust the One who loves you so. Don't you be afraid or be dismayed, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go. Wow, CJ, that's quite a song. We ask you, has there ever been a time when you were afraid? Yeah, let me tell you. Had this pain in my incisor, and if I'd been a little wiser, I would have seen the dentist right away.

But I was worried, I was scared, tried to dodge the dentist chair, until Papa Chuck said never worry, pray. I why see. So praying's what I did, I said God I'm just a kid, won't You go with me so I won't be alone. And the dentist saw a speck, had it out in just a sec, and my fear was answered, if the tooth be known.

And so be strong and have good courage, trust the One who loves you so. Don't you be afraid or be dismayed, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go. When your tummy's doing somersaults and you've got ants in your pants, remember God can take away your fears and make your spirit dance. Take it away. Look at him! What? I'm tapping. Whoa, you're pretty good. This isn't so scary.

So be strong and have good courage, trust the One who loves you so. Don't you be afraid or be dismayed, for the Lord God is with you. The Lord God is with you. The Lord God is with you wherever you go. Oh yeah!

To order a copy of today's program, If the Tooth Be Known, just log on to pawsandtales.org. If the Tooth Be Known was written by Gary Armstrong and directed by David Carrol. Our script supervisor was Phil Lollar. The song, Be Strong and Have Good Courage, was written by Sandy Howell and Nick Brown. Music was by John Campbell and our sound designer was Jerry Swafford. Paws & Tales is an Insight for Living production.