Paws & Tales

Joel: Okay, Ned. We're rolling in 3, 2, 1.

Ned: Yeah, I I'm sorry, Joel. I I just don't I don't feel the inspiration today. Sorry.

Joel: We got to get these recorded.

Ned: I I'm an artist, not a vending machine. I lack my muse.

Joel: Start with the one about the free Wildwood map. Anyone can download it.

Ned: What's my motivation? I feel untethered.

Joel: Okay, then do the one for the character coloring sheets. Also a free download. Come on, Ned. I want to go home.

Ned: Where is my atomizer? My throat is dry. It's it's it's really parched. I can't

Joel: The last one, Ned. Just read the last one.

Ned: That one? This one? The Find it all at paws and tails dot org script. That's the one?

Joel: Yes, Ned. That's the one.

Ned: I need a pumpkin spice something or other. I I need it right now, please. Who's in charge of this craft table? I'm the talent here, and I am in need of a refreshment.

Host: Welcome to the world of Paws and Tails. 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.

Marsha: Come on, CJ. Jump.

Goose: It's too far.

Staci: It wasn't too far for me.

Host: Insight for Living is proud to present Paws and Tails.

Mr. Rockler: There is an incredible amount of risk here on the part of my company. A risk that we are in no way extending to the town of Wildwood.

Mayor Boggs: Howdy and welcome to Wildwood. We're sitting in on a town council meeting. Mr. Rockler will That's him talking right now. He has his attorneys Franklin O. Peterson and Theo Brown, of course, that's CJ's dad. Rockler's presenting his vision for the future of Wildwood.

Mr. Rockler: And it begins with the old Collins mine. That mine shaft goes more than 1/3 of the way into the mountain. I will blast and dig the rest of the way through. When it is completed, we will have a train line that will go through the base of the mountain, getting to the rest of the region in 2 hours, instead of going around the mountain and taking 2 days. With my tunnel, Wildwood will become the best shipping and transportation center on the coast. We will become bigger than Funterra.

Mayor Boggs: Thank you very much, Mr. Rockler. You and your associates have painted a very bright picture for us. And I'm sure I speak for the rest of the council when I say thank you for choosing our town.

Officer Hunt: I wouldn't be so quick to speak for the rest of the council on that particular matter, Mayor Boggs.

Mayor Boggs: You have an objection, Officer Hunt?

Officer Hunt: Not an objection so much as a concern. A concern that the people of Wildwood don't realize what these changes will mean for their community.

Mayor Boggs: Boggs, Boggs.

Officer Hunt: Go ahead, Mr. Peterson.

Peterson: In this case, the changes will mean progress and economic opportunity. Now, who in their right mind could be against that?

Officer Hunt: Well, Mr. Peterson, you and I both know there's 2 sides to every coin. Progress and opportunity can be wonderful things. But they also have their own kind of risk. And the people of the town, they can't be for or against something if they don't know what's going on.

Peterson: Meaning more folks probably would have been at this public meeting today if they'd have known what was going to be discussed.

Mayor Boggs: Officer Hunt, are you implying that we purposely kept the agenda of this meeting a secret?

Officer Hunt: If what's going on in these plans just starts happening, people, voters might just think that you all pulled a fast one on them behind their backs.

Mayor Boggs: Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen.

Mr. Rockler: What is it, Theo?

Peterson: I think there's a simple solution to this. We'll call a town meeting. We'll make sure it's well publicized so that everyone will know that what's going to be discussed will affect them. Mr. Rockler, Mr. Peterson, and myself will lay out our plans at the meeting and we'll address any concerns the town may have.

Officer Hunt: That sounds like a reasonable compromise, Theo.

Mayor Boggs: Theo, what do you say, Mr. Rockler?

Peterson: I can answer that.

Mayor Boggs: Hold on, Peterson. I think Theo has come up with a reasonable compromise. I agree. Very well. The town meeting will take place in 3 weeks. This meeting is adjourned.

Yusuf: Brown, what is wrong with you?

Theo Brown: I beg your pardon?

Peterson: A town meeting? You're here to oversee contracts. When I want your input, I'll ask for it. Don't do anything like this again.

Theo Brown: Mr. Peterson, making the town hate us won't do anybody any good.

Peterson: Listen, Brown.

Mayor Boggs: That's enough, Peterson. Theo did the right thing. We do want to be friends with the town. Besides, when they see what we've planned, who could be against it? Walk with me, Theo.

Theo Brown: Yes, sir.

Peterson: Well, well. What do you want, Yusuf?

Yusuf: This is an unexpected turn of events.

Peterson: Not to worry, not to worry. Everything is under control.

Yusuf: I certainly hope so, Mr. Peterson, for your sake.

Officer Hunt: The town council wasn't the only group having a meeting that day. The club also met at the fortress by the special request of Stacy. She had a very important issue to bring up before the group.

Goose: Yeah, she used string licorice. Yes, it's tasty, but the things you can do with it. Who now I got a licorice necklace. Now I got a bracelet.

Staci: I'm sorry I'm late, everyone.

Marsha: Finally.

CJ: Hi, Stacy.

Marsha: What's this all about, Stacy?

Staci: It's about someone we all know and don't love, Huma Claw.

CJ: What's he done now?

Staci: Nothing. Yes.

Marsha: What does that mean?

Staci: Well, a while back, he slipped me an note in class. It said he wanted to talk to me after school in private.

Hugh Mclaw: Um, I uh I don't know how to start.

Marsha: Start what, Hugh? What do you want?

Hugh Mclaw: Well, I um I uh want to turn over a new leaf. I I want to be good.

Marsha: You want to You want to be good?

Hugh Mclaw: Yeah, I know. I know it's hard to believe, but I I've been thinking about it and uh while uh I'm really sorry for all the rotten things I've done to you and the club. I uh oh boy.

Staci: Well, no offense to you, but I'm a little confused here.

Hugh Mclaw: Well, no offense taken. I don't blame you. Uh and I also know it'll be tough for everybody to accept it first.

Staci: But you're going to be good from now on?

Hugh Mclaw: Like yeah, I am.

Staci: Actions speak louder than words, Hugh. You'll have to prove it.

Hugh Mclaw: Well, I know and I I will.

Staci: We talked like that for a while longer. He seemed very repentant. I think he was had a change of heart. A real change of heart.

Marsha: Yeah, right.

CJ: I think he's up to something.

Goose: Yeah, he's been mean and nasty all this time. And yesterday, he decides to be nice?

Hugh Mclaw: Yeah, yeah. This is very suspicious.

CJ: Hey, look. I can eat licorice upside down.

Staci: I know, but I really believe this time it's different.

CJ: Okay, say it is. What's the point?

Staci: This is the point. You can come in now.

Hugh Mclaw: Uh hey guys.

Goose: Ah, Hugh. Hugh.

CJ: Don't ever eat licorice upside down.

Hugh Mclaw: You you better get out of here.

Staci: Calm down. Calm down. I asked him to come. Hugh, tell them what you told me.

Hugh Mclaw: Well, um uh I want to join your club.

Ned: I'm Ned the Beaver, star of Paws and Tails. Now, I want to surprise Papa Chuck with some photos of you. So parents, take a photo of your kids listening to Paws and Tails. They can be funny photos, kooky pictures, you know, snuggled into the pillows, wherever your child listens. And I will have them posted on the wall of the clubhouse for all to see. Don't you want to be a part of the clubhouse wall? Of course you do. So just go to paws and tails dot org and send in those pictures.

Hugh Mclaw: Oh no, wait. No, what are you talking about? Joining the club? I can't breathe.

Staci: Calm down, everyone. Calm down.

CJ: What are you trying to pull, Hugh?

Hugh Mclaw: Uh nothing. Honest. I really want to join.

CJ: Join do.

Goose: Our main ten multi hiding out there somewhere ready to jump out?

Hugh Mclaw: No, no. They don't even know I'm here. I I know it it seems crazy, but it's true. I I want to change. I want to join the club if you let me.

Yusuf: This is really weird.

CJ: No, you can't. You've bullied us, you've lied, and you beat us up before. You just think you can wander in and say sorry?

Goose: I don't think so.

Hugh Mclaw: What if he means it?

CJ: No, you can leave now.

Staci: CJ.

Hugh Mclaw: Oh, it's all right, Stacy. I know I I've got a lot to make up for.

Goose: Hugh, does this mean you've become a Christian?

Staci: Yeah, Hugh does it.

Hugh Mclaw: Well, well uh no. I ain't going that far yet. Uh is that like a requirement for club membership?

Staci: We've never made it a rule or anything.

Marsha: Stacy, Hugh, could you wait outside, please?

Hugh Mclaw: Oh yeah, sure.

Staci: CJ, I can't believe you. You're the one who wanted to make peace with Hugh and his thugs.

Goose: Yes, I wanted to make peace, but not invite them to join the club. 2 totally different things.

Staci: What if just what if he means it?

Marsha: I don't know. If he's asking for forgiveness, don't we need to forgive him? I mean, isn't that why we're here?

Goose: Maybe. Or maybe we could put Hugh through a testing period.

Staci: Testing?

Hugh Mclaw: If he's tamed, we'll free it.

Marsha: If he's tamed, we'll free it.

Goose: No. If he's changed, we'll see it. Don't let him join now. He has to prove himself first. Oh licorice.

Hugh Mclaw: Thank you. No. And your tongue is black. That's so disgusting.

Staci: That's a great idea, Goose. So I suppose.

Marsha: Marsha?

Goose: Sounds pretty good to me.

Marsha: Ned?

Hugh Mclaw: Well, I don't see why not. If he hasn't changed, we don't let him in.

Staci: All right then, but I 'll be watching Hugh like a hawk.

Officer Hunt: CJ was as good as his word. During the next week, he could have given Officer Hunt lessons in shadowing, but to CJ's utter amazement, Hugh's behavior was near impeccable, right as rain. He opened doors for the little ones.

Hugh Mclaw: Can I get that for you?

Goose: Thanks, Hugh.

CJ: Yeah, thanks.

Officer Hunt: He complimented the girls.

Hugh Mclaw: Uh you look lovely, ladies. Uh Marsha, that necklace really brings out your eyes.

Goose: Why Hugh, what a nice thing to say.

Hugh Mclaw: Oh it's the truth. And And Goose, that ribbon is perfect for your hair.

Goose: Well, you too. I you

Officer Hunt: He even impressed Miss Harbor.

Miss Harbor: Oh, before you all go to lunch, I need a volunteer to clean the erasers out back.

Hugh Mclaw: I'll do it, Miss Harbor.

Miss Harbor: You? You will?

Hugh Mclaw: Be happy to. Okay, who are you and what have you done with Hugh? Why it's the new me.

Miss Harbor: Well, I must say I like him. And I hope to see more of him.

Hugh Mclaw: Oh you you will, Miss Harbor.

Miss Harbor: Okay, you're dismissed for lunch.

Hugh Mclaw: Hey Stace, uh so what do you think? Are they going to let me into the club?

Staci: It's a tough sell, Hugh. I think they're warming up to the idea, but it'll take some time.

Hugh Mclaw: Well, how much time? I mean, I was kind of hoping that I would uh well my my dad's birthday is next Friday and and I kind of wanted to to tell him on his birthday that I was uh you know, in the club. He he probably just pass out.

Staci: I don't know, Hugh. I'll ask. No promises.

Hugh Mclaw: Oh thanks, Stace.

Goose: Hey Ned, can I get you a cupcake for your cookies?

Ned: You're kidding, right? My cookies?

Goose: I love those cookies.

Ned: Done. Hey Stace, what did Hugh want?

Staci: He really wants to become a member.

Ned: I don't like it. It It doesn't feel right.

Staci: If you ask me, he's up to something.

Goose: Oh Ned.

Hugh Mclaw: What? Cheese. I keep telling mom no cheese. It gets warm. Well, I hate warm cheese. Cheese sandwich, anyone?

Goose: Yeah. I love cheese.

Ned: You want a warm, sweaty cheese sandwich?

Goose: I I'll trade you for peanut butter. Damn.

Ned: Marsha, you're not quite normal.

Staci: Hugh says his dad's birthday is Friday. He wants to tell his dad he's in the club for a present. What do you think?

CJ: I think he should get his dad a neck tie instead.

Goose: Well, I don't think Hugh's dad even wears ties.

Ned: No, Goose. It was just you know, the tie was just a Oh never mind.

Goose: Well, he has been very nice to everyone. And And I think he is gaining a real sense of fashion.

CJ: Brother.

Staci: He has been very nice to everyone. Maybe we should let him in. This could be where Hugh changes course.

CJ: I don't know.

Ned: I say no.

Hugh Mclaw: Ah, that's a nice cupcake.

Goose: Wheat germ and corn meal.

Hugh Mclaw: Ew.

Goose: Mom's on a health kick at home.

Ned: That's not right. I want my cookies back.

Host: That night after dinner, CJ decided to seek a little advice on the matter from his dad.

CJ: Hey dad, got a minute?

Peterson: A few. Uh then I've got to deliver these papers to Mr. Rockler for the town meeting. What's on your mind?

CJ: Well, how can you tell if someone has really changed?

Peterson: Changed what?

CJ: The way they are. I mean, if someone acts bad most of their life and then they start acting good, does that mean you should trust him?

Peterson: I don't know. That's a That 's a difficult question to answer, son. May I ask who you're talking about?

CJ: Hugh Mclaw.

Peterson: I see. He's building a case that he's changed.

CJ: Yep, and a pretty good one so far.

Peterson: Well, that's going to call for some real wisdom on your part. I suggest you watch for a while. Changing who you are is a tough job, son.

CJ: Do you think Hugh can change?

Peterson: There's always hope. Bible says love hopes all things. If he's really changed, you'll want to be there to help him.

CJ: What if he can't? We're taking a big chance here.

Peterson: Well, the Bible also says love endures all things. CJ, it won't be easy. There'll be disappointments along the way. If he's doing something deceitful, you'll need to be on your toes. You don't want to lose hope. But in the final analysis, only God knows what's in the heart of a person.

CJ: Yep. That would be the problem.

Peterson: Well, I got to go, son. Hope that was helpful.

CJ: It was. Thanks, dad.

Officer Hunt: Well, CJ thought about Hugh all through the rest of the evening. In the morning, he started in on it again. It wouldn't tell he was on his way to school, but he decided on his course of action. Before class started, he got the club to gather at the swing set and discuss the matter of Hugh.

CJ: Okay. I know I've been one of the ones against this, but Hi Hugh.

Staci: Hugh, got a minute?

Hugh Mclaw: Uh sure. What's up?

CJ: I was just telling the others that I I'm voting that you be allowed to become a member of the club.

Staci: What do you know?

CJ: What?

Hugh Mclaw: Really?

Goose: You going to be a good guy from now on, Hugh?

Hugh Mclaw: Well, yeah.

Staci: All in favor?

Goose: I.

Staci: I.

Goose: Hugh Mclaw, you have been very mean and sneaky in the past. By letting you into our club, we are trusting you. This means we're forgiving you for all those rotten things you've done.

Hugh Mclaw: Yeah.

Goose: Are you doing some sneaky thing here?

Hugh Mclaw: Well, no.

Staci: Stace, let her go. She knows what she's doing.

Goose: We're talking about you joining our family. The club's about helping others. Is that what you want?

Hugh Mclaw: Uh well, yeah.

Staci: I vote yes.

Ned: Oh all right. I.

Hugh Mclaw: That's it? You You're really letting me in? You're forgiving me?

Staci: Let's make it official on Friday. We'll have a party.

Goose: Oh that would be so fun.

Staci: Friday, Hugh?

Hugh Mclaw: Uh yeah, yeah. Uh that would that would be great.

Ned: Dodgeball. Let's go.

Staci: Dodgeball.

Goose: Hugh, coming?

Hugh Mclaw: Me? Oh yeah, in a minute.

Goose: On first.

Hugh Mclaw: They're really going to let me in. Wow. Who'd have thought?

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

Ned: I I I guess I don't.

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

Ned: Here is one of our newly made Paws and Tails t-shirts. It has the Paws and Tails 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 to paws and tails dot org and order one.

Ned: Goose, I think you're a genius.

Mayor Boggs: Welcome.

Peterson: Thank you all for coming. I'm sure that you'd all agree that

Officer Hunt: Stacy scheduled Hugh's welcome to the club party on the same day as Mr. Rockler's presentation to Wildwood. This time, Theo actually did most of the talking since he was from the town. A shrewd move by Mr. Rockler.

Peterson: If you would reveal the drawings, please. Mr. Rockler intends on blasting a tunnel through the base of the mountain, beginning where the old Collins mine left off. Now, this will allow a train to get to the outside world in less than 2 hours.

Ned: He's quite a fellow, your dad.

CJ: Thanks.

Ned: You know, I don't really understand all of what's being proposed here, but if your dad says it's okay, that's good enough for me.

Peterson: It means opportunity. They can mean a kind of prosperity that Wildwood will never know without that tunnel.

Mayor Boggs: Thank you, Theo Brown. As you can all see, the possibilities are limitless. Well, uh next I would like to ask Officer Hunt to come up. He has a few things to add, I believe.

Officer Hunt: Thank you, Mayor Boggs. I love this town of Wildwood. As you know, I'm one of the few left who were here in the early days. It was a very different place then. Wild, dangerous, not a place you wanted to raise a family in. It is now because things changed. Risks were taken and problems were dealt with. I'm not against change, and I think this plan of Mr. Rockler's may be a risk worth taking.

Mayor Boggs: I I fully agree.

Officer Hunt: But we need to do it with our eyes wide open. Mr. Rockler's asking us to give him our trust.

Mayor Boggs: Yes. And why shouldn't we?

Officer Hunt: I think maybe we should, but we need to do it carefully. Mr. Rockler needs to continue to earn our trust, prove himself to us. Papa Chuck told me today that the Bible says to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves. I say let's give Mr. Rockler our trust, but let's do it wisely and a little at a time. Thank you.

Mayor Boggs: Well, good uh things to say, Hunt. Well, I think all the talking's been done. Let's get to the voting.

Officer Hunt: Hunt.

Mayor Boggs: Everyone come up to the bleachers.

Officer Hunt: Well, he's a good one, too.

CJ: Yeah, he sure is. Hey Hugh. Hugh.

Host: Through the crowd, CJ saw Hugh walking under the bleachers. So he headed over there to catch up with him.

CJ: You did not.

Ned: That's impossible. This will require some proof.

Hugh Mclaw: Well, it's true. You owe me 20 bucks.

Ned: Oh you kidding? That's everything we have. I only made that bet because I knew you'd never get him to do it.

Hugh Mclaw: Well, they did. I'm in. Now pay up.

Ned: How'd you do it? What made him change their mind?

Hugh Mclaw: Goose asked me if I was doing something sneaky. I said no. And they said they forgive me. They voted me in.

Ned: What What a bunch of saps. I mean, really. I will require more proof. I think I know how to get it.

Hugh Mclaw: Yeah, well.

Ned: Yeah, how are you going to Oh.

Mayor Boggs: Well, CJ.

Hugh Mclaw: CJ?

Ned: Did your club really vote you in as a member? Please tell me you didn't. We made a bet with you.

CJ: To see if he could get us to accept him as a member.

Ned: Exactly.

Hugh Mclaw: What are you doing here?

CJ: Came to get you. I was heading over to the fort, your party.

Hugh Mclaw: Yeah, I know.

Ned: You were going to get a party? Oh this is too much.

Yusuf: So it's true.

CJ: Yep, he fooled us all.

Hugh Mclaw: No. Do you know how long it took me to steal that and earn earn all that money?

CJ: Good job, Hugh. He really faked us out.

Staci: CJ, I'm I got to go break up a party.

CJ: A party?

Goose: Unbelievable. You are amazing. The amazing Hugh, you should be wearing a cape or something.

Yusuf: Hugh, you've just won a lot and lost a lot. It's a moment of pathos.

Hugh Mclaw: Well, just give me the money.

Goose: All right. Here.

Ned: That should do the job nicely. $20.

Goose: Yeah. Yeah, that should get the best birthday present your dad's ever had.

Hugh Mclaw: See you later.

Goose: I can't believe it.

Ned: We trusted him. We made him cupcakes.

CJ: I feel like an idiot. You all told me, but I believed him.

Goose: I hoped he would really change.

Staci: No, Stace. We did the right thing here. You were right. Goose was right. Hugh just we forgave him. We let him in. We gave him a chance. He just didn't didn't take it. We did the right thing.

Ned: What a waste. I'll never believe him again. How could he do this?

Goose: I think when you forgive and give someone a chance, it always makes a difference, even if you can't see it. I think there's still hope.

Staci: Well, we got a lot of cupcakes here. Anyone want a cupcake?

Ned: Cupcakes, finally.

Goose: Yes, I'll just throw out the welcome Hugh sign.

Staci: Love hopes all things and endures all things. Maybe we should just stay there for a while.

Ned: This is a cupcake, light, fluffy, no wheat germ, no corn meal. Okay, this frosting is good.

Host: Some may say people stay the same and just a knock on the same old door. They believe that no one could ever change if they never have before. But I'm telling you I got a different view and that is why I sing love, love, love, love. Love believes all things. Love is patient, love is kind. Yes, this we know for sure. But you won't get too far down the line if your love does not endure. So don't give up when someone lets you down. Though I know sometimes it stings. Love, love, love, love. Love endures all things.

The Lord God, he tells us so clearly. Love never fails. It will always get you through. So when someone that you know is causing all your doubts to grow, you know what to do. Don't turn away, don't give up hope. No, don't you think the worst? Cuz you never know how someone's heart could change because you love them first. Love believes the best and endures the chance for the joys tomorrow brings. Yeah, love, love, love, love. Love hopes all things. Love believes all things. Love believes all things. Love endures all things. Love endures all things.

Yeah, love hopes Love believes all things. To order a copy of today's program Love Hopes, just log on to paws and tails dot org. Love Hopes was written by Phil Lawler and directed by David Carl. The song Love Believes All Things was written by Sandy Howell and Nick Brown. Music was by Tim Hossman, and our sound designer was Eric Basil. Paws and Tails is an Insight for Living production.