Paws & Tales

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

Stacy: Where's Dave?

Ned: 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. 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: Wait, that's not on the script!

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

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

Dave: Ned, really?

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

Guest (Male): 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.

Inside for Living is proud to present Paws & Tales. Howdy and welcome to Wildwood. Ever have a day that was just downright mule-headed? 24 hours that seemed to have a mind of their own. Well, that's the kind of day Papa Chuck and Stacy were about to have.

Papa Chuck: Was that a mattress I slept on or a rock?

Nana Cindy: And a good morning to you.

Papa Chuck: Something smells good. Those cinnamon rolls are about the only thing that could've got me out of bed, except maybe some of that Nana Cindy apple pie.

Nana Cindy: You've been pushing yourself too hard. Why don't you go to Lake Blossom for the day?

Papa Chuck: Now that's why I married you. A little fishing trip, a nap or two, could be just what I need.

Nana Cindy: Fishing pole's in the closet. I'll pack some cinnamon rolls into a paper bag. You can take it with you.

Papa Chuck: I'm halfway to the lake now. You know how pretty you are?

Nana Cindy: I know, and downright beautiful while I'm baking apple pie. It's true. Oh, now who could that be? Coming! Stacy?

Stacy: Hey, Papa Chuck.

Papa Chuck: Kind of early for a face like that.

Stacy: It's almost 9:00.

Papa Chuck: Right. Come on in, tell me about it. I got a fishing trip to get ready for.

Stacy: Well, first off, I was supposed to meet Gooz at her house first thing this morning to work on our science project. We're making a sundial. We had to meet early because she's going to visit her grandmother in Harmony and didn't want to miss her train.

Papa Chuck: Uh-huh.

Stacy: Well, we finished the sundial and wanted to test it out, but we turned it the wrong way. She thought she was three hours late and took off running for the train station.

Papa Chuck: Hun, tackle box?

Nana Cindy: Top shelf toward the back.

Stacy: Second, I go to the old library and they're painting. You can't get books or read or anything.

Papa Chuck: Terrible. Hun, are you sure the tackle box is in... Got it!

Stacy: So then I go to CJ's and he's not there. He's spending the day helping his dad at his office. Marsha's got the flu, and Ned won't even come out of his house because he's still mad about not getting the lead in the play.

Papa Chuck: His temper's going to get the best of him someday. Tell you what. Why don't you come fishing with me?

Stacy: Really?

Papa Chuck: Sure. Good way to get your mind off your troubles.

Stacy: Okay, but I haven't told you the worst yet.

Papa Chuck: There's more?

Stacy: Yes, this.

Papa Chuck: Hi, Stacy. What a lovely compact. Mirror's cracked.

Stacy: I dropped it this morning. My grandmother gave it to me. Grandma used to say I looked just like her when she was my age. I used to look into this little mirror for hours and imagine what she was like.

Papa Chuck: Don't see any other damage.

Stacy: Can you fix it?

Papa Chuck: Sure. Tell you what, put it right here on the table. When we get back, you'll forget it. How about I put it right here in my pocket for safe keeping? Fix it when we get back. Looks like I got me a fishing partner. Stacy can use my pole. Now you two scoot along before...

I'll get it. One bushel basket. Where do you want it? Oh, hi, Nana Cindy, Stacy.

Stacy: Hey, Mr. Crawford.

Nana Cindy: What are those?

Mr. Crawford: What do they look like? And they aren't getting any lighter. In the kitchen? Usual spot?

Nana Cindy: Funny, I don't recall ordering any apples.

Mr. Crawford: Just off the tree, fresh pick.

Papa Chuck: Okay, what's it this time, Mr. Crawford? Broken window, loose door hinge?

Mr. Crawford: Well, I never.

Papa Chuck: How about every couple of weeks?

Mr. Crawford: Now that you mention it, the sink sprung a mean leak. And it's not twice a week.

Papa Chuck: All right, I'll get my toolbox. Come on, Stace. Shouldn't take long.

Nana Cindy: Looks like I've got some pies to bake.

Papa Chuck: Wait for me, I'll walk with you. Well, looks like you got it. Can't think of anything else that needs fixing around here.

Mr. Crawford: Give yourself a day or two. I'm sure you'll think of something.

Stacy: How much longer, Papa Chuck?

Papa Chuck: Start packing up the tools. I'm almost done.

Officer Hunt: Morning, Hunt. Morning, all. Supplies ready, Mr. Crawford?

Mr. Crawford: Of course.

Stacy: Hey, Officer Hunt. We're going fishing.

Officer Hunt: Now that's the best idea I've heard all week. Salmon River?

Papa Chuck: No, Lake Blossom, barring another emergency.

Officer Hunt: I'll be in that neck of the woods myself. We're going to earn the boys some camping badges.

Stacy: The Wilderness Rangers?

Officer Hunt: Yep, troop campout. Twin Falls.

Mr. Crawford: Here you go. Oil, matches, and 14 signal mirrors. I'll ring her up.

Stacy: Signal mirrors?

Officer Hunt: Whenever you go camping, it's always a good idea to be prepared. You never know when you might have to signal for help.

Mr. Crawford: Not to mention reminding you how dirty a troop of teenagers will get after just three days in the wilderness. Should I add some soap to your order?

Officer Hunt: I guess you better. You know, I never met a better salesman in all my life.

Mr. Crawford: Don't I know it? What's this? Medical kit? We already have a medical kit.

Officer Hunt: Oh, look at this one, though. Crepe bandages, salves, ointment, and mosquito balm. Hospital in a box, this is.

Mr. Crawford: I told you, the troop already has one.

Officer Hunt: Here, let me see this. Half a bottle of iodine. Those bandages are three years old.

Mr. Crawford: See you later. Bye.

Officer Hunt: I don't need a new medical kit, Crawford. Take it down.

Mr. Crawford: Did I mention it's on special today?

Papa Chuck: When we get home, you grab the sandwiches, I'll get the poles, tackle box, and... What in the world?

Stacy: Wow, look at it smoke.

Papa Chuck: That's steam. She's overheated.

Stacy: We're not stopping again, are we?

Mrs. Collins: Papa Chuck, excuse me. Could you please?

Papa Chuck: Coming, Mrs. Collins.

Stacy: Ask a silly question.

Papa Chuck: Ow! Hot as a griddle. I need a rag or something.

Stacy: Here, use my handkerchief.

Papa Chuck: It'll get dirty.

Stacy: That's fine.

Papa Chuck: Okay, everybody stand back. Could blow when I remove the cap. No problem, pressure's down. Stace, could you ask Mr. Crawford to fill up a pail of water for us?

Stacy: Sure.

Mrs. Collins: I'm going to need to have that radiator looked at. Could be a leak in the line.

Papa Chuck: Do you think you could take a look at it today? Afraid not. Stacy and I are on our way to do some fishing. This'll get you home, though. I'll come by in the morning, have a look. A little water in the old radiator and you're on your way, Mrs. Collins.

Mrs. Collins: Thank you so much, to both of you.

Stacy: Papa Chuck, why does God cause things to go wrong? Right when we're going fishing, too.

Papa Chuck: Things go wrong just fine on their own, Stacy. Okay, she's full up.

Stacy: Then why doesn't He make it so things don't go wrong?

Papa Chuck: Let's just say God's in control and working everything out for the best, and He doesn't always consult our schedule. Here's your handkerchief, Mrs. Collins. I was afraid I'd get it dirty.

Mrs. Collins: Oh, just keep it. I have others. Thank you both again.

Norm: Papa Chuck! Papa Chuck, the hotel! It's an emergency!

Papa Chuck: What's going on?

Norm: The elevator door, it's stuck!

Stacy: Can't they just use the stairs?

Norm: But the elevator, there's someone inside.

Papa Chuck: Stacy, go get Nana Cindy and have her bring my blue toolbox and the big pry bar.

Stacy: Okay. At this rate, I don't think we'll see any fish today.

Norm: Hello, Papa Chuck. Nana Cindy said I could find you here. Now about that broken vent of mine.

Papa Chuck: I'm a bit busy right now, Norm. Can you wait until I can?

Mr. Lily: My throat's starting to tighten again! Mr. Lily says he can't breathe when his throat tightens up. I can't breathe when my throat tightens up!

Papa Chuck: Deep breaths, Mr. Lily. Deep breaths. We'll have you out of there in no time. He's been in there how long?

Norm: Since about 9:00. Oh boy, walls are closing in.

Stacy: Did I mention he's claustrophobic?

Mr. Lily: I'm claustrophobic!

Papa Chuck: Deep breaths, Mr. Lily. What's your line of work?

Mr. Lily: Salesman, sporting goods.

Papa Chuck: Travel a lot, do you?

Mr. Lily: Oh, yeah. You name it, Weepatch, Lamont, Pumpkin Center.

Nana Cindy: There you are. Man stuck in the elevator, door's jammed. I see. I brought your gear and a picnic lunch for a fast exit for the two of you. With all those apples Mr. Crawford brought, I couldn't resist baking a bunch of pies. Nearly every window in the house has a couple of pies cooling in it. I even snuck you to a couple of pieces for your lunch.

Papa Chuck: Well, bless your heart. But this shouldn't take long.

Nana Cindy: Not if Norman and Arley find you first. They came to the house asking for you. They need some work done on the shop. I'm afraid they're on their way over here.

Papa Chuck: When it rains, it pours.

Stacy: We're never going fishing. How exactly is God working this out for the best, Papa Chuck?

Papa Chuck: When God closes a door, He opens the pie shop. Got an idea, Stacy. We need to make a quick trip to the house. We'll be right back.

Norm: Hello, Papa Chuck. Nana Cindy said I could find you here. Now about that broken vent of mine.

Papa Chuck: I'm a bit busy right now, Norm. Can you wait until I can?

Mr. Lily: My throat's starting to tighten again!

Papa Chuck: But well, where else have you been? Look, Norm, I'm kind of busy.

Stacy: Norm, you're the perfect one to sample my new apple pie. You do like apple pie, don't you?

Norm: Apple pie? Sure, I...

Stacy: Go ahead and take a seat with the others. There's an empty chair right here.

Mr. Lily: Another slice, please! Hey, keep them coming!

Guest (Male): Don't forget me, Stacy.

Stacy: Don't mind if I do, Arley.

Nana Cindy: I'll take it from here, Stacy. Now you two get up to Lake Blossom before my pies run out.

Mr. Lily: I'm free! Space, open space. Thank you, thank you so much.

Papa Chuck: Okay then, I'm on my way.

Mr. Lily: One moment, please. A token of my gratitude.

Papa Chuck: That's really not necessary. Wow, what is that?

Mr. Lily: That kind, sir, is the lure. I heard mention of a fishing expedition.

Papa Chuck: I've never seen anything like it.

Mr. Lily: Top of the line, the silver-speckled wiggling flopper. Guaranteed to catch a whopper. Selling like hotcakes, it's on me.

Papa Chuck: That's really something. Thanks.

Stacy: Nana Cindy says we better get going.

Papa Chuck: Right. Got the poles, picnic basket, tackle box... My back is worse all the time.

Stacy: Here, I'll carry the picnic basket.

Papa Chuck: Thanks. Lake Blossom, here we come! Beautiful up here, isn't it?

Stacy: I'm trying different bait.

Papa Chuck: Hard to beat a cherry tree in bloom.

Stacy: Are there any fish in this lake?

Papa Chuck: You're missing the point. Fishing is as much about relaxing and taking in beauty as it is catching.

Stacy: I need a bigger hook. Tackle box, top compartment. I'm trying this one.

Papa Chuck: How about a sandwich?

Stacy: Later.

Papa Chuck: Well, I'm going to have one. Some of that apple pie, too. Yes, sir, nothing like a cherry tree in bloom. Crabapple, maybe, maple and beech in the fall.

Stacy: I got one!

Papa Chuck: Hold on. Well, my back still hurts, but at least it's better than it was.

Stacy: It's a big one!

Papa Chuck: What lure did you use?

Stacy: The funny one from the guy at the hotel. It's pulling me in!

Papa Chuck: Go with it. Move along the shore. Reel it in!

Stacy: I'm trying!

Papa Chuck: That a girl! Watch it. Keep moving. Good. Wait'll the boys hear about this one.

Stacy: Where's it going?

Papa Chuck: Keep water, keep cranking. Work your pole.

Stacy: Oh, no! My line!

Papa Chuck: I was afraid of that. Fish one, fisherman zero. Sorry, Stace.

Stacy: It's not fair!

Papa Chuck: You'll catch another.

Stacy: This day's been one big disaster. What's the use? What was that?

Papa Chuck: What?

Stacy: Something, listen.

Guest (Male): *Groaning*

Papa Chuck: Sounds like someone. Over there. Come on, someone may be hurt. Papa Chuck! Oh, no. Please help me. I can't... my head... Looks like he was fishing along the bank.

Parker: I hit my head.

Stacy: Is he going to be all right?

Papa Chuck: I don't know. Mister, can you hear me?

Parker: Thirsty.

Stacy: He wants a drink.

Papa Chuck: Give me the canteen. You okay? Can you hear me?

Parker: Uh-huh.

Papa Chuck: What's your name?

Parker: Parker. John Parker.

Stacy: Keep your eyes open, Mr. Parker.

Papa Chuck: Look at his leg.

Stacy: It's all bloody.

Papa Chuck: It's broken. Looks like he got it wedged in and fell. Hit his head on the way down.

Stacy: Lord, please help him. Is he going to be okay?

Papa Chuck: He needs a doctor. We got to get him to Wildwood and fast. Hold his leg while I pick him up. Come on, Mr. Parker. Ow!

Stacy: What's the matter? Papa Chuck!

Papa Chuck: My back. I can't lift him. I'm not sure I can even get up.

Stacy: Are you all right?

Papa Chuck: I will be. I'm not going to be able to carry him, though.

Stacy: How are we going to get out of here? I can't carry him, and there's no one else here.

Papa Chuck: Well, God is. God's here. We just need to get somebody's attention. We need a way to get Mr. Parker... Officer Hunt! Officer Hunt and his troop, they're camping at Twin Falls. It's just a couple of miles from here. Stace, you're going to have to run and get them back here. Or we can...

Stacy: What?

Papa Chuck: Signal them. Signal them somehow.

Parker: Head... My head really hurts.

Stacy: He's getting worse. His forehead's burning up.

Papa Chuck: We need to cool him down. Oh, here. Go wet Mrs. Collins' handkerchief in the lake.

Stacy: Oh, no! My compact. I got it! We'll send a signal. I'll climb up to the top of one of these trees and see if I can spot them. I'll flash the mirror to get their attention and get them to come over here.

Papa Chuck: Good thinking, Stacy, but be careful. We can't afford to have you hurt, too. Lord, please help us. Protect Stacy and let her see Hunt's troop from the tree. Only You can work this out.

Stacy: I'm almost to the top!

Papa Chuck: Can you see anything?

Stacy: I'm looking. I can't see anybody. Wait, I see them! They're hiking into a ravine!

Papa Chuck: Flash the mirror!

Stacy: I'm trying, but they're almost out of view. Please, Lord.

Officer Hunt: I see flashes.

Guest (Male Ranger): What flashes?

Officer Hunt: Over there, sir. See the light? Suppose it could be the sun reflecting off some old piece of metal or something?

Guest (Male Ranger): No, son. It's flashing back and forth. Someone's sending a signal. What's over there?

Officer Hunt: I think that's Lake Blossom over there. All right, send them a signal back to let them know we see them.

Stacy: What's happening? Do they see you? Please, Lord, let them see my mirror. Whoa!

Papa Chuck: What?

Stacy: They're all flashing mirrors at me! It worked!

Papa Chuck: Thank You, Lord.

Officer Hunt: Pretty fancy splint there, son.

Guest (Male Ranger): It's one of the things we have to learn to earn our first aid badge.

Officer Hunt: Well, you all earned badges in my book today. It's this bump on his head that worries me. We need to get him back to Wildwood fast. Is that stretcher ready?

Guest (Male Ranger): Yes, sir. Not bad, guys. That looks good and strong. I'm proud of you. Okay, gently now. Let's lift him on board on three. One, two, and three. Secure him and move him out. Double time, let's go! Glad you saw Stacy's signal.

Papa Chuck: Amen to that.

Officer Hunt: Are you all right?

Papa Chuck: I just have to walk slow, that's all. I can make it, don't worry.

Stacy: I'll help him, Officer Hunt.

Officer Hunt: Okay. See you back in town.

Stacy: How's Mr. Parker?

Papa Chuck: Doc says he's going to be fine. Some fishing trip, huh?

Stacy: Someday. You said it. Come on, I'll walk you home.

Papa Chuck: You're awfully quiet. You okay?

Stacy: I was just thinking about what you said about God being in control of everything.

Papa Chuck: And?

Stacy: It sure didn't seem like it today. I mean, all those bad things happened, and Mr. Parker could've died. Where was God?

Papa Chuck: Well, I suppose you could look at things that way. Or you could see them very differently.

Stacy: Like what?

Papa Chuck: Well, all those interruptions. What if they were actually little gifts from God?

Stacy: Yeah, right.

Papa Chuck: Just listen a minute. Take my back, for example. We would've never gone to Lake Blossom if it weren't for that. Then you show up with a broken compact, which turns out to be just the thing we need. Or that house full of apple pies that Nana Cindy baked up for our escape.

And Mrs. Collins' handkerchief, the salesman's lure, your whopper that got away. What if that fish hadn't led us up the shore? We'd never found Mr. Parker. And why did Officer Hunt and his Wilderness Rangers pick today to camp at Twin Falls?

Stacy: But it can all be explained by coincidence.

Papa Chuck: I suppose it could be dumb luck. But when it really mattered, only you could've climbed that tree to find the troop. And what gave you the idea to use the compact as a signal? Would you have thought of that on your own?

Stacy: I remembered Officer Hunt buying all those mirrors.

Papa Chuck: That's right. When you add it all up, it's kind of hard to believe that God wasn't there at every step, guiding us all the way, isn't it? When you add it all up, dumb luck is mighty hard to believe.

Stacy: Papa Chuck, can I have my compact back?

Papa Chuck: Sure. Haven't fixed it.

Stacy: That's okay.

Papa Chuck: You don't want it fixed?

Stacy: God used a bad day and broken stuff to save someone. I think I'll keep it just like it is.

Papa Chuck: A reminder of God's grace.

Stacy: Yeah, a reminder.

Papa Chuck: That's the sort of stuff I'm supposed to be teaching you, Little Miss Smarty-Breeches.

Insight for Living: Well, Papa Chuck and Stacy don't exactly look forward to interruptions, but now they try to look for how God might be using them for good.

The scripture puts it this way: God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Now that's something we can all plan on.

To order a copy of today's program, Plans In The Breaking, just log on to pawsandtales.org. Plans In The Breaking was written by Gary Armstrong and directed by David Carl. Our script supervisor was Phil Lawlor.

The song "God Works All Things Out For Good" 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.