Chores No More
John 15:13
John 15:17
“Chores No More” is episode #376 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written by Marshal Younger, and originally aired on October 4, 1997.
Summary
The kids in Odyssey think they have too much work to do at home, so they organize the first annual chores strike.
Plot
Julie and Heather are talking on the phone and Julie invites Heather to a movie. After consulting her mother, however, Heather can’t go because she hasn’t finished her chores. Heather, Julie, Dwayne, and Ivan meet at Whit's End the next day to gripe about the amount of chores they have to do at home. Whit explains that chores are important to help children feel like part of the family and to learn responsibility. He suggests that if they really feel that they have too many chores, they should talk to their parents about it.
This sounds like a great idea, so the four make their presentations in creative ways, but their parents are not impressed. Wondering what else to do, the kids decide to go on strike to prove their point. They invite all the kids of Odyssey to join along. The four plan to hold a rally and concert to kick off their one-day strike from chores.
As the strike draws closer, however, Heather ends up doing all the organizing because everyone else claims they are too busy. Heather's parents discover what the kids are planning and decide to go on strike themselves. Heather worries about this turn of events, but insists that they should still have the strike. With all the parents and kids on strike together, the day turns into more of a family day. Heather is totally exhausted from all her hard work, but learns her lesson: Chores teach us responsibility and prepare us for adulthood.
- This plot section is too short and should be expanded. »
Discussion Questions
- Why didn't the kids want to do their chores?
- What did Whit tell Heather about chores?
- Heather ended up having to put the whole strike together herself. How do you think this is similar to why chores are important?
- What chores do you have to do?
- Why do you think your parents give you chores to do?
Cast
Heard in episode
Mentioned in episode
| Character | Mentioned By |
|---|---|
| Jerry Whittaker | Heather Acuff |
| Jason Whittaker | Heather Acuff |
| Jana Whittaker-Dowd | Heather Acuff |
Notes
VERSION DIFFERENCE: [view] The album version of this episode added a number of conversations and scenes to this show. Lines are added to the scene where the kids talk about the Star Wars-like movie and several of the scenes where the kids discuss the chore strike. Chris's ending comments are also longer.
- Trivia
- Marshal Younger had written a different ending to this episode, but it was changed. The original ending was: the first conclusion did not have a crowd gathered to hold the protest. Because of all of the parents wanting to get involved, all the kids got freaked out and decided not to protest themselves. As a result, Heather was out there all by herself, feeling humiliated, but still walking in a circle with a picket sign and saying very softly, "Chores no more." Then, her parents call out the window, "Heather, you need to do the dishes." She pauses, sighs and says, "Coming."
- This episode introduces Dwayne Oswald, Julie Zeeke and Heather Acuff.
- Allusions
- In this episode, when talking about a movie they saw last night, Dwayne breathes and shields his voice like Darth Vader and says "Ivan, I am your father [...] and Mary Lou, the Ice Princess is your mother."
- See main article: List of Star Wars references
Quotes
Ivan Roller: Allow me to quote from scripture... "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Now, I realize that I'm not Jack, and that wasn't scripture, but I think that pretty much says it all.
Dwayne Oswald: Chores are the hands that squeeze my neck! The twisted metal of an emotional car wreck!
Dwayne Oswald: Ivan, I am your father.
Ivan Roller: My father?
Dwayne Oswald: Yes, and Mary Lou, the Ice Princess is your mother.
Dwayne Oswald: It's a hard thing to really verbalize you know? Because the way I feel about chores is something that's very emotional to me. I think maybe I had a bad experience with chores as a child. And it's something I have to block out mentally now. So horrible. Cause lately I've been having these nightmares. This huge vacuum cleaner sucks up dirt off the floor, then it starts going out of control. Beginning to suck up the furniture, and small appliances and finally it starts sucking the life out of me!
- Episodes aired 13 times
- Episodes in Album 29: Signed, Sealed and Committed
- 1997 Season Episodes
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