Wishful Thinking

126: Wishful Thinking

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Airdate

September 1, 1990

Last Aired

Date Recorded

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Recorded at

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Album

09: Just in Time
09: Amazing Antics, Dynamic Discoveries
Special 10 CD Set
Collection 2
Amazing Stories Series 03: Sibling Rivalry
Classroom Editions

Cassette No.

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Length

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Theme

Sibling rivalry

Genre

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Scripture

Genesis 4
Genesis 37:18-35
1 John 2:10-11

Written By

Paul McCusker

Directed By

Paul McCusker

Produced By

Dave Arnold

Executive Producer

Chuck Bolte

Post-Production

Dave Arnold

Engineer

Dave Arnold

Music By

Martie Echito

Songs By

Unknown

Inventions Used

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Rating

Current user rating: 83% (37 votes)

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Family Store

All's Well With Boswell

Wishful Thinking

Have You No Selpurcs?

Summary

After wishing her brother had never been born, Donna Barclay wakes up the next morning to discover she's received her wish!

Plot

Donna Barclay has had it with her little brother. Jimmy is becoming more annoying with each passing day. Every morning, he wakes her up by bouncing on her bed and telling her a corny riddle. He's always either telling dumb jokes, teasing Donna, getting her into trouble, or taking all her stuff. According to Donna, Jimmy's nothing but a big pain. Donna confesses to both her father and Lucy that she wishes Jimmy had never been born. Dad then reminds Donna of what her great-grandmother always said: "Never make wishes - they might come true." But that would be okay with Donna. She goes to bed that night feeling her life would be better if she were an only child.

When she awakens the next morning, Donna realizes her wish has come true. Not only is Jimmy gone, but no one has ever even heard of him. At first, Donna thinks it's great. Then the reality of the situation hits her. She has to do extra chores, and her folks take great pains not to spoil her like she thought they would. But worst of all, she finds she truly misses Jimmy. Donna misses Jimmy's loudness and the way he tells dumb jokes. She even misses Jimmy's annoying habits and the way he chases her around in the rain. She's lonely, and she wishes that Jimmy would come back.

Then Donna awakens, realizing it was all a dream. Jimmy is standing right in front of her! Donna is ecstatic and immediately apologizes to Jimmy for being so mean to him. A bewildered Jimmy accepts her apology, and they both get back to the business of being brother and sister again.

Discussion Questions

1. How could Donna have best handled her frustrations with Jimmy?
2. If you have a brother or sister, what do you think life would be like without them?
   • If you are an only child, do you ever wish for a sibling?
     • Why or why not?
3. Name five ways you can show your brother or sister that you love them.

Cast

Characters	Actors
Donna Barclay	Azure Janosky
George Barclay	Chuck Bolte
Jimmy Barclay	David Griffin
Lucy Cunningham-Schultz	Genni Long
Mary Barclay	Patti Parris

Notes

Trivia

• In keeping with the Barclay family's "It's a Wonderful Life" allusions, Donna wishes her brother had never been born and ends up getting her wish. This is similar to the plot of It's a Wonderful Life.

Main article: List of It’s a Wonderful Life References

• Partway through this episode, when Donna is watching TV, you'll hear someone with an English accent say 'Kate, I'm home', and continue in a scene. If you listen to Radio Theatre's Father Gilbert: Dead Air, as Gilbert finishes the interview and they roll a commercial, that's what plays!
• Three's in Charge, the title of the TV show that Donna wants to watch, is a reference to real-life shows Three's Company and Charles in Charge.

Reviews

• The Odyssey Scoop: Read

Quotes

Donna: He is a big pimple on the face of my life.

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