A Lamb's Tale
John 1:29
“A Lamb's Tale” is episode #557 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written and directed by Marshal Younger, and originally aired on December 11, 2004.
Summary
The Odyssey crew is involved in six interwoven stories about Christmas. It all begins when Tamika gives away her toy lamb for Christmas . . .
Plot
It’s Christmastime in Odyssey and the town is buzzing with Christmas spirit: so much excitement for so many reasons! Liz is excited because her older brother Mark is home from the war. He seems different, however, and the adjustment is very hard for Liz. All she wants is her brother back, while all he wants to do is give his stuff away to the charity drive Whit is heading up.
In this episode, Tamika finds herself trying to grow up. Because of this, she attempts to give up the stuffed lamb she has slept with for ten years. She learns, however, that she is perhaps not quite as ready as she thought. While trying to get it back, we find that other plans have been made for the stuffed animal. A young boy named Grady has tracked the lamb down to give to his little sister Samantha who lost hers at the local bus station. She originally got the lamb from their father whom they haven’t seen in a long time. For Samantha, it serves as one of the few remaining connections between her and her father, but Rodney Rathbone catches hold of it.
A visit to Connellsville helps us to see that Mark almost lost his life in the war. It was saved, however, by a soldier from Connellsville who lost his own life in the process of saving Mark’s. This event has caused Mark to feel incredibly guilty and he decides to dedicate his life to charitable causes. During his visit, Mark is comforted by the father of the deceased soldier. The father tells him that his son sacrificed his life, and there is no way Mark can earn that gift back. Ultimately, he needs to accept it, and go on with his life.
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Discussion Questions
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Cast
Heard in episode
Mentioned in episode
Notes
VERSION DIFFERENCE: [view] Whit used to say "Happy Holidays!" at the beginning of this episode, but that line has since been removed.
- Trivia
- This was the first Christmas episode since #480: “The Popsicle Kid” in 2001.
- Tamika says in this episode that she is ten years old. In #587: “Bringing up Dads” her age is again referenced, though she is then eleven.
- Whit makes a brief reference in this episode to his wartime experiences, some of which are explored in depth in #94: “Operation Digout” and #93: “Rescue from Manatugo Point”.
- Grady McKay debuts in this episode.
- This is, to date, the final episode to feature Mike Mulligan or any of the Mulligan family other than Nick.
- Allusions
- Rodney's "America's Funniest Explosions" and "America's Funniest Injuries" are possible parodies of America's Funniest Home Videos. His attempt to blow up a toy by attaching it to a rocket also mirrors the sinister activity of the young villain Sid in the animated Pixar film Toy Story.
- During this episode Nick and Mike Mulligan discuss the Mulligans taking in Nick; this occurred in #377: “Just Say Yes”.
- Audio
- The theme song for this episode was also used in Electric Christmas.
- Chris says in the wraps of this episode, “...And I'm Chris, hoping you have a wonderful Christmas season!” instead of her normal sign-off.
Quotes
Tamika Washington: You have to grow up sometime.
Mike Mulligan: We haven't sorted through this [stuff in the attic] in like--ten years!
Mark Horton: I'm an adult, Liz.
Liz Horton: Long way to go for a lamb.
Nick Mulligan: Kid's gonna get himself killed... I like him!
Mark Horton: In fact he gave his life for mine.
Rodney Rathbone: They wanted a funny injury.
Nick Mulligan: You did it for me, didn't you? You gave up the job offer for me.
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