08x13 - Stone Soup

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Little House on the Prairie". Aired: September 11, 1974 - March 21, 1983.*
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Based on Laura Ingalls books series revolved around the adventures of the Ingalls family who owned a farm in Walnut Grove during the late 1800s.
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08x13 - Stone Soup

Post by bunniefuu »

You getting tired?

Nice tired.

Yeah.
It's kind of hot.

Oh, manly,
I just love it.

We're going to have
the biggest orchard
in the whole county.

We better.
Every cent we've got
is tied up in it.

You're not sorry,
are you?

Heck, no. I mean, if
everything works out
like you said.

This is just
the beginning.

With the money we make
off this orchard,

We'll be able to buy
100 acres

For the beef cattle
you've always wanted.

And maybe there'll
be more acres

For more wheat.

But you know what I
really dream about?

Used to be me.

Oh, sweetheart,
it still is.

The baby and all
the other babies
we're going to have

And all their babies
and all the things

That we'll be
leaving them,

But for working
this place,

A steam tractor.

Just one
of those things

Will do the work
of 16 horses,

And you don't
have to feed it
through the winter.

Just imagine.

It's all starting
with this orchard.

[Wagon approaching]

Ho!

-Hi, pa.
-How you two doing?

Well, you sure
look happy.

Good news
generally has
that effect on me.

What?

We've been offered
$300 to haul

Some
mining equipment.

$300?

That's right.

Where's it being
hauled to? California?

Well, you're close.
Northern arizona.

It's going to come
in by rail to sleepy
eye on wednesday.

We're supposed
to pick it up
right away.

Wednesday? That's just
a couple days from now.

I don't know. I'd be
gone a couple of months.

We're talking about
$150 apiece.

Yeah. I know it's
a lot of money.

I think you
should do it.

Well, we haven't even
finished planting
the orchard yet.

Look, albert and
I can give you
a hand with that.

Shouldn't
take more than
a couple of days.

Well, that'd make
a difference.

You wouldn't mind
my being gone for
a couple of months?

Of course I'd mind,

But you said yourself
we need the money.

I'll be all right.
The baby isn't due
for 4 more months.

I hope
your ma's that
understanding.

I haven't
told her yet.

What do you say,
almanzo?

Well, can I think
about it?

I've already
accepted
the deal.

You did?

It was either
that or lose it.

Then I guess we're headed
for arizona.

Well, a couple spares
apiece ought to do it.

I wish we had
another one.
It's a long trip.

You remember
the axle grease?

Yeah.
It's in the toolbox.

All right. We'd
best get started.

I don't want
to miss the train.

Half-pint, you remember,

Anytime you want to
stay with your ma,

You're more than welcome.

I will, pa.

Thanks for the help
with the orchard.
Albert, too.

Our pleasure. Mwah!

See you
in two months.

Take care of yourself.

You be careful.

I will.

I love you, beth.

I love you.

Here we go, partner.

Hoo-hoo! Good morning,
mrs. Foster.

Oh, good morning,
harriet.

Oh, my heavens.
It is getting so hot!

Oh, hot enough
to bake the brains
out of a lizard!

Ha ha ha!

Oh, my heavens,
you are something.

Oh, harriet, would you
give this to laura?

She's been in every
day this week, hoping
for word from almanzo.

Oh, yes!

-Thank you, harriet.
-Of course, yes.

Good morning, mrs. Oleson.

Well, good morning!

Laura, here. I have
a card for you.

Wonderful!

It's just
remarkable,

The speed
of the mail
these days--

It's all the way
from colorado
to walnut grove

In just 10 days!

They're making
very good time, too.

Of course,
they don't have to

Put up with
this heat, I guess.

-Mrs. Oleson.
-Uh-huh?

You are more than
welcome to read my mail,

But I'd like a chance
to read it first.

Snippet.

Good morning, laura.

Good morning, doc.

How's the health
of walnut grove?

Well, outside
of a sunstroke

And a couple of cases
of heat exhaustion,

Most people are sensible,

Keeping cool
as best they can.

How are you doing?

Fine.

Doc,
could you tell me,

How long can young
trees live once
their roots dry out?

Well, that's a little
out of my line,

But as soon as
the leaves start wilting,

They go pretty fast.

Thanks.

It's about time you came in
for a checkup, young lady.

I will, next week.
Bye-bye.

Bye.

Harriet:
nels, hurry up.

Yes, dear.

-Nels!
-I'm coming!

Ohh...

Do you remember
my cousin opal from
richmond, virginia?

Vaguely.

Yeah. Well, she's
complaining about--

Ah!

About rain
for two weeks.

Ooh!

Ah! Ah!

Ahh...ohh...

Ha ha!
Oh, that's heavenly.

Anything else?

Oh, yes.

Ooh. More ice.

At least charles
and almanzo

Don't have to worry
about this heat.

That's true.

A lot of folks are
starting to worry
about their crops.

James and albert
are spending

All their spare time
watering the fields.

I know.

Our orchard's
starting to show
signs of drying out.

Laura, don't you
do too much.

In your condition--

Ma...

I was the one who
talked almanzo

Into buying
all those trees.

Now, I'm not going
to let him come home
to a dried-out...

Laura, your health
is more important.

Don't worry.
I'm just going to do
the best that I can.

I have to go.
Thanks for
the lemonade, ma.

He's not going to come
home to a dead orchard.

Ugh...

Without our
revolutionary w*r heroes,

We might still be
a colony of england.

Now, here's something
interesting to think about.

Do men become heroes
because of history,

Or do they create the events
that make them heroes?

Nancy?

It's events.

Without the tea tax,
there wouldn't have been
a boston tea party,

And that
started the w*r.

Very good, nancy.
Willie?

It's men
who make history.

Without the midnight ride
of paul revere

To warn the colonists that
the british were coming,

They would have captured
john hancock, sam adams,
and the gunpowder,

And that's why
it's the heroes that
make history happen.

Very good, willie!
You may sit down.

Cassandra,
what do you think?

I think
it's too hot,
and I'm thirsty.

May I please
be excused to get
a drink of water?

Girl: me, too!
Please?

We'll take
a 10-minute recess.

Willie, I'd like
to speak to you
for a minute, please.

You did really well
this morning.

I was surprised
to find out you had

Such an interest
in history.

Well, I can believe
in all those heroes

Like washington,
lewis and clark,
and buffalo bill.

I mean, they did
big things, and...

And?

Well, and I wish I could
be like them.

Don't you think
you can?

In walnut grove?
There's nothing
left to discover.

No more indians to fight
or buffalo to hunt...

Except in arizona.

Willie,
arizona isn't
like that anymore.

Remember,
I was just there.

But I'll bet you weren't
in apache country.

Well, no, I wasn't--

I want to be like
bronco billy.

He's my hero.

But what's going
to happen to me

Is I'm going to wind up
running the mercantile,

Wearing an apron
instead of a six-g*n.

Willie, you're going
to get your chance

To go out
in the world,

And it will come
a lot faster if you
educate yourself.

The real heroes
are the men
who are educated,

Like
benjamin franklin...

And lewis
and clark.

I'll do better.
I promise.

I know you will.

Now give me
this book,

And you go outside
and get yourself
a drink of water.

Man: sorry. I can't
make the payment, nels.

Soon as I get some
money coming in,
I'll pay you.

I understand, john.

I sure
appreciate it, nels.

It's all right.

That's the third
one today that's
asked for credit.

This drought.
If the crops fail,

There's going to be
a lot of folks

Who don't
pay their bills.

Oh, for heaven's sakes,
nels, don't give
them credit!

Harriet, they're
our neighbors,
our friends.

Oh...

Oh, you're
such a soft...

All right. You've
got to charge them
interest then,

And I mean it!

Willie, stand
behind my desk

And look out
at the classroom.

Now, imagine
you're the teacher,

And it's your job
to make sure

That all those
children you're
being paid to teach

Are learning how
to read and write
and figure numbers.

Now, imagine those
same children 5,
10 years later.

If you don't
teach them well,

They're going to have
a hard time in life.

You understand?

Yes, ma'am.

That's why I sent
you to the corner,

For reading
this again instead
of doing your math.

You're not helping me
do my job.

But it's exciting,
and it's part
of history.

I know it's exciting,

And it's all right
to read once your
schoolwork's done,

But you should
also be reading
books of substance.

These stories are fiction,
dreamed up by writers.

But apaches
are murdering

And scalping
people all the time,

And that's
not fiction.

Will you stop
saying that?

I have enough problems
without you constantly
reminding me

That my husband
and father could be
massacred at any moment.

I'm sorry.
It's the weather.

Is there anything
I can do?

No. Thanks for asking.

You can leave.

Willie!

What...

"Then morning cloud,
a dusky sioux maiden

"In the full bloom
of womanhood

"Began her dance
of futil...of fertility.

"Even in buckskin,
I could see

"The graceful
shape of her...

Loins."

Willie! I am
shocked at you.

Why, this is trash.

This kind of trash
will corrupt your mind.

But, ma, it's
only the history
of the west!

Oh! That's history?

What's the commotion?

Oh! Your son!

No wonder your son
is doing so poorly
in school,

Reading this kind
of trash.

Nels, that boy's
a dreamer.

It's time that
you taught him

The realities
of life.

That will happen
soon enough.

Let him dream
for a while.

You should
read this.

Don't mind if I do.

Ah! Oh, lord,
help me.

Ahh.

Ohh, how's
my little sweetheart?

Let's see what
you're reading.

Oh, "little women!"
Ha ha!

Oh, I'm so glad that
somebody in this house
appreciates the classics.

It's a wonderful
story.

Did you ever
read it, mother?

Oh, yes, and it is
a wonderful story.
Ha ha ha!

Oh, sweetheart,
don't you read
too long, now.

All right?
You get some sleep.

I won't, mother.

All right, darling.
Good night.

Good night.

"Unhand me,
she demanded.

"He paid no heed
and clutched
at her bodice.

"She protested,

You, sir,
are a cad!"

Oh, no, I'm late!

And besides
hunting buffalo

To feed
the railroad crews,

Colonel cody was
also a chief scout
for the 5th cavalry,

And it was only
a few years back

When he fought
in the battle
of summit springs

Against a tribe of
bloodthirsty cheyenne

Who were after revenge.

It seems that
the colorado militia

Had massacred most of
their women and children

Only a year
before at sam creek.

Willie:
hey, albert, james.

Want to play some ball?

No. I got to
water the crops.

Besides,
it's too hot.

Ok.

Laura, I haven't seen you
for a while, so I thought--

What have you done
to your hands?

Nothing.
It's just--

Let me see.

Nothing? Just short
of being raw.

Have you been working
in the orchard that hard?

It's all right.
I'll wear gloves
from now on.

Gloves may protect
your hands.

They're not going
to protect your health.

Look at you.

I've never seen you
so exhausted.

It's just
the heat, ma.

Well, I can see
I'm not going to
slow you down any.

At least let me send
albert and james
over to help you.

Ma, I'm no
special case.

Everybody
with crops is--

Being pregnant makes
you a special case.

Ma, when you were
pregnant with grace,

You worked in the
fields just as hard
as anybody else.

Now, you need
albert and james.

I'm not going
to take them
away from you.

I will slow down.
I promise.

All right?

Between you
and your pa...

I have to go.

Bye, ma.

Laura...

God, it's dry.

Unh!

Emily.

Good morning,
mrs. Foster.

Good morning, laura.

Do you have
any mail for me?

Why, yes.
One from almanzo.

Oh...

Laura, are you sick?

No.

You don't look well,
not well at all.

I'm just
a little tired.

Oh.

Oh, my. Pa and manly were
delayed by heavy rains

In the mountains.

Wouldn't you know?

They got stuck
in the mud,

And a band
of navajo indians

Helped pull them out.

They wouldn't
take the money,

But they did accept
a side of bacon.

-Wait till I tell willie that.
-Willie?

It's just something
we're studying in
school, mrs. Foster.

-Oh.
-Thanks.

You're welcome,
laura.

-Bye-bye.
-Bye.

Laura: there are 15 amendments
to the constitution.

We're going to learn
about each of them

And what they mean
one by one.

The first amendment
places restrictions
on the powers of congress

And reads...

"Congress shall
make no laws

"Respecting the establishment
of religion

"Or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof

"Or abridging
the freedom of speech

Or of the press."

Harriet, you're using up
so much of this ice,

There won't be any left
pretty soon.

Harriet:
I don't care.

Soaking my feet
in cold water

Is all that makes
this heat bearable.

You might think
of the other folks.

They got need of it,
too, you know.

Nels, it's our ice,
and we'll do with it
as we please.

Now, hurry up.

Quickly!

Quickly, quickly,
nels!

You're so slow!

Ah.

Ooh! Ow!

Oh. Ahh!

Mmm. Oh. Ah.
That is--

Oh.

Oh. Ahh.

Oh, my.

"Number 4,

"The right of the people
to be secure

"In their persons,
houses, papers,

"And effects against...

Unreasonable...
Searches...and..."

You're her brother.
Do something.

Uh, excuse me,
but how is this

Unreasonable
business determined?

Albert, will you please
repeat that question?

Laura?

Yes?

Why don't I go back
to your place with you

And give you
a hand watering?

Ma needs
your help.

Yesterday you overslept.

Today you fell
asleep in class.
You need help.

So does ma.
The subject's
closed.

-Laura...
-Albert...

Albert.

Thanks for worrying
about me.

What'd she say?

No. That's what.

She's going to
k*ll herself.

Those buckets must
weigh 40 pounds.

She's sensible.

She'll ask for help
if she needs it.

She's sensible
sometimes.

Soon as I get home,
we're going to see

What ma has to say
about it.

I hate to tell
you this, nels,

But I can't pay
my bill this month.

That bad, huh?

It's worse.

If it don't rain soon,
I'm gonna be wiped out.

And the bank
will take over my place.

Yeah. It's the same
all over.

I'm having to haul water
3 miles in my wagon

Just to take care
of the livestock.

Well,
it'll rain soon.
It's got to.

Always does.

Soon ain't soon enough.

My corn's dying.
My wheat's dying.

Well, if it'll
ease your mind,

I'll carry you for a while.

Much obliged. Thank
you very much, nels.

Mighty understanding,
nels. Thank you.

Harriet: nels!

Yes, dear?

Come in here, please!

Coming!

[Heavy sigh]

What did those
farmers do,

Take you outside
on the porch

And ask you for
more credit?

-Yes, they did.
-Oh, nels!

That's the fifth
time this week.

And what are you
trying to do,
bankrupt us?


Harriet, you've got to
help people when you can.

Sure. Like mrs. Wilder.

She sure needs a lot of
help on that orchard.

And I was thinking,

Could I go over there
and see what I can do?

Willie, your
responsibility is

Here at home,
young man.

But albert says she's
k*lling herself.

Oh, albert!
Albert! Albert!

Albert exaggerates.

No! You have
to stay right--

Go on, willie.

-That's a good idea.
-Thanks, pa.

He might have
possibilities yet.

[Heavy sigh]

It is just an excuse

To get out of his
responsibilities.

I admire the way you
always look at

The bright side
of things, harriet.

That's funny.

Why should I feel chilled?

I tried to reason
with her,

But she
wouldn't listen.

She was really
looking bad, too.

Well, she'll listen
this time.

[Water splashes]

[Water splashes]

Unh...

Caroline: laura?

She's probably
in the orchard.

Albert: I'll check
in the barn.

Good.

Albert!

Oh, no!

Laura?

Albert!

Oh!

She's burning up!
Help me get her inside!

Oh, hurry.

Willie, get doc baker.

It's heatstroke,
and it's bad.

Hurry!

Doc baker!

Doc baker!

Mrs. Foster.

-Willie.
-Where's doc baker?

He went out
to the johnson's
a couple of hours ago.

He should be back soon.
Is there anything
I can do for you?

Well, it's laura.

Doc baker! Doc baker!

Slow down, willie.
Slow down.

Take a deep breath.
Tell me exactly
what's wrong.

It's mrs. Wilder.
She's collapsed.

Mrs. Ingalls said that
she had a heatstroke.

All right. I'll get
right on out there.

Did you run
all the way here?

Yes, sir.

Well, willie,
you're a case
of heat exhaustion

About to happen.

I want you to get
in the shade

And drink a quart
of water very,
very slowly.

Add a couple of
teaspoons of salt.

And after that,
I want you
to find somebody

To bring a block of
ice out to laura's.

Yes, sir.

And, willie, do
exactly as I said.

I don't want
any dead heroes
around here.

Yes, sir!

Whoa.

Thank god
her temperature's
coming down.

I'm cold.

You gave us quite
a scare, young lady.

Think you could
take some water?

I want you
to stay in bed

For at least
a couple of
days and rest.

I have to teach
school tomorrow,

And I have
trees to water.

Caroline, see
if you can talk

Some sense
into your daughter.

Keep her in ice
for another
half-hour.

I've got to get
back to town.

How was willie looking
when you left?

Much better.

He was cooling off
in the icehouse.

I'll look in on him.

In case he didn't
tell you, when he
came to get me,

He ran all the way.

Will you thank
willie for me?

I certainly will.

Bye.

Caroline: albert.

Go home and tell
the children I'm
staying here with laura.

And give them dinner,
will you, please?

Sure. I'll take
care of it, ma.

Thank you.

I'm going to let you go
early today

Because it's so hot.

[Students respond tiredly]

First, I'm going to
tell you a story.

I used to tell laura--
mrs. Wilder--

This story when she
was a little girl.

It's called "stone soup."

"Stone soup"?

You've been studying
the american revolution,

Haven't you?

Students: yes.

Fine. I want you
to imagine

That you're a starving
british soldier,

Lost in a wild land
where nobody wants you

And all doors
are closed to you.

This young soldier
stumbled out of the forest

Into a small village.

He was weak with hunger
and frozen, almost to death.

He was very young,

Not much older
than willie.

In fact,
his name was william.

He knocked on all the doors,
asking for food and shelter,

But the people told him
they were starving, too.

He offered to chop wood
for a meal,

But all the doors
slammed shut in his face.

Did william go back
into the forest
to freeze to death?

Students: no.

That's right.

He went straight
into the center of town

And took off
his knapsack.

Then he found
a big black iron pot

And filled it with snow.

Next, he built a roaring
fire under that pot
to melt the snow.

And what do you suppose

The people in the village
were doing?

I don't know.

They were peeking at him
because they were curious.

And they became
even more curious

When he opened his knapsack

And took out 3 very round
shiny rocks.

What do you suppose
he did with those rocks?

He dropped them
into the boiling water

Slowly, one by one,

So that all the people
looking out of their
windows could see him.

In a few minutes,
he opened his pack

And took out
a big spoon.

Then he stirred
the boiling water.

Then he spooned up a taste...

And smelled it.

He smiled as if it were
the most wonderful food
in the world.

What do you suppose
the villagers were doing?

They came to see
what was happening.

Exactly.

Their curiosity
got the better of them,

And they stomped through
the snow to stand and stare
at the steaming pot.

And then a little girl
about cassandra's age

Asked what everyone
wanted to know.

"What are you cooking?"

And what did william
tell them he was cooking?

Students:
stone soup.

Ha ha! Exactly.

And before anyone could
ask another question,

He tasted his soup again,
and he said,

"If only we had
some onions,

This soup would be perfect."

An old man allowed as how
he might have a few onions

Left in his cellar.

In a minute, he was back
with a bunch of onions.

William put them
into the soup.

Then he tasted it again.

"With some carrots
and about...20 potatoes,

It would be even better."

Then some people found
some potatoes and carrots.

Sure enough, those people
had been hiding food.

Now the soup was smelling
even better.

Then came some beef bones.

William said
the soup was done.

He let the old man who had made
the first contribution

Have the first bowl,

And can you guess
what he said?

-No.
-No.

What he said was,

"Best darned stone soup
I ever had!"

[Laughter]

Is that all?

Well...

If you're waiting
for me to tell you
what the story means,

You just have to figure
that out for yourselves.

I guess it means
it's important
to help each other.

There's something more
to the story, besides
just helping people.

What's that, willie?

Well, it's like
a lot of people

All working together
to get something done.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

[Cow mooing]

Here you are.

They'll be home
in two more weeks.

Not much
to come home to.

All our dreams
are just dying
out there in the sun.

If only I could have
saved the orchard.

It was too much
for one body to do.

I know.

But it's not
too much for a lot
of people to do.

Look.

What on earth?

Willie: we'll save
your trees for you,
mrs. Wilder.

Come on, everybody!
Let's get to the pond!

-Yeah!
-Yeah!

[Children speaking
excitedly]

Come on, nancy.

Ha ha ha!

Mom, what's this
all about?

Come on inside,
and I'll tell you.

Are you going
to help, nancy?

No. It's too hot.

Well, if
you were cooler,
would you help?

Of course I would,
willie.

Aah!

There. That ought
to cool you off.

Now fill your
bucket. Come on.

[Laughter]

Willie: we gave
them a real dousing,
mrs. Wilder.

Yeah. They should
be all right for
at least a week.

To my heroes,
albert and willie
and all of you!

Willie: hey, maybe
other folks could use
some help watering.

Yeah. We can all meet
at the thomases' tomorrow.

They're right
near the creek.

And the simons'
place.

Come on.
We can do it!

Children: yeah!

You know,
mrs. Ingalls,

This working
together--

I don't know--
it kind of makes
you feel good.

It sure does!

Now, let's all have
some lemonade,

And under there
are some sandwiches.

-Oh, yeah!
-Good!

-Look at that.
-Mmm!

Caroline: you couldn't
be hungry, could you!

[Laughter]

Ho!

Ho.

[Thunder]

Maybe from the sound
of that thunder,

We just might get
a little rain.

Yeah. By the look
of things, they
sure could use it.

Give my best to
half-pint, all right?

Sure will.
See you tomorrow.

Right. A home-cooked
meal coming up!

There we go.

Beth!

Beth, I'm home!

Manly!

Whoa!

Ha ha ha!

Oh, sweetheart!

Oh! Ohh!

Oh, darling,
I missed you.

Oh!

I missed you so.

Oh, me, too. You'll
never know how much.

I passed the orchard
on the way,

And it looks
just fine.
It looks just fine!

It's a good thing
it's raining
because I thought

I was going to have
to come home

And water
those trees.

Ha ha ha!

What's so funny?

Oh, nothing.
Nothing at all.

Come on inside
and get dried off.

All right.
Oh, I'm starving.

I got some stone soup
on the stove.

What on earth
is stone soup?

That's a long story.
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