19x02 - Max

[bunniefuu]

♪ Reading rainbow ♪

♪ Butterfly in the sky ♪

♪ I can go twice as high ♪

♪ Take a look ♪

♪ It's in a book ♪

♪ Reading rainbow ♪

♪ I can go anywhere ♪

♪ Friends to know
and ways to grow ♪

♪ Reading rainbow ♪

♪ I can be anything ♪

♪ Take a look ♪

♪ It's in a book ♪

♪ Reading rainbow ♪

♪ Reading rainbow ♪

Captioning made possible by
u.s. Department of education

Bravery...courage...
Selflessness.

These are the characteristics
of men and women

Who put the needs of others
before their own.

Day after day, firefighters,
emergency workers,

Police officers, even
our parents and teachers

Do their very best
to make our lives better.

The truth is, we all
have the potential

To be heroes.

Here's a story about
a young superhero

Who learns what it means
to truly be a hero.

His story is called... Max.

Morning arrived on a street
like any other street,

In a town like any other town.

In a house the color of the sun

And the shape of
a lightning bolt,

A baby woke up in his crib.

Not just any baby...
He was a superbaby,

Son of superheroes
captain lightning
and madam thunderbolt.

[Thunder clap]

Imagine him behind
those yellow walls,

His fingers curling
and his feet kicking.

His name was...max.

[Bird's wings flutter]

His parents, legendary catchers
of thieves and bullies,

Loved max dearly.

Mama!

"You can walk already,"
said max's dad.

"And you can talk already,

"And I think that you'll soon be

Flying like a bird!"

[Max giggles]

"He'll be a superhero just
like us!" Said his grandma.

"But first, you need to
fly," said his granddad.

Although they bounced him
and bumped him

And threw him like
a feather on the wind,

Max did not fly.

He just floated gently
back to earth.

Max grew, as superbabies do,

But still, he didn't fly.

"Just hover a little,"
said madam thunderbolt.

"Every superhero needs to hover
and hurdle and swoop."

"Well, maybe sometime soon,"
she added.

[Ruff ruff]

At home, max and
phantom the dog,
played on the floor.

"Come on up and join me with
the parakeet," said his dad.

"I can't," said max.

"I want to play with phantom."

[Barking]

"I can't understand
why he doesn't fly."

"When I was his age,
I got into trouble

For leaving fingerprints
on the ceiling lamp."

By the time he went to school,

Max was not a flying superhero,

But just an ordinary boy
with a cape and a mask--

Which were no help at all
in the schoolyard.

"Why don't you do tough things
like your mom and dad?"

Asked aaron.

"And why do you dress
in those funny clothes?"

"And why don't you fly?"
Asked daisy.

Max just shrugged.

[Rooster crows]

The sun rose one morning with
the world-famous superheroes

Deep in dreams of
yesterday's exploits.

[Snoring]

Grandma and granddad dreamed of
heroic past deeds.

[Snoring]

Phantom dreamed of rabbits.

[Snoring]

Who could know that a baby bird
was about to fall from its nest?

Max knew.

Max saw it from his open window.

This bird was not ready to fly.

Max ran to the stairs,
and he took them 3 at a time.

He reached the front door.

The baby bird fell.

Max flew to save it.

"You be careful up there, max!"

Max flew the baby bird
back to its nest.

In the weeks that followed,
max could be seen

Hovering like a summer dragonfly
above the school gates.

Try as she might,
miss honeyset couldn't keep him

Firmly in his seat in class.

[Children laugh]

At lunchtime in the schoolyard,

To his friends, he was still
plain and ordinary max...

Well, not quite ordinary.

But then, as aaron said,

"Everyone's different
in some way, aren't they?"

Now that max can fly,
will he become a superhero

Like his legendary parents?

Will he hurdle and swoop
to catch thieves, crooks,
and bullies?

"Not important,"
said madam thunderbolt.

"Let's call him a small hero,
a small hero doing quiet deeds.

The world needs more of those."

Max wished his mom
wouldn't hug him in public.

Now, on sundays, after their
week's work is finished,

Captain lightning,
madam thunderbolt, and max

Ride high over the town.

"Can we go up to
the jet stream?" Asks max.

"Whenever you're
ready, max."

Max was encouraged by his
parents and grandparents,

Who knew that
there was a superhero
living inside of him

Just waiting to leap out.

Well, real-life heroes,
like firefighters,
need encouragement, too.

They come to the firehouse
each and every day

Not knowing exactly what they'll
be called upon to do,

And you might be surprised
to find out just what,
and who, inspires them.

My father, my uncles,
and my family.

My mother--she basically
guided me in the right way,

Telling me different
things to do,

How to handle myself
around people, and be
respectful to everyone.

I'd have to say firefighters.

I lived down a block
from a firehouse,

And as a young boy, I used
to walk by the firehouse.

There was a certain type of aura
about the whole place,

And I used to see them
responding,

And they kind of inspired me

Because I knew they were
off to do the right thing
and help people.

Both my grandfather and my
father are a great inspiration.

My grandfather had been
a new york city firefighter

For 33 years,

And my father,
he was my particular hero.

He had faced a lot of
adversity in his life,

And he always dealt with it
and worked hard and struggled
to do the right thing.

One of my heroes would--
I would have to say

Is vince lombardi,
coach of the green bay packers,

A native new yorker.

He took a bunch of football
players and made them
believe in themselves,

Showed them some leadership
and some team spirit

And made them
into champions.

I had a lot of different heroes.

I, like most children,
looked up to the athletes.

You know, the average guys
like jordan, you know,
like jordan.

You know, a lot of
the ballplayers.

I think a hero is
somebody that helps
another human being.

We saw a lot of heroes
on september 11.

The new york city firemen
went and gave their lives

Saving other
people--strangers--

And then after that,
the outpouring of love from
the rest of the country.

People helping other people;
everybody was a hero.

It's funny...until september 11,

I mean, we didn't even realize
what we did every day.

We just, I mean,
we just loved doing it.

And when we lost all our guys--
we lost 12 guys--

We took a step back
and realized...

I mean, the only people I would
call heroes in the world

Are the guys on
the wall outside.

I don't look at guys that I work
with heroes every day.

We just come in here to
do our job and go home.

Well, my best hero, I guess,
would be malcolm x:

The way he strived for his
people, the way he always
stood up for his beliefs.

He never bowed;
he stayed strong.

I mean, he grew up from a kid
in the streets, like most of us,

Got in trouble,

Was able to do whatever he had
to do, his time or whatever,

And then came out of it
and taught himself,

Became much more than
what he was, you know,

And he d*ed for his
cause, unfortunately,

But it's similar
to being a fireman.

Firemen, and policemen,
and teachers...

Are very giving of themselves,
and they are selfless.

They don't expect
anything in return.

And...they're charming,
they're giving,

They're always able
to be able to help.

Strong-minded, tough-skinned.

Definitely tough-skinned,
'cause they harass you.

Outgoing...motivated.

I think you have to love
people and love life.

I think it's very important.

And it's very important
to help people--

It's a noble thing
that you can help people,

You know,
to want to be good.

Someone who's caring and...

Puts the safety of others
before themselves.

First of all, stay in school,
'cause then you can be
anything you want,

But...just take care of yourself
and stay healthy.

Honor your parents and
do what they tell you
and work hard in school.

Be self-motivated;
don't take what they're saying
for more than what it's worth.

Do for yourself,
'cause I went through that.

They told me I would never
make it, and I've made it.

So I wouldn't listen to them.

If you want it bad enough,
you'll get it.

You also have to have
a good handle on life

And be able to deal
with situations.

And by working hard in
school, you learn to develop

Skills that are necessary
to pursue this.

Sometimes our lives
depend on those who risk
their lives for us.

Their sacrifice and bravery
e plain to see.

But there are other people
whose acts of heroism
are not so obvious.

These are called unsung heroes:

People who just work hard
every day to help those
unable to help themselves.

The volunteers at the wildlife
rescue center of the hamptons

Are unsung heroes.

Instead of relaxing at
the seashore, they're
out there saving animals

Who are in desperate
need of help.

Burton:
the wildlife rescue center is
located in eastern long island.

The center rescues
and rehabilitates wildlife
that are hurt and in trouble.

The staff and volunteers take
care of the rescued animals

Until they are ready
to return to the wild.

Girl: I'm kristen washer
from the wildlife rescue
center of the hamptons.

I've been working
with them for two years
as the hospital supervisor,

Which means that I take care
of all the animals when
they initially come in

And administer first aid.

Woman: yeah, the break
feels pretty good.

There's a little bit
of calcification here.

Washer: my boss, ginnie frati...

Ginnie started the wildlife
rescue center of the hamptons

Because she found a hurt possum
on the side of the road

That was hit by a car,
and she couldn't find
anybody to help her.

And then she realized that
there needed to be a place
to help these animals.

Frati: put a little tape...

Washer: she's like a friend
to me, and she's a mentor,

And to me, she's a role model
and a hero.

Frati: make sure the wing's
in the right position,

And that's it.

Washer: it's all
ready to go back?

Yep.
Ok.

[Telephone rings]

Wildlife rescue.

Burton: rescuing
animals in trouble

Is one of the most
important and dangerous

Responsibilities of the center.

A rescue almost always starts
when someone from the community

Calls with an emergency.

Oh, my. Ok.
Ok, very good.

Hold on just one
second--kristen?

There's a goose over
at cormorant point

That has a six-pack
ring around its neck
that's stuck,

And it's
in the water.

Would you'd be able
to go get it?

Yeah, I'll get tom,
we'll get the gear
and we'll head out.

Ok. Hi, sir, we'll
be right there.

Ok, thank you for
calling. Bye-bye.

Burton: kristen and tom
rush to the scene.

They've been on many
rescues together

And have often put
themselves in danger for
the sake of the animals.

Man: my name is
thomas lovett.

I'm a full-time
staff member here

At the wildlife rescue center.

Kristen and i, we can always
read each other's movements

And we get along,
and it's a perfect thing,

Because when we're
out on a rescue,

We know what the other person
will and will not do,

And you can't b*at it.

Burton: the location is
only accessible by water.

So the bay constable
load them onto his boat,

And they are off to the site.

Rescue center must reach
the bird in time,

Or he will drown.

Right over there,
right in the water.

Burton: kristen spots the goose
from the boat,

And they head in that direction.

The team knows it only
has minutes to reach
the trapped animal.

Lovett: when I'm on
a rescue, what goes
through my mind is,

I want to be successful.

I want to see this animal
return to the wild.

Burton: the goose is on
the other side of a large pond.

His head is underwater as
he struggles to free himself

From the plastic ring.

This is a battle he will lose

Without kristen and tom's help.

Washer: when we first noticed
that he was drowning,

We definitely knew that we were
on a time limit there,

And we had to run in as quick
as possible and get the bird.

Burton: the goose continues
to wrestle with the ring

As tom rushes in.

He chooses the fastest route,
going directly across the pond,

But it's slow running through
knee-deep saltwater.

Lovett: when I saw the animal,
just the way it was struggling,

You know you just
have to get there

Regardless of what happens.

Your main goal is
to save the animal.

Burton: he makes it...
Just in time.

He carries the goose
back to kristen

Before removing
the plastic ring.

That's because it takes
two people to cut the ring
off the animal's neck.

Washer: the main problems
that these animals have
is 'cause of a human,

Like he had a plastic ring
around his neck

'Cause a human threw it away.

Here, let's get
this off first.

Washer: things that we should do
to avoid litter like that

Is to break the rings--
you want to break every hole
that's in those six-pack rings,

And then throw them
away properly.

When you're at the beach,
don't just toss it to the side

Because animals will pick it up

And then they'll try and eat it
or do whatnot with it.

Lovett: let's get her
back, check her out.

Washer: first, we thought
the only problem on the bird

Was the band, the rings
around its neck from
the plastic can holder,

But when we took him
back to the exam room
at the hospital

And we gave him a further
first-aid inspection,

Then we noticed that his
left wing was broken.

It's a pretty bad break.

It's probably going to need
the two bandages: the figure 8--

And the body wrap.
And the body wrap.

Yeah.

So I'll start
the figure 8 first.

Yeah.

And then we can get him
to the vet for an x-ray.

At least this way
it'll hold the wing stable.

Yeah, keep the bones
in place.
Yeah.

The body wrap will give it
a little more stability.

We have to get under
the good wing.

All right.

This is the hard part.

Burton: at first, the bandage
feels awkward to the bird.

But once it's wrapped, it makes
him feel safe and secure.

Definitely a two-person job.

Yeah.

Poor thing, poor thing.

Get you some nice dinner,
yep, a nice dinner.

Set him up in a crib
in the back.

Yep.

Burton: haley puts the bird
in for the night.

A playpen is perfect for taking
animals in and out safely.

Good night!

Burton: a few weeks
later, the goose is
free of the bandages

And is ready to
experience the water.

Bathing helps him
exercise his legs

And get used to swimming again.

When kristen sprays his wings,
it comforts him

And restores the natural
waterproofing in his feathers.

Soon it's time
to return outside.

Haley takes him to the back
of the rescue center

And puts him into
an enclosed pond.

Washer: the main reason why we
put them in the outside pond

Is to get them used to
the weather temperature
again in the water

And make them use their little
legs and paddle around

Like they would do
out in the wild,

And bathe themselves, and just
get used to it all again.

Burton: every animal
the rescue center rehabilitates

Will be released into the wild.

So, just 6 weeks
after being rescued,

The goose is returned
to a spot very close
to where he was found.

This is an important
moment for the team.

Lovett: the best feeling
is to watch the release.

That's how you know
that your rescue was
successful,

When you're able to
release the same one back
to where it came from.

[Goose honks]

Washer: to the animals,
I think that we are heroes.

We are giving them
a second chance at life.

I think his mate is around.
That's probably why
he didn't fly away.

Oh, look,
there's the mate!

[Honking]

Washer: when we release
an animal, it's an
incredible feeling

To just let that animal go
and be free again.

Heroes, like kristen,
tom, and ginnie,

Remind us to think
less about ourselves

And more about
the world around us.

They give us something
to look up to

And provide invaluable
inspiration.

So, if you're thinking
about becoming a hero,

Then here are 3 books that
might come to your rescue.

But...you don't have
to take my word for it.

Hi. I'm sarah.

This is the kind of
book that makes you
feel warm inside

Even though it's
cold outside.

That's because it's
all about mittens.

Imagine trying to make a
snowman without mittens.

Your hands would freeze!

Well, that's why
this boy isn't playing--

Because he has
no mittens.

Well, a woman named sarah
peeks out her window

And knows what she has to do.

So she gets to work
making mittens.

Sarah makes sure there
are enough for everyone.

Take a look at this mitten tree.

I bet you can guess
who decorated it with
all these mittens.

What a surprise!

Mittens, mittens
for all the kids.

It made sarah feel wonderful
to see everyone so happy

With their handmade mittens,

And it made me feel great, too.

If you're looking for
something warm and cozy,

Then curl up with this book:
the mitten tree.

Hi, I'm olivia.

I'm reading this terrific book.

It's called if a bus could talk.

Imagine being thrown out of
your bus seat just because
you're not the right color,

Or being asked to leave the bus
because the color of your skin.

I can't even imagine.

Well, rosa parks refused
to give up her seat,

And that started
the big protest

Called the montgomery
bus boycott.

For over a whole year, people
refused to ride the buses.

They walked everywhere.

Rosa parks was a hero,
but there was still

A long road ahead.

So, if you're looking for
a hero, try this book.

It won't disappoint you.

Hi. I'm nick.

I like to read books
about people who do
courageous things,

Especially at night.

These books are always
filled with surprises
and adventure,

Like this one,
sosu's call.

It's about a boy
who lives in a small
fishing village by the sea.

Even though he can't walk,
he ends up rescuing
his whole village.

He becomes quite a hero.

The people in town
don't think much of sosu

Because of his disability,

So he stays close to
his family and rarely
leaves his yard.

When a storm comes,
sosu is frightened

But realizes he must do
something to save the town.

It gets really freaky.

I won't tell you
how the story ends,

But let's say sos+ does
something really courageous

To save everyone.

This is my treehouse,
my quiet place to read.

When I come up here
with a book like this,

My nighttimes turn
intan adventure.

Yours can too, with sosu's call.

When we think of
the heroes in our lives,

Certain inner qualities
come to mind.

These traits are part of
what we call "character,"

And that character is something
we like to celebrate.

[Guitar strumming]

♪ How do I know that
you're a hero? ♪

♪ You're not the kind of hero
I expected to see ♪

♪ You don't look
much like a hero ♪

♪ I haven't seen you
in the papers ♪

♪ Or on national tv ♪

♪ Do you dress real fine
and have a lot of fancy
cars in your garage, ♪

♪ Spend your time in a mansion
with an entourage, ♪

♪ A rising star with
fortune and fame? ♪

♪ Did you win a race
or are you in first place
on aaseball team? ♪

♪ Did I see your
face on a magazine? ♪

♪ Why don't I seem
to know your name? ♪

♪ Do you fly and wear a cape ♪

♪ Like in the comic books
I bought? ♪

♪ Or is being a true hero
much more than what I thought? ♪

♪ Now I know why you're a hero ♪

♪ It's all about the little
things that nobody sees ♪

♪ You're the quiet
kind of hero ♪

♪ An everyday hero ♪

♪ An unsung kind of hero ♪

♪ An everyday hero to me ♪

♪ An everyday hero to me ♪

♪ An everyday hero... ♪

♪ To me ♪

There are so many people
who do brave and selfless
things every day.

We admire them, and oftentimes
we wish we could be like them.

But here's the amazing thing:

There actually is a strong,
courageous person

That lives inside of you.

Because the truth is,
you're a hero, too.

I'll see you next time.

Today's reading rainbow books

Are max, text and illustrations
by bob graham,

Published by candlewick press.

If a bus could talk:
the story of rosa parks,

Written and illustrated
by faith ringgold,

Published by simon & schuster
books for young readers,

An imprint of simon & schuster
childrens publishing division.

The mitten tree, written
by candace christiansen,

Illustrated by
elaine greenstein,

Published by fulcrum publishing.

Sosu's call, written
by meshack asare,

Originally published
in ghana in 1977

By sub-saharan publishers.

American edition
published in 2002

By kane/miller book publishers.