01x24 - Welcome Home Balto/Snow Jam

[bunniefuu]

Hey, everyone-- it's me, Molly!

♪ Molly of Denali ♪

Let's go!

♪ She's Molly of Denali ♪

(laughing): Whooo!

♪ By plane or sled or snowshoe ♪

♪ She is ready to explore ♪

♪ From Kaktovik down to Juneau ♪

♪ Always wanting to learn more ♪

Yeah!

♪ Together with her best friend Tooey ♪

♪ Always by her side ♪ And Trini!

♪ Discovering the outdoors ♪

♪ On adventures day and night ♪

♪ Come along with Molly ♪

♪ Molly ♪

♪ Through fields of fireweed ♪

♪ Come along with Molly ♪

♪ Molly ♪

♪ From tundra to the sea ♪

Mahsi'choo-- let's go!

♪ Molly of Denali ♪ Yeah!

♪ She's Molly of Denali ♪

♪ Come on ♪ ♪ Let's go! ♪

♪ Molly of Denali ♪

♪ She's Molly of Denali ♪

MOLLY: "Welcome Home Balto."

MOLLY: For the three.

Swish!

It's all tied up and it's make-or-break

for the championship.

Molly passes the rock.

From half court...

The buzzer beater.

Ha!

BOTH: Northern Lights win!

BOTH: The champions of the world!

MOLLY: Hmm?

What's this?

(expels breath)

An old book.

Balto?

Seriously?

You found my Balto book?

I thought I'd lost it forever.

Oh man, I used to love this book.

I really wore it out.

Who's Balto?

He's a dog-- was a dog-- like, a long time ago.

And not just a made-up dog.

He was real.

So, why did they write a book about him?

Because he was a hero.

Can I borrow it?

I love books and I love dogs.

So a book about dogs? I'm there.

It's in pretty bad shape, but I can read it to you.

Well, since the pictures in the book are in bad shape,

I'll just make the pictures in my head.

(clears throat) "In the town of Nome, Alaska,

"there lived a Siberian husky named Balto.

"Balto was a sled dog who became a hero in the year .

(howls)

"The children of Nome became sick that winter.

"And the town had run out of medicine.

"So a shipment of medicine

"was sent from Anchorage, Alaska, by train.

(train whistle echoes, engine chugs)

The train made it as far as Nenana."

Hey! I've been to Nenana!

Me, too. It's not too far from Qyah.

Go on.

What happens next?

"But getting the medicine

"from Nenana to Nome was a big problem.

"A blizzard made it impossible to travel, even by plane.

(wind whipping, ice crackling)

The only way to get the medicine to Nome

"was by dogsled.

"Balto led the sled dogs through the blizzard.

"The journey was a dangerous one.

"Finally, Balto, the musher, and his team arrived in Nome.

♪ ♪

"They delivered the medicine.

(child slurping medicine)

"The sick children got better.

The people of Nome were saved!"

(sighs) That is the best story ever!

Right?

Balto is the greatest.

What happened to Balto after he saved Nome?

I don't know.

I mean, he was...

A national hero.

And you'll find him in this book.

Thanks, Daniel.

Real Life Animal Heroes.

Hmm, let's see.

Moko the Dolphin, Lulu the pot-bellied pig...

Ah!

Balto the Siberian husky.

What does it say?

"There were over mushers for the perilous journey.

Most of them were Alaskan Natives."

Hey! Just like us.

MOLLY: "A bronze statue of Balto

"was built in New York City's Central Park

to honor the dog's bravery."

He's beautiful.

Smaller than I imagined in my head.

Huh.

And where's his cape?

Huh?

You read that he was a hero,

so I pictured him wearing a cape like a superhero.

Hmm.

The book doesn't mention

that there's a statue of Balto in Alaska.

I wonder if there's one in Nenana that we could visit.

You might want to talk with Auntie Midge.

She's friends with the tribal chief there.

♪ ♪

AUNTIE MIDGE: Yes, I know the Balto story well.

I climbed up on his statue as a kid

when I visited New York.

So is there a statue of Balto in Nenana?

Not sure.

But let me call Henry, Nenana's tribal chief.

He might know something.

Thanks for the info, Henry.

You take care.

Sorry, kids.

No Balto statue in Nenana.

What?

(sighs) Too bad.

The town's having a big celebration on January .

The anniversary of when Balto and the sled team

delivered the medicine to Nenana.

There should be a statue there.

If New York has one,

Nenana should, too.

It's a great idea, Molly,

but the celebration is only a week away.

No problem!

And bronze is very expensive.

But wood isn't.

True.

We'd have to find a great woodworker.

I know just the guy.

(laughing): You sure are determined.

Tell me about it.

You don't know the half of it.

Let's do it.

Yay! Yes!

♪ ♪

(hammering)

(chisel scraping)

♪ ♪

That's one big dog.

You do know that Balto was a dog, not a giraffe, right?

(laughter)

I hope you like it.

BOTH: Whoa!

It's better than I could ever have imagined.

Quyana!

Thanks so much.

You're welcome, Molly.

(gasping): You included the musher!

Quyana, Mr. Patak.

Of course.

They're a team.

Come on, Tooey!

Let's get my dad

and we'll load this onto the truck for tomorrow.

DAD (sighing): Just heard the weather report, Moll.

There's a blizzard on its way, set to hit Qyah tonight.

The temperature could be degrees below zero.

I'm afraid we'll have to cancel the trip to Nenana.

What about Mom's plane?

The visibility is too low.

I'm so sorry.

TOOEY: Hey, Walter. Hey, Molly.

I came to get extra kibble for my dogs.

Are you ready for the big trip?

What? What did I say?

We're not going.

A storm's coming.

Oh.

I guess I'll just get that kibble for my dogs, then.

Your dogs!

They can carry us and the statue to Nenana!

(gasping): Just like Balto

delivered the medicine to Nome!

Hmm.

It'd be a difficult journey.

That blizzard could be a real doozy.

(whispering): Was that a yes or a no?

(chuckling): Let's talk to your dad, Tooey.

♪ ♪ (dogs barking)

You think your dogs can make the journey

with this blizzard heading our way?

It's our only option.

Well, the weather report says

the blizzard won't start until late this evening.

If we left now,

I think we can get to Nenana before it starts.

Then we'd better get ready.

(cheering)

Baasee'.

Thank you.

Thanks, Dad.

(motor revving)

(barks)

Nenana, here we come!

Hike!

Good luck.

AUNTIE MIDGE: Nets'e goosoo.

(barks)

Gee!

(wind gusting)

(wind whipping)

(barks)

Dad! The river!

Haw!

(dogs panting)

Dad?

Luka can't see.

You're right.

Whoa!

We're more than halfway there,

but the snow is coming down hard.

We have a decision to make.

Right.

Risk heading into a blizzard or turn back.

We can't stop now, Dad.

We have to honor Balto and all the mushers and sled dogs.

That's what the statue is all about.

I say we go forward a couple of miles.

If the weather is worse, we turn back.

Good plan, Kenji.

KENJI: Hike!

♪ ♪

Huh, the snow is letting up.

(barks)

And the winds are slowing down.

KENJI: Looks like the storm is heading in the other direction.

Whoo! We're going to Nenana!

Today we honor Balto and the brave mushers and their dogs

with a statue, thanks to the efforts

of two very determined young people.

Molly and Tooey, please come forward.

(applause)

Hey!

Way to go, Tooey-kun! That's my girl!

Whoo!

(whispering)

My grandson would like to know who Balto was

and why he has a statue.

Good questions.

And I know someone who can answer them.

Huh?

Oh.

(clears throat)

In the town of Nome, Alaska,

there lived a Siberian husky named Balto.

Balto was a sled dog who became a hero in the year .

Hey, everyone!

Molly here to answer your questions about life in Alaska.

Aisha in Arizona asks,

"What do sled dogs do in the summer?"

My friends are going summer mushing.

Let's join them.

BOTH: Hi, Molly!

BOY: We're about to meet some people

that work with dogs

all year round at Alaska Mushing School.

What does the website say about dog mushing?

BOY: Dog mushing is Alaska's state sport.

And Alaska Native people have been

using dog teams to travel through the winter

for thousands of years,

well before there were cars and trains.

The dogs train even when there's no snow on the ground,

using the cart instead of a sled.

What do you think that looks like?

I don't think it'll be like a shopping cart,

but maybe like a wheelbarrow or something.

(dogs howling)

♪ ♪

Would you guys like to meet the dogs?

Yes. Yes, please.

♪ ♪

This is what the dogs are going to be pulling today.

Is this what you envisioned?

No. Not really.

BOY: While reading the website,

we imagined the cart to be more boxy,

like a wheelbarrow.

But it's actually a longer, skinnier shape with nice seats.

You always want to tell him "good boy."

Good boy.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

BOY: Today was so fun and hot

that we took a swim

with the dogs.

And the dogs had so much fun, too.

Obviously.

KIDS: Bye, Molly!

Mahsi'choo!

Thanks for asking, and see you next time!

MOLLY: "Snow Jam."

(whistle blowing)

That's right, team!

Hoo! Now you're looking sharp!

Outlet to Molly, Oscar!

Oh, nice work! Now make the pass, Molly!

You've got this one, Trini! Ha-ha!

(grunts with effort)

♪ ♪

KIDS: Whoa!

Yes!

I planned it that way.

(laughter)

Okay, bring it in, Northern Lights.

MOLLY: Northern Lights cheer!

TEAM: Take it to the limit, take it to the top!

We're the mighty Northern Lights and we can't be stopped!

(cheering)

All right, listen up, team.

I have some good news and, uh, some bad news.

We've been invited to participate in

the Regional Alaska Basketball Tournament this weekend.

KIDS (laughing): Yes!

But this year's tournament is being held in Akiak,

and, unfortunately, we don't have the money to get there.

Aw, man! Aw!

Hey! We're the Northern Lights.

Together, we'll figure out a way to get the money.

(laughing): Aww, you said it Molly.

You're right, Molly.

We're super mighty! We can do it!

Good hustle, everybody!

That's the spirit! Way to go, team.

(laughs, then sighs)

Lemonade stand?

Nope, too cold.

Car wash?

Not enough cars in Qyah.

(sighs)

How can we earn money?

MOM: Money for what, Molly?

The basketball team has to get to Akiak,

but we don't have money for airplane tickets,

and we can't all fit into your bush plane.

Hmm.

What's the team gonna do?

We only have a few days to raise travel money

or we miss the tournament.

Oh, and we've practiced so hard.

Remember, Molly,

the team doesn't have to figure this out alone.

You're part of a bigger community.

Maybe we can all help.

That's a great idea.

And I think I know who can come up with

some great suggestions for a fundraiser.

Me too.

BOTH: Auntie Midge!

(laughter)

How about a fundraising run?

Hmm.

Haven't we done a lot of those lately?

There was the K book-a-thon for the library,

the K race to replace the "Welcome to Qyah" sign.

I think people are kinda pledged out of fundraising runs.

(gasps) I got it!

Since we're raising money for the basketball team,

what if we dribble while we run the race?

I'd pay money to see that.

We can call it the Double Fun Bounce and Run Fundraiser.

Yes!

I'll go and fire up the radio to get the word out.

GRANDPA NAT: A bounce and run

to get your team to Akiak.

You bet!

You're our first pledge, Grandpa.

If we get a lot more,

we'll have enough to get to the tournament.

What are the rules, Molly?

If everybody on the team

completes the Double Fun Bounce and Run,

all the pledge money goes to the Northern Lights.

Well, I hope you can run in snowshoes.

Snow?

I don't think we can run in...

Wait a minute, Grandpa.

You just gave me a great idea.

Huh. What's that?

Snowshoes!

We can run and dribble while wearing snowshoes.

Everyone in town will pledge money

to see that. (laughs)

Well, let's just see what kind of snow we're dealing with.

Kind of snow?

Yes, there are many different kinds of snow,

all with different names in the Koyukon language.

There's wet snow, dry snow, clean snow.

Some is soft and easy to sink into,

some is hard as concrete.

And that kind:

thick.

It's crystallized snow made of snowflakes

that have become little frozen pellets.

Pellets!

I've walked on that kind of snow.

It makes a crunchy sound.

(snow crunching)

And that over there is called tseetl koodle',

which is a very fluffy and light snow

that's fresh.

Oh, that's my favorite kind of snow.

When it falls, I like to catch it on my tongue.

(laughs)

And that's tseetl tenh.

A hard-packed snow.

Like what happens to snow when people walk on it.

Each type of snow is different,

which is why there are many different words for snow.

Wow.

This will really help me with the race.

I can use what I already know about snow

and add it to what you've told me.

Mahsi, Grandpa.

Ah, no problem.

Ooh, I can even show you which snow is best

for dribbling a basketball on.

There's a word for that?

(laughs) Not exactly.

But we'll figure it out.

TRINI: Help send the Northern Lights

to Akiak and back!

(barks)

That's right, folks!

And this isn't just any run.

We'll be running and dribbling and snowshoeing

all at the same time.

(laughs) Where do I sign?

Right here.

Baasee'. Thank you.

You won't be disappointed.

(laughing): I'm sure I won't.

The Northern Lights will run, dribble, and snowshoe

in a big circle around the lake.

How clever!

MAN: Oh, this I've gotta see.

(laughter)

(dogs barking)

(laughter)

Remember,

we only get the donations

if everyone finishes.

I think we need a Northern Lights cheer.

KIDS: Take it to the limit, take it to the top!

We're the mighty Northern Lights and we can't be stopped!

(cheering)

Yes!

Racers, take your marks.

Get set.

Go!

(adults cheering)

Trini, you're in fresh tseetl koodle'.

That's the snow that's soft and fluffy.

The ball won't bounce on it.

Try dribbling over there on the tseetl tenh.

Tseetl tenh? What's that?

It's the Koyukon word for snow that's hard and solidly packed.

Oh!

That's the kind that's really hard to shovel.

Huh.

Thanks, Molly.

♪ ♪

Ah!

Yikes! Whoa!

You're on tleehuloo! Get off!

It's too slippery!

(kids shout, groan upon impact)

You fell into tseetl koodle', the soft, fluffy snow.

That's right, Trini.

Thought so.

Let's go, Northern Lights!

(breathless): This is harder than I thought.

Halfway there, Oscar.

(gasps)

Vera, freeze!

Okay.

Why am I standing like a flamingo?

Whoa!

That was tseetl nekoyee,

deep snow that people and animals can sink into.

It would have buried you like quicksand.

Whoa. Thanks, Molly.

♪ ♪

Warning!

Tseetl daa'etlyodlee!

What's that?

Well, it's a type of snow that's...

(Tooey groaning)

Let me guess, on trees?

(laughing)

♪ ♪

Hold up!

♪ ♪

Ugh!

There's no way to go over this.

We're totally blocked.

But we gotta finish the race,

or we can't go to the tournament.

(gasps) What if we go under, Molly?

You know so much about snow.

Is it safe to tunnel under this kind of snow?

(snow crunches)

Looks like tseetl tl'en, which is the hard snow.

This should hold.

Okay, everyone.

Basketballs down, snowshoes up.

We're going to tunnel our way to the finish line.

♪ ♪

Who are we?

KIDS: The Northern Lights!

And what makes us great?

Uh, good question.

Don't know.

Teamwork! Let's go!

(cheering)

Hmm, how long has it been? (people muttering)

VILLAGERS: Wow they've been out there a long time.

Any minute now.

They'll be here soon, I'm sure.

I hope they show up soon.

♪ ♪

(ice cracking)

Hmm, I wonder where the kids are.

Yeah it's been a while.

I hope they're okay.

(panting, barks)

Oh, there they are!

KIDS: Akiak, here we come!

(kids and villagers cheering)

Way to go! Great to see you!

(laughs) Nicely done, Molly!

I couldn't have done it without you

helping me learn about

all the different kinds of snow.

Baasee', Shchada'a.

Look, Segoya!

Its tseetl koodle', your favorite kind of snow.

(laughter)

♪ ♪