Big Blue Marble Episode Guide

by G. Jack Urso

 

Episode Guide for Big Blue Marble (1974-1983)

The following episode list and descriptions are provided below from the now-defunct website, coolvariety.com, the online home of C/F International, the former license holder of Big Blue Marble, which went out of business in 2008. A few spelling errors were corrected, but it otherwise appears verbatim from the original text.

As one can see, Big Blue Marble had an incredible reach around the world, perhaps eased by I.T.T.’s global business presence in those nations. Though few episodes are publicly available, this comprehensive and detailed episode guide gives a broad view of the entire series. Rather than just brief episode descriptions, these are more akin to program logs, and also contain references to recurring segments and songs not usually provided in TV listings. Consequently, I think these may originate with the original producers of the series rather than C/F International, but that is a bit of speculation on my part.

The few links provided are to the actual episode videos themselves hosted on the supporting YouTube channel for Aeolus 13 Umbra.

 

Big Blue Marble Episode Guide

PROGRAM #001

Colombia

Story of a boy who works for a gamekeeper, looking after animals, making sure that no poaching is going on and that the animals are in good health. We see him rescue a dolphin and prevent the killing of an anaconda snake at the hands of frightened villagers.

Alabama

Fourteen-year old Wendy Holcomb from Alabasta, Alabama, started playing the banjo when she was twelve. She goes on tour, plays at neighborhood nursing homes to lift the spirits of the old people and dreams of becoming a country-western music star.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #002

Hawaii

Keith lives in Hawaii. We see him learning how to make a surfboard - see him surfing then meeting and surfing with a world champion surfer.

Italy

Maura visits her uncle on the Island of Sardinia, Italy, to learn a little bit of the history and traditions of the Island. Her cousin Carlo is partaking in the traditional festival called "La Sartiglia" - a jousting event.

USA

A special segment featuring famed Broadway actor Jack Gilford. In an urban setting he sings John Prine's haunting ballad "Hello In There." The song contains a message that old people are still important and we must reach out to them.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #003

China

Story of a young girl who is a member of the Chinese Opera. Shows the student's vocal and physical training (calisthenics, acrobatics, tumbling).

Illinois

James Edwards, age 15, convicted of robbery, has been confined to Little City in Palatine, Illinois, as part of a work-school therapy program, to train him to deal with problems of life outside. We see him attending scholastic classes, budgeting money, participating in sports and social activities and receiving group therapy.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #004

Uruguay

Father of ten year old boy brings leading gaucho and rodeo performer to his ranch to train his son.

Pennsylvania

Mary Ellen Ronco, from Redding, PA - an equestrian champion. We see her in training and at the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden.

Belgium

Story about Yvan Janssen, age twelve, a young man brought up by deaf and dumb parents who works with blind people. He was inspired to do this work by a blind nun. He designed a game for a blind friend which a sighted and blind person can play together. He also translates books into Braille and has invented a special cane for the blind.

PROGRAM #005

Cayman Islands

Story about Barbara Card, age fifteen, a Scuba Diver, who lives on Grand Cayman Island. She is seen cataloging fish, going down to see wrecks and being drilled in scuba diving techniques.

Morocco

Thirteen year old Ali envies his friend Brahim because Brahim owns a lutar and Ali desperately wants to buy one but he doesn't have enough money. We see Ali devise ways to earn money for a lutar.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #006

Switzerland

Story about Andreus, age ten, and his father who train St. Bernard Dogs for rescue operations in the Alps. We follow them during a dramatic simulated rescue.

New York & New Jersey

Typical weekly routine of eight year old Tisha Campbell. We see her at school working with her mother who is her voice coach, at play with her brother and performing live at a jazz concert in New York's Greenwich Village.

Japan

A boy who lives in this highly industrialized country is maintaining ties with tradition by studying Keno - an ancient martial art.

PROGRAM #007

South Dakota

Cindy's assignment for her school newspaper is to do a story on the mysterious creature, Bigfoot, who has been sighted in rural South Dakota.

France

Fifteen year old Hugo Perrier is a member of a team that plays basketball on skates. They entertain disabled youngsters. We meet his family and friends at home. The team practices skating at school and stages a charity game beneath the Eiffel Tower.

Bhutan

The everyday life of apprentice monks in the mountains of Bhutan.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #008

Austria

Story about three students who attend the ski Gymnasium in Stams, Austria, a school that specializes in teaching skiing. We see these students in ski practice sessions both outdoors and indoors. We also view them studying academics. Story ends with Fritz entering a ski competition.

Texas

Mel Kimbro, 12, from Boerne, Texas, rides bucking bulls. Last year, his first as a pro, Mel earned the title of American Junior Rodeo Reserve World Champion. We see him teach his younger brother Jim, 9, and benefiting from his dad, ex-rodeo champ Clyde Kimbro.

India

A 12-year old boy works as a diamond grinder in the same workshop as his father. The family's need for additional income has forced the boy to leave school.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #009

Missouri

A rafting celebration on the Mississippi river in the tradition of Huck Finn.

Illinois

Story of Michelle Emerson of Wheeling, Illinois, a female hockey goalie on an all boys team called the Shields. Her older brother coaches her in hockey and her older sister coaches her in figure skating. We also see her in music classes in school.

Spain

Twelve year old Manual becomes a new member of Bemposta School (a total community - students live, work and play there). Baldeon ( an older student) orients him, taking Manuel to meet Father Silva (founder of Bemposta). They go to the school TV station and see a music and dance show that Baldeon is in, visit a gymnastic practice and watch other students training horses for a circus act.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #010

Iceland

Traditional Icelandic gathering of eggs from the tall cliffs on three tiny islands off Iceland's southern coast. Whole families work together in this exciting once a year event.

Florida

Story of ten year old Maria, who works in the fields on weekends to help her family of nine brothers and sisters and three nephews. Besides helping out around home she spends as much time as she can on school work as her dream is to go to college and become a doctor.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #011

"My SeventeenthSummer" - Part I

A four part serialized adventure story which takes place in 1923. The story concerns itself with the evils of prejudice within a framework of an exciting fast action adventure chase involving World War I aircraft, period cars and a steam locomotive.

Canada

Story about John Alleyn and Sabena Ulman, both students at the National Ballet School of Canada. We see them in grueling dance classes, rehearsing for an upcoming performance, attending academic classes and spending time with classmates.

PROGRAM #012

"My SeventeenthSummer" - Part II

(See Program #011)

Minnesota

Seventeen year old Jon Weaks, who flies private planes, learns the special skills of Aerobatics with Champion stunt-pilot Debbie Gary of Alexandria, Minnesota.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #013

"My SeventeenthSummer" - Part III

(See Program #011)

Brinydeep

A group of teens sail across the Atlantic on the route of Christopher Columbus' first voyage; following the trade winds to the Americas.

Kenya

Story of a young boy who works on a farm with his family. His uncle, a wood sculptor takes the boy on as an apprentice.

PROGRAM #014

"My SeventeenthSummer" - Part IV

(See Program #011)

Environment . . . And Not a Drop to Drink

The first in a series of Big Blue Marble pieces on the environment and conservation. This segment deals with the problems of the overuse and misuse of the world's precious water resources.

New York & Colorado

Fourteen year old Peter Wyrick, a cello student at Julliard is seen studying and rehearsing at school and at home. He travels to Aspen, Colorado to participate in the famous music festival. In performance, he plays Beethoven's "A Major Sonata."

PROGRAM #015

Scotland

Two youngsters investigate the mystery of Nessie, the monster of Loch Ness in the Northern Highlands. Their search is aided by well-known Nessie hunters, including Tim Dinsdale.

New York & California

Greg Wilson, young magician and TV personality, performs in rehearsal with his father, magician Mark Wilson. We also see Greg performing at the Magic Castle in Hollywood and at home with his family and friends.

South Carolina

The Blue Marble Mobile with Clark Brandon aboard, visits a farm where they breed miniature horses and even a miniature cow.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #016

Egypt

Story of the life of a twelve year old actress in Cairo who auditions for a new children's show.

Utah

Twelve year old boxer Amber Hunt is fighting Frank Avila, one of the few opponents who previously beat her. We follow her through rigorous training sessions leading to a 3 round encounter at the Salt Lake Fairgrounds.

Guatemala

An Indian family lives just as its ancestors did centuries ago. We see life revolving around this close knit family, high in the remote Sierra Madre Mountains.

PROGRAM #017

USA

Story about fourteen year old tennis champion, competing at the Rolex Tournament in Port Washington, New York. We follow her through victory against stiff international competition.

Easter Island

Story about Raquel Hardel Haoa and Jose Belsano Raputuki, who live on Easter Island. We see them riding horses, exploring the statues and caves of their ancestors and singing the traditional music of the Island.

Missouri

The Blue Marble Mobile visits Gary Nunn, a twelve year old chef who demonstrates the making of his unique Popsicle.

PROGRAM #018

New York

A few days with Jim Plattner, the bat boy for the New York Yankees. We see him practicing and working with the players, as well as trying out for the team at Yankee Stadium.

Poland

Story about a teenage girl who is a member of the Mime Theatre Gest in Bratslava. This classical theatre form thrives on the streets and stages of modern Poland.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #019

England

The activities of a twelve year old Gypsy as her family sets up camp at the famous fair at Appleby. We see her socializing with many friends who come to Appleby from all over the British Isles to sell and trade horses.

Environment: Vanishing Firewood

The second of a group of shows dealing with environmental problems. This focuses on the scarcity of firewood in certain Third World nations and, specifically, its impact on children.

New York

Candice Coster, a model and aspiring actress is seen at work with a photographer, and at home rehearsing with her father. She also is seen horseback riding with a friend in the country.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #020

New York & California

Krae Van Sickle, age seventeen, wins the World Frisbee Championship at the Rose Bowl. We see him practicing with his father in New York and competing with the nation's best Frisbee throwers in Pasadena.

New Zealand

A Maori student at St. Stephens School brings a white schoolmate home for the holidays. Segment explains ancient Maori traditions in rural northern New Zealand.

PROGRAM #021

Costa Rica & Washington, DC

We see members of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, going to school and rehearsing in preparation for a special trip to the White House to play for the Carter family. We see the performance on the White House lawn.

New Jersey

Youngsters compete in the Big Blue Marble National Marbles Tournament in Wildwood, New Jersey. Thirteen year old Dean Feinauer and thirteen year old Diane Bertosh emerge victorious among more than two million competitors.

Italy

A visiting art student begins work on a piece of sculpture near the Carrara marble quarry; the same quarry used by Michelangelo.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #022

Treasure Island - Part I

The first chapter in a five part animated serial of Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island," using a radio program recorded in 1944, starring Basil Rathbone as the narrator and Long John Silver, as the soundtrack.

Kenya

An intimate study of a young Masai herdboy and his exotic tribal life among East Africa's wildlife.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #023

Treasure Island - Part II

(See program #022)

Hungary

Story about Zoltan Gyonayosi, a fifteen year old member of a water polo team in Budapest. We see him training and working with Hungary's number one water player, Gyorg Harkai.

Indiana

Big Blue Marble visits a high school animation workshop in which we follow a class through the entire process of producing an animated cartoon from the first story idea to the finished product.

Dear Pen pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #024

Treasure Island - Part III

(see program #022)

North Carolina

The Blue Marble Mobile visits Spivey's Corner for the annual National Hollering Contest. This "down-home" version of Swiss yodeling is still active among the young and old of rural North Carolina.

Bahrain

A visit of the Persian Gulf Kingdom of Bahrain to meet a young Sheik. Abdulla Al-Khalifa is learning the ancient customs of his land finding time to explore the desert in a dune buggy.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #025

Treasure Island - Part IV

(See program #022)

New York

The world's greatest soccer player gives some spectacular lessons to a group of talented youngsters from round the world at his soccer camp. We follow a group of seven boys and girls from Finland in a memorable week of lessons from the master.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #026

Treasure Island - Part V

(See program #022)

New York

Nine year old Katherine Healy is seen working with Britain's Olympic gold medal figure skater, John Curry, as he develops a new art form, skating-ballet. She appears with other top skaters in "Superskates" at Madison Square Garden where she performs a solo dance to Offenbach's "Le Papillon."

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #027

Pennsylvania

Hurdler Candy Young, a world champion hurdler, is training for future Olympic games. We see her at home and competing in a key race.

County Limerick, Ireland

Farrier - When eighteen year old Liam Brennan finishes his apprenticeship to his father, he will have become an accomplished farrier. We get a detailed look at the training needed to practice the art of shoeing horses.

PROGRAM #028

Sarasota, Florida

Sailor Circus is unique in that most facts of the operation are run by kids. The segment focuses on three youngsters who are accomplished aerialists and veterans of the circus.

Atlantic Ocean

Seaman QE2 - Seventeen year old Tony Hayes is a Senior Ordinary Seaman aboard the QE2. We see him performing his various duties during a transatlantic crossing and join him on one of his infrequent visits to his home in Clanfield, England.

PROGRAM #029

USSR

Tchen-Burti - Adventurous young horsemen in the high Caucusus, compete in the traditional Georgian game of Tchen-Burti - a demanding polo-like game played with sticks similar to those used in lacrosse.

Maryland & New York

Puppets - Kevin Clash has been making puppets since he was ten and now at eighteen he performs weekly on a local television show in Baltimore. Kevin's teacher for the last few years has been Kermit Love, the creator of the famous Muppets. We see Kevin and Kermit perfecting skills, and performing at a school for handicapped children.

PROGRAM #030

California

1/4 Midget Racer- Tommy Vaninwagen enjoys playing with model cars, but unlike most kids, he's also involved in the real thing: Quarter Midget Racing. Under the close supervision of his father, Tommy works on his car to get it ready for the big race - and what an exciting one it is!

Peru

Cuzco Kid - We meet a young guitarist who lives in Cuzco, Peru, the ancient capital of the Incas. He and his father travel to Machu Picho to entertain foreign tourists and we learn that they still sing in the Inca language and keep alive the Inca culture.

PROGRAM #031

Ventriloquist Act

Angie Doyen is a thirteen year old ventriloquist who won first prize in the 1976 National Ventriloquist Contest. We see her rehearsing, preparing scripts with her mother and performing for both young and old.

Zambia

Dance Troupe/singer Banda is a member of an aspiring troop of dancers. We see them perform a dance that celebrates the role young people played in the country's fight for independence.

PROGRAM #032

Florida

Water Skier - Cory Pickos is a world champion trick water skier, and trains each day with his father and two brothers. This is a big week - today Cory celebrates his fifteenth birthday, and tomorrow he'll put on an exhibition of trick skating at world famous Cyprus Gardens.

Dominican Republic

Merengue - Rosanna Estrella Fernandez is a ten year old girl who signs and dances the merengue. Rosanna combines her love of merengue with her work as a tour guide by performing for tourists.

PROGRAM #033

Connecticut

Stained Glass - 90 year old Len Howard, who for the past 50 years has operated a one-man stained glass window studio, is visited by his 13 year old granddaughter, Elizabeth Ann Howard. Mr. Howard is working on windows for a church in Sharon, CT. Elizabeth Ann assists and learns some of the secrets of this "lost art."

Iran

Falconry - Though falcons are not used for hunting in Iran today, the tradition of training falcons is still popular. Fourteen year old Karim is taught the various aspects of falconry by one of Iran's greatest falconers.

PROGRAM #034

Wales

Spider Girl - The countryside outside the village of Clydach in Swansea, Wales, is a kind of living laboratory for sixteen year old Clare Moseley. Clare is a naturalist who studies spiders and other insects, most of which she finds right in her own backyard.

Kentucky

Coal Mine - eleven year old Valerie and thirteen year old Marshall are aspiring photographers who receive permission to photograph a coal mine. We join them on their ride into the mine tunnel, and later see them processing their photos. (Repeat)

Hong Kong

Floating City - Within Hong Kong there is a floating city named Aberdeen, where young Lim Sien Fong lives and works as the driver of a water taxi. We spend a typical day with him and learn of his unusual way of life.

PROGRAM #035

Pennsylvania & Texas

Pentathlon - This segment chronicles young Michael Storm's intensive training for Olympic competition in the five event Pentathlon, which includes riding, swimming, fencing, running and target shooting.

Korea

Little Angels - Fourteen year old Shung Wha Sung is getting ready for a big day. Shung is a featured performer with the "Little Angels," a world famous dance troupe, and today they begin rehearsals for their upcoming world tour. Though the work is hard, the rewards are great, and the results speak for themselves.

West Virginia

Kayak - Jo Ann Lee demonstrates the excitement of learning to ride in a Kayak in the Lafayette Station Rapids. She describes the practice and training that are part of kayaking while she takes a breathtaking ride.

PROGRAM #036

Wyoming

Mountain Climbing- Seventeen year old Carolyn Ortenberger of California climbs Teepee Pillar in the Grand Tetons under the guidance of her father, an expert mountain climber.

Greece

Honey Farm - On the island of Tasos lives an 11 year old boy who is going to become a honey farmer. He learns from his uncle, who owns a farm where nectar bees produce honey. The complex process of getting honey from the bees is illustrated, as is the machine that removes honey from the combs. (Repeat)

PROGRAM #037

Featurette

A look behind the scenes at the production of Big Blue Marble's dramatic serial "Witch's Sister," including pre-production, location filming, editing and music scoring.

Philippines

Movie Star - four year old actor Nino Mulack is seen rehearsing his part in "Harabas Con Bulilit" an adventure film. Two action scenes are filmed, and we learn much about movie stunt work. (Repeat)

PROGRAM #038

Witch's Sister - Part I

Witch's Sister, a six part dramatic serial based on the book by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, tells the story of Lynn Morley, 10, who thinks her sister Judith, 16, is being turned into a witch by a mysterious old woman. As Lynn and her best friend struggle to unravel the mystery, they are plunged into a series of strange adventures, which finally forces them to face the fact that the truth is not always what it appears to be.

Nevada

Goldmine - A ghost town is the setting for a gold mining expedition undertaken by a young boy and an old time gold miner. The intricate process of searching for gold, mining it, and refining it is explained and demonstrated.

PROGRAM #039

Witch's Sister - Part II

See Program #038

Missouri

Bluegrass - Young Butch Lesterson, a self taught guitar player and singer, participates in a colorful Bluegrass Music Festival. (Repeat)

Austria

This segment features Margarete Scan and Gephardt Fuchs, apprentice chimney sweeps living and studying in the city of Linz.

PROGRAM #040

Witch's Sister - Part IV

See program #038

PROGRAM #041

Witch's Sister - Part IV

See program #038

USSR

Go-Carting - Evaldes Misounas and his friends are young go-carting enthusiasts in Vilmius, the capital of Soviet Lithuania. We follow them through preparation and an actual race for the regional championship of boys fifteen and under, a race run over a difficult road course.

PROGRAM #042

Witch's Sister Part V

See Program #038

Colorado

Divorce Part 1 - "Children Facing Divorce" is a counseling program for children and parents who are struggling with the realities of a broken home. We follow a family enrolled in the six week program and observe changes in their lives and attitudes.

PROGRAM #043

Colorado

Divorce Part 2 - see show #042

Witch's Sister Part VI

See show #038

PROGRAM #044

Philadelphia, PA

Harlem Globetrotters - Superb basketball skills, and a comic flair for the absurd blend on Big Blue Marble when Gene Ausbee, son of Harlem Globetrotter's star Geese Ausbee, visits his father and the team at the Philadelphia Spectrum. Gene also accompanies the team at a benefit performance at Philadelphia's Children's Hospital.

PROGRAM #045

New Jersey

Girl Jockey - at age seventeen, jockey Karen Rogers is an experienced rider. The skill, composure - straight forwardness and courage of this athlete are revealed in an intimate portrait of a racing star.

Egypt

The Wissa Wassef family has, for two generations, run an unusual workshop in the small village of Harrania, Egypt. Here, village children are instructed in the intricate are of creative tapestry weaving. We follow a young weaver who is involved in the various tasks associated with this work - from raising sheep and preparing dyes, to designing and weaving tapestry pieces.

PROGRAM #046

Australia

Animal Orphanage - At the Toronga Park Zoo, a teenager, Marian Dunkin, heads up a unique animal orphanage at this world famous zoo. We also see her and other zoo personnel on an animal rescue mission in the bush, outside of Sydney.

Colorado

Cross Country Skier - Cross country skiing on the majestic mountain trails of Telluride, Colorado. Rigorous training and road work prepare Jamie McAsh for the 30 ki cross country skiing race which climaxes this segment.

PROGRAM #047

Illinois

Blind Athletes - When Missy Ackens swims the 100m butterfly she hears the crowd cheering, she feels her competition closing in, she counts the strokes to know where the edge of the pool is before a turn, because Missy and all the people she swims with are legally blind. The Handicapped Olympics in Illinois are a celebration of the determination and spirit of the children participating.

Israel

Jeweler - We travel to the ancient city of Jerusalem and spend a special weekend at home with a young Israeli and his family.

PROGRAM #048

Nevada

Adopt-A-Horse - the Adopt-A-Horse program, run by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, supervises the welfare and maintenance of herds of wild mustangs which roam the vast public lands of the West and Southwest. In this piece we see the exciting action of a wild horse roundup, and the breaking of a horse for "adoption."

Spain

Jai Alai - Jose Asole, a twelve year old boy from the mountains of the Basque Country is training in the popular Latin American sport of Jai Alai. The basics of the sport are explained while Jose effectively communicates the excitement of the sport.

PROGRAM #049

Italy

Bike racing - Competition in this demanding sport requires discipline and practice. We visit a young racer at home with his family as he makes the necessary preparations for the race, and then join him and his friends as they compete in a local race which sends them careening through the medieval piazzas of the ancient city of Vicenza.

Florida

Marineland - Robin, sixteen, is learning to be a trainer and performer at Marineland of Florida, one of the oldest "aquatic zoos" in the United States. Presently she appears, after school and on weekends, in the "Electric Eel Act" and is an apprentice in dolphin training.

PROGRAM #050

Arizona

Elephant Girl - A trip with a traveling circus in Arizona provides an "up close" look at the hectic life of a fifteen year old girl who rides performing elephants.

Australia

Aboriginals - Before European settlers arrived, Australia was inhabited by a unique race of aboriginals. We meet a young health worker and share his experiences at the hospital, as well as seeing tribal ceremonies and ritual dances that are part of his culture.

PROGRAM #051

France

Couturier - "A stitch in time" can be the beginning of an arduous and fascinating career. We visit a young fashion designer and watch while she learns some of the tricks of her trade in the workrooms and salons of one of the great Couturier houses in Paris.

California

Hobiecat - We ride the wind with a young Californian, who races one of the world's fastest sailboats - the Hobiecat.

PROGRAM #052

India

Street Performers - The colorful streets of New Delhi, India are the backdrop for a group of young street performers. Families have passed their skills down from generation to generation and we see the result as the youngsters prepare for a big show at a local orphanage that includes magic, puppetry, acrobatics and singing.

Oregon

Wheat Harvest - There's a lot of effort required by all the members of the family, when the assignment is a 2000 acre wheat farm. That's what we learn in this episode from Janet (16) and Kathy (10) Bowman of Pendleton, Oregon. We see how two critical situations are handled: 1) a fire in the field; and 2) the rush to harvest the crop before a rainstorm hits. There's much information too, on the kinds of equipment used on today's farm (Repeat).

PROGRAM #053

"Do Me a Favor ... Don't Vote For My Mom" - Part I

This dramatic serial starring Dina Merrill and Kelly Reno focuses on the problems fourteen year old Bryan Adams faces when his widowed mother decides to run for political office. Valuable lessons are learned by all as the tensions of the campaign create difficult situations for those involved.

PROGRAM #054

"Do Me a Favor...Don't Vote For My Mom" - Part II

See Show #053

Pakistan

Shakil Mubariz is celebrating his twelfth birthday and his cousins tent-pegging team is putting on a show just for him. Tent-pegging is a favorite sport of Pakistan horsemen. Wooden pegs are put in the ground. Galloping at full speed the horsemen try to spear the pegs with wooden lances. The team members are such experts, they make spearing the pegs look easy. Shakil's celebration ends with an extra surprise a performance by a dancing horse and camel. (Repeat).

PROGRAM #055

"Do Me A Favor...Don't Vote For My Mom" - Part III

See show #053

England

Channel Swimmer - Twelve year old Marcus Hooper goes about the rigors of preparation for his second attempt to swim the English Channel. In the face of high winds and heavy seas the courageous youngster embarks on his perilous adventure.

PROGRAM #056

"Do Me A Favor...Don't Vote For My Mom" Part 4

See Show #053

New Guinea

Asaro tribesmen who live high up in the jungles of Papua, New Guinea perform the "dance of the dead man's skin." The story tells of a battle in which Asaro warriors are defeated by a powerful enemy. How the Asaros outwit their enemy is the subject of this exciting story. (Repeat)

PROGRAM #057

New York

Children's Theater - A professional theater where all the performers are children? That's the First All Children's Theater in New York City. Preparation for the opening of their new musical involves lots of practice for the participants and we see it all.

Lapland

Reindeer Roundup - Reindeer herding, in this land above the Arctic Circle, lasts as long as the snow does - - which is most of the year. A family of three children is featured in this segment which gives a full picture of life in Lapland. (Repeat).

Kentucky

Gospel Singer - In Russellville, Kentucky an aspiring gospel singer, thirteen year old Sha Cross, sings with her family at local churches.

PROGRAM #058

New Mexico

"Cowboys haven't changed much from when my dad was a kid to me now...I don't think cowboying's going to change for a long time..." says young Tim Muncie. At his family's ranch in Truth or consequences, New Mexico, we see Tim at work roping, herding cattle, riding steers, mending fences.

Indonesia

Pencak Silat is a movement in self defense. Thirteen year old Dewa Ayu is attending the Pencak Silat School. He explains the mystical martial arts system which blends ideas from India and China to achieve harmony of mind and body. Designed to build inner strength and character, Pencak Silat is supervised by a guru. (Repeat)

PROGRAM #059

Norway

Thirteen year old Ellvid Pettersen works with his father on a small commercial fishing boat. He lives in a small village north of the Arctic Circle, on the historic island of Senja.

Hawaii

Spectacular volcanic eruptions are part of Hawaiian folklore and also part of the photographic record. We follow a young girl who works with a team of scientists as they trek across vast lava fields and extinct craters and learn that a volcano is something quite more complex than a mountain with a hole in the top.

PROGRAM #060

Canada

Rising young pop singer, France Joli is just finishing recording her second album. We see her laying down final singing tracks, at a photo session, and in performance. We also spend time with her family.

California

Marshall, the 12 year old son of Gossamer Condor inventor Paul MacCready is learning to pilot a newly designed lightweight experimental aircraft, presently being prepared for its maiden flight. We also see Marshall learning acrobatic flying to further his aviation skills and helping his father in the launching of the Solar Gossamer.

PROGRAM #061

Phoenix & Utah

Fifteen year old Mike Poulson displays his skills in the winter Bicycle Motocross Nationals in Chandler, Arizona. Similar to a motorcycle race, BMX takes place on a dirt track with embankments, turns and jumps. This fast growing sport now has more than 20,000 participants - most from the West Coast.

USSR

We visit the Central Asian City of Samarkand in the Soviet union and meet two twelve year old girls, Saodat and Zulfia, who are shown embroidering floral designs on traditional costumes.

PROGRAM #062

Argentina

Seventeen year old Holly Payne uses the facilities of her scientist parents' whale research station to study the behavior of a large colony of sea lions who live on the rugged coast of Patagonia in Southern Argentina. Holly's careful and patient observations of these large mammals in their natural habitat have led her to some interesting new observations about their behavior.

Canada

Story about John Allyn and Sabena Ulman, both students at the National Ballet School of Canada. We see them in grueling dance classes, rehearsing for an upcoming performance, attending academic classes and spending time with classmates. (Repeat)

PROGRAM #063

Yugoslavia

In a village outside of Kopriznica, Yugoslavia, we see how the peasants integrate painting as an art form into their everyday life. It is a tradition which has been passed down through generations; there is no formal instruction.

New Jersey

Fourteen year old Danny Rochelle, pilots his own iceboat across the "hard water" of a frozen lake in northern new Jersey. Iceboating requires great skill and endurance as Danny and his family demonstrate as they prepare for competition.

PROGRAM #064

New York

Like her parents, sixteen year old Jennifer Howard breeds and shows silver Persian cats. This segment focuses on Jennifer and her young female cat, Lolita. Jennifer will be showing Lolita at the Long Island Club Cat Show. It is her first experience in an adult competition. We also see Jennifer performing her daily responsibilities in the caring of Lolita and her family's other cats.

Colombia

Story of a boy who works for a gamekeeper, looking after animals, making sure that no poaching is going on and that the animals are in good health. We see him rescue a dolphin and prevent the killing of an anaconda snake at the hands of frightened villagers. (Repeat).

PROGRAM #065

Connecticut

Twelve year old Regina Christopher, who is deaf, travels to Waterford, Connecticut where she spends a week working with The Little Theater of the Deaf, an internationally renowned company comprised primarily of deaf performers. Regina hopes that her theater experience will help overcome her handicap and increase her access to the hearing world.

Canada

David Horn, sixteen, is a star lacrosse player who lives on an Iroquois reservation near Montreal, Canada. In this segment we see David and his teammates practicing and competing against another Iroquois team. We also join David on a visit to a nearby factory that makes lacrosse sticks.

PROGRAM #066

New Mexico

Following the footsteps of his father, fifteen year old Scott Vesley has become one of the best young balloon pilots and ground crewmen in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This segment features his experiences flying and racing his family's balloon.

Sardenia

Maura visits her uncle on the Island of Sardenia, Italy to learn a little bit of the history and traditions of the island. Her cousin, Carlo is partaking in the traditional festival called "La Sartiglia" - a jousting event. (Repeat)

PROGRAM #067

Germany

Twelve year old Gregor Luetje of Munich, W. Germany is an opera singer. We observe Gregor studying opera and follow him to Dusseldorf to see him sing the part of the price in Debussy's opera "Pelius" with the Dusseldorf Opera Company.

Grand Cayman Island

Story about Barbara Card, age fifteen, a scuba diver, who lives on Grand Cayman Island. She is seen cataloging fish, going down to see wrecks and being drilled in scuba diving techniques.

PROGRAM #068

NYC and New Jersey - Tisha Revisited

Tisha Campbell is now twelve years old. Three years after filming this young singer for Big Blue Marble we revisit her - now starring in the title role of Rosie in "Really Rosie." This show, written by Maurice Sendak with music by Carol King, is now in its second year at the American Place Theater. The segment includes clips from the earlier Big Blue Marble piece.

Mexico City, Mexico

Andres Cruz is a sixteen year old baseball player associated with the amateur Omega League in Mexico City, Mexico. Like many boys his age, Andres dreams of becoming a professional ballplayer and of someday playing in the major leagues. We watch Andres in training and getting tips from the pros. We also join Andres as he visits historical sites near Mexico City.

PROGRAM #069

Zimbabwe

For the past 20 years the Jairos Jiri Association has set up centers throughout Zimbabwe to help educate handicapped youngsters. We follow a handicapped teenager as he leaves academic school in Salisbury for his new home in Blawayo, where he will begin training in his chosen craft. We also visit Victoria Falls where goods made at the training center are sold

New York and Aspen

Fourteen year old Peter Wyrick, a cello student a Julliard, is seen studying and rehearsing at school and at home. He travels to Aspen, Colorado to participate in the famous music festival. In performance, he plays Beethoven's "A Major Sonata." (repeat)

PROGRAM #070

People's Republic of China

The building and flying of kites is a very old and very honored tradition in China. In this segment we see young teenagers in the coastal city of Tianjin as they study with an old master and learn to build and fly their own kites.

Green River, Utah

The Green River in Utah is one of the most exciting and scenic white water rivers in the American west. Two youngsters navigate this river in a raft, along with a veteran boatman. They travel through rapids, camp on the sandbars and experience the unique wilderness of Desolation Canyon.

PROGRAM #071

People's Republic of China

Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of The People's Republic of China. This is the real story of a twelve year old boy who returns home after the school year to spend the summer working with his family on the plains of Inner Mongolia. The segment focuses on many facts of the boy's life; from driving herds of Mongolian Steppe ponies to attending a banquet honoring his father.

PROGRAM #072

England

In the north of England, where sheep farming is an important way of life, farmers and their families take pride in their specially trained sheep dogs. Responding to a series of whistle commands, these dogs help with the herding of sheep. Sixteen year old Tony Cleasdy attends a yearly fair in his community and competes with his friends and neighbors in a contest to see which farmer and dog do the best job of herding.

Brinydeep

True life adventure about a group of teenagers who sail across the Atlantic Ocean in a 200 foot schooner on the route of Christopher Colombus' first voyage; following the trade winds to the Americas. (Repeat)

PROGRAM #073

South Africa

Ingrid Nordh, age thirteen, works with her parents on a game preserve outside Johannesburg. Their primary work is in the study of the cheetah, a highly endangered species. Ingrid and her younger brother Eric have grown up with the cheetahs and other animals and move freely among them in their daily work on the preserve.

Oklahoma & Dallas

Jimmy Henley, a seventeen year old banjo and guitar player from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma is a member of Roy Clark's band. We see him playing duets with Roy at a charity concert and competing in a fiddling contest in Texas.

PROGRAM #074

Switzerland

In the mountains of the Ticino, the Italian and southernmost section of Switzerland, children spend the summer milking cows and rounding up goats. Their families, who remain down in the village, supply the children with food by sending it up on cable cars.

Yugoslavia

The folktale. A 16-year old boy demonstrates how he makes hundreds of drawings, photographs them, and - with the help of friends - does the soundtrack for his animation of the tale, "The Secret of the Czar." In the tale, a barber discovers the Czar's secret. He reveals it to no one. Yet, the secret becomes known to everyone. The moral is, "Don't kid yourself, truth will come out."

Iceland

A young boy spends the summer working on a fishing trawler. He explains that in his country everyone who is over thirteen years old has a regular summer job. Parents show appreciation for their children by honoring them on Iceland Independence Day.

California

Excerpts from the Caleveras County International Frog Jumping Contest are enhanced by the original song, "No Place Like Earth."

Connecticut

The original song, "Simple Life," sets the atmosphere for an American girl as she exercises horses, leads pony rides and dreams of someday owning one herself.

Tunisia

A young boy, Muhammed, and his father and brother load their camel with sheep, rabbits and beans and begin their journey to the market more than five miles from their farmhouse. Muhammed sells his sheep which he raised since birth. Then he joins his friends who are playing soccer and dancing to the beat of drums.

PROGRAM #075

Taiwan

The Gwang Ren Children's Orchestra performs. As their music continues in the background, the scene shifts to children practicing their Chinese calligraphy.

Nevada

A ghost town is the setting for a gold mining expedition. Those involved are a young boy and an old-time gold miner. The intricate process of searching for gold, mining it, and refining it is explained and demonstrated.

France

The folktale. "The Bridge of St. Cloud" is a tale about how the bridge was completed after signing a contract with the Devil and how the Devil was finally hoisted with his own petard.

England

Kevin shows and tells what it is like to be a deckboy on a tugboat in the harbor of Southampton, England. They were one of five tugs to bring in a 200,000 ton oil tanker.

Guatemala

A traditional ceremony carried down over the centuries is performed in this feature. The ceremony is called Palo Valador, or Flying Pole. The Palo Valador was originally performed to please the gods so they would bring a good corn crop. Performers dress up as El Mico, the Monkey - the messenger between the people and the gods. The performers climb to the top of a 130' pole and swing from the top of it. One of the performers is a fourteen year old who has been "flying" since he was seven. Accompanying the ceremony is a piece of original music entitled "Indian Scene."

PROGRAM #076

Ireland

Jack Nolan is a young apprentice jockey who attends a boarding school called the Racing Apprentice Center of Education (R.A.C.E.). The students learn all aspects of training and controlling a horse. They learn how to fall properly and they also study such subjects as botany. The feature concludes with an original song called "Riding."

Belgium

Brussels has the world's largest population of marionettes. The Toone Theatre is the most famous puppet theater. The Toone family founded the Theater 150 years ago. Toone, the puppetmaster, puts on a play for the audience. He does all the voices while seven assistants manipulate the marionettes.

Make Your Own Nature Picture

A girl describes and demonstrates how to make a nature picture using flowers, crayons, wax paper and glue.

California

A sport that started in Europe has caught on in California. That sport is hang-gliding - body kiting. The son of one of the first hang-gliders in the United States demonstrates the thrills and pitfalls of this sport.

China

The folktale. A rich and greedy pear seller acts as a perfect foil to a poor but generous priest in this tale entitled "The Priest and the Pear Tree." The ending is a typically mysterious Oriental one.

Bermuda

The day after Christmas is Boxing Day here. Young Gombey dancers in colorful costumes parade in snake-like formation toward the town. They take a ferry boat across the bay and continue dancing for the tourists. The music in this feature is original and live using a whistle as an instrument.

PROGRAM #077

Germany

The death of Winter is heralded at a farmer's festival in the Bavarian Mountain town of Saldorf. Every year a whip-cracking festival called Aperschnaltzen is held to scare away the demons of ice and snow. Whip-cracking teams compete for prizes. The team that won was headed by the first girl ever to be captain of a team.

Taiwan

It is the Year of the Tiger and in Taiwan the first day of the Chinese New Year is being celebrated. This festive day is marked by a special dinner and the popular Dragon Dance. The dragon is the symbol of China and the dance in his honor will bring good luck.

Sweden

The folktale. A fairy princess grants seven wishes to a lazy boy who finally reforms after making five very foolish wishes in this humorous tale called "The Seven Wishes."

Venice

Renowned for its beautiful glass, Venice is the appropriate locale for a feature about an apprentice to a maestro in a glass factory. The difficult process of creating glass objects is shown in great detail. Speed and timing are essential qualities in glass making. The apprentice demonstrates his increasing skill at this difficult art.

New York

Although the setting is New York, the feature opens with an aerial view of the Caribbean; for the Caribbean was where the steel drum was invented. The man who created steel drums from oil barrels is Ellie Minette, who now lives in New York. He expounds on the history of this instrument while he makes a drum for a young member of a steel drum band.

PROGRAM #078

San Francisco

Children visit the Exploratorium, a science museum built especially for kids. Here machines are meant to be touched and played with. Your hand can create sounds, your feet can create electricity, your voice can create pictures.

Thailand

The Walking Buddha is a monastery where young boys learn to practice the teachings of Buddha - the middle way - without self-indulgence or self-denial. They learn that work should be done with pleasure, not ambition. They learn that wisdom is to be found in the languages of all men.

Mock Mosaics

Viewers are shown how to make a mosaic using egg shells, food coloring, cardboard and glue. They are informed that originally mosaics were made with bits of colored tiles.

London

A montage of Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum and people sculpting wax figures is shown with an informative song as an accompaniment. The theme of the song, "Madame Tussaud's" is that here, time stands still.

Ethiopia

The folktale. The main characters in "Fire on the Mountain" are a wealthy prankster and his servant who earns his freedom by most unusual means.

Quebec

Ice hockey, Canada's national sport, is featured here. Youngsters play, while aspects of the history and rules of the game are explained. The kids are joined by a famous Canadian hockey player, Henri Richards. He reveals some helpful tips about the game.

PROGRAM #079

Belgium

The 500 year old, three day, pre-Lent carnival of Binche features parades, dancing and prizes awarded by the mayor for best costumes. Rites of spring are performed to ward off evil weather and poverty; oranges are thrown to bring good luck; and finally, fireworks are exploded to usher in Lent.

Hong Kong

Within Hong Kong there is a floating city called Aberdeen. After school, many of which are housed on roof tops, a young boy named Lim Sien Fong earns money for his family by driving a water taxi. He ferries people all around one of the world's largest harbors until after nightfall.

Germany

The folktale. This humorous tale, called "The Castles of the Two Brothers," carries a subtle message to all overly-possessive people. The dialogue accompanying the animation rhymes.

New York

A fifteen year old girl from Virginia earned ballet scholarships that brought her to New York City. She lives with six other girls in a penthouse apartment. She practices ballet several hours a day. In an unusually articulate fashion, she describes the pains and pleasures of practicing to be a ballerina. The feature ends in a dream sequence.

PROGRAM #080

Utah

A Navajo Indian girl describes what life is like for the Navajos today. Her grandmother relates an ancient Navajo fable, which has been animated by a Navajo teacher in an attempt to preserve their culture for future generations. The animated version of the fable about a toad and a coyote is shown.

England

A dog training school where children learn proper car and training for their pets is featured. The teacher's theory is that there are no disobedient dogs, only inexperienced owners.

Colorful Collages

A girl explains that collage means "paste" in French. She then proceeds to create a collage of her own. Viewers are encouraged to create their own collages by pasting all sorts of different things on paper.

Russia

The folktale. "The Humpbacked Horse" turns out to be a magic talking horse, as well. The horse and his owner, who becomes stable master to the Tsar, succeed in doing the impossible. The tale ends with the traditional: the young owner marries the beautiful girl and they live happily ever after.

San Blas

Off the cost of Panama lie the approximately 365 San Blas Islands. An eleven year old Cuna Indian boy describes life on Nalunega, one of the islands. He lives in a straw hut, goes fishing every day, helps grow vegetables, and plays basketball with his friends. Cuna Indian women hold a very important position in the tribe. When Cunas marry, all the money is turned over to the bride.

PROGRAM #081

Colorado

Mike Yeats has been mountain climbing for six years. He is twelve now. He and his parents have just climbed 14,000 feet high Mt. Evans. They are preparing to rappel, or descend, the face of the cliff. Mike explains the purpose of the equipment and proper techniques. The feature flashes back to the Yeats' ascent of Mt. Evans earlier in the day.

Caracas

Venezuelan children help make their capital city beautiful. They paint murals on the walls of buildings. The subject matter is entirely up to the individual.

England

The folktale "King John and the Abbot of Canterbury" is a classic tale of impossible riddles and mistaken identity so popular in English literature. The King, an accurate portrayal of the 13th Century King John I, is a ruthless ruler. A court jester and his talking parrot play key roles in this amusing tale.

Scotland

The courtyard of Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye is the site for Highland Bagpipe playing. The best player in the Children's Pipe Band is selected to play alone in the courtyard where Scotland's greatest pipers have always played. A fourteen year old named Angus Monroe is chosen. As he proudly plays his grandfather's pipes, he dreams of becoming the finest piper in the land.

PROGRAM #082

France

Sand yachts race along Normandy Beach. These three-wheel sailboats can go as fast as 80 mph. Nine year old Natalie impatiently waits for next year when she can enter the race. Meanwhile, she contents herself by sailing in her father's sand yacht.

Hong Kong's Carolyn Leung's father owns a snake farm. She and the manager of the farm point out poisonous Malaysian mangrove snakes, pythons, Cambodian elephant - trunk snakes, cobras. Venom from the snakes is collected in jars and shipped to research laboratories to make anti-venom. Carolyn's father wants her to run the farm someday, but she says she would prefer to do something more unusual.

Thailand

The folktale. This take, "The Parrot and the Lorikeet" proposes that the lorikeet was the only talking bird with a mind of its own. The lorikeet humorously explains the circumstances that ultimately convinced his successor, the parrot, to resign himself solely to mimicry.

Stamp out Potatoes!

Cut a potato in half, then cut out a pattern in one of the halves. Put some paint in a jar lid. Dip the potato in the paint, and you have a potato stamp. Decorate wrapping paper, stationery, or greeting cards with different designs and colors from your potato stamps.

Holland

Four year olds lift up trains with one hand, kids step over three-story buildings, planes fly under human legs. The place is Madurodam, a miniature duplication of parts of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague. The Maduro family built Madurodam in the 1950's for their son George.

Colorado

Featured in this segment is a rodeo for high school students. Calf roping, bronco riding and other rodeo events are included. The original song "A Rodeo Cowboy" is featured.

PROGRAM #083

Colombia

Boys help earn money for their families by shining shoes in Bogota. Jaime reveals his secrets of how to get more generous tips. His ambition is to be a football star and own more shoes than anyone has ever seen.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen has many unusual playgrounds. There are playgrounds full of animals. There are "junk" playgrounds where kids can play and build with discarded materials. There are driving playgrounds complete with real traffic signals and little cars to ride in. There is even an Iron Age village.

Nigeria

The folktale. The moral of this tale, "A Test of Friendship," is true friends examine both sides of a situation. An old man tests the friendship of two fellows by purchasing a hat which is black on one side and white on the other.

Macao

In this Asian province of Portugal is a fireworks factory. There is a tour of the factory. Lam Dai Sing helps make some fireworks. And, after a permit is obtained by the police, Lam Dai Sing purchases some firecrackers. He carefully sets them off that night and takes pride in knowing that he helped make them.

New York

It's time for the clown auditions at Madison Square Garden. A girl named Lynn Tarrell is auditioning. She explains that if you are accepted you go to clown college in Florida, where you just "clown around."

PROGRAM #084

France

Spelunking in or rather under the countryside of southern France is featured here. A twelve year old girl is the youngest in the group. She explains how caves are made and the difference between stalactites and stalagmites. The group climbs to an underground river where they embark on rubber rafts for the conclusion of their journey.

U.S.A.

The folktale. Entitled "The Runaway Squash" this piece of fantasy is about a boy who plants a squash seed which immediately begins growing and carries the kid all over the countryside. At the end we find out he has been dreaming.

Singapore

A thirteen year old competes in the Men's Table Tennis Championship of Singapore. He is the only child entry. His opponent is twenty-six. The opponent wins three out of three games, but the competition is tough.

Utah

The crew on the paddlewheel steamboat, the Canyon King, consists of Anna, the captain's daughter. She explains how steamboats work as they sail up the Colorado River on their way to pick up sightseers. Anna gives the history of the steamboat and mentions how lucky she feels to be riding one of the few steamboats left in America. An original song "Somedays I Just Want To Go Somewhere," concludes the program.

PROGRAM #085

Canada

Bathtubs filled with water? No, water filled with bathtubs! It's the International Bathtub Race from Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island, across the strait to Vancouver. These bathtubs are equipped with motors and are decorated with great ingenuity.

Philippines

The Bajao tribe live practically their whole lives in boats or in houses on stilts in the water. Marita and Abdul are Bajaos. They do not go to school. Instead, they spend much of their time diving for shells. Then they sell their dried out shells to a factory which makes buttons out of them.

Italy

The folktale. The message in this little tale is that some people judge others superficially. The tale is called "Princess Clothes" because a little girl's clothes make all the difference as to whether she is treated like a princess or a peasant.

New Jersey

"Games" is the name of this original song that introduces the National Marble Tournament in Wildwood, New Jersey. The winner receives a $600.00 scholarship. Twenty-one girls and boys have entered. The rules are carefully explained. A fourteen year old boy and a thirteen year old girl are the finalists.

PROGRAM #086

Puerto Rico

Meaning "fine step" the elegant Paso Fino horses are native to Puerto Rico. On this ranch, or finca, 11-year old Neysa has been helping her father raise and train Paso Fino horses since she was five. A horse is put through its paces while the characteristics and history of this breed are described.

Puerto Rico

The folktale. The well known calypso rhythm of the Caribbean sets the beat for this lyric folktale, "The Three-Cornered Hat of Bad Miguel." Miguel tries to hoodwink a wealthy man into believing Miguel's hat can produce an endless stream of pesos. But sunstroke punishes hatless Miguel for his evil schemes.

Isle of Guernsey

If this is low tide, it must be time for mudlarking. Junk cars race through the mud as they do their best to demolish one another. If this is not messy enough, try riding in sleds pulled by the cars. And the mudlarking will continue, until the tide rolls back in.

United States

A girl dons her helmet as she prepares to go ballooning. The giant balloons are controlled by increasing or decreasing the amount of hot air in the bag. As the manned balloons float through the air, the original "Say Hello to the Sky" is sung.

PROGRAM #087

Bali

Ancient Hindu legend has it that monkeys once saved a princess from an evil king. Balinese perform the Kachek Dance, which acts out this legend. They dance to music created by human voices with no instruments involved. Every gesture holds special significance. This is only one of the hundreds of dances performed in Bali.

Spain

The folktale. "The Wonderful White Donkey" is the story of a gullible man who is tricked into believing that his donkey has turned into a man. Actually, his donkey has been stolen. The man gets his donkey back at the end, but he never realizes that his donkey is just a donkey.

England

You don't need snow or water to go skiing in England. The sport is grass skiing, and fourteen year old Phil Jennings is the country's youngest instructor. Grass skiing is a cross between ice skating and skiing. Phil demonstrates as he explains the technique.

Global Gourmet

You don't have to be Italian to love pizza. A boy shows how to make pizza from scratch. The recipe is flashed on the screen. It seems that the pizza takes longer to make than to eat!

Los Angeles

The hoola hoop is back! Young champions of all ages demonstrate their proficiency as "Hoopin'", an original son, is sung.

PROGRAM #088

Texas

Boys and girls fourteen or younger came to Texas to compete in the first World Invitational Minicycle Championship. A fourteen year old from Australia who thinks he will win walks the track to familiarize himself. He talks about the racing he has done back in Australia. He does not win, but he still plans to enjoy his American holiday.

Bulgaria

The folktale. Trinka is a very, very spoiled little girl in "Trinka." Her parents spoil her so much that when she gets married, Trinka is helpless. Her husband reforms her and they produce several unspoiled children.

St John

Donna and her friends are asked to get some salt. Instead of going to the store, they do their own salt harvesting down at the salt pond. On their way to the pond they stop and pick some bay rum leaves, play a game with soldier crabs, and eat part of the top of a cactus.

Amsterdam

After school, Jess goes to school. But this school is circus school. He is learning to ride a unicycle. The children in circus school make money giving performances all over Holland.

PROGRAM #089

Ghana

This segment features a glimpse into the daily life of members of a village in Ghana. A fourteen year old native visits the market while his brother goes fishing.

England

A magician with a rabbit puppet named Theodore entertains children in the audience.

India

The folktale. This tale is about a narcissistic princess who has her necklace stolen by an envious monkey. The hero, in this case the gardener, figures out a way of finding out which monkey took the necklace. The title is "The Princess' Necklace."

Cozumel

This is an island in Mexico off the coast of the Yucatan peninsula. Jose works with his father taking visitors on sea trips around Cozumel. One of the visitors is an American boy named Andy. Andy and Jose become close friends as they explore Cozumel together. "Come Be My Friend," an original song, accompanies this feature.

New York

The Star Spangled Banner in sign language introduces this feature about Carol, a ten year old deaf girl. Carol reads lips and knows sign language. Now she is working with a speech therapist at a school for the deaf to learn how to speak. The therapist is helping her practice for her part in the school play. The feature ends with the children putting on their Christmas play, "Babes in Toyland."

PROGRAM #090

Colorado

Steam locomotives are extinct now but Old 483 is still huffing over the Rockies. Kelly, the daughter of the engineer, accompanies dad on a check run. She explains how the locomotive works and who invented it. An amusing original song called "Save the Dinosaur" is sung as 483 chugs along.

Ethiopia

Farmers and wandering herdsmen people the highlands of Ethiopia. fifteen year old Petro, a country boy, visits Addis Adaba, the capital, and shows the viewers the city's highlights. He relates a bit of Ethiopia's history. But Petro prefers the country, where he can play with his friends and visit the blacksmith forge. At school, which is outside, Petro learns the books of the bible from a blind teacher.

Australia

The Folktale. Aborigines preserve their beliefs through oral tradition. "Dream Time" is the time when the world began. This dream time story, "The Frog and the Sound of the Wind," explains why frogs leap into ponds whenever the wind whistles through the grasses.

Singapore

Kung Fu is an art of speed not power. It is a spiritual exercise invented by Buddhist monks to protect themselves from bandits. Kung Fu develops a sense of peace and confidence within oneself. The art of Kung Fu is demonstrated throughout this feature.

PROGRAM #091

Florida

Diving for buried treasure is more than a dream in the Florida Keys. Eight year old Thomas has been scuba diving since he was four. Thomas' uncle is a treasure hunter. With the aid of a magnetometer, the boy and his uncle explore forty feet underwater in search of the remains of a 17th century Spanish treasure ship.

Bali

Young apprentice stone carvers first go to a quarry to obtain a block of stone for their village's Master Carver. The apprentices add small details to a statue such as toenails or bracelets. The art of stone carving is demonstrated step by step beginning with a slab of stone and resulting in an elaborate statue for a Hindu temple.

Brazil

The folktale. A South American version of the Tortoise and the Hare is "The Parrot, The Paca, and the Dull Brown Beetle." The parrot suggests a race between the paca and the beetle. The paca thinks he has it all sewn up but the beetle wins.

Holland

"Muggen Ronde" meaning "gnat's tour" is the annual children's bicycle race through Holland. The race takes five days and covers 700 kilometers. There are 110 entries this year. Each day there is a sprinting event. Kids camp out in tents each night. The winner receives a trophy. "Round and Round" is an original song in this feature.

PROGRAM #092

Acapulco

Ever since Carlos was four years old he has been diving. Each year he dives from higher heights. Now he is sixteen and ready to become one of the great Acapulco cliff divers. He is about to make his first cliff dive from 135' in the air. He carefully scales the cliff and stops to make a short prayer. When the wave is at its crest, Carlos dives. He has just become an official Acapulco diver.

England

Yorkshire is one of the best areas for pot holing, the English term for spelunking. Two youngsters join Mr. and Mrs. Potts (!) the heads of the local potholing club. After donning underwater gear the potholers enter the cave and explore underground streams and passages for an hour.

Greece

Once version of how the world began is animated in this myth of the same name. Animated contemporary Greek parents explain the myth to their children. Man was made from mud. Prometheus, the first man, was granted the gift of fire from the gods on Olympus. Pandora, the first woman who was overly curious, opened a box and released all the evil elements into the world. Only Hope still remained.

Utah

There is no turning back once Gooseneck Canyon is reached. And that is where Terry and her mom and brother along with a river guide are headed. They are on a rubber raft trip on the San Juan River. They camp overnight, dig fossils out of rocks, and brave the rapids. "A Time To Live" is the original song that accompanies this feature.

PROGRAM #093

Jamaica

Reggae bands, now gaining popularity in the United States, originated in Jamaica. This feature is one day in the life of the son of a reggae band leader. The boy and his drumsticks are inseparable. The climax comes when he gets to play in his dad's band that evening.

Philippines

A new, larger canoe is being built for Hambre, who has outgrown his old boat. The canoe is cut from a single, mahogany log floated over from a nearby island. While the canoe is being made, Hambre tends the seaweed crop on the sea farms. Then he climbs a coconut tree and drinks some coconut milk. By then, his new canoe is ready and he proudly sails off in it.

Ireland

The folktale. True good fortune comes from the honest labor and diligence ... with a little help from a magic, golden bottle. This humorous tale features an evil landlord named Nickels O'Nasty and an old peasant couple, the O'Flynns.

California

A three and a half mile stretch of beach is divided into one hundred sections in preparation for San Diego's sand castle contest. Not only sand castles are built. There are models of Indians, dragons, dogs, hippos. All ages can enter. Prizes are awarded for originality, design, and overall effort.

PROGRAM #094

New York (Upstate)

A man jumps off the top of a castle onto a pile of cardboard boxes. He is a professional stunt man. His young son, Greg, is very proud of his dad and tries to emulate him. After his father rappels the face of a cliff, Greg gets his chance. It's harder than it looks, but Greg makes it.

Holland

Canals in Holland are as common as highways in other countries. And living on a barge is not uncommon. For barge families there are barge supermarkets and barge schools. This particular barge transports petroleum products. Barges are almost always on the move, but this one ties up long enough for the children to enjoy a fireworks display. The original song in this feature is appropriately called "Floatin'."

The Netherlands

The folktale. Written in rhymes, "The Widow and the Wheat" tells the story of why and how the opulent port of Staveren became destitute. This humorous ballad proves that greed and jealousy do not pay.

Spain

The Rodriguez family has been famous for generations for the excellent guitar making. Grandfather Rodriquez, now eighty-six, has been making guitars for seventy years. Their guitars are made 100% by hand. The step-by-step process is demonstrated. At the end of a hard day, the Rodriguez' serenade one another on their home-made guitars.

PROGRAM #095

Alaska

Near the North Pole at Point Hope, Alaska, some Eskimo children are preparing for winter. They are putting away their umiak, a boat with a frame of wood and whale bone covered with seal skins. After the winter arrives, the Eskimos travel by dog sled. They stop at their cache, an Eskimo refrigerator which stores whale and seal meat. When the snow comes, caribou hunting and ice fishing begin. Once again there will be enough to eat.

England

This time the magician shows the audience how to make its own puppets with a handkerchief and a little bowl for the head. Draw a face with a pen. Your fingers become the arms. And you have your own instant puppet.

Global Gourmet

The recipe for today is crepes. After you combine the ingredients, the trick seems to be in the flipping. The problem can be solved by skipping the flipping altogether. But not if you want to be a true French chef.

A Jewish Tale

Called "The Payment", this droll folktale features Samuel, a regular schlemiel, a Jewish Stan Laurel; an extraordinarily patient woman; and the Rabbi. In short, the woman pays Samuel, a clock fixer, for repairing her clock. He loses this payment. She rewards him instead, with a plant. He abuses this payment and every subsequent one by following the woman' directions for the previous payments.

Yugoslavia

A children's folk dancing class is rehearsing for a public performance that evening. Most students begin their training at the Conservatory when they are only four years old. They practice several hours every day. An ensemble from the Conservatory goes on tour all over Europe and North America.

PROGRAM #096

Kenya

A game refuge for all kinds of wild animals is where twelve year old Hassan lives. He lives here with his grandfather, a game warden. White rhinoceroses are the largest animals at Meru Park. Hassan exercises the rhinos and discusses their characteristics.

Batik a T-shirt

Children show how to make batik.

Israel

Two thirteen year old boys live by themselves in a little house. There are six hundred members in their family. They live on a kubbutz. Children learn responsibility and independence early here. Everything is shared. The school is right in the middle of the kibbutz, and classes are held six days a week. In Israel there are now 240 kibbutz settlements.

Japan

The folktale. In this parable "The Axe of Gold", honesty is rewarded and dishonesty punished. The characters are an old, humble and honest woodcutter and a younger, greedy and dishonest woodcutter. A goddess of the forest pond passes judgment on these two by awarding an axe of gold to one and a rusty, pitted axe to the other.

Arizona/Nevada

The Colorado River flows along the Arizona-Nevada border. In 1935 the Hoover Dam was constructed across the Colorado. Old filmstrips of the celebration marking the completion of the dam are shown. The functions of the dam are explained. Three little girls explore the enormous construction and one of them temporarily gets lost. The original song in this feature is called "Dynamite day."

PROGRAM #097

Bali

Boys and girls perform another one of the hundreds of Balinese dances. Accompanying this dance is a percussion orchestra called gamelan. All the movements in the dance convey messages just as lyrics do. The name of this particular dance is the Trampong, an Eastern dance done in Western costume.

Florida

Fishing is one of Florida's most popular sports. Tarpon and bone are two of the most popular sport fish. An eleven year old girl goes fishing with her uncle, a fishing guide. Live shrimp is used for bait. When fish are caught in sport fishing, they are thrown right back.

Canada

The folktale. This tale is an old Indian Tale from Manitoba called "The Moose's Coat". It tells about the days when all animals had thin, gray coats. One day the Great Spirit gave each type of animal a different coat. The moose missed out and ended up with his baggy coat and ugly horns.

India

In New Delhi, a fifteen year old boy is taking his final sitar lesson before his first public recital. He has been studying the sitar under his guru for three years. The characteristics and history of the instrument are described.

PROGRAM #098

Canada

Five miles off the coast of British Columbia lies Lennard Island. The only people who lived on the Island are the chief light keeper and his family. An assistant light keeper and his family move in in this feature. The intricacies of running a light station are explained and illustrated.

Mexico

It is Mexican Independence Day and part of the fiesta includes the performance of the well-known Mexican Hat Dance. This is also the day that young Juan tries to become a charros. A Charros is the equivalent of our rodeo performer. Juan has practiced hard with his lariat. Finally it is time for the Charriada, or rodeo. The new Charro always goes last. Juan and his lariat give an impressive showing. He becomes one of the elite Charros of Mexico.

South Sea Islands

The folktale. A frivolous tale called "The Spots on the Moon" claims that the moon has spots because a jealous braggart threw mud at it after he failed to hook the moon with his fishing rod.

New York (Upstate)

Billy hangs around the local airport and fantasizes about flying in one of the planes. One day he is asked to help roll out one of the Tiger Moths. Then to Billy's great delight he is invited to go for a spin in the plane. He learns tall about the instruments on the panel. After his ride he is more determined than ever to be a pilot.

PROGRAM #099

Egypt

Almost 4500 years ago the great Pyramid of Giza was built. It is still standing today. Tourists rent camels to visit this 500' high monument to King Cheops. Eleven year old Ahmed rents out some camels. He saddles the camels and provides a kuffiyeh, Arab headdress, for each tourist. They visit the famous sphinxes and examine the intricate wall carvings of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Connecticut

"Say Hello to the Sky" is an original song which sets the tone for an eight year old walking alone in the country on a beautiful day. He feels like flying, so he does the next best thing - he makes a kite out of two sticks, some string, and wrapping paper

Iran

The folktale. A woman is preparing some shish kebob for supper. Her woman friends come over to gossip and end up eating all the shish kebob. When her husband returns he is furious to find only rice for dinner. His wife claims the cat ate the three kilos of mutton. But when the cat is weighed it weighs only three kilos. The distraught wife vows never to lie again, as she goes out to buy more mutton. The tale is called "Shish Kebob."

Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

An eleven year old boy is in love with a twenty-five year old, three ton, long nosed girl elephant. His brother is a professional Mahut, elephant trainer. The life of an elephant and its Mahut is featured.

PROGRAM #100

New York City

Students at the Walden School here learn how to improvise. they are visited by the Children's Theater Group of Actors. After demonstrations and pointers by the Theater Group, the students put on their own improvisational play about a giant who is unhappy because he never frightens anyone anymore.

If Children Ruled The World

The topic in this program is clothes. The child reprimands her father for dressing sloppily.

England

The original song "Games" introduces this feature on the International Marble Tournament. The fourteen year old boy who won the Wildwood (N.J.) Tournament is here competing again. The difference between American and British rules are explained. The tournament begins -- the U.S. team emerges victorious.

Classic Tale

"The Boy Who Cried Wolf" is animated, put to verse and given a dash of humor. The message is still salient.

Poland

The Palace of Youth in Warsaw is the setting for the water ballet of "Swan Lake". The ballet is presented by teenage girls. The girl with the lead role discusses how she feels about being in the ballet and gives viewers a glimpse of her city.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

PROGRAM #101

Maryland

A fifteen year old girl has the unusual job of being ball-and-broom girl for the Baltimore Orioles, a major league baseball team. She enjoys her work and her family is in the stands rooting for her just as if she were another Brooks Robinson, one of the great players.

If Children Ruled The World

The son patiently explains to his perturbed father that he should try to get along better with his boss--after all, he is not going to work just to have a good time.

Senegal

Senegal's national sport is wrestling. Her the wrestling is done on sand. Unlike the United States, in Senegal, the match is over as soon as one of the knees touches the ground.

Greek Myth

The well-know legend of Echo, the broken-hearted mountain nymph, and Narcissus, the beautiful but vain mortal, is animated in the style of the early Greek vase painters.

Mexico

A young girl is Acapulco enviously watches paraskiers soar through the air. If only she had enough pesos, she, too, could paraski over the Acapulco harbor. Being a resourceful child, she decides to sell cold drinks to thirsty laborers. Soon she has the required amount of money and gets to go paraskiing.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

PROGRAM #102

Haiti

Voodoo, a religious cult, is still practiced in Haiti. A young Haitian girl learns of the sacred dances and trances used to evoke spirits in an outdoor church on the island. Voodooists believe in one god, the God of Wisdom.

"Dump Daisy"

his is a song about a child who is walking through a trash dump on her way home from school. Amid all the garbage she sees a little flower growing out of a discarded sneaker. When she returns the following day to see if the daisy is still there, she finds the bulldozers have turned over the original sneaker, and instead of one daisy she now finds two, proving beauty can survive even in an atmosphere of ugliness.

A Classic Tale

"Rumpelstiltskin", a classic Grimm Fairy Tale, is adapted and endowed with humor and imagination in this animated version. USSR The Moscow Circus School is the topic of this feature. Classrooms surround the circus arena so the students can  see how acrobatic or aerialist feats are properly performed. Talented youngsters demonstrate their various abilities. After attending the Moscow Circus School for two years, a young person is regarded as qualified to perform.

PROGRAM #103

Paris

A group of man-sized penguins nonchalantly walk in the Metro - the underground subway train system of Paris. They are actually being filmed for a movie. Children standing by are invited to don some penguin outfits. This feature focuses on special effects used in movies. A workshop where props (such as foam rubber horses) are made is visited during this segment. 

Greek Myth

"The Golden Touch' is an operatic rendition of the famed King Midas myth. This rhyming version is lively and humorous. The ending has a particularly witty twist, but the storyline, on the whole, remains faithful.

India

Camel breeders from western India are featured in this segment. A young camel breeder describes the origin and characteristics of these animals. The method of plowing with camels is also demonstrated.

If Children Ruled The World

Trying to get Daddy to understand the importance of doing his homework is the child's task in this feature.

New York City

A Double Dutch tournament is in progress in Manhattan. Double Dutch is jump rope using two ropes that swing in opposite directions. Music accompanies this visually exciting feature. The winners of the tournament treat the viewers to an encore.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

PROGRAM #104

West Virginia

Jo Ann Lee demonstrates the excitement of learning to ride in a Kayak in the Lafayette Station Rapids. She describes the practice and training that are part of Kayaking while she whips through the waves. The segment ends with a breathtaking ride.

Classic Tale

"The Riddle of the Sphinx", an ancient Egyptian legend is animated and set to a musical refrain. Children will enjoy the riddle and appreciate the antiquity of the riddle form.

England

In a particularly sensitive segment, we see the "Special Olympics" through the eyes of a young girl who has been disabled by cerebral palsy. The International Olympic Games for handicapped children poignantly demonstrate how much handicapped children can do and wish to do. Exercises, like wheelchair races and javelin throws give the children the opportunity to improve their physical condition at the same time help their self-esteem.

If Children Ruled The World

This segment pokes fun at the dress selection a mother makes. The daughter urges her to purchase "that sweet pink one" instead.

Brazil

In this segment we visit the State of Sao Paulo in Brazil to see young boys who are learning to be race car drivers. The teachers are all professional drivers. The boys have classes in mechanics as well as regular school subjects. The segment ends with a race. The child points out the value of accepting the disappointments which are part of competition.

PROGRAM #105

South Carolina

Sixteen-year old Jim Blackwell tells about his long wait to grow old enough for the adventurous sport featured in this segment - skydiving. preparatory steps, packing the chute, and getting suited up are shown and Jim goes for his first jump from 2800 feet!

Classic Tale

"Bad Habits" is an African folk tale about a rabbit and a monkey whose bad habits annoy one another. The resolution of the story is an accommodation of each others habits, "Live and Let Live."

Hungary

In this segment we visit the Budapest Pioneer Railroad, an organization of young Hungarians similar to a scout group. The boys run a diesel locomotive, exchanging jobs each time they work the 38-minute trip. The featured boy's parents came to meet him at the end of the trip and they celebrated his birthday in a nearby restaurant.

If Children Ruled The World

In this spoof, children have something to say about their parents' bedtime.

Canada

In the Caribou Mountain area, British Columbia, we visit a 12-year old boy who demonstrates snowmobiling and iceboating. He puts a ski from a skimobile on an iceboat and he and a young girl sail off to the delightful song "Skim Along."

PROGRAM #106

Los Alamedos, California

Debbie Fyke, a 17-year old gymnast is training for the Olympics. She takes the viewers through some of the events as she talks about the hard work and will power required for her training. She has been in national competitions as well as events in Russia, South Africa and Germany.

If Children Ruled The World

The topic in this program is friends. The child reprimands her mother about her choice in friends.

Denmark

In this segment we visit a training ship for the Danish Merchant Marines that takes 80 boys on a voyage through the Carribbean. Kaspa, the featured child, is nervous because he has never been away from home. He talks about learning responsibilities for himself and others. We work the rigging and learn about the 6-month training course. The segment ends at sunset as Kaspa is thinking about home.

Classic Tale

"The Emperor's New Clothes"

Africa

In this segment we make an intriguing visit to the Ivory Coast to see human jugglers. In this town one must be both an orphan and chosen to be a juggler. The juggler and his three children dance to entertain the townspeople. We see all the makeup and costume preparations as well as the actual performance.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

PROGRAM #107

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

St Croix provides a beautiful backdrop for two young boys to go Spinnaker Flying. The children are instructed by an expert in this unusual sport in which the child sails in the air over the water via the sailboat's Spinnaker.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands we visit a famous Carillon School where a master tells about casting of the bells and shows children how a Carillon is played. A young boy tries it out and plays Big Blue Marble.

If Children Ruled The World

A young boy does a humorous take-off on words parents often have about allowances.

Classic Tale

"Pegasus," the Greek myth about the Winged Horse of the Gods is done in exciting animation.

England

Tracy Southerland, a 13-year old, is an expert figure skater. She goes to the rink six days per week and practices four hours each day. She first started figure skating at five years of age. Tracy speaks of her ambition to compete in figure skating championships.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

PROGRAM #108

Louisiana

Scott Morin, 12, and his father ride a helicopter to a gas-well platform thirty-five miles off the coast in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. Mr. Morin is an oil company engineer. He explains to his son how gas is processed and the difference between a production platform and an oil drilling platform.

Global Gourmet

The tasty dish prepared in front of your very eyes is chocolate fondue from Switzerland. Heat up the chocolate, cut up some fruit, dip the fruit into the chocolate and enjoy the treat!

A Fable

One of Aesop's better known fables, "The Fox and the Grapes", is told as a humorous rock opera. The fox never quite recovers from the frustration of trying to reach those "sour" grapes.

If Children Ruled The World

This week the son goes over his mother's report card. Her "D-" in ironing reveals that she is simply not ironing up to her potential.

Argentina

One hundred miles north of Buenos Aires is a ranch or hacienda where all sorts of horses including polo ponies, are bred. The origin of this game of polo is explained while we observe the gauchos saddling up the ponies. The basics of how to play this exciting 4,000 year old game, are demonstrated by young horsemen.

Dahomey

It's harvest-time holiday in Katagon, a village in one of Africa's smallest countries. Beatrice and brother Benjamin prepare for the fete du janvier and the traditional dance called the aguela ye ye. Benjamin's role in the dance involves donning a mask and high stilts; He dances around on the stilts as agilely as if they were part of his body.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

PROGRAM #109

Spain

Gypsies originally brought the Flamenco dance to southern Spain. In Cordoba, twelve year old Maria Sole attends a music school to learn Flamenco dancing. Her goal is to dance in public. That very evening she gets the opportunity. she is nervous, but once she hears the castanets and guitar, she forgets about everything but dancing.

Wyoming

Twelve year old Joe Bressler is getting his sled dogs in shape for the big dog team race. The course is 3½ miles long, and three dogs pull a sled. Racers stand on the back of their sleds and urge their dogs on. Joe comes in second, but he is pleased with his timing.

If Children Ruled The World

The son asks his dad a typical "dumb question": What did you learn at work today? The father mumbles, "Nothin'," but this child won't take "nothin'" for an answer.

A Fable

"How the Camel Got his Hump" is presented as an amusing rock opera. The lazy camel said "Hump" to all suggestions of work. As a result, a genie came along and gave him just what he asked for -- a great big "hump" in the middle of his back.

Haiti

Did you know that Christopher Columbus discovered Haiti in 1492? The native Arawak Indians had already named it Haiti, meaning high ground. On one of these high pieces of ground is the famous Citadel, built during the rule of Henri Christophe at the end of the eighteenth century. Young Jocelyn and his friends make the 2½ hour journey to the Citadel on horseback. Jocelyn relates the interesting biography of General Christophe as he winds his way up the mountain.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

PROGRAM #110

Russia

The school featured in this episode is no ordinary boarding school. It is a school for gymnastics in Rostov, Russia. Natasha, an eleven year old gymnast, is the subject. At the school, she attends regular classes. Six days a week she and her classmates go by bus to the gymnastics hall. For the past three years, Natasha has been training for the Olympics. We watcher her work out on the trampoline, the horse, and the balance beam.

Greek Myth

History's most famous headache took place in Ancient Greece. The Birth of Athena is presented here as an exciting version of this myth.

Colorado

A former French Olympic skier gradually went blind. Rather than give up, he began a program called "Bold" for blind skiers. These young blind people learn to overcome their handicap. Going down a ski slope without being able to see teaches them that almost nothing is impossible.

If Children Ruled The World

The daughter demands that her father attend dancing school. He has a temper tantrum and refuses to wear sissy shoes. She assures him that daughter knows best and he'll love it once he gets there.

Nigeria

Talking drums are the unique instrument of the Yoruba Tribe. A twelve year old Yoruba boy plays the talking drum at his Cultural Center. He has been playing them since he was three, and now he is getting the opportunity to play in the Nigerian version of a rock and roll band.

PROGRAM #111

Belgium

Karin shares her parents' ambition: she, too, wants to become an Olympic Swimmer. At the age of thirteen, she has already won many swim meets. Today her father, who is also her swim coach, drives her across the border to France, where she will compete in an important international meet. She wins the 800-meter crawl and sets a new record. This feat could assure her of a place on the Olympic Team. The 2½ hours a day of practicing certainly seems worth it.

"If Children Ruled the World" ... they would write the commercials. Here two girls satirize the laundry detergent commercials. The punch line is that new River will not only clean your clothes, it will dissolve them completely, so you can buy new ones.

Greek Myth

The well-known myth of Arachne, the expert weaver, is retold in this animated sequence. Arachne, conceited about her weaving prowess, challenged her teacher, Athena, to a weaving contest. She lost. Athena turned Arachne into a spider, and until this very day she weaves webs that are appreciated by no one.

Georgia

The famous Okefenokee Swamp is the setting for catching baby alligators. Kelly and his dad are not hunters of this now endangered species; Kelly's dad is a biologist. Every year he rows out into the Swamp, catches little alligators with his bare hands (Kelly helps too), weighs, measures, and marks them and throws them back.

England

The Formula One racing drivers are preparing for the big race. The narrator's sister's boyfriend is one of the racers. These racing cars are so low you have to lie down in them. All racers wear fireproof clothing and crash helmets. The race begins. Tom comes in first for the first time ever.

PROGRAM #112

Greece

On the island of Thasos lives an eleven year old boy who is going to become a honey farmer. He has a good head start; his uncle owns a farm where nectar bees produce honey. The complex process of getting honey from the bees is illustrated in this feature. The role of the queen bee is described. The working of the machine that removes honey from the combs is demonstrated.

Sweden

The celebration of Santa Lucia marks the shortest day of the year. It is already dark by 2:30 PM. Ten year old Anna is excited because she gets to play the role of Lucia as she and her sisters go caroling around town. They dress up, place a crown of candles on their heads, and bring homemade bread and cookies to neighbors that live alone. As they go from house to house, they sing the well known son, "Santa Lucia."

Aesop's Fable

One of the better known Aesop's fables is "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse". Reggie, the stuck-up city mouse, persuades Hiram, the simple country hick, to return to the city with him. Hiram gives in, but regrets doing so. The noise, crowds, and fast pace are too much for Hiram. He gladly returns to the country and resumes his peaceful, simple life.

Massachusetts

Radio controlled aircraft measuring about three feet in length assemble with their pilots at a meet. Eleven year old Paul, his sixteen year old brother and his father have been flying remote controlled, home-made planes fro five years. At the meet the planes go through various events of skill and luck. Paul does not get to enter this year, but with practice he hopes to participate at next year's meets.

PROGRAM #113

Iran

Hamzel, a seven year-old boy, who lives in Tehran, the capital city of Iran is trying to become an apprentice - member of "Zourkhane" (pronounced: "Zoor ckha na") or House of Strength which is a semi-religious (Islamic) physical exercise or martial arts society. Actual training cannot begin until a boy reaches eighteen, but Hamzel's father, himself a member of the most famous house of strength, the Djafari Zourkhane is training his son.

Greek Myth

"The First Winter" explains, in allegory, the first winter and why it happened.

How to-Pinata

Several children take balloons, paste, and crepe paper and make piñatas, the colorful and popular holiday toy from Mexico

"If Children Ruled the World"

... they could borrow money from the bank. When the loan officer asks about collateral, the boy replies, "my mother wouldn't trade me for a million dollars."

Canada

Even though he's only thirteen, Mark Christmas helps his dad beachcomb, not for shells, but for giant logs. In Gibson Landing where they live, logging is an important industry. Finding logs that have gotten lost is important not only because of the loss to loggers, but also to keep the beaches clean and cut down on floating deadheads that can damage boats.

PROGRAM #114

California

Viewers go on a colorful trip to the "Cosmic Laser Light Show" in California. While they learn important information about lasers, they listen to such Christmas Carols as, "Whose Child is This," "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Jingle Bells" and others.

Christmas Story

A delightful animated folk song; "the Whole North Pole is Jumpin'," conveys the happy spirit of Christmas.

Turkey

A master puppeteer from Istanbul explains his craft to a thirteen year old girl who hopes to study with him. The different characters are explained before the girl goes to t he studio to learn how the puppets are made. The girl is delighted to partake in a show in the park. She feels that she made many errors, but the puppeteer asks her to continue to work the puppets.

Lapland

Reindeer herding, in this land above the Arctic Circle, lasts as long as the snow does - which is most of the year. A family of three children is featured in this segment which gives a full picture of life in Lapland.

PROGRAM #115

Chicago

The boy featured in this segment is an aspiring magician. The master magician explains his idea that magic really comes from dreams. Several tricks are performed, among them levitation of a wand.

Russia

Eight year old Sergei Nesterov, a pianist, a violinist, and a composer, is rehearsing for the concert he will give at school tomorrow. He will play a piece he composed himself when he was only four. As Sergei says, "I hear music in my head and I must write it down."

Aesop's Fable

Henny Penny, the humorous fable about the alarmist hen. Henny Penny frightens the entire barnyard when an acorn falls on her head and she decides that the "sky is falling" and she must run and tell the king.

Spain

Jose Asole, a twelve year old boy from the mountains of the Basque Country is training in the popular Latin American sport of Jai Lai. The basics of the sport are explained while Jose effectively communicates the excitement of the sport.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

PROGRAM #116

Ohio

A day at St. Helen's School in Newberry, Ohio is an unusual experience. St. Helen's is a typical parochial school in every way--except one. Every student has to learn to ride a unicycle. The head of the school, Father James Moran, started the program several years ago. Students can ride them anywhere they want in the school.

Classic Tale

The classic children's tale, "the Gingerbread Man," will be familiar to many viewers. For those who have never seen it, the story of the gingerbread cookie who runs out of the baker's oven and then outruns everyone will be a delight.

Brazil

A twelve year old boy from Manaus is the son of a river boat captain. The ship "XIMENES" takes cargo and passengers up the Amazon to Mancapurna. The trip which takes a day and night goes through many miles of jungle on a river which is very difficult to navigate. The boy must learn the river like his own yard if he is to become an Amazon River Boat Captain.

"If Children Ruled the World"

The topic in this program is "curfews." Parents have to be in by 11 o'clock.

France

Le Caraque in France is an area where Jean Paul Touzelier's family raises bulls and horses. He is a cowboy. They are preparing for the festival of the two St. Marys which winds up with a bullfight where the bull never gets hurt.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

PROGRAM #117

Maine

Lobster Fishing is an important industry in New Harbor, Maine. Tod Fawcett and his father Kendall have the traps. They do more work on the docks than they do on the water. Every other day they check the traps and do not take the lobsters that are too small. They plug the claws of the lobsters they keep, and crate and sell them.

England

What could be more hilarious than a pie-throwing contest. The Custard Pie Festival is an annual event in England and must be seen.

Greek Myth

"Eos and the Grasshopper" tells the story of Eos, the Goddess of Dawn, who fell in love with a mortal. She told Zeus of her love and Zeus granted the mortal eternal life, but not eternal youth.

Finland

The Tapiola School Choir in Helsinki are rehearsing for a concert to be held in honor of Princess Margaret of the United Kingdom. This innovative choir provides viewers with a unique musical experience.

PROGRAM #118

Italy

In Sienna, a Cantata is a social club. Alexander is a member of the Caterpillar Cantata. His parents are coppersmiths. Everyone is getting ready for a big holiday horse race. Each Cantata has a jockey. The day begins with a parade through town and a colorful flag toss.

"If Children Ruled the World"

This segment is a spoof on music appreciation. A young boy explains rock to adults.

Aesop's Fable

"The Fox and the Stork" tells the story of the sly fox who is the perennial practical joker. He is outfoxed by the more clever stork who turns the tables.

"How-To"

This craft segment shows a clever girls who turns an old television set into a puppet theater.

Missouri

A Bluegrass Musical Festival is the subject of this feature. The festival is a particularly casual affair. Everyone with any kind of instrument can just sit down and play it. "Butch" received a guitar for Christmas and learned to play it as well as a variety of stringed instruments.

The Dear Pen Pal segment is included in this program.

PROGRAM #119

Youngstown, Ohio

The International Juggling Association combines juggling with other stunts. Rick Rheinholtz is one of the contestants and he describes the various events. Rick won second prize for juggling Indian Clubs for 18.85 seconds.

Panama Canal Zone

One of man's greatest engineering achievements, the building of the Panama Canal, is described in this segment. The canal, which cut 8,800 miles off the trip from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, consists of locks, which are shown as giant steps which lift ships from 85 feet sea level to Gatun Lake.

Classic Tale

The "Golden Goose Egg" is the title of the classic tale about a greedy farmer who had a goose that laid eggs of pure gold.

Sweden

The Drottingholm Palace is the beautiful palace built by the order of Gustav III. Viewers see how an 18th century stage functioned. They learn about scenery and sound effects in a fantasy sequence an unusual perspective of this magnificent palace is gained.

PROGRAM #120

Iran

Though falcons are not ;used for hunting in Iran today, the tradition of training falcons is still popular. The falcon has to be taught to grab and lift his prey. The various aspects of falconry are described. The falcon, an interesting animal, is explained.

Liechtenstein

A young stamp collector is featured in this segment. The art of stamp designing is shown and the commemorative aspect of stamps is described.

Folktale

"The Father, the Son and the Donkey" teaches the valuable lesson that when you try to please everyone, you please no one, particularly yourself.

Pen Pal

"If Children Ruled the World"

The subject of privileges being taken away is the feature of this humorous spoof on rules.

Aspen, Colorado

The young boy featured in this segment is anxious to try gliding. He persuades Tom, who is building a house, to drop his work and take him for a glider ride. A glider is a sail plane that has no motor. Another plane, called a tow plane has to pull the glider up.

PROGRAM #121

Bulgaria

In this sequence, Slava, fourteen, daughter of a former Bulgarian Olympic team fencer, goes through a fencing lesson. Each class begins with calisthenics and special exercises designed to build muscles and reflexes. We also learn how points in fencing matches are scored. The segment ends with an exciting fencing match which Slava wins.

Classic Tale

An animated treatment of the classic tale of "Appleseed John" and his remarkable contribution to his native land. Good music.

USSR

Yuri, age nine, has built an electronic Robot which carries out assignments, responds to commands, walks, talks, does just about anything a human being can do. Yuri has fun with his Robot but when he grows up he wants to be a computer designer.

How-To

Everybody wants to know how to paint a T-Shirt. In this sequence, we learn the easy way.

Michigan

Tracy is the 14-year old daughter of a man whose occupation is training Leader Dogs for the blind. It's an exciting episode in which we follow the training of Star, a Leader Dog, and how Pat, one of the blind children, learns to work with her dog.

PROGRAM #122

Arkansas

Dotty is just seven and her Daddy, nicknamed "Strawberry" can talk to animals. Do you believe that? If you don't, wait until you see this sequence, hear what Dotty has to say about her Daddy's talent and then maybe you'll believe, too.

Classic Tale

The tale of "The Ugly Duckling," in animation, is told by the duckling himself. The message about different people with different looks, is important.

Venezuela

Two thirteen-year old Indian boys have one basic difference in their lives: one lives on water, one lives in the desert. This is the story of the way their lives are effected by the environments in which they live. Both boys are happy, enjoy their homes, their families, and are truly pleased by simple pleasures but the differences between life with lots of water and the life with little water are enormous.

"If Children Ruled the World"

Here's how "little" people can solve the problem of being seated in the cinema behind "big" people.

Canada

Juliet Randall is a young actress who lives in Deep Cals, North Vancouver. We learn from Juliet that life for an aspiring actress is not all fun and games. Juliet is up at seven every morning, often works twelve hour days and at other times has no work to do at all. Juliet tells us about the director, how he plans the shoot, guides the players. She tells us about other people in the crew, too.

PROGRAM #123

USSR

Misha, age fourteen, lives in Moscow and is a member of a Pioneer Palace. His hobby is photography. We tour around Moscow with Misha taking pictures. Misha tells us how to take pictures and how to develop them. His favorite subject--people. The climax is the awarding of a second place certificate to Misha for his outstanding photo in a USSR photographic competition.

Long Island, NY

One of the biggest events in the Olympics is target shooting. We learn all about qualifying for a place on theOlympic team from Rhonda, age ten. She says this is one Olympic competition where all participants are evenly matched: Boys, girls, adults, young people. In this sequence, Rhonda takes a second place in this shoot-off which is an important step toward earning a position on the US team.

Aesop's Fable

The story of "The Grasshopper and the Ant"--one plays and sings all summer long, the other works in anticipation of the coming winter. In this animated version however, there is a twist ending with a revised moral which will please all viewers.

Pen Pal Sequence

Denmark

Hans Christian Andersen wrote the original story, but today in Odent, Denmark the "Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep" really live and work at their respective trades. The sequence ends with excerpts from a performance by the children of Odent of a musical version of Andersen's "the Swine Herd."

PROGRAM #124

Sweden

A young tourist, Tim, ten-years old, is visiting the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden with his mother. He is taking pictures. He gets separated from his mother in the crowds, so he tours the palace himself. In the Throne Room he meets a handsome young man who talks to him and at Tim's request poses for a picture. Tim discovers later, while watching the changing of the guard, the young man is actually King Gustav of Sweden.

"If Children Ruled the World"

All kids love it when they're asked by parents to perform at adult parties. Right? See what you think when the tables are turned.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The most remarkable islands of the world are viewed by two eleven year old girls from Santa Cruz, Consuela and Lorena. They learn much from a visiting Ecuadorian professor about the unusual plants, birds, and animals on these isolated islands in the Pacific and what is being done to help preserve the life of such rare species, like 500 pound tortoises.

Classic Poem

"The Wreck of the Hesperus" is told in its entirety as animated film portrays the unhappy tale of the young girl and her father whose sailing ship was wrecked in a storm.

Nebraska

We meet Wendy a twelve year old, who travels with a carnival as it leaves a small town in Nebraska heading out for Kansas. Wendy tells about her "carnie" family and how much fun it is in summer to be with the carnival. In winter, when the carnival rests up, all the "carnie" children go to school in their home towns.

PROGRAM #125

Australia

There's a new game for kids in Australia. It is called "Planking" in which teams of three, with their feet secured to two ski-like boards race against other teams. The kids must move in coordination, or down they go. Lots of fun.

Portland, Oregon

The newest kind of zoo is in Portland, Oregon where animals are trained to work for their food. Steve Herwitz, twelve, introduces us to his older brother who runs the zoo and is importantly involved in this new way to keep animals happier and healthier.

How-To

There are three different kinds of Ukrainian Easter eggs. In this how-to segment we learn how to make them all.

"If Children Ruled the World"

Being a child in a crowded elevator often presents problems of discomfort. There is a solution however, which is revealed in this funny sequence.

Classic Tale

"Fire"the story of Epimetheus and Prometheus, assigned by Zeus to form animals on Earth from existing things like claws, fur, speed, strength, etc. Epimetheus uses most of the available materials, makes most of the animals. Prometheus left with little, makes the man, adds intelligence and gives him the gift of Fire enabling Man to survive even though not so strong or swift as many of the animals.

Pen Pals

England

In a quaint little town in England, knighthood continues to flower. Once each year the days of jousting and chivalry are celebrated and the "Big Blue Marble" camera is there to see it all. Pages, squires, knights and beautiful damsels are featured in this colorful and informative sequence.

PROGRAM #126

Hacienda Heights, California

The national craze of skateboarding is demonstrated by two young enthusiasts--eleven year old John Blood and his fifteen year old brother, Frank. They perform feats of twirling, jumping and bouncing on the skateboard that defy the imagination. The owner of a skateboard factory shows the boys a new board and explains its composition. They use a nearby parking lot as a testing ground for the new board.

Animation

"Tiny Me," shows a child in perspective to the universe. Beginning with a young girl in her neighborhood and going to the earth, planets, and galaxies and back again, viewers will gain insight into the physical nature of the universe in which they live.

Lanzarote, Canary Islands

Ten year old Miguel Angel Hernandez from Madrid makes a visit to his grandparents near Fire Mountain, an extinct volcano in Lanzarote. The interesting topography of the island is explained, how crops grow without rain and how people live in this unusual place.

"If Children Ruled the World"

This segment is a spoof on "adult only" movies. Adults try to gain admission into a children's film.

Barbados, West Indies

The Children's Party Pageant of the Youth Radio Show is featured in this segment. The Worrell Children Timmy, Judy, and Valarie are gospel singers. Children of a minister, the Worrell's began singing in the church choir.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this Segment.

PROGRAM #127

Canada

Susie Morris is thirteen years old and the daughter of part owner of the DeWayne Brothers Circus. She has been traveling and performing as an acrobat in the circus for two years. In addition to entertaining in the circus, Susie enjoys tending to the animals and helping to maintain the small circus.

Bad Reichenhall, Germany

A thirteen year old German rock star is featured in this segment. Viewers get a clear picture of how songs are professionally recorded. Nicki sings some of his current hit songs and talks about the demands of a singing career for a young person. When considering his future, Nick understands that he may not always be able to sing.

Animation

"Mr. Meager" is an original fiction selection about a man who sees his world with dour pessimism. Gradually, he becomes aware of another way of viewing life--not all bad, and not all good, but as it is.

California, USA

Janet Johnson is a professional rider who exercises race horses as part of their conditioning for important races. "Thermal Energy" is the horse Janet works out with in this segment. The importance of working a thoroughbred is explained. Janet is allowed to bring "Thermal Energy" to the paddock for saddling and then to the ring. Part of the race is shown, and "Thermal Energy" wins.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this segment.

PROGRAM #128

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Roger is thrilled to learn that his cousin Fridge is coming to his initiation into the circle of Capoeria. Capoeria is based on a series of movements in self-defense which has many of the elements of Karate, Ju Jitsu and Tai Chi. Over the years it has become a stylized ritual performed to music. Underlying Capoeria is the idea of a circle of friends who gather together with the common goal of physical conditioning.

"If Children Ruled the World"

"If Children Ruled the World" they would give their parents educational presents. In this spoof Mom gets The History of Housework.

Brongest, Wales

Janet Jones' participates in a "talking book" program which brings tape cassettes of books and songs to blind persons all over the country. The children feel good about the program because it gives them and their blind friends much pleasure.

Animation

Eugene Fields' famous poem, written in memory of a young neighbor, "Little Boy Blue" is animated with charm and sensitivity.

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Eleven year old Jerry Anderson is the youngest member of a jazz band. Officially known as the "The Fairview Baptist Church Boys Christian Marching Band". Jerry explains his feelings about jazz as part of his black heritage. The feature ends with a performance of "Saints" a real New Orleans jamboree.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #129

Nepal

The ancient temple of Swayambhunath in the Valley of Kathmardu is the place where thirteen year old Cheggi lives as a novice monk. His guru is teaching him prayers and guiding him through study, meditation, and prayer. Cheggi is given permission to attend a festival that marks the beginning of planting season.

Animation

This original story "Generous Jen" is performed in folk verse. Jen has a hard time learning how to share and this verse points out with warmth and humor the effects of selfishness.

"If Children Ruled The World"

"If Children Ruled the World" parents would need permission to sleep outside. This spoof shows a father camping out in the back yard.

Huntsville, Alabama, USA

Kitty Burns is at the NASA Space and Rocket Center. She takes viewers inside the Skylab module and shows the Apollo/Saturn rocket. Kitty tries out the Zero-Gravity machine. Her guide through NASA is Carolyn Griner, one of the four candidates for a space mission aboard Skylab. Ms. Griner discusses a variety of science careers with Kitty and talks of the possibility of her being the first woman in space.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #130

Liberia

The Blamadan Dance Group is about to appear on Liberian National Television. The children are learning traditional dances of the Bantu Tribes which tell stories through movement and costumes. Each of the tribal groups has a different style of dancing and their dances tell different stories. The man who organized the group did so to preserve the custom of the story telling dances as more people moved from villages in the bush to the more modern cities.

Borneo

The Oran-Utan Rehabilitation Center is a special place where orangutans who have been in captivity are acclimated to their first and natural environment. These bright and rare apes are sometimes stolen and kept in captivity even though this is against the law. When found, they must be taught to survive in the jungle. Most of the things they must learn would have been taught by their mothers. The orangs show the ravages of being deprived of mother love.

Animation

"The Strength of the British Navy" is an original story based on Charles Darwin's "Origin of the Species."

Richmond, Virginia

Debbie Nelson shows Corgis, dogs that originated in Wales where they were used for herding cattle and sheep. Debbie shows the dogs on weekends when she is not in school. She cares for the dogs during the week and keeps them in fine physical condition. In some shows the dogs are evaluated, but in the Junior Championship, the trainer is judged.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this segment.

PROGRAM #131

Oklahoma, USA

Roy Don Park tells us that he was four years old when he caught his first rattlesnake. In this segment he participates in a rattlesnake hunt for trophies and prizes. Rattlesnakes are a threat to livestock in Oklahoma and the round up helps the cattle ranchers. The venom from the snakes that are caught goes to the Houston Medical Center before the snakes are butchered for meat.

Animation

The well-known fairy tale, "The Princess and the Pea" is presented in musical verse.

Switzerland

The National Crossbow Shooting Target Championships are featured in this segment. Beat (BAY-UT) Eggenberg, fifteen years old, hopes to become good enough to enter the competition. William Tell used a crossbow and his legend is told in a pageant. Beat says that he believes the crossbow to be particularly appropriate to Switzerland. "We do not need modern weapons, for we have not fought a war in 600 years."

"If Children Ruled the World"

"If Children Ruled the World" they could try out new recipes on their parents. This spoof shows a young boy getting the ultimate retaliation on his parents--peanut-butter soup.

Java, Indonesia

Pencak Silat is a movement in self-defense. Thirteen year old Dewa Ayu is attending the Pencak Silat school. He explains the mystical martial arts system which blends the ideas from India and China to achieve harmony of mind and body. Designed to build inner strength and character, Pencak Silat is supervised by a guru.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this segment.

PROGRAM #132

Tokyo, Japan

Sumo Wrestling, the national sport of Japan, is explained by fifteen year old Ichiko who is an apprentice to the sport. Many of the customs of the Sumotori are explained as the viewers see the ritualistic exercises performed to master the sport. Sumo wrestlers grow to an enormous size and they eat huge meals to attain their size. Their diet is designed to produce the proper shape which is as important as size.

Animation

"How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin" is one of Rudyard Kipling's classic "Just So" stories This lyric adaptation tells how the Rhino went from having a smooth sleek coat to a crinkly one.

How-To

A six foot hero sandwich is made in anticipation of a party.

Trinidad, West Indies

Jack Clarke is the youngest member of the Huggins Pandemonium Steel Drum Band. It is Carnival time and one of the main events is the finals of the steel band competition. The composition of a steel drum is explained as the band rehearses. While Pandemonium did not win the competition they made a good showing.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this segment.

PROGRAM #133

Edirne, Turkey

Ten year old Mustafa Basar is an aspiring wrestler, not in Olympic-style wrestling, but in "Oiled Wrestling." This Turkish sport involves covering the participants' body in oil so its difficult for an opponent to get a grip on each other. The wrestlers garb is also designed so that there's nothing to grab. The sport is surrounded by ceremony which is important to the sport. 

Kentucky, USA

The coal industry is important in Kentucky. Eleven year old Valerie and thirteen year old Marshall are aspiring photographers. They receive permission to photograph a coal mine. They are introduced to the superintendent who takes them into the mine in a mine jeep. Their teacher is impressed with the photographs from their visit.

"If Children Ruled the World"

In this spoof on braces, a father gives his son all the reasons he doesn't want to wear them.

Animation

"Little Red Riding Hood" is executed in an unusual visual play on basic shapes, triangle, square and circle.

Korea

The gayageum is a 12 stringed instrument invented 1600 years ago. Traditionally, the gayageum is played by girls and women and it is the national instrument of Korea. Twelve year old Tchai Hauna is a member of a musical group called, "The Little Angels." Her teacher is preparing Tchai for her on camera performance. Later they visit a famous Gayageum maker.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this segment.

PROGRAM #134

Manila, Philippines

The filming of Harabas Con Bulitit (which means the tough guy and the clever little kid) is featured in this segment. The film stars a four year old actor, Nino Mulack, who is seen rehearsing his part. Nino has a lot of fans who follow him around when he's filming. Two action scenes are filmed, including one on top of a train car.

Animation

"The Frog Prince" is presented as a clever take off on the original fairy tale. The Princess must kiss three frogs to get a handsome prince.

Copenhagen, Denmark

The Tivoli Gardens is the most famous park in the world. The opening of the park is one of the most important days of the year to the Danes. More than 10,000 Spring flowers are planted every year in Tivoli. The rides are repaired and repainted in anticipation of the more than 30,000 people who will come on the first day alone--the day we visit.

Idaho, USA

Free Style Skiing is a popular sport in the West. Two young enthusiasts show some of the more dazzling feats. While on skis, they jump and do flips, twists and other "Ballet steps". It's a skiing romp which you can hardly believe.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #135

Hawaii, USA

Sea Life Park is a popular spot in Hawaii and people come from allover the world to watch the show there. Twelve year old Anita Kang's family runs the park and Anita gets to help out in a variety of ways. In our sequence, one of the dolphins is sick and Anita prepares a blood test.

Vatican City, Rome

Carlo Santorini is one of the 40 altar boys at the Vatican in St. Peters in Rome. Every morning he and his friends come to the church. There are many altar boys because between 60 and 120 Masses are performed at St. Peter's each day. A special school has been started at the Vatican so that the altar boys are accessible. This is the school we visit.

"If Children Ruled the World"

If children ruled the world they would be able to tell their parents how to have their hair cut.

Animation

"The Oddities of Human Behavior" is a spoof on mankind from an elephant's point of view. The Elephant, who is lecturing to an audience of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, comments on eating canned food, driving in cars and other facets of human life which appear strange from an animals eye view.

Pakistan

Shakil Mubariz is celebrating his twelfth birthday and his cousins tent-pegging team is putting on a show just for him. Tent-pegging is a favorite sport of Pakistan horsemen. Wooden pegs 2 ½ inches wide are put in the ground. Galloping at full speed the horsemen try to spear the pegs with wooden lances. The team members are such experts, they make spearing the pegs look easy. Shakil's celebration ends with an extra surprise--a performance by a dancing horse and camel. 

Dear Pen Pal is included in this segment.

PROGRAM #136

Dublin, Ireland

Fourteen year old Stephen Gleason loves to help his father with he greyhound dogs his father raises. The Irish export 7,000 greyhounds each year. Thorough training, good diet, and regular exercise are integral parts of the dogs' program which is overseen by the Gleasons. The segment ends with the semifinals of the Grand National trials where the Gleasons have a dog entered.

Animation

"Giant Me" gives a perspective on a young girl from her body to cells, to atoms, to electrons and back again. A trip through "innerspace."

Hong Kong

Young Kwong is fourteen and suffers from bad headaches. Belle Chan is the doctor's assistant who is taking Kwong for acupuncture treatments. The theory and practice of acupuncture is explained.

New York City

The fourth of July Bicentennial birthday celebration of the United States of America was the extravaganza of OP Sail. Whereas in 1776, warships filled New York harbor, two hundred years later, ships from allover the world came to this country for the celebration.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #137

Rumania

Lunella Orajann is a member of the Rumanian junior tennis team. When she was fourteen, the government sent her to Bucharest to train and attend a special school. She is preparing to play the number one junior in the country. In a close match Lunella wins, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4.

Animation

"The Wolf in Sheep's clothing" is performed in musical verse.

"If Children Ruled the World"

They could change their name as the mood suited them.

Yazoo City, Mississippi

Fourteen year old Kelly Ables is a contestant in a Mud Derby car race through the sloppiest mud imaginable. This humorous event uses old beat up cars that become more beat up as the race progresses.

Napal

White Rhinos are quite rare in the jungles of Nepal, so spotting one is important news. Nine year old Sita Ravi was hard a work sharpening knives when Shanti came to tell about the arrival of a new rhino. They go with their father by canoe. His father is tracking the animals to learn how they need to live in order to survive longer. They successfully mark the rhino for naturalists to study.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #138

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

In Rio, any holiday is an excuse for a parade. Thirteen year old Daisey is in her first parade competition and her school is dancing to a song her mother wrote for the Samba School. They are called "schools" but are really a group of people from the same neighborhood and the children have all been preparing for more than three months. They do not win the competition, but enjoy the competition very much.

Afghanistan

In the village of Istalif everyone makes pottery. Twelve year old Mullah is a skilled potter. They begin with a ray clay pot and bake it in a kiln. The entire process of potting is shown from the time the clay is collected until the article is finished. A band of troubadours come and Mullah decides to give a bowl as a gift.

Animation

The classic poem about the ancient warrior "Lochinvar" is animated in this show.

Wilston, Vermont

Young Peter English started to play the piano when he was only four years old. He does not read any music, yet he writes his own compositions and has written more than 100 musical pieces. Peter's life is not limited to music. He is a fine skier and a generally accomplished athlete.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #139

Ohio, USA

The National Stock Outboard Championship gives ten year old Debbie Laws the opportunity to race her boat. Nine hundred and fifty boats are entered in the race. The boats in Debbie's class go about 35 miles per hour, but appear to race faster. Debbie lost her chance to win when she stopped to help her friend who fell out of his boat on a turn.

Animation

"The Lion and the Mouse" is a fractured version of the classic Aesop Fable. When the mouse helps save the king of beasts, he does not completely return the favor.

"If Children Ruled the World"

Children would be able to give reports on teacher's moods.

New Zealand

Twelve year old Rowen's family own a sheep station. They maintain 8,000 sheep. The importance of good sheep dogs is explained by Rowen's father. They keep track of the sheep to be sure none are lost or hurt. They are also used to round the sheep for shearing time.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #140

New Delhi, India

Amarjeet Singh is fifteen years old and he is learning yoga from an expert Yogi, Ram Pal Sharma. The spiritual and physical are intertwined in yoga, so each lesson or exercise begins with a prayer. There are many separate branches of yoga. The goal of the particular branch explained here, called Hatha Yoga, seeks a perfect balance between the physical and mental.

Animation

The classic "Jack and the Beanstalk" is animated. Silly Jack, who traded his family's last few coins for magic beans is surprised by the results.

"If Children Ruled the World"

Getting caught reading under the bedcovers is satirized here.

USA

Ten year old Cindy Schneider participates in the Zoo Action Program as a volunteer. Each volunteer gets a different assignment when they arrive at the zoo. Cindy sets up a stand to sell animal food to visitors. She also helps regulate the crowd so that the children feed the right animals. A pelican escapes and is found in the parking lot, and Cindy finds a lost child. All in all, a busy and helpful day.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #141

Wyoming, USA

At the National Outdoor Leadership School of Lander, Wyoming, high school students are learning how to survive the night in the Tetons at 35 below zero. The winter survival trips are usually one week up in the mountains at an altitude of 11,000 feet. They travel on skis, a kind of cross-country skiing. They carry packs that weigh 60 to 80 pounds. They dig caves to sleep and cook in.

"If Children Ruled the World"

"If Children Ruled the World" they'd give pedestrian traffic reports on heavy kid traffic areas.

Sicily

In the city of Acrireale, nine year old Gabriella Allepo practices her flute in preparation for a very important day. She is to play for a wedding reception for the very first time. The bride is a family friend which makes the event even more important to Gabriella.

Animation

"How the Elephant Got His Trunk."

Brisbane, Australia

Surfer's Paradise Beach is one of the most famous--and most dangerous--in all of Australia. Volunteers from a life-saving club patrol the beach. They are training to be junior life savers and hope to become members of the beach patrol one day. They wear special caps so that swimmers in trouble can identify them. The equipment necessary for life saving in dangerous surf is explained.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #142

London, England

Chris Harris runs a clown workshop for a group of children in London. He teaches them mime, makeup, falls and all the things that go into making a clown. The children enjoy what they are learning and perform throughout the day.

Animation

In the classic Aesop's Fable, "The Fox and the Ugly Bird," we learn a lesson about false flattery.

Papua, New Guinea

Asarh tribesmen who live high up in the jungles of Papua, New Guinea perform "the dance of the dead man's skin." The story tells of a battle in which Asarh Warriors are defeated by a powerful enemy. How the Asarh's outwit their enemy is the subject of this exciting story.

Idaho, USA

Junior high school students are taught how to play the fiddle. They are all anxious to play at a dance to show off all their hard work. Their teacher is quite expert and shares his craft with warmth and humor.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #143

Frankfurt, Germany

The Frankfurt Ruder Gesellschaft is a rowing club which was started nearly 100 years ago. Fourteen year old Steurmann Heyne is coxswain of a boat with four oarsmen. The coxswain sits in the stern of the boat. He steers when necessary and sets the pace of the rowers by counting. The team looks forward to the Mulheim regatta which they win.

Animation

Liza Lippincott is the story of a girl who gets out of difficulty by telling tales. In a dream Liza meets up with two characters, Fib and White Lie, who show her the pitfalls of telling fibs.

Australia

Koala bears are marsupials (a mammal that has a pouch for carrying its young) from Australia. In this segment we see a Koala's eye view of the world. The other animals, indigenous to Australia, the Kangaroo and the Platypus.

"If Children Ruled the World"

Children could assign household jobs to their parents if they ruled the world.

Washington, USA

Championship cowboys come from all over the U.S. to ride in the Omak Stampede. Seventeen year old Casey Nissen lives on the Colville Indian Reservation near Omak, Washington, and he will participate in the "Suicide Race." In this event the rider and horse go over a steep bank, down the hill, across the Okanagen River, and up another hill to the finish line.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #144

Washington, DC

Lori Minor, twelve, is one of the key television reporters on "youth news"a weekly TV news report, telecast over Channel 4 in Washington, DC. We observe the interviewing techniques of Lori and a co-reporter named Bradley on assignment at the Kennedy Center and the Washington Monument. The excitement of TV journalism is quite apparent as we watch the interviews develop from the taping to broadcast. Only problem: some days start out at 7:00 am!

Animation

"The Fisherman and his Wife" is the story of what might happen if you catch a magic fish. The moral has to do with greed and why to avoid it.

Facatitiva, Columbia

Soccer is the national sport of most of the countries in South America, but when you live in a city that 9000 feet above sea level, it takes special kinds of training, exercise and practice. William Telero, 13 tells us about the game, as we watch his team practice high in the Andes Mountains. The sequence ends with the big game against players from another city and William's team wins the championship of their area.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #145

La Serena, Chile

In this little town in the mountains of Chile watching the stars is the most popular pastime of the young people because of the telescope and the astronomers who live there. Roberto Olivares, thirteen, explains the way his 6' telescope works and then takes us to Cerro Tololo where with astronomers from many lands, they explore the secrets of the universe on a 158' telescope. We see a photo of the galaxy in Centaurus which Roberto helped to take.

"If Children Ruled the World"

At last! A telephone for the young people which cannot be tapped by the parents. The kids are pleased, naturally; the parents have their doubts.

Animation

"The Elves and the Shoemaker" is a pleasant tale of a shoemaker who just couldn't make shoes that would sell. The elves, feeling sorry for the old fellow, decided to help, and made many pairs overnight. The shoemaker was so pleased with the result, and the sales, he just had to peek at what was really going on at his cobbler's bench during the night. Elves don't like to be observed doing favors, this the shoemaker finally learned the hard way.

Seattle, Washington

Douglas Both at thirteen is the youngest licensed private detective in the world. We meet Doug on a stake out, watch him trail a suspect, report the location to the police all in the first minute of this sequence. Doug tells us about his job and many of the things he's learning about finger printing, lie detectors, shop lifters during the course of his work and studies. It's an interesting story.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #146

Western Samoa

Mike, 10, along with his brother, Hani, pick up ripe coconuts that have fallen from the trees to the ground to make copra. Copra is the dried meat of the coconut, which is used to make margarine, soap, candles, etc. In the opening of this episode, we watch the children dance the soke - the stick dance - a real ankle-buster, unless you know how.

Animation

"The Turnip" is the tale of a poor but industrious farmer who grows a huge turnip which is described as "being fit for a King." The farmer gives it to his King who rewards him richly. His fat, lazy neighbor witnesses this success story and tries to top it. The rest of the tale relates the consequences of the lazy man's unbelievable efforts.

Gouwzee, near Volendam, the Netherlands

This is the experience of Hans Peter Verdeijen, fourteen, who enters the European wind-surfing championship race. In this segment we learn all about these new boards, how to mount them and how to control them. Then we witness the race, which Hans wins. Next stop: the Bahamas for the World Championship Race.

Arizona, USA

An interesting report on Tami McFadden, sixteen, who helps her father when school's out with his veterinary medicine practice in Sedona, Arizona. What's most appealing in this segment is that Tami helps with small, pet animals and flies with her father to tend larger farm animals. Tami's aim: to be a nurse or a veterinary medical technician.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #147

New York, USA

Whoever heard of a twelve year old girl playing tackle football? That's what Cindy Tucker does. She plays in the line for the New Rochelle Colts in the Youth Tackle League. At 125 lbs., Cindy is as big as most boys her age and since she has the desire and drive to want to play, she's a second string regular. This sequence tells about Cindy's training, the coach, the practice and the big game.

"If Children Ruled the World"

No reason why a child in a hospital can't have his pet puppy share the bed is there? No according to the hero of this comic episode.

Animation

This story tells of the "The Straw, The Coal and The Bean" and how at first they missed the kettle, but eventually fell into the soup because of pride and conceit. A tale with a moral worth heeding.

Gold Coast, Australia

An animated and live-action report in which we learn about the boomerangits history and manufacture. Then, we watch how boomerangs are tested and tossed. Even after you learn how to throw a boomerang, you won't believe it.

Lake Titicaca, Venezuela

The little town of Chimo on Lake Titicaca, 12,000 feet above sea level depends almost completely on boats for its existence. Juan Aswara, fourteen, is learning to make boats. In this segment we watch his family build the special boat for the Festival of the Incas, which the mythological King and Queen use to celebrate the founding of the Inca Empire.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #148

West Virginia, USA

Can you imagine a model airplane that flies almost 200 miles non-stop? That's what this unusual sequence is about. Rich Myerly, sixteen, of Charleston, West Virginia tells us about these radio-controlled models that can travel at 100 mph, perform acrobatics, and fly cross country. We fly in the control plane while an attempt is made to set a new world record for model planes. We end up in a cornfield less than a mile short. As Rich says, "better luck next time."

Animation

Adapted from an Aesop fable, "The Bullfrog and the Cow" provides a good example of the dangers of boastfulness, pomposity and other ego trips. The message: don't kid yourself.

Caracas, Venezuela

Pantomime is acting without words and that's what Jose Salvador Marin, thirteen, is learning to do in a special study class in Caracas, Venezuela. His instructor is Guillermo Davila, a mime of considerable fame in that country. Jose and the other members of his group are invited to perform at a luxurious hotel in their city and in this episode we watch as they prepare their act. We learn that pantomimes create the illusions of doing things, handling things, even saying things by using face, hands, arms, legsall parts of their bodiesin their interpretations, because when you're on stage the audience sees all of you, so every movement helps the audience to understand what is meant by the performer. Jose and his instructor provide some very real demonstrations, and the sequence ends with the performance at the hotel.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #149

Alabama, USA

Eleven year old David Fawcett gives us the inside on preparing and grooming a cow for showing at the Alabama State Fair. David is a 4-H member and his leader provides many helpful hints. David's grandfather has a lot of faith in Etta, the cow entered in the competition. All hands work together, we go to the Fair, see the competition and Etta wins the blue ribbon.

Animation

"The Wolf and the Crane" is a risky tale about good deeds, greed and being thankful for what you have.

Prague, Czechoslovakia

Staying in good physical condition is a key to being a good figure skater, says Monika Sessinova, twelve. We follow her through several of her exercise routines, like jogging, school figures, etc. Monika is chosen to skate the lead role, Snow White in the Detska Review, a show performed completely by children. We share Monika's nervousness before the show, and watch her master it as she performs.

"If Children Ruled the World"

The subject of hand-me-downs is comically portrayed when the father must use old socks to replace his worn-out golf club covers.

Nutae, Tahiti

In the beautiful South Sea Islands, outrigger canoe racing is one of the favorite sports. Tani, fourteen, a member of a boy's racing club, tells us about this competition as well as how outriggers are made. These canoes are made from the wood of the breadfruit tree. Then, we see Tani's club win their race and qualify for the all-Tahiti competition.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #150

Vancouver, BC, Canada

"Total Education" is what they call the school that Tina Fierro, fifteen, attends. She works full time in Theodor's Restaurant in Vancouver and goes to classes at other times, earning full school credits for all her activities. Some of her school subjects are drama, astronomy, English. Her restaurant chores teach her to learn to be cooperative and to deal with people.

Pendleton, Oregon

There's a lot of effort required by all the members of the family, when the assignment is a 2000-acre wheat farm. That's what we learn in this episode from Janet (16) and Kathy (10) Bowman of Pendleton, Oregon. We see how two critical situations are handled: 1) a fire in the field; and 2) the rush to harvest the crop before a rain storm hits. There's much information too, on the kinds of equipment used on today's modern farm.

Animation

"Mother Holle," a Grimm Brothers Fairy Tale, points out the rewards of ambition over laziness, as we follow the experiences of two sisters who are visited by Mother Holle. The moral: make sure you want what you deserve, because that's probably what you'll get.

Oruro, Bolivia

It's called "Diablada" in Oruro, and it's the "Devil Dance" which is the annual fiesta for all the residents of this mining town. Rosa Alavarez, ten, is a participant in the pageant. In this sequence we follow the event from preparation, costuming, mask-making, rehearsal through performance. Great music, great dancing, great show.

Dear Pen Pal is included in this show.

PROGRAM #151

Animation

A remarkable sequence, titled "The Hungry Man and the Hiding Horse" in which all the animation is in Chinese ideographs. The story is that of a Chinese farmer who is helped by a horse which was looked on by the man as a suitable dinner. A delightful tale, all told in moving calligraphy.

Gordonstoun, Scotland

Three students, Rob, Tim and Pamela, attend this unusual school. These mid-teenagers dedicate themselves to 1) the pride of achievement; 2) the pride of belonging, which is part of the school code. At Gordonstoun, each student joins in local community service of their own choice. Rob tells us about their considerations in making the selections. Pamela chose Mountain Rescue Team, Tim selected Surf Life Saving Service and Rob picked Coast Guard. Ambitious services, but much needed on the coast of northern Scotland.

New York, USA

In this segment we learn how animated feature films are drawn and recorded. "Raggedy Ann & Andy" is the full-length movie used as the example. Clare Williams, five, plays the voice part of Raggedy Ann and we follow her through the animation and recording studios, where people on the job tell us about how this magic comes about. Then we see part of the finished product in a song from the movie entitled "The Camel with Wrinkled Knees."

Dear Pen Pal is included in this segment.

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For more information about this wonderful series on Aeolus 13 Umbra, please visit:

• Big Blue Marble: A Generation’s Introduction to the World
• Big Blue Marble TV Soundtrack Album

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