Oh, no! Ginormous Robot and Mumu Bunny can't hold on.
They're slipping!
[in robot voice] Attention, attention. Someone help us.
Do not worry, friends. My giant crane will save you!
Vroom, vroom. Hold on tight. [giggles]
It's working. The crane is pulling them off the edge!
Ah! Ginormous is slipping!
He's gonna fall!
Hey, Karl. It's almost time for Koo to go home.
Five more minutes, okay?
Okay.
[in light voice] Come on, everybody. We've got to save that robot!
Pull. Pull.
-We did it. Ginormous Robot is safe. -Yeah!
[gasps] But now, a dragon.
[chuckles]
[growls] What are you doing on my table? [hisses]
Karl, two more minutes.
Quick! Under the table!
Shh. This is the dragon's lair.
No one make a sound.
I think the dragon flew away.
Ah! We've been spotted.
Sorry, Karl. We all agreed this is when Koo would go back home.
I gave two warnings.
But we weren't done with the dragon yet.
Can't Koo stay longer?
I know how hard it can be to stop playing
when you still have more fun in you, but it's time.
But-- But--
Tell you what,
I'll give you a moment to put your toys away,
and we'll go when I come back.
[whining] It's so unfair. I don't want this to end.
I wish we could play forever.
Wait a minute. Maybe we can. [giggling]
Okay, Koo. Time to go.
Hello?
Hmm.
Where could they have gone?
Karl? Koo?
[Koo giggles]
[Karl giggles]
[Koo giggling]
[Karl] Shh.
Hmm.
-I wonder where Karl and Koo could be. -[Koo, Karl giggling]
I don't see them in here.
[Koo giggles]
I guess I'll just lie down and wait for them. [yawns]
-There you are! -[both laugh]
Okay, that was a fun game of hide-and-seek,
but now it is really time for Koo to go home.
Come on, you two.
Koo, you forgot your water bottle.
Yes, it seems I did. I will go and look for it.
Karl, will you help me?
She really did forget it, Addy.
Okay. But please be quick.
[Karl roars]
[in light voice] Oh, no. The dragon found us.
Everybody, run!
I thought you were getting Koo's water bottle.
We did. But we couldn't just leave our friends here.
They needed a rescue.
There. The dragon is gone, and you've got the bottle.
Now we can all go back outside.
Karl, Koo, it's time to come out.
[imitating slow motion] We are, Addy.
[imitating slow motion] Dear me, it would seem
we are stuck in slow motion.
Oh, no.
What to do?
Ta-da! My magic hands have turned you back to normal.
Uh, wait. Uh, Koo forgot her backpack.
I'll go get it.
You two stand by the gate until I get back.
-Okay, I found it. Now we can-- -[giggling]
[both giggling]
Seriously?
Okay, you two, we've had a lot of fun,
but it is really time for Koo to go now.
Thank you for helping them, Addy.
Hello, Koo. Did you enjoy your time with Karl?
Perhaps you can tell me about it later.
Goodbye, Addy. Goodbye, Karl.
Oh.
It appears both of you are having a hard time saying goodbye.
It's not fair. We don't wanna stop playing.
Leaving my friend Karl fills me with a sad feeling.
I don't wanna go.
I can see that both of you are having some big feelings right now.
Karl, would you like to walk with Koo back to the house?
There's one more thing both of you can do before we say our goodbyes.
What are we going to do, Stillwater?
I'd like you and Koo to each draw me a picture
of something you'd enjoy doing together.
It's wonderful to see you both working so intently on your drawings.
When you're finished, I can tell you a story.
I'm finished. So is Koo.
I love when you tell us stories.
[whispers] Plus, we get more time together.
It can be hard moving from one thing to another,
especially when you don't feel ready to change.
This reminded me of a story about a warthog in the mud.
There was once a warthog who loved playing in the mud
more than anything else in the world.
Ah, I love mud!
Love, love, love, love, love!
It's nice and cool.
All my friends are here.
I get to make all the mud castles I want.
And splashing is the best.
I never wanna leave! [chuckles]
-[animals chuckling] -Whoo!
[Stillwater] After a while, all the other animals went home to take their baths.
But not Warthog.
He stayed in the mud.
And his friend, the egret, was curious.
Hey, Warthog.
Why aren't you going home like the rest of us?
Because if I leave, it means I have to take a bath.
But all your friends left to take a bath. I'm going to take one too.
I know, but the mud makes me so happy,
and if I take a bath, it'll wash it all off.
I want this feeling to last forever.
Well, baths can feel good too.
The water is warm and bubbly.
After, you get to hear a bedtime story
and snuggle up in your jammies.
Huh. I guess that would feel kind of nice.
But the very best thing about taking a bath is
getting muddy again the next day. [chuckles]
Now I'm really excited about that bath. See you, Warthog.
Enjoy the mud!
This made Warthog think.
Maybe a warm bath might not be so bad after all.
So, he stood up in the mud and yelled--
Wait for me!
Oh, hey. You decided to leave the mud after all.
What made you change your mind?
I thought about what you said, and you were right.
It's nice to be here in my bath.
Especially when I think about
all the mud waiting for me tomorrow!
Did the warthog get to play in the mud later?
Yes, he did.
Just like you will get to play with Koo again.
May I see what you drew on your papers?
I drew us playing hide-and-seek with our toys.
There's Ginormous Robot, there's Mumu Bunny, and there's the dragon.
I drew this picture of the game Karl and I played.
"Wow! It's Hot Lava."
I have a question.
How did you feel after you first became friends?
That's easy. Happy.
And how did you feel when you played together today?
Happy, happy, happy.
[both giggle]
One more question.
How do you feel about playtime tomorrow
when you will get to do the things in your drawings?
Very happy.
I feel like that warthog when he took the bath.
He got to think about getting muddy all over again.
Instead of the mud, Karl and I have this moment and fun times ahead.
[chuckles] That is a happy feeling.
Come on, Koo. Let's go say goodbye.
Then we'll get to be excited about our next playdate.
Addy, look what we did.
Is this the two of you playing?
Mm-hmm. It's what we'll do tomorrow.
Sounds like you both are feeling better about Koo going home.
Yep. And this time we're really going to say goodbye. Just watch!
Bye, Koo. See you later.
Goodbye to you, Karl. We had fun playing today.
Tomorrow, much more.
Uncle Stillwater, your story got me thinking.
Could I have a bath?
[chuckles]
[water trickles]
[tweeting]
Come on, Karl. Why are you walking so slow?
Because if I walk slow,
then there's more time until Stillwater leaves on his trip.
Poor Karl. He's having a hard time.
I know how you're feeling, Karl.
But Stillwater won't be gone long.
He's just gonna visit some family.
I know, but I'll miss him.
I see him every day,
sometimes twice a day, sometimes three times a day.
You're right. It will feel different without Stillwater around.
-I'll miss him too. -We all will.
-Hi, Stillwater. -Hi, Stillwater.
Hi, Stillwater.
Hello, everyone.
I'm so glad you came for a visit before I leave on my trip.
We didn't just come to visit.
We came to bring you an airplane essentials kit.
You'll have everything you need to go on your flight.
Crossword puzzle, eye mask, comfy socks, breath mints.
And cookies for when you get hungry on the plane.
[sniffs] How thoughtful…
and delicious.
I may have a hard time waiting for my flight to try them, Addy.
Michael and Addy are the experts on what you need when you go on airplanes,
so I just drew a picture of one.
See? That's you waving from the window.
Oh, and what a beautiful picture it is.
Thank you all very much for your generous gifts.
I'll pack them away carefully so I can enjoy them on my journey.
Will you miss us while you're gone, Stillwater?
'Cause we're going to miss you.
I will. Our visits are always a special part of my day.
But it also gives me something to look forward to when I return.
[sighs]
I wish I could be like you and not worry.
Everyone has worries, Karl.
Even me.
I have a lot to think about while I'm gone.
Who's going to collect the mail, weed the garden, pick the peas,
scoop leaves, water the plants,
feed the koi, feed the birds…
There's so much to do before I leave and while I'm gone.
I don't know how I'm going to do it all.
It seems like you have a lot on your mind, Stillwater.
Hmm.
It does seem that way, doesn't it?
How does that make you feel?
I suppose it feels a bit overwhelming.
And how does overwhelming feel to you?
For me, it feels like I'm being surrounded by so many ideas
it can be hard to think.
[gasps] This reminds me of a story we know!
It does?
Oh, right. It does.
Do you wanna hear it, Stillwater?
[chuckles] Oh. I'd like that very much.
Okay. It goes like this.
Once there was a beaver who wanted to build his dream house.
Building a house is hard work.
There are plans and tools and wood and nails.
And Beaver really wanted to build it all by himself.
[Michael grunts]
[Karl] That's when the dragon showed up.
Wow, Beaver.
Looks like you could use some help with all that digging.
Thanks, Dragon.
But it's my own house, and I can build it on my own.
All right, then. Suit yourself.
[Karl] Next day, the same thing happened.
Hey, Beaver.
One time I built a tower so high I could catch the sun.
Want some help?
Thanks, but no thanks, Joku.
I'm gonna do it.
[Karl] And the next day, the same thing happened again.
Hey, Beaver. We are great planters.
Can we help plant some trees in your garden?
Thanks, Ami and Rio.
But I can do it by myself.
[Karl] And then it happened again…
and again…
and again!
And then, one month later.
I did it!
[creaks]
[sighs] I think I need some help.
Oh, no. What happened, Beaver?
Hello, Dragon.
It's been really hard building this house all by myself.
I was wondering…
[inhales deeply] I was wondering if I could have some help?
Sure! I'm glad you asked.
[Karl] So the beaver started his house again.
But this time, he wasn't afraid to ask for help.
[Michael] Ami and Rio helped plant trees and watered them with Daisy's drips.
[water trickling]
[Karl] Joku helped with the hammering.
[Michael] Frog carved wood.
[Addy] Marina and Bodhi helped paint.
[Karl] And Ginormous Robot even came to hold up the roof!
And this time, because everyone did what they were good at,
it was a house that would last forever.
-[Karl] Yeah! All right! -[Addy] Amazing!
-[Michael] Awesome! -[Addy] Whoo-hoo!
Bravo! Bravo.
Thank you, everyone, for your beautiful story.
We're glad you liked it.
Did it help you, Stillwater?
Like the way your stories help us?
It did indeed, Karl.
It helped remind me that I can ask for help too.
Just like Beaver.
It worked!
-Whoo-hoo! -Yay!
Let me try it. Like in your story.
[clears throat]
Would you three be willing to help me get ready for my trip
and look after a few things while I'm away?
We were hoping you'd ask.
Excellent! Then follow me.
The first thing I could use help with is
bringing in the mail so the mailbox doesn't get too full.
I can do that.
I'll keep it safe and organized until you get home.
That would be very kind of you, Michael.
I'm sure my composting worms will get hungry while I'm away.
Addy, would you be able to share some of your kitchen scraps with them?
Sure. I'll start tonight after dinner.
Thank you.
See you soon, little friends.
What about me? What can I help with?
Ah. I have a very important job for you.
I'd be honored if you'd help me take care of the koi, Karl.
You'll need to come over every day to feed them.
That's okay. I'm already used to coming over here every day.
[chuckles] Yes, you are.
Hi, koi!
I'm going to be in charge of taking care of you when Stillwater's on his trip.
Maybe I should give them names?
[sprinkles]
[chimes jingle]
Okay. All the leaves in the pond are scooped.
And the bird feeder's topped off.
And I've made sure all of the windows in my house are closed.
I think all of the getting-ready-to-go chores are finished.
Thank you for your help.
Does this mean you're leaving now?
Actually, there's one more thing to do.
I'd be pleased if you would join me.
[birds tweeting]
[all breathe deeply]
Saying goodbye is always a contradiction.
That means something that is two opposite things at the same time.
I'm excited about my trip.
But even though I'll see you again soon,
I'll miss my home and friends.
We'll miss you too, Stillwater.
But we can't wait to hear about your adventures when you come back.
I'll be back sooner than you think.
Bye, Stillwater.
There he goes.
What are you thinking about, Addy?
I'm imagining Stillwater having a good trip.
That's a nice thing to imagine.
How are you feeling, Karl?
I'm feeling contradiction.
I'm sad Stillwater's going on a trip, but excited to help while he's gone.
Can we start helping now?
[chuckles] Why not?
Race you there!
[chuckles] You're on!
Wait for me! [chuckling]
Hmm.
[Karl, Addy and Michael chuckle]
[Addy] Aw.
-[Michael exhales] -[Karl chuckles]
-[Karl] Wow. -[Michael gasps] Whoa.
[man] ♪ With our spirits We were floating through the trees ♪
♪ Like creatures we were soaring high ♪
♪ Blowing off some steam ♪
♪ Or a mountain And its effervescent green ♪
♪ A never-ending dream ♪
♪ I found a little bit of honey ♪
♪ And now I'm a little sweeter inside ♪
[singing in Japanese]
♪ It's just a little bit funny ♪
♪ But now I have the world on my side ♪
[singing in Japanese]
[vocalizing]