flashy synthesizer music, engine chugging
4 high-pitched dings
short of breath and panting
laughing evilly
Ha ha ha!
flashy synthesizer music
trying to catch his breath
Lexor
Oh... Oh, it's just no use! I'm too old for this sort of thing. I must travel the galaxies to find an apprentice, one who believes and will carry on my work. Exlibris!
shimmery mystical music
Lexor
motorcycle engine approaching
engine throttles down
Thorzuul
He's escaped! Oh, never mind. Soon all the readers will be gone, and I, Thorzuul, will rule!
Milkbreath
Thorzuul will rule!
Thorzuul
Hah ha ha, ha ha ha!
evil laugh continues
Thorzuul
Mrs. Framish
Amy?
Amy
They eat grass?
Mrs. Framish
Good.
Rosario
And oats.
Mrs. Framish
That's right, Rosario. Anybody else? Jason?
Jason
They eat sugar cubes.
Mrs. Framish
Yes, they do, don't they?
chalk clicking on chalkboard
Mrs. Framish
I'm thinking of something red and shiny that ponies like to eat. Tanya?
Tanya
Apples?
Mrs. Framish
Yes.
mystical music
Mrs. Framish
Norbert
Holy kamoly!
Mrs. Framish
Norbert? Norbert? Norbert? Norbert!
Norbert
Uh...um... Uh...uh... They wear silver gloves?
class laughs at Norbert
Mrs. Framish
Norbert, we could user your help in getting ready for our story. We're thinking about ponies. What can you tell us?
Norbert
They give rides at fairs?
Mrs. Framish
Good.
Norbert
Really, all in a robe and everything!
Jason
Two stories up in the air? Give me a break!
Norbert
Scout's honor!
Jason
Norby.
Norbert
Hey, look! The ring is on my padlock! I'll bet it's magic or something.
Jason
Come on, Norby.
Norbert
Maybe the guy in the window left it. Maybe it's a sign.
Jason
Norby, you're too much! I've got to go. See you after dinner. Yeah, see you later. Bye.
shimmery mystical music
Jason
shimmery mystical music
Jason
Holy kamoly! I'm in my own back yard!
mystical music
Jason
Uh... uh... Is th-this... Y-yours?
mystical chimes
Jason
Holy kamoly! Who are you? I am Lexor, Storylord of Mojuste. And you? Uh, I'm Norbert, boy of Wisconsin.
Lexor
Norbert, there is no time to lose. The wicked storylord, Thorzuul, seeks to conquer my planet. Then, he will attack yours. I am old. My time in this body is short. I need an apprentice storylord to help defeat Thorzuul and save both our planets. Will you accept the challenge?
Norbert
Uh... why me?
Lexor
Because you believe. Your friend did not. Well, what do I have to do? When this ring glows... come here as fast as you can. Sit on yon bike-a-tron, intone the magic incantation thereon, stare into this picture, and pedal as fast as you can. You will reach the land of Mojuste.
Norbert
How do I get home?
Lexor
Simply place your hands upon your heart and say, "Home." My time draws to a close. Will you accept, my child?
Norbert
Well, sure, I guess, but I have to be home by dinnertime.
Lexor
Brave lad. The planet will be safe.
Norbert
Hey! The ring's glowing already.
Lexor
Farewell, my child.
shimmery mystical music
Lexor
Norbert sighs
Lexor
What was next? Oh, yeah. "Thunder and lightning. "Trumpets and drums. "Readers rejoice! A storylord comes!" Now, stare into the picture. Well, here goes nothing!
bike-o-tron chain rattling
Lexor
shimmery mystical music
Lexor
Woman
Oh.
Norbert
Uh, excuse me. Is this the land of Mojuste?
Woman
No, it's the third moon of Gargonistan.
Norbert
It is?!
Woman
No, of course, this is Mojuste.
Norbert
Oh.
Woman
I'm doomed!
Norbert clears throat
Woman
Can I help? No, only a storylord can help.
Norbert
I'm an apprentice storylord.
Woman
You are? Oh, I see you wear the gloves. Here. See if you can open that.
Norbert
Do the elephant dance. Isn't there a key or something?
Woman
Thorzuul has the key.
Norbert
The wicked storylord?
Woman
The same. He gave me this book and told me to read how to do the elephant dance, but he locked it. And now I can't read it. How can I understand what a book's about if I can't open it? And of I can't do the dance... That's what he'll do.
Norbert
He didn't give you a chance!
Woman
Oh,
he gave me a chance
this clue.
Norbert
"Plant the seed before you read,"
Woman
"Then it will grow, and you will know."
Norbert
Tomorrow, I'll be stone! Not if I can help it. Don't worry, uh... - Milicent. Milicent, I think I know someone who can help. Home.
shimmery mystical music
Norbert
"Plant the seed before you read, Then it will grow, and you will know."
Mrs. Framish
"Plant the seed before you read. Then it will grow, and you will know."
Norbert
That's right.
Mrs. Framish
That's an interesting way to say what I was talking about in class yesterday.
Norbert
It is?
Mrs. Framish
Yes, it tells you what to do before you read something new. Look, I'll show you. Here's your story, The Big Snow.
shuffling pages
Mrs. Framish
Before you read it, think for a minute about the title. What do you think it's going to be about?
Norbert
Snow?
Mrs. Framish
That's probably a safe guess. Next, think about snow for a minute. How do you feel about it?
Norbert
I like it.
Mrs. Framish
Why?
Norbert
It's fun to play in, make snowballs with, toboggan or ski on.
Mrs. Framish
Is there anything you don't like about snow?
Norbert
Shoveling it. It can be so heavy and slippery to walk on. Our car gets stuck sometimes.
Mrs. Framish
So, snow can be fun or it can be a nuisance, too, can't it? Let's look at your book.
Norbert
"It snowed and snowed and snowed and snowed, "It snowed on the houses. "It snowed on the road. "Walks had to be shoveled. Oh, what a load!"
Mrs. Framish
You said you don't like shoveling. How do you think that man feels?
Norbert
The same way. It's too heavy. "While children toboggan, A stuck car got towed." I'll bet he doesn't like snow, but those kids are having fun.
Mrs. Framish
There, you see? What you already know about snow helps you understand the book better. As your riddle says, "Plant the seed before you read." Before you read anything new, think about what you know about the subject.
Norbert
I get it. "Then it will grow, and you will know," means that if you think about what you already know, it'll help you understand the book better when you read it. Thanks, Mrs. Framish.
Mrs. Framish
You're welcome, Norbert. All right, class, it's about time for the bell. Books away. Billy, don't forget...
Norbert
The riddle means you've got to look at the title and think about what you already know before you read.
Milicent
Let's try it. If I could prove I've already solved the riddle, the spell will be broken. Hmm, what do I know about elephants? They walk like this. They walk on their hind legs like this.
Norbert
They go 'nnnnnnrr!'
Milicent
Yeah, something like that. They squirt water with their trunks like this.
Norbert
They live in jungles.
Milicent
They eat peanuts like this.
Norbert
They never forget.
flame whooshes
Milicent
Look! Guess what? You were right. What I already know about elephants is helping me understand what's in this book.
Thorzuul
Ha ha ha!
Norbert
Don't tell me.
Let me guess
Thorzuul?
Milicent
Right.
motorcycle engine rumbles
Milicent
showy synthesizer music
Milicent
Thorzuul
Well, Milkbreath?
Milkbreath
His royal badness, Thorzuul!
Thorzuul
Well, my pretty, are you ready to dance for me or will you join my little collection of statues here like all the others who couldn't read? Mha ha ha!
Milkbreath cackles
Thorzuul
And tell me, Who is your little friend here in the storylord gloves?
Norbert
My name is Norbert Niesenden.
Thorzuul
What do you think, Milkbreath? Wouldn't he make a cute, little stone doorstop? Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
Milkbreath guffaws awkwardly
Thorzuul
Enough frivolity. Begin or be stone. Heh heh heh!
playful calliope melody
Thorzuul
But... but... what-- But, it's... but You've figured out my riddle!
Milicent
It was easy. All I had to do before reading was think about what I knew about elephants. I found out that I already knew a lot about them. That helped me understand the book.
kaboom
Milicent
flashy calliope music
Milicent
Thorzuul
You must have helped them. I'll get you!
Norbert
Got to go! Home.
shimmery mystical music
Norbert
Thorzuul
Haaaahhhhh!
playful calliope music
Thorzuul
Well, what are you waiting for?!? Get me out of here!
Milkbreath
Yes, yes, right away your royal highness.
motorcycle engine throttles
Milkbreath
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