Wally and Beaver have gone off fishing together and are having a chat about what Wally wants to do when he grows up. Suddenly they spot a canoe and Beaver wades in the water to bring it to shore. Beaver thinks maybe it belongs to an Indian. Wally says Indians don't own plastic canoes. There is a name in a paddle: J. J. Watson. The boys find the owner who thanks the boys. He figures his daughter didn't tie it right, but he promises Beaver a reward. Neither Beaver nor Wally mention what happen to Ward or June because Beaver believes he could get into trouble for getting wet up to his waist.
Next day at school Beaver is telling a couple of friends about the canoe but makes it sound just a little more exciting than it was. But the story spreads and details are added by classmates: Beaver swam a half a mile, a girl was in the boat, it was a speedboat, it was owned by a millionaire. and added Miss Landers eventually calls on Beaver to tell the class about what happened; but she sort of prods Beaver to add details that she heard from the students. Beaver is uncomfortable but doesn't know how to correct Miss Landers with the complete truth.
Some of the kids, led by Judy Hensler, prod Miss Landers to write up Beaver's adventure and send the story to the local paper, because if it gets printed the class will get $25 which they can spend on a party. Ward and June are shocked to read the story in the paper and after they read it the phone starts ringing. Wally arrives home and reads the story and heads off to find Beaver. Wally shows the story to Beaver and Wally is upset because Beaver has managed to get the whole family in trouble. Wally sends Beaver down to tells mom and dad the truth. Beaver confesses the story was made up and he just didn't know how to stop it. June offers to call Miss Landers but Beaver says he will tell her.
Wally suggests that Ward and June may have put too much responsibility on Beaver. Beaver stands in class and explains what happened. Miss Landers asks the class what do they think they should do. Judy Hensler says they should turn Beaver over to the paper and have them print on the front page that Beaver is a big fat liar. Miss Landers rejects the offer and says the class will write a letter explain how the story of a boy finding a lost canoe was turned into high adventure by his classmates.
If anyone is culpable in this episode it is Miss Landers. She as a responsible adult should have researched the story to get the facts, and she would have needed to contact the Cleavers for permission to go to the paper with the story.
Beaver does get a five dollar reward from Mr. Watson who writes Beaver a tongue in cheek letter about the adventure. Beaver wonders if Mr. Watson was giving him the business in the letter; Wally agrees with Beaver but points out to Beaver that he did get five dollars.
It's a good episode about how children exaggerate but but a better story about adult responsibility.
Next day at school Beaver is telling a couple of friends about the canoe but makes it sound just a little more exciting than it was. But the story spreads and details are added by classmates: Beaver swam a half a mile, a girl was in the boat, it was a speedboat, it was owned by a millionaire. and added Miss Landers eventually calls on Beaver to tell the class about what happened; but she sort of prods Beaver to add details that she heard from the students. Beaver is uncomfortable but doesn't know how to correct Miss Landers with the complete truth.
Some of the kids, led by Judy Hensler, prod Miss Landers to write up Beaver's adventure and send the story to the local paper, because if it gets printed the class will get $25 which they can spend on a party. Ward and June are shocked to read the story in the paper and after they read it the phone starts ringing. Wally arrives home and reads the story and heads off to find Beaver. Wally shows the story to Beaver and Wally is upset because Beaver has managed to get the whole family in trouble. Wally sends Beaver down to tells mom and dad the truth. Beaver confesses the story was made up and he just didn't know how to stop it. June offers to call Miss Landers but Beaver says he will tell her.
Wally suggests that Ward and June may have put too much responsibility on Beaver. Beaver stands in class and explains what happened. Miss Landers asks the class what do they think they should do. Judy Hensler says they should turn Beaver over to the paper and have them print on the front page that Beaver is a big fat liar. Miss Landers rejects the offer and says the class will write a letter explain how the story of a boy finding a lost canoe was turned into high adventure by his classmates.
If anyone is culpable in this episode it is Miss Landers. She as a responsible adult should have researched the story to get the facts, and she would have needed to contact the Cleavers for permission to go to the paper with the story.
Beaver does get a five dollar reward from Mr. Watson who writes Beaver a tongue in cheek letter about the adventure. Beaver wonders if Mr. Watson was giving him the business in the letter; Wally agrees with Beaver but points out to Beaver that he did get five dollars.
It's a good episode about how children exaggerate but but a better story about adult responsibility.
