Beaver has a birthday, but no party; those are kid things. Still he would like presents. June suggests a new suit; Ward says not the best idea as it would ruin Beaver's birthday. Beaver knows what he wants: a model car with a gasoline engine. June is sure Beaver will be thrilled with his present; it's a check for ten dollars. Then the birthday cards arrive, with money in them. In total Beaver has raked in $22.00, and Beaver figures he can get what he wants. No, June feels it would be a better idea to put the money in the bank. Ward says he agrees, but it is up to Beaver. It may be up to him, Beaver says, but he knows what is expected. Even worse, when Beaver talks with Wally up in their room, Wally says he has to go along with mom and dad. Not a happy birthday after all.
Beaver gets a registered letter from his Uncle Billy, and it contains ten dollars. Ten dollars that no one knows about; and the note inside says to buy what he wants. Beaver could get the model car he wants after all. But how to explain the car. Beaver could put the cash in the bank. But Gilbert convinces Beaver to buy the car, and then spins a web of deceit on how to explain it. Beaver could hand the car to Gilbert, then Gilbert could "give" it back to Beaver. A nice little play on words and definition; Gilbert must be related to Eddie Haskell in some way. Now Beaver is in a bit of a silly dilemma. He still has to explain to Ward and June how he got the car.
Eventually we have the father and son talk with Ward explaining that Beaver didn't have to bank the funds; but many of us have been there, and have to agree with Beaver on what was said, but was meant: bank. I too had an uncle who would slip me a couple of bucks once in a while with the admonition to get what I wanted. And then a parent would find it and drag the story out of you. Beaver agrees he lied, and he determines a suitable consequence. We all know "growing up" is painful; but sometimes parents can suck the joy out of a gift.
Beaver gets a registered letter from his Uncle Billy, and it contains ten dollars. Ten dollars that no one knows about; and the note inside says to buy what he wants. Beaver could get the model car he wants after all. But how to explain the car. Beaver could put the cash in the bank. But Gilbert convinces Beaver to buy the car, and then spins a web of deceit on how to explain it. Beaver could hand the car to Gilbert, then Gilbert could "give" it back to Beaver. A nice little play on words and definition; Gilbert must be related to Eddie Haskell in some way. Now Beaver is in a bit of a silly dilemma. He still has to explain to Ward and June how he got the car.
Eventually we have the father and son talk with Ward explaining that Beaver didn't have to bank the funds; but many of us have been there, and have to agree with Beaver on what was said, but was meant: bank. I too had an uncle who would slip me a couple of bucks once in a while with the admonition to get what I wanted. And then a parent would find it and drag the story out of you. Beaver agrees he lied, and he determines a suitable consequence. We all know "growing up" is painful; but sometimes parents can suck the joy out of a gift.
