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Franklin Migrates
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Season
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6
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Episode
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7a (13 overall)
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Date
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June 20, 2004
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"Franklin Migrates" is the first story in the seventh episode in the sixth and final season of Franklin.
Plot[]
Franklin learns about Migration Celebration from Goose and joins in the celebration with Goose, her parents, grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousin.
Summary[]
Franklin is out biking. As he glides down a hill, he spots Goose at the bottom and manages to brake just before hitting her. He apologizes, saying he didn't see her, and she tells him that it's okay. She says she's just glad he didn't run over her branches, spreading her wings to grab a pile of tree branches. He asks what they're for, and she tells him she's using them to decorate her house for Migration Eve. He asks what this is, and she's disappointed that he hasn't heard of it. She says that his family must not (meaning that they probably don't) celebrate the holiday, telling him that her family stays in Woodland all year, but that many of her relatives migrate. Every year, they have a party on Migration Eve, which is tomorrow. She tells him that her mother said she could invite someone and asks if he'd like to come. He agrees that he will, that he likes parties. He tells her he has to go, that he's meeting Bear and he'll see her later.
Franklin meets Bear outside his house. Bear comments that he thought Franklin had forgotten their ride. Franklin tells him that he ran into Goose, or nearly did, and that she invited him to the Migration Eve party. Bear asks if he's supposed to dress up or bring a present. Franklin admits he doesn't know, and Bear suggests he asks Goose. Franklin tells him he felt silly for not knowing about Migration Eve, and Bear suggests he could find out at the library. Franklin agrees that there probably is a book there about it.
They visit the library, finding the shelves with the book in question: A Compendium of Goose Traditions. Bear points out that you do have to bring a gift, but Franklin is more worried about the fact that he doesn't see any turtles, worried about being the only one there without feathers. Bear tells him it may not be his biggest problem. Looking at another picture, Franklin asks in shock (and loudly) if he has to dance. Mrs. Goose comes over, shushing them and reminding them to use their library voices. They apologize (with one of them mistakenly saying "Story" instead of the intended "Sorry") and she mentions having heard from Goose about Franklin coming to the party. She tells him she's sure he'll enjoy it, telling him, "Bring your dancing shoes!" in her loud, musical voice. He comments to Bear that he has to try and get out of it.
Franklin visits Goose outside her home, where she is putting up a wreath made from the branches. He starts to tell her that he doesn't think he can come. Goose, however, speaks over him, saying that she's really glad he's coming, that he's the first friend she's ever invited. She asks what it was he wanted to tell her and he just sighs, saying he's really looking forward to it.
At home, Franklin is holding a container of food, asking Mrs. Turtle if she's sure that geese like shoo-fly pie. He asks if she knows the migration dance, but she tells him to relax, as it's a party and is supposed to be fun. "Yeah, if you're a goose," he comments, and she kisses him on the cheek and sends him off.
Franklin arrives at the Goose family home and rings the doorbell. Goose opens the door, greets him, and asks (in interest) if it is pie in the container. Franklin confirms that it is, and Goose takes the pie he brought. He enters and she introduces him. He waves and greets sheepishly, and there is a general chatter of welcome, except for a grumpy-sounding elderly gander who adjusts his glasses and asks if that's a turtle. Goose tells Franklin to come sit with her and her dad, the latter of whom tells them that Grandpa was just telling them the story of his first migration, which Goose reveals to be an annual tradition. Grandpa Goose explains that as a gosling, his parents told him they were going on a long trip. He thought he would be lonely without his friends. He asks a young goose wearing a pink bow named Giselle if she knows what he did. She mentions that he hid under a bush. He agrees that he did because he thought if no one could find him, he wouldn't have to go. But his father did find him and called him a "silly goose," telling him that he'd be a lot lonelier if he stayed because all of his friends were migrating too. Everyone laughs and Franklin says it's kind of like his grandpa's story about when he first came to Woodland. He had heard it gets cold there, so he put on his winter clothes for the trip, only for everyone to think him crazy because it was the middle of July. The geese laugh at this story, except for Grandpa Goose, who crosses his wings, saying it wasn't that funny.
Grandma Goose announces that dinner is served and everyone gets up and heads for the table. At the table, Franklin starts to reach for some food, but Goose stops him, telling him they say a special poem first. Giselle tells him proudly that she knows all the words, and then asks him if he does. Goose tells her off for asking him that. They join hands and say the poem, "We gather on Migration Eve to feast before we roam. And though our wings will take us far, our hearts will bring us home." Grandma Goose sobs and Grandpa says that it gets her every time. Mrs. Goose says that she hopes they're hungry, that they have all the traditional dishes. "It's traditional?" asks Franklin, and she confirms that it is and tells him every food (that is served at the party) has a special meaning, like the mashed potatoes resembling the clouds in the sky. Goose tells him the corn pones are like sand on the beach and Giselle asks what his pie means. "Dessert?" he suggests, as it's the first idea of an answer he came up with, and everyone but Grandpa Goose laughs. "Humph, turtle humor," he grumbles. After dinner, Franklin (having eaten three corn pones) tells Goose that he liked everything, even the stuff he had never tried before. Grandpa Goose says there's good food and good company and that there's only one thing missing: good music. He pulls out a violin and Franklin gulps, and Grandma Goose comments she hopes she can remember the migration dance.
Grandma Goose asks who wants to join her. "Franklin!" she suggests, and Franklin, drinking a glass of water, does a spit take in shock from this suggestion in the middle of his drinking. She asks if he'll help her start things off. "You mean now?" he asks, and Grandpa Goose jokes, "Watch he doesn't step on your toes!" Franklin agrees that he will. "But first, excuse me," he says, and walks off. Goose suggests that he must be looking for the bathroom. She follows him outside, asking where he's going. He tells her that he didn't know the meanings of her foods or special poem and that he doesn't think her grandpa likes him very much and he doesn't want to ruin her special dance. She tells him that nobody expects him to know it, that her granny just wants to teach him the dance. She tells him to not worry about her grandpa either, that he's just sore because Franklin's jokes are funnier than his. She tells him she likes sharing their traditions with him and pleads him to stay. He agrees, but tells her not to say he didn't warn her if he steps on her granny's toes. They laugh.
Back inside, Grandpa Goose plays the violin, Mr. Goose (Goose's father) plays the banjo, and everyone else dances in a "V" formation, like that of geese migrating. Franklin, now in the swing of things, comments that it's easy and Grandpa Goose says that he shakes a pretty good tailfeather.
That evening, everyone gathers outside and Goose hugs her grandparents goodbye. Grandma Goose tells Franklin to save a dance for him next year. He shakes Grandpa Goose's wing, telling him to have a good trip. Grandpa Goose thanks him, then jokes that he something on his scarf. He tells him he'll see him next year. He tells them all that they take flight at dawn and had better get some rest. He and the rest of the guests (including Giselle) head off, leaving Goose, her parents, and Franklin. They all wave goodbye.
Back at the Turtle family home, Franklin looks out his bedroom window. He tells his mom that he wishes turtles could fly, so that they could have a migration party too. She tells him it's time for bed and he asks her why there isn't a special day for turtles, that they have traditions too. He says that they could invite the family and tell stories, eat their favorite foods and that he could invite Goose. She tells him it's a nice idea, that they could celebrate "Turtle Eve." She kisses him and tells him they can talk about it tomorrow. He asks if she knows how to make corn pones and she agrees that she does, a chuckle in her voice, bidding him good night.
Cast[]
- Cole Caplan as Franklin Turtle
- Vivien Endicott-Douglas as Goose
- Mark McMulkin as Bear
- Catherine Disher as Mrs. Goose (uncredited)
- Elizabeth Brown as Mrs. Turtle
- Mr. Goose (uncredited)
- Grandpa Goose (uncredited)
- Grandma Goose (uncredited)
- Anna Quick as Giselle
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The events of the story were adapted for the Franklin TV Storybook release Franklin Celebrates.
- Franklin tells the Goose family a story about his grandfather arriving in Woodland. Although not explicitly stated, he is most likely referring to the husband of Granny Turtle and not Grandfather Turtle, as Grandfather Turtle has always lived on Faraway Farm and not in Woodland.
- In Franklin and the Green Knight, Goose sings in the "Brothers and Sisters" song that she has a brother, who is briefly shown. It is unclear why he is not present with the family in this story. It may be because he is not old enough to take part in the migration party yet.
- On the other hand, he is not heard crying once, not even from another room.
- Mr. Mole makes a cameo appearance in the library, as he is sitting down between two of the bookcases reading a book.