1 00:00:00,716 --> 00:00:02,676 - NARRATOR: Every state has its folklore, 2 00:00:02,760 --> 00:00:04,386 tall tales, and legends. 3 00:00:05,053 --> 00:00:07,639 But sometimes there is a darker story. 4 00:00:07,848 --> 00:00:10,642 A tale not so much told, as whispered. 5 00:00:15,940 --> 00:00:17,065 - WOMAN: Kansas... 6 00:00:17,482 --> 00:00:20,736 It's known for tornadoes and lost little girls. But... 7 00:00:20,819 --> 00:00:22,446 there is more to it than that. 8 00:00:23,154 --> 00:00:24,949 Take our town, for example. 9 00:00:25,031 --> 00:00:28,285 It's got one of the most unique road-side attractions. 10 00:00:28,994 --> 00:00:30,829 It brings in all sorts of people, 11 00:00:31,329 --> 00:00:34,499 including that mother and daughter you're looking for. 12 00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:36,126 - Hey, you... 13 00:00:42,340 --> 00:00:43,300 - What? 14 00:00:43,383 --> 00:00:45,803 - Come on, honey. Let's make this fun. 15 00:00:45,886 --> 00:00:48,138 I mean, when was the last time we went on a road trip? 16 00:00:49,139 --> 00:00:50,348 - Since Dad died. 17 00:00:53,059 --> 00:00:54,519 - Yeah, yeah, that's right. 18 00:00:54,603 --> 00:00:57,397 Oh! Remember that RV we rented. It... 19 00:00:57,481 --> 00:00:59,691 It would break down every other town, and we-- 20 00:00:59,775 --> 00:01:02,193 - Just 'cause he's gone doesn't mean we need to move. 21 00:01:03,194 --> 00:01:04,696 - It's complicated, OK. 22 00:01:11,954 --> 00:01:14,498 [intense music playing] 23 00:01:16,792 --> 00:01:20,504 Hey, how about we, uh, we stretch our legs? Yeah? 24 00:01:31,390 --> 00:01:32,474 Hey, come on. 25 00:01:34,810 --> 00:01:37,813 Hah! Wow, look at that. - What is that? 26 00:01:38,772 --> 00:01:40,733 - MOM: That is our new house. You love it? 27 00:01:40,816 --> 00:01:42,526 - GIRL: Very funny. 28 00:01:43,069 --> 00:01:45,529 So this is what people did before the Internet. 29 00:01:45,905 --> 00:01:46,780 - MAN: Excuse me. 30 00:01:48,407 --> 00:01:49,282 Can I help you? 31 00:01:49,366 --> 00:01:52,244 - N-- no, we're fine. We're just here to see the ball. 32 00:01:52,912 --> 00:01:53,829 - Where are you from? 33 00:01:53,913 --> 00:01:55,121 - Hang on there. 34 00:01:56,832 --> 00:01:59,125 We don't wanna scare off any new friends. 35 00:01:59,459 --> 00:02:02,254 Especially, when they're here to see our pride and joy. 36 00:02:02,713 --> 00:02:05,091 - It's, uh, yeah, certainly impressive. 37 00:02:05,925 --> 00:02:07,426 - What do you think, young lady? 38 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:09,177 Isn't it great? 39 00:02:11,221 --> 00:02:12,222 - Hey. 40 00:02:12,681 --> 00:02:15,141 - I'm gonna go. - What... 41 00:02:15,684 --> 00:02:17,770 - Children have an affinity for the ball. 42 00:02:18,104 --> 00:02:20,564 I mean, let her see it on her own. 43 00:02:20,814 --> 00:02:22,566 I'm sure she'll enjoy herself. 44 00:02:22,858 --> 00:02:25,111 - WOMAN 2: Yeah. She's probably sick of me, anyways. 45 00:02:30,032 --> 00:02:32,284 [intense music playing] 46 00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:37,706 [instrumental music playing] 47 00:02:39,583 --> 00:02:41,710 - MAN: Welcome to Francis, Kansas, 48 00:02:41,835 --> 00:02:44,671 home of America's largest ball of twine. 49 00:02:45,297 --> 00:02:48,467 Started by Greg Cawker back in 1954, 50 00:02:48,550 --> 00:02:51,095 it weighs almost 20,000 pounds 51 00:02:51,177 --> 00:02:53,764 and stands at 14 feet tall. 52 00:02:54,473 --> 00:02:56,558 Our ball is a modern marvel 53 00:02:56,642 --> 00:02:59,686 wound from sisal, or as our farmers call it, 54 00:02:59,770 --> 00:03:01,147 baler's twine. 55 00:03:02,106 --> 00:03:04,608 Where ordinary folks saw simple string, 56 00:03:04,691 --> 00:03:07,111 Mr. Cawker saw possibility. 57 00:03:08,487 --> 00:03:10,739 Mr. Cawker, a doting father, 58 00:03:10,823 --> 00:03:14,743 created the ball as a memorial to his two children. 59 00:03:14,868 --> 00:03:19,623 He would dedicate hours a day for 29 years to growing the ball 60 00:03:19,706 --> 00:03:22,084 until it was time to unveil his creation 61 00:03:22,168 --> 00:03:23,585 to his town. - [children laughing] 62 00:03:24,837 --> 00:03:25,671 From then on... 63 00:03:25,754 --> 00:03:26,630 - Hello? 64 00:03:29,758 --> 00:03:30,759 Hello? 65 00:03:32,094 --> 00:03:34,888 - MAN: ...what does the future hold for our precious ball, 66 00:03:34,972 --> 00:03:36,890 only time can tell. 67 00:03:39,185 --> 00:03:40,226 - Hey! 68 00:03:40,352 --> 00:03:41,937 [intense music playing] 69 00:03:50,779 --> 00:03:51,864 This isn't funny! 70 00:03:52,031 --> 00:03:53,115 [child laughs] 71 00:03:53,740 --> 00:03:55,951 [creaking] 72 00:04:24,771 --> 00:04:26,857 [screams] 73 00:04:34,823 --> 00:04:35,657 - SHERIFF STALLINGS: So... 74 00:04:35,741 --> 00:04:37,034 Where are you from? 75 00:04:37,159 --> 00:04:38,535 - Oh, Overland Park. 76 00:04:38,618 --> 00:04:40,204 - I meant, originally. 77 00:04:42,122 --> 00:04:44,250 - Overland Park. Born and raised. 78 00:04:44,791 --> 00:04:46,501 - You speak really good English. 79 00:04:47,335 --> 00:04:49,755 - Uh, well, um, I better get going. 80 00:04:54,801 --> 00:04:57,637 [sighs] Hey, honey. I'm ready to get out of here. 81 00:04:57,763 --> 00:04:59,681 [instrumental music playing] 82 00:04:59,765 --> 00:05:01,558 Amelia. Come on. 83 00:05:01,641 --> 00:05:03,727 - MAN: Welcome to Francis, Kansas, 84 00:05:03,810 --> 00:05:06,772 home of America's largest ball of twine. 85 00:05:07,355 --> 00:05:10,525 Started by Greg Cawker back in 1954... - Honey? 86 00:05:10,609 --> 00:05:13,195 - MAN: ...it weighs almost 20,000 pounds 87 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:16,115 and stands at 14 feet tall. 88 00:05:16,698 --> 00:05:18,867 Mr. Cawker, a doting father 89 00:05:18,992 --> 00:05:22,537 created the ball as a memorial to his two children. 90 00:05:23,413 --> 00:05:25,415 Our ball is a modern marvel, 91 00:05:25,498 --> 00:05:27,501 wound from sisal, or as our farmers call it... 92 00:05:27,626 --> 00:05:28,752 - Amelia! 93 00:05:28,836 --> 00:05:29,878 - MAN: ...baler's twine. 94 00:05:32,923 --> 00:05:34,300 - Amelia! 95 00:05:35,050 --> 00:05:36,426 Amelia! 96 00:05:36,510 --> 00:05:37,803 Did you see her come out? 97 00:05:37,886 --> 00:05:39,429 - No, I haven't even seen her. 98 00:05:39,513 --> 00:05:42,557 - What? She was just right here. Amelia! 99 00:05:42,641 --> 00:05:44,977 - SHERIFF STALLINGS: She probably just wandered off. 100 00:05:45,060 --> 00:05:46,603 - Excuse me, ma'am. Did you see my daughter? 101 00:05:46,687 --> 00:05:49,356 She is about this tall and... Amelia! 102 00:05:49,439 --> 00:05:51,692 I'm sorry. Excuse me, did you see my daughter... 103 00:05:52,526 --> 00:05:53,652 Amelia! 104 00:05:53,735 --> 00:05:55,070 Pick up, honey. 105 00:05:55,154 --> 00:05:56,947 - AMELIA: Hey, it's Amelia. Leave a message... 106 00:05:57,031 --> 00:05:58,532 - Amelia! 107 00:05:59,325 --> 00:06:01,702 [intense music playing] 108 00:06:03,162 --> 00:06:04,705 - AMELIA: Mom! 109 00:06:06,373 --> 00:06:07,749 Mom!