Addy, Michael, when is Stillwater going to get home?
He's coming home today, Karl, but it's still gonna be a while.
Oh, do you want to help us with the welcome-home decorations?
I already finished my picture.
I'm going to wait outside for Stillwater.
[sighs]
How much longer?
It's still going to be a while, Karl.
How much is a while?
Still a few more hours, okay?
[sighs] That's forever. I can't wait forever.
Why don't you go feed Stillwater's koi fish?
- That'll give you something to do. - I already did.
Can I feed them again?
Stillwater said only once a day.
Okay.
Why can't Stillwater be home right now?
Because he's coming from a long way away,
and that means an airplane and a train ride.
Then he has to walk from the train station to home.
Can we go to the train station and meet him there?
You would still have to wait, only there instead of here.
[groans] Please?
How much longer now?
Karl, I told you it was gonna be a while, and we'd have to wait here too.
Are you hungry? Mom packed us sandwiches.
No, thank you.
- My tummy is too... [whooshing] ...to eat. - [chuckles]
[chuckles] We're excited to see Stillwater too.
The clock just moved. Is he coming now?
No, Karl. Not yet.
[groans]
[clock ticking]
[imitating aircraft]
[sighs]
[announcer] Your attention, please. Train 6565 has been delayed.
Addy, what does that mean?
It means we have to wait some more.
[groans] No more waiting!
Uh, would you like to hear a story?
I only want to hear a Stillwater story from Stillwater.
Okay, I guess we can just keep waiting until he gets here.
So, what kind of story?
The kind that starts like this...
There once was a family who was taking a very long trip
in a covered wagon.
[Michael] I learned in school that on the Oregon Trail,
it could take up to six months--
- [Addy] Michael, stick to the story. - [Michael] Right, sorry. [clears throat]
There was a big brother, a big sister and a little brother.
Like you, Karl.
[Addy] It was a long and bumpy journey.
And they had to cross big, open fields, wide rivers and steep, rolling hills.
[Karl] Sounds like fun.
[Michael] It was for the big brother and big sister,
but the little brother didn't think so. He said the same thing over and over.
Are we there yet?
- Are we there yet? - [Addy] And he kept asking...
- Are we there yet? - [Addy] And asking...
Are we there yet? [echoes]
Are we there yet?
How come you never ask if we're there yet?
Because we know a secret.
A secret?
Yes. A secret that makes waiting feel... Well, less like waiting.
Do you think he's ready?
Maybe.
I'm ready! I'm ready! Tell me the secret. Please?
Okay. First, you have to close your eyes.
Then you have to imagine. Where could we be right now?
With the wagon bumping,
it feels like we're on a pirate ship, sailing through the rocky seas.
[little brother gasps] I can feel it too. [chuckles]
[big brother] It's more fun taking a trip on a bumpy pirate ship
than this old wagon.
Now open your eyes and look up. What do you see?
Um, clouds?
- I see a giant steam engine. - [horn blows]
- Hmm, I see a windmill. - [whirring]
- Ooh, I see a buffalo. - [buffalo blusters]
Like in that song you sing.
Can you teach me the song? The one about the buffalo.
♪ There once was a wandering buffalo ♪
♪ Who walked all the way To where the green grass grows ♪
♪ He tramped over hills And across the plains ♪
♪ And to the rolling meadows With sweet falling rain ♪
♪ Wander, wander buffalo ♪
♪ Walk a thousand miles And always take it slow ♪
[Addy] The younger brother realized that sometimes you have to wait,
and sometimes you have to wait for a really long time. [chuckles]
But even if you can't do anything about the waiting,
with a little imagination,
you can always make it feel less like waiting and more like fun.
♪ Wander, wander buffalo ♪
♪ Walk a thousand miles And always take it slow ♪
[all] Stillwater!
[chuckles]
Hello, my friends. I've missed you all.
I missed you too. I've been waiting for a long time.
We didn't even hear the train arrive.
I could tell. That was a very nice story and song.
And now I know the secret to waiting.
You play games and look at clouds and sing songs and pretend--
- Did you bring us anything? - Karl!
[chuckles] I do have some small gifts we can open at home.
But there is one thing I brought with me I can share right away.
[chuckles]
[gasps] Koo!
I am filled with joy to be back here with my friends.
Addy. Michael. Karl.
Will we be going? I can't wait for Uncle's house.
- And will it take long? - Oh, it's a long walk.
It's not that far.
Yes, it is. It's like a million, zillion miles away.
But I know the secret to making things that take a long time fun,
so you won't even notice the how-long-it-takes-to-get-there part.
Follow me!
Uh, which way is it to home?
I spy with my little eye...
something that is waving and has a mustache.
[chuckles]
Now let's walk like robots.
- [all imitating robots] - [Karl] Beep, beep, boop, bop, beep.
Now let's walk backwards.
If we walk backwards,
I think the rules should be that too backwards talk we. [chuckles]
Oh, I get it. You're talking backwards.
[shushes] Listen.
[wildlife chattering]
[chuckles] I believe we have arrived.
[Koo] A zillion miles home? It did not seem long at all.
May we walk some more?
[Stillwater chuckles] We can walk some more this way.
Welcome home, Stillwater.
And Koo.
[chuckles] Thank you, Addy.
We have bamboo and carrots.
Oh, my favorite.
I can tell that you took good care of things while I was away.
Thanks to all of you.
You know, Karl, now that I'm home,
I can finally do something I've been waiting for a long time to do.
- Build a trampoline? - Pick apples?
Play tickle-tag?
[chuckles] All very good ideas,
but what I would really like to do now is tell you a story.
- [Karl] Yes! - [Koo] Please, Uncle.
And this one is about all the fun things I'm looking forward to in the days ahead.
I'm looking forward to baking and rocket ships
and fun games in the park.
[humming]
Hey, Addy. Whatcha baking?
I'm making two dozen lemon sprinkle cupcakes
for the school's charity bake sale.
And we're donating the money to kids who need school supplies.
Mmm. Can I help too?
I'd love that, Karl.
Yay. I'll pour the sprinkles.
Uh, Addy. There's no more sprinkles.
Oh. Uh, maybe Maya will have some. I'll give her a call.
[sighs]
- Hey, Maya. - Hey. I've got your sprinkles.
Thanks. You're a lifesaver. You done with your cupcakes yet?
Ugh. No. I tried three batches already, and they either turned out too salty,
too sweet or too burned.
[sighs] I don't know how you make it look so easy.
I know. I can make extra cupcakes so you won't have to.
Really? Are you sure?
Yeah, I'll just double the batch, no big deal.
That would be seriously amazing.
Then I can have more time to decorate the table.
- Thanks so much, Addy. - My pleasure.
[chuckles] See you at the bake sale.
[humming]
- Cupcake batch number two coming up. - [knocking]
- Hey, Tommy. - Hey.
I was on my way to the park to set up the table.
How's the baking going?
So far, so good.
I've got one batch in the oven and one more on the way.
Two batches? Sweet. Get it? 'Cause they're sweet.
Anyways, are you going to make that banana bread you brought
to Lexi's birthday party? My mom would totally buy some.
It was so yummy and banana-y.
Uh, okay. I can do that.
I'll have to start the recipe from scratch,
and I'm not sure if there's enough room in the oven for another baking tray.
But that's okay. I'll ask Stillwater if I can use his kitchen.
Awesome. See you at the bake sale.
[humming]
[panting] Hi, Stillwater. [pants]
- Why, hello, Addy. - Can I please use your oven?
I need to make banana bread for the bake sale,
but I ran out of space in our kitchen.
How generous of you to contribute your talents
to the school bake sale.
I would be honored if you used my kitchen to make your banana bread.
Thanks so much.
I better start mixing the batter, or it won't be ready in time.
Let me know if you would like any-- [stammers]
[chuckles] Help.
[grunting]
[knocking]
Asha?
Hey, Addy.
I had an idea. Are you ready?
It's a pi cake. Get it?
And inside is 3.14 layers of chocolate deliciousness
- with rainbow sprinkles on top. - That's pretty amazing, Asha.
You think you can make it for the bake sale?
Oh. You want me to make it?
Well, I was kinda hoping you would, since this cake is so special
that only a great baker like you could do it.
And my mom won't let me use the oven. [sighs]
- Uh. - It would be such a hit.
Sure, Asha. Let me see what I can do.
You're the best, Addy. I better go help Tommy set up.
And don't forget the sprinkles.
Oh, gosh. I'm going to need some extra hands.
Okay.
Two times one and a half tablespoons equals...
Lots of frosting.
[panting]
Hi, Stillwater. [pants] Bye.
[panting]
- [timer dings] - Time to take the cupcakes out.
- [timer dings] - Time to put cake layer three in the oven.
- [timer dings] - Um, which ding is that?
- Cake layer one is ready in kitchen two. - On it.
[Karl] Hmm.
We could help Addy.
- [sniffs] Mmm. - I'll be back soon to frost it.
Gotta check if the cupcakes have cooled off.
[pants]
Here you go, Addy. We frosted them for you.
- You did? - Look. They got a little melty.
Oh, no.
Sorry. I was checking the timers, and they got into the cupcakes.
You're welcome.
[inhales, exhales]
Should we put these in the box for the bake sale?
No. I think these should be for us. Why don't you take some to Stillwater?
Okay.
I'm really sorry, Addy.
It's fine. I just... [sighs] ...need a break.
Stillwater, we have a present for you.
For me? Oh, how kind.
And what a creative frosting style.
We did the frosting.
Addy was very surprised. Now she's on the porch.
[breathing deeply]
May I join you, Addy?
[both breathing deeply]
This bake sale is not going the way I thought it would.
Oh?
Usually, I love baking.
But right now, I'm just so worried about how much I have to do.
I should've never promised to make so many things for my friends.
I can see how hard you've been working. You've certainly taken on a big order.
[inhales sharply] I can't let anyone down. They're all counting on me.
[sighs] But there's no way I'm gonna be able finish everything in time.
You know,
I once heard a story about someone with a very similar problem.
Will you tell me about it, Stillwater?
[Stillwater] There was once a traveler going
on a journey over a mountain.
Good day.
I see you're going over the mountain today.
Would you mind taking this letter?
Of course. I'm already going that way, and a letter hardly weighs a thing.
Greetings, neighbor.
Would you mind taking this package over the mountain?
It's only a small package. I'd be happy to.
It's a bit heavy, but could you take this over the mountain?
[grunts] Of course.
- This too, if you don't mind. - [grunts]
Do be careful. It is rather fragile.
[grunting, panting]
[Stillwater] Though each step grew harder, the traveler never said, "No."
[grunting]
By the time he began to climb,
the traveler was so weighted down with items he was carrying for others
that it became too much.
[grunting, panting]
He was almost at the top of the mountain when...
[grunting, gasps] No.
[panting]
No. [panting]
The traveler realized too late
that he took on more than he could carry and should have spoken up
when things got too heavy.
Sometimes a heavy load can burden even the kindest gesture.
I guess I'm kind of like the traveler.
I didn't mind making cupcakes for Maya,
but it was too much once I started to help everyone else.
It's admirable to want to do things for others.
And it's also important to know your limits
and speak up about them,
even if it might mean disappointing someone.
I think I know what I'm going to do.
Thank you, Stillwater.
Hey, Addy.
How is the cake going?
Actually, I wanted to let you both know something.
I can't do the banana bread or the pi cake.
I'm already baking a double batch of cupcakes,
and I've realized I don't have enough time.
I'm so sorry, Addy.
If I knew how much baking you had to do, I never would've asked.
Me neither. Don't even worry about anything extra.
Plenty of other people signed up to bake stuff.
[sighs] I'm so glad you understand.
We just finished setting up. Is there anything we can do to help?
Actually, there is.
[timer dings]
Check out our bake sale.
Support kids who need school supplies.
[all] Hi, Stillwater.
Hello, everyone.
What a delicious bunch of treats you've made.
Glad you could make it.
How do you feel after all your baking, Addy?
I'm really happy I spoke up for myself.
It was so much fun baking cupcakes with all my friends.
[chuckles] I'd better make my purchase before the line gets too long.
How about a zucchini muffin?
Great choice. Enjoy.
Thank you, Addy.
I'm happy to help such a worthy cause. And eat delicious muffins.
[both laughing]
[customers speak indistinctly]
[Stillwater] Terrific!
[Karl] Addy!
["Never Ending Dream" playing]
♪ With our spirits We were floating through the trees ♪
♪ Like creatures, we were soaring high Blowing off some steam ♪
♪ Or a mountain And its effervescent green ♪
♪ A never-ending dream ♪
♪ I found a little bit of honey ♪
♪ And now I'm a little sweeter inside ♪
[singing in Japanese]
♪ It's just a little bit funny ♪
♪ But now I have the world on my side ♪
[singing in Japanese]
[song fades]