♪ Every day when you're walking down the street ♪ ♪ Everybody that you meet has an original point of view ♪ (laughing) ♪ And I say hey ♪ Hey!

♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ ♪ If we could learn to work and play ♪ ♪ And get along with each other ♪ ♪ You got to listen to your heart, listen to the beat ♪ ♪ Listen to the rhythm, the rhythm of the street ♪ ♪ Open up your eyes, open up your ears ♪ ♪ Get together and make things better ♪ ♪ By working together ♪ ♪ It's a simple message, and it comes from the heart ♪ ♪ Believe in yourself, for that's the place to start ♪ ♪ And I say hey ♪ Hey!

♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ ♪ If we could learn to work and play ♪ ♪ And get along with each other ♪ Hey!

♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ Hey!

♪ What a wonderful kind of day ♪ Hey!

Hey, D.W.!

Hey!

Whoa... (crash) I don't know why people say it's hard to save money.

All you have to do is give up a few things, like maybe a new video game.

Or a fancy pair of sneakers.

See, it's easy.

You just have to... Hey, wait!

I kind of need that.

Oh, my bed?

Where am I going to sleep?

Stop, that's enough!

Arthur, the TV just vanished!

What did you do?

I don't know!

I was just talking about how easy it is to save money, and everything started to disappear.

(poof) (grunting) Great, you owe me a house!

I could do without my little sister.

Nice try.

You're never getting rid of me.

ARTHUR: Mom!

There's this new Dark Bunny action figure I don't have.

His sidekick Carrot Kid.

Can I get it, please?

Please?

Not right now, honey.

We need to spend a little less these days.

Work's been kind of slow lately.

Have you been serving those turnip and onion burritos?

I told you, they taste like mothballs.

(laughs) No!

Well, maybe once.

Yuck!

People have been doing their own taxes lately.

And they just haven't been having as many parties.

So, wait, are you saying that you're both out of work?

No, honey, we just have a little less work than normal.

Which means we can't spend money on extra things we don't really need.

(Arthur sighs) Like a Carrot Kid action figure?

You got it.

But it's going to be fine.

Times are just a little tough, that's all.

Hey, Buster, what does it mean when someone says, "Times are tough"?

It's just one of those things parents say, like, "Never teach a pig to fish."

Today, we're going to start history class with a slide show on the Great Depression.

In 1929, the stock market crashed.

This caused lots of banks to close and many people lost their jobs.

Hard-working families went from having a lot to having very little, almost overnight.

Some people had to wait in long lines outside of soup kitchens just to get something to eat.

What kind of soup is it today?

Turnip and onion.

Yuck!

Some people took all their belongings and headed west looking for work, even though they couldn't afford money for gas.

D.W.: Mush, Pal, mush!

He's going as fast as he can.

MR. RATBURN: Times were very tough.

(Mary Moo Cow music playing) Why do you have the lights on?

It's daytime.

Electricity costs money, you know.

Here's a nickel.

Turn it back on.

It costs more than that.

Didn't you hear Mom and Dad?

We have to start saving.

Hey, you can't do that!

D.W., if we don't cut back, we could end up broke.

This is serious!

Well, it's my TV time.

That's serious, too!

Mom!

Shh!

Don't bother Mom.

She's working.

Come with me.

I have an idea.

(reading in sing-song voice) (knocking on windowsill) Change the channel!

I've seen this one!

Okay, maybe that wasn't the best way to save money.

But there must be some others.

Kids, could you make sure there are no toys in the yard?

Alberto is coming by tomorrow morning to mow the lawn.

Lawnmowers use gas, and gas is expensive.

We should just cut the grass ourselves.

How?

This is going to take forever.

Why don't we just get a cow who will eat the grass?

(mooing) (barking) Uh-uh.

We can't afford a cow.

What have you two been up to?

Actually, I don't want to know.

Just clean up before dinner.

Hmm, water costs money.

I wonder if there's a way to save money on that.

Wait!

I have a really fun way we can clean up!

How long do we have to wait?

I'm getting cold!

Don't worry.

It's about to come on, right... now!

(both giggling) So, why are we eating by candle light?

Oh, I just thought it would be nice.

Plus, it does save money.

Well, I think it's very romantic.

Yuck!

Oh, and I'll do the dishes.

Here you go, boy!

Who's good at doing the dishes?

You are!

(yawns) (panting) (whimpers) How are we going to pay all these bills?!

I don't know.

What are they even for?

Where's my cake?

Where's Nadine's cake?

And you two haven't bought me a present in five whole minutes!

Oh, right, I forgot.

We spent all our money on D.W.

I guess we'll have to sell the house.

ARTHUR: Not so fast!

I can help!

MOM: It's Super Saver!

And his trusty sidekick, Scrimp!

(barks) ARTHUR: First we'll take care of those bills.

(vacuum whirring) And here's a book with 101 ways to save money.

Most importantly, don't spend too much money on this one.

She'll bleed you dry.

No!

MOM and DAD: Thank you, Super Saver!

(sniffing) Ew!

Arthur, are you sure you did these dishes?

They smell strange.

Um... What time should Alberto come over to mow the lawn?

Oh, he doesn't have to!

D.W. and I already took care of it.

Huh?

I'll say!

It looks like it was eaten by a cow!

No, we didn't get a cow.

Arthur said it would cost too much.

Honey, why do you keep scratching your head?

I think there's still soap in my hair.

The Molinas' sprinklers didn't get it all out.

Honey, we're not in the Great Depression.

I know, but you said times were tough.

They're not that tough.

MOM: It's great that you want to help out.

But cutting the lawn with scissors might not be the best way.

So, what can I do to help?

I think if we all put our heads together, we can come up with a few ways.

DAD: Thanks, Oliver.

I knew one of these would be lying around the dump.

You can mow a lawn with that?

Where do you put the gas?

No gas required.

It runs on very old-fashioned fuel: muscle.

You missed a spot.

Over here, too.

And there, and there... And there!

Now here's where scissors can really come in handy.

Coupons!

Hey, here's one for Crunch Cereal.

We can save 25 cents.

This is for denture cream.

So?

You don't brush enough.

You'll be wearing dentures when you're 20.

Oh, here's a sale on zucchini.

Wait, I think I know where we can get some even cheaper.

Thanks, Buster.

No problem.

I've got more zucchini than I know what to do with.

When my dad makes zucchini bread, I'll bring you guys a loaf.

Great!

And remember, never teach a pig to fish.

This is much better than the movies.

We get free double features.

I know, and the popcorn's so cheap.

So, what'll it be?

Trouble in Toy World or Poodle Caboose?

(barking) Guess who's just got a job catering the volunteer fireman's convention.

Yay!

Remember, no turnip and onion burritos.

What's this?

Your allowance.

And a little extra for being so helpful these past few weeks.

ARTHUR: What's this for?

We're raising money for families in need.

Anything helps.

Well, where is it?

Didn't you get a new moronic bunny toy?

No, I'll get it some other day.

Hey, want to go save some money at the Molinas'?

Yeah!

ARTHUR: Wait for it... Now!

(giggling) And now: My name is Cassia.

Welcome to my third-grade class.

Today we're going to play a bartering game.

Bartering is when you trade an item for another item.

Buster had lots of zucchini, so he traded with Arthur for zucchini bread.

We're going to make a trade just like Arthur.

TEACHER: You guys will be working in different villages today to barter with other villages.

Welcome to Village One!

Two!

Three!

Four!

We're ready to trade.

TEACHER: The weather's changing and the winter is upon us.

Everybody has different goods.

STUDENT: Guys, we have a lot of chickens we could trade with.

TEACHER: You need to decide what you have extra of and you need to trade for the things that you need.

We need a cow.

CASSIA: We're going to trade with other villages.

TEACHER: Let's start bartering.

We're ready to barter.

Would you like to barter with me?

Yes.

I trade one cow for two chickens.

No, we will give you two barrels of wood.

Thank you.

It was a good trade because we needed chickens.

That was not a fair trade.

We're not happy.

CASSIA: Some trades are good but some trades are not so good.

TEACHER: During the snow last night-- uh-oh-- a cow wandered off.

Bugs got in your water and you've lost ten gallons of water.

What are you going to trade?

We need water to drink.

STUDENT: We're trying to trade our water for a cow.

And I will give them ten gallons of water.

One of this... CASSIA: Bartering is important because we get what we need.

STUDENTS: Moo!

I got the cow!

Yes!

And now: (police sirens wailing) Give up, Bananomanoman!

I've rounded up the rest of your bunch and you have nowhere else to run!

Oh, but Dark Bunny, I actually find my position quite a-peel-ing!

(gulp) (laughing) Time for this banana to split!

Help!

Don't worry!

Luckily, I'm fluent in Gorilla Sign Language.

(chattering and panting like a gorilla) You... you saved my skin!

I must return the favor.

From now on, I will patrol the night by your side.

Ow!

I didn't mean that quite so literally.

(gasping) Tommy, did you just dream what I dreamed?

Yeah, what kind of dopey super villain lets himself get saved and then has to help his sworn enemy?

(humming to herself) No!

No!

(gasping) Let's play tour bus.

I'll drive and you can be the tour guide.

Okay.

If everyone will look to their left, you'll see a rhododendron bush.

TOMMY: Enemy sighted for sneak attack, Commander?

Check!

Water balloons ready, Admiral?

Check!

I'll throw the first one.

No, you won't, I will.

(arguing back and forth): Me!

Me!

Me!

Me!

Help!

You saved us.

You're welcome.

Timmy, how come I'm not laughing?

I don't know, Tommy.

It's strange.

It's almost like... bothering D.W. isn't fun anymore.

(groaning) I thought you boys might like some nice, fresh ginger snaps.

Oh!

What are you both doing in bed in the middle of the afternoon?

We don't feel well.

Yeah, something's wrong with us.

Do you have the chills?

No.

Tummy ache?

No.

You don't have a fever.

What are your symptoms?

Tell her, Tommy.

We were throwing water balloons at... A tree!

Yeah, yeah, a tree.

Anyway, we didn't enjoy it at all.

Hmm, that does sound like a serious condition.

What do we do, Grandma?

Sorry, boys, I don't know a thing about water balloons.

But if you don't want these cookies, I'll give them to Mr. Read.

He baked that nice cake for my birthday, and when someone does me a favor, I don't feel good until I pay them back.

Tommy, are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Always, Timmy.

Wait, what are you thinking?

We're not sick.

We just don't feel good because D.W. rescued us and we haven't paid her back.

So all we have to do is...

Follow D.W. around until she's in danger and then, we rescue her!

TOMMY: Is she in danger?

Not yet.

TOMMY: So bored, Timmy.

How can you rescue someone who never does anything dangerous?

Can't keep eyes open, Timmy.

We've been following her for three days.

She hasn't jumped off a couch or juggled a brick, or even tried to tackle a cat!

What kind of life is that?

(snoring) Here you go, D.W. And I'd be careful.

This drink may come with a side of Tibbles.

Tommy, wake up, it's happening!

I didn't do it, Grandma, I swear!

Huh?

TIMMY: That lemonade Vicita is giving D.W. is the wrong color!

It could be poison!

This is my chance!

It's my chance!

I saw it first!

No, you didn't, your eyes were closed.

(gasps) What are you doing?!

That lemonade Vicita made you is green.

Yeah, I'm sure it's bad for you.

So we just saved your life.

You're welcome.

That isn't lemonade!

It isn't?

It isn't?

It's an avocado and banana smoothie.

It's supposed to be this color.

Is it good?

Can we have some?

Why are you two following me all the time?!

Because we have to rescue you.

You saved us when we fell from the tree.

So we have to pay you back, even if it takes all year.

I'm doomed!

What do we do now, Timmy?

Try harder.

Fighter Jet Two, intercept that missile!

TIMMY and TOMMY: Incoming!

Why did you do that?

It could have hit you.

Hey, D.W. and Emily!

Want some homemade taffy?

TIMMY and TOMMY: Incoming!

It could have hit you.

D.W.: Arthur!

Mom says it's time to come home for dinner.

TIMMY and TOMMY: Incoming!

Don't even say it.

Oof!

Sorry, bad pass!

D.W., are you okay?

Wow, that was the best thing you've done all week!

Why didn't you let us stop it?

Then we could have really saved you.

You!

I!

(groans) Why is D.W. so angry?

Maybe that ball knocked her silly.

If I tell you, will you promise not to tackle me, pull my doll's hair, or fill my backpack with mud?

(whispering) Okay, we promise.

For now.

Being rescued by you is worse than being teased by you.

It's worse than being bothered by you.

It's... Emily, what are you trying to say?

If you really want to help D.W., just leave her alone.

(both sigh) I feel bad, Tommy.

I feel worse.

Are you boys in bed early again?

More water balloon trouble?

Well, one thing I've learned in my baking.

You can't just wait around for things to go your way.

Sometimes you've got to make something happen.

Why, I'll never forget my first attempt at croquembouche.

The profiteroles just wouldn't stay stacked.

But I kept at it.

That's it!

We've got to make it happen!

I guess what I said to the Tibbles worked.

We haven't seen them all day!

Well, if they do show up, I brought protection.

Sharky!

Hey, where's Mary Moo Cow?

TIBBLES: Hi, D.W.!

It's your mother, Mrs. Read.

If you're looking for your Mary Moo Cow doll, you might want to look over there.

EMILY: Look, there's Mary!

And that's the big kids' monkey bars!

That seems very Tibblish to me.

We're not Tibbles, we're your mommy.

Those monkey bars are very dangerous.

And there might be traps on the way, so you better be very careful!

Oh, no, whatever will I do?

She fell for it!

Get ready to rescue her!

There you are, Mary.

Right back where you belong.

No, no, you can't save her like that!

You're supposed to get caught in our trap.

Ow!

Or step on a rake.

(grunts) Or try to get to the top of the jungle gym.

Like... this.

And get... stuck... there.

So we can... can... Timmy, I can't hang on!

Neither can I, Tommy!

Help!

(grunts) I did it again.

Now I'll never get rid of you two!

Hey, D.W., your shoe is undone.

Yeah, the Velcro strap isn't fastened right, and you could trip and hurt yourself.

Let me help.

I'll help better.

We did it!

My heroes.

(sigh) (doorbell rings) Hi, D.W.

Even though we're even-Steven now, we know that the last week has been kind of difficult.

So, we wanted to give you something nice.

Grandma made it.

It's a croquembouche.

Plus, we're going to give you a week off from saving and bothering you.

Wow, thank you!

But what if I don't give you a week off?

ALL: Food fight!

(all three laughing) BUSTER: To watch more Arthur and play games with all the Elwood City friends, visit pbskids.org.

You can find Arthur books and lots of other books, too at your local library.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org