- [Announcer] Lead support for this program has been provided by the William Penn Foundation with additional support from The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The Sidewater Family Foundation, The Thomas Locke Charitable Fund, and viewers like you.

(lively upbeat music) ♪ At the start of the day ♪ ♪ The sun says, "Hello" ♪ ♪ It's shining my way ♪ ♪ It's saying, "Let's go" ♪ ♪ It's so nice to hear the button go ding ♪ ♪ Who could it be ♪ ♪ My heart starts to sing ♪ ♪ Albie's Elevator ♪ ♪ Albie's Elevator ♪ ♪ Albie's Elevator ♪ ♪ Oh, yeah ♪ ♪ Each floor is a friend ♪ ♪ Each floor is a neighbor ♪ ♪ And where do we meet ♪ ♪ On Albie's Elevator ♪ ♪ Albie's Elevator ♪ ♪ Albie's Elevator ♪ ♪ Albie's Elevator ♪ ♪ Oh, yeah ♪ ♪ Albie's Elevator ♪ (cheerful music) (light jazz music) (elevator dings) ♪ I'm gonna drive a pizza car ♪ ♪ A pepperoni wheel ♪ ♪ I'm gonna drive a pizza car ♪ ♪ Whenever I feel like it ♪ ♪ MM, MM, MM, string cheesy belt ♪ ♪ MM, MM, MM with a bumper crust ♪ - Woo!

(laughs) Hi, I'm so glad you're here.

Welcome to my comfy, cozy elevator.

I'm just getting ready for the day.

Oh, Tibitz?

- Oh, Albie?

- Oh, ready to get ready?

- [Tibitz] Indeed!

(cheerful music) - Elevator buttons, ready?

- Elevator buttons are colorful, shiny, and activated.

Ready!

- Secret sauce, ready?

- Sauce remains a secret.

Ready.

- Pep talk, ready?

- [The Peps] Ready.

- [Tibitz] Pep talk, you are the very best at being you.

- I'm the very best at being Albie.

And Tibitz, you are the very best at being Tibitz.

And you are the very best you, and you are the very best you, and you, and you!

Hooray!

(audience cheering) MM, MM, MM, MM, MM, MM.

MM, MM, MM.

(elevator dings) Ooh, a neighbor.

(upbeat music) - Glorious day to you fine folks.

My name is Ricochet Paloma.

I'm new in the building.

Floor seven, if you'd be so kind.

- You got it, Ricochet.

I am Albie, and this is Tibitz.

- Right-O!

- [Albie] Loretta.

- [Loretta] Ahh.

- [Albie] And Huggy Pepper.

(Huggy Pepper chatters) - Whoa, I love the feather in your hat.

- Oh, this old thing?

I have a fabulous story about it (Albie gasps) if you care to hear.

- Oh, yes, yes, yes, please!

- Well, I was visiting a cousin in Paree, Paris.

(cheerful music) And I happened upon a parade.

(crowd clapping) (drum beating) (horn tooting) Everyone was dancing and the whole city smelled like fresh butter croissant.

- [Albie] Mm.

- Mouthwatering or as the French say, "Allechant."

- [Ricochet] There was a stunning singer on top of one of the parade floats, hitting the most supremely high notes, and wearing the most incredible hat I ever seen.

I thought to myself, oh, oh, I wish I had a hat like that.

And at that moment, the singer looked at me.

We locked eyes (eyes twinkling) and we had a cosmic connection.

It was like he could read my thoughts.

He took off his hat (Albie gasping) and threw it.

- Ah.

(cheerful music) (crowd applauding) Like a Frisbee.

- Just like a Frisbee.

- Ah.

- I caught it.

Ooh!

(crowd cheering) The singer winked at me, bah.

I mouthed, "Thank you."

And I've worn it ever since.

I consider it my lucky story hat.

- (gasping) Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow!

Ha!

- An incredible story.

- Why thank you.

I do consider myself a storyteller.

I write plays, books, and of course, tell stories to folks like you.

- Oh, like elevator operators.

- I tell stories in elevators, on stages, all over the place.

- Wow!

Uh, I wish I had a story.

Humph.

- Everyone has a story, Albie.

When you tell a story, there are just three parts.

First, a beginning.

- When you found the parade.

- Then a middle part.

- When you wished you had a hat.

- And finally an ending.

- When the gentleman gave you his hat.

- Oh.

- Exactly.

- But I don't have a hat story or a feather hat.

He.

- I'm sure you have a story, Albie.

People tell stories about all kinds of things.

Sometimes people use stories to talk about their feelings.

- Oh, I have a story about a time I felt very happy (Albie gasps) - Tremendous!

Care to share?

- [Tibitz] Gladly.

Oh, once I was having a rather sad day, I thought everyone had forgotten my birthday.

(harp music) Then Frank got on for what I thought would be a normal elevator ride.

But lo and behold.

(lively music) - Hello, old Tibz, didn't think we forgot your birthday, did we?

- He brought my brother Roybitz.

- Oi, good mornin' Bitz.

- And Roybitz brought our old neighbors Clavin and Eloise.

- You old show and show.

Circuits are looking shipshape as ever, Guvnah.

- We spent the whole afternoon remembering old frequencies and playing our favorite music.

(lively music) (harp music) It was my best birthday ever.

- Brava!

(clapping) A great story with a beginning, middle, and end.

- A very happy one.

- Oh, wow.

A birthday brother surprise.

That's amazing.

- Anyone else have a story?

- Oh.

(Huggy Pepper speaking gibberish) - (gasping) Huggy Pepper has a story.

(Huggy Pepper speaking gibberish) - [Ricochet] Well go on, Huggy.

Tell us your story.

(Huggy Pepper clearing throat) (bright music) (Huggy Pepper speaking gibberish) (owl hooting) (wind blowing) (Huggy Pepper speaking gibberish) (water pouring) (Huggy Pepper speaking gibberish) (Huggy Pepper speaking gibberish) (Huggy Pepper speaking gibberish) (Huggy Pepper speaking gibberish) (Huggy Pepper speaking gibberish) (water pouring) (Huggy Pepper speaking gibberish) (birds chirping) (Huggy Pepper speaking gibberish) (birds chirping) (Huggy Pepper speaking gibberish) (Albie and Ricochet applauding) - [Ricochet] An excellent story.

It had a beginning.

- Oh, Huggy was trying to carry a bucket of water up a mountain - A middle.

- The water was too heavy and he couldn't make it.

- And an end.

- Huggy's friends helped him out and they made it up the mountain together.

- You're getting it.

- (laughs) I am.

- Do you wanna try telling a story now?

- I've never been to Paris or climbed a mountain.

I don't have a brother either.

I don't have anything exciting to tell a story about.

Hmm.

- Everyone has a story worth sharing.

It doesn't even have to be about anything fancy.

- Oh, like a hot air balloon trip or eating a baked potato on the moon.

- It doesn't have to be about either of those things.

- Oh.

- You're special just because, well, just because you're you.

- And I'm the very best at being me.

- Absolutely!

Yes, elevator operator, Albie.

So tell us a story about the things that make you special.

- (giggles) Okay, I'll try.

(clears throat) (breathes deeply) Once I thought I didn't have any stories.

- A beginning - But my friend said that being myself was enough, and that we all have a story to share.

- A very nice middle.

- Now I know that I don't need a fancy hat or a hot air balloon or a brother.

I have awesome glasses.

I'm great at pressing buttons, and I have the very best friends of all time.

And that's special enough for me.

- And an end.

Truly lovely, Albie.

- So glad to be your friend, Albie.

(elevator dings) (Tibitz clears throat) Now arriving at the seventh floor.

- Thanks for the ride, Albie.

Until next time, keep sharing your story.

(triumphant music) (organ music) (cheerful music) (elevator bell dings) - Cartoon cats are hysterical.

(laughing) Oh man, that dog is huge.

Oh, oh, they put diametric Don as a dinosaur again.

We've talked about this.

I'll let it slide this time 'cause he's doing something funny.

Oh, hey, I'm glad to see you.

Welcome to my super fantastic, ultra boombastic, high powered elevator.

Because it's a snowy day, not many people have been going outside or using the elevator, but that doesn't mean I can skip out on making sure the elevator is ready for the day.

You're ready, Tibitz?

(cheerful music) - Ready.

- Elevator buttons, ready?

- [Tibitz] Elevator buttons are colorful, shiny, and activated.

Ready.

- Fuzzy sweater, ready?

- Fuzzy sweater ready.

And its slightly cinnamon scented.

- (sniffing deeply) Ah, I feel like it's a teddy bear giving my heart a hug.

(gushes) And Pep talk Tibitz.

(Peps chirping) - Pep talk, mistakes are bound to happen when you try but the biggest mistake is when you stop trying.

- Yay!

Now I'm ready to face the day.

(elevator dings) Ooh, that sounds like a neighbor, finally.

Huh.

- Albie.

(shivering) Am I glad to see you?

You won't believe how cold it is outside.

- Oh, I can feel the chilly breeze from the elevator doors.

- There are some things I like about the cold.

Like how it snows.

- Mm hm.

- Oh and it's a really good time to drink hot chocolate - (gasping) Jay, that's it.

That's what I wanna do today.

- You wanna drink hot chocolate?

- Eh.

- Great, because I always keep a mug on me.

(laughs) - No, no, snow.

- You wanna play in the snow?

- Shh.

- What, what?

- No.

Come here, come here.

Come here.

Closer.

- Yeah, okay.

- Closer.

- What?

- It's Loretta.

She's never seen the snow before.

- Really?

- Mm hm.

- I guess I never thought about it.

- Oh, Granny and Papa told me Loretta was born in this elevator a long time ago.

- Wow.

A baby Loretta.

(harp music) (instrumental lullaby) (ethereal music) - Jay, Jay, Jay, Jay.

- Huh?

I'm here.

I'm listening.

- I have an idea.

What if I make Loretta some paper snowflakes?

Just like the ones I helped Rosie make for the building's Winter Wonderland play.

It was a snow fairy.

- That sounds like a great idea, Albie.

Wait, there was a Winter Wonderland play?

- Yeah, we can talk about that some other time.

Right now we have to make paper snowflakes.

- Okay, let's do it.

(organ music) You know I've seen all types of snow.

I've seen the snow at the top of mountains.

The snow penguins like to slip and slide on.

Very fun by the way.

I've eaten a lot of snow cones, and I lived in an igloo for two years after college.

(Jay popping lips) - What's an igloo?

- [Tibitz] Oh, an igloo is a type of round shelter built from blocks of snow that helps keep you warm from the cold weather.

- Thanks, Tibitz.

Ooh, maybe I should make an igloo?

- I'm gonna make this snowflake for Loretta really big and special.

All I have to do is fold this here and cut this in.

(paper ripping) - Nice rip sound, Albie.

(laughs) Are you okay?

- I think I messed up.

Loretta's snowflake is ruined.

- That's okay Albie mistakes happen.

Why, I remember this one time I was trying to tie my shoes but they were actually loafers.

- You don't understand Jay.

If my snowflake isn't perfect Loretta's not gonna like it.

- Oh, Albie.

That's okay.

Sometimes things don't go the way we planned.

I bet we could visit a neighbor who has experience making mistakes.

- Who would that even be, Jay?

- Honestly, probably anyone.

Everyone makes mistakes sometimes.

Hey, come on.

(electronic beeping) (drum roll) Let's try this button here.

Come on.

- You got it.

(electronic whirring) (upbeat music) - Starling Mode activated Albie.

(Loretta warbling) (Loretta warbling) - [Loretta] Location locked on.

- [Tibitz] Elevator movement powering up.

Now traveling at the speed of ice.

- [Both chanting] Ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice, ice.

Ah!

- [Loretta] Powering down, down, down, down.

(elevator dings) - Hey, Jay.

- Hey, hey, I'd like you to meet my friend here Albie.

- Hi Albie, My name is Karina Puente and I'm an artist.

- Hi, It's nice to meet you.

- Albie here is a little sad right now.

Have you ever made a mistake when you were working on a project?

- Mistakes happen all the time, but that doesn't mean we should give up.

Let me show you what I'm working on.

(cheerful music) These pieces you see here are called Papel Picado.

I make beautiful pieces of art by cutting designs and patterns into the material just like this.

Papel Picado is the traditional Mexican folk art of cut paper.

It's commonly seen as brightly colored tissue paper banners strewn above celebrations, weddings, and for the home.

Some pieces of Papel Picado are small like this and some are big like this.

But no matter how big or small my favorite part is enjoying the process.

I don't always know what the final piece will look like, but I try to have fun along the way.

These pieces make me happy.

These are the pieces that I'm working on now.

Each one has been hand dyed in a big pot of pigment over high heat, hand dyed in blue, orange, and Albie this is the color of a snowflake.

- [Karina] I like to use my scissors, and my imagination to cut pattern and design.

(scissors cutting) Where should I make my next cut?

Right here and here.

Oops.

But that's okay, because when we open it up it'll still be a beautiful work of art.

Thank you for coming by and making art with me.

- [Both] Bye.

It was nice to meet you.

- Bye.

(Jay sighs) - I think I want to try again Jay.

- I'm glad to hear that Albie.

Let me grab you some more paper.

- Oh, no thanks.

I think I wanna keep working on this snowflake.

- Really?

- I think I can turn it into something cool.

It might not be what I originally planned, but I'm gonna keep trying.

- That sounds like a great plan, Albie.

- [Both] Uh huh!

(Wood squeaks and thuds) (Huggy Pepper speaking gibberish) - Hey, it's just a mistake.

(upbeat music) ♪ Oh no ♪ ♪ Oops, it broke ♪ ♪ Shoot belly flops ♪ ♪ Bloops ♪ ♪ Botched up ♪ ♪ Whoops ♪ ♪ Everybody makes mistakes ♪ ♪ That don't mean we hit the brakes ♪ ♪ Mishaps happen now and then ♪ ♪ We get up and try again ♪ ♪ You don't need to be perfect ♪ ♪ You're not meant to be perfect ♪ ♪ And if something seems perfect ♪ ♪ It's too good to be true ♪ ♪ Get used to some failure ♪ ♪ 'Cause we learn from our failures ♪ ♪ How you deal with your failures is what redefines you ♪ ♪ Do you simmer and stew ♪ ♪ Feeling beaten and blue ♪ ♪ No you pull yourself through ♪ ♪ Carry on ♪ ♪ Start anew ♪ ♪ Oh man ♪ ♪ Yuck ♪ ♪ Foul ball ♪ ♪ Shucks ♪ ♪ Thunder struck ♪ ♪ Just my luck ♪ ♪ It's a blessing and a curse ♪ ♪ Our abilities to learn ♪ ♪ Being wrong can teach you right ♪ ♪ Even if the lesson bites ♪ ♪ This is all in a moment ♪ ♪ Which just lasts for a moment ♪ ♪ When the moment is over ♪ ♪ Moment, moment ♪ ♪ And the moment is gone ♪ ♪ There are all kinds of moments ♪ ♪ Some are magical moments ♪ ♪ Some are terrible moments ♪ ♪ Moment, moment ♪ ♪ The list goes on and on ♪ ♪ This mistake is a moment ♪ ♪ Mistake, mistake ♪ ♪ If it is a big moment ♪ ♪ You'll remember that moment ♪ ♪ Just a mistake ♪ ♪ And eventually move on ♪ ♪ I know that you'll recover from this mistake ♪ ♪ You'll be, you'll be okay ♪ ♪ I know that you'll recover from this mistake ♪ ♪ You'll be, you'll be okay ♪ ♪ Oh no ♪ ♪ Oh well ♪ ♪ Oops ♪ ♪ Say it broke ♪ ♪ I'll fix it ♪ ♪ Shoot, score ♪ ♪ Belly flops, cannon ball ♪ ♪ Bloops ♪ (vocal scatting) ♪ Botched up ♪ ♪ It's okay ♪ ♪ Whoops ♪ ♪ We all make mistakes ♪ ♪ Really, it's okay ♪ (audience applauding) (door closing) - Hey, Albie.

How's your snowflake coming along.

- Almost done.

And it's finished.

- (laughs) Ooh, I can't wait to see.

I made this.

- (gasps) Jay!

(bell jingling) - It's an igloo.

♪ Igloo hoo hoo hoo hoo ♪ ♪ Hoo hoo ♪ - So fancy.

- Why thank you, Albie.

- Okay.

Presenting Loretta's one of a kind, super original (trumpet fanfare) Albie handcrafted snowflakes!

- Wow Albie!

That is really good.

- Thanks.

Earlier today, I made a big tear right in the middle of my snowflake, and I felt that it was ruined.

But instead of giving up, I decided to keep trying.

(gentle music) - Good.

- There was a big tear in my snowflake, but I decided to use the paper to make a bunch of little snowflakes instead.

So I tried it and it worked.

I didn't plan on it coming out this way but I'm glad it did.

- And I'm glad you stuck with it, Albie.

Are you ready to show Loretta?

Oh and while you were doing that, I kind of finished my igloo early and cut up a bunch of little snowflakes.

- Jay!

- Sorry, I didn't know what to do after I finished my igloo and I didn't want to interrupt you.

So I just kind of started snowflakin' and couldn't stop.

- No, no, no.

This is great.

We can use all of this for decorations around the elevator.

No it might take us a while to finish hanging all these up.

(Peps chattering excitedly) (saw buzzing) (hammer thumping) (jack hammer rattling) - Whoa.

- They are good.

(bell jingling) - Loretta, hey, Loretta.

- [Loretta] Ah!

- So, when Jay came in earlier from outside it made me realize how you've never been outside before.

And that made me realize that you've never seen the snow.

So, I made you this.

- Gah!

- Ta dah!

(laughs) They're snowflakes lots of little ones.

They say that no two snowflakes are alike ever.

So you have a one and only Albie original.

I hope you like it.

- Oh Albie.

- You're welcome.

Oh, and here's an igloo snowflake I made for you too, Loretta.

- Oh, thanks for being such an awesome, an awesome- - An awesome Loretta.

- [Albie] Yeah.

- Ah!

Hm, hm.

- I wanted to make Loretta the perfect snowflake but instead I made a mistake and I thought it was ruined.

But after visiting our neighbor I realized everyone makes mistakes.

It's okay.

And we can always start over or turn those mistakes into something new.

Have you ever made a mistake before?

Did you try again?

- Hey, Albie, how many marshmallows do you take in your hot chocolate?

- Ooh.

Looks like Jay is making hot chocolate.

I'll see you again soon.

(Albie clears throat) I'd like four bajillion marshmallows please.

Well, I have four bajillion marshmallows just for you.

- Ooh, ruddy, righty-O, very good.

- Tit tat and all.

- It's very, very hot.

- Yes, yes.

- Very, very hot.

- Delicious.

(elevator door closing) (lively upbeat music) (lively upbeat music continues) - [Announcer] Lead support for this program has been provided by The William Penn Foundation.

With additional support from The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The Sidewater Family Foundation, The Thomas Locke Charitable Fund, and viewers like you.

(upbeat music) - Continue the fun at home with art, projects, activities, and printables.

Paired with the episode you just watched.

Available at whyy.org/albieselevator.