Grover: [humming] Oh!

Hello, everybody!

[jaunty music] [gasps] What is this?

[grunts] Oh!

A big hand?

Hello, Hand!

Excuse me, Hand, but what is this you are writing?

♪ ♪ [gasps] A story?

Oh, I love stories!

I wonder who is in this story?

♪ ♪ [gasps] Me?

Oh, how exciting!

I have always wanted to be the star of my very own story!

[laughs] Oh, yes!

I cannot wait to find out what happens to me in "The Monster at the End of the Story."

[gasps] Wait a minute.

Did that say there will be a monster at the end of the story?

[gasps] It did?

Oh, monsters!

Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no!

[yells] I am so afraid of monsters!

You know what?

I do not need to be in a story.

[laughs] Whoa!

Especially if there's a monster at the end of it!

Oh!

No way... no how!

[grunts] In a word, not a chance!

Whoop!

[grunts] Excuse me, Hand?

I really do not need to be here for this story with a monster at the end and all.

Wait a minute.

What is that?

That sounds like an opening song!

That means the story is already starting!

Oh, no!

There's a monster!

But there's music.

Monster, music, monster, music.

Oh!

I can never resist singing an opening song!

♪ I have a story of my own ♪ ♪ I could be the star of my own show ♪ ♪ But I'm not sticking around ♪ all: ♪ Oh, no, no, no ♪ ♪ There is a monster at the end ♪ Grover: ♪ Why am I in a story ♪ ♪ With a monster at the end?

♪ ♪ He will not find me ♪ ♪ Waiting here to see ♪ ♪ The monster ♪ ♪ At the end ♪ [jazzy music] ♪ Could be a story that is happy ♪ ♪ A story that is sad ♪ ♪ A super-cool adventure ♪ ♪ Just the best I ever had ♪ ♪ I am feeling confused ♪ Is this good or bad?

all: ♪ 'Cause there's a monster ♪ ♪ At the end ♪ Grover: ♪ Why am I in a story ♪ ♪ With a monster at the end?

♪ ♪ He will not find me ♪ ♪ Waiting here to see ♪ ♪ The monster ♪ ♪ At the end ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ I might hide behind this lamppost ♪ ♪ I could hide behind this tree ♪ ♪ If I hide behind this stop sign ♪ ♪ You cannot see me!

♪ singers: ♪ The best thing you could do ♪ ♪ Is just to get out of its way ♪ Grover: So see you later!

I am on my way!

[chickens cluck] I am out of here!

all: ♪ Why am I in a story ♪ ♪ With a monster at the end?

♪ ♪ You will not find me ♪ ♪ Waiting here to see ♪ ♪ The monster at the end ♪ ♪ Can you please stop watching ♪ ♪ So we do not get to the end?

♪ Grover: ♪ I'm not going to stay ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ No how, no way ♪ ♪ ♪ all: ♪ 'Cause there's a monster ♪ ♪ At the end ♪ [suspenseful music] Grover: You are still watching!

[sighs] Perhaps you do not understand.

If you keep watching, we will eventually get to the end of the story, and there is a monster at the end of this story!

[gasps] Aha!

I have an idea.

Be right back.

[jaunty music] This will stop you from watching.

I am going to tie up the screen so the story cannot go any further.

Then we will never even get to the end.

[grunts] It is a good thing I am such an expert knot maker.

[laughs] Just one more knot.

Uh-oh.

Oh, no.

Not the knots!

[yelling] [pants] Oh, dear.

I suppose I got a little wrapped up in things.

[chuckles] Um, excuse me, Hand?

A little help?

Ah, thank you.

Whoa, whoa!

[yelling] I am okay!

[suspenseful music] ♪ ♪ Hmm.

I notice you have not stopped watching.

No matter.

I have another idea.

Hmm, hmm, hmm.

This will stop you from watching!

That's it, bring it on in.

[machinery beeping] I am going to nail these boards over the screen to block your view.

[chuckles] After all, you cannot watch the story if you cannot see it.

There, now you cannot see anything!

[laughs] Eh--including me.

Oh, no.

Now I'm all alone over here with the monster!

It could sneak right up on me!

Oh, no!

I have to get these boards off of here!

[grunting] Oh, no, no, no, no, no!

[wood clattering] I'm okay.

♪ ♪ [yells] You are still watching?

You do not know what you are doing to me!

All right, all right.

No more Mr. Nice Guy!

[truck beeping] ♪ ♪ I shall stop you from watching once and for all by building a heavy, solid brick wall!

You will not be able to see any of the story, and this time, the monster is on the other side.

[chuckles] Um... was I supposed to use that to stick the bricks together?

Oh, no.

[yells] Cleanup on aisle two.

[melancholy music] [groans] Thank you, Hand.

[groans] I suppose I cannot stop you from watching.

But I am so afraid of the monster at the end!

I wish I were not alone here.

[sighs] I could really use a friend.

Huh?

That is a door, not a friend.

Ah, I do not think this hand is a very good listener.

Does not attach to anything.

Okay, I give up.

Why a door?

Okay, I still do not get it.

[knock at door] Ah!

Did you hear that?

Oh!

What if it is the monster?

I do not want to see the monster!

Elmo: Grover?

Grover: Elmo?

Elmo: [laughing] Grover!

Hello!

Grover: Oh, Elmo!

I am so happy that you are here in this story with me!

Elmo: Wait a minute.

This is a story?

Grover: Yes!

Elmo, we are in a story right now, and you will not believe what is about to-- Elmo: Boy!

Elmo loves stories!

Oh, what kind of a story is it, Grover?

No, let Elmo guess!

Is it a pirate story?

Grover: What is--what in the world?

Whoa-oh!

Elmo: Yarr, shiver Elmo's timbers!

Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of milk!

[laughs] Grover: Wha--I do not know what any of that means!

[yelling] Elmo: Arr, matey!

Grover: Elmo!

Oh-oh-oh-oh!

This is not a pirate story!

Elmo: Oh.

Well, then is it a space story?

Grover: Whoa!

Uh, Elmo, what is--what--what-- Elmo: Three!

Two!

One!

Blast off!

Grover: Ah!

What is happening?

Mommy!

Elmo: [laughing] Yay!

We're floating in space!

Grover: Oh!

Whoa!

Elmo, this is not what the story is about!

Elmo: It's not?

Grover: No!

Elmo: Aw.

Okay.

Well, how about... [laughing] Oh!

A cowboy story!

Grover: Elmo!

Elmo: Underwater adventure?

Grover: Ah!

Ah!

Elmo!

Elmo: Ooh, Elmo loves princess stories.

Grover: Elmo!

Elmo: What, you don't like the dress?

Okay, well, then maybe it's a story about-- Grover: Elmo, please, stop!

You see, Elmo, I am afraid-- so very afraid-- to get to the end of the story!

Elmo: Really?

Why?

Grover: I do not want to alarm you, Elmo.

It is very scary.

Elmo: It is?

Grover: Hold on to your hat!

But there is a monster at the end of the story!

[voice echoing] Elmo: [laughing] Oh!

That's great!

Grover: Great?

Elmo: Yeah!

'Cause it could mean a new friend!

Grover: Did you not hear me, Elmo?

At the end of the story, there will be a monster!

That is why I am afraid!

Elmo: But Grover is a monster!

[chuckles] And Elmo is, too!

And we're not scary.

Grover: Well, of course we are nice and furry and friendly monsters.

[stammering] It is the other monsters that worry me!

Monsters that are big and scary with sharp teeth and claws!

And an attitude.

Elmo: But has Grover ever met a scary monster?

Grover: Well, no, but-- Elmo: [laughs] Neither has Elmo!

All the monsters we know are friendly monsters!

Oh, in fact, excuse Elmo!

Yeah.

Hello!

Could we please see some of our monster friends right now?

But that is a door!

Not a friend!

Grover: Huh.

Tell me about it.

Elmo: Elmo wonders who's behind this door!

Hello?

Grover: Elmo?

Elmo?

No, no, no, no, no, wait!

Do not leave me here all alone with the monster at the end!

Wait for me!

Elmo: Grover?

Oh, where'd he go?

[upbeat jazz music] Cookie Monster: Elmo, that you?

Grover: Elmo!

Elmo: Cookie!

Cookie Monster: Hey, Elmo!

Grover: Elmo?

Cookie Monster: That sound like Grover.

Elmo: This way!

Grover: Elmo?

Elmo: Oh!

Hi, Rosita!

Rosita: Hola!

Cookie Monster: Hello, Rosita!

We looking for Grover.

Grover: Elmo?

Elmo?

Grover: Elmo?

all: Grover!

Abby: Hi, everyone!

Cookie Monster: Hiya, Abby!

Grover: Elmo?

all: Grover!

Grover: Elmo!

all: Grover!

Grover: Oh!

Rosita: [gasps] Grover!

Cookie Monster: Hello!

Grover: Elmo!

Here you are!

Elmo: See, Grover?

It's Rosita, Cookie Monster, and Abby!

Rosita: We heard you were looking for some friendly monsters.

Abby: Actually, heh, I'm not a monster.

But I wanted to come see if I could help.

Grover: Oh, yes!

Abby!

You are a magical fairy!

Maybe you can solve my problem with some magic!

Abby: I could try.

What do you need me to do?

Grover: Well, you see, I am very afraid of something.

So can you make my fear just, poof, go away?

Abby: Oh.

[chuckles] Well, I can't do that, not with magic, but if you need anything turned into a pumpkin, I'm your fairy!

[laughs] Grover: Aw.

Then how do I stop being afraid?

Rosita: You know what helps sometimes?

If you face up to your fear.

Abby: 'Cause you might see it's not so scary after all.

Cookie Monster: Yeah, you can have courage and be brave!

Grover: Hmm.

Courage.

Even though I am afraid?

Rosita: Oh, claro que sí!

Let me tell you!

It's like the first time I ever played guitar onstage.

[upbeat music] ♪ I was afraid of trying something new ♪ ♪ I didn't know how it would go ♪ ♪ But I found something simple ♪ ♪ Everyone can do ♪ ♪ It helped me and can help you, too ♪ ♪ I took a deep breath ♪ [breathes deeply] ♪ It calmed me down ♪ [breathes deeply] ♪ I took a deep breath ♪ ♪ And then I knew that I could have courage ♪ [laughs] ♪ I had courage ♪ ♪ I gave it a try ♪ ♪ I had courage ♪ ♪ And learned that I, I like performing ♪ ♪ I felt so sure ♪ ♪ That I wanted to do it ♪ More and more!

[laughs] Cookie Monster: Me was afraid to eat new food.

♪ Me was afraid of trying something new ♪ ♪ Me didn't know how it would go ♪ ♪ But me found something simple ♪ ♪ Everyone can do ♪ ♪ It helped me ♪ ♪ And can help you, too ♪ ♪ Me talked to meself ♪ It okay, Cookie Monster.

You can do this.

♪ Me talked to meself ♪ Me can do this.

Yes, me can.

♪ Me talked to meself ♪ ♪ And then me knew that me could have courage ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Me had courage ♪ ♪ Me gave it a go ♪ ♪ Me had courage ♪ ♪ And now me know ♪ ♪ That me like new foods ♪ Me felt so sure!

That me wanted to eat them more and more!

Grover: So you both did things even though you were afraid?

Abby: ♪ So try not to worry ♪ ♪ If you feel afraid ♪ ♪ It's always helpful to know ♪ ♪ If you have courage and you try anyway ♪ ♪ You'll find that you can give it a go!

♪ ♪ ♪ all: ♪ We had courage ♪ ♪ It made us proud ♪ ♪ If we hadn't tried ♪ ♪ Then we would have missed out ♪ ♪ We found we liked it ♪ ♪ We felt so sure ♪ ♪ That we wanted to do it more and more and more ♪ Abby: Yes!

♪ ♪ all: ♪ We wanted to do it ♪ ♪ More and more and more ♪ Grover: So taking deep breaths and talking to myself can help me not be afraid?

Rosita: Well, they can help you to have courage, even though you're afraid.

Cookie Monster: Yeah.

It okay to feel afraid.

But you can't let it stop you.

Abby: So what is it you're afraid of, Grover?

Rosita: You can tell us!

Grover: [inhales deeply] Okay, I will tell you.

Hang on to your socks!

You see, there is a monster at the end of the story!

Rosita: Aha!

Cookie Monster: Oh!

Why you not say so?

Rosita: It will be nice to meet this monster.

Elmo: Yeah, Elmo's hoping it'll be a new friend.

Abby: Yeah!

Monsters are really friendly.

Grover: Yeah, well, we are all friendly monsters-- Abby: Ah!

Not a monster.

Grover: And friendly fairies, but...

I do not know anything about the monster at the end of the story!

And not knowing is very scary to me!

Rosita: Well, Grover, if it makes you feel better, we could meet you at the end of the story.

Abby: Yeah, we can be waiting there for you!

Cookie Monster: Yeah, sometimes it help to have friends around.

Elmo: Yeah, and Elmo will stay right here with Grover so Grover doesn't have to be alone.

Grover: Really?

You would do all that for little old me?

Elmo: Uh-huh!

Rosita: Sí!

Claro que sí!

Cookie Monster: Of course!

Abby: That's what friends are for!

Cookie Monster: Okay, time to go!

[whistles] Taxi!

[car horn honking, engine rumbling] Rosita: Yay!

Oscar!

Grover: Oh, thank you, thank you.

You are all true friends.

Rosita: [laughing] Aww... Abby: We'll see you at the end of the story.

Cookie Monster: Yeah, we'll be there for you.

Oscar: All right, all right.

Enough of all this yucky friendliness.

I haven't got all day, you know.

Rosita: Hasta luego!

Cookie Monster: Meet you at the end!

Abby: We'll see you at the end of the story!

[horn honks] Grover: Bye-bye!

Thank you, Hand.

They are so kind.

[sighs] But I really do not want to meet them at the end of the story.

Elmo: Because that's where the monster is?

Grover: Yes!

And we keep getting closer and closer to the end of the story with every word we say!

[gasps] Those words just got us closer!

And those words!

I have to stop saying "words"!

Elmo: That still won't stop the story.

Grover: Well, then if I cannot stop the story, maybe I can change it instead!

Excuse me, Hand?

Yoo-hoo!

Down here!

Can I get some help here?

Elmo: Ah!

What's that?

Grover: A video bar!

Elmo: A video bar, yes!

A video bar!

What is a video bar?

Grover: It is the answer to my problems, the one thing that can save me!

You see, with this, I can simply rewind the story, and that way, we will never get to the end.

Elmo: [laughs] Wow!

Grover can do that?

Cool!

Grover: Hey, I am out of ideas here, so it is worth a shot.

Rewind!

[music reversing] And play!

[laughs] It worked!

Elmo: Where are we?

Grover: We are back at the beginning of the story!

[grunts] Oh!

A big hand?

Hello, Hand!

[jaunty music] This is how it all started.

Oh, I was so happy and innocent then.

Elmo: But, Grover, Grover, if the story is starting all over again, won't we still get to the end sooner or later?

Grover: Hmm.

You are right.

We have to go back even more!

Elmo: More?

Grover: Yes!

To before the story even started!

Elmo: Yeah, but, Grover-- Grover: Let us see if we can rewind faster!

Rewind!

[music reversing quickly] And play!

Young Grover: [snoring] Grover: Oh, look at me.

Elmo: Whoa!

Grover is really little!

Grover: And I was cute, too!

Young Grover: [snoring] [rapid clicking] Oh, oh.

Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!

Grover's Mommy: Oh, what is wrong, my little Grovie?

What are you afraid of?

Elmo: Aw, was little Grover afraid of the dark?

Grover: Me?

No.

I was afraid of what might be in the dark.

Young Grover: There is something under my bed!

Grover's Mommy: Oh, it is okay, little Grovie.

[gasps] I know!

Why don't we use this flashlight and look under your bed together?

Grover: Look how much courage I had, even at such a tender, young age.

Grover's Mommy: [gasps] What do you see?

Young Grover: Nothing, there is nothing under here, except my robot.

[rapid clicking] [Young Grover yells] [Young Grover and Grover's Mommy laugh] Elmo: See, Grover?

You already know how to have courage because you've had it so many times before!

Grover: Ah, I suppose I have!

Hmm.

I wonder what I will see if we go back even more!

Huh?

Uh-oh.

Turbo rewind!

[grunting] Where are we?

I think we might have gone back too far.

Elmo: Uh, Grover?

Uh, Grover?

Grover: [gasps] [tense music] Elmo and Grover: Dinosaur!

[Grover screams] Grover: Fast-forward!

We need to fast-forward!

Fast-forward, fast-forward!

Elmo and Grover: Whew!

Elmo: Thank you, Hand!

Grover: Oh!

Looks like we are back in the story now!

[sighs] And that means we are still heading towards the end, where there is a monster!

Elmo: But that's okay!

Now Grover knows he can have courage!

Grover: Yes, Elmo, I have had courage before!

And I suppose I can again!

Except when facing a T-Rex.

[Elmo and Grover laugh] Elmo: Well, some things are scary.

But not monsters!

Monsters are friendly!

Rosita: Sí!

We are all very friendly!

Grover: Wha--what are you all doing here?

I thought you were going to meet me at the end of the story!

Abby: This is the end of the story, Grover.

Grover: What?

Oh, no!

No, no, no, no, no!

We went forward too far!

Oh, oh!

This is your last chance to stop watching!

Please!

Please, please, please!

Elmo: It's okay, Grover!

All stories have to end sometime, you know.

Cookie Monster: Yep, and this it-- the dramatic conclusion!

Rosita: Oh, Grover!

It's so exciting!

Grover: Are we already on the way to the end of the story?

[sighs] I think that is a yes.

Rosita: Don't worry, Grover!

You've got us.

Abby: We'll be with you right till the very end!

Cookie Monster: Yeah, we got your back!

Grover: I know.

Thank you, my friends.

Elmo: Elmo knows Grover's still afraid, so, remember, slow, deep breaths!

[all breathe deeply] Abby: And talk to yourself.

Grover: I can do this.

I can have courage.

I can do this.

all: You can do this!

Grover: Let's go.

Elmo: You can do this!

Grover: I can do this!

Elmo: You've got this, Grover!

Grover: Well, this is it.

[breathes deeply] I am ready to face the... [gulps] Monster at the end of this story.

[hopeful music] The m-m-m-m-monster... is me!

I, lovable, furry, old Grover, am the monster... at the end of the story!

Abby: Whoo-hoo!

Rosita: Wow!

Abby: [laughing] Yes!

Cookie Monster: Boy!

Grover: ♪ I have a story ♪ ♪ Of my own ♪ ♪ And now I am the star ♪ ♪ Of my own show ♪ ♪ So I'll be sticking around ♪ ♪ I do not want to go ♪ ♪ I am the monster at the end ♪ all: ♪ We're all in a story ♪ ♪ With a monster at the end ♪ Grover: ♪ That monster is me!

♪ all: ♪ We all want to see ♪ ♪ This monster at the end ♪ [chicken squawks] ♪ We're all in a story ♪ ♪ With a monster at the end ♪ Grover: ♪ So now you see ♪ all: ♪ We all want to be ♪ ♪ With the monster ♪ ♪ At the end ♪ [horn honks] Cookie Monster: Two, three, four!

Grover: ♪ The story felt so scary ♪ ♪ It made me want to hide ♪ Elmo: ♪ And Grover had a feeling ♪ ♪ That was jumbled up inside ♪ all: ♪ And now we're at the end ♪ ♪ And we all want to stay and play ♪ ♪ 'Cause he's the monster at the end ♪ Grover: That is me!

all: ♪ We're all in a story ♪ ♪ With a monster at the end ♪ Grover: ♪ That monster is me ♪ all: ♪ Everyone can see ♪ ♪ This monster at the end ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ We're all in a story ♪ ♪ With a monster at the end ♪ Grover: ♪ So why not stay ♪ all: ♪ So we all can play ♪ ♪ With the monster at the end?

♪ Grover: ♪ I am the monster at the end ♪ all: ♪ He's the monster at the end ♪ Grover: [laughing] That is me!

[all laugh] Cookie Monster: Whoa!

Me did not see that coming!

Elmo: Elmo knew it would be a funny monster!

Grover: And you all were right!

I did have courage.

I do have courage!

And I am so glad!

[laughs] Cookie Monster: Hey, wait.

The monster at the end is me!

Rosita: It's me!

I'm the monster at the end!

[laughs] Elmo: No!

The monster is Elmo!

Elmo's looking good.

[Grover laughs] Grover: Well, it seems we are all the monster at the end of the story.

Abby: Still not a monster, but I'm here at the end, too!

[all laughing] Grover: And you were so scared.

I told you and told you there was nothing to be afraid of.

[chuckles] Oh, I am so embarrassed.

[upbeat music] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪