The Arthur Podcast

Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone

16 min
Dec 14, 2023over 2 years ago
Listen to Episode
Summary

In this Arthur Podcast episode, Arthur, Buster, and Francine attempt to stop their teacher Mr. Ratburn's wedding to someone they believe is Patti, fearing she'll make school harder. They execute elaborate plans including sending secret admirer chocolates and setting up a romance with the librarian, only to discover at the wedding that Mr. Ratburn is actually marrying Patrick, the chocolatier from the local chocolate shop.

Insights
  • Children often make assumptions about adults' lives based on limited information and classroom interactions, missing the full complexity of their personal relationships
  • Well-intentioned interference in others' relationships, even from a place of care, typically backfires when based on incomplete understanding
  • Community businesses and local entrepreneurs play important roles in children's experiences and can become trusted figures in their lives
  • Acceptance and celebration of diverse relationships and family structures is presented as a natural, positive value for young audiences
Trends
Children's media increasingly normalizing LGBTQ+ representation through authentic storytelling rather than explicit messagingPodcast format being used to extend animated series narratives and deepen character development for young audiencesVoice-based audience participation mechanisms in children's programming to increase engagement and co-creationLocal business spotlighting in children's content as a way to celebrate community and entrepreneurship
Topics
Teacher-student relationships and professional boundariesWedding planning and traditionsRelationship assumptions and misconceptionsFriendship and teamwork among peersLGBTQ+ representation in children's mediaCommunity businesses and local entrepreneurshipChocolate making and artisanal craftsmanshipLibrary services and literary appreciationAcceptance and celebration of differencesChildhood perspectives on adult life
Companies
IKEA
Sponsor providing furniture safety messaging about securing dressers to prevent tip-over accidents in homes with chil...
Patrick's Chocolates
Local chocolate shop featured in the episode where characters purchase specialty chocolates; owner Patrick becomes Mr...
PBS Kids
Network producing and distributing The Arthur Podcast as part of their children's educational programming portfolio.
GBH Kids
Production company that produces The Arthur Podcast for PBS Kids in partnership with Gen Z Media.
PRX
Distributor of The Arthur Podcast and other public media content.
People
Mr. Nigel Ratburn
Third-grade teacher character who is getting married to Patrick; central figure in students' misguided intervention p...
Patrick
Chocolatier and owner of Patrick's Chocolates who becomes Mr. Ratburn's spouse; described as a chocolate-making genius.
Arthur
Main character and podcast narrator who leads the effort to stop the wedding based on incorrect assumptions about the...
Buster
Arthur's friend who participates in the plan to stop the wedding and suggests the secret admirer chocolate scheme.
Francine
Arthur's friend who participates in the wedding-stopping plan and attempts to set up Mr. Ratburn with the librarian.
Patti
Revealed to be Mr. Ratburn's sister, not his bride; initially mistaken by students as the person he was marrying.
Mr. Turner
School librarian who shares interests in books and libraries with Mr. Ratburn; briefly considered as a romantic match...
Quotes
"Teachers don't get married. It's just... Wrong. I'd never thought about what teachers did outside the classroom."
ArthurEarly in episode
"I'm a big believer in the power of chocolate, but even I'm not sure it can make people fall in love."
PatrickChocolate shop scene
"Some mysteries are meant to be enjoyed."
Mr. RatburnAfter receiving secret admirer chocolates
"We care about our teacher and he deserves to be happy. To be with someone who is nice, kind, and fun to be with."
ArthurWedding objection plan
"Nigel considers his students to be part of his family. I guess that makes us family, too."
PattiAt the wedding
Full Transcript
From your friends at PBS Kids! Support for this podcast and the following message for parents comes from IKEA. As a parent, you child-proof everything. Well, almost everything. You may not have thought about one thing, and that's securing your dressers and chests to the wall. It helps avoid dangerous tip-over accidents. Secure it from IKEA. Working to create safer homes together. This is the Arthur Podcast. It's me, Arthur, and we're in the middle of an important mission. Right now, Buster, Francine and I are in my family's car on our way to a wedding. Not just any wedding? A wedding that we have to stop. Let us tell you how we got here. It all started on a totally normal day in school. Good morning, class. Did everyone enjoy the reading on Likens and LiverWoods? Oh, yeah. You should make it a movie. Excellent! Then this pop quiz should be a breeze. Oh, my. Class, I do apologize, but I have to take this. Hello, Patti. I'm afraid I can't talk right now. Oh, flower arrangements? I was thinking of sunflowers. Yes, sunflowers do look a little silly, but yes, pianies are lovely. Perhaps pink? Yes, white is more elegant. Okay, thank you, Patti. Bye. Sorry, class. It was very rude of me to take that call, but it was important. Are the flowers on the quiz, too? No, they're for a wedding. A wedding? Who's getting married? Well, Francine. I... Oh. Incredible. Right, podcast people? Yeah. Teachers don't get married. It's just... Wrong. I'd never thought about what teachers did outside the classroom. I assume they went home to sharpen pencils, e-cale, and dream up homework assignments. But the thing we're most worried about is who Mr. Raffern is marrying. Patti. She was troubled from the beginning. We were at the sugar bowl, eating guacamole and chips. Then Mr. Raffern walked in with someone. And that someone was Patti. Mmm. Guacamole looks like alien brains, but it tastes delicious. How about this table, Patti? It's Mr. Raffern. He'll ask why we are doing homework. Arthur, buster, get into the table so he doesn't see us. Oh. That one has better light, Naji. Let's sit there. She called him Naji. That must be the person he's marrying. Buster? Shh. A high-francine, but I will not let good chips go to waste. Ah, the waiter is here. What can I get you? This is what I'd like. Green tea, steep, precisely three and a half minutes. An order of dry white toast and some clean silverware. The spoon has spots. Coffee for me, please. Jammin' right up. So, Naji, what did you think of the caterer we met? That salmon most he gave us was delicious. I wouldn't feed it to a stray cat, and I don't even like cats. We'll keep looking. Patti, not everything about the event has to be... Well, perfect. Oh, Nigel. Do you really want an A-mine sweating? I must confess, I expected more of you. You're too soft, Naji. Too easy going. We need to toughen you up. Are you kidding me? Mr. Rappern is too easy going. Tell that to my science test. Naji, you just leave everything to Patti. Here you go. Tea and coffee. Oh, I said, steep a three and a half minutes. This is too enthusiastic. This is bad. This is bad. We need to do something about it. It was clear if Mr. Rapper married Patti, our lives would be toast. Unbuttered toast. Like she ordered. And sent back. Twice. She said she was going to toughen Mr. Rappern up. And we knew what that meant for us. More homework. More red pants. More tests and quizzes. And less of the good stuff. Like class parties and field trips. We were united. Like superheroes against the forces of evil. We had one thing to do. Stop that! Wait! I put our first big plan into action the next day. Okay, Buster. We're downtown. What's your big plan? Candy. Buster. How is buying you candy going to help us split up Mr. Rappern and Patti? Because we aren't buying candy for me. We're buying fancy chocolates for Mr. Rappern. We are? Yeah! The chocolates won't be from us. We'll say they're from a secret admirer. Oh! If we give Mr. Rappern chocolates from a secret admirer, he'll realize there's someone besides Patti that likes him. Exactly! And he'll want to figure out who that person is. Just like I did when I had my secret admirer. Maybe Mr. Rappern will even want to marry his secret admirer instead. Buster, you're a genius! Well, we're on our way to a chocolate making genius. At least that's what my mom says. She says he's the best chocolate here in town. Smart and creative. Oh, here we are. Patrick's chocolates. Welcome. Come on in. Are you Patrick? Yep. My name, my store. I've got chocolates for any occasion. And I've also got chocolates just for people who love chocolate. For example. Always. Sure. And I've got chocolates for people who love chocolate. Always. Sure. Mmm. Mmm. Mmm. What was that, Patrick? And why was it so good? Semi-dark organic Mexican chocolate hazelnut flavored caramel and a hint of orange zest. I call it the Frieda Cala. We're taking. I'm so glad you liked it. Shall I gift rapid? Or if it's just for you, I'll give you some napkins and a glass of milk. Nope, it's for our teacher. Huh? Teachers are some of my favorite people. I'll put a bow on it. May I ask what the occasion is? We're trying to get them to fall in love with someone. Mmm. I'm a big believer in the power of chocolate, but even I'm not sure it can make people fall in love. We're desperate. Gotcha. Well, then I hope love wins. Here you go. Good luck. Thank you. Thanks. Nice guy. Yeah. And a chocolate making genius. Let's give these chocolates to Mr. Rapper in tomorrow after school. And that is how the water cycle works. Evaporation, condensation, precipitation. Okay, that's it for today, everyone. Book or parts due tomorrow. Francine, buster, you ready? Yes. Let's do it. Mr. Rapper. We found these chocolates for you in the coat room. Really? Oh, Patrick's chocolates. How sweet. They must be from a secret admirer who really likes you. Haha. Quite so, buster. Let's have one, shall we? Mmm. Delicious. Here. You take the rest. I'm happy to share the sweetness. But wait. Don't you want to know who your secret admirer is? Some mysteries are meant to be enjoyed. Good luck with your book reports. I'm off to a wedding dance lesson. Buh, buh, buh, buh, buh, buh, buh, buh, buh. So our first plan was a bust. But we didn't give up. We had one more idea. To find Mr. Rapper in his perfect love match. And we did? Mr. Turner the Librarian. They both love books and libraries and homework. And books? We just needed to get them together. Hey, Mr. Rapper. There's a special exhibit at the library about liver worst. He means liver warts. The plant? Not the sandwich meat. Anyway, want to go? That, Mr. Turner. She makes the best exhibits. I'd love to, but what with the wedding preparations? I'm too busy. Oh, but would you mind returning this library book for me? Sure. Next. I, Mr. Radburn. Well, that didn't work. Maybe it still can. Look at the book he gave us. Love poems by Pablo Neruda. Love poems. And he wants us to give it to Mr. Turner, right? Oh, you think it'll work? Only one way to find out. Hi, Mr. Turner. Well, hello, Francine. Can I help you? I think maybe I can help you. Mr. Radburn wanted me to return this book to you. There's a note in it, too. Oh, let me see. My dear Miss Turner, you are a book to me. A book I can't put down? You want my hurt? No, that's supposed to be heart. Ah! Will you forever change my winkly frown? Winkly. Oh, you need the R there, wrinkly. There's more. Shine on me like the glowing moon above. And together, we will build a library of love from Nigel Radburn. My goodness. I think Mr. Radburn knows how this fell library, not library. So I don't think this note really came from Nigel. But I applaud your efforts to spread love, Francine. Here, try this book. A beginner's guide to writing poetry? Um, thanks. Anytime, Francine. Enjoy. So, that plan didn't work either. And then we all got our invitations to the wedding. So fancy. So now we're on our way. This is the first wedding I've gone to. Podcast people, some of you have been to weddings. What should we expect? Here, I'm checking my inbox to see what you have to say. A wedding I went to was really fun. I got to watch my auntie be a bride and I was the flower girl. My dad's cousin was getting married and a lot of my cousins were there. And we were dancing. First, we were just jumping, but then we were actually dancing. I once went to a wedding and it was so fun. And there was a big white cake. And it was really special because my whole family was there. Sounds fun. But I don't think we're going to have fun at this wedding. No dancing or cake eating for us. We got to stop this wedding. Yeah. Our plan, to object. We stand up during the ceremony and say, we object to this wedding. I've seen it on TV. I'm kind of nervous about doing it. But we planned out what we'll say. Right. We care about our teacher and he deserves to be happy. To be with someone who is nice, kind, and fun to be with. And who likes him just the way he is. For all these reasons, we object to this wedding. And then Patty will jump away on a giant cricket. What? Well, that's what happened on the Bionic Bunny episode. When Bugman was marrying Slime Villa. Yeah. That's not going to happen. The best we can hold for is that Mr. Rapper and Melissa and us were here. And there's Patty. Oh, Arthur, Buster and Francine were so glad you're here. Nigel considers his students to be part of his family. I guess that makes us family, too. Go on in. Take your seats. Sure. Go go. Well, podcast people, we're sitting and waiting for the wedding to begin. I'm feeling pretty nervous. I mean, this objection thing is a big deal. Hey, I thought the bride usually hid until the big moment when she walked down the aisle. How come Patty greeted us? She probably doesn't trust anyone to do a good enough job. Look, now she's walking up to the front. Welcome, friends. I'm so happy to be sharing this day with all of you, especially Nigel's third grade class. Hello. This is it. We should object. I'm raising my hand. Oh, goodness. A hand. Just like in school. Yes, Francine. Yeah, we want to, uh, um... Go on. You can say anything. Um, we... We, uh... We, um... We, uh, think this tent looks beautiful. Thanks for having us. Oh, thank you. It's not easy to find this shade of eggshell, but nothing is too good for my baby brother, Nigel. Baby brother? But if Patty's his sister, then who is Mr. Ratburn marrying? I can't see. Who's walking down the aisle? Um, Mr. Ratburn is walking down with someone. It's Patrick. Patrick. From the chocolate shop. I love that guy. Yes, yeah. Well, but yes, people, Mr. Ratburn is married. And such a nice guy. Yeah. He married a chocolate-making genius. If Patrick can make a chocolate wedding cake this delicious, he can surely sweeten Mr. Ratburn up. Right? Hmm. Well, I'm hitting the dance floor before Mr. Ratburn gives us a pop quiz on weddings. Come on. Gotta go podcast people. There's a wedding to celebrate. Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God! You're being a baby! Oh, my God! You've been listening to the Arthur Podcast. Hey, parents. Do you want your kids to answer my next inbox question? First, go to the Arthur website at pbskids.org to find out what I'll be asking. Then email me a voice recording of your child's response to Arthur at wgbh.org. Your child's answer might even be featured on a future podcast. That's the show podcast nation. If you liked it, ask your grown-up to subscribe so you don't miss any new episodes. You can listen to all our podcasts, play games, and more at pbskids.org. The Arthur Podcast is produced for PBS Kids by GbH Kids in partnership with Gen Z Media and distributed by PRX. Thanks for listening and have a wonderful kind of day. And I say, hey, hey, all I want is for the kind of day. If you can 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 fingers, get together and listen to the fence. I work in the game. GbH Kids. From PRX.