Original subtitles

What did I tell you? Leave that knife alone!

You'll get one when you're seven. Until then...

...don't ever play with knives.

I'll be very careful.

A penknife isn't dangerous.

I don't want to hear the word penknife.

See how dangerous a knife can be?

You did it! -Who's playing with a penknife?

I was very careful.

It's bleeding.

See what I mean?

Wait. I'll get a plaster. Does it hurt?

Just a little bit. -Just a little plaster.

THE PENKNIFE

Mike!

Mike!

Welcome to class 3.

I am Miss Tilly and...

And who are you? -Mike, Miss.

Mike what? -Mike Grobben, Miss.

Mike Grobben.

Mike Grobben is late on his first day at school.

Good start, Mike Grobben.

Hurry up and sit down.

We shall all work very hard this year.

I shall teach you all to read as well as anyone.

You can count on that.

Do you all want to? -Yes!

And do you want to write...? -Yes!

And arithmetic too? -Yes.

So shall we do our best!? -Yes.

Tim, wait a minute!

Tim... don't be silly.

I want to ask you something, Tim.

I saw you shake your head. -I know I did.

Don't you want to learn to read?

Sure. But I'm moving to another school.

Moving? When? -In two months time.

Where to? -To Flevoland. To Almere.

You'll have to learn there? -Yes, In another country...

...you learn other things. You must know that?!

What kind of things? -You learn another language...

...a foreign language: In Flevoland they speak Flevo!

Tim's moving! -Hello darling.

What was it like at school? -Fun.

Good

Tim is moving

That's the 37th today. Everyone compliments Mum's voice.

Can I watch Mum?

D'you have to?

Mum, Tim's moving.

Is Tim moving?

Where's he moving to? -To Flevoland.

No...

...she isn't at home.

No, we're all alone, my son and I. Yes... Yes...

I'm so glad you called. Goodbye.

They're fans but don't know she has to sing in Paris.

You don't have to pick up the phone.

But it might be Mum herself. You never know.

Tim is going to another school where you learn strange things...

...foreign languages, Flevo language.

Flevo language? What are you talking about?

They don't speak Flevo in Flevoland.

Mum said so too. So I'll do my best at arithmetic and writing too.

But that foreign language idea was a nice one.

Maybe you can learn the language of the animals in Flevoland.

The language of cats: Miaow, miaow.

The language of mice: peep, peep, peep.

Or the language of crocodiles: Ggrrhhh.

The language of chickens: cluck, cluck, clock...

the chicken has a run, run, ron...

The tree has a branch, bronch.

And the teacher is sock. -No, wait...

The teacher is sick: tho tochor os sock.

Tho tro hos o bronch.

The language of chickens:- -Tho longwodge of chockons!

6 WEEKS LATER

Is an ant an animal?

Is a pant an animal?

OS ON ONT ON ONOMOL?

OS O PONT ON ONOMOL?

You should all have written these sentences in your notebooks.

Is a dare an animal?

Is a hare...

OS ON ONT ON ONOMOL?

What's all this, Mike Grobben...

...and what is this Master Tim?

Have you been copying from each other?

No, Moss!

That's quite enough.

Tim, grab your things and go and sit at the front by my desk.

That way I can keep a close eye on you.

Go on, hurry up.

I've been doing my best to teach you and what do you get up to?

To mischief!

Psst, Mike...

Come on.

This comes from a far-away country.

Don't touch!

The man next door gave it to me.

Just like that? -No, because I'm moving.

Already? -Yes, tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

Yes, very early tomorrow morning.

Can I try it?

No... -Please?

All right then.

If my father saw me with this knife...

The teacher!

What did I tell you?

Don't leave the playground!

My friend is leaving To live in a far-away place

He's moving away I can't keep pace

My friend is leaving I have a right to moan

He's moving away Leaving me all alone

Bye Tim. -Bye Mike.

Bo Mok. -Bo Tom.

My friend is leaving He's going very soon

He's moving away He'll never come back

What are you up to?

Tim's moving away. -You said that before.

Isn't he moving to Flevoland? -Yes

I thought he had gone long ago.

Just look at all the post... It's all fan mail.

Everyone loves your mother.

Me too.

Me too.

Can I watch Mum? -Of course you can.

No, sir. She's singing in Hoogeveen this evening...

Yes, right. I shall do. Yes...

Goodbye.

I'm looking for that song when Mum gives me a kiss.

It's in this song. Let it run.

Is that kiss really for me? -Just for you.

Tim had a huge penknife. -Who?

Tim had a huge penknife.

Mike, what did I tell you about penknives?

Are you getting dressed?

Real heavy trousers, man!

Give them to me and I'll wash them.

No, I can't...

there's something about the trousers...

No... surely not a "Ppfff" accident?

Of course not...

Well, yes.

Dad, I must tell you something.

No you don't, darling. Just put them in the wash basket.

I won't notice a thing.

I promise.

See you later.

Tomorrow.

Early tomorrow morning.

What's the time?

Insanely early. -I'm just going outside to play.

Have you washed? -Yes.

Brushed your teeth?

Have breakfast first. -But it's important.

Good reason to have breakfast.

No, no... what? No, she got home at three this morning...

...from a successful show. My wife is having a lie in.

Is that all right? I'm glad to hear it.

Let's leave her in peace.

Shall I melt some cheese on your egg?

Mike?

Coffee.

Tom... Mok...

TIM, I HAVE GOT YOUR KNIFE

Watch out!

Rascal

Rascal, pick it up!

Now hurry up and pick up all my things.

You rotten thief!

Mike, you're late again.

Miss...

You could apologise and explain why you're late.

Miss, this knife... -That's all we needed!

Mike Grobben, how often...? -But it isn't mine.

Never mind. Give it to me. -No. It isn't mine, but Tim's.

What did you say?! Did you say "No", Mike Grobben?

Give me that knife.

Do your parents know you have knives like this?

Will they be at parents' evening? -My mother won't.

What about your father?

Good. I'll talk to him. But now this knife is going into my drawer.

You can't. I must have the knife. -Go outside into the corridor.

Cool off and come back when you can behave normally!

Tim, is that Tim?

What did you say?

No, I'm not Tim.

Tim isn't home.

He moved out...

This morning...

...to Flevoland.

Very well, from Auntie Sylvia...

I can remember that... Bye.

Dad.

Where have you been?

Well, the teacher... -Why are you so late?

The teacher grabbed... -Mum waited for you.

And she got up early today to see you before school...

...but the bird had already flown...

...without washing or brushing your teeth.

But I was... -You didn't even have breakfast.

But I wanted to... -You didn't eat a thing.

I wanted to tell you something...

You crept out behind our backs...

I don't understand.

TIM, I HAVE NOT GOT YOUR KNIFE.

Is Mum awake? -No, she needs more sleep.

It was terribly late last night.

I want to talk to Mum.

Make a drawing, I'll give it to her later.

And then someone called and... but then...

It wasn't Tim and I have to say hello from Aunt Sylvia.

But I don't know where Tim lives.

Listen to me.

Stupid! The teacher will give the penknife to Dad...

...and I'll be in trouble.

Come on, put your coat on. You must go to school.

Why does everything go wrong in this kitchen?

Hurry up! -I'll see if Mum is awake yet.

You could call in to say I'm ill.

Mikey-boy, Mum's only going to Scotland for a week.

But can't I be sick of school for a day?

Mike...

Look, Dad's all ready, you have to go to school.

Mike, hurry up.

Can't we go to the zoo together?

Just once?

No, you must go to the airport and you haven't packed yet.

Come on...

You haven't shaved yet. -It's getting worse and worse.

Edward! -Yes, Miss.

Come up here to the blackboard.

Edward, where is that comic book?

I don't know, Miss.

Put your hands behind your back.

Thank you Edward.

Will your parents be at the parents' evening? Jolly good!

A letter, a letter

I'm going to write to you now

A letter, a letter

I'm really going to post it!

For Tom.

O hov got yor knof.

O'll gov ot bock to yo, O most.

O om yor frond... Mok.

Three autographs.

Do you have an envelope? -Of course. Take one.

Can I have a stamp too? -Yes.

To send that drawing to Mum, in Scotland?

No, I'm playing postman.

This'll be enough.

FROM MIKE GROBBEN...

TO TIM, FLEVOLAND

I'll write the words and stick...

Stick them in an envelope.

Watch out! Don't put the stamp on upside down!

Hello. The dinner's cooking.

But I'm going to play postman.

Fine, but we're eating soon. -Okay.

I stick it in the letter box's mouth

And where you live is its bum

That's where it comes out. I'd start waiting now.

Bye.

I'd wait around if I were you

My letter's on its way.

Return to sender?

Dad? -Haven't you left yet?

What does "Return to Sender" mean?

Return to Sender. That means...

Are you still playing post office?

Well postmen don't always know where to take a letter.

So they bring it back to the man or woman who sent it.

"Return" means back and "sender" is the person who sent it.

Are postmen so stupid?

No, people are stupid. They forget to write the address.

Get it? -Oh yes...

So if you don't know the address, you can't sent a letter?

Is that so strange? -No...

One nice game is "I spy with my little eye".

Mike.

Come up here to the blackboard.

Put your hands behind your back...

...and tell me how many feelers a snail has.

Four.

Queen Beatrix visited the province of Flevoland today.

She launched the three-day...

...Flevoland cultural festival.

Queen Beatrix arrived by helicopter in Almere.

She was driven into the centre of the town.

Thousands of people waited for her with flags.

Tomorrow, the Queen opens Europe's largest puppet theatre.

All the schoolchildren in Flevoland will attend.

Tim!

Dad! -Yes?

Is Flevoland in Holland?

Yes, Flevoland is a province.

What about Almere? -Almere is the capital.

Can you just go there? -I wouldn't dream of it...

...but you can if you want.

Mike, will you be gone for long?

I think so.

I'm going to help your teacher. -Okay.

But I'll be back by twelve.

Where are you going?

Next please.

I want to go to Flevoland.

Almere Muziekwijk, Almere Centre...

...or Almere Buiten?

Almere Ordinary.

You mean Almere Centre. Single or return?

Can't you hurry up, Miss?

What's a return and what's a...?

A single's only to go there and with a return you can come back too.

I want to come home again too. A return.

One return to Almere Centre.

That's 10.50.

Can you hurry it up? I want to catch my train too.

But that isn't enough. -I'm sorry, I must catch a train.

That isn't enough for a return.

Are you here alone?

Does your mother know you're here?

Next please.

Single to Maastricht, please.

Er, little boy!

Ah, here's a seat.

On a journey? -Yes, madam.

All on your own? -Yes.

Would you like a sweet?

Here you are.

Isn't that nice?

Do you often travel alone?

Where are you going? To Lelystad?

No, to Almere. -So am I.

I'm going to see our Queen. I am mad about our Queen.

Are you going to see her too? -Yes, and to look for Tim.

To look for Tim? -Yes, he's my friend.

He moved to Almere a long time ago.

I have something I'm going to give back to him.

Do you want to see? -Yes.

It's gone.

Tim's knife has gone.

I left it at the station.

CLOSED

Great! The knife!

You're wrong, Mike.

This is about the worst thing you've ever done.

My son: a common thief!

It wasn't on purpose. -Don't start lying to me too!

No, really. The teacher came along and I stuck it in my pocket quickly.

When did the teacher come around here?

Not here, at school.

But why did you take the knife to school?

No, not me: Tim. -Tim?

He had been given it. -By you?

No, by the man next door.

Tim was given my knife by the man next door?

Oh, your knife. No, I stole that.

Right: Stole it. Now we're getting somewhere.

Do you know what that means?

There's no chance of a penknife for your seventh birthday.

You're obviously much too small.

Go to your room.

I was so ashamed when I saw the teacher this morning.

You have house arrest until I say so.

What's house arrest? -You're not allowed out.

Look, yesterday this surprise arrived in our letter box.

A letter.

And who do you think send it?

It's from Tim. Remember Tim? -Yes!

Good. And what did Tim write?

Tim wrote this:

Cynthia, would you come and read out loud what Tim wrote?

"Hello Evryone."

That's not right, there should be another "e".

Very good, Cynthia, very good! Now carry on.

"How are you all keping." That should be "keeping".

Right you are. Very good. Do you know what I think?

I think that poor Tim is at a very bad school.

Just take a look.

"The Queen came to sea us" is wrong.

"I sang loud" should be "I sang loudly".

"We were given a ballon and sweats."

"Now I don't know no more."

And "Bo Mok", which is of course ridiculous.

Or do you happen to know what it means, Mike?

And what happened to that knife?

I lost it.

I can believe it.

Did you talk about it with your father?

Well? -I was punished: house arrest.

Jolly good. -Can't we write back to Tim?

No, Edward, we can't.

Because Tim was stupid and didn't write his address.

How can you write to someone without the address?

"Return to Sender..."

What did you say?

Oh, if you write a letter without an address on it...

...then it comes back "Return to Sender".

Very good, Mike. Very, very good.

You all attend a much better school than poor Tim.

That's all I needed!

Good! Will you fetch three french loaves for me?

Did your teacher say anything about the knife?

She asked if I'd been punished. -What did you say?

That I wasn't allowed out. -House arrest...

That's what I said.

No, she isn't in. She's singing tonight...

Yes, He's here. It's for you.

Hello, Mike Grobben speaking.

I found your knife at the trainstation.

Really?

Yes certainly!

I'll be round right away.

You're going nowhere, that was the order.

What about the French bread?

That's all I needed! Come straight back.

Weesummer News

Do you want to place an ad? -No, I'm looking for someone.

Oh, something to look for, something to sell...

...placing an advertisement is just as well!

No, I'm looking for Mr Hollenberg.

Oh, then try that door there.

That's the printing works. Three men work there.

Mr Hollenberg is the best looking.

Mr Hollenberg?

Mr Hollenberg!?

Are you Mr Hollenberg?

No, Hollenberg never wears a coat.

You need my friend there wearing the overalls.

Mr Hollenberg?

Mr Hollenberg?

Are you Mr Hollenberg?

You must be Mike! Yes.

Is this yours?

And this, this must be yours too.

Here, catch!

Nice knife, you should be careful with it.

Be careful with your knife!

Little boy?

Have you found what you wanted?

Is an advertisement expensive? -One word costs 25 cents.

But what do you want?

I'm not selling anything or looking for anything.

Then you don't need to place an advertisement.

I want to give something back to someone.

But I don't know where he lives.

Oh, so you are looking for something: for someone's address.

So how do you want to put it in the paper?

I don't know yet.

Well, come back when you do know.

But we close at five.

Good thing you're here, Mike.

Will you cut the French bread? I'll pour the cheese fondue.

Is it dinner time, already? -I have three surprises for you.

Firstly, we're having cheese fondue.

Who is so fond of that? -Mum!

Who is back from Scotland, in the bath and having dinner with us?

We're all going out to the theatre...

...and who is singing there? -Mum!

Cut the bread and sing a song

But I have to pop out.

We agreed that you weren't allowed out, didn't we?

I can go to my room, can't I?

In a minute. Just hold that pan so I can pour out the fondue.

I won't be a minute.

Mike! Mike, what did I tell you? You're not allowed out.

But I have to!

If you're going to be disobedient, get me some grated cheese.

A pound!

Just in time. Come on in.

That's a lovely advert.

I don't understand a word, but that must be the idea.

If you read it out loud slowly, I'll write it down.

For Tom O hov yor knof.

O'll gov ot bock.

O most.

Coll mo on..

..nombor sovon sovon thro ot thro.

O om yor frond Mok.

It'll have pride of place in tomorrow's paper.

Hurry up, Mike. I'm desperate!

Mike...!

Isn't this the Weesummer News?

You can read. What does it say?

T-h-e...

W-o-r-l-d

The World. -The World, very good.

We don't read the Weesummer News.

Are there two newspapers? -Hundreds.

Every town has its own newspaper.

Listen to what they say about Mum.

I need to go...! -What about the Weesummer News?

It's read in Weesum: here. But we read The World.

The World is read in Holland. The Weesummer News in Weesum.

Nowhere else? -Nowhere else.

Not even in Gelderland? -Not even in Gelderland.

Nor in Friesland? -No.

Flevoland?

"Mrs Grobben gave no less than three encores."

Fancy a cup of tea?

Honoured audience...

Citizens, peasants and others.

Come in and admire the miracle. -Coffee?

Lovely.

Coffee?! -Lovely, lovely! coffee!?

Hey, look!

Let's be a bit more enthusiastic.

I have plaits in my hair

I play my guitar

It's a hi hi ha with a hedge trimm-air

She doesn't have plaits at all!

No, she chopped them off with the hedge-trimmer.

But it's really good.

That girl wrote the song all on her own.

You can sing much better than that.

I don't write my own songs. She has a lovely voice for a little girl.

I can do that too. Easy!

You're bluffing! I'd love to see you.

Okay, I will.

Brilliant!

Cup of coffee?

Well, if you want to take part in "3 x 3 = 9"...

..."everyone sings their own song", come along next Wednesday...

...to the church hall in Weesum next Wednesday at 2.

Write a song and you'll be famous. -Okay, I will.

You're joking. -I'll be just as famous as Mum.

One celebrity is quite enough in this family.

Everyone will see me, Grandpa and Grandma...

...and teacher and the children at school and...

And...?

I'm a girl aged ten...

I'm only six

A fruit drink I fix I drink fruit mix

I chase the chicks

I have Tim's knife

I have a knife

It's Tim's, It's Tom's

Then only Tim will understand... that's important.

I'm only six

Tom, I have your knife

I guard it with my life

I'm only six

I use my sticks

I beat my drum

Nearly break my thumb

I hit and I hit

Sometimes slow and then quick

I beat my drum

With my drum stick

I'm only six

Like my chum

I beat my drum

Nearly break my thumb

Mike, great!

Tom, I have your knife

I guard it with my life

You know what it is

I wrote you a note

Looked...

Looked around town

Mike Grobben. -That's us.

No, only Mike. Come on.

Yes, but I'm his father. -Listen here.

I don't care if you're his aunt. It's for the children, get it?

Yes, but I accompany him! -Listen: you're just too old.

Come on, Mike!

And too ugly!

Mikey-boy, I'm so proud of you! Did they know I was Mum's son?

A son of your famous mother...

You did it all on your own. You have talent.

You take after me!

When was your birthday? -Friday!

Come on.

No penknife. -I know.

That boy has talent.

Plenty of talent.

I'm going to write a song Now I know how to do it

You just have to make it rhyme And I'm really good at... that

We had an audition today. -Well I never.

I'm going to write a song Now I know how to do it

He'll be on television next week. -Jolly good.

You just have to make it rhyme And I'm really great at... that!

He's going to win a prize. -Well, well, well!

This one!

Mikey-boy.

You look really great.

Vera, you look wonderful too.

Hello, Mike. Just in time.

Hello. -Hello.

Yes, we've met before. -You're Bert Boat?

I sure am. Hello.

Bert, Bert Boat. Vera Grobben.

Aha! Now I understand why Mike can sing so well.

Nice to have you here, Mike.

You'll have to go on first. You don't mind, do you?

Not at all. Are you nervous?

No... Would you like a drink? Coffee? Beer? Lemonade?

A cup of... -Let's have a soft drink.

Here you are. That's right.

I've just heard we can start right away...

...so come on, let's get moving.

Keep moving... It's a live broadcast, so let's keep up.

Come on... get a move on.

Good luck, Mike. And come to the stage when I call you.

Attention for camera. Five seconds...

Two, one...

Lights...

Start the music... Watch the spotlight.

Yes... here we are again! With 3 x 3 = 9.

Everyone sings their own song.

It's time for our first candidate.

And our first candidate is Mike Grobben.

Mike Grobben and his drum. Come over here, Mike.

We'd like to know what you do and what you look like.

Come on. Come and stand beside me.

Did you buy that drum with your pocket money?

No, I had it for my birthday last week.

How old are you now? -Seven.

Well I never... seven! Well Mike...

Let it all hang out, because here is Mike and his song!

I'm only six...

Get on with it!

No, I know it's wrong... I'm seven.

But I sing that I'm six. I have to: it rhymes!

Worth his weight in gold!

I'm only six

Tom, I have your knife

I beat my drum

I'm calling my friend Tom

I wrote you a note

Looked around town

I have something that yours

You know what it is

I sat in the train I put an ad in the paper

I couldn't find you This is such a big country

Where do you live now

Call me very soon

I have something of yours

I want to give it back

Where do you live now

Call me very soon

I beat my drum

Nearly break my thumb

Yes, great! You did really well, lad.

Go back to Dad and Mum. Lovely.

Mike... What were you singing about?

You sang a completely different song.

And who is Tom?

The Three Dancing Maries!

...If my father saw me with this knife...

...Moving? When?... -In two months time.

Where to?

To Flevoland... Almere, or something.

This is the most important moment in the 3 x 3 = 9 show.

I am going to announce today's winner.

Where did you come from? -From Almere.

What? -From Almere.

My mother brought me. -I can't hear you.

My mother brought me. It isn't far.

Wait a minute, I can't hear you.

Boys and girls...

The first prize has been won by...

Music please...

By Mike Grobben and his drum and his fantastic song.

Mike, come on up here!

Where is the boy? -Where is he?

Almere isn't far from here. My Mum brought me.

I was in Almere recently, when the Queen came.

We want Mike!

Here's my ticket!

And the penknife?

Take it.

Where is that boy?

Ah, there you are. -Mike, you won first prize.

Where were you? You won!

We want Mike! We want Mike!

Isn't that Tim?

Where did you get my knife? -No, it's his knife.

No, it's my knife. I got it from Mike. I forgot it.

Did you give him my knife?

This knife is much fatter than yours.

Don't complain. He has to sing that song again now.

And there is Mike Grobben. This first prize is for you!

Everyone sings their own song. Mike wasn't here, but now he is.

How do you feel? -Happy.

Boys and girls, a round of applause for Mike Grobben and his drum.

I'm only six

Tom, I have your knife

I beat my drum

I'm calling my friend Tom

I wrote you a note Looked around town

I have something that yours

You know what it is

I sat in the train

I put an ad in the paper

I couldn't find you

This is such a big country

Where do you live now

Call me very soon

I have something of yours

I want to give it back

I beat my drum

Nearly break my thumb

Translated by Martin Cleaver