Original subtitles

[Tom] Eddie, do you know where rocks come from?

[Eddie] Sure, dad. Other rocks.

[Tom] Well, that's good logic, but it's the wrong answer.

[Eddie] How about the good rock fairy?

[Tom] A good try. That's two down.

[Eddie] Where do you think they come from?

[Tom] Johnny Apple rock.

[Eddie] You mean like the book you read me on Johnny Appleseed?

Only this was a big guy

who walked around the country throwing rocks?

[Tom] That's right.

[Eddie] Well, how did he know

he wouldn't hurt the fish and bugs and things?

[Tom] Well, he had to be very careful, Eddie.

Rock throwing is a big responsibility.

[Tom] Yeah.

What's a responsibility?

[Eddie] Oh, that's easy to explain.

I take care of you and you take care of me.

[theme song]

♪ People let me tell you 'bout my best friend ♪

♪ He's a warm hearted person who'll love me till the end ♪

♪ People let me tell you 'bout my best friend ♪

♪ He's a one boy cuddly toy ♪

♪ My up my down my pride and joy ♪

♪ People let me tell you 'bout him he's so much fun ♪

♪ Whether we're talkin' man to man ♪

♪ Or whether we're talking son to son ♪

♪ 'Cause he's my best friend ♪

♪ Yeah he's my best friend ♪

♪ La la pa ra ra pa ra ♪

♪ Pa ra ra ra pa ra ♪

♪ Pa ra ra pa ra ♪♪

[scatting]

When do you think dad will be home, Mrs. Livingston?

I have told you, Eddie, he said he would be home a little late.

I wonder what he means, "A little late."

He means a little late.

Eddie, you ask so many questions

about when you're father coming home

and you're not eating your dinner.

I've just been thinking about dad. That's all.

Well, I guess, I'll go to bed now.

- Go to bed? - Goodnight, Mrs. Livingston.

Eddie, but it is not 7 o'clock yet.

Well, I'm kinda tired and, uh...

Oh, Eddie, come here, please.

No.

You do not seem to have fever.

No?

Then what is the matter?

I just feel like going to bed early. That's all.

Okay, my teacher sent a note for dad.

What have you done?

I don't remember doing anything wrong, Mrs. Livingston. Honest.

Did you whisper to another children in class?

Then I think, best thing for you to do

is to tell your father as soon as he comes home, okay?

I was hoping I'd be asleep then.

♪♪

Anybody home?

- Hey, there's my fella. - Hi, dad.

- How are you? - Okay.

- How was school? - What?

- School. - School?

- How was it? - Oh. It was okay.

- Well, goodnight, dad. - Goodnight.

Eddie?

Eddie, are you not forgetting something?

Yes. I guess I am.

I almost forgot, dad.

I got something for you.

♪ I hope it's not a note from Eddie's teacher ♪

A note from my teacher.

Oh.

Well, according to this, Eddie...

...you're not living up to your potential.

Oh, good.

Do you know what potential means?

Well, in this case, it means you're reading

is not as good as it could be.

You're teacher says you're not applying yourself.

Oh.

You got to try harder, Eddie.

I'm sorry, dad.

Will you concentrate on it?

- What do you say? - I'll try, dad.

- I promise. - Okay.

Well, if you, uh, if you wanna go to bed now, it's okay.

Go to bed? Gosh, dad, it isn't even 7 o'clock yet.

Well, you can go brush your teeth

and you'll be that much more ahead.

Okay.

[Mrs. Livingston] You worry about note?

[Tom] Well, I suppose, all parents want their children

to do well in school.

It's just that Eddie's always been so eager, so curious.

And I thought he'd really jump in his reading lesson.

Well, perhaps, he will catch up.

In Japanese, we have an expression...

We have one in English too.

The race does not always go to the swiftest.

Yes. You're Japanese is getting better.

You know, if there's one thing that I always wanted for Eddie

it was for him to have the

the same love of books that I do.

I thought he did.

But you know how much he enjoys me reading to him

two stories, every Saturday.

Oh, of course, that's it.

Mrs. Livingston, I read to him too much.

He doesn't read because he doesn't have to.

Well, it never occurred to me

that I will be the one to stand in the way of his progress.

I think possibly, you have found the reason.

I've got it. A library card.

- For Eddie? - Yes.

Tomorrow, I'll pick him up after school

I'll take him down and we'll get one.

I can remember my first library card.

The librarian handed it to me

and there was my name.

Mrs. Livingston. Mrs. Livingston.

- Mrs. Livingston. - Yes?

My own very library card.

Oh, it is beautiful.

See, there's my name and address and I borrowed this book.

Oh, that is wonderful. May I see it?

It's mostly pictures, but there are some words.

And I can learn 'em.

Oh... that's nice. You know, a book's a great privilege.

And I hope you will appreciate that.

- I do. - Now, remember, Eddie.

Every privilege carries its own responsibility.

Now, it's up to you to take care of that book

and live up the library rules.

I will. I promise.

Okay, I'll tell you what, if you go wash up

we'll go out to dinner and celebrate.

Okay.

You're idea about library card was so nice.

Yeah. He wanted to take out every book in the place.

I told him he could get another one

just as soon as he returned this one.

- But, Mrs. Livingston... - Yes?

- Do you know what he did? - What?

He picked the very same book that I did when I was his age.

Oh, isn't that nice?

[speaking in foreign language]

- Very good. - Yeah.

- What does it mean? - "Goodnight."

All that for "Goodnight?"

And "See you tomorrow" and "Goodnight."

[speaking in foreign language]

Goodnight.

Hey, Eddie!

Come on, you, let's hustle it up.

Dad is starving.

♪♪

Okay, you'll have to put that off till after dinner, sport.

Otherwise, by the time we're ready for dinner

it's gonna be time for breakfast.

What do you say, go wash your hands and face, huh?

Neato.

- And really wash. - Okay.

Dad, can I have a hamburger?

And chocolate milkshake for dinner?

Can I?

♪♪

[indistinct chatter]

Eddie, Eddie, eat your hamburger.

Eddie...

[giggles]

- It's a terrific book, dad. - Hm.

You wanna read it to me?

Maybe. After you've eaten your hamburger.

Now, come on. Put it away.

It's the exciting part. Want me to tell you about it?

After you have eaten your hamburger. Come on.

I love hamburgers.

Me too.

But I think I love reading more.

Eddie, don't talk with your mouth full.

- Everything alright? - Hmm.

I can't talk with my mouth full.

Neither can I.

- Coffee? - Please.

- Milk. - I'm learning how to read.

Terrific.

Your hamburgers are terrific too.

Oh, thank you. I make 'em myself.

Are you married?

Uh, he'd like a glass of milk, please.

Uh, Eddie...

Read your book.

♪ Little cowboy ♪

♪ Put your saddle in the barn ♪

♪ Tie your horse up tight ♪

♪ So he'll know no harm ♪

♪ Put your hat and your gun ♪

♪ Beside you on the chair ♪

♪ Don't forget you've got to say ♪

♪ A little prayer ♪

Hey, now.

I know how much you're enjoying this book.

But there's a time for everything

and right now, it's time you were asleep.

But, gee, dad, it's terrific.

Well, okay. One more minute to finish up.

♪ If you wanna be a cowboy ♪

♪ You'd better rest a while ♪

♪ Little cowboy baby ♪

♪ of the old corral ♪♪

Done.

Okay. Goodnight, Eddie.

Goodnight, dad.

- Eddie... - What, dad?

- The flashlight? - Okay. Sorry.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight, dad.

Eddie?

I would like to ask you something.

Have you finished your library book?

I've read it lots, Mrs. Livingston.

And my teacher told me to tell dad

that my reading was getting better.

Yes? Oh, that's good.

It is for you from the library

to remind you to take back book.

It is overdue.

Gosh, Mrs. Livingston, I forgot.

You forgot?

Remember your father said

the book is your responsibility?

I know. I'll take it back, Mrs. Livingston.

Good.

♪♪

[doorbell rings]

- Hi. - Hi, Mrs. Livingston.

Hello, Alice.

- Is Eddie home? - Yes, he's in his room.

My mother said I could come down and visit

if it was alright with you.

- Oh, certainly. - Thanks.

Hi.

What are you doing?

You're looking for something?

Yeah.

Sure must be something important.

It is.

- What? - A book.

Is that all?

It's gone, it is! It's gone!

What's so important about an old book?

It's a library book.

So?

Well, you got to return it.

It's one of the rules.

And you lost it. Oh, boy, are you in trouble.

What kind of trouble?

Wait till the police find out.

- The police? - They'll put you in jail.

You broke a rule.

I heard about it on the TV.

A lot of people are stealing library books.

I didn't steal it. I just lost it.

It doesn't make any difference.

On TV they said the police are going to arrest

people who don't return library books.

- Are you making that up? - Nope.

They either arrest or make 'em pay for the book.

How much do you suppose the library book cost?

Lots.

I guess, that's more than 35 cents.

What am I going to do, Alice?

I guess, there's only one thing you can do, Eddie.

Go to the police and give yourself up.

Well, so long, Eddie. I got to go home.

♪♪

[siren wailing]

Tina, what happened to that file on the New Ocean Park story?

I gave it to you, Mr. Corbett.

Well, I must have given it back to you, I don't have it.

No, you didn't give it back to me.

Remember you said you were gonna take it

home last weekend and work on it.

Oh, you're right I did, I forgot about that.

Well, I've got to have it for that 5 o'clock meeting.

Do you want me to send a messenger

to your apartment to pick it up?

Yeah. No. No.

I wouldn't know where to tell Mrs. Livingston to look for it.

Well, I just have time to get there and back by 5:00

so I'll hurry as fast as I can.

♪♪

[Mrs. Livingston] Eddie?

- Eddie? - Hi, Mrs. Livingston.

What happened?

Well, so far, nothing.

It's gonna be the police car against that blue car.

It's going to be a death defying race to the finish.

But right now, we're just revving up.

But your room looks like a hurricane has been here.

Oh, that, I was just looking for something.

You look so hard?

'Cause I lost my...

Yes?

One of my slot cars.

But you have them.

'Cause I found it.

It really was good and lost.

Oh, don't do that, Mrs. Livingston.

I'll do it. It's my responsibility.

Come here, Eddie, please.

Is there something wrong?

Yes.

Would you like to tell me about it?

My friend Alice told me it's against the law to...

To?

Play with police slot cars

without a written okay from policemen.

You know, Eddie, there's an old Japanese proverb.

[speaking in foreign language]

"Do not believe first tree who says it's a forest?"

Yes. Very good.

But it is very difficult to translate.

It means, I would not believe

the first person who tells me something.

Oh.

What would you like for dinner tonight?

How would you like spaghetti Japanese style?

Eddie?

Do you feel alright?

Sure. I'm just not hungry.

Oh, well, we will wait for a while

and perhaps, you will change your mind.

I will start spaghetti now.

♪♪

♪♪

- Mr. Eddie's Father. - Hi, Mrs. Livingston.

- Hey, Eddie. - What are you doing home, dad?

Well, I came home to get some papers I need at the office.

I'll be off again in just a minute.

That file should be around here some place.

♪♪

Here we are.

[telephone ringing]

Hello?

Oh, yes. Yes. I found it here.

Who? Well, what'd he want?

Uh-huh.

Mm-hmm.

No. No, no, no. Tell him that won't do at all.

Well, I'll tell you what to do, call him back and tell him

to take it up with me directly.

Uh-huh.

Okay, well, I'll-I'll be right there.

Alright, bye-bye.

[sighs]

Dad? Dad?

- Uh-huh? - Can I talk to you?

Well, Eddie, I'm in a big hurry to get back to the office.

- Can it keep? - Okay.

Okay, I'll see you, sport.

♪ Don't forget your dad is still your best friend ♪

[scatting]

[scatting continues]

[male 1] So I'm putting him on probation in your custody, Mr. Corbett.

Providing, of course, that the book and fine are paid for.

Of course. I'll handle it.

[male 1] Then the prisoner's released in your custody.

[Tom] Thank you, officer.

Oh, thank you, sir.

Come here, Eddie.

[sighs]

Eddie, I'm gonna have to deduct the cost of the book

and the library fine from your allowance.

Now, you understand that, don't you?

Do you know what troubles me most about this?

Is that you didn't come to me with your problem.

But you told me--

Oh, I know, I-I said the book was your responsibility

and I'm proud of you for remembering that.

But, Eddie, I, I don't want you to think

that anytime you make a mistake or have a problem

you can't come to me. Okay?

What's the matter, Eddie?

- Nothing. - Hey, come on. No secrets.

I was gonna tell you, but you were in a hurry.

Oh, boy.

Oh, Eddie, I'm sorry.

That's okay, dad.

No, Eddie.

No, it's not okay.

I want you to know that anytime you have a question for me

or a problem, you can come to me and I'll be there.

I promise you, it will never happen again.

What would you like for dinner? I will prepare.

Anybody would like some hamburgers, Japanese style?

[Tom] Well, that will be fine, Mrs. Livingston.

Eddie, would you like potatoes too? American style.

[Eddie] That sounds good, Mrs. Livingston.

Library book?

My library book! Oh, boy!

I remember now.

But how did it get in there?

The other night when I put Eddie to bed

I started reading the book and I got an idea for an article

for my magazine so I put it in the case

to take it to the office and I just... forgot.

- Eddie, I'm awfully sorry. - That's okay, dad.

We found it and I don't have to be on probation anymore.

- Right. - I know this book.

It is English translation of the same book I had

when I was Eddie's age.

The same book?

Yes. Except, mine was in Japanese.

Oh. I used to think it was Japanese story.

I remember it well.

[singing in foreign language]

♪ Big Bad Wolf Big Bad Wolf ♪

♪ Who's afraid of the Big Bad Wolf ♪

♪ Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha ♪♪

[slurping]

[Tom] Eddie, leave a little for the fish.

[Eddie] It's cool, dad.

[Tom] I'm glad, you're enjoying yourself, Eddie.

[Eddie] I like it up here. Just me, just you.

[Tom] That's right. Just me, just you.

[Eddie] Can we come back here forever?

- I don't think so, Eddie. - Why not?

[Tom] Well, because you're gonna grow up.

- You're gonna change. - How?

[Tom] Well, you'll be hanging around with your own friends

and driving your own car. Going out with girls.

[Eddie] Nah. Girls aren't as much fun as you, dad.

[Tom] Ah, well, you talk to me when you're older, Eddie.

♪ People let me tell you 'bout my best friend ♪

♪ Pa ra ra pa ra ♪♪

♪ People let me tell you 'bout my best friend ♪

♪ He's a warm hearted person who'll love me till the end ♪

♪ People let me tell you 'bout my best friend ♪

♪ He's a one boy cuddly toy ♪

♪ My up my down my pride and joy ♪

♪ People let me tell you 'bout him he's so much fun ♪

♪ Whether we're talkin' man to man ♪

♪ Or whether we're talking son to son ♪

♪ 'Cause he's my best friend ♪

♪ La la pa ra ra pa ra ♪♪