Adventures in Odyssey Home Page

Cousin Albert

Album: Gold Audio 09: Just in Time

Episode: 133

Lesson/Theme: Illiteracy.

Bible Verse: Proverbs 23:12

Characters: Lucy, Whit

Writer: Phil Lollar

Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Original Air Date: November 24, 1990

Last Air Date: July 10, 2008

Description:
Lucy's latest interview for the Odyssey Owl is her own cousin-Albert Schultz, Odyssey High's star basketball player. The only problem is, he doesn't give a good interview. All he tells her is that he loves basketball, and he works as a stocker at Jenkin's Market. So, to get more information, Lucy decides to do a little investigating on her cousin. Lucy shows up unexpectedly at Albert's job and witnesses him in the middle of what looks like a drug transaction. Albert promises her that the package he's just purchased is not drugs. It's a school report. Lucy is confused-why would Albert spend money on a school report? She presses Albert for an answer, and finally he admits a deep, dark secret: He can't read. He's completely illiterate. Stunned, Lucy asks how this is possible. Albert explains that school has never been easy for him. What has made it tougher is that his family moves around a lot. He has never been with one teacher long enough to learn reading skills. But Albert doesn't mind. All he's ever wanted to do is play basketball, anyway. His plan is to graduate, then try out for the NBA. Lucy tells Whit about Albert's illiteracy. She and Whit set up a plan to help teach Albert that reading skills are vital. The plan works, and Albert takes his first step into the world of the literate.

Questions:
Why did Albert stop trying to learn how to read? Why is reading so important? How could you help someone who doesn't know how to read?