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Feud for Thought

Album: Gold Audio 14: Meanwhile, In Another Part of Town

Episode: 200

Lesson/Theme: Forgiveness

Bible Verse: Ephesians 4:31-32

Characters: Bernard, Eugene

Writer: Phil Lollar

Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Original Air Date: July 25, 1992

Last Air Date: January 12, 2008

Description:
Eugene and Bernard are taking a trip together to an annual family reunion. Bernard goes every year, so he couldn't be more bored by the prospect. But this is Eugene's first time since he discovered he and Bernard are related, so naturally he is nearly jumping out of his skin with excitement. Eugene has a wonderful time meeting all of his newfound kin, until he meets Bernard's grandfather, Borealis P. Walton. When Borealis learns that Eugene is a Meltsner, he explodes with rage and demands that Eugene leave immediately! Borealis contends that the Meltsners are nothing but a pack of thieves and liars, and Eugene's grandfather, Hiram, was the biggest liar and thief of all! Bernard finally calms Borealis enough to find out what's happening. Borealis tells Bernard that years ago, Hiram cheated him in a livestock deal, which involved pigs. Hiram's crookedness set the pattern for the Waltons' future. The Waltons could have been prosperous like the Rockerfellers, but instead they all went into the sanitation business. Eugene begs Bernard to help him right this terrible wrong. Bernard reluctantly agrees. After digging for more information, they find that Hiram did, indeed, cheat Borealis out of his porcine property. Eugene says the only way to remedy the situation is for Eugene to pay Borealis back, even though the sum is astronomical! But then, an acquaintance of both Hiram and Borealis, Mr. Harry Reems, enters and sets the record straight. He proves that Hiram Meltsner was innocent! Unfortunately, Borealis sees this as just another Meltsner trick and refuses to forgive Eugene. Eugene is crushed. But Bernard says that next year, they'll work together to change Borealis's mind. After all, Bernard chokes out, Eugene is family.

Questions:
Was Borealis justified in holding his grudge against Hiram for so long? Why or why not? Did Eugene do the right thing when he found out why Borealis was so angry? Could he have remedied the situation in any other way? Have you ever held a grudge against anyone? What does Paul say in Ephesians 4:31-32 about forgiveness?