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Another Man's Shoes

Album: 33: Virtual Realities

Episode: 419

Lesson/Theme: Understanding others

Bible Verse: Luke 10:30-37

Characters: Whit

Writer: Phil Lollar

Sound Designer:

Original Air Date: March 27, 1999

Last Air Date: August 28, 2009

Description:
Jared DeWhite hates gym class because of the bully Brock Blakely. After a confrontation with the bully, Jared gets even by taking his soccer shoes. When he and Dwayne tell Whit, he reprimands Jared for stealing and instructs him to return the shoes, but the team has already left. Whit tells him it's better to love your enemies than demand an eye for an eye, and that Brock would be easier to love if Jared knew more about him. Whit decides that this would be a good time to try out his new invention, the Transmuter. They place Brock's shoes on the machine, and Jared steps inside them. When the process is complete, Jared is shocked to look in the mirror and realize he looks and sounds like Brock! Dwayne walks in, sees Brock, and immediately runs away. At school the same day when he sees some bullies picking on Dwayne, he intervenes and instructs them to leave Dwayne alone. He tries to convince Dwayne he's Jared, but Mr. O'Donnell thinks he's bullying Dwayne and sends him to the principal's office. Principal Skinner expresses his disappointment that he's not being a better example despite that he is 15 years old. Jared is astounded to learn this news, but is even more surprised when Floyd delivers a package of flower seeds Brock ordered. Events culminate when his drunken father bullies him, calls him a sissy, and destroys his flower garden. Jared suddenly wakes up in the workshop and discovers that the Transmuter allowed him to experience Brock's present life in a controlled atmosphere. Jared struggles with interpreting his experience. Should he just excuse Brock because he has a bad life and not hold him responsible for his actions? Whit encourages him to pray more intelligently and treat Brock with kindness and patience instead of revenge. The next day, Brock's shoes are returned to him with a package of flower seeds and a note that a friend is praying for him. Brock is touched.

Questions:
What were some of the reasons Jared discovered that made Brock the way he was? Jared asked if this meant Brock wasn't responsible for his actions. What did Whit say? Can you think of anyone in your life like Brock? How do you think you should treat them?