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The W.E.

Album: 36: Danger Signals

Episode: 462

Lesson/Theme: Discouragement

Bible Verse: Psalm 37:4-7

Characters: Liz, Connie, Whit, Tom

Writer: Marshal Younger

Sound Designer: Jonathan Crowe

Original Air Date: February 17, 2001

Last Air Date: October 21, 2009

Description:
The mystery lull continues at Whit's End, but what is causing it? A new Novacom Kids Center, that's what. Whit and Nick Mulligan decide to check out the kids center and find that there are a lot of fast-paced, fun adventures for the kids to explore. Whit walks to Tom Riley's farm and the two of them talk about how significant they still are to the kids of Odyssey. Tom encourages Whit to ask the kids for some suggestions on how to improve Whit's End, which Whit does. The ideas pour in and Whit closes the shop for a few weeks to make some changes. When the shop finally opens, the kids love most of the changes. You can order from the tables via computerized display. Whit's added a gladiator room. The Imagination Station speeds through adventures. Even the name is changed to "The W.E.". In the midst of all the excitement a woman named Mary Hopkins comes in to check out the place. She doesn't like the changes and suggests Whit change things back to the way they were. She goes even further by saying that she wants Whit to franchise Whit's End. She tells him about how her organization will sponsor him in opening a Whit's End in Connellsville. Whit needs time to think it over, but this sounds like just the sort of inspiration he needs.

Questions:
Why did Whit feel discouraged by the lack of kids at Whit's End? How did Tom suggest Whit deal with his feelings? Why did Whit change Whit's End? Do you think the changes were a good thing? Why or why not? When is it time to change the way something is done? Is change always a good thing? When can it be a bad thing? When can it be a good thing?