Adventures in Odyssey Home Page

The Present Long Ago

Album: 44: Eugene Returns!

Episode: 560

Lesson/Theme: Getting advice

Bible Verse: Job 42:2

Characters: Mandy

Writer: Bob Hoose

Sound Designer: Jonathan Crowe

Original Air Date: January 29, 2005

Last Air Date: March 22, 2010

Description:
Suddenly, it's in the future, a long way from Odyssey... There, Brandon is getting a lesson from his grandmother. It turns out that Brandon is being bullied around at school. In an attempt to help him, his grandmother brings out a diary given to her by someone special from long ago. She tells the story of a boy from the past (Trent) who is being bullied by a kid named Max. It seems that Trent was also being bullied at school, but for different reasons. Max wants Trent's key to the science lab but won't tell him why. Through Trent’s imagination, we hear many characters such as Arnold Schwortzenbanger, Bill Crosby, & Colimbo come to life. Each one seems to have the perfect solution for Trent, but everything each one suggests doesn't work. In the end, Trent consults his Bible, where he learns to be kind, lean on God, forgive, love and do good. He also ends up being struck by the verse that says "A gentle answer turns away wrath." Eventually, we learn that the reason Max wants the key is because he is trying to leave a secret valentine for Mandy. He didn't want anyone to find out because he was afraid they would tease him. Trent is amused by the fact that the school bully was actually afraid of being laughed at, so he agrees to help Max by delivering the valentine himself. Back in the future, Brandon's grandma advises him to talk to his teachers and parents. After all, they are ultimately there to help him. She advises him to always check God's word when he needs answers. In addition, she tells him that she is actually Mandy herself and that she saw Trent (also known as Brandon's grandpa) deliver the valentine, which proved to be the start of their romantic relationship.

Questions:
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