01x28 - The Shell Game/Heron Food Blues

[bunniefuu]

That's me, Fred the housecat.

When my family leaves for the day,

I don't just sit inside watching the world go by.

I become...

Nature Cat, backyard explorer extraordinaire!

♪ Oh, go go go ♪

Tally-ho!

♪ Go go go ♪

Tally-ho!

♪ We're climbing up the trees now ♪

♪ We're swinging through the breeze now ♪

♪ We're getting muddy knees now ♪

♪ We're Nature Cat ♪

♪ Nature Cat, Nature Cat ♪

♪ Nature Cat, Nature Cat, Nature Cat ♪

♪ So what are we waiting for? ♪

♪ We're so excited to explore ♪

♪ All that nature has in store with Nature Cat ♪

♪ Go go go ♪

Tally-ho!

♪ Go go go ♪

Tally-ho!

♪ He's our favourite nature guide ♪

♪ We just can't wait to get-- ♪

Outside!

♪ We're swinging through the trees now ♪

♪ We're jumping in the leaves now ♪

♪ We're getting muddy knees now ♪

We're Nature Cat!

Tally-ho!

♪ Nature Cat, Nature Cat, Nature Cat ♪

Tally-ho!

Serve again, Daisy!

I need more practice!

Get ready!

Coming at ya!

I got it, I got it...

I-- oof!

I don't got it.

Gotcha!

I-- ugh!

(Gasping)

Whoo-hoo!

Oh yeah!

That's how you spike it Squeeky-style!

Sweet spike, Squeeks!

Ronald's team won't know what hit 'em!

We are so ready!

Right, Nature Cat?

Oh, yeah! So ready!

Uh-oh.

Or not.

I think I better put on a helmet.

(Chuckling)

(Groaning, straining)

Ah, there.

Now I'm ready!

Ooh! Heh-heh.

Looks like I outgrew it.

Anyone need a kitten-sized helmet?

Ooh! I do.

Ha-ha! Works great!

Thanks, Nature Cat!

Oof!

Don't mention it!

Oh hello, Nature Cat!

Hello, Ronald!

Ready for our five-player volleyball championship match?

Yes, yes!

The five of us have been practicing all week.

(Laughing)

Perhaps you should practice your math skills, Nature Cat.

There are only four of you.

One, two, three, four...

Ahhh!

Who's our fifth player?

Oh, it's Herbert!

The hermit crab?

Well, he does have the shortest commute out of all of us.

Where is he?

Ugh. He always does this. Don't worry! I'll find him.

Better hurry.

'Cause if you don't have five players,

you forfeit and we win the championship.

(Laughing)

(Chanting) Ronald! Ronald! Ronald! Ronald!

Hey, Herb! Herby-werby!

Herb-a-lerb-a-ding-dong! Where are you?

HERB: Uh! Down here!

Having a little shell trouble.

Oh well, come on up! The mouse can help!

Okay, great!

Uh, see if you can give the shell a little push!

You got it, Herb!

(Groaning, straining)

What happened, Herb? Shell shrinkage?

No!

Oof! I grew!

I can't find a bigger shell.

Ahh! So I have to squeeze into this old one!

Almost got it... I almost got it...

Whoop! There it is!

(Giggling)

Huh?

Whoa! There I goooooo!

(Nature Cat gasping)

Huh?

Hey! What's going on?

Herbert doesn't fit in his shell anymore.

Can't you play without a shell, Herbert?

No way! I'm an invertebrate!

An unvert-a-whos-it-whatsis? Wha-huh?

What is an inver-ta-vertebrate?

Invertebrate. What is that?

Well, you all have bones, right?

Sure! I got a whole collection buried in my backyard.

Not dog bones that you bury.

I'm talking about the bones in your body.

Oh, right.

Hmm.

(Knocking)

Yep! We're filled with bones.

Well, I'm not.

You see...

♪ I'm an invertebrate ♪

♪ Take an x-ray and see ♪

♪ I got no bones inside of me ♪

♪ No clavicle or tibia that is mine ♪

♪ I got no skull, no ribs or spine ♪

♪ Listen to my cry, listen to me groan ♪

♪ I'm an invertebrate, I got no bones ♪

♪ There's no bony boneness in my body zone ♪

♪ I'm an invertebrate, huh ♪

♪ And I got no bones ♪

♪ When you have no bones for shape and protection ♪

♪ You need to move in a new direction ♪

♪ You'll soon find that a shell is fun ♪

♪ When you've got no inner skeleton ♪

♪ I'll tell the whole world, gonna let it be known ♪

♪ I'm an invertebrate, I got no bones ♪

♪ I'll post it, I'll tweet it, I'll text it to your phone ♪

(Phone buzzing)

♪ I'm an invertebrate ♪

♪ I got no bones ♪

Aww, poor little invertebrate!

Nah, we crabs get along just fine without bones.

See those crabs over there?

Now, they have a hard outer covering.

It's called an exoskeleton,

covers their whole bodies.

But it's a different story for us hermit crabs.

Our exoskeleton only protects the front half of our bodies.

The back half is not protected.

Aww! What a cute little tail, Herbert.

Oh, this?

No, no, it's not a tail. It's an abdomen!

Your what now?

It's my little crabby belly!

And it needs protection.

Hmm, that's a very interesting problem.

I'll say. Yikes.

Yeah, and a new larger shell is hard to find!

Well, well, well, look who still isn't ready to play.

Guess the game is cancelled and the Rugged Ronalds win!

Rugged Ronalds?

That's the name of my team.

Oh! And here comes our mascot.

We're number Ron!

We're number Ron! We're number Ron!

No! The game is not cancelled.

We just need a few minutes to suit up.

Well, you'd better hurry or you forfeit

and the Rugged Ronalds will be the champions!

Champ-i-ons!

BOTH: We're number Ron!

We're number Ron!

Maybe you guys should look for another player.

There's no way I'm going to find a new shell in time.

You will if we help you.

You would do that for me?

Of course!

We are a volleyball team,

and there is no bond more sacred than that.

Now come on, let's find that crab shell.

Tally-ho!

♪

Whoa!

Oh, yeah!

♪

Anything?

I got nada.

Ooh, ooh, ooh, I got...

nothing.

(Horn blowing)

What's that?

Rejoice!

For I have found the perfect shell

to protect yon fair abdomen.

I'll give it a try,

but I usually prefer a snail shell.

Looks fancy!

And feels sturdy!

You know, this just might work.

Hey!

The shell's nice and roomy!

ALL: Yay!

Ha-ha! Now come on!

Let's go show Ronald how we play volleyball!

Tally-ho!

(Straining)

Come on!

(Grunting) I'm coming!

I think that shell may be too big and heavy for you, Herbert.

Heavy for me? Ha-ha-ha-ha!

I have the strength of ten shellfish.

(Groaning) Oh, who am I kidding?

It's too big and heavy.

I guess I'm off the team. Sorry, guys.

Never, Herbert! Let's keep looking.

(Gasping) I see one!

What do you think of this spectacular shell?

Oooh!

This looks pretty good to me.

Try it on for sizing purposes, please.

Hey! It fits.

Perfectly!

We found the perfect shell!

How do I look?

(All cheering)

Now, what say we show Ronald

how we play volleyball, Nature Cat-style?

Tally-ho!

(Herbert groaning)

What's wrong this time, Herbert?

Oh, nothing.

My shell helps keep me moist, usually,

but I'm a little dried out

from all of this searching for a new shell.

Oh, you need water for your shell?

No problem, dude!

And here's some liquid refreshment for your back end!

Enjoy. Enjoy.

Ya know, oddly, I'm still not feeling very refreshed.

Oh no!

This shell has a hole.

Ah, I knew it was too good to be true.

So, are we gonna play or what?

It's almost nap time, and I need my beauty sleep.

How about you nap first and then we'll play?

Because I don't want to nap before I pl--

♪ Tally-ho, little Ronald ♪

♪ Snuggle deep in the warm sand ♪

Hey, everybody, I found the perfect shell!

Hal! That's not a shell.

That's a bicycle horn.

Yeah, but this horn part is like a shell.

And the rubber part can hold water.

Hmm.

It's a little unusual, but I'll give it a try.

Whoa!

It fits!

I think we found a shell!

(Cheering)

And the best part is...

(Giggling) it does this.

(Honking horn)

Ahh!

(Groaning)

That's it! I am done!

I'm going back to my hole in the sand.

Wait! Herbert! Don't go.

Poor Herbert!

What are we going to do?

Hmm...

Say, Daisy, do you remember that helmet I gave you?

Of course I do, I'm wearing it.

Do you remember why I gave it to you?

Because you outgrew it!

(Gasping) Outgrew it!

Nature Cat, are you thinking what I'm thinking?

I believe I am.

Herbert!

Where are you, Herbert?

I told you guys, I give up, I'll never find a...

perfect shell!

It's beautiful!

Can I try it on?

Hey!

Watch your abdomen!

Oh! Hi, sorry.

This belongs to somebody else.

I knew it was too good to be true.

Wait, no, Herbert, you don't understand.

I understand perfectly,

I'll never have a beautiful shell that fits again.

Why don't you tell him, Abigail?

Okay!

The shell is all yours, Herbert!

Wait. You're giving it to me? Why?

Well, 'cause I'm growing out of this one

and your friends found this nice new one for me.

It's a good shell!

So take care of it, please.

I will!

What are you waiting for, Herbert?

Try it on.

Perfecto!

Look at this! It fits! I found my shell!

(Cheering)

Lucky!

Wish I could find a shell.

Need a shell? How's this?

Hey! It fits! Thank you, big guy!

We're crabs, right? It's what we do!

Ha-ha! Yes!

Now, what do you say we finally show Ronald

how to play a little volleyball?

Yeah! Let's do it!

♪

Don't worry, Nature Cat!

I am totally protected!

Huh? (Ronald sputtering)

(Cheering)

Yeah! Good to have a shell!

Ugh!

So...

Everybody having as much fun as I am?

Oh, yeah!

Oh wait, no, I'm not!

I'm not at all.

Uh, guys.

How can we have a Net-A-Fish -And-Toss-It-Back-A-Thon,

if we don't net and toss back any fish?

Yeah, what's going on this year?

Last year we were rocking!

(Frogs ribbiting)

Oh, man!

There were so many fish, we couldn't net 'em fast enough!

Remember?

(Groaning)

Fish!

(All cheering)

If I'm not mistaken, I have netted exactly...

no fish?

Huh.

How about you, Hal?

Let me see.

Hmm, okay...

Two plus six, times four divided by ,

plus all the catfish...

None. We haven't caught any fish.

Zero.

As they say in French...

zilch!

Hmm.

I wonder where all these fish went?

Well, maybe they flew south for the winter.

You know, 'cause of flying fish?

So, I don't know.

Come to think of it, where are all the frogs?

Last year, there were so many.

We need to solve this dilemma.

Hmm, we have not seen any frogs nor fish.

Frogs. Fish.

Frogs. Fish.

Frogs...

Bird!

Bird?

I wasn't speaking of birds.

I was talking about frogs and fish,

but I could always talk about birds!

No, Nature Cat! Bird!

And it's a heron! Incoming!

Whoa!

Bird!

Whoa!

Ahhhh!

Watch out for the rock!

I'm watching!

But there's not really anything I can do!

Ahhhhh!

Nature Cat, I gotta say:

that was awesome!

What she said!

Ha-ha, yes, awesome!

Just remind me to never do that again!

Sorry about that, chap. Didn't see you there.

The name's Flo.

Don't give it another thought, Flo.

I am Nature Cat,

and these are my loyal friends Hal, Daisy and Squeeks!

Hi! Hey!

Hi and hey!

Oh gosh, so tired.

Whoo!

Whoo boy!

Ooh nelly.

Oh, I don't have my usual zip.

I really need some food.

Would you care for a bone, Flo?

How about a carrot?

Do you want some cheese?

Say no, say no, say no, say no.

No, thanks.

I'm looking for fish.

It's my favourite, and oh, what an energy boost!

Whoo-hoo!

Unfortunately, this pond seems to be fishless.

If "fishless" is even a word!

Tell me about it.

I live here.

I haven't had a good fish dinner in days.

In days?

Oh, I've been getting by.

A few insects now and then.

A few insects now and then?!

But that doesn't sound like enough food

for a big bird like you!

(Nature Cat sobbing)

(Hal sobbing)

Flo, don't worry about it.

We'll help you find some fish!

(Sobbing) What she said!

Yes, yes!

We will do whatever it takes to find you some fish, Flo!

Anything at all!

Yeah, like look under the pond to see if we can find any fish.

Um, beg your pardon.

But I believe you said under the pond?

As in... under water?

Count the mouse in!

And the bunny!

And the Hal!

You go ahead, friends.

I'll stay with Flo.

She needs me.

Right, Flo?

Say you need me.

Looking for fish!

(Splashing)

Or clues to where the fish went!

(Splashing)

Or fishy clues!

(Splashing)

Wah!

Water.

Why is it always water?

♪

Think they found any fish?

(Bubbling)

Let's see what's up.

Or more appropriately, down!

FLO: Any fish?

NATURE CAT: Nope.

Ooh! Wait!

There's a tadpole, looking for something to eat.

Who isn't?!

Lemme see.

Bingo!

It found some green slimy stuff.

Delicious!

FLO: That's what we call algae.

It's a kind of plant,

but it lives in the water and has no roots!

(Gasping) My word!

There's usually more algae down there than that!

♪

You guys, we saw a fish!

Ahh, a fish!

But the little fishy swam away.

Well, if there's one fish, there must be more.

We only saw one.

I saw a tadpole, you guys!

And it was eating algae.

Oh! We saw it too.

Yeah! Yeah!

But the fish chased away the tadpole

before it could finish eating the algae.

Everybody's hungry!

What's going on here?

We've got to figure it out!

For Flo!

Hmm...

There's gotta be clues here!

C'mon, guys, what do we got?

A tadpole eating algae.

A fish trying to eat a tadpole.

A heron looking for fish.

That's me!

SQUEEKS: We got one chunk of algae...

we got a hungry tadpole, mm-hmm...

we got a hungry fish...

and we got a hungry heron.

Oh, what's going on? What's going on?

My brain!

Hmm...

So, everything's kind of connected to everything else.

Like a chain!

A food chain!

A disappearing food chain.

Yeah.

And speaking of disappearing, look how low the water is.

Man, oh, man, you're right!

There's not as much water as usual here.

Remember last year?

Roll flashback, please.

(Frogs ribbiting, fish splashing)

DAISY: The water was up to here.

Now, it's down here.

And-- and it's moving, like a stream,

not still like a pond!

Gee, I wonder where all the water's gone?

Huh.

♪ Where has all the water gone? ♪

♪ Oh, where has all the water gone? ♪

♪ Long time flowing ♪

♪ But now it's going ♪

♪ Where has all the water gone? ♪

Thank you, thank you.

I'll be here all episode.

Look! Even the algae's going!

♪ Where is all the algae going? ♪

♪ Where is all the algae going? ♪

♪ Long time the algae's growing ♪

♪ But the algae's gone! ♪

Does he do this a lot?

Um... yeah.

Uh, Nature Cat? Sorry, gorgeous song,

but we need to stop singing and start following, okay!

Right, yes! Agreed!

Follow that algae.

Tally-ho!

Algae, it's me, Hal!

Where are you going? Algae?!

Gosh, if the algae goes,

then the tadpoles have less to eat.

And then tadpoles are hungry and leave to find more algae.

And when the tadpoles go, the fish have less to eat.

So, the fish leave to find food!

And I don't get enough fish to eat.

But I don't want to leave to find food!

I want it how it used to be here!

Yeah! Me too!

So the real question is, where is all the water going?

And why?

Hey! That's two questions.

And there's the answer!

Look!

The beaver dam has a hole in it!

That's why the water's draining from the pond!

The mystery is solved!

But where are the beavers? Why don't they fix the hole?

Hmm, I heard they left some time ago

after someone cut down all of their favourite trees.

And that is what started the trouble here

with the tadpole, fish, and heron food chain!

Bye-bye, algae.

Which means bye-bye tadpoles,

and fish,

and bye-bye herons!

No!

"No" is right!

We will not allow this to happen!

In fact, we will fix this dam!

Tally-ho!

♪

(Clattering)

(Giggling)

Ugh!

Oops!

Oof!

Yes, indeedy do!

The water from the pond won't leak out now.

The algae will grow back and not get washed away.

Yeah, yeah, and the tadpoles will have lots of algae to eat.

And the fish'll come back 'cause now they'll have plenty to eat.

And more fish means I'll have plenty to eat!

Oh, I'm so happy!

And in a few months, we can have

our Net-A-Fish -And-Toss-It-Back-A-Thon!

(All cheering)

Um, could we fast-forward a couple months, please?

♪

(Frogs ribbiting, fish splashing)

(Squeeks groaning)

Fish!

Fish and frogs and tadpoles and algae.

DAISY: And Flo!

Hello!

So much fish to eat!

(Gulping)

Whoo-hoo!

Thanks for your help!

NATURE CAT: You're welcome, Flo-- whoa!

ANNOUNCER: Nature Cat, Squeeks, Daisy and Hal

are cartoon characters,

and not real animals.

To keep all of our animal friends safe,

check with a grown-up

before you bring a pet on your next nature adventure.

(Shouting) Ha-ha!

♪