Adventures from the Book of Virtues – Episode 16: "For Want of a Horseshoe Nail" is a classic educational episode from 1996, produced by PorchLight Entertainment for PBS.
In this episode, Annie, Zach, and Chris explore the timeless proverb about consequences and responsibility, learning how small actions can have significant effects. Guided by the wise lion Plato, they are introduced to stories illustrating cause and effect, responsibility, and moral decision-making, teaching the importance of careful actions and foresight.
Key Lessons in This Episode:
Understanding consequences of small actions
Practicing responsibility and foresight
Making thoughtful and ethical decisions
Developing moral reasoning and character
Series Information:
Series: Adventures from the Book of Virtues
Episode: 16
Title: For Want of a Horseshoe Nail
Year: 1996
Production Company: PorchLight Entertainment
Network: PBS
Genre: Educational, Moral, Family, Animated
Language: English
Total Episodes: 39
Perfect for children, families, and educators, this episode teaches responsibility, foresight, and ethical thinking through engaging animated storytelling.
responsibility lesson consequences foresight moral education ethical values character education cause and effect decision making life lessons animated morals educational cartoon family animation classic animation pbs education virtue learning moral stories storytelling animation children learning family friendly english cartoon vintage animation 1990s cartoon educational tv ethical behavior moral guidance animated teaching values education child development learning ethics animated classics family viewing educational entertainment virtue stories moral philosophy ethics for kids character building animated storytelling classic kids animation education through stories moral clarity integrity learning animated education family cartoon learning values ethical learning animation history educational family show moral development classic educational animation kids education family entertainment animated values story based learning moral awareness ethical understanding virtue education cartoon morals animated life lessons #responsibility #consequences #foresight #moraleducation #ethicalvalues #characterbuilding #virtuelearning #lifelessons #animatededucation #familyfriendly #classiccartoon #pbs #kidslearning #educationforkids #storybookanimation #familyviewing #educationaltv #valuesforkids #moralstories #animatedclassics #learningethics #familycartoon #educationalanimation #causeandeffect #decisionmaking #integrity
In this episode, Annie, Zach, and Chris explore the timeless proverb about consequences and responsibility, learning how small actions can have significant effects. Guided by the wise lion Plato, they are introduced to stories illustrating cause and effect, responsibility, and moral decision-making, teaching the importance of careful actions and foresight.
Key Lessons in This Episode:
Understanding consequences of small actions
Practicing responsibility and foresight
Making thoughtful and ethical decisions
Developing moral reasoning and character
Series Information:
Series: Adventures from the Book of Virtues
Episode: 16
Title: For Want of a Horseshoe Nail
Year: 1996
Production Company: PorchLight Entertainment
Network: PBS
Genre: Educational, Moral, Family, Animated
Language: English
Total Episodes: 39
Perfect for children, families, and educators, this episode teaches responsibility, foresight, and ethical thinking through engaging animated storytelling.
responsibility lesson consequences foresight moral education ethical values character education cause and effect decision making life lessons animated morals educational cartoon family animation classic animation pbs education virtue learning moral stories storytelling animation children learning family friendly english cartoon vintage animation 1990s cartoon educational tv ethical behavior moral guidance animated teaching values education child development learning ethics animated classics family viewing educational entertainment virtue stories moral philosophy ethics for kids character building animated storytelling classic kids animation education through stories moral clarity integrity learning animated education family cartoon learning values ethical learning animation history educational family show moral development classic educational animation kids education family entertainment animated values story based learning moral awareness ethical understanding virtue education cartoon morals animated life lessons #responsibility #consequences #foresight #moraleducation #ethicalvalues #characterbuilding #virtuelearning #lifelessons #animatededucation #familyfriendly #classiccartoon #pbs #kidslearning #educationforkids #storybookanimation #familyviewing #educationaltv #valuesforkids #moralstories #animatedclassics #learningethics #familycartoon #educationalanimation #causeandeffect #decisionmaking #integrity
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Tell me a story, read me a poem,
00:20Ref it in melody, sing me the song,
00:24Then let me hold it deep in my heart.
00:30Where it can speak to me all the day and all.
00:35The adventure of virtue, the adventure of truth,
00:40The thrill of the knowing that it's up to you,
00:46Building a new day shining in the sun,
00:50This is my story, the adventure has begun.
01:00Step right up folks, get your weather vanes while you still can.
01:12Each one handmade by my friend, Annie Redfeather.
01:16Sure is mighty different looking, I'll take one son.
01:20Thanks, here you go.
01:23Wow, those look real good.
01:26Better finish up that next batch Prano Annie,
01:29These weather vanes of yours are selling up a storm.
01:32I'm doing the best I can, Zack.
01:35Well, keep it up.
01:36At this rate, you'll raise the most money for our new playground.
01:39No contest.
01:41Thanks.
01:43You must be very proud of Annie.
01:46Her weather vanes are so unique, so original.
01:49They're the head of the school crafts fair.
01:52In fact, I'd better get in line.
01:55Good job, Annie.
01:58And the money goes to a good cause.
02:01Look at that.
02:03Annie put us on her weather vanes.
02:05Wait till the others here.
02:11And they were selling like night crawlers at the crack of dawn.
02:14Good for Annie.
02:15Well, what did you expect?
02:17She's selling weather vanes with my picture on them.
02:21Don't you mean our pictures?
02:24Right.
02:25But in my case, she's got so much to work with.
02:28Huh.
02:29Mirror, mirror.
02:30What a cat.
02:31What a cat.
02:32What a cat.
02:34Hmph.
02:35What craftsmanship.
02:37You would have been proud, Plato.
02:39Customers were lined up to buy Annie's weather vanes.
02:42Heh heh heh.
02:44That's our Annie.
02:45Come on, Annie.
02:46I've got customers waiting out here.
02:48Oh.
02:49At this rate, I'll run out of screws.
02:52Unless...
02:53I guess four screws will hold these together just as well as eight.
02:58Great.
02:59Keep up the good work and get me more as soon as you can.
03:02Two more, Zack.
03:03And that's it.
03:06Almost out of wire.
03:07I'll have to double reinforce these two.
03:10But one strand should be sturdy enough.
03:13Sorry, folks.
03:14This is the last one.
03:15Oh.
03:16Oh, dear.
03:17Well...
03:18That's a shame.
03:19Here it is.
03:20Guess you lucked out, Principal Mathers.
03:21I feel very lucky.
03:23Perhaps next year you'll make more, Annie.
03:26Oh.
03:27I think I'll need a year to recover.
03:29But you sure made plenty of money for the school.
03:30Good job, Annie.
03:31I'm really proud of you.
03:32Thanks, Mom.
03:33How about some cookies, kid?
03:34You've earned them.
03:35Mmm.
03:36Thanks.
03:37I think I could eat two dozen.
03:40Mommy's broken.
03:41Uh-oh.
03:42Uh-oh.
03:43Uh-oh.
03:44Uh-oh.
03:45Mm-mm-mm-mm.
03:46Oh, my.
03:47This is not good.
03:48I just hope the others, Annie made, are holding up better than mine.
03:49I think I could eat two dozen.
03:50I think I could eat two dozen.
03:51I think I could eat two dozen.
03:53Uh-oh.
03:54Uh-oh.
03:55Uh-oh.
03:56Uh-uh.
03:57Mommy's broken.
03:58Uh-oh.
03:59Uh-oh.
04:00Uh-oh.
04:01Uh-oh.
04:02Uh-oh.
04:03Uh-oh.
04:04Uh-oh.
04:05Oh, my.
04:08This is not good.
04:14I just hope the others, Annie made are holding up better than mine.
04:18We bought two of your weather vanes as gifts for our parents.
04:25Now what are we gonna give them?
04:27These weather vanes of yours are poorly made, young lady.
04:31My little girl was so disappointed and so am I.
04:34You should have made these things better.
04:36We should get our money back.
04:38Hey, what are you talking about?
04:40I was doing the best I could for a good cause.
04:43That doesn't mean you should sell bad product.
04:46That's right, that's right.
04:55Whoa, I heard you put me on a weather van, kid.
04:58But how about let me live to see it?
05:02Annie, wait up!
05:10Hey, is there a road rally going on around here?
05:13I don't know what's going on, Sock.
05:16She came tearing up the peak like a swarm of bees were on her tail.
05:20Hiya, Annie.
05:21Thanks for putting me on your weather vanes.
05:24We're very flattered you used our images for your weather vanes, Annie.
05:28Rora told us all about it.
05:30Yeah!
05:31Next year, how about making a bobcat weather vanes?
05:34With me on all the points.
05:38I'm not sure I'll even be making weather vanes.
05:41Some of my customers aren't too happy.
05:43I don't get it.
05:44What's the problem?
05:45The problem is that if you hadn't sold them so fast, I wouldn't have had to make them so fast.
05:51Me?
05:52It's not my fault your weather vanes were so popular.
05:55Whoa!
05:56And from what I saw, they looked great.
05:59Yeah, but a couple of them broke.
06:01And now some of my customers want their money back.
06:04Did you cut a few corners when you made some of those weather vanes?
06:08Well, maybe a few.
06:10But I was trying to do something good.
06:12I raised the most money for my school, didn't I?
06:15Yes, and that is admirable, Annie.
06:18But cutting corners on those weather vanes was like cutting corners on your own character.
06:23Now I know you have more integrity than that.
06:26Integrity?
06:27When we have integrity, Annie, it means that the things we say and do are reliable.
06:33In other words, that our work is good, dependable, and sound.
06:37If we lack integrity, our work may not hold together and may fall apart.
06:42Hmm, like not enough wire and some loose screws make my weather vanes fall apart.
06:48Exactly.
06:49And would you believe a loose nail could cost the king his throne?
06:54How?
06:55Whoa!
06:56It's story time!
06:59Hey, big guy, tell him the tale of for want of a horseshoe nail.
07:03It's all about a king of England named Richard III.
07:06Shakespeare even wrote a play about him.
07:09Way back in 1485, King Richard was preparing for battle against an army led by Henry, Earl of Richmond, a rival for the throne.
07:21One big battle at a place called Bosworth would determine who would rule England, Richard or Henry.
07:30As the sun rose over Bosworth, Richard prepared for combat.
07:34I can finish this myself.
07:36You make sure my horse is ready.
07:38As you command, your highness.
07:44Put some horseshoes on King Richard's mount and be quick about it, lad.
07:48I've already put horseshoes on all the mounts in the king's army.
07:53There's not much iron ore left, but I think it should do.
07:57So the young blacksmith made do with what he had.
08:00He took an old bar of scrap iron and made horseshoes for the king's favorite horse.
08:07Then, one by one, the blacksmith began to nail on the horseshoes.
08:16But after the third horseshoe, he discovered he did not have enough nails to finish the job.
08:29Uh-oh.
08:31What is it, man?
08:33Why do you hesitate?
08:35I have run out of nails.
08:37I usually put one or two more on to fasten the shoe properly.
08:41Huh?
08:42Phew.
08:43But these'll do.
08:46Huh.
08:47A nail or two won't matter.
08:50That'll do it.
08:59Ah-ah!
09:00Ah!
09:01Ah!
09:02Ah!
09:03Ah!
09:04Ah!
09:05Forward men, forward!
09:07Drive Henry back!
09:08We shall win this day!
09:09We're the next for Henry's army!
09:10Don't fall back!
09:11Leave him alive!
09:13Don't!
09:14How dare you desert your king!
09:28I command you! I command you!
09:32King Richard galloped toward the fleeing soldiers, afraid that if the rest of his troops saw them, they might also retreat.
09:39And that's when it happened.
09:41King Richard's horse threw a shoe.
09:44Blasted horse!
09:47Take your knees, kids! You're almost gonna escape! I don't see your lies!
09:51You're not gonna be alive!
09:52Halt! I command you! Stand and fight, you cowards!
09:59But with the king on foot, Richard's scared soldiers paid him no heed.
10:04Everywhere he looked, they were fleeing in total disarray.
10:15My horse! My horse! My kingdom for a horse!
10:21My kingdom for a horse!
10:22My kingdom for a horse!
10:23My kingdom for a horse!
10:24My kingdom for a horse!
10:25My kingdom for a horse!
10:26My kingdom for a horse!
10:27But Richard's horse was long gone.
10:29His army had fallen apart, and they were too busy trying to save themselves to find a horse for their king.
10:35In a moment, the battle was over.
10:40Richard had lost his kingdom and his life.
10:43For want of a shoe, a horse was lost.
10:47For want of a horse, a battle was lost.
10:50For want of a battle, a kingdom was lost.
10:54And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
10:57Wow, if that blacksmith had only cared more about his work, he would have put those horseshoes on better.
11:07And the king would have kept his crown.
11:10Guess integrity is important.
11:12Hmm, maybe I gave up some of my integrity by trying to sell too many wither veins.
11:18Is there any way to get it back?
11:20Yes, your integrity can be regained, Annie.
11:23Even a thief found that out.
11:26A thief?
11:29Follow me.
11:36In the story of Charlemagne and the Robber Knight, way back in the Middle Ages,
11:42during the reign of Charles I, King of France, Emperor of Germany, and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.
11:48Phew!
11:49Now the great king Charlemagne built a magnificent castle on the River Rhine.
11:55But the first time he slept there, he didn't get a very good night's sleep.
11:59Huh?
12:08What?
12:09Who are you?
12:12Arise, good king Charlemagne, and heed this angel's words.
12:18Go forth secretly into your kingdom tonight and steal.
12:23Steal?
12:23Steal?
12:24Impossible.
12:26Stealing is wrong.
12:27No angel would order an emperor to become a robber.
12:31I must be having a bad dream.
12:38Arise, emperor.
12:40Go steal from your own people.
12:43Huh?
12:43This cannot be real.
12:48It must have been the wild boar I consumed for dinner.
12:52Huh?
12:55Do not tarry.
12:57Go into your forest and steal.
13:00Or do not blame me for the consequences.
13:03But...
13:04Perhaps it is unwise to disregard the words of an angel, however puzzling they may seem.
13:15All the castle was asleep, so it was easy for Charlemagne to reach the stable, saddle his horse, and ride into the dark forest of the night.
13:27I must discover what the angel's strange message meant.
13:33But no matter what, I will do no wrong.
13:40Suddenly, the emperor heard someone approaching.
13:43Ho!
13:46Halt!
13:47Ho!
13:50What mission brings you to this dark wood at such a late hour?
13:54Elbegast answers to no man.
13:57I have committed many bold deeds, but you are the first to vanquish this robber knight.
14:23I, Elbegast, am at your mercy.
14:27Huh.
14:30Perhaps the angel went for me to follow this guy.
14:33I'll play along.
14:35Arise, Elbegast.
14:37For I mean you no harm.
14:39In fact, I am a robber like yourself.
14:47Why do we join forces?
14:49Why not?
14:49Can not two thieves rob more than one?
14:57And I have just the mansion ripe for robbing.
15:00I recognize this house.
15:05I recognize this house.
15:07It belongs to Arno, one of Emperor Charlemagne's most trusted ministers.
15:11Yes.
15:12And it is full of plunder for two clever thieves like ourselves.
15:15Come.
15:16Come.
15:16There should be plenty of jewels in the minister's bedroom.
15:32For I hear that the Emperor rewards his loyal followers well.
15:37Well enough, I suppose.
15:39Stop pacing, Arno, and come to bed.
15:44Your plan is foolproof.
15:46By tomorrow night, you shall be Emperor.
15:49Oh, you're right, of course, my dear.
15:52Charlemagne will never suspect me of scheming to murder him.
15:56My men will take him by surprise, and it will all be over quickly.
16:00Still, you cannot blame me for being a trifle nervous.
16:03Where are you going?
16:09There must be plenty of valuables in the rest of this mansion to steal.
16:12Did you not hear, man?
16:13That treacherous minister plans to murder Emperor Charlemagne on the morrow.
16:17You must go and warn him.
16:21What was that?
16:22Could be robbers.
16:32Arno?
16:33Is everything all right?
16:35Just the wind, dear.
16:37Just the wind.
16:49You're quite nimble.
16:51A thief has to be, my friend.
16:53Come.
16:54We dare not tarry any longer.
16:55What kind of thief are you, Elvigast?
17:03We still had plenty of time to rob the rest of that house.
17:06Not while the Emperor's life hangs in the balance.
17:09You must ride at once to Emperor Charlemagne's castle and warn him of the murder plot.
17:13Me?
17:14Why not warn the Emperor yourself?
17:17I would do it gladly.
17:18But who would listen to a notorious thief like me?
17:22A man who has committed so many crimes.
17:24I would risk imprisonment to warn the Emperor.
17:27A man who has always ruled wisely and kindly and worked for his people's good.
17:32But no one would listen to a man of my reputation.
17:35No, my friend.
17:37A small-time robber like yourself with no price on your head, you would be able to warn Charlemagne.
17:44Good luck.
17:44So Elvigast galloped off towards his mountain stronghold, while Charlemagne rode slowly back to his palace, deep in thought.
17:55The next morning, as Arno and his fellow conspirators arrived at the palace, they had a little surprise waiting for them.
18:03Is this any way to greet a loyal minister here to pay respect to his Emperor?
18:14Is this how you pay your respects, minister?
18:18My lord!
18:20But how could he have known?
18:22One of them must have betrayed me.
18:25Please, please forgive me for plotting against you.
18:29These men, they forced me into it.
18:32They filled my head with thoughts of usurping your throne.
18:35That's not true. It was his own truth.
18:37That's a lie.
18:39You'll have plenty of time to dwell on your thoughts, while you dwell in my dungeon.
18:44Guards, take them away.
18:51Captain, take this message into the mountains, to a man called Elvigast.
18:56The notorious robber.
18:59But my lord...
19:00Yes, sire. At once.
19:03Hi, Charlemagne.
19:15Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, request a private meeting with Elvigast, the robber knight.
19:20I promise safe conduct to and from my palace.
19:24The emperor...
19:25wants to see me?
19:26Yes, sir.
19:27Is that Elvigast himself?
19:32Stand aside!
19:44See anything worth stealing, Elvigast?
19:46So, the emperor invited you, too.
19:51A reward for saving his life.
19:55My life.
19:58Emperor?
19:59But why were you pretending to be a robber?
20:02To catch me, I suppose.
20:04Well, congratulations.
20:10You have caught the robber knight at last.
20:13Put yourself at ease, Elvigast.
20:15I know you have done wrong in the past.
20:18But that knight at Arno's, you cared not about stealing, but about saving the emperor's...
20:24uh, my life.
20:28You could have run away or spent hours robbing Arno's house.
20:31But you cared more about making sure an endangered emperor was warned about a plot against his life.
20:37And I will not forget the faithful duty you have done me.
20:41I am offering you a new start, Elvigast.
20:43A chance to begin again with a clean slate, all misdeeds forgotten.
20:48I should be honored to have a man with your courage and loyalty at my side.
20:53You...
20:54You honor me, your... your highness.
20:58I always knew you were a kind and wise ruler, but...
21:02Arise, Elvigast.
21:05Let us find you a less menacing suit of armor.
21:09And Elvigast, the robber knight, was so disarmed by Charlemagne's goodness of character
21:14that he gave up his evil life in the forest
21:17and became Charlemagne's devoted friend until the end of his days.
21:23And to honor the angel, whose midnight visit had caused him to find his loyal knight,
21:28Emperor Charlemagne named his new palace, Engelheim, which means Angel's Home.
21:36So the robber did a good deed and saved the emperor's life.
21:40I guess selling those second-rate weather vanes wasn't exactly putting my best foot forward.
21:46And if a robber can repair his integrity, then so can I.
21:50Thanks, guys.
21:51Now, if that wasn't a look of integrity, I don't know what was.
21:56Well, I certainly hope she doesn't take me off the weather vane.
21:59After all, I look pretty good up there.
22:02Suck.
22:03Now I know just what I have to do.
22:07Hey, want some help?
22:08No, thanks.
22:09This is something I can do myself.
22:11Good for you, Annie.
22:13We're here if you need us.
22:15Just stand behind.
22:19All you do.
22:21Your friends will be.
22:23Well, thank you.
22:24The world of you.
22:27This is everything.
22:28Oh, nice.
22:29The best it can be.
22:32That's integrity.
22:35What you may say has integrity.
22:43Though it functions for me.
22:45Let me see.
22:46Let me see.
22:47To stand behind all you do.
22:53Cause your work is a reflection of you.
22:59Your work is a reflection of you.
23:05Just stand behind all you are.
23:12People will see that you'll go far.
23:17Build everything.
23:20The best it can be.
23:23That's integrity.
23:28That's integrity.
23:35Oh, thanks.
23:36Oh, thanks.
23:36God, why don't you touch all you?
23:37I love you too.
23:38I love you too.
23:39All right.
23:45Like, why don't you touch me?
23:46Yeah.
23:47Bye.
23:47till the end is one full time.
23:49Yes, ah, huh, kanje.
23:51emit another year.
23:53Do you feel like me?
23:54It's not all about to me.
23:54It's not all about to live.
23:55Oh, okay.
23:56Oops.
23:57I love you too.
23:57Yeah.
23:57It's not all I never say.
23:58No, no, no, no, no.
23:59No, no.
24:00I love you too.
24:00So, how can't you do that?
24:00I call it like, it's not all about you.
24:01What you do?
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