Mister Rogers helps children understand that everyone makes mistakes sometimes – even Mister Rogers. He shows a video from a time when he buttoned his sweater wrong, and he says it can hurt people’s feelings when someone laughs at their mistakes. Ventriloquist Susan Linn shows how she uses her puppets to help children talk about their feelings. In Make-Believe Susan Linn’s puppet Audrey Duck has her feelings mistakenly hurt by X.
Mister Rogers uses a pencil eraser and a chalkboard eraser to show children that some mistakes can be erased.Mr. McFeely brings a video of how people make books.In Make-Believe, visiting puppet Audrey Duck is embarrassed by all the attention the King is giving to her small poem, and the neighbors learn that some things, like the King’s judgment, can’t be erased.Mister Rogers helps viewers know that people can make mistakes and still have people love them.
Oops! Mister Rogers forgot about a meeting and finds a way to deal with his mistake. There’s a factory video of how people make erasers and in Make-Believe a skunk is visiting. When startled, he spews his smell throughout the Neighborhood. Lady Aberlin tries to help fix the skunk’s mistake, and Daniel confides in her that he worries that maybe he’s a mistake because he’s not like other tigers. In this memorable Make-Believe she reassures him through words and song that he’s fine just the way he is.No one is a mistake.
Everyone learns by making mistakes. This episode features a visit with world-class pianist Andre Watts.Besides offering viewers a musical treat, he talks about how much he learns from his mistakes.In Make-Believe, visiting puppet Audrey Duck is embarrassed about all the attention King Friday is giving to her little poem, and she hides.Her friends assure her that sometimes the littlest things are the best.Mister Rogers reminds his viewers that mistakes are a part of learning.
Mister Rogers starts with some thoughts about “taking care of you” as a poem and turns them into a song.He says nobody’s perfect, but they still can give good care.Visiting Brockett’s Bakery, he joins in withfolk singer Andy Holiner and a group of children learning songs.It’s Poetry Day in Make-Believe, and the King gives a long-winded introduction of Audrey Duck, mistakenly calling her “Audrey Goose.” His son, Prince Tuesday realizes that even kings make mistakes.
Mister Rogers greets several of his neighbors as he walks through his Neighborhood. Mr. McFeely gives him a box. Mister Rogers finds a new pair of sneakers — just what he needed — and a Christmas card from the McFeelys. Thankful for the gift from his friends, Mister Rogers talks about his Christmas wish. Afterwards, he receives a phone call letting him know that Mr. McFeely will be stopping by. Mr. McFeely stops by on his way to the rehearsal for the holiday get-together. He mentions that Stephanie, a young girl who will be performing, is quite disappointed that her family may miss the get-together due to car trouble. Mister Rogers goes with Mr. McFeely to the rehearsal where Stephanie shares her disappointment with Mister Rogers. Stephanie joins Mister Rogers as he returns to his house where they talk about how hard it is to wait for things you are looking forward to. Mister Rogers opens a gift from a friend — a small banner that says, “Merry Christmas” on one side and “Happy Chanukah” on the other. Taking out a dreidel, Mister Rogers spends some time talking about Chanukah as he plays and sings the Dreidel Song.
In the Neighborhood of Make-Believe, presents are not to be opened until King Friday gives his permission. Lady Elaine shares with Handyman Negri that she is upset that she has received only one present. When Mr. McFeely arrives with several packages to deliver, Lady Aberlin and Handyman Negri offer to help him. Lady Elaine finds that the others in the Neighborhood have received many more presents than she has, so she turns everything in the Neighborhood upside down — everything except the Music Man who is able to use his magic stick to keep himself right side up. Everything returns to normal when the Music Man gives Lady Elaine an ice-skating experience — a gift that does not need to be wrapped. When King Friday gives the word, presents are allowed to be opened throughout the Neighborhood — the first being a Christmas decoration for Lady Elaine put together in parts by all of her neighbors.
Back at the house, Mister Rogers talks about different family traditions — Christmas, Chanukah, and those who celebrate neither. He suggests that all presents are a sign of love. At the get-together, everyone sings as Stephanie prepares for her performance. She is overjoyed when her family arrives. Stephanie proudly performs her dance on the stage. Returning to the house, Mister Rogers concludes: “I, for one, wish you good memories of this holiday. And I hope you’ll be able to look for all the different ways that people have of showing that they love you.”
Watch full-length Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood programs. The first Monday of every month will feature programs from the early years 1968-1975. The third Monday of every month will feature programs from the “Theme Weeks” library 1979-2001.