The Ring - Recap

Paul is building a fence in the orchard. Timmy arrives to bring his father home to dinner. Paul tells Timmy he has to finish the fence before he can do anything else. Timmy reminds his father that that is what he had to tell his mother the previous night. Paul tells Timmy that livestock will get into the orchard and eat the crop if he doesn't finish the fence. Timmy goes home for dinner without his father.

In the farmhouse kitchen, Timmy eats his dinner. Ruth pecks at her food; she is unhappy that the farm work keeps Paul away from home for long periods of time. Ruth says she is worried about Paul; there's too much work on the farm for one man and one can't get help. Timmy says Jim Teal had to send for his cousin to help with the work. Ruth brightens telling Timmy he's given her an idea. She leaves the room and returns a moment later with her address book. She calls Paul's uncle, Petrie Martin in Pennsylvania and invites him to come help with the work. While Ruth waits for Jenny to put her person to person call through to Uncle Petrie, she tells Timmy that Uncle Petrie might be able to come out and give Paula a hand with the work. She tells Timmy that he'll like Uncle Petrie ... he's full of magic tricks and plays the guitar. When Timmy asks how old Uncle Petrie is, Ruth tells him that Uncle Petrie is sort of ageless -- that he says he discovered the Fountain of Youth. Uncle Petrie is put through to Ruth and she invites him to the farm. Timmy excuses himself and goes outside while Ruth continues her call. Timmy looks through the door and listens to Ruth's conversation. He smiles when Ruth tells Uncle Petrie that he's a fine boy. Petrie is delighted and expects to arrive on Thursday.

Timmy and Lassie run down the road. Scott rides up on his bike and invites Timmy to a carnival on Thursday. Timmy tells him he can't go because his Uncle Petrie is due to arrive. Scott is upset. He reminds Timmy that they've been planning to go to the carnival for a long time. Scott wants to know why Uncle Petrie is so special. Timmy tells him that Uncle Petrie is magic and discovered the Fountain of Youth. Scott laughs and tells Timmy that it was "Poncho Leon" who discovered the Fountain of Youth and if Uncle Petrie said he discovered the Fountain then he's the biggest liar in the whole world. Timmy tells him to take the remark back. Scott refuses. Timmy knocks him down. Scott regains his feet and challenges Timmy again.. Timmy knocks Scott down again. Scott rises but within moments both boys are rolling in the dust tussling with each other. Lassie barks furiously and tries to intervene. The boys order her away and renew their tussle. Lassie hurries off to find Paul.

At the orchard, Lassie has much ado getting Paul to follow her. Paul leaves his work and follows her wearily. Paul believes he's been sent for his dinner. When he comes upon the boys and separates the combatants, Timmy asks his father who discovered the Fountain of Youth. Paul tells him it was Ponce de Leon. Timmy is stunned. Scott gloats. Scott says Timmy said Uncle Petrie claims he discovered the Fountain of Youth. Timmy tells his father that Uncle Petrie is coming to help with the farm work. Paul sets off for home. Timmy asks Scott if he can still go to the carnival with him. Scott says yes.

At the farmhouse, Timmy brushes his hair before his bedroom mirror . He leavesdrops on his parents' conversation thoguhtfully. in the nect room. In the kitchen, paul eats his dinner while Ruth does the dishes. Paul is not totally happy that Uncle Petrie is coming to the farm. He says that Petrie is an old coot and he's a dreamer and irresponsible. Ruth says he made a living for forty years and can milk the cows and wter the horses and feed the pigs and water the truck garden. Paul agrees but only if Petrie can find time between playing his guitar and telling the neighborhood children fantastic tales.

Ruth tells Paul that Timmy will welcome Uncle Petrie if Paul won't do so and calls her son from his bedroom for confirmation. Timmy enters the kitchen. She tells Timmy that they must plan a nice reception for Uncle petrie. Timmy says he's going to the carnival with Scott. Paui looks askance at Timmy's plans. Timmy goes to his room.

Ruth is disappointed with Timmy. She tells Paul that Timmy is aping his his father's attitude. Paul defedns himself, saying he said nothing to Timmy about Uncle Petrie. Ruth tells him he didn't have to -- little pitchers have big ears. Paul says he'll straighten Timmy out before Thursday. How he doesn't know but he'll thinkl of a way to have Timmy at home for Petries' arrival.

Thursay morning. Ruth and Paul are having breakfast. Timmy has had his and is preparing for trip to the carnival. Ruth reminds Paul he's done nothing to keep Timmy at home.

Timmy asks his mother who Uncle Petrie is. Ruth explains and tells Timmy that Uncle Petrie does magic and plays the guitar. Ruth says she thinks Uncle Petrie discovered the Fountain of Youth.


From his bedroom, Timmy hears his parents discussing Uncle Petrie. Paul describes Uncle Petrie as an old coot and a dreamer. He implies that Petrie will not be much help. Timmy enters the room and tells his parents he cannot be home on Thursday to meet Uncle Petrie because he's going to a carnival with Scott. Ruth is disappointed. Timmy leaves. Paul tells Ruth he will find a way to have Timmy at home to meet Uncle Petrie.

Thursday morning arrives and Paul hasn't found a way to keep Timmy at home to meet Uncle Petrie. Timmy enters the kitchen dressed for the carnival and says good-bye. Paul tells Timmy that Lassie must stay at home because dogs are not wanted at the carnival. Paul hopes Timmy will stay at home if Lassie cannot go. Timmy disappoints him however. He leaves Lassie at home and trots off to the carnival.

Later in the day, Timmy returns from the carnival and finds Lassie in the spare bedroom "singing" with Uncle Petrie. Timmy angrily orders Lassie out of Uncle Petrie's bedroom. Timmy doesn't want his dog socializing with Uncle Petrie. Uncle Petrie is hurt by Timmy's rudeness.

At dinner, Petrie tries to amuse Timmy by making a rabbit from a napkin. Timmy rudely ignores Uncle Petrie and leaves the room with Lassie. Paul expects an explanation for Timmy's impertinence. Ruth suggests being patient. Uncle Petrie says he'll try to discover the reason for Timmy's rude behavior since he appears to be provoking it.

Later in the parlor, Uncle Petrie tinkers with a piece of metal. He tells Ruth he's had some experience with metalworking. Ruth and Paul go to bed. Uncle Petrie goes to Timmy's bedroom and quietly calls Lassie into the hall. Together they go to the barn. By the light of a lantern, Uncle Petrie sketches a portrait of Lassie.

The next morning over breakfast, Timmy declines Uncle Petrie's invitation into town for a soda. Paul is offended with Timmy's rudenss and insists that Timmy explain himself once and for all. Timmy tells his parents Uncle Petrie is a big liar because he said he discovered the Fountain of Youth and the fountain was really discovered by "Poncha Leon." Ruth takes Timmy in her arms and explains what was really meant by saying Uncle Petrie discovered the Fountain of Youth. Timmy now understands and he goes to Uncle Petrie's side to tell him he's sorry for being so rude. Uncle Petrie surprises Timmy with a friendship ring he fashioned from a piece of metal the evening before in the barn. The ring bears a portrait in metal of Lassie.



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