Wishful Thinking

From Adventures in Odyssey Wiki

126: Wishful Thinking Listen Online!
Season	1990
Album	09: Just in Time
Aired	September 1, 1990
Written by	Paul McCusker
Directed by	Paul McCusker
Produced by	Unknown
Sound Design by	Dave Arnold
Music by	Unknown
Prev: All's Well with Boswell Next: Have You No Selpurcs?

[edit] General information

Theme: Dealing with a pesky sibling

Scripture:Genesis 4; Genesis 37:18-35; 1 John 2:10-11

[edit] Summary

After wishing her brother had never been born, Donna wakes up the next morning to discover she's received her wish!

[edit] Plot

Donna Barclay has had it with her little brother. Jimmy is becoming more annoying with each passing day. Every morning, he wakes her up by bouncing on her bed and telling her a corny riddle. He's always either telling dumb jokes, teasing Donna, getting her into trouble, or taking all her stuff. According to Donna, Jimmy's nothing but a big pain. Donna confesses to both her mother and Lucy Cunningham-Schultz that she wishes Jimmy had never been born. Mom then reminds Donna of what her great-grandmother always said: "Never make wishes-they might come true." But that would be okay with Donna. She goes to bed that night feeling her life would be better if she were an only child.

When she awakens the next morning, Donna realizes her wish has come true. Not only is Jimmy gone, but no one has ever even heard of him. At first, Donna thinks it's great. Then the reality of the situation hits her. She has to do extra chores, and her folks take great pains not to spoil her like she thought they would. But worst of all, she finds she truly misses Jimmy. Donna misses Jimmy's loudness and the way he tells dumb jokes. She even misses Jimmy's annoying habits and the way he chases her around in the rain. She's lonely, and she wishes that Jimmy would come back.

Then Donna awakens, realizing it was all a dream. Jimmy is standing right in front of her! Donna is ecstatic and immediately apologizes to Jimmy for being so mean to him. A bewildered Jimmy accepts her apology, and they both get back to the business of being brother and sister again.

[edit] Discussion Questions

1. How could Donna have best handled her frustrations with Jimmy?
2. If you have a brother or sister, what do you think life would be like without them?
   1. If you are an only child, do you ever wish for a sibling?
      1. Why or why not?
3. Name five ways you can show your brother or sister that you love them.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Notes

• In keeping with the Barclay family's "It's a Wonderful Life" allusions, Donna wishes her brother had never been born and ends up getting her wish. This is similar to the plot of IAWL

• Partway through this episode, when Donna is watching TV, you'll hear someone with an English accent say 'Kate, I'm home', and continue in a scene. If you listen to Radio Theatre's Father Gilbert: Dead Air, as Gilbert finishes the interview and they roll a commercial, that's what plays!

[edit] Reviews

What did you think of Wishful Thinking? (1 vote) 5 stars 100% 4 stars 0% 3 stars 0% 2 stars 0% 1 star 0% Message (ENTER to confirm)

[edit] Quotes

Donna-He [Jimmy]'s a big pimple on the face of my life.

[edit] Resources

Wishful Thinking on whitsend

Wishful Thinking on aiohq

Wishful Thinking on the Soda Fountain