The Joke's on You

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey.
John Avery Whitaker (Whit): Oh, hi there. Welcome to Odyssey. I'm John Avery Whitaker, but most folks around here call me Whit. Why don't you get the whole family together and join us for another exciting adventure in Odyssey.
Julie: My project is definitely Dwayne Oswald.
Dwayne Oswald: Hello, ladies and germs.
Julie: So now he thinks he's Mr. Funny Man. He won't stop telling jokes.
Sarah Prachett: What?
Dwayne Oswald: I'm going to crash. Everybody get out of the way.
Julie: Bear one another's burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2.
Jason Whittaker: Thanks, Julie. Now who knows what bearing each other's burdens means?
Jared DeWhite: Oh, Jason, I know.
Jason Whittaker: Okay, Jared.
Jared DeWhite: Um carrying their stuff?
Jason Whittaker: Uh well, yeah, if you take the verse literally, but when you carry someone's stuff, what are you doing? Yeah, Sarah.
Sarah Prachett: You're helping them.
Jason Whittaker: Right, good. So what are some ways you all help people?
Dwayne Oswald: Carrying their stuff.
Jason Whittaker: Thanks, Jared. What are some other ways?
Julie: I help my mom with the dishes.
Jason Whittaker: Okay.
Julie: I help my dad with the yard work.
Jason Whittaker: Good. And Dwayne, what about you?
Dwayne Oswald: Me? I'm not very good at helping. I mean, when I carry things, I drop them. And when I help my mom with the dishes, I break them. And because of that, my dad won't let me near the gardening equipment. So I'm no help there.
Jason Whittaker: Oh, come on now. There must be some way you help others.
Dwayne Oswald: Um nope, not ringing a bell.
Jason Whittaker: Well, then Dwayne, I think I might have a way for you. It's called encouragement.
Julie: Encouragement?
Jason Whittaker: That right, Julie. And it's something every one of us should practice.
Julie: You mean being nice?
Jason Whittaker: Well, encouragement means more than just being nice. It means building up people emotionally, making them feel good, supporting them when they need it, and even when they don't.
Julie: Like I said, being nice.
Jason Whittaker: Okay. I guess that is a good way of putting it. But sometimes it also means urging them to do things they don't want to do, but that you know would be good for them.
Julie: How are we supposed to do that?
Jason Whittaker: Well, by keeping your eyes open for opportunities. In fact, Julie, that what I'd like all of us to try during this coming week. Look for ways to practice encouragement. You know it might be with several people or maybe you just want to concentrate on just one person. You know sort of make him or her your project. But either way, remember that when you practice encouragement, you're doing just what Jesus wants you to do.
Julie: Julie.
Sarah Prachett: Oh, hi Sarah.
Julie: You sure had a lot of questions in class today.
Sarah Prachett: Well, I thought that stuff about encouragement was important. In fact, I already have someone in mind to practice it on.
Julie: Really? Who?
Sarah Prachett: Dwayne.
Julie: Dwayne?
Sarah Prachett: Yeah, you heard him. Every time he tries to help someone, he messes up. And you know how much he messes up in school.
Julie: Yeah, I guess I can't argue with that.
Sarah Prachett: Absolutely. If anybody needs encouragement, it's him.
Julie: You sure you want to do this?
Sarah Prachett: Yeah, why?
Julie: Cuz if you do, I think you're going to need encouragement.
Sarah Prachett: Well, that can be your project, but my project is definitely Dwayne Oswald.
Chris: Now in the Adventures in Odyssey Club, Penny's sister Charlotte asks for a very exciting favor.
Penny Bassett: We get to babysit little Xander on Saturday.
Chris: The Basset's prepare.
Jason Whittaker: I'm going to put up the childproof gates right after dinner.
Charlotte: Oh, I'm sure things will go perfectly, right?
Penny Bassett: We are the worst aunt and uncle in the history of all humans everywhere.
Jason Whittaker: We are the worst adults since adulthood was invented.
Chris: It's the babysitting Basset's. Now in the Adventures in Odyssey Club.
Dwayne Oswald: That was a cool song by the cool guys.
Guest (Male): Wow.
Julie: Move your feet, Dwayne. Move your feet.
Dwayne Oswald: I I am moving my feet, Julie.
Julie: Let the skates do the work.
Dwayne Oswald: I am. It's my feet that aren't working. Wow.
Julie: Turn, turn.
Dwayne Oswald: I turn. I can't barely stand. I'm going to crash. Everybody get out of the way. We got to make a pilot film there on the west side of the rink. Ladies and gentlemen, looks like about 10 people leave, so you might want to avoid that area if you can. This is Jed Black with your eye in the sky over the rink
Jason Whittaker: Ow.
Julie: Dwayne, are you okay?
Dwayne Oswald: Ow. I'm fine. Just help me up, will you?
Julie: Hold my hand.
Dwayne Oswald: Careful. I'm very fragile.
Julie: Have a seat.
Dwayne Oswald: Safe at last. You know I don't think roller skating is really my thing.
Julie: Sure it is. You just need some practice.
Dwayne Oswald: Everybody's going too fast.
Julie: Oh, it just seems faster than it really is. Once you get rolling with everyone else, it won't look as fast at all.
Dwayne Oswald: How will it look if they're rolling over me?
Julie: Just stay on the outer edge and go at your own speed. And don't worry if you fall. Everybody falls the first time.
Dwayne Oswald: This is my 15th time, Julie.
Julie: Most people fall on their 15th time, too.
Dwayne Oswald: Do most people at least make it out of the snack bar?
Julie: Just rest a few minutes and we'll try it again.
Dwayne Oswald: I don't want to try it again.
Julie: You're never going to get any better if you stay in the snack bar.
Dwayne Oswald: I don't want to get any better. Look, I know I'm no good at skating. I am not really good at anything.
Julie: Come on, you're good at some things.
Dwayne Oswald: Not really, but it's all right. I mean, I'm okay with it and everything.
Julie: You're okay with not being good at anything?
Dwayne Oswald: Yeah, in fact that one thing I am good at.
Julie: That's silly. I mean, come on Dwayne. I can think of a ton of things that you're good at.
Dwayne Oswald: Name one.
Julie: Well, you're good at uh you're I I think you're funny.
Dwayne Oswald: Funny?
Julie: Sure, you've got a great sense of humor.
Dwayne Oswald: Thank you.
Julie: Welcome. I'm going to get a soda. You want anything?
Dwayne Oswald: Nothing.
Julie: Be right back.
Dwayne Oswald: Funny, huh? Maybe I am that.
Julie: Jason?
Jason Whittaker: Hey, Julie.
Julie: What are you doing here?
Jason Whittaker: Our dad had to run a few errands, so I'm filling in for him. How are you this afternoon?
Julie: Not too good. And I don't mean to be rude, but I think it 's your fault.
Jason Whittaker: My fault? What did I do?
Julie: Remember last Sunday in Bible class when he talked about how we need to practice encouragement?
Jason Whittaker: Uh-huh.
Julie: And you told us that a good way to do that was to find someone and make them our project.
Jason Whittaker: Yeah.
Julie: Well, I found someone and I started working on him.
Jason Whittaker: Uh I take it things aren't going too well?
Julie: Not at all. Last night we went skating and I really tried to encourage him, but he still told me that he's not really good at anything. And he's okay with that.
Jason Whittaker: Well, I never said it would be easy. In fact, Julie, it can be very discouraging to try and encourage someone who doesn't want to be encouraged, but you never can tell. You might have encouraged him without even knowing it.
Julie: You think?
Jason Whittaker: Well, it could be. Tell you what. You just need to keep trying and let God handle the results.
Julie: Okay. Can I have a chocolate soda, please?
Jason Whittaker: Sure thing. Yeah, you want it here at the counter?
Julie: Um no, over at that booth. I have some homework to do.
Jason Whittaker: Okay, you got it. One chocolate soda coming right up.
Julie: Thank you.
Dwayne Oswald: There she is.
Julie: Julie?
Sarah Prachett: Jared? Sarah?
Dwayne Oswald: You're the one you did this.
Sarah Prachett: Did what? What did I do?
Julie: Told Dwayne he was a comedian.
Sarah Prachett: A comedian?
Dwayne Oswald: He said you told him he had a great sense of humor at the skating rink last night.
Sarah Prachett: Yeah, so?
Julie: So now he thinks he's Mr. Funny Man. He won't stop telling jokes.
Sarah Prachett: What?
Dwayne Oswald: And they're the worst jokes ever.
Julie: Wait a minute. You mean I actually encouraged Dwayne to do something and he likes it?
Sarah Prachett: Yeah, but we don't.
Dwayne Oswald: Next time try encouraging him to be quiet.
Julie: Uh-oh, Jared, here he comes.
Dwayne Oswald: Let's get out of here.
Julie: We'll get you for this, Julie, if it's the last thing we do.
Dwayne Oswald: Hello, ladies and germs.
Julie: Dwayne?
Dwayne Oswald: Hey, Julie. Hey, Julie. We grass straw. How many more plants get a name? Get it? Hey, Julie plants, get it?
Julie: Oh, yeah.
Dwayne Oswald: Looks like we got a great crowd here today. Where are you from, Julie?
Julie: Uh Odyssey.
Dwayne Oswald: I'm sorry?
Julie: Odyssey.
Dwayne Oswald: I heard you the first time. I'm just sorry, but I'm
Julie: That's a good one.
Dwayne Oswald: Thank you. Thank you and thank you.
Julie: And so you're a comedian now, huh?
Dwayne Oswald: Yeah, you said I had a good sense of humor. I thought I'd try it on everybody.
Julie: Great.
Dwayne Oswald: So uh what are you doing?
Julie: Homework.
Dwayne Oswald: Why? You're not at home. Get it? Home, work, homework, get it?
Julie: Yes, yes, I got it. Very funny. Yeah, can I ask you a question?
Dwayne Oswald: Sure.
Julie: Why do you keep saying after your jokes?
Dwayne Oswald: That's what comedians call rimshot. It's a drum beat that sort of punctures the joke.
Julie: You can say that again.
Dwayne Oswald: What?
Julie: Um I think you mean punctuates.
Dwayne Oswald: Oh, yeah, right. Uh-huh.
Julie: A rimshot, huh?
Dwayne Oswald: Yeah, and uh speaking of shots, that reminds me of a story.
Julie: Oh.
Dwayne Oswald: There were three prisoners who were going to be executed by a firing squad. They put the first prisoner up against the wall and they were just about to shoot him when he yelled, earthquake. And everybody ran for cover and the prisoner got away. Well, they finally realized that there was no earthquake, so they brought out the second prisoner and put him against the wall. They were just about to shoot him when he yelled, tornado. And everybody ran for cover. And again the second prisoner got away. When they realized there was no tornado, they put the third prisoner against the wall, a real doofus. The commander said, ready, aim, and the doofus yelled, fire. Oh.
Jason Whittaker: Get it? Earthquake, tornado, fire, firing squad. Get it?
Julie: Yes, yes, I get it. I get it. That's a good one, Dwayne.
Jason Whittaker: Hey, what's so funny over here?
Julie: Dwayne's been telling some jokes.
Jason Whittaker: Oh, yeah? Must have been good ones. Here's your soda, Julie.
Julie: Thanks.
Dwayne Oswald: I think I want to be a comedian when I grow up.
Jason Whittaker: Ooh, tough job.
Dwayne Oswald: Oh, but I've got some great jokes. Like why shouldn't you write on an empty stomach?
Jason Whittaker: Mm why?
Dwayne Oswald: Because it's better to write on paper. Get it?
Jason Whittaker: Not bad.
Dwayne Oswald: My father just won a frog jumping contest. He jumped over 35 frogs. Get it? Here's my latest one. What are you doing your nose goes on strike?
Jason Whittaker: Uh what?
Dwayne Oswald: Pick it. Get it? Nose?
Jason Whittaker: Uh yeah, I I get it, but Dwayne, I'm not sure that one you ought to tell. It's kind of disgusting.
Dwayne Oswald: Oh. Right. Well, I need to get some more then. That was my last one. Are there any joke books in the library?
Jason Whittaker: Oh, boy, I don't know. Why don't you go take a look?
Dwayne Oswald: Great. See you.
Julie: Bye.
Dwayne Oswald: See you.
Jason Whittaker: You know Julie, Dwayne doesn't really strike me as being the comedian type.
Julie: He isn't.
Jason Whittaker: Well, you were laughing pretty hard.
Julie: I was just trying to make him feel better.
Jason Whittaker: Aha, then Dwayne's your encouragement project.
Julie: Yeah, and it's finally worked. Just like you said, I encouraged him without even knowing it. I told him he has a good sense of humor and that made him want to try it on on people.
Jason Whittaker: Hm. You ever plan on telling him the truth?
Julie: What for?
Jason Whittaker: Well, so he doesn't go on thinking he's a great comedian.
Julie: But every kid has dreams of being something exciting. When I was little, I wanted to be a hockey player. What's wrong with that?
Jason Whittaker: Well, nothing. As long as Dwayne realizes somewhere along the line that he might not be cut out for this. Hopefully sometime before he comes back from the library.
Dwayne Oswald: What did you get for number five about the president who signed the whatever?
Julie: Oh, Jefferson.
Dwayne Oswald: That's right, Jefferson. Why didn't I remember that? How'd you do on the essay?
Julie: Pretty good, I think.
Dwayne Oswald: Hang on. I got to look at the bulletin board for a second.
Julie: What you looking for?
Dwayne Oswald: The date of the basketball tryouts.
Julie: Hey, what's this?
Dwayne Oswald: What?
Julie: This announcement, an all school talent show?
Dwayne Oswald: Yeah, so?
Julie: Have you ever entered?
Dwayne Oswald: Two years ago I played the guitar.
Julie: Did a lot of people come?
Dwayne Oswald: Usually the whole auditorium's packed.
Julie: Wow, doesn't look like very many students have signed up for Oh, no. No, no, no.
Dwayne Oswald: What, what, what?
Julie: Down at the bottom Dwayne has signed up for the talent show.
Dwayne Oswald: Dwayne? Doing what?
Jason Whittaker: Oh, no, not that.
Julie: Yeah. Dwayne Oswald comedy routine, but um
Dwayne Oswald: Way to go, Miss Encouragement. Flump the seats faster than a two-alarm fire. Either that or he'll get plastered with a truckload of tomatoes.
Sarah Prachett: I better have a talk with him.
Julie: You're going to do your jokes for the whole school?
Dwayne Oswald: Yeah, isn't it great?
Julie: But but do you have a full routine?
Dwayne Oswald: Not yet, but I'm working on it. I've got a lot figured out already. Like the stuff I told you and Jason the other day at Whit's End.
Julie: Oh, boy.
Dwayne Oswald: What's the matter?
Julie: I'm just not sure you know what it's like being up there in front of all those people. It's a lot different from telling jokes in a booth at Whit's End.
Dwayne Oswald: I know, but I have to start somewhere if I want to be a comedian.
Julie: Maybe you should wait a little bit before you dive right into this.
Dwayne Oswald: It's too late. The auditions are tomorrow after school.
Julie: Auditions?
Dwayne Oswald: Yeah. So if say the people who audition you don't like your act as much as I did, they might not let you in the talent show. Well, yeah, I mean they just can't let anybody do an act.
Julie: Oh, okay. Oh, I see. They'll decide if you'll be in the show.
Dwayne Oswald: Right. But I don't think I'll have much of a problem.
Julie: Well, talent shows are really competitive. I'm sure they have a lot of good contestants.
Dwayne Oswald: Oh, I know. I not worried. Well, I better get to working on my act. I'll see you.
Julie: Bye. I sure hope they let him down easy.
Guest (Male): Oh, how many aspirin do you have left?
Guest (Male): Back off. The rest are mine.
Guest (Male): You know we'd make a fortune if we sold earplugs at the door.
Guest (Male): Now that's good thinking. We got any more auditions after this one?
Guest (Male): Uh one more.
Guest (Male): One? Great.
Guest (Male): Okay, okay, that's very nice. We'll let you know. Thank you.
Guest (Male): Wait a minute. We only have one audition left?
Guest (Male): That's it, 10 people.
Guest (Male): But but that's like a 45 minute show. We can't charge money for this and have just a 45 minute show.
Guest (Male): Sorry, all we got is 10.
Guest (Male): But how are we going to stretch it out?
Guest (Male): Hey, you're the MC. Maybe you can do something to entertain between acts.
Guest (Male): Oh, great. Meanwhile I guess we have to accept any act at auditions.
Guest (Male): Even the clarinetist?
Guest (Male): Even the clarinetist.
Guest (Male): Look, I 'll give you $500 for those aspirin.
Guest (Male): Not a chance.
Guest (Male): Oh, let's just get this over with. Next, please. Okay, uh give us your name and what you're going to be doing for us.
Dwayne Oswald: I'm I'm I'm Dwayne Oswald and uh I'm doing a comedy routine.
Guest (Male): Fine, Dwayne. Go ahead, please.
Dwayne Oswald: Okay. Good evening, ladies and germs. My father just dumped over 35 frogs.
Guest (Male): Okay, okay, very funny Dwayne and you're in.
Dwayne Oswald: What?
Guest (Male): You're in the show. Be here 4:00 Friday afternoon.
Dwayne Oswald: Really?
Guest (Male): That's right. Congratulations.
Dwayne Oswald: Cool.
Guest (Male): You probably should have let him tell a joke.
Guest (Male): Well, he he looked funny.
Jason Whittaker: So Dwayne's meeting you here?
Julie: Yeah, he'll probably need some support after they tell him he can't be in the show.
Jason Whittaker: Hm. I hate to say I told you so.
Julie: I know, I know. You're right. I should have told him, but at least he'll give up on the whole comedy thing now.
Dwayne Oswald: Julie, Jason, I made it. I made it.
Julie: What?
Jason Whittaker: What?
Dwayne Oswald: They won't be in the show.
Julie: Great.
Jason Whittaker: And did they listen to your act?
Dwayne Oswald: Yeah. Well, the frog joke, I sort of messed it up, but they still loved it. They said yes like immediately.
Jason Whittaker: The same frog joke you told us?
Dwayne Oswald: Same one.
Julie: And he made it for sure? I mean they didn't say they'd call you back or anything?
Dwayne Oswald: No, they just told me to be at the school at 4:00 Friday afternoon. I can't believe this. This is so cool. I'm going to be a comedian.
Julie: Yeah, I guess you are. And it's all because of you, Julie. You were the first one to believe in me.
Sarah Prachett: Yeah, I sure was.
Dwayne Oswald: I got to go tell my folks. See you later.
Julie: Yeah, bye Dwayne.
Sarah Prachett: Yeah, see you.
Julie: How could this have happened?
Jason Whittaker: Well, maybe the audition committee really saw something in him.
Julie: Or else they just decided to take anybody.
Jason Whittaker: Well, I I suppose he could have gotten a lot better since the last time we talked.
Julie: Jason, he used the frog joke.
Jason Whittaker: Uh good point.
Julie: How could the audition committee do this?
Jason Whittaker: I don't know. But they're not the only ones to blame.
Julie: I know.
Jason Whittaker: So why didn't you tell him?
Julie: How could I? You saw how excited he was.
Jason Whittaker: Yeah, and how excited is he going to be when he gets in front of everyone and embarrasses himself?
Julie: I was just trying to encourage him.
Jason Whittaker: Julie, encouraging someone doesn't mean lying to them.
Julie: Okay, I'll tell him.
Jason Whittaker: Here's the phone.
Julie: You mean now?
Jason Whittaker: Well, give him a little time to get to his house.
Julie: Can I just wait until tomorrow so I can figure out what I'm going to say?
Jason Whittaker: I think you need to talk to him as soon as possible.
Julie: Okay, I have to go home. I'll stop by his place on the way.
Sarah Prachett: Dwayne?
Julie: Hi.
Dwayne Oswald: Oh. Hi Julie.
Julie: Listen, I need to talk to you. What's the matter?
Dwayne Oswald: Hm. I can't do the show.
Julie: Really? Oh, why not?
Dwayne Oswald: I told my dad and he said we were going to be out of town. We're going to my grandmother's house for the weekend, leaving right after school.
Julie: Oh, I'm sorry. So you definitely have to drop out?
Dwayne Oswald: Yeah, I'll tell him tomorrow.
Julie: Oh, I know you were excited about this, but hey, there's always next year.
Dwayne Oswald: I guess. So uh what did you want to talk to me about?
Julie: Um well, hi. Just wanted to congratulate you.
Dwayne Oswald: Thanks.
Julie: Sorry about everything.
Dwayne Oswald: Sure, I'll see you.
Julie: Bye. Got out of that one.
Guest (Female): Take a journey into the past with the Imagination Station book series. There are dozens of books full of adventures that let you explore events from the Bible and other time periods. Find the series at the imaginationstation.com.
Chris: Want to contact us about the episodes you're hearing? Visit our website at adventuresinodyssey.com or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1 800 A Family with a parent's permission, of course. We always love hearing from you.
Dwayne Oswald: Julie?
Julie: Hi Jared.
Dwayne Oswald: Where are you going?
Julie: Home. I had to stay after school to copy some music for the Glee Club.
Dwayne Oswald: You're not going to the show?
Julie: What show?
Dwayne Oswald: The talent show.
Julie: Oh, that is today, isn't it?
Dwayne Oswald: Yeah, started a half an hour ago. Dwayne said he wanted you to come.
Julie: When?
Dwayne Oswald: Today.
Julie: You didn't talk to him?
Dwayne Oswald: Wait a minute. What do you mean he told you that today? Just what it sounds like. He said if I saw you to tell you to come and see his act.
Julie: But that's impossible. He was going to his grandmother's house this afternoon.
Dwayne Oswald: They had a change of plans.
Julie: What?
Dwayne Oswald: Oh, no. No, no. I got to stop him.
Jason Whittaker: Stop him from what?
Julie: From making a fool out of himself. Excuse me. Excuse me.
Jason Whittaker: Yeah.
Julie: Has Dwayne Oswald gone yet?
Jason Whittaker: Doing what?
Julie: A comedy routine.
Jason Whittaker: Oh, no, but it will become on soon. This crowd needs a laugh.
Julie: Thank you. Thank goodness I got to catch him.
Guest (Male): Thank you, Jody. That was Jody McCoy with a very piercing audition of If I Didn't Care. Our next performer is Dwayne Oswald. Let's all welcome Dwayne.
Julie: Oh, no.
Dwayne Oswald: Good evening, ladies and germs.
Julie: Not the frog joke, please. Not the frog joke.
Dwayne Oswald: I'm Dwayne Oswald, otherwise known as Oswaldo the Magnificent. Watch closely as I cut this rope in half.
Julie: What is he doing?
Dwayne Oswald: As you can see, I cut through it cleanly. Now I will place it in my hat, wave the magic wand, and voila. The rope is whole again. Thank you. For my next trick I need an assistant from the audience. You, man, could you come up here?
Julie: A magic act? He's doing a magic act and he's not bad.
Dwayne Oswald: What's your name, man? I'm Lorraine Benson. Miss Benson, do you have a problem with being cut in half?
Lorraine Benson: Um
Julie: Dwayne, hey.
Dwayne Oswald: Hi Julie. Wait up. I didn't know you were here. I'm glad you got to see it.
Julie: Yeah, I'm glad, too. It was great.
Dwayne Oswald: Thanks.
Julie: But what happened?
Dwayne Oswald: You mean to the comedy act?
Julie: Yeah.
Dwayne Oswald: I did it for my dad last night and he told me the truth. It was awful.
Julie: Um
Dwayne Oswald: He taught me a few magic tricks real quick, so I did that instead.
Julie: Listen, I should have told you about your comedy act right at front. I just wanted to encourage you and make you feel better, but everything got out of control. I'm sorry.
Dwayne Oswald: That's all right. I'm just glad my dad told me before I humiliated myself.
Julie: Oh, I don't think you would have humiliated yourself. I still think you're a funny guy.
Dwayne Oswald: Really?
Julie: Yeah. You just needed better material, that's all. Like you used with your magic act.
Dwayne Oswald: You think?
Julie: Are you kidding? You heard the laughter and the applause. You were the best.
Dwayne Oswald: Wow. Wait. You're not just saying this to encourage me, are you?
Julie: Well, yes.
Dwayne Oswald: Oh.
Julie: But I'm also saying it because it's true.
Dwayne Oswald: Thanks, Julie.
Julie: Come on, let's go celebrate at Whit's End. Your treat? Um actually I don't have any money with me.
Dwayne Oswald: Sure you do. You got a silver dollar.
Julie: Where?
Dwayne Oswald: Right behind your ear, see?
Julie: Where do you How'd you do that?
Dwayne Oswald: Ah, the hand is quicker than the eye. But I'm
Chris: We started off today's adventure with a Bible verse. Do you remember it? Galatians 6:2. Bear one another's burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ. Encouraging others is a great way to bear their burdens, but it's not the only way. You might want to help them with chores or work or even just sit with them and listen as they tell you about their problems. But whatever you choose to do, remember that bearing each other's burdens is a serious responsibility and something we're commanded to do. It's not just a suggestion, it's the law. How do you bear others' burdens? Write and tell me about it. Our address is Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995 or in Canada write to Box 9800 Vancouver, BC V6B 4G3. And when you do, ask about how you can get your own cassette copy of today's episode. It's called The Jokes on You. That address again is Adventures in Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995. Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. The Jokes on You was written by Marshall Younger and Phil Lawler and directed by Phil Lawler. Our production engineer was Dwayne Harms and I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.