While in Reese's office to sign legal papers, Suzanne off-handedly volunteers to keep a Vietnamese boat child who is being adopted, but needs an interim home for the next four weeks while the final papers are completed. In spite of lack of previous experience, there is an instant rapport between Li Sing and Suzanne as they are introduced. Preparing for bed that night, Suzanne allows Li Sing to try on one of the tiaras from her many beauty contests and the little girl is enraptured with her princess-like appearance. In a poignant revelation, she tells of losing her entire family -- she is the sole survivor when her little brother died in the orphanage -- then climbs into bed with Suzanne, still wearing the tiara.
The others think things may be getting a little out of hand and that Suzanne is getting too attached to her temporary daughter when Li Sing appears looking exactly like a clone of Suzanne who is busily preparing a special birthday celebration -- in spite of having just had one the previous week! Julia wonders aloud what is going to happen when the child has to leave. Anthony's gift of a doll is completely overshadowed when Li Sing is presented with her very own credit card and a pony from Suzanne. It is becoming obvious that it is going to be very difficult to say goodbye -- especially when Li Sing's "birthday wish" is to stay there forever. But the inevitable day arrives -- sooner than anyone expected -- Julia learns the papers have been finalized and Li Sing must leave the next day.
In spite of assurances that everything is fine, Suzanne and Li Sing fail to show up at the appointed time, leaving the others to stall as the adoptive parents wait to meet their new daughter. When Suzanne phones and tells Julia she doesn't want to bring Li Sing back, it's time to straighten things out. Arriving to find them both in tears, Julia very kindly points out that what Suzanne is doing is selfish -- that she should live up to the motto given by their grandmother many years ago when she made them each a pillow with an inscription about a precious gift being roots and wings. Let Li Sing have a better life with both a mother and a father, she urges. In spirit of unselfishness, Suzanne agrees, and introduces Li Sing to her new family.
Trivia:
(1) In what city do Li Sing's adoptive parents live?
(2) What does Suzanne ask Consuela to prepare for dinner on the day Li Sing arrives?
(3) What is the first present Suzanne purchases for Li Sing?
(4) Which word did Li Sing misspell on her spelling test?
* Answers appear at the bottom of this page.
Classic Scenes:
CHARLENE: Y'know, I don't know why more people can't raise their kids the way Andy Taylor did. I mean, Opie had to work for everything he got. Y'know when he did make a mistake or he wanted to do something stupid, Andy never just came right out and said no. Y'know like the time Opie wanted to move out when he was eleven to get his own place........... Andy helped him save his little allowance --- which if I remember right at the time was 50 cents a week --- and Andy put it in the bank. So instead of having a big fight about it, y'know, Opie is all the time thinking that someday he's gonna own this house, y'know --- even though Andy knew full well what the property values were in Mayberry, and that at the rate of 50 cents a week you'd be 82 before you could even afford the inside of an outhouse. (pausing to think) Y'know when you get right down to it, Andy tricked Opie. wish I hadn't started this --- now I'm upset!
Julia confronts, and then comforts, a very tearful Suzanne who doesn't want to give up Li Sing.
SUZANNE: Well I sure made a mess of things this time, didn't I?
JULIA: Not yet. In a few more hours they'll be talking kidnapping.
SUZANNE: I wish I'd never met her. She thinks I'm wonderful. She even loves my cooking.
JULIA: You don't cook.
SUZANNE: Well, I know that, but she doesn't! Li Sing's the first person who's ever loved me just for me.
JULIA: She's not the first. She's the third.
SUZANNE: What? you mean my ex-husbands?
JULIA: No, silly. Mother and me. We love you just for you.
SUZANNE: Yeah, but you don't think I can do anything.
JULIA: That's not true. I just said I didn't think you were cut out to be a mother.
SUZANNE: You mean unlike the four billion other women on Earth? Thanks a lot.
JULIA: But you do something nobody else can do.
SUZANNE: What?
JULIA: I don't know what it is.....exactly.....that you do. I just know nobody else is doing it, or can do it, like you do. You giving away your pillow?
SUZANNE: Yeah. I wanted Li Sing to have it.
JULIA: I think Grandma would like that. I remember when she made these for us. Roots and Wings. We sure got our share didn't we? Suzanne, I'm going to say something pretty harsh, but I'm saying it because I love you. Just once in your life, don't put yourself first.
SUZANNE: I'm not, Julia. I'm thinking of Li Sing.
JULIA: No, you're not. You're not thinking at all. You know, in your heart, that she's better off with this couple. If you love her, like you say you do, give her wings.
SUZANNE: I just didn't expect to fall in love with her. I know, you're right. I know. Ok, I'll do it.
Julia takes Suzanne's hand and starts to cry herself.
JULIA: I'm so happy for you.
SUZANNE: Why?
JULIA: Because, now. . . you know what it feels like to be a mother.
**Trivia Answers:
(1) Birmingham, (2) goose liver pate and duck with peppercorn, (3) a briefcase, (4) tractor
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