Jim Henson's Mother Goose Stories

The Queen is in her chamber. All she wants to eat is cheese supplied each day by Ellen’s dairy. Why won’t the Queen come out?

The queen is in her chamber. All she wants to eat is cheese supplied each day by Ellen's dairy. Why won't the queen come out? (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Pussy Cat Pussy Cat." The story was adapted from the tale of "Pussy-cat Mew" in L. Frank Baum's "Mother Goose in Prose.")

Little Bo Peep thinks she knows about sheep. She has only to take them to graze. But her sheep give her trouble, they're off on the double, and it becomes one of those days. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Little Bo Peep." The story was adapted from the tale of "Little Bo-Peep" in L. Frank Baum's "Mother Goose in Prose.")

Children must be in bed by eight o'clock and so must Wee Willie Winkie. But why is he late one night and can his mother find him in time? (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Wee Willie Winkie.")

Monsieur Le Pat-A-Cake is the finest baker in town. When he is asked to bake a cake for the King’s birthday, disaster strikes and he has to ask for help from his assistants.

Monsieur Le Pat-A-Cake is the finest baker in town. When he is asked to bake a cake for the King's birthday, disaster strikes and he has to ask for help from his assistants. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man.")

The land is filled with dread for there's a giant on the loose who grinds up bones to make his bread. Can he be made a friend? (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Fee-fi-fo-fum.")

The King is always working and he never has time to play, until one night he goes to bed and bumps his head. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "It's Raining, It's Pouring.")

The Queen of hearts baked some tarts, all on a summer’s day because the King of Clubs is coming — but a knave steals them away!

The Queen of Hearts baked some tarts, all on a summer's day because the King of Clubs is coming, but a knave steals them away! (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "The Queen of Hearts.")

Nicholas wants a real pony more than anything. Will he win the contest and the pony? (The episode was originally titled "Ride a Cock Horse to Banbury Cross", based on the nursery rhyme of the same name.)

Hickety Pickety is a hen who lays nine eggs and sometimes ten. But when the truth is revealed, the other hens get a boost. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Hickety Pickety My Black Hen.")

Tommy’s pastime is going fishing in a ditch. But the ditch is owned by Mr. Mean who tries to stop the fishermouse.

Tommy's pastime is going fishing in a ditch. But the ditch is owned by Mr. Mean who tries to stop the fishermouse. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Little Tommy Tittlemouse.")

When Mother Hubbard goes to fetch her poor dog a bone, the cupboard is bare! Can Sherlock Hubbard track down the thief or the bone? (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Old Mother Hubbard.")

The King lets Prince Lilimond rule for a day, but the Chamberlain fears the worst. For the Prince vows to share all the kingdom's gold with the poor and the town fills with beggars, some rich and some poor. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Hark, Hark! The Dogs Do Bark." The story was adapted from the tale of "How the Beggars Came to Town" in L. Frank Baum's "Mother Goose in Prose.")

It’s the day of the King’s coronation and everyone’s going to town. Young Gilligren sets off with sixpence to make himself rich. But he spends the money and is left with only blackbirds which, by chance, are just what’s needed at the palace.

It's the day of the King's coronation and everyone's going to town. Young Gilligren sets off with sixpence to make himself rich. But he spends the money and is left with only blackbirds which, by chance, are just what's needed at the palace. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Sing a Song of Sixpence." The story was adapted from the tale of "Sing a Song o' Sixpence" in L. Frank Baum's "Mother Goose in Prose.")

Jack and Jill go up the hill to fetch a pail of water. But when they tumble down there's a very large fire-breathing surprise at the bottom. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Jack and Jill.")

When a shooting star comes down to Earth, Stella gets her wish, but it doesn't turn out as she expected. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.")

The school rule says “no pets!” But Woolworth the lamb has his own ideas!

The school rule says, "no pets!" But Woolworth the lamb has his own ideas! (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Mary Had a Little Lamb.")

Mary Mary Quite Contrary tries to grow some flowers, but it isn't quite as simple as she thinks. For the flowers that she grows prefer to mix, not stand in rows. As they wither, Mary Mary's heart sinks. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary." The story was adapted from the tale of "Mistress Mary" in L. Frank Baum's "Mother Goose in Prose.")

No moon in the sky? Why? Gilbert Filbert and Rufus the dog make an amazing discovery and take a night trip to Norwich. (The story was adapted from the tale of "The Man in the Moon" in L. Frank Baum's "Mother Goose in Prose.")

Jackie the scarecrow is employed to scare the crows. But, instead, they come to the farm to hear him sing.

Jackie the scarecrow is employed to scare the crows. But, instead, they come to the farm to hear him sing. (This episode retells the nursery rhyme of "See Saw Margery Daw.")

Evelyn the wicked witch is turning all the people in the kingdom into animals and only the man in green, Hector Protector, can save the day. Can he do it in time? (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Hector Protector.")

Two bags full is a lot of wool for any sheep to grow. But Baa Baa has a special reason to grow at least one more. Can she do it? (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Baa Baa Black Sheep." The story was adapted from the tale of "The Black Sheep" in L. Frank Baum's "Mother Goose in Prose.")

When Eensy Weensy Spider is washed down the water spout, he’s washed right down the drain and into the long-lost cavern where two explorers are trapped. Can he climb back up to save them all?

When Eensy Weensy Spider is washed down the water spout, he's washed right down the drain and into the long-lost cavern where two explorers are trapped. Can he climb back up to save them all? (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider.")

Jack is working in the forest when he hears some urgent cries. It's a traveler who has fallen in a bog. Is it too late for Jack to rescue him or can he save the day and earn himself one of his grandmother's Christmas pies? (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Little Jack Horner." The story was adapted from the tale of "What Jack Horner Did" in L. Frank Baum's "Mother Goose in Prose.")

Boy Blue is asleep while he should be at work. When the Squire comes round, he's angry for the sheep are in the meadow and the cow is in the corn. But there's a good reason why Boy Blue can't stay awake. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Little Boy Blue." The story was adapted from "The Story of Little Boy Blue" in L. Frank Baum's "Mother Goose in Prose.")

Two little dicky birds sitting on the palace wall would like to become royal dicky birds. Will the Princess have them?

Two little dicky birds sitting on the palace wall would like to become royal dicky birds. Will the Princess have them? (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Two Little Dickie Birds.")

A butcher, a baker and a candlestick maker set sail to find adventure. But when a storm blows up, they are saved by a rotten potato. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Rub-a-Dub-Dub.")

A prince needs a riddle to baffle the King so he can marry his beloved princess. But he can't think of one until an egg comes along and an idea is hatched. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Humpty Dumpty." The story was adapted from the tale of "Humpty Dumpty " in L. Frank Baum's "Mother Goose in Prose.")

It’s one hour after midnight and the three mice are still awake. Their mother has left them to go looking for food. The temptation is too great and they go wandering down a hole only to find exploring is not a piece of cake!

It's one hour after midnight and the three mice are still awake. Their mother has left them to go looking for food. The temptation is too great and they go wandering down a hole only to find exploring is not a piece of cake! (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Hickory Dickory Dock." The story was adapted from the tale of "Hickory, Dickory, Dock" in L. Frank Baum's "Mother Goose in Prose.")

The Grand Old Duke marches to the top of the hill only to find his castle has been taken over. But his faithful servant Youngblood has a plan. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "The Grand Old Duke of York.")

Little Bobby tries to write a song that tells a story, but he's stuck on the first line: "Hey Diddle Diddle." Then his cat inspires a crazy tale, but only after getting caught up in a fiddle. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Hey Diddle Diddle." The story was adapted from the tale of "The Cat and the Fiddle" in L. Frank Baum's "Mother Goose in Prose.")

Old King Cole was a merry old soul before he wore a crown. Then a touch of luck made him King and happiness ruled the land.

Old King Cole was a merry old soul before he wore a crown. Then a touch of luck made him King and happiness ruled the land. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Old King Cole." The story was adapted from the tale of "Old King Cole" in L. Frank Baum's "Mother Goose in Prose.")

Eenie, Meenie, Minie and Khan the tiger are all in Mr. Mo's circus. When Khan runs away, he's soon caught and invited to come back to the circus. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Eenie Meenie Miney Moe.")

Tom has a little nut tree but nothing will it bear until it grows a silver nutmeg and a golden pear. He doesn't want to part with it, but what else can he do, when the King of Spain's daughter wants the little nut tree too. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "I Had a Little Nut Tree.")

Lost, alone in the big dark forest, Jenny must show the wolves how bad she can be.

Lost, alone in the big dark forest, Jenny must show the wolves how bad she can be. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "There Was a Little Girl.")

Wrigley Squiggley is unhappy being the only straight person in the crooked land until he discovers that he can do something that makes him very special. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "There Was a Crooked Man.")

A slice of bread and butter is a feast to Tommy Tucker for he hasn't any money to buy food. But he has to sing a song for it and singing isn't easy for a boy who's never tried. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Little Tommy Tucker." The story was adapted from "The Story of Tommy Tucker" in L. Frank Baum's "Mother Goose in Prose.")

Miss Muffet was rich. She had maids to do this, she had maids to do that, and a nurse called Nurse Holloweg. But when they wouldn’t let her do what she wanted, she ran off but got such a fright, it made her run right back again.

Miss Muffet was rich. She had maids to do this, she had maids to do that, and a nurse called Nurse Holloweg. But when they wouldn't let her do what she wanted, she ran off but got such a fright, it made her run right back again. (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Little Miss Muffet." The story was adapted from the tale of "Little Miss Muffet" in L. Frank Baum's "Mother Goose in Prose.")

Who will win the pot of gold by jumping over the Great Candle of the Glimmers? Many try, but can Jack B. Nimble succeed where others have failed? (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Jack Be Nimble.")

Peter's passion for his pumpkin patch poses problems for his wife until their son provides the answer: they can grow themselves a house! (The episode retells the nursery rhyme of "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater.")