Franklin

Franklin's Shell Trouble (4x6)

: 22, 2000

Franklin is out playing with his friends when Beaver notices something wrong with the back of his shell. It seems to be peeling or something. They think perhaps that maybe it's just something normal. Bear says that some of his fur comes out every time he brushes it. But Franklin doesn't think that it's normal and says he'd better go home and tell his Mom. At home, Franklin is trying to solve the problem by using bandages. But it's not working. Mrs. Turtle says that she called Dr. Bear and she'll see him without an appointment. At first, Franklin doesn't want to go to the doctor, but after Mrs. Turtle says that the problem might spread, Franklin thinks that maybe it's not such a bad idea. Dr. Bear diagnoses the problem as "carpace eczema." She says that it's commonly known as "shell-flake" and it's easy to treat. However, Franklin doesn't like the treatment: a purple ointment that has to be rubbed all over his shell and is very smelly. Worse, it could take up to two days for it to work. What is he going to tell his friends? The next day, Franklin and his friends are out berry-picking. But Beaver, Bear and Raccoon are off picking berries in one area, while Franklin is all by himself in another area. His friends wonder why he's all by himself. He's been avoiding him all day. Beaver decides to go over and talk to Franklin. The first thing she notices is the awful smell. Then, as Franklin tries to run off, some the purple ointment comes off on a leaf. Beaver notices it and thinks that there's some kind of fungus growing on the berries. She warns everyone not to eat the berries and Bear thinks that he's doomed, as he's already eaten a hundred. Franklin tells them the truth, that the purple stuff is actually the ointment he has to have on his shell. His friends all try to backpedal, saying that maybe it doesn't smell so bad after all, but Franklin leaves, as he knows that it smells bad. Later, Franklin is in his backyard, playing with the garden hose. Bear comes and Frankl