Jerry of the Circus - Rags Leg Is Clawed by Cub

Summary

Podcast Summary: Jerry of the Circus - Rags’ Leg Is Clawed by Cub

Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode Date: May 15, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this classic Golden Age of Radio episode of "Jerry of the Circus," listeners are transported into the vibrant life behind the big top, where young Jerry navigates animal training, circus drama, and an unexpected accident involving his beloved dog, Rags, and a young lion cub, Fuzzy. The episode explores themes of friendship, animal care, improvisation in the face of mishaps, and the resourceful spirit at the heart of circus life.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introducing Fuzzy the Lion Cub

• [02:10] Jerry and Jason watch as their dog, Rags, and the new lion cub, Fuzzy, begin to interact. Jason warns Jerry of the dangers inherent in letting young, untrained animals play together.
  • Jason: “There’s always a danger that as the cub gets bigger, he might hurt Rags sometime while they’re playing. If no one was around... the cub might revert to his jungle ancestors.” (02:16)
• The two discuss animal instincts and the importance of careful monitoring when training young wild animals.

2. Training Fuzzy – The Importance of Rewards

• [03:01] Jason confirms Fuzzy is just the right age to start training, with Jerry enthusiastically stepping up to the challenge.
  • Jerry: “Gee, I’d like to try. What can we teach him?” (03:03)
• Training utilizes positive reinforcement with meat as a reward.
  • Jason: “He acts as if he hasn’t eaten for days. Cubs eat just like little pigs.” (04:13)
• Jerry and Jason note Fuzzy’s quick learning, but also his sharp teeth and claws, highlighting the balance of patience and caution with wild animals.

3. The Accident – Rags Gets Injured

• [05:03] Amidst the training, a scuffle breaks out between Fuzzy and Rags over food, resulting in Rags getting his leg clawed.
  • Jerry: “Oh, look, Jason, his leg.” (05:26)
  • Jason: “Good night. That’s a mean one. Right in the joint, too.” (05:28)
• Their concern becomes evident as they discuss the possibility of serious injury and infection from the cub’s claws.

4. Jason’s Animal First Aid Skills

• [06:19] Patsy joins them and voices concern about Rags’ injury, noting how the leg seems limp and possibly tendon-damaged.
  • Patsy: “Isn’t that tendon torn or something? Look how he’s holding that leg.” (06:12)
• Jason shares his background in animal and human first aid, explaining his knowledge comes from a hospital stay and self-education.
  • Jason: “When I learned all I could about people, I got some books from the library on animals so I’d be an amateur veterinarian, too.” (07:06)
• Jason applies a splint to Rags’ leg, stressing the need to keep the limb still for proper healing.

5. Circus Life – Decisions and Determination

• [07:31] Discussion shifts to how Rags’ injury will affect his circus act and the impact on fellow performer Bumps.
  • Jerry: “But how will he do his act?”
  • Jason: “He won’t do his act.” (07:33)
• Patsy reads a letter from the bank with a clue about a mysterious box belonging to Jerry’s father, weaving in a subplot of intrigue and resourcefulness.
  • Patsy: “He says that particular lock is made by the Brunner Lock Company in Crystal Falls… And he advises us to write them for further information.” (08:14)

6. Back in the Ring – Rags’ Comeback

• [09:40] Despite the injury, the spirited Rags insists on participating in the show during the “walk around,” with Bumps agreeing but vowing to avoid risky tricks.
  • Bumps: “That dog sure knows what he wants. All right, Rags. We’ll do ourselves, even if we are a handicap.” (10:26)
• The stage moment is filled with pride—and tension—as Bumps cleverly adapts the routine to protect Rags.
  • Jerry: “Golly, Rags is proud of himself.” (11:01)
  • Patsy: “Well, he can do the boot trick anyhow. Sits on that big shoe of Bumps as proud as if he was driving in the front seat of a car.” (11:04)

7. A Scare and a Lesson

• [11:49] Rags suddenly appears injured again, lying limp after bumping his bad leg. Bumps plays the crowd, but it turns out to be part of the act—a brief fright for everyone.
  • Patsy: "He looks so sad. So it was just a game after all. Had me scared for a minute." (12:12)
  • Jerry: "Me, too. Look at him run. Here, Rags. Here, Rags." (12:24)
• Bumps decides Rags should fully rest and recover, vowing: “He doesn’t work again until that leg is, well…” (12:48)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Wild Animal Instincts:

  "If no one was around and it was blood or something, the cub might revert to his jungle ancestors."
  — Jason, [02:16]

• On Training with Rewards:

  "You hit the nail right in the head, Jerry."
  — Jason, [03:13]

• On Animal First Aid:

  "I learned everything I could about how to protect myself in case of an accident. I even used to read books on anatomy."
  — Jason, [06:56]

• On Versatility:

  “Well, that’s being good at lots of things. Say, Jason, what are you doing with those sticks?”
  — Patsy, [07:17]

• Comic Relief in Adversity:

  “That dog sure knows what he wants. All right, Rags. We’ll do ourselves, even if we are a handicap.”
  — Bumps, [10:26]

• A Close Call:

  “He surely looks limp… I think Bumps is just putting that on for the audience… Had me scared for a minute.”
  — Patsy, [12:07-12:12]

• Final Lesson on Rest and Recovery:

  “He doesn’t work again until that leg is, well.”
  — Bumps, [12:48]

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• [02:10] – Introduction to Fuzzy and warnings about wild animal play
• [03:01] – Beginning of Fuzzy’s training
• [05:03] – Fuzzy claws Rags’ leg
• [06:19] – Jason and Patsy assess Rags’ injury
• [07:31] – Decision about Rags’ circus participation
• [08:07] – Discovery about Jerry’s father’s lockbox
• [09:40] – Rags tries to join the performance despite injury
• [11:49] – Rags’ apparent collapse during show; revealed as part of the act
• [12:48] – Conclusion: Bumps insists on Rags’ full recovery before work

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Episode Tone & Feel

The episode is light, lively, and filled with playful banter, interspersed with touches of tension and heart as the characters rally around Rags. There's a clear sense of camaraderie and the improvisational spirit of the circus, with affectionate teasing, supportive concern, and the lesson that caring for your friends—animal or human—sometimes means letting them rest.

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For fans of classic radio drama, animal lovers, or those curious about the circus’ behind-the-scenes world, this episode is a heartwarming blend of excitement and gentle wisdom.

Transcript

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[Jerry]

Hey, everyone.

[Patsy]

Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Jason]

Oh, no.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

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[Patsy]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Patsy]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[Jason]

Gary of the circus.

[Jerry]

Ram. Sam.

[Jason]

Now for Jerry of the circus.

[Jerry]

Hey, Jason, I bet those two will be good friends.

[Jason]

Yeah, but not for long, I'm afraid.

[Jerry]

Why not?

[Jason]

Well, there's always a danger that as the cub gets bigger, he might hurt Rag sometime while they're playing. If no one was around and it was blood or something, the cub might revert to his jungle ancestors.

[Jerry]

What do you mean, revert?

[Jason]

Well, he might forget he's supposed to be a well behaved wild animal. And suddenly smelling blood, he might think of the kill.

[Jerry]

Oh, I see. Of course, I suppose he might.

[Jason]

You still think you'd like to train to be pals?

[Jerry]

I should say not. What do you think I am? Guess maybe I'd better take Rags now and.

[Jason]

I didn't mean to scare you, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Not much you didn't, no.

[Jason]

It's safe enough for them to play now if we kind of keep our eyes on him. But it is true you have to be pretty careful while a crud goes up.

[Jerry]

Golly, I should say so. I suppose they're too little to know why they do certain things.

[Jason]

That's it. And too young to be well enough trained so you can trust them.

[Jerry]

Is Fuzzy too small to start training yet?

[Jason]

No, sir. He's just about the right age.

[Jerry]

Gee, I'd like to try. What can we teach him?

[Jason]

I was planning on feeding him now. So this is just about the best time to start learning something.

[Jerry]

I know because you reward him when he does the right thing.

[Jason]

He hit the nail right in the head, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Look, here's a little board. Let's make him jump over it.

[Jason]

Okay. Take these pieces of meat and start

[Jerry]

calling him Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty. Here, kitty. All right, be still. I don't mean the kind of a cat you think. Now, come here and light on. I'm trying to train this cub. Guess I'll call him Fuzzy. He may as well learn his name now.

[Jason]

Say, you're going to have your hands full here. I'll hold Rags. See? They both smell neat.

[Jerry]

Oh, no, I manage. Rags will behave. Down, Rags, and not a word out of you, understand?

[Jason]

He may behave, but he sure sasses you back.

[Jerry]

Come on now, Fuzzy. You're Fuzzy. He's cute. Well, he's got a good nose, all right. But he climbed over the board instead of Jeff.

[Jason]

That's all right. Give him this piece of meat. At least he'll know what's coming to him. On the other side of that board.

[Jerry]

I'll put Fuzzy back on the other side of the board again. Now, Mr. Cubline, let's see you do your stuff. Okay, Fuzzy, come on. Well, that's better. Catching on, aren't you, though? You're kind of hungry, huh?

[Jason]

He acts as if he hasn't eaten for days. Cub. Lions eat just like little pigs. And in a couple of months when they've got bigger stomachs and bigger appetites, you should see them.

[Jerry]

He hasn't jumped yet, but he certainly has learned to get over that board quick enough.

[Jason]

He will. Just give him time. Here, we're giving this another try. There you go, Fuzzy. Back on the other side here.

[Jerry]

Fuzzy. Fuzzy. Fuzzy. He did it.

[Jason]

He did it. Yeah, sure he did. But he lost his balance his first jump. Pretty good, Fuzzy.

[Jerry]

You sure deserve your meat this time. Hey, careful of my finger. Gee, his teeth are sharp.

[Jason]

So are his claws. Cubs can do plenty of damage if they're not watched.

[Jerry]

Say, wait a minute. Golly, he's quick.

[Jason]

He's not going to take any chances with the rest of that meat. Thinks he'd better get it now while I get him's good.

[Jerry]

Best you go. We'll try it once more, Fuzzy. Okay, I'm ready. Come on, Fuzzy. Hey, that's what I call a real job.

[Jason]

Watch out, Jerry. He's going to get the rest of that milk.

[Jerry]

Fuzzy, get away from there. Rags, stop it. Leave that cub alone.

[Jason]

Hey, Jason, Quinn, look at those little mutts here. Get away. My Golly, that cub is a scrapper for being such a little shaver.

[Jerry]

Fuzzy sure trying to protect his meat. Trying to sprawl all over it, the little pig.

[Jason]

Poor Rags. Fuzzy can sure put on a vicious looking act. Hey, Rags. Rags, look out. Stop it. Rags.

[Jerry]

Rags. Rags, stop it. A dessert. Rags.

[Jason]

You little vixen, you.

[Jerry]

Rags. Oh, look, Jason, his leg.

[Jason]

Good night. That's a mean one. Right in the joint, too.

[Jerry]

Rags. Oh, you poor thing.

[Jason]

Here, wait a minute. I'll stick Fuzzy back in the cage and help you fix ra up. This cub is smart enough, but he is too much of a scrapper as I can See? He'll take plenty of training.

[Jerry]

Golly, do you think Rags will be all right? I never heard him whine so much. You think it's serious?

[Jason]

I'll see you in a minute. Here you are, cat. Now, you stay in there. Come on, Jerry. We'll go over to my wagon. I've got a lot of first egg things over there.

[Jerry]

All right.

[Jason]

Oh, there's Patsy. Hello there, Patsy. Where you going?

[Patsy]

Oh, no place special. Just looking for some excitement, I guess.

[Jerry]

Excitement? Say, you just missed plenty of it.

[Patsy]

What happened? Say, what's wrong with Rags?

[Jerry]

Oh, he got scratched by the new cub Jason was just showing me. Oh, I'll say he did.

[Patsy]

Oh, Jason, look, this looks kind of bad. Isn't that tendon torn or something? Look how he's holding that leg. As if he hasn't any control over it.

[Jason]

Yeah, I know. I'm not sure yet. I'll have to fix it him up.

[Jerry]

Oh, gee, it isn't serious, is it? Golly, I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to Ray.

[Jason]

I certainly hope not. Come on in here. There you are, Rags. I can't tell very well what's what yet. We'll have to put a little iodine in here to be sure it's not infected. Got to be pretty careful with claws. They can be nasty sometimes. Yes, I know, I know. That's not very nice to take.

[Patsy]

Poor fellow.

[Jerry]

There you are, Rags. You're gonna be all nice and well.

[Patsy]

You certainly do a marvelous piece of work, Jason. How'd you learn to be such a

[Jason]

good veterinarian in a hospital?

[Patsy]

What do you mean?

[Jason]

Oh, well, I was laid up once.

[Patsy]

Oh, you mean that time you had that bad accident in the cage?

[Jason]

Yeah, that's it. Well, all the time I was in the hospital, I learned everything I could about how to protect myself in case of an accident. I even used to read books on anatomy.

[Jerry]

But how do you know about animals?

[Jason]

Well, when I learned all I could about people, I got some books from the library on animals so I'd be an amateur veterinarian, too.

[Patsy]

I always knew you were smart, Jason, but didn't realize how versatile you are.

[Jerry]

What's versatile?

[Patsy]

Well, that's being good at lots of things. Say, Jason, what are you doing with those sticks?

[Jason]

Going to put Rags foot in a splint.

[Jerry]

See? Is it as bad as that?

[Jason]

That doesn't mean it's serious, Jerry. It'll just protect Rags from getting hurt anymore. And it'll make him keep his legs still. Well, that one anyway.

[Jerry]

But how Will he do his act?

[Jason]

He won't do his act.

[Jerry]

Oh. Say, what'll Bumps do?

[Jason]

Well, I don't know. As soon as we get this fixed, you'd better take Rags over and see what Bumps says.

[Patsy]

You certainly go about that bandaging business professionally, Jason.

[Jerry]

Good night, Patsy. I almost forgot.

[Patsy]

What?

[Jerry]

Well, that letter came today.

[Patsy]

What letter?

[Jerry]

The one from the bank. Oh, sure it is. You want to read it?

[Patsy]

Well, you haven't opened it yet.

[Jerry]

No, I thought I'd wait for you. Go on and read it.

[Patsy]

Okay, if you say so. Oh, that's short and sweet. I don't know whether it's going to help as much or not, though.

[Jerry]

Oh, what'd they have to say? Let's see.

[Patsy]

This is from Mr. Ross.

[Jerry]

Yeah, I know the man at the bank.

[Patsy]

He says he'd check with the clearinghouse that he told us about.

[Jerry]

That was sure nice of them.

[Patsy]

He says that particular lock is made by the Brunner Lock Company in Crystal Falls.

[Jerry]

Jiminy Whiskers, that's something.

[Patsy]

And he advises us to write them for further information. I'll do that today.

[Jerry]

Gee, will you pat me? You're swell. Golly, I'd sure like to find out where that box is dad had.

[Patsy]

Well, if there's any way of tracing it, we'll find it. Don't you worry, Jerry.

[Jason]

All right. If you ask me, that's a pretty neat job. You're welcome. You've got a polite dog there, Jerry. Did you hear him thank me?

[Jerry]

I sure did. He knows you're trying to help him. Aw, look, he's licking your hand.

[Jason]

That dog doesn't have to talk. He has so many little ways of letting you know what he wants.

[Jerry]

Yeah, and sometimes it's a big help for him not to be able to talk because he pretends he doesn't know

[Jason]

what I'm telling him, so he takes advantage of him.

[Jerry]

Yeah, but I'm usually on to him. And then he looks so foolish when he sees I won't let him get away with something.

[Jason]

It's getting late, Jerry. I think you'd better run along and see Bumps and tell him about Rags. If Bumps decides not to use him, he'll have to know ahead of time in order to plan his act.

[Jerry]

Oh, of course. And thanks, Jason, for fixing Rags up so swell. And goodbye, Patsy. Don't forget about that letter.

[Patsy]

I won't. See you later, Jerry.

[Jason]

So long, Jerry.

[Jerry]

No, no.

[Bumps]

I'm sorry, old timer, but you better rest this time.

[Jerry]

Come on, Bucks, it's late. Hey, how's Rag Fit As a fiddle.

[Bumps]

But Ray's nerumpus every time I start to leave him here alone.

[Jerry]

Well, can you blame him? Here we've been telling him the show has to go on regardless. Now that he's got his paw and his splint, we make him go to bed.

[Bumps]

Oh, it just doesn't make sense, does it, Rags, old boy? Well, I better get along.

[Jerry]

Rags, stop it. Quiet now. Hey, Bumps, you think it'd hurt if Rags just ran around with you? Well, no.

[Bumps]

Just on the walk around.

[Jerry]

Rags, you win. Come on. Bumps will take you along. I think it'll get him too excited not to let him work. Bumps, if you don't mind just letting him tag along on the walk around.

[Bumps]

Well, there's one thing. That dog sure knows what he wants. All right, Rags. We'll do ourselves, even if we are a handicap.

[Jerry]

Gee, you're swell, Bumps. Hi, Patsy.

[Patsy]

Hi, folks. Hey, young fella, why aren't you in bed?

[Jerry]

You mean Rag? Oh, it's a trooper in him. He insists on going on.

[Patsy]

Well, I don't blame him.

[Jerry]

But you think it's safe, Bumps?

[Bumps]

Oh, sure. We'll take it easy. You better watch us, though. We'll have to change our act. No somersaults this time. Here's a cue. Come on.

[Jason]

Come on.

[Patsy]

Isn't that just like Bumps? He'll have to change his whole routine. He's as proud of that pup as you are, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Golly, Rags is proud of himself.

[Patsy]

Like a kid that's finally got its own way. Well, he can do the boot trick anyhow. Sits on that big shoe of Bumps. As proud as if he was driving along in the front seat of a car.

[Jerry]

Hey, Gee, Bumps shouldn't. Oh, golly. I thought he was gonna kick him up in the air and let him do some of those somersaults.

[Patsy]

Oh, don't you worry about Bumps. Kind of tricky the way he caught Rags on the shoulder.

[Jerry]

Did you notice he helped Rags land

[Patsy]

right so not as to hurt his leg.

[Jerry]

Thinks Rags owned the whole circus. He sits up there for plow. Too bad he can't crow. Yeah, see? Look at him sniffing Bumps ear.

[Patsy]

I bet that tickles. Bumps is pretending he doesn't know where Rags is.

[Jerry]

Well, Rags isn't letting him get away with it. Look at him dab bumped with his good paw.

[Patsy]

Look at Bumps hunting over the wrong shoulder trying to find out what's back of him.

[Jerry]

Yeah. Hey, what's happened? Aw, gee. Ray's bumped his bad leg onto the stage.

[Patsy]

Oh, why is he lying so still? You think he's badly hurt, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Oh, yeah? I hope not. He just let out one yelp. I think he's playing possum, though. You know, dead dog. See? Bumps is picking him up.

[Patsy]

Heavens, he surely looks limp.

[Jerry]

Look at the way Bumps is shaking his head.

[Patsy]

Oh, I think Bumps is just putting that on for the audience, Jerry. Isn't he marvelous? You think he lost his last friend? He looks so sad. So it was just a game after all. Had me scared for a minute.

[Jerry]

Me, too. Look at him run. Here, Rags. Here, Rags.

[Patsy]

Poor Bumps popping behind him.

[Bumps]

Oh, well, I'm all out of breath. Say, listen, Jerry, get rags over at the wagon, will you? I want to have a look at that leg. I'm afraid he really hurt himself when he ran into that stake.

[Jerry]

Aw, gee, Bumps Collier. I'd never forgive myself if I made him go on and. And he really got hurt.

[Bumps]

Well, now, don't you worry, Jerry. But I'll tell you one thing. He doesn't work again until that leg is, well,

[Jerry]

Sam. Ram. Foreign.

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[Carvana User]

Hey, sweetie. Your mother showed me this Carvana thing for selling the car. I'm gonna give it a try. Wish me luck. Me again. I put in the license plate. It gave me an offer. Unbelievable. Okay, I accepted the offer. They're picking it up Tuesday from the driveway. I haven't even left my chair. It's done. The car is gone. I'm holding a check anyway. Carvana, give it a whirl. Love ya.

[Jerry]

So good you'll want to leave a voicemail about it.

[Patsy]

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