How the Cookie Crumbles

Summary

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The Arthur Podcast

Episode 305: How the Cookie Crumbles

Release Date: December 7, 2023
Host: Arthur Reed (with Buster Baxter, Francine, Binky, Muffy, and friends)

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Episode Overview

In this lively episode, Arthur and his friends navigate the ups and downs of friendship, honesty, and competition at the Elwood City Strawberry Festival. When Muffy faces pressure to win the festival’s baking contest a second time, the group bands together to help her create a unique cookie recipe—only for a disagreement over credit to put their friendship to the test. Ultimately, the episode is a sweet lesson in teamwork, honesty, and the value of working together, wrapped in the familiar warmth and humor of Arthur and his friends.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Strawberry Festival & Baking Contest

Timestamps: 00:40–01:11, 04:14–04:48

• The friends gather outside Arthur’s house, tempted by the smell of his dad’s strawberry jam, excited for the upcoming Elwood City Strawberry Festival.
• Arthur’s dad is organizing the baking contest, a centerpiece of the festival, which comes with high expectations—especially for Muffy, the previous year’s winner.

“The Strawberry Festival is a big deal. There’s a carnival, a parade, and my dad is organizing the baking contest.” – Buster Baxter (01:03)

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2. Muffy's Baking Woes

Timestamps: 01:19–04:07

• Francine brings news that Muffy is anxious about the contest:
  • Muffy feels that her last win might be clouded by her father's involvement as a judge.
  • She’s desperate to prove herself and is struggling to come up with a new recipe.
• The friend group rallies to brainstorm wild ideas—banana juice, alien brain bananas, and cocoa—though none seem promising.
• Despite the kitchen chaos, laughter and teamwork provide relief for Muffy’s anxiety.

“Never. But laughing is better than stressing. Thanks, everyone.” – Muffy (03:52)

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3. Festival Fun and Community Voices

Timestamps: 04:14–05:27

• The group enjoys festival activities: strawberry bowling, face painting, and the famed strawberry spoon race.
• Arthur reads messages from listeners about their own favorite community events, highlights the show’s interactivity.

“Hey, I bet the podcast people have festivals and town parties that they love too. Let’s check my inbox and see what they say.” – Arthur Reed (04:48)

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4. The Baking Contest: A Surprise Winner

Timestamps: 05:31–06:47

• During the festival, Muffy is unexpectedly announced as the winner of the baking contest with her “Scrumptious Smackerdoodles.”
• The friends are surprised to learn that Muffy entered the cookies they made together, using all their gathered ingredients.
• The cookies, which they assumed would be a disaster, are a hit—yet Muffy claims sole credit.

“They’re my own original cookies. Muffy Crosswire. Scrumptious Smackerdoodles.” – Muffy (06:03)

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5. Hurt Feelings and the Friendship Rift

Timestamps: 07:04–08:46

• The group gathers in the treehouse, feeling hurt and betrayed by Muffy’s lack of acknowledgment.
• Binky emphasizes his contribution (“banana was my idea!”), and Francine is adamant about not supporting the cookies anymore. The group debates whether to make and sell their own version out of principle, but decide against it.

“If you leave right now without promising to include us, then you’re choosing cookies over friendship.” – Francine (08:28)

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6. The Turning Point: Honesty and Reconciliation

Timestamps: 09:27–12:46

• Muffy calls an “emergency” meeting at the Sugar Bowl.
• Francine reveals that Muffy, despite her bravado, doesn’t remember the cookie recipe because she was laughing too hard during its creation.
• Through an honest conversation, Muffy confides about the pressure she feels to maintain her number one status and win again.
• Despite the earlier betrayal, Francine helps Muffy out of friendship, giving her the recipe.

“You don’t know what it’s like to be me. There’s a lot of pressure being number one. I have a reputation.” – Muffy (11:01)

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7. Public Recognition—and True Teamwork

Timestamps: 12:07–12:46

• At the Sugar Bowl, Muffy unveils the new packaging: “Muffy and friends Scrumptious Smackerdoodles,” with cookies shaped like each friend. She finally gives credit to the group for the recipe’s success.
• The episode closes with the friends planning their next collaborative baking adventure.

“So you finally realized honesty and friendship are more important than winning.” – Francine (12:21)
“Yeah. I’m sorry. Daddy and I talked about it. He said honesty is the best policy. Anyway, try them.” – Muffy (12:25)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Buster’s optimism:
  “There are no terrible ideas.” – Buster Baxter (02:38)

• The group brainstorms:
  “Strawberry meatloaf is a terrible idea.” – Binky (02:43)

• Ongoing banana theme:
  “Banana was my idea. Without me, there’s no banana.” – Binky (07:22)
  “It should have lots of bananas in it. I put the banana in this recipe, you know.” – Binky (12:53)

• On shared accomplishment:
  “We made those cookies together… But we all helped Muffy make them.” – Francine (06:31, 06:37)

• On recognition:
  “It says Muffy and friends. Scrumptious Smackerdoodles. And look, they’re each shaped like one of you.” – Arthur Reed (12:08)

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Episode Timeline (with Timestamps)

• Start & festival setup: 00:32–01:28
• Muffy’s recipe struggles: 01:28–03:52
• Group’s laugh-filled brainstorming: 02:34–03:52
• Festival fun: 04:14–05:27
• Contest results & cookies reveal: 05:31–06:47
• Friends’ falling out: 07:04–08:46
• Reconciliation & honest conversation: 09:27–12:46
• Happy ending & baking plans: 12:46–13:05

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Conclusion

This episode combines the familiar antics and heartwarming messages of Arthur with a relatable lesson about teamwork and admitting when you've made a mistake. Through their mishaps and Muffy’s ultimate acknowledgment, the friends show that honesty and sharing success is sweeter than any cookie—especially when there’s plenty of banana to go around.

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Transcript

[Arthur]

From your friends at pbs kids.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Support for this podcast and the following message for parents comes from ikea. As a parent, you childproof everything. Well, almost everything. You may not have thought about one thing, and that's securing your dressers and chests to the wall. It helps avoid dangerous tip over accidents. Secure it from ikea. Working to create safer homes together.

[Arthur Reed]

Hey, podcast people. It's me, Arthur Reed.

[Buster Baxter]

And me, Buster Baxter, and this is the Arthur Podcast.

[Arthur Reed]

We're out on my front steps because it smells delicious out here.

[Buster Baxter]

Arthur's dad is making strawberry jam, and the smells float. This way, maybe we can sit here all day and see.

[Binky]

Sniff.

[Arthur Reed]

He's making it for the Elwood City Strawberry Festival.

[Buster Baxter]

The Strawberry Festival is a big deal. There's a carnival, a parade, and my.

[Arthur Reed]

Dad is organizing the baking contest.

[Buster Baxter]

And the best part of the festival, all the strawberries you can eat.

[Arthur Reed]

It's Francine.

[Francine]

Hey, Arthur, we've got a problem.

[Arthur Reed]

What's all that banging noise?

[Francine]

It's Muffy. She's freaking out about the baking competition.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why?

[Buster Baxter]

Didn't Muffy win the baking contest last year?

[Francine]

Yes, and that's the problem.

[Arthur]

She wants to win again.

[Francine]

She wants to prove herself.

[Arthur Reed]

Prove herself?

[Arthur]

My dad was a judge last year, Arthur, and some people thought that's why I won, but.

[Francine]

But it wasn't.

[Arthur]

I won fair and square.

[Arthur Reed]

So what's the problem?

[Arthur]

I don't have a recipe. Everything I make is a disaster.

[Francine]

You gotta come over.

[Arthur Reed]

Okay, we're on our way.

[Francine]

Aw.

[Buster Baxter]

Goodbye, strawberry jam cloud.

[Arthur Reed]

Just one more sniff.

[Francine]

Oh, good, you're here.

[Arthur Reed]

Hey, Francie.

[Buster Baxter]

Hi, Francine.

[Arthur Reed]

We brought Binky, too. Where's Muffy?

[Francine]

She's in the kitchen. Come on.

[Arthur]

Strawberries. Strawberries. Strawberries. Strawberries. Hi, Muffy.

[Arthur Reed]

We're here to cheer you up.

[Buster Baxter]

And to be taste testers.

[Binky]

Yeah. What do you got to eat?

[Additional Chorus/Group Voice]

Nothing.

[Arthur]

All my ideas are terrible.

[Buster Baxter]

There are no terrible ideas.

[Arthur]

I've got it. Strawberry meatloaf.

[Binky]

I don't know, Buster. I love meatloaf. Like, really. But strawberry meatloaf is a terrible idea.

[Francine]

I'm not sure we're helping.

[Arthur Reed]

So, Muffy, what did you enter in last year's contest?

[Arthur]

I made butter cookies and threw in sliced strawberries. Classic and simple.

[Binky]

What if you add some banana juice?

[Francine]

Here's one.

[Arthur]

Binky, what are you doing with that banana?

[Arthur Reed]

Your squeeze is a banana.

[Narrator/Announcer]

There.

[Buster Baxter]

It looks like an alien brain. I'll just throw in this strawberry and it's alien brain. Strawberry surprise.

[Arthur]

That is ridiculous, Buster.

[Francine]

Maybe it needs alien eyes. Chocolate chips. Oh, the better to see you win.

[Binky]

Banana.

[Additional Chorus/Group Voice]

Chocolate.

[Arthur]

How's the chocolate? Excellent.

[Francine]

More.

[Arthur]

How about Cocos?

[Buster Baxter]

More bananas. Flour.

[Binky]

Another banana.

[Arthur]

All the bananas.

[Francine]

Oh, Pinky.

[Arthur Reed]

Think this glop could win?

[Arthur]

Never. But laughing is better than stressing. Thanks, everyone.

[Arthur Reed]

Want us to clean it up?

[Arthur]

Nah, our butler Bailey will do it. Hey, wanna go outside and play some basketball? Daddy just added a convertible hoop to to our tennis court.

[Buster Baxter]

Are we playing three on one?

[Francine]

Let's go.

[Arthur Reed]

Well, podcast people, it's the Strawberry Festival.

[Buster Baxter]

I say straw, you say berry.

[Additional Chorus/Group Voice]

Straw.

[Arthur]

Berry.

[Additional Chorus/Group Voice]

Straw.

[Francine]

Berry.

[Arthur Reed]

We've got strawberry juice.

[Additional Chorus/Group Voice]

Yum.

[Francine]

I'm wearing my strawberry hat. Ta da.

[Arthur Reed]

We already went strawberry bowling and a strawberry face painting.

[Arthur]

Mm.

[Buster Baxter]

That was the tastiest face paint ever.

[Arthur Reed]

We tried my dad's strawberry jam again.

[Binky]

Yum.

[Francine]

And I won the strawberry spoon race.

[Buster Baxter]

I love the Strawberry festival.

[Arthur Reed]

Hey, I bet the podcast people have festivals and town parties that they love too. Let's check my inbox and see what they say. If I were to pick an event in my community I love most, I would pick Riedle out at my school.

[Narrator/Announcer]

School.

[Arthur Reed]

It's a quiet time where our teacher reads stories to us. One of the events that I like going to in our community is watching the fireworks at the mall. Because it's super cool and we can watch them from our rooftop. I love competing in the various special.

[Buster Baxter]

Olympic sports in my community because I have the chance to compete, have fun, get stronger, and win some gold medals.

[Additional Chorus/Group Voice]

Awesome.

[Arthur]

That sounds great. Come on.

[Francine]

We should probably get seats for the fireworks.

[Binky]

Hello, Elwood City Strawberry Festival.

[Arthur Reed]

Hey, that's my dad.

[Francine]

Why is Muffy up on stage with him?

[Binky]

I am so pleased to announce the winner of our dessert baking competition. It's Muffy Crosswire. Way to go, Muffy.

[Arthur Reed]

Muffy won.

[Francine]

I didn't even know she entered.

[Buster Baxter]

She must have found.

[Arthur]

And just so everyone knows, my dad was not a judge. This was all me.

[Binky]

If you want to try her winning dessert, it's on the table at the back.

[Arthur]

They're my own original cookies. Muffy Crosswire. Scrumptious Smackerdoodles.

[Additional Chorus/Group Voice]

Yay.

[Arthur Reed]

Muffy.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Come on.

[Buster Baxter]

Let's get one of Muffy's cookies. Yummy.

[Francine]

These are good.

[Buster Baxter]

What's in these?

[Arthur Reed]

There's a card with the ingredients on the table. Banana chocolate chips, peach slices, oatmeal cocoa raisins.

[Francine]

Hey, those are the ingredients for the cookies we made together.

[Arthur Reed]

We thought those cookies were gonna be super gross.

[Buster Baxter]

These are way better than gross.

[Francine]

But we all helped Muffy make them.

[Buster Baxter]

Don't worry. She's gonna tell Everybody.

[Francine]

How?

[Buster Baxter]

We came up with it together.

[Arthur]

My own unique cookies will be on.

[Francine]

Sale at the Sugar Bowl.

[Arthur]

An exclusive cookie buying opportunity.

[Arthur Reed]

See you there. Umm, yeah, I don't think she's gonna mention us. Well, podcast people, we left the festival after Muffy's big win.

[Buster Baxter]

It just didn't seem fun anymore.

[Arthur Reed]

So we're in the treehouse now.

[Francine]

We made those cookies together.

[Arthur]

And she didn't even say our names.

[Additional Chorus/Group Voice]

Hey.

[Francine]

Hey, Binky.

[Buster Baxter]

Hi, Binky.

[Binky]

Did you hear that Muffy won the dessert contest?

[Francine]

Yes, with the recipe that we made.

[Binky]

Does it have my banana in it?

[Arthur Reed]

Yes.

[Binky]

Did she tell everyone that I put the banana in? No, but banana was my idea. Without me, she'd have no banana.

[Francine]

We know. And if she's selling them, she's gonna be famous.

[Buster Baxter]

But we should be famous with her.

[Arthur]

Hello? Anybody up here?

[Francine]

Muffy Crosswire.

[Binky]

We're talking about your cookies, Muffy.

[Arthur]

Scrumptious Smackerdoodles. Delish, right? But I don't have any more samples. You'll have to buy them like everybody else.

[Francine]

Buy them?

[Arthur]

We made them.

[Arthur Reed]

We're responsible for all those crazy ingredients.

[Binky]

Banana was my idea. Without me, there's no banana.

[Arthur]

Oh, yeah? Well, who bought the ingredients? Who owns the oven? You're all just jealous.

[Arthur Reed]

Are we just jealous?

[Arthur]

No.

[Francine]

She's a big sneaky rat.

[Binky]

Banana was my idea.

[Arthur]

Oh, stop with the banana already. You all wanted to put that dough in the trash, but Bailey baked them anyway. Then I tasted them and I entered the contest with them and I won. And now I'm leaving.

[Francine]

Muffy Crosswire, if you leave right now without promising to include us, then you're choosing cookies over friendship.

[Arthur]

Well, I have to do a photo shoot at the Sugar bowl so I can put my face on the cookie package. So goodbye.

[Francine]

It might be her face on those cookies, but it isn't her recipe. We made it together and we remember the whole thing.

[Binky]

Banana.

[Francine]

Yep. One alien brain banana. Then Arthur put in a cup of.

[Binky]

Cocoa and I added three more bananas.

[Buster Baxter]

Later, I put in exactly 10 peach slices. There were 12, but I ate two.

[Francine]

See? We know the recipe. We should make our own cookies and drive that rat out of business.

[Arthur Reed]

Even if we did, she'd still choose cookies over us.

[Buster Baxter]

Yeah, I thought she'd choose friendship.

[Francine]

Well, I won't eat her cookies if she pays me, and that's that.

[Binky]

Me neither.

[Buster Baxter]

Yeah, I've never turned down a cookie, but I guess so.

[Arthur Reed]

Well, podcast people, you heard it here. Our friend Muffy and her cookies are off the menu. Podcast people, I'm on my way to the Sugar Bowl. Today is Muffy's first day selling our cookies. I was not planning on going, but this morning, Muffy sent a message. Here, let me play it for you.

[Arthur]

Arthur. Buster, Vicky and Francine. Emergency. Please come to the Sugar bowl at 11:00am I really need you to be there.

[Francine]

Arthur.

[Arthur Reed]

Hey, Francine.

[Buster Baxter]

Arthur, Francine, wait up for me and Binky.

[Francine]

Did you get Muffy's message?

[Arthur Reed]

I don't know what's going on, but she said it was an emergency.

[Francine]

Her emergency was last night. She video chatted me. And you'll never believe what she said. Hello?

[Arthur]

Hi, Francine.

[Francine]

Did I hear a rat squeaking?

[Arthur]

Um, do you want to come and help me make the cookies?

[Francine]

Why don't you just make them by yourself like you did last time?

[Arthur]

Because I don't remember the recipe.

[Francine]

What?

[Arthur]

I remember everything that went into the pool, but I don't remember how much I was laughing too hard.

[Francine]

So now you need our help. Will you give us credit this time?

[Arthur]

That won't be possible.

[Francine]

I don't get you, Muffy Crosswire. You have convertible tennis courts and a butler. Why do you cheat for something like cookies?

[Arthur]

You don't know what it's like to be me. There's a lot of pressure being number one. I have a reputation.

[Francine]

As a dishonest rat.

[Arthur]

As a winner. I had to prove to everyone that I could win again.

[Francine]

But you couldn't. We did it together.

[Arthur]

But nobody else knows that.

[Francine]

You know it, and we know it.

[Arthur Reed]

Wait. She didn't know the recipe.

[Binky]

You didn't give it to her, did you?

[Francine]

Yep.

[Arthur]

Why?

[Buster Baxter]

I put in that banana.

[Francine]

I gave it to her because she's our friend. Even if she is being a rat.

[Buster Baxter]

She'S probably gonna be more famous than donuts.

[Arthur Reed]

Well, we're gonna find out. Look at all the people at the Sugar Bowl.

[Binky]

Wow. She's got balloons with her face on them.

[Francine]

And all these people are in line to buy our cookies.

[Buster Baxter]

Hey, there's Muffy. She's coming out.

[Francine]

Oh, thank you.

[Arthur]

Thanks. Bye a bunch. You'll love them. Hi, everyone. I'm so glad you came. I want you to have the first bag of cookies.

[Francine]

I don't even want to look at those miserable things.

[Buster Baxter]

Francine, wait.

[Francine]

Look at the bag.

[Arthur Reed]

It says Muffy and friends. Scrumptious Smackerdoodles.

[Arthur]

And look, they're each shaped like one of you.

[Buster Baxter]

Look at my long ears.

[Binky]

I've never been a cookie before.

[Francine]

So you finally realized honesty and friendship are more important than winning.

[Arthur]

Yeah. I'm sorry. Daddy and I talked about it. He said honesty is the best policy. Anyway, try them.

[Buster Baxter]

I pull off those.

[Francine]

Really? They're banana y and they're selling fast.

[Arthur]

So I think we should start working on my new recipe for next year.

[Francine]

Whose new recipe?

[Arthur]

Oh, right, our new recipe. I have to get used to that.

[Arthur Reed]

How about a cake or donuts?

[Binky]

It should have lots of bananas in it. I put the banana in this recipe. You know.

[Arthur Reed]

You've been listening to the Arthur Podcast hey parents, do you want your kids to answer my next inbox question? First, go to the arthur [e-mail] to find out what I'll be asking. Then email me a voice recording of your child's response to arthurgbh.org your child's answer might even be featured on a.

[Buster Baxter]

Future podcast that's the show Podcast Nation. If you liked it, ask your grown up to subscribe so you don't miss any new episodes. You can listen to all our podcasts, play games and [e-mail] the Arthur Podcast.

[Arthur Reed]

Is produced for PBS Kids by GBH Kids in partnership with Gen Z Media and distributed by prx. Thanks for listening and have a wonderful kind of day.

[Additional Chorus/Group Voice]

And I say hey, what a wonderful kind of day. Learn to work and play and get along with each other. You got to listen to your heart, listen to the beat, listen to the rhythm, the rhythm of the street. Open up your eyes, open up your ears. Get together and make things better.

[Arthur]

GBH Kit. From prx.