The Wise Man

Emily brings some broken pieces of what seem to be Ivory. They fit together into a nodding Chinaman. Professor Yaffle tells the story of the wise man of Ling-Po who just wanted to be left to live in peace on his island and talk to his friends the turtles. But the local people like turtle soup and come and catch the turtles. The wise man asks them not to, but they laugh at him. So, he walks across the wooden bridge from the island to the land, breaking it down as he goes. Now the people laugh at him even more, saying he is a stupid man because he cannot return to his island. The wise man tells them not to be so silly, and walks briskly back to his island across the water.

The mice find the story unsatisfactory, so Yaffle tells them how the turtles piled themselves up just under the water to provide stepping stones for the wise man.

Emily, Bagpuss, Professor Yaffle, Madeleine, Gabriel, Charlie Mouse, Jenny Mouse, Janey Mouse, Lizzie Mouse, Eddie Mouse, Willy Mouse