Catch up TV

Series 3: 10. Waffle Learns to Read

Waffle is banned from going anywhere near Sommersby School, so Gramps is at the Brooklyn-Bells’ house to cheer him up. They play a game together on the front drive. Gramps and Waffle run in circles quickly, then slowly, before falling to the ground with laughter. Mrs Hobbs appears at her front door. She might have known it would be Gramps and Waffle making the racket!\n\nMrs Hobbs reveals she’s doggy day-caring Connie and Ruby’s dog, Jelly. Gramps and Waffle can’t believe it. Jelly is known for being a troublesome dog but Mrs Hobbs won’t hear of it. She insists that Jelly is a well-behaved dog. Mrs Hobbs bids Gramps a good day and promptly shuts the door. \n \nBack at the Brooklyn-Bells’, Gramps shares his plans with Waffle for the day ahead; they will plant some flowers together in the back garden and Waffle can do some muddy digging. Unusually, Waffle isn’t interested and rushes upstairs to Evie’s bedroom. Gramps follows. \n \nWaffle fetches a book from Evie’s bookshelf and shows it to Gramps. To Gramps’ surprise, Waffle wants to read! Gramps isn’t sure it’s possible to teach a dog how to read but he’s up for the challenge and the pair decamp to the back garden where there’s better light.\n \nGramps teaches Waffle the letter “D” which makes the sound “duh” and sets Waffle the task of looking in the garden for objects beginning with “D”. Waffle barks. It’s a great game and he’s good at it. Waffle finds a rubber duck, a toy dinosaur and a daisy. \n \nMrs Hobbs shouts over the garden fence from next door. She wants the barking and the “din” coming from the Brooklyn-Bells’ garden to stop. Mrs Hobbs accuses Gramps of nosing into her garden to see how a good dog like Jelly behaves but meanwhile, Jelly is trying to squeeze her way through a hole in the fence. Mrs Hobbs calls Waffle a “rascal” but Gramps informs her that Waffle is far too busy to be a rascal today – because he’s learning to read. Mrs Hobbs concedes that Waffle is an unusual dog but he’s not clever enough to read! \n\nTo keep the noise to a minimum for Mrs Hobbs, Gramps and Waffle continue reading indoors. Gramps teaches Waffle how to say the rest of the word “dog” and commends Waffle for being remarkably clever. \n \nSimon, Evie and Doug return home with Ruby who is joining them for dinner. Gramps is delighted – the more the merrier – because he’s had an idea. He’s going to stage a garden performance where Waffle will show off his new reading talent. \n \nBy the time Jess arrives home, bunting is hung, the stage is set and everyone gathers outside. Mrs Hobbs is adamant she won’t enjoy the show and insists on staying her side of the fence. She’ll view the show from there. Jelly tries to dig underneath the fence for a better look but Mrs Hobbs tells Ruby that Jelly has been a very good dog all day; she’s been quiet, calm and obedient. \n \nGramps gets the show underway and introduces Waffle to cheers from the crowd. Waffle takes to the stage and begins to read from Evie’s book. The Brooklyn-Bells and Ruby are very impressed and proud; Waffle is learning to read, just like Evie. \n \nAs Mrs Hobbs heckles from over the fence, claiming that Jelly could read much better than Waffle, if she tried, Jelly pushes through the hole in the fence and appears in the Brooklyn-Bells’ garden. Mrs Hobbs tries to pull Jelly back but Jelly disobeys Mrs Hobbs’ commands. Waffle calls Jelly a “bad dog” just as Jelly tugs once more on her lead and brings down the whole fence with Mrs Hobbs on top! \n \nThe Brooklyn-Bells rush to help Mrs Hobbs. As she gets to her feet, Mrs Hobbs asks Ruby to tell her mother to find a new doggy day-carer for Jelly from now on. \n\nLater, the Brooklyn-Bells settle on the sofa for a bedtime story read by Gramps, with help from Waffle. Waffle makes a mistake with his reading. He can’t read the word “hero” yet, but Waffle the Wonder Dog will always be the Brooklyn-Bells’ hero!

Source: CBeebies