Adventures in Odyssey

Chris: Hi, this is Chris. Welcome to Adventures in Odyssey!

John Avery Whittaker: Oh, hi there. I'm John Avery Whittaker, but you can call me Whit. We were just getting ready for a time of wonder, excitement, and discovery. You care to join us? You never know what will happen next when you have an adventure in Odyssey.

Guest (Male): And now, Kids Radio's Playhouse of the Airwaves presents *Pilgrim's Progress Revisited*, based on the allegorical tale by John Bunyan. This is the story of a young man who lived in the township of Evil. He carried a book in his hand and a great load on his back.

Christian: Boy, this thing is heavy. And I'm very unhappy. What should I do? What should I do?

Guest (Male): His neighbors noticed the young man's unhappiness, and one of them, a woman called Practical, approached him to ask him about it.

Practical: Christian? Christian?

Christian: Yes, Miss Practical.

Practical: You've been behaving very oddly lately. What seems to be the problem?

Christian: This book. It says our city is going to be destroyed, burned with fire from heaven.

Practical: Well, Christian, you can't believe everything you read. Why are you bent over that way?

Christian: This load on my back has become very heavy. Funny, I never used to notice it before I read this book. What should I do?

Practical: Stop reading that book!

Christian: But I can't just ignore what it says. I have to do something about it.

Practical: Now, Christian, be reasonable. You're getting yourself all worked up over a book. Now, does that make sense?

Christian: Well, no, I guess not.

Practical: Of course not. Now, why don't you go on home, take a nice hot bath, and get a good night's sleep? That'll clear your head.

Guest (Male): So Christian took Practical's advice. But when he awoke the next morning, he felt worse than ever.

Christian: What am I going to do? What am I going to do?

Guest (Male): He took his book and walked out into a field, thinking the fresh air would make him feel better. But that didn't help either. And soon, Christian sank to his knees under the great load on his back.

Christian: Someone help me, please!

Evangelist: Now, what's the matter?

Christian: Who are you?

Evangelist: My name is Evangelist.

Christian: Where did you come from?

Evangelist: Oh, we're always popping up. Too much, according to some people. Now, what seems to be the problem?

Christian: Well, this book says that our city and country are going to be wiped out and that I should run for safety.

Evangelist: Well, then, why are you standing here? Run!

Christian: I don't know where to go.

Evangelist: Is that all? You need to go to the Celestial City.

Christian: Celestial City?

Evangelist: Right. The place of ultimate safety and rest. Of course, getting there is no picnic. The journey is very dangerous, filled with many enemies.

Christian: Enemies?

Evangelist: Yep. Oh, and they won't let you in with that smelly load on your back.

Christian: I've been trying to take it off, but I can't.

Evangelist: Well, of course you can't. It has to be removed for you.

Christian: Removed for me? Can you do it?

Evangelist: No. Head for the Celestial City and you'll find out.

Christian: How do I get there?

Evangelist: You see that blinking light in the distance there?

Christian: Across the field?

Evangelist: Aha. Now, when you cross the field, you come to a path. Follow the path to get to the light. Then you'll be told what to do. Well, don't just stand there. Get going!

Christian: Yes, sir. Thank you.

Evangelist: And make sure you stay on the path! Don't turn away to the right or to the left. Godspeed!

Guest (Female): Need even more Adventures in Odyssey? Peek behind the scenes with the official Adventures in Odyssey podcast. When you tune in, you'll learn more about the actors behind your favorite characters.

Katie Leigh: Hi, this is Katie Leigh, the voice of Connie.

Guest (Female): You'll hear how the writers come up with their ideas and how the sound designers create all those crazy sounds. You'll also get to hear the team answer questions from fans like you. Find the official Adventures in Odyssey podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Or better yet, visit adventuresinodyssey.com/podcast.

Guest (Male): So Christian began running across the field toward the light. But he didn't know that another neighbor, Mr. Pliant, had started running after him. And just as Christian reached the path, Mr. Pliant overtook him.

Pliant: Hey! Hey, wait up! Wait, good neighbor Christian!

Christian: What do you want?

Pliant: Well, what do I want? Oh, yeah. It's all over town that you're high-tailing it to the Celestial City. Is that true?

Christian: It is.

Pliant: Ooh. Why?

Christian: To get this smelly load off my back, for one thing.

Pliant: So that's what that odor is. Thought my deodorant stopped working.

Christian: And the other reason I'm leaving is because the township of Evil is going to be destroyed.

Pliant: What? Destroyed? Glad I didn't get that second mortgage. So, when's this supposed to happen?

Christian: I don't know, but the only way to be saved is by getting to the Celestial City. Do you want to come with me?

Pliant: Come with you? Come with you? Where?

Christian: To the Celestial City.

Pliant: Ha! Do I look like the kind of guy who runs away from danger?

Christian: Actually, yes.

Pliant: Good point. Let's go!

Guest (Male): Christian and Pliant hurried down the path and soon came to the edge of a great swamp, which Christian's book called the Bog of Discouragement.

Christian: This place looks terrible.

Pliant: Oh, I don't know. A few flowers, a little bulldozing.

Christian: The book says it's pretty dangerous. I wonder if there's a way around it.

Pliant: Your book?

Christian: No, the bog.

Pliant: Oh.

Christian: There isn't.

Pliant: Well, what are we supposed to do?

Christian: It says here that we have to continue on, and that we'll be okay as long as we keep going.

Pliant: Keep going? Through that? Why, it's thicker than a really thick thing.

Christian: Well, we have no choice. Come on.

Guest (Male): Christian plunged in, and Mr. Pliant timidly followed a short distance behind. They made their way very well at first, but soon Christian stumbled because of his burden. He became stuck and started sinking in the mire.

Christian: Pliant, help! Help!

Pliant: It's misted so thick you can't see your hand in front of your face. Of course, you wouldn't get much enjoyment from that anyway.

Christian: But I'm sinking fast! Please, help!

Pliant: I can't help you if I can't see you! Say, why'd you bring us out here anyway? All your talk about the Celestial City.

Christian: Follow my voice!

Pliant: Oh, no. You're not going to get me stuck. I've been stuck before, usually at restaurants with relatives, but not this time. Sorry, neighbor, but I'm going home.

Christian: Wait! Please! I can't make it!

Help: Pardon me!

Christian: Huh?

Help: Do you perhaps require assistance?

Christian: Yes, please!

Help: Very well. Then attach yourself to the end of this rope and I shall pull you out.

Christian: Okay. I've got it.

Help: Here we go. Keep on. That's it. That's it. There.

Christian: Thanks. I didn't think I was going to get out.

Help: And what, may I ask, were you doing in there in the first place?

Christian: I'm going to the Celestial City, and this is where my guidebook led me to.

Help: Ah. Many people have tried to make that journey, but it is very difficult.

Christian: So I've noticed.

Help: Oh, you will encounter things more terrible than the Bog of Discouragement. Ahead are lions, giants, dragons, darkness, and the ever-popular death.

Christian: Death?

Worldly Wiseman: Might I offer you a bit of sage counsel?

Christian: Sage counsel?

Worldly Wiseman: Advice.

Christian: Oh. Yeah, sure.

Worldly Wiseman: I have heard of a village nearby. There you will receive rest and shelter, and perhaps find someone to remove the load off your back.

Christian: Really? That sounds great. How do I get to this village?

Worldly Wiseman: Climb the hill to the left. Just over it is the town.

Christian: Climb over the hill to the left. Got it.

Worldly Wiseman: Have a good trip, my friend.

Christian: Thanks again, Mr. Uh, hey, what's your name?

Worldly Wiseman: Wise. Mr. Worldly Wiseman.

Christian: Whew. This hill has turned into a mountain. I hope I get there soon. Whoa! What was that? Earthquake! I don't think I like this.

Evangelist: Hey, you!

Christian: Mr. Evangelist! Whoa!

Evangelist: Why are you here instead of on the path?

Christian: I'm going to the village on the other side of this hill.

Evangelist: There is no village on the other side of this hill, because there is no hill. It's a volcano!

Christian: Volcano?

Evangelist: Yes. And if you keep going, you're going to walk right into its mouth. Come on, back the way you came and hurry up!

Christian: Right behind you. Whew. I sure am glad you came along, Mr. Evangelist.

Evangelist: Why did you think there was a village there anyway, Christian?

Christian: Because Mr. Wise said there was.

Evangelist: Mr. Wise?

Christian: Yeah, Worldly Wise.

Evangelist: I take it you didn't read the book.

Christian: Yes, I did. Some of it.

Evangelist: Had you read all of it, you would have seen that it warns you about Mr. Worldly Wise and what a liar he is.

Christian: He threw me a rope when I was in the bog.

Evangelist: Well, sometimes he's helpful, but he usually gives bad advice. Now, from now on, stick to the path and read the book, all of it.

Christian: I will! I will!

Evangelist: Yeah, I'll believe that when I see it.

Guest (Male): And so, Christian continued down the path toward the light as fast as he could. When he had traveled some distance, he saw that it was coming from the tower of a large castle. Christian raced to the castle gate. He tried opening it, but the gate was shut tight. Now what?

Christian: Whoa! Who's shooting arrows?

Guest (Male): Looking around, Christian saw another castle across a ravine. A host of menacing archers were on the battlement, stringing their bows to shoot at him.

Christian: Hey, stop it! Wait a minute, the book. Here. "When you come to the gate, knock and it shall be opened unto you." Just knock? Can't be that simple. Hello! Let me in! Oh, hey! Hey, I'm out here! Open the gate! No! Whoa!

Christian: Whew, that was close. Thanks for pulling me in, whoever you are.

Goodwill: I am the guardian of the gate.

Christian: Who are those guys with the arrows?

Goodwill: Archers of the Prince of the Devils. They shoot at everyone going to the Celestial City. You're fortunate to be alive.

Christian: I know.

Goodwill: How goes the journey so far?

Christian: Fine, if you like swamps, volcanoes, and being used for target practice.

Goodwill: It's dangerous, all right.

Christian: It'd be a whole lot easier if I didn't have this load on my back.

Goodwill: Your burden can be lifted.

Christian: Then you're the one?

Goodwill: No, no, no, not me. No man can remove it. It can only be removed at the place of deliverance.

Christian: Where's that?

Goodwill: The gate across the compound opens unto the path called Straight and Narrow. The path leads to a hill, and at the top of the hill is the place of deliverance. Come on.

Christian: Wait a minute. Last time someone told me to climb a hill, I nearly walked into a volcano.

Goodwill: Good boy. You're learning. Check your book to see if what I'm saying is true.

Christian: Travel the Straight and Narrow path, and ye shall find the place of deliverance. Just making sure.

Guest (Male): The path was fenced on either side with a wall, and along this road, Christian ran, or tried to run with his heavy load. At the foot of the hill, plagued with weariness, he stopped next to an empty, open tomb.

Christian: Can't go on.

Evangelist: Don't stop now!

Christian: Mr. Evangelist?

Evangelist: You can make it!

Guest (Male): With great effort, Christian struggled up the hill. And just when it seemed his strength would fail.

Christian: Yes. Yes, I made it.

Evangelist: Welcome.

Christian: Is this the place of deliverance?

Evangelist: Yes.

Christian: Well, what do I have to do?

Evangelist: Look behind me. What do you see?

Christian: It's a cross.

Evangelist: Mm-hmm. Go stand beneath it.

Guest (Male): Christian slowly walked up to the cross, and when its shadow fell across him, his load instantly broke free and slipped from his shoulders. It tumbled down the hill into the tomb, which instantly sealed itself. Christian slowly felt behind his back.

Christian: The burden is gone. Gone!

Evangelist: Never to be seen again. Congratulations.

Christian: Gone! Gone!

Evangelist: And that's not the only thing. Look at your clothes.

Christian: They're new, and they're clean!

Evangelist: Yeah. I'm very happy for you. But you've still got a long way to go before you get to the Celestial City.

Christian: Yes, yes, it's okay. What's next?

Evangelist: Well, go on down the path to a place called the Palace Beautiful. There you'll get more tools for your journey.

Christian: Palace Beautiful. Got it.

Evangelist: Pace yourself. And don't let anyone pull you off the path. You hear?

Christian: No one will pull me off now. I'm free! Free!

Guest (Male): Hey parents, for almost 40 years, Adventures in Odyssey has been helping kids like yours form relationships with Christ. Now, the animated Adventures in Odyssey film, *Journey into the Impossible*, will reach a new generation of families.

Guest (Male): But we need your help to finish the film and launch it in theaters. Your gift will be matched dollar for dollar before May 1st. See the trailer and donate today at focusonthefamily.com/impossible. That's focusonthefamily.com/impossible.

Guest (Male): Focus on the Family and Adventures in Odyssey present the *Imagination Station* books, an exciting series for readers ages seven and up. Through Whit's greatest invention, young readers will travel to the Coliseum in ancient Rome, and a longboat in Greenland.

Guest (Male): I am Eric the Red, the Viking!

Guest (Male): And there's so much more. When you visit theimaginationstation.com, you can find study guides and devotions, plus fun family activities. More information at theimaginationstation.com or 1-800-A-FAMILY.

Guest (Female): Want to contact us about the episode you're hearing? Visit our website at adventuresinodyssey.com, or talk to someone at Focus on the Family. Call 1-800-A-FAMILY. With a parent's permission, of course. We always love hearing from you.

Guest (Male): Christian, now free of his burden, ran down the path at a quick pace. After a time, he entered a wooded grove and came upon a small shelter at the side of the road. In the shelter was a woman.

Busywork: Oh, busy, busy, busy. So much work to do. So much.

Guest (Male): Her name was Busywork, a craftswoman of fine jewelry and embroidered clothing. Christian stopped to admire her handiwork.

Christian: This is beautiful. Excuse me, ma'am.

Busywork: Oh! Well, it's about time you arrived. I need your help.

Christian: Help?

Busywork: Oh, yes, yes, with these adornments. Can't go to the Celestial City without adornments for the king, now can we?

Christian: These are for the king?

Busywork: I just said that, didn't I? Now come help me.

Christian: Well, I really should keep going.

Busywork: Oh, come, come. There's so much to be done. We've got to get busy. There's lots to do.

Christian: Well, I guess it won't hurt to help out for a while. These are gifts for the king.

Guest (Male): And so, forgetting the warning to beware of those who would pull him off the path, Christian gave in to Busywork. She stole his time with one meaningless project after another. And when he finally looked up at the sky.

Christian: Hey, it's almost dark. Excuse me, Miss Busywork.

Busywork: What? What is it?

Christian: I was just thinking that we probably have enough gifts now. Maybe we should be moving on, huh?

Busywork: Moving on? Absolutely not. Can't leave now. There's so much more to do.

Christian: But we've made just about everything there is to make. Now it's time to take it all to the king.

Busywork: Nonsense. There's so much more to do. We must stay.

Christian: You can if you want, but I'm going.

Busywork: Hey! You must stay too!

Christian: Let go of me!

Busywork: You must stay!

Christian: No!

Busywork: Don't say that word again!

Christian: What word? No?

Busywork: I won't say it if you let me go! But you must stay!

Christian: No! No! No! No! I won't stay!

Guest (Male): Christian broke free from Busywork's grasp and scrambled away as fast as he could. But he had spent so much time with her, it was now dark. Real smart. And he couldn't see anything. Christian stumbled along for quite some time, until at last he came to a little rise. As he topped the crest, he saw the lights of the Palace Beautiful.

Christian: All right!

Guest (Male): He rushed forward, very happy, when suddenly two ferocious lions jumped in his path. They eyed Christian hungrily.

Christian: Nice kitty. Uh, kitties.

Porter: Don't stop! Keep approaching the palace!

Christian: Are you nuts? If I move, these lions are going to turn me into a hot lunch!

Guest (Male): Suddenly, the palace doors cracked open and a narrow beam of the purest light streaked across the courtyard to where Christian stood.

Porter: The lions are on long chains! If you keep strictly to the beam of light, they can't reach you. Come!

Christian: But what if the chains break?

Porter: Is your strength so small? Check your book!

Christian: "Walk in the light. The beasts will not harm you." Come! Okay. Here goes nothing.

Guest (Male): Christian stepped forward. The lions roared and snapped, straining at their chains to catch him by the foot. But the promises were true. The lions couldn't touch Christian, for he stayed in the light and reached the doors unharmed.

Christian: Whew, I made it.

Porter: Your courage has served you well. I am the porter of the Palace Beautiful.

Christian: I'm Christian. I'm on my way to the Celestial City.

Porter: Can you prove this?

Christian: Prove it?

Porter: We must be careful whom we let in.

Christian: I had my burden lifted at the foot of the cross, and there I received this new suit of clothes.

Porter: Good. This house was built by the Lord of the hill for the benefit of travelers such as yourself. So, with the Lord's blessing, enter.

Guest (Male): Inside, the porter introduced him to another traveler, a young girl named Hope.

Hope: May I travel with you to the Celestial City?

Porter: A wise suggestion. You shall both be desirous of each other's company before your journey's end.

Christian: It's okay with me. It'd be nice to have someone to talk to for a change.

Porter: Excellent. And now I'll show you the things you need for the rest of your journey.

Guest (Male): The porter took them to a room filled with weapons. He gave each of them belts of truth, helmets of salvation, breastplates of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, and for you, young lady, a bow and quiver of the arrows of love.

Hope: Thank you.

Porter: And for you, young man, the shield of faith and the sword of the spirit.

Christian: Wow.

Porter: And now you must eat and sleep, for tomorrow's journey will take you into the Valley of Humiliation, where you will face your greatest enemy yet.

Guest (Male): And so they rested. And the next day, after they had breakfasted, they said goodbye to the porter and once again made their way down the path toward the Celestial City. When they had journeyed two hours, the path took them into a strange, rocky hollow.

Christian: I think this is the Valley of Humiliation.

Hope: I don't know. Seems spooky enough.

Christian: The porter said we'd face our greatest enemy yet here. I can't believe anything could possibly be worse than what I've already gone through. First, I nearly drowned in a swamp, then I almost walked into a volcano. Then some guys tried to pin me to the wall with arrows, and then... listen.

Hope: I don't hear anything.

Christian: I know. The birds have stopped singing. Uh-oh.

Guest (Male): Suddenly, a hideous monster swooped down and landed on the path, blocking their way. It was nine feet tall, with scales like a fish all over its body, wings like a dragon, claws like a bear, and fire spewing from its belly.

Apollyon: I am Apollyon, son of the devil! Prepare to die!

Guest (Male): What will happen to Christian and Hope? Will they fight Apollyon or be destroyed by him? Will they ever reach the Celestial City? There's only one way to find out for sure. Tune in next time.

Chris: Meanwhile, if you'd like to write to us, we'd sure love to hear from you. Just send your card or letter to Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Or in Canada, write to Box 9800, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4G3.

Chris: Adventures in Odyssey is a presentation of Focus on the Family. *Pilgrim's Progress Revisited* was written and directed by Phil Lollar. Our production engineer was Bob Luttrell, and Chuck Bolte was our executive producer. And I'm Chris, hoping you'll join us again next time for more Adventures in Odyssey.

Chris: Here's another fun fact from the Odyssey scrapbook. Did you know that several early Adventures in Odyssey episodes were completely rewritten and re-recorded? "Better Late Than Never" is one of those episodes.

John Avery Whittaker: We'll give her a couple more minutes.

Connie Kendall: Whit, what's the hold up? The bus was supposed to leave for the roller rink ages ago.

John Avery Whittaker: We're waiting for Robin.

Connie Kendall: Robin? Robin Jacobs? Who else?

John Avery Whittaker: Hmm, maybe I should call her house.

Connie Kendall: I tried. The line's busy. I'm sure there's a good reason. Well, she always has an excuse, but never a good reason.

John Avery Whittaker: Now, maybe I'll have a word with her.

Connie Kendall: Well, that's it. We've waited as long as we can. Everybody on the bus!

Chris: It was originally an episode called "Missed It By That Much." Why was it re-recorded? Because of a character named Officer David Harley.

Officer David Harley: Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. You can't have all these kids skating in the back of your store without a license.

John Avery Whittaker: Those kids aren't going to skate in the back of my store. They're taking a bus to the Circle Lanes Roller Rink. They're just waiting here for the rest of their group.

Officer David Harley: Oh, okay. But if they don't get moving fast, you'll need a permit for conspicuous assemblying-age gathering.

John Avery Whittaker: Oh well, I certainly don't have time to get one of those. Connie, what's the hold up?

Connie Kendall: We're waiting for Rachel.

John Avery Whittaker: Rachel Weaver? Who else?

Connie Kendall: Oh well, maybe I should call her at her house. I tried. The line's busy. It's just Rachel. She's late for everything. Okay, everybody on the bus!

John Avery Whittaker: All right, children, we don't want a riot here. Let's have a little orderly dispersal. I want everyone to line up alphabetically according to their height.

Connie Kendall: Just get on the bus!

Chris: Officer Harley was an affable, bumbling sort of policeman who many parents thought gave a bad impression of how intelligent our police officers really are. So, Officer Harley left Odyssey, and his shows were completely redone.

Chris: Interesting, huh? Well, it just goes to prove what kind of impact your letters can have. You can find out more about getting your own copy of Adventures in Odyssey episodes by writing to Odyssey, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80995. Or in Canada, write to PO Box 9800, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4G3.