Ep 5. Dinner Party / The Woodpecker

Dinner Party / The Woodpecker is the fifth episode of season 3 of the British animated television series Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom. The show follows the adventures of a young fairy princess named Holly and her best friend, a young elf named Ben, as they explore the magical world of the Little Kingdom.

In the first half of the episode, titled "Dinner Party," King Thistle and Queen Marigold invite the Wise Old Elf, Nanny Plum, and their friends Ben and Holly over for a formal dinner party. The guests arrive at the castle dressed in their finest clothes, and the king and queen greet them at the door. The Wise Old Elf, who is known for his love of food, is particularly excited for the feast.

Inside the castle, the group is seated at a grand table decorated with fine china, crystal glasses, and flickering candles. The chefs bring out the first course, an appetizer of tomato and mozzarella salad. The Wise Old Elf eagerly digs in, but he quickly discovers that the tomatoes are too hard to cut with his fork. He asks Nanny Plum to pass the knife, but she reminds him that it is impolite to use a knife on tomatoes.

The Wise Old Elf becomes increasingly frustrated as the meal progresses. He can't seem to eat anything without encountering a new challenge, from slippery pasta to tough meat. Meanwhile, Ben and Holly try to make the best of the situation, but they struggle to eat fancy foods they've never tasted before.

As the dinner party comes to an end, the Wise Old Elf is relieved to see the dessert course: a simple bowl of fruit salad. He happily devours the sweet pineapple and strawberries, and the guests bid farewell to the king and queen. Back at the Little Castle, the Wise Old Elf settles down with a hearty bowl of spaghetti, glad to be eating his favourite food again.

In the second half of the episode, titled "The Woodpecker," Ben and Holly are exploring the forest when they hear a strange knocking sound. They follow the sound to a tree, where they discover a tiny woodpecker pecking away at the bark. Ben and Holly try to talk to the woodpecker, but it is too busy working to pay them any attention.

The next day, the duo returns to the forest to check on the woodpecker. To their surprise, they find that the bird has created a hole in the tree large enough for them to enter. Inside, they discover a cozy little nest full of twigs and feathers. The woodpecker nods at them in greeting before flying away, and Ben and Holly explore the nest.

As they leave the tree, they realize that they've made quite a mess. Twigs and leaves are scattered all around, and the hole is too small for them to fix. They try to come up with a solution, but they can't think of anything until Nanny Plum arrives. She uses magic to shrink herself down to fairy size, and she quickly tidies up the nest and fixes the hole.

Ben and Holly are thrilled with Nanny Plum's solution, and they thank her for her help. As they leave the forest, they see the woodpecker flying overhead. They wave goodbye, grateful for the opportunity to see such a beautiful little bird up close.

Overall, Dinner Party / The Woodpecker is a charming episode that highlights the importance of good manners and respect for nature. Fans of the show will love watching the characters navigate the challenges of a formal dinner party and the delights of a magical forest.