Ep 6. Beaver's Big Contest

Beaver's Big Contest is a heart-warming episode of the classic sitcom Leave It to Beaver, which originally aired during the show's fourth season in 1960. The episode follows the misadventures of the Beaver, the youngest of the Cleaver children, as he gets into trouble while trying to win a prize for a school contest.

As the episode opens, Beaver is excitedly telling his family about a contest that is being held at his school. The contest is a geography quiz, and the prize is a shiny new bicycle. Beaver has always dreamed of having a bike of his own, but his family can't afford to buy him one, so he sees this as his chance to finally get one.

Beaver begins studying tirelessly for the contest, but he soon realizes that he has a problem - he's terrible at geography. He tries to memorize all of the countries and their capitals, but it seems like nothing sticks. Meanwhile, his older brother Wally becomes concerned about Beaver's chances of winning, and he offers to help him study.

Despite Wally's assistance, Beaver is still struggling with the material, so he decides to take a shortcut. He asks his friend Larry Mondello, who is a bit of a troublemaker, to give him the answers to the quiz. Larry reluctantly agrees, but he warns Beaver not to tell anyone where he got the information.

On the day of the contest, Beaver feels nervous but confident. He breezes through the early rounds, and before he knows it, he's in the final round with just one opponent standing in his way. However, when the teacher asks him a question about the capital of a particular country, he hesitates for a moment and realizes that he doesn't know the answer. Suddenly overcome with guilt, he decides to forfeit the contest rather than cheat.

Beaver returns home feeling defeated, but his family is proud of him for doing the right thing. Later that evening, he receives a surprise visit from the principal, who tells him that even though he didn't win the contest, he has been awarded a special prize for his honesty - a brand new bicycle. Beaver is overjoyed, and he thanks his family for their support.

Throughout the episode, we see the familiar dynamics of the Cleaver family at work. Beaver is the innocent but mischievous youngest son, while Wally is the responsible older brother who tries to look out for him. June and Ward Cleaver are the archetypal 1950s parents, dispensing advice and wisdom while remaining calm in the face of their children's misadventures.

Leave It to Beaver was a pioneering sitcom in many ways, and its wholesome portrayal of family life has made it an enduring classic. Even today, more than half a century after it first aired, it continues to charm audiences with its simple yet effective humor and timeless family values. Beaver's Big Contest is a perfect example of the show at its best, showcasing the virtues of honesty, hard work, and perseverance in a way that is both entertaining and uplifting.