Ep 6. Journey In The Spring (1)

In the third season of Little House on the Prairie, episode six is entitled Journey In The Spring (1). The show centers around the Ingalls family, who live in a small town in Wisconsin in the late 1800s. The main characters are Charles, the father, his wife Caroline, and their three daughters Mary, Laura and Carrie.

In this episode, Charles and Jonathan Garvey decide to leave Walnut Grove and start a freight-hauling business. They plan to travel west to Mankato, Minnesota to buy a wagon, horses and supplies for their business. Their wives and children are to stay in Walnut Grove and wait for them to return.

Before they leave, Charles talks to Laura about the responsibility of being the oldest child and being left in charge while he is away. He tells her how proud he is of her and trusts her to take care of the family while he is gone. Laura is excited at the prospect of being in charge, although she also feels the weight of the responsibility.

While traveling to Mankato, Charles and Jonathan come across two orphaned children, a brother and sister. The children's parents had died, and they were now on their way to live with their wealthy aunt and uncle in Chicago. However, they had missed their train and were stranded. Charles and Jonathan decide to take them to Mankato with them, where they will be able to catch another train.

Meanwhile, back in Walnut Grove, Caroline is struggling to keep the family together. She is worried about Charles and Jonathan and doesn't know how to handle Laura, who is taking her responsibilities very seriously and is becoming bossy towards her younger sisters. She tries to talk to Laura about letting her sisters have some fun, but Laura is concerned with making sure everything is done properly.

As they travel to Mankato, Charles and Jonathan face many challenges, including a flooded river and a shortage of supplies. They also come across a group of Native Americans who are being forced to leave their land by the US government. The two men are sympathetic to their plight and try to help them as best they can.

Back in Walnut Grove, Laura's bossiness begins to cause problems. She makes Carrie do all the chores and doesn't let Mary play with her friends. Caroline tries to talk to her again, but Laura refuses to listen and becomes angry with her mother. Caroline realizes that Laura is feeling overwhelmed with the responsibility and tries to offer her support and guidance instead of scolding her.

Finally, Charles and Jonathan make it to Mankato and buy the supplies they need. They also discover that the orphaned children's aunt and uncle had died before they could get to them, leaving the children with no place to go. Charles and Jonathan decide to take them back to Walnut Grove with them and give them a home there.

The episode ends with the family being reunited and Laura realizing that she doesn't have to be perfect all the time. She apologizes to her sisters and they all go outside to play. Charles and Jonathan's freight-hauling business is now up and running, with the addition of the two new children as their first customers.

Journey In The Spring (1) is a heartwarming episode that highlights the struggles and triumphs of family life in the late 1800s. It emphasizes the importance of responsibility and trust, while also showing the value of forgiveness and support. The themes and issues explored in the episode are timeless and applicable to modern-day families, making Little House on the Prairie a timeless classic.