Ep 27. The Foster Lady

In The Andy Griffith Show season 6 episode 27, entitled "The Foster Lady," viewers are introduced to a woman named Mary Simpson, played by Frances Bavier (who also played Aunt Bee on the show). Mary is a foster mother who travels around the country with her foster children, providing them with a stable home life and education.

When Mary and her brood arrive in Mayberry, they quickly catch the attention of Andy and the rest of the townspeople. However, Mary's presence also attracts the attention of a couple named the Carters, who have been looking to adopt a child for years but have been rejected due to their high standards.

At first, Mary is hesitant to let the Carters adopt one of her foster children, as she wants them to stay together as a family. However, after spending time with the Carters and seeing how loving they are, she begins to reconsider.

Meanwhile, Opie befriends one of Mary's foster children, a boy named Jimmy. When Jimmy is invited to join Opie's fishing trip with Andy and Barney, he's thrilled to be included. However, when the fishing trip goes awry, Jimmy runs away, causing a panic in the town.

Eventually, Jimmy is found safe and sound, but the incident causes Mary to question her role as a foster mother. She begins to wonder if she's doing enough to ensure the safety and happiness of her foster children, and decides to take a break from fostering to re-evaluate her decision.

In the end, Mary leaves Mayberry with her foster children, but not before entrusting Opie with a special gift - a puppy named Fido who quickly steals the hearts of everyone in town.

Overall, "The Foster Lady" is a heartwarming episode that explores the challenges and rewards of foster parenting, and highlights the importance of family - whether it's the one you're born into or the one you create for yourself.