Episode 2680

Sesame Street
Telly's magic pencil (repeat of 2450)
Air date	February 9, 1990
Season	Season 21 (1989-1990)
Directed by Jon Stone Sponsors R, X, 9

Picture	Segment	Description
	SCENE 1	Telly welcomes the viewer as he struggles to write the letter X. Maria shows him how to make a proper one and assures Telly that with practice, he'll be much better at writing.
	SCENE 1 cont'd	Telly muses that one day he'll be able to write the whole alphabet when he hears a semi-heavenly voice singing. Suddenly, a puff of smoke appears (which also causes Oscar's furnace to explode) and Telly's Fairy Godmonster arrives! She turns her magic wand into a magic pencil that can write anything; he uses it to write the entire alphabet perfectly in seconds. She poofs herself up, up and away which sets off some more smoke to Oscar's delight.
	Cartoon	A duckling dresses itself, naming all the parts of its coat. Artist: Cathryn Aison (First: Episode 1195)
	Muppets	Annette Monster and Frankie Monster sing "Love the Ocean" to urge others to "show respect for the sea" and refrain from throwing trash in the water.
	Cartoon	Luis (in voice-over) counts racehorses numbered 9 to 1 as they cross the finish line. (First: Episode 2110)
	Animation	A kerosene lamp assembles itself in stop-motion. (First: Episode 1473)
	Muppets	Monsterpiece Theater: The 400 Blows — Grover has to blow out the candles on his birthday cake 400 times.
	Cartoon	A boy learns to put his mom's letter in the mailbox all by himself (with a little help). (First: Episode 1497)
	SCENE 2	Maria is impressed with the multiple alphabets Telly has written, but doesn't buy his "magic pencil" story. He's upset that the pencil tip has been worn down when Maria points out there's a sharpener at the Fix-It Shop and Telly rushes over.
	SCENE 2 cont'd	Inside the shop, Luis takes a call from Oscar about his furnace and agrees to fix it in a week. Telly sharpens his pencil and frets when it's shorter than before, which as Luis explains is what happens when pencils get sharpened. He then asks Telly to relay to Maria he's in the basement when she arrives, but Telly doesn't want to wait that long. His Fairy Godmonster re-appears but explains that she can't send the message; only Telly can see/hear her. She does point out that the magic pencil can help him write notes, and Telly writes one for Maria.
	SCENE 2 cont'd	Telly runs out just as Maria comes in and sees the note. She doesn't understand how Telly has become good at writing so fast and goes to show Luis. Telly's Fairy Godmonster comments to the viewer how she's enjoying how the proceedings are going and attempts to leave in a puff of smoke. When she has trouble poofing away she decides to walk, needing the exercise.
	Cartoon	Ten brightly-beaked birds land on a statue. (First: Episode 1524)
	Muppets	Ernie & Bert — Bert and Ernie go fishing. Ernie catches fish by yelling "Heeeeere fishy, fishy, fishy!", and they come flying into the boat. Bert tries it, but only catches a shark. (First: Episode 1641)
	Cartoon	R is for Rooster, Robber, and Rake... Artist: Fred Calvert (First: Episode 0011)
	Song	"Playground Map Song"
	Cartoon	Nine Striped Cats Artist: Owe Gustafson (First: Episode 1564)
	Muppets	"Me Lost Me Cookie at the Disco" (First: Episode 1500)
	Cartoon	Big, bigger, biggest (balloons and blackbirds). (First: Episode 1393)
	SCENE 3	Maria tries to explain the situation to Luis when Telly runs back in to sharpen his pencil. He's been writing a story, but doesn't think the pencil will last to finish it. His Fairy Godmonster appears in a bubble above him and gives him a vote of confidence. He runs out, while Maria and Luis are left confused as to who he was talking to.
	Cartoon	A girl sorts everything she finds which is alive and not alive. (First: Episode 1526)
	Muppets	Kermit the Frog tries to explain the difference between happy and sad, two emotions which Elmo displays while trying to get Kermit to play with him. (First: Episode 2188)
	Cartoon	"Me Tarzan ... you parrot!" Artist: Fred Garbers (First: Episode 2633)
	Cartoon	Teeny Little Super Guy RW wants a pet spoon, so TLSG teaches him the importance of being responsible with a pet. Artist: Paul Fierlinger (First: Episode 1986)
	Cartoon	A man explains the letter R with a radio. Once he starts singing, the radio decides to turn him off by tweaking his nose. (First: Episode 0011)
	SCENE 4	Telly is concerned his pencil will reach its end before his story is finished. His Fairy Godmonster appears and encourages him to keep going with a cheer. Telly heeds her message and continues writing. (Fairy Godmonster: "And I didn't even have to use my pom-poms!")
	Cartoon	The letter X (First: Episode 0482)
	Muppets	Two-Headed Monster finds a pencil with a broken point, and demonstrates the fun you can have with it. (First: Episode 2096)
	Film	At a zoo, monkeys clean each other and run around. Music: Joe Raposo (First: Episode 2505)
	SCENE 5	Telly's pencil lasts just long enough for him to write "THE END," meaning he's finished his story! He calls out Luis and Maria to show them, but is upset that he won't be able to write anymore. His Fairy Godmonster appears (unseen by the others) and assures him with all the practicing he's done today, he won't need a magic pencil anymore. To prove it, Luis provides him with a marker and Telly successfully writes his name. His Fairy Godmonster takes her leave and, from beyond, bids Maria and Luis farewell, which only they can hear.
	Cartoon	The Story of Cowboy X, with the voices of Jean Shepherd (First: Episode 0325)
	Muppets	"Don't Throw That Trash on the Ground"
	Cartoon	Es un perro (First: Episode 1969)
	Film	Two Navajo kids go to school in Arizona. This year, Dante enters pre-school.
	Cartoon	Brand X (First: Episode 0299)
	SCENE 6	Telly has written a new story using a regular marking pen and reads it to Maria and Luis. His Fairy Godmonster appears in her bubble to announce the sponsors, and the credits follow.

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