| Category | Details |
| Episode Number | 0812 |
| Season | Season 7 (1975–1976) |
| Air Date | December 23, 1975 |
| Guest Star | Judy Collins (as the Sad Princess) |
| Key Muppets | Oscar, The Count, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Bert, Kermit |
| Human Cast | Luis, Maria, Bob, Gordon, David |
| New Mexico Terms | Mesa, Arroyo, Horno, Compost Heap |
| The Count's Game | Counting long-distance phone calls |
| Oscar's Comforts | Hot ashes and traffic noise recordings |
| Letter of the Day | F |
| Number of the Day | 7 |
| Sponsors | F, G, 7 |
Parent's Guide
A Native American boy is talking to his friends. They play a game about stereotypes. He corrects their speech. He explains that real people don't say 'ugh'. Television shows create false ideas. This is an example of media literacy. You should question what you see in films. Real cultures differ from those of fictional characters. Respect others by learning the truth.
Oscar looks for a gross place to sleep. Luis and Mrs Romo show him a compost heap. They explain how table scraps rot. These scraps become fertiliser for a garden. This is an introduction to ecology. Nature recycles old materials. Use your own vegetable scraps at home. Use them to help your garden grow.
Luis tells a story about a princess. The book says that she is happy because she is beautiful. But the princess interrupts him. She feels bored and miserable. She decides to get dirty and do some work. She fixes a chair. This challenges stereotypes about appearance. Your value comes from your work. Pursue tasks that fulfil you.
Next, a grumpy fly and a hungry frog appear. Next, a typewriter segment follows. These parts focus on the letter 'F'.
Repetition helps children to become aware of sounds. Link the letter to words such as 'football'.
Oscar hates the quiet ranch. He misses the smell of the city. He plays a recording of loud traffic. Maria and Gordon join him. They feel homesick, too. They share headphones so they can all hear the noise. This is an exercise in emotional regulation. It's OK to feel out of place. Use something from home to help you manage big feelings. Ask your child which sounds they would miss on a trip.
Luis doubts that Bob and Gordon can ride horses. He doubts their ability to find a ranch. They don't know local words like 'mesa'. They ask a child for directions. This shows resourcefulness. Not knowing something is not a failure. Ask for help to learn. Children can teach adults new skills.