| Category | Details |
| Episode Number | 0352 |
| Season | Season 3 (1971-1972) |
| Air Date | February 29, 1972 (Leap Day) |
| Primary Theme | Memory loss and Identity |
| Letter of the Day | Q |
| Number of the Day | 12 |
| Incident | A stray rollerskate on the stoop of 123 Sesame Street |
| Key Muppets | Cookie Monster, Grover, Oscar the Grouch, Big Bird, Ernie, Bert |
| Human Cast | Maria, David, Mr. Hooper, Bob, Gordon |
| Discovered Identities | Grouch (rejected), Bird (rejected), Mailbox (rejected), Antelope (theoretical) |
| Medical Treatment | A second fall on the same rollerskate |
| Sponsors | Q, 12 |
Street Scenes
Cookie Monster is strolling down the steps of 123 Sesame Street. He trips on a roller skate. This fall causes a head injury and total memory loss. He forgets his name. He forgets his friends. He forgets his love for cookies. Maria and David are watching him act polite. He's pretty cold to his neighbors. You see a total personality shift.
He starts looking for his true identity. He starts off by visiting Oscar the Grouch. He thinks his blue fur makes him a Grouch. Oscar gives him a test. Cookie Monster chooses clean shoes over trash. He doesn't come across as mean. He leaves the trash can and finds another path.
He goes to the nest of Big Bird. He tries to act like a giant bird. He eats birdseed and finds the taste bad. He then walks over to Mr. Hooper. He just stands there and opens his mouth. He thinks he's a blue mailbox.
A second accident solves the problem. Cookie Monster uses the same steps. He keeps tripping on the same roller skate. He bumps his head again. This impact restores his memory. He recognizes Maria and David. He asks for a plate of cookies. Mr. Hooper gives him the goodies. He eats every cookie. You'll see how physical comedy leads to a resolution.
Parent's Guide
Betty Lou introduces two friends named Beginning and End. They try to tell a story. The story fails without their friend Middle. Middle arrives and talks too much. This personification teaches you about narrative structure. You see that every story requires a logical sequence. These steps build reading comprehension and logical thinking.
Cookie Monster trips on a roller skate. He hits his head and loses his memory. He thinks he is a Grouch or a bird. He even tries to act like a mailbox. He find the taste of cookies boring. He trips on the same skate again. This second impact fixes his memory. He asks Mr. Hooper for a plate of cookies. This segment highlights identity and self awareness. You also learn a lesson about safety. You must keep pathways clear of toys to prevent falls.
One classic film uses music and rhythmic counting. It focuses on the number 12. Repetition helps children memorize the digit. Visual reinforcement supports the math lesson.
Cowboy X appears in an animated story. He leaves his mark on every object he finds. This narrative teaches letter recognition for the letter X. The Western theme makes the rare letter memorable to you.
David finds blocks and balls scattered in the yard. He brings out three boxes with number labels. The children match the quantity of toys to the correct box. This activity demonstrates one to one correspondence. You practice counting and sorting through this example. These foundational math skills help you organize your own belongings.
Bob reads a story about Queen Quinella. She lives in a palace shaped like the letter Q. She offers a prize to the person who loves the letter Q. She gives her fortune to Quincy the Duck. The fortune is a single quarter. This story emphasizes alliteration and phonics. You identify the specific sound of the letter through these names.
