| 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 |
| The Incident | Cookie Monster slips on a rollerskate at 123 Sesame Street |
| Identity Tests | Grouch (Oscar), Bird (Big Bird), Mailbox (Mr. Hooper) |
| The Cure | A second fall on the same rollerskate |
| Human Cast | Maria, David, Mr. Hooper, Bob, Gordon |
| Muppet Stars | Cookie Monster, Grover, Oscar, Big Bird, Ernie, Bert |
| Educational Focus | Counting to 12, Sorting by quantity, "Beginning, Middle, End" |
| Sponsors | Q, 12 |
Street Scenes
Grover hosts a counting session at Big Bird's nest. Cookie Monster tries to join Maria and David for a walk. He puts on a pair of roller skates left on the steps. This fall causes a head injury and amnesia. He forgets his name and his friends. He loses his passion for cookies. You see him trying to figure out who he is.
Cookie Monster starts a search to find himself. He goes to see Oscar the Grouch because they both have shaggy fur. He doesn't quite measure up to Oscar's standards, but he's got a good head on his shoulders. Then he goes to the nest of Big Bird. He tries to flap his arms and eat birdseed. He's grossed out by the seeds. He meets Mr. Hooper and asks to use the mailbox. He cries when he learns he's not a bird or an antelope. Maria plays a game to help him out. He thinks a cookie is a rock.
A second accident fixes his memory. He's sitting on the steps with Maria and David. He puts on his roller skates again. This second impact helps his brain function again. He recognizes his friends right away. He insists on a plate of cookies as a prize. David and the kids clean up the yard. They sort toys into numbered boxes. Big Bird reads poetry about snakes to end the day. It's amazing to see how order comes back to the neighborhood when things are organized and cleaned up.
Parent's Guide
Jean Shepherd tells a fun story about Cowboy X. The character marks everything with the letter X. This story is all about learning to recognize letters. You'll learn to identify the shape of the letter through this playful character. The Western theme makes the lesson memorable.
Cookie Monster shows up at Big Bird's place, totally amnesiac. He thinks he's a bird. He tries to tweet and flap his blue arms. Big Bird isn't so sure about this claim. He offers Cookie Monster a bowl of birdseed. The monster can't stand the taste. This interaction teaches you about classification. You see that animals have specific traits and diets. Furry monsters aren't really birds, are they?
A rhythmic film uses catchy music to teach counting. It's all about the number 12. Repeating things and using visual cues can help you remember the order.
Maria and David invite Cookie Monster for a walk. He puts on his roller skates right there on the steps of 123 Sesame Street. He hits his head and loses his memory. He tries to act like a grouch and a bird. He even asks Mr. Hooper to use his mouth as a mailbox. He doesn't know the taste of a cookie. He puts on his roller skates again later on. This second impact restores his memory instantly. He insists on a plate of cookies as a prize for his recovery. This story looks at who we are and how we remember things. You also learn a lesson about safety. Just remember to keep the stairs clear of toys to prevent accidents.
Betty Lou gives a lecture on the three parts of a story. She introduces two friends, Beginning and End. Their story doesn't get exciting until their friend Middle shows up. Middle won't stop talking, and it ends up causing an argument. This segment is all about narrative structure. You learn that stories follow a logical sequence. This knowledge will improve your reading comprehension and planning skills.
Bob reads a story about Queen Quinella. She lives in a palace shaped like the letter Q and is searching for someone who loves the letter. She gives her fortune to a duck named Quincy. The fortune consists of one single quarter. This story uses alliteration and phonics. You can hear the letter Q in these names and objects.
