[The Hoggetts and Rex return home from the church. They walk inside, and Esme noticed that Duchess is covered in paint. She and Arthur also find the whole house is a mess. Behind the broken alarm clock are two sets of footprints in bright paint. One set is red and webbed. The other set is pointy and blue. Rex ponders what's going on] [Cut to the council inside barn, during the evening, Babe is covered in blue paint] [sighs]
It was my mistake. I was trying to loosen facts up a little. But, no. Today proves that it doesn't work. From now on, we'll all respect the rules. To each creature, its own destiny and every animal in its proper place. And a pig's proper place is under the old cart, not in the barn and absolutely never in the house. Is that understood?
Now, Pig, regarding the company you keep. Being young, it's hard to discriminate, so I'll make it easy for you. I forbid you to speak to or consort with that duck ever. Do I make myself clear?
It means, young man, that you must not go anywhere near that duck.
And as for the fugitive duck, when he shows himself, let him know this, being a duck he must behave like a duck. No more of this crowing nonsense. He should accept what he is and be thankful for it. That goes for all of us.
Cow Here, here!
Rex continued long into the night. Elsewhere, there was more talk. The subject was Christmas dinner and whether that year the main course would be roast pork or Duck a l'Orange.
And pork is a nice, sweet meat. Then there's the crackling. That always adds interest and texture.
EC Mrs. Esme Cordelia Hoggett
[The duck isn't skinny Ferdinand. But it is a duck Ferdinand knows well, and it is enough to make up his mind]
Here it is!
FH Farmer Hoggett
The bird.
The Hoggetts' granddaughter: Yuck. Chicken?
The Hoggetts' daughter: No, it's Duck a l'Orange. And, Mother, it looks absolutely superb.
The Hoggetts' granddaughter: I'm not going to eat any of it!
The Hoggetts' daughter: Oh, this is fabulous.
Cow If you're out here, who's that in there?
Her name's Rosanna. Why Rosanna? She–She had such a beautiful nature.
Cow Really!
The fear's too much for a duck. It eats away at the soul. There must be kinder dispositions in far-off gentler lands.
Cow The only way you'll find happiness is to accept that the way things are is the way things are.
The way things are stinks! I'm not gonna be a goner. I'm gone! I wish all of you the best of luck.
No idea. But I'm a clever duck. I could do with an adventure.
Ferdy? Ha! No one's ever called me that before. Ha ha ha! Hey, good luck, Pig. Ha! I am out of here. [jumps up on the gate and turns to Babe]
Hey! Oh! Ow! And would you do me a favor, old thing?
Anything Good Luck, Ferdinand and Farewell.
Open the gate, right pig, huh? [with that said, he takes off]
[Babe watches Ferdinand become a black dot in the heavens. Then he hears a faint sound of bleating. He scans the green hills for the source of the bleating. He sees a flock of sheep, a truck, strange men and a dog. Babe trots closer]
The pig knew it was against the rules to leave the farm. But something was certainly wrong.
EC Mrs. Esme Cordelia Hoggett
How lovely, darling. What is this?
The Hoggetts' son-in-law: It's a fax machine, Mother. You can send us letters by phone.
EC Mrs. Esme Cordelia Hoggett
Oh.
[Meanwhile, in the farmyard, a scrawny, bedraggled bird lands in a puddle. Ferdinand the duck looks even worse than usual.]
So, uh... what's happening?
Cow Oh, no.
[Arthur Hoggett is happily watching TV––with Fly and Babe] [Suddenly, there is a bright flash of lightning and a huge clap of thunder. The TV goes black and all the lights go out. Hoggett checks the fuse box, but that isn't the damage. Then he decides to go to bed] [Fly suggests that Babe gets some sleep, as well]
You'll need to be on top form tomorrow.
[Babe cuddles closer to the fire]
Night, Mum.
[The little pig sleeps, but he has bad dreams. He awakens on the morning of the Nationals with a bit of a cold and feeling quite hesitant]
