Viva La Difference

The Mulligans have accepted several animals from the closing Connellsville Zoo, turning their farm into a noisy refuge for kangaroos, ostriches, mountain goats, a chimpanzee, and a baby elephant. Mike tells Whit that the family is beginning with only a few creatures to see how well their promise to obey God works in practice.

After dinner, Whit mentions another need. A single mother from church faces extensive surgery, and her daughters need somewhere to stay. With plenty of room and a growing need for help with the animals, the Mulligans might be able to care for them. Traci responds enthusiastically, while Mike cautiously agrees that the family will pray before answering.

The next morning, Nick awakens with Winona the chimpanzee sitting on his chest. Lisa teases him for failing to handle the animal gently, but then learns that Nick’s escaped goats have eaten holes in her jeans and shredded her silk blouse. Nick returns her own advice and tells her to relax and accept life with animals.

Their disagreements grow around Gus, the baby elephant. Nick tries to bottle-feed him with a forceful, masculine approach, but Gus refuses to eat and is becoming dehydrated. Lisa wants Nick to show more tenderness, while Nick insists that he and the male elephant will work matters out their own way. Traci warns both teenagers to stop treating every difference as proof that the other is wrong.

Food becomes another battle. Lisa has become uncomfortable eating meat while surrounded by animals and prepares mostly raw fruits and vegetables. Nick complains that he feels as though he is grazing, then accepts Traci’s challenge to cook lunch himself. He serves hot dogs and sausages covered with bacon, wrapped in bologna, and topped with Spam. The deliberately excessive meal sends Lisa rushing from the room in disgust.

Traci explains to Lisa that men and women sometimes think and act differently without either being inferior. The variety among their animals - feathers, horns, trunks, and different needs - would be lost if every creature were identical. Instead of fighting over every contrast, Lisa and Nick might learn to value what each brings to the family.

Mike gives Nick a similar lesson. A world in which every woman thought, acted, and looked like a man would become dull almost immediately. Being close to someone different can enlarge a person’s understanding of life. Nick begins to grasp the point, though he suspects Mike is preparing him for an announcement about another change in the household.

Before Mike can explain, the four ostriches escape toward an unfenced ridge near the highway. The family divides up, with each person guiding one bird toward the barn. Lisa uses a calm voice with hers, but the frightened ostrich suddenly attacks and scratches her.

Nick charges in, shouts, and drives the bird away. Lisa admits that gentleness does not work in every situation and thanks him for using the strength she had criticized. Nick delights in hearing that he was right, while Lisa assures him that she will not let the pleasure spoil him.

Back at the barn, Gus still will not drink. Lisa gently presses his trunk and notices that the touch causes him to open his mouth. Nick supplies the bottle, and the hungry elephant finally begins feeding. Traci explains that pressure on his trunk makes Gus feel as though his mother is standing above him. Lisa and Nick have succeeded by combining careful observation, compassion, firmness, and teamwork.

Whit arrives earlier than expected with the two girls whose mother needs surgery. Jessica and Janelle are African American twins, and Nick stumbles awkwardly when trying to greet them. The girls challenge his hesitation directly, while Lisa explains that he is still learning to appreciate people who are different from him.

The twins soon reveal plenty of differences between themselves as well: one loves meat, while the other is a vegetarian, and one responds to Lisa’s question about liking animals with a joke about eating them. Traci warmly invites them inside and assures Whit that the family can manage. Mike is less certain, but he joins the welcome as another unpredictable day begins for the magnificent Mulligans.