Ep 21. Young Man With a Shoehorn

Rob and Laura are getting ready for a dinner party they are hosting, when Rob realizes he cannot find his shoehorn. As he searches for it, he finds a note from his son, Richie, saying that he has taken the shoehorn to school for a project. Rob and Laura decide to go to school to retrieve it, and as they arrive, they hear a young boy playing the clarinet beautifully. They soon meet the boy, named Herbie, and are impressed with his musical talents.

Rob finds out that Herbie is interested in becoming a professional musician, but his parents are opposed to the idea and want him to become a doctor. Rob becomes inspired to help Herbie pursue his musical dreams, and arranges for him to play with a professional band at a local jazz club.

However, when Herbie's parents find out about his involvement with the band, they become angry and force him to quit. Rob and Laura try to reason with the parents, but they are adamant about Herbie pursuing a medical career. In the end, Herbie agrees to continue practicing medicine, but Rob and Laura encourage him to continue playing music as a hobby.

Throughout the episode, there are also humorous moments that arise from the chaos of preparing for the dinner party. Mel, Buddy, and Sally all have their own mishaps while helping Rob and Laura get ready, which add to the comedy of the episode.

The episode showcases the importance of following one's passions and the difficulties that can arise when trying to pursue them. It also highlights the importance of support from friends and family in achieving one's goals. The Dick Van Dyke Show continues to entertain audiences with its clever writing and comedic timing.