Ep 12. Happy Old Year

In The Wild Thornberrys season 3 episode 12, titled "Happy Old Year," the Thornberry family is celebrating New Year's Eve in a remote village in Africa. As the clock counts down to midnight, the family reflects on their past adventures and the unique experiences they have had while traveling the world to film their nature documentary series.

Eliza, the family's adventurous and speak-to-animals daughter, is feeling down as she thinks about leaving her animal friends behind as the family prepares to head back to civilization. However, she finds comfort in speaking to an old elephant, Bo, who tells her a story about how elephants believe that time is a circle and that they always return to the same place. This thought encourages Eliza to be excited about what adventures the next year may hold.

Meanwhile, Eliza's parents, Nigel and Marianne, are feeling nostalgic as they remember their past expeditions. They reminisce about catching a glimpse of a rare bird species and how they were once lost in the jungle for three days. They look back on their travels with gratitude for the memories and experiences they gained.

As the New Year officially begins, the Thornberrys are surprised to see one of their previous animal friends, Darwin the chimpanzee, show up to join in on the festivities. Darwin shares his own experiences and tells of how he has become the leader of a group of chimpanzees. It's a happy reunion as everyone is thrilled to see him.

The family's celebration continues late into the night. However, in the midst of their party, they discover that a poacher is lurking in the area, putting the nearby wildlife in danger. Eliza, ever the hero, sets off to the rescue, aided by her ability to communicate with the animals. With the help of her best friend, Debbie, the two girls set a trap for the poacher and effectively prevent him from harming any of the endangered animals in the area.

In the end, the Thornberrys wrap up their New Year celebration with a renewed appreciation for the animals they have met and the experiences they have had. They leave the village, grateful for the lessons they have learned and filled with excitement for the adventures yet to come.

"Happy Old Year" is a heartwarming episode that showcases the importance of appreciating the gift of life and the memories we have gained. It is a reminder to embrace the present and look forward to the future, while cherishing our past experiences and the valuable lessons they have taught us.