"THE AMBITIOUS BEGGAR"
Episode #20
INT. STORYBOOK - DAY
Narrator
In a land before time, far far away, there was a legendary kingdom called Sugarland. It's citizens were gentle and kind. Yes. Sugarland had a beggar by the name of Nicholas. For generations, his family were the official professional beggars of Sugarland.
CUT TO:
EXT. TOWN SQUARE - DAY
BEGGAR
Give from your hearts people. If you have a hundred coins, if you don't, ten coins. If you don't have that, give me one coin. If you don't have that either... Well, you might want to consider joining and start begging. No. Looks like there's no business to be had here. Better start knocking on doors. 
The beggar starts knocking on doors.
CUT TO:
ExT. sammy's house - front door - mOMENTS LATER
Sammy
Just a minute, coming. Yes, sir. What can I do for you?
BEGGAR
Help the blind the poor. I am disabled, I can't see. 
Sammy
You don't say. By coincidence, our teacher has asked us to help others. So, what do you want? Help across the street? 
BEGGAR
No, no...
Sammy
Oh! I know, you need help with your homework.
BEGGAR
No. No.
Sammy
Ah, how about listening to this awesome song?
BEGGAR
No, kid. No!
Sammy
Ah, can I interest you in a cold drink maybe?
BEGGAR
No. I want money. 
Sammy
Ah. Sorry friend. Mom's not home, no money...  
BEGGAR
Well, how about food? You have any?
Sammy
Sorry again. My kid brother ate it all, like a... Gone... 
BEGGAR
What?!... So you have nothing to give?
Sammy
Well, we do have an awesome yoghurt drink. Would you like some of that?
BEGGAR
Sure. I'd love some. 
Sammy
Here you go. Drink in good health. 
BEGGAR
Wow! How tasty. Can I have another one please and thank you?
Sammy
Sure, new friend. Why not!
BEGGAR
That was really good too.
Sammy
Totally awesome! You really like it? Well how about another one? 
Sammy (CONT'D)
All yours! Here drink up! 
Sammy (CONT'D)
And here is another one. And this one especially for you. 
Sammy (CONT'D)
Just the best for my friend. 
BEGGAR
Wow! I drank so much. I'll explode. 
Sammy
There's more. Would you like some to take with you?
BEGGAR
Ya, hold on. What's with all this generosity of yours?
Sammy
What can I say. I come from a long line of generous people. 
BEGGAR
Ya, okay, sure.... Tell me the truth. What's going on. 
Sammy
Alright, the truth is that we had a lot of yoghurt in a barrel...
BEGGAR
And?
Sammy
And we put the barrel in the cellar. That was it. 
BEGGAR
And?
Sammy
And today we found a dead mouse in the barrel. A really big one. It was ugly. 
BEGGAR
And?
Sammy
There is no 'and'. We were so disgusted we couldn't touch the barrel. But thanks goodness you didn't mind drinking it. 
BEGGAR
What? There was a mouse in this thing? Just my luck. 
Sammy
Dude, keep it down? Why you shouting? And why did you break the dog bowl?
BEGGAR
What? This bowl belonged to your dog?  I am getting so sick and tired of this. 
Sammy
Awww. Don't be so upset dude. It's okay. We have another bowl...
NaRRATOR
Haha... What a cute story. No matter. Let's carry on with the rest of our tale. 
CUT TO:
EXT. town square - main - lATER
BEGGAR
Dear Sir. Dear Madam. Help this wretched poor beggar. If you want to do a good deed, if you want to be an angle, help this miserable blind man. No. Doesn't look like there is much action here. What a useless day. My tongue is about to drop off. What would it hurt if a bag full of money would just drop into my lap? 
ThiEF
No, no.. no... leave me alone... Oh, come on...
BEGGAR
Oh, my head...
THIEF
Darn it. The money bag fell. What should I do now? Huh?!
SHERIFF/KING'S GUARD (O.S.)
Wait, you thief!
THIEF
Ah, hmm, ah. No time. Got to take off. 
SHERIFF/KING'S GUARD
Wait. Where are you running to?
BEGGAR
Oh, my head. My brain. What was that... that just hit me? Hold on! Oh, my goodness! Oh thank you, yes. It's money!
Crowd
Money?
BEGGAR
Huh? Hum. No, what money? 
Korbin
Ah did you just say money?
BEGGAR
No, I said please give money to this unfortunate blind man. 
Crowd
Oh, let's go... He's wasting our time... Yeah, let's go...
BEGGAR
Hmmm... That was close. Yes, I am rich, but... What should I do with all this money? Got it. I am going to expand my business. 
FADE TO:
EXT. tOWN SQUARE - MAIN - mOMENTS LATER
BEGGAR
Help this poor beggar. I am weak, I am sick. 
Nanna
What nice looking bowls. How much are they? 
BEGGAR
Not for sale. Tools of the trade. 
Nanna
What does that mean?
BEGGAR
See, this is for the hundreds, this is for the five hundreds and that one there for one hundreds. 
Nanna
I'm confused. So that one for fifties, that one for the hundreds...
BEGGAR
What are you on about? This one for the two hundreds, this one for the one hundreds. 
Nanna
Now you're changing your mind. First you said the small one's for the hundreds, and the blue one's for the fifties...
BEGGAR
Hold on. Who is the beggar here! This one is for five hundreds. 
Nanna
Hey, I think you're a cheat. You want to cheat the folks don't you? I know your kind.. 
BEGGAR
Anyway, how much are you going to pay?
Nanna
Nothing. 
BEGGAR
Nothing? So why are you asking so much? 
Nanna
I'm collecting information, keep up. I must stay up to date. 
BEGGAR
What, you are kidding me right!?
BEGGAR (CONT'D)
Not a good idea. Too soon for the people of Sugarland. What to do then? Got it. Technology. I'll automate the work. 
CUT TO:
EXT. tOWN SQUARE - MAIN - lATER
The beggar shows off his latest begging robot machine.
Robot
Help this poor unfortunate blind man. I am sick, I am disabled. 
Franky
What's going on here?! What is this contraption!
ROBOT
I was an athlete before. Had and accident and now I am the way you see. This is the x-ray, and this is my prescription. Please upon hearing the beep, help this miserable underprivileged beggar. Help. Help.... BEEP.
Franky
Man, what a world! Look how miserable this poor guys have become. Here. This is a little something for you. 
BEGGAR
Please insert the coin in the robot. 
Franky
Forget about it. You get the coins anyway, right?
BEGGAR
No my friend. We don't do things manually anymore. 
Franky
Alright already, hold on to your teeth... Here we go. 
RobOT
Thank you so much. Thank you little girl!
Franky
Did you just call me a little girl? I'll give you little girl... There! Take that...
Franky jumps on the machine and proceeds to smash it.
BEGGAR
Oh! No! Don't....
CUT TO:
EXT. tOWN SQUARE - lATER
BEGGAR
No, not good either. The folks of Sugarland are not ready yet. What should I do now? Got it. I should start an advertising campaign. 
The beggar rides his bike as he shouts to the town folks.
BEGGAR (CONT'D)
Hey, you the housewife, you the mommy and daddy. Get your money out. Coins, small change, notes... Everything is accepted. It's your beggar. Begging! I'm disabled. I am blind. People of all ages, help the blind and disabled...
KID #1
Hey, you. Mister, Mister!
BEGGAR
What? What do you want?
KID #1
My mommy asked me to give you this coin. Then she said...
The beggar is distracted and has an accident.
KID #1 (CONT'D)
Hey you! Mister...
BEGGAR
No, no, no! This wasn't good either. Got it. Why didn't I think of this before. I have a wealth of experience. I shouldn't be working. I have to teach others how to beg. 
CUT TO:
I/E. tOWN SQUARE - institute of beggars - lATER
The beggar opens his teaching facility and the sign on the door reads:
"THE SUGARLAND INSTITUTE OF BEGGARS: Teaching people how to take your money the right way" 
BEGGAR
Quiet, I said quiet. Listen up. Here you will learn a skill which is more valuable than all the riches of the world. Begging. You will make a nice living anywhere in the world. Now repeat after me: Beg so you will never need other people's help. 
Crowd
Beg so you will never need other people's help.
BEGGAR (O.S.)
First lesson, the body language when begging.
"BODY LANGUAGE WHEN BEGGING"
BEGGAR (CONT'D)
Okay, everybody bend forward. More. 

(to Franky)
Hey! You! Bend more. You need more time in the gym. 
Franky
How is that, I'm a good boy right? 
BEGGAR
Well done. Better. Now heads to one side, eyes crossed. Now limp and walk. 
Crowd
I am disabled. I am poor.
BEGGAR
You call this limping. Make it more pitiful. Limping like that, nobody will give you a dime. 
Crowd
Please for pity sake help me. Alms for the poor. Alms for the poor. 
"SPEECH TECHNIQUES WHEN BEGGING"
Young Man
Help this blind man. I am disabled, I am penniless. 
BEGGAR
Cut, cut! Not like that, much more sad. Like... Like you've just heard your father is dead. 
Young Man
Help me! Please. I'm lost. 
BEGGAR
Louder. Beg louder. 
Young Man
Oh help me please... Ouch... Help this poor unfortunate soul. 
BEGGAR
Aha! That's what I call begging. 
"STORYTELLING IN BEGGING"
Teenager
I am a stranger from another town. They stole my wallet. If I can get a hundred coins, I can make it back to my own town. 
BEGGAR
No good. We need more melodrama. Something to get the people weeping. 
Teenager
Okay, well, I was an athlete before. But I fell in with the wrong friends... you know how it is...
BEGGAR
This is boring. Tell me a new story. One that will move people. Alright people tell me a new story... who's got one?
Bundle
Me, me!
BEGGAR
You? Okay, tell me. 
BUNDLE
I'm gonna tell a story... ha, ha... Tell a story... ha, ha...
The class has a good laugh over bundle's reaction. 
CUT TO:
INT. tOWN SQUARE - iNSTITUTE OF BEGGARS - lATER
The beggar continues his teachings to the class.
BEGGAR
Quiet. Quiet people please. Today is graduation. Your lives are no longer the same. Just always remember, repeat after me... "Beg so you'll never need other people" Okay, lets here it...
Crowd
Beg so you'll never need other people. Beg so you'll never need other people. 
CUT TO:
EXT. tOWN SQUARE - mAIN - lATER
The beggar makes his way towards the center of town. Meanwhile his former students practice their newly acquired craft in various spots.

BEGGAR
There's a fortune in education. Why didn't I think of this earlier?
Young Man
Help this poor blind man. I am blind. I am disabled. I haven't had anything to eat for three days.  
BEGGAR
Check this out. My own student. Wants to get money from me! Good thing it was me that taught him. What's going on there?
Teenager
Got no money, got no work... Come on help a brother out... 
Nanna
Help this poor old woman. Help please... 
Franky
Hey, old buddy... Help a guy. Give a guy a hand... Look, my toe is exposed. 
JUDGE
Give money to a poor judge...
BEGGAR (O.S.)
Hmm... Everyone is begging. They're all my own pupils. 
Jacob
Oh, help me... Help me...
BEGGAR
Hold on a second. If everybody is begging, who'll pay the beggars? 
JudGE
What? You have money? Look here everyone, he's got money... yes... 
Crowd
Money... He has money! 
BEGGAR
Ah. OK, plan B. Aha... 
Crowd
Hold on... We are all beggars... 
FRANKY
Oh, my toe is killing me...
BEGGAR
What? So that's how it's going to be? I'll be lose everything. I'll be ruined. No. I don't want this. No, no... No... 
SHERIFF/KING'S GUARD 
Oh man. This damn thief escaped again.  
BEGGAR (O.S.)
Mr. Sheriff. Mr. Sheriff! Help me please. Help me please... 
SHERIFF/KING'S GUARD
Why tell me? What's happened? 

BEGGAR
I don't want this money. I want to work a real job. Work hard and make money, the honest old fashion way. I don't want free money. 
SHERIFF/KING'S GUARD
Hmmm.. What's this? What's going on Mr. Storyteller?
NarRATOR
Haha... Oh, nothing. Well, it seems our story has come to and end. Till another day and another story, take care one and all. 
CREDITS
Director: Babak Nazari
Story: Mehdi Esmaeeli, Babak Nazari, Saied Zameni, Asghar Saffar, Masood Aslani
Script: Mehdi Esmaeelie Ghahforokhi
Character Design: Rashin Kheirieh, Asghar Saffar, Mehrdad Shahverdi, Elahe Taherian, Mohammad Yousefi
Background Painting: Hossein Safi
Object Design: Ashkan Shir-Mohammadi, Mohammad Yousefi, Morteza Sharifian, Vahid Mohammadi
Story Board and Story Reel: Saied Zameni, Asghar Saffar, Mehrdad Shahverdi
Animators' Supervisor: Hazhir Ziaee
Animators: Kazem Mirahmadi, Iraj Khosronia, Morvarid Rohanizadegan, Mahtab Vakil, Nora Shafizadeh, Javad Ghorbanpoor
Texture and material:  Mohammad Yousefi, Morteza Sharifian
F/X, visual effects and technical aspects: Iraj Khosro-nia. 
Layout: Ashkan Shir-Mohammadi, Ali Hossein-Khan, Meyzam Borza
Light and Camera: Babak Nazari
Composit and Titles: Asghar Saffar
Production Manager, Rig and Dynamics: Iraj Khosro-Nia
Edit: Asghar Saffar, Babak Nazari
Score: Jalal Zolfonon
Dubbin Supervisor: Shokat Hojjat
Sound: Peyman Tavasoli
Sound Assistant: Aidin Radkia
Dubbing: Faranak Rafiee, Narges Foladvand, Morteza Ahmadi, Akbar Manani, Asghar Afzali, Javad Pezeshkian, Mohammad Ebadi, Shahrooz Malek-Araee, Said Sheikh-Zadeh, Tooraj Nasr, Ebrahim Shafiee, Mehdi Arian-Nejad, Alireza Shaygan, Ardshir Monazam, Ali Ashkboos, Ali Hemmat Mosa-Vand, Alireza Javid-Nia, Valiollah Momeni
Production Manager: Hazheer Ziaee
Thank yous: Hoda Masoodi, Afsaneh Bakhshi, Vida Nematian, Mohammad Reza Doost Mohammadi, Maryam Naghibi, Ali Hamidi, Ali Aghajani
In charge of production: Film Frame Studio
Executive Producer: Seyed Masood Safavi
A joint production of: Hoze Honari Animation Center and Channel 2