"FINDING THE MAHARAJA'S SON"
Episode #21
FADE IN:
INT. storybook - dAY
Narrator
In a land before time, far far away, there was a legendary kingdom called Sugarland. Its citizens were gentle and kind. 
Narrator (CONT'D)
Well, let's go and see what our story is for today.... 
CUT TO:
EXT. sugarland - desert - dAY

Narrator
Hmmm... Who are these guys? Why are they so sad? Isn't this the same caravan that belonged to the Saltland Maharaja? The one who had lost his son? 
INDIAN MAN #3
Absolutely, one in the same... 
NARRATOR
So, why is the Maharaja so sad? Hasn't he found his son yet?
INDIAN MAN #3
No, unfortunately... The maharaja is still searching. He intends to go to Sugarland one more time. Maybe this time he can reunite with his beloved son, yes... 
NARRATOR
Ah I see... Well, I hope this time he's successful, and finds his son, so we can tell a happy story. 
Thief #2
No, first we are going to get him. Attack!
INDIAN MAN #3
Help, help!
NaRRATOR
Oh, no. Not only didn't he find his son, but he is being robbed by thieves. Let's be careful and quiet, and follow their story. 
CUT TO:
EXT. sugarland - thieves den - day
Thief #2
Come on. I said Move! Move!
MahaRAJA
What place is this? Where are we? 
Thief #2
No talking.
The thief leader rings the intercom system alerting that he has returned with prisoners.
Thief
Who is it?
Thief #2
Me. Open sesame. 
Thief
Sesame and the family moved out of this place. 
Thief #2
Moe, what nonsense is this. Either open the door or I'll clobber you. Get it?  
Thief
Is that you boss? Please come in. 
Thief(CONT'D)
Hi there... Who are these guys?
Thief #2
They are our latest prisoners. Come on, get in. Get in... come on... 
NarRATOR
Yes. All that night the thieves were dancing and singing.  The next day...
Thief #2
Hey lazy bones, come on get going. There is another caravan coming through here soon. We have to catch up with them. Come on... Move... Let's go... 
Thieves
What's the hurray, boss.... Couldn't we sleep a little longer...
Thief #2
No talking. I said move! Hey Moe. Moooooe!
Thief
Yes, boss.
Thief #2
Listen to me. Keep an eye on them. We can get a lot of money in exchange for their lives. You understand? Get it? Hun? Ha, ha, ha... 
Thief
Ya, sure, boss. Rest assured. Good bye... and bon voyagie...
Thief #2
Okay, enough. Go inside and lock up, go... 
NaRRATOR
Yes, the thieves left the den, but Mo stayed behind to look after the Saltland prisoners. 
CUT TO:
INT. sugarland - thieves den - dAY - cONTINUOUS
INDIAN MAN #3
Please be telling me, what type of trap is this?
MahARAJA
Oh, my head. 
Thief
Okay, let's see what these Saltland guys are carrying with them. Wow! Look at the nice fabric. And here are some pearls. hun,oh.. 

THIEF (CONT'D)
Hey, what's this... this photo looks kind of familiar. Wow, I think it is... 
CUT TO:
INT. sugarland - maharaja house's - dAY (flashback)
MAHARAJA
Catch my pride and joy...
ROSEANNE
Wee! Wee! Come to momma...
CUT TO:
EXT. sUGARLAND - MAHARAJA HOUSE'S - nIGHT (flashback)
MAHARAJA
Oh! I love my little baby boy... I love you.
CUT TO:
INT. sUGARLAND - MAHARAJA HOUSE'S - dAY (flashback)

MAHARAJA
OK, One, two, three... everybody smile. Come on now...
BACK TO:
INT. sUGARLAND - THIEVES DEN - DAY (present day)
Thief
Hun, I know this kid. I remember. I am this kid! And this Maharaja is my father. Oh my... finally. My father. My dear father. My father! 
NarRATOR
Hey, keep it down. What's going on?
Thief
You don't understand. I've found my long lost father. The maharaja is my father. And I am his son. I should tell him. Ya, I should tell him...
NARRATOR
You're his son? Really. Maybe so. Has it occurred to you if he finds out his son has turned out to be a thief, he'll be heartbroken?
Thief
Well, maybe you're right. So what should I do now?
MahaRAJA
Oh, tell me what? Look at here... Instead of finding my son, Now I am a prisoner of the thieves. 
INDIAN MAN #3
Please not to worry. I feel that we are very very close to your son. 
MAHARAJA
Oh, then tell me, where is he then? And, what is he doing?
INDIAN MAN #3
Positively, maybe... he's a clever boy. I am thinking he is most likely a doctor or something special. 
MAHARAJA
Or maybe an engineer. Or a pilot. Or a... Well, whatever. I am sure he's grown up to be an important man. Someone I can be very proud of. 
Thief
Oh! Oh no. My dad thinks I'm a good person. The poor man doesn't know his son is a low life thief and a bum. The fact is that it's better he doesn't know... I don't what I'm gonna tell him...
He walks over to the jail cell.
THIEF (CONT'D)
Hey you two. Come on, hurry up and go. 
MAHARAJA
What is going on?
Thief
Get going while the boss is out. Come on...
The thief moves the straw date.
THIEF (CONT'D)
Come on... Come on!
MAHARAJA
Hummm... You're setting us free? What a kind young man. You're not like the rest of them cruel thieves. No, your nice. 
Thief
No, I'm just another thief. Now go and let me cry in peace. 
INDIAN MAN #3
Please sir... we must be hurry before the man changes his mind. Absolutely, positively... maybe, I'm thinking 
MahARAJA
Okay, well Good bye young man, and thank you very much... 
Thief
Good bye, my dear father. 
CUT TO:
EXT. sUGARLAND - field - dAY
MAHARAJA
What a kind young man he is. This is terrible pity he is with the thieves. 
INDIAN MAN #3
Absolutely, positively, a good man. We need to hurry up to get to Sugarland, though. A, excuse me sir... I believe I am noticing the thieves just over there... 
THIEF #2
What a caravan.
THIEF #1
Look! The Maharaja.
Thief #2
Who? The Maharaja? What's he doing here? They must have killed Moe and then flee. Catch 'em. Get 'em...
INDIAN MAN #3
Hurry! Hurry... Please be running sir...
THIEVES
Get them, don't let them get away...
INDIAN MAN #3
Please sir, hurry. Climb faster. 
Indian Man #3 slips.
INDIAN MAN #3 (CONT'D)
Darn...
MahaRAJA
Give me your hand.
INDIAN MAN #3
You go. I will hold off the thieves for a while. I will catch up with you later. Absolutely, positively, maybe.... 
MAHARAJA
Okay. I'll be waiting at the top of the mountain. 
Thief #2 (O.S.)
Where are you going?
INDIAN MAN #3
Hold on, you thieves. I will not be letting you lay a hand on my Maharaja. 
THIEF #2
Move! Come on..
INDIAN MAN #3
Take this!
CUT TO:
EXT. sUGARLAND - mountain top - dAY - cONTINUOUS
MahaRAJA
Oh, oh, oh... Hmmm... I am trapped. Oh dear... I'm going to fall. What to do? What to do now?
Thief #2
Well, well, well... Ha ha, You're trapped. You never thought of this, did you... huh?
 INDIAN MAN #3
Maharaja, please be forgiving me. 
THIEF #2
Ha, ha, ha, ha... Aaaahhh
MAHARAJA
Oh, no... this is the end of me... 
Thief (o.S.)
Wait! Hold off!
Moe flies in and rescues the Maharaja.
ThIEF (CONT'D)
Got you...weeeeee
tHIEF #2
Hummmm...
Thief #2 (CONT'D)
Hey, Moe! You're alive, then. What's going on then? Tell me. 
Thief
Yes, I'm alive and I won't let you harm the maharaja.
Thief #2
You traitor, I'll deal with you right now. Take this... and that! I'll show you how we deal with traitors... Take that. Ha, ha, ha... You give up now? Hummm?

Thief
No, it's just a scratch. You barely  hit me.
Thief #2
Didn't hit you! I'll show you then, alright... Attack!
MahaRAJA
No, no, no!
Thief #2
Why, what's the matter now?
MAHARAJA
Check out the tattoo, on Moe's arm. Look at that. Look at the lion. That is our family coat of arms, I'm telling you. This is my son. This is my son.... 
Thief
And this is my father. Daddy!
MAHARAJA
(crying)
OH, my son... I was looking for you for so long my son... I found you now... Ohhhhhh.... 
Thief
(crying)
And I was looking for you too, daddy. For years. 
Thief #2
(crying)
Hummm... What? This is his father? This is his father? Finally they're reunited. 
NaRRATOR
Hey? What's going on here? Why are you guys crying?
Thief #2
Why shouldn't we? If you were us, you would cry too, I'm telling you... It's a very long story. Yes, it is. Many years ago... Years ago, we attacked a caravan and stole everything. That night we took all the goods to the cave and celebrated till the morning, ya... 
CUT TO:
INT. sUGARLAND - THIEVES DEN - nIGHT (flashback)
Thief #2
Pearls, Pearls, Pearls...
Thieves
Pearls, Pearls, Pearls... 
Thief #2
And this shawl made of Kashmir...
THIEVES
Kashmir... Kashmir... We stole it all, we stole it all... 
Thief #2
And a kid... And a kid... What! What? And... and here is a kid, where did he come from? 
bUNDLE
(crying)
Daddy! I want my daddy...
Thief #2
OH! We're in a bit of trouble here. 
INT. sUGARLAND - THIEVES DEN - nIGHT - later (flashback)
bUNDLE
Daddy, I want my daddy...
Thief #2
Moe stop it please! I have a splitting headache...
THIEF #1
How about you taking care of him for a while...
CUT TO:
EXT. sUGARLAND - FIELD - dAY - (flashback)
Korbin
Yes, I myself have travel often and gone far. Not everyone can do this... It's very difficult you know...
Thief #2
Okay, they are getting closer...
bUNDLE
Huuunnn.... Daddy, daddy...
THIEF #2 (O.S.)
Quiet!
Newman
Hey, look! Robbers. Take off...
Thief #2
Look baby, not every man who has a beard is your dad. Again you caused another caravan to run away. 
CUT TO:
EXT. sUGARLAND - FIELD - dAY - years later - (flashback)
Thief #2  (O.S.)
Moe grew older and older, but he was always looking for his dad. 
kID #1
SO! You're not my dad?
Newman
No! I swear!
Moe takes Korbin down.
 kID #1
You're my daddy?
Korbin
No, me neither.
kID #1
(crying)
SO, where is my dad? I want my dad... 
Newman
Okay kid, it's okay... don't cry 
BACK TO:
EXT. sUGARLAND - MOUNTAIN TOP - DAY (present day)
Thief
So, daddy, deep down, I always wished to see you one day. 
MahaRAJA
Oh, my son... the days of wondering are over... Now you can come home with me. We will be happy, my son. 
Thief
No daddy. You go. I can't come with you. 
MAHARAJA
Why? Why?
Thief
Because I am nothing. Nothing, but a thief. I bring shame to our family. I'm nothing, not even someone for you to be proud of me. 
MAHARAJA
Ahhh, never mind. Whoever you are, never mind. Well look, first of all you are my son. I will send you to school. You'll study and become a doctor. Never mind... 
Thief
Wow, daddy. Thank you. How kind you are. 
Thief #2
Moe, good for you. I wish we had such fathers too. 
MahaRAJA
Ahhhh... No worries. I consider you my sons too. You too can come to the palace with me. I will send you also to school. Everybody. You can study and become useful members of society... 
Thief #2
What? You serious?
MAHARAJA
OH, Absolutely... I give you my word... Absolutely, definitely, maybe... 
Thief #2
I'm sorry we were so rough with you, sir. 
NarRATOR
Yes, the thieves of Sugarland set aside stealing and started out on a new life. 
CUT TO:
INT. sugarland - learning center - dAY
Moe and his friends are now enrolled in an adult learning center, on their way to a new and brighter future.
Thief #2
Hey Moe, what page were we on?
INDIAN MAN #4
Quiet. Quiet please. Now everybody together, "Learning is fun..."
THIEVES
 "Learning is fun..."
InDIAN MAN #4
"Learning is being smart..."
THIEVES
"Learning is being smart..."
INDIAN MAN #4
Being smart is fun...
Thief #2
OH Man, what have we gotten ourselves into...
INDIAN MAN #4
Quiet. Absolutely, positively no talking. 
Thief #2
Sorry, professor. I am sorry. 
INDIAN MAN #4
Okay, from the top, with feeling...
NaRRATOR
So, finally Maharaja found his son. And the thieves of Sugarland finally became respectable members of society. And here ends our story too. Till another day and another story, you take care.
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