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The class is on a field trip. They ride along in a school bus through the countryside.

Arthur says that Buster always brings something back from field trips.

...or you might say "steals something". But it's early in this episode. I'll shut up.

There was the time Buster took/stole a fossil from Rainbow Rock State Park

#10302 - "Buster's Dino Dilemma"

The time he accidentally took a detective's badge from the police station.

We see Buster notice the badge in his hand, (the badge is silver and is marked E.C.P.D. and has a star on it) and Buster runs back in to return it.

When they went to visit the Elwood City Fudge Factory, Buster took home a "really bad stomachache"

This was the result of Buster helping himself to a barrel of fudge marked "Free Samples" while everyone else is occupied talking to fudge factory workers.

Arthur wonders what Buster will bring home from this field trip...

From the window of the bus, Buster sees a combine harvester at work.

Buster: Whoa! Now that's a machine.

Buster imagines himself racing the combine harvester through a field, making wavy figure-eights and the like. On Buster's combine harvester, loaves of freshly cooked bread come out of a giant oven on the back of the combine, on a conveyor belt, and fall into a large wicker basket. Inside the cab of the combine harvester, Buster is buttering an entire loaf and is ready to stuff it in his face when he sees three flying saucers.

The three saucers taunt Buster by betting him that he can't catch them.

Buster accepts the challenge. He presses a button on the dashboard, and the combine harvester rises vertically into the air, and chases the flying saucers through outer space...

Buster's daydream is interrupted by Mr. Ratburn telling the class to "say goodbye to the 21st century". Buster doesn't like the sound of that. Mr. Ratburn continues -- they are now entering Amish country. Buster asks Arthur if there's a country called "Amish".

Mr. Ratburn asks if Buster was paying attention in class yesterday -- Buster asks if that's a trick question. Mr. Ratburn launches into an explanation of who the Amish are. They were a group of people who left northern Europe to settle in America so that they could live freely according to their beliefs.

Arthur: What kind of beliefs?

Obviously Buster wasn't the only one not paying attention. Or maybe he's a plant.

Mr. Ratburn asks him to look out of the window and tell him what he sees. Arthur sees a number of Amish people out in the fields harvesting using pitchforks and horse-drawn equipment. Arthur notes that they're not using a machine to do it.

Mr. Ratburn: The Amish don't rely on all the modern conveniences we do.

Arthur looks unhappy, and Francine behind him, looks downright ill. Mr. Ratburn asks if anyone can tell him why. Buster suggests that the Amish might not have enough money to buy them. Brain knows the answer -- he says that the Amish choose not to use them. Amish people believe that their lives should be as simple as possible. Amish people don't drive cars, talk on the telephone, or use electricity.

Arthur: That means no TV!

Brain: ...or any other technology that makes modern life possible.

Buster: Yeah, or TV...

The bus passes an Amish horse and buggy headed the opposite way along the side of the road. Arthur points it out. Buster watches it as it heads on down the road.

* * *

The bus has stopped at an Amish farm. Everyone's gotten out. An Amish lady and an Amish boy about the same age as Buster and the gang greet Mr. Ratburn's class. The lady welcomes them to the "Lapp family farm". She starts to talk to them about the Amish way of life. Her family has lived on the farm basically the same way as it has since it came to America two hundred years ago while the outside world has changed a great deal.

Buster looks at the Amish boy, who happens to be a rabbit too. The boy waves at Buster.

The lady has Buster's class follow her so she can show them around the farm. Buster introduces himself to the Amish boy -- they are at the back of the group. The Amish boy says his name is Daniel. Buster says he likes Daniel's hat, and Daniel says thanks.

* * *

Inside the farmhouse, everyone in Buster's class is checking out the furniture, which the Amish make themselves. Arthur asks who builds their pianos, and is told that Amish people don't believe in playing muscial instruments.

That would have been my first question too. "Who makes the pianos?"

* * *

They go into a room where a woman is using an old sewing machine. This is where the Amish people make their own clothes. Daniel points at the buttons on Buster's jacket and says that he isn't allowed to wear those on his clothes. Buttons are too fancy. Zippers aren't allowed either.

* * *

In front of a large old iron stove, the Amish lady explains how the Amish use gas or wood to cook their food instead of electricity. Arthur asks what a piece of equipment is. The piece of equipment is a butter churn -- Amish people make their own butter. Buster asks if he can try it.

Buster has fun doing it... for about 5 seconds. Mr. Ratburn scolds him, saying that's enough. It is time to go look at something else. Sadly Buster starts to follow the rest of the class as they head out of the kitchen. Confidentially, Daniel asks Buster if Buster would like to try something "really yummy", and hands a large spoon to Buster -- it's apple butter.

Daniel is picking up some bad un-Amish lingo if he's saying "yummy".

Buster tries it, likes it -- and then gets in trouble from Mr. Ratburn, who is standing at the doorway, frowning.

* * *

Outside, an Amish cart full of logs pulls up. Buster asks what is going on. Daniel says that their friends and neighbours are going to help them build a barn today.

Mr. Ratburn: It's called a barn-raising. It's an Amish tradition.

Isn't nearly everything the Amish do a tradition? ;) Ok, that was a bit mean.

Buster asks if they can help. Mr. Ratburn looks at his watch and notes that they are a little ahead of schedule.

By way of rushing everyone I suppose. I hope everyone has insurance -- building barns probably wasn't what most of the parents were expecting when they signed permission forms. But I'm being petty. Of course it's a good idea. :)

* * *

Arthur's class help out with the barn raising. Then they have lunch with the Amish people at large outdoor tressle tables. Buster spreads apple butter on his bread, and eats a spoonful of it on its own.

The barn-raising continues. We see how by working in large numbers, the Amish people can buid a barn by only using simple tools and ropes.

* * *

Getting back on the bus at the end of the day, Brain comments to Arthur that it would have been "far more efficient if we had been able to use a power saw".

Shut up, Brain.

Buster tugs on Mr. Ratburn's sleeve and asks if they can come back tomorrow, so they can assist in putting the roof on the barn.

Mr. Ratburn: I'm afraid not Buster.

Buster is sad. But Daniel slaps Buster on the back and thanks him for helping them with the barn-raising. Buster says that he should be thanking him -- Buster's never made anything with his own hands before.

Buster: Boy you guys really know how to live!

Daniel: You don't have to be Amish to live like we do! You can try it at home!

Buster: You really think so?

Daniel: Sure, this will help you get started!

Daniel gives Buster his black Amish hat.

Buster: Awesome! Thanks Daniel!

Buster shakes Daniel's hand.

* * *

On the bus, Arthur says Buster's hat is "pretty cool". Buster says that it is way more than that -- it's his inspiration...

Brain: For what?

Buster: To live the Amish way...

Buster says he's going to live like the Amish; he will "live simply" and make everything with his own hands. Buster asks if anyone else wants to do the same thing. As if to answer, Arthur starts playing with a portable video game, and Muffy talks on a cell phone to her father, complaining about having to help the Amish out.

To me, this shows that Buster has a really good point -- Arthur and Muffy don't need the technology they are using and could give it up if they had to.

Brain says that what Buster wants to do is "virtually impossible". Arthur agrees -- remember the time Buster couldn't last a week without television?

Buster makes a dismissive sound and says that he is "through with all that modern junk". He gives Arthur his jacket; Buster doesn't want it -- it has buttons on it.

* * *

That night, Buster elects to walk home instead of riding in the car. As a result, his Mom is driving the car very slowly down the street keeping pace with Buster. She doesn't understand why Buster doesn't want a ride, and calls out from the car to him. Buster says it's not "the Amish way". Buster's Mom supposes that this is ok, although she's not convinced, and then she asks if he wants anything special for dinner.

Buster says he wants a stew of hand-ground cornmeal, fresh kale, and sweet potatoes slow-cooked over a wood-burning stove.

Buster waves to Arthur as the Read's red station wagon passes Buster's Mom's car.

* * *

That night, the meal turns out to be pizza and milk. But it is sort of Amish because they are using candles for illumination in the dining room. Buster says next time, they can make their own pizza using home-grown ingredients. His Mom says that will be difficult, seeing as how she has to work. She comments that the candlelight was a nice idea, and flips on the light.

Buster freaks out, saying they can't use electricity and flips the light off. Mom flips it back on. Buster insists it stays off -- Amish people don't use electricity. Then the phone rings -- and Buster insists that they don't answer it, as Amish people don't use phones either.

Mom objects, but she's still not angry yet.

Mom: I'm not Amish, and neither are you.

Buster tries to block her from picking up the phone. He counters her argument by saying that they should be Amish.

Buster: Those people really know how to live!

Mom says she's not prepared to live that way. By this time the phone's stopped ringing. Buster is sulky, and says that he is prepared to live that way.

Mom leaves the kitchen. She has a good idea for her son though -- maybe Buster can be Amish in his room! She puts the light on.

Buster: You mean, I have to go it alone?

Dejectedly Buster trudges out. He comments that Amish families stick together.

If this had been Arthur's family, they would have tried to give it a shot. Dad would have liked the chance to try cooking Amish food -- he already expressed an interest in Biblical-era food

* * *

Up in his room, by moonlight, Buster is at his desk reading a picture book on barn-raising. His Mom comes in with a self-powered flashlight. She says she doesn't want Buster ruining his eyes. The self-powered flashlight is sort of Amish-y in that it needs to be cranked by hand to work. Buster seems to like that. Mom notices that it's cold in Buster's room. Buster says he had to turn off the heat, as it was electric. Mom goes to Buster's closet and takes down a pile of blankets. She comments that she doesn't think being Amish means having a freezing bedroom -- they probably have wood or gas stoves that heat the whole house.

Buster, now in bed, but still wearing his hat, notes they don't have those things.

Mom asks if he has to be completely Amish. Couldn't he just be a little Amish?

Buster says that's out of the question. It would be like Bionic Bunny being only a little bionic.

Mom sighs, gives him a kiss and says goodnight.

* * *

The next day, Buster is about to be late for school because none of his clothes are button and zipper free.

* * *

In class, during math, Buster asks Mr. Ratburn if they can have a barn-raising in Elwood City. Mr. Ratburn is pleased that Buster got so much out of the field trip, but he is doubtful that anyone in Elwood City requires a barn be raised.

Everyone bursts out laughing.

Brain notes that a lack of farmland makes it unlikely that anyone will need a barn.

Buster's dejected.

* * *

At recess, Buster declines Arthur's invitation to play tag because he is sewing a quilt.

* * *

At lunch, it seems the only one who's behind Buster in his Amish conversion is Mrs. MacGrady, the lunchlady. Brain stirs up trouble by commenting that the Tuna Surprise was probably cooked in an electric oven.

Brain: Are you sure it's Amish enough for you?

Brain is causing trouble. Behind him in line, Arthur, Francine, and Muffy all lean to the side to see what Buster will do. Buster's tummy rumbles. But Buster has to pass on the Tuna Surprise -- and decides just to have an apple. He quickly leaves.

Mrs. MacGrady never thought she'd see the day Buster Baxter turned down food!

* * *

Buster walks home sadly, in the rain, without a coat, and again his Mom follows slowly in the car.

* * *

At home, he is doing his homework with the wind-up flashlight. It goes out. Buster comments that homework is hard on the arms as he begins winding the flashlight up again.

Mom bursts in to Buster's darkened room, holding a bunch of radishes she got at the farmer's market. She smells something nasty in Buster's room. That would be the butter Buster attempted to make using a metal bucket and a dustpan as a churn. Buster said he thinks he made mayonnaise instead of butter. Buster begins churning it again, splattering the contents of the bucket all over his floor.

Mom has had enough. She says he is not making butter in his room! Buster protests, but Mom takes the butter-churning equipment out of his room, mentioning that tonight, he will be sleeping with the heat on.

Buster is sad; his ears droop -- and then his hand-cranked flashlight runs out of power again.

* * *

That night, Buster has a dream about the aliens again. Only this time, he doesn't have a combine harvester, he only has a mule-pulled plow. Buster calls for the aliens to come back... he can't chase them using Amish equipment.

* * *

In class, Mr. Ratburn gets up from his desk and reminds everyone that their reports on their favorite educational television program is due on Monday. Buster, who now is suffering from a cold, probably as a result of the lack of heat in his room, and walking around in the rain with no coat, says that watching television is against his beliefs.

The class snickers.

Mr. Ratburn gives Buster an alternative -- Buster can write a report on his favorite educational book. But it cannot be a picture book.

Buster: Awwwwwww...

* * *

At lunch, Buster is eating on his own. He looks sad and sick. Mrs. MacGrady brings Buster a bowl of hot soup, which she says she made herself for the boy who used to be her best customer. Buster perks up immediately and begins to enjoy the soup.

Mrs. MacGrady says she has spent a lot of time with the Amish -- and what Buster is doing... is not Amish.

Buster is surprised. It isn't? Certainly not, says Mrs. MacGrady -- Amish people don't own cars, but they can ride in them... and they can eat whatever they want. Mrs. MacGrady asks Buster if he thinks it's being Amish by walking around cold, hungry, and miserable all day? Buster says no -- the people on the farm they went to seemed really happy.

Mrs. MacGrady asks why that was.

Buster supposes that it was probably because they all worked together, like when they were doing the barn-raising.

Mrs. MacGrady gets up from the table, leaving Buster with the thought that "it's no good making a dinner for six if you're going to eat alone".

Buster continues to eat the soup, all alone, and ruminates on Mrs. MacGrady's words of wisdom.

* * *

Buster goes past Arthur's house. Inside, he can see Arthur practicing on the piano. Buster sighs, and imagines himself being inside there with Arthur playing his tuba.

* * *

Buster goes home and hangs Daniel's Amish hat on the coatrack -- since he has been wearing the thing constantly, this shows him reverting back from his self-imposed "Amishness".

He plugs in the phone, and calls Arthur. Buster says that he is using the phone again, and has given up the Amish lifestyle. But there is one thing he'd like everyone to get together and do that is Amish.

* * *

Francine, Muffy, Buster, Arthur, Sue Ellen, and Arthur get together and has a barn-raising. Only it isn't a barn, it's a wooden doghouse for Pal that they build together in Arthur's yard. Once they are done, Buster's Mom and Arthur's parents bring out food -- Buster's Mom has a pizza. Buster says it's the best pizza he ever tasted.

Buster's Mom says she made the dough from scratch. Buster wraps the remains of the piece he is eating with a napkin. Buster's Mom is surprised, as she though he liked it.

Buster does like it -- so he's going to take it home and save it (with his food collection, no doubt) as it's the first pizza crust made by Baxter hands....

END.

Failure to receive buy-in by Buster