(Big Bird gives everyone pictures that he drew of them.)
Big Bird: And last but not least, ta-da!
(Shows picture of Mr. Hooper.)
Big Bird: Well, I can’t wait till he sees it!
(silence)
Big Bird: Say, where is he? I wanna give it to him. I know! He’s in the store.
Bob: Uh, Big Bird. He’s … he’s not in there.
Big Bird: Oh. Then where is he?
Maria: Big Bird, uh, don’t you remember we told you? Mr. Hooper died. He … he’s dead.
Big Bird: Oh yeah. I remember. Well, I’ll give it to him when he comes back.
Susan: Big Bird, Mr Hooper’s not coming back.
Big Bird: Why not?
Susan: Big Bird, when … when people die, they don’t *come* back.
Big Bird: Ever?
Susan: No, never.
Big Bird: Well, why not?
Luis: Well, Bird Bird, they’re dead. They … they can’t come back.
Big Bird: Well, he’s *gonna* come back. Why, who’s gonna take care of the store? And who’s gonna make my birdseed milkshakes and … and tell me stories?
David: Big Bird, I’m gonna take care of the store. Mr. Hooper, he left it to me. And I’ll make you your milkshakes and … and we’ll all tell you stories, and we’ll make sure you’re okay.
Susan: We’ll look after you.
Big Bird: Hmmm.
(silence)
Big Bird: Well, it won’t be the same.
Bob: You’re right, Bird Bird. It’s … it’s … it’ll never be the same without him.
Big Bird: Mmm.
Bob (crying): But you know something? We can all be very happy that we had a chance to be with him and … and to know him. And to love him a lot when he was here.
Big Bird: Yeah.
Olivia: And Bird Bird, we’ll still have our *memories* of him.
Big Bird: Well, yeah … yeah … our memories. Right. Why, memories, that’s how I drew this picture. From memory. And we can remember him and remember him and remember him, as much as we want to! But I don’t like it. It makes me sad.
David: We all feel sad, Big Bird.
Big Bird: He’s *never* coming back?
David: Never.
Olivia: No.
Big Bird: Well, I don’t understand! You know, everything was just fine! I mean, why does it have to be this way? Give me one good reason!
Gordon: Big Bird, it has to be this way … *because*.
Big Bird: Just because?
Gordon: Just because.
Big Bird: Oh.
(Looks at Mr. Hooper’s picture.)
Big Bird: You know, I’m gonna miss you, Mr. Looper.
Maria (crying): That’s *Hooper,* Big Bird, *Hooper.*
Big Bird: You’re right.
(Everyone gathers around Big Bird for a hug.)