"The Little Drummer Boy" is the 41st episode of VeggieTales. It is a retelling of the Rankin/Bass special of the same name which was owned by Big Idea's parent company Classic Media at the time.
Synopsis
Junior's parents are going out to do some Christmas shopping, and Pa Grape is there to keep him until they get back. They're planning to get a drum set for him after seeing how he loves playing with his drumsticks. He is practicing his drum skills and waiting for his friends, Laura, Annie, and Percy, to come by so they can go caroling together. However, because he's listening to his music on his device, he doesn't hear the doorbell and Laura, Annie, and Percy think he forgot about going caroling and went shopping with his parents instead. Junior is still waiting and doesn't know why they came by, only to hear them singing far away. He thinks they ditched him, but Pa thinks it's probably a mix up and they'll come back for him. Pouty, he decides he won't forgive them for ditching him. Pa decides to cheer him up by reading him a story about a small drummer.
The story starts with a small farm boy named Aaron. He goes out to see if his pet lamb, Baba, is all right, to which his father, Benjamin, replied yes. Benjamin also gives him a drum as a gift. Whenever he plays it, the animals start to dance along. Unfortunately, his happy world would end quickly as the Roman army burns down his family farm, as it was in the property they wanted. He hid well with the animals for shelter, but his parents aren't there, and he thinks they died in the fire. He decided that he'll be better off without any other people, and he leaves the farm along with the remaining animals.
Meanwhile in the desert, two travelers named Ben Haramed and Ali were trying to find a way to earn money for their show, since the only performers they have are Ali who is a flame juggler, acrobats named Mai and Oui, and a stand up comedian named Bernie. Ben then heard the distance drumming from Aaron, and thought that both he and his animal friends would be a good addition to the group. He tries to persuade Aaron to join in, but he refuses since he doesn't want to be involved with people. However, Ben tells him that once they'll make enough money and share it (which Ben doesn't plan to), he won't be around others. He eventually decides to join the group, also because he wants to take care of his animal friends.
The traveling group arrives in Jerusalem to start their show. But things aren't going so well, and the townspeople aren't amused with the performers. So Ben insists Aaron to play in front of the crowd, although he doesn't want to smile toward others. He sings along with his animal friends, and everyone loves their performance. But he doesn't felt happy, and throws the money back at them, which makes them angry and they throw slushies back at the performers, and flee away from the trouble.
Later, the group spends the night in the desert again. Ben isn't pleased with Aaron's actions earlier and states that he won't leave until he pays back the damage he has done. Ali spots three kings named Melchoir, Gaspar, and Balthazar, who are planning to meet the newborn king. Ben discovers that he'll make a profit since they have lots of gold. The group sets up a show for the kings, but they aren't interested as they need to leave to follow a star. However, things don't go well as their Sandspeeder is tired out from carrying too many jars of myrrh. Ben has a sly idea that he'll sell Aaron's camel, Joshua, to the kings, so he tells Ali to distract Aaron while he sells Joshua away. Just as Aaron arrives back, he becomes mad with Ben that he sold Joshua and refuses to join him once more. So he runs off with his remaining friends so he can find Joshua. Ali tries to interfere but Ben tells him to let Aaron go.
Just as they're heading to find the three kings, Aaron spots the shepherds looking at the sky because an angel is telling them that they need to head to Bethlehem. After seeing the event, he decides to follow them. As they head into the town, he spots Joshua and is reunited with him. But things take a turn for the worst as a Roman riding his chariot almost hits Baba, which Aaron becomes worried saying that he shouldn't die. He decides to talk to one of the kings, but he doesn't know how to mend sheep. However, he suggests going to see the newborn king. Because he only has a drum and doesn't have anything to give, he decides to play it for the baby. This helps him open his heart with happiness and forgive everyone that he held his grudges for so long. Just then, his parents arrive and he's happily reunited with them. Benjamin discovers Baba's injury and says he will help him get better.
After hearing the story, Junior decides that he'll forgive Laura, Annie, and Percy for not letting him join them. They come back, ultimately apologize, and forgive him for what happened earlier. Pa tells them that he'll make some hot chocolate for them since they were out in the cold, which they accept. Percy then tells Junior that he's allergic to his new cat, which Junior is confused about.
Songs
- "A Treasure to Behold"
- Can't Smile Without Ewe
- "The Eight Polish Foods of Christmas"
- "The Little Drummer Boy" (feat. Bebe and CeCe Winans)
Cast
| Voice actress/actor | Character(s) |
|---|---|
| Lisa Vischer | Aaron (Junior Asparagus) |
| Mike Nawrocki | Balthazar (Larry the Cucumber) Jerry Gourd Mai (Jean-Claude Pea) Oscar the Polish Caterer |
| Phil Vischer | Ben Haramed (Mr. Nezzer) Ali (Mr. Lunt) Pa Grape Melchoir (Bob the Tomato) Gaspar (Archibald Asparagus) Bernie (Jimmy Gourd) Oui (Phillipe Pea) Percy Pea |
| Dan Anderson | Benjamin (Dad Asparagus) |
| Keri Pisapia | Laura Carrot Mom Asparagus Leah |
| Maggie Roberts | Annie |
| Miles Fuqua | Baba Samson Joshua |
| Gloria Ballard Kurt Heinecke Laura Neutzling Brian K. Roberts |
Choir |
| Dustin Ballard Brian Calhoon Leeeric Fesko Mike Sofka Sarah Vorhees |
Crowd Extras |
Trivia
- The life Aaron once had was shown at the beginning instead of flashbacks. This was done to make sure that the audience can approach him more.
- The farm was burned by Romans instead of bandits. Also, Aaron's parents were kept alive by them instead of being killed.
- In this version of the story, Ben and Ali didn't know who Aaron was so they bribed Aaron and his animal friends to join them instead of capturing them by force.
- The Ben and Ali in this story are a bit more lighthearted, but still sleazy than how they were presented in the original story.
- The characters Mai, Oui, and Bernie were new to the story as a part of Ben's group.
- Ali was juggling jars in the original, but here he juggled flaming torches instead.
- Ben immediately sold Joshua in the original, while in this version, Ben and Ali only tried to separate the camel and Aaron away.
- In the original, Aaron's lamb was saved because of Jesus. However, after Aaron played the song towards the new king, he was able to forgive others. And it was his dad that saved the lamb.
See also
- The Toy that Saved Christmas
- VeggieTales Christmas Spectacular!
- The Star of Christmas
- Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving
- It's a Meaningful Life
- Christmas Sing-Along Songs!
- Merry Larry and the True Light of Christmas
- Beauty and the Beet
- The Best Christmas Gift
- The Gift of Giving