Ernie Writes A Story Lyrics - Sesame Street

Ernie is watching a movie on TV as Bert walks in 

Bert: Ernie, what are you watching? 

Ernie: Oh, it's a great old movie Bert. 

B: What is it? 

E: It's called ... it's just uh "Cowboys in Outerspace" Bert. 

B: Ernie? Ernie? (E: Look at that!) Uh, can't you do something else besides watch TV? I mean, you've been watching TV all day long. 

E: Well gee, like what Bert? I mean, it's raining outside Bert. 

B: Well, I know it's raining, but Ernie there are other things to do inside besides watching TV. 

E: Oh yeah? Well, like what Bert? AH! 

B: What what? 

E: Look at that! Those are just actors Bert. 

B: I know, I'm trying to think what else you can do. 

E: Ooh! Did you see that one Bert? 

B: How 'bout reading? How bout reading? You can read, we have a lot of books here. 

E: Reading? Well, I don't know Bert, I really don't feel like reading right now, Bert. 

B: Oh. Well....um.. 

E: AH! 

B: How 'bout writing a story? Hey, that's good Ernie, writing a story. 

E: Writing a story? 

B: Wouldn't that be fun, you could write your very own story. 

E: Writing a story. That's a pretty good idea Bert. 

B: Yeah. (Bert laughs) 

E: Hey Bert, would you help me if I were to write a story, would you help me? 

B: Well, I suppose I could give you ideas. Yeah, I'll help you, sure. 

E: OK, Great. 

B: Great. 

E: Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm... 

B (Faces camera) Terrific. Wow, no TV set on all day long. Oh great. 

E: Hey Bert? 

B: Huh? 

E: C'mere Bert. 

B: Yeah, well what do you want? 

(Ernie and Bert are off camera) 

B: Ernie! What are you doing? 

E: Uh, we're writing a story Bert. 

B: This is not writing a story! 

(Ernie and Bert come in, Bert has a waste paper basket on his head) 

E: This is the first stage, planning to write a story. You see, you can't just sit down and write a story, you have to plan to write it, and that's what I'm doing. Now, we've got paper, I'll take that paper Bert. Let's see we have paper to write on. And I have pencils right here to write with Bert. 

B: *sigh* 

E: And then I have my handy dandy pencil sharpener. And I have my eraser here Bert for any mistakes I might make, see I can erase them. 

B: Uh-huh. 

E: And I have a waste paper basket to put in .. a waste paper basket ... Bert, have you seen my waste paper basket? 

B: Ask me that again and look into my eyes. 

E: Have you seen ... Have you seen .. Oh! This is my waste paper basket. 

B: Of course it's your waste basket!! You put it on my head! 

E: Oh, thank you Bert. 

B: Yeah, thank you. 

E: That's my waste paper basket for throwing stuff in when I make a mistake, you see? 

B: Ok, now Ernie, Ernie. You have planned your whole adventure in writing a story. 

E: That's true. 

B: All planned to the last detail ... all planned. 

E: Right. 

B: OK, now go to it. 

E: OK, I'll see you around. 

B: Ho, ho wait, well, where are you going? 

E: I'm going to go outside and play in the puddles. 

B: But why? 

E: Well, you see Bert, I can't think of anything to write right now, Bert. But, when I DO think of something, I have it all planned. And thanks to you Bert, I couldn't have done it without you. Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm. 

(Bert rests his head on the basket and shakes it in disappointment)