Amazing Stories - Gather Ye Acorns

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Review.

Gather Ye Acorns is an episode in Steven Spielberg's series Amazing Stories.
It tells the story of the life of Jonathan Quick, from the days in 1932 till the time when he's approximately 60 years old.

Jonathan's youth.

Jonathan's father wants him to become a famous doctor, but Jonathan dreams of another life.
One day he meets a goblin in the garden, who tells him to stick to his own dreams. If he does; he will become richer and more famous than any doctor or lawyer in the country. The goblin warns him never to throw away any of his toys or of the things he cares about.

After having finished his school Jonathan (Mark Hamill) finds himself a job and start saving money to buy himself a brand new car. Then he stops working and spends his days polishing and cleaning the car. His father is outraged and orders him to leave the house.

In the 50's.

We meet Jonathan again in the mid-fifties living in a shack on the outskirts of a booming town. He owns nothing except his car and the things from his youth. When the land is bought by a building company he is convinced he has made a mess of his life and is outraged when the goblin appears and tells him he living the life he wants. Jonathan leaves his temporary home and starts roaming the country again.

In the 80's.

In the eighties the story shows an old timer car out of fuel on the highway. Jonathan, grey-haired and looking very old, manages to push the car to the nearest gas station, but can't get any fuel, because he has no money or credit card to pay in advance. He grabs a jug, in which he always has saved his money.
A lady in a limousine sees the jug, which has the face of an old monk. She offers him 'fifteen' and Jonathan accepts her offer, telling her he will have a last sumptuous meal before he will drive his car off the highway. The lady tells him she will come back with a check of U$ 15,000.-
Jonathan is stunned, and slowly he begins to realize that his old toys, books and other things are most wanted objects for collectors.

A promise fulfilled.

The episode ends with an auction of all his former belongings. Jonathan is rich beyond his dreams. When he sees the goblin he wants to thank him, but instead Jonathan finds himself talking to the lady who has bought the jug. The goblin is gone. Startled Jonathan offers his new companion a drink. She accepts and together they leave.
The auction goes on. On the staircase we see the goblin, who joins the bidding.

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This page has been created: May 24, 1998