A Charmed Life

## Stats

**A Charmed Life** is the 35th episode of the series *Babar* that aired on May 27, 1990.

## Summary

Rataxes asks Babar questions, such as when he will repair the bridge connecting Rhinoland and Celesteville, and the fact he didn't invite them to an open house. Cornelius and Pompadour, and soon Alexander, Flora, and Pom all ask him kinds of questions, but Babar tells them that he'll get back to them all. He doesn't even talk to Celeste. Babar walks away and finds a necklace with a charm on it. Suddenly, a bear gypsy appears out of nowhere with a carriage. Babar talks with him and thinks that his life is more easier. Babar closes his eyes and wishes he was never the king, while tossing the charm in the air. The gypsy forewarns him not to wish, but before Babar knows it, the gypsy disappears.

Babar, now crownless, figures he should head back to the palace. To his surprise, Celesteville is all rundown, as houses are made of stone and are roofless. Stores are also boarded up with no food. A rhino also passes by heading to the lake, but Babar knows that there are wells. An elephant also passes by with a broken leg, however, there's no hospitals. They hear people saying "All hail the king". Babar realizes that Rataxes is the king of Celesteville. Babar orders him to stop, but they don't listen. Everyone laughs at the fact that Babar thinks he is the king. Babar meets Cornelius and Pompadour who have street sanitation jobs, however, they don't recognize Babar and only remember an elephant with that name who ran away from the herd. Babar looks at the charm and realizes his mistake, but before he can get to the gypsy, the gypsy wheels away. Babar tries wishing everything back to normal, but the gypsy tells him that he had his wish and he must find his own way back to normality. Babar finds Celeste who is scrubbing the stairs of Rataxes' palace.

Babar asks Celeste if she remembers him, and she does, remembering when they were children together and Babar ran away when the hunter came. The two go inside for tea and Babar explains the story on how Celesteville was built, even though to Celeste's point of view it sounds crazy. Celeste tells him that when the monsoons come, they all run to the hills and the storms knock the city flat, so Babar thinks there can be something done. He speaks to Rataxes about this situation, but Rataxes has his hands full on a hall of fame. Rataxes makes Babar an advisor so he can cover this ground. Babar tells the "Rataxesville" citizens that they can build stronger buildings to keep up during the storm, and they decide to agree and build new homes, all out of material for Rataxes' hall of fame. Even though he's successful, Babar is still sad about the magic charm's wishing coming true.

Suddenly, a strong storm blows in. There is no time to escape the city, so Babar insists that everybody comes into the palace. Everyone does come to the palace. Basil peeks out and says to Rataxes that it is "him" at the door. Rataxes opens the door and everyone comes in with Rataxes' mementos for the hall of fame. Everyone uses the things to board up the windows and doors. When the storm finishes, everything is ruined. Babar suggests they build the city from the ground up once again, but Rataxes orders his guards to take Babar out into the jungle to use as a post. Babar gives Celeste his charm as he leaves, and she wishes Babar was king. Out of nowhere, everything goes back to normal. Babar is overjoyed to see Cornelius and Pompadour, Celeste as a queen, and his children. Babar and Celeste look outside and see the gypsy bear's carriage pass by. Celeste brings up that if you see one traveling by moonlight, you would get your wish, but Babar says he wouldn't change a thing.

## Trivia

* The episode is vastly similar to *It's a Wonderful Life*. The series *Rainbow Fish* also had an episode with a Wonderful Life plot.
* Despite not being born yet, the two elephants that peek out of a sheet when the storm finishes look like Flora and Alexander (or Pom).