Question: what was the first episode of the waltons called
Answer: in season Title Directed by Written by Original air date `` The Foundling '' Vincent Sherman John McGreevey September 14 , 1972 ( 1972 - 09 - 14 ) The Waltons shelter a deaf girl ( Erica Hunton ) left on their back porch by her mother because her father insists on institutionalizing her .