Little House on the Prairie

Late one evening, farmer John Stewart arrives home and fishes through his haystack in the barn for a bottle.

After coming inside, he finds his young son, Graham, peeling potatoes. Graham is a cheerful, friendly boy who asks his father about the meat. Stewart admits to his son that he forgot and Graham brushes it off with the comment that there are plenty of potatoes.

Stewart doesn't seem to be able to handle the kindness of his son and begins fumbling around the house, looking for something. He asks Graham where the whiskey is.

Graham reminds his father that he'd promised not to drink anymore and Stewart asks for just one. Graham protests that it is never just one and, when his father becomes violently angry, admits that he busted both bottles. Stewart pulls out his belt.

The next day at school, all of the children can't help staring at Grahma during class, because it is obvious that he has some bodily bruises. After setting the class to a lesson, Miss Beadle takes him to Dr. Baker.

Charles Ingalls is there already, surprising Dr. Baker by paying off the Ingalls' debt to him first. Miss Beadle asks him to wait. Baker has Graham remove his shirt which reveal several long black stripes on the boy's back. Graham insists that he fell out of a tree while the doctor applies some linament, and to avoid upsetting the child, Baker does not say anything.

Privately, Miss Beadle confides to the two men that the beatings are becoming worse and laments that there doesn't seem to be anything they can do. John Stewart is an alcoholic and has dismissed both Baker and Reverend Alden who have both attempted to broach the subject with him.
Charles recommends a town meeting after church to discuss the matter.

At the meeting, the townspeople are sympathetic, but have no real power to make Stewart stop. Charles points out that there is a jail and a sheriff in Springfield at their disposal if necessary. The meeting is interrupted by Stewart who has brought along Graham and demands to know why they are talking about him behind his back.

Charles admits they are concerned about his treatment of his son and tells Stewart that Graham can be taken away from him. Graham becomes upset and insists he loves his father and sometimes misbehaves which causes the punishment. Stewart leaves, believing there is nothing that can be done to him.

Caroline struggles that night to understand why a child would continue to love a parent who mistreats him so. Charles points out that even a dog will stay with a cruel master and Caroline is saddened that Graham's life is diminished in that way.

The next morning, Graham never arrives at school and Miss Beadle goes to the mill to ask Charles to check on him. When he arrives at the Stewart farm, he finds the house in disarray and Graham lying unconscious on the floor.

He takes the boy to Dr. Baker who determines he will be alright. Stewart arrives and angrily accuses Charles of hiding Graham from him. Charles grabs the father by his collar and tells him he beat his son unconscious. Stewart does not believe him until Charles drags him into the doctor's examining room. Stewart weeps at the sight of Graham on the examining table.

He is locked in the mill's storage facility while the town discusses the matter again. Mrs. Oleson calls Stewart a monster, while Kennedy recommends tar-and-feathering him. Caroline protests that hurting Stewart will not help him and will only hurt Graham as well. They need to find a solution that will help both the father and the son. Dr. Baker agrees and suggests someone must stay with Stewart at all times to prevent him from returning to the bottle. Kennedy challenges Charles to prove his wife correct and Charles agrees to take care of Stewart.

Graham is sent to the Ingalls house to stay. He doesn't like being separated from his father and won't eat supper. Caroline tries to play on his father's concern for Graham by asking what he believes his father would think if he knew Graham wasn't eating. Graham points out that his father is usually drunk by supper-time and is unlikely to know whether Graham is eating or not.

At the Stewart place, Charles makes John dump every bottle of liquor and demands to know where his "hidden" bottle is, as well. He points out that he would rather be with his family, but is willing to help Stewart. He then puts the father to work all day long.

That night, Stewart has terrible nightmares. The next day, Charles works him even harder and, when Stewart suggests he needs a few minutes rest, Charles points out that a few minutes rest will turn into an hour and he means for Stewart to be so tired that there will not be a repeat occurence of the previous night's difficulties.

In the meantime, Caroline sets Graham to work building a chicken carrier for a chicken he is caring for. She is saddened to find out that Graham's mother died giving birth to him. She tells him not to blame himself. He assures her that he doesn't...but his father does.

Reverend Alden arrives at the Stewart farm and explains he's doing his rounds. He spends a few moments with Charles - relaying a message from Caroline - and leaves. Charles then rejoins Stewart at his work. He mentions how he misses his wife and asks about Stewart's. John is forced to admit that his wife, Lucy, died giving birth to Graham. Charles then points out that John blames his son for his wife's death. Stewart denies it fervently and stomps off.

But that night, he goes to the barn, digs in the haystack and pull out the hidden bottle. Charles comes in behind him and watches as the father dumps the contents. He admits to Charles that he did blame Graham for his mother's death and had never realized it until now. He loves his son and is finally able to come to terms with his feelings over the loss of his wife.

Charles returns home, bringing John with home to greet an overjoyed Graham. The father and son walk home together, carrying the chicken cage between them.