Larry the Cucumber and Bob the Tomato have been longtime friends and colleagues. Both are stars of numerous children’s DVDs and Saturday morning television. The two work with VeggieTales, a popular children’s series that features all sorts of wacky characters (in various vegetative states) who teach kids basic morals in VERY hilarious ways.
About five years ago, Bob the Tomato got into a major identity crisis when someone (we don’t know who) suggested that Bob didn’t belong in VeggieTales. After all, Bob is not a vegetable at all. He is indeed a fruit.
Now, not ascending to vegetable status is demeaning enough. However, it is another thing to be called a fruit. The word in that context has very negative connotations. Every character on the show is wacko, but the “fruit” is elevated to a whole new level.
Bob investigated and, in truth, discovered to his disappointment that his family lines did in fact lead to the edge of the fruit. Bob entered a state of depression. Around the same time, VeggieTale’s first feature film Jonah and the Whale failed to meet box office expectations and lost money. VeggieTales was facing bankruptcy.
Once at the top of the plant world, Bob was now facing a major crossroads of crisis in his life. Recognizing that his old friend was in deep trouble, Larry the Cucumber decided to intervene. He had Bob visit noted plant psychiatrist Dr. Archibald. This is the same Dr. Archibald Larry that he had seen before on a certain lip fetish.
Dr. Archibald quickly diagnosed Bob’s identity crisis and recommended a cure. He suggested that Bob get together with all his VeggieTales friends and create a children’s music CD and DVD where the characters actually sing and speak to children BY NAME! This revolutionary BIG IDEA couldn’t have come at a better time for Bob.
By concentrating on helping the children with their own identities, Bob soon learned to forget about his own crisis. The new music CDs were so successful that Bob encouraged others in the cartoon world to follow his lead. Before long, PERSONALIZED children’s CDs were available featuring The Wiggles, Elmo and his friends from Sesame Street, and Barney the Dinosaur. Even Mickey and Minnie Mouse saw the value in this incredible opportunity and, together with their friend Goofy, also produced a personalized children’s CD.
Raising identity awareness in a child is invaluable. It is particularly important for young girls to be sure of their identity and who they are. The Disney Princesses came to the rescue and produced a wonderful personalized CD for little girls, teaching them BY NAME wonderful princess things like good manners and proper etiquette.
Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber came up with the BIG IDEA. His music is delightful and the impact on a child’s identity and mental health is priceless.