Season 1: Episode 3

Moon Station One

It's 70 years in the future and Judi and Daniel are tasked with helping NASA's most brilliant, but curmeoudgenly, scientist, Doctor Michael J. Epstein as he manages Moon Station One. Dr. Epstein thinks Moon Station One is too crowded with eight other people living there and talking while they do work. And his room doesn't feel spacious enough. Judi and Daniel enact something called "Epsilon Protocol" to help Dr. Epstein feel more "at home" and hilarity ensues.

In this week's episode we learn about a Jewish value called hakarat hatov or recognizing the good. Basically, hakarat hatov is about gratitude and being happy with what we have.

More Episodes

Related Content

Make gratitude sticks with your family.

What do you love about your own home? Walk around together and look at objects like family photos, favorite blankets, even the cozy chair you read in. Talk about what you like about each part of your home and what makes it feel special.

Check out Everything is Amazing from Shaboom!

If you liked this story, you’ll love one of these books:

Does the story in Moon Station One feel familiar? It’s based on an old Eastern European folk tale about a man who lives in a very small house with his large family. Explore other versions of this folk tale with one of the books below:

Books about gratitude

Episode Notes

Does this story sound familiar? It's based on the folktale and PJ Library book It Could Only Be Worse by Margot Zemach. Or you might have read it in The Little, Little House; A Big Quiet House; and even OY Vey, Life in a Shoe.

This story is about a Jewish idea called sameach b'chelko, being happy with what you have. Dr. Epstein has a hard time being happy with his living arrangements. But after 25 protocol epsilon stages, he's collected a lot more stuff than he'll ever need. And after a reset back to where he started, he finds that he just might be happier than he ever has been.

Episode Credits

Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library

Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Theme music: Penelope Alizarin Conley
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian

This episode was written by Jason Allen.

Cast:
Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Dr. Michael J. Epstein: Tau Zaman of the Whisper Forge
Daniel Schottenfeld: Peter Moore
Judi Ortega: Gwen D'Angelo
With special thanks to Payton James (PJ)