When Rupert and Ottoline find an abandoned carousel in the woods, they decide to fix it up for fun. When the Sage of Um discovers their project while passing through, he tries to use his magic powders to help them get it running. It works, but also brings the animals to life! The two kids can't wait to show all their friends, but before the night of their planned unveiling, they’re discovered by a Traveling Salesman, Thogmort, who’s been looking for the perfect ride to sell to Prince Brinn. When Rupert and Ottoline refuse to sell the magic carousel and its living, sapient residents, he simply steals it in the night, leading them on an adventure to rescue their new friends.
This episode provides examples of:
- An Aesop: Happiness comes from spending time with friends, not from material possessions.
- Aimlessly Seeking Happiness: Prince Brinn. It's implied he's spent years trying to find some form of fun he can enjoy, but nothing he’s collected for his carnival has worked ("Sometimes, I wonder if I will ever feel happy again.").
- Animate Inanimate Object: The Sage's magic dust animates the previously inanimate carousel animals.
- Borrowed Catch Phrase: Ottoline echoes Rupert's "I've got an idea!"
- Bring Help Back: Unable to leave the island, Rupert and Ottoline ask their new turtle ally to go to Um Island and send the Sage to come and get them. Eager to be a part of their adventure, he happily complies.
- Chase Scene: Rupert and Ottoline spend the climax running from Thogmort around an island.
- Chekhov's Gun: The Sage drops a magic pouch, which Ottoline picks up to hold for him until he comes back. The kids use it later to help save the carousel.
- Conjoined Twins: The two ostriches are essentially this.
- Eating Optional: The carousel animals like eating "treats," but as the ostriches are the only ones who can get off the ride to get their own food, it doesn't seem to be necessary.
- Exact Words: Rupert insists "The carousel isn't for sale." He never objected to letting the animals choose to make Carnival Island their permanent new home for free.
- Hard-Work Montage: Rupert and Ottoline get one of these.
- Hates Being Alone: The prince didn't realize until Rupert came along that this is why he's been so miserable.
- It Was Here, I Swear!: Thogmort drops the carousel on the island, brings the prince after talking up this huge magical surprise, and... it's gone.Thogmort: But, but, sire, it was here, I promise!
- Real Men Wear Pink: The (male) ostriches are pink all over.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: Prince Brinn badly wants the carousel, but he doesn't stoop to demanding, threatening, or taking it by force like Thogmort did.
- Rummage Fail: The first pouch the Sage pulls out turns out to hold shrinking powder.
- Security Cling: Rupert and Ottoline cling to each other in fear when a strange island grows underneath them in the ocean. Fortunately, it's a friendly giant turtle.
- Team Spirit: When they stop arguing and work together, the two ostriches are able to fly.
- Volcano Lair: Prince Brinn's castle and carnival are in the mouth of an island volcano, where Rupert and Ottoline follow Thogmort.
- What Measure Is a Non-Human?: The Sage initially plans to undo the spell that brought the carousel animals to life, but now that they are alive, they want to stay that way. He complies. Thogmort still tries to buy them like they're nothing more than a carnival ride. Rupert, however, assures them, "We would never sell you. We don't own you."
- You Meddling Kids:Thogmort: I don’t know how they've done it, but those interfering Nutwooders must have made it to the island.
