"Could Have Avoided This!" Plot: Sagwa didn't have to wear her ancestor's collar, but she was convinced that was why she was gifted it. It's only later that Mama Miao points out that Sagwa walked out on her before she could explain she didn't have to wear the collar all the time.
The Birds, the Bees, and the Silkworms
An Aesop: Dongwa learns two in the story. Just because your friend is going away doesn't mean you should duck out from saying good-bye, or you may regret it. Second, even if they do go away, friendship doesn't necessarily have to end.
Green Aesop: Throughout the first half of the episode, Tai-Tai repeatedly banishes different animals because they're either a nuisance (the sparrows), painful (the bees) or simply gross (the silkworms). But during the upcoming banquet, she quickly learns that each animal served a purpose to that banquet before she banished them. Without the silkworms, there's a shortage of silk, and her new silk dress isn't finished in time. Without the sparrows, the cook can't make Bird's Nest Soup, and has to settle for serving a simple broth. And banishing the bees means the banquet's dessert doesn't have enough honey to make it sweet. Gradually, Tai-Tai begins to understand that "banishing" animals has consequences.
Hourglass Plot: The episode begins with Tai-Tai praising her colorful pet bird for its beauty and condemning the sparrows for their noise and plainness. The first half of the episode has Tai-Tai banishing animals without any foresight. The second half of the episode is where Tai-Tai realizes she's made a mistake when the consequences come to a head. The episode ends with Tai-Tai not only bringing the animals she banished back, but ridiculing that it's time her pet bird made itself useful when she sends it to carry the message.
Never My Fault: Subverted. After the disastrous banquet, Tai-Tai initially blames her husband for everything that went wrong. But she quickly takes it back and sadly lays the blame at her own feet, realizing the animals she banished had an important role to play. This convinces Tai-Tai to rescind her banishment of all three animals.
Poor Communication Kills: Had Tai-Tai bothered to learn what the "disgusting larva" were, she wouldn't have been so quick to banish the silkworms. And without them, her new silk dress is unfinished.
Two Lines, No Waiting: While the main plot is about Tai-Tai learning the importance of each animal, Dongwa also has problems of his own as he deals with having a short-lived friendship with somebody who will move away soon.
