The Adventures of the Young Marco Polo - Episode 13 - Kids Cartoon Animation Series

We follow in his footsteps, my two best friends and me. Traveling through the Binilud Mountains east of Nishapur can be harrowing during the foggy season. Here, one must rely on all of the senses to navigate the treacherous terrain. I'll say, I can barely see the words on the page. Keep reading, Marco, so I can follow your voice. Hey, watch it! According to my father's map, we should be close to the caravansary. Caravansary? It's like a traveler's inn. I can't wait to jump into a warm bath and a real bed. Much as I love them, I need a break from eating dried apricots. I can almost smell it cooking now. Can't you, Marco? Marco? Name and business. Marco? Your name is Marco? No. Sheila? Your name is Sheila? Luigi? Who are you? I'm Marco. He's Luigi. And who are you? I am Rustam, the night watchman. In this foggy gloom, I can't tell if this white string appears gray, charcoal, or slate. It looks kind of dark gray to me, sir. Then it is getting late. Time to lock up for the night. Come now, if you wish to enter. Wow. Welcome to the Caravansary of Peace. Are you sure this is the place? Welcome, travelers. Welcome, friends. Finally, a friendly face. I'm Zia, owner and manager of the Carnavansary. I see you've met Rustam, our night watchman. Yeah, he gave Luigi quite a scare. He's just doing his job. Please, join me for tea. There's another guest I'd like you to meet. Now I've seen everything. Hello, friends. I am Dumon, and this is Taj. I lost my eyesight years ago, and Taj has been a great help to me. Wow, who knew a pet could be so helpful? Just kidding, Fufu. Wow, green tea, black tea, elderberry, oolong. How do you tell them apart? By the smell, of course. I have learned how to focus my other senses. Smell, hearing, taste, and touch. Is there a tea that might calm Luigi's nerves? Hmm, honey might help. Ouch! Hey! Taj, please be polite. Children, meet Ipek. She arrived just this morning and is staying with us for a few days. Hello, Ipek! Hi! Hello! A locket! Thank you. It belonged to my mother, whom I've never met. You've never met your mother? I was born during a time of great upheaval. My parents had to give me up at birth. I know what it feels like to be separated from your family. I'm so sorry. Please, let me help clean you up. Is there trouble? I heard a scream. It's okay, Rustem. Just a little accident. Have some tea with me. Come on, Marco. I'm really tired. Maybe we should go to bed. But you haven't even had your tea. I know, but that guy makes me nervous. He's looking at everyone. Luigi, he's the night watchman. He's just doing his job. If you say so. I just don't like it when he watches me. Are you tired of dried apricots? I eat when I'm nervous. There's something fishy going on. The place is almost empty and this Rustem guy is creepy. Come on, Luigi. Calm down. Maybe this place is haunted by... by a... a ghost! Relax, Luigi. Smell these bath oils Zia gave me. Very nice, but nothing can calm me down enough to get some sleep. Luigi, don't worry. The code of the caravansary means that you're among friends here. Listen to what my father writes. For centuries, caravansaries or caravan palaces have been providing accommodation and services for travelers. Here, supplies may be purchased, shoes repaired, the sick may be treated, and animals are tended to. The walls are constructed like castle walls to keep occupants safe from intruders. Inside the walls, guests live by a strict code, leaving their differences or arguments at the door. This makes sure that everyone within the walls is a friend and can be trusted. Cots. Lasagna. I thought he'd find it interesting. You should have talked about the food instead. Good night, Marco. What's going on? I don't know. There, there, dear. Don't cry. My locket! It's been stolen! Rustem, it's happened again. What's happened again? The truth is, children, that the caravansary has been plagued by a thief. A very cunning thief. I told you there was something going on around here. Was your door locked? Then how did he get in? The window is too high for any thief to come up to. Unless he has magic powers. Everyone knows that magpies are bad omens. Luigi, you just might be right. I am? Is? Sort of. Come on, hurry! This way! Which way? Quick, over there! Fog is a bad idea because you just might... Knock into someone. There it goes! Don't worry. It's the nest we want. I'm sure that's where we'll find the locket. You think the bird took it? Everyone knows magpies are attracted to shiny things. We just have to find... Way ahead of you, Marco! Well, what's up there? Eggs. And also these. Here, catch! Well, there goes that theory. Weird. Speaking of eggs, how about some breakfast? I'm afraid I'm too upset to eat. I eat more when I'm upset. This thief is like a phantom, invisible in silence. We call him the Shadow. The Shadow? Yes, his reputation is spread and people are staying away from my caravanserie. Don't worry, Zia. Rustem will catch the thief and business will pick up. Trust me. If only everyone were as trustworthy as you do, men. I searched the area but found nothing. Come with me to the kitchen, Rustem. You must be starved. Rustem disappeared pretty quickly when we ran out of Ipek's room. Everyone disappeared in the fog. When I was on the wall, I saw him outside the caravanserie. It is kind of weird. And how did he get outside so fast? Don't tell me you suspect Rustem. It kind of makes sense. I mean, who watches the Watchmen? Oh, pardon me. More tea? Well, whoever this Shadow is, there's only one way to know for sure. We have to catch him in the act. A trap, huh? What can we use for bait? Here, it's the last of my savings. Use this if you think it's the only way. I guess the code of the caravanserie doesn't apply to cuts. Oh, I'm so glad the Shadow didn't find my gold coins. Tonight, you should hide it under your pillow to keep it safe. Good idea. Oh, well. Time for bed. Everybody ready? All set. Undercover and ready for action. Careful. I rigged up these bells on a string so we'll hear him coming. Aren't you all nervous? The Shadow could be dangerous. Nervous? What's there to be nervous about? Smooth, Luigi. Very smooth. I was just testing it. Don't worry, Ipec. We'll get him and get your locket back. Okay, I'll be just down the hall in your room, Sheila. Take Fufu with you. He'll keep you company. Marco? Yes, Luigi? Are you sleeping? Well, I'm talking to you, so no. Will you two be quiet? I was just thinking, what if the Shadow really has some sort of magic powers? Then you'll just have to subdue him with your steely charm. Charms? I forgot my protection charms in our room. Luigi, no! Well, at least his bell string worked. Marco, we've been robbed! My charms! He took them all. And Sheila's bath oils, too. That stinks! Why would he take those? Thank goodness! This diary is more valuable than any charms or bath oils. My apricots! No! The coins! Ow! Did you catch the Shadow? Not yet! Run and get Zia! Listen, he's going that way! There he goes! Listen, that way! He's getting away! That's the only doors into the dining room. He's trapped! There you are, children. What is going on? Zia! I think we've just caught the Shadow! You crossed him? You're the Shadow? What? Of course not! I heard the commotion and chased the sound of bells into this room! But there's nobody else in here. I see that, but I'm not the thief! You probably stashed the stolen goods already. Zia! You can't possibly believe this! Ruzdum! I don't know what to believe! Well, if you don't trust me... I can no longer do my job. Goodbye, and good luck to you. The important thing is that we now can all finally relax. Oh, Domen, what if we're wrong? He looks so sad, and he left without any of his things. His things? Yes. Ruzdum lives with his wife in the village, but he does keep a room with some belongings. We should check it out. There may be other stolen things. Nothing. How about you, Sheila? Oh, not much. Just this. My locket! You found it! That's great, but where's all the other stuff the Shadow took? He probably sold it already. The important thing is, is that I was right about Ruzdum. I just didn't trust him. And I was so very wrong. And now for a snack. Solving mysteries makes me hungry. Good news! We found the locket! Oh, how wonderful! And now I can continue the search for my parents. Thank you so much! Honey tea, just the way you like it. Thank you, Domen. Oh, I need to rest and then prepare to leave. Tomorrow will be a big day for me. Oh, dear, Taz. Let's get you cleaned up. Children, enjoy yourselves. It's on the house. And now we can pack. Or not. I put it on the table by the window and now it's gone! Oh, how will I ever find my parents now? I told you, the shadow can fly! It brushed past me and went into the dining hall. Luigi, can you break down this door? With the shadow in there? No way! You're right. I just hope he doesn't steal all the food. Stand aside! Maybe he's invisible. He could be anywhere. What is it, Fufu? It's a tiny handprint! Looks like honey. Smells like honey. I wonder if it tastes like honey. It is honey! Oh, I forgot my charms again! I have a bad feeling about this. What is it? Taz? The man is going to be so upset when he finds out Taz is the shadow. What took you so long? Wonderful! He can see! Much more valuable than those useless bath oils you brought me. Yes, yes, of course. A special treat for being a very good monkey. My apricots! Time to go, Taz. Whoa! Luigi, watch where you're going! How can I watch when I can't see? Listen, it's coming from over there! Taz, there will be time for apricots later. Marco, finding anything in this fog is hopeless. Wait, remember what my father said? We have to rely on all our senses. Like our sense of hearing and... Hey, do you smell that? Jasmine. Cinnamon. Ginger. My bath oils! This way! Come on, this way! Over here, look! You kids should have left well enough alone. So what's your plan? If you leave, we're just going to chase you. Hmm, yes, good question. Taz, stop it! I can't see! You mother-hidden monkey! Luigi, are you okay? I'm alive! Oh, look! An apricot! I think he's okay. Rustem, you came back! I never really left. Yesterday, I discovered the hidden tunnel and suspected two men might be the shadow. But I needed proof. We were all wrong about you. Yeah, um, thanks for watching out for us, Mr. Watchman. Children, I can't thank you enough for your bravery. And Rustem, I'm sorry I ever doubted you. What about Taz? I'm going to let him stay. Not many caravanseries can boast they have a tea-making monkey. But no more monkey business. One thing still bothers me. Why was Ipec's locket in your room? Ipec's locket? What do you mean? Hey, there are two lockets in here. Two lockets? How can that be? One belongs to my wife. And the other belongs to... to... my daughter. Father? I gave these matching lockets to you and your mother the day you were born. We never gave up hope we would find you one day. I think I got some bath oils in my eye. Hey, Mr. Sensitive. This should make you feel better. Let go! It's mine! Oh. With peace in the caravanserie restored and Ipec reunited with her parents, my thoughts turned to my own father. I know I'll see him again. Maybe not today or tomorrow. But someday, somewhere, just over the horizon.