C. Bear and Jamal

C-Bear introduces Jamal to the "Duke" in an effort to convince Jamal that the clothes he wears don't matter. It's the person he is that counts.

C-Bear takes Jamal into the future to show him the sad effects of sleeping through his education.

On Jamal's 10th birthday, C-Bear shows him that being grown up can have its disadvantages.

Although Jamal fails to make his school's golf team, he learns he has talent in other important areas.

Jamal meets a rich cousin and becomes embarrassed about being "middle-class." He begins a charade of wealth and high manners, which almost alienates his friends. Jamal learns to appreciate the things money can't buy - family, friends, and love.

When Jamal is teased by a school yard bully, he tries everything from avoidance to a near physical confrontation. C-Bear teaches Jamal that words can often hurt more than fists, and that bullies are usually people in need of understanding and friendship.

When Jamal discovers his dad's job isn't as exciting as he imagined, he begins to lose respect for his father. C-Bear informs him on the value of hard work, an honest living, and providing for a family.

Jamal is cast in a commercial and adopts an obnoxious attitude when he begins to dream of a glamorous Hollywood life. When Jamal is fired from the commercial, he is humbled and must apologize to his friends.

Jamal learns the value of the experience of the elderly when Grandpa Willis takes the place of Jamal's father at the annual Parent/Student picnic.

Jamal becomes jealous when his father goes out on a date, and tries to tag along to ruin the experience. C-Bear joins in, until he realizes they're wrong. He shows Jamal the value of space in any relationship, and that his father's dating doesn't diminish the memory of Jamal's deceased mother.

Jamal learns the best way to be himself after unsuccessful attempts of asking a girl to the Spring dance.

Jamal convinces Maya to act dumb and lower her test scores before she loses all her friends, who don't get grades as good as hers. C-Bear convinces Jamal it's wrong to make Maya reduce her intelligence in order to please others.

Jamal lies in order to get a job on the school newspaper as an advice columnist. When he can no longer lie, he begins telling too much truth, even at home. After learning how much the truth can hurt, Jamal apologizes to the people he insulted.