The Three Lessons

The episode commences with a lively dance involving several Ewoks, including Paploo, Weechee, Widdle, Wicket, and Latara, taking place in Bright Tree Village during the afternoon. Simultaneously, Princess Kneesaa is undergoing training to become a chieftess at Logray's dwelling.

Her father, Chief Chirpa, informs her that future leaders must master "Three Lessons." He clarifies that the hand lesson imparts strength and agility. The lesson of the head is learned when physical actions fail. Lastly, the heart lesson shapes a leader of strength. With intellect and emotion combined, the hand will always succeed. Kneesaa is confused. At Chirpa's urging, Logray consents to explain but mentions he needs to demonstrate something to her father.

As Chirpa and Logray depart, Kneesaa is assigned to study. However, she finds herself drawn to her friends' celebration. Kneesaa decides to slip away for a brief respite but inadvertently knocks over a purple container, spilling its contents onto a stranglethorn plant, causing it to rapidly transform into a colossal creeper. While Kneesaa is enjoying time with her friends, she and her companions are ambushed by the mutated stranglethorn plant, which has developed a hunger for flesh.

Paploo attempts to shield the younger Ewoks from the stranglethorn but is overwhelmed by the creature, which hurls him onto a drum. As more stranglethorn heads emerge, they begin causing widespread destruction and seizing control of the village. In the meantime, Logray presents a prototype supply elevator to Chief Chirpa, highlighting its capacity to lift an entire cartload. When questioned by Logray, Kneesaa confesses to accidentally toppling several containers. He deduces that the plant concoction he was developing must have infected the stranglethorn plant.

When Chief Chirpa inquires about a potential remedy, Logray explains that the issue can be resolved with a combination of kete nectar, ganga root, and trome sap. Logray intends to retrieve the necessary components from his hut, but Kneesaa points out that the stranglethorn vine has overtaken the structure. Wicket cautions them that the vine is obstructing the exits and advancing towards the ground. Logray warns that if it establishes roots, it will be unstoppable.

Chirpa entrusts Kneesa and Wicket with guarding the supply lift. Kneesaa attributes the problem to her carelessness. As the stranglethorn nears the crane, it ensnares Kneesaa. Wicket liberates her, and they descend using the lift. The lift is destroyed in the process, but the pair lands safely in a haystack. Determined to atone for her actions, Kneesaa pledges to halt the stranglethorn threat by acquiring the ingredients that Logray requires. Concerned for her well-being, Wicket accompanies her on her mission.

To obtain the kete nectar, Kneesaa and Wicket journeyed to a Kete hive. Recognizing that the sides are too slick, they realize they must traverse the sticky substance at the base after observing a Kete doing so. Kneesaa devises a plan: the duo could ascend the Kete's hive using leaf-shoes coated in the sticky goo surrounding the palace. Upon reaching the summit, they remove their shoes. Once inside the Ketes' intricate hive, the duo encountered several Kete workers and their queen.

Kneesaa attempts to reason with their leader, but the Kete pursue them. Following a chase through the labyrinthine hive, they stumble upon a stockpile of nectar pearls. However, Wicket dislodges a keystone nectar pearl, triggering an avalanche that is halted by the narrow exit. Nevertheless, they escape with the loose pearls when a worker clears the blockage, causing them to spill out through a doorway into the sticky goo below.

Meanwhile, Bright Tree Village is being overrun by the mutant stranglethorn vine. Malani attempts to rescue two woklings named Nippet and Wiley, but the vine proves too formidable. Paploo confronts the vine and issues an ultimatum. However, he is seized by a vine that proceeds to tickle him while suspending him in the air. Malani is captured by another vine, which deposits him at a high treehouse with Nippet and Wiley she was trying to rescue. Malani calls out to Wicket for help.

Continuing their journey, Kneesaa and Wicket discover several ganga root plants in a field. However, the two are unable to extract them. A barber bird demonstrates how to retrieve one by boring into the root to deflate it, making it easier to remove. The barber bird then consumes it. The two deflate one with a stick while the barber bird finishes off the rest. Noticing that they possess the last ganga root, the barber bird pursues them but becomes trapped with its massive beak stuck in a log.

Subsequently, Kneesaa and Wicket locate a trome tree atop a cliff. However, they discover that it has been reduced to a stump with only one branch remaining. Wicket finds a sign that reads, "Welcome to the famous trome tree. Now go home! Trespassers will be tromed!" With Wicket's assistance, Kneesaa attempts to reach it, but the two are confronted by the resident Tromes, who object to their presence. Wicket tries to explain, but the Tromes maneuver them towards the edge. Wicket retaliates and discovers that the Tromes are three small creatures stacked on top of each other.

The disheartened Tromes weep and implore the Ewoks not to destroy their home. Kneesaa explains that she requires the trome tree's branch for a magical sap. The Tromes explain that if they take the last branch, their tree will perish. The Ewoks explain that they need to save their home from destruction. Knessaa then devises a new strategy that involves allowing the Tromes to return to their village.

Kneesaa and Wicket, carrying the three Tromes on his shoulders, return to Bright Tree Village. They observe the mutant stranglethorn vines attacking the village's bakery. Weechee attempts to salvage the buns by consuming them first. He emerges with the remaining buns. Kneesaa, Wicket, and the Tromes are greeted by Chief Chirpa and Shaman Logray. Kneesaa explains that she was unable to retrieve all of the ingredients but that they can still acquire the rest with the aid of the Tromes.

Formulating a plan, Kneesaa assigns Wicket and the Tromes with retrieving the potion while she rescues Malani and the woklings. Chirpa urges them to exercise caution. Collaborating, the Tromes distract the stranglethorn vines while Wicket attempts to enter Logray's hut. Wicket manages to deceive the stranglethorn vines into laughing long enough for him to enter the hut. While the Tromes diverted the stranglethorn, Wicket snuck into Logray's hut and retrieved the potion that would tame the plant.

Meanwhile, Kneesaa uses her sticky shoes to ascend a tall tree where the stranglethorn vines have imprisoned Malani, Nippet, and Wiley. The four descended together, utilizing the same shoes. Having secured the potion, Wicket and the Tromes rejoined Logray. Logray instructed Wicket to place one drop into each of the plants mouths, but seeing how many heads the plant had sprouted, Wicket instead gathered a group of acorns into his satchel and poured the potion over them. Then he, the Tromes, and the other Ewoks fed them to the plant until it shriveled back to its original size.

Following the neutralization of the strangletorn threat, Kneesa apologized to Logray and Chirpa for neglecting her studies. Logray concurred that Kneesaa learned had learned her father's three lessons: the Hand Lesson (when climbing the Keet's hive), the Head Lesson (by discovering how to retrieve the ganga root) and the Heart Lesson (by opting to preserve the Trome tree). The Ewoks and Tromes celebrated the victory, and Chief Chirpa expressed pride in his daughter, saying that she will make a fine chieftain. Logray used Kneesaa's sticky shoes to climb a tall tree.

This episode marks the initial instance of Chief Chirpa instructing his daughter, apprentice, and heiress Princess Kneesaa. Kneesaa's successful adventure in this episode allowed her to be approved at Chirpa's Three Lessons.