- The Grandfather: It's a pretty useful thing. Lightning always hits the highest spot, whether it's a tree or on a house. Runs down the pole, here along the eaves, down here, and hits the ground and explodes, just as harmless as a kitten.
- Esther Walton: Well it looks like it'd bring the lightning right down to our bedroom.
- The Grandfather: Wow! Be just like old times, wouldn't it hon?
- Esther Walton: The ladies of the Rockfish Historical Society are on the march!
- The Grandfather: Isn't that a withering thought?
- Narrator: [narration as John 'John Boy' Walton, Jr. reading from his journal] On Waltons Mountain the changing of the seasons marked the rapid, day-to-day growth of the younger members of our family. With all the process of change there were lasting values in our lives, as enduring as the mountain itself. But there came a time when our values were tested by events which came upon us without warning.
- The Grandfather: I remember something else, too. Out there in the porch, you sort of reached up your arms you gave me a little peck.
- Esther Walton: You kissed me.
- The Grandfather: Oh, so I did.
- John-Boy Walton: Wouldn't you know, my very first editorial. You see, my grandfather has been contracted to tear the place down and my grandmother is petitioning to keep the place up. Do you believe that?
- Mr. Clarence Johnson: You're gonna be in trouble with your family.
- John-Boy Walton: Yes, it's quite possible, sir.
- Mr. Clarence Johnson: Good, good. The best editorials come when there are deep feelings on both sides. It's the only climate that grows real truth.
- John-Boy Walton: That may be true. And this one is certainly gonna be a whopper.