The Simpsons

While treasure hunting, Lisa and Bart discover a beached whale, and Lisa quickly forms a strong emotional attachment to the animal. Later, Homer takes drastic action when he receives an unexpectedly large electricity bill, prompting him to confront the soaring costs.

The Squirt and the Whale is a television episode that falls under the programme category. Its format follows the familiar style of an episodic adventure, presenting a self‑contained story within the broader series framework. In this instalment, Lisa and Bart set out on a treasure‑hunting excursion and stumble upon a whale that has washed ashore. The discovery quickly becomes more than a simple find for Lisa, who develops a strong emotional attachment to the stranded creature, caring for it throughout the episode. Meanwhile, Homer faces a completely different dilemma. After receiving an unexpectedly large electricity bill, he decides to take drastic action in response to the financial shock. His reaction drives a parallel storyline that contrasts sharply with Lisa’s compassionate concern for the whale. The episode therefore weaves together two distinct threads: Lisa’s tender involvement with the beached whale discovered during a treasure hunt, and Homer’s urgent, extreme measures after confronting an enormous utility charge. Both plotlines unfold within the same broadcast, offering viewers a glimpse of the characters’ differing priorities and responses to unexpected challenges.