The Long Road Home

The Long Road Home is the second half of the 10th episode of Season 14. It first aired on April 28, 2011 with Buster Spaces Out.

Summary
Deciding he performed disappointingly in a running race, George decides to walk from Crown City to Elwood City to raise money for autism research. Arthur's Turkish pen pal Adil finds Alberto's "El Boomerang" soccer ball, which, after traveling around the world and into space, is returned to Alberto on his birthday.

Plot
After coming in second place at the track meet, George is made fun of by Francine. George is disappointed in himself for not running hard enough. He decides to do a walk for research for autism, by walking from Crown City to Elwood City.

George goes around school trying to get people to sponsor him. Francine tells George that he'll never make it, but signs up for sponsor anyway. George asks Mr. Ratburn to sign, but he misunderstands, and shows up to walk with George and Neil Lundgren.

Halfway into the walk, Buster and his mom drive by. Buster asks George if he's going to give up. George tells Buster that he won't give up. Buster then cheers George on, and tells him that he'll see him at the finish line.

With only a mile to go, Mr. Ratburn trips on a tree root that's sticking out, and sprains his ankle. Mr. Lundgren calls for help, while George waits. A few hours later, George, Mr. Lundgren, and Mr. Ratburn, who is on crutches walk across the finish line, while a bunch of citizens cheer for them.

Francine apologizes for doubting George. Meanwhile, Arthur's pen pal Adil finds Alberto's El Boomerang soccer ball, and sends it to Arthur.

Arthur plans on giving it to Alberto the next day at Alberto's birthday party, but Pal knocks it off of Arthur's shelf, and it goes out the dog door. Arthur disappointingly gives Alberto something else.

When George, Mr. Lundgren, and Mr. Ratburn come across the finish line, George finds the ball and kicks it, and it lands in Alberto's hand. Arthur tells Alberto that his pen pal found it. Alberto tells Arthur that he is a good friend.

Trivia

 * John who is one of the unidentified kids that go to Lakewood is one of the kids that sponsors George. His name was shown in the episode Arthur's Number Nightmare along with several other unidentified students, but just like in that episode John is never seen during this episode.