Author's Note: Mr. Peabody has taken Sherman on some pretty fantastic adventures in the WABAC, but when Sherman finds out that Penny isn't a Christian, Mr. Peabody will take the kids on their most incredible trip yet, to THE pivotal moment in history, the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. I know this story is a little late for Easter, but school work does comes first. This will be a nine part story, with chapters posted daily starting tomorrow. The story is already written so I cannot accept suggestions that majorly affect the plot, but reviews are always welcome. I realize that the story starts out a little slow, but if you stick with it, you won't be sorry! A considerable amount of the dialogue in this story is based on the episode "The Imagination Station" from the radio drama Adventures in Odyssey. Sources for this story include "The Imagination Station," "Killing Jesus" by Bill O'Reilly, and of course the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Mr. Peabody and Sherman, Adventures in Odyssey, "Killing Jesus," "Killing Lincoln," "Killing Kennedy," "The Last Days of Jesus," Boeing, and American Pickers belong to their respective owners. I own nothing but the plot. That being said, please enjoy THE Pivotal Moment in History!

THE Pivotal Moment in History

Susan B. Anthony Academy Cafeteria, Wednesday 16 April 2014, 11:45 AM

It had been several months since "the incident" with the WABAC and things had pretty much returned to normal. Sherman and Penny were discussing a recently assigned science project over lunch.

"Well, I figured that since our current topic of study in science is astronomy, we could do something with that," Sherman was saying.

"That's a good idea," Penny replied. "We could do it on solar eclipses. We could even build a model to demonstrate how it works."

"I like that," Sherman continued. "You can come over to the penthouse and we can work on it."

"Okay," Penny said. "How about Monday evening?"

"We can't do it Monday," Sherman answered. "The CEO of Boeing is coming over for dinner."

"Well, how about next Wednesday?" Penny tried again.

"Sorry, General Dempsey is coming that night," Sherman responded.

"Good grief, Sherman," Penny sighed. "It seems like every night you and Mr. Peabody always have someone coming over for dinner!"

"Not every night!" Sherman protested.

"I'll bet you had someone over last night, didn't you?" Penny accused.

"Well…yes," Sherman admitted.

"I thought so," Penny said. "Who was it this time?"

"Uh-uh," Sherman replied. "You have to guess. I'll even give you a hint. It's not an athlete or government official."

"Come on Sherman, just tell me. Who did you have over for dinner last night?" Penny persisted.

"Nice try. You know how this works. You have to guess," Sherman replied with a smirk. He knew she was just toying with him. She liked this guessing game they played just as much as he did.

"Ugghh. Okay, let's see. You said it's not an athlete?"

"Right."

"And it's not a government official."

"Two for two."

"Did you say it was a he?"

"I didn't say, but yes, it was a guy."

"Let's see. Is he on TV a lot?"

"Every weeknight."

"Is he an actor?"

"Strike one. Besides, what scripted show is on EVERY weeknight?"

"You're right. Hmm. Is he a news anchor?"

"Of sorts."

"Local or national?"

"National."

"Works for CNN?"

"Strike two."

"Dang." She thought for a minute. "FOX News."

"Yes."

"Number one rated cable news show 14 years running?"

"That was oddly specific, but also yes." Sherman was now grinning from ear to ear and bouncing up and down in his seat.

"Bill O'Reilly."

"Yeah! Isn't it incredible!" Sherman couldn't contain his excitement any longer. "Mr. Peabody helped him with the research for "Killing Lincoln" and "Killing Kennedy" and now he's helping him with the book he's writing about World War II. He's really an incredible man!"

"Yeah, I know," Penny replied with a smile, amused at the boy's excitement. "My dad watches his show as often as he can. Sometimes I watch it with him."

"So does Mr. Peabody. And look, he even signed my book for me!" said Sherman as he pulled a book out of his backpack to show Penny.

"The Last Days of Jesus?" Penny questioned as her smile fell.

"Yeah, Mr. Peabody bought it for me last week." Sherman replied as he opened the book to show Penny the signature, but she didn't even look.

"Oh. I didn't realize you were into that sort of thing, Sherman."

"What do you mean that sort of thing?" asked Sherman slowly as he set the book on the table, realizing Penny wasn't looking at it.

"Religion. The Bible. I mean, it's okay that you believe in it, I don't mind, I'm just surprised is all. Besides, it's kind of old fashioned, don't you think? Stuff about what you can do and what you can't do. If I need to change something I can figure it out on my own, right?"

"Well, I-" Sherman started, a little surprised by Penny's reaction.

"And then there are the stories," Penny continued with a dismissive tone in her voice.

"The stories?" Sherman asked.

"Yeah. The Creation, Noah's ark, Daniel and Goliath-"

"You mean David and Goliath," Sherman corrected.

"Whatever. My parents make me listen to those stories on CD, and well, I prefer REAL history."

"Real history?" Sherman asked confused.

"O come now Sherman. You don't really believe that the universe was just spoken into existence in six days, or that a flood destroyed everything on Earth except for eight people and some animals, or that a little shepherd killed a giant with a slingshot of all things, do you?"

"Well, yeah!" responded Sherman, who was now very concerned.

"Oh, Sherman," Penny scoffed. "Listen, I don't want to talk about it anymore. Do you have your arithmetic homework? I had a question on one of the problems and I wanted to see how you did it."

"Um, sure," Sherman replied despondently as he pulled the paper from his backpack. Sherman wasn't as talkative the rest of lunch and he didn't raise his hand once in class the rest of the day.

Mr. Peabody's Penthouse, Wednesday 16 April 2014, 6:00 PM

Mr. Peabody had noticed that Sherman wasn't his normal chipper self when he picked him up from school that day, but every time Mr. Peabody asked him what was wrong, he would just say "Nothing's wrong," or "I'm fine," or "I'm just tired," or some other deflecting response. Mr. Peabody was concerned, but he couldn't seem to break through and convince his son to talk. He prayed his son was okay. He decided that he would discuss the matter with the Petersons over dinner that night. You see, it had become something of a tradition in the preceding months that Mr. Peabody and the Petersons would go out for dinner one night a month and tonight was that night this month. Mr. Peabody was all ready to go and the babysitter had just arrived.

"Sherman, Mrs. Bolling is here," Mr. Peabody called down the hall to Sherman's room.

"Okay, I'm coming," Sherman replied. A minute later he stood at the door.

"Before I go Sherman, are you sure there isn't anything you want to talk about?" asked Mr. Peabody.

"I told you Mr. Peabody, I'm fine. Shouldn't you get going? You're going to be late," Sherman answered.

"The Petersons can wait if there's something you need to tell me Sherman. You know that I always have time for you if there is something you need to tell me," Mr. Peabody explained.

"Yes, I know, I know, Mr. Peabody. Really, nothing's wrong. I'm fine."

Mr. Peabody sighed. "Well, alright then. You be good for Mrs. Bolling and I should be home around nine or so. Now give me a hug, okay?"

"Okay."

As they released from the hug, Mr. Peabody said, "Something else I want you to remember Sherman: I love you, more than you might realize, but even more important, God loves you. Always remember that, okay?" This seemed to strike a nerve with Sherman, who was hesitant to respond.

"I…I know, Mr. Peabody. I…well, um…I know," Sherman finally said as he looked down at his feet.

"Okay, well, I'll see you tonight. Goodbye Sherman. Thanks again, Adrienne," Mr. Peabody said as he walked out.

"No trouble at all, Peabody," Mrs. Bolling replied.

"Goodbye, Mr. Peabody," Sherman called out.

"Goodbye, Sherman," Mr. Peabody called back. And then to himself, "God be with you."

Author's Note: Will Mr. Peabody be able to figure out what's bugging Sherman? Keep reading to find out! Reviews welcome!