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"Grandpa's Birthday" is an episode of Hey Arnold!.

Summary[]

Grandpa's about to turn 81 years old, and he figures that since no one in his family has lived past 81, he's going to die soon. Arnold takes him to Dr. Steiglitz (the first doctor Phil's seen in over twenty years) who's amazed that Phil's so healthy for his age, and states that Phil could easily live another 70 years, possibly more. Phil, however, ignores this and still thinks he's going to die. So Arnold and Grandpa spend time together after Gerald tells him to do.

Plot[]

Arnold and his grandparents sit down to breakfast at the boarding house with the rest of the boarders. Grandpa's in a bad mood, which is only spurred on by the bickering of the boarders. Arnold inquiries about Grandpa's bad mood, and discovers that Grandpa will soon turn 81, and he believes that the men on his side of the family are cursed to die at the age of 81, citing his father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Arnold accompanies him on a check-up with his doctor, who claims that Phil is in remarkably good for someone his age -- in fact, Phil's apparently in such good shape he could potentially live to the age of 150. Grandpa, however, refuses to accept his diagnosis.

Grandpa goes about leaving his family and boarders his possessions. To Arnold he gives the Packard, and Grandma the boarding house, but he will NOT however give any of his croquet mallets to Oskar Kokoshka. Arnold explains his tough situation to Gerald, who suggests inspiring Grandpa by taking him out to do his favorite things. Grandpa and Arnold go to the movies (at The Kiska, specifically), ice skating, a baseball game and enjoy corn dogs down at the docks. After all of his efforts, Arnold still hasn't managed to convince Grandpa that he'll survive his birthday the next day.

Grandpa, adorned in a suit and bowtie, lies in his bed and waits for the clock to strike midnight. Mr. Hyunh and Oskar are making wagers as to what time Grandpa will "kick the bucket." However, when twelve o'clock finally arrives, Grandpa discovers he is still among the living. He scrolls through his family photo album, recounting the lifespans of various male relatives -- after Arnold hears this and does some mental math, he points out to his grandfather that all the male relatives he's talking about died at the age of 91, not 81.

Overjoyed, Grandpa leaps from his bed, insisting that he's perfectly healthy, Grandma plays “Stars and Stripes Forever” on the organ, dances with her husband, everyone except for Oskar is happy that Phil is ok he and Arnold hit the town yet again to celebrate by getting ice cream and then he wonders if he can get a corndog.

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