The word “memorable” frequently comes to mind when reflecting on The Andy Griffith Show, whether it’s characters like Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith), Barney Fife (Don Knotts), Floyd the Barber (Howard McNear), Otis the Drunk (Hal Smith) or Andy’s son Opie (Ron Howard); the fictional town of Mayberry itself or the show’s overall gentle humor. And, of course, the storytelling that can frequently make you laugh or touch your heart. “Opie the Birdman” does both.

The story is simple, but devastating in its quiet way: Young Opie, playing with his slingshot, accidentally kills a mother bird. When his father discovers what happened, he doesn’t yell or punish his son, who is clearly distraught over what’s happened. He simply opens the window of Opie’s bedroom so he can hear the cries of the orphaned baby birds. The lesson is swift, sharp and incredibly powerful. From there, the boy decides to raise the fledglings himself and, when the time comes, let them go.

Pop culture historian Geoffrey Mark calls it “the perfect storm of acting, writing and directing,” a rare convergence that elevates the episode beyond even the show’s already high bar. “It’s about a father and a son and a father teaching a son about the exigencies of life and responsibility,” he explains. “It’s not a Don Knotts episode, it’s not a Gomer episode, it’s not even Southern. This is a father and son moment.”