What a marvellous
short story!
It can be read in book form, but you can also watch the gorgeous animation movie on which it's based.
"Sometimes, some events are so deeply engrained in the hearts and minds of people, that they become legends, making us forget that they have really happened. Just like the story I'm about to tell you."
The atmospheric music and storytelling immediately wrap around you like a warm blanket at night.
And in the beginning the night is dark and everything's black.
But once the lights go on, you discover a beautiful world shrouded in luminous golden hues.
"The moon shining with a radiant glow, casting her light through an open window, captured the hart of a lonely boy."
This boy falls in love with the moon and tries to win her heart.
He does so by going on several quests to give her the most precious gifts.
But the moon doesn't care for riches, which is a beautiful message in this very materialistic world.
"He finally offered her something that she had never seen before."
What an original ending of an enchanting story!
To me, this story is all about the magic of colours, inspiration, non-materialistic love and broadening your horizons.
But feel free to judge for yourself:
Some reviewers don't agree and interpret this story on a whole different level, claiming that it's promoting unhealthy relationships.
Of course, every reader is entitled to his/her/their own opinion.
Nevertheless, the Italian author Rino Alaimo emphasizes that this story is a fairy tale and thus contains metaphors and archetypes.
In his country (and in many others) the moon represents the unattainable dream and this book tells the story of a boy who struggles to make his dream come true.
It was absolutely not his intention to give a message that could be misinterpreted or offend people.
Did you know that he also wrote a fairy tale against child abuse?
It's called 'La principessa del cielo' and it's supposed to help children who've been abused to talk about it.
The illustrations seem to be made in the same vein as 'The boy who loved the moon' and here's a teaser:
Anyway, I hope to see a lot more beautiful illustrated stories by this talented artist in the future!
You too?
I stumbled upon your new post by mere coindidence, Tau. I didn't expect one because you've been quite busy of late, working. You should give a heads up whenever you publish something, I like to be kept abreast of these things as you should know by now. As to the story of the boy and the moon, I'm afraid I fail to see how one can possibly claim this is about unhealthy relationships. Even as an adult, one should never lose a sense of innocence, and reading something wicked or unsavoury into this fairy tale, well, that is doing just that. As to the teaser, that was too short to get some idea about the story. Loved the graphics though.
ReplyDeleteWell, Bohse, I was already wondering where you were!
DeleteAnd I díd give a heads up in one of the B-Team mails on January 9th, but apparently you did miss it 😉
As for the story, some people interpret the fact that the boy continues to try to give gifts as crossing the personal borders of the moon and refusing to take 'no' for an answer. On top of that, they see the rope as a physical restraint to have his way. While I see a boy who wants to give the moon the fantastic experience of the sense of wonder.
Btw there are also people who say that the story is scientifically wrong, as we sometimes do see the moon during the day. While I see this story rather as a beautiful 'explanation' for this fact 😄
If I ever come across an English or French version of 'La principessa del cielo' I'll certainly write about my reading experience with it 😉
My bad then, Tau. An apology is in order, me thinks.
DeleteThere's absolutely no need for an apology, Bohse!
DeleteWe all have busy moments which cause us to miss something now and then 😉
Wat een mooi poëtisch filmpje Tau!
ReplyDeleteFijn dat je er van genoten hebt! 😉
DeleteMooi!
ReplyDeletebijv. details als de traan die om iets, een sterretje{?}, heen druipt.
Maar ja, jij hebt toch overdag ook wel eens de maan gezien?
of is dat dus sinds the boy 😉
Blij dat je het ook mooi vindt, Sterrezee 😉
DeleteAlles zit echt goed in elkaar, zowel de details als het geheel (beeld, klank, ritme).
Vreemd dat het niet meer gekend is.
En ja, ik hou ook van de maan en heb haar dus zeker al overdag gezien.
Net zoals 's nachts met een halo.
Of wanneer ze terug komt piepen nadat ze zich even verstopt heeft in de schaduw van de aarde. 'k Herinner mij nog dat ik enkele jaren geleden 's nachts mijn wekker gezet heb om de superbloedmaan te kunnen meemaken en foto's te trekken. Fantastische ervaring 😄
A late response from me, but watching the short film was still on the schedule.
ReplyDeleteActually, I see no reason at all why the writer should emphasize that this is a fairy tale. The lessons I learn from this short story are positive.
That people see something other than "don't give up" and "love can be found in an unexpected place" I can't understand. Nowadays, many people immediately explain everything negatively instead of seeing the positive.
Please keep digging up more of this kind of beautiful short stories.
And a very very very late response from me, Glawen 😉
DeleteA few months ago I tried several times to react, but blogspot didn't allow me to.
Afterwards I somehow forgot to try again.
There are lots of original short stories available online.
Stay tuned for more inspiration in the weeks to come!