African folktales always make you think real deep.

Why did he forget those who loved him (the people of the magic tree)? Why did he honor those who did not love him at all (his mother/brother)? An important lesson for young and old people. Blood is blood but it is not always family.

Revisiting this after watching it in class is TIGHT!

I remember watching this one late night on public television (Channel 13) in the wee hours of the morning

It seems that he hoped his mother would be proud of his achievement and finally love him, but he forgot that during his long absent she never looked for him. Maybe something happened to her when she was a child in order to prefer one son and reject the other one or the delivery was more painful... Despite we are today "educated" people, This behavior still exists all level of the society creating unloved children who do not understand what it is wrong with them. They feel this rejection deeper in them but they do not understand why. The best way is to leave the source as in the story and only turn back if both sides are looking for positive communication and mutual love. Mothers should be aware of their powers (actions, non actions, words, silence...) on their children. Thank you for sharing this tale.

*_Word!_** I remember watching this on PBS/channel 13 when I was in grade school and living in **_Queens, NYC._** It came on right after an episode of **_"High Feather"._** I always found this animation's graphics and music very haunting and mystical, but I always valued the **_life lesson_** it taught me.*

Theae animated African tales just leave me wanting more!!!! Someone should start a series of these back up again! They have so much meaning and depth that children and adults can learn from....life lessons

I love these stories that end with a question.

Oh my God i haven't seen this i was a kid I'm 53!

Thanks so much for this one. Profound messages with extra ordinary art. The world created for over 10 minutes has more magic than any Hollywood production I have seen in decades.

Thank you for uploading this Reel Black!!♥️♥️ I have never seen this folktale from the African perspective before. The animation is just like the animation in a book I grew up reading (& now own) called "Anasi The Spider."🙂 Also, I've seen 2 different versions of this story, but from a horror perspective. The first was from the Japanese movie "Kwaidan." The second movie is "Tales From the Darkside." In all 3 of these stories (the Japanese, the American & this story) the men start out poor, meet a mysterious woman who gives them everything they could dream of, but with a promise that they not reveal how they met/reveal how such wealth was acquired. But the men do the opposite & lose it all. Sorry for rambling! Appreciate this channel so much!!👍👍

If there is more from this series PLEASE upload it :)

Gerald McDermott is MY FAVORITE illustrator! I grew up watching these stories. If you ever want to get a group of second graders to be quiet, read Arrow to the Sun.

I remember the book vividly in grade school in the early 70's. But I NEVER knew it was animated...until today!

I love this! The guy that did the artwork also did the Anansi the spider book I read as a kid.

I Haven't Seen This since the Late 60's Early 70's THANK YOU LITTLE SISTER, Now I can't Wait to Show my Grandkids! @reelblack

What a sad story!

What a nice and sad Story.

Blood is thicker but not always love those who love you those who doesn't neglect them.

Wow, what a Treasure! Thank U for sharing the Enlightenment of the past that still carries Truth till this day ✨💥💫

The artistry is beautiful and simple.

Woooow what a great folktale... I wish I had seen this in my 20’s. I wouldn’t have been a fool for so long. Like I tell people now, in my opinion there is a strong difference between “Family” and “relatives” Now that I’m moving on up (in age, wisdom, and knowledge)as the late great Curtis Mayfield said, I’m glad to say like the other late great Luther Vandross put it I don’t wanna be a fool never ever again.🙏🏾💯🥂

There's a very similar irish folklore with this same message. Crazy how people who have never met or crossed paths have the same ancient story.

Thank you Cherub ReelBlack! 🙏🏾 ( I met thru my cousin Daoud Bey, back in 2013 and we volunteered for your Asiatic Film showing at the International House. I was a great pleasure meeting and volunteering to aid in your ensemble of crew and staff.) I will forward this to my Cherubs, so that my Grand Cherubs can see this! ( I’m 53 yrs old bout to be 54 yrs old next month. I can honestly say , I have never seen this before. The school system in Camden, New Jersey never offered to show this to my people. 🤨 We need to have these stories because they are layered with Morals and Lessons to make us better people. Peace to you and your beloved family and crew/staff, from the Magi Hypnotist in the East. ❤️🇲🇦🇺🇸✡️🙏🏾

Timeless wisdom 💎🔔💎💎🔔

Wow thank u so much for posting this video. I kind of feel like this pertaining to my life. My family treats me like a bum in the street. I move to another state people I didn't know treat me like a real person. I almost wanted to cry just thinking about it. People u dont know will have so much luv for u than ur own family. Sad but this is very tru. I've met people who really smile when they see me but my mother & other family here frown. I will never tell my family how I got my riches when I get it. I'm moving away again next yr. Just like the african that wasnt loved (me). And I'm going to get rich. This really taught me a lesson thank u again Reel Black for posting much luv to u & ur family. Peace Love & Light✌🏾💗⭐ Oh yea I just wondering tho what makes a mother love one child & not the other. I live this example & to this day I still dont get it. I not a bad r evil person. Made poor decisions in life but overcome all my circumstances just dont get it.

This channel is a godsend

This is a great story to describe our position in America and the world. Why do we not honor those who love us, but honor the ones who don't?

It has this analog horror feeling

Thank god for this channel 🙏🏽

Wow thanks reelblack the last time I seen this was in 1985 in the 4th grade at storytelling time.

I love this sm pls never remove!❤🌍🙏

This amazing 🥺I love it.

Such great art, and the folktales are timeless.

Why did the mom have to play favorites tho? damaging these kids like that 🥺 I love this story! I got something diff out of it than the whole family treat you worse than a stranger thing.. I see it as don’t share your blessings/good news with those who never cared for you from day 1, family or non..

Thank you Reelblack. Always coming through with the wisdom!

I remember this story when I was kid 💖

i keep coming back to this (and Anansi) ... wonderful stories. most of all the lessons taught in both.

More of these, please!

I think this was his own trauma response. He was protecting himself from taking a risk in getting hurt all over again.

I remember they played this numerous times while I was in preschool. The animation and music scared me that I asked not to watch it.

I read these in a book in third grade omg the memories from the art im so happy

Nice

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

Thank you!64 year old Caucasian female and they never ever get old timeless infinity...Shareing the wisdom

I've never heard of this book. But I do remember the author and illustrator that wrote Arrow to the Sun.

Childhood classic🌍

Thanks ❤❤❤❤❤

Good stuff.

I was born on 1966. Very nice.

Deep. ❤

I am familiar with the story of Anansi the spider. I like the folklore stories I have seen so far.

I was born on 1966. Very nice

African/ People understand the power of saying less

They show this on PBS I saw in 1078.

Wise!

woah i only read the story but never saw the animation

It is sad that PAPER MARIOS ( a comment 3 below mine) observation that sometimes family is not as thick as the magic that the imagination of our making can bring us. As humans are faced with terrible events in our lives that seemingly we did not bring upon ourselves. SOME OF US like the creator of this animation are born with special gifts like his or mine in the creativity section of our minds. OTHERS outside of being creative are born with beauty bronze and or INTELLIGENCE which may or may not reflect the true depth of what gifts GOD GIVES TO ALL HIS CHILDREN. INTELLECTUALS and hardworking blue colar heros ,,we all have the capacity to observe from a distance snd if a strong enough injustice is observed i would like to believe WE would step into the action of helping. The story to me tells me that even though the boy who ran away only ran into his imagination and though he seems to have created an alternate world in his mind to endure the cruelty of his own mother and her lack of parenting due to his physical appearance. It was his magical imagination that saved him up until he felt it was necessary to show his mother that he used his imagination to hide the pain of his childhood AND IN THE END who knows what may have happened.What if he stayed in his imaginary world would he have been better off or is it just natural to WANT that terrible family (the mother in this story ) give him some respect for having survived without her snd his strong brother.. The ultimate point i took from this story is at the end of the day WE AS PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT NOT EVERYONE IS PERFECT even the mother in this story is subject to lifes inperfection and that WE ALL AT SOME POINT need to see how WE AS MANKIND CAN USE THE MOST VALUABLE CURRENCY we have and that is THE DIFFERENCE WE CAN MAKE IN ANOTHERS LIFE outside of our own. Be kind be patient be understanding tolerant and loving. Step up where others fall short. Give a pat on the back TO those who deserve it and pay attention to the ones who maybe just average and then pat them on the back as well. Sometimes compasion can be a double edge sword that will come back to cut you. HOWEVER i believe that if we all see the sword coming back to cut MAYBE WE CAN AVOID THAT HAPPENING BY THROWING OURSELVES IN FRONT OF THAT BLADE and without injury to ourselves or others. If you WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME at my email Kjb66Student@gmail.com

When they stole us from Africa, they ripped THIS away too, 🎉❤ Thanks I need this. ❤

God gives us friends to apologize for our family 😍😁- Anonymous

I really wish this story would have ended differently for him.

👏👏👏👏👏👏❤

As I became an adult I realized how stereotypes affects us. I no longer saw the fun in the series

Joseph Campbell credited as consultant.....but of course!

Can you tell me where I can buy these animated folk tales?

I wonder why the mom totally abused the other kid and was kind to the other

Ibeyi??

That biological and social imperative had bro in a chokehold. The water of the womb won this one.

More. . .Mike D

Did Dilla sample this?

#dubstepremixneeded

I love the imagery. Ancient people would have politics of their time. But in the year 2022 the message here seems to be ' if you come upon a path to wealth and happiness , keep it all to yourself and the few others who know the way , don't ever ,ever , forgive family members who didn't know better.' Also seems like the formula for the scourge of modern day corruption. Like I said , I love the animation. The underlying message just seems messed up to me.

Mobungu was an idiot.

Loose lips sink ships

this is for the Israelite's may the glory be to the farther & son all praise's Israel.....

My ancestors so brainwash this is how Yahushua felt while our people allow them (Romans) to nail him to a TREE. ALL PRAISE TO KING OF ALL KINGS YAHSHUA👑💜