Puff the Magic Dragon

I was so excited when I read the Masters of Animation: The International Panorama because on the very first page was Puff the Magic Dragon. Immediately after I read about Puff, I looked up the video online and watched it all the way through. (that song is still stuck in my head. Very catchy)

Sometimes, when my siblings and I were younger, we would go over to my grandparents house where they had some older movies, Puff being one of them. I have fond memories of watching Puff at Grandmother's house and of the story it told.

Looking back over the piece I realize that as a child I didn't fully understand Puff and what was happening to Jackie Draper. I do, however, remember the feelings and emotions that were stirred in me through watching this movie.

Here is a long explanation of the movie (I'm not very good at summaries):

In the movie there is this little boy, Jackie Draper, who looks very sad. His mother and father bring in these doctors who examine him and tell his parents, who already know, that Johnny will not speak. They tell them to keep him safe and to keep him away from danger, then they leave without another word or any advice as to how to make the boy speak.

Later Jackie is in his room by himself looking downcast where he is met by Puff. Puff sees what is wrong and tells Jackie that they are going on an adventure, but Jackie doesn't respond nor does he seem to care. So Puff proceeds to cut out a drawing of Jackie calling it Jackie Paper (clever, no?). Puff brings Jackie Paper to life and they begin to build a boat to sail to the dragon's land Honali.

They meet some dangers on their quest and Jackie becomes frightened every time. With the help of Puff, Jackie overcomes his fears and even ends up helping the dragon face his fears. They both wind up back in Jackie's room where they started. Puff says goodbye and Jackie is reunited with his parents who ecstatic to hear their boy speak.

Even though I was a kid I still felt when the characters were sad or felt when they were frightened. I did not fully understand the message back then, but I did know that something was wrong with Jackie and at the end he was happy again, though I did not fully understand why.




There are many movies like this that kids could and should be exposed to, so as to make them think and feel along with the characters.