“Now and then, for no good reason, life will haul off and knock a man flat.”
Jim Coates – Old Yeller (1957)
“You crazy, wonderful dog!”
Katie Coates – Old Yeller (1957)
Okay – confession time. I stand among the ranks of those who were absolutely traumatized by Old Yeller as a child!
Whether you’re talking about the 1956 Newbery Award-winning book by Fred Gipson or the 1957 Walt Disney film by the same name, this story brought countless children to tears and has seared itself into our collective memory.
Why do we love this movie so? Because it shows the unique relationship that can develop between people – particularly children – and the animals that capture their young hearts. Similar to The Black Stallion, My Friend Flicka, and Where the Red Fern Grows, the story helps us understand that while we have a responsibility to care for animals (Proverbs 12:10), we usually end up gaining more than we give from these relationships.
Along with this, the story also displays the beauty – and the hardship – of growing up. Throughout his life and even in his death, Old Yeller is able to help his owner, Travis, become a man. It’s an incredible gift – and a bittersweet one.
Something tells me that I wasn’t the only one wiping my eyes during that final scene, either! And that’s okay, because this can be used to point us and our children straight to the gospel. The incredible sense of loss that we feel when an animal we’ve come to cherish breathes its last gives us just the tiniest glimpse of what God – the Creator of the Universe – must feel each and every time the men and women He created and loves dearly (John 3:16), choose sin and spit in His face. Of course, then comes the good news. While Old Yeller – that wonderful dog – was gone forever, there is still hope for our redemption. When it comes to us and God, things can be set right, and the perfect relationship we were always meant to have can be restored.
Maybe it’s time to revisit this classic tale of a boy and his dog. Just don’t forget the tissues!
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This post was submitted as part of the A to Z Challenge, where participants agree to write an article that corresponds to each letter of the alphabet, posting every day of the month of April (except Sundays).
Here on The Artistic Christian, my theme for the month is The Classics. Each day I’ll examine a book, film, or work of art that has become a beloved classic and discuss what has made it such a success, and what eternal themes it contains that Christian artists can use as modern illustrations.
For daily reflections from my personal travels around the world, check out my companion blog, Everyday Musings, where my theme for April is Reflections From Around the World.
Old Yeller was one of those defining movies from childhood–the time when a child transitions from the innocent, to, sadly, the wiser and worldly wise—-I wrote a post some time back with that movie in mind when I examined the lonely journey through adversity. . .https://cookiecrumbstoliveby.wordpress.com/2014/02/16/to-travel-through-adversity/
Gotta love the classics John . . .
Here’s to a classic Friday!
Julie
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Thanks for the link, Julie…I’ll look forward to reading your thoughts on this old classic!
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I adore the movie! We have a copy and have watched it repeatedly with our children and now with my granddaughter. Disney did an exceptional job making the movie and keeping it true to the story’s time and place. I wish everyone could understand how much and how deeply God loves us!
Visit me at: Life & Faith in Caneyhead
I am Ensign B of Tremps’ Troops
with the A to Z Challenge
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Amen to that, Barbara!
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Old Yeller was a favorite of mine as a child…both the book and the movie. The story touched my heart in a profound way, as I am sure it touched so many others.
Thanks for the reminder:-)
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Yes, I think this is one of the first movies I actually sat through as a child…it’s just a gripping story!
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I have heard of this, but I don’t think it’s commonly read / watched over here. It reminds me of the Kipling poem “Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware Of giving your heart to a dog to tear”. In my case it was cats….
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Hmm…I’m highly allergic to cats and have always hated them, but have been heartbroken over several dogs (and parakeets)!
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Allergies are not nice. I’ll let you off on those grounds. Mind you, I was a dog person – that’s what we had when I was a child – till I had a love-at-first-sight experience with a particular cat. On my side that is, she obviously just recognised a soft touch and decided to move in.
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Ha! Well, I understand that…despite my abhorrence of cats, an entire family of them have moved into the crawl space beneath our house…we just sort of let them hang out!
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Well, as long as they don’t bother you, live and let live I guess.
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I have sobbed over the movie and the book … again and again. Another great classic with a wonderful spiritual application.
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I know…this one requires a couple of jumbo tissue boxes! Another great story was “Summer of the Monkeys”…it’s not as well known, but had an unforgettable ending…
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Actually, I am quite familiar with Summer of the Monkeys. One year I read it aloud to my 3rd graders and by the end of the book we were all sobbing together. A week later, I showed them the Disney version of the movie and they were hot as hornets when the movie didn’t follow the book very closely. I felt like it was a great lesson in the truth that more often than not the book is much better than the movie. 😀
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I never saw the movie, but was really touched by the book…I don’t blame your students – I would have been upset, too! You just don’t mess with an ending like that!
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I’m part of the Lassie generation. I appreciate learning about Old Yeller in more detail from your observations.
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I love the old Lassie reruns, too…good memories!
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I’ve never watched the movie, but used to love the book even though it always made me cry.
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Sometimes the stories that make us cry are the ones we hold on to forever…thanks for joining the conversation!
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I remember that movie. This post really touches my heart.
Blessings,
Theresa
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Glad to hear it, Theresa! Have a blessed weekend!
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