This gentle tale about mortality works in subliminal ways. When an old man is visited by Death at his home in the meadows, he has to delve deep to secure more time for himself. Does he have the strength to find the answers he needs? Can we negotiate our time on earth? How do we reconcile our mortal fate? A lyrical look at a reality as old as humanity, yet as young as today. Based on a story by Richard Kennedy.
Ages 13 to 17
Arts Education - Visual Arts
Family Studies/Home Economics - Adulthood
Health/Personal Development - Human Growth and Development
Why has animation been chosen to tell story? Students write real or imagined tales of instances where someone they know was helped out of a difficult situation through an event in the natural world. Discuss what feelings students have about birds: do they have messages, can they communicate, and is there a natural reciprocity with humans? Students research the role of birds as symbols and present a particular symbol to the class (Advertising, sports, politics, poetry).