Joy Story Will Prove To You The Importance Of Giving With The Heart

If we give frequently from the heart, sooner or later we will receive abundantly. This is what is described in Joy Story ; a magnificent short film. He tells us the story of a small dog who goes fishing with his master and meets an annoying heron. What happens in between is a strong example of friendliness, affection and understanding.

We know that there are a large number of such productions. Pixar often surprises us with these kinds of little stories that, like little gifts and brainstorming exercises, always go straight to our hearts… to win us over. This one will be no exception. Arrived from China only a few months ago and led by Kyra Buschor, Constantin Paeplow, Kenneth Kuan, this story seeks to open our minds to solidarity. 

The creators of Passion Pictures also wanted to make a tribute to this year 2018. In Chinese culture, as we can know, it is the year of the dog. The protagonist of this story, a little over 4 minutes long, is therefore a small white puppy with a huge muzzle. The animal is filled with enthusiasm, but also with mistrust.

This worried and suspicious attitude will collapse with the appearance of Heron, a sympathetic heron who is the symbol of kindness in Eastern culture. 

An afternoon of fishing with many surprises

In the short film that we are going to analyze, there are no lyrics. The magic of looks, the power of faces filled with expression, curiosity, worry, surprise and kindness speak volumes. So, curiously, the only human figure in this story systematically appears from behind, constantly ignoring what is happening on this small boat in which we are invited.

The scenario begins with little Joy and his master ready to begin a peaceful afternoon of fishing. The scenario is ideal, the weather is more than perfect, of a calm so serene that nothing seems to be able to affect the good day which looms between a man and his puppy. Joy has a happy heart, her eyes sparkle and her wet muzzle is attentive to everything. He knows perfectly well that he must be very careful not to make it difficult for his master to fish.

The encounter with a strange creature

Very quickly, something happens. We see a strange creature enter the scene, a bit unsettling. It is Heron, a friendly heron who takes place in the corner of the small boat with a very clear objective: to carry the hooks, to steal the juicy worms. Little Joy does not hesitate to prevent this act. As a good dog loyal to the human being, he places himself in front of the heron to hijack his objectives. But he does not succeed. The heron fled with the worm. 

The scene will repeat itself several times. The heron, always skillful, expert and focused on his goal, never doubts to take away the appetizing worms. He even ended up leaving no hook for the fisherman and his dog.

Thus, in each of these entertaining but frustrating scenes, little Joy is always the loser and is reprimanded by his master who at no time perceives the reality of the situation. The only thing he is aware of is the movement of the boat …

Giving with the heart, an act of which we all come out victorious

Our protagonist is a dog who limits himself to doing what he has been taught: to protect what belongs to him and to defend his master. However, the unfolding of the story will show us something important. It is not good to take ideas or motives for granted. It is not recommended to fall into hasty conclusions, to rely only on appearances.

This strange bird was certainly unsettling and its image did not inspire us confidence. His actions do not appear to us to be correct, but why was he stealing worms? We all let ourselves be guided by our first impulses just like little Joy does in this story.

Behind the scenes

However, if we observe what surrounds us, we will discover like Joy that there are worlds foreign to our little boat. We will realize that behind the appearances and the particular behaviors, there are magical beings. Having specific needs. They are creatures that live beyond the mental boundaries that we delineate with prejudices. The stereotypes. And the labels.

The Heron Heron did not fly for pleasure and worms were not for him. Little Joy understands this fairly quickly and he does not hesitate to give from his heart by offering the heron all the worms in the boat. With this wonderful (and united) act, we are shown the powerful effects that giving from the heart can have.

Let’s learn from this very special short film. Let’s learn from this little dog and this heron. Let us not remain like this fisherman who does not realize anything, who turns his back on the most special, the most magical and the most transcendent things in life.

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