SYNOPSIS:

“Little Hippino” Animated Screenplay by Richard Castellane - Copyright, All Rights Reserved, Synopsis “Little Hippino” is a wonderful story designed for children ages 7-14. It embodies a message about the value of compassion, in sharp contrast to the destructiveness of prejudice. The story of “Little Hippino” is told by an “Old Man” who, while walking through a large city park witnesses a gang of young children cruelly teasing two little boys who have obvious physical disabilities. The “Old Man” first chastises the gang for their cruelty, and then tells them a story about Africa and about animals who thoughtlessly torment those who were different (i.e., calling them “misfits”). The gang is initially unaware that the old man’s story contains a powerful statement of morality – a statement directly related to the gang’s treatment of the two little boys. The Old Man tells the story of “Rosie” the hippo, and “Thunder” the rhino, how they fall in love, get married despite other animals’ objections, and eventually produce their beloved son, “Little Hippino” (part of him hippo, part of him rhino). They name him “Little Hippino” to celebrate his uniqueness. As “Little Hippino” tries to join in the activities of baby hippos and then baby rhinos, he comes to realize that he will not be accepted by them because of his differences and inability to do the things that they do (i.e., he can’t hold his breath underwater as long as baby hippos can, he can’t knock down little trees as baby rhinos can – “Little Hippino’s” crooked horn bounces off little trees). He’s saddened by how cruelly he’s treated, being constantly called a “misfit.” He finds that the only animals who will play with him are also called “misfits.” There’s “Zott,” the baby zebra with spots, not stripes; “Colby,” the baby cobra who’s a vegetarian; “Bouncer,” the baby giraffe with short neck and short legs; and “Batah,” the baby fruit bat who sleeps at night when he should be flying around, and flies around during the day when he should be sleeping. All the so-called “misfits” feel very sad because they are not accepted. One day, troubled by the cruelty of the other animals and their teasing and taunting of him and his “misfit” friends, “Little Hippino” falls asleep under a coconut tree. He has a wonderful dream (i.e., where the “misfits” are the majority, the normals the minority) which helps him understand that although everyone has their differences, it’s those very differences for which each should be appreciated. He is soon given the opportunity to display his newfound understanding when all the animals are threatened by a catastrophic flood. It’s “Little Hippino” who saves the day by using his unique physical qualities (i.e., mixture of hippo and rhino) to thwart the impending catastrophe. From then on, “Little Hippino” and his other so-called “misfit” friends are treated with great love and affection by the other animals. The “Old Man” finishes his story by impressing the little gang children with the moral that it doesn’t matter what one looks like on the outside, it is the character of the heart on the inside that is most important. The children seem to accept the old man’s words, however as he begins to walk away one of the little gang members expresses infectious doubt (i.e., “...That story’s a lot of baloney, it’s not true. I’ve been to the zoo...there’s no little hippinos”). The old man turns back to the doubters and shows them amazing evidence as to the truth of the story. Awed by the surprising evidence, the children learn a wonderful lesson about kindness, acceptance, and the value of differences Tested amongst children 7-14, and their parents, the story has been, without exception greeted by enormous delight and fascination. A former Academy Award winner, Lou Gossett Jr. (best actor) has stated that ‘Little Hippino is the type of story Hollywood needs – and now’. A noted educator in Child Behavior (CCNY) has stated "There's not a child who has not felt rejection---real or imagined. For them the story of "Little Hippino" will be a great comfort. What comes through in the story is the theme of empathy, kindness and compassion. Qualities hard to come by these days". Also, Clinical Forensic Psychologist William Harris has said "'Little Hippino' is a wonderful story taht will reinforce a child's sense of self esteem. With over 50 years experience as a clinical forensic psychologist, I have seen the importance of reinforcing the positive side of a child's self image. "Little Hippino" is a creature that all children will be able to identify with---and by the conclusion of this wonderful story, be enabled to gain a heightened feeling of their own value."