Big Toad’s New Home
There ought to be a law for people having too much fun when they are trying to compete in an Annual Video Challenge, like the one calmkate at Alchemy Aroused has invuted all to enter.
My video is more than twice as long as the specified length (3 minutes) and contains non -union and non- human actors in it too. Still..here it is in 4K and very colorful in the holiday colors of the Christmas season.
I guess this is my contribution to that time of the year and hope you will enjoy a little family fun that hopefully makes people think a bit about intolerance.
You can find out more about participating right here Annual Alchemy Challenge
and if you are curious to see my entry….well here it is:) Thank you Kate for inviting me to particpate and I will take you up on that lunch in Australia…if I win:) Enjoy
Digital Rabbit Hole 
thanks so much for making this magical Alchemy film, using all your talents in film, music and other worlds to teach us to be non-judgemental!
Have posted this film on my A1 Meditation post to share it with a wider audience, thanks Karima 🙂
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Aww Kate, it’s true what I said above, I really had too much fun putting this all together like a giant jigsaw of 7 minutes+ worth of small pieces:) I truly did give it my all, because I think most here now know I am not very used to participating in challenges, poetic or cinemagraphic ones:) This was a different case because we have been supportive YouTube buddies for awhile now and I felt your enthusiasm for me to take up the challenge…which now I did:) Thank you for all your positive words and and your positive repsonse to my video. I’m really glad I made it now:) Thank you too for spreading the word..I too am doing that on my end. 🙏
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yes, how odd to see my name at the bottom of your credits .. something I never do on my own films 🙂
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Well I totally credit you for inspiring the idea to make a video about Alchemy. Without your Annual Challenge, there would have been no video . You’re a VIP Kate just accept it 😀
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lol thanks, I will try 🙂
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This turned out wonderful!
(So sorry for relieving myself in your front yard, Mr. Toad o.o)
Fingers crossed for the contest!
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WooWooo I’m so glad you think this way as I always hope the generous people who give up their time to be in my little videos, feel it was time well-spent…Haha I will pass that on to Mr. Toad (who plays himself in the movie) but I thought you were adorable and played your part to perfection.. Thank you again Joey, for always being so willing to take on parts in all my videos:) Hugs
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This is stunning Karima. 👏👏
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So glad you enjoyed it Mich and appreciate the extra step of going to YouTube and leaving me your welcome comment!!
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This is a beautiful story and the video is just awesome Karima.
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Thank you Sadje for watching and I am thrilled you enjoyed the plot of it and the video in general. I really appreciate your consistent patronage of my blog and what I do here:) 🙏
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You’re most welcome my friend
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Such a touching and seasonally appropriate story! And wild music 🙂 you always put together what seem like disparate elements into a seamless whole; it’s magic!
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Thanks Dale and you know..I have been known to be attracted to bad boys…so stay on your toes):)
So glad you found the music wild..and you listened to it from the first stages until it it morphed into what I put in the movie.. Thank you for being a witness to the “magic” Gotta love the Toad & Toby in the hammock awwww:)
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Amazing Karimma and a great message withn ❤️🌹
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Ohhh Maggie I love that you watched it and enjoyed it’s message which was an integral part of the movie and glad you felt it loud and clear. I bet you won’t be ordering a bowl of schlonger worms in the near future but “to each his own”:)
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Nope, no worms for me 🤔 lol.
Absolutely 🙏 the message is a powerful one !
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Hehe…not even just one? Kidding Maggie:)
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Beautiful artwork and amazing storytelling. I love to hear your voice. I liked the tale of the large toad. Thank you for what you do.
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Thank you John for “loving what I do” That is a wonderful feeling to know . Your comments always inspire and encourage me to trust my muse and push some envelopes now and then too. Thank you my friend..I’m sure it’s getting cold in Michigan…Stay warm and creative!
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This video is so colorful and alive!
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Awww thank you Dawn…yes the soudtrack is lively and the lighting colorful,,.so glad you enjoyed the story unfolding:)
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Conforme pasa el tiempo tu obra cobra más vida y se aprecia tu superación. Es una nota escucharte y haces mas interesante la historia. Muy bueno el video. Es el complemento para apreciar tu arte. Bien por tí Karina.
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Muchas gracias Manuel…pensando en ti y mis compas aqui en Costa Rica tengo una tradución de la narración Si te gustas: Ojalá que con esto te puedes apreciar..mas el cuento:):)
Narración para la alquimia
19: A veces, para que se produzca la alquimia, es necesario poner en marcha grandes cosas inesperadas
El clima estaba cargado de vientos implacables y energías salvajes
… En esas circunstancias, cualquier cosa puede pasar
El gran Sapo estaba reclinado en su piscina… aunque algunos podrían juzgarla poco higiénica, para Sapo era casi el paraíso… perfecto y tarareaba su melodía favorita.
59 segundos:
El Sapo llevaba una vida sencilla y, en su mayor parte, estaba contento. Se había mudado aquí hacía un mes, pero no había conocido a nadie más. Estaba un poco solo. Pero dormía profundamente todas las noches.
Entonces, una tarde, sucedió algo muy inusual
Algunos visitantes humanos, un niño y una niña, llegaron a su porche delantero
Al principio estaba un poco feliz… pero luego se enojó cada vez más y abrió la puerta principal y los enfrentó, luego los persiguió hasta lo profundo del bosque hasta que los perdió
2:17 El Sapo regresó a su porche y vio su basura esparcida por todas partes. Se sintió enojado pero también triste. Pensó que su visita era un gesto amistoso… Se preguntó por qué lo odiaban tanto… ni siquiera lo conocían… y entró a almorzar.
2:45 Trató de sacarlo de su mente y simplemente disfrutar de su delicioso plato de gusanos schlonger.
3:00 Luego se tomó una siesta bien merecida pensando en esa extraña visita de esos dos humanos malvados.
3:09 La noche cayó sobre el bosque de álamos que se doblaba y retorcía con los fuertes vientos… pero como era su disfraz, durmió profundamente toda la noche.
3:24
Mientras dormía la siesta al día siguiente, sin que él lo supiera, los humanos y un pequeño perro blanco al que llamaban Toby, estaban planeando otra visita.
3:47 Al igual que hicieron la primera vez, tiraron piedras e hicieron explotar su basura… El pequeño Toby huyó del ruido. Tenía miedo.
4:17 Toad no pudo contenerse, se enojó de nuevo y les gritó hasta que salieron corriendo.
Pero esta vez no los persiguió.
4:26 Por suerte, eso fue bueno porque todavía estaba allí en su porche cuando vio a la pequeña criatura saltar a su piscina. Sin pensarlo, corrió a salvarla.
El niño y la niña miraron hacia atrás y vieron a Toby parado en el borde de la piscina y ellos también corrieron a salvarlo.
4:54
No lo pensó dos veces, metió la cabeza bajo el agua turbia hasta que encontró al animal en el fondo sin aliento y lo puso en el pasto para ver si revivía.
4:47 Sintió pena por el cachorro y esperaba que estuviera bien.
5:03 Entonces llegó la niña, lo empujó y se agachó y recogió a Toby en sus brazos.19:
5”08 La niña estaba llorando y dijo que lo sentía. Ambos parecían avergonzados
5:12
El sapo les dijo
Fue cruel tirar piedras… No vuelvan a hacer eso
Cuando sintió que Toby se retorcía en sus brazos, lo bajó. Iba a estar bien
5:30 Se miraron y prometieron que lo compensarían con el gran sapo
por salvarle la vida a Toby.
Y el pequeño Toby, después de beber agua de la piscina, hizo lo que hacen los cachorros
y eso hizo reír a carcajadas al sapo
Al día siguiente regresaron, pero sosteniendo un árbol en lugar de piedras
Le gritaron al sapo que abriera la puerta… Querían pedirle perdón y llevarle un regalo navideño
6:01 Salió a saludarlos y habló suavemente. Dijo muy claramente… “Los perdono. Te perdono”, y abrió la puerta y les hizo un gesto para que entraran.
Al Sapo le encantó este nuevo olor… los árboles decorados olían bien
y el niño y la niña se volvieron reflexivos dentro de su casa… nos equivocamos mucho al hacer lo que hicimos… Todos decían que era malo, pero los malos éramos nosotros… Miren cómo lo adora Toby. Lo juzgamos antes de conocerlo. ¿Cómo pudimos hacer eso? Prometo que nunca volveré a hacer eso… Seré tolerante con todos, sin importar lo diferentes que parezcan. Sí, yo también, dijo el niño.
Bienvenido al vecindario, Gran Sapo. Ahora eres uno de la familia.
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Por supuesto que me gusta. Es una historia conmovedora y tierna que deja un claro mensaje. Gracias Karina por tu amabilidad de enviar la traducción.
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What a lovely story recited in your voice with superb visuals and awesome music, as always! Love the message, Karima. You put your heart and soul together in all your videos. I wish you all the best for the challenge.
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Simply amazing, Karima. Your talent and storytelling are wonderful. I love the style that you have. 👏👏👏
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Thank you Lesley for watching and enjoying. This comment really spurs me on as this “story telling stage” in me is fairly new and I am trying to learn more from each one I do. Thank you too for leaving me a comment on my channel. That’s really super!!
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I love this beautiful piece, Karima. What an amazing story to tell around Christmas. I read this last night, but I was emotional, and it made me cry. It was just such a perfect story for everyone, given all the hate and killing going on in our world. How you shared the story of hatred based on gossip these two young people had heard without knowing anything about the sweet frog, who found love and light in the simple things in this life, was so touching. I was not able to write a response to the piece after reading it because I was overwhelmed with the idea of how much hate there is in the world. Also, how if we just came together and talked with one another before making a judgment, what a different world we could inhabit. I just loved how the little doggie (as who can become angry at a precious dog) was the catalyst for peace in this story and three people’s lives changed drastically. The kind toad had two friends, and he loved the little doggie and the doggie loved him. The girl realized that if the dog loved the frog, he had to be a great person. It sounds so simple and yet people want to make it difficult. I wanted to compliment you on the visuals, as usual; they were amazing, and everyone did such an amazing job. Thank you everyone for all your work and most of all for the amazing story of love wrapped in the saving of a dog’s life. Bless you my dear friend and may you always teach us through your work. Love to you and Dale
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Ohhh Joni, thank you for this beautiful and eloquent comment….Yes..our world is full of intolerance, suspicions towards anyone slightly different,,,especially if they talk differently. I wanted one happy ending to this sad reality.I love that Toad and a secret (I played him) and I felt so different inside his big cumbersome Toad body..but it helped me put myself, literally, into his skin:) This helped me tell the story in a simple,(hopefully not preachy) way and I felt him so happy..when they came back with a Christmas Tree and a sincere apology. I am so glad you noticed my visuals,,Yes I wanted to set a mood of waving shadows and bending branches in a constant low howling wind,,,The music also had that feeling…until the tension was released by their comprehension that they had judged him, before knowing him. Thank you for your beautiful thoughts and impressions Joni…Wow you are just amazing how you see so deeply into my stories.. I love that and love you
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