The Ruffled Crow

This is a long piece, nearly 20 minutes, and well worth every moment watching it. The style and animation are geared toward younger audiences, and I think it’s a great way to pass along a Native-American legend.

While all NA tribes have Crow legends, the Rainbow Crow is from the Lenape tribe and recounts the story of the colorfully feathered Crow who’s beautiful voice filled the forest. When the winter spirit appeared and made the forest cold, the animals decided to send an emissary to ask Kijiamuh Ka’ong, the Creator Who Creates By Thinking What Will Be, to think the forest warm again.

This short stars the voices of John Legend as Crow, and Oprah Winfrey as Kijiamuh Ka’ong, as well as other well-known actors. From Baobab Studios.