Charles Tazewell, who also wrote THE LITTLEST ANGEL, originally penned this Christmas story; for years it was a staple on radio, narrated by Bing Crosby. The original framing story, which featured a Mexican boy, his donkey, and a priest telling the story of "the Small One," is abandoned here for the meat of the tale, which is the close friendship between a small Judean boy and an elderly donkey, the latter who can no longer carry enough wood (the father is a woodcutter) to justify feeding him. The boy is allowed to take Small One into town to sell him instead of his father doing it, and they run into some colorful figures before realizing there's only one fate for an old animal. Or is there?
I've enjoyed this story since it was a radio play, and the gorgeous portrayal of the child's friendship with what has become his pet, the vivid animation, and the songs, especially the titular "Small One" song, which reduces me to a sniffling puddle of goo by the end, makes this a real winner.
I've enjoyed this story since it was a radio play, and the gorgeous portrayal of the child's friendship with what has become his pet, the vivid animation, and the songs, especially the titular "Small One" song, which reduces me to a sniffling puddle of goo by the end, makes this a real winner.