The Tarnished Kettle Tales Playlist: Cozy Symbolism in Village Motifs
These videos are chock-full of vintage-like, painterly style art, subtle scene movements, occasional sound effects, some collage art, and background music to set the scenes. The visual pallet isn't absurdist or kiddie cartoonish but timeless, yet familiar. This is the kind of story that reveals a new layer every time you watch it.
And when two or more watch together, well, the symbolism reaches near-biblical proportions. What?
I'm kidding.
Let's cut to the titles:
1. The Reversed Magician at Orn is based on an 1883 tale by Frank Stockton. A nosey magician, having noticed a peculiar old man, goes to his hut one day to start a bizarre conversation. After the conversation ends, the old man is compelled to go in search of his true identity. But had he really ever lost it to begin with? This tale has a peculiar kind of magical biography undertone that closely follows the old man throughout.
2. Seven Pipes is based on an 1885 tale by, again, Frank Stockton. An old herder never moves from his rock while he herds the cattle home by playing his pan flute. One day a pair of villagers slips bad news to him. Devastated he sets out that night to right the wrong; the unfair generosity bestowed upon him. He meets a magical spirit along the way, who takes favor in him and helps him to get his moxie back. This tale has a bit of whimsical realism, told in an organic voice that adds a quaint opinion here or there.
3. Boredom, Bad Wine, and a Cellar Wolf is loosely inspired by the old fable, The Boy Who Cried Wolf. A pair of young adult twin villagers experience the decline of their village's morale through a series of misfortunes and the ban of Mardi Gras. What they plot, and carry out, turns into a disaster. Undertones of dry, gentle wit give a sprinkle of absurd humor and suspense to this charming village tale.
Stay tuned because there are more tales like these slow-roasting as we speak. The channel is ad-free, with no notification bells or subscription requests. Though I'd certainly never frown on a like or subscription, especially if the tales genuinely delight you. Kind, thoughtful, and honest criticism is deeply appreciated.
You'll notice that Tarnished Kettle Tales uses two separate mature British narrators, one who sounds more polished in his presentation than the other, goes by Hal. The other has a hint of broken charm, you might say. I think we'll call him Wilf. All that's missing is a female narrator, but not for long. Hers will be a gently civil, wry, and yet compassionate voice with a touch of breezy sarcasm.
Kindred Spirits
Onto my other playlist, called Kindred Spirits. Don't go there unless you've felt wounded recently or have experienced an inner personal crisis. This playlist is designed to be a therapeutic sanctuary costumed as theatre for the soul. If you're in need of healing from hurt, confusion, or broken trust then the friendly, understanding voices here might land right inside your current element as warm and generous confidants.
These micro shows are created with artistic visual appeal and background music, an occasional sound effect. Hal Penrose is the main narrator here, but there are others, too.
The video about spiritual love is the only inspirational one I've made, if only because I'm less religious and more concerned with people treating one another well, and this one video shares that value through a biblical lens. While I don't always smile on religion, I highly appreciate love in the ethical humanitarian sense. This beautiful, voiceless video points out that love is older than religious faith. It's not dead silent, there's music, imagery, and plenty of text.
It's unlikely that I'll put these Kindred Spirit videos into print or audio formats. They feel meant to be watched, I think.
Overall, there's an almost cinematic feel-good element woven into this unique Kindred Spirits Playlist. So, if you're all-cried-out, indulge there. I certainly have.