How do I make a kids video of The Mice That Ate Iron?

8 scenes · about 85 seconds

1. Scene 1

   Long ago, a merchant named Naduk had to travel far away for work. His most precious thing was a huge iron balance that had belonged to his grandfather.

   Visual: 3D animated old Indian market town, a tall merchant with a neat grey beard, a blue turban and a long coat standing beside an enormous iron weighing balance with two big pans, morning light.

   On screen: Grandfather's iron balance

2. Scene 2

   He asked his friend Lakshman, another merchant, to look after it. “Of course,” said Lakshman, with a big smile. “It will be quite safe with me.”

   Visual: 3D shot inside a shop full of spice sacks, a round merchant with a curled moustache and a red waistcoat shaking hands with the tall merchant, the iron balance being placed in a back room.

3. Scene 3

   Many months later, Naduk came home. “Thank you, friend. May I have my balance back?” Lakshman looked at the floor. “I'm so sorry,” he said. “The mice ate it.”

   Visual: 3D medium shot of the round merchant spreading his hands with a too-innocent face, the tall merchant raising one eyebrow, a tiny cartoon mouse peeking out of a hole in the wall looking confused.

   On screen: The mice ate it?

4. Scene 4

   Naduk knew that mice cannot eat iron. But he only nodded. “Oh dear. Such is life. I'm going to the river to bathe. Could your son Dhanu come and carry my towel?”

   Visual: 3D shot of the tall merchant calmly nodding with a thoughtful look, a cheerful boy of about ten in a yellow kurta stepping forward with a towel over his arm.

5. Scene 5

   After the river, Naduk took Dhanu to his own house, where his wife gave the boy sweets and let him play with their pet parrot. Then Naduk walked back to Lakshman alone.

   Visual: 3D cosy home courtyard, the boy happily eating a sweet ladoo and laughing with a green parrot on his finger, a kind woman in a pink sari smiling, the tall merchant leaving through the gate.

6. Scene 6

   “Where is my son?” asked Lakshman. Naduk sighed. “I'm so sorry. While we were at the river, a hawk swooped down and carried him away.”

   Visual: 3D shot of the round merchant shocked with his hands on his cheeks, the tall merchant pointing dramatically up at the sky, a stylised thought-bubble of a hawk with a boy, drawn as an obvious joke.

7. Scene 7

   Lakshman ran to the judge. “A hawk can't carry off a boy!” he cried. Naduk bowed. “Your Honour, in a town where mice can eat a huge iron balance, surely a hawk can carry off a boy.”

   Visual: 3D courtroom in a palace hall, a wise judge with a white beard on a carved chair, the two merchants before him, the round one red-faced, the tall one calm, courtiers trying not to laugh.

   On screen: Mice eat iron? Hawks carry boys!

8. Scene 8

   The whole court laughed. Lakshman hung his head and returned the iron balance, and Dhanu came running home, full of sweets. If you are given something to keep, keep it honestly. A lie can be undone by a clever answer.

   Visual: 3D warm final scene in the market street, the boy running into his father's arms, the iron balance being carried back by two porters, the tall merchant smiling, sunset light.

   On screen: Be honest with what you're trusted with