Pete's Dragon

Thought I was done with Classics From My Childhood Month, but then my Dad told me "Pete's Dragon" was coming on the BYU channel and had a little sparkle in his eye.  I can't believe I almost forgot this little gem!  Pete's Dragon is a Disney movie from 1977 starring Mickey Rooney and Helen Reddy (who my Dad apparently had a huge crush on).  I couldn't find too many cool facts about the film, except that even though it takes place in Maine, it was filmed in California.

For anyone who has been deprived of seeing this, it's about a little orphan boy named Pete who is running from this mean backwoods family who beat him and treat him like a slave.  His only friend is a magical dragon named Elliot, until he enters the town of Passamaquaddy, where he befriends 2 lighthouse keepers.

"There's room for everyone in this world, if everyone makes some room."  Helen Reddy sings a song about this when everyone wants Pete and Elliot to leave town.  I've been thinking a lot about this topic lately, how much tolerance plays a role in maintaining peace.  On a big scale, tolerance can help us avoid war and bloodshed, on a small scale... say, dealing with the annoying habits of a roommate, it can help us and those around us to be happier.  When we are intolerant, impatient, and think that our way is the ONLY way to do things, we cause stress, friction, and confrontation.  

Keep hope alive.  One theme in the movie is that of holding to hope or belief even when it seems "unrealistic."  Pete never denies the existence of Elliot, even when everyone tells him he's crazy.  And Nora holds out hope that her long-lost love, Paul, will return, even though it's been over a year.  In the end both of them are vindicated when Elliot rescues the town and Paul returns home.  We never know what the future holds, but if our hearts are holding to a dream, we have to believe there is a reason.  Of course, we can't ignore reality in the meantime.  Pete attends school, becomes part of a new family, and tries to make the best of his life in Passamaquoddy, and Nora works at the lighthouse and takes care of Pete & Lampie.