Tiny Arrietty: Youth with a Big Heart
Growing up is a challenge that everyone has no choice but to take. All of us come to that certain point of life where we have to move and bend, test ourselves beyond what we currently are, be stubborn and fail, then learn how to face them and move on. With each experience that comes to us, it makes us a tiny bit wiser after.
Tiny Arietty with a Big Heart
“The Secret World of Arrietty” was inspired by an old children’s fantasy book, “The Borrowers” by Mary Norton. This Studio Ghibli’s film has taken us on another magical yet delicate journey, with a character so cute yet with a deep message for all youth. WARNING: May contain spoilers.
Little girl, big trouble
Everyone has that “I’m the coolest kid in the world, I can do anything!” moment, right? Little ‘borrower’ Arrietty is also one. She aids her curiosity and excitement with fierce and fearless attitudes. Her recklessness resulted in an incident that pushed her family to move out. Positively, the way her parents have faced the issue and conquered it as a whole is gentle and very much admirable.
Warm encounters are meaningful intersections
The metaphor of two characters contradicting each other’s physical and emotional characteristics magically teaches one another. How Sho, the human boy, was so helpless and pessimistic about life met little Arrietty who is determined to live.
Just like her, we meet people along the way, unexpected most of the time. Some give us books and open our eyes through different kaleidoscopes, as we do the same to them subconsciously. We cross paths just to realize that intersections only meet once then forever will part. But this time, we have memories to look back and be eternally grateful for.
Arrietty, a mirror of youth
As someone who is in the process of finding her palace in this complex world, Arrietty is very much a mirror of our youth. Like a little bird, we are not forever in the nests of our comfort. Despite being so small, she braves to be able to explore and do more. With a big heart, she hopes for the better and works to reach what lies to tomorrow.
Growing up and growing old is really scary. As we add numbers to our age comes additional responsibilities and difficult decisions to make. Heavier consequences, even. But let us breathe and continue to be brave in this unique journey to adulthood.
