The Little Man (Malý pán)

Based on a book "The Great Journey of Little Man"

Fireworks! Firecrackers!

Fiery fun!

No one around.

What is everyone doing? Why don't they want some real racket? Damn it!

-Hello! -Hi! I don't need anything.

-I have all I need. -Surely you'll buy fireworks.

No way. But let me show you my new house. I have just finished it.

I bet you call it "At the Wooden Mallet".

No, I happened to leave it there.

There are still some kinks to be ironed...

Watch out!

-I'm a goner. -I'm coming down!

-Now he's a goner. -Hello. I mean...

Here I'll have flowerbeds, a bench,

and a fire ring over there. If only you could see the interior!

Wait here. I am not too fond of having visitors.

This is where I'll have a basin, here is my table,

my bed with a mattress, so soft...

No, you don't have to step in. A fireplace over here, burning nicely.

A picture will hang there. And that's it for now. Cool, right?

Oh! And I have superb water here.

Let's toast to my new house. I call it "A Hollow Hill", good, right?

-What about me? -Did you say anything?

No, it's your guts rumbling.

Oh my! That will be quick! Where's my toilet?

I haven't built my toilet yet! Quick! Hurry!

I'm not gonna make it! Where to go?

Not here! Not here!

Alright, here it is.

Look, the door holds. I'll add the latrine later.

Would you like to relieve yourself too?

But I wanted to show him...

Oh, alright then.

Now I have everything.

Well, this requires an anthem.

Little Man, Little Man he's doing great...

Little Man, Little Man he's doing great...

Living in his Hollow Hill...

That doesn't rhyme!

Living in his Hollow Hill...

Well, I'll figure it out somehow.

-Newspaper! -Thanks!

Why do you ride such a powerful bike when just delivering newspaper?

You see, you never know what you run into around here.

Well, nothing to do with me. I don't have to go anywhere.

Why don't you come over sometime?

-I live just around the corner. -No, I prefer to stay at home.

And make sure you don't crush my path too much when you leave.

Oh well, I tried.

So, what do The Burdock Leaves say today? How to learn to swim.

Or here: How to work a compass when wandering in the countryside.

I do have a compass, but what for? I don't need to go anywhere.

I can find my way to the toilet even without a compass.

What does it say here? A TV programme!

I've got a much better one.

Honestly, an awesome programme!

The way it moves is amazing. Now a stove is on, now a table...

So many nice smelling meals... Now a pantry...

Sometimes it gets mysterious. So many delicacies can be hidden here.

And this is the most beautiful programme.

Long live Little Man who has all he needs.

I'm looking forward to my morning catkins.

Come. Here you'll find what you need.

What was that?

Ugh, good thing I'm at home.

What a silly dream. I have all I need, don't I?

Come on.

I don't feel like going to the loo.

The berries are too dry, berry-picking is such a bore...

Nothing but noodles here. I don't feel like eating noodles.

I have to fix the tap again.

Do I really have all I need?

Little Man he's doing great...

What? What is this?

Go away, mole! I won't let you burrow into my flowerbed! Get lost!

Are you at home?

Oh dear.

Come. Here you'll find what you need.

That's it.

I've got a house. I've got flowers,

I've got a toilet.

I've got noodles. I've got water to drink when the tap's not clogged.

A table, a chair, a TV set, I have everything in the world.

I have all I need and that's that.

Why don't I take a peek into that dream?

Let them tell me what it is I need if they're so clever.

You must come here for real. A dream doesn't count.

I can't go on like this anymore.

This doesn't count anymore.

There is something I need, for sure.

But what is it? I must find the talking house and see what I need.

Otherwise I'll go mad!

I have to go and see Empty Head. Nothing else can help me out.

Oh my.

Hello, Empty Head. I live just... nearby.

I keep having this dream about a talking house

where I should find what I need.

Well, I think I have all I need, but the dream keeps bugging me

and it does not want to reveal what it is I need.

I have to find the house so I can get some sleep again.

It's the same thing, over and over again.

My head has grown heavy, it's like a stone, you see? I don't know.

Oh yes, Little Man, you don't have to tell me about head issues.

The sun has dried all my thoughts away.

My throat is scorched, my tongue is tied.

-How I wish I could get a drink. -Here! Here you are.

-Ordinary water won't help me. -And what would you like to drink?

Can you see the flying geese?

Yep!

They are heading to the lake. And there is an island.

On the island you will find a well with sparkly water.

It can untie every tongue and fill any head with sparkly ideas.

Go there and get it for me.

Then I might help you out.

Couldn't you do it without the water?

Either you bring the water, or the dream will worry you to death.

Why don't you get it yourself, that sparkly, amazing water?

I can see the journey will do you good.

-Oh my! -Wait! What's the rush?

You might find this useful.

A nut? What could I use it for? Oh well, I could have seen it coming.

If Empty Head was of any help it would surely be called Wise Head.

The way home...

And the way to the lake.

Oh well. Let's go.

How am I supposed to get there?

I can't build a boat, I left my tools at home.

That's too deep! And I can't swim...

A flying machine! That might be it! But I don't have the tools on me.

I know! I'll throw three pebbles into the water

and if no idea comes up, I'll go home and get the tools.

One...

Right. Nothing.

Two...

Still nothing.

-Three.... -Don't you dare!

I've had enough of this racket!

I'm sorry but... I need to get to the island.

Forget it. I guard the place so that no one gets there.

-What's that in your knapsack? -Well, catkins.

Yuck, I don't eat cats' skins!

No, those are birch catkins, really tasty.

They have nothing in common with cats or skins.

-Have you got enough of them? -A full knapsack.

If you take me to the island I'll share them with you.

We'll see if you've got enough.

Hop on!

I have so many we can ride around the lake all week.

-So let me try that cat's skin! -Here.

-Gimme more! -Here.

-Enjoy. -Gimme more!

Gimme more! Gimme more!

I've just run out. You're a real glutton.

Hey! I have no washing line to dry my clothes on!

Boy! Hey, boy!

Boy? Come on, boy! You almost drowned.

I fished you out just in the nick of time!

That Loch Ness monster ate all my food.

-It didn't even thank me. -You mean Fishrew?

She used to be quite different, too. All noble and powerful.

-She's powerful all right. -Not anymore. She got tamed.

I used to be different, too. I used to guard the spring, but now...

I need some of the sparkly water. A few drops will do.

The spring has been seized by Great Strait.

Once she looks at you, you sink into such fear...

You should run away from here. There's no way to get close to her.

No way. I don't see why I shouldn't get a few drops

if I ask for them politely.

I want to be a well-slept Little Man once again.

But Great Strait has a helper! This Cheeky Punk!

I'm not sure if you'll deal with him.

Well, I can do that.

-Hello? -What are you here for?

I need to talk to Great Strait. Now.

We'll have to sort it out quickly then. Come on in.

Who is howling so desperately in here? Is it Great Strait?

You'll find out in a sec. Stand here, a bit to the right...

Right, here we go!

And it's done.

-Hey, codger, have you got any fish? -Here, a fresh catch.

Let me see. Give it to me. Keep everyone away from here!

How many times do I have to tell you? And to that beast of yours as well!

I'll explain to her myself that she mustn't bring anyone over here!

You mouldy old codger!

My lady, I've brought you fish. And fish bones, your favourite meal.

-Won't I get a praline? -No.

First run and check if the intruder has had enough.

And bring me the bones of our darlings from the woods.

They are my favourite!

Sure, my lady. I will.

Ouch, that was a proper punch.

I'll fix your loaf, you Cheeky Punk!

Off I go to the island. I'm gonna get the water...

What's that?

What's out there?

Go away!

Here, a twig!

Here, a nut!

What's just fallen out of it?