Yasser, who has been searching for a life-changing cartoon since childhood, discusses his obsession and the elusive nature of the show. Despite relentless efforts, the narrator is unable to uncover any concrete information about the beloved childhood TV show, leaving them to question its existence. The host receives help from a man in Germany to find a cartoon that resembles a drawing and explores the origins of the famous German cartoon family, the Odefants, speaking with their creator about his inspiration and love for his home.
The search for the missing cartoon becomes a catalyst for deep reflection on personal passions and desires.
Yasir hopes to foster a supportive environment for his future child to pursue their own creative endeavors.
Deep dives
The Mysterious Disappearance of a Beloved Cartoon
Yasir, a dentist from Saudi Arabia, reminisces about a cartoon he watched as a child called Little Elephant Show. The show follows the Boomills, a family of elephants living in suburbia, and it had a profound impact on Yasir's imagination and creativity. However, he cannot find any evidence of the show's existence, leading him to question his memory and wonder if the show was just a figment of his imagination. Despite his efforts to search for the show online and reach out to experts, he fails to find any concrete proof of its existence. Eventually, a Twitter post leads to the discovery of a German cartoon called Otto's Artifanten, which bears similarities to Yasir's drawing and description of the show. The creator of the German show, Otto Vadges, is contacted, and Yasir's belief in his childhood memories is reaffirmed.
The Impact of Childhood Imagination
Yasir reflects on the impact that the Little Elephant Show had on his life and how it shaped his imagination as a child. He describes himself as a creative and imaginative person who longed for a space to express that creativity. However, societal expectations led him to pursue a practical career in dentistry instead. While he acknowledges the importance of his profession, Yasir admits that he lacks the same sense of wonder and excitement he experienced during his childhood. The search for the missing cartoon becomes a catalyst for Yasir's deep reflection on his own passions and desires, and he hopes to foster a supportive environment for his future child to pursue their own creative endeavors.
Lessons from a Cartoon Creator
The podcast explores the life of Otto Vadges, the creator of the German cartoon Otto's Artifanten. Otto, known for his comedic talents, reveals that he had been drawing the Odefant characters since his childhood. Despite his humble beginnings and limited resources, Otto followed his dream of becoming an artist and found success in creating characters that resonated with audiences. His story inspires Yasir to reconsider his own path and embrace his creative inclinations. The podcast concludes with Yasir receiving a package from Otto, filled with Odefant memorabilia, which he plans to share with his own child.
When Yasser was a boy, he saw a cartoon that changed his life. He’s been searching for it ever since. The only problem is… it’s vanished.
Credits
This episode was hosted and produced by supervising producer Stevie Lane, along with Jonathan Goldstein, Mohini Madgavkar, and Phoebe Flanigan. The senior producer is Kalila Holt.
Editorial guidance from Emily Condon.
Special thanks to Pia Gadkari, Bobby Lord, Dr. Mohamed Ghazala, and Tom Scharpling over at The Best Show.
The show was mixed by Bobby Lord.
Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, Podington Bear, and Bobby Lord. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records.