The Red and the Black
The Red and the Black
A young man from a poor family dreams of rising to power and wealth in 19th century France. His ambition leads him through dangerous relationships with two very different women as he tries to climb the social ladder.
My name is Red. I am a magic crayon.
My name is Red. I am a magic crayon.
My best friend is Black.
My best friend is Black.
We live in a big box with many other crayons.
We live in a big box with many other crayons.
Red always wants to be the star.
Red always wants to be the star.
"Look at me!"
"Look at me!"
Red says.
Red says.
"I make pretty flowers and hearts."
"I make pretty flowers and hearts."
"Children love me most!"
"Children love me most!"
Black feels sad.
Black feels sad.
"Nobody picks me,"
"Nobody picks me,"
Black says.
Black says.
"They think I am boring."
"They think I am boring."
One day, a little girl named Emma comes to draw.
One day, a little girl named Emma comes to draw.
She picks up Red first.
She picks up Red first.
Red is so happy!
Red is so happy!
Emma draws a beautiful rose garden with Red.
Emma draws a beautiful rose garden with Red.
"See?"
"See?"
Red tells Black.
Red tells Black.
"I told you I am the best!"
"I told you I am the best!"
But then Emma frowns.
But then Emma frowns.
"Something is missing,"
"Something is missing,"
she says.
she says.
She picks up Black. Black is scared.
She picks up Black. Black is scared.
"What can I do?"
"What can I do?"
"I only make dark things."
"I only make dark things."
Emma uses Black to draw stems for the roses.
Emma uses Black to draw stems for the roses.
Then she draws soil.
Then she draws soil.
Then she draws a little puppy playing in the garden.
Then she draws a little puppy playing in the garden.
The picture looks amazing!
The picture looks amazing!
"Wow!"
"Wow!"
says Red.
says Red.
"Black, you made my roses look real!"
"Black, you made my roses look real!"
"Without you, they were just floating in the air."
"Without you, they were just floating in the air."
Black smiles.
Black smiles.
"And without you, my stems had nothing beautiful to hold up."
"And without you, my stems had nothing beautiful to hold up."
Emma hangs the picture on her wall.
Emma hangs the picture on her wall.
Red and Black see themselves working together in the drawing.
Red and Black see themselves working together in the drawing.
"We are both important,"
"We are both important,"
says Red.
says Red.
"Yes,"
"Yes,"
says Black.
says Black.
"Together we make magic."
"Together we make magic."
From that day, Red and Black become the best team.
From that day, Red and Black become the best team.
They learn that being different makes them stronger together.
They learn that being different makes them stronger together.
The other crayons cheer.
The other crayons cheer.
The crayon box is happy again.
The crayon box is happy again.