Just few days back when Toon Disney channel showed the cartoon version of Heidi, it took me down the memory lane to cherish the most wonderful moments I experienced in reading “HEIDI” which was brilliantly etched by Johanna Spyri in late 1800’s.
The young & spirited Heidi, less than 8 years of age catapults the belief that one must be in tune with Nature ----- love the eternal beauty that surrounds us, the mountains, valley, flowers !!!!
Though it may seem as Children’s story but the values instilled here create a great impact!!! No matter however we try to destroy the nature to live in the so-called concrete jungle, Heidi reminds that FAITH in Nature is Supreme & it holds the ULTIMATE HEALING POWER to all our maladies.
Heidi, an orphan, was brought up by her aunt Dete after her parents died. But when Dete got a job in Frankfurt, she decided to dump this little girl under her Old Grandfather’s care who lived up on the ALM Mountains. This lanky, lively girl immediately & cheerfully accepted her grumpy old grandpa and instantly fell in love with exotic nature around her. She was immensely drawn to the little goat house, her new bed on the loft made of sweet smelling hay and even enjoyed the sound made by the wind blowing softly through the tall huge fir trees around the cottage. The huge tall mountains made a great impact in her heart.
Her only friend was the 11year old Peter, the goatherd, who lived nearby in a cottage with his mother and blind granny. Heidi enjoyed the day by going to pasture with Peter and goats, spending time with her granny or doing the household chores along with her grandfather. She would always get drawn to the beautiful slopes of the mighty hills; the mystic snowfields, the little colorful flowers that would merrily nod & above all the pristine silence of nature enchanted her thoroughly.
Soon her old grandpa became very fond and possessive of Heidi that he refused to send her to school in the valley in Dorfli due to fear of spoiling her health during winter in spite of being advised by the priest from the Church. Everything was going very fine in their life till one day Dete appeared from nowhere!!!!
Dete took Heidi to Frankfurt to be a companion to an eleven-year-old cripple girl Clara, who could move only in her wheel chair despite strong protest by grandfather. On reaching Clara’s home, Heidi was amazed to see that everyone had to be disciplined & obey the orders of Mrs. Rottenmeier( the house keeper) or else endure her wrath! She was even shocked to see that Clara could not walk but nevertheless, accepted her friendship. Since Heidi was not literate, she could not read out stories for Clara but always talked about her life in the mountains and her people.
Initially Heidi couldn’t believe that she was left in such a city where she could not enjoy the serene beauty of nature. She did climb to the top floor of the church with the hope of looking at the majestic mountains but was disappointed with the hustle bustle of city life. Though she had all the comforts of life but she felt it was like being in golden cage. Soon when Clara’s grandmother arrived, it reminded Heidi of her loved ones up in the mountains. Granny did teach her to read and write and both the girls enjoyed her company.
But as granny left, Heidi started feeling lonely. She no longer had interest in any thing but became very homesick. Deep in her heart, she wished to return to her grandfather, Peter and to snow fields but did not know how to go back. It affected her health so much that she started Sleepwalking at nights and opened the front door thinking of going back to her house. This startled Clara’s father and his Doctor friend. Since this shock had mentally affected this little 8-year-old girl, they decided to send Heidi back to her place.
Heidi was very ecstatic and she took lots of goodies for her family members and invited Clara and her family to her the mountains. Grandfather was once again happy to receive Heidi and they enjoyed being together. Heidi would narrate stories to Peter and his grandmother and loved the pasture even more!
After a year, when Clara decided to stay with Heidi for a month, Heidi was too happy!!! Clara in her wheelchair was lifted up to the mountains and was equally overjoyed to be with her best friend. Everyday in the morning, grandfather would lift her and bring her out to enjoy the warm sun. Clara would be asked to slowly stand on her feet for few minutes till she could withstand and then sit on the wheel chair.
But Peter was very jealous of this friendship of Heidi and Clara as the former ignored him. One day when grandfather brought the wheel chair out, Peter in a fit of anger pushed it down to the valley without anyone’s knowledge so that Clara would not see the Pasture. The search for the wheel chair was a futile attempt and so grandfather lifted Clara and took her to pasture. He left her with Heidi & Peter and promised to return later. But the exuberant Heidi wanted Clara too see the beautiful flowers on the other side and she chided Peter to lift Clara. But both the kids could not do it and so Heidi prompted Clara to keep her feet down.
Clara was so nervous but she slowly walked few steps. This was indeed a MIRACLE as Clara walked few paces with Heidi’s help and could admire the beauty of nature around her. Peter was shocked !!!! As the kids returned home, grandfather could not believe it!
That Clara no longer needed any external support was heartening for her father and grandmother. They thanked Grandfather and Heidi of bringing Clara to the heavenly mountains and making her walk on her own! Also Grandfather agreed of sending Heidi to the school in Dorfli by shifting to the village during winters and was even overjoyed to know that the Doctor had decided to adopt her by putting an end to all his worries.
The cartoon version of Heidi is no doubt good, but if u want to enjoy the enchanted experience of Heidi, Johanna Spyri will not let u down! The evergreen Optimistic attitude & the magic of mystic mountains experienced by Heidi is worth a read!