I often get asked, “How did all of this with Mamma Moo and Crow get started” and “Why specifically did you choose a cow and a crow?” Each time, I have a hard time answering and wish I had a witty, funny story. But the origins took so long and so many things happened that were not particularly interesting that I’m hesitant about describing it. And why is it that important? Maybe what they’re really asking is, “Tell us a little more about Mamma Moo and Crow!” Maybe the most important thing about them is what they’ve both come to represent. All the experiences and lessons learned from people that went into the making of these two characters. One testing and experimenting, daring to blurt out questions with true wonder glistening in her eyes, and the other who already knows everything, the expert and know-it-all. What happens when the little child who starts off life full of trust gets met by ‘stop’ and ‘watch out’ and ‘should’ and ‘don’t’? Why is the person who asks questions considered dumb when it’s the person asking who learns something? What happens to the person who gets told off for laughing too loudly?
It could be that it’s this dynamism between people, children and adults that I find the most interesting. It could be that the killjoy is merely insecure. The most self-assured who’s the most afraid. It could be that the person who seems as dumb as a cow is really the smartest of all. The short version of the presentation of Mamma Moo and Crow is: Mamma Moo wants to see the world. Crow has already seen everything.
Here is the longer version. Mamma Moo is curious, Crow doesn’t want to embarrass himself. She likes to try out new things, and wants to learn everything that children do. Crow knows what’s proper for a cow – and has no qualms about setting her straight. Crow can’t swim, he’s afraid of getting wet, he’s afraid of the dark and he’s afraid of cars. He loves pastries, pizza and French fries, and generally most things that you can eat – except spinach. Mamma Moo almost always has a positive attitude and is friendly. She only gets mad at Crow when he says that she’s too fat, and only genuinely annoyed with him when he really lets her down and claims that the farmer’s wife is his only true friend (because she gives him pancakes).
"Mamma Moo wants to see the world. Crow has already seen everything."
Crow knows everything better than Mamma Moo. He always understands everything – one way or another. He likes to sneak around and play secret agent, and he likes to try things that Mamma Moo does, just as long as no one’s watching. For example, he’ll try the swing after everyone has gone home, or dance ballet in the barn. Crow always has to go home when things get a bit iffy. He never has time, but can always suddenly FIND the time – if it’s important. Crow has seen a fair amount in his day, the way he flies to and fro. He thinks that pushing a cow (who wants to learn to ride a bike or climb up a slide) is about the most embarrassing thing you can do.
Mamma Moo has a poetic nature. She makes up poems (about springtime), likes to sing (fairly off-key) her own songs and those of others, she likes the colours of autumn, lakes that are calm as a mirror and sunsets. She is captivated by the abilities of children and has romantic tendencies: “Imagine, here we are, you and I, Crow, rowing.” Crow thinks that such thoughts are simply awkward: “Don’t carry on like that now, Mamma Moo.” Crow has a strong pedagogic inclination. He speaks clearly and asks Mamma Moo to repeat the lessons he wants to convey: “Repeat after me – cows don’t climb trees. Say it.” He likes to demonstrate his knowledge, for example how to clean a barn in five seconds, and he wouldn’t mind publishing a book on the subject. Crow has special tools and many fishing rods. And he IS an expert. He can build the WORLD’S best tree house. Once he gets started, Crow easily gets carried away. He babbles on like a MADMAN. Crow has respect for the farmer. “Pretend that you’re just standing here chewing grass. The farmer might come!” Mamma Moo has a more relaxed and open attitude towards the farmer. Naturally. Crow has an endless need of comfort. Mamma Moo has a great capacity for empathy. What a happy coincidence.
I often get asked, “How did all of this with Mamma Moo and Crow get started” and “Why specifically did you choose a cow and a crow?” Each time, I have a hard time answering and wish I had a witty, funny story. But the origins took so long and so many things happened that were not particularly interesting that I’m hesitant about describing it. And why is it that important? Maybe what they’re really asking is, “Tell us a little more about Mamma Moo and Crow!” Maybe the most important thing about them is what they’ve both come to represent. All the experiences and lessons learned from people that went into the making of these two characters. One testing and experimenting, daring to blurt out questions with true wonder glistening in her eyes, and the other who already knows everything, the expert and know-it-all. What happens when the little child who starts off life full of trust gets met by ‘stop’ and ‘watch out’ and ‘should’ and ‘don’t’? Why is the person who asks questions considered dumb when it’s the person asking who learns something? What happens to the person who gets told off for laughing too loudly?
It could be that it’s this dynamism between people, children and adults that I find the most interesting. It could be that the killjoy is merely insecure. The most self-assured who’s the most afraid. It could be that the person who seems as dumb as a cow is really the smartest of all. The short version of the presentation of Mamma Moo and Crow is: Mamma Moo wants to see the world. Crow has already seen everything.
Here is the longer version. Mamma Moo is curious, Crow doesn’t want to embarrass himself. She likes to try out new things, and wants to learn everything that children do. Crow knows what’s proper for a cow – and has no qualms about setting her straight. Crow can’t swim, he’s afraid of getting wet, he’s afraid of the dark and he’s afraid of cars. He loves pastries, pizza and French fries, and generally most things that you can eat – except spinach. Mamma Moo almost always has a positive attitude and is friendly. She only gets mad at Crow when he says that she’s too fat, and only genuinely annoyed with him when he really lets her down and claims that the farmer’s wife is his only true friend (because she gives him pancakes).
"Mamma Moo wants to see the world. Crow has already seen everything."
Crow knows everything better than Mamma Moo. He always understands everything – one way or another. He likes to sneak around and play secret agent, and he likes to try things that Mamma Moo does, just as long as no one’s watching. For example, he’ll try the swing after everyone has gone home, or dance ballet in the barn. Crow always has to go home when things get a bit iffy. He never has time, but can always suddenly FIND the time – if it’s important. Crow has seen a fair amount in his day, the way he flies to and fro. He thinks that pushing a cow (who wants to learn to ride a bike or climb up a slide) is about the most embarrassing thing you can do.
Mamma Moo has a poetic nature. She makes up poems (about springtime), likes to sing (fairly off-key) her own songs and those of others, she likes the colours of autumn, lakes that are calm as a mirror and sunsets. She is captivated by the abilities of children and has romantic tendencies: “Imagine, here we are, you and I, Crow, rowing.” Crow thinks that such thoughts are simply awkward: “Don’t carry on like that now, Mamma Moo.” Crow has a strong pedagogic inclination. He speaks clearly and asks Mamma Moo to repeat the lessons he wants to convey: “Repeat after me – cows don’t climb trees. Say it.” He likes to demonstrate his knowledge, for example how to clean a barn in five seconds, and he wouldn’t mind publishing a book on the subject. Crow has special tools and many fishing rods. And he IS an expert. He can build the WORLD’S best tree house. Once he gets started, Crow easily gets carried away. He babbles on like a MADMAN. Crow has respect for the farmer. “Pretend that you’re just standing here chewing grass. The farmer might come!” Mamma Moo has a more relaxed and open attitude towards the farmer. Naturally. Crow has an endless need of comfort. Mamma Moo has a great capacity for empathy. What a happy coincidence.