March 5th 1994, First Draft

An animated Motion Picture

EXT. SOMEWHERE FAR OUT IN SPACE
The opening slowly moves into a galaxy nearby. We soon see a yellow planet somewhat lost in all this vastness. Then a small yellow valley appears and then a small village. The colors are a hazy yellow. Finally on top of a small hill a small monastery comes into view. We hear a chanting chorus in the background as the narrator begins to speak.

NARRATOR
The war had been going on for quite some time-the
yellow drought even longer. No one quite knew for just
how long. People's memories were very short here. In this
little valley peace and plenty never seemed to have been
part of daily life. Misery was simply accepted as natural.
Very much like the weather turning bad or someone getting
sick. When trouble started people simply hid inside their
homes or looked for something extra to eat. Indeed,
eating and hiding were popular past-times in this little village.

EXT. Monastery Courtyard. DAWN
We see a line of monks coming out.

NARRATOR
A few miles from the village some rather queer events took place inside
a monastery the size of a thumbnail. There was only one monastery in
this entire universe and the inhabitants of the village were not even sure
what a monastery was. It occupied very little land . So everyone ignored it.

We now see the monks sitting down and eating their breakfast.

NARRATOR
If however you lived in the monastery it was quite difficult to ignore
its existence. The monks would eat their breakfast of rice porridge and
tea. It would still be fairly early. The stars would still be shining and
singing to each other. This was home for our hero.

We see a little monk run out the door and trip. The other monks look at him and
smile. They've seen this all before.

INT. MEDITATION HALL
We see all the monks file in and sit down in their meditation places. The little
monk sits down in a faraway corner and looks ill at ease. The abbot suddenly
enters and all the monks straighten up. There is a solemn air to the abbot-
but also a subtle kindness. He makes his way towards the little monk.

NARRATOR
After breakfast all the monks would sit down and close their eyes and count
their breaths. ONE, TWO, ONE, TWO. It was very simple-yet also quite
difficult. The abbot called it LOOKING INTO THE MINDHEART STREAM.

We then see the little monk sitting and talking to the abbot.

LIITLE MONK
This is so stupid

ABBOT
Its for your own good.

LITTLE MONK
My own good! I could be traveling or doing something interesting.
Instead, I'm stuck here. Listening to some stupid monks breathing.

ABBOT
You need to calm down and watch your mind.

LITTLE MONK
What I need to do is get out of here.

Suddenly a loud sound can be heard in the distance.

LITTLE MONK
And those things taking off. You never hear them land.
They just take off and….

ABBOT
Those things you're afraid of. They never land and they can't hurt you.
Just pay attention to your breath.

LITTLE MONK
How did I even get into this place?

ABBOT
That should be of no concern to you.

LITTLE MONK
And why not? I have a right to know these kind of things.

ABBOT
Just be still and listen.

The abbot gives a knowing smile and walks away. Out of ear-shot the little monk makes a raspberry.

The little monk looks at nothing in particular. He's upset and has been through these
emotions before.

LITTLE MONK
There's got to be more to life than this. Maybe if I got out of this crazy place….

A smile suddenly breaks across the little monk's face. The little monk get's up and walks out.

NARRATOR
Yes, looks like our hero has a plan now.

EXT. MONASTERY COURTYARD. NIGHT.

INT. LITTLE MONK'S CELL.
The little monks pretends to be sleeping but opens his eyes and get's up.

INT. LONG HALLWAY.
The little monk pokes his head around the corner and seeing all is clear makes a run for the courtyard.

EXT. MONASTERY COURTYARD.
The little monks quietly runs across the courtyard and for just one moment looks in the direction of the abbot's window. A light is burning late into the night and the little monk gives a forlorn look at the window. A part of him knows he shouldn't leave. But another part yanks away at him. After all it's pretty stupid to stay here.