Review of "Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Sirens," by Bartosz Sztybor and Jakub Rebelka

 Review of

Jim Henson’s The Storyteller: Sirens, by Bartosz Sztybor and Jakub Rebelka

Five out of five stars

Retelling of the story of looking elsewhere when you have it at home

 This tale takes place in the city of Gdansk on the sea. There is great wealth in the city and there is a substantial fishing fleet. One fisherman was never happy with the amount of his catch or what he received for it. He always wanted more, so he neglects his wife and daughter. One night when he is out in his boat alone he hears a very enchanting song.

 That song makes him very happy and it is sung by a mermaid. Going back to his home long enough to get some food, the fisherman imprisons the mermaid so that he can hear her singing all the time. When he loses his family, the fisherman embarks on worldwide travels of great danger. Yet, despite all of what he saw and did, he remains unhappy.

 Finally, he is passing an inn when he hears some incredible singing. Enchanted, he walks in to find that it his daughter that is capable of singing at a level equal to the mermaid. He is overwhelmed with sadness over what he has missed in his pursuit of dreams outside his family.

 There have been many variations of the basic story of looking far for what is in fact near. This version is very well done and is appropriate for all ages. It is a lesson that must often be relearned throughout life.