Yakari Season 2 Episode 10 Linden Is Not a Baby / Between Dog and Wolf

Yakari is an animated children's television series based on a series of French comic books that follows the adventures of a young Sioux boy named Yakari and his magical horse, Little Thunder. In season 2 episode 10, titled "Linden Is Not a Baby / Between Dog and Wolf," Yakari and his friends encounter two different animal species struggling with their identities.

In the first half of the episode, "Linden Is Not a Baby," Yakari and Little Thunder stumble upon a young lynx kitten named Linden who has lost her mother and is unable to hunt for herself. Yakari takes pity on the helpless kitten and decides to care for her until she is old enough to fend for herself. However, Yakari's friends tease him for taking care of a "baby" animal, causing Yakari to become frustrated and question whether he made the right decision in taking care of Linden. As Yakari continues to care for Linden and teach her how to hunt, he begins to see her independence and strength, realizing that she is not a helpless baby but a capable and fierce predator.

In the second half of the episode, "Between Dog and Wolf," Yakari and his friends encounter a young wolf who is struggling with his identity. The wolf is torn between his desire to hunt and his loyalty to his friend, a domesticated dog named Kiki. The wolf believes that he is not a true wolf because he enjoys the company of Kiki and does not want to harm her. Yakari helps the wolf understand that he can be loyal to both Kiki and his desire to hunt, showing him that his identity as a wolf is not limited by his relationships. The wolf, now more confident in himself, returns to his pack and is accepted for who he is.

Throughout the episode, Yakari exhibits empathy, understanding, and an ability to see beyond the surface level, helping both Linden and the wolf to understand their own identities and abilities. The episode promotes the idea that animals, like people, have complex identities and emotions that should be respected and celebrated. The overall message of the episode is one of self-discovery, self-acceptance, and friendship.