Tigers prove distance can't break brotherly bond

As your oldest daughter gets ready to head off to college, your young son is full of tears. He's worried she'll forget all about their special hot-cocoa-and-silly-slipper Saturday mornings. He begs you to let him go with his sister—he can sleep in her dorm room closet!

The strength of family bonds is the focus of Two Brothers, now released on home video. After watching the movie, use our talking points to discover how family ties can hold you together through good times and difficult ones. Then create our “Family Ties Frames” to bring the lesson to life!

The film features two rascally tiger cubs that are separated from their family and from each other when tragedy strikes. One brother is sold to a circus, where an abusive animal trainer forces him to be the ferocious man-eating star of the show. The other cub becomes the best buddy of a governor's young son, until an accident forces the family to give him to a man who trains the tiger to be a fierce fighter.

Homesick and broken of spirit, the tigers are eventually reunited in an unlikely manner—as enemies pitted against each other. Can their brotherly bond withstand the test of time and circumstance?

Family Activity: Family Ties Frames

Your children don't have to be sent off to the circus to have separation anxiety. Use the movie moments below to spark a family conversation about how to support each other even when you're apart. Then create our “Family Ties Frames” as a reminder of your terrific ties that bind.

Share!

In the movie, it's obvious the tiger cubs loved being brothers—from their wrestling matches to their “soccer” games. What do you love about being a part of your family? Take turns saying something fun about each person.

Why do you think the cubs were so homesick when they became separated? What do you think they missed most about each other? If the tigers could speak, what do you think they said to each other when they reunited at the very end?

Think about times you've been apart from your family. Take turns talking about what you miss about each other. How can you show each other you still care when you're apart? For example, your college daughter might make a pact with her brother to still wear silly slippers and drink cocoa on Saturday mornings. Even though they'll be apart, their tradition will keep them close in their hearts.

Play!

You will need:
Spools of ribbon
Large empty cereal box
Acrylic and fabric paints
Family photographs
Glue

Make these frames for each person to carry when away from home!

Cut large shapes from the empty cereal box—big enough for picture frames. Cut out a space from the inside of the shape to fit the photograph.

Each person can design his frame however he wants. The only rule is that you must use the same spools of ribbon to decorate the frame. Try making stripes or a checkerboard pattern, or tie cute bows.

Point out that even though your frames look different, you are all connected by the same material—in this case, the ribbon. Talk about what connects you in other ways—from the same last name to your secret handshake, or your similar goofy sense of humor.

Glue a family photograph to the back of each frame. The framed photo is yours to tuck away in your school binder, display on your work desk, or pack in a suitcase. The frame will remind you that even when you go your separate ways, your family is always in the picture!

copyright © 2005 Cinematters