Why Do Elephants Have Big Ears? 🐘

0:00Why Do Elephants Have Big Ears?

LumiHave you ever wondered why an elephant has such enormous, floppy ears?

BrikWatch closely, right here under the stars, and our whole big-ear answer begins.

BrikBrik points to a wide, sleepy meadow, its tall grass swaying soft and still.

LumiNot one blade of grass is moving yet, only quiet, sleeping meadow air.

BrikGod the Father shaped the hills, the water and every little animal because He loves us, and He tells us: call Me Father.

LumiGood morning, dear friends! We are Brik and Lumi, and today we got up very early to watch the sunrise together.

BrikLook, the stars are still shining, and in a few minutes the sun will come up just for us.

LumiOpen your eyes wide and come along, today something special is waiting.

BrikCan you say elephant? Elephant. A huge, gentle animal with two enormous ears.

LumiSomewhere near the old oak tree, one quiet elephant naps standing perfectly still.

BrikGod the Father loves every one of us, and He wants each of you to be with Him in Heaven one day.

LumiBy morning, we will watch that very same elephant flap her enormous ears wide.

BrikEven in the dark, the whole meadow glows soft under the wide starry sky.

LumiA chicken! Can you say chicken? Chicken.

2:00What Happens in the Meadow Cottage at Night?

BrikThe whole meadow rests quiet, close together, safe under the wide night sky.

LumiCurled up like this, Coco tucks her fluffy chicks warm beneath her own wings.

BrikNot one single chick peeks out from under Coco's wings tonight.

BrikThe Lord Jesus came to us from Heaven to show us the way to true joy.

LumiResting quietly like this, Coco feels warm and safe beside her two best friends.

BrikThe whole meadow waits patiently.

LumiCan you wait quietly too?

BrikNot one star stops twinkling.

LumiA little pink bunny leans into Brik's side, warm and safe beside the sleeping grass.

BrikThe stars above the meadow blink, calm and perfectly still tonight.

LumiA little cricket! Can you say cricket? A tiny bug that sings at night.

BrikIts small song rises and falls, soft and steady over the sleeping meadow.

LumiMary, the Queen of Heaven, is a Mother to every one of us and never forgets us.

BrikCan you say enormous? Enormous. So very big, much bigger than almost anything else.

LumiThat quiet elephant has ears so enormous, they look like two soft grey fans.

BrikLet's build somewhere warm, right where we can rest before our long day begins.

BrikLook what we are building today, come closer and watch with us!

LumiA cozy wooden cottage, hung with soft lanterns from one wall to the other.

4:20Why Does Giggles Make Pretend Leaf-Ears in the Night Storm?

BrikWe are calling it The Lantern-Lit Meadow Cottage.

LumiInside, a soft striped blanket waits folded, ready for a busy day ahead.

LumiBlock by block, slowly, and it is already growing taller.

BrikBeam by beam, and lantern by lantern, rising warm against the dark.

LumiA pink bunny hops up to the new cottage, sniffing the fresh, warm wood.

BrikIt is finished! Look how beautiful it turned out.

LumiThe Lantern-Lit Meadow Cottage is finished, glowing soft under the wide night sky.

BrikFrom here, we will watch our quiet elephant flap her whole meadow awake by daylight.

LumiAnd now a riddle, listen carefully.

LumiBrik counted every warm lantern glowing inside the brand new cottage.

BrikHow many warm lanterns are glowing inside the cottage tonight?

BrikTake your time, it is good to think a little longer.

LumiWell done, exactly right! I heard how beautifully you answered.

LumiThree warm lanterns, glowing softly. One, two, three.

BrikThree little lights, and every single one watches over the sleeping meadow.

BrikTime to get to work, and work is much nicer when we do it together.

BrikOne small lantern, glowing softly right beside the new cottage.

LumiWe are calling it The First Meadow Lantern.

BrikIts warm little glow lights up the nearest patch of grass just enough to see.

LumiWe did it, and we did it together.

LumiThe First Meadow Lantern is ready, and three more will soon glow beside it.

BrikLook, out past the meadow, a thick dark cloud rolls in fast.

LumiThe whole sky darkens in a few quick seconds, and the wind picks up.

BrikA bright zigzag flashes across the whole dark sky, quick and silver-white.

LumiFor one whole second, the entire meadow glows bright as daylight.

BrikDo not worry, everyone, that flash is only bright light, quick and harmless.

LumiWe are here together, safe and warm, and it is rolling past.

BrikGiggles peeks out slowly, and the little pink bunny calms down beside him.

LumiSomewhere in the wet grass, a frog croaks happily at every warm raindrop.

BrikCan you say thunder? Thunder. The deep, rolling sound after a flash of light.

LumiLight travels so fast, we see the flash long before the thunder ever arrives.

BrikThe rain patters gentle on every leaf, and the thick cloud rolls on by.

LumiLook, the sky is clearing already, calm and dark and full of stars again.

BrikGiggles hops up, giggling with relief, glad the whole sky is quiet once more.

BrikTime for a question, think for a moment.

LumiBrik counted every bright star peeking back out after the clouds rolled by.

BrikHow many bright stars are peeking back out over the meadow?

LumiHave a think, we will wait for you.

BrikBravo, that is it! You are real Dream Builders.

LumiFive bright stars, peeking back out. One, two, three, four, five.

BrikFive little stars, and every single one shines calm again over the quiet meadow.

LumiBring the blocks, dear builders, we are starting something new.

9:20Why Is the Sky Turning Gold Over the Meadow?

LumiOne tall, thin tower, built from smooth boards right beside the cottage.

BrikWe are calling it The Night-Watch Meadow Tower.

LumiClimb up, and the whole dark meadow spreads out quiet beneath you.

BrikIt is finished! Look how beautiful it turned out.

BrikThe Night-Watch Meadow Tower stands tall, and Lumi waves gently from the top.

BrikWhat a curious, gentle start to our very long day.

LumiIf you like what we built, show us a thumbs up!

BrikCan you say curious? Curious.

LumiLook what we are building today, come closer and watch with us!

BrikOne small bridge, leading toward the edge where the sun will soon rise.

LumiWe are calling it The Dawn-Meadow Bridge.

BrikIts planks glow pale gold already, leading straight toward the morning light.

BrikWe did it, and we did it together.

LumiThe Dawn-Meadow Bridge is ready, and Coco is already standing at the far end.

BrikLook, past the tower, the deep dark sky is starting to change.

LumiIt is turning from deep black to a soft, gentle shade of grey.

BrikThe stars are fading, one by one, like little candles going out slowly.

LumiWatch closely, the edge of the sky is starting to glow soft and warm.

BrikA thin golden line grows wider, along the far edge of the meadow.

LumiOne by one, tiny dewdrops begin to sparkle across the grass.

11:40What Is the Great Flapping-Ear Cooling Belfry?

BrikLook, the sun is climbing higher and the whole world is turning golden.

LumiThe whole meadow is waking up in gold, right before our eyes.

BrikGood morning, sleepy meadow! The sun is finally, wonderfully, all the way up.

LumiThe last cool shadow fades, and the whole meadow glows bright golden warm.

BrikCan you say golden? Golden.

LumiNow, in the light of this brand new day, let's solve our whole big-ear mystery.

BrikWhy does an elephant really have such enormous, floppy ears?

LumiLet's watch Luna flap them wide, right here in the morning light.

BrikHer two enormous ears spread open wide, catching the very first warm breeze.

LumiTiny paths crisscross across each ear, like little rivers drawn beneath the skin.

BrikAn elephant! Can you say elephant? Elephant.

LumiHer name is Luna, and she flaps her two huge ears slow and steady nearby.

BrikLuna flaps her ears the same unhurried way a big soft fan turns in summer.

LumiTime to get to work, and work is much nicer when we do it together.

LumiOne round flower bed, its sunflowers turning slowly to follow the morning sun.

BrikWe are calling it The Morning Sunflower Flower Bed.

LumiCan you say vein? Vein. One of the tiny paths that carry blood through the body.

BrikIt is finished! Look how beautiful it turned out.

BrikThe Morning Sunflower Flower Bed is ready, glowing warm in the early light.

LumiEvery one of Luna's ear-veins carries warm blood close to the very edge of her skin.

BrikCan you say cool down? Cool down. To become less warm, fresh and comfortable again.

LumiHere comes a riddle, say the answer out loud!

BrikBrik counted every glowing ear-flap painted on his blueprint sketch for the belfry.

LumiHow many ear-flaps are painted on the sketch?

BrikTake your time, it is good to think a little longer.

LumiWonderful, you got it! I am so proud of you.

LumiSix glowing ear-flaps, counted carefully. One, two, three, four, five, six.

BrikSix painted flaps, and every single one shows an ear curving wide and gentle.

LumiCan you say breeze? Breeze. A soft, gentle movement of cool moving air.

BrikEach flap of Luna's ears stirs up a small, cooling breeze all on its own.

LumiA pink bunny hops a slow circle, watching the warm morning light around her.

BrikCan you say blood vessel? Blood vessel. A tiny tube that carries warm blood through the body.

LumiTiny blood vessels cover Luna's whole ear, close enough to touch the cool outside air.

15:50Why Do Elephant Ears Work Like a Giant Fan?

BrikCan you say radiator? Radiator. Something that lets warmth escape into the cooler air.

LumiLuna's own enormous ears work like a giant, gentle, built-in radiator.

BrikThe meadow hums soft and steady, glowing warm in the climbing sun.

LumiLet's build somewhere big, right where the whole meadow can see our giant answer.

BrikBring the blocks, dear builders, we are starting something new.

BrikA tall, blocky belfry, hung with giant ear-shaped bells across the whole top.

LumiWe are calling it The Great Flapping-Ear Cooling Belfry.

BrikEach gentle gust of wind swings the big ear-bells wide, side to side.

LumiSee how nicely it fits, one block sitting neatly on another.

LumiBeam by beam, and bell by bell, rising bright with the morning sun.

BrikCan you say huge? Huge. Extremely, wonderfully big — bigger than almost anything.

LumiLuna ambles right alongside the belfry, watching each swinging bell sway past.

BrikThose huge ear-bells sway the exact same unhurried way Luna's own ears flap.

BrikWe did it, and we did it together.

LumiThe Great Flapping-Ear Cooling Belfry is finished, and Luna settles down to watch.

BrikCan you say communicate? Communicate. To share feelings or messages without any words.

LumiLuna spreads her ears wide to look bigger, a friendly way to communicate.

BrikAn elephant! Can you say elephant? Elephant.

LumiLuna flaps one ear slower than the other, curious about the new belfry bells.

BrikBrik claps his hands, delighted at how gently Luna's whole body relaxes.

LumiAnd now a riddle, listen carefully.

LumiBrik counted every slow ear-flap Luna made cooling off by the belfry.

BrikHow many times did Luna flap her ears to cool down?

BrikHave a think, we will wait for you.

LumiWell done, exactly right! I heard how beautifully you answered.

BrikSix slow ear-flaps, counted steadily. One, two, three, four, five, six.

LumiSix gentle flaps, and every single one cooled Luna down a little more.

BrikLook what we are building today, come closer and watch with us!

BrikFour little steps, each one painted with one more ear-flap than the last.

LumiWe are calling it The Four Ear-Flap-Counting Steps.

BrikStep up slowly, counting each flap, all the way to the top step.

LumiWe are not in a hurry, because things made carefully last the longest.

LumiOne flap, two flaps, three flaps, then four, brighter with every step.

BrikIt is finished! Look how beautiful it turned out.

BrikThe Four Ear-Flap-Counting Steps are finished, and Luna ambles past every one.

LumiLook, a rabbit hops onto a warm flat stone near the belfry's edge.

BrikA rabbit! Can you say rabbit? Rabbit.

LumiShe watches Luna flap by, blinking slowly in the warm morning light.

LumiOh, Giggles, that pretend ear-fan made quite the breeze without much cooling.

BrikHe watches Luna's real, slow flap, tries again, and grins at feeling cooler at last.

LumiThe meadow settles back into its warm, sunny calm.

LumiTime to get to work, and work is much nicer when we do it together.

LumiOne small feeder, filled with golden seeds, right beside the belfry.

BrikWe are calling it The Morning Meadow Feeder.

LumiPeck, peck, peck — every little chick loves a good breakfast in the morning sun.

BrikWe did it, and we did it together.

BrikThe Morning Meadow Feeder is ready, and Coco's chicks are the first to visit.

LumiCan you say gentle giant? Gentle giant. Something enormous that is also soft and kind.

BrikLuna truly is a gentle giant, careful with every single step she takes.

LumiTime for a question, think for a moment.

LumiBrik counted every rabbit, chicken, and elephant gathered near the belfry.

BrikHow many friends are gathered near the belfry?

BrikTake your time, it is good to think a little longer.

LumiBravo, that is it! You are real Dream Builders.

BrikFive happy friends, gathered calmly. One, two, three, four, five.

LumiFive little friends, and every single one enjoys the very same warm morning sun.

BrikThe sun is climbing high above the meadow now, warm on every gentle leaf.

LumiThe sun is high above us, it is exactly noon, time for a little rest.

BrikLet us sit down for a moment and listen to how beautifully quiet it is around us.

LumiLet's rest a moment here in the warm midday sun, listening to the meadow hum softly.

BrikLet's follow the warm midday sun, over to where two big, listening ears turn.

LumiCan you say listen? Listen. To pay close attention to a sound with your ears.

23:20What Is the Echo-Ear Story Gazebo?

LumiPast the belfry, the meadow opens into a small, sunny clearing.

BrikLeave a thumbs up if you are enjoying building with us, it helps other children find us.

LumiLook, warm sunlight drifts softly through the whole sunny clearing.

BrikThis is the very best time to hear how well Luna's big ears really work.

LumiCan you say sound wave? Sound wave. An invisible ripple that carries sound through the air.

BrikLook, Luna turns her whole huge ear slowly toward a soft, faraway rustle.

LumiHer enormous ears work like two giant cups, gathering up every little sound.

BrikThat way, she can hear a friend calling from far across the whole meadow.

LumiLet's build somewhere bright, right where the whole meadow can hear those clever ears.

BrikBring the blocks, dear builders, we are starting something new.

BrikA round, cozy gazebo, its wooden ribs curved wide like two listening ears.

LumiWe are calling it The Echo-Ear Story Gazebo.

BrikSay something softly inside, and the curved walls echo it gently back to you.

LumiA little more and it will be ready, do you like it so far?

LumiBeam by beam, and echo by echo, rising bright with the midday sun.

BrikCan you say echo? Echo. A sound that bounces back after hitting something and returns.

LumiLuna rumbles low and soft, and the whole gazebo answers with a gentle echo.

BrikThat low rumble travels so far, other elephants can feel it through the ground.

BrikIt is finished! Look how beautiful it turned out.

LumiThe Echo-Ear Story Gazebo is finished, warm and glowing in the midday sun.

BrikCan you say vibration? Vibration. A very fast little shake or wobble in the air.

LumiLuna can feel a vibration through her feet before she even hears the sound.

LumiHere comes a riddle, say the answer out loud!

LumiBrik counted every gentle echo bouncing back inside the round gazebo.

BrikHow many echoes bounced back inside the gazebo?

BrikHave a think, we will wait for you.

LumiWonderful, you got it! I am so proud of you.

BrikSeven gentle echoes, bouncing back. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven.

LumiSeven soft echoes, and every single one sounded a little softer than before.

BrikCan you say alert? Alert. Awake, watchful, and ready to notice anything nearby.

LumiEven resting calmly, Luna stays alert, listening to the whole clearing around her.

BrikThe rabbit watches Luna's calm ears, twitching slowly in the warm midday light.

LumiCan you say wide? Wide. Spread far apart, not narrow or close together at all.

BrikLuna's ears spread so wide, they are nearly as tall as Brik standing up.

LumiCan you say flap? Flap. To move something wide and flat gently back and forth.

BrikSometimes Luna simply flaps one ear, barely moving, soaking in the warm midday sun.

LumiNot one part of Luna's calm rest ever looks rushed or hurried.

BrikThe gazebo hums soft and steady, glowing warm in the midday sun.

BrikLook what we are building today, come closer and watch with us!

LumiOne small signpost, pointing one way to the belfry, one to the gazebo.

BrikWe are calling it The Belfry-Or-Gazebo Signpost.

LumiOne arrow points back to the ear-flaps, the other to the listening echoes.

LumiWe did it, and we did it together.

BrikThe Belfry-Or-Gazebo Signpost is ready, and Lumi reads it out loud, delighted.

BrikTime to get to work, and work is much nicer when we do it together.

BrikOne spinning pinwheel, right beside the gazebo, catching every warm breeze.

LumiWe are calling it The Meadow Breeze Pinwheel.

BrikA cool breeze keeps the whole clearing comfortable, even under the strong sun.

LumiIt is finished! Look how beautiful it turned out.

29:40Does Rain Bother a Big, Gentle Elephant?

LumiThe Meadow Breeze Pinwheel spins gently, and Luna watches it turn round.

LumiOh, Giggles, that echo test came out rather more silly than quiet.

BrikHe relaxes, watches Luna's calm example, and finally makes one proper, soft sound.

LumiThe clearing settles back into its warm, sunny calm.

BrikLook, way out past the clearing, a dark cloud is gathering, far away.

LumiQuick, let's build one small shed, right where a spare leaf-fan stays dry.

BrikBring the blocks, dear builders, we are starting something new.

LumiOne tiny shed, just big enough for one bright, folded leaf-fan.

BrikWe are calling it The Little Leaf-Fan Shed.

LumiIts little window lets us peek in at the leaf-fan, folded neat and dry.

LumiWe did it, and we did it together.

BrikThe Little Leaf-Fan Shed is ready, tucked snug beside the gazebo.

BrikThe sun is starting to lean low now, painting the whole clearing gold.

LumiLook, way out past the meadow, that same dark cloud is rolling closer.

BrikThe whole sky darkens fast, and a bright zigzag flashes on the far horizon.

LumiLet's count together: light travels faster than sound, so we hear thunder after.

BrikAnd now a riddle, listen carefully.

BrikCount with Brik: one, two, three, four, and then comes the low, rolling boom.

LumiHow many seconds passed between the flash and the thunder?

LumiTake your time, it is good to think a little longer.

BrikWell done, exactly right! I heard how beautifully you answered.

BrikFour whole seconds, counted steady. One, two, three, four.

LumiFour seconds means that far-off storm is still safely, quietly distant.

BrikEven a warm rain taps the whole meadow, pattering soft little drops everywhere.

LumiNot one leaf minds getting rained on; the whole meadow stays calm underneath.

LumiTime for a question, think for a moment.

LumiBrik counted every round puddle dotting the calm, rain-washed meadow.

BrikHow many puddles are dotting the meadow?

BrikHave a think, we will wait for you.

LumiBravo, that is it! You are real Dream Builders.

BrikSix round puddles, counted calmly. One, two, three, four, five, six.

LumiSix little puddles, and every single one mirrors the sky above the meadow.

BrikListen, the far-off rumble is fading, softer and slower, one by one.

LumiLook, the sky is clearing fast, bright and freshly washed above the meadow.

BrikLook up — a whole bright rainbow is arching over the belfry, all on its own!

LumiEvery rabbit, chicken, and elephant nearby settles calm again in the warm sun.

LumiLet's follow the low, golden sun back toward the belfry and the whole meadow.

LumiBack near the belfry, the whole sky is turning a deep, glowing orange and pink.

BrikLook, the sunset sky glows the same warm gold as the meadow at evening.

LumiCan you say sunset? Sunset. That is when the sun goes down low in the sky.

BrikCan you say dusk? Dusk. That is the soft, quiet time just before full dark.

BrikAs the great sun sinks low, Luna flaps one last slow ear-flap across the clearing.

LumiLet's watch the sky turn deeper.

BrikIts glow fades slow and gentle.

BrikLook what we are building today, come closer and watch with us!

LumiOne small pyramid, built from tiny glowing blocks in every ear color.

BrikWe are calling it The Ear-Color Pyramid.

BrikEvery little block glows its own bright hue, stacked five rows high.

LumiIt is finished! Look how beautiful it turned out.

LumiThe Ear-Color Pyramid is ready, and it glows softly in the fading light.

LumiOh, Giggles, all those flaps made for a rather tricky count.

BrikHe cheers proudly once the meadow calms and he counts every flap correctly.

LumiThe meadow settles back into its warm, glowing calm.

BrikGive us a thumbs up if you want to see the next episode!

LumiCan you say share? Share. To give some of what you have to a friend.

BrikTime to get to work, and work is much nicer when we do it together.

BrikOne small wooden bench, facing straight toward the whole glowing belfry.

LumiWe are calling it The Belfry-Watching Bench.

BrikSit here quietly, and watch every ear-bell glow softly against the dark sky.

LumiWe did it, and we did it together.

LumiThe Belfry-Watching Bench is ready, and Lumi is already curled up, watching.

BrikBrik pats the little bench gently, proud of the whole long, flapping day.

LumiCan you say proud? Proud. We built and learned so much today.

BrikHere comes a riddle, say the answer out loud!

LumiBrik and Lumi counted six ear-flaps, then seven gazebo echoes, then six meadow puddles.

BrikHow many ear-flaps, echoes, and puddles did we count altogether today?

LumiTake your time, it is good to think a little longer.

BrikWonderful, you got it! I am so proud of you.

BrikSix and seven and six makes nineteen, counted slowly and surely all together.

LumiCan you say altogether? Altogether.

BrikNineteen big-eared wonders, and every single one helped tell our whole flapping story.

LumiCan you say calm? Calm. Peaceful, quiet, and free of any rush or worry.

BrikA calm meadow in the evening looks almost like a great, still painting.

38:20How Does the Whole Meadow Get Ready for Night?

LumiCoco tucks one wing, resting near the bench beside the glowing pyramid.

BrikCan you say gentle? Gentle. Soft and kind, never rough or too sudden.

LumiEven an enormous flap can be gentle, slow, and perfectly controlled.

BrikThe rabbit settles near the bench, watching the belfry glow one last time.

LumiNot one ear-flap tonight will ever move in quite the very same rhythm.

BrikThe meadow grass rustles once, soft and slow, in the cooling evening air.

LumiA little pink bunny settles near the signpost, ears relaxed in the last warm light.

LumiLet's build one last place, right where the whole meadow can rest, warm and calm.

LumiBring the blocks, dear builders, we are starting something new.

BrikA wide, welcoming camp, ringed with lanterns right along the quiet meadow.

LumiWe are calling it The Meadow Sunset Gathering Fire.

BrikOne by one, its lanterns glow, each one warmer than the last.

BrikBlock by block, slowly, and it is already growing taller.

LumiPost by post, and lantern by lantern, filling up with today's last golden light.

BrikThe campfire glows the same warm orange as the whole sunset sky above it.

LumiLuna settles calm and close to camp, her friendly eyes catching the firelight.

BrikEvery friend gathers close, watching the meadow turn gold, then rose, then grey.

LumiIt is finished! Look how beautiful it turned out.

LumiThe Meadow Sunset Gathering Fire is finished, glowing warm under the very first stars.

BrikLook, it is dark again now, just like it was at the start of our day.

LumiBut this time, we know exactly why an elephant has such enormous ears.

BrikBig ears cool her down like a fan, and let her hear across the whole meadow.

LumiListen to the meadow grow quiet.

BrikCan you say cozy? Cozy.

LumiCozy just means warm, soft, and safe, exactly like our whole meadow tonight.

BrikNot one ear-flap tonight will ever forget the shape of Luna's own gentle wave.

LumiA single lantern still glows in the same cottage window, steady every night.

BrikSomewhere close by, a cricket starts up its same, steady song once more.

LumiTom's ears twitch softly in the very last warm light before dark settles.

BrikA dog! Can you say dog? Dog.

LumiThe whole meadow smells of cool grass and settling evening air.

BrikNot one lantern around the whole camp glows in quite the same gold.

LumiA single star returns to the same corner of the sky, night after night.

BrikThe little pink bunny naps curled up beside the pyramid, warm in its colorful glow.

42:40Why Do Elephants Really Have Big Ears? The Whole Answer

LumiOut in the meadow, Luna stands still once more, her huge ears finally resting.

BrikThe night feels calm, complete, and wonderfully, warmly still.

BrikIf you want to build with us tomorrow, ask your mum or dad to press Subscribe.

LumiPress Subscribe together with your parents, and Brik and Lumi will be here waiting for you tomorrow.

BrikIf you had a good time with us, press Subscribe so you do not lose our cartoon.

LumiThe stars are twinkling again, and our long, beautiful day is slowly coming to an end.

BrikWe built so much today, and we learned even more.

LumiThank you for being with us, it was much nicer together.

BrikSo remember, big ears cool an elephant down and help her hear far across the meadow.

LumiThe belfry glows soft and warm one last time, calm under the bright stars.

LumiGiggles waves from far away before he disappears for the night, and the little bells on his cap ring softly.

BrikBye bye! Sleep sweetly, our dear friends.