We have just worked our way through another cold snap which ended with us running out of heating oil yesterday morning. Our oil tank has no gauge (can this be corrected?), the day was very windy and the oil delivery man could not bring us oil until the late afternoon. As by mid-day the inside of the house settled down into the high 40’s, we got under blankets and watched a movie Paul found at the library.

What a pool of peace The Cave of the Yellow Dog created for us during our difficult circumstances. Set in the seemingly endless mountains of western Mongolia, The Cave of the Yellow Dog brings us within a respectful yet intimate relationship with a nomadic family of parents, three young children, horses, yaks, goats, sheep, a corral, wagons, a motorbike and a yurt with all of its beautifully appointed furnishings.

The plot is minimal, as is often the case with real life. In this case, a young girl finds a dog out yonder and brings it home. The family wrestles a bit with whether or not to keep the dog. The issue is resolved on its own with a bit of time. That’s it. That is the entire plot line. However, this small story takes place within beautifully measured lives worth knowing just for their tranquility and naturalness.

I am fascinated with Mongolian nomadic life. I love traditional yurts and the streamlined life they contain. In both this movie and The Story of the Weeping Camel (by the same director), I closely study every aspect of life within these yurts I can manage to observe. Each piece of furniture, tool, carpet, cookware and basket is perfectly made to fulfill its function with efficient beauty. Even though they are “out in the middle of nowhere”, the woman and children are always dressed in shimmering silk clothes and have smooth, tightly bound hair. There are no toys, no clutter, nothing extraneous to take their minds and hands away from the essentials of their lives.

There was one detail in here that particularly caught our attention. Gathering dung was considered a child appropriate task and at one point, a basket of dung was sitting on the ground in front of the yurt.In the course of playing pretend, the little children played with it like we are used to seeing children play with wooden blocks. “See,” I turned and said to my husband. “This is just one more proof that naturally raised animals (i.e. grass-fed among other things) do not carry human pathogens!” My husband nodded wisely.

Even reading and listening to subtitles did not detract from the quiet tranquility and the feeling of rightness that filled this film. The family’s movements through their daily work were so sure, their words so gentle, their prayers so shared that we were all deeply inspired. Not only did the oldest girl have a very sure seat in the saddle, but all three children got along with each freely, playfully and with real regard for each other. The parents were very relaxed in their relationships with their children and were always attentive, present with them and sweetly loving. Husband and wife worked seamlessly through their days and showed a reserved affection for each other. I also particularly noted how adeptly the wife knew when and how to voice another point of view and when to be just be quiet. As a rule she was quiet when she disagreed with him, giving him the mental space to come to terms with issues on his own.

To spend time with a family that automatically prays its gratitude for all that is provided, lives deeply along with the seasons, speaks easily of reincarnation and lives harmoniously together through quietly respecting the individuality of each person is both an education and a blessing.

The Cave of the Yellow Dog is a reminder that there has been rightness in the world at certain times in certain places. That such a way of life has ever existed gives hope that, God willing, it will exist again. This movie features gorgeous cinematography, wonderful music, quietly mature adults, unspoiled adorable children, a glimpse into an ancient way of life, and the inspiration to live life more essentially.

While all the reviews on Amazon of this movie are glowing, I particularly recommend Brian Lane’s review which starts with How Peace Lives. To me it most captures the special quality of this enriching family movie.

From the beautiful mountains of southwest Virginia,

Leslie