Here is a favorite Christmas special from Disney, with great animation and a heart-warming story. I think this special is the only directorial job for Don Bluth before he left the Disney studio to create films like An American Tail, Thumbelina, etc. The story (as some of you might know it) is about a boy who has to sell his favorite donkey (and friend) named "Small One". But the problem is finding the prefect, kind owner for him. That's all I could tell you folks, you will have to see the film for yourself how it ends.So anyway, I really love this special with its really beautiful story and wonderful animation.

"The Small One" is an animated half-hour television movie that was released for the holidays back in 1978. The 70s really weren't that great of a decade for animation, but this one here is an exception. A little boy has been friends with a small donkey for a long time, but his father tells him that the animal has to be sold as it's gotten too old to work. A cruel decision, but after all, he lets the boy decide who to sell it to. And all the boy cares for is not money, but a nice home for his best friend. Unfortunately, he keep running into people who have nothing good in mind for Small One. Very enjoyable little movie. The animation is really old-fashioned for 1978 even and the director is Don Bluth, maybe my favorite work from him. The legendary Hal Smith has a brief cameo in this Disney holiday special as well. Really good watch and I highly recommend to check this one out for Christmas 2015 if you haven't seen it already. By the way, donkeys are the best anyway.

it's a Christmas story!!! It's a story that is being told not blatant propaganda. No mention of who the stranger who buys Small One is. It's alluded to but never stated. Christmas movies have this strange tendency to be about, of all things, Christmas.It's a sweet story about a boy and his love for an animal that is no longer of use to the family. He's trying desperately to find a home for this donkey he loves so very much. In the end the Donkey finds that he has his most important job ahead of him.This is a childhood favorite along with the story of Nestor (another donkey related children's Christmas flick).Basically, if you like Christmas and the stories surrounding it, you'll love the story. If you don't believe in Christmas, it's not for you.

Every Christmas I watch this film with tears streaming. It's a beautiful story about true friendship and the small donkey chosen to carry Mary to Bethlehem. It has light comedy, danger and pathos by turns. The title song "Small One" and the boy's song "Friendly Face" are sweet and memorable. The Merchants' song is fun. It is a Christmas tale that everyone will love and is timeless. A masterpiece from Bluth. 10/10