The animated 'Unfairy Tales' about Syrian refugee children

 By 
Christopher Miller
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

These are not your typical bedtime stories.

In fact, they are "Unfairy Tales" -- a new animated series created by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), meant to highlight the plight of the Syrian refugee crisis' youngest victims.

The first story, "Malak and the Boat: A Journey from Syria," follows 7-year-old Malak as she narrates her way through the choppy Mediterranean after fleeing from war-torn Syria to Europe in search of a better life.

"It felt like me and my mother might drown. That the boat might go down," she says as violent waves and the tentacles of an octopus swirl around her crowded vessel.

As the sea calms, we see Malak contemplating what she left behind. "I had a lot of friends. Now there is no one left," she says.

UNICEF says it will release a second film, "Ivine and Pillow," in March. The "Unfairy Tales" series is part of the humanitarian group's #NoLostGeneration campaign to mark the 5-year anniversary of Syria's civil war.

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!