From Dirt to Shirt to Dirt

Cotton LEADS approached us to come up with an engaging, music-driven video highlighting cotton’s ability to return to the earth at end-of-life, unlike synthetic fabrics. While my script and edit didn’t make the final cut, they did heavily inspire the finished product.

The Honorable Bean Knight

Bush’s Beans approached us to tell their sustainability story. As a humble, still family-owned company that isn’t beholden to shareholders, I wanted to show that they are doing the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. I wanted to show that chivalry wasn’t dead.

“Ok, ok, one story” Jay says as he sits down in bed. He picks up a book titled “For Goodness’ Sake.” He smiles and says, “This is one of my favorites.”
“Once upon a time, in a bean field not far from here…” 

The camera pulls into the book and it becomes animated.

“There was a bean knight that was driven by good above all else. But before he was known throughout the land there was a fateful encounter that played a hand. 

One sunny morning while venturing through the countryside, a sight to behold did the honorable bean knight come across. A spirit, clad in moss as green as you had ever seen and accompanied by every songbird within view — red, white, black, and blue. It radiated with the light of the sun and spoke with a voice as vibrant as a thousand of them. 

“Honorable Bean Knight, I believe you are destined for good that reaches far beyond the edge of the furthest wood. Three challenges I set before you. If complete them you do, a great reward awaits you.

First, you must give back more, using less. Next, you must show that every person and community deserves respect. And last you must always deliver your best even when times are toughest.”

Driven by good above all else, the challenges the bean knight took upon himself. And it was not long after, the first challenge the bean knight did encounter.

A town in dire need. Not a drop from the spout. The water had run out. But in the distance was a stream the knight saw without a doubt. He found the local smith, removed his armor, and instructions he gave. 

“This steel armor has delivered my protection for years, now let it deliver water and quench your fears. Keep your field wet but the amount will be set. Only what is needed and no more. Now you will use less and grow more.”

As the sun was setting on a town full of song, the knight heard, “Three challenges were set, the first has been met.”

As he continued to travel the land and offer his helping hand, the knight noticed that no matter where people came from, no matter the social status they did claim, everyone needed help all the same. From town to town, he would lead by example, helping all that asked. No payment was necessary from those he helped only a task. 

“A family is a family, a person a person, the same whether royalty or farmer, the same no matter the skin color or gender. Respect every person because just like you needed help today, one day they might return the favor.”

Then one evening as the sun was setting the bean knight heard once again, “Three challenges were set two have been met.”

As the knight spread goodness wherever he went, the third challenge remained unmet and he began to fret. He was already doing good but how could he give his best? Without an idea of what else to do, the honorable bean knight went forth on his quest.

He took on new challenges and learned to do more with less until every day became his toughest. A family in need of a meal woke the next morning with a flourishing field. The natural resources he had come to expect he only used his needs had been met. A merchant’s horse was in need of a shoe, so his sword he melted down too. Not for reward but because it was the right thing to do. Only until it was a year to the day in a moment of inspiration he came to say ”Best is a never-ending quest. No matter the good I have done, I could always do better.”

And with this realization, the spirit appeared before him once again.

“Honorable Bean Knight, my challenge you have met and now I offer you your reward”

“Oh spirit, a reward I do not seek, my best is yet to be given. My reward is a land that flourishes, people that respect and help each other, and a world full of goodness.”

And so the Bean Knight continued to travel the land and offer his helping hand. Any call for help he would heed. Purely to spread goodness. For Goodness’ Sake.

Jay closes the book and looks down at a snoring Duke in bed.

He laughs to himself and says, “For Goodness’ Sake.”