Pocahontas then hears the wind and, after climbing up Grandmother Willow's branches, sees "strange clouds" (which happen to be the sails of the Susan Constant, a ship belonging to the English settlers). Veteran Disney story artist Joe Grant would develop the character further as a grandmother figure for Pocahontas, inspired by an early story sketch of an old tree stump telling the story of Pocahontas 300 years later.

That night, Grandmother Willow listens as Pocahontas and John relate to each other that their respective communities are planning to go to war. Smith is rather frightened at first but quickly warms up to Grandmother Willow after she compliments him, saying that he has a good soul and is handsome. A 'group gift' for Grandparents Day is to have each grandchild select a child figure that represents him or herself and position it with a grandparent figure. The idea of a nature spirit guide for Pocahontas was first developed with a male character in mind, named "Old Man River". When Pocahontas asks what her path is, Grandmother Willow advises Pocahontas to listen and allow the spirits of the earth to guide her.

A wonderful way to welcome babies to the family is to celebrate the special “titles” that are created when new baby arrives! DEMDACO 5000 W 134th Street Leawood, KS 66209 | © Susan Lordi 2000-2023, © DEMDACO 2000-2023 (photographs and illustrations). These pieces can be grouped together with one of several grandparent pieces such as Grandmother, Grandfather, With my Grandmother, Generations or Anniversary to depict the larger family relationship. The character was reimagined as a tree of life figure whose foliage would mark a seasonal change in the story. I’ve always been interested in oral history and the passing down of stories from one generation to the next.

Grandmother Willow doesn't appear for the rest of the film but is referenced near the end when Pocahontas brings the injured John medicine made from Grandmother Willow's bark, which is supposed to help with his pains. When actor Gregory Peck was brought in to play the character, he declined and suggested that Pocahontas's spirit guide be a maternal figure instead. She lives a remarkably long lifespan for a willow tree, as she ages more like an oak tree than a willow. She serves mostly as a spiritual adviser and it is implied that she served a similar role to Pocahontas's now-deceased mother some years before. After he leaves, Pocahontas worries whether or not she is doing the right thing by meeting him again.Parades: Disney's Magical Moment s Parade • Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade• Disney Harmony in Color!

Pocahontas visits Grandmother Willow and tells her of her concerns about crossing the ocean and attempting to stop the potential war between her people and the settlers. First, she appears in " Jiminy Cricket", when Jiminy Cricket mentions that the audience should "respect [their] elders". Later, when Pocahontas is in London, Pocahontas sees the trees and sings that Grandmother Willow would just love them. Jeffrey Katzenberg initially objected to the character, but added humor in the form of various tree puns ended up winning him over.Grandmother Willow tells Pocahontas to "listen to the spirit within," but when Pocahontas tries it, it doesn't work because the forest animals make too much noise.