Note: This thread documents archived material from a user blog. The title, content, and some comments of this thread were copied over from a user blog as part of a community archiving project. Some of its content may be outdated. **ORIGINALLY POSTED JUNE 16, 2013** With today being Father's Day, I thought it would be appropriate to have a father theme today. And how better to do that than with one more character spotlight on another important character to the franchise? :) Presenting our featured character for the day: the loveable noodle shop owner, Mr. Ping! For today's discussion activity, we'll of course have another open discussion for Mr. Ping; share whatever you want about him. But for a specific focus, feel free to share your opinion on one or both of these: - What qualities does Mr. Ping possess and bring to the franchise's story? Or better yet (as a reflection of our previous heroes and villains theme), what makes Mr. Ping a hero? Mr. Ping certainly has done a lot for Po since finding him outside the shop, but what exactly does Mr. Ping do as a father that makes him heroic and important to the franchise's story? On that same note... - What significance does the father role have in the franchise's story arc? If no one's noticed before, there have been lots of father characters in the franchise thus far (Shifu, Shifu's father, Po's biological father, Shen's father, Viper's father, Taotie, Han Sr., the occasional villager with his child, etc.) Clearly there's an ongoing theme in the franchise. But for what purpose? What does a father do that's so important to storytelling? Same drill as always: Feel free to share lists, example scenes, personal experiences, or whatever else. And remember to have fun! :)