The Smurfs Are Back

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It feels like I am travelling back to my childhood. The Smurfs were my favourite animated television series of the 80s, produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions. I am still in love with those little blue creatures who made my days happy after a tough day at school. Their adventure, humour, and cheerful village life always brought joy. Writing this post about them helps to keep them alive somewhere in my heart. The Smurfs have lessons to teach about kindness and innocence. 

A Brief Story of the Smurfs

The Smurfs (Les Schtroumpfs in French) were created by Belgian cartoonist Peyo (real name Pierre Culliford). They first appeared in the Belgian magazine Spirou and, decades later, were adapted into an English-language children's TV series by Hanna-Barbera Productions.

A fun anecdote: While having lunch with colleagues, Peyo forgot the word "salt" and instead said, "Pass me the Schtroumpf." The word eventually became "Smurfs" in English. 

Let me introduce you to the seven or eight main Smurfs characters.

Papa Smurf - The wise leader, 546 years old, dressed in red with a bushy white beard. Gentle, patient, and loving, he guides the village and restores order whenever chaos arises. He embodies godly wisdom and servant leadership.

Brainy Smurf - The village intellectual, who wears thick glasses, loves books, and often lectures others. His arrogance sometimes frustrates other Smurfs, reminding us that wisdom without humility can create tension. (cf.Proverbs 16:18) "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall"

Handy Smurf - Creative and energetic, Handy fixes and invents for the village. He reminds us that God gives talents and skills to benefit the community. (cf.Exodus 31: 1-7). 

And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the Lord has called by name the son of Bezaleel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judea;

And He hath filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;

And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work.

And He hath put in his heart that he may teach both he and Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 

Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work."

Lazy Smurf - Sleeps anywhere, anytime, often thinking first of rest. Even in his idleness, his presence reminds the village of the balance between work and rest, a Biblical principle. (cf.Genesis 2:2-3) "By the seventh day, God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that he had done."

Clumsy Smurf - Accident-prone but soft-hearted, Clumsy shows that weakness does not prevent kindness or joy. (cf.2 Corinthians 12:9) "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Reporter Smurf - The village journalist, always chasing stories. He reflects curiosity and responsibility, but also shows how gossip or misjudgement can create problems - a lesson about the power of words (cf. Proverbs 18:21) "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

Gargamel - Gargamel is the dark, comical figure who constantly seeks to destroy the Smurfs and steal what does not belong to him. Beneath the humour lies a powerful Biblical lesson: unchecked greed, envy, and obsession with power lead to destruction rather than fulfilment. Gargamel reflects the fallen human heart that desires possession over relationship and domination over stewardship (cf. Genesis 3; James 1:14-15). His schemes never bring him peace, reminding us that sin promises satisfaction but always delivers emptiness. 

Azrael - Azrael, Gargamel’s loyal cat, serves as his constant companion and guide. Unlike animals created to live in harmony with humans, Azrael reflects a distorted relationship born of the Fall. He follows his master without discernment, reinforcing destructive intentions rather than resisting them. Azrael reminds us that loyalty without moral direction becomes dangerous, and that influence—when detached from truth and goodness—can amplify evil rather than restrain it (cf. Proverbs 13:20; Romans 1:25).

The Smurf's World

The Smurfs live in a hidden village called the Cursed Land (Le Pays Maudit in French) deep within a dense forest. Their homes are mushroom-shaped, each slightly different in size and in design to suit the individual Smurf. Some houses are in rocky, sparsely wooded areas; others sit beside rivers and grasslands.

The entire story of the Smurfs reflects our fallen world, where fallen people with both qualities and weaknesses are found. The earth is a whole cursed land, as God said to Adam: "Cursed is the ground because of you..." The Smurfs represent a community of people on Earth who have decided, in spite of their flawed character, to work together for a better world. They are not perfect and sometimes mess up by spreading fake news like Reporter Smurf; at other times, they are like Brainy Smurf, who shows arrogance through their intellect but lacks wisdom; and then there are those who, through wisdom like Papa Smurf, share advice to improve life in the community. 

Gargamel and his cat represent the evil forces that continually seek to destroy humanity and its destiny. 

The only difference is that the economy in the hidden village runs on skills and productivity. The Smurfs value people over money.