She became one of THEM

[@gabydr3848]

4:19 MR BEAN BOTTOM LEFT!!!

[@gabydr3848]

OMG YAYAYAY

[@floof3176]

BRUH HOW

[@MrBallen]

Well done!!!!!

[@joshuamorgan1878]

@@floof3176 lol

[@gabydr3848]

@@floof3176 IDEK

[@MrBallen]

I realize this is a deviation from normal dark content... But I just couldn’t help it, the crow story was so cool I had to build an episode around it!

[@urrealdadlolololol4204]

Were here for anything you post😂

[@debbielove5993]

It really is awesome and so are the others! You are a natural story teller that makes everything good to listen to! I wish teachers could make education this interesting!

[@Katherine77129]

And we are glad you did!

[@TheQuintanaRoo]

I first heard about gabby and the crows when I was hospitalized and it was the first thing that made me smile in months. It’s absolutely worth a whole video devoted to it. Thank you

[@jobanks276]

Where did you find the sheep story from new Zealand . Big dude from Australia . Love you and your stories. Sorry, just has to rectify this one. It was lucky to be able to live . cheers to all

[@iwritejennsnottragedies8842]

The crow story was literally the best story I have ever heard and 100% made my entire day brighter

[@mathildetanghe865]

Sameeee so cute

[@emmapeppas4646]

ikkkkk and they washed the lens capp 😭

[@lucyhouse]

Same 😁

[@dianthis]

I knew there was a reason I liked crows. Always have been drawn to them. Now and even better reason. Awesome!

[@grmpEqweer]

Okay, I have to try and feed my neighborhood crows now.

[@JonTheGiantChicken]

This man tells the scariest, strangest stories and he managed to make me smile over a story about crows. Well done, Mr. Ballen.

[@MrArun9706]

Best one man

[@MrCharz981]

Seriously😂😂

[@thinlineofsanity1035]

I know! Me too! He truly does have a gift for storytelling!!

[@anthonyleaguepro1227]

What a great story. Odin is pleased

[@Drachenkonig2]

The Murder stories are the best. (Yeah, Crow pun!)

[@CharliStar]

Crows are awesome… The fact one was following her close enough to realise she had dropped something, then completely forgot about it, had enough care towards their human friend that they would return the lost item to them - having cleaned it first!!! What a beautiful moment of compassion between species 🥰

[@KarlSnarks]

I think the most interesting is that crows can somehow "describe" humans to other crows, so crows who've never seen that person might still recognize them.

[@valenciaparchment8212]

They what​

[@CharliStar]

@@KarlSnarks they can - they will also remember if someone repetitively does something horrible to them/a friend - they tell their friends/children and they can target the same person for generations. Animals are far more sentient than most people realise.

[@KyrieChii]

@@CharliStar_"Animals are far more sentient than most people realise."_ Human beings are amazing creatures, but our arrogance often gets the better of us, especially where intelligence is concerned.

[@CharliStar]

@@KyrieChii they are more sentient than most people realise…. What is your point..!?

[@XenixEffect]

The absolute best thing about the crow story is those crows will continue to tell the generations after about the kindness that family has shown them.

[@nameofthename]

and if gabby has kids she'll probably bring them around the crows and the crows might treat them as friends. and if that kid has kids and does the same thing and their kids do the same thing and so forth, then this human/crow friendship will last for centuries. it's amazing to think about.

[@meganbrady280]

They're one of my favorite animals

[@Zezam_]

@@nameofthename yes and eventually the humans will forget about the crows, they wont know how to get food any other way anymore so they starve :(

[@IzKidJ]

who knows, maybe eventually we'll have a good relationship with crows 🤷‍♀️

[@CC-bu2gv]

One day they'll find something really valuable, and give it to the family, like a bitcoin or something.

[@meggreen4058]

I’m absolutely convinced those crows have the other half of that pendant that says friend, this story is just that wholesome.

[@debbielove5993]

My favorite story too.💖😍

[@natashapichardo5794]

Made me tear up love it

[@ariesmoonasmr4457]

I’m absolutely convinced at least one of those crows is being mechanically controlled by the nerd boy across the street that has a crush on her... what’s his name again? Jo..jus.. OH Jimmy Neutron!

[@JF-cn3cz]

Birds aren't real

[@jillrouton4097]

Just woke up and saw this! Good morning to me!!! Lol

[@Alice_Skye]

Okay, but legit can we all agree the mom is so sweet and a really great mother? Like, not getting angry and instead just goes 'We'll just buy them their own food and feed them'. Seriously, I've seen parents that would get angry at their kids if they tried that, saying it's a waste of food but her mom was so kind about it and her daughter learned a valuable lesson about being kind to all species. Amazing parenting; she's a good mother, I have high respect for her.

[@intimidate4339]

Totally agree, but to add the kid probably got her love of nature and birds from her mom. If the moms a photographer she definitely enjoys nature and wildlife. Super cool story for sure.

[@TomboyfrmSaturn]

Yeah my parents dont let me feed birds 😢

[@gabrielafreeman94]

Mom of the decade for sure. 🥰

[@intimidate4339]

@@TomboyfrmSaturn just feed the birds, and then train them to attack your parents. Edit: spelling

[@deserthoney]

Totally agree 👍 👏 👌 🙌 💯

[@80krox]

The way you ended with “because that’s what best friends do” restored the lack of serotonin in my brain. 😊 I absolutely love how your true personality and humor shines through in your videos while you still deliver content in the most captivating way. So thankful that you do what you do and share it with the world. ❤

[@scottbridges8734]

11

[@tristasayers1516]

Omg I died at that part 😭❤ so sweet

[@kaykatt]

Omg that park legit made me smile so much! 😂

[@Hoogleman]

It's honestly adorable that if you're nice to crows they'll be going about their day they'll see something shiny and think about you. I barely even have people in my life like that. Lol

[@gloriasheppard7747]

Isn't that the truth! So heartwarming!

[@thinlineofsanity1035]

😥 I know! I feel the same!😥

[@aliciam9703]

Truth!

[@tanyawest2017]

That’s an awesome way to get to the heart of the story. Now I’m gonna think about you when I see shiny stuff.

[@Prohib]

The crows in my yard take apples to the top of the barn and watch them roll down for entertainment I guess

[@rehtaeh77]

“Because that’s what best friends do” absolutely love these stories ❤️

[@viper7s]

Best line of that story

[@toxxicx]

i'm gonna cry

[@terriaki1273]

❤

[@glen7228]

My grandma found a crow with a hurt foot on her screened in porch, she let it stay there and gave it food and water while it recovered, it was always bringing her stuff. It would leave and stay gone for a week or so at a time, but it always came back and it always brought her gifts when it did. This went on for the rest of my grandma's life, when she died, the crow quit coming back to the porch, but we saw it around her house for years.

[@cuculain78]

What a cool story! Thanks for sharing.

[@privateprivate5302]

I would love for Mr Ballen to tell your grandma's story

[@mathildetanghe865]

They are such cuties

[@caet_lynn2203]

I love this, such a good little story makes me happy

[@HoV326]

Imagine if the crow showed up at the funeral. That would honestly be pretty cool

[@andyblendermann]

The crows getting emotionally attached to that family warmed my stone cold heart. I'd absolutely love more animal stories! 🖤

[@elizabethpeters3153]

Sadly the true end of the story isn't great. The amount of crows she was feeding started causing problems in the neighborhood attracting vermin and all the crow feces started covering the neighbors houses. The neighbors started filing complaints with the city.

[@bladeofbattousai]

I loved the crow story. I had a crow friend when I was a kid. We would exchange shiny things. He would follow me when I rose my horse, doing loop de loops and flying upside down. One day my little sister and I went to walk in the woods, and the crow landed on a bush in front of us and started screaming and flapping his wings aggressively. We couldn't understand why he was mad at us. More and more crows flew down and started screaming at us and we finally just ran away. We went back some time later, and on a tree just past where the crows had stopped us were huge claw marks. They were fresh and oozing tree sap. There were a couple big catlike footprints in the soft mud by the tree. We got our dad to come look and he confirmed it was from a cougar. The crows stopped us from walking right up to it!

[@LizzyGiggles]

That’s really amazing, crows are incredible.

[@cuppycakey5013]

Wow!! Amazing!

[@luciparadise6781]

😳 Glad ya'll were saved. 🥰

[@BabvBlues]

Cute story!!

[@mgmixolot5192]

Animals of God

[@Brandend123]

Not gonna lie, the crow story hit me right in the feels...

[@HeLLenaMine]

Same! Dammit I almost cried 😂

[@stevenburchill3447]

"In the feels"?,love it.

[@bakedfordays2416]

Same

[@mazie7952]

Me too!!💖

[@kevincantrell2421]

👊😭🤟💯

[@LuckyBadger]

I had a friend who lived in Seattle, and she did crow rehabilitation and fostering. When she passed away, the crows all came to her windowsill and mourned for weeks. They still come back every now and then, just in case she might come back. 😭

[@dauntlessasmr7910]

OMG! I know this was 2 years ago. But please bring back these types of wholesome videos.

[@syncopatedglory]

ikr where is the whole side channel of wholesome, light, and uplifting content told in story format

[@tashashoemake9501]

I'm a fan of the wholesome, light, and uplifting delivered in story format as well :).

[@BeccaM24]

I love crows. When I was about 12, I was walking with my mom in a storm where we found a baby Crow with no mom around. After trying to release him several times with him having panic attacks, we end up keeping Charlie. I had him until I was in my 30's. He was amazingly sweet, feisty, playful and incredibly intelligent. He's been gone for years, but I still miss him every day.

[@urlocallesbiansuccubus]

This made me tear up, so precious r.i.p. Charlie

[@BeccaM24]

@@urlocallesbiansuccubus Thank you!! 🙂

[@BeccaM24]

@Shelbi Patterson Thank you!! 🙂

[@sonyachurch9482]

My mom and I saved an injured crow one day and took him in to help him heal. When he got better he didn't want to leave us, but we took him to a bird sanctuary where he'd be safe. He was a good bird.

[@katet4554]

That’s awesome!

[@Musabe009]

My mom use to feed these two crows ( most likely a boy and girl mates) she would talk to them on the porch day after day. She eventually taught them to say hello or they mimicked her. This went on for years. After she passed, my mom left me her home. I would get gifts left on the front porch. I didn’t feed the crows like she did but the new neighbors had a little son. He would feed them. The child told his parents that the crows would say hello to him. Lols I never told them that my mom taught them that. I wanted them to think it was a magical happening ☺️

[@curiouscuriouser2670]

What a lovely thing for you to do. 🙂👋🇦🇺💕

[@hleebeg]

Babe, something magical was happening, thanks to your mum ❤ thanks for sharing such a lovely story x

[@moo-kun]

That's so beautiful 🙏💕💕💕

[@Tamarasellison]

That melted my heart. 😥🥰❤😌

[@NavedKool352]

Wow...thats beyond cool

[@SamJ_1980]

Just imagine Gabby being in her 20s, moving to the city, walking home one night and being approached by a mugger or some other evil doer. Then just before she gets attacked, 20 crows come out of nowhere and rip the bastard to pieces. What an awesome story!

[@SimpleAntLegion]

Would that would fall under the category of "happy dark?" 🤔🤔🤔🤯

[@cavscout239]

Holy shit, she's a super hero and we're watching her backstory!

[@benconnelly5246]

She's like the real life Itachi Uchiha

[@tirsden]

I was actually expecting something like that as the ending to this story.

[@skyycurrency]

this had me rolling, hilarious!! lolololol

[@nikkiewhannell5377]

I love the crow story, when my children were little, my son & me went out for a walk & spotted a baby crow sat in the middle of the road, we kept putting it back on the path but the little crow kept going back onto the road, my son who was about 7 at the time begged me to pick him up & we took him home, we had tinky bird for about 4 months he came when we called him & he used to sit on the back of my dining room chair & give us all kisses. My son entered a fancy dress competition & went as a scarecrow with a broom handle pushed threw the arms of an old shirt & Tinky bird sat quite happily on his shoulder, eventually we gave him to the local petting zoo & they then re-released him back into the wild, so everytime I see a crow I say hello Mr Tinky bird xx

[@danamaze]

I'm not even mad to take a break from the strange, dark and mysterious to look at something sweet, wholesome and fascinating.

[@kalvin9479]

Well said! But that like button isn’t safe...

[@danamaze]

@@kalvin9479 Never!

[@yesman4004]

@@kalvin9479 nobody is save

[@carolenicklin6460]

Relief at last for uplifting stories! 😀

[@danamaze]

@Jacob Blankenship uhhh wut

[@catbrown8191]

“...because that’s what best friends do.” What a heart-swelling story.

[@christopherharmon8920]

John I have been depressed over my Dad dying and my son being so far away. I love this crossover story. You truly made a sad man smile today.

[@curiouscuriouser2670]

💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@YungB440]

I’m sorry to hear that man, hope everything gets better soon 🙏🏻

[@kandycepeterson9441]

My mom just died, so ditto. 😥😎😀

[@lordphatquaad8133]

Sorry to hear that bro, we’re all here in case you need anything, I’m sorry for ur loss

[@smittysmeee]

virtual hug from a stranger 🤗

[@raehunter7504]

As someone who has been in New Zealand for 16 years and mostly grew up here, I can confirm that Shrek is indeed ~still~ a national treasure. We miss him dearly and he still gets mentioned semi-regularly in our pop culture and media. He lived a very glamorous life after being found. As MrBallen said, he met the then-Prime Minister Helen Clarke, but also became the subject of several children's books, and regularly appeared on TV and at charity events. Not only that, but he also had a brilliant and shining personality - he loved children and was great with the elderly! I remember that when he died, it made national news, obviously. He had to be put down due to age-related illnesses at the ripe old age of 16!! There was a memorial service for him at a church in Tekapo, and there's a bronze statue of him in a Shrek-themed park in Tarras, Central Otago on the South Island. There are actually two statues of him now; the sculptor who made the first simply couldn't get enough of his muse. Rest in Peace Shrek, you were, and still are, an icon and a national treasure. We miss you.

[@hjkayel9610]

Thank you for this share - I love the Shrek story & the picture when he was found - that was a really CHONKY sheep!

[@LeadwithGrace]

The crow story hit me right in the soft spot☺️ I think we should all say a big fat “thank you” for Mr Ballen coming into our lives to both leave us sleepless in the middle of the night and so gracefully and effortlessly putting a smile on our faces. 💫

[@trajano777]

agreed!

[@Lutherians]

Same in this year really think we needed this

[@LeatherCladVegan]

John, can you do more happy stories about animals? I'm sure it's not just me who needs a lift from time to time.

[@jacquelineclare2373]

I like the vegan but not the leather

[@LeatherCladVegan]

@@jacquelineclare2373 I don't care.

[@jacquelineclare2373]

@@LeatherCladVegan nor do I

[@kingexplosionmurderfuckoff9376]

@@jacquelineclare2373 Vegan leather exists. Chance are that's what OP I'd reffering to.

[@alexia3552]

Same, I loved this

[@saf4433]

Dang, that sheep had a more exciting life than me. Living on a comfortable farm, then spending years surviving in the woods, then travelling the entire country and being famous.

[@sonnyroot748]

well dam,, lol,, when you put it like that I actually feel jealous of the sheep!

[@Amar1338]

@@sonnyroot748 🤣 me too

[@Barbro247]

Behold the flesh

[@anakelly76512]

For real.

[@MK-ib4dp]

Lived in a cave

[@jenjonnybravo]

I've watched hundreds of your episodes and this has got to be my favorite one! Thanks for making my Saturday brighter! 💙💙

[@emmalee2596]

Just wait till Gabby gets older and somebody breaks her heart. It’s not gonna be her dad or brother that shows up to beat them up, it’s gonna be a murder of crows 😂

[@nabbichilcott9541]

I was actually thinking heaven help anyone who tries and hurt her lol

[@withmothernature]

😂😂😂😂

[@afout07]

Imagine being a purse snatcher and grabbing this girls purse and then having an entire murder of crows descend upon you

[@theswordofaces1222]

Emma-Maybe THAT'S why it's called a "murder..!..."

[@Zoroaster4]

That could be a horror movie.

[@rachelmazza4079]

So, what I’ve gathered is that if I’m nice to a crow, they will tell their friends I’m cool and they will hang out with me. I love this.

[@richardtaylor6341]

I think this is going to be my new make friends strategy. Seems more likely to work than pretending to be rich to gain human friends...

[@allauraelliott5615]

I have always loved crows I believe they are the eyes of our ancestors watching over us. I have allways treated them with respect

[@hurricanekitty6736]

This is awesome bc I lose shit all the time lol

[@bputty9322]

Hopefully the crow with find someone’s money for me

[@Gaybraham.Lincoln]

My wife's mother was an old crow

[@TenThumbsProductions]

2:47 - Shrek is literally smiling on TV like *hair cut got me looking good*

[@jesvinmathew5103]

😂😂😂

[@titansuniverse3283]

Bout a get all da honeys 😂😂😂

[@leonieromanes7265]

Where are the ewes at?

[@colinmethot8363]

where what tv

[@piger0821]

😂

[@Ooh_PieceOfCandy]

I just have to say, I love stories like this. Strange, dark and mysterious are by far my favorite, but these ones are a nice change of pace and I hope you do more of them ❤

[@jamieyoho2310]

My dad passed away today. We have been listening to your stories. I needed an uplifting one today thank you

[@normacook8325]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Jamie.

[@dks80721]

Sorry for your loss

[@snidelime1216]

Dang that sucks man

[@brianlagasse3561]

Jamie, So sorry for your loss.

[@bean7261]

jamie takin that fat L

[@HiTeRZo387]

You should create a new "happy" or "wholesome" playlist for these kind of stories !!

[@heikep4906]

That would be great

[@PrincessBast]

It’d be a good offset to the “strange, dark and mysterious”. “If you like happy, wholesome and heartwarming stories, you’ve come to the right playlist. If that’s of interest to you, I’d suggest you bake the like button’s favorite cookies before drawing them a nice, warm bubble bath.”

[@marceau425]

@@PrincessBast That’s absolutely awesome!!!

[@jamiestanway4530]

Yes

[@supergoober3]

YES!!!

[@megandelynn6114]

These we're amazing stories, especially the one about the murder of crows! My late fiance had the lead female crow develop a bond with him, & she'd come every afternoon to talk too him on the porch & get treats. When I moved there it took her awhile to decide I was a friend-i honestly think she was a little jealous! She somehow knew when he passed, & after the whole murder came to the front yard to pay their respects, we never saw them again. Crows are amazing!

[@juliannahales6444]

I'm sorry about his passing ... condolences

[@ayosiku2]

Wow

[@juliewolfe]

More wholesome stories, please!! This just made my day!

[@RnR.777-m8y]

Same 😊

[@pranitkhandagle4568]

The tortoise story wins my heart. The little boy missed his precious friend for 30 years and he was finally able to meet her. He was able to be a kid once again with her. I can't imagine the joy on his face 😭 😍

[@michaeldoran4367]

PEENUS FLAVORED SPORTS DRINK. LOGAN PAUL COMES OUT WITH A PEENUS FLAVORED DRINK AND SELLS TO HOMOSEXUALS! MASSIVE VEINY KOK ON THE LABEL. ONLY INGREDIENTS ARE PEENUS SWEAT AND GROUND PUBES!

[@psychedelicelle]

Absolutely ❤(:

[@TheeKittyPie]

I imagined he saw her and yelled out “MANUELLA?!?!?”

[@cesarehipthenhopthenhip8377]

30 years I'll be apologizing every second 😂

[@the_odd_raccjr895]

That crow story is so wholesome

[@MariaSanchez-rr1iw]

I know! So neat

[@KatelynMrsBamaIngle]

They are so smart and intelligent that was beautiful story I enjoyed them all. That sweet tortoise 🐢 too.

[@MarshalSmith1]

Crows understand water displacement! Most adults don't even know what that is!! Crows will also mock you sometimes if you're trying to "caw" to them. Kinda freaky

[@bgva4349]

@@MarshalSmith1 I would like to think the majority of adults know what water displacement is...well I hope anyways...lol but yea crows are amazing creatures man...i didn't kno they would mock u tho...i did see a story where these college kids did research and taunted crows with mask on and even once released the crows would recognize them on campus without the mask on and attack...

[@RaraZeCat]

@@bgva4349 I know crows can remember faces, but behaviour and other physical characteristics... jesus.

[@lill_bro_drew953]

Best horror channel on KZbin because he doesn’t talk in a spooky tone, just tells the story straight and it’s far better

[@izzojoseph2]

And runs full speed to the end. I’m always like, “Wait. That’s the end?”

[@XboxIsSoft]

Fax.

[@lilwalgreenscoldandflu6968]

Idk how it just hits way better

[@johnmn3500]

That Chapter is really really good too

[@IratePuffin]

@@johnmn3500 yep and Mike doesn’t try to speak spookily either.

[@emmettgraves4925]

Yo, stories about reuniting with long lost pets are more effectively therapeutic than any therapy session.

[@elbaecc]

I don't know why the crow story made me tear up. I guess I need more friends like this in my life...you know, the non-transactional, thankful, grateful types.

[@myperfectworlds]

What a whole mood. After many attempts and failures, I finally have one, and she’s amazing 🥰 literally the best.

[@salzard97]

Same! 😢

[@TomboyfrmSaturn]

Yeah, I feel like that too P.s. nice username XD

[@elbaecc]

@@TomboyfrmSaturn Thanks :)

[@scooterpush]

To Croissants & Coffee: Don't we all.

[@BageenaGames]

When I lived in Seattle. I used to park my car everyday and eat my carne asada fries for lunch. This crow would always sit there and watch. So I started throwing him french fries. After a month or so as soon as I would park for lunch. He would fly over and land on my driver's side window and we would have lunch together.

[@amandadonegan2137]

I met a Rook who did that. The Plaza, Limerick Rd Mallow lreland. He would follow my car into the car park and sit on my wing mirror. When l came out of the food place he would be waiting on the roof and fly down and walk back to the car chatting to me....purring type noises....then back up onto my wing mirror and take food from my hand so gently....l miss that bird. I think they poisoned them...(The Local Council)

[@jessicahanley5080]

Awesome!

[@jessicahanley5080]

@@amandadonegan2137 that's awful. I'm sorry to hear that.

[@shanny4306]

@@amandadonegan2137 murder!

[@glkmee22]

That crow story got me teary-eyed. It could be my hormones but I'm not ashamed. It was so touching. I love animal stories like these.

[@dime9316]

I suddenly want a crow pet 😅

[@cassierau2596]

I literally cried and then said man my hormones must be crazy today and then I saw your comment and was like hey, I’m not alone! Lol

[@bakecall]

I cried too!

[@victoryak86]

Not your hormones, just a sign of a good heart. It reminds of one of those stories of the faithful dog who, come hell or high water, Will not abandon their disabled owner. Several of these out there. It’s a little sign of heaven itself.

[@janetgregory99]

I thought it was my hormones too because I'm 8 mo pregnant 😂

[@pleasegivesoup]

I was already immediately impressed that the crow brought back the lens cap - meaning it was following her close enough to notice - but when he said it CLEANED it for her, it blew my mind. I knew they were super, super smart, like learning to use tools type smart, but I don't always think about their ability to be compassionate. Such beautiful, sweet birds. Ravens too.

[@garbagebandit5934]

That last story reminds me of the time I befriended a murder of crows back in high school. It started with me throwing out old bread and fruit out to the birds, and eventually ended up with literally hundreds of birds perched along the treeline. A few times during the summer, I would go out with a watermelon and a baseball bat, put the watermelon on the ground, and smash it open, and every time, I'd hear caws of approval, go back inside, and watch as they took turns pecking at the mess. Good times.

[@ambarvizcarra9656]

Chaotic good 👍🏻

[@cartooncritique6625]

I had a similar experience with a trio of ducks out at the college I used to go to.

[@BostonIce37]

That’s a great story! 🥰

[@AutisticAthena]

@@cartooncritique6625 I have a flock of ducks that I accidentally tamed while I was grieving the death of my daughter. I would go down to the bay where we held her eulogy and feed the ducks and talk about her and cry. Eventually they got so used to me that they started eating out of my hands. Then they started to come up to the beach when they hear my voice. It's been a little over 2 years and they literally climb all over me when I show up. They bite, but it doesn't hurt... but don't let them on your lap if you're in shorts. Their feet have really sharp claws and they're filthy and the cuts get mad infected.

[@katiegriggs9473]

That's fucking awesome

[@mikaylav395]

Who knew that one of the greatest stories of friendship between a human and an animal would start with a chicken nugget lmaooo. Also I found it so sweet to think of how that one crow followed gabbie’s mom to the photoshoot just like following other members of their group, the crows considered gabbie and her mom family, and felt the need to be with them. :)

[@jessicakelly4830]

😂

[@TyloRenn]

For real. If I EVER see crows from now on, I'ma feed em. I love black cats more than anything and spent most my life best friends with at least one at a time for the past 15 years. Now, to complete my life, I need to make best friends with crows as well. I promise I will.

[@leahrebecca2051]

And how he described the crow washing the lens and setting it up, adjusting so it was just right. I hope he was proud cause he did it perfectly 🥲

[@The_Cholo]

I often drive to a sma town nearby for my doctor's appointments. There are always a few black crows that come out the forest and stand on the side of the freeway. It's not a very busy freeway but it's in between a forest. Sometimes I throw food out the car for them.

[@Kepi_Kei]

Does eating a chicken nugget mean the crow is a cannibal?

[@DonGorgen]

There are some more details you could have added about Shrek the sheep. When they found him they could clearly see that he had been attacked several times by predators, but because his wool was so thick it worked like a armor protecting him from the fangs and claws of his attackers.

[@my12spoonswithrose43]

When you say you could clearly see he had been attacked by predators, what do you mean????

[@JootjeJ]

@@my12spoonswithrose43 stories have it that Shrek showed signs of wolf attacks. However, New Zealand doesn't have wolves or any other native mammal apex predictors, so these stories appear to be myths instead.

[@Goabnb94]

@@JootjeJ Kea have been known to attack sheep, but a kea is not a wolf.

[@susanburke3722]

@@JootjeJ maybe it was dogs

[@denagabbitas5127]

Maybe dogs wild ones though or even wild pigs I live on a farm in NZ so there are wild pigs idk 😐😶

[@HealingWithShannaJ]

I absolutely am hooked on the original content, but this made me smile so much. I would love more stories like these mixed in for sure. Thanks Mr. Ballen.

[@RMR1]

That turtle story is one of the most remarkable animal stories I've ever heard. Imagine being stuck in an attic for 30 years, then someone finds you and you're like, "meh, no worries."

[@brandongallo7495]

An frank was in an attic for a while too 😊

[@stanleykelley8191]

@@brandongallo7495 anne*

[@meatofpeach]

Good thing turtles have smol brains.

[@hnry841]

@@meatofpeach :(

[@greenyeti9078]

@@meatofpeach actualky it’s a tortoise and they can be actually quite intelligent

[@shanedelgado666]

My grandmother saved a crow with a broken wing when I was a kid. Once he was fully recovered we let him go. 2 weeks later he started dropping off "gifts" at our home. We only know it was him because we witnessed him do it. He continued to drop off gifts randomly for years. Crows are my favorite animal of all time. They are ridiculously intelligent, and logical. Just absolutely astounding.

[@lulub1433]

Simply amazing! I'm surprised crows are not more well known this phenomenon.

[@magicpyroninja]

I wonder if they would defend you if something were to attack you in your yard

[@shanedelgado666]

@@magicpyroninja that's a really interesting thought. I wonder

[@GeekRaj]

I saved a parrot when I was a kid it couldnt fly, but it flew away after we nursed him back to full health in two weeks. I still miss that parrot.

[@cassiecraft8856]

You can teach them to talk when they are young, but if you release them into the wild the other crows will kill it.

[@mikenew5380]

That crow story is the coolest thing I’ve learned all year

[@jessisblessed6689]

Ditto!!

[@Floridagirl_life]

You should check out Secrets of the Whales. Just came out on disney plus. Same vibe.. a killer whale shares dinner with a diver it's so amazing!

[@jules-marcdavis6843]

I'm now convinced I want to make some crow friends and as I get older I forget where I place things!!, 🤣😂🤣🤣

[@mikenew5380]

@@Floridagirl_life I think it’s so intriguing how some animals display such human-like emotions. I’ll have to check that out. Thanks!

[@mikenew5380]

@@jules-marcdavis6843 😂 if only I could befriend a crow & I’d never have to search for my car keys again

[@1914AD]

I like the happy, positive stories. We need that in these dark, stressful times. I enjoy BOTH types of your stories! Thank you.

[@violetblueberrys]

Am I the only one who got emotional about the crow story? It's just so damn wholesome

[@jessicamartinez9431]

😩😩😭😭😭 It’s a beautiful story.

[@barbaramullins4233]

My heart turned a flip. So very sweet. 🥰

[@jacobscopperfield7660]

No. I wanna get me some crows

[@JsPrittyKitty]

You are not. I am currently plotting to make friends with neighborhood crows.

[@barbaramullins4233]

@@JsPrittyKitty lol, me too. I already feed the birds, even the seasonal hummingbirds. I have a few crows that come to eat the seeds from the ground but I'm gonna change things up just for them 😁

[@katherineheasley6196]

Super wholesome! Mr. Ballen, I'm an ESL teacher, and I recommend your channel to my students. Your English is easy to understand and complex at the same time, and you deliver the stories so well that I think my students won't even notice they're learning while they listen.

[@jamesallen5591]

Great idea!

[@drd6893]

The stories don’t scare the kids?

[@Autz69]

@@drd6893 not all students are children

[@DavidaVeddar]

Mom of son on Autistic spectrum. Listening/ story comprehension is a big issue. He is entering into his teens and he LOVES Mr Ballen’s stories, many are just amazing and have an ending that leaves him to formulate his ideas. I always pick appropriate ones, but the fact it’s not overly simplistic also captures his imagination. This was a BIG hit with my young daughter who loves animals- awesome way to switch it up.

[@jamesallen5591]

@@drd6893 Most ESL students are not kids.

[@Humbco]

"Because that's what best friends do." I'm not crying, you're crying 😭 My husband rescued an injured crow in his teens. Lucy constantly brought him trinkets and would even attack his human girlfriend! Lucy never left his side. It's said that she died of a broken heart when he went to college🥺

[@SyferDerg]

Bro how you gonna make me cry over crows? 😭 Seriosuly loved these stories, thank you

[@cloelivermore]

I’m so happy the last story had that outcome! We’ve been feeding the crows for years, they even come into our garden now and sit on our fence. They aren’t even bothered by our dogs anymore, they know we like them and wouldn’t let our dogs hurt them 😂 I love our little crows ❤️

[@nordicpandi]

I had 5 acres full of cute furry animals like wild rabbits, turkeys, moles, squirrels, etc. I started making friends with the crows and they'd lay on the ground with their wings spread out getting warm in the sunshine....until I saw one of them murder a baby bunny! Don't like them any more. Crows also would tear lambs apart alive, eat their ears, tails, and eyeballs.

[@downbytheriver501]

@@nordicpandi it's just their basic instinct. Do you hate on chickens, turkeys, tigers, bears, and sharks for doing what they do best, too? Gotta appreciate and respect all the critters of the world and the "jobs" they have in it. Except mosquitoes. And wasps. Those bastards.

[@NotoriousLINCOLN]

@@downbytheriver501 Don't forget ticks! They're evil incarnate😖

[@jasonswearingin1009]

Love the crow story. My great uncle had a pet crow that he had rescued due to it having a broken wing. He nursed it back to health and eventually taught it to talk. The amazing thing to me was not only did it speak clearly it also spoke with a country drawl just like my great uncle. I would often fish on his property out of a large 4 acre stock tank and any fish I cleaned I would cut small slices and bring to the crow before I went home. The fun part was anytime after this the crow would go with me when I went fishing at that stock tank. Often I would catch him standing right beside me just like a pet dog. Sadly the crow passed the year I went into the military at age 19. My uncle had the crow since I was 5. Oh the crow loved to annoy my great grandmother that lived next door to my great uncle by stealing cloth pins from her laundry line. She would say I swear that ornery bird of his laughs every time it saw her hanging up laundry.

[@kimclark2135]

Wow, I never realized a crow could be taught to talk. That's wild!

[@jasonswearingin1009]

@@kimclark2135 Not only can they be taught to talk they can learn on their own. Lots of evidence have shown crows having problem solving intellect of an 8 to 10 year old human. Anybody who is a parent can relate to the fact of a determined 3 year old being sneaky and using ingenuity to get something they want. Crows and Ravens both show extreme intelligence which makes me wonder why if they have actually passed humanity on the evolutionary scale and we're just to self involved to realize it.

[@kimclark2135]

@@jasonswearingin1009 thanks for that reply, Jason. I am fascinated. Whoever coined the term "bird brain" was very misinformed. !

[@jasonswearingin1009]

@@kimclark2135 The funny thing is at the age of 41 I can remember as clear as day my great grandmother cussin that crow as she found laundry on the ground a cloths pins gone with a cackling crow on her roof when I was 8. She would give my great uncle (her son) the what for before the sunday family dinner and he would chuckle and say mom you take life to seriously. Them she'd get a broom and bop him on the head until all the laundry was picked up and put in the washing machine. I really miss the days when family drama was just harmless practical jokes and general ornery mischief.

[@peggyhall843]

That's a wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing. 🐱

[@asphalt-cowboy9479]

The crow story was very heartwarming. I knew crows were very smart but I didn't think they were THAT smart.. mommas doin a good job with her little one.

[@hollyshaw-elliemae]

crows have the intelligence of a human 7 year old according to neil degrass tyson!

[@brianagarcia1937]

I really enjoyed these types of stories. More please!

[@arisparrein7476]

Me and my brother found a crow that was hurt when we were little. We took it home and fed it and we could just go walk with the crow on our shoulder without attachment and when it flew away, it always returned to our shoulder

[@villagernumber7882]

Gabby: **drops pieces of food outside** The crows: _A BLESSING FROM THE LORD_

[@glorygloryholeallelujah]

I have that exact same reaction whenever one of my nieces or nephews drop a chicken nugget and aren’t quick enough to retrieve it. 😆

[@bigwhop136]

Apex 😂😂😂😂

[@CLR213]

LOL

[@user-ii9bl6de2j]

GOD BE PRAISED! **English God-Like Music Overhead**

[@nappssnapps2891]

@@glorygloryholeallelujah 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Spookysausage]

that crow story got me misty eyed, we don’t give animals enough credit

[@miguelmagana3691]

Nope we actually put them in small pens torture them their whole lives and then chop them to tiny pieces and eat them. Humans don't give animals enough of anything.

[@stellaheinz1922]

Me too.

[@nikkid7963]

So, I’m not alone that one had me crying too. I love crows!

[@nikkid7963]

@@miguelmagana3691 truth, which is why I don’t eat meat.

[@miguelmagana3691]

@@nikkid7963 good we shouldn't be violating these individuals they are intelligent too

[@van_essa_]

This was one of my favorite videos by you. Thank you!! ❤

[@merrittfallis6544]

When I was growing up one of my neighbors had a pet magpie, a bird somewhat like a small black and white crow. They had rescued it when it was a baby because it fell out of its nest and the mother would not accept it back. It was not caged but it spent most of the time near the house and learned to be very friendly and even affectionate. It even learned to talk - it would mimic people's speech. It had a vocabulary of 25 to 30 words.

[@anthonyduncan5920]

That is awesome to know.

[@BlueberrySnapdragon]

Wow both stories of the magpies is so Intriguing! I never knew they could mimic speech and sounds, learn something new everyday thanks guys 😃

[@jessicagutierrez8606]

That's awesome

[@pinkbombshellcasing2672]

As an Australian, magpies are known for attacking your head (only because people unknowingly walk near their nests) - but I still think they’re cool

[@revanhart]

Magpies are part of the corvid family! So they look somewhat like crows because they’re in the same family! :)

[@urmaker]

I lost a turtle for a few months. Then my neighbor came by and said he found it while mowing his lawn. It took it months to travel about 10 meters (it was an outside turtle).

[@slugqueen73]

Please tell me he didn't find it with the mower 😧

[@lulub1433]

Love your channel!

[@mystacris]

I can just imagine you looking for it frantically, meanwhile it's just getting away as slowly as it can....

[@sriddle3569]

Clever!

[@JGriffin5150]

in a month that turtle would have been long gone.

[@ScatWiIIiams]

That story about the crows literally might be the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard.

[@SandySez]

It's true, there are some excellent documentaries and studies on crows. Mine have brought me pieces of broken toys, etc before.

[@ibrahim_-_-_]

SAME

[@ibrahim_-_-_]

@@SandySez dude nice

[@memayhew]

I really enjoyed these 3 short stories. Thank you so much for sharing them.

[@Laters3]

The last story is truly amazing. Massive respect to this little girl and her mum and the ravens. Respect from a falconer x

[@daveisghost5173]

The crow story made me so happy. I had a raven as a kid. He was rescued by my father before I was born. He was awesome and liked to curse at people.

[@moonqueen2037]

I am in love with the crows’ story. People who have strong relationship with animals are so blessed.

[@violetafermin5952]

OMG, I'm so happy that you shared this with us. It's just wonderful and touching. Once again, thank you, mrballen

[@nataliecaraballo8067]

I feel for the person who messes with them. Imagine gabbys friend pushes her and a murder of crows swoops down for revenge. Awesome.

[@ByeFeliciaxo]

Ha! My thoughts exactly. Any foes would meet their end, Hitchcock style lol

[@deltadesign5697]

Absolutely! I just wrote something similar & then saw your comment 👍

[@bridgethedrur]

I actually thought that was going to be the story about the girl and the crows! Seems like I'd heard of that story about revenging crows beating up some bullies before. Thanks again Mr Ballen for ziggin where I thought you were gonna say!🇺🇸

[@amandaowens8458]

I need to find some crows

[@nicholaswohlgemuth2809]

I have heard of ppl trying to always chase crows off there property, then in return the crows started crapping on their car and their car alone.

[@peregrinec5477]

I once was eating lunch outside on a college campus. I watched a crow find a half eaten discarded sandwich. The bread and the contents (meat and lettuce and cheese) were all scattered about. I watched this crow reassemble the sandwich and then pick it up with it in it's beak and it flew off. Crows are amazing critters.

[@Tswizzle266]

I can confirm, Shrek is still a national hero, years after his death.

[@raymondraptorclaw2901]

RIP 😔

[@KLN111]

10 years ago

[@jaz58107]

He's an absolute f legend 😂

[@Carpatouille]

Does that mean Fiona and Donkey are also dead ? Damn

[@no_peace]

Shrek yeah

[@jamiestanway4530]

That tortoise woke up and was like "I'm going to be immortal today"

[@MsSwitchblade13]

This story got me feeling cuz I have an Aquatic turtle that I rescued and I know she's probably going to be taken care of by my kids since their life span is 30yrs and she's only like 4. :3

[@mainemermaid6596]

@@MsSwitchblade13 Let him free!

[@bridgethedrur]

😂😂😂

[@a_shark_that_dose_stuff6085]

yes

[@CherrrrBear]

Bahaha yep!

[@PrincessBast]

Today’s episode is like from an alternate universe: “If you like happy, wholesome and heartwarming stories told in story format then you’ve come to the right place. If that’s of interest to you, I’d suggest you bake the like button’s favorite cookies before drawing them a nice, warm bubble bath.”

[@gloriasheppard7747]

Cute!!

[@cliffordharris1101]

Haha

[@KittyHannah]

😄🤣

[@chelseamae3012]

I could totally see that 😆

[@patriciaherman9634]

That's right!!! Be nice to the like button.

[@rachelisgreat]

Not gonna lie, I shed a tear when he said “ that’s what best friends do”

[@awf718]

Same 🙂🥺

[@goooobrainy]

I thought it was super cute too❤

[@francescagreetham1804]

Yes! Here come the tears. Why was it so emotional? 🥺

[@bettiesnyder8393]

Me too!

[@siddharthshekhar909]

I got emotional too. Felt pained humans don't understand these sensitive and intelligent creatures. Not just crows. ❤️

[@journey_to_a_million]

Needed these today, mr ballen is always a good way to start the day

[@whereisCarmenSandiego]

Manuela is THE highlight of my week. That just made me so damn happy. She was just living in the closet 🥺 just chilling....for 30 YEARS 😂

[@nbcboy20]

She don’t need no man

[@spiritmatter1553]

Any other type of pet would not have survived that.

[@vaszgul736]

Tortoise: an entire closet? just for me? thank you so much i will live here and guard it dutifully

[@arely294]

Living her best life 😊

[@Teraperf]

“Because that’s what best friends do.” Aw man, I may just be having a manic episode, but that line made me legitimately cry. So goddamn wholesome I can’t stand it.

[@francescatenney2129]

I LOST IT WHEN HE SAID THAT

[@TsdsxSansTSSunStone]

When did he say that?

[@Teraperf]

@@TsdsxSansTSSunStone one of the last lines in the crow story

[@TsdsxSansTSSunStone]

@@Teraperf thanks man

[@SomeCanine]

The crow story is unusually wholesome and heartwarming

[@27manda27]

One of my all time favorite videos! 😊

[@tasaki12]

No one really knew that they were a fan of the strange, dark, and mysterious delivered in story format, until they watched Mr. Ballen's videos.

[@r.i.promance7467]

I did

[@Ridethe9ine]

Pretty sure most people did.

[@sarahk.466]

I can only imagine what those crows would do if someone attempted to harm or abduct Gabby or her mom. It'd be like a seen out of the movie "The Birds".

[@plumberscrack13]

That's where I thought the story was going when he said mom was in the woods snapping pictures.. lol

[@AV-fm5yq]

It would be cool to have a video series called “wholesome Wednesdays” where he covers more positive stories to help balance out the strange, dark, and mysterious delivered in story format

[@beckie8168]

Yes please!

[@vaderrides6305]

I second this

[@jrkin]

I agree 1000%

[@honestdystopia]

Yes, please!!! 🙋‍♀️

[@Spade_XI]

I agree.. The wholesome, uplifting and inspiring delivered in story format.. 😁

[@BobbieBee33]

LOVE this episode! We all need uplifting content sometimes, and surprisingly, this is my favorite episode ever. 😊

[@V.C.88]

Uplifting stories involving animals? Yes please! This is what I needed to make my day.

[@brazeification2]

Crows are extremely smart. That story shows exactly how crows behave it’s awesome.

[@harryporter3531]

I have a short story to fit in with these. My youngest daughter wanted a hermit crab very much so her mother caved in and got her 1. Several months later she was playing with him on her desk. She absent-mindedly walked away and left him unattended. She realized this hours later and looked everywhere for him, she was quite upset since she knew it was her fault. About 6 months later she was cleaning her room when she spotted something moving. Her little crab had been behind her dresser surviving on/in a bag of BBQ potatoe chips and whatever he could scavenge up. Needless to say, she was very happy. The turtle story was crazier but reminded. E of my daughter's little crab.

[@lillyanderson753]

They’re incredible scavengers! I doubt he’s still alive but just in case he is or you plan on getting another hermit crab in the future, they are actually extremely social animals and if you get one you should really get him a friend 😊

[@alyssaandrus1]

I can beat that! My husbands dad found his hermit crab that went missing 20 years earlier in the attic with his old toys. It was still alive! I honestly don't understand how this was possible but I saw it with my own eyes. My husband gave the hermit crab to our 3 year old daughter who unfortunately dropped it and killed it the next day 😭

[@harryporter3531]

@@alyssaandrus1 straight from survivor to victim 😲

[@gaminwithyeboimeld3590]

dont ruin the like count

[@positivepessimist6853]

You're kidding! 🤣🤣🤣

[@amyhines4702]

I loved hearing such unique stories today, when this popped up in my feed!

[@charlotteglover2840]

I love how he says ‘our channel’ ‘our stories’ like we’re all in it together aww x

[@maryrobinson4572]

We are!

[@DeutschKev]

I think he means his wife who helps him...lol

[@shortygirl239]

I thought he meant the ppl and himself that run the channel like the editor n such.

[@nikkimcdonald4562]

I agree. When am I getting a check for watching his videos?

[@bananapee86]

RRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[@ihzero]

That first crow saw her dropping food went an told everyone: "see that's the one that ALWAYS drops food"

[@NigelThornbery]

Crows: oh hey that’s human people stuff, put it in the feeder, she’ll love it.

[@MizzzFizzz]

My kitten jumped on my lap and placed a dried leaf on my keyboard, its now in a little glass box, that leaf is my most prized possession.

[@seanvanglahn4002]

My larger cat, Oreo, leaves a friggin dead bird in front of my bed every single morning and screams at me until I get up and look at it SMH it's so friggin annoying and disgusting but I can't help that I find it amazing and adorable that he leaves me these gifts every single morning I even put a bell on him so he would scare the birds away before getting them but he's just too damn good not to mention he's big enough to beat up squirrels

[@MizzzFizzz]

@@seanvanglahn4002 Haha here is your breakfast human, yeah they move so slowly the bell doesn't ring, only way to feel slightly less guilty is to be strict on a curfew so he cant get them at night at least the birds have a chance during the day lol, im lucky my guys fav food is rabbit and mouse, though he will go for anything that moves luckily its rarely a bird.

[@Instant_connection]

I can never find the secret...

[@seanvanglahn4002]

@@MizzzFizzz haha well at least I could sell a rabbit pelt 😂🤣😂 can't do shit with the birds and I constantly gotta get rid of them all sneaky so my neighbors don't see and get all freaked out SMH

[@jonathonbrown8522]

This was so wholesome and you have to love the smart crows taking care of that family. I also heard of another person who fed the crows, and was elderly. They fell once day and the flock went crazy, just screaming in unison so neighbors came out puzzled and saw the person down and got them help

[@dessieangel1021]

I’m sure after mulling over scary, disturbing stories MrBallen needed a break and sought out some sweet stories instead. I totally understand! Thank you for this!

[@MrBallen]

Yes haha

[@debbielove5993]

Sometimes you just gotta find happy things to focus on and that's a wonderful thing to share too.😍💖

[@luckystar3641]

He's a great storyteller either way

[@ChrundleTGreat]

Crows are one of my absolute favorite animals! Intelligent beyond belief!! They even communicate with each other going as far as “telling” other crows the location of a food source. And their memories are extremely well developed!!

[@malicor.8247]

I used to throw different food out for the crows every morning. One would sit on the fence and tell his brothers in the tree what I put out for the day. If they liked what they heard, they would all flock down to it. If they weren't impressed, only a few would come down and peck around. If they really weren't impressed, they would fly off. The crow on the fence would use a different pitch and frequency depending on what I had put out there. Looking back, I should have taken video of the occurrences. Still, pretty cool experience!

[@jimmymcjimface2607]

Imagine if this was the first MrBallen video you saw, got hooked, and decided to check out the rest of his channel💀💀💀

[@HoustonTexxas]

🤣😆💯 the person would be so damn depressed.

[@janehealey6688]

Haha can you imagine 🤣🤣 what happens to the like button alone would freak them out 🤣

[@amore9003]

Oh....oh no.

[@angelmorningstarr9504]

😄😂

[@arziniowolfert9837]

@@amore9003 Exactaly what I'm thinking 🤣🤣🤣😜😁

[@Serenade2461]

"Because that's what best friends do." Well I went from amazed and delighted to slightly teary right there

[@Yippee420Girl]

Same

[@johanna101186]

Saaaaaamee

[@sarahsweet2411]

Oh for sure!

[@mercytalks8762]

IT'S SO WHOLESOME