Hundreds of millions of children and adults have been entranced by the magic that was Jim Henson. He had the most profound influence on children of any entertainer of his time, he adapted the ancient art of puppetry to the most modern of mediums, television, transforming both; he created a TV show that was one of the most popular on earth. But Jim Henson's greatest achievement was broader than any of those. Through his work, he helped sustain the qualities of fancifulness, warmth and consideration that have been so threatened by our coarse, cynical age. He was another of those very special individuals who gave us a reason to smile through some very tough years.