SAFARI SQUAD TREEHOUSE STRUCTURE
Once upon a time there was a magical travelling treehouse that could be found in different parks all over the world. This travelling treehouse only appears when children are in need and, only they have the power to see it and the magical characters that live there.
We have chosen parks as our location for these stories, simply because they provide kids with an opportunity to 'practice' the social skills they will require to successfully interact with others. It is often in these spaces where they learn patience, how to approach new friends and/or wait for their turn to use the swings, the slide, and all the other fun stuff there is to do in the park. Visiting the park can enhance children's social, mental, and physical health.
For the travelling treehouse to magically appear in the park, something special needs to happen. It's like a secret code that needs to be unlocked! Once the code is unlocked, the treehouse will magically appear, and we can explore all the wonders inside! This is an opportunity to unpack the seven (7) deadly sins and what lessons or morals each child can learn. Each of these stories is then assigned to a Safari Squad member, with Themba-The Secretary Bird acting as the narrator.
From the outside, the travelling treehouse looks like a normal treehouse you might see in a park. But, when you step inside, you're in for a big surprise! It looks just like the inside of a spaceship! It even has special workstations for all the members of the Safari Squad, so they can work together and explore all sorts of exciting things!
When a child enters the travelling treehouse, they not only get to meet the Safari Squad and have fun with them, but they also discover something really cool! There are 7 doors to explore, and each one leads to a different world that represents a different lesson to learn. These lessons help kids understand important things, like why we should always tell the truth or why it's important to be kind to others. So, exploring each door is a great way to learn and have fun at the same time!
The Seven (7) deadly sins
1. Pride
2. Anger
3. Lust
4. Laziness
5. Gluttony
6. Envy
7. Greed
Story Arc:
1. Set-Up
2. Inciting Incident
3. Rising Action
4. Climax
5. Falling Action
6. Resolution
Meet the Characters: Safari Squad Members
THEMBA THE SECRETARY BIRD
“Hello everyone!
My name is Themba, and I am a secretary bird.
I'm the leader of the Safari Squad, a team of health heroes who want to help you grow up strong and healthy! We want to make sure you're getting all the vitamins you need to be your best, and we also want to teach you about your amazing body and how it works.
Story 2: Pride
The Set-Up
There were two children sitting in the park studying towards a school spelling BEE competition. One of them, Robert, was walking around the park when the other one, Amahle, was seated on the grass with her head looking down reading a book. Robert was a very good reader and a fast learner. He was very proud. He always reminded Amahle about how fast he could read. He made fun of her as she struggled to spell and remember the meanings of the words she read. Robert was also very boastful. “Hey, my name is not Robert, my name is Robert-The Genius okay.”
Amahle grew tired of his boastful ways as Robert refused to attend practise sessions to help prepare for the competition that was to take place at school. “What’s the point of practising, I am the best reader in class. Practising is for stupid people like Amahle,” he said.
Inciting Incident:
In the faraway distance, they notice a light. Robert is puzzled and taken aback by what is happening. Amahle stands up from the grass and looks towards the direction of the light. They both move closer to the magical treehouse after hearing children’s voices. The door suddenly opens. Themba-The Secretary Bird waves at them. They look at each other and start climbing up the tree. When they get to the top of the tree, Themba-The Secretary Bird welcomes them inside.
Namkelekile (Welcome) shouts Themba-The Secretary Bird.
“What’s going on here?” asks Robert.
“We are in a spaceship” utters Amahle.
“Are we being kidnapped?” asks Robert.
“No not at all, you are all safe in here,” Themba reassures them. “I would like to introduce you to my team of Safari Squad members.
Meet Characters: Safari Squad Member
BONOLO THE BUFFALO
Dumelang everyone!
My name is Bonolo, and I am a buffalo.
My superhero power is a yummy gummy that helps your digestive system, and I'll teach you all about it!
My gummy makes sure your tummy is protected, and that it can get all the nutrients out of the food you eat.
PROTECT LIKE A BUFFALO
Amahle is excited to meet Bonolo when Robert is reluctant to greet her.
“Hello Robert, you really don’t need to be scared. I am harmless. I just want to be your friend,” says Bonolo.
“Okay then, hello Bonolo and I am pleased to meet you,” says Robert.
Today I want to take you on an adventure and tell you why it is dangerous to be arrogant, boastful, and too proud.
“But my mommy said that I should be very proud of my achievements,” shouts Robert.
“Yes, that’s true, but it shouldn’t make others feel sad,” answered Bonolo.
The door with the name pride written on it starts ringing when Bonolo opens it.
“Come let’s go inside guys,” Bonolo says.
Rising Action:
Robert and Amahle start looking around the room when Bonolo switches on the screen to show them a reflection of the outside world.
“Will the people be able to hear us?” Robert asks.
“No, they will not.” Bonolo answers.
Here is a man who had travelled to many different cities. On returning to his home, he boasted about his adventures and the heroic achievements he had performed. One day, while narrating his experiences to some bystander he said, “When I was on top of Mount Kilimanjaro, I helped my friend reach the top of the mountain by pulling him up with just one hand. “No one else could do it but me,” said the man in a boastful way. He even wanted the man he helped to be called as a witness. One person who had been listening to the man said that there was no need of witnesses. He asked the man to imagine he was on top of Mount Kilimanjaro again and perform the same achievement again. At this, the man was taken aback as he had not expected this response. He was trying to impress everyone and had not thought that anyone would challenge him. He quietly left the place and was never seen or heard boasting ever again.
Also on this side, we have a young girl who was so beautiful and was offensively impolite with everyone in her neighbourhood. Despite her rudeness everyone wanted to be her. She would make fun of this one girl who she called ugly. On this day, she and this girl who has become her friend were walking down the street and an angry dog approached them. She shouted: “Bite my ugly friend and not me!” she screamed. She started running in a different direction when the dog barked chasing after her. Just as the dog was about to jump on her back, the friend whistled, and the dog stopped and ran back to where it came from. While the friend was now playing with the dog, she apologized for calling her ugly and they started walking together again.
“So, the ugly girl saved the beautiful girl?” asked Robert.
“No child is ugly Robert, we are all beautiful in our unique ways,” answered Bonolo.
“So does that mean there is no stupid person?” asked Robert.
“Just because you are able to read and spell words faster than others, that doesn’t mean they are stupid,” answered Bonolo.
“Oh okay, now I get it,” said Robert.
Climax
Robert moves closer to where Amahle was standing to go and apologise. “I am so sorry for calling you stupid, Amahle.”
“I forgive you Robert,” said Amahle.
Bonolo smiles at them when they hug each other. After Robert has finished hugging Amahle, he looks at Bonolo.
“Thank you for teaching us about why it is important that we don’t look down on other people,” said Robert.
Falling Action:
Soon afterwards they notice the door opening and Bonolo says that it is time to go back to the park. They wave goodbye to their new animal friends.
Amahle carries Robert down the tree because he was so scared. “You are so strong Amahle,” says Robert.
“There are a lot of things I am really good at, but I don’t brag about them,” says Amahle.
Having learnt his lesson, Robert and Amahle start practising and challenging each other for the spelling BEE competition.
Resolution:
Themba-The Secretary Bird: “That’s all we had for you today. Join us again next week for another story that will teach us a life lesson. I am Themba-The Secretary Bird, signing out. Until next time. Over and out!
The End.
Additional Story
Once upon a time in the African savannah, there lived a group of animals known as the Safari Squad. Among them was Bonolo the Buffalo, a big and strong animal who loved to eat anything and everything he could get his hooves on. However, Bonolo had a bit of a problem: he refused to eat healthy food.
While his friends, the other members of the Safari Squad, enjoyed eating fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods, Bonolo preferred to eat greasy and fatty foods like fried buffalo wings and beef burgers. “I’ll have it greasy because that’s what makes it tasty,” he said. He loved the taste of these foods and believed that they were more satisfying than any salad or fruit. “MMMHHHHHH, this tastes very yummy,” he continued.
Despite the concerns of his friends, Bonolo continued to eat unhealthily. He ignored their advice and continued to indulge in his favorite foods, not realizing that his unhealthy eating habits were causing him harm. “I know exactly what I am doing friends, and you don’t need to worry about me,” he said.
One day, Bonolo woke up feeling sluggish and weak. His friends noticed that he had put on a lot of weight and was having trouble keeping up with them. “What’s the matter?” one of the friends asked. They tried to encourage him to eat healthier foods, but he refused to listen.
As the days went by, Bonolo's health continued to deteriorate. He had trouble breathing and could barely move. His friends were worried about him and decided to intervene.
They organized an intervention and explained to Bonolo that his unhealthy eating habits were causing him harm. They showed him how much he had changed physically and emotionally, and how much he was putting his own health at risk. They also explained that he was missing out on all the delicious and nutritious foods that could make him feel better.
Bonolo was initially resistant, but eventually, he realized that his friends were right. He decided to make a change and started to eat healthier foods. He tried salads, fruits, and vegetables, and found that he enjoyed them. He felt better, and his friends were happy to see him healthy and active again.
From that day on, Bonolo worked hard than ever to make the tastiest multivitamins in the savannah. He knew that his yummy gummies would help the digestive system and protect the child’s gut like a Buffalo. The unique pre and probiotic formulation is what makes the gummies tasty.
Bonolo made it his mission to eat healthily and encourage others to do the same. He became an advocate for healthy eating and made sure to share his experiences with anyone who would listen. And the Safari Squad lived happily ever after, eating healthy and staying strong together.
