EPISODE 1 [NEW]

THE SELFISH BABOON

Many, many years ago the animals of the forest lived together in harmony and peace. Every evening, before the sunset, they would gather at the waterhole to share a drink and discuss the issues of the day.

Two of the largest families in the forest, the Baboons and the Vervet Monkeys, had been friends for many generations. Even though they were different in many ways, they shared their food, played games together and assisted each other when problems arose.

So there was much joy and laughter at the waterhole when some very exciting news was announced: Mr Babu of the Baboon family was engaged to Miss Vera of the Vervet family.

“What joyful news!” the animals declared as they celebrated Babu and Vera’s engagement with a long, cool drink from the waterhole. Everyone was especially happy because Babu and Vera had been best of friends since childhood and their marriage would unite their two families forever.

The wedding was set for the end of the dry season five moons away.

But the dry season didn’t end.

The sun just seemed to stand and stare everything down. The trees withered and no shade could be found for great Buffalo; not a rock could be that was not too hot for little Lizard. It was so hot that when the birds took to the air they flopped down with thirst.

And worst of all: the waterhole began to dry up.

The baboons held a family meeting and decided that since their family had lived in the forest for the longest, they had more right to the waterhole than any other animal. And so they built a great fence around the waterhole to stop any other animal from drinking the last few drops of precious water.

They forbid any animal that wasn’t a baboon from drinking the water - every
animal including Babu’s soon-to-be wife, Vera.

Babu felt angered and embarrassed by his family's selfishness. So every night, when they were fast asleep, Babu stole some water from the hole and took it to the thirsty Vervets. When the other animals of the forest heard about this they started to gather at the Vervet's home begging Babu for some water to drink. And so Babu was forced to steal more and more water.

One night Babu's cousin spotted him filling two large gourds with water and followed him all the way to the Vervet's home. Then she ran back home and told the other baboons about what she had seen.

They became very angry and when Babu returned they surrounded him angrily. “There is only enough water for our family,” the baboons yelled at him, “forget about Vera now and look out for your own people.”

Poor Babu - he loved his family but he also loved Vera. What was he to do? He decided that he had to do the right thing - it was wrong to stop the other animals from drinking the water just because they were from a different family to his.

When Babu told the Vervet Monkey’s what his family had said they were very angry and decided to go and kick the baboons off the waterhole.

“Please do not fight” Vera pleaded. “Let us talk to one another” begged Babu. But no one was interested in finding a solution.

Suddenly the once peaceful waterhole became a place of conflict and war as the animals through rocks and sticks at each other with hatred and fear.

Babu and Vera stood silently by, with tears in their eyes, watching the people they loved destroying the harmony that had once united them all as one happy community.

That battle was the first and last at the waterhole. As the sun rose over the waterhole, the injured limped home exhausted.  No one had the strength to keep fighting - there were no winners. Because where the watering-hole had been now stood a large pile of rocks and mud. The hole had been destroyed by the fighting.

A few days after the battle the animals of the forest gathered at the empty waterhole and looked at the destruction they had caused. They were filled with sadness and shame.

Just then, Babu and Vera approached the waterhole and stood before their families and friends. Babu cleared his throat and addressed the crowd.

‘We have learnt a very important lesson.’ Babu declared ‘We have learnt that when we don’t care for others, we lose everything that is important to us.’

The crowd nodded their heads in agreement.

‘I pray that we can work together in peace and harmony’ continued Babu ‘Let us forget the past and instead work together to create a happy and peaceful future’

All the animals cheered Babu’s wise words and at that moment clouds filled the sky and rain began to fall and fill the waterhole.

ILLUSTRATIONS
1. The waterhole - surrounded by dusty ground and behind that some trees.
3. Old Baboon - profile & portrait
4. Vera the Vervet - profile & portrait
5. Old Vervet Monkey - profile & portrait
6. A rock
7. Lizard
8. Bird in flight
9. Fence
10. Watergourd

We’ll use the other images you’ve done for ep 16 e.g. Baboon & sun & Buffalo.