The Great Holiday: Parts 3-4: March 1-2

As they went to bed that night, they snuggled under the soft covers and thought in their minds as they slept what they would plan to do on the 2nd of March.

When they woke up the next morning, the first thing that sprang to Furaha’s mind was: blanket fort. “Hey, you guys,” she said as they woke up past 8AM when they were supposed to be going to work but weren’t, “How about we build the most super epic blanket fort you promised to build?” “I’m sure that sounds like a good idea,” said Optimus.

So they got to work on building their fort. Optimus found as many pillows and blankets as he could, and found tent poles to hold up the blankets, while Furaha and Orko made it as soft and as cosy as possible. They added their favourite soft toys, books and snacks, and even added some fairy lights. Once the blanket fort was completed, Optimus shut the curtains and dimmed the lights. When he turned on the fairy lights, Furaha and Orko’s eyes sparkled. It was the best fort they had ever built - and it was big enough to fit all three of them!

“You know, Furaha, it’s been ages since we built a blanket fort together.” said Optimus, lying back on some pillows. “It seems like the years of work have torn away your perspective on being able to have fun,” said Furaha, “But I think by doing all these things, you are able to experience the joys of being a kid again. Speaking of, let’s bake a cake to celebrate your time off!” “Oh yes please!” said Orko and Optimus Prime in unison. “And make it as awesome as ever!” added Furaha.

The trio got to work on making their special cake. They got out the recipe book and put everything into the mixture accordingly - butter, eggs, flour, sugar, milk and vanilla essence. As they stirred the mixture, the cake batter became as moist as sand after the sea had splashed over it. When it was Furaha’s turn to stir, she stirred so fast she got cake glop all over her, Orko and Optimus. How they laughed! Optimus found a heart shaped cake pan and poured the mixture in, they they put it in the oven, and for the amount of minutes it took to bake (how many minutes, I can’t remember), Furaha and her two roommates just sat, relaxed and waited.

When they heard a ding on the yellow chicken shaped timer, Optimus took the cake out of the oven. Mmmmmm - it smelled delicious. Using icing sugar, warm water and pink food colouring, they made pink icing for the cake and smoothed it all on perfectly, so it looked like they were made to love each other. Furaha got out some red icing and wrote, “Happy 7 Month Holiday!” on it. In smaller writing, she added, “+ I love you both dearly and forever”.

Furaha and Orko shared the cake between them once it was cooled. Optimus said, “No cake for me, thanks, I’m on an Energon diet.” “As always,” sarked Furaha and Orko in unison. “I think this is getting to be the best time off ever!” cried Orko, tucking into his third slice of cake. “Well, that cake is as awesome as the times, Orko, you just got to roll with them.” “Okay,” said Orko, and with that he started rolling on the carpet. How Furaha and Optimus laughed loudly with him!

Don't Cry, Orko - Part 1

One fine Summer’s day, Orko was sitting by a tree, crying. Furaha, being the only one who could trust him, saw him sitting there alone and miserable. She galloped up to him and asked, “Why so sad?” Orko took a hankie out of his sleeve and blew his shadowed nose into it. “I’m not sad because of all the mistreatment back on Eternia. It is because I miss my Uncle Montork.” “Uncle Montork?” thought Furaha. “Yes,” sniffed Orko, “He was the wisest, kindest person I ever met in my life. He taught me that magic is everywhere, not just in the tips of my fingers. But when that cosmic storm came and brought me to Eternia…oh dear oh dear, all memories of the good times I spent with him flew out of my mind, and that lesson was erased from my memory forever.”

Furaha put her small paws on Orko’s shoulders and said, “Don’t worry, Orko. Don’t cry. I’m one of the people on Earth you can trust. I can re-teach what your uncle taught you.” “He’s probably dead by now,” whimpered Orko. “He’s not dead,” said Furaha softly, “He’s in my heart. I hold his spirit within me. Come on, and I’ll show you.”

First, Furaha took Orko to the lake, where it was raining heavily. “Is this Uncle Montork’s real magic?” asked Orko. “No. Wait until the rain stops.” While they waited, they rested under the shade of the tree and talked about what they’ve been up to recently. After a while, when the rain did finally stop, Orko saw what he couldn’t believe: a huge, bright, colourful rainbow, glistening in the afternoon sunlight. “Wow…” gasped Orko. “Uncle Montork showed you that a rainbow is one of the signs of real magic around us.”

Simba's Day Out

One day, Simba was driving in his orange old-fashioned car with his daughter Kiara and his friends Timon and Pumbaa to Invergordon to get some treats for them. Kiara had recently earned her merit for completing her first footie test at school, and Timon and Pumbaa were told by Nala that they needed a change from bugs, because bugs were all they ever eat.

First, Simba and the crew stopped off at the sweet shop. They went into the shop and were amazed at all the sweets, toys, slushies and ice creams that were for sale. Because she was a pro at football due to her footie test, Kiara chose a quarter of chocolate footballs. Simba chose a quarter of flying saucers, and Timon and Pumbaa chose some Irn Bru and Vanilla ice cream, which made a change since there were gummy worms in one jar. Kiara desperately wanted the Paw Patrol lollies and dummy sweets, but Simba told her she was too old for dummies, and that they’ll buy Paw Patrol lollies when they next come.

Next, they went to the newsagent’s across the road. This time, Simba left it to Timon and Pumbaa to choose what they wanted. Whilst Simba got a magazine for Kiara and a newspaper and some Golden Oreos for him, Timon and Pumbaa decided on the pink wafer biscuits. Although, one problem: Timon found the red plastic lips rather creepy, so Kiara offered him a pair of glasses so he couldn’t see them. He kept bumping into things, so the glasses had to be removed.

So Simba got his newspaper, sweets and biscuits, Kiara got her chocolate footballs and magazine and Timon and Pumbaa got their ice cream and biscuits, and they drove all the way home.

Orko, My Hero - Part 1

Based on a true story.

One fine, super-sized morning, Furaha was going for a ride in her friend Hot Shot. “Woohoo!” she shouted, “Faster! Faster, Hot Shot!” “I’m doing as best as I can, Furaha,” said Hot Shot, “Now watch out! This is gonna be a big one!” Furaha whooped in joy as Hot Shot revved up his engine. COUGH! SPLUTTER! SPLUTCH! Oh dear. Hot Shot had lost petrol. “Uh oh,” he said. “I think I spoke too soon.” “Don’t worry, I think I should call for help.” Furaha took out her flip phone and dialled the number of the garage. After a long, boring phone call, Furaha got out of Hot Shot as he transformed into robot mode, and both of them waited.

And waited…

And waited…

And waited…

…but still, the garage man didn’t come. Suddenly, Furaha heard the hum of a limousine. Furaha looked round. It WAS a limousine! It was all red and sparkly like a diamond in the sunlight, and the nameplate was called, “ORK-0”. Furaha knew who that was - it was Orko, her celebrity brother, the amazing Trollan wizard who was known for fortune and fame! Orko stepped out of his limousine and removed his shades, revealing his mustard yellow eyes. “ORKO!” screamed Furaha, and ran to give him a big hug. “Aaaaaah, what a lovely greeting. Never fear, Furaha, I’ll take you back to my palatial home in the countryside. I see you haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast. Let’s go to the local Poultry Palace and get something to eat, then I’ll take you back to my house.” “Oh please, yes please!” squeaked Furaha, jumping up and down and clapping her paws.

Furaha and Orko got into the limo and drove away, leaving Hot Shot alone. “Hey! Wait!” he shouted. Poor Hot Shot.

Mickey Mouse Countdown - The Tenderness & Softness Of Friendship

Furaha and her family spend a quiet, tender morning in the throne room, relaxing and spending time together. Furaha and Orko spend time together the most, knowing that their friendship will last forever as they play in a tender and loving way, sharing in hugs and cuddles.

Cartoon Network - October 31, 2002

Halloween 2002.

A time of sweets and candy.

A time of spooks and shocks.

A time...OF COURAGE!

Courage's Trick Or Shriek Marathon

A Loving Touch

Furaha and Orko lived a simple, love-filled life in the Autobot base with their friends Hot Shot, Red Alert and Optimus Prime. The Autobots loved them and cared for them like they were their own children, and the base felt like home to them.

Red Alert always had his mind on repairing and welding, but he still had time to stop and watch Furaha and Orko play with Hot Shot, who chased them around the base like he was a bit of a big brother figure to them. Tag was their favourite game to play in the base, because it had big spaces and allowed Hot Shot to roam freely, laughing and joking with them all the way. Hot Shot would grab Furaha and Orko, who screamed as he fell over, laughing loudly and hugging them.

But the one who cared for them most was Optimus Prime. He was Furaha’s favourite, and nurtured and cared for her and Orko like he was a father to them. Whenever they felt tired and achy, Optimus was the one they’d turn to in their time of need. He would take them in his strong, loving arms and cradle them to a deep, dreamless sleep, carrying them to his quarters and settling them on his big, soft, strong bed. When he’s not doing that, he’s playing with them or tickling them, just enjoying being a good role model to our two friends. For being a good role model is more than being a parental figure - it’s being able to console the ones you look down upon, it’s caring for them deeply like you’re a member of the family, but most importantly, being a good role model makes you, like Optimus, a true leader.

May future leaders take my own old advice.

The Great Holiday - Parts 1 & 2

Poor Orko and Optimus. They spent their whole of their grown up lives behind the scenes at the 2002 He Man series and Transformers Armada feeling quite depressed of what was going on. Let me explain it to you in full detail:

Orko was working as a cast member on the 2002 He Man series. The reason why he didn’t star in most episodes was because he was verbally and physically abused by his fellow castmates, often pushed to the ground and yelled at by the series’ buff main star. He would come home crying, with scars on his soft blue hands from Evil-Lyn cutting him with a knife.

As for Optimus, his days working as the main character in Transformers Armada were even worse than what Orko experienced. He was forced to say the same lines over and over again, and due to rushed production, received snarky, snooty comments from his fellow human co-star Alexis. His Autobot co-stars tried to help him, but he just shrugged them off.

Whenever the two came home, they would be greeted by their little housemate Furaha the lioness cub, who felt sorry for them. She would try to cheer them up or give them something to eat, but oh, the depression they felt because of all the times they had to do the same things over and over behind the scenes on their shows. It was a nightmare. A hellish job. A source of unhappiness.

Then one day, as Orko was being dropped off by Optimus to his bland, boring job, he found a note pinned to the door. What’s more, the door was all shut up with locks and chains all around it. Hmmmm….I wonder what that could mean? Orko took the note and read it.

“Gone for seven months. All actors must take a well earned break until more money from our studio goes into our bank account.”

Meanwhile, Optimus received the same note at his local production studio. He was shocked.

Optimus and Orko got back together again in the middle of town square. “I got a note saying the studio’s closed for seven months!” shouted Orko. “I got one too,” said Optimus. “Do you know what this means?” Orko and Optimus looked at one another in stunned silence.

“We…”

“Are….”

“FREE!” Optimus and Orko both shouted. All the way home, Orko took a joyride on Optimus, drinking a can of Coke he bought from the store with his now light hands, and screaming at the top of his lungs. “WOOHOO! YEAH!” he shouted loudly. “WE’RE FREE! NO MORE HE MAN!!” “OR TRANSFORMERS ARMADA!!” screamed Optimus.

When they got home, Furaha jumped to see them fling the door open and yell, “FURAHA!” “What?” asked Furaha. “You’re kidding!” “Yeah, no joking, we got a note on our studio doors saying they can’t have money until the seven months are up. We’re free!” “We can do whatever we want!” cried Optimus hysterically. Furaha squealed and ran to hug Optimus. Orko joined in too, and soon the three friends were laughing and shouting at the tops of their lungs.

Furaha put on some music, and the three friends danced and danced the day away until the sun began to set. Shaking all the stress away from their bodies was a great way to signal the start of seven freedom-filled months off. After a whole day of dancing and laughing, they collapsed onto the floor and laughed. “You know what?” asked Furaha at last, “We should share in these seven months together.”

Baby Marvin's Sore Throat

Baby Marvin had been holding his throat and crying all night. No one understood why he had been holding his throat, but his mum (and his puppy K9) did - he had a sore throat. Due to a bad night, his throat felt as bad as a rotten apple, and a sore throat meant a cold was coming.

Baby Marvin was so miserable that his mum took great care of him in no time at all. She gently scooped him up in her arms and began to cradle him - she didn’t let him suck his thumb because it would make his throat worse, so she fed him some milk out of a bottle. The milk tasted so sweet and gentle against his throat, and in his sleepy mind it felt like sandpaper being turned to soft, comforting cream. K9 leapt up onto the sofa and began to nuzzle and snudge him. Baby Marvin tried to laugh, but speaking and swallowing made it worse.

Baby Marvin’s mum went into the kitchen and brought out some liquid sore throat medicine to help with the bad throat. To Baby Marvin, swallowing the strawberry flavoured medicine felt like a blob of pink goo was washing over sand and turning it into the purest, mildest meadow with daisies growing all over. Baby Marvin felt really, really tired, and nestled into the warmth of his mother’s arms as he sniffled once and snuggled to sleep. Baby Marvin’s mum cradled him in her arms and hugged him, whispering reassuring words into his little ears. She placed him onto the sofa and laid him on a soft, gentle pillow, placing a downy fleece blanket over him. Baby Marvin felt really soothed now that his sore throat was taken care of by the one he loves.

For Twelves Day - Twelve Films To Watch On This Day

1. The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh
2. Chicken Little
3. Tarzan
4. The Jungle Book
5. Digimon: The Movie
6. Coraline
7. Jody In Wonderland
8. Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out
9. My Little Pony: The Princess Promenade
10. Globehunters: An Around The World In 80 Days Adventure
11. Care Bears: Journey To Joke A Lot
12. Chip N Dale Rescue Rangers

How To Celebrate Sasha's Day

1.Watch Globehunters: An Around The World In 80 Days Adventure with your child/family. Children will enjoy singing along with all the songs in the movie and laughing along with Trevor the parrot's antics and pop culture references!

2.Show your child the day Globehunters first aired on YTV. Check out the link below:

https://ytv-schedule-archives.fandom.com/wiki/April_6,_2003

3.Tell your child stories about Sasha the leopard and her friends Furaha, Optimus Prime and Orko, and the many adventures they get up to in their lovely, comforting, cosy lake house big enough for four.

4.Discuss about your favourite part of Globehunters with your child, and how the colours of the characters change with every scene they go into, from hues of blue and green to shades of red and yellow.

5.Engage in a mindfulness activity where your child ends up with Sasha and her unusual variety of cartoon friends in the calmest places on Earth. It may be a beach, a park, a jungle, a comfortable cloud bed or somewhere calm and quiet.

How To Celebrate Here For You Day

1.Explain to sick kids at home what 'Here For You' is. Here For You is a collection of reassuring stories for kids stuck at home due to illnesses like a common cold, which also give tips on what to do with kids during difficult, sick times.

2.Watch Globehunters and Transformers Armada with your child. However, when they're sick, they may be sensitive to bright, uncomfortable flashing lights, so don't show them the 2002 He Man series. Instead, show them pictures of the 2002 incarnation of Orko online.

3.Engage in pretend play with your child when they're confined to the sofa or bed. Imagine they're flying a plane, sailing a pirate ship or riding a bus. The possibilities are endless!

4.Tell your child stories about Sasha, Optimus and Orko trying to cure Furaha, who is sick just like him or her. Their many attempts at making her feel better in these stories include engaging in sofa-bound play together, singing songs, telling stories, using their imagination and finding various ways to entertain the young cub including music, dance and imaginative play. There are other stories in this outreach programme involving characters from Sybil & Friends and other franchises like Wallace & Gromit, including a new Cracking Contraptions short about Wallace using one of his inventions to cure his cold.

5.Give your child a small musical instrument to use when they want to call you for things they need, like food, drink, or entertainment. Remember to let them use a toy instrument, not loud, crashy bashy things like cymbals.

How To Celebrate Sealands & Wild Child Day

1.Read the stories of The Sealands and Wild Child to your children. They're stories which feature Furaha, Sasha (Globehunters), Optimus Prime (Transformers Armada) and Orko (He Man 2002) interacting with the blissful serenity of nature, and afterwards you can go outside with your child and relax in the garden.

2.Watch films like The Jungle Book and Disney's Tarzan. On a plus note, watch Globehunters, Transformers Armada and the 2002 He Man series to get a better understanding of characters Sasha, Optimus Prime and Orko.

3.Ask your child to close his or her eyes and imagine Orko swimming peacefully underwater with millions of fish.

4.During bathtime, play a pretend game with your child and ask them to imagine they're with Furaha and her friends in the Sealands.

5.Teach your children about the continent, animals and places in Africa, inspired by the setting of Wild Child.