Do and Don't are two fun characters that will help you learn about playing safely on the beach, around water and about taking more exercise. These are important messages but they will be put across in a fun way, read the first Do and Don't story below and then see the Do and Don't Ditty.
There will be lots more about the characters in the next few months so look out for them at school, on the beach and at your local Thanet leisure centres.
The first story about Do and Don't: THE TWO FRIENDS LEAVE
It was really hot on the Caribbean island. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. The only breeze was caused by small animals running for shelter under the big palm trees. Occasionally the sand seemed to shimmer and move but that was due to the heat haze that played tricks on the eyes.
The two friends were sheltering under the biggest palm tree on the island. They had called it "The Big One". But over time this had been shorted to Biggun, it was easier to say and as neither knew how to spell the word properly it was easier. The Biggun must have been seventy feet high and twenty feet wide with huge leaves that gave a very large area of shade, whatever the time of day. The two friends had built a little platform between Biggun and the smaller tree next to it, they called this tree Titch because it was so much smaller.
The problem today was that both friends were very hot and bothered. They could cool off in one of the many rock pools that were on the edge of the beach but the real problem was they were lonely and bored. They had been stranded on this island for nearly two years. They had been hiding on a big ship when the storm came. The waves were huge and kept tossing the ship from side to side. Suddenly the piece of wood they had been perching on was washed overboard and the two friends had to huddle together and hang on for their life. When the storm subsided they found themselves a few yards from a dessert island and this was where they had made their home.
In the first few months they flew around at night hoping to see the lights from other islands or tankers way out to sea. But they found nothing and had eventually given up the idea of going home. But where was home they had nearly forgotten. All the other birds had gone and they were the last two of their type. They had very clear black and white markings, especially on their tails. Their Mums had always told them to Do this but Don't do that and each of the friends had acquired a nickname that had stuck ever since. The one with more white feathers and the tick mark in his tail became Do. The other with more black feathers and the cross in his tail was called Don't. And because they were best friends they had been called Do and Don't, for as long as they knew. But they could not remember which family of birds they came from and now as they were both lost, neither really cared.
Do was lying in his home made hammock and trying to swing from side to side to make some breeze and cool down. Don't had made a fan out of the leaves from Titch and was waving them around to make some wind. However, the real problem was that they were both bored. Bored and fed up because they were lonely.
Suddenly there was a huge gust of wind followed by a loud plop as a large and strange nut fell off the Biggun. It hit Titch and cracked in two. One half landing by Do and the other by Don't. The two friends were shocked but picked up the two pieces of nut and started playing with them. Firstly they pretended they were telephones and that they could talk into the shell and be heard by the other miles away. They called for help and sent messages to people in the hope that they would be rescued. Then they put the nuts on the their heads and pretended they were the latest fashion in baseball caps, but the one on Do kept falling off and made Don't laugh. Next, Don't started to bang his half of the nut on the trunk of Biggun and Do did the same on Titch. They both made different noises and before long they were making up a tune. It was a calypso and went like this.
When you're playing
Out in the sun
Down by the water
And having fun
Just remember
To be aware -
'Cos water can be dangerous -
So you take care
CHORUS:
All playing by the water
Just don't do things you shouldn't oughta.
Down on the beach and havin' fun
-Just play safe in the sun!
Do and Don't loved the song and kept practicing until it was perfect. They created their own dance and soon all the other animals joined in. It even seemed that Biggun and Titch were swaying to the beat and joining in with the rhythm by waving their leaves.
Do said, "This is great, but nobody can hear it. We must find a way of telling everyone about playing and being safe. We don't want them to end up like us. Stranded on an island miles from anywhere."
So the two friends sat down, scratched their feathers and thought. They thought and scratched their heads for two whole days and three nights. Just as the sun was coming up on the third day Don't shouted "That's it, I know what we can do, how we can get off this island."
But then that is another story. The next story is called - Two Friends Arrive and you can read it on this website from 1st July.
This is the full version of the Do and Don't ditty, can you remember it all for when Do and Don't visit your school
When you're playing
Out in the sun
Down by the water
And having fun
Just remember
To be aware -
'Cos water can be dangerous -
So you take care
CHORUS
All playing by the water
Just don't do things you shouldn't oughta.
Down on the beach and havin' fun
- Just play safe in Thanet sun!
Beaches and rivers
Canals and pools
All look inviting -
But stick to the rules.
Just remember
Always read the signs
Red flags mean danger
Stay behind the lines
CHORUS
All playing by the water
Just don't do things you shouldn't oughta.
Down on the beach and havin' fun
- Just play safe in Thanet sun!
Stay with your friends -
Don't mess about
And if you get in trouble then
Shout, shout, shout!
Call for some help -
Don't try it alone
And ask a grown-up
To use the phone
If you do these things and
Don't fool about
Swim Splash and paddle
When school is out
Holidays will be wicked
Time to enjoy
And all will stay safe -
Every Girl and Boy
CHORUS
All playing by the water
Just don't do things you shouldn't oughta.
Down on the beach and havin' fun
- Just play safe in Thanet sun! |
