On March 14, the Multi-Cultural After-School program homework table became the stage for an innovative puppet show written and performed by Taylor Randleman, a senior at Decatur High School who will be attending Emory this fall. The after-school students, who painted the backdrop and gave ideas for the story, listened and watched intently as Taylor, her friend Bobby Mills, became the puppeteers, while Tim Smith, Taylor’s step father, narrated the story. After the presentation, the youth discussed the story and then learned how to use the puppets.
The original story follows Noor, a young cheetah, who moves to a new watering hole in the Savanna and is very nervous about making new friends. As Noor meets all of the new animals, she feels uncomfortable because there are no other cheetahs. After realizing how different she was from all the other animals, Noor runs off into the plains crying. There, Noor meets a wise owl who gives her advice. Equipped with a new sense of courage and pride, Noor races back to the watering hole to talk and play with the other animals. Noor realizes that all of their differences are unimportant and that what truly matters is the gifts they all have, and how they can teach each other using their own special skills.
Interested in being an after school tutor or volunteer? The Multi-Cultural Center, which is located across from the Clarkston Library, needs you!
For more information, contact CDF.