The Creative Camels have been meeting in the landscaped gardens of Ras al Hamra, Muscat, every fortnightly to discuss creative ways of doing things and to play games.
Last weekend they had an end-of-the-school-year garden party.
The secret plan of the Treasure Hunt was meticulously hatched and the clues were logically built up. Our young artist in residence went to the beach to gather stones for the Treasure Hunt and then to the Art Store to get golden paint. Homework took a backseat and the stones became pieces of golden treasure with the first letters of the Camels' names painted on them.
The first camel arrived half an hour earlier than expected.
Oh uh, but the Treasure Chest was still sitting on the dining table!
The young artist distracted the first camel in the garden while the Treasure Chest was surreptitiously being hidden.
One by one the camels arrived bearing mum-made snacks in non-disposable boxes and trays.
The first game seemed super simple.
Each of them had to use two fingers to collectively balance a stick and bring it down. The volunteers gave straight-forward instructions.
The stage was set.
Nothing could go wrong.
How long would it take to lower a straight stick?
Imagine the Camels' amazement when instead of going down, the stick steadily rose up!
The volunteers tried to make matters easier.
"Think of a strategy to make it come down" they suggested.
Aha, the Camels then tried to 'let go' of the stick from one end and another till it gradually descended. Smart move.
The next game got them all as tangled up as the branches of the trees above.
They stood in a circle and held hands with neighbours. At a slow count of ten, they knotted themselves up as much as they could.
They remained in this twisted shape till clear instructions were given about who should do what to untangle the lot.
A cleverly camouflaged butterfly in the hedge revealed the first clue of the Treasure Hunt.
Clue: The Creative Camels are looking for hidden treasure. They need an orange lamp to show them the way.
The orange lamp was guarded by birds.
Clue: They see a white bus stop at a distance.
They skipped to the white bus stop on the side road.
Clue:They take a ride on the bus but one of its tyre bursts, so they go looking for a hanging tyre.
The tyre hanging in the garden has been a favourite plaything for years.
Clue: Tired and weary, they look for a safe house on a tree to spend the night.
They attempt to clamber up the treehouse.
Clue: When they wake up, they are hungry. They find a balloon and think its a fruit.
The bunch of red balloons holds the last clue. But they have to unscramble the letters ...
B O M O T A L U I E
The Camels scratched their heads.
It didn't take them long to spell out 'AUTOMOBILE' and they rushed to the little red car parked nearby.
They opened the door and lifted the Treasure Chest proudly as if it were an over-sized trophy.
After the Camels found what lay in the treasure chest for each of them, they had to answer a Quiz before they could reach the feast.
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| (Photo courtesy: Taru) |
What did the spell do to Princess Nityashree?
Name three things that The Very Hungry Caterpillar ate.
Name this yogasana (with a demo).
Give a synonym for 'Thankfulness'.
What is this art pattern called?
Give one method of remembering people's names.
Who is the rich sister of 'Khichdi'?
Much credit must be given to those Camels whose hands shot up straight high to answer every question of the quiz.
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| (Photo courtesy: Taru) |
After sharing a couple of stories about how we should be grateful for the food we get, the Camels respectfully lined up at the table and helped themselves sensibly taking only as much as they could eat.
Among other things, their backstage star mums had prepared date sweets, samosas, varieties of pop corn, cupcakes, cheese pizzas, chana salad, pizza sandwiches, and fruit jelly. A cool drink of fresh mint and lemon complimented the food.
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| (Photo courtesy: Taru) |
Balloons, buntings, 'monkeys', and hand-made cards brought gaiety to the party. The Camels had collectively made a happy memory. Somebody left a spoon behind, but it is not golden. There have been no takers so far.
Creative Camels featured in this story and photos: Aarav, Abhishek, Aditya, Anna, Daksh, Dhanya, Gargi, Ishaan, Joydeep, Lehini, Mrunmayi, Manav, Nagila, Ruchita, Sanaa, Shrushti, Surya, Vaibhav
