By Jane L. Fitzpatrick – A few years ago, I met a beautiful sister, Monique Wijngaarde. I did not know her background until she wrote her powerful story for the Warrior Woman Spirit blog about her multi-racial family from Suriname and the Netherlands. Since then, I discovered I had relatives from the Netherlands, and some had traveled to Brazil and Suriname. Who would have thought our paths would cross in the way they have… with such meaningful and dynamic purpose. The Universe shows us things, and we are just in awe!
As we planned the episodes for Moon Drake, we decided to build a story around Suriname, South American Continent, in honor of this shared purpose. Today I finished the script “Rakesh & the Rain Dancer,” Episode 2.4 – that tells the story of a twelve-year-old boy who courageously reaches for his dream, which leads to a harrowing adventure of illegal gillnets, a dangerous experience and the judgment of others.
I sent the script to fellow producer and writer, Martin Manuel Nuza, and I was moved to tears by his words, because I respect him so deeply. This is what he said:
“Jane, it’s a great story full of hope and making right, especially at the end when Konrad confesses to his son that he shouldn’t have judged him and allowed him to follow his dream without judgement. The tension when the children race against all odds to save the stricken dolphin from the gillnet… the suspense of the capsized boat. The story has a powerful message – Follow your dreams and believe in what is right, regardless of the consequences that may follow by your actions. I loved it.”
All the Moon Drake stories address the relevant topics and issues (environmental, human, spiritual) we face in our current world and couple them with the answers through Indigenous cultural and traditional wisdom many have forgotten. We believe these action-packed stories will make sense to young hearts in a gentle and sensitive way. We believe children, and even adults, will learn something they truly long to hear.
I want to thank my sister Monique for her invaluable cultural advice on this episode, and my brother, Martin, for his continued inspiration as we work to write these stories and bring Moon Drake Anime Series to the world! Thank you, also, to our other two writers, Mark Rickerby and Jack Comeau! What a writing TEAM!!
WE ARE REACHING FOR THE MOON!!
Jane
Children's Anime Series 