An Animated Show

for kids 2–8 years old

A Concept by
Tom Bancroft & Stephen Fox 1
mushume@aol.com 615-430-9726
 An Animated Show
for kids 2–8 years old

A Concept by Tom Bancroft & Stephen Fox

mushume@aol.com 615-430-9726
 The Concept
Join May the mermaid as she discovers global cultures through characters, objects
and settings inspired by the world’s rich and diverse world-spanning fables.

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 Synopsis

Synopsis
May, a preschool-aged mermaid works to
make Fable Island a better place to live.
She captains a crew of mythical creatures through
an unending series of fable-based stories. In the
process she and her friends learn about the regions
and people these stories came from.

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 Details / Description

Description
Every region of the world has a wealth of fables woven into its identity. The Mermaid of Fable Island combines
those stories into one island for May the Mermaid to explore with her crew. Each of her companions carries their own
fabled or mythical origin. From an egyptian griffin, to a chinese monkey, a dutch fox, and a Mesopotamian unicorn—May’s
friends are all different and from different worlds. she and her crew aid the communities of the Island while cruising
aboard the Chukwa—a giant sea turtle with a ship deck on its back.

While The Mermaid of Fable Island’s narrative will be an adventure story, the theme of the show is understanding
other perspectives and backgrounds. May might think eating fish is cruel, but Reynard believes it’s perfectly acceptable.
Through a carefully crafted episode the two characters would be challenged to understand one another’s perspective
and either change or accept the difference. At the end of every adventure, the characters will discuss their discoveries
and continue forward in friendship.

The Mermaid of Fable Island is a show about very different individuals coming together in friendship.

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 Characters

May
Mermaid ( Assyrian / Grecian / African / Chinese )
May is an adventurous mermaid with a cunning wit.
SHE is the captain of the Chukwa—a ship built on the back of a giant SEA
turtle SHE CALLS “Chuk”. The magical wood of the ship’s deck turns May’s
tail into legs.

MAY Is a curious kid who never let’s fear prevent her from discovering
new things. SHE’s been exploring the water since she was born and is
DETERMINED to discover ALL the AMAZING AREAS of Fable Island. She
isn’t a brash mermaid, but instead solves problems
with intelligence and diplomacy. Don’t let May’s SWEET grin
fool you, though; she’s tough as nails and sly as a fox.

Speaking of foxes…

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 Characters

Reynard
Humanoid fox ( dutch )
Reynard the fox is charismatic, nimble and sly.
He’s May’s first mate, and When he isn’t playing pranks on fellow crew
members, Reynard spends time in his workshop building an endless line of
handy contraptions; He actually made May’s magical boots.

Reynard doesn’t upset easily and prefers a good carrot to a sword

(swords are a waste of a perfectly good sheath). In fact, he seems to
thrive on chaos and often puts May’s level head to the test. Regardless
of the circumstances around him, Reynard CAN STAY CALM—much calmer
than a certain griffin…

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 Characters

Griff
Griffin ( Egyptian / Grecian )
May’s beloved pet, Griff is excitable, loyal and impulsive.
She adores May, tolerates Reynard and dislikes Sun. Whenever May or the
crew need help, Griff is the first to raise a claw. Unfortunately, she has the
attention span of a fruit fly and the grace of a dizzy bull.

Eager and willing, you can bet Griff will dive into any situation before she
knows exactly what’s going on. While GRIFF is a bit naive (she is only 120 years
old, after all), she is often able to see through the complexity of a situation
and present disarmingly simple wisdom. Griff doesn’t speak in a typical
way, but May and Raynard have come to understand her with surprising
accuracy.

Griff’s sweet heart only has one blind spot…

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 Characters

Sun
Sun Wukong, the monkey king ( chinese )
Sun is a powerful, arrogant little monkey.
He is strong, fast and can leap INCREDIBLE DISTANCES. As the former captain of the
Chukwa, Sun often questions May’s choices and reasoning. Despite his frustrations,
Sun loves being on the sea and—even though he’d never admit it—his crew.

Behind Sun’s abrasive veneer, he ultimately wants the respect of may and
others he cares about. Until now, the only way he knew to get that respect
was AS an overly assertive leader. Over the course of THIS SERIES, may will teach
Sun his value isn’t tied up in HIS power—it’s in his character. Even though Sun can be
frustrating, he has a DISARMING sense of humor.

While Sun is somewhat arrogant, he’s actually intimidated by a certain crew mate…

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 Characters

Spike
Unicorn ( india / China / Japan )
under Spike’s no-nonsense attitude, riveted collar and raspy
voice is a heart of gold.
WHEN SPIKE LOSES HER COOL, May can USUALLY reign her in—she’s the only one.
Spike’s horn has magical properties, but she’s STILL DISCOVERING what they
are. While the other members of the crew are very vocal, Spike tends to be
very withdrawn. It takes a long time to earn Spike’s trust, and even longer
TO BECOME HER friend.

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 Setting

Fable Island
Fable Island’s regions are ALL ABOUT the storIES.
the Island FEATURES ENVIRONMENTS appropriate for various cultural umbrellas
( European, Asian, Africa and its subcultures, etc.). Aladdin, for example could
exist in an Arabian inspired region along with a Dandan—a giant sea creature
from the same culture (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandan).

In addition to cultural sections, the Island can also house specific mythic
races. An Atlantis-style realm exists under Fable Island, Shamballah my exist
in the clouds above and ancient Chinese dragons could exist underground.
The limits of Fable Island are defined by the stories we want to tell.

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 Episodes

S01E01 - The Monkey King

May’s day is going pretty well until a certain monkey king shows up on her shore. Apparently, Sun believes his incredible strength entitles
him to rule the island. He proclaims himself King of the Island and changes the way every region on the island does things. Because he
doesn’t understand the various cultures, his decisions begin causing a lot of trouble. When Sun reaches Atlantis, May and the crew
Chukwa, confront the Monkey King and convince him he would do better to serve the people instead of mandating to them. Hesitantly, he
agrees to let May show him how to earn the people’s loyalty through service and humility instead might. The two board the Chukwa and
along with the crew vow to protect and serve Fable Island.

Fable Reference: Sun Wukong the Monkey King

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Wukong

S01E02 - These Boots Were Made For Walking

May has just become the new captain of the Chukwa. Fortunately for her, the wood from the Chukwa’s deck is made of a very special
magical wood that turns her fins into legs. After doing her best to lead the crew from the water and the Chukwa’s deck, May is
struggling to keep up when everyone else has to go on land. To solve the problem, Reynard uses wood from the ship’s deck in the soles
of a very special pair of boots. These boots made of the Chukwa’s deck allow May to keep her legs on land!

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 S01E03 - Wishy Washy Episodes
While swimming to the Chukwa from her underwater village, May finds a brass lamp bobbing in the water. She scoops it up and takes it back
to the Chukwa. The crew gathers around and quickly discovers it’s Aladdin’s magic lamp! The crew agrees to put the powerful lamp in a safe
place until they can get it back to its rightful owner. Sun succumbs to temptation and wishes he were the captain of the Chukwa again. The
simple wish sends the crew into a chaotic chain of events resulting in each crew member wishing the story into more and more precarious
situations. In the end, Aladdin takes possession of the lamp and restores reality back as it should be. The crew realizes life is better than
fantasy—even if it isn’t perfect.

Fable Reference: Aladdin’s Lamp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aladdin

S01E04 - Unicorn Cute

May wants to throw Spike a surprise birthday party, but discovers her friend isn’t excited to celebrate. It turns out her birthday is the one
time of year she goes home to visit Unicorn Forest. Every unicorn living there sparkles and is disarmingly cute; they call it “Unicorn Cute”.
Spike feels so out of place. This year, she drags herself back to her home forest and discovers her niece is struggling to fit in the same
way Spike does. The young unicorn doesn’t always feel happy, and prefers to dye her rainbow-colored mane black. May encourages Spike
to comfort the young unicorn and spike counsels herself in the process. As the episode ends, the two unicorns smile (shocking everyone
around them). For the first time spike is genuinely looking forward to the next time She goes home.

Fable Reference: Unicorn

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 Episodes
S01E05 - The Plane Tree
The ship’s deck is in disrepair. May accompanies Reynard the Fox on a quest to gather supplies to replace the damaged wood. The pair stop and
enjoy lunch under the shade of a old, crooked tree. May begins playfully mocking the “ugly old tree”, commenting on how useless it is. “It doesn’t
even have fruit. What good is this big ole tree?” May is startled when the tree turns to speak to her old friend Reynard the fox. May learns to see
the intrinsic beauty of the “Plane” tree as Reynard retells their first meeting, and the magical nature of its wood.

Fable Reference: The Plane Tree

https://fairytalez.com/travelers-plane-tree/

S01E06 - Marina & May

May just became the captain of the Chukwa and has made helping the people of Fable Island her top priority. As her reputation spreads across
the island, the powerful mermaid queen, Marina Wata, decides it’s time for her to meet May. Marina is an assertive, powerful queen with several
accompanying guards who fulfill her every command. She does not understand May’s “soft” approach toward conflict or approve of her
crew of “silly creatures”. In Marina’s absence, the capital of Atlatis suffers a natural disaster. Marina returns to lead her people, but her
uncompromising tone isn’t helping them work together; each person is concerned for their own home. May strikes a different tone and reminds the
village they are a community who must work together or lose everything. Marina is humbled and impressed, helping May gain confidence in her new
role.

FABle Reference: Mami Wata (the original fable is a bit dark. Instead of specifically featuring Mami Wata, Marina will still be an African
mermaid inspired by the creature more than her stories.)

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 Episodes
S01E07 - Saddling Up
Artemis the hunter is constantly challenging her skills against the most powerful game. While hunting a giant white snake, she catches a glimpse
of may playing with Griff who is flying around the Chukwa. Artimis becomes obsessed with making Griff her new stead. After several attempts, she
finally captures Griff but is quickly disheartened by the beast’s broken spirit. She takes a sigh, and reluctantly releases Griff.

Fable Reference: Artemis - Goddess of the Hunt

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemis

S01E08 - The Fox and the Crow

Reynard and Sun are tired of the same old food. May encourages them to explore the island for new culinary options. The two (who both have
an excellent sense of smell) catch a whiff of a wonderful aroma. It’s cheese being slowly pecked away by a nearby (and dimwitted) crow perched
in an overhanging tree. Visions of grilled cheese, cheese and crackers and other comfort foods fill the scoundrels’ minds. Sun and Reynard work
to manipulate the food away from the crow, who had apparently stolen it from a “villager”. Eventually, Sun and Reynard flatter the prize away
from the crow, but are convinced by may to return it. This turns out to be a solid decision since the aforementioned villager reappears—and is a
justifiably angry giant.

Fable Reference: The Fox and the Crow

http://read.gov/aesop/027.html

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 Episodes

S01E09 - The Lost Mare

May is swimming around the Chukwa and sees Spike upset. An old horse friend of Spike’s has gone missing. The mare’s owner is desperate to
recapture HER. Without HIS HORSE, he won’t be able to deliver his goods. The crew searches the island and sea. Just as they’re about to end their
search, the mare appears with a new friend—a pegasus! With the help of the pegasus, the old man will be able to deliver his goods twice as fast.
May and the mare’s owner are surprised by how bad luck can often predicate good.

Fable Reference: The Lost Mare

http://oaks.nvg.org/chineseb.html#mare

S01E10 - The Griffin & the Monkey

Griff is gleefully flying around the Chukwa one morning when the crew begins to comment on his incredible speed. Sun, being extraordinarily
competitive, challenges Griff to a race around Fable Island. May does her best to calm sun down—but only encourages him to dig in. Griff
hesitantly agrees to the competition and the two train and race. Griff is moments away from defeating Sun, but sees the humiliation in the
Monkey King’s eyes. The soft-hearted griffin slows down to allow the two to finish the race together. Humbled by Griff’s kindness, Sun begins to
understand the merits of real friendship.

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 Episodes

S01E11 - Visu the Woodsman

Visu the Woodsman is a giant Chinese lumberjack searching for the best wood on Fable Island—WHICH HAPPENS TO COME FROM THE ANCIENT “PLANE
TREE”. May urges Visu not to cut down the magical tree, but he can’t help himself. Finally, Reynard intervenes and demonstrates the magical
properties of the wood. Visu doesn’t believe the mischievous fox and slams his axe into the tree—shattering the handle to his axe. Shocked, Visu
vows to never cut down the amazing tree. In exchange, the Plane tree crafts him a new handle and forgives his previous stubbornness.

Fable Reference: Visu the Woodsman

http://www.belajarbahasainggris.us/2012/02/japanese-folktales-visu-woodsman-and.html

S01E12 - Belle's Bind

Impressed by tales about May and her crew, Belle requests assistance acquiring a very special item for Beast’s birthday. May doesn’t like Belle
initially—thinking of her as shallow and entitled. To make matters worse, Belle has a “valley girl” way of speaking and the gift she wants for
Beast is a cap of invisibility (last seen with Perseus). May agrees to help Belle, but ultimately succumbs to her assumptions. Belle gasps when
she realizes May thinks she wants the cap to hide the Beast’s appearance. It turns out Beast loves to play pranks on the castle staff, and Belle
thinks the cap would make that a lot more fun.

Fable Reference: Beauty & the Beast, Cap of Invisibility

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cap_of_invisibility

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 Episodes

S01E13 - Big Chuk

May knows Chuk misses his dad, who has difficulty traveling. May decides to arrange a trip for Chuk to see his father. Along the way the crew
mates speculate about what he’s like. When the group finally arrive at Chuk’s home island, they’re bowled over to discover Big Chuk is the island.
His massive body is underwater and terrain is formed on his shell. Chuk and Big Chuk reconnect. “You’ve gotten so big!” Big Chuk says.

Fable Reference: Chukwa – The World Turtle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Turtle

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A Concept by Tom Bancroft & Stephen Fox
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