The noisy excitement of 45 children from nine elementary schools filled the spacious lobby of the Bali Safari and Marine Park in Gianyar on Sunday morning.
These were no average kids, however, but the best and brightest students from their respective schools. Their outstanding academic achievement scored them invitations to the special event organized by the park.
"Indeed, I am here because I earned one of the top three positions in my class. It's a fun reward," said Kadek Nova, a third grader at Medahan 2 state elementary school.
Before they embarked on a safari trip that took them to the heart of the 40-hectare park, the children enjoyed a story about a wise elephant and played a game hosted by prominent Balinese interactive storyteller I Made Taro.
Taro narrated a story about a wise elephant appointed as a referee in a soccer game played by a bunch of animals.
The children erupted in laughter as they acted out parts in the story. As they assumed their roles as the competing soccer teams the second and third graders shouted, cheered and shrieked, mimicking the behavior of the animals.
Taro, who has been a story teller for 36 years, said the moral of his story was about the characteristics required to be a good leader. A good leader, Taro said to the children, must always be fair, courageous and strong willed.
"The elephant is the embodiment of these characteristics," Taro said.
"Such moral lessons are important for these kids, so that in the future, hopefully, they can instill these good characteristics within themselves," Taro said.
After the story was over, the children hopped on an awaiting bus for their tour. It took them on a 30-minute safari trip along a specially-designed route that showcased the parks many species of wildlife.
As the bus made its journey a trained guide provided interesting trivia on the animals.
The students gazed in awe as the bus passed a pack of African lions, hippopotamus and rhinos, which are indeed an uncommon sight in Bali.
"I really wish I can maintain my grades so that I can get invited again on this kind of trip," Dodi, a second grader of Lebih state school told The Jakarta Post.
The tour was provided free-of-charge by the park to celebrate June 1, World Children's Day.
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