Truganini and BK

Truganini and BK

A story adapted from Lester and Clyde by 1/2E

Just north of Newcastlenear Salamander Baylive two beautiful koalasknown as Truganini and BKTheir home is our schoolSo leafy and greensurrounded by treesits a sight to be seen.

These koalas are such beauties-their legs have sharp claws,they have spots on their bottoms,and white fur below their jaws.Their noses are black,their ears covered in fluffthey look like cute teddiesbut theyre really quite tough.

The school where they livehas a lovely big playgroundkookaburras laugh in the treesand lorikeets can be found.The air is sweet-smellingand perfectly clear.Its a place where all creaturescan live without fear.

BK is the youngerand shes full of fun- shes naughty, and cheeky,a mischievous one.Truganini is olderand likes Habitat 2with its beautiful Nicholisand a tree with a view.

One day when Truganiniwas asleep in the sun,young BK decidedon having some fun.She bellowed her loudestin Truganinis earand she leapt sky highin an anguish of fear.

This trick gave her suchan incredible fright,that her fur turned dark brownand her chest stayed quite white.But keeping her temper,in very tight rein,she said very softlyDont do that again.

A few minutes passed, Truganini was no longer mad.She climbed on a soft branchand thought, Shes just like her dad.The day was so hotand the birds notes so sweet,that soon she was dreamingof the trees in her street.

But fun-loving BKheld up a sharp stick-she was going to playyet another trick!She poked the stick intoTruganini being curious,which woke her up sharply,and then she was furious!

Spluttering and spittingand seething with rage,Truganini pointed and shouted,Ive now reached the stagewhen I cannot, I will not,put up with you near.Youre a pest, youre a menace,you cannot live here!

They argued and bickeredand shouted all day,till BK said quite sadly,Oh, have it your way!She told herself smugly,that in a short while,shed find her own treewhere shed live in her style.

She set out in the duskand it soon became darkso she climbed up a tall treenear a caravan park.Not a wink, not a blink,did she sleep all that night,for many strange soundskept her rigid with fright.

She dozed in the morningand then set out late.It was wet, it was muddy-a thing koalas hate.Then she saw just ahead,a Mahogany tree-and wasting no timeshe climbed it with glee.

When she got to the top-there are no words to tell-her nostrils were filledwith a horrible smell.What she thought was clean bushland,was covered in muck .In panic she yelled,Someone help me, Im stuck!

But after a struggle,she crawled back down the tree,where she sat quite appalled-with her head on her knee.In front of her laya swamp filled with rubbishsome introduced species,and even dead fish .

Very sadly she thoughtas she trudged on her way,of the tree where shed liveduntil just yesterday.She pictured the playgroundwith leaves that she ate,and remembered the Red Gumjust next to the gate.

Later on in the dayBK stood on the slopeof bush filled with old cans, an old piece of rope,worn rubber tyresand old loaves of bread.Such gross human habits!They made her see red.

Disgusted and angry,BK moved on with a pushand found yet some morepollution-filled bush.It was scattered with plastic,newspaper and litter.The humans bone lazinessmade BK feel bitter.

How she ached to returnto Truganini and her tree,The sights she had seenmade her want to flee.She yearned for her playgroundand sweet-smelling air-and the voice of a koala,like herself, who would care.

19BK turned in her tracks,and she set off for home.Shed been such a fooland shed felt so alone.Oh! Never againwould she tease her good friend.She felt so ashamedand hoped their bond, she could mend.

In the fork of a treethat was home, old Trug sat.Shed been mean to young BKno doubt about that.So she jumped with delightwhen she heard BK say,Im sorry bout everything Trug.Can I stay?

BK gazed at the playgroundand gulped down the fresh air.She told Trug that her journeyhad been a nightmare.She looked at the gum trees,the birds and the bees.she knew then contentment-how simple things please.

Then she asked Trug, Why is it,if koalas really care,that people pollute placesand foul up clean air?They say were just lazyand dont do a lot.What do they know about koalas?What a cheek they have got!

Truganini shook her head sadlyat all she had heard.What a crime! she bellowed loudly.Its simply absurd!But try not to worry,man can be such a fool,at least well be safe herein Soldiers Point School.

The End