Blinky Bill

by Dorothy Wall

  “Well, I don’t want to go to a zoo,” he wailed.

  “Oh, we’d have great fun!” Mrs Koala said. “We would meet other bears and see all kinds of strange things,”

  “It sounds like an adventure, and I suppose we’d be taken great care of, and if you’re with me, mother, I don’t think I’d mind so much,” Blinky replied quite cheerfully.

  “That’s the boy!” Mrs Koala said, “Now, if you stop that kicking and growling and behave very nicely, perhaps the men will take you out of that sack.”

  Blinky did as his mother advised, and sat there as quiet as it was possible for him to sit. Presently, after the men had finished their tea, one turned to look at Blinky.

  “The little fellow’s quite tame now,” he remarked. “I guess he’s tired after all that kicking.”

  “Poor little chap!” the other said kindly. “How about letting him out for a while?”

  “Do you think it wise?” his friend asked. “I wouldn’t lose him for the world.”

  “He won’t wander away while his mother’s here,” the other replied. “Let him out and see what he’ll do.” So Blinky was taken out of the sack and held in kind arms up to his mother.

  “Don’t kick or scratch,” Mrs Koala whispered, “or they’ll pop you back in the sack again.”

  “Don’t kick or scratch,” Mrs Koala whispered.

  But Blinky was cunning enough to know that, and instead kept very still until at last the man placed him on the ground. He cuddled up to his mother and felt ever so much happier.

  “Well, it’s time we made tracks home again,” one of the men remarked, as he stamped out the smouldering fire. “Pop the two of them in the sacks and well ride very carefully,”

  A long journey followed through the bush; to Blinky it seemed days and days. The gum-trees were gradually left behind, and in their place green fields and houses came into view. The earth had not the sweet smell of the bushland, the air seemed dusty, and the songs of the birds disappeared altogether.

  Both bears were held very gently and patted and talked to in a caressing way by the men, so all fear of harm had left them. Indeed, they were enjoying this new adventure, especially dear Mrs Koala, who had never been from home before. She could hardly believe her eyes when she saw the first train pass by in the distance, and wonder after wonder caused her and Blinky to utter queer little grunts as they came nearer to the township. The next day, the men took the bears on the train and it was very amusing to Blinky to have such a fuss made of him. It was better than any adventure he’d ever had before. Mrs Koala enjoyed it, too, and in her mind wondered however she had lived so long with crabby Mrs Grunty. After the train journey they were carried on board a boat and taken across the water.

  “Good gracious!” Mrs Koala exclaimed, as she gazed on Sydney harbour. “They seem to have a great deal of rain here. I’ve never seen such a lot of water over the ground before. The rabbits will be in a bad way.”

  Blinky was too surprised to reply. He tried to look at everything at once — boats, people, flags, wharves, and very tall buildings. It was really marvellous. He was too surprised to even grunt. The men still carried them in their arms, and patted them as before.

  The boat drew alongside a jetty and the men carried the bears ashore. Through a big gate they went and along paths bordered with beautiful flowers, and oh, joy! gum-trees grew all around.

  Mrs Koala and Blinky were enraptured as they saw the trees of the bushland, and every moment they became happier as an old friend was seen.

  “Why, there’s Mrs Wallaby, I do believe!” Mrs Koala cried in excitement. “And, oh, dear, what a great number of children she has now! When I first knew her she had only one; now she has dozens.”

  “Good heavens!” she cried in alarm as they passed along the path. “Just look at Mrs Snake. How fat she’s grown since last I saw her! And I’m sure as can be she hadn’t all those children then. Oh, there’s her husband, I suppose. See, Blinky, that big snake lying asleep in the corner.”

  “That’s not our Mrs Snake,” Blinky replied with a worldly air. “She’s dead and eaten by the bull ants.”

  “Dear me,” Mrs Koala sighed. “I’ve heard so little living away in the bush. There’s no doubt about it we koalas have seen very little.”

  “I hear Jacko!” Blinky cried with excitement. “He’s here, too!”

  Sure enough — the kookaburras were giving the little bears a grand bush welcome to their new home.

  “Good afternoon,” Mrs Koala called. “You’ve also added to your family, Mr Kookaburra, since I saw you last.”

  Another hearty laugh greeted Mrs Koala’s words.

  “Great gum-trees! What on earth is that?” said Mrs Koala, pointing to a giraffe.

  “Well, well, I’ve never seen a tree like that before. What a funny looking branch that is growing out of the stump. It’s spotted like the gum, but the spots are larger. Good gracious, Blinky, it’s moving! Look at the branches walking along the ground. And, oh, the spotted branch has eyes and ears on the top!”

  “Silly!” Blinky retorted. “That’s not a tree. That’s an animal, mother.”

  “And is that huge thing over there an animal?” Mrs Koala asked as she pointed to an elephant. “I’ve never seen an animal with a nose like that! Just look at it — all crumpled and so very, very, long. I’m sure it’s not an animal.”

  “Look! Look!” Blinky cried excitedly. “He’s picking up something with his nose! And now he’s curled it into his mouth!”

  “That’s not a nose,” Mrs Koala said decidedly, “It’s some kind of fishing-line he’s stuck on his face. Whoever saw anyone pick up things with their nose?”

  Blinky and his mother had no further time for argument as the men carried them into a building, where they were at once surrounded by several more men who admired them, patted them, and offered some delicious fresh gum-tips for refreshments.

  “Remember your manners, Blinky, and don’t eat so quickly,” Mrs Koala whispered, as she nibbled her leaves.

  “They are so good, mother, and it’s such a long time since we’ve had our own gum-tips. I hope we’ll get plenty more.” And Blinky crammed his mouth with leaves until a smart smack on the nose from Mrs Koala made him remember his manners.

  “Aren’t they the quaintest little bears,” someone said as Blinky and his mother continued their meal. “And what a delight for the children!”

  They have indeed been a delight and joy to thousands of children — and grown-ups as well — in Taronga Park. Such cuddly, trusting, amusing little bears. How many of you children who visit the zoo long to steal Blinky just for your very own? No wonder, especially when he reaches out a furry paw to shake hands with you. But while you are longing to cuddle and steal him, remember how sad he would be if parted from his mother. He would die in a very short time, as his natural food is most necessary, that is — his special gum-tips; and although Blinky has been through so many bold adventures, he must have his bushland surroundings to make his life happy.

  As I walked past the koalas one day recently when paying a visit to the zoo, I asked Mrs Koala how she liked her new home. Before she could reply naughty Blinky pushed his way in front of her, held out a paw for me to shake, and said in a very cheeky voice:

  “It’s just the juicy gum-tip!”

  So there I left the two little koalas with other friends from the bush feeling very happy and looking quite contented.

  Blinky Bill and Nutsy

  CHAPTER 12

  The Escape

  old little wretches!”

  Splodge the largest kangaroo in the zoo lay on his side, eyes tightly shut, teeth grinding with anger, and his tummy fairly boiling with indignation.

  “I wish I could spit like the llamas next door.” … Bang! Another peanut hit him right on the nose. “That makes the tenth!” Splodge mumbled opening one eye just the tiniest bit to have a look at his tormentors. “Wait till the next arrives! I’ll give that kid with the freckles on his fac
e the biggest fright he’s ever had in his life. As for that old woman with the umbrella — shell jump sky-high. I had to move from my favourite corner because she insisted on poking me with her gamp just to see me jump. Now, I’ll see who jumps the highest.” Closing his eye again he waited tensely for the moment of battle, listening with ears pricked to the conversation of the freckled boy and his companion.

  “You watch me plant one on his tummy!” freckle-face laughed as he took aim.

  “And you watch me pepper his nose,” his companion shouted as he dived into the bag of peanuts for ammunition.

  “What funny boys you are!” the old lady giggled watching the performance with great amusement.

  “Here she goes!” freckle-face shouted as he threw a peanut straight at Splodge’s tummy.

  Whack! It hit and bounced right off again. Instantly a wild fury came hurtling through the air, over the fence, and plop! — right on top of the old lady, knocking her down amid shrieks and high-pitched screams of terror. She hadn’t a chance to jump. In a flash Splodge went bounding down the path. The boys, too overcome with surprise and scarcely realizing what had happened, just stood and stared in amazement. The whole zoo became electrified. Lions roared, monkeys screeched, parrots chattered, the macaws cawed, the kookaburras laughed, and amidst all the noise and confusion keepers came racing down the path to find out what it was all about. Splodge, being a cunning kangaroo, knew this was the opportunity to hide. He made straight for the fence where the undergrowth lay thickest, and, as dusk was falling, it was quite an easy matter to take cover.

  Thump! Thump! Thump! He bounded in great leaps, getting nearer and nearer his objective. Round the koalas’ compound he came like lightning, just catching a glimpse of the little bears out of the corner of his eye.

  “Hi! You! Where are you off to? Kicking up the dust like an elephant in a fit!” This cheeky voice came from a koala. You can guess who.

  Splodge hesitated a second, then started to hop away again.

  “Hi! Hi! Can’t you spare a moment? I won’t eat you!” the cheeky voice called again. “Come back! I’ve got something most important to ask you.”

  Splodge put his back pedal on, and came to a standstill, nervously glancing all round him.

  “For goodness’ sake keep quiet,” he hissed. “Can’t you see I’m escaping?”

  “Where to?” the cheeky bear asked excitedly, climbing nearer the wire fence that divided him from Splodge.

  “That’s my business,” Splodge replied coldly.

  “Anyhow, what do you mean by stopping me? You can see I’m in a desperate hurry. Why — I don’t even know your name, let alone recognize you. For all I know you might be a spy.”

  “I’m not! I’m Blinky Bill, Mrs Koala’s only son. And what’s more I’m going to escape too — seeing that a great big animal like you can do it.”

  “Do be quiet! Hold your tongue!” Splodge growled. “You’ll have the keepers down here in a minute if you make such a noise. Can’t you whisper?”

  “Of course I can, only don’t go — please don’t go,” Blinky pleaded. “Can’t you help me to escape too?”

  “And me!” a voice whispered so softly that it could hardly be heard.

  “Oh dear! Why did I stop?” Splodge growled. “Can’t a fellow escape from zoos and peanuts without having to take the raggle-taggle with him?”

  “Raggle-taggle! Indeed! Do you know I’m Mrs Koala, and come from the same bush as you?” She squeezed her nose against the wire enclosure and looked angrily at Splodge.

  “I’m not at all interested,” he replied. “And I’ve no more time to waste. If you had a tail you might have escaped long ago.”

  “The monkeys have tails and they don’t escape,” Blinky replied quickly. “It must be your brains that helped you. You must be a very clever animal, in fact the cleverest animal in the zoo, because you’re the only one that’s escaped.”

  “Piffle!” Splodge said with a sly look at Blinky, “It’s peanuts and umbrellas that did it; but I’m not denying that I didn’t use what brains I have … Now you’ve mentioned the matter, I really believe it was my brains.”

  Splodge licked a paw to hide his feelings.

  “‘Course it’s your brains!” Blinky replied immediately. “And, if they were extra special brains they’d get to work and think out a way of helping mother and me to escape. But of course, they couldn’t do that. They’re only kangaroo brains after all.”

  “Ump!” Splodge grunted. “Well, just to show you what excellent brains I have, I’ll find a hiding-place until dark, then, when I’m alone I’ll think out a way for you to escape; then I’ll come back and tell you — only, mind, it’s to be kept a strict secret. If you dare to breathe a word to anyone about it I’ll leave you to your fate and jump the fence to freedom without even so much as looking your way.”

  That was the most dreadful thing Splodge could think of at the moment to enforce quietness on his young friend.

  “I won’t breathe until you come back,” Blinky replied, his eyes wide open in excitement.

  “In that case you’ll die,” Mrs Koala interrupted rather tersely. “And we don’t want dead bodies around here. At least, I don’t!” She snapped her little jaws together and folded her paws across her tummy, just to show the whole world what she really thought of the position.

  “Don’t get off your bike: I’ll pick up your pump!” Blinky retorted cheekily. “We’ll never escape if you are going to be haughty.”

  “Bike!” Mrs Koala said coldly, raising her eyebrows. “Where did you hear that word? Another dreadful expression you’ve picked up since we’ve been at the zoo, and for all I know it might be a naughty word.”

  Mrs Koala began to cry.

  “Fancy my son calling me a-a-bike!” she sobbed.

  “Nonsense!” Splodge interrupted quickly. “He didn’t say any such thing. I’d give half my tail at the present moment if I could get hold of a bike.”

  “Hurry!” Blinky whispered. “Hurry, for goodness’ sake. Here comes a keeper.”

  “I hope he hasn’t heard us,” Mrs Koala whispered with fright. “Dear, dear, how dreadful! Hide yourself, Mr Kangaroo, as quickly as you can.”

  But Mr Kangaroo needed no advice. He was gone like a flash, and as silently as a mouse.

  “Serves me right for stopping to gossip,” he mumbled to himself. “Those keepers never can mind their own business. My goodness! Where’s that fence? If I don’t find it in a moment I’ll be discovered.”

  Panting with excitement and fright he stopped for a second to look around. With a peculiar little grunt of satisfaction he noticed the fence showing above the undergrowth only a few yards away. Working his way through lantana bushes he sought the thickest cover, then flopped down on the earth to await results. It was dark by now, so it just needed a little patience on his part to escape the searching keeper. Splodge heard him running down the pathway, then for a few breathless minutes saw him peering into the lantana bushes, carefully pulling aside a few branches and stooping to gaze underneath.

  “A pretty sharp fellow!” he grumbled to himself. “Getting away like that, right under my very nose. He can stay there till daylight, because I’m not hunting around in these snake-holes for all the kangaroos in Australia.”

  “Good shot!” Splodge whispered. “That just suits me nicely.”

  The keeper gave the lantana bushes a savage kick with his boot to show the contempt he had for that rubbish, then quickly disappeared the way he had come.

  “There he goes!” whispered Blinky to his mother as the keeper hurried past the bears’ compound, “and he hasn’t caught Mr Kangaroo.”

  “I’d have been surprised if he had!” Mrs Koala exclaimed with satisfaction. “That proves what I’ve always said to you in the past. A bush animal is a very clever being once he gets among the cover. Keep quiet, don’t clatter about like humans do, and you’ll elude them nearly every time.”

  “What’s all the fuss about? You two see
m to have a great deal to say to one another.” A most inquisitive looking old lady bear eyed Mrs Koala with suspicion. “You’re not plotting are you?”

  “No! We’re just minding our own business” (Mrs Koala glared at the intruder as she snapped out her reply), “and I’d give all I possess for sixpenneth of privacy.”

  “And I’d give the same,” her neighbour remarked angrily. “Ever since you came here with that son of yours, we older bears have had no peace. Why only this morning I was preparing to have my doze and had picked a beautiful branch in the sunlight, when that impudent cub came along and broke a twig right under where I was going to sit, A good thing for him I happened to hear it, otherwise I’d have fallen to the ground and injured myself.”

  The indignant bear waddled off, ruffled with annoyance.

  “Did you do that?” Mrs Koala gritted her teeth as she looked at Blinky with a stony stare.

  “Yes I did!” he replied, “She’s always giving me a nasty nip whenever I go near her, and bumping me if I pass her on the tree. I wanted her to come a cropper.”

  “Did you do that?” “Yes I did!”

  “A cropper!” Mrs Koala repeated the words slowly, “and what’s a c-r-o-p-p-e-r? Is it any relation to a hopper?”

  “Yes, only it’s upside down,” Blinky replied quickly. “Instead of jumping up, you turn a somersault and come down with a bump!”

  Mrs Koala grabbed her son by the scruff of his neck and shook her paw angrily in his face.

  “Don’t you ever let me see or hear of you making croppers. You bad cub! You dreadful child! I’d no idea what terrible things croppers were.”

  She gave Blinky a good shaking, making his teeth chatter until he hit back with a naughty kick from a hind leg.

  “What did I tell you? Didn’t I say he’s the worst bear in the zoo!” This remark came from the old bear who had been the cause of the argument. Mrs Koala very wisely said nothing in reply; but grabbing her son by an ear toddled off to the farthest corner of the compound. There she sat deep in thought, one arm round Blinky who, feeling thoroughly ashamed of himself, patted her nose every now and again, just to show how sorry he really was. By now, all the other bears were enjoying supper, nibbling at the gum-leaves and grunting with satisfaction, so that when a large, dark form silently hopped up to the wire fence, no one saw him except the two little bears who were waiting so anxiously for his appearance.