Gusts in the Gums – The big whopper
By Michael Kendall
Illustrations by Emma Pinferi
Lying Lionel Lizard has a new bag of lollies. Lionel is licking a lolly. He scurries up along side of Waddling Wally Wombat on the path by the creek. Wally is walking towards the pond.
“Hello Wally,” said Lionel.
“Hello Lionel,” said Wally.
Lionel is curious to find out what Wally is doing on such a beautiful morning.
“What are you doing with that long wooden fishing pole on your shoulder,?” asked Lionel.
“I am going fishing,” said Wally. He was beginning to feel hungry while watching Lionel eat his lolly.
“What a lovely day for it. If I give you some of my lollies, can I go fishing with you?” asked Lionel with a mouth full of lolly.
“Ok,” agreed Wally.
They walked to the pond, eating lollies together along the way. The boys were keen to try their luck and skill.
Lionel started to think about the idea of catching a big fish. He became excited about the idea of impressing his friends. Lionel likes Pretty Penny Platypus. The idea that he can tell Penny how clever he is became bigger than the size of the fish he imagined. That morning Penny was swimming in the pond nearby. Merry Molly Magpie was singing high in the gum tree and watching over her friends at the pond.
Lionel and Wally finished the lollies
“We need some worms for bait. Big fat juicy wiggly worms will help us catch huge fish,” said Wally.
Wally asked Lionel politely if he would find some worms while he set up the fishing gear by the pond. Lionel agreed to go and find some worms. Now as Lionel hunted for the worms he began to think he did not want Wally to catch his big fish. How can I stop Wally from catching my fish? thought Lionel. Lionel made a plan to tell a lie to Wally. Lionel found some worms and decided to hide them in his empty bag of lollies. Lionel went back to Wally and said. “I could not find any worms.”
“Oh dear, I will have to go and look for some worms myself,” said Wally.
Wally had set the fishing gear up and told Lionel to look after the fishing pole and tackle.
“Be careful of the hook,” said Wally.
Wally thanked Lionel for trying to find the worms and then set off.
While Wally went looking for worms, Lionel decided to get a worm from his bag and try to catch his big fish without Wally. Lionel is a little lizard and his wiggly worms were big and juicy. Lionel put one worm on the hook and put it into the water. It was not long and then a huge black eel grabbed Lionel's worm and hook. Lionel screamed with excitement and Wally, Penny and Molly heard the commotion. They all rushed back to Lionel to see what the fuss was about. They found Lionel being pulled into the water by a huge eel. The eel was sly and took the worm from the hook and got away.
“Oh my goodness, how did that happen?” exclaimed Wally.
Penny was quickly on the scene and Molly had flown down from her tree to see what the tizz was about. There was Lionel in the water, flapping and flailing about. Penny was quick to act and swam to Lionel. Penny told Lionel to hold onto the long wooden fishing pole.
“I will get you to the creek bank,” said Penny bravely.
Penny grabbed the pole and pulled Lionel to safety. Lionel was most relieved. Lionel was still out to impress Penny.
“Did you see the big fish I had caught?” boasted Lionel.
“Not really, I was too busy looking at you drowning,” said Penny.
Lionel was disappointed Penny did not see the big eel. Penny did not seem impressed at all.
Wally and Molly arrived to ask Lionel what had happened. Wally had found Lionel's bag of worms where the tackle had been left.
“Where did you get these worms from Lionel?” asked Wally.
Lionel could not think how to answer Wally as he knew he had told a lie.
“I don't know!” lied Lionel.
“Well I think I know, I think you told me a lie Lionel,” said Wally.
Lionel did not to tell the truth to Wally. He decided to tell another lie.
“A bird dropped them from the sky,” said Lionel.
“Oh my goodness, that is such a big whopper. I am the only bird that lives here. I did not drop any worms from the sky,” exclaimed Molly Magpie.
“Well, I must be off,” said Lionel feeling rather uncomfortable with his lies.
“Yes, be off with you,” said Molly with disgust.
Away scurried Lionel.
Wally was able to use the worms that Lionel had left behind. Wally caught a fish and gave it to Penny. Penny invited Wally and Molly to dinner that evening. With a fresh salad and fish they all enjoyed a meal together. Lionel was at home pondering the loss of the great slimy sly eel he encountered that day wondering why things had gone wrong. An empty tummy and a restless night was had by Lionel.
“Would you like more salad or fish,?” said Penny politely to her friends.
All images & content of this website © Michael Kendall 2011
