Gusts in the Gums – at the pond - second story
By Michael Kendall
Illustrations by Emma Pinferi
“Such a lovely day,” said Pretty Penny Platypus to Waddling Wally Wombat. “Yes,” answered Wally. “What can we do today?” asked Penny.
“Well, I am looking forward to lunch,” said Wally.
“How about we have a picnic on the grass by the waterfall at the pond?” said Penny.
“Ok,” said Wally happily.
“I will go and get some tea and scones with fresh cream and home made raspberry jam,” said Penny.
“I will go and get a nice soft woollen blanket,” said Wally. Wally knows that Penny is a good cook and is thinking how yummy he will feel in his tummy at lunch time. Wally likes the idea of having lunch with Penny.
“See you at twelve o'clock,” said Penny .
“Yes,” said Wally.
Off they went to their homes.
Wally was looking forward to tea and scones and hurried to his home and grabbed his lovely woollen picnic blanket and rushed back along the track to the spot next to the waterfall. Wally spread the picnic blanket on the nice green grass and sat on it waiting for Penny to arrive. Wally basked in the warm sunshine and listened to a Magpie singing her merry song in the gums. It was such a lovely day.
Lying Lionel Lizard was out and about enjoying the day with a new bag of Lollies. Lionel loves Lollies. He was trying to find out which ones were the best. He unwrapped the lollies on his walk and carelessly threw the wrappers on the ground as he walked along the track to the pond. Then if he didn't like the lolly he spat it on the ground half eaten. Presently Lionel met Wally sitting on his blanket.
“Hello Wally,” said Lionel.
“Hello Lionel,” said Wally.
By the time Lionel had arrived at the pond Lionel had eaten all the nice lollies in his bag and had a few of the nasty sour lollies left. Lionel was sucking on the last nice lolly. Lying Lionel Lizard asked Wally what he was doing at the pond and why he was sitting on a blanket.
Wally said he was waiting for Penny and that they had arranged to have a picnic at twelve o'clock. Lionel likes Penny and Wally and thought how lovely it would be to be with his friends at the picnic. Lionel decided that it would be a good idea to offer Wally the last of his lollies, in the hope he may get an invitation to the picnic. Wally noticed Lionel had a little bag of lollies and was sucking on a lolly and talking with his mouth full.
“Would you like these Lollies?” asked Lionel.
“Yes please,” said Wally.
“You can have them if I can stay for the picnic,” said Lionel.
Wally was fond of most things sweet and was excited by the idea of getting the lollies from Lionel.
“Well, I think it will be ok for you to stay,” said Wally. Wally knew Penny would make a very good lunch and there would likely be enough to go around. Wally knew Penny was a friendly Platypus and decided to say it may be ok if Penny says Lionel can stay. So Wally invited Lionel to sit on his woollen blanket and wait with him in exchange for the last few lollies.
Wally opened the bag and put one of the lollies in his mouth. Unfortunately Wally got a bit of a surprise to find his lolly was not really very nice at all. Lionel had a bit of a giggle and thought Wally's face was quite funny.
Penny had been not far behind Lionel and was finding Lionel's lolly litter along the track. Penny does not like litter and was picking up the empty wrappers along the way. It did not go unnoticed that there were some yucky half eaten and sticky lollies on the ground. Some ants had found the lollies and were happy to take them to their home. Oooh! Yuck! Thought Penny.
Penny arrived at the picnic spot and found that Lionel was sitting with Wally on the picnic blanket. Penny does not like Lionel very much as she knows he tells lies. Being a friendly person Penny says hello to Lionel. Lionel says “Hello Penny,” with a mouth full of lolly.
Penny notices Wally with a nearly empty bag of lollies. “Are those your lollies?” said Penny to Wally.
“Yes,” said Wally to Penny.
Penny recognised the empty lolly wrapper on Wally's blanket as being the same as she had found along the track. Penny was disappointed that the trail of litter had led to her friend's bag of lollies. It was noticed that Lionel had a lolly in his mouth. Penny felt she should ask about the lolly litter that she had found and collected along the track.
“Look what I found along the track on my way here,” said Penny. Penny showed the boys the empty wrappers she had put in her pocket. “I don't like litter,” said Penny. Lionel immediately looked worried and did not want to get into trouble with Penny.
“Who could have made this litter mess along the track?” said Penny.
Wally looked surprised.
Lionel felt he needed to tell a lie to get out of trouble. Lionel said “It wasn't me!”
Penny looked at Lionel and then at Wally.
Wally said “It wasn't me!”
Now all this time Merry Molly Magpie was sitting in a gum tree near by. Molly had seen and heard what had been going on along the creek that morning. Molly is a friend to Penny and decided it was time to fly down and tell Penny what had actually happened.
“Excuse me,” said Molly politely.
“I can tell you exactly what happened this morning,” said Molly.
“Yes please,” said Penny.
Lionel looked very worried indeed. Lionel was starting to feel uncomfortable with the lie he had told.
“Well I better be off now,” said Lionel.
“I really think we know what happened,” said Wally to Lionel.
“You have told a lie Lionel,” said Wally.
Lionel said “Bye,” and scurried away quickly.
Penny invited Molly to stay for tea and scones and heard all about what Lionel had done.
Lionel missed out on a lovely picnic with friends. Penny politely said to her friends, “More tea and scones anyone?”
All images & content of this website © Michael Kendall 2011
