In the heart of the Australian outback, where
the red dirt stretched for miles and the sky was as blue as the ocean, lived a
young kangaroo named Kerry. Kerry had a soft brown coat, powerful legs, and a
curious mind that was always eager to explore. She lived with her mother, Matilda,
and her little brother, Joey, under the shade of a large eucalyptus tree.
Kerry loved to hop across the open plains,
chase butterflies, and play hide-and-seek with her friends. But more than
anything, she loved going on adventures. Her mother often warned her, “Kerry,
the outback is beautiful, but it can be dangerous. You must always stay close
and listen to what I tell you.” Kerry would nod and promise to obey, but her
adventurous spirit sometimes got the better of her.
One sunny morning, Matilda gathered Kerry and
Joey. “Today, we’ll visit the waterhole,” she said. “It’s a long journey, so we
must stick together and be careful. There are hidden dangers in the outback.”
“Yes, Mum,” Kerry said, though her big eyes
sparkled with excitement. She couldn’t wait to see what new things she might
discover.
As they hopped along the dusty trail, the
family passed kangaroo paw flowers swaying in the breeze and saw emus strutting
gracefully in the distance. Kerry stayed close at first, but soon, a shiny rock
caught her eye. “I’ll just take a quick look,” she thought, bounding away from
the trail.
The shiny rock turned out to be a smooth
piece of quartz, and as Kerry examined it, she noticed another sparkle a little
farther away. Before she knew it, she was far from the trail and her family.
“Oh no,” she whispered. “I’ve lost them.”
The outback suddenly felt much bigger and
quieter. Kerry’s ears twitched at every sound. She hopped in one direction,
then another, but all she saw were endless bushes and red dirt. Panic set in.
Back on the trail, Matilda noticed Kerry was
missing. “Joey, stay close,” she said, her voice calm but firm. “We need to
find your sister.”
Meanwhile, Kerry’s curiosity led her to a dry
creek bed. She noticed tracks in the sand—large, clawed tracks that didn’t look
like they belonged to a kangaroo. “I should go back,” Kerry thought, but her
legs seemed rooted to the spot. Just then, she heard rustling in the bushes and
saw a dingo step out, its golden eyes gleaming.
Kerry’s heart pounded. She remembered her
mother’s words: “If you ever feel scared, stay calm, use your strong legs, and
find a safe place.” Spotting a tall tree with low branches, she hopped as fast
as she could and scrambled up to a sturdy branch. The dingo barked and circled
the tree but couldn’t reach her.
From her perch, Kerry saw a flock of
cockatoos overhead. They squawked loudly, as if to warn her about another
danger. The sound startled the dingo, and it slunk away. Kerry sighed with
relief, but she knew she needed to find her family quickly.
As Kerry climbed down, she spotted a cluster
of wildflowers that she remembered passing earlier. “This must be the way
back!” she thought, hopping along the path. But before she could go far, she
heard a faint chirping sound. Following it, she found a baby wallaby stuck in a
hollow log.
“Don’t worry, little one. I’ll help you,”
Kerry said. Using her strong legs, she gently pushed the log until the baby
wallaby wriggled free. The tiny creature gave a happy squeak and hopped away to
safety. Kerry felt a spark of pride but knew she couldn’t waste any more time.
Back on the trail, Matilda and Joey were
calling out for Kerry. “Kerry, where are you?”
“Mum! Joey!” Kerry called back, hopping
toward their voices.
When they finally reunited, Matilda nuzzled
Kerry. “I’m so glad you’re safe. But remember, Kerry, listening and staying
close isn’t just a rule. It’s how we keep each other safe in the outback.”
“I’m sorry, Mum,” Kerry said. “I didn’t mean
to wander off. But I helped a baby wallaby, and I stayed calm when I saw a
dingo. I promise I’ll listen better from now on.”
Matilda smiled. “You’ve shown bravery, Kerry,
but the outback is full of surprises. Staying close is the best way to keep
having adventures together.”
As they continued their journey, Kerry stayed
right by her mother’s side. When they reached the waterhole, the cool, clear
water sparkled under the sun, and Kerry splashed happily with Joey. She had
learned an important lesson that day, one she wouldn’t forget.
As the sun dipped low and painted the sky
with shades of orange and pink, Kerry hopped back home with her family, feeling
safe, loved, and a little wiser.
Moral of the Story: Listening to your parents and those who care for you
is important. They set rules not to spoil your fun but to keep you safe and
help you grow. When you listen and stay close, you can enjoy life’s adventures
without unnecessary danger.
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