Day 2 of the Blues

Day 2 of the Blues

“We don’t have time for this.” Jac Roo grumbled.

“I’ve got all the time in the world.” Kel Koala replied as he nestled into the fork of his tree.

“You need to come down now Kel, or we are going to be late!”

“So late in fact that the day will be over before we get there.” Kel yawned.

“Don’t make me climb up there and drag you down Kel.” Jac yelled, his paws on his hips.

“Oh, and just how are you going to do that Jac? Have you forgotten kangaroos can’t climb?”

“I’ll have you know my cousins the Tree Kangaroos can do just that, smarty pants.” Jac replied shaking his head.

“Well, you are certainly not equipped for the arboreal life in case you have forgotten Jac.”

“That’s irrelevant because if I could I would!”

“Yep, but you can’t so you won’t!” Kel chuckled.

“My mum said that she spoke to your mum last night and your mum said I was to come past and pick you up and if you didn’t get your butt to school, she was going to kick it fair and square when she gets back from the river gum farm.” Jac said assertively.

That threat seemed to be the motivation Kel needed. He reluctantly climbed down and stood next to Jac, a look of complete annoyance on his face.

“Cheer up grumpy.” Jac chipped, a wry smile crossing his face.

“I’m only down here because my butt is in jeopardy so don’t think you’ve had a win Jac.”

“Looks like a win to me.” Jac replied, giving Kel a light shove forward.

The two friends walked most of the way in total silence. Kel making the trip as annoying as he could by dragging his feet along the dirt track. Just as the schoolhouse came into view the noise, they had heard so many times the day before, rang out across the quadrangle.

“Hurry up Kel.” Jac instructed.

“Why?”

“Because if you don’t, we will be late!”

“Go ahead without me then.” Kel encouraged.

“I don’t think so Mr. As soon as I go in you will flee the scene.”

“Mum said I had to go to school. I heard no mention of going in.” Kel snorted.

With that Jac grabbed Kel by the ear and dragged him up the stairs and pushed him through the door.

“Good morning, “the same friendly voice greeted the pair.

“I will not forget this Jac.” Kel said, gritting his teeth.

He kept a close eye on the crocs as he made his way to his seat. Jac sat and eyeballed the room as well.

“Thank goodness that parrot isn’t here today.” Kel whispered.

Before Jac could reply they heard a shrill screech and door flung opened. In ran a pink and grey flapping its wings and apologising loudly.

“Sorry I’m late, sorry I’m late.” It screeched about ten times.

“We heard you the first time.” Kel grunted, as he put his paws over his ears.

“Up on your perch quickly. We have lessons to get on with.” The friendly voice instructed.

Two hours later the bell rang and there was a mass exodus out the door.

“I’ve had faster wet weeks than that.” Was the first thing Kel said once outside.

“I really enjoyed the time.” Jac disagreed. “Didn’t you find the information about threats to Australian wildlife riveting?”

“Riveting if you have a death wish! How can you say floods, droughts, habitat clearing, disease and all those awful things that could see the end of us, are riveting? Surviving a day in there,” Kel said pointing, “is tough enough without knowing those things could be the end of us!”

“Cheer up Kel. You heard what the teacher said, a lot is being done so we are protected.”

“What’s being done to protect me from these darn swimming lessons coming up Jac.? I’m scared I won’t get to live through all those horrible threats because I will be dead by days end!”

“You are so dramatic Kel.”

“I think I’d rather get a kick up the butt by mum than have to endure anymore of this school thing Jac. Whatever happened to the happy lessons?”

“They were yesterday, Kel. Today must be the reality check day. Anyway, get your togs on and let’s get to the creek before those crocs get in the water.”

They both tentatively walked down to the creek, Jac stopping on the way to chew on some grass growing along the edge of the path. Once there the animals began to congregate on the bank.

“Ha ha, did you see that?” Kel chuckled.

“What?”

“That galah up there just crapped on the crocs head and he is not looking happy.”

“Don’t be laughing out loud Kel or you might be right about a premature death!”

Jac and the cane toads kept the crocs at bay while Kel had his swimming lesson. He spent most of the time floundering around and bobbing up and down in the water. When it was finally over, he dragged himself out of the water a collapsed on the sand.

“You must have been a sub mariner in your past life Kel.” Jac quipped, as he passed Kel his towel.

“Why do you say that?”

“You spent most of your time under the water.” Jac said giggling uncontrollably.

“Very funny. In case you didn’t realise, I was just about drowning for most of the lesson. No-one came to help mate!. Luckily, I found a fallen log under the water, and I used that to keep my head buoyant.”

Jac was still rolling around clutching his stomach when Kel got up to leave. The lessons were over and so was the day and Kel couldn’t wait to get a head start on the crocs who were still doing laps and rolls.

“See you later….not!” Kel called out to Jac.

“Wait, I’m coming.” Jac called as he hopped up the path.

The conversation on the way home was much like the morning, with both digging their heels in. Eventually Jac broke to ice.

“How did you find the day overall?” He asked sheepishly.

“Are you kidding Jac? In terms of horror, it was up there with the best.”

“That bad hey?”

“Yes! I thought this school thing might somehow get better but after two days it has only got worse. Hell knows what tomorrow will hold, and that is why I am definitely, NOT returning.” Kel said adamantly.

“But your mum…..”

“Geez Jac my mum is the least of my worries after what I heard and endured today. Do not come past and annoy me in the morning as I will be too busy padding the nether region of my body in anticipation of its contact with a size 3 fur covered foot!”