Bill of Old

Old Blinky Bill that dinky-di, iconic Aussie fellow

Was sleeping up his gumtree when a bush walker said "Hello"

Bill woken from his slumber, spoke down from high above

"Watch out I've got your number, you best keep walking love"

He grabbed a branch of Eucalypt, made sure to hold his stare

Then quiet to himself he quipped, "You best not wake The Bear"

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The walker skipped and stumbled out, more quickly than an emu

The 'soup had spoke without a doubt, the first in case that she knew.

"'Tis sure to break the headlines, by Jove I see it now"

'KOALA'S CLIMB THE FOODCHAIN, PAGE THREE TO FIND OUT HOW'

She drove off in her four-by-four, completely unaware

Machines that prowled the forest floor had come to strip it bare.

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'Dozers, tanks, dragged the chain, and fed the circular saw

Bilby's fled for mortal gain when they heard the mighty roar.

It made The Walker hit the breaks and rip the steering wheel.

She doubled up her double take at what could not be real

Then sped back through the wild bush, true money was her care

But as she made the motor push she spoke "Don't touch that bear".

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~ ~ ~

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Bill still drowsy, heard the malarkey, so he moseyed down

Then sauntered up a tree more barkey, close as could be found.

He waited lest the turmoil stop and he could be left in peace.

He climbed until he reached the top but the clamour would not cease.

Then tore some bark and chewed it up, his eyes began to flare,

So to his Joey said, "Hold on pup", and morphed, to a Drop Bear!

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His body bulged and grew in size to three-four times at least

And dropped before the Trucker's eyes a God-Almighty Beast

It slashed and smashed the windscreen and the tyres, not to mention

It reached in through the headroom and clean pulled out the engine!

...And then a stammer, with seat all wet, The Logger, in a snare,

Pointed in a tremulous fret and said, "B-B-B-Bear".

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Ol' Bill bellowed, he beat his chest, his grey and white fur bristled

He prepared to lay the man to rest, when from afar there whistled

The walker, stepping from her car, who crouched and crept with caution

And sang a lull, "Ko-a-la", and offered up to-ward-em,

Some gum leaves, of the Eucalypt, known to keep things fair.

But in approach, alas, she tripped, more pressure than any could bear.

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The Walkers knew their time was through, so bolted at the blunder

They'd seen what rumours said were true, it's presence shook like thunder.

Bill looked upon the lass in mud, whose outstretched hand still plied

She'd come to stop the spill of blood, a good thing that she tried.

Her thought of fortune faded then, so ending the affair

Ol' Bill returned, now as a friend, no more was The Bear.

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~ ~ ~

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The mob around the watering hole still here the tale fortnightly.

They scoff at 'The Monster: Bill of Old' and tell her so forthrightly.

"A Drop Bear!" - and how close she'd got... They'd laugh at the stories growth

But asked if it were true or not, she'd nod, "Bloody Oath.

I make that walk each Sunday morning, it's true blue, I swear.

Those Loggers still heed Old Bill's warning, from when they woke The Bear.

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