Blinky Bill, Chapter 5: The Rabbits' Party

After leaving Frog Hollow, Blinky crashes a bunny birthday party and has his first dance!

Blinky Bill was first published in 1933, and as such it contains material that might be outdated, inaccurate or offensive, as well as material that would now be considered quite dark for children’s fiction. Aside from language that Madame Magpie is personally uncomfortable using, the text has been left as it was originally published. There is no bad language, but below is a list of potentially distressing content that appears in this episode:

• Spanking/corporal punishment: "No, don't do that," called out Madam Hare. "Let me punish the young rascal."
   
  Blinky shivered with fear. Madam Hare had such big feet and could give a very big kick. How he wished he had a tail round his hind parts. Scowling and showing her teeth, Madam Hare pounced on Blinky.
   
  "You little wretch!" she screamed, "you've ruined my tail, and it's moulting time. I'll have none for a long time now."
   
  "You're a bully, and I'm glad I did it," roared Blinky trying to kick her.
   
  "Hold his arms!" Madam Hare commanded, as she turned her back to Blinky; then quickly looking over her shoulder she measured her distance.
   
  Blinky waited for the kick. His eyes screwed up tightly and he tried to tuck in the part where his tail should have been.
   
  "Thud! Thud! Thud!" Madam Hare certainly forgot to be shy.
   
  "Oh! Oh!" wailed Blinky, "Stop! Stop!"

Blinky Bill was written and illustrated by Dorothy Wall, first published by Angus & Robertson in 1933. Sound effects are from Zapsplat, Epidemic Sound, Pixabay, Soundly and Dylan Barfield.

All images are made by Josh Dykgraaf using Dorothy Wall's original illustrations. Madame Magpie is a creation of Alix Roberts. Narration and character voices by Alix Roberts.

Madame Magpie’s Bedtime Stories are recorded and edited by Alix Roberts (aka Madame Magpie) on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Bunarong Peoples of the Kulin nation. Madame Magpie acknowledges the rich and extensive history of storytelling among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and pays her respects to past and present elders of all nations.