304: A Visit To The Pelicans (Part 1)

Mrs Koala wants to turn the tree into a guest-house, but Blinky and Nutsy decide that they have better things to do...

Blinky Bill and Nutsy was first published in 1937, and as such it contains material that might be outdated, inaccurate or offensive, as well as material that would now be considered quite dark for children’s fiction.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.

Madame Magpie’s Bedtime Stories will always be available to stream for free, but if you’d like to support the podcast, you can do so via Patreon at patreon.com/MadameMagpie. For $3/month, Patreon members can download episodes for offline listening. 

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.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Hello everyone. My name is Madame Magpie, and I'm here to tell you a story. This story is called Blinky Bill and Nutsy by Dorothy Wall. Chapter 3. A Visit to the Pelicans. Part 1. It's awfully stale up here, Blinky said one night. After just a week of being as good as an angel, he and Natsy were playing together, while Mrs. Koala was holding a consultation with Splodge at the bottom of the tree about starting a guest house. Would you like to travel? Blinky whispered to Natsy. I don't know, Natsy replied, her eyes opening wide with excitement. Well, what does your tummy say? Blinky asked. Does it jump when you think of it? Or does it just keep on being still? It jumps, Natsy exclaimed. That means you want to travel, Blinky explained. So it's best to do as it wants, 'cause if you don't, the jumps get bigger and bigger till they make you feel sick and want to cry. How dreadful, Natsy said in a low voice. What a lot of things Blinky knew. Yes, it's best to do as it wants, he repeated. And as mine wants to go, I'll have to do it. What will your mother say? Nutsi asked nervously. She won't know till it's all over, Blinky replied. That's of course if you don't tell her. If you do, I'll I'll I'll take you to old Wombo and tell him to put you in his dark muddy house, where rats peep in at night just to see if any girls are in who've told tales. If they find any, they eat them. I'll never, never tell, Natsy whispered. Better not, Blinky replied. Come on, we'll start right away. But we can't, Natsy objected. Mrs. Koala's at the foot of the tree, talking to Splodge. We'll have to wait a while, then, Blinky sighed. I forgot all about mother. I wonder what she's talking about. I'll go and see. I'm coming too, Natsy said, scrambling down the tree behind Blinky. As they neared the ground, they could see Mrs. Koala talking very confidentially to Splodge. He's a problem, they heard her say. He'll be leading that dear little girl Natsy into trouble too if I don't do something to keep him employed. Apart from that, I find, now he's a lad, his clothes are a big item, and I've very little to buy him new ones with. Once upon a time, I could cut his dear dead father's clothes down to fit him, but they're all gone now. And the other animals all seem to have had babies since I've been away. Before they gave me any clothes they'd no need for. Now they have to use them themselves. Yes, Spludge remarked. It's very hard. No doubt Blinky needs something to do to keep him out of mischief. Have you any ideas, Mrs. Koala? I thought of doing a bit of crocheting, but Mrs. Rabbit advised me not to. She said no one wants crochet work nowadays. They've all gone mad on cross stitch, and goodness only knows I get cross enough at times, without sitting down and turning it into doilies and mats, Mrs. Koala said, with a deep sigh. Quite right, Blinky murmured to Nutzy. I'm ambitious, you know, Mr Splodge, Mrs. Koala continued. Since my visit to the zoo and seeing with my own eyes the quantity of food the animals over there stuffed positively stuffed into themselves, especially the elephants and kangaroos pardon, Splodge exclaimed, placing a paw behind one ear as if to hear better. Oh I didn't mean to be rude, Mrs. Koala explained. Or personal. I always noticed you never gobbled. In fact, I thought what a gentleman you were compared to the rest. Quite so, quite so, Splodge returned. But what's that got to do with your ideas, Mrs. Koala? Simply this. As I was saying, when I saw those animals eating so much, I thought some day, if I ever escaped from the zoo, I'd start a guest house. Now what do you think of that? Mrs. Koala beamed all over her face. Capital idea, Splodge announced. Of course you'll want a manager. What for? Mrs. Koala exclaimed. Well, for instance, say Mr Fox came along and wanted board and residence for the night, and then tried to steal silently away without paying. And he's a sly fellow, mark my words. A sly, cunning fellow. What would you do then, Mrs. Koala? Spludge flung out his paws in a hopeless gesture. It would be awkward. I never thought of that happening, Mrs. Koala replied. And then there are the possums. I've great regard for them, and I'm not suggesting for one moment they'd do such a thing. But what if one got into your potato bin? And mind you, I wouldn't trust them for a second where potatoes are concerned. What would you do then? Again, Splodge flung out his paws and stared with a sorrowful look on his face, while poor Mrs. Koala felt her hopes suddenly dashed to the ground. Then again, Splodge continued, there are the rabbits to think of. You know me well enough, Mrs. Koala, to realise I'd think badly of no one. But upon my soul, those rabbits need watching with ten pairs of eyes. Just imagine, you having gone to all the trouble of making a delicious watercress salad. Here, Splodge licked his lips. Just imagine your feelings if, when you went to put it on the table, you found it had gone, that some sly, quiet stepping animal had actually pinched it while your back was turned. What would you do then? It couldn't hurt a salad very much if it was pinched, Mrs. Koala replied. Only a few leaves bruised. I should have said purloined, Splodge returned. In other words, stolen. But I'm not saying the rabbits would do such a dastardly thing. I'm only supposing I wish you would not use such big words, Mrs. Koala said in a meek voice. I'm only a plain body, and it takes very little to start my headaches. Sorry, I didn't mean to bamboozle you, Splodge said kindly. But what would you do if such things happened? And they are likely to happen to any widow. How dreadful Mrs. Koala managed to say. Really, she was almost speechless. But there's no need to worry, Splodge laughed, hopping around in great bounds, until Mrs. Koala muttered to herself, He's daft. No need to worry a teeny weeny bit. Splodge laughed again. A manager will see to all that. He'll see that no one steals things. Will he really? Mrs. Koala exclaimed with joy. But her face fell almost immediately. Where can I find a manager? she asked, looking all around. Do you think old Mr Wombat would do? He? Splodge yelled and hopped with surprise. Old Wombo, a manager? Why, you'd have nothing left in your larder after one night. Nothing. Well what am I to do? Where can I find a manager? Poor Mrs. Koala was nearly in tears. Why here? Splodge shouted, patting himself on the chest. Oh you will be so kind as to be the manager? Mrs. Koala asked joyfully. Course I will, Splodge replied. With my experience and worldly knowledge, I'll see that even a mouse gets away with nothing. Ha just let me catch them trying. That's a load off my mind, Mrs. Koala sighed. We'll shake paws on the agreement, Splodge replied, holding out a paw to Mrs. Koala, who solemnly took it, and both shook with a grunt. That's done it, Blinky whispered to Nutsy. A guest house of all things. Rabbits and rats in the best beds, and snails and spiders using the bathroom. I'm off, and I'm going in a minute too. I don't think I'd like living in a guest house either, Natsy remarked. Course you wouldn't, Blinky exclaimed. You'd be made a waitress, and you'd have to carry plates of soup up and down the tree all day long, and peel potatoes and onions till your eyes drowned. And what would you do? Natsy asked, not very impressed with this horrible picture. Me? Oh, I suppose I'd just ring the dinner bell, and sit down to eat with the guests and laugh and tell them my experiences, Blinky said, with a bored look on his face. Indeed you wouldn't, Natsy replied indignantly.

SPEAKER_01 11:58

You'd have to clean Mr Centipede's boots every morning, and help your mother to make stews and stews, and you'd have to eat porridge, lumps, and all.

SPEAKER_00 12:11

Indeed I won't, and wouldn't, and shan't, Blinky replied, and started to scramble through the thick bracken fern that grew at the foot of the tree. Nutsi hurried after him, calling out in a whisper, wait on, wait on!

unknown 12:30

I'm coming.

SPEAKER_00 12:32

Mrs. Koala and her manager were too busy to notice what was happening just round the gum tree. Blinky pushed straight ahead, while Nutsi stumbled and struggled to catch up with him. Where are we going? Natsy panted as she came up to his side. I'm going to see the pelicans, Blinky announced. I'm coming too, Nutsi replied. Gosh, can't you see you're in the way? Blinky asked crossly. Can't a fellow go pelicaning by himself? I might be useful, Natsy replied. Anyhow, I'm coming. She tossed her little head in the air, and pushing past Blinky, took the lead. Stand back! Halt! In the name of the policeman! Blinky shouted, scarlet with rage. How dare a girl be so rude to him? I won't stand back, and I won't halt, and you're not a policeman! Natsy called back, still scrambling ahead. You're arrested! Blinky shouted. Stop! Hear here, what's all the noise about? A stern voice demanded, frightening the two little koalas almost out of their skins. There, right in front of them, stood Wallie Wombat Jr. He was old Wombo's great, great grandson, and very like his great great grandfather he was. He had the same small eyes, wide brow, and arrogant air of his ancestor. Oh it's you, Wallow. Blinky gasped with relief. My word, you did give me a fright. And who told you to call me Wallow? Mr Wombat Junior asked, looking very displeased. I'm Walter Wombat Wallie to only my oldest acquaintances. Remember that.

SPEAKER_01 14:51

He is snaky, Natsy whispered to Blinky. Be polite or he might kill us.

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Where are you going? Mr Walter Wombat asked. To see my great great grandmother, Blinky replied, never blinking an eyelid. Is she ill? Walter inquired. Terribly ill. If we don't get there very soon, she'll be dead. Oh well, under those circumstances, I'll let you pass, Walter declared. Only remember, next time you meet me, salute and say Good morning, your imminence. How goes it? Then pass on. Certainly, Wallow What's that? Mr Walter Wombat roared. I didn't say a word Blinky replied, shaking with fear. Keep on that way, my young man, and some day you'll be as great a fellow as I am. Mr Walter Wombat gave his walking stick a swish and passed on. How would you like to have to carry his shaving water to him every morning at the guest house? Nutsy asked mockingly. I'd put gum in it, so as it would gum up all his whiskers, Blinky replied coldly. Nutsy remained silent after this remark, and found herself once more padding behind Blinky. He had taken the opportunity to get in the lead again, and things went along much more smoothly. Presently, to Blinky's surprise, he found himself walking along paw in paw with Nutsi as the journey progressed. That's it for today. Thank you for listening. Sweet dreams. Madame Magpie's bedtime stories will always be available to stream for free. But if you'd like to support the podcast, you can do so via Patreon at patreon.com slash Madam Magpie. That's M-A-D-A-M-E. M-A-G-P-I-E. For three dollars a month, Patreon members have the option of downloading episodes for offline listening. Blinky Bill was written and illustrated by Dorothy Wall, first published by Angus and Robertson in 1933. Sound effects are from Zap Splat, Epidemic Sound, Pixabay, Soundly, and Dylan Barfield. All images are made by Josh Dyke Graaff using Dorothy Wall's original illustrations. Madame Magpie is a creation of Alex Roberts. Narration and character voices by Alex Roberts. Madame Magpie's bedtime stories are recorded and edited by Alex Roberts, aka Madame Magpie, on the lands of the Warunderi and Boonerong 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.