307: The Council Meeting (Part 2)

Blinky and his mother make a daring escape from the zoo, with the help of a new friend!

Blinky Bill and Nutsy was first published in 1937, and as such it contains material that might be outdated, inaccurate or offensive, as well as material that would now be considered quite dark for children’s fiction.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. There is no bad language, but below is a list of potentially distressing content that appears in this episode:

• Corporal punishment/spanking: From 00:11:45 until 00:18:23, the episode is focussed on the fact that Mrs Koala will smack Blinky and Nutsy with a twig for running away. Nutsy is upset to hear this, so Blinky reluctantly tells her the secret to being 'whack-proof' - he stuffs his trousers with leaves, so that when Mrs Koala tries to whack him, the twig hits the padding instead, and causes Blinky no pain. Even better, she's extra nice to Blinky afterwards. So the two of them stuff their clothing with leaves, and return home to a very angry Mrs Koala, who does indeed whack Blinky with a twig (though she decides not to smack Nutsy, which irritates Blinky). The whole incident is treated lightly, in the same tone as the rest of the story. 

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 4. The Council Meeting. Round the lake, Blinky and Nutsy bustled and into the reeds again, always keeping the widows in sight. It was a long journey for little legs not used to the ground, but the excitement of what lay ahead kept their courage up. And after many rests and many exclamations of ow and bother when they stumbled, they at last came within a few yards of the widow's weeds. And weedy it was, up to their knees amongst weeds of all descriptions, including beautiful yellow and pink water lilies, the widows dabbled with their beaks. Filling their pouches with all kinds of rubbish, they cleverly washed away the unwanted collection, then, tipping their heads back, swallowed the fish. Heck! I wish I had a fishing trap like that, Blinky remarked, then laughed at the top of his voice. Look at them, he said, pointing to two pelicans who were quarrelling over a catch. One had her strong beak around the other's neck, just like a pair of scissors, trying to force back a fish that the second one was swallowing. They tussled and wriggled. All the time the scissors held firmly round the victim's neck. But the owner of the fish was quite determined not to lose her catch. After fully five minutes of this wrestling, she gave a quick jerk with her head, released the grip of the robber, and swallowed her fish. Frogs croaked in terror as they were gobbled up by the dozens. It was a great party for the widows. After the first excitement had died down, the fish became wise and swam farther into the lake. But the widows were prepared for this. Very quietly they waded out, forming a semicircle. The water was shallow, and great quantities of fish leaped in the air as they were pursued. Closing in, the widows began slowly to wade towards the shore, driving the fish before them. What a time they had! Each escaping fish was pounced upon and stored away in the pouch until the pouch began to swell, then a quick jerk of the head, and many poor little fish went down a slippery dip into a dark tummy. Now, as the fish were driven right up to the edge of the lake, a great noise arose. Wings flapped, beaks opened and shut like lightning, and the widows dined as they'd never dined since their husbands died. Nutsi and Blinky watched in silence. This was something they'd never seen before. For many hours they watched. Then, when the last widow had taken flight back to her home, two little koalas crept from their hiding places. I'm going to try to catch a fish, Blinky announced. Me too, Natsy replied. Look out an eel doesn't bite you, Blinky said, as he dipped one foot in the water, then the other. But Nutsi was as brave as he. Carefully wading into the water, she showed Blinky that she was quite capable of looking after herself. Don't touch the frogs, Natsy called. Only the biggest fish. Clear out of here and let me get some sleep. An irritable voice growled. This poking about in the water all night long nearly drives me mad. Who's that? Natsy whispered. Blinky stood still, water up to his tummy. Beg pardon, he shouted. What did you say? Clear out! Clear out and let me get some sleep. The voice came again. It's not your lake, Blinky replied, and we'll fish in it if we want to. At almost the same moment he gave a howl of pain and surprise. Ow then flopped right on his back into the water. My toe! My toe he yelled. Help me, Natsy! Natsy waded as quickly as she could to where Blinky was floundering and yelling in the water. Get up! she cried with fright. You'll drown. I can't, he shouted. Help me! My toe's being bitten off! Here, take my paw! Natsy half sobbed with fright. I'll pull you up. Blinky grabbed with all his might, nearly pulling Natsy down as well. My toe! he kept crying. My toe's gone! Put it up and let me see, quickly, Natsy said, trembling from head to foot. With a great effort, still shouting with pain, Blinky lifted his foot from the water. Just as he raised it, a great ugly red crab fell with a splash back into the water. Oh Natsy gasped. Oh, run for the shore, or he'll bite you again. I will, and you too if you don't clear out came the angry voice from under the water. Struggling and splashing, the two little koalas raced for the brink of the lake. The brute Blinky cried. The bad-tempered old thing! No cheek came a deep command from the mud. Don't answer him! Run quickly, Nutsy said, still terrified. But Blinky remained just long enough to hurl a large stone into the water. Then scuttled away as quickly as he could. You're asking for trouble, Nutsi scolded. Now we've all the way home to go, and you with a sore toe, too. It's not hurting. It never hurted, Blinky remarked brazenly. Nutzy was not surprised to hear this. She sighed, and gently taking Blinky's paw, they walked along, back past the Pelican's meeting place, where all was quietness, and into the bush track again. Where are we going? Blinky asked. Home, of course, Natsy replied. No, I'm not, Blinky announced, stopping in his tracks. I'm going to see Mr Crocodile. You what? Nutzy gasped. Going to see Mr Croc, Blinky said, not daring to look at Natsy. Do you know what he'll do? Nutzy asked with deliberation. Yes, Blinky retorted cheekily. He'll say, Good day, Blinky. Would you like a ride on my back? And would you go? Nutsy asked in amazement. Rather, Blinky announced. It would be most sighting. You're coming home, Nutsi said sternly. And you're coming home with me. She grabbed him firmly by a paw and started to drag him along the track. He lay on the ground and kicked. You bad, bad boy, Natsy scolded. Wait till Splotch hears of this. She started to struggle with him again, dragging and pulling the kicking little imp along the track. Hey, what's this? A gruff voice demanded. What's all this dust kicking about? Out onto the track stepped Mr Walter Wombat again. He won't come home. He says he's going to see Mr Crook, Nutzy cried. And he'll be killed for sure. Going to see Mr Croc, is he? Mr Walter Wombat remarked, in a cold voice, grabbing Blinky by the ear. You're going home, my boy. That's where you're going, he said sternly. I was only pretending, Blinky said sulkily. Let go my ear, or I'll bite you. Mr Walter Wombat shook Blinky until his teeth chattered. Get home at once, he roared, releasing his grip on the little scalawag. Blinky scrambled away, far quicker than he thought it possible, Nutzy following. You big telltale, he said, I hate girls. Growling and grumbling, he trotted ahead, a very tired and irritable little koala. Dawn was fast approaching. A dim grey light appeared in the east, and the trees gradually shed their dark shapes of the night. The birds awoke, calling and singing their morning greeting. Rabbits scurried from their burrows in search of breakfast. There's our tree, Nutzy cried. I'm so glad to be home again, and there's Splodge hopping about. I wonder where mother is, Blinky remarked, a little nervously. I suppose she's up there in the tree, getting our breakfast ready, and crying and crying 'cause she thinks we're lost, Natsy replied, looking very sad. You don't know my mother when she's angry, Blinky said with scorn. She's most probably getting a big stick ready to whack us with. Will it hurt? Nutsi whimpered. You bet, Blinky replied. Especially if it's a new green stick. Oh, I've never been whacked before. Nutsi now began to cry in earnest. Fancy crying, Blinky scoffed. It's all over in a minute, and then my mother usually kisses me and gives me the nicest gum tips that she's collected, specially for the occasion. Besides, she's not a bit grumpy for a long time afterwards. If I'm naughty right on top of the whacking, she only says don't do that, Blinky, darling, or try and be a good boy now. So you see, it's worth the minute it hurts. But I don't want to be hurt, Nutsi howled. Blinky mumbled to himself. And it's such a good secret too. Bother her. Stop howling, he commanded. Come over here and help me collect some leaves.

unknown 13:08

What for?

SPEAKER_00 13:10

Nutzy asked between sobs. For padding, of course, Blinky remarked, looking with a very bored expression at his companion. Hurry up and don't look so vacant. Scratching a pile of leaves together, Blinky then began to stuff porfals down Nutsy's little dress. Then, when that had been completed to his satisfaction, he stuffed the back of his trousers with more leaves. Won't she notice how fat we look? Nutzy asked doubtfully. And I rustle terribly when I walk. She'll be too cross to notice anything except we're back, Blinky replied. Come on, let's get it over. You're in for it, Splodge remarked, as he spied the two little koalas. Is she very mad? Blinky asked hurriedly. Ramping, Splodge said, waving his paws about. I've never seen your mother so snaky before. She says she's going to give you the biggest, soundest, hugest whacking you've ever had in your life. Gee, Blinky whispered. She must be mad. Nutsi began to whimper again. Stop that noise. Blinky gritted the words out between clenched teeth. Don't you know you're whack proof? Get up the tree as quickly as possible, Splodge advised. Every minute makes a difference. Halfway up the tree, Mrs. Koala saw them. My goodness, she said, in a quivering voice. Wait until you get up here. We're both sorry, Blinky shouted. And I'll do all your messages for you if you want any. Come up here, Mrs. Koala commanded in cold tones. She reached down for Blinky's paw and landed him up on the branch beside her with a jerk. Then Nutsy followed. Both little Koalas began to talk rapidly and offer explanations. No excuses, Mrs. Koala said angrily, grasping a fresh green twig in one hand, and Blinky by the scruff of the neck in the other. Get it over quickly, he said, bending the well padded region uppermost. Whack, whack, whack came Mrs. Koala's stick. That'll teach you to run away, she said, panting from the exertion. Go up to the highest branch, and don't dare to move from there until I tell you. Yes, mother, Blinky meekly replied, rustling alarmingly as he crawled away. Are you going to whack me too? Natsy asked, looking at Mrs. Koala with tears in her eyes. I won't this time, Mrs. Koala replied. As I'm sure Blinky put the idea into your head, but next time I'll do it. Blinky or no Blinky. Go over to that corner and stand with your nose in it until I get you to come away. Mrs. Koala pointed to the coziest corner of the old gum tree. A corner well overhung with nice green leaves. The pet? Blinky growled, shrugging his shoulders as he climbed to his appointed place. Then, taking out the padding from his trousers, flung the leaves in a shower right on top of Natsy. What's that? Mrs. Koala demanded, looking at the pile of leaves. It's only the tree molting, Blinky explained, screwing his nose up at Nutsy, who was watching him out of the corner of her eye, not knowing what was going to happen next. Pet he hissed at her, I hope those leaves in your dress prick you most dreadfully. Forgetting that Mrs. Koala might be watching, Nutsi began to pull out the leaves. Mrs. Koala coldly watched the proceeding until it was over. Then, stepping over to where Nutsi stood, asked in a slow, deliberate voice What is the meaning of this? That's the whack proof, Nutsy said, trembling. The what? Mrs. Koala exclaimed, a glint of anger reappearing in her eyes. We've brought you back padding for the guests' beds, Blinky called out from above, where he'd been watching everything in suspense. How thoughtful of you, Mrs. Koala said, her anger changing immediately to joy. Just what I needed, as Mrs. Possum is coming tomorrow, and she was most emphatic that I should prepare a soft bed for her. I can get you plenty more, Blinky shouted. Only, of course, I'll have to come down and get them off the ground. And I could help him, Nancy said instantly. I don't want any help, Blinky shouted. Well, I don't see why you both shouldn't help me, Mrs. Koala replied. After all, it's what children are for. Both of you go down and bring me up as many leaves as possible. Altogether, I've ten guests arriving tomorrow, and clean, soft beds are most necessary. My manager told me that. Mrs. Koala spoke with a note of pride in her voice. The two little koalas took no notice of this last part of her conversation, as they weren't a scrap interested in the guests' beds. All they wanted to do was to get down on the ground and collect leaves. It was much nicer than being confined to one spot. Mrs. Koala fussed and fussed about, poking and patting corners into cozy beds, while Splodge gave orders to Blinky and Nutsy, who collected piles of leaves. Up and down the tree they climbed, until Mrs. Koala was satisfied that all lumps and bumps in the beds had been padded so well that all the guests would be most comfortable. Then a supper of leaves for themselves, eaten between calling out remarks to Splodge, who sat at the foot of the tree, completed all arrangements. Much to Blinky and Nutsy's relief, Mrs. Koala never mentioned the running away again. 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 Madame Magpie. That's M-A-D-A-M-E. M-A-G-P-I-E. For$3 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. Madam Magpie is a creation of Alex Roberts. Narration and character voices by Alex Roberts. Madam Magpie's bedtime stories are recorded as And edited by Alex Roberts, aka Madame Magpie, on the lands of the Wurundjeri 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. Madame Magpie spent on stories.