Kookaburra

Last night I dreamed of Kookaburra.

He reminded me of my days at Loreto: a child’s imagination coloured rich by the imagery of the English Reader we used to follow those days—It was called Everyday English I think.

I always imagined Kookaburra to be one of those really naughty little birds, sneaking up to other nests and playing pranks on them. I had never seen one, but when I did see a picture of it, I wasn’t disappointed.

For all those who’ve loved but forgotten the Kookaburra song, here it is (and I hope you remember the tune!!):

Kookaburra Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
Merry merry king of the bush is he
Laugh Kookaburra, laugh Kookaburra
Gay your life must be

Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
Eating all the gumdrops he can see
Stop Kookaburra, stop Kookaburra
Leave some gums for me

Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree
Counting all the monkeys he can see
Stop Kookaburra, stop Kookaburra
That's no monkey, that's ME!!!

--by Marion Sinclair (1932)