Koalaland or The Great Koala Novel: Volume II: The Great Migration

By David Bolton

In the second volume of "Koalaland – The Great Koala Novel", you will witness the great strides taken by the koalas to develop their society, and thereby improve their lot, in Southern Koalaland - not to mention all the ups and downs in the personal lives of our furry friends.

- The population of Koalaville re-locates to luscious Eucalyptus Grove, and begins the process of settlement.

- The koalas make the momentous decision to introduce a monetary system, with gold as a basis.

- Both groves decide to construct school buildings, and plan a curriculum appropriate for the teaching of young koalas.

- Justice catches up with poor Bumpy, and his subsequent trial turns into a minor sensation.

- Spring-time gives rise to a slew of romances, with all the accompanying emotional peaks and valleys that only the love-bug can cause! Why, even the Prestigious Koala King is smitten, and rumors abound that Eucalyptus Grove may soon have a queen...

About the "Koalaland, or The Great Koala Novel" series:

In a parallel world not entirely different from our own, there exists a budding civilization of intelligent koalas who live and love as they deal with the perils of grove life. They themselves are in awe of their astoundingly rapid evolutionary development, and they will soon find a clue as to what may underlie their amazing progress....

After leading the migration of his subjects to beautiful Eucalyptus Grove, the newly crowned "Prestigious Koala King" is astonished when his friend the Judge reports having found a huge, unusual object wedged amid a circle of boulders in the nearby forest.

Both are puzzled: Where did it come from? Why has no other koala ever reported having seen it? Does it represent a danger to their population? They decide to keep the discovery secret, and focus instead on the settlement of their population in the new grove, as well as on strengthening relations with neighboring Koalatown.

In this first book of the five-volume “Koalaland” series, the koalas of Koalaville plan their migration to a new and better grove, after having obtained it with the help of old Mr. Johnson, their only human friend.

Along the way, you will meet a slew of unforgettable characters...

- Doctor Koala, whose gruff manners hide a heart filled with compassion for his fellow creatures.

- Judge Grandaddy, responsible for the maintaining of law and order in the grove, and one of the King’s oldest friends and top advisers.

- Demure Maki Koala and her father Nory, the grove’s best carpenters, who work hard building tree houses and furniture for their grove-mates.

- Bumpy, Humpy and Dumpy three boisterous friends who live and thrive on the border between legality and lawlessness.

- Mayor Koala, proud and blustery leader of neighboring Koalatown, an established democracy that nonetheless tends ever-so-often to dissolve into chaos.

- Rolly, Koalatown’s judge; he’s the Mayor’s best friend, level-headed councilor, and ever-willing card partner.

- Claire, Doctor Koala’s old friend; her lamentable drinking problem doesn’t interfere with her psychic sensitivity, that soon contributes to ushering in a new era for the residents of Koalaville.

- Duffy, Koalatown’s uncompromising policekoala who isn’t above knocking a few heads together in the name of the law.

- William Bird, the emu genius whose musical compositions are loved by all koalas of refined taste.

... and many more who will bring you countless moments of utter delight, serious reflection, spontaneous laughter and above all, superb entertainment!

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Bolton
• Release date: May 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301726684

David Bolton

David Bolton worked in a broad variety of occupations before settling into a career as a lecturer on English as a foreign language. He has written a number of textbooks for foreign students, published around the world, as well as a local history book on Bristol, where he lives.

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Copyright © 2013 by David Bolton

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Koalaland

or

The Great Koala Novel

Volume II: The Great Migration

by

David Bolton

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY:

David Bolton on Smashwords

Koalaland or The Great Koala Novel - Volume II: The Great Migration

Copyright © 2013 by David Bolton. All rights reserved.

* * * * *

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

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As always, to my beloved Maki

Table of Contents

Title Page and Dedication

Volume II: The Great Migration ‒ Map of Southern Koalaland

The Great Migration ‒ Brotherly Love ‒ The Birth of an Educational System ‒

The Boarish Visitors ‒ The (almost) perfect Date ‒ A new-found Friend ‒ Miscreant Mirth ‒

The Dawn of a new Democracy ‒ What every young Koala should know ‒

A Secretary fit for a King ‒ A most special Gift ‒ The Thrill of the Forbidden ‒

Only in Koalaland: An honest monetary System ‒ Serving the Community ‒

Heavenly Harmonies ‒ How not to make a Declaration of Love ‒ Help Wanted ‒

A friendly Chat ‒ Civic-minded Citizens ‒ How to make Money ‒ All in a Day’s Work

Natural Allies ‒ Spying Scoundrels ‒ Love springs Eternal ‒ A rapid Reply to the Big Question ‒ Fatherly Advice ‒ Illustrious Visitors ‒ Another Victim of Cupid ‒ All Hopes dashed ‒

The flustered Fugitive ‒ May Justice prevail ‒ Bumpy’s Trial ‒ A Profusion of Projects ‒

Two competent Carpenters ‒ Exploring the Enigma

Coming in Volume III of Koalaland

Author’s Biography: David Bolton

Map of Southern Koalaland

The Great Migration

Although it was only dawn, all of Koalaville was alive with activity, for this was the beginning of the first day of the Great Migration to Eucalyptus Grove. True, only those koalas who lived in the northwestern sector – around two hundred and fifty in all – would be eligible to move today, yet practically all the others, no matter where they lived, wanted to be there when their grovemates set off westwards towards what was going to be a wonderful new home for all of them. Some had offered to help their friends in the northwest by assisting them with last-minute preparations, or even by accompanying them, if they had many things to carry. Others simply wanted to be there in the northwest to wave good-bye as their acquaintances took final leave of Koalaville.

There had been a lively debate in the Council some days before as to which route should be used for the migration. The most direct, of course, would be across the field between the two groves, and some, such as Doctor Koala, felt that as long as everyone stuck close to the edge of the forest, there wouldn’t be much danger of being attacked by birds of prey. Handy, who agreed with him, said that he and his fellow peacekeepers would be there on the fields, slingshots in hand, in case a huge bird did appear.

Their view was that the forest route – although making the migrating koalas invisible from the air – held dangers of its own: a stray wild boar could, for instance, cause panic among the travelers, and some might be hurt in the ensuing chaos. Also, as Doctor Koala noted, the very old and infirm koalas would have great difficulty walking through the forest, since the route was not only longer, but the path was not even: roots from nearby trees formed little obstacles that they might trip over. For that same reason, the wagons would not be able to move down that path very easily; in places, they wouldn’t be able to get through at all.

After several hours of discussion, it had been decided to use both routes for the migration. The wagons would cross the open field, but the majority of koalas – those able to walk – would take the forest route. The sick and elderly would not have to walk at all; they would be transported over to Eucalyptus Grove in a wagon designated for that purpose, and which would make several trips back and forth throughout the day, since it could only hold about six passengers at a time. Though he had not been the first to suggest this plan, the Prestigious Koala King found it to be most satisfying, and immediately gave it his royal approval.

Now, on this first morning, there were some signs that things might not go as smoothly as the Council had hoped. This was mainly due to the large number of koalas who, though not living in the northeast, had walked up there for the reasons already mentioned, and who were now milling around, getting in the way of wagons that were trying to move forward, causing emus to squawk nervously, and making it difficult for those entrusted with security and assistance to know who was moving this morning and who was merely a spectator.

Okay, everybody listen to me! Handy finally called out. Quiet down and listen! He had to shout a few times before everybody took notice.

All those who are merely here to watch: I want you to stay off the paths. Go find a vacant tree to climb, and watch from there. Those who are here to say good-bye, move up to the beginning of the forest path in the north, and wait there, but keep the paths clear. You can yell your good-byes from there. Those who don’t live in this sector, but are here to help, may do so. But I expect you to not get into anybody’s way, you hear? If I see anybody around here just loafing around, not doing anything, only watching, and getting in everybody’s way, I’ll have him removed to the south. You two, for example! he shouted, pointing at Warooey and Usotsky, two friends whose reputations in the grove had never been stellar.

The other koalas followed Handy’s orders, aided by other policekoalas, who were giving them instructions on where to go, depending on whether they were helpers, farewell-wishers, or mere observers of the activity. Warooey and Usotsky, however, went right over to Handy and complained.

Hey Handy, why did you have to embarrass us like that in front of everybody? Warooey reproached him. You make us sound like a couple of shiftless vagabonds.

Which sums it up pretty well, I’d say, Handy responded sternly. You know we don’t need anybody getting in the way today, and you don’t seem to be up to anything useful as far as I can see.

"Well, it just so happens that we came over here to talk to you! There’s somethin’ we’ve gotta know," Usotsky said with a tone of brazen indignation.

Yeah? What might that be? Handy expected a lame excuse.

As you may know, we live in a tree almost exactly between the northeast and northwest sectors. So we don’t know if we’re supposed to make the migration today, or in a few days when the northeastern sector gets its turn, Usotsky explained.

Couldn’t you have asked that yesterday, or even a few days ago? Handy wanted to know.

We were busy, Warooey said, takin’ an especially long nap, and kinda lost track of time.

Take your pick. Move today, if you want, or over the next two days. Or if you prefer, you can go with the others in the northeast. Just don’t get in anybody’s way.

We wouldn’t think of it. Have a nice day now, officer, Usotsky replied, as they both walked back towards their tree in the center of the northern section.

That idiot never was fair to us, Warooey remarked to his friend. He always treats us like dirt.

Yeah, ever since he caught us drunk that time and you threw up all over his feet, he acts like we’re a couple of criminals. It’s not my fault that you can’t hold your liquor! said Usotsky.

Well, it wasn’t mine, either. That Tama sold us a bad bottle – I’m convinced of it. But Handy had no right to get all uppity about it. After all, we drank the liquor over in Koalatown, then came back here. There may be a law against havin’ or drinkin’ eucalyptus liquor here, but there’s none against only bein’ drunk, Warooey responded.

Yeah, a nice little loophole in the law, and one that has often served us well, his friend added with a naughty grin. Though as I recall, we had been drinkin’ it here. That excuse about havin’ finished the bottle over in Koalatown before we came back was a tiny white lie, if I remember correctly. One that kept him from arrestin’ us.

Oh yeah, that’s right, I had forgotten that, Warooey said. But anyway, he should treat us with a little more respect, I say. He thinks he’s hot stuff, just because he’s a policekoala, and a councilmember, too.

Yeah, right. It makes me lose faith in our elders. Imagine puttin’ a brutal fool like Handy at the council table. Why, they must all be drunkards themselves! Usotsky speculated, and they both laughed. Hey Warooey, should we make the move today, or wait?

Hmm, good question. Our tree over in Eucalyptus Grove has already been assigned to us, so it can’t be snatched away by somebody else. I say we wait till tomorrow or the next day, when things may have calmed down a little. But if we wait too long, the koalas in the northeast will be startin’ to move, so things’ll be gettin’ really crowded again.

Right, Usotsky agreed, the day after tomorrow sounds good to me. We don’t have many things to carry over, and if we have two more days before we move, we can finish off the bottle we have stashed away under that bush. I’d hate for Handy to catch us carryin’ that over to the new grove.

Yeah, I know what you mean. Let’s go have a second breakfast, then a nice nap, and this evening, we can have a few drinks and reminisce about all the good times we’ve had here in Koalaville. I am lookin’ forward to livin’ in Eucalyptus Grove. It does have its advantages… Warooey was then interrupted by his pal:

Oh yeah, better-tastin’ leaves, a lot closer to Koalatown…

Yeah, that’s all great, Warooey continued, but we’ve lived in this grove since we were born, and we did have a lot of fun here.

Sure we did, but don’t get all sentimental on me. We’re gonna have even better times over there! Usotsky said cheerfully.

I see no reason to disagree with that! Warooey chuckled in response as they reached their tree, and climbed up.

***

The first koalas had begun their trek towards their new home. Some were carrying their belongings in sacks that they had slung over their backs. The heavier objects, such as wooden boxes, or pieces of furniture, were to be transported by wagons. Others had rented anteaters and put saddlebags on them, so as to be able to transport their things more easily. There was a crowd that had gathered on both sides of the path that entered the forest from the northern part of the grove, and many koalas were waving or calling out their good-byes to their parting acquaintances.

The forest path was not particularly wide – at no point could more than four koalas walk side by side, and for the most part, it was only wide enough for two – so a long column had formed, kept in order by Handy and Pringly, along with a few other helpers who had been hired for the day.

Three groups were to be led through the woods during the day, each one comprising about eighty koalas, since it was thought that managing the movement of all the approximately two-hundred and fifty koalas from the northwest at the same time might prove to be too much to handle.

Several security koalas had been designated to lead the march through the woods. Each was armed with slingshots that they carried in their belts, along with a little pouch filled with stones used for ammunition. Two carried spears; another two, bows and arrows. Some koalas felt uneasy at having an armed escort, since it made them fear that the authorities might be expecting wild animals to attack them in the woods. It was, however, merely a precautionary measure, for no-one expected the column to be attacked, since the main inhabitants of the forest were deer and squirrels (or scrills, as the koalas called them). Boars only rarely came so far east, and scouts sent down the path over the last few days had not spotted any of them around.

When’ll we be there, mother? Fluffy, a young female adult koala, wanted to know.

Why Fluffy, we’ve just barely entered the forest! But it shouldn’t take too long, her mother, Flowy, replied. As soon as we’re there, we’ll have something to eat, and then we’ll climb our new tree and make ourselves at home. Oh, isn’t it exciting!

Exciting, maybe, Juffy, her father, added, yet I’ll be glad when we’ve been there for a few weeks and have got everything just the way we want it. It might not be easy getting used to sleeping on another branch, in another grove.

Oh, that won’t be a problem, as tired as we’re going to be tonight, his wife responded. In a few months, Nory and Maki will start making us our platform. Oh, I wish we had got on their waiting list earlier. I can hardly wait to have a platform of our own! Maybe next year, we can afford to have a roof put over it, and walls. Oh, won’t it be grand!

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, her husband tried to calm her down. All we have to do today is take possession of our new tree, and settle down a bit. Then we can think about all the luxuries we might be able to have in the future.

Do you think we’ll all be happy over in Eucalyptus Grove? Fluffy asked her parents.

No need to worry about that, her father answered. I was over there a few days ago, and the place is beautiful! The tree we’re going to get is especially nice. Why, it must have at least five more big branches than the one we had in Koalaville.

Yes, imagine! her mother began to rave again. Even when we have the platform put in, we can still use all those extra branches if we want. Each of us can have a couple of branches to call her own, she said to her daughter.

My, it does sound wonderful! Are we there yet? Fluffy asked

Flowy and Juffy both laughed at their daughter’s impatience, and assured her that it wouldn’t be too long now.

***

Oooh, my foot hurts! I think I stepped on a stone or something, oooh! Crabby, a young adult male who was making his way through the forest with the others, began to whine.

Crabby, you stop complaining, and watch where you’re going! Gabby, his mother, scolded him. You’re always finding something to whine about, but today, I just don’t want to hear it! We’re are all going to be happy today, and that’s that! After all, it’s not every day that we get to move to a wonderful new grove, get a beautiful new tree, and all for free, Gabby went on and on.

For once I have to agree with your mother, Grumpy, his father, interrupted her. I’m feeling good about our new life as well, and I expect you to show a little enthusiasm, young koala.

Oh, dad, I don’t want to ruin your fun, but all this traipsing through the forest! And who knows, maybe we won’t like it there after all. It’s a lot closer to Koalatown, for one. That means some of the low-class koalas over there might come over and steal our things. Or else….

You keep quiet now! Gabby scolded him. This family is going to be happy, at least for today, so you just watch where you’re walking, don’t step on anything sharp, and keep your mouth shut!

Oh, okay, mom…

***

The scrills in the trees were lined up on the branches overlooking the column of koalas making their way through the woods; they couldn’t understand what was going on. Why were so many of their neighbors from the grove invading their forest? But once they saw that the koalas were moving on, apparently having no intention of staying in the woods, they felt more comfortable with the situation, and took the opportunity to watch the koalas while eating their nuts. The scrills all agreed that watching the parade of koalas was the best entertainment they had had in a long time, which suggests that the scrills’ daily lives were, in general, somewhat on the boring side.

Back in Koalaville, two koalas in the northwest had still not left: Maki and her father, Nory. Since they had so many things to transport, many more than any of the other inhabitants, they had arranged to travel with the large wagon that Handy was letting them use. Two large, strong anteaters were already hitched up to the front of the wagon. They had filled the wagon with pieces of furniture; both of them would ride over on the wagon, then Maki would stay there in Eucalyptus Grove, while Nory came back for more. They thought that this was the best way to make sure that no one would steal the things they took to the new grove once they had deposited them there. In the general chaos of the day, you couldn’t be sure what might happen. Handy had placed a guard near their tree in Koalaville to protect their things, just as he had promised. The Council had approved of this measure, since the two carpenter koalas were considered to be important citizens, and would no doubt play a key role in the raising of the koalas’ standard of living. Thus it was only natural that the grove did what it could to protect the carpenters’ interests.

The big wagon that Maki and Nory were using wasn’t the only one there on the western edge of the grove…

My, father, I’ve counted six other wagons here. I didn’t know we had so many in Koalaville!

We don’t, Maki. Four of them are from Koalatown. Filthy, the wagon-maker over there, brought them over last night. Look, that’s Filthy. Come with me, I’ll introduce you to him.

Hi Filthy. I’d like you to meet my daughter, Maki.

Filthy had just finished loading a table that belonged to Doctor Koala onto the back of a wagon. He turned around to greet Nory.

Nory! Nice to see you again! And Maki, he said as he shook her hand, I’ve heard so much about you and your talent. Some say that you are going to end up being a better carpenter than your father.

Oh, anybody who says that must be a fool, Maki said modestly.

How dare you insult your father? Nory chuckled. It was I who said that!

Oh, I’m so sorry father, I didn’t mean to… Maki blushed. Filthy and Nory laughed.

That’s all right, Maki. Nothing wrong with being modest, Nory consoled her.

Looks like you’ve got a wagonload all ready to go, Filthy said.

Yep. And that’s just the first one. We’ll be taking at least two loads over there almost every day, though it might take us a couple of weeks to get everything moved. Amazing how much stuff can accumulate over the years, Nory remarked.

I’m noticing that myself. Why, I’m gonna have to make at least seven or eight trips for Doctor Koala alone, Filthy told them.

Eight trips, just for Doctor Koala! Maki was amazed.

Well, it’s mainly because of his shack, or hospital, as he calls it, Filthy explained. My helpers and I came over early this morning, and it took us all morning and part of the afternoon to dismantle it, mainly because it has so many boards. Those joints that hold it together, though, are really great. If it had been constructed with nails, it would have been really hard to take apart, and even more of a pain to get back together over in Eucalyptus Grove.

I know what you mean, Nory replied. My father and I made that shack just before he died. Doctor Koala said he needed it to treat the sick, so we worked really hard to get it finished as soon as we could. It was my father – may he rest in peace – who came up with the idea of forming joints at the ends of the logs.

Oh yeah, I heard about that. That really was an advance as far as construction was concerned, Filthy responded. Why today, we all use joints like that. I can’t imagine using many nails to make a wagon these days.

I don’t remember my grandfather very well. He died when I was just a baby, Maki said. I wish I had known him, though. He must have been a genius!

Yes, that he was, Maki, Nory replied. He, and his father, my grandfather, who was also a brilliant furniture maker, taught me everything I know.

And you, father, have taught me everything I know, so without them, neither of us would be able to make anything, Maki concluded.

Right you are. That’s why we koalas always respect our elders, and why we always keep them close to us. Without the wisdom of older koalas, we could never learn as much as we do, Nory added.

That’s all so true, Filthy agreed. What a shame that so many of our older koalas died in that last outbreak of wet tail a few years ago. It killed my father, and my grandmother, who was one of the oldest koalas in Koalatown. They were just about the only family I had left, and that plague took them both from me in just a few days, Filthy recalled sadly.

Yes, we all had losses in that plague. Not a family I know who didn’t lose somebody, Nory added. But this is not a day to mourn the past. Look over there! he pointed over to Eucalyptus Grove. Our new home is waiting! And before long, not only will we be living a better life, but a new generation will grow up. Why, before we know it, Maki here will find herself a mate, get married, and I’ll have little grandchildren running around while I’m working! Nory joked.

Oh, father, there’s time for all that, Maki responded, lowering her head shyly.

Your father’s right, Maki. Time passes fast, you know. Which is why I guess I ought to get moving and take this first wagonload over to Eucalyptus Grove. What a beautiful place it is, he added, looking over towards it. If I didn’t have such a successful wagon business in Koalatown, I might move over there myself.

You’d be quite welcome, Nory said. We could work together. We’d make not only the sturdiest, but the most beautifully decorated wagons anywhere!

Tempting, indeed. But no thanks, my life is in Koalatown. All my friends are there, and though it may not be the prettiest place around, it’s home, and that says it all.

It sure does. So let’s get going ourselves, Maki. The sooner we get settled in Eucalyptus Grove, the sooner we’ll feel at home there!

Nory and Maki said good-bye to Filthy, walked over to their wagon, and climbed up into the driver’s seat. Nory picked up the reins and shook them, yelling Giddyup! and the two big anteaters started to slowly plod forwards, pulling the heavy wagon away from the edge of Koalaville and out into the open field, heading towards the northern section of Eucalyptus Grove, their new home.

***

Bumpy, Humpy and Dumpy were among the first koalas to reach the end of the forest path and enter into Eucalyptus Grove. They had already inquired as to the tree that was being given them, and were surprised to learn that they would get two instead of just one.

What a stroke of luck that was! Humpy rejoiced. Imagine, the Council decided that no more than two koalas should have to live in a single tree, so they give us another one, right next to it!

Yeah, and thanks to that little ruse of mine – convincin’ Queezy that we had the very best tree in north-central Koalaville – we’re gettin’ the best tree in this section anyway. But yeah, havin’ another tree next to it will come in handy!

Gee, Bumpy, speakin’ of Handy, here he comes now, huh uh huh, Dumpy noticed.

I see that the three of you are already here, Handy said as he approached them.

Excellent eyesight you have, my good koala, Humpy replied sarcastically.

Don’t get smart with me! I just wanted to tell you that you three had better turn over a new leaf here in Eucalyptus Grove, and not get yourselves into any trouble.

If we turn over a new leaf, it’ll be to stuff it into our mouths and eat it, Bumpy blurted out defiantly, though nobody, not even Bumpy himself, knew quite what he meant by his sassy remark.

Well, just be careful, and remember: I’ll be keeping an eye on all of you! Handy warned them before walking back to the group to lead some other newcomers to their trees.

That fool just won’t leave us alone, Bumpy complained.

Yeah, we’ll have to watch out for him. But he’s not gonna ruin the day for us. Let’s go to our new luxury trees, and make ourselves at home!

When they arrived at their trees, all three looked up at them in silence for a moment, admiring their impressive size, their strong, thick lower branches, and above all their rich, dark green leaves.

I think I must be dreaming, Humpy uttered in awe. "This is the most beautiful tree I’ve