Cockatoo Man

By Alison Giles and Mark L Wilson

The best thing about living in the Kimberley is fossicking around in the bush. Twelve-year-old Binnu sees himself as one of the community's most 'deadly' hunters, and with his 'ging' in his pocket he's prepared for anything. When, unthinkingly, he kills a black cockatoo he brings all kinds of trouble down on himself. Grandfather, as ancient as the

• Language: English
• Publisher: ClickCloud Publishing
• Release date: Apr 12, 2015
• ISBN: 9780994204943

Alison Giles

Alison Giles was born in the north of England and after graduating from Leeds University, worked in London and then in the Caribbean with Voluntary Services Overseas and later joined their headquarter staff. In her forties she trained and worked as a psycho-dynamic counsellor working mostly with people in their late teens and early 20’s.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Storm Spirits

In the jet black of night, monsoonal rains brought the country to life. Trees twisted, swinging violently as the fury of the wind whistled around them. Lightning split the dark night-sky as the rain spiked hard on corrugated rooves. Amidst this enormity of force, a small boy sat on a veranda in an old wicker chair, safe and snug. His knees were tucked up underneath his chin and his arms enveloped his legs so that he became a solid bronze sculpture. Every so often his heart jump-started as the thunder jolted his spirit.

He knew that the storms of Country could be dangerous because he once saw lightning split an old tree stump in two and set it on fire — while it was still raining. Storms as powerful as these came from the Dreaming. Creator beings were angry, and although the young boy was scared he was also captivated. He feared these powerful forces, things that only his grandfather and other Lawmen knew about.

After these seasonal rains had been and gone, Binnu, the young boy, knew that it would be time to leave his community and go to boarding school down south in the city. His older brother, Ryan, had been to boarding school and soon it would be his turn. Most of the community kids went to the big city high schools these days and, sure, they always returned home older, yet somehow they were different. They were more interested in how they looked, making sure they had the latest clothes, face-booking mates from other communities, and sharing YouTube clips with each other. They weren’t that fussed with doing outside stuff anymore.

Leaving for the city would be a big test for Binnu, so he preferred not to think about it. It was going to be hard to say goodbye to his family and friends. He knew that when he got to boarding school he would have to wear a uniform, brush his hair and — worst of all — wear shoes. Binnu didn’t like change; he liked things to stay the way they were.

The storm began to subside, easing into a drizzling wetness. Tinkling musical chants began as rain ran off various shapes of metal and tin. Binnu could hear frog songs starting up as the thunder drummed along in accompaniment rolling across the sky. He stood up from his chair, stretched his cramped legs, and walked into the house. As he lay down on his mattress, the soothing sounds of wet nature lulled him.

Yet, up in the gorges, on the ancient rock walls, storm spirits were slowly waking and images were beginning to dance...

Chapter 2

The Small Hunter