Why The Kookaburra Laughed

Northern Advocate, 10 January 1939, Page 2

Why The Kookaburra Laughed

(Sent in by Mary Kirkby, Pakotai)

One bright clear spring afternoon, when the air was filled with the sweet fragrance of bush flowers. Mr Kookaburra sat on a broken rail of a fence, holding a conversation. with Mr Magpie, who, sat on a branch of a tree nearby. Mr Kookaburra asked with a twinkle in his cunning old eye. “Did you know that down by the swamp in Mr Brown's paddock there are plenty of large, juicy worms and grubs?” “No. I did not.” replied Mr Magpie, “My word, there are!" chuckled Mr Kookaburra. “Well, don’t toll the other birds,” artvised Mr Magpie. “I’ll promise you that.' said Mr Kookaburra, with a grin. “I will go down early in the morning,” said Mr Magpie. “Oh, there’s no hurry,” remarked the other. “Worms and grubs are very slow. They will stay there.” Mr Magpie warbled cheerfully as he sat on the side of his nest that evening, telling Mrs Magpie of his ■ chat with Mr Kookaburra. Then she. warbled, too. for she knew her husband always liked a good breakfast. Next morning the cunning old kookaburra was down at the swamp just as it was breaking day. His appetite was immense, and he enjoyed a delicious meal. Then he flew up into a tree and waited. Just as the horizon was becoming rosy red, Mr Magpie came along, looking very happy. He scratched about in the mud, then looked verypuzzled. Then he scratched again and again—but, alas! The worms were all gone and the grubs, too.

This was too much- for the old kookaburra, who burst out laughing. He laughed so heartily that he nearly fell off the branch. As soon as he could control himself he said, “Oh, Maggie. Have you forgotten that the early bird catches the worm?” and he burst out laughing again. Mr Magpie flew away in disgust, and he has never - quite forgiven Mr Kookaburra for the joke he played upon him. But the old kookaburra, even now will burst out laughing when he thinks of it. --Original.