John Hardman

The Bush Adventure John Hardman

The Bush Adventure - Synopsis Part one ? The Rescue One morning Aan-dew, a small bush potoroo, hears a desperate sound coming from some distance away. Overcoming his fear of the dangers his grandmother has always warned him about, he sets off to find out what ? or who ? is in trouble. He finds a baby creature about to be attacked by a vicious crow. Able to frighten the crow off temporarily, Aan-dew tries to help the infant. As evening approaches he digs out a shelter under a rock for them both where they spend a terrifying night together. The next morning, a pair of rabbit sisters who are friends of Aan-dew?s, find him and with the help of some other friendly animals, devise a plan to take the baby to safety. The rabbits have an amazing knowledge of languages and soon decide that the infant is a fledgling magpie. The rabbit sisters are also able to help when the baby?s mother eventually finds them. The problem is how to move the infant Nai-nee to safety, as she cannot fly and the adult birds are unable to carry her to their nest. The next two days are filled with more excitement and much late night story telling in their makeshift shelter, until the decision is finally made to take the infant to the relative safety of Aan-dew?s home on the far side of the hill. Part two ? The Storm As plans are laid to return Nai-nee to her mother?s nest, there are further adventures including more threats and attacks by the crows, narrow escapes from a fox, a frightening experience with tall two legged creatures carrying sticks, and the arrival of several other rabbit and potoroo family members and friends. Then a terrifying storm breaks, bringing a night of fear and devastation. At the height of the storm, the potoroos and the infant bird are in danger of drowning in their flooding home until they receive timely assistance from the adult magpies. After their recovery from the storm, plans are made to help Nai-nee return to her family. Aan-dew?s cousin, a small female tree kangaroo named Gem-ma, is enlisted and is happy to attempt the climb with the infant in her pouch. Part Three ? The Climb The animals and birds train for many days, with every animal and magpie allocated a different task to ensure that the final attempt goes smoothly. The magpie family promises to protect Gem-ma from any other marauding birds. The following days and nights are filled with hard work, more adventures and some outrageous night-time story telling until the big day arrives. Unfortunately, the friends do not know that the crows, who have been watching their progress, have enlisted the help of a flock of butcherbirds to attack Gem-ma during the climb. When she is knocked from her position and snared in some branches, Aan-dew, without thinking, overcomes his fear of heights and dashes up the tree to help. The cowardly crows refuse to help the butcherbirds and eventually the magpies, with Aan-dew?s help, overcome the odds.