Mother Kangaroo stood investigating the rough golden landscape of Australia. Red rocks stood, decorating the area. The soft green grass waved in the wind, dancing. Everything was glowing under the light of the setting sun and Mother Kangaroo could have relaxed but she could not find Joey. Where is he? She thought. Smiling, a small orange brown baby kangaroo jumped out of the fuzzy, green bushes. Mother Kangaroo turned rapidly, “Oh Joey, you scared me,” she explained to her son.
“Sorry Mom, I didn’t notice I traveled so far,” Joey replied.
“I was so worried,” she complained, “Please, you can hop around but don’t go far.”
“Ok Mom,” Joey agreed. Mother Kangaroo pivoted back towards the tree. Hmm, I’m thirsty. Mother Kangaroo thought.
“Hey Jooo-” She stopped when she saw Joey was gone again. “Uh, that kid, why can’t he remain in one place?” Mother Kangaroo asked the air as she began to search for her child. She was hopping along and searching when-
“Hey!” Mother Kangaroo spun around to see an unhappy old wombat looking at her.
“Do you mind? You just shoved me,” the Wombat whined, as he put his paws on his hips and glared.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t see there!” Mother Kangaroo cried.
“Well since you are here you can help me find some good food” the Wombat stated, his tone was forgiving.
“Well I’m looking for my son right now,” Mother Kangaroo told him, not wanting to hurt his feelings.
“That’s right, nearly knock me over, a half blind, small wombat and you won’t even help me find tasty grass,” the Wombat complained, his forgiveness left him.
“No, of course I will help you, grab my tail and we will look for good, green grass together,” Mother Kangaroo agreed, never imagining that the Wombat was much greater than he looked. I can look for Joey while I help this sad, old Wombat. She thought. Even though she needed to find Joey, Mother Kangaroo walked with the Wombat when suddenly Joey hopped passed them.
Hi!” he yelled.
“Who is that?” The Wombat questioned unhappily.
“That’s my son,” Mother Kangaroo replied.
“Kids, no respect,” The Wombat sighed. Mother Kangaroo and Wombat began their search for food again when Joey jumped over.
“Mom I saw hunters!” He cried. Joey’s face was terror stricken. Hearing this Mother Kangaroo took Joey and the Wombat and pulled them into some bushes to hide. Once the Wombat and Joey had settled into the bushes there was no space left.
Mother Kangaroo whispered rapidly, “I’ll get the hunter’s attention and you need to stay put and don't make a sound!”
She began to turn around when Joey cried in between sobs, “No Mama, don’t leave!” Mother Kangaroo looked at him and smiled, her eyes filled with tears.
“I love you very much Joey.” She told him, her voice was shaky but she needed to seem strong, for Joey. Then she turned to the Wombat and asked, “If I don’t return can you please take care of my son?”
“Of course,” The Wombat said sadly and took Joey’s hand, wet from wiping off tears. Mother Kangaroo turned and hopped away, right into the hunter’s view. The hunters began to run after her but suddenly they both tripped and lay on the ground nursing their feet. Mother Kangaroo did not look back and she didn’t know what had happened. Finally, she turned around. When she looked back the hunters were in their car and driving away. Mother Kangaroo turned and hopped as fast as she could back to bushes to check on the Wombat and Joey. She got there and saw Joey but the Wombat was gone. She turned to see that he had become The Father of All Creatures. He explained that he had disguised himself as an annoying old Wombat to find the kindest of all creatures.
“You are the kindest, you sacrificed yourself for some old Wombat that you just met,” he said to Mother Kangaroo and he handed her a piece of bark to tie around her waist. Within seconds it became a beautiful pouch just the right size for Joey to sit in. Joey jumped it immediately.
“This is awesome!” he cried. From that day on every Kangaroo had a pouch.