BEEBIL
It is a story of struggle and survival of the Walpajirri bilby tribe in the Aranjirra territory.   The encroachment of humans into the territory has a devastating effect on the animals there with food and water shortages giving rise to conflict between the different species.   The characters may remind you of someone you know.   Watch out for the wily Snake!	In Store Price: $25.00  Online Price:   $24.00 ISBN:1 921240 15 6 Format: A5 Paperback Number of pages: 216 Genre: Children's Fiction Includes illustrations
Author: E.P. Massey Imprint: Poseidon Publisher: Poseidon Books Date Published:  2006 Language: English

ABOUT THE AUTHOR    

E. P. Massey, always known as Peter, was born in Dublin , Ireland , and immigrated to Australia in 1973.  

He is 61 years old, married with two children, and has worked in various jobs, including being a member of the Royal Australian Airforce.  

Aside from being a part-time writer, he is currently employed as a part-time teacher with TAFE, N.S.W., in the aerospace industry.    

Kan and the mob

CHAPTER ONE  

The sun was high in the sky over the Aranjira Territory . Leafy bushes were scattered in small clumps, offering meagre shade from the midday heat.

 The animals of the Aranjira territory, those with fur and feather, were snoozing in the shade, while lizards took advantage of the heat for mobility. Snakes basked in the sun and in privacy, best left alone to avoid any neighbourly conflict.

Kan , the big red kangaroo, sat under a big bush licking his paws to keep cool, occasionally flicking the flies from his long eyelashes. He was the tallest of the mob. His large tail gave balance in flight. Sitting back on his tail, he was formidable in battle, as he used his huge claws to destroy his opponents. As the wisest and most experienced of the mob the others looked to him for leadership and guidance.

There were scars on his snout and torso, reminders of past and unsuccessful challenges to his leadership. None of the others were willing to take on that responsibility, at least not yet. The mob was scattered among the brush, making use of any available shade, and chewing on the sparse growth of grass.

Kan ’s mate, Ana, lay close by. She was smaller in stature but strong and reliable. She had a scar down her front torso, a reminder of a wound inflicted by a rogue male some time before.

Roon, the male, had made unsucessful efforts to make Ana his mate. His temper rose and and he attacked Ana without warning slashing her front with his great paw.

          Before he could do further damage, Kan quickly intervened and Roon was banished from the mob. Kan and Ana had been mates ever since.

          Survival was becoming difficult. Food was getting scarce and the ever-increasing threat from human expansion was putting the animals at greater risk.

          Kan ’s older offspring, Nak, was getting restless. Why can’t we move to where it’s nice and cool, like the billabong, instead of sitting around here getting baked? he thought

          Nak was similar in size and power to Kan. He had a white patch on his chest passed on by his mother. She was long gone; killed by human hunters. Ana and Nak never treated each other as mother and son. Nak was a growing male and would soon be ready to have a mate. He could challenge for any female.

          He was smart enough but lacked the wisdom that came from experiencing long-term survival in this harsh territory. He would learn soon enough.

          As he watched Kan , Nak started to move around, shuffling and nibbling at the tufts of dry grass.

          A gruff warning came from his father. “Sit down, rest and be patient. We will get to water at the proper time,” he snorted.

          Reluctantly Nak returned to his shade-bush and lay down with a deep sigh. It was better to do as you were told than get into a fight with Kan.

          One day, he thought. I’m the eldest and in line for leadership. But he didn’t relish the thought of a confrontation with Kan.

          There were others in the mob willing to take up the challenge. Noor, Roon’s son, was Kan ’s size and fancied his chances to replace Kan. He was large enough but totally lacking in brains. He bullied and intimidated the others especially the young ones and was not well-liked among the mob. He wasn’t favoured for leadership.

          Nak knew he was equal to Noor, or any of the others for that matter, in a contest for the leadership. That occasion would come sooner than expected.

          Kan had been trying time and again to teach Nak patience, and some leadership skills, but it was a slow process. The young wanted to enjoy themselves rather than learn.

          A little distance from where he sat a pile of rocks shimmered in the sun. The glare reflected brightly making it difficult to concentrate on the rocks. Nak saw one of the rocks move. Nak squinted. It was Zil the lizard. He stood still, his body blended with the colour of the rock.

          “Can’t see me! Can’t see me!” he smiled back at Nak who looked totally disinterested.

          “Stupid lizard boasting about his camouflage,” Nak muttered. One good kick with his powerful leg and there would be no more Zil. He closed his eyes and snoozed. Waiting…

          Zil, losing his audience, scampered between the rocks to search for food. “Hmph. Stupid, lazy kangaroos,” he said. “Don’t know anything about good camouflagin’ lizards like me.”

          He was a short lizard with a variety of colours and a winning smile. His tail was the most attractive of all. It was more beautiful than the desert flowers after the floods. In times of great danger, he occasionly had to sacrifice it. It didn’t take long for a new and more beautiful tail to grow. There was something good to be said for danger.

          Something moved nearby. He could sense the vibrations through his feet. It was a heavy vibration. Certainly not a grub; not that big. Though it would be nice to catch a big one. Better get out of here.

          He pushed himself through a gap in a rock which served as his home. Nothing could follow him in, except another lizard, or something smaller like a grub.

          The vibrations grew stronger as it – whatever it was – came nearer.

Not moving a muscle, or an eye, he kept still as a rock. He kept his mouth shut to stop his tongue flicking out. It often had a mind of its own. Zil’s hearing was not the best. A shuffling noise startled him.

          “Hist, hist, hist, hist.”

          It grew closer and closer. He slowly turned his eye back to see a dark shadow across his doorway.

          “Hist, hist, hist, hist.”

Zil

          Zil waited and waited, keeping his body still, except his tongue. At last he could see light coming from his doorway. The shuffling noise faded into the distance until he could no longer hear it. He relaxed now. He knew who it was. Nas the snake.

          ‘What was he doing out at this time of day?’ he wondered. He shivered nervously. Although Nas didn’t usually chase lizards like Zil, well you just couldn’t trust him. His tongue flicked out. “Stop it, I tell you. You nearly got me into trouble!”

          He thought about Nas for a while. He had heard stories about snakes like Nas, with their long green bodies curling around themselves, admiring their shapes and colours. “Typical. Just typical. They all try to be better looking than me. Jealous they are.”

          He popped his head with care through the doorway, looking left and right – up and down – no one to be seen. Zil scurried out and continued to search for grubs. His tongue flicked out again.

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