Bushfire! Read online

  Richard left the room with the joey.

  Smokey had Bindi’s finger grasped in her paw. “Sleep tight, Smokey.”

  Bindi gave Smokey one last look, gently pulled her finger away, and left the room. Despite her tears, Bindi knew she would need to be strong to look after Smokey’s joey.

  And Bindi was a friend who always kept her promises.

  Half an hour later, the intercom crackled to life around the hospital. A voice called out in a state of high excitement. “We have just received news that it is raining in the area surrounding the fire. I repeat, IT IS RAINING HARD, and authorities believe the fire will shortly be under control. Congratulations, guys, the worst is over!”

  There were cheers throughout the hospital. The staff celebrated with a small party in the kitchen, drinking leftover lemonade and eating cookies.

  Everyone was exhausted. Bindi and Rosie munched away while Richard held up a cup of lemonade and called for silence.

  “Thanks to everyone for their hard work. It’s been a tough day, and animal lives have been lost,” said Richard as he glanced over at Bindi. “But we’ve also saved a lot of lives today too. I’d especially like to thank our volunteers.” He looked out at the sea of tired faces. “We’d be lost without your help.”

  Everyone held up their glasses.

  “Cheers!”

  Bindi had been to the hospital twice a day, every day, for the past week to visit the koala joey in the nursery.

  The little koala had taken to the special formula and was fast asleep in her incubator. Bindi watched her as she slept. She looked just like any baby, apart from the exceptionally cute furry ears—just like her mum’s, thought Bindi.

  Bindi was about to head out when Richard walked in. He smiled when he saw the little joey curled into a ball. “We’re very pleased with the joey’s progress.”

  “She’s looking great,” said Bindi as she unzipped her bag and pulled out a rolled-up poster. “I made something for you, Dr. Richard.” She handed it to him.

  Richard slowly unrolled the cardboard to reveal a colorful hand-drawn poster. He read out:

  To Dr. Richard. There’s an old saying: be the change you want to see in the world. It reminds us of you. Thank you. Love from all the staff and animal patients at the Australian Wildlife Hospital.

  The poster was covered in signatures and paw prints.

  Richard was touched. “Thanks, Bindi. That’s going straight onto my wall in my office so I can look at it every day.” He nodded thoughtfully. “Great saying. I’ll be sure to use that one at the first opportunity!”

  Bindi giggled. “I know you will!”

  Dr. Richard chuckled as the two wandered back down the corridors of the wildlife hospital and out into the sunshine.