“Merry, merry king of the bush is he…” goes the famous nursery rhyme but, as the young kookaburra listened to his father laughing at the rising sun, he didn’t feel at all worthy of that regal reputation.
Elton had felt different from the moment he hatched from his pink-hued egg and drew his first breath. This feeling of difference was further compounded by his mother, Coreen, naming him after the wig-wearing, rather rotund man who lived in a caravan beneath their gum tree home. This man was a huge Elton John fan and, in the thousands of years kookaburras had flown in the Australian skies, never had one been named after a human.
Things were to get worse – a lot worse. After being trapped in the cramped, dark nest-hole, bullied by his two older brothers and being a daily disappointment to his father, Matari, the opportunity eventually presented itself and Elton made his escape.
So, whatever age you may be, follow the young kookaburra on his journey as he encounters the things we all have to face in life; the spectres of jealousy, death and loss, and the joys of friendship, love and laughter.
