The Porcelain Koala.

David Wakeling

Daniel was a lonely child, he lived in worlds unknown,
He always played games that he invented on his own,
Once he wrote his details on a koala made of porcelain,
He left it in the room where people wait for a train.
He had to guess how long it would take someone,
To return it to his home or maybe they would phone.
He looked around and wrote 3 days in his note book.
And settled down to wait to see how long it took.

Three days later his Father got a strange phone call,
Apparently a lady found Daniel’s ornament in the Mall,
His father was a dangerous man and drank quite a bit,
He grabbed Daniel and screamed and screamed and wouldn’t quit.
“You stupid boy what have you done with that koala,
That was given to you by your grandmother,
Some women just rang to say she found it in the Mall.
That is it. You go to your room. You will have no supper tonight.”

Daniel crawled under his bed and drew pictures of his favourite world.
He called the world “The Underland”.
This world was a beautiful world of warratahs and orchids and eucalyptus trees,
He would wander through and wave at the koalas.

Daniel who was 10 had a younger brother Lachlen who was 6.
Lachlen would hide in Daniels room when their Dad was screaming and hitting.
Once Lachlen came in with blood coming from his nose and he was crying.
Daniel cleaned him up a bit and decided to make a game of it.

“Now when Dad gets angry I want you come here and go to Underland.
It is a beautiful place where there are wonderful coloured flowers
and friendly animals like Kangaroos and Koalas and possums.”

That night their Dad got very drunk and starting smacking Lachlen again.
Lachlen knew what to do.
He yelled in his loudest voiced.
“You can’t hurt me I will go to Underland and be happy.”

 

  • Author: David Wakeling (Offline Offline)
  • Published: February 15th, 2025 01:31
  • Category: Unclassified
  • Views: 11
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Comments +

Comments4

  • Goldfinch60

    I can never understand why children get assaulted so badly David.

    Andy

    • David Wakeling

      I think alcohol could be a big factor.Thanks for commentig

    • sorenbarrett

      A basic defense withdrawal into fantasy serves well our need to withdraw from stress whether child in years, mentally, or emotionally many of us use this devise. A psychological write.

      • David Wakeling

        Thank you compadre. You are absolutely correct.

      • arqios

        Right-O! I’ve got my own Underland as well, haven’t had to go there in a while though. But remember those days quite scarily… time has distanced those days… more than resonant, I could be both Daniel and Lachlan rolled into one. 🙏🏻🕊

        • David Wakeling

          Couldn't we all. Thank you for your honest comments

        • Poetic Licence

          Creating our world to defend ourselves, well written

          • David Wakeling

            That's what we have to do.Thanks for commenting

            • Poetic Licence

              You are very welcome



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