Bruny Youth Stories Prize

She sped through the air. Darting through the eucalyptus trees, keeping her little olive belly up. Her frail feet clung to the shreds of dry white gum she had harvested only moments before. Following behind her, two cunning kookaburras trailed her flight path with far less elegance but an intimidating magnitude of force. Her petite wings rapidly flicked and fluttered as she swerved through treetops, dodging leaves and stray widow-maker branches. 

She was almost home.

The kookaburra’s diverted from one another, each taking their own paths through the forest’s light canopy, both edging closer, snipping their beaks at what they wanted to be a nice evening snack. 

She was only moments away from taking her white gum home and feeding her two little nestlings, but the pressure of the kookaburras’ pursuit was too intense. Her wings ached under the strain of the chase, and she felt the wind soften on her face. She sensed the faster predator gain even further towards her rear and she knew a choice must be made. 

She dived, letting the weight of the white gum drag her down faster. The kookaburras eagerly followed, excited by the challenge of their prey. She calculated the time it would take to make it back to her hollow, knowing what her only chance of survival would be. 

She released her flexed claws, letting the white gum fall to the forest bed, shaking the bushes as it landed. Her back tensed as her wings spread, catching the air, letting her soar back to the height of the canopy. 

She felt burdenless as she masterfully evaded the angered strikes of the kookaburras with ease, letting the wind push her light frame through the air and into the tight gap of her hollow’s entrance. 
 

Winners of the Bruny Youth Story Prize will be announced at The Bruny Island Bird Festival on Sunday, the 22nd of March at 12 pm in the Adventure Bay hall. This prize is proudly brought to you by The Bruny Kids and Nature Project, led by Claire Boost and the Tasmanian Community Fund.