Chapter 2: The Old Wise One and Tumbarumba

The Old Wise One and Tumbarumba sat on their favourite bench out on the back porch enjoying a bit of sunshine between the showers of rain. The Old Wise One was quiet as Tumbarumba described where he first lived.

"The Snowy Mountains are famous because of the poem Banjo Paterson wrote called, Man From Snowy River… There was movement at the station, for the word had got around. That the colt of Old Regret had got away. And joined the wild bush horses…..” as he recited the poem, he thought of the wild brumbies that roamed around Snowy Mountains, through rain, sunshine and snow. They would gallop through the trees and soar down the mountain in herds and sometimes, if you were lucky, you could see them grazing in the distance. You had to be very quiet because if they heard you, they would be off to safety again.  They are beautiful, strong animals and to watch them is so awe-inspiring.

Tumba sighed and continued. “Where I lived, the place was full of bears of all shapes and sizes. We lived in the rafters, on the windowsills, on benches, wherever you could find a space. Near the door was the biggest bear of all. He was so big that four humans could stand in front of him and they still wouldn’t be as wide as him! His head barely touched the roof and he was the colour of a hot, milk chocolate. People would stand near him to have their photos taken and he never complained.

At night, when everyone had gone away, it was just us bears. We were all scared of Pa Jumbo. It felt like his presence filled the room. If one of us young rascals ventured too close, he would let out a quiet growl and we’d run back to our place. But one night, my friend Joey said he knew a way to get past Pa Jumbo and he wanted to go look at the red car where his uncle often lazed on the roof. He showed me a map of our place which had arrows going this way and that and said his uncle would give us a honey milkshake when we got out. I was hooked! We waited until everyone was asleep and then we crept quietly to the next seat. I looked over at Pa Jumbo and got scared, so I told Joey I was going back to bed. Joey laughed and kept weaving in and out of the tables and chairs. I watched him for a bit and then decided I was too tired to watch anymore.

The next morning, Joey was back in his place and I looked at him. He winked, but somehow I don’t think he really did go. He was incredibly quiet all morning and he stayed away from me. I didn’t get a chance to ask him what happened because that was the morning Hibiscus chose me. She picked me up, gave me a cuddle and offered me some of her chocolate cake which I politely refused, of course. She buckled me up in the front seat and we drove to a really pretty spot where she sat me on the rock while she took photos of the scenery. She’s always taking photos…. We saw some brumbies too, which was pretty exciting.”

Suddenly Tumba stopped talking to The Old Wise One and jumped down from the bench. The Old Wise One watched puzzled as Tumba ran across the soggy backyard and climbed the lemon tree. He came back to the bench holding a lemon as though it was a nugget of gold and declared he was going to make a lemon meringue pie. “Hmmmph” said The Old Wise One, “That sounds delicious but have you ever made one before?” “Of course,” replied Tumba, “I’ve seen Hibiscus make one. It looks easy when she does it.”

Later that night, Tumba and The Old Wise One got a chance to eat the lemon meringue pie with a dollop of fresh cream. “Not too bad,” said The Old Wise One, “Not too bad!” and he licked his lips. As they enjoyed it, Ronnie came tumbling in. “Can I have some too? Can I? Can I have some? Pleeeeease?” Tumba looked at him and said, “Not this time Ronnie. Off you go!” Ronnie pouted, looked again at the pie and as he skipped across the bench, he called out, “Just you wait, Tumbarumba! Just you wait!”

When all the teddy bear clan were sleeping, Ronnie woke up with a start. He’d been having a nightmare and decided he needed to go for a walk to clear his head. He smelled the fresh lemon meringue pie in the kitchen and made a bee-line towards it. “Mmmmmm”, he said, “Delicious!”