In a faraway bushland clearing, beneath an old river red gum, lived a little echidna. Every morning she poked her snout out of her burrow and set off to get things done.
She had a great deal to do: say good morning to the sun, to the gum tree and to her bush neighbours, do her morning stretches, have a wash, tidy up the area around her home and gather food. And she always made time to dream, because that was the most important job of all.
One day, while the little echidna sat on her tiny log bench, dreaming as usual, the old gum tree rustled its leaves at her:
Little echidna, will you tell your friend what you're dreaming about? Or is it a secret?
There's no secret, I just don't think anyone can help me.
But why not? You have so many friends!
I have plenty of friends, but I haven't got any wings, replied the echidna sadly.
Why would a little brown echidna need wings? You're not a bird, the gum tree said in surprise.
That's exactly the problem: I'm not a bird, and I have no wings. That means I can never fly north to warmer places. I'll always be stuck in my burrow through winter! And I don't want that. I dream of seeing the ocean, basking in the sand at the beach in the sunshine, and eating sweet mangoes and passionfruit.
But what about us? We'll be sad without you.
But I haven't gone anywhere yet.
The two friends' conversation was overheard by the Sun. It was just about ready to go to sleep, but it lingered in the sky.
And what about the dream? the Sun asked.
Yes, what about your dream? We have to think of something, the gum tree rustled thoughtfully. Then its biggest leaf drifted down from the top branches and landed right in front of the little echidna.
This is a magic leaf that will carry you wherever you wish to go, the gum tree continued. Hop on quickly and fly to your dream.
The Sun was so happy that it danced across the clearing in little patches of light:
I'll ask the wind to lift you above the clouds. Just hold on tight, and be sure, do you hear me, little echidna, be sure to come back to us in spring.
The Sun warmed the echidna's spines with a gentle glow, and the gum tree rustled:
Safe travels!
And off the little echidna went: first over her burrow, then over the gum tree, then over the clearing, and then she was gone...
But I'll jump ahead a little and tell you that the echidna's dream came true. She came home, and she still made time to dream every day, because she has a brand-new dream now. But what it is, she hasn't told us yet.
