“What’s because it rained?” his friend Toby asked from a nearby pouch.
“Everything is greener because it rained,” Fitzroy answered.
“Yeah, so what? Don’t you ever pay attention to what’s really important?” Toby asked. “Just look at that!”
The large pile of garbage by the train tracks was growing bigger by the day. Worse yet, its stench made some of the older roos and many of the younger joeys feel sick.
“You’re right, Toby,” Fitzroy admitted. “The green would be better if that stink wasn’t there.”
The mob had been discussing the pile for days, and no one had come up with a good idea for getting rid of it. Even Boomer, their leader and Fitzroy’s dad, was bewildered.
“The outback would be just beautiful,” Boomer said, “if it weren’t for that rubbish down there.”
“Dad?” Fitzroy peered up at his father.
“Yes, Fitzroy?” Boomer asked.
“We need to do something about it.”
“You’re right, son,” Boomer replied.
“I have an idea,” Fitzroy said excitedly. “Why don’t we call on the wedge-tailed eagles? They’ll help get rid of it. After all, they are scavengers.”
“Fitzroy, that’s a great idea!” Boomer turned to the mob and straightened up, making himself appear taller and more leader-like. “I think we should call on the wedge-tailed eagles,” he announced. “They’re a bunch of scavengers. They’ll clean up that pile of garbage.” Boomer waved to Darwin. Darwin was the strongest bounder in the group. “Darwin, get a message to the eagles. Tell them we need them here as soon as possible.”
“Will do, sir.” Darwin saluted and bounded off in a northerly direction.
* * *
“Listen! Something’s coming down the tracks!” exclaimed Fitzroy.
Sure enough, on the horizon, a black spot was growing bigger and bigger and the ground shook harder and harder.
“It’s the train,” Boomer shouted.
The rumbling of the train became a thunderous noise as the engine whizzed by with many passenger cars trailing behind. And then—like every other day—a window opened on one of the cars and a bag flew out. It hit the ground with a smack! The bag broke open and its contents exploded, right beside the rest of the garbage.
“Oh, my,” Fitzroy’s mother groaned. “That pile is growing bigger by the day.”
A red cloud of dust billowed off the back of the train as it disappeared into the distance.