Tales from the Billabong

As the Creature entered the gully, he felt a sharp prick in the bottom of his foot.

"Ouch!", said the Creature. "Oh I'm sorry!", he said, for he realised that he had stepped on a small, prickly animal.

"That's all right", said the animal."You didn't hurt me. I'm an echidna. My name is Kirtkirtpa. My long spines protect me. I also have this lovely long nose, which helps me find lots of ants and other insects for my dinner."

"That is a lovely long nose", said the Creature. "You know, I have a long nose too. Maybe I am an echidna!"

"Maybe you are", said Kirtkirtpa. "May I join you?"

"Of course!", answered the Creature.

The new friends saw a cave in the distance and decided to go there.