Reflections

One morning Sylvie woke to find mum was sad, but she wasn’t sure why. She went to the door and from there she could see, mum’s pretty new flowers were gone! But where could they be? 

Sylvie wondered what she could do.  She would find mums flowers, but she needed a clue. She looked and sniffed and looked and sniffed. Peeeeeew! Sylvie found a clue! The clue was poo! 

The mystery poo was not perfectly round, but they were little black balls, in a pile, on the ground. Sylvie couldn’t use her nose but maybe a paw… She split one in half with the tip of a claw. Inside it was different- a yellowish green. Not like any poo Sylvie had seen. 

Confused, Sylvie went to see Halley the horse. She already knew it wasn’t horse poo of course. Horse poo is bigger and smells just like straw. Quite tasty, thought Sylvie spying some by her paw. She lowered her head. Maybe just a nibble… 

“Oi! You there!” she heard “That’s horse poo not kibble!” Embarrassed, she blushed and pulled away her nose. Halley was watching with a horrified pose. “I was hoping you’d help me.” Sylvie said rather quickly. “I found myself with a poo related mystery.” 

 Sylvie explained about mum’s missing flowers. Halley listened intently, then applied deductive powers. “It’s not yours or mine, so let me think now” She thought, “have you tried asking a cow?” Sylvie was disappointed. Halley wasn’t much help. But hopefully she would keep the poo snacking to herself…. 

Now the cows always stand with their herd on the farm. Being all together, keeps them from harm. Caesar and fringy, and don’t forget yo-yo. He has horns which make even the bravest dogs go-go. But Wally the cow was the friendliest of all. He and Sylvie like to play, Especially with a ball.  

“Wally?” Sylvie called, and the cow lumbered towards her. “How are you doing?” Wally asked. Sylvie shook her head, looking sombre. Someone took mums flowers, but I don’t know who I’m investigating, but I only have one clue 

Oh no, I bet she’s sad I hope I can help. Please tell me the clue maybe I know who. So Sylvie described the poo. Nooooo said, Wally, shaking his head I’m really sorry, I wish I knew. Whose poo was this poo. Mine as you can see, doesn’t look like that 

It’s sloppy and mushy and almost flat. Sylvie looked and saw what he said, was true. There’s no way the mystery poo was cow poo. Back to the drawing board Sylvie sighed as she sat. Then an idea struck. I should ask Mr wombat! Mr Wombat lives on the farm in a burrow. Sylvie wanted to visit, but mum always said no. 

But this was important, I’m sure Mum won’t mind. It’s a mystery flower taker I’m trying to find. Sylvie went to the burrow entrance. “Oh, it’s dark in there and full of rocks”, Sylvie hesitated. She hoped it was Mr wombats home, and not that of a fox. 

She decided for mum she was going to be brave. Then she crept very cautiously into the cave. Hello Mr wombat, she whispered voice, trembling. There was no reply, but she could hear grumbling. Down down down the tunnel, it seemed to go on and on. The grumble, now loud, and the light almost gone. Sylvie thought, maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

No wonder mum said not to come down here. Sylvie was scared she forgot about the mystery. Let’s go home, she thought before I’m history. Purple script on the ground as she was turning to scamper. As she turned, she tripped and fell with a clatter.

BOING! CRACK! Scramble and THWACK! Sylvie was too scared to look back . “GRR-HARUMPF” she heard from behind her. She thought that the creature would surely find her. She burst out of the tunnel homeward bound . 

She glanced back to see a creature emerge from the ground. She stopped. She dropped. She was down on all fours. The creature was big, brown and furry, with paws. It wasn’t a fox, a scary creature or anything bad. 

It was Mr wombat after all – although he did look mad. “ what are you doing?” he said with a moan. “ I was asleep. Why were you in My Home?” “ I’m so sorry, Mr wombat” Sylvie, said quite ashamed. “ I didn’t realise you were asleep” she quietly explained. 

“ I’m a nocturnal animal, that’s something you should know” “ I’m sorry again Mr wombat. I’ll go.” “ hold on Sylvie” Mr wombat said. “ you may as well ask me, since I’m now out of bed.” 

Sylvie felt guilty, but there wasn’t a lot she could do. She said sorry again and then describe the poo. Mr wombat listened intently as the details were shared. Then surprised Sylvie when he said “ wombat poo is squared.” “ squared?” Sylvie gasped. “ well cubed” he replied. Sylvie was amazed, But then she sighed. I’m never going to find who left the mystery poo. Mums flowers are gone and there’s nothing I can do. 

“ I’m sorry I couldn’t help” Mr wombat said, rubbing his eye. “ but I’m going back to bed until the moon is in the sky.” Mr wombat trundled home And Sylvie decided she would too. 

She had tried, but it was still a mystery poo. She started back sadly, head hung low to the floor. She trudged back until SQUISH! Something squashed under her paw! “Peeeeeeeew!” She exclaimed, and stepped back. “ that’s disgusting!”  

She shook her paw, and brown thing started dislodging. It was definitely poo She thought dismayed. But it didn’t smell like a horses poo…You know… with hay… It wasn’t flat and sloppy like wally described. And it certainly didn’t have six sides. 

It was a small pile of balls it would seem. Black on the outside and the inside yellowish green. There was a spark is Sylvie made a connection in her brain. This wasn’t THE mystery poo, But it looks the same! Sylvie is I started around. She paced and circled, nose to the ground. 

Then she heard a rustle, followed by a hop. Hip, hop, hippity, hop “STOP” Sylvie then saw them. It was a small group of six. They were kangaroos. And they were jumping, until Sylvie stopped the hop. They looked suspicious. Sylvie got nearer. 

Don’t scare them, she thought. And got just close enough so they’d hear her. “ excuse me, by any chance have you been up to the door? Did you see flowers sitting in a pot on the floor?”  The nearest Roo looked at Sylvie and tilted his head. He glanced at the others. 

Then looked at Sylvie and said “ we were there this morning and those flowers were extra tasty” The roos saw Sylvie’s shock and said “ perhaps we were hasty” “ you ate them?” Sylvie cried. “ we didn’t mean to be rude, But you see flowers are our favourite food. 

We are sorry’” the little Roo said, head low.  “ we didn’t realise they were special. Honestly, we didn’t know.” Sylvie looked at the Roos. They were sad, she could see. And she knew exactly what it was like to feel guilty. She thought for a while And then an idea 

“ I know where you should go! Come look at what’s near!” Sylvie led them up and over the hill at the back, between the tree and then off down the track. There’s a clearing ahead with luscious grass, succulent leaves and oooh what’s that?  

Bright pretty flowers that make a perfect treat,  just what Roos love to eat!  “Thank you Sylvie!” the little roo said,  “from now on we’ll nibble these flowers instead.” Sylvie went home as she’d solved the mystery but mums plant pot still looked rather empty.  

The next morning Sylvie woke to find mum was so cheerful. Someone had left flowers for her. A whole pot full! Sylvie looked around and spotted a clue. The mystery flower giver had left a small poo! I recognise that poo exclaimed Sylvie, tail wagging. That’s roo poo!  

I know it! I know it I do!