How Mother Kangaroo Got a Pouch

"Joey, you'd better come here now!" called Mother Kangaroo. Her son had been missing since early morning. Joey had again gone off by himself!

"That boy moves too much," she said to herself. "He's always hopping off."

Mother Kangaroo was really worried now. Time and time again she had told her Joey, "Don't go hopping off by yourself. It can be dangerous."

Suddenly, she heard a scuffling noise. Then Mother Kangaroo heard her son shouting. "Mother, help me out of this pit!"

Mother Kangaroo hurried to where her son was, afraid that he might be hurt.

"Are you all right? asked Mother Kangaroo.

"How can we be all right if we've been trapped in this horrible pit for several hours?" a deep pit for several hours?" deep voice said.

Surprised, Mother Kangaroo saw Mr. Crocodile and an old woman with Joey in the deep but narrow hole.

"Good morning, Mr. Crocodile," greeted Mother Kangaroo politely. Then she asked the old woman if she was all right. "Yes, my dear," said the old woman. "I just want to go home now."

Mother Kangaroo decided to rescue her Joe first followed by the old woman, then Mr. Crocodile. Once out of the pit, Mr. Crocodile left and crawled back to the river without a nod of thanks to Mother Kangaroo. He did not even bid them goodbye.

"I'll bring you home, dear old lady," she said kindly.

"If you're sure I won't be any trouble," said the old woman softly.

They haven't taken more than five steps when Joey hopped off to the bushes again. "Joey, come back!" his mother shouted.

Mother Kangaroo started to hop but remembered the old woman beside her. "How can I hop after my Joey when this poor old woman needs my help?" she thought to herself. "I just hope he doesn't run into any trouble again."

"I can't walk any farther," said the old woman. "I need to rest. "Mother Kangaroo made her sit on a log away from the heat of the sun.

She looked far beyond the trees and caught a glimpse of her son. Joey was hopping off towards the river again. "Goodness, what is he up to now?" she thought worriedly.

"Can I have water to drink?" the old woman asked. "I feel thirsty and hot."

Mother Kangaroo thought of a way to bring the old woman to the river without making her walk. Since the old woman was small and thin, she could easily carry her all the away to the river. And so she did!

Near the river, Mother Kangaroo heard her Joey scream. She saw her son being pushed towards the riverbank by Mr. Crocodile.

"Joey, what happened to you?" she asked patting the water off her son's back.

"Your son if too much of a problem. He nearly drowned on my property," Mr. Crocodile shook his snout angrily. "But I have repaid you now. Better make sure that your kid doesn't mess with my place," he warned.

"I'm deeply thankful, Mr. Crocodile," said Mother Kangaroo ashamed that her son was causing all these troubles.

Off Mr. Crocodile swam, leaving Mother Kangaroo, her Joey, and the old woman without saying goodbye again. But there was no old woman beside them!

Suddenly the Fairy Queen of the Forest appeared to them. She was wearing the apron of the old woman.

"I was the old woman you helped," said the Fairy Queen. "I was looking for the kindest animal in the forest and I have found you. You helped Mr. Crocodile even if he was so unfriendly. You chose to stay with me while at the same time fearing for Joey's safety."

The Fairy Queen of the Forest took off her apron. She tied it around the waist of Mother Kangaroo. "Now I am going to reward you for your kindness." With a swift wave of her magic wand, the apron turned into the pouch that all female kangaroos have today.

"Now, you have somewhere to put Joey to keep him from wandering off," said the Fairy Queen.

Joey quickly climbed into his mother's pouch. "This is so soft and warm. I want to sleep now, Mother."

"And a nice bed, too!" Mother Kangaroo said happily.