The Koala smiled modestly. "Yes!" it said; "when I am pleased there is no
creature in the bush can make such a noise, or so many different noises at
once. I waken every one for a quarter of a mile round. You wouldn't
think it, to see me as I am, would you?" The Koala was evidently very
pleased with this accomplishment.
"It isn't kind of you to wake up all the sleeping creatures," said Dot.
"Why not?" asked the Koala. "You are a night creature, I suppose, or you
wouldn't be awake now. Well, don't you think it unfair the way everything
is arranged for the day creatures?"
"But then," said Dot. "there are so many more day creatures."
"That doesn't make any difference," observed the Koala.
"But it does," said Dot.
"How?" asked the native Bear.
"Because if you had the day it wouldn't be any good to you, and if they
had the night it wouldn't be any good to them. So your night couldn't be
their day, and their day couldn't be your night."
"You make my head feel empty," said the Koala. "But you'd think
differently if a flock of Kookooburras settled on your tree, and guffawed
idiotically when you wanted to sleep."
"As you don't like being waked yourself, why do you wake others then?"
asked Dot.
"Because this is a free country," said the Koala. While Dot was trying to
understand why the Koala's reason should suffice for one animal making
another's life uncomfortable, she was rejoiced to see the Kangaroo bound
into sight.
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