An ABC WEDNESDAY entry for letter 'Q'.
(A"Q" entry can also be seen on my PLUS blog.)
As told in this little verse, the quokkas of the island off the coast of Western Australia were first thought to be rats. Hence the name 'Rats' Nest' or Rottnest as the Dutch named it. Now it is a very popular holiday destination, with not a rat in sight. Just lots of quokkas still enjoying life.
The second photograph is one I took last year, on holiday. The child is unknown.
The second photograph is one I took last year, on holiday. The child is unknown.
QUOKKA QUERY
A quokka asked a question,
(As quokkas often do.)
'This name, Rottnest, is a mystery;
Tell me, is it true
That way, way back in history,
When the Europeans came,
They thought that we were little rats
So coined that 'Rats' Nest' name?'
Spoke the ghost of Willem de Vlamingh,
'I fear that it is so.
When I landed on the West Coast
Three hundred years ago,
I saw the tiny wallabies
But didn't understand
That they were small marsupials,
Natives of this land.
They ran about among the trees
And seemed to beg for food.
But I must agree that 'Rottnest' name
Was really rather rude.'
Said the quokkas 'We forgive you.
For we're famous, anyhow!
And the name of Rottnest Island
Stands for happy holidays now.
People travel to our island
From everywhere on earth.
And the folk of Western Australia
Enjoy days-out from Perth.
And still we run like pretty rats
In and out the trees
As the humans laze on our beaches
And swim in our turquoise seas.'
