Once upon a time, in the sunny outback of Australia, there lived a cheeky and clever kangaroo named Lefty. Unlike most kangaroos who hopped around peacefully, Lefty had a mischievous streak and a particular love for bananas. Oh, how he adored those yellow, sweet treats! But there was a problem. The local store, run by Mr. Thompson, kept a big basket of bananas right near the entrance. And every day, when no one was looking, Lefty would hop in and snatch a banana or two, slipping away before anyone noticed.
Lefty was very crafty. He’d wait until the shop was busy with customers, then sneak in through a tiny hole behind the shelves. With his quick paws, he’d grab a banana and tuck it into his pouch. Sometimes, he’d even hide a few in the tall grass nearby and come back for them later. The townspeople soon started noticing missing bananas, but they couldn’t catch the sneaky kangaroo. Mr. Thompson chuckled when he saw the empty basket and said,
“That Lefty sure is a clever one!”
One day, Lefty’s friend, a wise old hornbill magpie named Maggie, decided to help. She suggested they come up with a plan so Lefty could get his bananas without having to sneak around. So, Maggie and Lefty worked together. They set up a special banana stand just outside the store, filled with the tastiest bananas. Lefty promised not to steal anymore, as long as he could still enjoy his favourite fruit.
From then on, Lefty visited the new stand every day, happily munching bananas in the open. The townspeople laughed and called him “Lefty the clever,” and everyone was happy because the mischievous kangaroo had found a way to satisfy his love for bananas without causing trouble. And so, Lefty the crafty kangaroo learned that sometimes, a little teamwork and honesty could make everyone happier, especially when it involved bananas!
Lazarus Carpenter - Author 