Chapter 5: A New Plan
Liam climbed back over the fence, clutching his empty koala lunchbox. He knew he couldn’t be mad at the possum. It was just a wild animal looking for food.
When he got inside, Mum saw the empty box and smiled. “Did our little detective solve the case?”
“Yes,” Liam grinned. “The culprit was a brushtail possum. It ate everything but left a shiny pink feather.”
“Well, you can’t blame a possum for liking a good meal,” Mum laughed. “But we need to be smarter. We can’t leave our food where native animals can easily grab it.”
That evening, Liam and Mum went to the hardware store. They bought a new lunchbox with a very strong, click-lock lid that a possum couldn’t possibly open.
The next morning, Liam packed his new lunchbox and secured it inside his school bag, hanging on a hook inside the house.
But he didn’t forget his furry friend.
He also packed a small, brown paper bag with some possum-safe food: a piece of sweet carrot and a few slices of fresh pear. He left this small offering near the big gum tree, far from their house.
Liam knew his Vegemite was safe, and the possum would have a healthy snack that day. The mystery was over, and Liam had learned an important lesson about sharing the Aussie bush with its wild neighbours. He felt ready for a great day at Gum Tree Primary!
Think About It!
- Why did Liam decide he couldn’t be mad at the possum?
- What two things did Liam and his Mum do to make sure the lunchbox was safe in the future?
- What safe food did Liam leave for the possum?
Word Power!
- Native animals: Animals that originally lived in a certain country or area (like possums in Australia).
- Smarter: Having or showing quick-witted intelligence.
- Click-lock lid: A lid that closes with a secure, clicking sound.
- Offering: Something given as a present or a kind gesture.
Activity Time!
- Write a new safety rule for Liam’s family about keeping food safe from animals.
- Draw a picture of the possum happily eating the carrot and pear.