Norman Meets Sneeze the Australian Lungfish at Traverston Crossing on the great Mary River, Queensland, Australia
Norman looked out from his hammock which was tied to the Hibiscus plant at the back of Henry’s house at Yandina. The summer was drawing to a close and autumn would be here within months.
Before the winter set in Norman thought it was time that he visited his friend Big Al at Kadanga which is a small country town in Queensland Australia.He packed up his knapsack, put it on his back, shut the door of his house and started the three day walk to where Big Al lived.
Norman’s trip had been a long one and finally he arrived at the Traverston Bridge which was not far from Big Al’s house. He looked down from the bridge to the Mary River that was one of Queensland’s largest rivers than wound its way from the hinterland to the eastern seaboard.
Norman was surprise to see that there was not much water in the river.
He decided to walk down to the rivers edge but then all of a sudden he slipped then rolled and rolled down the hill.
Receive Ach Payments Times New Roman;”>Norman got to the bottom and laughed to himself.
What fun that was he said.
Hello Norman, it has been a while since I have seen you said a voice.
Norman knew who it was.
It was his old friend Sneeze the Australian lungfish.
How are you said Norman, it certainly has been a while since I have seen you.
Well, said Sneeze, not to good at the moment.
Norman looked into the water where his friend Sneeze was.
Oh and why is that.
We are going to have to move our house Sneeze said.
Move, said Norman, you are not going to move, you have been here for 1000 years.
Where are you going, said Norman
That’s the point said Sneeze we don’t want to go anywhere.
Norman stood there looking at Sneeze.
What do you mean?
They are going to flood the Mary River, Norman.
Flood the Mary River, said Norman, surely not.
I know, but you see Norman, they told us that they need lots of water for everyone to drink and to use to grow things and the only way they could do this was to flood the Mary River and all the farm land around here.
Norman they are going to put a big dam here
Oh no, what about Big Al, Norman thought to himself, this would mean that he would have to move too.
I have been swimming further down the river looking for a new place to live said Sneeze and Norman I am really getting concerned that I will not be able to find a place
Norman looked at Sneeze.
She was a real strange looking fish, a Queensland Lungfish with a long heavy body, large scales, small eyes and paddle-like fins.
She had olive-green to brown on the back and sides with some scattered dark blotches, and whitish underneath.
Squeeze was 1.8 m and a looked like she weighed of 40 kg. Norman remembered meeting her when she was one and now she was fifteen years old.
What can I do to help said Norman?
Well said Squeeze what you can do is to tell all your friends about what is happening hereon the Mary River.
It’s so important Norman that everyone is made aware that you just can not decide to put a dam on the Mary
River or anywhere else just because everyone needs water.
You have to think about what you are destroying when you do these things.
I know what you mean, said Norman, my friend Henry says you should look after your environment and heritage because it can not be replaced once it has gone.
Henry says that you need to think of other ways to do things.
He said a very good friend of his told him everyone should hasten slowly and Sneeze I think that you should do that, do not rush into anything alright.
I have to go now but I will be back to see you again Sneeze, said Norman and with that Norman started to climb the hill towards the Traverston Bridge.
Once up on top, he looked down on the mighty Mary River, and then looked across the farmlands to the green hills in the distance.
Norman looked back down at Sneeze and wondered whether the flooding of the Mary River would ever happen.
Norman looked towards the hills, the sun was going down and he needed to get to Big Al’s house before it was dark.
What can I do to help Sneeze thought Norman as he started to final walk along the track to Big Al’s place?