Revenge of the Emu ( A true Aussie story)

[The Jolly Swagman]

Most owners of cattle properties in Queensland choose to recruit the services of neighbours and friends to lessen the work load when looking for cattle that has stretched itself over several thousand acres of bush. Rog. and Jude’s property along the Dawson River was no different and soon the helpers started to arrive from neighboroughing properties and the local township. Their transportation came in all shapes and forms to cater for the myriad of gullies, stands of Brigalow trees and sections of sandstone gorge. Horses, and motorbikes were the order of the day, but taking pride of place amongst all of these was Terry’s Toyota Landcruiser. It stood under the shade of the Blue Gum tree ,in pristine condition, to be admired by all and sundry. Terry was rather unlucky when it came to vehicles. His last purchase ( a Ford Station wagon) received two kangaroo strikes, one in the front fender, and the other in the back door before he had driven it the 30 miles home from the showroom. This time his vehicle was unassailable having been fitted with the heaviest bullbar he could find,……. but was it unassailable?
The muster got underway early to escape the heat of the day,and the motor bike riders roared their way to the far boundary fence, accompanied by their dogs sitting in the pillion trays on the back. Closer to home Terry’s youngest son, Alec was working
A small stand of Brigalow. He gave a yell of excitement when a young unaccompanied Emu broke cover, only to be gathered up into Alec’s waiting arms.
“Look Dad… isn’t he Cool”.
Terry agreed that it was indeed a fine looking bird.
“Can we take him back home Dad, he will go great around the chooks?.
Terry hesitated briefly ,then agreed.
Now where would you put a young Emu until things cooled down and he could be driven home?. Of course the Landcruiser…along with a water bowl. What better place indeed ? Answer …..anywhere else but the Landcruiser.
Nevertheless, the captive bird was installed in his temporary home until the completion of the muster several hours later.
Returning home, the assembled group discussed the events of the day over a can of beer. Suddenly, a scream of agony pierced the air from the direction of the Landcruiser. Terry stood with his mouth agape as he gazed within it’s interior, his can of beer dangling limply from his hand. The crowd quickly gathered at his side to witness the subject of his horror. There before their eyes was the previously undiscovered testimony of an Emu’s ability to perform multiple bowel motions whilst performing overhead somersaults. Not one piece of the interior had been spared his attention to detail, and of course all was combined with the contents of the water dish.
Meanwhile the ingrate bird, as if aware of his spectator audience leapt from seat to seat. His large toenails making vast impressions on the leather interior. Terry’s mouth
Opened and shut like a beached goldfish but finally he managed to give voice
“Get the Bloody thing out of there”.
The back door was opened and needing no second invitation the Emu sprinted in the direction of the river, with Terry making loud and unkind comments about it’s parentage. Alec spent the rest of the day detailing the Toyota interior, closely supervised by his father. Here they made another amazing discovery. There is a ready and waiting market out there just begging for the adhesive qualities contained in Emu poo.

[goosey]

Oh Brilliant TJS! Seeing as it isn't my car I can enjoy that story and laugh!
I had no ideas that Emu's were so troublesome, perhaps thats where Rod Hull got his idea from? (For those who don't know about him - a very annoying comedy act in the 70's with an Emu puppet stuck to his arm which caused mayhem). Did the car ever get clean and loose the smell and did they make their fortune with the new emu poo super glue .
Great story - and I expected the outback to be boring, thanks for sharing .

[The Jolly Swagman]

Goosey its been a long time since I was out in the Dawson as its about 5 miles inland. However, I'm told that the the story of the Emu in the car if still often related when its mustering time. The Toyota would eventually return to normal, except for the toe nail damage on those leather seats . Emu's are usually no trouble at all...cept for the pet one we had at one time that took a liking to eating day old chicks They will eat just about anything. Not what I would describe as an ideal pet. Ours was just something else we adopted...or adopted us. In our time we have had many "somethings" from feral pigs, wallabies, and other marsupials , even an Echidna ,various birds. All were free to come and go as they wished. That Emu act you mention might have been pinched from the show on tv here ,Ozzie Ostrich, or vice versa Thanks for the tip on the image code you gave me in the other forum, I shall try that next time

[paul m]

You might have the basis of an environmentally friendly adhesive there - forget Araldite, use emu-glue.

My son is very fond of emus since he went to a 'farm' in France (ostrich meat is one of the latest fads). He was told that emus (unlike other members of the ostrich family) mate for life so when one partner dies, the other grieves to death .... so no us for cropping..... unless they go together, I suppose