Word got around quickly that all the animals were invited to Wombat's midnight feast, and of course Koala thought that he was included ... that is, until he found a note at the base of his gumtree saying,

, signed .

Poor Koala!  What was he to do now?  If he told Wombat he had changed his mind, Wombat might think it was only so that he could go to the party.  Koala was a sensible animal and he decided to let Wombat have his sulk and see what happened the next day.  While all the others were having the midnight feast, he busied himself with preparations.  He had a plan and he thought it was going to be very, very good.  

All the animals slept in late the next day... except the birds.  No matter what time they went to sleep, the birds always seemed to be the first ones awake.  That was why they were the first ones to see Koala walking along the ground, dragging a branch from his gumtree.  "Squawk! Squawk! What are you doing, Koala?", they screeched.  "Ssh!", said Koala, "you'll wake the others. Let them sleep... " , and he continued on, dragging the branch behind him.

By the time he returned from the river, all the others had woken up and were discussing Koala's strange behaviour.   Even Wombat was awake and joining in.  Koala was glad when he saw Wombat with the others.  He knew that Wombat's curiosity would break the ice between them.

Sure enough Wombat was the first one to call out, "Koala, what are you doing!?"  All the others joined in the chorus. "Yeah, what are you doing Koala, what are you doing?  Tell us... tell us!!"

This was just what Koala had anticipated, so he was well pleased with his plan so far.  The next step was to invite Wombat to have a race on the new running track he had made with his branch.   The way to the river was clearly marked and it should all be over in a few minutes.   Then maybe Wombat would give Koala some peace!

"I have changed my mind Wombat.  I will race you so we can see who is the best.  The one who wins mustn't brag about it though, OK.  It will be enough for them to know that they have won... everyone will cheer and that will be the end of it."

Wombat was embarrassed.  Koala was such a kind friend.  Even after being left out of the party he was doing this... and knowing he would lose, too!  For a moment Wombat wished he hadn't suggested the race, but it was too late now.  Koala had worked so hard - he would do just as Koala said.  Win the race, take all the congratulations, and then say no more about it.

"Thankyou, Koala.  I accept. Let's go!"

Koala gave Emu the whip to crack to begin the race and they took their places at the starting line.  Koala looked funny on the ground.  He didn't mind - he was just glad that the years of silly games were soon to be over and that Wombat would have a nice time winning.

Crack!  They were off!   Koala tried his best, and the animals had to admit he wasn't too bad a runner, but Wombat could really get a speed up on his short little legs and he streaked ahead. 

It wasn't long before Koala lost sight of Wombat. 
He wondered if Wombat was already at the river.  The race track wasn't very long, and once Wombat entered the trees he was nearly there.  Koala kept on running, and eventually entered the trees expecting to see Wombat waiting for him at the finish line.  Some of the faster animals who'd taken a shortcut were already there, but he couldn't see Wombat.  Koala puffed and panted his way up to the finish line.  "Where's Wombat?", he asked between puffs.  No-one knew! 

Some of them had seen him enter the trees along the river, but when they'd arrived he was nowhere to be seen.   "Maybe he's playing a trick on us!", suggested Emu.  They couldn't think of a better explanation, but neither could they see what the trick could be, or why Wombat would do it... whatever it was!  The animals were dumbfounded. 

Chapter 3