The Mysteries Of Corkuparipple Creek: Corkuparipple Creek Worlds Apart

by Susan Pease

  ‘When will water stop flowing downhill?’

  Jo stared at him. Was he asking her a question or was it a joke?

  ‘Beats me, I haven’t got a clue,’ answered Jo.

  Waldo laughed and smiled at Jo.

  ‘I will give you a moment to think about it while I dock this old boat at the jetty’.

  Jo was not impressed; he sounded just like her teacher.

  ‘Do you give up? It’s quite simple; the answer is, when it reaches the bottom.’

  So it was a stupid joke after all, typical, he sounds like the creatures.

  Aunt Pepper nearly wet herself and giggled like a young schoolgirl.

  Yep, there is definitely some kind of fond connection, and that’s all I need.

  Aunt Pepper looked at her niece and blushed. Eventually the boat was safely docked and they all offloaded and headed into the village. It was so hot that Jo’s feet were burning through her runners. The old Slurp-it-Downs welcomed them with an unusual gesture. He rubbed his nose onto Waldo’s shoulder and slapped him on the back.

  ‘Welcome home Tundra Gulp-a-Waters, it’s been years since you were home. Everybody; Tundra has returned! Let’s celebrate with wine and food.’

  Then he turned to Jo with his normal scowl.

  ‘About time you turned up, don’t expect me to make a fuss of you,’ and walked off into the food hall.

  ‘What was that all about, wonder what’s up his jumper?’ said Jo to her Aunt.

  ‘Nothing, you have been welcomed in a very grumpy, polite way. Looks like you are now accepted into the village. Well done my girl.’

  Everybody dashed about organising food, smiling and altogether trying to please their visitor.

  Here we go again, any excuse for a banquet. When will they ever get to business, we are here to talk about the creek, can’t keep up with these creatures. And why do they call Waldo, Tundra? It’s all a bit of a mystery.

  Fortunately for Waldo or was that Tundra, Jo was not too sure what to call him now. The creatures had collected samples from the creek for him to test. Once the banquet was over, he went off to work. That left Aunt Pepper to talk to the rest of the village about how they would be able to clean the creek. Jo searched for Eiki, she wasn’t anywhere to be seen. After a while Eiki’s mother came up to Jo and announced that Eiki was sick. She was feeling unwell after playing down by the creek with her friends and had been given special snot medicine but unfortunately she had to be given a course and it would take a while to work. Jo decided that a visit would cheer Eiki up and she knocked on her bedroom door.

  ‘Go away and get lost!’ yelled Eiki.

  ‘It’s me Eiki, Jo, just come to see if you need anything’.

  ‘Only to feel better, Slurp-it-Downs hates being sick.’

  ‘Can I come in please? I’m tired of standing in the hall,’ asked Jo.

  ‘Getting a little Slurp-it-Downs cranky smelly girl, I think.’

  ‘Less of the smelly girl, I’ve told you before not to call me that. I have something important to ask you. So for goodness sake let me in now,’ demanded an angry Jo. When she walked into Eiki’s room Jo was shocked at the sight of Eiki. She had lost the entire colour from her fur.

  ‘What’s wrong with your fur? It’s turned white!’

  ‘Got the collywobbles, feel sick to my stomach,’ answered Eiki.

  ‘What do you want to ask me that’s so important?’

  ‘First of all, did you go swimming in the creek?’

  Eiki looked at Jo, she was not looking at all well. Tears welled up in her eyes and she grabbed a hanky from next to the bed.

  ‘Yes. We all went skinny dipping in the water because it’s been so hot. All our fur was sticky from the heat and dusty because we roll in the dirt for fun. After all, we are creatures you know; nothing like a roll every now and then.’

  ‘Oh gosh, that must mean the creek is also sick. This is a terrible thing and very dangerous,’ said Jo sounding worried.

  Jo wondered how the creatures would fix it up. Maybe Waldo was needed after all.

  ‘Is that all you wanted to ask me?’ asked Eiki unhappily.

  ‘No, do you know a Gulp-a-Waters called Tundra?’

  ‘Of course I do smelly girl; he has been gone for a very long time. You should know him well smelly girl.’

  ‘Stop with the smelly girl or I will leave and why would I know who he is?’

  ‘Because he is Pepi’s partner, you know her Gulp-a-Waters husband you silly girl. The old Slurp-it-Downs married them years before I was born.’

  Jo slumped onto the end of Eiki’s bed.

  How could this be possible? The family always thought she had no time to get married. This had definitely caused confusion and rocked Jo’s boat.

  ‘She has always travelled the world alone hasn’t she? Nobody in our family has any idea that our kooky aunt is married. That’s ridiculous to even imagine, she’s just not the type. No wonder the village was in a spin, he really is a very important visitor.’

  Eiki was now truly cranky and started to jump up and down.

  ‘Didn’t you come to see me, or did you just want to insult the entire Gulp-a-Waters in the village? Do you think Tundra is not good enough for your family?’

  Jo was shocked by Eiki’s reaction and wondered how on earth she had come to that conclusion.

  ‘What is wrong with you, don’t be silly I think it’s great, I’m just in shock.’

  Looks like Aunt Pepper has a secret bigger than first thought. Maybe this was her secret of the Corkuparipple Creek. Things had been turned upside down and Jo wondered how her mum would accept having a creature for a brother-in-law.

  No wonder she had noticed a connection between the two, it wasn’t her imagination going wild after all. Jo tucked Eiki into her bed; the little Slurp-it-Downs looked exhausted. Jo then knew that if Aunt Pepper didn’t tell her soon that she was married it would be extremely awkward. What if she put her foot in her mouth and blurted out that she knew about Pepper’s marriage? Jo knew then that she had to tread carefully. Maybe her first impression was wrong; she would have to rethink what she thought of Waldo.

  I’m always getting into trouble for saying the wrong thing. This is a disaster. Oh my goodness, I also get into trouble for thinking the wrong thing. Now I can’t win either way, it’s a double disaster, thought Jo as she walked out of the sleeping Eiki’s room.

  Jo joined the others sitting around the large eating table and noticed that her aunt looked a little sad.

  ‘Are you okay Aunt Pepper? Seems that you’ve become out of sorts since I was with Eiki?’

  ‘It’s okay Jo, I’m just a little tired and it’s a shame that the creek is so messed up. I worry that all the fish and turtles will suffer. They are all in danger because some human idiot set the bush on fire. I know that sometimes fire happens, it’s a part of life; to set it alight on purpose makes me wild. Also I have not been totally honest with you and your mother, the problem is more complex than I can deal with.’

  ‘Do you mean that you’re afraid to tell us that you are married to a Gulp-a-Waters?’

  ‘Oh gosh, how do you know? Who told you or did you work it out for yourself?’

  ‘Don’t worry I won’t tell Mum, she would never be able to get her head around it. Your secret is safe with me. Eiki told me when I became suspicious.’

  ‘You’re so wise and your intuition is spot on, just like me. Maybe you should have been my daughter,’ laughed Aunt Pepper.

  She looked much more relaxed and that was good because there was lots of work to do during the next few months. Jo was relieved that at least one secret had come out. Now all she had to do was get to know this strange new uncle.

  ‘This isn’t the secret you were going to tell me is it? I mean, I thought it would be bigger than this?’

  ‘Don’t you think it’s a big secret? No. There’s still an extraordinary, amazing, big secret to be revealed. The Corkuparipple Creek has something special about it. Be pati
ent and the time will come when we all feel you are ready.’

  ‘Great, when will that be, I’m promised day after day and it never happens,’ griped Jo.

  Her aunt pretended that she did not hear the crotchety child; she smiled and was about to walk off when a familiar voice came towards them.

  Bum and Slurp-it-Downs, damn, here comes trouble, thought a crabby, miserable Jo.

  The old Slurp-it-Downs came towards them and held Aunt Pepper’s hand, then turned to Jo and announced that it was once again time to travel her home.

  ‘What about Charity, she needs to go home too, I’m not leaving without her!’ demanded Jo defiantly.

  Aunt Pepper started laughing and calmed Jo by letting her know that the boat could be travelled too.

  ‘It’s been a huge day and all I want to do is look after my best friend, even if she is just a boat. Grandfather asked me to keep an eye on her and I will not let him down!’

  ‘Goodness me child! You’re acting like a Slurp-it-Downs, calm down.’ That was the end of another day and Jo’s head was swimming with confusion. To think she had a Gulp-a-Waters uncle, what could happen next?

  SMELLY GIRLS DON’T UNDERSTAND

  Jo had often experienced weird dreams but lately she couldn’t work out what was real or fantasy. Her life had been turned upside down and an innocent walk in the bush had opened up an astonishing adventure. She wondered what it would be like to have a peaceful, ordinary life. Jo tossed around in her bed, she was drenched in sweat and her long hair stuck to the side of her cheeks. Every now and then her body jerked uncontrollably as if it were possessed. Her dreams were now turning into nightmares. Everything seemed to jumble together, the Gulp-a-Waters, Slurp-it-Downs, the townspeople and the environment. Her imagination was taking over; filling her head with extraordinary confusion. Now she had to think about Waldo Pickering or Tundra, it was getting all too much.

  Jo awoke the next morning, worn out after yet another disturbed night. She jumped up and dashed downstairs, missing a few steps as she went. Jo was anxious to see if her aunt was home and eager to disappear with her into the village. Unfortunately for Jo, when she reached the breakfast table, there was nobody there.

  ‘Damn and blast it, where is Aunt Pepper? If she isn’t here I can’t go into the bush!’ Geoffrey wandered into the kitchen rubbing his eyes and bumping sleepily into the breakfast table.

  ‘Hi Sis, what are you going to do today?’

  ‘None of your business Geoffrey, Aunt Pepper doesn’t seem to be around, it’s just typical,’ snapped Jo.

  Walking through the back door, struggling with a full load of dry washing, was Jo’s mother.

  ‘What’s worrying you Jo? Looks like you’ve lost your last dollar.’

  ‘Nothing,’ growled Jo and raced upstairs.

  ‘What’s up her jumper I wonder,’ enquired her mother.

  ‘Who knows, she’s in a terrible mood, seems it’s got something to do with our kooky Aunt Pepper.’

  ‘Oh I see, Aunt Pepper has gone out for the day, she has much more important things to do than babysit Jo. Remember she still has that Waldo person to keep her company. They’re busy with environmental stuff I think.’

  By the afternoon Jo was about to explode, there was no Aunt Pepper, no Eiki and no going into the bush for another adventure. She felt deserted and angry that she had to stay home all day. Now that she knew Aunt Pepper’s husband had come back she felt forgotten forever. Sitting at the bottom of her sulking tree, she started to pull apart some daisies that were growing in the lawn. The fact that Jo had experienced a bad night’s sleep didn’t help; she was grumpy and full of rage – much like her friends the Gulp-a-Waters and Slurp-it-Downs. She felt the worries of the world whirling around in her head. Jo was unaware that all she had to do was change the way she was thinking. She was creating a reality of doom and gloom; this most likely would attract gloom and doom to her.

  Furthermore, to make matters worse, nobody had caught the firebug. Looks like another fire season will go by without anybody capturing the culprit. Eventually she drifted into a deep sleep; her energy was at an all-time low. While sleeping, Jo felt something tickling her nose; she flicked at it without opening her eyes. The tickle continued, opening her eyes she gazed with amazement when she found herself beside the Corkuparipple Creek. Eiki was sitting next to her with a piece of grass, tickling her nose.

  ‘Eiki, how did I get here? I’m not supposed to be in the bush by myself. Mum’ll throw a wobbly if she finds out I’m in the bush.’

  ‘Not in the bush by yourself, Eiki with you. Come, Pepi sent me to get you, Pepi very busy right now. Come, hurry up don’t want to be late.’

  ‘Late for what Eiki?’ asked Jo.

  ‘For a very, very, important Gulp-a-Waters and Slurp-it-Downs big lesson, silly.’

  Now Jo was more confused than she had ever been.

  ‘What lesson, you’re not explaining yourself very well.’

  ‘Not explaining myself, stop being a big human dill pot and start yourself walking. That is the trouble with smelly girls, they ask too many questions. Smelly girls just don’t understand, never really listen for the answers. I’m talking about the mystery of Corkuparipple Creek Jo, the thing you want to know about.’

  Jo’s heart started to race; maybe today wasn’t going to be a blasted waste of time after all. At last, she would be able to join her aunt and know all about the mystery of Corkuparipple Creek.

  ‘Hang on Eiki, you were sick when I saw you yesterday. Your mum said it would take a week for you to get well.’

  ‘Don’t believe everything you are told, got better quick, told my body to snap out of it and it healed. Now come on, let’s get a Slurp-it-Downs going, smelly girl.’

  ‘Eiki, I am not a smelly girl and what do you mean you told your body to heal?’

  ‘Don’t you know anything; you have to attract good stuff. If you always act miserable you get miserable. If you are reasonably happy and content, you attract happy and content.’

  ‘But you are usually cranky and that’s not too good is it?’

  ‘I’m not cranky, it’s you who say I am, and I am not!’ snapped Eiki.

  ‘Sometimes you confuse me Eiki, you say one thing today and something different the next.’

  ‘That’s because at Slurp-it-Downs school we have been learning about the law of attraction. Now I know we are all joined in the head with the universe.’

  ‘What on earth are you talking about, joined in the head? Sometimes Eiki I wonder about you,’ Jo said perplexed.

  ‘When we see your aunt she will explain what I am talking about okay, so get a big move on. Can’t understand why you don’t get it, probably it’s your human conditioning that stops you from the awareness. Pity, you should have been born a Slurp-it-Downs. Mind you, it’s good you’re not a Gulp-a-Waters, they are not as smart as us.’

  ‘Eiki that’s not true and you shouldn’t say stuff like that about people. We are all equal in the world; they are just as smart as you. The difference is that they don’t get as cranky as you do,’ confronted Jo.

  ‘I am not getting into it because I am a Slurp-it-Downs, not fighting, arguing type of person. Guess what Jo, we are not people, we are creatures so it doesn’t count. You say what you want to say and I will say what I think and know. And that is a Slurp-it-Downs fact,’ whinged Eiki.

  ‘Anyway, do you want to hear a joke, my teacher told me a good one?’

  ‘Okay, I hope it’s not too silly, I need to be cheered up,’ answered Jo sullenly.

  ‘What is a ghost’s most favourite type of all fruit?’

  ‘Gosh that’s a hard one. I haven’t a clue.’

  ‘You really aren’t Slurp-it-Downs smart are you? The answer is boo-berry.’

  ‘Ha! ha! I think Geoffrey would love that one. You know, I have a joke my grandfather told me about ghosts when I was small. It took years for me to work it out. Do you want me to tell you?’

  ‘Well, only if it takes a Sl
urp-it-Downs minute’ said Eiki in an impatient tone.

  ‘What did the dopey ghost do?’

  ‘Got no idea, please tell,’ said a chuckling Eiki.

  ‘Climbed over walls.’

  ‘I don’t get it, come on we will be late. Smelly girls really have no idea on how to tell good jokes.’

  Jo smiled; the joke was too hard for even Eiki. It took years before it dawned on Jo that a ghost didn’t need to climb walls. They could just pass right through them. Her grandfather never told her the answer, saying it would come to her “one day”. But what did Eiki mean about “attracting stuff”?

  THE LAW OF ATTRACTION

  The village was wonderfully alive with busy Slurp-it-Downs and Gulp-a-Waters. Nose-picking was in full production, pots were bubbling and boiling; the creatures were certainly focused on their cause. Unfortunately, the firebug was still at large and the bush was constantly being set alight. Animals were frightened and hurt so the creatures had set up a bush hospital. Jo was astounded at how quickly they all healed after being treated with snot glue. Aunt Pepper was pleased to see her niece and handed her an apron. Waldo was dredging the creek and the creatures helped by picking up rubbish and looking for sick turtles. Aunt Pepper was happy to get another pair of hands to heal and help.

  ‘Let’s get stuck into it,’ she remarked.

  Jo smiled and followed all the directions given to her. The day was full of hard work but also happiness as all the animals healed then either hopped, slithered, walked or flew back to their homes.

  Jo asked her aunt if she could explain what Eiki has said about the “law of attracting stuff to you”. It seemed extraordinary that you could possibly change the outcome of things that surrounded you in life. Jo thought that most things just happened and that it was all out of her control.

  ‘Aunt Pepper, would it be okay if you told me about the law of attraction? Eiki is impressed with all the lessons she is having at school. She thinks it’s important that I learn all the ropes.’

  Aunt Pepper smiled and sat herself down; she was tired from the day’s work. It was about time Jo was taught about the spiritual aspects of life and she was eager to teach Jo what she wanted to know.