Andrew's Stories

The sun had risen higher in the sky, its relentless heat beating down on the nursing home grounds, but Walter’s mind was sharper than ever. As Bruce, Doreen, and George prepared to gather the local kangaroos, and Fred flitted nervously from branch to branch, the old wombat stood still, deep in thought. Suddenly, his face brightened, and his eyes gleamed with a new idea.

“Hold on!” Walter’s voice, though gravelly, was filled with excitement. “I’ve got it!”

Everyone stopped and turned to him, the intensity of the moment halting their preparations.

“What is it, Walter?” asked Bruce, his thick tail swaying with tension.

“We’ve been focusing on Rocky’s numbers,” Walter began, his tone calm but purposeful. “But we’ve overlooked something important—something that could stop his whole scheme in its tracks. The only way Rocky can sway the vote is by bringing in the rogue kangaroos, right?”

Bruce nodded, Doreen watching Walter with a mixture of hope and curiosity.

“Well, here’s what we do,” Walter continued, his voice gathering strength. “We register all 32 of our local kangaroos—every one of them. We document who they are, make sure they’re listed. And then, we insist that any kangaroo, local or rogue, must prove their identity before they vote. That way, Rocky won’t be able to smuggle in any rogues without us knowing. No kangaroo without proof gets a vote.”

The group was silent for a moment, absorbing the brilliance of the plan.

Doreen was the first to speak, her eyes wide with admiration. “Walter, that’s genius! If we know who our locals are, Rocky won’t be able to just slip his rogues in and pretend they belong. We’ll have the upper hand.”

Bruce, whose anxiety had been building since the previous night, visibly relaxed. “That’s it, then. If we can verify who’s a local and who isn’t, we’ll have control over the election. Rocky won’t be able to manipulate the vote.”

George, ever eager to prove himself, stood up tall. “I’ll help gather the locals and get them registered. We need to move fast.”

Walter nodded, his old eyes glinting in the midday sun. “Time is of the essence. We’ll need to spread the word quickly and make sure everyone understands the plan. This isn’t just about us—it’s about the future of the community. If Rocky manages to bring in those rogues, the nursing home grounds will never be the same.”

Fred fluttered down from his perch, landing beside them. “I can spread the word from above. Quicker than hopping about, I reckon.”

Bruce turned to Walter, his old friend. “How do we go about this? What’s the process?”

Walter, always practical, thought for a moment before replying. “We’ll need a registry—names, descriptions, something simple. And each kangaroo will need to confirm who they are at the time of voting. As long as we stick to it, we’ll keep Rocky’s rogues out. But we’ll need to be firm—no proof, no vote.”

Fred, eager to contribute, chirped in. “I can keep an eye out from the trees. If I see any strange movements from Rocky or the rogues, I’ll alert you. No one’s getting past me.”

Doreen looked towards Bruce, her voice steady but serious. “This could work. But we’ll need to be prepared. Rocky’s clever, and he won’t like being outsmarted.”

Bruce, his muscular frame standing tall, nodded in agreement. “We’ll be ready.”

Walter gave a final nod, his old face softening with the satisfaction of a well-laid plan. “Then let’s get started. We don’t have long before the vote, and Rocky’s already on the move. If we’re going to stop him, we need to act now.”

With that, the group dispersed, each of them charged with a new sense of purpose. Walter’s clever idea had given them hope, a way to fight back against Rocky’s underhanded tactics. As they spread out across the grounds, gathering the locals and preparing for the upcoming vote, the air grew thick with anticipation.

The future of the nursing home grounds was still uncertain, but with Walter’s plan in motion, they were one step closer to ensuring a fair and honest election. One that Rocky, despite all his schemes, might not win after all.