Rose stepped carefully off the stationary train, out into in the rays of the blinding sun. Bush stretched far into the distance and Patrick guided Rose towards a winding road.

"I hope you don't mind a short walk. I don't own a car, and it is too close to the station to organize any alternate transport," Patrick explained.

"I don't mind. It will be nice to walk off the train ride, and I will get to see some of the wildlife in a bit more detail."

The pair set off on their walk, which soon ended up being a guided tour of the area.

"This is a blue gum over here," Patrick pointed to a large tree. "And this one is a scribbly gum. See all the squiggles down its trunk?"

"Oh yes. I see them. It looks like someone has come along and drawn all over the trees." Rose laughed happily and bent down to observe the tree. " I will remember this one easily."

Again they set off. So far Rose had encountered a blue tongue lizard and some more hysterical kookaburras. She had learnt that the males had a blue mark on this wing. Patrick seemed to grow fonder of Rose with every laugh she made.

"Oh, look!" Patrick stopped suddenly and looked upwards. In a tree above them, lay a snoozing koala. Its legs were stretched over a branch to help it keep cool.

"Wow. It's so cute," exclaimed Rose. Suddenly, it stretched its arms and legs, and let out a small yawn. "Oh. It must be tired. The poor thing."

"Koalas sleep, or sit around for about 19 hours each day. In the 5 hours while they are awake, they feed on gum leaves. The leaves are covered with a waxy film and contain high levels of toxic substances, oils and tannins."

"Do any other animals eat those leaves?" inquired Rose.

"The only other animal is the greater glider. Koalas adapted to eat the leaves in the millions of years in which Australia grew drier. The eucalyptus leaves contain 50% water, so you''ll never find a koala drinking."

"Wow. You are a library with arms." Patrick blushed. "No really. You should do something with all that knowledge. Put it to good use, so it doesn't go to waste in the murky depths of your mind. I know. You could become some sort of scientist," Rose suggested.

"No thanks. I enjoy my life the way it is. Just a casual carefree life." Rose looked away as he smiled at her. "On some days, when I am lucky, I see a mother koala with her baby. Those are the times I enjoy walking home."

"It would be great to see that."

"Let's hope some day you do. Well, we'd better get going before it gets to dark."

Rose took one last look at the sleeping koala. Its eyes opened wide and stared straight at Rose. An understanding seemed to flow between them, and as the koala settled in its branch, Rose was once again left with an eerie feeling.

Patrick and Rose began walking again. The koala watched them leave, and smiled happily.