perch into the
air. Dot saw her spring with her legs all spread out, so that the
skinny flaps were like furry wings. By this means she was able to
break her fall, and softly alighting on the earth, a moment after, she
had scrambled up another tree, followed by her mate. From tree to
tree, from branch to branch, they fled or pursued one another, with
growls, screams, and splutters, until they disappeared from sight.

"How unhappy those poor Opossums must be, living in the same tree,"
said Dot; "why don't they live in different trees?"

"They wouldn't be happy," observed the Koala, "they are so fond of one
another."

"Then why do they quarrel?" asked Dot.

"Because they live in the same tree of course," said the Koala. "If
they lived in different trees, and never quarrelled, they wouldn't like
it at all. They'd find life dull, and they'd get sulky. There's
nothing worse than a sulky possum. They are champions at that."

"They make a dreadful noise with their quarrelling," said Dot. "They
are nearly as bad as the Flying Foxes over there. I wonder if they
made that fearful sound I heard just before you came?"

"I expect what you heard was from me," said the Koala; "I had just
awakened, and when I saw the moon was up I felt pleased."

"Was all that sound and many noises yours?" asked Dot with
astonishment, as she regarded the shaggy little animal on the tree
trunk.

The Koala smiled modestly. "Yes!" it said; "when I am pleased there is
no creature in the bush can make such a noise, or so many different
noises at once. I waken every one for a quarter of a mile round. You
wouldn't think it, to see me as I am, would you?" The Koala was
evidently very pleased with this accomplishment.

"It isn't kind of you to wake up all the sleeping creatures," said Dot.

"Why not?" asked the Koala. "You are a night creature, I suppose, or
you wouldn't be awake now. Well, don't you think it unfair the way
everything is arranged for the day creatures?"

"But then," said Dot, "there are so many more day creatures."

"That doesn't make any difference," observed the Koala.

"But it does," said Dot.

"How?" asked the native Bear.

"Because if you had the day it wouldn't be any good to you, and if they
had the night it wouldn't be any good to them. So your night couldn't
be their day, and their day couldn't be your night."

"You make my head feel empty," said the Koala. "But you'd think
differently if a flock of Ko