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The Adventures of Kaluwara the Koala in the Galapagos Islands Written by Allison Chase Sutherland Illustrated by Sun Woo Jeong The Adventures of Kaluwara the Koala in the Galapagos Islands Copyright © 2006 by Allison Chase Sutherland Washington, DC Summary: Kaluwara the Koala and Kokowara the Kookaburra embark on an adventure of discovery from the eucalyptus forests of Australia to encounter the endangered species of the Galapagos Islands before it’s too late, and teach the children of the Earth how to protect them. Note: Included with the story is a letter from Kaluwara to the children of the Earth, a list of tips to help children protect the environment, and a glossary of English, Spanish, and science terminology. First Edition Printed in USA To Aidan & Marcelo, my favorite albatrosses and my greatest loves!! Thanks to everyone at the Galapagos Conservancy, for reviewing my manuscript, and continuing the important work of protecting the endangered species of the Galapagos. Contents I Francisco the Finch………………………………………….1 II Lolita the Lava Lizard………………………………………..5 III Allie the Albatross – Air Galapagos………………………...8 IV Kokowara the Kookaburra ………………………………...13 V Florentina the Flamingo………….………………………...16 VI Rebecca the Red-footed Booby Bird…………….…………21 VII Aprilita, Alberto, Aidan & Arcelino the Albatrosses….….25 VIII Tortuga the Tortoise……………………………..…….…..29 IX Tortina the Tortoise…….……………………………….…31 X Iggy the Iguana………………………………………..……36 XI Big Tyler the Tortoise & Little Tyler the Tortoise……….…41 XII Pedro the Penguin……………………………………….…45 Letter from Kaluwara……...…………………………….…50 Kaluwara’s 10 Tips to Help Protect the Environment……....51 Photographs of the Author & Illustrator…………….….....53 Note from the Author……………….………………....….54 Glossary - English, Spanish & Science Vocabulary…......…55 ONE Francisco the Finch A strong wind blew the sturdy wooden outrigger Intrepid across the gentle blue Pacific, straight on course to the enchanted islands just emerging from the sea in the distance. The islands were mysterious and exotic, full of intriguing and unusual creatures. These were the Galapagos Islands, and many rare and unique species evolved here as nowhere else on earth. Kaluwara the Koala had set sail for these curious islands way across the vast, blue Pacific Ocean from the coast of Kewarra, in Australia. She had long dreamed of visiting the distant shores of the Galapagos Islands, six hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador in South America, and would soon set paw on the islands she had read so much about from atop her favorite eucalyptus tree back home in the temperate forests of Kuranda in Northeastern Queensland. Soon she would meet the famous tortoises after whom the Galapagos Islands were named. She could hardly wait these precious last moments. She had come so far, and now the islands, resting peacefully before her in the Pacific, were actually in sight! The sun bore steadily down on the islands as the little wooden outrigger finally reached the remote shores of Santa Cruz. Swallow-tailed gulls flew overhead as a welcome to the outrigger and its curious captain, as orange-billed oystercatchers darted along the lava rocks at the edge of the shore, and a great colony of Darwin’s finches rested on a high rock, watching curiously to see who might emerge from the little outrigger to visit their isolated habitat in the Galapagos. - 1 - “What on earth is that peculiar creature?” whispered one finch to another as Kaluwara the Koala approached the island. “It’s decidedly a very odd creature,” replied the other finch in amazement. “I guess it’s not from these parts. Let’s hear what it has to say,” proposed the finch as they flapped expectantly, falling over one another to get closer. Francisco the Finch flew down to greet the visitor just as Kaluwara the Koala pulled her little outrigger ashore. “G’day!” said Kaluwara the Koala gleefully. “Hola, Señorita,” began a black finch in his most distinguished voice. “Welcome to our island, or as we say here in the Galapagos, bienvenida.” “I’m Kaluwara the Koala, and I’ve traveled a great distance across the seas, from Australia, way down under, and I have come to discover the wonders of your sunny archipelago and visit its many remarkable creatures, and, uh…if I may… I am curious to meet for myself one of the famous Galapagos Tortoises,” continued Kaluwara eagerly. “Well, you’ve come a very long way indeed, and you’ve come to the right place!” declared Francisco the Finch, and the other birds squawked in unison. “You know, if it weren’t for the famous naturalist Charles Darwin, you may never have heard of a Galapagos Tortoise, or of us Darwin’s finches for that matter,” he noted, the other finches nodding in agreement. “In fact, I know just the place. Follow me,” beckoned the black bird as he suddenly took flight. Startled, Kaluwara the Koala jumped up and hurriedly scurried after him. Thus began her adventures in the Galapagos Islands. - 2 - The other Darwin’s finches flapped their wings farewell, squawking all the way, until Kaluwara could hear them no longer. “Adios, adios, adios!” “Adios, everyone!” exclaimed Kaluwara, glancing quickly backwards. Francisco the Finch flapped away over the grey boulders, and Kaluwara the Koala could barely keep up with the swift bird. She stumbled along, trying to keep up with the pace of the fleeting finch, but Francisco in his excitement was getting further and further away every second. Kaluwara continued on diligently after Francisco, who was heading at great speed toward the tropical forest. And just as Kaluwara entered the forest, all out of breath, one of her tired paws got snagged on a vine, and she landed with a thump. As she moved her paw to untangle it, the vine seemed to move! - 3 - TWO Lolita the Lava Lizard “Hey there, you! I don’t know where you come from, but around here, it’s not considered polite to step on a lava lizard’s tail, especially a lounging lava lizard,” gasped the reddish reptile tartly. “Well, excuse me,” replied Kaluwara in her most apologetic tone, trying to catch her breath. “I come from the eucalyptus forests of Australia, and we don’t have any lava lizards. In fact, I’ve never even heard of a lava lizard.” “Well, of course you don’t have any lava lizards in, where did you say, this eucalyptus forest you speak of. You might say we’re rather particular creatures, as species go, that is. We only live here in these remarkable Galapagos Islands,” retorted the lava lizard proudly. “Fascinating! I’m Kaluwara the Koala. Very nice to meet you,” expressed the little koala brightly. “Hola, I’m Lolita the Lava Lizard,” she introduced herself, becoming somewhat intrigued by this unexpected furry little creature that had so abruptly disrupted her tranquility. “What brings you to our little corner of the ocean, Señorita, did you say Kaluwara?” “That’s right, Kaluwara. Say, maybe you could help me,” she thought out loud. “I was on my way to see the Galapagos Tortoises. Could you possibly be so kind as to point me in the right direction?” “Well, of course! Why didn’t you say so, my fuzzy little friend? Follow me,” indicated Lolita the Lava Lizard. “I’ll take you to see Allie the Albatross,” offered Lolita. “She is very wise. She will certainly know where to find a Galapagos Tortoise.” - 5 - “Thank you, oh thank you, Lolita,” gushed Kaluwara, “I really appreciate it. And again, sorry about the tail.” “No hay problema, no problem, Señorita Kaluwara,” Lolita the Lava Lizard assured her. “All is well in Santa Cruz. Take your time. You are in the islands now. We lizards like to lounge around, you know. You should try it sometime. It’s really quite rela-a-a-a-a- xing.” “Sounds quite delightful. I’ll have to try it one of these days. I often take a quiet nap in the lofty branches of a eucalyptus tree,” mentioned Kaluwara. “Oh yes, and you can just call me Kaluwara.” “Gracias, Señorita, I mean Kaluwara, but what on earth is a eucalyptus anyway?” probed Lolita, somewhat puzzled. “Oh, why, I live atop a eucalyptus tree, and I eat eucalyptus leaves every day. Would you like to try one?” offered Kaluwara generously, as she took a eucalyptus leaf out of her pouch. “Why not? You only live once. Let’s have a try of that strange, mysterious leaf you speak about?” consented Lolita, her tongue darting out at lightning speed. “Here you go,” said Kaluwara, as she offered Lolita a leaf. “Peee-ew, I don’t wish to appear uncivilized, but that thing stinks. You expect me to eat that?” protested Lolita. “Oh, but Lolita, it’s really quite delicious. Watch me eat it. Yum yum, mmm, I love it. Can’t get enough. In fact, even my outrigger is dug out from a eucalyptus tree,” Kaluwara assured Lolita the Lava Lizard as she munched contentedly on her eucalyptus leaves. - 6 - “Hmmm, all right, let me try one then,” agreed Lolita hesitantly, as she snatched a little leaf out of Kaluwara’s tiny paw and started to nibble on it. “Bleck, that’s disgusting,” scoffed Lolita, as she spit out the leaf, coughing and sputtering. “Outrageous, Kaluwara! That’s all you eat?! Oh, I feel for you, my little friend. As for me, I must turn over a new leaf and try not to be quite so daring. I think I’ll stick to the usual from now on. I’m probably intended to eat what grows here naturally on Santa Cruz, like all the tasty insects. Ay, delicioso! Well, follow me. Let’s get started on your mission,” insisted Lolita.