BLACKFELLA MAGIC **, a true storye - a day in the Australian bush. Options

[Maureen]

This is a true story - it still cracks me up when I think of it. Steve and his cuz were both superb didge players as were their young nephews. You would often see them performing at local fetes and market days around Sandgate and areas close by. They very kindly made and beautifully hand painted with traditional patterns two didges for us, neither of which we could ever get a note out of. One had a big bass note the other was a lighter sound and these two Aboriginal blokes could make them talk. Steve had even perfected the art of making the sounds of big rigs taking off complete with the release of the air brakes, the horn blowing and the gear changes. Their talent with the didgeridoo was IMO the real Blackfella magic.


BLACKFELLA MAGIC

Back in the days when I was out on the property I remember going out one weekend with a couple of mates to cut down saplings for didgeridoo blanks.

The criteria were pretty straightforward. Ideally they were straight, hollow and about the thickness somewhere between the circumference of a blokes arm or leg – that gave you a fair amount of leeway. The theory was that you looked for trees with termite nests at the base or close nearby, that way the termites would have done the job of hollowing out the tree for you. We were assured that these made the best didges.

The next thing was cutting them down, trimming off the surplus branches and foliage and then lugging them back to the truck. We were looking for about 200 blanks so it wasn’t a five minute job. Luckily our second property was pretty heavily timbered with cypress most of which grew up on top of shaley ridges or down in the traprock gullies. None of it was easily accessible.

We broke up in two teams of two – drove as far as we could and then started walking carrying the chainsaw, spare chains, fuel, drinks, tucker and a few other bits and bobs in a haversack. It was hot and dirty work, the scrub was thick, there were wild pigs around and snakes. We’d left the dogs behind, chained up outside the donga in the shade – hoping against hope that no stupid goanna would get it in his head to stroll past and create mayhem and madness.

My partner was a skilled bushman and knew exactly where trees fitting the description were, so we were soon busy stockpiling a nice, neatly sized stack of suitable blanks. We could hear the other blokes saw buzzing away somewhere over the other side of the dam so it seemed they too were onto a good patch of timber. The only problem that we noticed was that despite having ticked all the boxes a lot of the trees we were cutting weren’t actually hollow. Oh they may have been hollow for a foot or so but that was it. We were tapping up and down the trunk to ascertain how good they were, but it seems we were failing miserably. Not to worry though – the rejects would go onto the wood heap so wouldn’t be wasted.

By about 2pm we were over it and decided to start dragging them out to the track where we could then drive the truck and pick them up – that took another couple of hours and daylight was starting to wane and there was a distinct chill in the air. You cut these in the winter months when the sap has stopped rising as it makes them easier to de-bark. That was day two’s job.

Cut to the chase – back at the campsite enjoying a beer, the camp oven simmering away with a huge piece of corned beef in it that we had put on the coals before we left. There’s a damper ready to go on, carrots and onions ready to toss in with the beef and the spuds are in the coals wrapped up in alfoil looking like space eggs. The makings of a parsley and white sauce are in the billy ready to go. All’s good. The forty gallon drum of water is hot enough for bush showers and the three dogs are all chowing down on some nice meaty roo tail.

We’re sitting around the fire yakking and the subject comes up as to how come all the blanks our mates bought back are hollow, and only about half of ours are. Steve looks at us and winks – a huge smile on his black dial and he says ‘‘Blackfella magic.’’ Well OK – I get that – but we’re not particularly stupid so there has to be more to it than that. Being as ever curious I had to ask. ‘Oh come on what’s the secret. How could you tell?’ “Like I said Mate, Blackfella magic’ he replied and with that reached down into his haversack and pulled out a cordless drill. “Works every time” he said with a cheeky grin.


Maureen Clifford © 06/13

[Thoth]

Heh Heh!

Loved the yarn. The build up and the ending. Well written, it took me right there.

Main comment perhaps would be to lose "my ex". The reader is not interested in the narrator's history or personal relationship. Just give him a name and bring him into the scene. BTW it may help to cut out all bits that don't contribute directly to the story itself so the reader's attention does not stray. Also. you might want to introduce the characters and the diges as part of the story rather than in a separate intro. I find it fun to sketch these types of characters with their peculiar mannerisms and unique voices.
eg, you could try having Steve explain how to identify the right tree rather than in the narrators monologue. This gives you the opportunity to describe him fully and lure the reader on/

Hope this helps and ta for sharing a good camp story.

Cheers,

Wal

[Maureen]

OMG Blonde moment

[Maureen]

Thanks Wal - I took your advice and lost the ex - I actually lost him over 30 years ago, never did find him but someone else did. He went to a good home.

Thinking on your other comments...thanks for taking the time to read and comment, I appreciate that

Cheers

Maureen

[Keith Logan]

Hi Maureen,

You are a natural story teller (far better than simply being clever with words). I enjoyed this very much, thank you. I don't feel competent to critique prose except where there are obvious bad-day type cock-ups. Certainly none here. The narrative was well timed and I love the way you built up to the punch line.

Keith, the happy chappy

[jerryk]

Hi Maureen,
well, being totally unfamiliar with the Australian vegetation and human activities, I found your story totally entertaining and enlightening. Skillfully composed and therefore enjoyable. Best to you,
Jerry

[Maureen]

Thank you Keith and Jerryk and apologies for my tardienss in replying - I had completely overlooked this one but I am delighted you enjoyed it