The beginning of Koala Kid

It has been roughly 2 years now since the world found out that I, a Koala, can talk.

For about 6 months, I had the eyes of the world fixated on me. Sadly though, I didn’t have any time to myself, whether it be thrown into toy deals, photoshoots and or even a few commercials. My mere existence created an environment that wasn’t conducive to my desire to explore, discover myself and grow.

Over time I learned that I had…people feelings. Feelings I wanted to explore and fortunately over time the fascination with me died down, and the world returned to how it was.

Now 2 years has passed since my “discovery” and I currently reside in a small cabin specially designed for me on the outskirts of Sydney, Australia.

I have access to a small beach where I can relax and enjoy a drink without much disturbance. But I do get one visitor, someone who has grown on me as a friend this past year. Her name is Aya, and she’s from the Ivory Coast. A few year ago she decided to me here to teach French and fell in love with the place.

We met one day when I got stuck in a storm and walked me home. She’s a sweetheart, one of the few. But lately, Aya has noticed I haven’t been feeling the same as before.

As we sip on some iced tea overlooking the Pacific Ocean on my balcony, enjoying the strong rays of the Australian sun, Aya breaks the silence.

“What’s been on your mind?”

Initially, there’s a silence as I mull over her question, hesitating even though I knew that question was to come at some point.

“I don’t know. Honestly, I’ve been in a loop these past few weeks. Aimless, not sure what I want to do with my life or even what purpose I have in living it.”

Slowly, I feel her body shift towards me, encouraging me to go on.

“It’s just that, all this time people have tried to influence my life for me. But now that I finally have this new found ‘freedom’, I don’t exactly know what to do with myself.”

Looking over to my right I can see that she’s be fully attentive with her body completely in my direction and staring purposefully into my eyes.

“Sounds like you need an adventure” she blurts out.

“An adventure?” I curiously respond.

“Yup, an adventure. Something to get your blood pumping. To give you a new lease on life and learn more about yourself.”

I gaze at her in bewilderment.

“What the hell can a koala do? Y’all can step on me at any moment and eat me.” I enquire her as I shift my body in her direction, testing her.

“Now why would we eat something with chlamydia?” Aya snaps back at me, while pinching my cheeks to reaffirm that she’s only messing with me. While also making me feel small and adorable.

“I’ve had my antibiotics” I retort with a smirk.

We shift back to face towards the ocean. There’s a short silence as I mull over her words, contemplating it over in my head until I suddenly burst out.

“Fine… fuck it, what do you have in mind?”