Oz Puppetry Email Newsletter - Dream Puppets

" JUST DESSERTS
Out and About in Melbourne
with Kassius Kamel
As you know I have been lying low for some months in order to evade those who would have
me and my family served up as Christmas dinner alongside the turkey.
But I did feel I was losing touch with the masses and with all that has been happening in the
world. So I decided to get off my knees and join a crowd or two where I could mingle with the
multitudes and remain undetected.
Oh, and what a ʻcrowdedʼ couple of weeks itʼs been in Melbourne and Iʼve had quite a jolly
time.
First I caught a tram into the CBD, which is quite befitting for someone with royal connections, I
believe, (although I must say, it was not a comfortable journey - a lot of rattling and scarcely
room to spit).
When I alighted, I was swept along Swanston Street by a tide of city workers and I cupped my
ear and jabbered to myself about schedules and meetings as everyone else seemed to be
doing.
An lo and behold! - if I didnʼt find myself in a camp-out at the city square - lots of colourful tents
and people singing and swaying and waving banners and there was face painting and yellow
cake too.
I enquired of one young fellow wearing a death mask if this occupation signified a protest
against camel cullers. He responded, “Yes, that too, whatever takes your fancy!” and so I
joined in and sang a few songs and chanted ʻWe are the 99%ʼ and ʻEat the richʼ and slept the
night in a tent. All good fun, until the batten-bearing police surged in and things got a bit feral
for my liking.
So I moved on. Someone suggested that if I enjoyed ʻcommunal camp-outsʼ I might like to try
the crowd at Tullamarine airport, although it was unlikely that anyone would be singing there.
A little later I joined a crowd of people waving flags and smiling at an elderly lady in a pink outfit
with matching hat. I tried to curtsey as I thought sheʼd appreciate such deference, but
somehow my hooves got caught up in some of my knees and I suffered quite a nasty fall. In
hindsight I think it would have been better if Iʼd just attempted a neat little bow.
So I hobbled home to rest up - which was just as well because Melbourne Cup Fever was upon
us and Iʼm so allergic to horses.
May you all get your just desserts - K