My Pourquoi Story

How the Cockatoo got it’s crest

In the very early days of Australia, the Antarctic Petrel would gather all of the birds to a meeting to teach them. He would teach each one of them how to use their unique features. Now in those days, Cockatoo’s didn’t have a crest on their head.

One day the Antarctic Petrel called everyone for a meeting. There he said, “There are too many birds flying, I would like someone to stay on the ground.” Then he looked at the Cockatoo, “How about you?” He asked the Cockatoo. “No, no no thank you! I am happy flying round gracefully...it would be an insult to be on the ground.” Answered the Cockatoo instantly. Then the Antarctic Petrel frowned and dismissed them.

The next day, the Barking Owl said, “That Cockatoo is so rude! I can’t believe that he said, It would be an insult to be on the ground!’ Especially in front of Emu, Lyrebird and Thalasso Ica, the Antarctic Petrel!” The Barking Owl wanted to punish the Cockatoo, so he went to the Superb Fairy-wren. He went to the Superb Fairy-wren, because she has a way with people, and can often make them agree with her. When the Barking Owl came to the Superb Fairy-wren’s habitat, he saw him eating insects with his social group. He waited until he had finished eating, then he barked to let him know that he was there. The Superb Fairy-wren was used to this sound, so he wasn’t surprised when the other Fairy-wrens took off. The barking owl then told the Superb Fairy-wren that he would like the Cockatoo to be punished because of his rude behavior. The Superb Fairy-wren listened intentively and agreed that the Cockatoo should be punished. “I’ll convince other’, and I think tha' I can easily convince Thalasso Ica! Do not worry my friend, I’ll sur'ly get that Cockatoo punished!”

The next day, the Cockatoo got ready for his daily race with the Rainbow Lorikeet. But when he came, instead of fluffing his feathers and getting ready for the race, the Rainbow Lorikeet said, “I will not race with you, you vermin! May it be an insult to your species that you will have such an ugly feature on your head!” and with that, he flew away. Startled and bewildered, the Cockatoo, flew to his trusty friend. When he reached his friend’s habitat, he called to him, and out went the Kookabura. The Kookabura said to him, “I am not your friend anymore. I can’t believe you said no to the Antarctic Petrel! I have been asked to tell you this, ‘you are to come to the meeting today, at the usual place, just before feeding time.’ that is an order from the Antarctic Petrel, you HAVE to come!”

Just before feeding time, the Cockatoo nervously went to the usual meeting place, every bird was staring, or glaring at him. Then when he had perched on a branch, the Antarctic Petrel said, facing the terrified Cockatoo, “Cockatoo stand up!” Then facing the crowd, he said, “He is the one! The one who has given shame to his specie. For he did not listen to my simple order! Let this shame be continued to his kind. What shall his punishment be?” he asked. The Rainbow Lorikeet spoke up, “Give him an ugly feature on his head!” He squawked. “Give him something red!” said the Red Lory. The Barking Owl whispered something to the Superb Fairy-wren, and he nodded his head. Then the Superb Fairy-wren spoke, “If I may speak, I and the Barkin’ Owl would like him ta wear the crest of shame. Yes, it will be on his head, an’ yeah it'll be red.” The crowd tweeted and chirped at this suggestion, even the Antarctic Petrel. “Then let it be done.” said the Antarctic Petrel. But when they put it on, someone put glue and made it stick permanently on his head. No matter how hard he shakes his head.

    

So that is how the Cockatoo got the red crest on his head.

By:Estelle