Early one morning there were three big bodies hopping down the beach on the sand. They left funny looking footprints behind them. It was a family of kangaroos and they hopped down this beach every morning.

Hiding in the bush, near the winding bush path were three smaller bodies watching them go past.

"Aren't they big Mickey?" said Harriet.

"They sure are." said Mickey. "I hid down low so they wouldn't see me."

"Thanks Peggy, for showing them to us." said Harriet.

"That's ok." said Peggy. "They have gone now. Let's go down to Charlie's Creek and see what's there.

"Peggy, why are there a lot of big flat holes in the sand after the tide goes out?" asked Harriet as they were walking.

"That is where stingrays lie on the sand when the water is in. They snuffle around in the sand looking for small crabs to eat. Then, when the tide goes out, the stingrays go out into deeper water and they leave those holes that you can see." Peggy explained.

"What is a stingray, Peggy?" asked Mickey.

"Stingrays are most unusual animals. They are very flat and they have a long tail and .... oh, wait until we see one, then I'll tell you all about them." said Peggy.

"Peggy, you are clever." said Mickey. "You know lots of good things."

"Of course I do." said Peggy. "You know this place we live in is very special. Humans have made this whole area into a sanctuary. That means all the birds and animals that live here are protected. Look, the kangaroos were here at the creek this morning, you can see their footprints, and their tail prints too, when they stopped for a rest."

"I'm hot from all this walking", said Harriet. "I'm going to have a swim in Charlie's Creek."
Harriet jumped into the water and swam up and down in the small creek.

Mickey sat down next to a mangrove bush, and was watching Harriet swimming, when he suddenly noticed something close to him moving. He quickly jumped up and looked into the bush. It was something he had not seen before and it had its legs stuck in the roots of the bush.

"Peggy, Peggy, come quickly". said Mickey.

"What is it?" said Peggy.

"There is somebody stuck here," said Mickey. "Can you help them?"

"Why it's Trevor turtle," said Peggy. "And he has his flippers caught under some mangrove roots. We'll have to get him out of there."

Peggy tried to pull Trevor with her beak, but he was stuck fast. Mickey pulled too, but he couldn't move him either.

Poor Trevor was very upset and told Peggy he had got stuck there on the high tide two nights before. The sun had been shining on him all day and he was very thirsty and sunburnt.

Trevor said he was so glad that Peggy and her new friends had come to Charlie's Creek this morning so they could help him get free.

"Trevor, this is Mickey, and that is Harriet swimming in the creek." said Peggy. "Mickey and I are not strong enough to help you. Mickey! Call Harriet. She is strong."

"Ok Peggy." said Mickey and he went to the banks of the creek. "Harriet, hurry, its Trevor the turtle and he is stuck and we have to get him out. Come quickly."

"I'm coming," said Harriet and she climbed out of the creek and shook water all over Mickey.

The two wet adventurers went back to Peggy.

Peggy said, "Harriet, this is Trevor and we have to help him. He can't stay here for another day."

"Hello Trevor," said Harriet. "I will get you out."

Harriet started to chew the root that had one of Trevor's flippers caught under it. Her teeth were very strong and in no time Trevor's flipper was free.

"Hooray," said Peggy and Mickey. "Now bite through the other root, Harriet."

"Ok," said Harriet.

Now Trevor was free, and he was very happy.

"Oh thank you very much Harriet," said Trevor. "And thank you Peggy and Mickey too."

Trevor the turtle moved his flippers to see if they were alright, and then began to pull himself towards the creek.

"Goodbye," said Trevor. "I'm going to swim out to the deep water to cool my sunburnt shell. I have to find something to eat, I'm really hungry."

"Mickey, he sounds like you," laughed Harriet. "Wait Trevor, I'm going to swim a little way with you to make sure you are alright."

"Oh Harriet, hurry back," said Mickey. "I'm hungry too. I want to go home and have my breakfast."

"Won't be long," said Harriet, as she swam beside Trevor down the creek and towards the sea.

"That was exciting, wasn't it, Peggy?" Said Mickey.

"Of course it was," said Peggy. "I'm glad Harriet has good strong teeth. I think she is a hero."

"I think she is too," said Mickey. "I'm glad she is my friend."

"I'm glad you are both my friends," said Peggy. "See you two tomorrow."

Mickey walked slowly along the beach towards the winding bush path waiting for Harriet to catch up to him.