Blinky Bill Grows Up, Chapter 2: The Bazaar

Blinky experiences his first Bush Bazaar, and tries his hand at running a lucky dip!

Blinky Bill Grows Up was first published in 1934, and as such it contains material that might be outdated, inaccurate or offensive, as well as material that would now be considered quite dark for children’s fiction. Aside from language that Madame Magpie is personally uncomfortable using, the text has been left as it was originally published. There is no bad language, but below is a list of potentially distressing content that appears in this episode:

• Descriptions of dead animals: 'Bright green leaves and the softest brown toadstools lie together. Birds’ eggs of every colour imaginable are there in dozens to be sold and right up against them are the little dead birds the butcher-birds have brought.'
• References to inter-species predation: 
  • 'Curly leaves on the ground were crammed full of flies—some dead, some alive. Others held mosquitoes and sand-flies and some even held small beetles. These were labelled according to their value:
    DEAD FLIES—QUITE FRESH, YOUNG AND PLUMP
    TAKE SOME HOME FOR SUPPER
    Another was labelled:
    FLIES ALL ALIVE!
    LEGS AND ALL
    SUITABLE FOR ALL OCCASIONS
    The beetles had a special notice above them:
    BEETLES IN SEASON!
    COLOURS NOT CHARGED FOR
    WINGS AND NIPPERS SOLD SEPARATELY
    BEETLE PIE RECIPE GIVEN FREE
    Gertrude Spider had dozens of customers round her stall. But the beetles who had come to see the bazaar stood aside in small groups, whispering in undertones and glancing nervously in her direction. Farther away in a dark musty corner hidden from view by a huge web was her parlour, and she even had the boldness to suggest to small customers that they should “walk into my parlour”. Just as if no one knew what that meant!'
  • 'Right across the centre of the pool a branch of a tree rested on either side, and on it squatted a big fat mosquito. This was the greasy pole, and the fellow who was lucky enough to keep his balance while he crossed, had the thought of that fine fat mosquito for a prize.
    The mosquito was tied to the branch by the finest spider-web; so he was a prisoner, trembling from head to foot as he watched each new frog take his few steps, lose his balance and go flopping into the pool.'
• Mentions of spanking/corporal punishment: “Serve you right! I hope you get a good smacking when you arrive home. I hope your mother wallops you.”
• Death of minor characters: 'Looking down Blinky saw Master Trapdoor Spider at his feet.
  “Where’s your present?” he asked.
  “I haven’t brought one,” Master Trapdoor said boldly. “But if you don’t let me have a dip I’ll poison you.”
  [...]
  Blinky pulled out a parcel, unwrapped the leaf and a huge frog jumped out.
  In a twinkling he had gobbled up Master Trapdoor.
   “That’s what comes through being rude!” said Blinky, as he eyed the rest of the customers sternly.
  Several very quietly crawled or flew away, as they evidently did not want the s

Blinky Bill was written and illustrated by Dorothy Wall, first published by Angus & Robertson in 1933. Sound effects are from Zapsplat, Epidemic Sound, Pixabay, Soundly and Dylan Barfield.

All images are made by Josh Dykgraaf using Dorothy Wall's original illustrations. Madame Magpie is a creation of Alix Roberts. Narration and character voices by Alix Roberts.

Madame Magpie’s Bedtime Stories are recorded and edited by Alix Roberts (aka Madame Magpie) on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Bunarong Peoples of the Kulin nation. Madame Magpie acknowledges the rich and extensive history of storytelling among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and pays her respects to past and present elders of all nations.