Britain had just about all he could take from America. He had become so pushy and arrogant. America was also threatening to move out of Britain's house and become independent. Not only that, lately America had been changing the English language around and spelling words his way!
Britain needed a long holiday, away from all the politics of Europe and from the rebellious America.
Britain set out on a boat with nothing but a hunch of where he was going and some basic supplies. After months of travelling, the exhausted Britain found himself on the shore of an unclaimed continent. He disembarked and smiled to himself as he noticed not a soul as far as the eye could see. He was suddenly overcome with a feeling of relaxation. Britain just wanted to lie in the sun, take a walk through the native bushlands and discover rare species of animals that the Empire had never seen before.
However after a few days of enjoying his peace and quiet, Britain began feeling a little lonely. He lay down, looking up at the sky, and saw a constellation which he had never seen before. He called it the Southern Cross. As the night went on he made a wish on those stars- a wish that if he was ever blessed with another baby country as a sibling, he would do things right this time and make up for the mistakes he may have made with America.
As the sun rose the next day Britain woke up feeling rather drained. It was suddenly so hot despite the fact that it was supposed to be winter at home. As he went down to a nearby stream to wash up he heard a rustling sound in the bushes. At first he thought it was nothing but it continued.
"All right," Britain said standing tall, "who is there?"
The rustling sound continued.
"You had better come out now."
A small voice replied, "You'd better come out!"
Britain looked at the bushes with wide eyes. He coughed and said, "At the very least you could say good day to someone you intend to have a conversation with."
"You could at least say g'day to a mate!" it replied and then laughed.
Britain was fuming with rage at the person mocking him from the bushes and cried, "If you don't come out now I will be going in- and trust me when I say it will not be pretty!"
Slowly, a small boy emerged from the bushes. He had short, dark blond hair and Britain's green eyes. He had nothing on his feet, but was wearing a single top and shorts. Britain was shocked and slowly walked up to the boy. Was he a new country? It seemed impossible! This was a harsh land, ruled but hot sun during the day and loud thunder storms by night. Whilst Britain was enjoying his little nature trip, he was sure that no one would want to live out there in this harsh environment.
Britain was surprised how much this boy looked like him. Of course he didn't have Britain's masculine set of eye brows but none-the-less the resemblance was uncanny.
"Good day," smiled Britain, "My name is Britain and it is very nice to meet you."
The boy looked at Britain, smiled and then said loudly, "G'day mate! Nice to meet 'cha, the name's Australia!"
Britain stood there for a moment transfixed… he was sure he was speaking English but, it was so strange and the accent was all over the place. Like the poorer parts of England but with more twang to it, also his use of strange slang was starting to get on Britain's nerves.
He forced a smiled anyway, "You do know that it is good day not… whatever it was you said."
Australia grinned wide and said, "Nah mate, g'day! G'day!" He looked Britain up and down. "You sure got some strange clobber on! Aren't you hot? I would be bustin' a crack out 'ere in this heat with all that gear!"
Britain was so confused. Now he was totally unsure if the boy was indeed speaking English- and what does 'bustin' a crack' mean?
"So, are you a country?" Britain asked.
Australia thought for a moment said, "Well I'm a lot of things. But I guess, yeah I am!"
Britain was so confused by this boy. He didn't even know if he was a country or not! Britain said, "So your name is Australia, is it? It's funny; you look like much more of a New Holland to me."
Australia grinned, "I used to be New Holland!" he pulled out his hand and started counting on his fingers, "First I was New Holland, then people started callin' me Australia, some people also call Oz or Aussie. I really love my new name heck of a lot more."
"So if I wanted to, I could call you anyone of those names?" Britain asked.
Australia replied, "Too right!"
Britain took his bath in the stream, or what Australia called it, a billabong and found him sitting in Britain's camp sight. Australia offered Britain some food that he had gathered up and Britain's stomach churned. It was an assortment of berries, roots and what looked like grubs! Britain apologised and said that he had food of his own. He reached for his bag and went to pull out one of his mumzie's last scones, when he noticed it was gone. When Australia asked the teary Britain what was wrong he soon smiled with confidence.
"Australia! Where are you going?" called Britain, watching him run into the distance. After a few moments Australia returned with a canvas bag. He plopped it down onto the ground and started reaching deep into the bag. He pulled out a whole stack of different ingredients. He squished them together making thick dough and wrapped the mixture in some foil. He then poked the campfire making a space and popped the package in and covered it with dirt and hot pieces of wood from the base of the fire. After a little while he carefully retrieved the package and opened it up. Britain was amazed; it looked like a giant scone. Australia said that it was called Damper. Britain tasted it and it wasn't half bad.
He liked this mysterious Australia and wanted to know more about the strange world he had already created.
