I’m Feeling So Sleepy — A Koala’s Cry from the Burning Forest”

I’m Feeling So Sleepy

By Syeda Nazan Jabeen (English Adaptation)

“I’m feeling so sleepy,” one koala said to the other, stretching lazily as he yawned.

“Yeah, let’s sleep for a while,” replied his friend, rubbing his eyes. “We’ll wake up, eat some leaves, and nap again.”

Both koalas nestled comfortably on the branch of a tall eucalyptus tree. The warm afternoon sun peeked through the leaves as they slowly drifted into a peaceful slumber. But their calm didn’t last long.

Suddenly, strange noises echoed through the forest—shouting, crackling, and rumbling. The two koalas startled awake and looked around in confusion.

“What’s that noise?” one asked nervously.

“I don’t know,” the other replied. “Let’s go see.”

They climbed down the tree and began to move cautiously toward the sound. But as soon as they reached the edge of the clearing, their hearts froze in terror.

The sky had turned a terrifying shade of orange. Thick, black smoke filled the air. Flames danced wildly between the trees, and terrified animals were running in every direction.

“Fire! Fire! Run!” screamed a kangaroo as it bolted past them.

“F–fire?” stammered the younger koala, trembling. “How… how did it start?”

“Run!” shouted his friend, pulling his arm. “We have to get out of here!”

They ran as fast as their little legs could carry them, but the fire was faster. Within moments, a blazing wall of flames surged toward them. A gust of heat hit their faces as burning branches fell from above.

A fiery wave swept over them, and both koalas cried out in pain as the flames singed their paws and legs. Smoke filled their lungs, and their eyes burned. All around them, chaos reigned — animals screaming, branches snapping, and the roar of fire devouring everything in its path.

“Mom! Mom, where are you?” cried one koala desperately.

“Dad! Please help us!” sobbed the other.

But there was no answer. Their parents were nowhere to be found.

Soon, many animals — koalas, kangaroos, birds, and wombats — were trapped or lost. The forest that had once been their safe home was now an inferno. The two young koalas clung to each other, shaking with fear, praying silently for a miracle.


---

Koalas are native to Australia — gentle, tree-dwelling mammals that look like small bears but aren’t bears at all. They live mostly in the eucalyptus forests of southern and eastern Australia, in regions like Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales.

Their round, tailless bodies, fluffy ears, and spoon-shaped noses make them easy to recognize. They spend most of their lives in trees, eating eucalyptus leaves and rarely drinking water, as they get most of their hydration from the leaves themselves.

But in recent years, wildfires in Australia have devastated their habitat. During one such catastrophic fire, it’s estimated that over 25,000 koalas perished in southern Australia alone. Their population, once in the millions, has fallen to mere thousands — a tragic reminder of how fragile nature can be.


---

As the fire roared closer, the two injured koalas huddled beneath a half-burnt tree.

Suddenly, they saw figures moving through the smoky haze. Humans! A group of people wearing masks and protective gear was running toward them.

“Look!” one koala whispered weakly. “Someone’s coming.”

“Who are they? What if they hurt us?” the other murmured fearfully.

Before they could move, gentle hands lifted them from the ground.

“It’s okay, little ones. You’re safe now,” said a woman’s voice softly. She wrapped them in a blanket, shielding them from the smoke. Other rescuers were busy too — some poured water on flames, others carried injured animals to safety.

The koalas were taken to a rescue van parked near the forest. There, volunteers cleaned their burns, applied medicine, and gave them water. Gradually, the trembling in their bodies began to ease.

For the first time since the fire started, they felt safe. One koala looked up at his rescuer with glistening eyes and tried to nuzzle her hand — a silent thank you.

Outside, firefighters and rescue workers continued their efforts. Some rushed back toward the forest, while others stayed to care for the wounded animals.

Then something extraordinary happened.

A group of people gathered in an open field nearby. They lined up, shoulder to shoulder, then bowed their heads and raised their hands toward the sky.

“What are they doing?” whispered one koala.

“They’re praying,” said the other softly.

Indeed, they were. These were Muslim volunteers performing Salat al-Istisqa — a special prayer for rain. Christians and Jews joined them too, united by one shared hope: that the heavens would open and the fire would end.

Moments later, dark clouds began to gather. A cool wind blew across the field, and then — drop by drop — rain began to fall.

At first, it was gentle. Then, it grew stronger. Heavy rain poured down, drenching the burnt earth, hissing as it met the flames. The smoke began to thin. The fire began to die.

Inside the rescue van, the two koalas looked out the window, eyes wide with wonder.

“Look,” whispered one. “It’s raining.”

“Allah heard their prayers,” the other said quietly, curling up beside his friend.

The forest still smoldered, but for the first time in days, hope returned to the land.

The koalas drifted into a deep sleep, not from exhaustion this time — but from peace.

And far away, under the cleansing rain, the forest whispered back to life.