Wally Wombat

and his
butterflies
Written and illustrated by Elkee Whitaker

Written and Illustrated by Elkee Whitaker

It was an important day at school for Wally the Wombat. He had a class
performance and he was feeling very anxious. Wally had a feeling of butterflies
in his stomach.
It couldnt be thought Wally. Wombats dont eat butterflies.

At home Mr and Mrs Wombat were very reassuring.

Its okay they said,
No need to feel worried, you will be spectacular and the butterflies will soon go
away .
And off to school they went.

When Wally Wombat

Erik Emu was preparing
performances.
Good
Wombat, are
today? Asked
could tell
very nervous
breathless.
himself.

arrived at class, Mr
the classroom for
morning Wally
you ready for
Mr Erik Emu. He
Wally Wombat was
and feeling rather
Wally just wasnt

Mr Erik Emu, I have butterflies in my stomach and I feel like my heart is about
to jump out of my chest mumbled Wally.
No need to worry Wally, you will do great said Mr Erik Emu
Try taking a few deep breaths and the butterflies will soon go away.

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Wally wasnt convinced so he went to see Katie the Kookaburra who was
practicing her jokes. She was Wallys friend who was always happy and could
never stop laughing.
Wally Wombat! Are you ready for today? said Katie.
I have butterflies in my stomach, I feel sick and dont think I can perform
sighed Wally.
No need to worry Wally, just imagine no one is there, and soon the butterflies
will go away smiled Katie Kookaburra.

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Wally Wombats butterflies didnt seem to go away so he went to see Elliot the
Echidna who was as calm and quiet as a glittering starry night.
Wally Wombat! Are you ready for today? whispered Elliot Echidna.
Elliot Echidna I have butterflies in my stomach and if they flutter I could forget
my speech whimpered Wally Wombat.
Elliot Echidna silently scurried over to Wally and soothingly gave him words of
encouragement. No need to worry Wally, just remember to try your best and
have a go and the butterflies will soon go away.

13

Wally Wombat was still feeling

stomach would not go away
friend Brock the Croc.
strong and tough and was
Maybe he could scare
Wally.

tense and the butterflies in his

so he decided to see his
Brock the Croc was
scared of nothing.
them off, thought
Wally Wombat!
Are you ready
for today?
rumbled Brock
the Croc.

I have butterflies in my
stomach, Im worried I will make a mistake
and what if everyone laughs at me wailed Wally Wombat.

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No need to worry Wally, how about we practice your performance together?

Remember to speak nice and slow, this will help scare the butterflies away said
Brock.

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Wally Wombat was getting ready for his performance and Sharoo the Kangaroo
shared some final words of comfort. No need to worry Wally, remember we are
all in the same boat, you will do fine husked Sharoo.

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Finally, It was time for Wally Wombats performance. Before he entered the
stage he thought about all the wise words his friends and Mr Erik Emu had told
him, to help him get through his performance. As he entered the stage with his
glossy, bright exceptional costume that sparkled in a million eyes he huddled
onto the stage. At first he whispered quietly, but as the performance went on he
became louder, louder and louder! Wally the wombat was
Spectacular

Bold

Courageous

He was Terrific!

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Once he had finished, all the class cheered with excitement. This made Wally
joyful, warm and fuzzy inside. Mr Erik Emu asked Wally about the butterflies in
his stomach.

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Wally replied, They have flown away.

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Activity:
Provide student/s with a template of a person figure
In the middle of the template students are required to write or
draw a time when they had experienced the feeling of butterflies in
their stomach, nerves or anxiety eg) Breathlessness or heart racing
etc. (self awareness)
Students are required to write down what choices they had to
make, what was making them feel this way. (responsible decisionmaking)
On the outside of the template students are required to write
down the factors that helped them overcome feeling nervous,
anxious, worried or concerned. (Self-management)
Who had helped them? Gave them advice? Or did they have to give
advice or help others? If so how (social awareness/relationship
skills)
Students are to write down things that make them feel safe
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 It is essential the teacher provides the students with an example

so they have a clear understanding of the task required.

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Template

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