You nervously follow the voice. You aren't too thrilled about the thought of being found wandering around the forest naked but you decide to risk it because you need help. You push your way through a small opening in the surrounding dense brush. You are surprised to find a large kangaroo in the middle of a clearing.
At least you think it is a kangaroo. You have only seen them on television and from a distance at the zoo. But this one looks.... different. The body is covered in brown-tan fur and it has the distinctive lower legs you remember, with thick, muscular thighs and long feet with three toes ending in claws. But the upper body looks odd. The arms seem too thin and long. And the paws almost look like hands, with five flexible digits. The head looks alright, with a long snout and a few whiskers. But there is a wild tuft of blonde fur on its head. It almost looks like a Mohawk or a really bad wig.
You think this has to be someone's escaped pet. The owner of the voice must be searching for it. You hope it is tame and begin looking around the edges of the clearing for the owner.
"Oh, sorry, dear. I thought you were someone else. My mistake, " says the kangaroo.
You stare at the creature in shock. You can't believe the sound came from its mouth. This has to be some kind of joke. But there is no one else around.
"It's rude to stare, young man, " says the kangaroo in a matronly tone. It is speaking English with a feminine lilt and a slight accent. It takes you a moment to realize that she sounds Australian.
"You can talk?!" you say softly.
The kangaroo giggles.
"Of course. Just as you can, thankfully. I was afraid for a moment that you were mute, " says the kangaroo. "Perhaps you can help me - my Joey has run off again and I have been looking all over for him. You haven't seen a small little roo hopping around here, have you?"
"No, sorry, " you say.
The kangaroo sighs.
"Guess I better keep looking, " says the kangaroo. She begins to turn away.
You suddenly remember why you came looking for help in the first place. You nervously try to hide your nudity. She may look like an animal, but she sounds human enough for you to be embarrassed.
"Wait! Have you seen any clothes lying around here?" you ask.
"Clothes? I am afraid not. I haven't seen any clothes for a long time. I don't really need them," she says. You see her point. She is covered in fur. You doubt she would have taken them. "But perhaps someone in the village might be able to help you. If you follow me, I can lead you to it. I was on my way there anyway, to see if my little Joey came back on his own. "
A village? Your hope rises. Maybe someone there can help you find your own way home. Or at least give you some clothes. You thank the kangaroo for her help and begin to follow her.
It is difficult to keep up with her. She doesn't walk, but rather hops, and the distance between her hops are much further than your small stride. It doesn't help that it is very painful to walk barefoot on the brambles littering the forest floor.
The kangaroo waits impatiently for you to catch up to her.
"Do you want a lift, dear? I really don't mind, " says the kangaroo as she pulls open her pouch.
"Thanks, but I don't think I will fit," you say. The kangaroo is big, a little bigger than you. But the opening to the pouch looks very small and narrow.
"Oh, nonsense. You wouldn't be my first passenger. I have carried many roos in there, sometimes simultaneously. There is more than enough room for you. It's a lot bigger inside than it looks," says the kangaroo, pulling the opening a little wider.
You look inside. The skin is smooth and pink, with a few splotches of dark pigmentation. You can't see the end of the pouch, but it still seems a little small for you. You couldn't fit inside that.... could you?
"Um, I'm not sure, " you say.
The kangaroo lets go of her pouch and it closes with a snap. She sighs loudly.
"Suit yourself. But I really have to get going and I can't let you slow me down. If you can't keep up, I am afraid I will have to leave you behind. Are you sure you don't want to try riding in my pouch? This is your last chance. I won't offer again, " says the kangaroo.
You look down at your sore feet, noting some blood and blisters on your soles. Then you look back to the small pouch on her belly. It would be nice to get off your feet and travel a little quicker. But did you really want to climb into a kangaroo's pouch? Even if you did fit, it would feel a little ...icky.
The kangaroo taped her large foot impatiently waiting for your decision.