AustLit logo

AustLit

y separately published work icon The Woodpecker Toy Fact and Other Stories selected work   short story  
Issue Details: First known date: 1987... 1987 The Woodpecker Toy Fact and Other Stories
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

Contents

* Contents derived from the Fitzroy, Fitzroy - Collingwood area, Melbourne - North, Melbourne, Victoria,: Ringwood, Ringwood - Croydon - Kilsyth area, Melbourne - East, Melbourne, Victoria,:McPhee Gribble Penguin , 1987 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
The Woodpecker Toy Fact, Carmel Bird , single work short story (p. 3-11)
A Taste of Earth, Carmel Bird , single work short story (p. 12-17)
I Was as Dumb as Dorothy McGuire, Carmel Bird , single work short story (p. 18-20)
The Quince Tree, Carmel Bird , single work short story (p. 21-23)
Higher Animals, Carmel Bird , single work short story (p. 24-27)
Kay Petman's Coloured Pencils, Carmel Bird , single work short story (p. 31-37)
Dark Stranger, Carmel Bird , single work short story (p. 38-42)
The Right Stuff, Carmel Bird , single work short story (p. 43-48)
Buttercup and Wendy, Carmel Bird , single work short story (p. 49-55)
Seeking its Level, Carmel Bird , single work short story (p. 56-60)
Introducing Your Friends, Carmel Bird , single work short story (p. 61-65)
The Best Thing to Do, Carmel Bird , single work short story (p. 66-70)
Buff Orpington and the Disasters of Middle Life Buff Orphington and the Disasters of Middle Life, Carmel Bird , single work short story (p. 71-78)
The Enlargement of Bethany, Carmel Bird , single work short story

Harry Stone runs an optometrist's in Woodpecker Point, where he knows nearly every one of the residents. He is smitten with Bethany Grey, the owner of the Orchid Frock shop across the street, but she has never come in for an appointment.

As Harry's receptionist, Lisa, gets married, he tries to connect with Bethany Grey, but loses his courage. He plans on gifting an enlarged photograph of her at the wedding to her. When he looks at the photo, he sees skulls in her eyes.

Harry gives a smaller version of the photo instead, one without the skulls visible. Bethany thanks him and mentions she's been meaning to make an appointment.

(p. 79-88)
Cherries Jubilee, or, Whichever Way You Look at It, Carmel Bird , single work short story (p. 89-91)
Woodpecker Point, Carmel Bird , single work short story (p. 95-143)
X