Member-only story
Looking for Lasseter’s Reef
A Short Fiction Story Based on an Aussie Legend
“So, that was the story of Harold Lasseter and his search for the fabled gold reef,” Mrs. Roberts concluded. “I hope at least some of you found it interesting?”
10-year-old Michael (Spud) Conroy certainly did. He had sat quietly captivated as the teacher conveyed the tale of one man’s relentless search for a reef of gold in outback Australia.
‘Spud’ was a nickname his dad gave Michael when he was born.) “Struth, the bub is as bald as a potato!” he exclaimed, “Welcome, to the world, Spud.” It had stuck with him ever since.
“That was a beaut yarn,” he said to his best mate Nigel (Nugget) Thorp, as they left the classroom. “It’d be bonza to actually find all that gold, doncha reckon?”
“Yeah, I guess. As long as ya didn’t cark-it trying,” replied Nugget. “Like that Lasseter bloke.”
Spud couldn’t get the story out of his head, and when he got home he excitedly related the story almost word for word to his parents.
They listened politely and then his dad said, “Yeah, I heard a lot of folks were taken in by that Lasseter bloke’s story, and lots have looked for it since. I guess you can’t find what never existed. He was a bit of a drongo if you ask me.”
