Cirrus@Austlit

A man recalls his friendship with Bill, a fellow small crop farmer, and the story Bill related to him of a case of mistaken identity.

A tourist travelling through a country town meets a man reputed to have an amazing memory who asks him a simple question. Several years later the tourist is again passing through the town and encounters the man who, as if no time has elapsed, continues their conversation of years earlier.

The efforts of some notable pioneers and settlers who endured great hardship, and even death, to establish their cattle stations in remote parts of Australia are recounted.

Hank is renowned for being a big eater, so it is surprising that he wants to quit when he is ahead in an eating competition at a country fair. However, he reveals that the reason is his reluctance to incur his wife's wrath by missing dinner time.

The storyteller recalls three main things about cane-farmer, Ollie - that he was lazy, loved alcohol, and was a skilled marksman - and recounts the varied ways in which Ollie managed to indulge himself in these pursuits.

A traveller in a Julia Creek pub enquires of a local Aboriginal man how long it will take to get to Cloncurry, and is amused by the man's answer.

A man has the misfortune to have his feet amputated, but the doctor finds a positive aspect to the event.

When Townsville was still just a small town, a local family by the name of Howell lived in the Aitkenvale area. They owned five very domesticated ponies that the children used for transport, and were mystified when the ponies went missing. When a man claimed to have found the ponies and offered to drive them back for ten shillings, the family gratefully agreed. However, when this recurred the next year, and the following, Mr Howell threatened to put the police onto the man.

An ageing man recounts his story of how a visit to the National War Museum in Canberra, where he sees a model of the World War II troop carrier, Westralia, triggers memories of his childhood escapades.

Young Dave and his siblings think it a funny thing to topple their 'thunderbox' into the creek, but do not realise it is occupied by their father. As Dad gives a moral lecture on the benefits of honesty, using George Washington as an example, Dave thinks it safe to admit guilt, but is mistaken.

The story presents an account of the events leading up to the mutiny on the Bounty, and the aftermath of the mutiny.

Dave and his Dad have a bit to learn about city life, as their story of the search for drinking water shows. Meanwhile, Dave's sweetheart, Mabel does not quite understand Dave's lustful overtures.

A mate of a colourful old character, Ted Redfern, tells stories of Ted's strengths and weaknesses.

Nobody in the little coastal town could understand how their beloved school, the repository of so many fond memories, could be razed to the ground. Nobody, that is, except the self-serving teacher and the philandering, debt-ridden father of two of her pupils.

The local pastor of a country town is perplexed by having met several women of his parish who are all expecting babies at the same time, and then meeting one woman whose baby is due two months after all the others. Her explanation sheds light on the social activities of the town.

A Chinese man who owns a horse and dray inadvertently provides some laughter when his invoice for work done is read by a contractor.

When two-year-old twin boys find an old twin-tub washing machine to play in, one of them finds getting out is much harder than getting in.

Sam Thompson has little regard for anyone's welfare but his own, and happily exploits people's affections and trust to achieve his ends. Eventually he goes too far and the law catches up with him. However, luck is on his side and he is acquitted for lack of evidence, but this doesn't stop one of his long-suffering girlfriends from meting out justice with a whip.

A flight en route to Paris is beset by problems that necessitate a landing at sea. The pilot's response to the situation is not reassuring.