Book excerpt: Aussie Yarns: some serious, some funny, and some philosophical. Most are about down-to-earth country folk. Some, like ‘Rusty’ and ‘A Farmer’s Wife’ have a lesson in them. Others are even a bit romantic, for example, ‘Blind Love’ and ‘Best Friends’. In a number of cases, the story is inspired by a poem already written, and in other cases, one is written specially, but in any case, all are accompanied by a poem or two and an explanation as to how it all came about. Primarily these yarns were written with an Australian readership in mind, most of whom would understand and appreciate the slang words and phrases used, particularly by unsophisticated bushies. However, I imagine some of the terms may leave non-Australians a bit perplexed. Stick with it, and by the time you’ve read Witness for the Defence you will have probably worked out what a “sheila’ is, along with all the other words and expressions that are uniquely Australian country in origin. Enjoy the adventures of the 110 characters who play some role in these yarns.