The hopeful symbols of a terrible thing

The awful fires in Austrailia that have killed so many and destroyed so much -- are made even more awful because they appear to have been arson.

Out of all that tragedy, as ever, some touching symbols have arisen. The koalas. Watertiger yesterday had the picture of one of these koalas drinking water given to him by a firefighter. Now this koala has been adopted by and is mutually protective with another victim of the fire.

She said Sam had suffered second degree burns to her paws and would take seven to eight months to recover while Bob had three burned paws with third degree burns and should be well enough to return to the bush in about four months.

'They keep putting their arms around each other and giving each other hugs. They really have made friends and it is quite beautiful to see after all this. It's been horrific,' said Wood.

'Sam is probably aged between two to four going by her teeth and Bob is about four so they have a muchness with each other.'