For children starting school what better way to ease into a new language than by sharing a good story.

HUNDREDS of people began sifting through the charred remains of their homes on the outskirts of Australia's capital yesterday after wildfires swept through the region, killing four people and destroying at least 388 homes.

Hundreds of people began sifting through the charred remains of their burned-out homes today after the worst bush fires in the history of Australia’s capital, Canberra, left four dead.