Comments on: A parable from the Dreamtime

By: AussieJ

AussieJ — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 15:36:45 +0000

Wonderful mate, I too enjoyed hearing the story in our drought ridden western NSW, where the crows fly backwards to keep the dust out of their eyes; but that too is another story.

By: stonehead

stonehead — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 11:59:03 +0000

The way Peter explained it to me was that Tiddalik is the frog’s name in one Aboriginal language and, “whitefellas being whitefellas”, they think it’s the same everywhere.
He said it was same as an Aborigine going to France, being told the animal was called a grenouille and assuming that people in England also called it a grenouille.
He told me his people just called the Dreamtime animals, Frog, Kangaroo, Black Snake, Frill Neck Lizard, so they were describing both the species and the individual name of a creature. (All in their language of course.)
Peter’s version of the story also differs from some of the others I’ve heard. In some it’s Eel’s dance that makes Frog laugh and in others it’s Possum being a clown. I’ve not come across the Hopping Mouse version elsewhere.
I like to stick with the one Peter told me to ensure it’s carried on, even if cultural homegenisation prefers Tiddalik and the eel/possum.
Once source I’ve found says Tiddalik was the name used by the Kurnai people of South Gippsland, in Victoria. Peter was from Central Australia.

By: susie rigby

susie rigby — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 11:09:53 +0000

The frogs name is Tiddalik. I wish the little hopping mouse would tickle him again!

By: stonehead

stonehead — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 09:00:58 +0000

If people would like more of these, and I know quite a few stories, I’d be happy to type one up from time to time and post it here. Let me know.
As for bunyips, I know a couple of stories about them - stories for dark nights when the world is shrouded in thick, clammy fog…

By: hedgewizard

hedgewizard — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:36:05 +0000

Great story, and thanks for taking the time to type it out. Needs a bunyip though!