Koala Dreaming Card with Dreamtime Story

Koala Dreaming Back in the Dreaming, there was a great drought upon the land. There was no water to be found anywhere; every waterhole and stream was dry. All the creatures were very thirsty, but they noticed that Koobor was the only one amongst them who was not suffering. They suspected he had a secret water supply. Lyrebird was the best tracker, so he was persuaded by the other creatures to track Koobor. He followed Koobor quietly, keeping a safe distance between them, so Koobor’s suspicions would not be aroused. Finally, Koobor stopped. Lyrebird hid in the low bushes. Where he was well camouflaged, and watched Koobor climb a large gum tree. In those days, Koobor had a long tail. Lyrebird saw Koobor balance on a tree limb, then, hanging by his tail, swing down to reach a large hollow below the branch. He greedily drank water from the depths of this hole. The thirsty Lyrebird could hear the sound of the water splashing. Lyrebird felt even thirstier, hearing the sounds of Koobor drinking, and became angry. The thought of Koobor secretly enjoying a water source, while he and the others suffered a great thirst, enraged him. Eager to get the water and to punish Koobor he quickly and quietly emerged from his hiding place, and rubbed together two sticks to start a fire. Koobor’s greedy gulping and the splashing of the water, drowned out the noise he made. Lyrebird then set fire to the large gum tree, which, being dry and highly inflammable in the drought conditions burned quickly. The fire raced to the top of the tree, hungrily devouring the dry wood and leaves. As Lyrebird hoped, in the process, the water was dispersed. In his haste to escape, Koobor left behind his tail. That is why the Koobor deserves the greatest respect or he will bring the drought.