y separately published work icon Real Australian Jungle Stories : Legends of the Aborigines selected work   prose   children's   dreaming story  
Issue Details: First known date: 1936... 1936 Real Australian Jungle Stories : Legends of the Aborigines
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Contents

* Contents derived from the Camperdown, Marrickville - Camperdown area, Sydney Southern Suburbs, Sydney, New South Wales,:Northwood Press , 1936 version. Please note that other versions/publications may contain different contents. See the Publication Details.
How the Animals Lost Their Speech, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
When the birds and animals fight amongst themselves, The Great Father Spirit (Byame, or Baiame) punishes them by taking away their common language. Since the lyre-bird took no part in the fighting, he was given the ability to imitate all birds and animals.
 (p. 4-6)
Note: Illustration: lyre bird, 'reproduced from a Rock Carving, French's Forest, near Sydney', 6.
Why the Willy Wagtail is Feared, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
This is the Dreaming Story of how the Willy Wagtail was the first creature to speak with the Sun Godess, soon after Creation.
 (p. 7-9)
How the Native Bear Lost Its Tail, Robert Turner , single work prose children's dreaming story Indigenous story
When the kangaroo discovers that he has been tricked by the lazy koala, he takes up a boomerang and cuts the tail off the koala.
 (p. 10-12)
Note: Illustration:'Carved Boomerang, Narran River, N.S.W.', 12.
Why the Emu Has Small Wings, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
Jealous of the Brolga's ability to dance, the Emu agrees to have her wings cut, without realising that she will no longer be able to fly.
 (p. 13-14)
How the Tortoise Got Its Shell, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
After the Willy Wagtail has cleverly defeated a number of animals, the Tortoise outwits him by wearing a shield made from a food dish.
 (p. 15-16)
The Story of the Great Drought and Flood, Robert Turner , single work prose children's dreaming story Indigenous story
A gigantic frog has swallowed all the water, causing a bad drought. One by one, the animals try to make him disgorge the water. Finally the eel succeeds, and there is a great flood.
 (p. 17-19)
Note: Illustration: 'Painted Shield, East Coast, Queensland. Called Biggan or Darkur', 19.
How the Animals Came to Australia, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
The story of how the animals arrived in the Illawarra area, the starfish got its ragged shape, and the descendants of the whale patrol the south coast of N.S.W.
 (p. 20-22)
Note: Illustration (b & w) 'Spear from Melville Island, North Australia' 22.
The Traitor Bat and Why He Hides in the Daytime, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
In a great battle between the birds and the animals, the bats swap from the losing to the winning side. This brings them shame and punishment as they are banished to the darkness.
 (p. 23-25)
The Story of Piggiebillah, the Porcupine, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
This is the story of how the echidna got her spines as punishment for trying to kill a young woman.
 (p. 26-28)
Note: Illustration: 'Wommera or Spear-thrower. Northern Australia', 28.
Why The Crow Is Black, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
When the greedy crow refuses to share his food with the hungry hawk, they fight until the crow is thrown into the hot ashes of the fire. His decendants are black to remind them that the first crow broke his promise to the hawk.
 (p. 29-31)
Why the Native Companion Has a Harsh Voice, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
This is the story of how the Brolga lost her beautiful voice and why the Emu has few chicks.
 (p. 32-33)
The Birth of the Butterflies, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
This is a story from the Murray River area in which caterpillars go off to solve the mystery of death and return in a new form.
 (p. 34-36)
Note: Illustration, 'Totem Board for Yam Ceremony, Central Australia', 36.
The Legend of the Southern Cross, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
The story of the first death of a human being and the creation of the constellation, the Southern Cross.
 (p. 37-38)
The Story of the Frogs, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
The Great Father Spirit punishes the frogs for being selfish by making them so timid as to jump into the water as soon as anyone approaches.
 (p. 39-40)
The Story of the Wombat and the Kangaroo, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
The selfish wombat does not let the kangaroo share his bark shelter during a storm. When the wombat is sleeping, the kangaroo strikes him with a large stone, leaving him and his descendants with a flat forehead. The wombat gets his revenge by throwing a spear at the kangaroo, which lodges permanently at the bottom of the kangaroo's spine.
 (p. 41-43)
Note: Illustration: 'Stone-headed spear, Central Australia', 43.
The Killing of Mullion, the Eaglehawk, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
Murriwunda succeeds in burning the high nest of the Mullion, the cannibal Eaglehawk, ensuring the tribe's safety and creating enormous valleys where the roots of the tree were.
 (p. 44-46)
Note: Illustration: 'Drawing of the Sacred Sun. Central Australia', 46.
How the Sun Was Made, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
The emu's egg is tossed into the sky, and strikes a bundle of wood which bursts into flame, bringing into being the sun. The daily procession of the sun across the sky is managed by the cloud-man, Ngoudenout, who sets fire to a bundle of wood each day.
 (p. 47-48)
Why Flying Foxes Hang From Trees, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
The Lizard punishes the selfish Flying Fox by scattering his bed with caterpillars, causing the Flying Fox and his family to never be able to lie on their backs without itching.
 (p. 49-50)
The Story of Moograbah, the Black and White Magpie, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
This is the story of how the magpie got its colours and why its lonely call is never answered.
 (p. 51-53)
Note: Illustration: 'Painted Shield, Murray River, N.S.W.', 53.
The Story of the Bullroarer, Robert Turner , single work prose children's Indigenous story dreaming story
After their death, the Byama brothers take revenge on Thoorkook by taking the form of kangaroos and turning him into the mokope. The sound of the dead boys' voices is conveyed by the Bullroarer as a reminder of their cruel murder.
 (p. 54-56)
Note: Illustration: 'A carved Bullroarer. New South Wales', 56.
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