How the Robin Stole Fire

How the Robin Stole Fire

Ages ago, in the dreamtime, the ancient time when the world was created, the first people lived on Earth as birds and other animals. They created the culture and traditions of today. This is a story from that time.

One day, near sunset, a group of hunter birds were returning to their village when they met a very old man. The old man was carrying a spear and an empty day pack, called a dilly bag. When the old man approached the hunter birds, he stuck his spear into the ground as a sign of peace.

The old man began to speak to the birds. " I have come a great distance, my brothers, and many moons have passed. I have traveled to the place where the water speaks with the voice of thunder. I have passed beyond the mist-hidden mountains to the great red plains. And I have traveled to the land that lies beyond the dawn. I have had many adventures. I would like to rest with you for a while. In return for your kindness, I will tell you the secret of the fire of the sun. ”

The leader among the birds decided to take the old man back to their village and give him some food. A wonderful meal was quickly prepared. When everyone had finished eating, the tribe gathered around the old man and waited for him to speak.

No one knew about fire during this time. When living things enjoyed the warmth of the sun, they often wondered how to take fire from the sky to provide warmth when the snows came. They didn't know how to use fire to cook food or harden spears, but they knew fire would keep them warm.