We are pleased to participate in the A to Z Blog Challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/). The Story Crossroads theme for this year is Beating the Odds…Lucky Folktales Around the World to Brighten Your Day. Each post highlights that the stars aligned and what would have normally been…bad…turned out after all. Considering what we – as humankind – have experienced the past year, how nice is it to remember that all of us can “beat the odds” to some level in our lives.
And we’ll admit now…some are actually myths, legends, or epics rather than only limited to folktales. So is that a type of “loading the dice”? Ah, but the stories were too wonderful to pass by.
KANGAROOS-
From Aboriginals – Australia
The Aboriginals see the kangaroo as a “traditional animal” and can see themselves as owners of these animals. The kangaroo is seen as a Creator Spirit. When the bones are carefully removed, they have used the kangaroo’s pouch to carry water.
What makes kangaroos dangerous?
Kangaroos sometimes find humans threatening and could become aggressive. Their strong hind legs can mangle innards of an opponent. They can reach speeds of up to 65 mph and crashing into someone could be fatal. The kangaroo can only move forward (like the emu) so it’s always better to be behind a kangaroo than in front of it.
50-words-or-less summary:
Kangaroo and Wombat began as men. Kangaroo took no time to build home. Rainy season! Kangaroo wanted to share space with Wombat. Wombat refused. Kangaroo took stone and smashed Wombat. Flat forehead. Survived! Wombat took spear and stuck inside Kangaroo as tail. Survived! Kangaroos and Wombats look this way today.
That wombat and kangaroo are both lucky to be alive…no thanks to each other! Revenge could have turned fatal. Though, in the long run, kangaroos gained long tails to help in balance, and wombats gained flat foreheads that come in handy for burrowing and finding food. Now…keep in mind that many kangaroos are called a mob of kangaroos and a bunch of wombats is called a wisdom of wombats. Hmmm…who got the better luck in that?
Finding “How Kangaroo Got A Tail And Wombat Flat Forehead” and Background:
http://whisperingbooks.com/Show_Page/?book=Aboriginal_Legends&story=How_Kangaroo_Got_A_Long_Tail
Some basic facts about kangaroos:
https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/kangaroos
Some basic facts about wombats:
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/general-animals/facts-about-wombats
Please share in the comments…or anything on your mind. While you enjoy this blog, Story Crossroads has year-round offerings with virtual as well as proper-distanced/masked/outdoors.
Hmmm… I’m not sure that story has a very good lesson! lol And I’d hate to hear what they did to platypus to make him look that way.
Black and White: K for Kitezh
I hear kangaroos can definitely be dangerous. I don’t know about wombats, but they look cute. 😀
The Multicolored Diary