The Rainbow Serpent

Summary

In this Dreamtime story, the Rainbow Serpent awakens from her slumber and journeys across the Earth, shaping the land by creating mountains, valleys, and riverbeds. As she rests, the frogs awaken, and their water-filled bellies form lakes and rivers. Grass and trees begin to grow, and animals emerge, following the Rainbow Serpent's lead. She rewards those who obey with human form, while punishing those who don't by turning them to stone. The tribes live harmoniously with the land, believing it will always be theirs as long as they care for it, honoring the legacy of the Rainbow Serpent.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story is based on a traditional Aboriginal Dreamtime tale involving the Rainbow Serpent.
• 😀 In Dreamtime, the earth was still and lifeless, with no movement or growth.
• 😀 A beautiful snake, the Rainbow Serpent, awakened from her slumber and emerged from the ground.
• 😀 As the Rainbow Serpent traveled across the land, her body created mountains, valleys, and riverbeds.
• 😀 The Rainbow Serpent is a Dreamtime creature who shaped the earth with her journey.
• 😀 After her long travels, the Rainbow Serpent grew tired and curled up to rest.
• 😀 Upon waking, the Rainbow Serpent returned to her origin point and called the frogs to come out.
• 😀 The frogs, having water in their bellies, woke up slowly, and the Rainbow Serpent tickled them, causing water to fill the tracks she had left behind.
• 😀 This water formed the lakes and rivers, and grass and trees began to grow.
• 😀 The other animals living in rocks, plains, trees, and the air awoke and followed the Rainbow Serpent, happy with the newly formed earth.
• 😀 The Rainbow Serpent promised to reward those who obeyed her by giving them human form, but punished those who didn't by turning them to stone.
• 😀 The tribes of people were given land by the Rainbow Serpent, with the understanding that they must take care of it to keep it.
• 😀 The belief was that the land would always belong to them as long as they respected and cared for it.

Q & A

What is the significance of the rainbow serpent in this Dreamtime story?

The rainbow serpent is a powerful Dreamtime creature that plays a key role in shaping the Earth, creating mountains, valleys, riverbeds, and lakes. She represents the creative force of nature in Aboriginal mythology.

How does the rainbow serpent shape the Earth?

As the rainbow serpent travels across the land, her body forms mountains, valleys, and riverbeds, shaping the landscape and the environment.

What happens when the rainbow serpent grows tired?

After a long journey, the rainbow serpent grows tired, curls up, and rests. Upon waking up, she returns to her place of origin and calls out to the frogs.

Why are the frogs slow to wake up?

The frogs are slow to wake up because they have so much water in their bellies, which makes them lethargic.

What role do the frogs play in the creation of the lakes and rivers?

The rainbow serpent tickles the frogs' stomachs, causing the water inside them to spill out and fill the tracks left by the serpent, which forms the lakes and rivers.

What is the impact of the rainbow serpent's actions on the Earth?

The rainbow serpent's actions lead to the formation of water sources, grass, trees, and the awakening of other animals, resulting in a thriving ecosystem.

What promise does the rainbow serpent make to the animals and humans?

The rainbow serpent promises that those who obey her will be rewarded with human form, while those who disobey will be punished by being turned into stone.

How do the tribes of people relate to the rainbow serpent's gift?

The tribes of people are grateful for the land given to them by the rainbow serpent and believe that, as long as they take care of it, the land will always belong to them.

What lesson does the rainbow serpent's story teach?

The story teaches the importance of respecting and caring for the land, as it is a gift that must be maintained in order to continue receiving its blessings.

How does the rainbow serpent influence the world in the Dreamtime story?

In the Dreamtime story, the rainbow serpent influences the world by shaping the physical land, creating life, and establishing rules for harmony and balance between the creatures and the Earth.