The Australian Dreamtime
The Australian Dreamtime — an illustrated stories story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.
Page 1
Dust devils danced across the red desert as Mali, a young Aboriginal girl, chased them with her best friend, Dingo, a scruffy bush dog. Mali laughed, her bare feet kicking up puffs of ochre earth. "Catch me if you can, Dingo!" she called, her voice echoing in the vast emptiness. Dingo barked joyfully, nipping at her heels. He loved playing games with Mali. Today, they were searching for bush tucker, BUT adventure always seemed to find them first. They both had a talent for spotting the unusual in the mundane, the sacred in the ordinary.
Page 2
Suddenly, Dingo stopped, his ears perked. He whined, nudging Mali towards a cluster of ancient gum trees. "What is it, boy?" Mali asked, peering into the shadows. There, nestled amongst the roots, was a small, intricately carved wooden boomerang, unlike any she had seen before. It pulsed with a faint, warm light. BUT as Mali reached for it, a deep voice echoed, "That is not yours to take, little one."
Page 3
Mali gasped, startled. She looked around, BUT saw no one. Dingo growled softly. "Who's there?" she called out, her voice trembling slightly. A wise old kookaburra, perched high on a branch, chuckled. "The Dreamtime is calling, little one," he said. "The boomerang has chosen you. Therefore, you must follow its path. It will lead you to a place where the stories of our ancestors are kept safe." Mali looked at Dingo, then back at the glowing boomerang. "We're going on an adventure, boy!" she declared.
Page 4
The boomerang began to glow brighter, pointing towards the west. Mali and Dingo set off, the desert stretching before them. Soon, they reached a dry riverbed. "This is as far as I can guide you directly," the kookaburra called, flying overhead. "Follow the songlines." BUT the songlines were faint, almost invisible to Mali's untrained eyes. Just then, an elder, Nala, appeared. "The land speaks, child," she said gently. "You must listen with your heart."
Page 5
Mali closed her eyes, focusing on the warmth of the boomerang in her hand. She listened, not with her ears, but with her spirit. A faint humming filled her mind – a song of the land, guiding her westward. Following the songlines, they discovered a hidden spring, teeming with life. Dragonflies danced above the water, and tiny frogs croaked amongst the reeds. BUT the water was guarded by a grumpy goanna, sunning itself on a rock. "Go away!" it hissed. "This is my spring!"
Page 6
"We only need a drink," Mali said politely. "The desert is long and hot." The goanna scoffed. "You think the Dreamtime cares about your thirst?" Suddenly, the boomerang began to pulse erratically, and the spring started to bubble. A vision flashed before Mali's eyes – the spring drying up, the land barren. THEREFORE, Mali knew what she had to do. "The Dreamtime wants you to share!" she declared, her voice filled with newfound courage.
Page 7
Dingo, understanding Mali's urgency, began to bark at the goanna, distracting him. Mali, remembering a story Nala had told her, began to sing a song of gratitude to the water spirit. Her voice, clear and strong, echoed across the desert. The goanna, confused by the commotion and soothed by the song, slowly relaxed. He dipped his head and took a long drink. Slowly, he nodded. It was ok. Teamwork had worked!
Page 8
With the goanna's permission, Mali and Dingo drank deeply. Refreshed, they continued their journey, the boomerang guiding them onward. Finally, they reached a towering rock formation, painted with ancient symbols. The boomerang began to glow with blinding intensity. "Here," the kookaburra called, circling overhead. "This is the gateway to the Dreamtime." As Mali touched the rock, it shimmered and dissolved, revealing a hidden cave. Inside, the Memorable Line echoed: "Every heart holds a story."
Page 9
Inside the cave, the walls were covered in glowing paintings – stories of creation, of ancestors, of the land itself. Mali understood then – the Dreamtime was not just a place, but a living story, woven into the heart of everything. She had learned to listen to the land. The boomerang's journey was complete. Mali felt a profound sense of peace and connection. She touched the paintings, absorbing the wisdom of her ancestors. She knew now why it was important to share the water with the goanna.
Page 10
Emerging from the cave, Mali looked at the desert with new eyes. She understood that everything was connected, every story important. Mali knew that she has grown up. Dingo barked, nuzzling her hand. They were no longer just playing games; they were part of the Dreamtime. "We have so many stories to learn, Dingo," she whispered, smiling. The sun set, painting the sky in vibrant hues of orange and purple, promising a new day, and new adventures, of listening and learning to respect diverse cultures.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)