How the Sun was Made
Legend has it that there was once a time before the sun existed when every creature on this earth would get around and go about their chores only by the light of the moon and stars.
The Kookaburra bird, known as Goo Goo Gaa Gaa at this dark time because of the sound of his loud song, lived in Australia by the Aboriginal tribes. There he would scavenge for his living by taking the leftovers he would find around the campfires. Kookaburra was bad - he would often creep up behind people when they were resting or sleeping and awake them with his strange cry, Goo Goo Gaa Gaa. The tribe's people were often very mad at Kookaburra because of this. They would chase him from the camp and throw sticks and stones at him, but he would always return.
The Emu bird also lived near the campsite. He was a magical bird with strange green feathers, a long neck and even longer legs. He could run very fast on those legs. Emu lived alongside the aboriginal camp but he caused no trouble.
One day after Kookaburra had caused a lot of trouble with his song, he decided that he would steal Emu's egg - just to upset the quiet of the campsite a little more.
After Kookaburra had escaped with Emu's egg, he attempted to fly away with it. But he did not realize just how heavy it would be and the flapping of his wings woke Emu and the tribe's people. They all took chase. Kookaburra was in flight, but Emu was much too fast for him. Seeing that Emu was catching up to him, Kookaburra decided it would be safer to drop the egg and make an escape.
The egg fell from the sky. Kookaburra did not realize that the egg coming from the magical Emu bird not only broke when it hit the ground but burst into flames igniting a nearby bush.
The light from the fire lit up the surrounding countryside. All the tribe's people and animals marveled at the beauty of their surrounds that they had never seen in full light before. No one had realized just how green the trees were and how pretty the flowers seemed with their rainbow of colors.
Wirnum-Wirnum, the tribe's wise man, decided that it would be a good idea to rekindle the fire each day so the tribe and the animals could see their beautiful land. Each day when they awoke, the people would gather wood for the fire. Then the wise man would use his magic to send the fire up into the sky. Everyday the tribe's people and animals could enjoy the beauty of their land. It also made it easier to hunt and find their food.
This system worked well for a while but soon it became difficult to keep up with it. Not everyone would wake at the same time to gather wood; some would stay asleep and miss the beauty of the land when the fire was in the sky. One day all the tribe's people were sitting around the wise man. They were trying to figure out a way that they could all get up together to gather wood and build the fire. It was very quiet as they were all deep in thought. Little did anyone know that Kookaburra bird was sneaking up to the gathering. He crept up behind the tribe's people and broke the silence with his ear piercing song, making everyone jump and scream.
This gave the wise man an idea. He called over to the Kookaburra who was reluctant to come as he was too used to being chased and bombarded with sticks and stones. Once the wise man had convinced Kookaburra that it was safe to come over, he explained a deal that they would offer him.
It was suggested that Kookaburra could come into the camp once a day, sound his song and awaken everyone. This way, they could collect the wood, build the fire and everyone would get to see the beauty of the land. In return, no one would chase Kookaburra or throw sticks and stones at him.
The deal was made and from that day on Kookaburra awoke everyone with his song, wood was gathered, fires were built and the wise man would send the fire into the sky with his magic.
Now if you look at the sun as it is coming up in the morning it glows red. It is said that this is the tribe's people getting the fire going. As the day goes on, the sun burns bright - so bright you cannot even look at it. It is said that this is when the fire is burning at its best. When the sun goes down at night and you can look at it again, it is said that is when the fire is dying down and darkness comes over the land. As the clouds cover over the remaining red of the sun, it is said that the tribe's people are keeping the embers hot ready for rekindling the next day when Kookaburra sounds his song. Goo Goo Gaa Gaa.
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