The Rainbow Serpent

10 pages · 2 min · ages 5+

Based on: Aboriginal Australian

Long ago was the Dreamtime. The world was very quiet. The land was flat and brown. No trees grew in the sun. No birds sang in the air. Everything was waiting for the light.

The great Rainbow Serpent woke up. She lived deep under the ground. She was very big and colorful. Her scales did shine like jewels. She felt it was time to move. She wanted to see the world.

The Rainbow Serpent began to slither. She moved across the flat dirt. Her body was heavy and strong. She carved deep paths in the earth. These paths would soon be rivers. She was proud of her work.

She pushed up the red soil. She made tall hills and mountains. Some valleys were deep and wide. The land was not flat anymore. It looked like a giant playground. The Serpent smiled at the shapes.

She called to the little frogs. They were hiding under the ground. Their bellies were full of water. The frogs heard her kind voice. They hopped out into the sun. They were ready to help her.

The frogs tickled the Serpent's tail. They laughed and released the water. Cool water filled the deep paths. The rivers began to flow fast. Small lakes sparkled in the light. The dry land was now green.

All the animals came to see. The Serpent spoke to them softly. She asked them to be kind. They must share the green land. They must look after each other. This made the world very happy.

The kind animals began to change. They grew bright and colorful fur. Some got feathers for the sky. They became the animals of Australia. Every creature had a special home. They lived together in soft peace.

The work of creation was done. The Serpent felt very tired now. She swam into the deep water. She found a quiet place to sleep. She watches over the land today. She lives in the cool billabongs.

Sometimes it rains on the hills. Then the sun shines very bright. You can see the Serpent's colors. A rainbow appears in the sky. It reminds us to be kind. We love the beautiful Rainbow Serpent.