Series 02

STORY 5
Tree Duck
as told by Olga Miller – QLD Fraser Island

Learn how and why the platypus was created.

Synopsis:
The Tree Duck would go hunting every day and on her return found some of her eggs had been stolen. She asked the flying fox to keep an eye on her nest when she went hunting the next day. But when she returned more eggs were missing. The flying fox didn’t see anyone take it because he had been asleep. The Tree Duck knew an evil spirit was taking the eggs so she decided to go to the lagoon where Melong lived, the spirit of darkness and punisher of wrong doers. When the Melong came to visit the water rat was watching because he wanted to hear what the Melong had to say, as he was the one taking the eggs from Tree Ducks nest. The Melong told Tree Duck to find a safer nest for her eggs and he that knew who the thief was and he would deal with him later. She found one and was much happier with her new nest. The Tree Duck thanked Melong and Melong punished the water rat by turning him into a Platypus.

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