In the Dreamtime, when animals still spoke the first language, the land woke to find no water anywhere. Rivers were empty, the billabongs cracked, and the air was filled with the cries of thirsty creatures.
At first, no one knew why. Then a lizard climbing a rock saw a strange sight—a great green frog, Tiddalik, sitting with a belly as round as a boulder. Around his mouth, the dirt was damp.
The lizard shouted, “He’s drunk the whole world!”
Tiddalik blinked slowly. “It was hot,” he croaked. “I only wanted a sip.”
But his “sip” had emptied every river. The platypus scratched the ground. The kangaroo stamped her feet. “You must release it,” they cried.
Tiddalik yawned. “Maybe later.”
The elders gathered. “If we anger him, he may swallow the clouds next,” said the wombat.
The kookaburra laughed. “Then we must make him laugh in return. Only laughter can shake the water from his belly.”
So the animals took turns. The emu danced in circles until its feathers flew; the snake tried tying itself in knots; even the echidna rolled downhill like a spiny ball. But Tiddalik only blinked.
Then the eel stepped forward. “I will try.”
He slithered across the dry mud, twisting into loops and coils, tangling himself like a rope. He wiggled his tail and tied a knot around his own head.
Tiddalik stared… then snorted. His cheeks puffed. A sound escaped—a croak that turned into a laugh so loud it shook the trees.
Out poured the water, gushing from his mouth and belly in torrents. It flooded the plain, filled the rivers, soaked the thirsty ground. The animals cheered, splashing and drinking.
But as they drank, Tiddalik sat panting. “I didn’t mean to harm,” he said softly.
The elders placed a hand on his shoulder. “Then remember, friend: water belongs to all, not one.”
Since then, whenever frogs sing before the rain, the people say they are calling Tiddalik, reminding him that thirst should bring sharing, not greed.
And when laughter rises during drought, it’s said to awaken his memory—so the clouds will weep again and rivers will return.
Moral of the Story
Greed drains the world; laughter restores it. True abundance flows through generosity, not hoarding.
Knowledge Check
1. Why did the animals suffer at the start of the story?
Because Tiddalik drank all the world’s water.
2. How did they try to make him release it?
By performing silly dances and tricks to make him laugh.
3. Which animal finally succeeded?
The eel, by twisting itself into funny knots.
4. What happened when Tiddalik laughed?
Water poured out, refilling rivers and lakes.
5. How did the animals forgive him?
By teaching that water must be shared among all.
6. What is the story’s lesson?
Greed harms everyone, but humor and kindness can restore balance.
Origin: Dreamtime story from the Wurundjeri people (Australia)
