Baiame and the Crow
Long ago, there was a man named Wahn who could perfectly mimic any sound (e.g., crying babies, running water, bird calls, etc.). Rather than become an entertainer, Wahn chose laziness. His tribe exiled him and he established a settlement in the plains folks travelled through. One evening, a hunter stopped by and was killed. Several warriors followed suit. Their tribes didn't realize the greater conspiracy until they gathered at an Aboriginal Lollapalooza. They feared for their safety but didn't know what to do. Then the Great Spirit, Baiame, arrived and promised to resolve the issue.
Baiame visited to Wahn's settlement - with a wallaby piggybacking on him! Anyway, Wahn mimics the sounds of a busy campsite, greets the god, and tries to push him into a bonfire. Baiame turns the tables and sets the murderer ablaze. After Wahn's corpse burns completely, the ashes turn into the first crow, and Baiame returns to the heavens and stars reappear in the night sky.
Source: Aboriginal Tales of Australia by A. W. Reed.
Oh! This will be fun to read. Looking forward to seeing what you do all month long.
ReplyDelete--
Tim Brannan, The Other Side blog
2024 A to Z of Dungeons & Dragons, Celebrating 50 Years of D&D
Thank you Timothy. I'm looking forward to your posts too.
DeleteI have always been drawn toward crows. My grandma (Scottish and a pagan witch) would always say to leave crows and ravens be. Can't wait to read more this month
ReplyDeleteYour grandmother sounds like a fascinating woman, Mystee. And isn't it fascinating how crows and ravens have such international importance?
DeleteFun theme! Happy A to Z :) It is kinda hard to find tales about crows and ravens where they are not the product of a curse, sadly...
ReplyDeleteThe Multicolored Diary
Thank you Csenge. Do you know any exceptions to the crow/raven = curse trend?
DeleteCool story.
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for A: My Languishing TBR: A
Abominable Wraiths
P.S. You're not on the master list, I used the theme reveal list to find you, so please sign up before the end of the weekend: https://forms.gle/41PjgHFL4zwnM2Am7