Was that a Bunyip that I heard?

Did I mention I love my new park? With all the big trees it is so shady and cool and makes it perfect for a big old fluffy-butt like myself to take a walk. Although I have to wonder what some of the strange noises I hear are. Mom was telling me about the "Bunyip" a strange creature that lives in Australia. Have you ever heard of a bunyip? Well it sounds a little scary to me and I am sure there was one just on the other side of that fence. The was an awful lot of rustling and splashing going on. Mom says you very rarely see bunyips - just hear them. When we got home I got on my computer and did a bit of research. Here is what I found.

The bunyip or kianpraty is a large mythical creature from Aboriginal mythology. The Aborigines Dreamtime stories of creation were full of fantastic and magical beasts; the Bunyip was one of the beasts. In Dreamtime the Bunyip was a spirit, which inhabited river, lakes, swamps, and billabongs - (former parts of rivers that were left behind when the course of the river was altered - like a pond). Like other beasts in Dreamtime, the Bunyip was malevolent towards human beings. The Bunyip would defend it's watery home from all who invaded it, normally devouring the invader. At night the Bunyip was said to go and prey upon women and children. Because the Bunyip was such a threat to the Aborigines of the time whenever its terrifying bellowing cry was heard Aborigines steered clear of any water sources.

Here is a fun site that gives you more information
http://www.nla.gov.au/exhibitions/bunyips/flash-site/index-flash.html

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