I loved learning about the Platypus at the Sydney Acquarium and Zoo in Australia. I especially liked the following ledged of the Platypus from the Acquarium.
Very early in the Dreamtime the ancestor spirits were deciding on totems and the land animals, the water creatures and the birds were all vying for what they thought was the top position.
The birds had decided to invite the platypus. "She belongs among us," they said. "She lays eggs and she has a bill like a duck."
"Oh no," the platypus said. "I am glad to be invited to your meeting but I am not really a bird. But I'll think about it," she said as she scampered back to her waterside hole.
Soon after this all the land animals held their own meeting. "I think," the kangaroo said, "we should invite the platypus to join our group. She is different to us in some ways, but she runs on land and is covered in fur as we are."
Platypus was surprised and happy to be receiving so much attention but told them, as she had told the birds, that she had to think before she could make a decision.
It was not long before a big fish called a meeting of all the water creatures. So they too invited platypus to their meeting. "She has webbed feet and can swim remarkably well."
The platypus was most surprised to find another group at her door. Platypus replied, "I will give you my answer next week."
The next day she went to discuss this strange situation with her friend spiny echidna. The echidna thought carefully and then advised platypus not to join any of the groups. They talked a while and the platypus could think of no better answer. So the platypus sent separate messages to the birds, the land animals and the water creatures. She invited each group to a place near her home and insisted that they must all come together in friendship.
When the platypus emerged from her hole a hush fell over the whole crowd. "You are all my friends. I understand the birds because you have to keep your eggs warm just as I do. I understand the water creatures because like me you dive to the depths and explore the underwater world as I do. And I feel akin to the animals who run on the land and grow fur like I do. But I am grateful that Byamee, the father-of-all has seen fit to make me a little bit like each one of you. So it is my hope that each time you see a member of my family you will be reminded of Byamee in the sky world, the great father-of-all who made each one of us."
At this time the aboriginal people could each interchange bodies with their particular totem animal. They heard what the platypus had said. They heeded her message and agreed that she was unique and should be regarded as very special. The story was told to each generation and Aboriginal people of all areas, century after century, have continued to respect the platypus.
In traditional times, whenever people saw a platypus scurrying around the creekbank or swimming in the river, they regarded it as an omen of good luck. Perhaps that is why most of us feel a special thrill when we see one nowadays.
Last Modified: 05 Sep 2006