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A. W. Reed A. W. Reed i(A42898 works by) (a.k.a. Alexander Wyclif Reed)
Born: Established: 1908 Auckland, Auckland (Region), North Island,
c
New Zealand,
c
Pacific Region, ; Died: Ceased: 1979
Gender: Male
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Works By

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1 Why Platypus Lives Alone A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 106-111) 'When the first men became animals, the country was so thickly populated birds, lizards, and snakes, that it became impossible to live together in peace. There was not enough food, so the weaker ones died of starvation if they did not meet a sudden death. While birds preyed on reptiles, reptiles on animals, and animals on birds, not one of them was safe. To drop off to sleep was to run the danger of never waking again, or to feel the bite of sharp teeth, the spearlike thrust of a beak, or the poison fang of a snake before life ebbed quickly away.' (Introduction)
1 The Imprisonment of Narahdarn the Bat A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 101-105) 'Narahdarn the Bat was a man who enjoyed darkness, and the evil that is performed in darkness. He had married Wahlille and Goonaroo, the daughters of Bilbie the Rabbit-eared Bandicoot. They were industrious young women who employed all their time in gathering food. Narahdarn lived a life of luxury, seldom going out on the hunting trail, but growing fat and indolent on the food that his women brought to him.' (Introduction)
1 How Flying Fox Divided Day and Night A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 95-100)

'In the first corroboree at the beginning of time, birds and animals mixed happily together and joined in the dances. The tribes vied with each other. Cockatoo, who was vain, sidled up to Eagle-hawk, the leader of the birds, and said, "There is no doubt that birds are better performers than animals, is there ?" " No doubt at all," said Eagle-hawk.' (Introduction)
1 The Dancing of Priepriggie A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 88-90) 'Like sparks from a burning branch when it is struck on the ground, so the stars flew aimlessly through the dark sky. In a little valley in Queensland men and women danced their nightly dance, led by Priepriggie, the singer of songs, the whirler of bullroarers, the skilled Huntsman, the wirinun with the flying feet...' (Introduction)
1 The Brush Turkeys of the Sky A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 84-87) 'In the Dreamtime there was a large plain where no one lived except a flock of brush turkeys. They were free to roam wherever they wanted, and they had no enemies. Life would have been very pleasant if it had not been for Old Grandfather Brush Turkey, who was still strong and vigorous, and larger than all the other birds. He had never been popular with the rest of the flock, and had withdrawn into himself, often absenting himself for long periods.' (Introduction)
1 Eagle-Hawk and the Woodpeckers A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 73-76) 'The yaraan tree soared up into the sky.It was as tall as five trees. The topmost branches were so far away that they could hardly be seen, and indeed there were times when they were hidden from sight by low-lying clouds. It was here that Mullian the Eagle-hawk lived with is wife Moodai the Possum, his mother-in-law Moodai, who was also a Possum, and Butterga the Flying Squirrel.' (Introduction)
1 The Husband and Wives Who Became Stars A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 60-63) 'The widow's body was streaked with bands of red and white where blood had trickled over the lines of mourning pipeclay. She continued to gash herself with a flint knife as she wailed her grief by her husband's grave.' (Introduction)
1 Waxing and Waning Moon A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 57-59) 'Moon was so fat that he was quite round. He was a good-natured man. He had only one sorrow which sometimes dimmed his face as though clouds were passing across it. Looking down at the earth he saw many attractive young women, and he longed to take one of them to cheer him on his lonely journey through the sky...' (Introduction)
1 The Blue Fish and the Moon A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 49-51) 'Who can tell how the moon was made? How did he first set out on his long journey across the sky? Did Bahloo the Moon God live in the Dreamtime with Baiame and Yhi and all the spirits of the heavens? Who can tell?.' (Introduction)
1 Why Kookaburra Laughs at Dawn A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 45) Sometime when the world was young, birds and animals had grown to enormous size. They were as big as mountains and they lived in darkness that was lit only by the dim light of the stars...(Introduction)
1 Baiame and the Land of Women A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 42-44) 'At the end of the world, beyond the mountain where Baiame the Great Spirit lived, there was once a land inhabited only by women. These women were famous for their skill in making weapons—spears, boomerangs, and nullanullas. They traded them with men for meat and possum skins which they needed for food and warmth, because there were no animals on the other side of Baiame's mountain. Hunters were equally glad to trade with them, for the weapons that the women made were the finest in the world.' (Introduction)
1 The First Initiation Ceremony A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 30-37) 'The first corroboree and initiation ceremony the world has ever known was held at Googoorewon, the place of trees, while Baiame was still living on earth, and animals were still men.' (Introduction)
1 The Plague of Insects A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 25-29) While he remained on Tya,the earth, Baiame let his imagination run riot. He fashioned mountains, covering them with trees and spreading a blue mist over them; he delighted in sending water spinning and laughing down their sides; he lined the banks with fragile plants that drank from the streams and bent over them in gratitude; at other times he swept his hand across the land and smoothed it into mallee-covered plains and sandy desert wastes. Tya grew and took form in his skilful fingers. Above it the pellucid wonder of the sky changed in colour from earliest dawn, when the stars winked out, to the brazen blue of midday, and the soft veils of evening.' (Introduction)
1 The Gift of Flowers A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose Indigenous story
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 22-24) 'BAIAME remained for a long while on earth as a man. He loved Tya , the world which, it is said, was once a piece of the sun itself. He made his home in a mountain, talking with the animals and the men and women whom he had created. There was communion of spirit between them, for the period of rest after the labours of creation were a refreshment to the Great Spirit. Day after day Yhi smiled at him as she moved across the vault of the sky, while round his earthly home the flowers bloomed in profusion.' (Introduction)
1 The First Man A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose Indigenous story
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 17-21) 'Now the labours of Yhi , the sun goddess, were over. Her warmth and tenderness had brought living creatures to the earth and they basked in her love. Now that she had left them, they were under the care of the Great Spirit. In the spirit of Baiame was thought, intelligence, life; but it had no body.' (Introduction)
1 The Strange Shape of Animals A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose Indigenous story
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 15-16)

'When animals were brought to life from the frozen depths of earth by the sun goddess, who shall tell what they were like? There are some who say that they had the form of men and women, and others that they had many different shapes. We can be certain of only one thing . . . that after a time they grew tired of the forms Baiame had given them, and were seized by vague longings. ' (Introduction)
1 Yhi Brings Life into the World A. W. Reed , 1999 single work prose Indigenous story
— Appears in: Aboriginal Stories 1999; (p. 11-14) 'In the beginning the world lay quiet, in utter darkness. There was no vegetation, no living or moving thing on the bare bones of the mountains. No wind blew across the peaks. There was no sound to break the silence.. (Introduction)
1 y separately published work icon Aboriginal Stories Aboriginal Stories with Word List A. W. Reed , A. W. Reed , Sydney : Reed New Holland , 1999 10965383 1999 selected work prose Indigenous story

'Aboriginal Stories presents a collection of myths and legends gathered from various sources, representing the rich and diverse tapestry of beliefs of Aboriginal people throughout Australia. Tales range from creation myths and legends of the sun, moon and stars to legends of animals, birds, rivers, lakes and shores, as well as hero stories. In addition there are lists of Aboriginal words arranged alphabetically - English to Aboriginal and Aboriginal to English - together with a short selection of common phrases and sentences.' (Publication summary)
2 y separately published work icon Aboriginal Myths, Legends and Fables A. W. Reed , Chatswood : Reed , 1982 Z1362706 1982 anthology prose Indigenous story
1 y separately published work icon Aboriginal Stories of Australia A. W. Reed , Sydney : Reed , 1980 Z1424068 1980 anthology prose Indigenous story A collection of legends from different tribes and collected from many different sources. They tell of the sun and stars, birds and animals, and the creation of the world. The 24 stories were originally published in Myths and Legends of Australia (1965).
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