The Bunnyyarl and Wurrunnunnah, once relations sharing a camp, lived contrasting lives. The industrious Wurrunnunnah stored honey for harsh times, while the careless Bunnyyarl wasted time, relying on others. Tired of their burden, the Wurrunnunnah left and became wild bees, symbolizing hard work. The lazy Bunnyyarls, left behind, were transformed into flies, embodying idleness and dependence.
Source
Australian Legendary Tales
collected by Mrs. K. Langloh Parker
London & Melbourne, 1896
► Themes of the story
Transformation: The narrative depicts the metamorphosis of the Wurrunnunnah into wild bees and the Bunnyyarl into flies, symbolizing their inherent traits.
Moral Lessons: The tale imparts a lesson on the virtues of hard work and the consequences of laziness, highlighting the importance of diligence.
Cunning and Deception: The Bunnyyarl attempt to rely on the Wurrunnunnah’s efforts instead of contributing themselves, showcasing themes of dependence and exploitation.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Aboriginal Australians
The Bunnyyarl and Wurrunnunnah were relations, and lived in one camp. The Wurrunnunnah were very hardworking, always trying to gather food in a time of plenty, to lay in a store for a time of famine. The Bunnyyarl used to give no heed to the future, but used to waste their time playing round any rubbish, and never thinking even of laying up any provisions. One day the Wurrunnunnah said, “Come out with us and gather honey from flowers. Soon will the winter winds blow the flowers away, and there will be no more honey to gather.”
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“No,” said the Bunnyyarl, “we have something to look to here.” And off they went, turning over some rubbish and wasting their time, knowing whatever the Wurrunnunnah brought they would share with them. The Wurrunnunnah went alone and left the Bunnyyarl to their rubbish. The Wurrunnunnah gathered the flowers and stored the honey, and never more went back to live with the Bunnyyarls, for they were tired of doing all the work.
As time went on the Wurrunnunnah were changed into little wild bees, and the lazy Bunnyyarls were changed into flies.
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