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The story of Tiddalik
+ 28 kb Water-holding Frog (Cyclorana platycephala)
Tiddalik is a character from the Dreaming, stories told by Australian Aborigines about the history of this country. Tiddalik is a Water-holding Frog, a species of frog in central Australia that has evolved a unique method of surviving in an environment which might not seem particularly suited to frogs.
The Water-holding Frog evolved the process of drinking and absorbing water through its skin until its body became a store of water. For indigenous Australians, this Water-holding frog provided water in times of drought.
The legend of Tiddalik is not only an important story of the Dreamtime, but has been the subject of a popular modern children's book.
The story of Tiddalik
Read by Lydia Fucsko, complete with sound effects, comes the story of Tiddalik. The story runs for about 4 and a half minutes.
In the Dreaming, there lived a frog called Tiddalik. He was thirsty one day so he decided to drink. He drank all the water in the rivers, the creeks, the lakes, the lagoons, and the billabongs.
- Hear it now
(mp3, 894kb).
Copyright Lydia Fucsko. Recorded by Lydia Fucsko. Spoken by Lydia Fucsko. Must not be reproduced without permission.
Tiddalik for sale
In conjunction with Anjian, makers and importers of object of symbolism, the ARC has designed a statue of Tiddalik. You can order Tiddalik in the frogs.org.au ARCade.
