Bunjil the Eagle

Bunjil the Eagle
A Dreamtime Story told by the Bunurong People retold by Kristin Raphaela Otti 

A long time ago, when conflicts were raging among the Kulin nations and people were no longer taking care of one another, but instead greedily ravaging the lands, the Sea became very angry. The bigger the hate, the jealousy and the disunity in the hearts of man grew, the higher the waves she sent towards the lands became. When blind rage finally began to consume the hearts of the people entirely and all hope seemed lost, the Sea drowned the beaches and plains and threatened to flood the entire land. 
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The nations tried to blame each other, but soon they had to realize, that the wrath of the Sea could not be calmed down by shouting insults and pointing fingers, nor would any of the weapons wielded impress the waters, that kept rising steadily. For the first time in a long, long time the nations gathered and met in council. They decided to ask Bunjil the Wedge-tailed Eagle, who had created the land, for guidance and help. Bunjil listened intently to every word spoken and said, “I will help you, but only, only if you change your ways and open your hearts again. Look upon all of creation with love and compassion.” ​

"White Wedge-tailed Eagle", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

"Change your ways and open your hearts again. Look upon all of creation with love and compassion.” ​

​Bunjil flew out to the Sea, who had begun to calm down at the same time, that hate and rage had lost their hold on the hearts of man, and asked her to stop rising.     ​