Boogoodoogahdah the Rain Bird

Boogoodoogahdah the Rain Bird

Long ago, a lonely old woman named Boogoodoogahdah lived among the dry hills with a great pack of dingoes. The dogs obeyed only her voice and came out of the bushes whenever they heard her special call.

Boogoodoogahdah had almost no friends. The years passed, and she became more and more gloomy. She liked to scare travelers and take away what they carried with them.

When a group of people passed by on the road to the stream, the old woman came out to meet them with two small dogs and said:

“I know a place with plenty of delicious wild fruit. Go to the top of that hill and wait. I’ll bring it straight to you.”

The people were surprised, but they believed her. They climbed the hill, and Boogoodoogahdah in the meantime hurried to her camp and called softly:

“Birri, gugu… Birri, gugu…”

Dingoes ran out of the bushes at once. They surrounded the travellers, barking and growling, blocking their way. The frightened people dropped their baskets and bags and fled down the slope. The old woman kept the supplies they left behind.

This happened more than once.

Soon in neighboring communities it was noticed that those who walked this road often returned without food and very scared.

“Something is wrong here,” said the elders. “We must find out the truth.”

The next time, several people hid among the trees and watched. They saw Boogoodoogahdah direct the travellers up the hill, then give her secret call. Dingoes appeared at once from every side.

Now everything became clear.

That same evening the people from the surrounding areas gathered together.

“We do not want revenge,” they said. “But this deception must stop.”

In the morning they came to Boogoodoogahdah’s camp. The old woman saw them and frowned angrily.

“Go away!” she shouted.

“We have come to talk,” the people answered. “No one should be afraid of this road anymore.”

But Boogoodoogahdah would not listen. She whispered again:

“Birri, gugu…”

The dingoes jumped out of the bushes.

But this time the people did not run away. They stood together, began to clap their hands, beat the ground with their sticks and call loudly. The dogs were confused by such a noise. One by one they turned and ran into the bushes.

Only two little dogs remained with the old woman. They had never frightened anyone before, and now they were huddled at her feet.

Boogoodoogahdah stood silent. For the first time, her trick had failed.

And suddenly a strange sound swept over the hills:

“Boogoodoogahdah… Boogoodoogahdah…”

The sky darkened, although it had been perfectly clear just a moment ago. A cool wind blew. Dust swirled over the ground.

The old woman raised her head.

“Who is calling me?” she whispered.

But the answer was only the same voice:

“Boogoodoogahdah… Boogoodoogahdah…”

A light whirlwind swirled around her. For a moment everyone closed their eyes. And when the wind died down, the old woman was no longer there.

A small grayish bird sat on a stone.

She looked at the people with her dark, shining eyes, shook her wings, and called again:

“Boogoodoogahdah… Boogoodoogahdah…”

And then the first drop fell from the sky.

Then the second.

A minute later, rain was pattering across the dry ground.

People lifted their faces to the sky and laughed. After the long heat, water was a priceless gift.

Meanwhile, the bird ran between the stones and hid in the grass.

They say that since then it can be heard in dry places. During the day it keeps quiet, and sometimes its voice is heard when the earth is especially waiting for water:

“Boogoodoogahdah… Boogoodoogahdah…”

And if after that clouds gather over the horizon, people know that rain is somewhere very close.

The old woman’s tricks are remembered as a warning: sooner or later, those who frighten others for their own gain will be found out. Yet it is possible to change, even when it seems too late.

May this story leave a little light in your heart ✨