Goolahwilleel the Topknot Pigeons

Goolahwilleel the Topknot Pigeons

An old Australian tale tells of a young fellow named Goolahwilleel. He was clever and observant, with wonderfully skilful hands. Whenever he spotted an interesting branch, a piece of bark, or a drop of hardened tree gum, a new idea sprang into his mind.

But Goolahwilleel had one habit that sometimes made things difficult for the family: he was very fond of promising more than he intended to deliver.

Every morning, the adults and older children set off to find food. Some gathered roots and seeds, some searched for fruit, and others went farther from camp.

“I’ll bring something useful today too,” Goolahwilleel always said.

“Okay,” his mother would answer. “Just remember: when everyone works together, everyone has to do their part.”

Goolahwilleel nodded and set off into the bush.

From afar, the family sometimes heard his voice:

“There it is! There it is!”

“Goolahwilleel must have found something for supper,” everyone thought.

But in the evening he would return empty-handed.

“How did it go?” they asked.

“I nearly managed it,” the boy replied. “I’ll definitely bring something tomorrow.”

This happened several times.

Goolahwilleel was not being idle. He had a secret. He had found a tree that oozed thick gum. It hardened as it dried, softened in warm hands, and held its shape beautifully.

Goolahwilleel collected it little by little and molded it.

First he made four legs.

Then a strong tail.

Then a body, a head, and ears.

Day by day, a small kangaroo took shape before him. It looked so real that, from a distance, it could easily be mistaken for a young animal.

Goolahwilleel admired his work.

“This will be a surprise!” he said to himself.

One morning he solemnly announced to his family:

“Today I will definitely bring a kangaroo!”

Everyone was delighted.

“Then we’ll try to find plenty of plant food too,” his mother said. “We’ll have a lovely supper together tonight.”

Goolahwilleel ran to his hiding place. He finished the figure, picked it up and carried it to the camp.

Someone noticed him from afar.

“Look! Goolahwilleel is really carrying a kangaroo!”

The camp bustled happily. Some arranged the fruit they had brought, others laid out seeds and roots, and the youngest children waited for the older ones.

But Goolahwilleel suddenly felt ashamed.

He stopped nearby, placed his figure under a tree, and came to the family with nothing.

“Where is the kangaroo?” asked the sister.

“Over there,” Goolahwilleel said, waving his hand.

The two children ran to the tree.

A moment later there was a burst of surprised laughter.

“It’s not a real kangaroo! It’s a figurine!”

They brought it to the camp.

The figurine was truly magnificent. It had long hind legs, small front paws, a strong tail, and alert ears.

“Did you make it yourself?” asked the mother in surprise.

Goolahwilleel straightened up a little.

“Yes, all by myself.”

“You really have skillful hands,” she said. “But why did you let us think you would bring food?”

Goolahwilleel was silent.

“I said I would bring a kangaroo,” he finally muttered. “I brought a kangaroo. Only one made of gum.”

The older sister shook her head.

“It’s a lovely creation. But when your family is counting on you, a promise isn’t a riddle or a joke.”

Goolahwilleel looked around. Everyone had brought something for their shared supper. Some had brought only a little, but they had brought something.

He felt embarrassed.

“I wanted you to be surprised,” he said. “And I really liked sculpting.”

“You can make figures,” his mother replied. “That’s a fine gift. But let’s first do the work we all depend on together. Then there will be time for your figures too.”

The next day Goolahwilleel didn’t go alone.

“I’m with you,” he told his brothers and sisters.

They set off together. One spotted seeds, another knew where to find edible roots, and a third carried what they gathered. Goolahwilleel watched carefully and helped too.

It turned out that working together was easier. If someone didn’t notice something, another would point it out. If someone had difficulty carrying, they shared the load. And on the way, you could talk, laugh, and listen to the birds.

In the evening, Goolahwilleel did not return empty-handed.

“Now you have really helped,” said his mother.

After dinner, he took out some gum and started a new figure.

“What this time?” the children asked.

“You’ll see when it’s finished,” Goolahwilleel said with a smile. “But this time it isn’t taking the place of my promise.”

After that, he spent more time with his family. The old tale says Goolahwilleel and his kin grew used to travelling together.

That is why the topknot pigeons called Goolahwilleel in this story are still often seen in flocks rather than alone. They take flight together, search for food together, and settle down to rest together.

The story leaves us with a simple thought: talent and imagination are wonderful gifts. They become even more valuable when joined by honesty, responsibility, and a willingness to help with shared work.

May this story leave a little light in your heart ✨