How The Koala Lost Its Tail
 

 
In this painting can be seen:

Top Loft: The original Koala with a tail and the Kangaroo searching for water under the sun's hot rays.
Middle Left: The various bones they corm across of animals that did not make the journey looking for water.
Middle: The five water holes along the riverbed, which were dry, together with the large hole that the Kangaroo dug to find water.
Top Middle: The Kangaroo's footprints looking for water.
Bottom Middle: The Koala's, footprints looking for water.
Bottom Right: The Kangaroo with his stone knife about to cut off the Koala's tail.
Top Right: The Koala who now lives and hides in the trees without his tail.

 
The Story

Two of the first animals to be made way back in Dreamtime were the Koala and the Kangaroo. One year there was a huge drought in the middle of Australia. After seeking out all the water they could find, the Koala and the Kangaroo became worried and went to look for more.

They walked miles and miles across the plain together as the sun beat down on them, making their fur stiff and uncomfortable. Between them, two sets of footprints stepped further and further into infinity. Sometimes they passed little bundles of fur and bones where other animals had passed away, also trying to seek water but had failed in their attempt.

Eventually they reached a riverbed where Koala said there was a strong possibility of them gaining water. Unfortunately the waterbed and water holes were empty and appeared very dry.

That night when they discussed their next move, it was decided that Kangaroo, because of his large claws, would try and dig for water below the riverbed. It was agreed after Kangaroo became tired, Koala would do the same. Kangaroo dug and dug and dug until he was exhausted. He then said to the Koala, “Now it’s your turn.” But the Koala said he was too exhausted and he was about to die. Therefore the Kangaroo having pity on the Koala saying, "Okay I'll keep digging and digging.”

After two days the ground become moist and eventually with glee Kangaroo jumped and said, “Water! Water! I’ve found water!”  With that the Koala immediately jumped up and jumped into the hole with water and started drinking profusely.

The Kangaroo, feeling he had been tricked by the Koala in that he had to do all the digging, grabbed his stone knife, and in rage struck the Koala, cutting off his tail. The Koala jumped high with a blood curdling screech, turned around and saw his friend about to hit him again with his stone knife and ran for his life.

The Kangaroo buried his head in the water and drank the life giving drafts of cold sparkling water. He threw back his head and laughed at the thought of Koala running without a tail.

But the Koala didn't think it was funny to go through life without a tail!  

Price:  $1,900.00 AUD