Myths of the Origin of Fire

At last Turuma came round, married Gibunogere's daughter, and gave his father-in-law many stone axes and necklaces of dogs' teeth in payment for the girl. Unfortunately the bride did not survive the wedding night, and before morning broke, Turuma was a widower.

A long time ago, a little bandicoot was sole owner of a firebrand, which he cherished with the greatest jealousy, carrying it about with him wherever he went and never lending it to anybody. So the others animals held a consil at which it was resolved that fire must be got from bandicut by hook or croock. The hawk and the pigeon were deputed to carry out the resolution.

The crocodile now saw that Hawia and his mother were in possession of fire, and he officiously came and offered to give them some of his own, pretending to show them a kindness. But Hawia said, "No, I do not want your fire, I have got some from another place." And he added, "Do not stop on shore. You are a crocodile. Stop in the water. You are not a man like me to stop on shore." The crestfallen crocodile went into the water, saying, "My name is alligator. Everywhere I will go and catch men."