Piggi-Billa the Porucpine

Piggi-Billa the PorcupinePiggi-Billa was getting old and not able to do much hunting for himself. Nor did he care too much for the flesh of Emu and Kangaroo as he did for the flesh of men. He used to entice young men to his camp by various devices and then kill them and eat them. At last the Daens found out what he was doing and were determined to punish him. We will cripple him they said, so that he shall be powerless against people.

A mob of them went and surrounded his camp. He was lying asleep, face downwards, as he did not wish his Doowl or dream spirit to leave, as it might of done if he had slept on his back, with his mouth open. In his sleep he seemed to hear a rustling in the leaves, but suspected no evil, saying drowsily to himself, "It is the Bulla Bulla or the butterflies flittering around.

Then he slept on while his enemies closed in around him. Raising their spears, with one accord, they threw them at him, until his back was one mass, with the spears sticking up all over it. Then the Daens rushed in and broke his arms and legs, with their boondis and waggaras or wooden axes, crippling him indeed. As he made neither sound or movement, they thought that they had killed him, and went back, satisfied with their vengeance, to the camp, meaning to return for their weapons later.

As soon as the Daens were gone, Piggi-Billa crawled away on all fours to the under ground home of his friend, Murga Muggai, the spider. Down he went through the trap door and there he stayed until his wounds were healed. He tried to draw out the spears but was unable to do so, they stayed in his back forever. He went on all fours as his tribe have done ever since.

They to, as he did, go quickly underground if in danger from enemies.

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