Tiddalik

Tiddalik, also known as Tiddalick the Frog, is a prominent figure in Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime stories, particularly within the folklore of the Gippsland region of Victoria. He is generally depicted as a giant frog whose insatiable thirst causes a devastating drought and floods the entire world (or significant parts thereof).

The narrative surrounding Tiddalik varies across different Aboriginal groups and retellings, but the central theme remains consistent: Tiddalik drinks all the water on Earth. This leads to widespread distress and the near extinction of plants and animals.

The story typically concludes with a clever solution to make Tiddalik release the water. This often involves a humorous or absurd event, such as an animal (often a snake, or a comical character like a platypus or eel) making Tiddalik laugh. When Tiddalik laughs, all the water he has swallowed pours out, refilling the rivers, lakes, and oceans and restoring balance to the world.

The Tiddalik story serves multiple purposes within Aboriginal culture. It explains the origins of geographical features like lakes and rivers, provides a cautionary tale about greed and excess, and emphasizes the importance of sharing resources and respecting the environment. It also often imparts moral lessons and teaches about cooperation and the interconnectedness of all living things. The specific moral of the story, and the characters involved in solving the drought, can vary depending on the cultural group telling the tale.