The Creation (2)

The goddess took a great breath and caused

the still atmosphere to vibrate. Then she

opened her eyes and saw that her being was flooded with

light. Darkness disappeared before her. She looked

upon the Earth and saw how empty it was. And below

the Earth she saw a tiny speck. The Mother Sun.

From a distance she came towards the Earth. Faster

than any meteor. And gently alighted on the Earth.

From her home on the Nullarbor Plain she set out

on a journey to the west. Grass grew and trees and

shrubs sprang up in her footprints. Then she walked

to the north until she passed to the south and came to

her starting point. Then she rested on the Nullarbor Plain

where the giant trees and the vegetation all lived together

in peace.

All at once a voice commanded: Go forth to the caverns

and bring forth life. She set out taking her brightness with

her. She stayed beneath the earth for one whole day. Then

there came forth from the earth swarms of insects of all

colours, sizes and shapes. And the Mother Sun rested.

At this stage of Creation there was no setting of the sun.

There was no darkness except within the bowels of the Earth.

She looked down into the abyss, into its cold depth. The solid

ice melted before her presence. From out of the abyss there

emerged snakes and lizardforms without legs. A river also

came forth and wended its way through a valley. And in the

water of the river there were fish of all kinds.

The Mother Sun beheld her work. She saw it was good. She

commanded that all life she had created should be everywhere

harmonious.

A wind bore her round the whole of the Earth and brought her

back to her home on the Plain of Nullarbor. Once again she

descended into a cavern. After her visit there came forth birds

of every kind and animals of all shapes, sizes and colours.

Then Mother Sun commanded that there should be seasons. And

that light and darkness were also to visit the Earth. The hottest

parts of the Earth would gradually be cooled and become quite cold.

Mother Sun called all the animals together and said: My work here

is finished. Another will come to govern you. I will go to a higher

sphere where I shall be your light and life. You shall all be changed.

When you die your bodies will return to the Earth and the life I called

forth shall be transferred into those regions near my abode, and shine

and be a guide to those who come after you.

Suddenly Mother Sun rose from the Earth and soared into the heights.

This became the beginning of morning and night.