Serpent but they all agreed that the ancient water god had breathed life into a dry land creating streams and lakes and pools After one final yawn Pippi wandered into the kitchen grabbed a crayfish tail and called Mom Dad I’m going outside Don’t go too far came her father’s sleepy voice You’re Okay she called back as she headed for the burrow still a platypup entrance Old trees rose along the wide river that snaked through the platypus village and their roots twined down along the riverbank some gnarled and thick others as skinny as kite strings Most of the burrows were hidden behind the curtain of roots dozens of neat holes just above the waterline Using her wide webbed foot Pippi pushed aside the dangling roots She looked at the blue water shifting to gray in the fading light of day Furry brown platypuses floated lazily in the river getting ready to hunt their duck-bills breaking the surface and their beaver-like tails swishing behind them Pippi spotted her sister But since Pippi was too young to slip into the water until the safety of nightfall she stayed where she was and ate the last bite of crayfish tail Then she climbed the riverbank walking on her knuckles to protect the sensitive webbing between her toes Most platypuses didn’t like walking on dry land but Pippi didn’t mind Pirra called her a weirdo and their parents called her a dreamer but the Stargazer just said that she was curious She headed upstream toward the gentle roar of the rapids
Mist drifted through the air and she paused now and then to lick the moisture from her fur Walking on dry land made her thirsty Finally she stopped beneath a riberry tree that grew from the bank of the river Roots dangled over a wide burrow mouth and she parted them with her bill Stargazer she called Are you awake Hmm I think so the Stargazer’s soft voice said from within But what if I’m asleep and dreaming that I’m awake Pippi giggled Then you wouldn’t be talking to me Come in Pippi the Stargazer said with a laugh I’m in the dripping room Pippi waddled deeper into a comfy curving tunnel that ballooned here and there into a kitchen living room and bedrooms It looked like everyone else’s burrow except the Stargazer also had a dripping room a candlelit earthen chamber with one wall of solid rock Water trickled down the wall making damp crisscrossing tracks and splatters Pippi found the Stargazer staring at the wall The elderly platypus’s small eyes were bright in the flickering light I feel the call of the Rainbow Serpent the Stargazer told her An important message but I can’t quite make it out Pippi settled beside her and squinted at the wall What do you see the Stargazer asked Mostly rock Pippi answered And some water The Stargazer tsked Look closer The Rainbow Serpent speaks to us through water Pippi wrinkled her bill and peered intently at the wall Water dripped Patches of moisture caught the glint of the candles The roar of the rapids outside sounded like a thousand
platypuses murmuring The damp tracks of the water seemed almost to form a picture a mural a The Stargazer gasped There Did you see What Where Pippi blinked Had she seen something I’m not sure
I’m afraid The Stargazer stepped closer to the wall and for a long moment just studied the dripping water Then she rubbed her face and sighed I’m afraid it’s bad news Pippi indeed the worst I’ve seen Pippi shifted nervously What’s wrong We’re in danger the whole tribe F-f-from what I think birds It’s not clear But something in the air When now I’ll run and tell everyone Wait It’s not just us The whole outback is under threat all the wet places all the streams and springs The Stargazer swayed as her eyes became unfocused A war is coming a battle for water The final battle The scorpions and spiders and They can’t hurt us Pippi said her voice squeaking Everyone knows bugs can’t swim We’ll hide in the river if they come But the spider queen knows that we listen to the Rainbow Serpent and she knows the Serpent will oppose her She’ll try to kill us to silence the Serpent nobody else heeds the signs the way we do I see villages burned Pippi Death and destruction and wetlands turned into desert Pippi’s bill trembled in fear Wh-wh-what should I do We need help We need the Blue Sky King The what The frog called Darel the Stargazer told her From the Amphibilands Th-th-the one who beat the scorpion lord The Stargazer nodded He is the key
