K. Langloh Parker
Australian Legendary Tales is a collection of Australian folklore gathered by the writer K. Langloh Parker. As a writer in New South Wales, she contributed much to the world about the disappearing Aboriginal tribes. In Australian Legendary Tales, she gathers the stories of the Narran tribe, who refer to themselves as Noongahburrahs. The need to put together such a collection of Aboriginal tales was imminent, as many of the tribe’s elders were dying off. Because she had befriended the Narran, they entrusted her to record their myths and legends. As a thanks for sharing their stories, the author would use the book’s proceeds to purchase items as gifts for the tribe.
David Nutt, a publisher of children’s folklore, saw the value of these Australian children’s tales, and published Australian Legendary Tales in 1896, and the story collection featured a foreword by the noted folklorist Andrew Lang, famous for his fairy tale collections. Australian Legendary Tales sold remarkably well, and a second volume, More Australian Legendary Tales, was published in 1898. Her husband, Langloh Parker, died in Sydney in 1903 and she moved to Adelaide after marrying Randolph Stow. She left behind many accounts of her outback life, including My Bush Book. Her real name was Catherine, however, she always went by Katie or K.
Fairy tales by K. Langloh Parker
- Bahloo the Moon and the Daens
- Bootoolgah the Crane and Goonur the Kangaroo Rat, the Fire Makers
- The Bunbundoolooeys
- The Borah of Byamee
- Bunnyyarl the Flies and Wurrunnunnah the Bees
- Bougoodoogahdah the Rain Bird
- Beereeun the Mirage Maker
- Bohrah the Kangaroo and Dinewan the Emu
- Brälgah the Dancing Bird
- Dinewan the Emu, and Goomblegubbon the Bustard
- Deereeree the Wagtail, and the Rainbow
- Dinewan the Emu and Wahn the Crows
- Deegeenboyah the Soldier-Bird
- The Galah, and Oolah the Lizard
- Gooloo the Magpie, and the Wahroogah
- The Gwineeboos the Redbreasts
- Goolahwilleel the Topknot Pigeons
- Goomblegubbon, Beeargah and Ouyan
- Goonur the Woman-Doctor
- Gheeger Gheeger the Cold West Wind
- Bilber and Mayrah
- Gayardaree the Platypus
- Meamei the Seven Sisters
- The Mayamah
- Mullyangah the Morning Star
- Mooregoo the Mopoke and Bahloo the Moon
- Mayrah, the Wind That Blows the Winter Away
- Mungoongarlee the Iguana and Ouyouboolooey the Black Snake
- The Weeoonibeens and the Piggiebillah
- Weedah the Mocking Bird
- Wirreenun the Rainmaker
- The Weeoonibeens and the Piggiebillah
- Wayambeh the Turtle
- Wurrunnah's Trip to the Sea
- Walloobahl the Bark Lizard
- Where the Frost Comes From
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