Why emus can't fly

Why Emus Can't Fly

A traditional story from the aboriginal people​

By Sarah Gibson

​Dinewan the Emu was big and strong, with huge wings that carried him over great distances. His wife had lots of children each year and he was well respected and feared. Like all powerful ones, he also had some enemies, especially Goomblegubbon the Brush Turkey. He was jealous of Emu's power of flight and the way he could run swiftly over the vast plains without tiring.

​So he made a plan to hurt Emu and he told no-one about it except for his wife. He waited until he knew that Emu was going out on the plain to feed and he made sure that he got there before him. He held his wings close by his body, ruffled up his feathers and sat on the ground where the grass was rich and long.

​When Emu had eaten a lot of grass and was in a good mood, Brush Turkey spoke to him. 'Hello, I want to tell you something that I think you should know. The other animals are wondering why a big, strong bird like you chooses to fly everywhere, instead of walking.' Emu looked at him with great surprise. How else could he get anywhere, he wondered. Brush Turkey continued, 'No-one else would dare to tell you these things, Emu, but walking really is best.

​Flying is something that any bird can do. It's common and ordinary. It's only men and strong birds like you and me who can get about by walking. It's a sign that you are a special bird.' Emu thought about it and replied, 'Hmm, perhaps you are right. I will have to talk about it with my wife this evening.' And off Emu went, striding across the plain to test Brush Turkey's words. His long legs carried him swiftly home to his wife.

​The next day, the two birds met again. 'I have thought about it and decided that you were right,' Emu said. 'My wife and I took off our wings last night. We were sad to lose them, but my leg muscles are growing stronger already. I'll race you to that bush!' Brush Turkey laughed and laughed. 'I can't believe that it was so easy to trick you with that tale, Emu. Your brains must be as small as a baby bird's. But if you want to, I'll race you.'

​Emu sprinted across the sun-baked ground. Brush Turkey waited until Emu had nearly reached the bush, then he flapped noisily through the air, landing well ahead of Emu. 'Ha, ha, what a fool you are, Emu,’ he cried. 'The other animals will never respect a bird who cannot fly.’ Emu was angry. He rushed at Brush Turkey, striking out at him with his powerful legs, but Brush Turkey just flew away laughing. Emu sadly walked home to tell his wife how he had been tricked.

​1. Why do you think Brush Turkey wanted to hurt Emu?

​2. Why is walking better than flying, according to Brush Turkey?

3. How did Emu get home after listening to Brush Turkey?

4. What did Emu and his wife do after listening to Brush Turkey?

5. Who won the race?

6. What was Emu's reaction?

7. How did Brush Turkey respond?

​A whole year went by. Emu never said anything to Brush Turkey about the loss of his wings, and this puzzled Brush Turkey. Emu's legs grew stronger and soon he was able to run as fast as the other could fly. One morning, Emu took his two largest children out with him, leaving his other fourteen in their mother's care.

​He met up with Brush Turkey and his wife and their noisy family 'Busy?' asked Emu. 'Busy!’ exclaimed Brush Turkey, 'It's hard work all day long just trying to keep all of the children's stomachs full and they still look so thin. We're trying to teach them to hunt for their own food, but we haven't had much luck so far.' 'Yes, I can see that,' replied Emu, 'But the trouble is that there are too many of them.

​They don't get a chance to grow big. We sent most of ours to live with other families. We thought that the only way to have strong, healthy chicks was to only keep the biggest. See how much bigger my two are than yours. The next generation will be real birds. Brush Turkey and his wife walked around Emu's chicks and thoughtfully whispered together. Emu walked off with his chicks, chuckling quietly to himself.

​The following day, he met Brush Turkey on the plain. 'I have taken your advice, Emu,' Brush Turkey said. 'Here are my two biggest chicks. The others have gone to live with their aunts and uncles. What do you think of this strong pair?' Emu laughed and laughed. 'What a fool you are, he said. 'A bird's strength lies not in his ability to use his wings, but in the number of his children.

​I am sorry for you, my friend, but perhaps it will teach you that brush turkeys are even more foolish than emus.’ And that is why emus have so many chicks, but cannot fly, and why brush turkeys only lay two eggs each year.

​8. When Emu and Brush Turkey met again, what problem did Brush Turkey have?

​9. What solution did Emu suggest?

​10. What did Brush Turkey do to his family?

​11. What was Emu's reaction?

Poll

What do you think was the true reason that made Emu lose his wings?

• 1. Brush Turkey wanted to have a smaller family.

• 2. Brush Turkey was jealous of Emu and wanted to hurt him.

• 3. Emu thought walking was better than flying.

​Do you think there is a message in the story?

​

What do you think it is?

Match words that have the same meaning:

​quickly

confused

stupid

very big

silly

story

hitting​

​huge

swiftly

tale

striking out

tricked

puzzled

foolish​

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of the word striding?

• A. when birds move their wings very quickly

• B. try to run faster than someone in a competition

• C. walk quickly taking big steps

• D. touch the ground after flying in the air

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of the word flapped?

• A. when birds move their wings very quickly

• B. try to run faster than someone in a competition

• C. walk quickly taking big steps

• D. touch the ground after flying in the air

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of the word race?

• A. when birds move their wings very quickly

• B. try to run faster than someone in a competition

• C. walk quickly taking big steps

• D. touch the ground after flying in the air

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of the word landing?

• A. when birds move their wings very quickly

• B. try to run faster than someone in a competition

• C. walk quickly taking big steps

• D. touch the ground after flying in the air

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of the word sprinted?

• A. run fast over a short distance

• B. when birds move their wings very quicklyeon

• C. walk quickly taking big steps

• Dtouch the ground after flying in the air

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of the word rushed at?

• A. run fast over a short distance

• B. walk quickly taking big steps

• C. move quickly towards someone

• D. touch the ground after flying in the air