Here’s another Dreamtime story about how a swan came to be the beautiful, graceful bird it is today. To refresh your memories, ‘Dreamtime’, according to the Aborigine people of Australia, was a time before time. That was when the Great Spirit Ancestors came out of the Earth and created everything we know today. The Aborigines believe that the Ancestor Spirits dwell in the world today as sacred sites they have helped create.
In that time before time when everything was what it is not today, the little swan was just another ugly duckling. No one cared to give the miserable little creature a second glance. It was Dreamtime and the little swan flew around, looking for the future. She was curious; she was, well, hopeful. All around her was a quiet calm.
The little swan rested in a cool pond that seemed to beckon her to rest awhile. The waters were still and deep. What am I doing here, the swan asked herself. I have wandered in here by accident. This is not real, is it? This is Dreamtime, she whispered to herself softly but was not afraid.
As she looked up at the Sacred Mountain, she could see a huge, swirling black cloud above it. Wonder what that is, she thought. Of course she was not afraid. Above her, she saw a dragonfly in flight, its delicate wings glimmering. The dragonfly flew closer, flying just above the glass-like surface of the pond. “Do you know what that black hole is?” asked the little swan. “It is the doorway to imagination. And I have been its guardian for all time,” said the Dragonfly as it continued its delicate flight just above the little swan’s head.
“Do you wish to go in there?” asked the Dragonfly.” If you wish to, you have to seek permission and also earn the right to go in.”
The little swan was not so sure she wanted an adventure. Already she had ventured out this far on her own. But again, she knew no fear. “Okay, what do I do to earn that right and enter?”
The Dragonfly was not surprised. She liked the quiet confidence of the little ugly bird. “Just be willing to accept whatever the future holds. And whatever you get, never, ever try to change it. For that is what the Great Spirit had planned for you.”
The little swan looked at her refection in the glassy waters of the pond. It can’t get worse, can it? I have nothing to lose, she told herself. “I agree. I promise not to fight the swift currents of the black whirlpool. I promise to go with the flow and see what the Great Spirit in his infinite wisdom has in store for me. I’m not afraid to see my future! I trust you, I trust the Great Spirit.”
The Dragonfly was greatly pleased with the answer of the little swan. He began to spin his web of illusion and slowly in the middle of the pond appeared the black hole from above. And the pond disappeared. The swirling black whirlpool swept away the little swan in its wake.
Many, many days passed but the little swan never returned. The Dragonfly waited patiently. Then, one fine day, there appeared a snow white, long necked bird of great beauty and grace. She smiled at the Dragonfly who did not know who this strange bird was.
“Dragonfly, do you not recognise me? I’m the little swan. Thanks to your advice that I followed, I went across the Sacred Mountain and saw the many wonders that lie in store. I trusted the Great Spirit and his wisdom. I was willing to accept my future whatever it was going to be. And this is what is what the Great Spirit bestowed upon me.” The Dragonfly smiled. “You brave little one, you have got what you deserve. You are now the most beautiful and graceful of all birds. I’m happy for you!” And thus the little ugly duckling was transformed into a beautiful swan.