THE SALTY POOL
“…Why should it be dangerous…”
Across the flat plains of the Ilparpa Valley after rain, an old man Pelican once flew around the claypan pools where hundreds of birds were gathering.
The big bird noticed that the clay banks of one pool were turning white.
Landing nearby, the Pelican rubbed its tongue along the strange white earth and tasted salt.
Salt said to the stranger: “Why do you try to eat me? Are you hungry?”
“No,” the old bird replied. “I am wondering where you came from. You weren’t here when this country was dry.”
Salt told him: “I come up from the ground after it has rained. I don’t know why.”
“Well, if you only come when it rains, why don’t you live in the pools of water? It would be much better if you did that. When you come up from the ground, you are dry and hot and salty. Haven’t you ever tried to live in the water where it is cooler?”
“No,” Salt responded. “I don’t understand water. It looks deep and dangerous. I have sometimes seen birds and animals go into the water and they have been swallowed by it. That might happen to me, too.”
The old Pelican laughed, waddling over the salty earth to the edge of the pool. Slowly, still chuckling, he jumped into the water and swam around in a circle.
Turning back, he called: “Hey, look at me! The water isn’t swallowing me. Why should it be dangerous to you?”
Still very wary, Salt replied: “Put your head under the water. I want to see if you come back.”
The bird dipped down until its head was submerged. Then, very gradually, he re-appeared above the surface, smiling confidentially.
Returning to the bank, the Pelican said: “There, I am back again. Safe. I wasn’t swallowed by the water. You can see that. You should be safe in the water, too.”
Salt nodded: “You are right, old man. I must get the courage to try something new, something that I have never done before.”
The old Pelican helped Salt gather itself together into a huge pile.
Soon it was blown by a wind into the claypan pool.
Amazed, the big bird watched as Salt rapidly dissolved into nothing and vanished.
