Kootear the Echidna Dreamtime Story

When the dreaming had just begun, Baimai had made all the animals for the earth. The animals had no coats and were all lined up waiting for Baimai for there turn at receiving something special. Kootear the echidna was lazy and was only interested in eating ants. He was not bothered with what was happening to the other animals.
All the animals chose beautiful coats or feathers to protect them and make them all look beautiful.
Butaeen the snake chose a beautiful skin to make himself look special.
Kula the Koala choose a beautiful fur to make himself look special.
Barebare the Emu choose beautiful feathers to make himself look special.
Wollombawn the Kangaroo choose a beautiful fur to make himself look special.
Kookundi the Kookaburra choose beautiful feathers to make himself look special.
Bangu the Possum choose beautiful fur to make himself look special.

All the animals did indeed look special and beautiful. They all looked at themselves and each other and were very proud of themselves.
They all thanked Baimai for there beautiful coats and feathers.
Baimai noticed Kootear the Echidna was missing and called out to him. Kootear was busy foraging for the ants and looked up to see all the animals with their beautiful coats.
He came to Baimai and asked him for a beautiful coat of feathers.
Baimai had no feathers or fur left. He looked around and saw tiny sticks lying around and stuck them on Kootear. The animals laughed and laughed to see Kootear with his sticks sticking out of his back.
Kootear looked sadly at himself in Deerubbin the river.
Baimai said, “Kootear you have been lazy and did not do as I asked of you, now you must wear these sticks and remember never to be lazy again or you might miss out on something good.”