The story explains how Australian birds came to have their different colours. It begins with all birds being black and living together peacefully. One day, a dove injures its foot. The other birds help and show kindness — except one, the crow. A small parrot touches the dove’s bleeding foot and magically becomes brightly coloured. One by one, other birds do the same, receiving different colours, while the crow, who refused to help, remains black.
🌱 Why this story is valuable in early childhood education
1. Rich cultural learning
- It introduces children to Aboriginal perspectives and storytelling traditions — central to understanding Australia’s First Nations cultures.
- The oral tradition and connection to nature reflect a worldview grounded in respect, interconnection and learning through story.
2. Moral and social messages
- The story gently explores empathy, kindness and consequences:
- Helping others brings positive outcomes
- Exclusion or unkindness can have consequences (the crow stays black)
- These are key social-emotional learning themes in early childhood.
3. Language and literacy
- The repetition and simple sentence structure make it accessible for young listeners and early readers.
- Strong descriptive language (e.g., colour, movement) supports oral storytelling, vocabulary-building, and retelling.
4. Visual and creative links
- Offers rich opportunities for art experiences — children can draw or paint their own colourful birds, or recreate the story through collage or dramatic play.
- Useful for exploring Australian animals and native birds in science or nature programs.
5. Connection to Country and environment
- Encourages children to observe and appreciate birds in their own surroundings
- Opens conversation about respect for nature and living things — aligning with the Early Years Learning Framework outcome of becoming connected with the world
🪶 Suggested prompts for reflection or extension
- Why do you think the crow stayed black?
- How did the birds show kindness?
- What colours would you choose for your bird, and why?
- Can you think of a time when someone helped you or you helped someone else?
