It may seem like a silly myth but there is typically a logic that goes with the reason for some of the myths that we have. How the koala lost it's tail is a prime example
Koalas are a beloved mascot of Australian culture. Interestingly koala is an aboriginal term meaning “no drink.” The koala is able to go for long periods of time with out drinking water. It is able to find the water that it needs from the leaves of the eucalyptus trees which contain large deposits of water.
The story of how koala tricked the tree kangaroo is not the only myth as to why the koala lost its tail. In the other myth there was a drought in the land however koala did not seem to be affected. After further investigation it was found that the koala was hording water for itself within the hallow of the tree. A bird blew up the tree relieving the rest of the animals from their dire thirst but koala lost its tail in the explosion.
The climate of Australia at times can be very harsh, when a drought came leaving the Aboriginal people in severe thirst it is easy to imagine their wonder as to why the koala seemed not to be affected. Reality gave way for mythology or a way to explain the unexplainable. The desire to explain the unexplainable is what gave the basis for our religions and the mythology that accompanies them. We humans are curious creatures which, means that we have to know why everything works the way that it does, when a reason for its operation could not be identified we then created a “logical” explanation for it. Why weren’t koalas affected by the drought? They were hording water or tricking other animals into getting it for them.
One can also say that these myths are dual purpose. Most of the animals that reside in the trees have tails, for some reason the koala doesn’t but yet they are able to live in the trees with just about as much ease as those with tails. In the minds of the Ancient man there had to be a reason for it and perhaps they lost their tail as a punishment for their selfishness.
We may not hold much faith in mythology anymore but if anything there is still a pearl of truth in the stories whether it is our own ancient musings or with the reasons we thought things worked. Either way the koala’s myth about how he lost his tale serves as a reminder as to what can happen when we think only of ourselves.
