us it’s a living being. Same applies to the boomerang. He runs, he walks, he flies: why wouldn’t he be alive!”
There was a twinkle in the Elder’s eye as he described the living boomerang. His voice was animated as his mind filled with images of boomerangs in flight, spinning fast through the air. He was reliving youthful, more energetic days. The Elder had performed the ceremony and given clear explanations so Rob could speak about the spirit of the boomerang.
* * *
The Elder poured the hot, black tea into thick plastic mugs and sat down.
“Let me show you something.” He placed his right thumb and index finger on one of his top, front teeth and applied pressure. Suddenly he was holding a partial denture with one tooth. “My original tooth was knocked out during first initiation...”
“Ouch, sounds bloody painful.” Rob sympathised.
“It sure was, and I’ve had different part-plates ever since.”
“Yeah? I hadn’t even noticed,” Rob responded.
“That’s right,” the Elder confirmed. “It was uncomfortable in the early days, but it’s been good for years now.”
“And it’s a better look professionally,” Rob said.
“Exactly,” the Elder agreed as he replaced it. Then Rob introduced a new topic.
“Do you think the Ancestors show us signs, back in what seems like the spiritually starved world?”
Sipping his tea then placing the three quarter-full mug on a rock, the Elder picked up one of the clapstick boomerangs.
“Let’s not think too much,” he replied with conviction. “Thinking blocks our connection to Ancestors, Spiritual Masters and the Source. It’s over-used. But the world’s not spiritually starved. If it was, we wouldn’t be here! Positive vibes keep the world more than half in the light.”
“Yeah. Agreed. I see your point,” Rob acknowledged.
“And universal signs are always available. If we’re ready spiritually we see them. First recognise, then interpret correctly. Interpretation is tricky, but when they’re obvious it’s simple and everything flows.
Intuition interprets signs quickest and truest. Then the battle between intuition and intellect rises because mind wants to dominate. But as we grow spiritually it’s easier to recognise signs and messages because our connection to the Source becomes deeper.”
As soon as he finished his last word the Elder put the boomerang down, emptied the remains of his now cool tea in the sand, stood up, and beckoned Rob to follow.
“Let’s go, there’s another stand of palms further along, and I want to show you some rare bush tucker.”
6
The two men walked in firm brown sand for about two hundred metres, passing a small rock pool of water just deep enough to reflect flashes of sunlight as their eyes caught the right angles. Upon seeing the red cabbage palms about fifty metres away the Elder held up his hand to stop. They both stood still and he alerted the spirits that they were approaching. Then as Rob concluded his silent words he wondered whether thought-messages would be acceptable on some occasions, and would ask the Elder about it later.
They reached the palms and the Elder selected a young plant, telling Rob to hold the slim trunk and bend it towards him a little. Choosing a frond the Elder carefully peeled off the outer layers with his fingers to reach the softer inner layers. He then took a small pocket-knife out of his trousers, unfolded the blade and cut small sections, handing one to Rob.
“This food is a gift from the Ancestors. Hope you like it.”
Rob put it onto his tongue and began chewing slowly.
“Be perfect in a salad,” he said, savouring the smooth, slightly tart flavour. The Elder also had a piece and chewed it until it was watery in his mouth. He had not tasted this rare bush tucker for many years, and after doing so had the look of a contented man.
“I remember grandfather letting me taste it, but our people stopped eating it years ago. Why? Because this palm will probably die now.’’
“Oh,’’ Rob uttered, surprised.
“Yes, but my actions should be okay because I’m explaining culture, and the Ancestors understand what we’re doing...’’
“Well, that’s good. And thanks for the huge privilege.’’ Rob responded, happy that he was gaining information about the old ways.
The mid-afternoon sun hit their hats at about 30 degrees Celsius, but they were comfortable enough. Rob called it honest heat because it was dry with no humidity. The gorge was hotter than Alice Springs because sunlight reflected into it from high rocky walls on both sides, and there was no breeze. They had become used to it because the temperatures had been higher ever since they arrived. Even so they began walking back on the shaded side and did not have far to go, or so Rob thought.
Large rocks stood around, water-worn and sun-baked after millennia in the elements. Rob walked ahead and after passing a larger rock suddenly stopped. On the other side was a circular-shaped depression in the ground at least twenty metres across. Compelled to walk down into it, he found a dark, round stone with shiny flecks about the size of a marble at the bottom. It was surprisingly heavy for its size and unlike any others Rob had seen in the gorge. He made a quick mental note that it looked out of place, then called out to the Elder who was several metres behind.
“What’s this?” Rob asked, his voice brightened by the joy of discovery as he held the small stone above his head. The Elder caught up, and leaned against one of the taller shaded rocks.
“There’s a big story about this fella. That’s no ordinary stone! You know we’ve got stories about stars and planets. And we discovered asteroids and meteors before Europeans arrived. I’m using English names so what I say has more significance. This ancient burnt stone is a tektite, part of a meteorite!”
“What? That must be so rare,” Rob responded as he glanced up into blue, expansive Central Australian sky, before refocusing on the stone.
“They are. But we found them from time to time,” the Elder confirmed as he looked closely at the tektite.
“I know the stars and earth are connected in traditional culture, but are you saying your elders knew this little, heavy stone came from outer space?”
Rob could not have asked his question more precisely or succinctly. The Elder was expecting it and suggested they walk the hundred metres or so back to camp and the refreshing shade, before he answered.
The water in their bottles was not very cool but both men drank and replenished themselves. Rob, now sitting on his rolled-up swag had an expectant expression as the Elder began.
“Ancestors have always lived in the Sky-World and they’re still up there as stars and constellations. They gave us stories about meteors and asteroids, but our Elders also knew these dark, round stones came from beyond earth. There was no other possibility because they knew how stones behaved. Stones are living objects, but they didn’t jump around making holes in the ground!”
“That’s fantastic,” Rob enthused. “I’ve never thought of them knowing the connection between a stone on earth and its cosmic origin.”
But there it was staring him in the face. Proof that the old people knew exactly what happened in their country.
* * *
They had brought sufficient supplies for their stay, the morning had been eventful, and it was mid-afternoon so food was the next priority. The fire soon burned down and Rob removed the tops from cans of braised steak and onions, placing them in the coals to heat. Their spirits were being deeply nourished in this sanctuary of pure, loving energy, and the Elder mentioned another visit to the cave.
“We’ll go in