World stories
From the four corners of the earth Anne has collected some of
the great myths, legends and folktales of the world.
Africa
A dazzling string trick taught to me by Kel Watkins shows Osebo The Leopard chasing Anasi the Spiderman.
I tell Gail E Hailey's version A Story A Story
Arabia
Be enchanted by the story of Scherazade and her 1001 tales of the Arabian Nights, the original teller of
such stories as Sinbad, Ali Baba and Aladdin and his magic lamp.
Anne Stewart, her daughter, Cassie with acclaimed authour TOMIE DE PAOLA
Italy
Living in this area of country Victoria where signs of early Swiss Italian Immigrants dot the landscape
Tomie De Paola's Strega Nona continues to be a favourite along with more homegrown
tales from our early settlers.
China
How the Years where named for the 12 Chinese animals leads to most other Chinese Stories.
Like the Rooster and the Heavenly Dragon, The Dragons Pearl and stories from the Chinese on
The Goldfields.
Japan
My one origami trick, folding a crane is a beautiful adjunct to the White Crane by Junko Morimoto.
Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England
With her Celtic heritage Annie draws extensively on myths and legends of the British Isles.
TONY STEWART (RIP)
STEWART CLAN TONY, GREG, ANNE , BABY JANE & PAUL
Timor
In October 1975 Anthony John Stewart (Tony) oldest son of June and Noel was killed in East Timor
while reporting on the Indonesian invasion. Whenever I tell the story of 'How Timor came from the
Crocodile' I think of him and all the many East Timorese brothers and sisters that have died.
It seems important, more than ever to keep the culture alive through story.
I include the full version of this Timorese Folk Tale:
Timor came from the crocodile
An often-told
traditional story 
Long ago a boy saw a baby crocodile fighting for his life while
the sun was shining fiercely. He was trying to get from the
lagoon to the sea, but the little crocodile wasn't strong and was
moving very slowly. The boy took pity on him and carried that
crocodile to the sea. The crocodile was very grateful and promised that he would repay that kindness.
He said if the boy wanted to travel he could go to the sea and call 'Crocodile, Crocodile', and he would
come to him. Time passed. The boy remembered the crocodile's promise. He went to the sea and after
the third call the crocodile came. They were like two old friends meeting after a long time, very happy to
see each other. The crocodile told the boy to sit on his back and took him on a journey. They travelled
together like this many times. Then one day the crocodile felt he would like to eat the boy. It was his
instinct, being the animal he was. But his conscience troubled him and before he did this thing he went to
ask the opinion of other animals. He met a whale, a tiger and a buffalo... many animals. All of them
condemned him, saying he shouldn't repay this favour of the boy with bad action. Finally he came to a
monkey, the finest animal, jumping from one branch to another. For being so ungrateful he called the
crocodile the worst name he could and then disappeared. The crocodile was ashamed and gave up the
idea of eating the boy. He still took the boy on his back and they travelled together until the crocodile
became old. He said, 'Ah, friend, the good deed you did me cannot be repaid. I am obliged to die and
I will change into a land where you and your descendants will live from my fat, as payment for your
kindness.' That crocodile became Timor island, which is the shape of a crocodile, and the Timorese are
descendants of that boy. People there are always kind. They welcome others and have a sense of justice
and gratitude to people and they tell this legend to explain it. Our people call crocodiles 'Grandfather'.
When they cross a river they always call 'Crocodile, I am your grandchild, do not eat me'.
From Michele Turner, Telling - East Timor: Personal Testimonies 1942-1992,
New South Wales University Press, 1992.
Plus more stories from the four corners of the earth.....