Mick Quilliam

When Moinee, the great god-star had crashed to earth, hundreds of flaming sparks flew from the molten mass. When these came into contact with the cool air, they turned into tiny birds, flying swiftly in an effort to escape from the searing heat. But as they forced their way through the thick swirling steam that arose from Moinee’s crash, some of the heat clung to their bodies. Today you will see them in the deep, cool valleys where the shade clings to the trees, for the little birds remember the ordeal of fire they underwent as they were born into this world. Seen from a distance as they flit swiftly through the valleys and gorges, the little birds look like tiny grey wisps of mist with a bright red light at each end, especially so when they streak through a shaft of sunlight which sometimes penetrates their twilight world. For the little firebird’s beak is a bright crimson, and on his tail he carries a burning ember from Moinee’s flaming chariot. The Great One, knowing their history, called them Lieka, the firebird. This story features on page 102 & 103 of “The Cotton Papers – Land of the Sleeping Gods”. This painting shows the firebird as he is seen today.