Long ago, four giant beings arrived in southeast Australia. Three strode out to other parts of the continent, but one crouched in place. His body transformed into a volcano called Budj Bim, and his teeth became the lava the volcano spat out. Now, scientists say this tale—told by the Aboriginal Gunditjmara people of the area—may have some basis in fact. About 37,000 years ago, Budj Bim and another nearby volcano formed through a rapid series of eruptions, new evidence reveals, suggesting the legend may be the oldest story still being told today. The study raises a provocative possibility, says Sean Ulm, an archaeologist at James Cook University, Cairns, who was not involved with the work. “It is an interesting proposition to think about these traditions extending for tens of thousands of years.” But he and others urge caution, as no other Stories passed down orally are believed to have survived that long. [1] Arrogant men. Telling stories. Not believing old stories they have heard. Soon the arrogant men will die. Soon other arrogant men will appear. And they will tell stories of their own. And they will deny the stories they’ve heard. Oh, dear men. Why don’t you believe in the raining clouds? Why don’t you see your face in the Earth? Listen to the wind. It is not the cosmos talking. It is you denying to ever speak…

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