Silver Leaves

A beautiful story about conservation, working together and hope.

Owl and Night Parrot are nocturnal. They have a lovely big tree well away from all the noisy birds … until one day they are woken up by the birds fighting over space in their tree. Owl is very angry, until they discover the poor birds’ trees have been cut down. After a meeting, Night Parrot suggests they look for a seed to grow a tree big enough for everyone. Crow comes back with the biggest gumnut and they plant it, water it and sit around it waiting for it to grow. Meanwhile Night Parrot meets lonely Goanna who is guarding the last red berry bush. When Night Parrot tells Goanna their story, Goanna cries silver tears. It is these silver tears that Goanna leaves for Night Parrot to take back to water the gumnut. Magically, the gumnut grows overnight into a magnificent tree with room for everyone – and the leaves on top of the tree are silver – like a beacon for all other birds who need refuge.

Age range 6+

About the Author

Gladys Milroy is a Palyku woman whose traditional Country is in the east Pilbara region of Western Australia. Gladys was born in 1927 but was stolen from her mother, Daisy Corunna, as a young child and placed in Parkerville Children’s Home.

Gladys has been a storyteller and educator throughout her life. She takes an active role in the Palyku Native Title Claim Group and is particularly concerned about the protection of Palyku Country in the face of ongoing destruction and mining in the Pilbara.

Gladys creates and tells stories to remind people to care for the animals, trees and Country around them. She believes it is the birthright of Aboriginal children, and of all children, to be born into stories.